In the After Dark

Many Years after the events of Into The Dark...

"And what else did you do?" Sonya asked her teenage daughter.

"We went shopping out of town earlier. I got some new clothes. Even a new phone. I could get you one if you want," Cassandra bragged, showing the phone to her mother. Sonya was looking away unbeknownst to the girl due to her over excitement in showing her purchases. Cassandra lowered her arms. Sonya noticed the disappointment on the girl's face.

"They look nice," she commented softly. Her eyes looked away. Her presence stuttered a bit as the power of the Vampire Speak was waning.

"Mother, what is it?" Cassandra asked. Sonya looked pitifully in the girl's eyes.

"The time is here," she said. Cassandra frowned and nodded.

"Where will we meet?"

"There is a portal pass the memorial sector where an old hutt resides. You'll know the path when you see it," she said.

"Ok mom," Cassie responded pitifully. Sonya sighed.

"Cas—" their communication was cut immediately.

"Ugh!" Cassie screeched. Jacqueline waltz over to her friend, her curly brown hair swaying side to side. She placed her hand on the girl's face. The cold metal of the ring on her finger startled the girl.

"Sorry," Jacqueline apologized.

"Its alright, Jacqui," she moped.

"What's wrong? She didn't like the phone?"

"She didn't seem to care about the conversation at all. She wanted to tell me that its time." Jacqueline's eyes lowered a bit as she took a step back.

"You're leaving already?" she said quietly, rubbing her fingers through her hair.

"She's dying. Her powers have been waning greatly for the past several years. I though she was faking it to keep me from having friends but…" Cassandra shook her head. "I can't even get in touch with her right now no matter how hard I try. So...I have to." Jacqueline embraced her.

"I can't let you leave out alone. I should at least see you off," Jacqueline requested.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," she said.

Cassandra and Jacqueline traversed the streets of city that afternoon, avoiding the many pedestrians trying to greet them or ask why girls their age are roaming around such dangerous streets alone. They've always brushed off comments like those throughout their lives. They were born in danger. Lived in it even. A few crooks on the streets don't mean much to the girls. They passed by places that were now considered landmarks commemorating those dark days. The truth of what happened was covered up. It always is. Sonya knew it would happen even with her reports to the United Nations. To know the Special Forces was responsible still surprises Cassandra and even Sonya to this day. It was a surprise that Earthrealm wasn't also at war with the vampires too.

Most people don't visit this city like a tourist attraction. Very few actually come out of fear that the incident would happen again. Hence the rows of vacant buildings along numerous streets. So it surprised the two girls when a lone grizzled man stared at the same memorial wall that Sonya would visit every year. Names of numerous deceased members of the Special Forces. All numbered and sorted based on the team they were assigned to prior to their deaths. The specific names he was staring at were from the group Cassandra's mother were part of. Although she wasn't a full-blooded vampire, her vision was heightened enough to see the exact direction of his vision. Before she could react, the man looked over to her. His eyes jumped, but he remained by the memorial. Cassandra waved her hand and nudging Jacqueline to do the same.

"Do you know this guy?" Jacqueline whispered behind her teeth.

"He knows my mom," she whispered in the same manner. "I'm sure of it."

"What are—"

"Did you know Lieutenant Sonya Blade?" Cassandra asked. The man stepped away in a panic. Jacqueline moved in quickly and grabbed the man's wrist. He was surprised by her speed and reached toward his waist.

"Stop!" Cassandra cried out. The man stopped and Jacqueline softened her grip. Neither knew exactly who she was asking to stop, but they didn't want to upset the girl. Cassandra sighs.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"You know my mother, don't you?" The man's lips trembled. He tipped his hat to the girl and sighed.

"Kurtis Stryker," he said. "Retired New York City Police Officer." Cassandra nodded to Jacqueline, who fully released the man's arm and stepped back.

"The man who helped her stop the invasion." Jacqueline smiled. "Sorry about that. I thought...I'm sorry."

"It's fine," he responded. "Was your father a member of the Special Forces too?" Stryker asked. Jacqueline remained silent and slowly walked beside Cassandra.

"Thank you for your service, Stryker."

