Chapter 14: Unholy Alliance
Back in Outworld, the heroes await for Liu Kang's return with the crown in hand. While they wait, they still wonder who is causing the problems. All the heroes know is that Skarlet and Sektor are both working together to bring back Kronika. But someone else is in league with the plan.
"So who do you think it could be? I mean we have so many enemies. For all we know, all of them could be involved." Cassie said.
"Cass is right. We definitely know it can't be Cetrion or Geras. Geras is trapped in the Sea of Blood and Cetrion has been erased from existence along with Shinnok." Jacqui said.
"Their numbers are increasing as we speak. Hopefully Liu Kang will have a plan to solve for all of this." Sub-Zero said.
"I know he will. He'll think of something. We can only hope it's something that we'll like." Alex said.
But as Alex said that, the portal opens. Everyone stands up, all expecting Liu Kang to return while wearing the crown. What they were not expecting is he came back empty handed.
"I thought you'd said you knew where the crown is. Where is it?" Kung Lao asked.
Liu Kang remained silent. This is not sitting well with his friends, especially his love of life, Kitana. "Liu Kang. What's wrong?"
"... there has been a complication." Liu Kang said before stepping away. Alex and Jacqui look at each other, wondering what he meant by that. But as soon as it hits them, they see someone else walking through the portal. Someone they were hoping not to see.
"Shang Tsung?!" Raiden said in shock.
"What is he doing here?" Sub-Zero said, staring at Liu Kang. The fire god doesn't respond. Instead, he stares at the broken crown hovering beside the sorcerer, trapped in a barrier.
"The crown. It's broken." Jacqui said.
"What have you done, sorcerer?! You've got real guts coming here!" Sonya said, aiming her ring gauntlets at him. Jacqui points her gun gauntlets at him as Cassie aims her guns. Everyone else draws their respective weapons. Alex uses his guns and activates his powers.
"Calm yourself, Sonya Blade. I am not here to fight. If I was, almost everyone here would be dead." Shang Tsung said, hands up in the air.
"What did you do to the crown? Why should we not end you right here and now?" Raiden asked.
Shang Tsung looks at everyone all glaring at him. Liu Kang lights up in anger, all demanding an answer from him. He knows that they would end him at the slightest hint of lies or betrayal.
"Answer the question, Shang Tsung. Or you share Shao Kahn's fate." Liu Kang said.
The sorcerer remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking. "Because we share a common enemy."
"I swear, if you fucking say Quan Chi, I'll knock you out cold faster than you can collect souls." Cassie said, glaring at him.
"No. Someone more powerful than me. More powerful than Quan Chi or even Shao Kahn. The person I am referring to is Geras." Shang Tsung claimed.
This causes everyone's attention. They all look at each other, all having the same look. They all have serious doubts on their faces, thinking that he could be lying to lay them into a trap.
"Uh huh. Sure. Geras is back." Jax said sarcastically. "Last time I heard, Raiden dumped him into the bottomless Sea of Blood."
"True, Jackson Briggs. However, while Liu Kang and Alex Cage were distracted by Kronika's clones, she transferred Geras' body into the hourglass without anyone knowing. And thus, he was spared from being permanently erased from existence." Shang Tsung tells him.
Kitana appears behind him. She holds one of her sharp fans against his neck. "You may be a skilled liar, Shang Tsung. But we are not gullible enough to fall for your excuses as we were before." Kitana said.
"I tell no lies, Kitana. You have every right to not believe me. But I was told all about what happened in the Old Era." Shang Tsung said.
"Such as? Name one time." Nightwolf said.
"How about the moment where everyone, except for Blade and Cage, died during Sindel's massacre and became Quan Chi's slaves he called revenants. Or when their daughter defeated Shinnok. And when Kronika merged time. Or worse yet, when Raiden lost Kung Lao and Liu Kang during his attempts at changing the future." Shang Tsung said.
