Chapter 4: Visiting Rightful Home
In Edenia, Mileena and Rain have returned with the stack of weapons along with Kano and Tasia. Although Shao Kahn is somewhat pleased with the weapons, he is rather unhappy with Kano taking so long and the majority of his collection being destroyed by the Special Forces.
"You call yourself a weapon specialist, and this is all you can muster? If you actually made contingency plans like I do, you wouldn't had to deal with your archenemies so much." Shao Kahn criticizes Kano.
"Ah, don't get your tongue tied up in a knot. You know my weapons have always done the baddast of things." Kano said.
"Yet, when you do business with me, you don't bring victory. You bring incompetence. Without the weapons I asked for and without the Cyber Lin Kuie, I have to rely on incompetent fools like you." Shao Kahn said.
"Sounds like your problem. And the last time that happened, you lended them to the Tarkatans before they sided with your daughter Kitana." Kano said.
"Keep her name in your mouth, earthrealmer. She is nothing to me unlike Mileena. The day she rebelled against me was the day she stopped being my daughter." Shao Kahn said. Kitana was always more of a reluctant daughter to Shao Kahn. Regardless, he raised her into a warrior and lethal assassin.
"And given your recent failures to kill the Special Forces have given them the advantage, now we have to improvise." Mileena said.
"Fortunately, for him, we know that the Special Forces and Outworld's armies are coming to invade Edenia. They should know by now that we are aware of their schemes. Shao Kahn's edenian forces will finish what you could not." Shang Tsung said. Shang Tsung, despite being old, has had more experience with Shao Kahn's army expertise unlike Kano.
"Well you'd better get ready, old man, because they'll be coming anytime now." Kano said. The Special Forces are one to never back down from a fight, even when it comes to preventing a war.
"They will come. And they will lose." Quan Chi said.
"As Edenia's protector, I shall not allow it to fall into his former wife's hands." Rain said.
"The only thing you've ever done is play pretend prince to the throne." Tasia said.
"Shao Kahn promised me a place in Edenia. I have a rightful place. You. You do not." Rain said.
Before Tasia brings out her sword to fight Rain, Shao Kahn interrupts them with a hammer swing to the ground.
"Enough with your childish arguments! Get everybody into positions. Be ready for anyone that comes. Sindel is mine to kill with Raiden and Liu Kang and Kitana. Everyone else who dares to approach, I will allow you to finish." Shao Kahn said. "Kollector and D'Vorah. Take the weapons and head to the eastern tower. Kano and Tasia will guard the other ones." Shao Kahn said, glaring at the half human cyborg. Kano isn't scared of the mighty conqueror, he has seen worse. Then again, Shao Kahn doesn't even try to scare his followers, except for his sorcerers.
Rain and Mileena head to their own positions while talking to each other.
"Why do you insist on fighting for my father? You always claim to be worthy of being prince, but you have yet to prove it." Mileena said.
"And I should take advise from someone who claims to be worthy of your mother, Sindel." Rain mocks her.
"Careful on what you say, Edenian." Mileena said. "Perhaps if you help Shao Kahn for once, maybe he will grant you your pitiful wish." Mileena said.
"I only wanted to prove to be the better successor then Sindel and Kitana. And to claim vengeance on those who wronged me." Rain said.
"Because your father saw you as unworthy." Mileena said.
"We will see about that, Mileena." Rain tells her.
Back in Earthrealm, General Sonya and Major Jax start explaining the situation of the mission to Kitana and Sindel. Kabal has been placed in his own cell. And to make sure he doesn't try to escape, his cell has been made special. Kabal' s cell have been electrified that are case sensitive in case he tries to use his speed or to break out. If Kabal tries to break out, he will get a shock.
Alex starts using his powers to heal Kung Jin. He received some injuries and bloody wounds from his fight with Kabal. Cassie and Johnny look on in amazement.
"How are you doing that? First you open a portal, and now you're like a god's doctor. You've only known your status for only a year." Kung Jin said.
"Raiden, Fujin and Liu Kang have been teaching me. They showed me how to heal others and how to open portals. I need to concentrate." Alex said.
"I'll be damned. Son-in law has the magic touch this entire time. I can't imagine it being that easy." Johnny said.