"Would you girls like some coffee?" he asked.

"This late in the evening?" Cassandra joked.

"Its never too late," the man responded jokingly. They both agreed and followed him to a local coffee shop. The inside was much cleaner than most places in the area. Many consider a nearly destroyed interior to be charming and even gives the opportunity for the shops to be considered a "landmark." The lack of glorification for the incident is why Stryker values the location so much.

"So," he began. But Cassandra interrupted him.

"What happened that day?" Cassandra asked. Srtyker's smile faded. Jacqueline looked at Cassandra and leaned in closer to her.

"A little brash aren't you?"

"You're right Jacqui," Cassandra said. "Apologies. I just don't have much time right now."

"It's alright," Stryker said. "Straight to the point is alright. However, wouldn't you rather hear this from your mother?"

"I want the official story," she clarified. "My mother told me her side, but this war has to be for more than just one attack on the city."

"I…" Stryker was obviously holding back. Jacqueline held the man's hand.

"She can't hear you," she said. Stryker had a confused look on his face. Cassandra nodded.

"Thank's for clearing that up, Jacqui. It didn't even come to my mind that…" Cassandra looked back at the man. "Wait, she marked you?" Stryker shook his head.

"It wasn't her. But somehow when she got her powers, she was able to retain all the contracts of the previous owner." Cassandra lifted her shirt. Stryker was starting to look away, but Cassandra stopped once the tail of the shirt reached her lower rib cage. A mark was shown beneath it.

"She hasn't heard me this entire time. I haven't even been able to get in touch with her since this morning—even though she contacted me first."

"She could be talking with someone else," he said. He attempts to communicate with Cassandra through witch speak, a name given to the ability by Sonya. It was how they'd communicate with one another through the mind. However, Stryker was unable to use it. Not on Sonya. Not even on Cassandra. He looks at the two girls and smiles. He laughs hysterically, repeatedly banging his fist on the desk. The girls nervously laughed with him, looking at the Store manager who watched with concern.

"Stryker," Jacqueline whispered as she flashed her eyes to the manager. Stryker started to calm down as he looked at the concerned man. With a sigh, he looks at Cassandra.

"Last time I talked to Sonya was eight years ago. She hasn't called back since, but I know she hears me when I try to call. Usually sends a message through someone else. But to not have any communication? Like an EMP? Feels...refreshing."

"Doesn't it?" Cassandra remarks. "So often her powers wane just enough to not hear my thoughts. I hate living a life where I can't think for myself."

"Yeah," he says, almost seemingly to himself.

"So, about the incident?" Stryker stretches and leans back in his chair.

"This is going to be a long one."

"That incident was one we never saw coming. A whole week. Vampires roamed the streets of New York City controlling frail beasts known as Oni. A lot smaller than the Oni your mother's army controls now. The invasion was a deal struck between Onaga, posing under the alias of a man named Quan Chi, and Fang, the man overseeing the entire Special Forces Agency. Sonya and I discovered this the night prior to her ascension into Vampirism. After we killed Nitara, she chose to go to the main Special Forces Headquarters where Fang resided and killed him along with her former allies within the Special Forces that day. She swore revenge against everyone who wronged her, something I knew would happen. She killed every member of the Red Dragon, every remaining member of the Black Dragon, former members of both clans, the Brotherhood of Shadows, and is apparently at war in another location: Outworld."

"The place she wants me to be," Cassandra muttered.

"I know nothing of these places, but I remember her saying there are fates worse than death and that she plans to exact that punishment onto all of Outworld."

"Like Nitara did with New York City," Cassandra also muttered. Jacqueline remained silent, comforting her friend. "A war has been occurring in Outworld for all these years. I know my mom could've easily wipe that realm clean as she's done it to hell itself. But instead, she chooses to toy with the citizens. Like cattle. It's...its not right."

"Your mother's powers might be waning, but that doesn't mean they can't flare back up. I'm sure she would send someone to look for you if you're not there on time." Cassandra nodded.

"Right," she agreed. Stryker nodded with a smile.

"I hate it had to be cut short," he said, "but if this helps you with your final decision…"

"I know," she says.