Now this definitely shocks everyone, especially Raiden, Fujin and Liu Kang. Kitana looks on in shock as she holds the sorcerer hostage. Those words sent chills down Sindel's spine. She hated what she had done for Shao Kahn while under his control. Killing her own daughter proved to be her worst. Cassie now looks confused on how Shang Tsung knew about Shinnok. Johnny and Sonya look at each other in confusion. They remember the horrible day they lost their friends and allies at Sindel's hands while she was brainwashed. Raiden, knowing what happened prior to the time-merger, remains stunned by how he knew this.
"And how do you know all of this exactly? You were dead throughout all of that." Alex said.
"Yes. I was dead prior to Shao Kahn's death for years before Kronika messed with time. And you were not there until after your wife defeated Shinnok in Mortal Kombat and the original Raiden became corrupted by the Jinsei upon cleansing it and wearing his amulet." Shang Tsung said.
"But why are you telling us about Geras? How has he returned?" Fujin asked.
"Skarlet and Sektor." Shang Tsung said. "Skarlet used the powers of the crypted text from the Shirai Tablet after it was used by Jacqueline and Takeda Takahashi. She was the one who stole the jinsei and united Geras' soul with his body and he was removed from the hourglass."
Takeda and his wife look at each other in surprise. "So Skarlet was never with the Red Dragon in the first place. She was using them." Takeda said.
"Because her true loyalties were always with Kronika and Shao Kahn. Talk about lost cause." Jacqui said.
"I knew Sektor had something to do with assisting Skarlet." Sub-Zero said.
"I have tried to track her with the hourglass, but failed. Perhaps Kronika may have had something to do with that." Liu Kang said.
"Yes. Kronika used temporal barriers and placed them around Skarlet. With that, she was immune to having her memories altered and being detected by the hourglass. Geras restored my memories as well as Quan Chi." Shang Tsung said. "Geras is moving the keep so you cannot track it, which you could only do so with the crown.
"Which you destroyed by your own mishaps, sorcerer." Liu Kang said.
"An accident, I assure you. Only one soul managed to escape, but just one soul missing will not make a difference. I know who it is." Shang Tsung claimed.
"And who the hell would that be of all people?" Sonya asked, still pointing her weapons at him.
"The Fallen Elder God. Cetrion." Shang Tsung claimed.
"But Cetrion is gone. Kronika transferred her powers to herself to try to ensure victory. She died along with her." Jacqui said.
"It appears that Kronika may have transferred a portion of her soul to the crown in case of emergencies." Fujin said.
"We already figured out Skarlet and Sektor's plan to bring back Kronika. The question is how? What could Geras do to complete the task?" Jade asked, still doubting him.
"Plenty of things. First of all, he carries half of Kronika's subconsciousness inside his mind. She is instructing him what to do. Part of it was transferred when she punished him for disobedience." Shang Tsung tells her. "He also needs the crown, but it is broken."
"No thanks to you." Liu Kang said.
"Where is her other half?" Sindel asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The next thing that Geras needs. The other half of her subconsciousness. It lies… within him." Shang Tsung points at Alex.
Everyone looks at Alex. They all seemed to be even more puzzled, him included. Cassie looks at her husband out of concern. Alex couldn't bring himself to believe such things. He has been told about the sorcerer's abilities, including lying and strategic thinking.
"I don't believe you. You have to be shitting me. It can't be true. Me and Liu Kang killed her." Alex said.
"Precisely. But while she attempted her ritual on you, she transferred part of her spirit, which carried the other half of her subconsciousness. While you rejected her, her subconsciousness stayed alive. However, upon her death and Geras being sealed at the time, it remained dormant within your mind." Shang Tsung said.
"That's not true. I rejected her powers and spirit. That's how I fought back." Alex tells him. He feels himself starting to get more angry.
