Chapter 13: Emergency Meeting
In Earthrealm in Alex's and Cassie's apartment, they remain asleep in bed. Alex was the first to wake up and smiles seeing his wife sleeping on his chest. He kisses her forehead and gently puts her head on a pillow and puts clean clothes on and goes down to make pancakes. As Alex continues to make food, he sighs happily, still couldn't believe the news he was given last night. He felt excited but at the same time nervous of becoming a father.
Cassie wakes up and couldn't find her favorite pillow to sleep on, being Alex's chest. She looks around. "Alex? Where are you?"
"I'm in here!" Alex called out. Cassie jumps out of bed to get dressed in a sleeveless shirt and shorts and sees Alex cooking something. Cassie sneaks up on him and jumps and wraps her arms around his neck.
"Hey, handsome. What are you making for me?" Cassie asked, recognizing the smell. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Your favorite. Blueberry pancakes." Alex tells her. Cassie grabs his face and kisses him and smacks him in the ass, making him yelp.
"You mind-reading nerd. Always know how to be the best without even trying." Cassie said, winking at him.
"Anything to impress my best girl in all of time and space." Alex said, kissing her neck, making her giggle.
"Stop. Now I think you're doing this on purpose." Cassie teases.
"What? What else could I do other than be the best husband I can be for the best wife that I've known for 5 years?" Alex said.
"Oh, I don't know. Probably everything, even making fucking badass food for us. Maybe we should've had you in the kitchen at base." Cassie said.
"And be the one to clean dishes 24/7? Fuck that. I've had enough painful experience doing nothing but clean dishes at one of my shitty jobs in the other timeline." Alex said.
"What's wrong with that other than touching the nasty shit?" Cassie joked.
"It was a goddamn pizza place too." Alex replied, making her laugh.
Alex finishes up the last of the food and serves Cassie with three pancakes. She tried her hardest to keep herself from drooling, seeing how it looks. She bites into it and her eyes widened. "My fucking god, these are awesome." Cassie said, kissing Alex's cheek.
"I am pleased to please m'lady." Alex flirts and winks.
As the two continue eating, the two have thoughts about how far their marriage is and how incredibly stable it is. And now they're going to become parents. They wonder about how they will tell everyone. "You alright, Alex? You seem to be lost in thought." Cassie asked.
Alex sighs and reaches for her hand and holds it. "It's just that, I am still very fucking surprised by the news last night. I'm just wondering what we're gonna tell them and how?"
"It'll be fine. I mean why would mom and dad get mad at you? I'm pretty sure they were hoping this would happen. I promise, our baby is going to be fine." Cassie said.
"Yeah. I know. I care more about your safety more than my own. I'd say the same for everyone else." Alex said.
"But that doesn't mean you would throw your life away. You gotta take care of yourself as well. I don't know what the hell I'd do without you. The next person that tries to land a scratch on you is getting bullets shot through every single limb and insides." Cassie said.
"I suppose you're right. I was willing to throw my life down fighting the enemies we shared. Kano, Frost, Kronika, anyone who is stupid enough to mess with us." Alex said.
"You got that right. That's why I love you. Because we're always there for each other." Cassie said.
"I love you too, Cassie. Forever and always." Alex said. He leans in and kisses her as they continue their breakfast. After they eat and shower. They were getting their stuff ready as part of their anniversary. The couple were just about finished. Something came across Alex's mind. "Hey, Cassie. I just thought of something"
"What is it, sweetheart?" Cassie asked.
"About your powers. You said they started glowing yellow during your fight against Kano and Tasia." Alex said.
"Yeah. We tried to figure that part out, but couldn't find anything. Why?" Cassie said.
"Maybe I was wondering. What if the-" Alex gets cut off when they get a call from Jacqui. They look at each other and answer the phone on speaker. "Hey, Jacqui Jax. What's up?"
"Alex. Cassie. Look, we're really sorry to interrupt y'all's romance, but something happened. Sonya wants you to meet us in Outworld." Jacqui said.
"What's wrong? Is everything alright?" Cassie said.
"An emergency. We think something bad is happening. Like near-Kronika levels of bad." Jacqui tells them. Alex and Cassie look at each other with concerned looks on their faces. They have no idea what Jacqui was referring to. The news they will hear is not good at all.
The majority of the heroes have united in Outworld. They arranged a meeting in Outworld's temple that used to belong to Shao Kahn that now belongs to Kitana Kahn. Kenshi went back to guard the base with Kabal while Sonya, Johnny, Jax, Jacqui, Takeda and Kung Jin are away. Sub-Zero makes it with Hanzo with Cyrax, Frost and Smoke staying behind. They meet up with Liu Kang, Fujin, Kung Lao, Raiden, Kotal, Nightwolf, Kitana, Jade and Sindel.
