Chapter Fifteen

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

On the rooftop, the intense fighting continued. Kano punched Wyatt in the face again and again and again. Kano then charged at Wyatt, causing him to spin around. Kano then jumped up behind him, raising his knife. He stabbed Wyatt's torso and then sliced him from his torso to his shoulder. Wyatt screamed in pain. Kano then grabbed his head and painfully snapped his spine as he raised him up. Kano flung him away and Wyatt landed on painfully on the ground. Wyatt groaned as he slowly tried to get up. He was in so much pain that he felt like he was going to pass out. Kano went up to him as he was trying to get up. Wyatt slowly pointed his wristband at him. He wanted to shoot out a holographic hand, but he didn't have the strength to control his cybernetic wristband. Kano violently grabbed his hair and lifted his head up.

"Look at you. You can barely even move. You're weak. You're pathetic. You're an embarrassment. You little shit." said Kano.

Kano punched him in the face.

"Ever since you were a kid, I tried to beat the weakness of out you. But the problem with you is…you've always had a conscience. Sometimes you've expressed regret over the things you've done…the people you've killed…A Black Dragon isn't supposed to feel regret! A Black Dragon is cold and ruthless! Not weak! You are weak! You're fucking weak!"

Kano punched him again and again in the face.

"You think you can protect your precious Cassie? I can hurt her, I can kill her and you won't be able to protect her. You know why? Because you're weak and pathetic!"

Wyatt became so infuriated. His rage emerged. He clenched his jaw and stared angrily at Kano. Before Kano could defend himself, Wyatt stood up and grabbed his throat. He raised him in the air with just one hand. Kano kicked his legs and was struggling to breathe as Wyatt kept choking him.

"IF YOU DARE HURT CASSANDRA…I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!" Wyatt yelled, his veins popping out of his neck.

Kano kept on struggling to breathe. Wyatt then flung him to the ground. As Kano tried to get up, Wyatt charged at him and kicked his stomach many times. Kano groaned in pain as Wyatt kept kicking him. Wyatt grabbed Kano's legs and spun him around, flinging him away. Kano landed hard on the ground. Kano slowly got up and then Wyatt did a cannonball on him, knocking him hard.

Wyatt then punched Kano again and again and then gave Kano a powerful uppercut. Kano was flung high in the air and he landed hard on the ground. Wyatt went up to him. Kano was lying on his stomach and he was too injured to get up. Wyatt had won. He defeated Kano. Just then, Wyatt heard beeping sounds. He looked up and saw the bomb nearby. The clock was ticking. 60 seconds until the bomb detonated.

Kano lifted his head up and looked at Wyatt. Kano's face was bruised and bloodied and he had a black eye. Kano smirked at Wyatt, exposing his teeth which were bloodied after all the fighting.

"You're gonna leave me here aren't ya?" Kano asked. "You should. That's what a Black Dragon would do. We're ruthless, we're strong. Besides, you're gonna make a great Black Dragon leader after I'm dead. I know the Black Dragons will be in good hands under your leadership. Go on, get out of here."

Wyatt was angry with Kano. Absolutely livid. But at the end of the day, Kano was his dad and Wyatt loved him. There was no fucking way that he was going to leave Kano here to die. He sighed and helped Kano up. Wyatt put Kano's arm around his shoulder. He also put his hand around Kano's waist.

"Come on asshole, let's get out of here." said Wyatt.

Kano smirked.

"That's my boy." said Kano.

20 seconds

Wyatt helped Kano walk near the edge of the rooftop. Wyatt was about to use his grapple gun to grab on to a nearby building and propel him and Kano to safety.

10 seconds

Just then, a small black jet flew up to them. Norah opened the cockpit.

"HOP IN! QUICK!" she yelled.

Wyatt nodded and went back a few feet to build momentum.

5 seconds

"Hang on Kano." He said.

4…

Wyatt then ran

3…

Wyatt jumped

2…

And he and Kano landed inside the jet. Norah quickly flew away.

1…

BOOM!

The bomb detonated, destroying many floors of the building, including the rooftop.

Everyone on the ground saw the explosion, including Cassie.

"WYATT!" Cassie screamed.

Cassie and everyone else were facing the front of the building. Norah had flown the jet from behind the building. Cassie didn't see Norah fly a jet and save Wyatt and Kano. Cassie thought that Wyatt had died from the explosion.

"WYATT! WYATT NO!" Cassie screamed as she started crying. She tried to run inside the building, but Jin protectively held her. He pulled her into a hug as she was crying.