"We were told all about you, Alex Cage. It only comes alive whenever you get angry or upset at something personally dire. But it was only temporary due to its weak state with the other half sealed with Geras. After Geras was freed by Skarlet, both halves awakened. Even after you killed Kronika, you are nothing but a tool to her, just as she tried to do so after she killed your parents." Shang Tsung mockingly said.
Hearing the old man make fun of his parents' deaths at Kronika's hands caused Alex to close his fist in anger. All of a sudden, he suddenly activates his powers again and charges at him. He was about to grab his face, but Cassie, using her powers, immediately grabs him along with Jacqui, Liu Kang and Jade.
"LIAR! I'LL KILL YOU!" Alex yelled. His eyes turned black with green pupils. They are matching Kronika's own eyes.
"By the gods! Alex's eyes!" Kitana exclaimed. She, Shang Tsung, Jacqui, Cassie, Liu Kang and Jade see the way his eyes have changed. Then everyone else in the room sees what Kitana and Liu Kang are talking about. They are shocked and freaked out by this.
"They look just like Kronika's." Liu Kang, holding Alex back.
"LET GO OF ME!" Alex continues to try to break through them to kill Shang Tsung, but is held back by their combined strength, trying to calm him down. Takeda uses his telepathy to try to get into Alex's head, but then, he sees Kronika glaring at him and immediately attacks. Takeda yells in pain, grabbing his head.
"Alex! Alex! Listen to me!" Cassie yelled. Within a second, Alex suddenly calms down upon hearing Cassie's voice.
He looks at his wife in a calmer manner. "Cassie." Alex whispered. He grabs his head in pain and falls to his knees. From that moment, everyone in the room see his eyes go back to normal.
"Alex! You okay?" Jax asked out of concern.
He deactivated his powers and gasps for air. He couldn't hear anything for a second. He waited to regain his bearings before he could speak. "What? What the fuck just happened?" Alex asked, feeling as if nothing happened.
"Alex. Are you alright?" Cassie asked, helping him up with Jade.
"I'm okay. God. That hurt like hell. It's like I heard her actually talking to me in my own head. The one voice I did not want to hear again." Alex tells her.
"I have warned you. The more upset you get, the stronger Kronika's subconsciousness awakens and she possesses you each time. Overtime, it will be harder to control each time Kronika possesses his mind. If Alex becomes more angry more often, the chances of him becoming possessed by Kronika will be permanent." Shang Tsung said.
"He's right." Takeda said with Jacqui checking on her husband. "I tried to reach Alex to calm him down, but I saw Kronika instead. She immediately kicked me out of his head."
"I remember now. There were a couple times last year where I got angry while fighting Tremor and when Cassie got injured by Tasia and Kano. I thought it was a coincidence when my head kept hurting, but I didn't know about the whole thing until now. It all makes sense now." Alex said. "Cassie, do you think I should tell them about last night?"
"Given what just happened to you, yes. It's best to do that." Cassie tells him.
"What is wrong, Alex?" Jade asked, feeling worried.
"Last night, I had a dream. I saw the keep back to the very beginning of time. Everyone was dead, Liu Kang included. Kronika performed that ritual on me and she won. I was put under her control and Shinnok and Cetrion were resurrected. I thought it was just a coincidence, but now I'm thinking otherwise. It's a sign that Geras has returned with half of Kronika's subconsciousness." Alex tells everyone. Cassie takes his hand and squeezes it, keeping him calm. Jade puts a hand on his shoulder.
"If that is the case, then I believe I am right about what I said." Shang Tsung said.
"For once, you are telling the truth, sorcerer." Kitana said, finally letting him go.
"Yes. Geras needs him alive. He needs Alex and the crown to reunite both halves and use the hourglass to resurrect Kronika. But she will not stop there. Geras will sacrifice himself and transfer his powers and strength to her. With Geras' strength, Cetrion's power and the crown, Kronika will grow even more powerful, beyond that of Alex and Liu Kang. Nobody will be able to defeat her. She will make the Next Era and guarantee the return of her so-called children." Shang Tsung tells everyone.
