The Lin Kuei's recovery from the Tekunin assault was a gradual process. First came getting the injured proper care. Then, once they were stable, came the emotionally crushing task of burying those killed in the attack within the snowy tundras of Arctika.
Sub-Zero had volunteered to take on that burden singlehandedly, spare anyone else the pain. However, Sektor had offered to aid in the difficult process, and Kuai Liang had reluctantly accepted.
Sektor was of course ignoring his own need for repairs to aid Kuai, but Cyrax had given up trying to deter him. He understood the guilt Sektor felt, though would not admit to, of his father being the one responsible for all this loss.
Cyrax also had a far more pressing matter to attend to: the operation that was meant to save Jacqui's life.
The Lin Kuei had somewhat limited medical facilities. Sub-Zero made sure to recruit several individuals of medical capability into his clan, but oftentimes when a clan member was injured, and especially when multiple were, the bed they slept in also functioned as their hospital bed. A symptom of their self-imposed isolation, a decision Sub-Zero was beginning to regret due to both the clan's limited resources and how much worse Raiden had gotten in his absence.
He feared that the time to rejoin the greater conflict was drawing near, but with Jacqui's condition and the all too recent attack, he decided not to worry his clan members and guests with that concern for now.
Cyrax had never done anything quite like this in his history with using cybernetics as advanced prosthetics. Luckily, he had the more conventional expertise of Jacqui's mother Vera on hand to aid in the procedure. Working hand-in-hand, the two were determined to save Jacqui's life, and utilize the cybernetics technology at their disposal to mend the crippling injuries she had suffered during the intense battle with Triborg.
Cyrax found himself impressed by Vera's emotional resilience. To perform surgery on one's own child could not, under any circumstances, be an easy thing. And yet, Vera persevered. That strength had clearly passed onto Jacqui, who's injuries had been sustained in an act of self-sacrifice.
While Vera was able to maintain her composure even throughout the risky procedure that was currently underway, everyone else was understandably far more distraught by what had taken place, not to mention the wait to see if Jacqui would be alright.
Most especially worried was of course Takeda, Jacqui's own fiance.
He paced back and forth in front of the door to Cyrax's workshop and makeshift medical room. He had a frantic look on his face and seemed on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
With his friends similarly rattled by recent events, Takeda was left seemingly alone with his worries.
Until that is, he was approached by their host, Sub-Zero himself.
"I have buried many dead today…" Sub-Zero said with a saddened weariness in his voice. "If it is any consolation, I do not believe that Jacqueline will be among them. I have seen the work that Cyrax can do. He can save her."
"Thanks, I guess…" Takeda responded. "I'm sure he's a good guy, but… I just don't know how to feel about this. She's never gotten hurt this badly on a mission before, I'm not even sure if she'll really make it. I… I should've done something, I keep… missing chances to help the people I care about! My mom dies, my dad gets hurt, Hanzo gets roped into Raiden's mess, and now Jacqui almost died!"
"Just breathe, Takeda," Sub-Zero suggested. "Calm yourself."
Takeda nodded and followed the instruction, taking a few deep breaths.
"I know how you feel, believe me Takeda," Sub-Zero empathized. "There are those who I wish I could have saved, like Tomas, and my brother. Those who I have feared losing even though they were not truly lost, like Frost and Cyrax, and those who I fear I may yet lose… like Raiden."
Takeda shook his head. "No offense Grandmaster Liang, but I think you should just forget about Raiden," Takeda replied bitterly. "He's too far gone, trust me. I saw what he did to Bo' Rai Cho."
Sub-Zero looked away from Takeda and at the ground at the reminder of Bo' Rai Cho, who had years ago helped him in bettering himself as a mentor, to better help Frost and his other students.
"I was able to forgive Hanzo…" Sub-Zero reminded Takeda. "You know him better than I. You know what second chances can do."
Takeda sighed. "Yeah, you're right… Maybe there's still hope for him. It's just… What really scares me isn't Raiden, it's whether or not Jacqui can still be saved. I love her! I love her more than anything! I can't lose her!"
Takeda started to break down and cry, emotion overwhelming him.
Sub-Zero offered the Shirai Ryu student a hug, and Takeda accepted the embrace.
"Do not lose hope, Takeda," Sub-Zero advised. "Trust me, this may be the most difficult lesson to learn… for anyone. When the Tekunin took Frost, I thought I had lost her to their enslavement… but Sareena reminded me to remain hopeful. No matter how afraid you are, no matter how lost a person seems, you must hold onto your hope. It will guide you when it seems that nothing else can."
"I… I'll try…." Takeda said through the tears.
"You've done well keeping your resolve," Sub-Zero complimented. "But you are allowed moments such as this one."
Takeda nodded, letting go of Sub-Zero and wiping his face. He sniffled, still not quite having regained his composure.
"Thank you…." Takeda said quietly.
"Of course." Sub-Zero said humbly. "I have seen many of my students go through many struggles. I merely perform my duty as a teacher to help them, and to help anyone else that I can. Even those who do not wish to help themselves…"
"Well, you've got a pretty good way of doing things from where I sit," Takeda complimented. "Thanks again, Grandmaster Liang. I needed that."
"Any time, Takeda." Sub-Zero assured him.
Takeda smiled, trying to channel some of that hopefulness Sub-Zero had advised.
Sub-Zero simply nodded and turned to leave.
"Hey wait!" Called out Takeda.
Sub-Zero looked back at him. "Yes?"
"Could you check up on my friends too?" Takeda requested. I know this can't be easy for them either. Especially Cassie. She's known Jacqui longer than I have."
"I will." Sub-Zero promised.
"Thank you." Takeda replied.
Also in recovery from the battle were Kung Jin and Kai. Kung Jin was sitting on a bench holding a piece of ice to his wounded shoulder, his staff leaned against the wall.
Kai came over to him holding two metal cups of coffee from the Lin Kuei's cafeteria.
"Thanks… babe." Jin said, still getting used to being in a relationship.
"Aww, no problem, sweetie." Kai replied with a grin before sitting down and giving Jin a kiss.
"They have coffee here?" Jin asked.
"Well, these people prefer ice coffee, because of course they do," Kai explained. "But lucky for you, your boyfriend can do fire magic."
Jin took a sip of the coffee. "Lucky me indeed. Who has a cold drink in a place like this?"
"Talked to Frost about it," Kai recalled. "She said hot coffee doesn't sit well with her."
"I guess it wouldn't." Jin reasoned.
"Your shoulder doing ok?" Kai asked.
"Still sore and there's that gash," Jin explained. "Still, Kia's magic did wonders. Who knew demons could be miracle workers?"
"Not me, that's for sure." Kai admitted with a smile before taking a sizable gulp of the coffee. The benefit of his fiery abilities was not burning his tongue in the process of this.
"Shame she couldn't do more for Jacqui though…" Jin as he quickly became more noticeably sullen.
"Hey now," Kai said as he put a hand on Jin's back. "I'm sure your friend's gonna be alright."
"I don't know if I can be sure of anything…" Jin admitted. "After what happened to Master Bo' Rai Cho…"
Kai sighed. "It's gonna be tough without him… but we'll make it. And so will Jacqui. Chin up and all that."
Jin cracked a smile. "Thanks."
"And hey, there is one thing you can be sure about." Kai pointed out.
"What's that?" Jin asked.
"That I love you." Kai answered before he and his boyfriend shared another kiss.