Alex has just finished healing Kung Jin's injuries and backs away, covered in a little sweat and catching his breath. "Yeah. It's not as easy as you think." Alex said, wiping the sweat off his forehead feeling out of breath.
"You okay, Alex?" Cassie asked, putting his arm around her.
"I'm fine. It uses up some of my energy because I haven't been able to completely master it yet. It took me forever to get the words right to open portals. All I had to do was remember the pattern and think of the place I want to go to." Alex said.
"Is there anything you can't you to impress me any further?" Cassie flirts.
"I think I may be running out of tricks to perform. Wish I could do more to impress you." Alex said.
"I'm just playing with you, sweetheart." Cassie said, kissing his cheek. "You impress me by being you. You're you because you're kind and wanting to get your hands dirty. Not to mention fucking smart." She flirts more, making him blush.
"She's right. When I was first told about you, I gotta admit I was jealous. But then again you have saved our asses from time to time." Kung Jin said, patting him on the back.
"Thanks, Jin." Alex said. "Are you feeling any better?" He asked out of concern for his friend.
"I am fine thanks to you." Jin replied. "One question though. Why didn't you just absorb the electricity around the building or just use one of the elements?"
"Because it was too big of a building for us to run, and I told you, I can't create the elements. I can only manipulate them and absorb them. I wish I could." Alex said.
"I understand. No one is perfect, Alex. Take it from me. A man who was a thieve; at first afraid to join the White Lotus because of what I am. Raiden convinced me otherwise." Kung Jin said with Alex and Cassie nodding. The four head over to where the leaders are talking. The respective leaders get together to try to figure out a plan to invade Edenia despite the setbacks.
"Kano's last two stack of weapons will no doubt cause more trouble for us. He could be hiding them somewhere." Jax said.
"I don't think so. Shao Kahn is not one to hide anything from his enemies. He always brings out the full force of his followers due to his arrogance." Kitana said.
"Even with the loss of the Shokan and Tarkatans, Shao Kahn still has powerful edenian warriors under his control. They will not hold back on anything, especially with the monster leading them." Liu Kang said.
"Hope you have a plan because this may be our only chance of pulling this off. You two know your way about the place. What do you suggest? What may be our strategy?" General Sonya asked. She brings up a map.
"Shao Kahn rebuilt the palace to make it bigger to hold more of his warriors. It is now three floors higher than just one. Shao Kahn will no doubt be hiding in his precious throne room with Shang Tsung and Quan Chi by his side, manipulating Jerrod's soul to control them. We need to get their attention to make way for us." Sindel said. "But we must not kill any of them. Regardless of whether or not we succeed in taking Jerrod's body away, the warriors will be free. Shao Kahn will be unable to control them from the Netherrealm. He has to be in the same realm as the two sorcerers to maintain control."
"Liu Kang and I will draw their attention and fight as many as possible. It will not be easy as there are thousands of them." Fujin said, remaining confident in everyone's abilities.
"What else can we expect?" Jax asked.
"These two towers, one on each top of the towers, will no doubt be holding the cyber-man's weapons and be guarded by him and his partner. Kollector and the Kytinn will no doubt be guarding one as well. Before we can get to them, there are four smaller ones, one with each Edenian archer. We must incapacitate them before proceeding." Kitana said.
"I feel as if that will not be easy to get inside." Cassie said.
"Quite. There will be walls around the palace. Going through the entrance is not an option. We will have to get through the walls to sneak inside the towers. The two towers will have at least one guard. From what Fujin has mentioned while spying on them, Mileena is guarding the east tower and Rain will guard the west tower. They will make sure no one will pass." Sindel said. "I want to meet Shao Kahn's "daughter" personally." Sindel said.
"What about that Rain guy? Isn't he elemental?" Alex asked.
"Yes. He has mastered the water and lightning elements. He has always resented me and my family and wanted to cleanse Edenia. He sold the home out to Shao Kahn, that's why he hosted Mortal Kombat tournaments. He was jealous that his own father favored his other children Daegon and Taven to rule instead. That's his reason for joining Shao Kahn in the first place in hopes that in return, he would receive support to kill his own enemies." Kitana said.