"If you know so much about Kronika and the hourglass, how do you propose we stop Geras? He too must have time barriers placed around him so I cannot track him." Liu Kang asked.
"Yeah. In case you haven't noticed, Geras can't be killed. Kung Lao tried, so have me, Cassie and Raiden. None of them work." Alex tells him.
"I have witnessed it myself. His only weakness is the hourglass itself." Shang Tsung claimed. "Kronika used it to create Geras and give him immortality and powers. It can also take them away permanently."
"Once that happens, we can finally kill the asshole forever, right?" Cassie asked.
"But the crown is broken. We have no means of repairing it." Fujin said.
"We do. I know how to repair it as Kronika has shown me. She showed me the materials." Shang Tsung said. "But I cannot do it alone. There is only one individual who can help repair it." He looks at Sindel.
"Wait. You don't possibly mean him, do you?" Sindel asked.
"Yes. King Jerrod himself." The sorcerer tells her.
"But my father is dead. How could he possibly help us?" Kitana questions him.
"With your Soul Chamber. He is sealed within my Flesh Pits in the castle in the Netherrealm." Shang Tsung said. "Shao Kahn is without having many of his army guard the body while I am away."
"Shao Kahn. But he is dead. I shredded him into oblivion. I killed him after you two left." Sindel reminds him.
"Yes. But Quan Chi and I have created clones of him after you killed him and banished us to the Netherrealm. He lives, fights and remembers everything up to his death by your hands" Shang Tsung said.
"He lives?! Why are you telling us this?!" Sindel yelled in anger.
"... because when Geras restored my memories, I saw memories from different timelines. One of them showed myself being sacrificed by Shao Kahn by transferring my souls and powers to you to make you stronger. For the first time in my life serving him, I was disgusted by his betrayal. Shao Kahn, Mileena. Everyone remembers what they have all transpired in the Old Era and Geras made them stronger with the hourglass." Shang Tsung said.
"I remember that. I was under his control when that happened in the Old Era. What do you propose?" Sindel asked.
"We must retrieve the body of Jerrod. With the Soul Chamber and the Jinsei, we can resurrect him. Together, with his forging skills as well as his magic and swordsmanship, we can craft a new crown together and make it more durable. The Soul barriers are keeping the souls from escaping. It needs all the power it has from each Soul collected." Shang Tsung said.
"With the crown, we can locate the keep and destroy Geras forever. The asshole won't threaten us again." Jacqui said.
"Without Geras, Kronika can't come back." Jade replied.
"Wait, hold on. Can't he just pull the subconsciousness out of Alex? I mean in case it happens again?" Johnny asked.
"No. That is way too risky. Besides, it could end up hurting him, which won't even work from what Kronika said." Cassie said. "Besides, I'm not letting this ugly asshole touch him."
"Agreed." Jade and Jacqui said at the same time. Jade holding her staff in front of Alex.
"Geras' immortality also affects Kronika's first halve, preventing it from being destroyed. That's why we must use the hourglass first. One subject must die. If one dies, both sides of Kronika's subconsciousness will die as well." Shang Tsung tells them. "Besides, Cassandra. I have no intentions of harming your husband. Geras has warned me not to steal his soul. Doing so will kill me and he lives. I am no match for Alex."
"The good news is me and Alex made sure that we cannot be tracked using the hourglass in case someone would try to get to it and find us and kill us. Otherwise that person would become the new Keeper of Time. They need the crown first." Liu Kang said.
"If what you say is true, then perhaps this plan of yours will work. Then we gotta head to the Netherrealm and get Kitana's dad." Alex said.
"That leaves too much of a chance. According to my calculations, Geras has told everyone about you by now. Shao Kahn will be aware of my betrayal soon. They hope to lay a trap for you and bring you to Geras. No matter how many times you kill him, even when keeping him occupied, he will only grow stronger. He must not have you. We need the crown to take away his immortality." Shang Tsung said.