Hours later after trekking to the secret Portal hidden by her mother after the fall of the Special Forces, Cassandra decided it would be best if they rested before starting the portal. Cassandra leaned over, taking deep breaths. Her heart raced as she reflected on the relic she never knew to be true. It was strange. In a world of failed apocalypses, magic, demons, and vampires, it was a portal made from near modern technology that amazed the young woman.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Jacqueline asked.

"I've been destined for this at birth, Jacqui," she responded. Jacqueline seemed to be disappointed by her answer.

"Destiny may want this, but do you," Jacqueline clarified. This time sounding more like a statement than a question.

"I'm not turning back, Jacqueline." Cassandra lifted herself up and looked at Jacqueline. "Listen, I understand if you want to stay. You don't have to come with me."

"Even though this isn't your war? A war that has no bearing on Earthrealm?"

"Its for my mother—"

"Your mother isn't dying anytime soon. Why rush? What if you're not ready for...whatever's behind that machine."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Cassandra asked. "I've trained for this years ago. I'm more than capable."

"You have, hadn't you," Jacqueline muttered, looking down. Cassandra walked to the portal and began to turn it on as per her mother's instructions. The machine was rather quiet as it powered on. Then, the sound of waves could be heard coming from it as a circular vortex of light appeared at its center. Cassandra was astonished by it. She looked at Jacqueline who was still staring toward the ground.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye." Cassandra turned to her friend and reached out to embrace her. However, the same courtesy was not given by Jacqueline. She stepped back. Disappointed, Cassandra dropped her arms, and stomped off toward the portal.

"Cassandra!" she shouted. Cassandra stopped. Jacqueline slowly raises her head looking at the back of the girl's nape. "You're not going in." Cassandra slowly turned her head.

"What do you mean?" Cassandra questioned, knowing what the woman meant.

"Cassandra," she began, "do you know why I never told you my last name before?"

"Your last name?" Cassandra seemed confused. "Now that you mention it, what is your last name?"

"That's a question we've all been asking. Mother doesn't know. I don't know. We only knew my father by one name, Daegon."

"Daegon?!" Cassandra perked up. Jacqueline smiled as she heard her father's name from the girl's mouth. Jacqueline also called his name eight years ago. Daegon was with his partner Ashrah, lying in a pool of blood. Jacqueline reached out to her father as life slowly left his eyes. The man seemed unafraid. His head turned toward Ashrah's hand. She wielded a twisted sword in her hand. One Jacqueline later learned was the Kris; an ancient weapon once crafted by the vampires to be used against themselves. Vampire slayer is what Ashrah would become. What her father would become. What she was destined to become.

"Destiny brought us to this very point hasn't it," Jacqueline said. "You should've just turned back Cassie." Jacqueline circles her right hand around conjuring a magic ring of fire. She sticks her hand inside and pulls out a wavy weapon.

"Was this your plan all along? Were you always going to kill me? As revenge against my mother?"

"This has nothing to do with your mother," she responded. "It never did." Jacqueline runs towards Cassandra with the blade in hand, but the girl trips over a stone standing between them. Cassandra moves out of the way to avoid the girl falling on her. Jacqueline raises herself up and picks her weapon back up.

"What is that thing? It's crooked," Cassandra said.

"Your new family knows it well," she responded as she charged toward the girl again. Cassandra just continued moving out of her way. She was just too fast for Jacqueline. She always was. Jacqueline hated that about her. Not just her physical speed, but also the speed in which she'd make decisions.

After some time, Cassandra gave up on avoiding the girl and decided to take physical action against her. When she charges this time, Cassandra moves over and digs her boot into the girl's gut. Jacqueline falls to the ground grabbing ahold of her abdomen as she gasped for air. The sword was no longer in her possession and Cassandra picks it up. She observes the blade front and back. Its inscription had the mark of Vaeturnus beneath the handle. As Jacqueline slowly gets up, Cassandra flickers her fingers to enter Witch Speak. However, she realizes that her power wasn't working on her. It was clear what the issue was. An issue that should've always been clear to her since meeting Jacqueline. She was never able to talk with her mother when the girl was around. The coincidence was always there, but she didn't want to believe that her best friend would be one who'd betray her in such a way. Not without signs.

