Chapter 18: Special Forces Strikes
Fire God Liu Kang reports to Major General Sonya and Major Jax about the updates. He informs them about Jerrod's resurrection and that he will help them. But they ask something in need from them.
"According to Shang Tsung, Kano and the Black Dragon should have the materials King Jerrod needs to construct a new crown. It is called Edenian Steel." Liu Kang said.
"Edenian Steel. Never heard of it. Must be something special." Sonya said.
"Indeed. The king said that it is indestructible. No one has succeeded in ever damaging it. It will suit our needs." Liu Kang said.
"And I'm guessing Shang Tsung can transfer all of the souls from the old crown to the new one. Makes perfect sense." Sonya said.
"We already have intel on where they are. We're already setting up a mission to kill the assholes and get the metal." Jax said.
"Thank you both. May you come back stronger than ever. This is one opportunity we cannot pass up. I know that you will not fail us." Liu Kang nods as he closes the holographic call. Sonya and Jax walk back to the others, Kabal included and let them know what Liu Kang told them.
"This seems a little easier, don't you think? I'm really hoping we don't get surprised attacked like we did the last couple of times." Sonya said.
"You're right. I'm tired of the god damn surprises from Kano. His shit is getting old. From the Old Era and the New Era. Past you put an end to Kano once and for all. Hope we plan on doing it again?" Jax asked.
"As much as I taught everyone here, including Cassie and Alex to show morality. Even then, I also told them do not kill anyone unless absolutely necessary. I'm tired of trying to show Kano mercy. He's done damage to both our families long enough." Sonya said.
"I heard that. I can relate given mine and Takeda's experience with the Red Dragon and Dogron. We had no choice but to kill him and his apprentice Lang Cho." Jacqui said.
"Kano might be planning something with the Edenian Steel. Liu Kang said that it's indestructible. If they use that for their weapons, then there's no stopping them from helping Shao Kahn and Geras turn the tides on us. It'll wipe out the Special Forces, the clans, armies of Outworld and Edenia." Kung Jin said.
"And what's worse is they could use that to get to Alex and Cassie. It will be their perfect opportunity to capture him and bring him to the hourglass." Takeda said.
"Well that is why we can't let Kano melt that metal for his own giving. We need to extract all of it. Can't leave not even one bar of it behind. We do that, then Jerrod can construct the crown and give it to Liu Kang." Sonya said.
"And with that, we can kill Geras once and for all. Without the metal, they will try to launch a full scale assault on one of the realms and hopefully fail. We can only hope it isn't Edenia." Jacqui said.
"I know some of you guys may still disagree with me on this, but the only way to take down the Black Dragon for good is to take down the founders of the damn place. Without them, Kano's followers will be lost. No leader and no direction." Sonya said.
"I hate to be the one to admit it, but she has a point. He has done damage beyond forgivable. We need to take our chances now." Johnny said.
"Luckily, Jacqui and Jax found this earlier." Sonya brings up a hologram. Looks like a mansion.
"I know that place. That's an abandoned mansion that Kano stole from a big family after he assassinated them." Kabal said.
"How do you know this?" Sonya asked.
"When he first recruited me, this was the first thing he showed me when he first started his career as the Black Dragon leader." Kabal said.
"That's also where he killed many members of the Forces. Looks too easy." Sonya said.
"That's what Kano wants you to think. From time to time, he doesn't plan ahead. But given this whole war thing, guess he's coming in prepared." Kabal said.
"I'm spotting several towers using cloaking tech. Snipers and bombers. Not to mention guards in front of those towers using stealth tech to hide themselves. They really don't want us inside." Jacqui said.
"We can't afford too much stealth this time. This time we're gonna have to go all out." Sonya said.
"About time. We may have time on our side, but so do they." Kung Jin said.
"What's your badass plan, Major General?" Johnny asked, smiling.