"I am afraid that he is right, Alexander. We cannot risk losing you to Geras while he retains his immortality. It is best that you stay behind." Raiden said, before turning to the sorcerer. "Who else can we expect other than Shao Kahn, Geras and Quan Chi?"
"Mileena, Rain, Kollector, Ermac and Reptile. Tanya and Skarlet plan to meet with the Cyber Lin Kuie. All of them empowered by Geras. Shao Kahn has armies of the undead and clones of edenian warriors, all under Quan Chi's command. Since you do not trust me, I will guide anyone who would like to volunteer. I am aware of Shao Kahn and Geras' plans. They plan to attack all realms simultaneously. Distract you all while he sent me to retrieve the crown while Geras and Shao Khan plan to either find Alex or wait for him to come to them so he would be captured." Shang Tsung said.
"Before we think about it, sorcerer." Liu Kang said before turning to Fujin and Alex. "A word with you two.
Fujin nodded to him, but Alex was hesitant. "I'll go with you. But only if you let me bring Cassie with me. We promised to never keep secrets from each other." Alex said, looking at his wife.
Liu Kang and Fujin both look at each other for a moment before turning to Alex. "Very well." Liu Kang said. Alex reaches his hand out to Cassie and she runs over and grabs his hand and the four walk away to talk for a moment.
"Even what you say is true about everything, why should we listen to a snake?" Raiden said.
"Because this snake toyed with Kronika. Gathering her secrets. I realized too late that she destined my fate for me by having me collect souls for her crown. She intended to use me as a pawn rather than be her partner. The last thing I remember before the time merger was being turned into a sand statue. I immediately realized that this was her doing, but I was unable to intervene, seeing that my purpose has been served. Because she knew that Alex is more powerful than all of us in this room." Shang Tsung said.
"Inevitably, our interests will diverge." Raiden said.
"This alliance is only temporary. Have no illusions otherwise." Shang Tsung said.
Outside the entrance, Liu Kang speaks with Fujin, Cassie and Alex. The three seem to be skeptical about Liu Kang's idea. "I understand your misgivings. But it is the only way it can be done." Liu Kang said.
"But the risks, Liu Kang." Fujin said.
"He's right. What if this doesn't work? Everyone could be killed." Cassie said.
"You must have faith, Cassandra. I have seen it. We will not fail. But if he betrays us, we will kill him." Liu Kang said.
"Given all the circumstances we have to face, we don't have much of a choice. I'd say we do it." Alex said.
"If Alex agrees, then I will have to agree too." Cassie said, wrapping her arm around her husband.
"It will be rewarded. We cannot make any mistakes while doing this. This is our only chance to pull this plan of yours off." Fujin said.
"Yes. Remember, do not say a word to Shang Tsung. Be careful of what you say to everyone else. The less people that know, the better." Liu Kang instructs them. They completely understand whatever they have to do despite the risks. As they return, Liu Kang quickly stops Alex. "Remember. Do not fight unless absolutely necessary. If Kronika takes complete control of you, this plan will fail."
"I understand completely, Liu Kang." Alex said.
The four go back to join the others. They went to tell Shang Tsung about the decision. "We will proceed with your plan. I must remain behind to keep an eye out on any more changes in case Shao Kahn decides to attack Outworld first. However, you will be supervised. I am sending Fujin and Nightwolf with you to make sure this plan works." Liu Kang tells him.
"I accept the assistance, Fire God." Shang Tsung said.
"I will join you." Raiden said.
"Raiden. It is risky to go to the Netherrealm. I cannot afford to lose you." Liu Kang said.
"I am always prepared, Lord Liu Kang. During my time as a god and after making you my successor, I have always been willing to throw my life down to ensure the safety of the realms." Raiden said. "Have faith in us, I ask of you."