The only ones they are waiting for are Alex and Cassie. The heroes wait outside the entrance waiting for the couple. An orange portal opens, and they immediately recognize who would open one. They see Alex and Cassie walking through it in their Special Forces uniforms. As they make it out, Alex falls to his knees, breathing for air. It appears he still has not mastered the technique yet. Cassie does her best not to throw up, trying to hide the pregnancy from everyone.
"Alex and Cassandra Cage." Pleased that you have gotten our message. Welcome to Outworld." Kitana said, shaking Cassie's hand.
"Thanks, Kitana Kahn." Cassie said.
"Thanks. We came here as fast as we could. Sorry. I'm still not completely used to doing this." Alex said. Jade quickly comes over to check to make sure he's alright.
"It is alright, Alex. I understand completely. Someday you will master it. Continue to have patience, little brother." Jade said before hugging her friend.
"So. What the hell is going on? Jacqui said something about near-Kronika levels of bad." Cassie said.
"Indeed, Cassandra. The situation we face is dire. We have much to discuss." Fire God Liu Kang said.
The heroes gather in a large room at a large table, standing and discussing some events that happened. Events that involved Kung Lao and the Special Forces.
"So wait. You're saying that Skarlet stole jinsei and teleported away? Didn't know she could perform portals now like Alex could. She's been pretty good at hiding." Cassie said.
"Skarlet has been known to being trained in many ways by Shao Kahn. Her abilities exceeded all expectations, even before the New Era." Kotal said.
"Yeah, but what does Skarlet have to do with time coming to an almost complete halt? There's no way Skarlet could've used the hourglass. Liu Kang is the Keeper of Time." Alex said.
"One who often attempts a task without experience is more than likely to fail. Even those who do not know when to concede. My senses from the spirit tells me that Skarlet could not be acting alone." Nightwolf said.
"Nightwolf is right. She would not dare touch the hourglass. Kronika has warned her allies of the consequences of using it incorrectly, even without the crown. I was able to overhear all conversations with Nightwolf while we were trapped in the void." Fujin said.
"I remember Jacqui and Takeda saying something about Skarlet remembering everything from the Old Era. This has to be Kronika's doing." Jax said.
"But Kronika is nothing but tiny pieces of glass scattered to the winds." Johnny said.
"Unless Kronika must have shielded Skarlet from the effects of memory wipe when the New Era was born. It must be the only possible explanation." Raiden said.
"When me and Alex looked into the hourglass, we made sure that everyone's memories were changed to ensure that no one would dare to repeat the same tragics we have went through to stop the time war." Liu Kang said.
"Something's not right. The hourglass should've told us that Skarlet's memories were erased. Unless…. Unless that was made as a backup plan in case Kronika failed." Alex guessed, making everyone look at him. They then turn to each other and they begin to see that Alex may be right.
"If what Alex says is true, then why select Skarlet out of everyone else Kronika allied with? She must have her reasons." Sindel said.
Sub-Zero was the next to realize something. "Of course. That book."
"The book? The image you showed us?" Sonya asked.
"Yes. I now realize that was a spell book. The same one that Sektor sent to Skarlet. He sent her that book to learn how to cast portals like Shang Tsung. She is part sorcery, but her level of expertise is no match for Shang Tsung's." Sub-Zero said.
"Then Sektor might've had his memory restored somehow. He and Skarlet must be working together. Sharing a common goal. Bringing back Kronika." Hanzo said.
"But how? No one else knows how to use the hourglass but Liu Kang and Alexander. It is impossible." Nightwolf said.
"Why do that? They should've run into a dead end by now." Cassie said.
"If only we knew, Cassie. There has to be an answer to all of this." Jacqui said.
"Jacqueline is right. In fact. I believe I know how we can solve this crisis. Kronika's crown. I could use its power to locate the hourglass. It's being hidden. I do not know why." Liu Kang said.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go get it and get this over with." Cassie said.
"Yeah. We all like to know who's responsible for all of this mess he or she is making." Kung Jin said.
"I am afraid that I must do this alone. Only I know of the crown's location. I could not risk telling everyone, not wanting to put everyone in this room into any danger. If anyone who should be the last person to know the secrets, it is me." Liu Kang said.
"Are you sure about this? What if someone who is scheming this could go after the crown and use its power?" Kitana asked out of worry, holding his hand.
"Then I am prepared for the danger. It was what I was taught to do. We have no other way." Liu Kang said, putting his hand on her shoulders.
"Liu Kang is right. We must act before anything else happens. For all we know, it could benefit our enemies." Raiden said.
"Such as Skarlet and Sektor." Kung Lao said.
"Not to mention Mileena, Rain and all others who follow Shao Kahn." Kotal said.
"Precisely. I will return shortly." Liu Kang said. He activates his powers and waves his hands around in a pattern and speaks in a different language and a portal opens. Liu Kang looks back and smiles at Kitana, Raiden and Alex. Alex nods to his friend, having confidence in him. As Liu Kang walks through and the portal closes, the heroes all wonder what to do until then. Alex wanted to tell them about the strange nightmare he just had, but decided to hold off unless things get worse. Raiden is unfortunately right. The crisis is slowly benefitting their enemies as they speak.