"First off, the guards using the stealth tech. We have no way of knowing where they are or where they're walking. Thankfully, Alex managed to find a weak spot when we first stole them. They can't be use forever. From time to time they have to turn off to recharge to prevent overheating. Once they're down, that's our chance. They stay active for three minutes and half to shut off for 45 seconds. I never thought I'd ask this, but Kabal. Do you still have that superspeed of yours?" Sonya asked.
"Yeah. Why?" Kabal asked.
"You think you could take these guards out quickly? That way, no one would see you." Sonya said.
"I can hope I do. If one of us screw this up, it might be over." Kabal said. "What else do you have?"
"Once we take down the towers, we can blast our way in the mansion and go all out. Alpha and Bravo teams will head downstairs to secure the Ednian Steel. Then my team will secure the outside perimeter, and Jacqui's team will secure the inside. Johnny, Jax and Kabal will find Kano, Tasia and Tremor. This is a kill, do not capture. Am I clear?" Sonya tells them and they all salute her. "Good. Let's load up. We leave now." Everyone, including Kabal, loaded up on the jet. Once more, he is supervised by Johnny and Jax. Sonya was the last one to board the jets. Unknown to everyone, she is holding that blue capsule that Liu Kang gave her earlier. She is still debating on when to use it. The jets take off to their mission to Kano's home country Australia. The Special Forces hope it will be their last time encountering the Black Dragon.
The Special Forces landed at a good distance away from the mansion. As stated in the hologram projector, Kano made serious modifications and defenses. If they are to pull this off, they will have to end the Black Dragon forever. Sonya normally showed mercy, and even taught her daughter and her teams to show mercy. But now since Geras' return and plan to forge yet a new timeline, given what she was told what happened after her death, Sonya became desperate.
"Alright. All teams. Keep our cloakers intact as we go. We have to stick to the plan by the book. We cannot take any detours. Not this time. All we can do is hope it'll work." Sonya said.
The five teams slowly reach the fortified mansion. As they expected, they see towers all around the building. Three on two on the east and west sides and three on the northern and southern sides, making the total being ten towers.
"I see ten towers. How in the hell are we gonna get past those fuckers and their snipers and cloaking tech?" Jacqui asked with a stern glare at the assholes.
"We use our own methods of speed. Kabal. You're up. You're the only one fast enough to take them out and get back to hiding." Sonya comlinks him.
"Guess I should thank Kano and creepy wizard guy for bringing me to Outworld and Edenia. That's where I got the speed." Kabal said. He brings out a taser gun and walks forward using a cloaking tech.
"Before you do so. Take this." Sonya said. She gives him the small blue capsule Liu Kang give her. "When you, Jax and Johnny reach Kano, use that on yourself."
"What is this thing?" Kabal is confused.
"You'll see." Sonya said.
Kabal could ask, but he knows the mission comes first. He remembers the Major General's instructions on waiting for the right timing of searchlights and the goons disappearing and reappearing.
Kabal finds the right timing to use his superspeed. From his point of view, it looks like everything and everyone are moving in slow motion. It can make anyone look like they've seen a ghost. One by one, he takes out each goon guarding the towers before they could even get a chance to recloak. Seeing all of them gone, he quickly rushes back to Johnny and Jax. The towers recloak again and that signals each team to spread out and set up to take out the guards on top of the towers and the cloaking devices attached to said towers. Each member remembered what Sonya said. They wait patiently for three minutes for the perfect timing. Once they see the towers fully decloaked, they aim their snipers and fire at the guards and shoot their devices to destroy them.
"Sonya. All towers cleared. No one else is left." Jax reports.
"Move in! Move in pronto! Hurry!" Sonya ordered. All teams run in from all different directions to surround the building. Sonya's and Jacqui's teams take the front while Jax, Johnny and Kabal take the backside. Takeda uses his chain whips to slice the gates open and everyone charges in. Kung Jin and Takeda use their respective melee weapons and kill any goon in sight. Jacqui uses her gauntlets while Sonya uses her go to rifle gun to shoot them, all while they beat them up in kombat at the same time. Alpha and Bravo teams meet up with Sonya and Jacqui.