Fire God Liu Kang felt reluctant to let Raiden go on such a dangerous mission. He always looked up to Raiden as his best teacher and close friend. Liu Kang would hate to lose those he cares about most. "Very well then. May the Elder Gods protect us defenders."
Raiden turns to Alex and Cassie. "I understand you must have a plan on hiding, Alexander?"
"We do. We have an idea on where to go." Alex tells him.
Raiden sees what he means by looking into his eyes. "I see now. I wish that you two would remain safe from whatever events transpire while this unholy alliance lasts."
"Thanks, Raiden. Hope you be careful out there." Cassie said. Raiden nods to her as he meets up with the other three.
Shang Tsung steps forward and he casts the spell to open a portal. Before Shang Tsung could step through, he is stopped by a sword to the throat by Hanzo. "I have beheaded Quan Chi once before. One hint, Shang Tsung, then you're next.
This ended up entertaining the old man and he smiles. "So I've heard. I would have loved to thank you for sparing me the trouble." The sorcerer said. He, Fujin and Nightwolf all step through the portal. Raiden was the last one, but before doing so, he looks back at his successor and gives him a reassuring smile before walking through the portal and it closes.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Liu Kang. I do not trust that old creeper one god damn bit." Sonya said in a concerned voice.
"Neither do I, Sonya Blade. But he is our key to victory. If he betrays us early, then we will kill him. I know for a fact that he will not fail." Liu Kang assures her.
"In the meantime, what is our next move? It could be a while before they return. It may be best to prepare in case something goes wrong." Kung Lao suggested.
"You are right, Kung Lao. I would suggest that we gather our armies. Gather the monks and have them prepared. We must remain strong." Liu Kang instructed and Kung Lao nods.
"Sub-Zero and I will gather our clans and inform them of recent events." Hanzo said.
"Agreed. I will inform Frost, Cyrax and Smoke. If Sektor is still out there, then we must be ready before he reunites with Shao Kahn." Sub-Zero said.
"Understood. Thank the two of you." Liu Kang said as Hanzo teleports himself and Sub-Zero away from Outworld and back to Earthrealm.
"Gathering our respective teams is huge, but I can't help but feel every right to be concerned about all of this. Teaming up with that old man feels like the end of the world." Jax said.
"Nevertheless, we have to warn the Special Forces. They definitely would want to hear this." Sonya said.
Alex and Cassie look at each other and feel like now is the right time. "Wait. Before Liu Kang sends us back to Earthrealm, there's a couple of things we like to discuss with my parents, the team, Jacqui and Jax." Cassie said.
"Take your time, Cassandra. I know what you need to do." Liu Kang tells her.
The Special Forces team head to a hallway to be alone to talk. Everyone seems to be confused on what they want to talk about. "Alex. What's wrong?" Johnny asked.
Alex was the first to step up. "I'm sorry, you guys. We can't come back with you."
"You have a very good reason, don't you?" Sonya guessed.
"Yes, ma'am. Liu Kang suggested that I don't do any fighting unless I absolutely have to. Just in case what you guys saw happened to me repeats itself. I don't want to risk putting all of you in danger. As much as I love my job as sergeant, I can't risk Kronika coming out." Alex reluctantly tells them.
"We understand the situation you're in, Alex. I promise you we will get through this. That time-bitch who killed your parents won't take you away from your new family. Not again." Sonya said.
"Thank you, Sonya. I always saw you guys as a family to me. I can never appreciate you guys enough." Alex smiles at her.
"There is another thing you need to know just in case." Cassie steps up. She feels extremely nervous about what to say. She tries to take deep breaths, trying to think. Alex puts a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Cassie. We're all in this." Alex reassures her.
Cassie smiles at her true love before turning to her parents. "Mom. Dad." Cassie takes a deep breath. "You two are going to be grandparents."