"I love you too." Jin said after they finished.
"Feeling better now?" Kai asked.
"A little, yeah." Jin replied.
"Good to hear." Kai said supportively.
"Thanks again," Jin repeated. "You… you always know how to make me feel better."
"I'm told that's what a good boyfriend does." Kai said with a chuckle.
"You're a great one." Jin complimented before they shared another kiss.
Off to another part of the base, Kia had used her healing magic to mend Jataaka's wounds, and was now in turn being tended to by her wife, equal parts concerned and grateful.
Jataaka was providing Kia with a shoulder massage to relax her while Kia rubbed her bruised hand, nearly crushed by Triborg.
"I keep asking you to teach me how to heal like you do," Jataaka pointed out. "I get so worried when you get hurt like that."
"I know you do, I'm sorry love," Kia acknowledged. "We've always been so busy, y'know? Trying to keep back home in order for the Brotherhood, then escaping, now all this."
"Things certainly have changed a lot…" Jataaka agreed.
Kia nodded. "But… I think we're better now."
"What do you mean?" Jataaka asked.
"Better people," Kia elaborated. "We can do whatever we want now… and I think I want to help other people. I wasn't like that before. I really wish I could've done more for that Jacqui girl."
"Kia, you were always kinder than you gave yourself credit for," Jataaka pointed out. "That's why I fell in love with you. You and Sareena were the first kind people I ever met. And you were the one who stayed with me…"
"I had to," Kia reasoned. "Even then I loved you."
Jataaka smiled. "And I, you."
"What do you think we'll do once all this is over?" Kia asked.
"Well, I'm glad Sareena's found a new home, but I don't know if I want to join another clan." Jataaka admitted.
"Yeah, me neither." Kia agreed.
"Maybe we can find a nice house all to ourselves in this realm," Jataaka suggested. "Maybe in a nice green field like what we saw in Outworld. With… I think they're called 'flowers'. Just you and me… and some peace of mind at long last."
"That sounds absolutely wonderful, love," Kia replied, starting to fantasize about it herself. "Do you… think we'll ever go back to the Netherrealm?"
"Maybe every once in a while," Jataaka speculated. "For old times sake."
"The good times, specifically." Kia added.
"Of course, darling." Jataaka agreed.
Kia leaned back and gave her wife a kiss. When she looked forward again she saw Stryker approaching.
"There you two are," he said, before stopping. "I hope I'm not bothering you or anything."
"You don't bother us any more than most people do." Kia responded, the three sharing a laugh.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing, is all," Stryker explained. "Just because we're outta Hell doesn't mean we can't keep in touch."
"Fair point." Kia acknowledged.
"Thanks again for helping out of the Netherrealm," Jataaka added. "And helping Kia back at the Bridge of Immortality."
Stryker nodded. "Hey, we all helped each other out. I was just doing my part."
Kia chuckled. "Humble type."
"Just like Sareena," Jataaka pointed out. "Hey speaking of which, Kurtis, have you seen Sareena? Kia and I were so focused on each other and all the people who got badly hurt we forgot to check up on her."
"Oh yeah, I saw her just a few minutes ago," Stryker answered. "She's alright, about as banged up as any of us."
"Is she with Ashrah?" Kia asked.
Stryker chuckled. "Would she be anywhere else?"
"So you've noticed too." Jataaka observed.
"That they like each other?" Stryker questioned. "It'd be pretty hard not to."
That got all three of them to crack up.
"Honestly though, I'm perfectly fine with giving them some space," Stryker admitted. "Letting them decide when they're ready."
"Yeah we get all that," Kia agreed. "But we're also gonna tease them along the way."
"Fair, I did the same thing when my little sister liked a girl." Stryker confessed.
"I really do think Sareena's found the one." Jataaka said honestly.
"The way they look at each other, I'm inclined to agree," Stryker reasoned. "And for both of them, I hope it's so. Well, I should leave you alone. I'll let you know if anything changes with the two lovebirds, alright?"
"Sounds good to me." Kia responded.
"We'll see you around." Added Jataaka.
Stryker nodded and turned away from them. Before leaving, he paused.
"By the way…" he said. "I overheard a little. I might be able to help you set up housing arrangements… somewhere greener than this."
"You would do that?" Kia asked. "For us?"
"I'd do it for anybody that needed help," Stryker clarified. "It's just how I was brought up."
"Pretty different from how we came up…" Jataaka acknowledged.
"I know you've had it rough," Stryker empathized. "Guess we all have. That's why you deserve to settle down and enjoy some quiet."
"I like the way you think." Kia complimented.
"You could come visit us when that happens," Jataaka offered. "Just don't bring too many friends."
Stryker chuckled. "There goes the whole showing the precinct my demon friends thing. Anyway, I really will leave you alone this time."
"See you around… friend." said Kia.
Stryker smiled at the acknowledgement before leaving the room.
"See darling," Jataaka told Kia. "Things finally are looking up for us."
Kia smiled. "Yeah, I guess they are."
The couple shared a kiss and then Kia appeared to look… distant.
"What's wrong?" Jataaka asked.
"It's just… my mind went back to all those people who got hurt in the fight," Kia explained. "I just hope they'll all pull through."
"I think that's what they call 'compassion', love." Jataaka suggested.
Kia smiled. "Maybe we really are becoming better people."
"If so, I certainly don't mind it." Jataaka reasoned.
"Me neither," Kia admitted. "I'll have to thank Sareena for giving us an example."
"Don't tell her I said so," cautioned Jataaka. "But it is nice being friends again."
Kia nodded. "Yeah. It is."
Speaking of their friend, Sareena herself was, as Stryker had reported, with Ashrah, in the latter's room in the Lin Kuei base, sitting on her bed.
"Are you alright?" Sareena asked for about the fifth time.
"That metal monster got a few good hits in," Ashrah finally admitted. "But I'll be fine, Sareena."
Sareena smiled. "Ok. I just get worried, you know."
"Oh I know," Ashrah acknowledged. "I get worried about you to. I'm glad he didn't hurt you badly."
"Thank you," Sareena replied gratefully. "I just wish no one else had gotten hurt."
"Unfortunately I don't think there was much we could have done about that," Ashrah reasoned. "There were just… so many of them."
Sareena nodded. "You're probably right. It was nice of Kia to help everyone out like she did."
"You have good taste in friends, Sareena." Ashrah complimented.
"Well, I think you're evidence enough of that." Sareena complimented back.
Ashrah visibly blushed. She and Sareena locked eyes for a moment, but it felt like an eternity. They wanted to tell each other how they felt… but something was holding them back. Past losses? Anxiety? The seemingly constant danger they found themselves in? Neither was quite sure. But in their eyes was a mutual understanding.
Some day.
Some day….
Ashrah almost became lost in Sareena's vibrant green eyes. She moved her head forward, almost kissed her…
And then pulled back.
"I… sorry." She said awkwardly.
"It's alright," Sareena replied. "There'll be a time for that."
Ashrah's face was red with embarrassment, and she quickly tried to change the subject.
"So…" She started. "How do you like being a Lin Kuei so far?"
"It's… it's a hell of a first few days, to be sure," Sareena admitted. "But I'm glad I was able to help them in that fight. Outside of that, it's been nice. They really are very kind people. There's a feeling of community… of family here that I've never felt before, outside of Kia and Jataaka. I like it here. I feel like this could be my new home. You?"