"There'll be more soon. Hopefully it won't be thousands." Jacqui said.
"There isn't. I can tell. Only a few hundred members. They're everywhere. Kano is here." Takeda said, using his telepathy.
"Jax. You heard that, right?" Sonya comlinked.
"Yeah. Kano should be at the top. Bet he's expecting us this time." Jax said.
"He's pretty much had it with our shit. Well too bad for him because we feel the same way with him." Johnny said.
"You know what you gotta do. Sonya out." She turned off. "Alpha and Bravo teams. Head downstairs and secure the Edenian Steel. Kenshi can guide you down there." Kenshi follows her word and he and the teams head underground to find the steel.
"Me and my team will head inside. To make sure nobody gets out. Never mess with this team." Jacqui said.
"I never get tired of that optimism of yours, Commander Jacqui. Be careful in there." Sonya smiles. The team nods and head inside and barge in and fight as many goons as they can. Several goons manage to slip by them to escape, but are quickly gunned down and killed by Sonya and her team. Blood is going everywhere.
Kenshi leads both teams to the basement where the steel is held. He swings his sword at anyone who approaches and uses his telekinesis on his sword to kill more goons along the way, even upstairs. They reach the basement. Thankfully there is no safe guarding it. But no one seems to be there. The teams look astounded by the sight of the metal. It looks like it has silver painting on it. It looks thousands of years old and yet it look clean. As Liu Kang and Jerrod stated, not even a scratch or dent. Something feels up. Out of nowhere, Tasia comes in and double kicks Kenshi in the back of the head. Kenshi turns around but she teleports. Despite being blind, he knows what's going on. He puts two fingertips up to his head and waits for the right moment. Tasia tries to stab him at the same spot she kicked him, but he elbows her in the neck.
"Aagh! Smartass. Should've known you would have telepathy as well." Tasia said.
"Then it seems that you have not learned anything when you fought my son and lost horribly if I remember being told." Kenshi insults her. "Secure the steel. I will handle her myself."
"You've made a mistake coming here. Once I bring Kano your head, maybe I'll gain his eternal trust." Tasia said before they fight.
Kenshi punches her forehead, knees her chest and kicks her in the chin, sending her in the air. Kenshi uses his telekinesis to bring her back down, knees her left shoulder, back kicks her across the head and pushes her to the wall via telekinesis. Tasia teleports instantly and elbows his left ribcage, his left shoulder, punches his forehead. She spin kicks him in the upper spine, teleports again and punches his chest and backflip kicks him. Tasia tends to get out her sword and finish him, but Kenshi draws his sword as well. They clash weapons, switching between offense and defense. Tasia tries to keep up with him, but is getting tired because he is slowly gaining the advantage. Tasia growls in anger and constantly teleports and tries to kill him, but Kenshi was smart. He uses his telepathy to know where she is and his telekinesis to lift his sword to deflect all of her swings. Kenshi elbows her neck again, kicks her in the forehead, stumbling her backwards. He pulls her in with his powers and double kicks her in the face, partially cracking her skull. Tasia slides down in defeat.
"You would've made a horrible teacher yourself, Tasia. Then again, you've always been emotionally unstable." Kenshi said.
"The Black Dragon may die, but I will not die to you. I am just through with Kano. " Tasia snarled.
"You seem to be more angry and frustrated than usual. What is causing you your troubles, I wonder?" Kenshi asked.
Tasia quickly notices him lifting two fingertips to his head. She realizes he was going to read her mind. Her eyes widened, and immediately teleports away. Kenshi couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Tasia. She seemed more angrier than before. But he didn't have time to figure it out.
"Kenshi? How is it coming?" Sonya asked.
"The Edenian Steel is secure." Kenshi replied. "I'm coming to you."
