Nearly a week later, Johnny Cage, the former actor and now consultant for the Special Forces, requested to General Sonya Blade, his ex-wife who managed to become his closest friend once more, that their daughter, Cassie, and her team relax. She had just defeated Shinnok and saved Earthrealm a month ago, he explained, and that she and her friends could really use a break from their duties and kick back for a while. Sonya agreed, much to Johnny's surprise, and she had bought Cassie and her friends four tickets on the S.S. Anne, a legendary cruise ship that sails all throughout the world annually.
The next day, Cassie Cage, Takeda Takahashi, Jacqui Briggs, and Kung Jin were aboard the ship first thing in the morning. It was everything they had hoped. Kung Jin, an archer for the Shaolin, was over at the shooting range in port. Takeda and Jacqui, who hooked up after Shinnok's defeat, were relaxing on beach chairs in front of the pool at stern. Cassie was sitting alone at a table in the buffet room. She was listening to her iPod, which includes video game music.
A few minutes later, her phone rang. She paused her music, took out her earbuds, grabbed her phone, and, seeing her mom's number, answered it. "Hello," Cassie said.
"Sergeant, I have grave news," Sonya said over the other end.
"Ugh, Mom, can't it wait till after the cruise is done?"
"I'm afraid not, Cassie. We've just recieved word that Quan Chi has resurfaced in the Netherrealm."
Cassie was confused by this, as Shinnok was decapitated by Raiden, the Thunder God, and that Shinnok's body is currently on display in the Special Forces trophy room. "But... isn't Shinnok technicallly in... uh, cryosleep?" she queried.
"It wasn't Shinnok," Sonya countered, "but rather a new threat. His name is Belial."
Cassie froze when she heard Belial's name. "You don't mean-"
"I'm afraid so. I've already sent out a chopper to your current location. Inform the others of the current situation."
"Yes ma'am. Cage out." Cassie then hung up the phone, rushed out of the buffet room, and ran towards Jacqui and Takeda. "Guys, you're not gonna believe this," Cassie quickly told them.
"What is it, Cassie?" Takeda asked, concerned.
"My mom just called, and she had bad news," she replied. At that moment, Kung Jin, wondering what the ruckus was, walked to where Cassie, Jacqui, and Takeda were. "What's goin' on here?" he queried.
"Quan Chi's back, and he's got a new ally," Cassie explained. "The Prince of Darkness, a.k.a. Belial." The others were terrified when they heard this.
"No..." Jacqui breathed.
"This is not good," Kung Jin added.
"What else did the general say?" Takeda chimed in.
"There's a chopper en route to our location," Cassie replied. "It should be arriving at about..." At that moment, a large green helicopter descended onto port. "...now."
"Let's go," Jacqui said as she and Takeda got up. The quartet then ran to the chopper. After they got on, it flew off into the clear blue sky towards the Special Forces refugee camp.
to be continued...