The portal opens in somewhere that seems rather unfamiliar. Liu Kang steps out and looks up. He remembers this place too well. This is the statue of the Great Kung Lao. This was where he was laid to rest when he died of age. Liu Kang smiles, remembering when he went back to the past to modify it while he and Alex were working on the New Era. He remembers training the Great Kung Lao, choosing him as his champion in Mortal Kombat. Liu Kang was surprised about how humble he was unlike the current Kung Lao, though his descendant's ego has lowered due to changes to the timeline.
Liu Kang walks up to the statue and bows his head before it. "Forgive me, Great Kung Lao. I do not wish to disturb your peace, but trouble has occurred. Thank you for holding onto this during your lifetime. You have always honored me with your fighting spirit and humbleness." Liu Kang said.
He casts a spell that opens a portal that summons the crown through without pulling the coffin or the body out. The fire god holds the crown in his hands. As he was about to open yet another portal, he was interrupted by an unwanted voice.
"Cease, Liu Kang. Before you doom us all." Shang Tsung said, stepping out of the portal.
"Shang Tsung?! Why are you here?!" Liu Kang said, glaring at him.
"I am here because of the crown. My soul abilities have allowed me to track it here at the grave of the Great Kung Lao. I knew you would come here." Shang Tsung said.
"So you can steal it and abuse its power for your own. I will not allow it to happen." Liu Kang said.
"I understand your mistrust, but I am here to assist you." Shang Tsung said.
"Why do I find that impossible to believe? You do nothing but spew lies and deceit. I will not hear it. Leave now, or die by my hand." Liu Kang said, attaching the crown to the side of his waist as he and the sorcerer begin to fight.
Liu Kang jumps to throw fire punches at the sorcerer, but Shang Tsung manages to avoid them all. He blocks most of Liu Kang's attacks but is outpaced as Liu Kang does a fire kick to the stomach, chest and head, sending Shang Tsung backwards. The old man gets back up and throws a punch and a kick to trip, but Liu Kang quickly recovers, chops his right shoulder, elbows his chest, pouches his face and does a kick to the chest. Shang Tsung recovers and his hands glow and the ground starts lighting up. Liu Kang notices this and dodges the first explosion, but is nearly caught in the second explosion. Liu Kang is sent flying, causing him to drop the crown. Shang Tsung sees this and tries to run for the crown, but it was too late. The crown impacts the hard ground and it shatters into two pieces, forcing the battle to a halt.
"No!" Shang Tsung exclaimed. He quickly casts a spell and surrounds the crown with a soul barrier, preventing the souls from escaping, but one manages to slip by and escape. Its destination is unknown, as it flies off while Shang Tsung was occupied. He takes a quick notice and recognizes who it is.
Liu Kang gets back up and sees what has happened. He closes his fists and fire and lightning comes out in anger. He teleports right over to Shang Tsung and grabs him by the throat. "You fool! Do you have any idea what you have done?! Give me one good reason why I should not kill you right here and now!"
Shang Tsung struggles to breathe, trying to break free from the fire god's grasp. He had to think of a way out quick, so he managed to spit out some words. "Geras… has…. Returned."
This causes Liu Kang to let go of the sorcerer and he gasps for air. Shang Tsung looks at the sealed, broken crown. "How do you know this, Shang Tsung? Geras is trapped in the Sea of Blood, is he not?"
"True. He was. Until Kronika rescued him. I could explain more, but I find it best that we discuss it with your friends. If I am not mistaken, you were having an emergency meeting with them regarding the current crisis we share together, were you not?" Shang Tsung said.
Liu Kang gives him a look of doubt, but realizes that Shang Tsung is onto something and may be right. Liu Kang turns to open the portal and stares at his enemy menacingly. "You better have a good explanation for all of this, sorcerer."
"Of course, Fire God. I promise the story will be worth your while." Shang Tsung said. His hand glows and he holds up the crown as it hovers over to them. Shang Tsung and Liu Kang look at each other before walking through the portal. What do they not know is that one soul escaped, and it is more than just a random soul.
The one missing soul travels to a place beyond time as it flies through a sand portal. On the other side, it makes it to the hourglass. The soul hovers in front of it and is met by none other than Geras.
"Yes. You have returned. Just as Kronika's visions have shown me." Geras said as his hands glow with the hourglass. The soul is stored within and the Sands of Time start swirling around in places and sand starts flowing out of the hourglass.
The sand start forming a person. Someone who Geras knows so well. It doesn't look like Kronika. In fact, it's yet another familiar face. Someone who has long been dead. The person is completely restored. That person is Cetrion, the Elder God of life and virtue.
Note: So things are starting to happen here. Shang Tsung warning Liu Kang is a nod to the beginning of Aftermath.