"I'll follow you wherever you go, Sareena," Ashrah assured her. "If this will be your home, it can be mine as well."
"Thank you, Ashrah," Sareena responded. "You've been so supportive of me these past few years, kept me going, really. I can't thank you enough."
"I… I'd do anything for you, Sareena." Ashrah admitted.
Before the now-blushing Sareena could muster a response, there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it!" They both offered.
Sareena ended up getting up first and opened the door, revealing Sub-Zero.
"I apologize for any intrusion," he said politely. "I merely came to see how you both were doing. I just spoke with Kung Jin and Kai, and you were the next closest."
"I assure you, you've committed no intrusion Grandmaster," Sareena replied, bowing respectfully. "Ashrah and I are alright, for the most part anyway. How are you? I know… burying the ones you lost couldn't have been easy."
"My condolences as well," Ashrah added. "I… I know far too well what it's like to lose family…"
Ashrah wiped away a tear that came down her face and Sub-Zero tried to hold back tears of his own at the thought of the students he had lost.
"T-Thank you…." Sub-Zero managed to get out as he tried to maintain his composure.
"At least we can care for those who are still with us." Sareena pointed out, trying to comfort them both.
Ashrah silently nodded in agreement.
"Aye," Sub-Zero agreed. "Well said, Sareena. Your wisdom and counsel of hope have been invaluable in these trying times. I am proud
to call you my fellow Lin Kuei."
"And I, you, Grandmaster," Sareena responded. "I'm glad to know I've done my part as a member of your clan."
"You have indeed," Sub-Zero confirmed. "Thank you. And… no need for formality. My responsibility is far more important than my title."
"Of course." Sareena acknowledged.
"You are a humble and honorable leader," Ashrah complimented. "The Netherrealm most certainly lacked leaders like you."
"I simply aim to guide others the best that I can." Sub-Zero explained.
"Well, I might be the new girl," Sareena admitted. "But you've done a great job from where I stand. And please, don't blame yourself for the losses and the injuries. None of this was your fault."
Sub-Zero nodded. "I will… try… though I must still carry this responsibility upon my shoulders."
"Just don't let it overwhelm you." Sareena advised.
Sub-Zero nodded again, this time without words. He turned to leave, but Sareena had one last thing to say.
"And, Kuai…" she started.
Sub-Zero paused.
"Bi-Han would be… will be... proud of what you've done here." She assured him.
"Thank you…." Sub-Zero said quietly as he left the room.
"The poor man carries a heavy weight on his shoulders." Ashrah lamented.
"He does," Sareena agreed. "I'm glad we were able to show up and help when we did."
"As am I." Ashrah said.
As Sareena was coming to view herself as truly a member of the Lin Kuei, a few of Kuai Liang's students and her new fellow clan members were gathering both to mourn their lost fellows and find joy in each other.
Mokap took notice of the gathering and approached two Lin Kuei he recognized: Frost's friends Sleet and Chloe.
The two were talking to Frost's trainee, the Lin Kuei with a cybernetic arm, who went by the nickname of Commando. With them as well was another young woman, about the same age as Chloe. She had long hair which had been dyed white and black, reminding Mokap of his childhood dog. She wore armor made from Cyber Lin Kuei technology, as many Lin Kuei had done in preparation for battle against the Tekunin. She had painted hers, as well as her mask, a very light almost grayish shade of blue, contrasting her eyes, which were such a vibrant shade of blue that Mokap almost thought she had cybernetics like what Frost had been forcibly subjected to.
She was holding clans with Chloe, the sight of which Mokap couldn't help but smile at. Ah the little things in life.
He approached the four and waved hello.
Chloe waved back, still wearing her own cybernetic tech armor, which she had spray painted to match her personal artistic flair. Blue predominantly, with additional splotches of red, green, purple, yellow, and orange scattered across the armor, giving the appearance of an exploded rainbow.
Sleet by contrast had returned to his standard greenish-blue Lin Kuei uniform. Personalized to a degree, but less flashy than Chloe. Commando stuck with traditional Lin Kuei blues.
"You kids doing alright?" Mokap asked. "I was umm… in my room having a panic attack, but I've calmed down now and was wondering what was going on."
"Cyrax is in his work trying to help your friend," Commando informed him. He then showed off his own cybernetic arm. "She should be ok. We don't call him 'the miracle worker' for nothing."
Mokap nodded. "Good to know… I just… wasn't sure what to do after that happened."
"Yeah, this whole thing's shaken all of us," Sleet admitted. "Frost came by a few minutes ago, I don't think she's holding up super well… I hope she goes to see Sifu if she needs it."
"Yeah, Cass seemed pretty messed up by the whole thing too," Mokap recalled. "Can't say I blame her, of course. I should go check up on her."
"Maybe they can help each other." Chloe suggested.
"You're such a romantic." Her partner teased. She had a strong German accent, which Mokap could already imagine Johnny doing a bad imitation of.
"And what's wrong with that?" Chloe asked.
"Nothing," her partner admitted. "It's very cute actually."
"Aww." Chloe replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Chloe then seemed to notice Mokap briefly focusing on her and decided to introduce him.
"Oh, Mokap, this is my girlfriend, Fran." She explained.
Fran held open her hand, which had cyborg armor encasing it like a glove.
"Franziska Alleger, at your service." She said in a jokingly over-professional manner.
Mokap shook her hand. "Pleased to meet you. Don't think I've seen you around before. Didn't know Chloe had a girlfriend."
"Yeah with everything that's been going on, we haven't been able to spend much time together." Chloe admitted.
"I've been tinkering with cybernetics in my spare time," Fran revealed. "Soon I'll be able to help you and Cyrax out. Then we can see much more of each other."
"I would like that." Chloe said with a smile.
Fran smiled back beneath her mask. Chloe could still tell she was smiling by the look in her eyes. She loved that look.
"Well, I'm glad to see things are getting better for anybody around here." Mokap admitted.
"It is nice," Chloe agreed. "Having these small moments."
"With the ones we care about." Added Fran.
Chloe put her arm around Fran and pulled her closer.
"You guys are sweet." Sleet complimented.
"No she's sweet, I'm just lucky." Fran insisted.
"Aww." Chloe responded, giving Fran another kiss on the cheek.
"I'm kind of jealous," Commando admitted. "I feel like I can't take my mind of of what we're up against. This was the second time the Tekunin attacked us right at home. And they'll just keep trying until we're all dead."
"We've been thinking about it too," Chloe conceded. "We've just been trying to stay positive is all."
"It's the best thing we can do right now." Added Fran.
"Yeah…" Commando agreed. "I guess you're right."
"Right attitude," Mokap complimented. "Me I'm… trying to hold it together myself. I'm just a guy from Chicago, and all this… I couldn't have even imagined it all."
"That's how a lot of us felt when we first came to the Lin Kuei." Chloe recalled.
"Yeah, it was… a lot." Sleet agreed.
"Especially when this happened…" Commando added, holding up his cybernetic arm, and remembering the real one he lost.
"But we found our way," Fran said positively, glancing at Chloe. "And found each other."
"Having people around makes it easier?" Mokap asked.
"Oh yeah," Sleet confirmed. "Big time."
Despite Sleet's statement, two individuals now found themselves alone.
The last of the fallen Lin Kuei buried, Sektor wandered the underground base aimlessly. He was… uncertain. About himself.