Sonya and Johnny remain silent about what she just said. They both walk up to their daughter and son in-law. Alex gulps nervously as they give him a stern look. After a couple moments of silence, they both relent and give Alex and Cassie big hugs. They, in fact, feel happy about the news.
"Oh, Cassie." Johnny said, kissing his daughter's cheek. "So happy for you. You know there's nothing you could do to disappoint us."
"Your dad is right. Happy that you two are gonna have a family. About damn time." Sonya said, resisting the urge to drop tears.
"I've only known since last night." Alex tells her.
"I've been pregnant for a few weeks. I ordered medics not to tell anyone. We wanted to surprise you, but we couldn't think of a better time given the shit we're going through." Cassie said.
"I'm real proud of you. Both of you. You've been a hell of a couple tough soldiers. Came from tough stock." Sonya said.
They step aside and Jax hugs Cassie and shakes Alex's hand and hugs him. "I knew something like this would happen. Sonya's right. If anyone could pull this off, it'd be you two." Jax said.
"No need to worry after all, huh, Uncle J?" Cassie joked.
"Not at all, Cass." Jax said.
"About fucking time this happened. But where will y'all go now? You can't go back to where you came from." Jacqui said.
"We know. I have an idea about that. Just promise you won't cause any trouble while we're gone. We'll keep in touch." Alex tells her.
"Yeah. You're right. I guess I do love trouble after all. Should've agreed with you and Cassie last year. It was still damn worth it." Jacqui said. "Goodbye for now, Alex. Please come back to us soon." Jacqui hugs Alex and kisses his cheek. She then turns to her best friend and hugs her.
"Good to have a sister like you around. Just like always." Cassie said.
"Always, sister. If anyone touches you two or the baby, I'll split them in half." Jacqui said.
The Special Forces return to Fire God Liu Kang. Everyone seems to be ready to go. "Ready when you are, Liu Kang." Sonya said. Liu Kang nods and he opens a portal. Johnny, Sonya, Jacqui, Jax, Takeda and Kung Jin hug Cassie and Alex one more time before they step through. Liu Kang hands Major General Sonya something. Looks like a blue vile. He whispered something in her ear. Sonya seemed skeptical about it, but sees Liu Kang's point before she steps through and the portal closes.
"What will you do, Liu Kang?" Cassie asked.
"I will remain here in Outworld with Kitana. She will need my assistance in defending it with Baraka and Kotal. Queen Sheeva is waiting in Edenia for Sindel's return." Liu Kang said.
"We all have our duty, fire god." Cassie smiled. She and her husband then turned to Sindel and Jade.
Alex turns to Kitana. "I don't know about you, but I don't like that guy one damn bit."
"I believe you, Alex. I really do. But we have no choice. If what he says is true, then hopefully my father will help us." Kitana said.
"Sorry about what just happened. That wasn't me. I never get this angry." Alex said.
"It isn't your fault, my friend." Kitana puts a hand on Alex's shoulder. "This is Kronika's doing. You've bested her before. Geras is no different. What will you do now?"
"I have to go somewhere with Cassie to get away from fighting. Just in case this happens again. Can't risk putting anyone in danger." Alex expresses his worry.
"And I see you have an idea about that. I have faith in you, your wife, Liu Kang and Jade." Kitana said and shakes his hand.
"Hey. Is that Edenia invitation still open? We need a really big favor from you." Alex asks Sindel and Jade.
"Of course. What is it that you need?" Sindel asked the two. Alex and Cassie nod to each other. They both know that now is the most appropriate time.
Note: So the alliance is happening just like in Aftermath. But who knows how long it will last. Remember when I mentioned about Shang Tsung not being in the void in the first story? Well, him turning into a sand statue was intended by Kronika, as she saw him as a threat to her plans, given his knowledge, which was shown a couple chapters ago. This was kinda an error in Afermath that I fixed. Dumping him in the void was a bad idea on Kronika's part, which led to her downfall.