"Do you think you'll be able to defeat him, Alex?" Sindel asked. "I trust that you can absorb water elements without any injuries."
"I can take him. I never met the prince before but I won't get overconfident. I may be a demi-god but I'm not invincible." Cassie smiles and holds his hand, her husband knowing he isn't perfect.
"Once we can take out Rain and Mileena and destroy the last of the weapons, we can make way for Sindel, Kitana and the others to make their way through. Shang Tsung and Quan Chi must be defeated in order to take on Shao Kahn. Baraka and Sheeva can guard everyone." Fujin said.
"It is the only way if we are to succeed in either killing Shao Kahn or force him away. The only realm left for him to run is the Netherrealm. Magic will be much weaker there. We may have to banish him as a last resort. We will have to place magic barriers to keep him from coming back." Liu Kang said.
"But Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are powerful sorcerers. Who knows exactly how long it'll take them to come up with a counter spell to fight the barrier, especially from the Neatherrealm." Cassie said.
"That's why we would have to prepare for what could come after that. Who knows what Shao Kahn could plan next?" Alex said. While he has not met the evil warlord personally, he has been told by his friends about the things he has done and how he originally achieved his goals.
"He's right. That's why we must end things here and now. We've already been through enough wars with him." General Sonya said.
"If we are to do this, we must stick to the plan and do whatever is necessary to end Shao Kahn." Kitana Kahn said. Kitana has been ready to kill her adoptive father for a long time for all he has done to her.
Several meters outside Edenia comes one of the portals outside the palace in the forest. Sindel and Kitana Kahn come out first with Liu Kang and Fujin. Raiden and Kotal are next to come out along with Jade, Baraka, Queen Sheeva and their Tarkatan and Shokan armies. Raiden, despite being mortal, is still willing to fight. The two Outworld armies had to be reminded not to kill anyone unless absolutely necessary. or in the Tarkatan's case, not eat anyone. Lastly are General Sonya, Commander Cassie, Sergeant Alex, Johnny and Jax.
"Edenia. How it's been so long since we stepped foot here. If only it was never like this." Kitana said, a little saddened.
Jade hears this and places a hand on her shoulder. "We will succeed. Edenia will be repaired and under proper rule. Do not forget that." Jade said, making Kitana feel better. Kitana doesn't know what to do without Jade. Jade is like a sister-figure to her.
"Shao Kahn will pay for that with his life. He will regret every moment he has done to everyone for so long." Sindel said with anger in her eyes. Sindel hated every moment she had to go through because of her ex-husband. The terrifying memories she had killing most of Earthrealm's defenders, including Jade and Kitana. Thankfully none of it have ever happened now thanks to Liu Kang and Alex. It still haunts her to this day and all the mass murders that happened in Edenia, her husband being among the casualties. People sold in slavery, children trained to fight by the wrong hands.
The Special Forces seem just as horrified as Kitana is. They would've liked to imagine it without ruins, buildings collapsed, ruined waters, destroyed houses and gardens, and fire in some places. Alex was told about what the place was like during his first visit to Outworld. He wished he didn't have to see the place like this, but believes it will be restored. Cassie was hoping to come to Edenia on friendly terms and not actually have any fighting involved. But they understand that they have no choice.
"Wish us faith, Lady Sindel." Fujin said. "Come, Liu Kang. We know what we must do."
Liu Kang nodded. As he starts to walk with Fujin, he turns around and sees Kitana. She is confident that he will be fine. But she still considers his safety. While they do that, both sides start heading towards each side of the palace while hiding to avoid being seen. Alex, Cassie, Nightwolf, Kotal, Raiden and Baraka head to the west side.
"Cassandra. With your permission, I like to accompany you two." Jade asked.
"As long as you can help me, you and my sweetheart stay safe." Cassie nods, giving her permission.
Jade goes to catch up to them, wanting to protect him and Cassie and help with Rain and anyone else they have to deal with.
"Decided to come along, Jade?" Alex asked.
"You know it is my duty, Alex. I tend to do so for everyone I care, you included." Jade said, ruffling his hair a little, making Cassie smile.
General Blade, Jax, Johnny, Sindel, Kitana, and Queen Sheeva walk through the east side, both waiting for the signal.