Mere weeks ago now, he hated the very idea of Kuai Liang's Lin Kuei. It was an affront to all he had known. He had tolerated them because he felt he owed Kuai something for repairing him, essentially bringing him back to life, in the first place.
As time went on, they had become even more infuriating, until Sektor finally snapped at Wu Lae in bitter spite of Frost's attempt to reach out to him.
Sektor could see his own folly now. And the irony of it all. His enemies had shown him kindness, his own father had tortured him.
He didn't want to admit it, but Frost had saved him from the Tekunin's clutches. He could never have escaped alone. For all their differences, similarities, and arguing, she had saved his life.
Showed him he was worth it…
Adding onto that, Cyrax, the friend he had betrayed, had repaired him and aided him in the battle against the Tekunin without hesitation.
What was he to do now with his second chance? Sektor wasn't quite sure. He already knew the path he was on, but wasn't quite sure if he could follow it.
The most obvious direction for his life now was to continue to aid the new Lin Kuei in their fight against the Tekunin, and whatever future struggles might arise.
Sub-Zero, Frost, and Cyrax, were all adequate models of compassion that Sektor secretly knew had already begun to rub off on him.
But would he really be accepted? And would he truly be able to change himself for the better? Could he really go from assassin to protector?
Kuai Liang and Cyrax had made the transition, Sektor reminded himself. But they had also never forced others into a different form against their will, nor enslaved them, no matter how temporary Sektor had wanted it to be.
And thus the question remained in Sektor's mind. Was he worthy of what he was being offered? Could he still call himself Lin Kuei if what the Lin Kuei stood for had changed so much?
Sektor hadn't a single clue as to how he'd obtain the answers he sought. And so he simply wandered, his mind wrapped up in contemplation.
Sektor mostly avoided running into anyone else while he was walking. He didn't feel like he could face them right now. Not after all the pain his father had caused.
But eventually, he did come across one person, similarly isolated for their own reasons.
Eyota, the new Nightwolf, sat alone in an empty room of the Lin Kuei base, meditating.
Her concentration seemed to waver for a moment, which Sektor assumed to be a registering of his presence.
"[Query] Am I disturbing you?" Sektor asked.
Eyota shook her head, still keeping her eyes closed. "No. I was just… trying to clear my head."
"[Honesty] I envy your ability to do so." Sektor admitted.
"A lot on your mind? Eyota asked sympathetically, opening her eyes and turning her head to face Sektor.
"[Query] Are you aware that the Tekunin's leader is my father?" Sektor questioned.
"I had heard, yes," Eyota confirmed. "You feel guilt for his actions?"
"[Honesty] [Regret] I feel guilt for my own," Sektor confessed. "[Regret] What would become the Tekunin… I helped him start it. I converted others into cyborgs against their will. I thought I was improving them… and now I owe my very life to two mere humans. [Clarification] Well, Cryomancers, but you see my meaning."
"Sometimes in trying to help others, we realize too late when we are actually hurting them." Eyota pointed out.
"[Regret] But I wasn't trying to help anyone…" Sektor argued. "[Regret] Everything I did was to satisfy my own ego, or to win the approval of the monster I called a father, or to spite him… it was not until aiding Frost in our shared escape from the Tekunin that I ever truly performed an act which could be considered altruistic, or 'helping' someone."
"Do you feel this act has started you down a new path?" Eyota asked.
"[Certainty] Yes," Sektor confirmed. "[Uncertainty] But I do not know if it is one I can follow. Would they accept me? Could I ever do enough good to right a lifetime of wrongs?"
"You do not know if you are worthy of their faith." Eyota surmised.
"[Aggravation] … [Admittance] Yes…" Sektor confirmed.
Eyota sighed, standing up and approaching Sektor. "Believe it or not, in that respect, I understand how you feel."
"[Confusion] How?" Sektor asked.
"When I first took on this mantle," Eyota began to explain. "This responsibility, and everything that came with it… I was scared… scared of not living up to what my title meant I was supposed to be, of not deserving the faith others placed in me. You face a similar struggle with a different source. I was scared that I would fail. Your fear is not being able to truly change yourself, and being feared by others even if you did."
Sektor stared at her blankly for a few moments.
"[Compliment] You should consider a career in psychiatric aid," he suggested. "[Contemplation] And… [Honesty] Your summation of the situation would be correct. [Empathy] I understand your experience as well. I faced much in the way of… expectation when I served the original Lin Kuei. I know that it can be… very difficult."
Eyota nodded. "It is, but I've figured out how to manage it. May I share my advice with you?"
"[Contemplation] … [Confirmation] Yes, you may." Sektor allowed.
"To be alone is a person's own Netherrealm," Eyota explained. "You wish to better yourself? To ease your self doubts? Find community, and find belonging. I have that with my tribe, and with the new friends I have made along this journey. Let the support of others heal you, but do not mistake this to mean you do not have to work towards your own betterment. Do everything in your power to atone for your wrongs, but also accept help when you need it."
Sektor considered her words.
"[Contemplation] The process you describe is conceptually simple," Sektor noted. "But in execution… [Determination] I… I will try."
"I wish you luck," Eyota replied. "I know this road will not be easy, but if this consoles you at all, know that I for one have faith in you."
Sektor nodded. "[Gratitude] Thank you."
"Of course," Eyota replied humbly. "And thank you for confiding in me, I admit… I needed someone to talk to myself."
"[Empathy] Is something bothering you?" Sektor asked.
"I… I know it was not technically my fault, but I still feel guilt for what has happened to Jacqueline." Eyota confessed.
"[Confession] So do I," Sektor admitted as well. "[Regret] Oniro utilized a replica of my weapons systems when he injured her… and almost killed you."
"That is why I feel guilt," Eyota clarified. "The blow was intended for me."
"[Understanding] I see why it would trouble you." Sektor replied.
"Well, perhaps we can both apologize to her together when she is recovered." Eyota suggested, offering a weak smile.
Sektor simply nodded, offering no verbal response.
"[Contemplation] … [Query] I realize this is unrelated, but could you enlighten a simple curiosity I have?" Sektor asked.
"I would be happy to," Eyota confirmed. "What is it?"
"[Query] The markings on your face, what is their meaning?"
"In my culture, these markings distinguish our warriors, much as the symbol of the Lin Kuei clan does yours," Eyota explained. "The color red represents strength, power, and war. It is the color of blood, of course. I wear because as the Nightwolf, I am expected to fight for my tribe. This red paint may also represent happiness and beauty. I much prefer to think of it that way."
Sektor looked at his own crimson-coated metal. "[Conclusion] I suppose I would fit that description then… every inch of me a warrior… a killer."
"You are what you choose to define yourself as," Eyota consoled him. "There are other colors in my tribe with different meanings. For instance blue, which symbolizes wisdom and confidence."
"[Shame] Kuai Liang has wisdom, Frost has confidence," Sektor detailed. "I no longer possess either… if I ever did."
"I sense sorrow in you…" Eyota noticed.
"[Indignance] Does that come from your magic or is it that obvious?" Sektor questioned.
"I mean no offense," Eyota clarified. "I wish to help you, Sektor. And I believe part of that help may be sharing one of my people's traditions with you."
Sektor sighed. "[Reluctance] I suppose it couldn't hurt…"
"How do you feel about white?" Eyota asked.
Sektor tilted his head.
"It is a color typically reserved for mourning," Eyota explained. "But it can also symbolize peace."