"I'm sorry Cassie." said Jin sadly. He hugged her and gently stroked her hair.

"Wyatt…no…" she said, crying and hugging Jin.

A few days later…

Johnny Cage was recovering after Kano attacked him. He was released from the hospital and was resting at home. The injury caused by Kano's laser was healing and covered in bandages. Johnny was still in a bit of pain, but he was going to make a full recovery. Sonya and Cassie moved in with him to help him during his recovery. Johnny was happy that Sonya and Cassie moved in. It was temporary, but it was nice to have the whole family living in the same household again. Kenshi, Takeda, Jacqui and Jin came by to visit Johnny to check on him.

Cassie and Jin had made up. Jin apologized to Cassie for being so rude and disrespectful to her. Jin told Cassie that he gave her tough love because he really cares about her and he was just worried about her. Cassie also apologized to him for cursing him out. Jin and Cassie were back to being best of friends again.

Cassie hadn't heard any official report that Kano and Wyatt were dead. Officials searched the Premium Financial Building and didn't find any human remains. Cassie was a bit relieved because that meant that Wyatt had managed to escape. However, she was worried because she hadn't heard from him.

5pm

Cassie went back to her condo to check her mail. She also wanted to get a few more clothes. She decided to stay in her condo for a few hours before going back to her dad's house. She was hoping that Wyatt would come by and see her. She had been in her condo for three hours…since 2pm, but Wyatt didn't come by.

Cassie sighed and stood up from the sofa. She went to the balcony and leaned against the railing. She looked at the view of the city as the cool breeze swept across her face. Just then, a grapple gun grabbed the railing next to her. Cassie looked up and smiled. Wyatt was on the rooftop of a building next to her. He smiled at her and then propelled himself to her balcony.

"Wyatt!" she exclaimed happily as she hugged him tightly. She was so relieved that he was alive and safe.

"Cassandra…" said Wyatt, smiling and hugging her back.

They both didn't want to let go. After hugging for many seconds, they released their embrace and kissed each other passionately.

Cassie put her hands on his cheeks and stared into his eyes.

"I'm so happy you're okay." She said.

"I'm happy you and your mother are okay." said Wyatt, who wrapped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes. "How's your dad? Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he is, thanks for asking. He's gonna make a full and speedy recovery. Me and my mom moved in with him to take care of him."

"I'm glad your dad is going to be fine." said Wyatt. He gently stroked her hair. "I'm so sorry that Kano put you, your parents and your friends in danger. I'm sorry that he put all those people in danger."

Cassie sighed.

"Wyatt…" said Cassie, wrapping her arms around his neck "…I keep telling you…you don't have to be on his side. You know the Black Dragons are the wrong side. I told you…it's not too late to join Special Forces. You can do a lot of good in the world. You can redeem yourself. And you and me…we can be together all the time. You've had plenty of time to make your decision. Please Wyatt."

Wyatt sighed.

"Cassandra…I'm sorry, but you know what my decision is."

Cassie sighed sadly and removed her arms from his neck. She released herself from him.

"Wyatt…I love you but…I can't keep doing this. I mean us being on different sides…how is that gonna work?"

"Who cares if we're on different sides?" said Wyatt, coming up to her. "We love each other. We can make it work. We've been making it work, haven't we?"

"Wyatt…my parents were almost killed by Kano the other day. You and I being on different sides puts my family and friends in danger. I can't risk the lives of my loved ones for you. I'm sorry but I can't."

Wyatt sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"We can still be together Wyatt…join Special Forces and we can be together."

"Well, I see we've reached an impasse. We're both loyal to our teams…to our families. We on different sides Cassandra. Neither of us is going to leave our teams."

Cassie stared at him sadly, with tears in her eyes. Wyatt came up to her and gently put his hand on her cheek.

"How tragic…" he said, staring into her eyes "…we love each other, but we can't be together. That indeed…is a pity."

Wyatt gently kissed her on the lips and she kissed him back. After they released their kiss, Wyatt walked to the railing.

"I will always love you Cassandra Cage…even if we're not together."

He pulled out his grapple gun and shot it.

"I'll see you in the battlefield." He said, smiling.

Wyatt propelled himself away to the rooftop of a nearby building. He and Cassie stared at each other. Wyatt then reluctantly ran off. Cassie stood on the balcony as a few tears fell down her face.

Later that day…

Special Forces Headquarters

10pm

Sonya was walking to one of the many gyms in Special Forces Headquarters. Cassie told her and Johnny that she was going to her condo. Cassie said that she needed to check her mail and get a few clothes. Cassie left Johnny's house hours ago and her parents were wondering what was taking her so long.