"How are you doing it?" Cassandra questioned. Jacqueline knew exactly what she was talking about. She showed off the ring around her left index finger to Cassandra.

"I stole it off the witch's body along with the Kris," she said.

"The Kris?"

"The weapon meant to slay vampires. The one who created it was a vampire himself and after killing so many of his own, he sought fit to end his own life. Something tha—"

"Oh for the love of God," Cassandra remarked irritably before pulling out her glock and shooting a hole through Jacqueline's skull.

Cassandra holsters her gun and walks to the portal with the blade still in her hands. She looks at the blade, still feeling the warmth of her friend's hand around the handle. The wavy design of the blade reminded her of the hair. Cassandra's felt her arms weaken and her cheeks wet as she hollered. Minutes went by before she wipe her face to inhaled harshly through her nose. She had to keep a brave face in the presence of her mother. With the portal activated, she takes a deep breath and steps through.

On the other side, the loud sounds of groans and screeching vampires fills the gaps of silence that existed in Outworld. The skies were darkened by the immense amount of smoke littered throughout the realm. She looked around the many maimed and damaged vampires lying in the debris and rubble of the town they were residing in. Sonya was siting on a throne surrounded by nothing but the outdoors. She smiles and hopped from her seat as she saw her daughter.

"Mom?" Cassie said softly. Sonya smiled, blood still lingering from her lip. She slowly walked up to her daughter. She felt her warm skin as her cold handan rubbed across her daughters arm. She grabbed her and pulled her in before embracing the girl tightly.

"Oh, Cassandra," she wept. "Your voice escaped me many of times. I was afraid something might have happened to you." Cassie released herself from her mother and shyly rubbed her own shoulder.

"Your powers seem to be waning mom." Sonya placed both hands atop of her daughter's shoulders.

"I knew the day would come, but not this soon." Sonya said regretfully. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Cassandra monitor's her mother mental state carefully. Sonya opened her eyes and looked at her daughter's face before releasing her grip. She finally wiped the blood from her mouth and took a deep breath. "Are you ready to fulfill your contract?"

"Yes," she said. "I am." Sonya nodded and closed in on her daughter. As she grew closer, her eye caught onto a glare coming from Cassandra's hip. At first, she thought it was only the girl's pistol. Instead, she felt a twisted sharp object driving deep into her gut.

"Wha—" Sonya coughed.

"I'm sorry." Cassandra pulled the blade from her mother. Blood poured out from the woman. More than she's seen in a long time.

"It...cant...stop."

"It has to." Cassandra stood above her fallen mother as the woman clung to life. The vampires in the area hover around them. Cassandra didn't look, instead keeping her eyes on her dying mother until she too her last breath.

Cassandra didn't cry as she did when she took Jacqueline's life. Her heart had harden as the only people she cared for perished at her hands within minutes of one another. The sounds of the wind slamming against the vampires was all she heard as they flew away from the battlefield. Silence for the first time in over a decade spread throughout Outworld. Not even cheers for the end of the conflict. Just silence. A warm feathery feeling came into Cassandra's chest. She smiled, knowing that her actions would prove to be the better outcome. One that her mother refused. One that might not be the best choice, but it was hers. She closed her eyes and laid besides her mother with the bloodied kris in her hand, and a gaping hole beside her left breast.

End of Story 5

I hope you all enjoyed this story and the continuation of the story "In The Dark" That I released back in 2014. There was a point when this was meant to be a 4 chapter story fully illustrating the life of Cassandra Cage and Jacqueline years after the events of the Incident, but that story was strapped in order to focus more on the completion of Rebirth: MK. A similar (albeit not so drastic) decision is being made with this series in relation to the upcoming debut of the final story in my Mortal Kombat Fanfiction series, Resurrection, which is set to release July 7th, 2022. With this in mind, the release of new stories for this Anthology series will be severely shortened, maybe even more than recently with the possibility of only getting one story every three months. This all depends on what I decide to write about next as I plan to stop once I reach 12 stories, but the next 7 are unknown as of now. With that being said, I will see you all in the next story.

(Upcoming-Unknown)