"[Irritation] I am neither at peace nor in mourning." Sektor argued.
"You seek peace," Eyota countered. "And… if I may be so bold… the way you've spoken about your life… I feel that you are mourning someone."
"[Confusion] [Irritation] I made no mention of my mother." Sektor pointed out.
"Perhaps you should express your memory of her, but no," Eyota replied. "I meant that you seem to mourn… yourself. The person you could have been."
Sektor stood completely silent. He had no idea how to respond… nor any idea of how this virtual stranger could read him so well.
Then again, Sektor suddenly realized that he'd never confided in a total stranger before.
Well, there was no turning back now…
"[Acceptance] I see your point," he finally said. "Perhaps we can… get started."
As Eyota got started helping Sektor embrace his new path in life, Cassie contrastly found herself looking back.
Just as in the aftermath of Bo' Rai Cho's death and her squad beginning their stay with the Lin Kuei, Cassie had elected to sit by herself. The difference now was that rather than being in the same room as her friends, Cassie was completely isolated.
She was sat on a bench in a disused part of the base, as far away from Cyrax's workshop as she could be. The physical distance didn't make her think about Jacqui any less. All of the worry and guilt Cassie felt over being responsible for them being at this place at the time, all her worry about whether or not Jacqui would survive.
It took her back six years ago… and a cage fight that spun out into getting kidnapped, fighting for their lives, being mind controlled, and Cassie herself murdering a man…
The only good things that had come out of the whole ordeal were the Reiko Accords, which was now meaningless, the impact Cassie's selflessness had on the life of Frost, who herself had been drifting through the base, checking up on as many people as she could in light of the Tekunin attack, until her concern for Cassie in particular overwhelmed her and she sought her out.
It took a bit of looking, but before long she found Cassie. Her head was hanging low, she held her hands over her lap like a guilty child, and sniffled like she'd been crying recently.
"Are… are you ok?" Frost asked.
"No." Cassie answered plainly.
Frost sat down next to Cassie. She was hesitant at first, but placed her hand on her back to reassure her.
"Jacqui's going to be ok," Frost told her. "She's a fighter, I'd know. And Cyrax absolutely knows what he's doing. I've seen him get people walking again before."
"I… I really hope you're right," Cassie replied. "But I just don't know… and I have this nagging feeling that it's all my fault. This isn't the first time I led Jacqui into danger…"
Frost knew what she was talking about.
"Hey, you made it out of there," Frost reminded her. "And… you saved my life in the proces."
"But I couldn't save Bo' Rai Cho… and I couldn't save Jacqui…" Cassie countered.
"It isn't your fault." Frost tried to tell her.
"I punched Raiden, I decided to go AWOL," Cassie recounted. "And I almost killed Shujinko. A lot of things feel a hell of a lot like my fault lately."
"Cass, you can't beat yourself up like this." Frost cautioned.
"I can't beat up anyone else right now…" Cassie replied irritatedly.
"Cass, can I tell you something?" Frost offered. "This won't be easy to hear… it was one of the toughest lessons Sifu ever taught me."
"Lay it on me, nothing can make me feel worse right now." Cassie said glumly.
Frost removed the Dragon Medallion from her uniform.
"Remember when I told you about when I first tried to use this?" Frost asked.
"Yeah…" Cassie replied, not sure where she was going with this.
"I was pretty mad at myself for not managing it…" Frost admitted.
"God fucking dammit!" Frost shouted after Sub-Zero had taken the Dragon Medallion and prevented her from freezing herself. "I couldn't do it! I'm not strong enough!"
"Frost, you are much stronger than you realize, you just need to learn control," Sub-Zero assured her. "You will be able to control the Dragon Medallion one day. Until that day… Please do not attempt to use it without my knowledge."
"You won't have to worry about that…" Frost said in defeat. "I could never use that thing."
"Is this story going somewhere?" Cassie asked.
"I was just getting to that," Frost informed her. "Here's what he told me."
"Frost you tried the best you could, but even at your best, you may not always achieve the outcome you desire," Sub-Zero explained to her. "It is an unfortunate fact of life, but one that pushes us all to better ourselves each and every day. You could not control the Medallion today. This does not mean it is forever out of your reach. You cannot blame yourself for doing all that you could today, for you will be able to do more tomorrow."
"So… what? If I keep trying, I'll eventually be good at keeping people from getting hurt?" Cassie asked.
"The point I was trying to make is that no matter what happens, you're always going to be getting better," Frost explained. "Look, I know it feels like it, but what happened to them wasn't your fault. You couldn't…"
Frost broke eye contact with Cassie and looked at the ground, a visible sadness coming onto her face.
"You couldn't control what happened…" she said quietly.
"You… sound like you're speaking from experience," Cassie observed. "Do you… wanna talk about it?"
"I was trying to help you." Frost argued.
"Yeah, and now I wanna return the favor," Cassie argued. "You can talk to me, Frost. I… care about you."
Frost nodded slowly. "You really wanna know?"
Cassie nodded back. "Yeah, go ahead."
Frost took a deep breath.
"When I was twelve years old," she paused and looked at her hands. "These… these powers started to come in. I had no idea what it was or how to stop it. My… my mother... Tried to help me… b-but when I touched her, I ..."
Frost started to cry as her most painful memory came back to her.
"I froze her!" Frost finally revealed, burying her face in her hands. "I… I was just a kid! I couldn't control it! I didn't ask to be this! I know there was nothing I could've done then… b-but…"
"It still feels like your fault…" Cassie said knowingly.
Frost wiped her face. "Yeah… it does. Every single day, remembering it hurts. But I try to… I try to push on anyway. I don't know if that helps you. I've never told anyone other than Sifu before, but I feel like I can trust you and…"
"It's ok, I understand needing to let stuff out." Cassie stopped her.
"Thank you…" Frost said quietly. "I'm sorry for making this about me…"
"I can get out of my downer mode for something like that," Cassie assured her, smiling weakly. "I'm really sorry about what happened to your mom. If it helps… I think she'd be proud of who you are now. And I'm sure wherever she might be, she doesn't blame you. I couldn't imagine going through something like that… it must've taken a lot of strength to keep going."
A few more tears came down Frost's face before she outstretched her arms, leaned foward, and she and Cassie shared in a hug, each of them trying to help heal the other.
After they let go, Cassie pondered for a moment.
"Look…" She said, "I think it's only fair that I share my deepest darkest secret to… I… I killed someone too…"
"Who was it?" Frost asked.
"He was a pretty bad guy," Cassie said honestly. "But I can't help but feel bad anyway… mom told me who he was after everything was over.
His name was Mavado…"
It was six years ago. Cassie and Jacqui had been kidnapped by Black Dragon members Jarek and Tasia for reasons that completely escaped the two. They had been taken to Outworld and transferred to the custody of the Black Dragon's leader Kano and Kotal Kahn's mercenary Erron Black.
Evidently, the Red Dragon clan intended to kidnap them as well, in order to fulfill a contract with the Outworlder Reiko. This was apparently an important contract to the Red Dragon, because the second-in-command of the entire clan, Mavado, had been sent to head the assignment.
It was also possible that Mavado wanted an excuse to take a stab at Kano.
As one could only expect, an all-out battle between the Black and Red Dragon clans quickly followed their meeting.
During the chaos, Cassie and Jacqui had managed to get ahold of guns used by two of the Black Dragon goons, and were subsequently trying to make their escape.