"We're in position. Better hope Liu Kang and Fujin have planned something really big, knowing how strong they are." General Sonya said.
Outside by the gates near the center, clouds start forming up in a circle and close up the sky. All everyone can see are clouds. Edenian warriors look up and see what's going on. While brainwashed, they can still think. They're not mindless like the undead army everyone had to face, but they will still be lethal. Then they see two gods descent down upon them, covered in wind, fire and thunder.
"Withdraw all of your forces. Do not unleash the wrath of Earthrealm's protectors." Liu Kang said.
"We shall grant you mercy. Otherwise the consequences may be dire." Fujin said.
As predicted, the Edenian warriors do not listen and just shout to kill them. Liu Kang uses his lightning to stun and paralyze them without killing them. He would not dare to use his fire unless he has to. Fujin uses his power of wind to push or pull the warriors into knock them out cold. They can fight as long as they can for gods. Their attack has drawn the attention of more warriors. They open the gates and attempt to kill them.
Both teams realize that their distraction is working. Alex and Cassie plant C4s on their side with Johnny and Sonya doing the same on their side. They both detonate the C4s and the walls explode.
"We have to cross the bridges to get inside the towers. Rain and Mileena will no doubt be waiting for us." Kitana advises. They hide real fast and see smaller towers guarding the big ones, with Edenian archers. "We need to take them down, but not kill them."
"Don't worry. We've come prepared." Alex said, nodding to Cassie. Alex and his wife take out their taser guns and taser bullets Alex helped make with Jacqui and Cassie. They shoot the archers and they fall back and pass out. Johnny and Jax do the same thing. Both teams inevitably had to fight some Edenian warriors on the way. They continue to tase and fight them in hand to hand kombat. They do not play around as they take things seriously.
Up at the palace, Shao Kahn looks outside and sees many of his mind-controlled Edenian warriors running towards the entrance. "What is this nonsense? Why are they all running?!" Shao Kahn yelled. He noticed the sky is darker and clouds have blocked out the sky. He sees lightning strike down at Liu Kang and he uses it to stun more fighters and Fujin flying with his wind powers while fighting. "Liu Kang and Fujin. Always being the first to confront their enemies. How predictable. Do not let them survive the encounter. Kano, Kollector, get those weapons ready. You're about to have company. Kill them and bring me their heads except for Kitana and Sindel. I will deal with them myself."
"What about the body of the former king?" Quan Chi asked.
"Evacuate him at the earliest opportunity. You two will keep them at bay. Be ready to initiate our backup plan. We cannot allow these traitors to take him back, otherwise we cannot make further enhancements." Shao Kahn ordered and the two sorcerers bow to him and depart.
On their way to the flesh pits, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi seem to having different opinions on Shao Kahn's plan and one of the outcomes they may face.
"You look so confident in victory, Shang Tsung. Has overconfidence finally gotten to you?" Quan Chi questioned.
"Because unlike you, I plan for contingencies. Because win or lose, we always find ways to prevail. However, no one can predict the future, not even me." Shang Tsung calmly said.
"Shao Kahn may not need contingency plans if he were to succeed in taking down his former wife and daughter." Quan Chi said.
"That may be true, but never underestimate anyone, especially someone such as Sindel and Kitana. Everyone must know their limits as I do mine." Shang Tsung said. "As long as Shao Kahn knows what he is doing, we will survive."
"You doubt his abilities?" Quan Chi said.
"Do you?" Shang Tsung said. He never liked Quan Chi to begin with. Mainly due to them facing competition with wanting to impress Shao Kahn and favor one of the two sorcerers. Shang Tsung originally distrusted Quan Chi for personal reasons, and he had the right idea, given his secret loyalty towards Shinnok and Kronika.
Note: I wanted to get a clear description of Edenia and what it looks like. I searched up images to describe them as much as I can. I decided to include Rain and Mileena in the story to celebrate them being in MK11 Ultimate. For Alex's new portal and healing powers, he is able to learn them because he is half elder god. But there are drawbacks. First off, he needs complete concentration in order for him to use these new abilities and has yet to master them. And because of his human half, using these new abilities will drain him of some of his energy and sometimes make him nauseous. Too much can cause him to pass out.