Johnny and Sonya tried calling Cassie, but she didn't pick up. They tried texting her and she didn't reply. After Cassie's recent kidnapping by the Black Dragons, her parents were really worried. Sonya was about to go out and look for her. Johnny was still recovering but he didn't care…he also wanted to help look for his daughter.

They were about to leave the house, but Cassie texted them. Sonya and Johnny were very relieved when she texted them. Cassie texted them, saying that she was in the gym in Headquarters. Sonya decided to go and check on her anyway.

Johnny wanted to come along as well. However Sonya told him that he needed to rest. She assured him that she would be right back with Cassie. Johnny reluctantly agreed to stay at home and Sonya left for Headquarters.

Sonya kept walking until she reached the gym. She saw Cassie punching a heavy bag. She was wearing a sports bra, workout shorts, sneakers and red boxing gloves. Cassie was grunting loudly as she was punching the heavy bag with so much anger. Sonya saw that Cassie was very upset.

"Cassie!" Sonya said.

Cassie stopped punching the bag and looked at Sonya.

"Yeah?"

"Hey. I just wanted to check on you." She said, coming up to her. "You okay? You were out for hours and your dad and I couldn't reach you. We were really worried about you Cass. Why did you take so long to respond to us?"

"Sorry." said Cassie, sounding upset.

"'Sorry' isn't an explanation young lady. That doesn't answer my question."

"Seriously mother? I'm an adult, okay. I don't need to explain to you why it took me a while to get back to you and dad."

"Actually Cassie, after worrying me and your dad like that…you damn sure owe us an explanation."

"There was no reason for you guys to be worried!" Cassie said, raising her voice. "It's not like it took me a whole day to get back to you! It took me a few hours! You need to calm down!"

"Considering that you were kidnapped by the Black Dragons a few days ago…I can't exactly help but worry! So don't you tell me to calm down!" Sonya said, raising her voice.

Cassie sighed.

"Please just leave me alone." said Cassie. She began punching the bag.

Sonya sighed and calmed herself down. She realized that right now…being angry wasn't the way to get through to Cassie. Sonya gently put her hand on Cassie's shoulder. Cassie stopped punching. She kept facing the heavy bag and didn't turn around.

"Something happened to you and that's why you're so upset." said Sonya, gently. "Could you tell me…please?"

Cassie sighed and bowed her head, still facing the heavy bag.

"Wyatt came by my condo today."

"So he escaped before the explosion." said Sonya. "That's great. I'm happy he's okay."

"I'm happy he's okay too. I'm so relieved he's alive."

"Then…why are you upset?"

Cassie sighed.

"Because we broke up. It just couldn't work out…us being on different sides. I know that Wyatt has a good heart and I really thought I could get him to join Special Forces. I really thought that I could change his mind. But he's loyal to Kano…he's loyal to the Black Dragons. I get it, I understand being loyal to your family. That's one of the many reasons I love Wyatt…he's loyal. Unfortunately…he's loyal to the bad guys."

Sonya sighed sadly. She was relieved that Cassie wasn't involved with a Black Dragon anymore. However, she loved her daughter more than anyone. It hurt her seeing her daughter heartbroken and sad.

Cassie turned around and looked at Sonya. Cassie had tears in her eyes.

"I know what you're gonna say. That you told me so, right? That I'm stupid for falling in love with a Black Dragon. That I was an idiot for thinking I could change him? Well you know what mother, you can save it." said Cassie, her voice tearing up. "I don't need you to tell me 'you told me so', okay? I don't need you to rub it in my face. I don't need that right now. I am in love with Wyatt…I still love him, but we can't be together and it is killing me. So please, mom…I don't need a lecture."

Sonya gave Cassie a hug. Cassie was surprised. She was not expecting that. She was expecting a lecture, not a hug. Cassie got over her surprise and hugged her mom back. They hugged each other tightly.

"Oh honey." said Sonya, hugging her. "I know I'm tough on you, but I love you more than anyone in this world. I love you and it kills me seeing you so heartbroken."

Tears fell down Cassie's face.

"Trust me…I know what it's like to be heartbroken. Me and your dad's divorce…that was heartbreaking. To this day, I'm still sad about the divorce. I wished things worked out between your dad and I. Believe me, I know that heartbreak isn't fun. I'm sorry that you're hurting Cassie. I'm so sorry baby girl."

Cassie cried as they kept hugging.

"I'm so sorry Cassie. I'm sorry. I love you."

"I love you too mom." She said.

Cassie kept on sobbing as they hugged each other.