They shot at any member of either clan that tried to stop them, though taking careful precision to only aim for their knees. Neither young woman was interested in taking a life.
The battle, evidently, wasn't going in Kano's favor. Choosing to mock Mavado's fallen comrade Hsu Hao had proven a bad move. Kano decided to preserve himself, using Kotal Kahn's Portal Stone to leave the battle. His soldiers still remained in order to hold off the Red Dragon forces.
Cassie and Jacqui saw Mavado slash Erron Black with his blades, a unique make combining hook sword handles with katana blades. A large amount of blood came out of the mercenary's chest, and at the time he seemed dead.
Mavado approached the two, and they were quick to fire at him. A nimble fighter, Mavado was able to dodge the gunshots, but quickly found his attention pulled away by attacking Black Dragon members.
One came at him with a knife. An easily dodged slash and off with the goon's head a second later. Another aimed a gun at him, but Mavado shot out one of his grappling cables and pulled the gun away once the claw stabbed into the firearm.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Cassie and Jacqui and refocused, stepping between them in the Black Dragons.
"Look senoritas, if you want to stay in this thing, you'd better start shooting to kill." Mavado suggested.
"Aren't you trying to kidnap us too?" Cassie asked.
"I have orders to bring you alive," Mavado explained. "The Black Dragons are animals. There's no telling what they'd do."
"And I suppose your guys are saints." Jacqui said sarcastically.
"We follow our orders," Mavado clarified. "Just like you Americans."
Cassie and Jacqui looked at each other.
"In the interest of staying alive, we're gonna let that one slide." Cassie said.
"You got a plan, Neo?" Jacqui asked.
"I always do…" Mavado answered.
Several Black Dragons now had guns primed on Mavado, to which he smirked, before tilting his head in the direction none of the Black Dragons were looking. Too late to save themselves, they saw the Red Dragon soldiers opening fire and gunning down many of them.
Using the firefight as ample distraction, Mavado holstered his blades and placed each hand on Cassie and Jacqui's shoulder. He then turned them around and pushed them away from the battle, hoping the two would understand that it was time to make their exit.
Cassie and Jacqui were annoyed, but walked with him. They looked at their guns and then at each other.
"I wouldn't try anything," Mavado advised. "Kneecap me here and you have no one to help you when more of those mongrels come for you, not to mention whatever else one could run into in Outworld…"
"What if we want to take our chances?" Jacqui asked.
"You'll either be killed or I'll incapacitate you," Mavado answered. "I'm leaving you conscious because it's more convenient, not because I have to."
"At least you're an efficient kidnapper." joked Cassie.
"One of many respects in which we surpass the Black Dragon." Mavado boasted.
"Yeah, that buddy of yours who double-crossed our parents was 'efficient' to." Jacqui recalled.
"Do not speak ill of Hsu Hao," Mavado requested. "He… was a friend."
Cassie sighed. "I kind of hate you, but… sorry."
"Appreciated…" Mavado replied.
The Red Dragon commander then suddenly became alert when he heard a twig snapping. He took out his swords and began looking around the forested area for potential attackers.
Against their better judgment, Cassie and Jacqui decided to work with him against whoever or whatever might be hiding in the bushes.
With a speed Mavado hadn't expected from Black Dragons, the first of the attackers revealed themselves. One jumped down from the trees, a sword in hand. Mavado rolled out of his initial slash and prepared himself for the impending duel.
The attacker was a Scottish man in a long sleeveless coat, the collar of which came so high that it obscured his mouth. He wore black military parents and over the jacket had Kano's old bandolier, from before the Black Dragon leader switched to using a cybernetic chest device to further empower his eye laser. He was shaved bald with Dragon tattoos wrapping around his head, with two Dragon heads prominently displayed on his forehead.
"Sorry Red, but we cannae let you take those lasses." The man said as he brandished his sword.
"Connor, is it?" Mavado asked. "In terms of Black Dragon sword fighters, I had hoped to battle Tasia. But I suppose you will do. Oh, and a bit of advice, senor…"
Cassie and Jacqui aimed their guns at Connor.
"Treat your prisoners with some basic courtesy, and they actually believe you when you say you want to keep them alive." Mavado told him.
"Why da ya think I brought backup?" Connor asked.
The clicking of a heavy-sounding gun was heard, and Connor's ally walked out of the forest.
He was a muscular light-skinned Brazilian man holding a large assault rifle. He wore a tactical vest and had long dreadlocks. The man was comparable in build to Jax or Hsu Hao, standing at least a head above everyone else.
"Drop the weapons." The man said.
Cassie and Jacqui looked at each other, and then back at the man's gun. They reluctantly complied.
Mavado recognized him quickly.
"Quinn…" He said disdainfully. "Kano scurries away like the rat he is, but at least shows the respect to send one of his oldest allies. I'm almost touched."
"You're about to be dead." Quinn threatened.
"Even Black Dragon dogs such as yourselves should know that a Red Dragon does not fall so easily." Mavado said confidently.
"Why don't we see for ourselves, lad?" Connor proposed.
Connor charged forward with his sword, Mavado quickly blocking his strike by putting his twin blades in an X position. His arrogant smile grew even wider as the Black Dragon tried to press against him.
"Alright you two, you're coming with me," said Quinn. "Let's scurry along while Connor has his fun."
Cassie and Jacqui looked at each other. One wrong move could mean death. They looked over at Mavado, who was still locked in his duel with Connor.
"I said get moving." Quinn reminded them, waving his rifle for emphasis.
Cassie smirked. "Ok. If you say so."
At the time, Cassie was unaware that she had inherited her father's powers, at least fully. She did have one trick up her sleeve however.
For a short burst, Cassie rapidly accelerated in speed to superhuman levels, although without any accompanying glow. Quinn moved his gun in her direction to keep his aim on her, providing the perfect distraction for Jacqui, who rushed up and punched Quinn in the face, sending him staggering back.
Quinn was surprised by this. Jacqui was much stronger than she looked, though in hindsight he realized he should've expected as much from Jax's daughter. He tried to re-aim his rifle, but Jacqui grabbed the weapon before he could get a shot off. The two proceeded to struggle to relinquish the other's hold on the weapon, neither showing any clear signs of overpowering the other. Quinn wouldn't admit it, but he was impressed.
Cassie tried to figure out how to help, but couldn't find an opening.
Connor noticed her and decided to make a move. After locking blades with Mavado again, he kneed the Red Dragon commander in the stomach and then headbutted him. Once Mavado was disoriented, Connor ran towards Cassie.
Mavado wasn't as stunned as he would've hoped, however, firing one of his grappling cables and wrapping it around his leg, pulling Connor towards him.
Mavado then extended the retractable spikes in his boots and tried to stomp on Connor, but the Black Dragon swordsman slashed Mavado's grapple chord and then rolled out of the way. Connor then took a swipe at Mavado's leg with his sword, leaving a gash below the knee.
Connor got up as Mavado tried to limp back and held his sword high ready to kill.
"And here I was told you were one of the tough Reds." Connor mocked.
Cassie decided to intervene. Launching into a "Shadow Kick"as she called it at the time, she kicked Connor in the side and knocked him aside.
"Are you alright?" Cassie asked.
Mavado raised an eyebrow. "Strange of you to care."
"I don't like letting people die." Cassie explained.
"That's muy bueno, señorita, but I'm the one with orders to keep you alive," Mavado pointed out. "So stay out of the way."
Connor then jumped back into the fray, now aiming at Cassie, who very narrowly dodged his slashes.
"Kano said we needed them alive!" Quinn shouted as he continued grappling with Jacqui.
Eventually he kicked her, knocking her down. He aimed his gun but Jacqui knocked it out of his hand with a kick of her own. She proceeded to kick Quinn in the stomach with both feet before springing up and throwing a punch. Quinn caught the blow and pulled her into an uppercut. Jacqui staggered back, but managed to duck under Quinn's next punch and deliver a right hook.
"As if Kano wants Blade's kid breathin'!" Connor reasoned. "I knew workin' with that wild west throwback was a bad idea anyway! If they're dead, the Reds can't have em'."
In spite of his wounded leg, Mavado intervened, shooting his remaining grapple chord and sinking the hook into Connor's arm, pulling him and his sword away from Cassie.
Cassie took the opportunity and roundhouse kicked the Black Dragon in the head.
Mavado dragged the disoriented Connor to him and raised one sword for a killing blow.
"Wait, stop!" Cassie shouted, running towards the Red Dragon commander and pulling his arm down.
"Get off of me!" Mavado demanded.
"I'm not going to let you kill him!" Cassie protested.
"I would think that la hija of a soldier would understand that war has casualties." Mavado argued.
"I was taught to save lives." Cassie told him.
"Well then you'd better learn that some lives aren't worth mierda. Especially Black Dragon lives." Mavado advised.
"Every life is worth something." Cassie continued to argue.
"Even Kano?" Mavado asked.
Cassie hesitated for a second, having heard the horror stories of the enemy her mother hated most.
"There, see?" Mavado said, feeling his point was made. "Now let me deal with this miserable piece of scum."
"You're not killing him!" Cassie shouted.
She grabbed onto the handle of his sword and tried to pull it from him. Mavado tried to shove her off, the sword coming with her.
Mavado began to reach for his second sword, but it was too late. Connor switched which hand he held his own blade in and quickly slashed upward.
Cutting Mavado open and sending his body falling to the ground, lifeless.
Cassie looked on in shock as the Black Dragon got up and took the hooks of Mavado's grapple out of his arm.
"Thanks for keeping 'im distracted lass," Connor mockingly thanked. "Now how's about you and yer friend finally come quietly?"
Cassie looked at the sword in her hand, then glared at the Black Dragon in front of her.
"Oh c'mon now lass, I don't think ya wanna try fightin'." Connor warned.
Cassie once again accelerated her own speed, a very faint green glow coming across her body. Connor tried to counter, but she was too fast, successfully slashing at him and leaving a sizable gash across his chest.
"Alright, yer asking for it now!" Connor yelled as he tried to ignore the pain.
"Try me, asshole!" Cassie shouted back.
Before either could make a move, the clicking of several guns could be heard in the forest.
The Red Dragon had evidently taken control of the engagement and now approached the four with aims aimed. Red targeting lights dotted across their bodies. Jacqui and Quinn stopped their fistfight, allowing Jacqui to run over to Cassie.
"Are you alright?!" Jacqui asked, before she noticed Mavado's corpse and the bloody sword in Cassie's hand.
"Oh my god… Cass…" Jacqui said in shock.
"I… I didn't…" Cassie wasn't even capable of getting the words out. The shock of what had happened was settling in.
"I know you didn't want to," Jacqui assured her. "We're gonna be ok… our folks have got to be on our trail by now."
"Holy shit, she killed Mavado!" One Red Dragon shouted.
"What do we do?!" Asked another.
"Our orders are still to bring them in alive," reminded the evidently next highest ranking Red Dragon. "Surrender now! All of you!"
"I killed him…" Cassie whispered to herself, the guilt sinking in.
"She killed him?!" Connor shouted angrily.
Quinn put his arm out in front of Connor.
"Let them believe what they will," he advised. "Takes the heat off of us."
"The heat is always on us with the Reds!" Connor argued.
"True…" Quinn admitted.
He pulled a grenade from his belt, took the pin out with his teeth, and tossed it at the Red Dragons. Using their scrambling away from the explosive and the explosive itself as a distraction, Quinn grabbed Connor and they quickly fled the scene.
A few Red Dragons tried to pursue them, but their commander ordered otherwise.
"We have who we need…"
Frost wasn't sure how to react to the story, merely looking at Cassie with eyes wide.
"I… have to hand it to you at least," Frost complimented. "I knew you were strong, but to have gotten out of that whole mess… I don't think I could have…"
"We had help on that end…." Cassie explained. "I asked mom about who Mavado was after all that. I… I know he was a bad person, but… I still killed someone… he was still a person, period. And he died because of me..."
"I know," Frost assured her. "I probably would've felt the same way in your shoes."
"Is… is that how you felt about those twenty one people you…"
"Oh god, that…" Frost said regretfully. "I never actually killed anyone, I promise. It was just stupid hype. I never should've gotten involved with that bloodsport shit…"
"I'm sorry that I ever thought you did. I should've known better, even then. Guess we both have a few things we rerget, huh…" Cassie noticed.
"Yeah…" Frost agreed. "Guess so."
Cassie scooched a bit closer to Frost. "Well, maybe we can… try to be better… together."
Frost lightly blushed. "Yeah… and for what it's worth, I think you haven't been doing too bad so far."
Cassie briefly smiled. "Thanks. It sure doesn't feel like it sometimes…"
"Look, I know you're not a killer, doesn't that help?" Frost offered.
Cassie nodded. "Yeah… I guess it does. I've… never actually told anyone else what really happened. Even Jacqui thinks I killed him."
"Why me?" Frost asked.
"For starters, because as far as I'm concerned… I did kill him," Cassie explained. "It was my fault. I was the one who got in the way. And second… because I like you, Frost. You… we've both changed a lot since we first met."
"For the better?" Frost questioned.
Cassie smiled. "Yeah, I think so."
"Thanks, that means a lot." Frost said kindly.
"Of course," Cassie replied. "And… thanks for talking to me. This has helped."
"I'm glad," Frost said before laughing. "I was honestly just trying to imagine what Sifu would say."
Cassie laughed too. "Can't blame you. Guy manages to be wise even when he's kicking your ass."
Frost nodded. "He's been a big help in me being where I am today. Him and you, of course."
Cassie blushed at Frost's praise.
"Hey… can I ask you something?" Frost requested.
"Sure, anything." Cassie replied.
"Why… why did you save me?"
Cassie took a deep breath. Trying to find the words.
"In the moment, I was just doing what was right, I guess," she started to explain. "But… the more I've thought about it… I guess I saw something in you. Even though we'd just knocked the crap out of each other, I could tell you weren't a bad person. Just… lonely. Now I know why. And I knew, I just knew, that you deserved as full a life as anyone else."
Frost was utterly taken aback, unsure of how to respond.
And then… she decided that this was the time to admit something.
"Cassie, there's… something I wanna tell you…" she started.
"I think I know," Cassie admitted. "I've been wanting to tell you too…"
"I think I'm in love with you." They both said at once.
Each was initially surprised by the other's confession. Then the words started to settle in, their eyes locked with one another…
Cassie closed her eyes and started to lean forward. Frost pulled her the rest of the way and into a passionate kiss.
They kissed for several seconds, just long enough for Kung Jin to walk in.
"Hey guy- well I'll be." He said.
Cassie and Frost broke off their kiss.
"I guess the irony here doesn't need to be highlighted." joked Cassie.
"Guess not," Jin agreed. "Anyway, I came to tell you guys… they're ready to bring Jacqui out."
Cassie and Frost looked at each other. The newly joined couple quickly sprung to their feet. Cassie offered Frost her hand, and she took it as they began heading towards Cyrax's workshop, Kung Jin walking alongside them while holding hands with Kai.
When they arrived, all of their friends were already gathered, with the exception of Sektor and Eyota.
It didn't take even remotely long for others to notice Cassie and Frost holding hands. Frost's Lin Kuei friends were quick to crowd around her and congratulate her, much to her mild embarrassment. Franziska even suggested a double date in the future, an idea which Chloe and Cassie took a liking to.
Takeda was of course primarily focused on Jacqui, but gave the two a smile and a nod of solidarity.
"You know I totally called this, right?" Jin asked.
"Yeah, and I called it with you two." Cassie reminded Jin, pointing to him and Kai.
"Guess we're even." Jin decided.
"Guess so." Cassie agreed.
"It wasn't just you," Chloe pointed out. "I saw it too."
"She did," Fran confirmed. "My Chloe is very good at reading people."
"Oh Fran, you flatter me," Chloe said kindly, giving her girlfriend a kiss on the cheek. "Oh! And Frost, Jacqui asked me about you… before everything happened…"
"Aww, she wanted to make sure you were a good fit for me," Cassie realized. "Which you totally are by the way." She then kissed Frost on the cheek.
"T-Thanks, babe." Frost responded, still somewhat adjusting to the relationship as it had been years since her last girlfriend.
"Ahh, young love." Stryker commented.
"They remind me of us when we first got together." Jataaka said to her wife, the both of them standing somewhat apart from the rest of the group.
"Maybe a little," Kia partially agreed. "They remind me more of some other people we know."
Sareena and Ashrah knew she was referring to them, but stayed quiet on the matter, merely appearing visibly awkward and each considering when they might move forward with their own relationship after seeing the recent union of Cassie and Frost.
"Congratulations to you both," Sareena decided to say. "I'm sure you'll be happy together."
"Thank you," Frost replied, letting go of Cassie's hand to her new girlfriend's brief confusion. "That means a lot coming from you. You…"
Frost fought back a few tears and then unexpectedly hugged Sareena.
"You remind me of my mom. I'm glad you joined us."
Sareena was surprised, but hugged back.
"I'm… I'm happy to be here for you, Frost."
Frost let go, turning around to find Sub-Zero.
"Hey Sifu…" she said, slightly awkwardly due to the suddenness of his appearance.
Kuai Liang was smiling. "I am happy that you have found love, Frost."
"Thank you…" She smiled. "Dad."
Cassie approached Sub-Zero, standing next to her girlfriend.
"I promise I'll treat her right, sir," she said formally. "And protect her with my life."
Sub-Zero nodded. "I am sure you will, Cassandra."
"Your mom and dad are gonna be happy for you when they find out," Mokap chimed in to assure her. "Even if your mom might have trouble showing it."
Frost was made uneasy by the thought of Sonya Blade learning that she was now dating her daughter. Cassie quickly rushed to reassure her.
"It'll be ok," she said. "Mom's not as scary as she seems. I think she'll actually like you."
"Thanks," Frost replied. "I'm sure you're right."
"Did I miss the wedding?"
All eyes diverted instantly at the sound of Jacqui's voice. She was walking again, now aided by a silvery exoskeleton which now lined her body, visible on her arms, hands, and legs in the simple black shirt and shorts she was currently wearing. She was still getting used to walking with the cybernetic enhancements, Vera and Cyrax staying nearby to catch her just in case. Jacqui was smiling, clearly happy to see her friends once more.
"Jacqui!" Cassie shouted happily, rushing up and hugging her. When Jacqui hugged back, Cassie noticed her grip to be even tighter than usual, but decided to ignore it for now, being of course extremely happy to see her best friend alive and well.
Jacqui chuckled. "Good to see you too, Cass."
Cassie was refusing to let go until Frost tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey, babe?" She pointed to Takeda.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, who am I to stand in the way of love." Cassie quickly apologized, stepping aside.
Takeda now took his turn hugging Jacqui like there wasn't going to be a tomorrow. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he embraced his fiance.
"I was so worried about you…" He said quietly.
"I know Taki, I know," Jacqui assured him, before kissing him. "I love you."
"I love you too…" Takeda replied.
While still embracing Takeda, Jacqui moved her gaze over to Cassie and Frost.
"Speaking of love, this was a welcome surprise." She noted.
Cassie smiled and took Frost's hand. "Thanks Jacqui."
She then looked at Frost. "You're the only decision I've made in a while that feels… right."
Frost's only response was to kiss Cassie again, which they both felt said enough.
Takeda looked up from embracing Jacqui and over to Vera and Cyrax.
"Thank you…" He said.
Vera gave a thumbs up and Cyrax only nodded.
"[Compliment] You've done good work, old friend."
Sektor and Eyota had finally arrived at the gathering. Sektor was sporting white accents across his red frame, painted on with Eyota's help. Sektor approached Kuai Liang.
"[Commitment] I wish to start anew," Sektor explained. "To find a new path. For as long as I may be of service, I am Lin Kuei. [Reluctance] and I suppose you are my Grandmaster…."
Sektor then looked over at Frost. "[Compliment] And you someday will be."
Sub-Zero nodded. "Welcome aboard, Sektor."
The two old enemies shook hands. Sektor then looked over at Eyota.
[Gratitude] Thank you."
Eyota nodded. She then walked over to Jacqui.
"I'm glad to see you well," she said. "And I apologize for my involvement in your injuries."
"The only thing that could've changed is you getting hurt instead of me," Jacqui pointed out. "And I'm someone who likes to help other people before myself. So I've got no regrets."
"Thank you," Eyota replied. "Both for easing my guilt and saving my life to begin with."
"It's what I do." Jacqui said simply.
Vera and Cyrax looked on at everyone happily.
"Thanks for saving my daughter." Vera said.
"I couldn't have pulled it off without your help," Cyrax replied. "I… would like to help more people this way."
"I'm sure you'll get your chance." Vera assured him.
"Hey Cyrax," Jacqui called out. "We still gonna work on those upgrades we were talking about?"
"Upgrades?" Takeda asked.
"I'm thinking about grafting some of those nanobots the Tekunin got onto this thing," Jacqui explained. "Integrated weapons and armor, replace my old gauntlets."
"Sounds awesome!" Takeda complimented. "Can I help?"
"Taki, remember what happened when you tried fixing your whips without me?" Jacqui asked.
"The Day the Whips Came Alive…" Takeda recalled. "Fair point."
"Don't worry babe, we'll get plenty of time together." Jacqui assured him.
"We'll get started whenever you're ready." Cyrax answered her question.
Jacqui nodded, staying with Takeda for now.
"Is it just me, or did the mood in here get a whole lot better?" Kai asked.
"It's not just you." Jim assured, kissing him on the cheek.
"For the first time in a few days, I finally feel like things are better," Cassie added. She looked at Frost. "Especially thanks to you."
Frost blushed and smiled. "You helped me too. I… I love you, Cassie."
"I love you too." Cassie replied.
The group continued to socialize and enjoy each other's company. All of them bonded in family, in friendship…
And in Love.