"Alright. Be careful coming back. That's only part of the plan done. We still have some business to do with Kano." Sonya said. Kenshi nods and acknowledges her command as he runs to catch up to Alpha and Bravo teams carrying the Edenian Steel.
On the other side of the mansion, Jax, Johnny, and Kabal manage to sneak in unseen. Sonya and Jacqui are drawing their fire. They are on their way to Kano. Halfways up, they are blocked by Tremor.
"You shall not pass!" Tremor said.
"I see what you did there, but you suck hardcore at it." Johnny jokingly said.
"Kabal. Go get Kano. Me and Johnny will hold off tall, rocky and ugly here." Jax said. Kabal nods and speeds through Tremor and goes to find Kano. "For a big man, you stoop low working for Kano."
"If you kill him, you may have to kill me first. Which will never happen. You have crossed the Black Dragon for the last time." Tremor said. He fights against both Jax and Johnny.
Tremor throws a magma ball which Jax fires heat from his arms which blows it up. Johnny throws green shadow balls at his face, making him stumble. Johnny jumps up, swings off a chandelier and punches the earth elemental in the back of the head and jumps up, and double kicks him to Jax who swings his arm at the face and backhands the back of the head, partially cracking his skull. Jax charges in, but Tremor elbows his face, punches the ground to make the Major stumble, punches his forehead, grabs his throat and slams him to the ground, head first and punches the face. Johnny shadow kicks Tremor, saving Jax's life. Johnny punches him across the face twice, ducks and kicks his chest and shoulder bashes him. Tremor touches the ground and he traps Johnny's feet. Tremor walks up to him, slams a fist on Johnny's right shoulder, headbutts him and kicks him in the chest, making him slide down.
Jax and Johnny nod to each other and get back up. Tremor jumps up to punch the ground, but Johnny and Jax jump out of the way. Jax fires heat at Tremor's left arm, ducks an arm swing and elbows his left rib cage and back kicks the stomach. Johnny, using his powers, punches Tremor's neck, triple kicks him in the chest, cracking it. Johnny does the splits and does his nut punch move, and double backflip kicks Tremor in the chin, greatly damaging it. Tremor is sent flying towards the ground. A loud boom is heard when he makes an impact, back first. He falls through a few floors, to where he can't be seen.
"Nice one, Cage." Jax said.
"Thanks. I would really hate to be this poor guy right here." Johnny said. Not that he feels bad for Tremor. He just wished someone powerful like him wouldn't follow Kano.
"Oh I heard that alright. Come on, we gotta help find Kano." Jax said.
Kabal manages to sneak by other goons unseen. If caught, he quickly tases them. He speeds his way through to find Kano. He seems to be pretty pissed. It seems he is talking to someone.
"Hey. What are you bunch creepsters doing? We're getting pinned down. I'd feel a lot better if we had some firepower right about now." Kano talks to Shao Kahn.
Shao Kahn laughs at this. He normally doesn't enjoy failure. The question is why is he doing so now? "Your war with the Special Forces has amused me for once. Even when you had the upper hand, you still lose. The fact that they almost executed you was even more humorous."
"Okay, you got your laugh. Ha ha. Help me out already. I have your Edenian steel. Just as you requested me to keep for you." Kano pleads with him.
"Your services are no longer required, Kano. You have failed me too often. Perhaps I'll find someone better to replace your Black Dragon." Shao Kahn said before signing off.
Kabal overhears this and smiles. Before he goes inside to fight Kano, he looks at the blue capsule he's holding. He opens it up and sees blue energy coming out and flowing in front of him. Instantaneously, it flows within Kabal's mind. He then starts to remember everything. He remembers siding with a friend of his named Stryker. He wanted to redeem himself after quitting the Black Dragon. He sees himself fighting with Stryker to protect Earthrealm from when Shao Kahn first invaded. He sees them briefly meeting Raiden and getting burned by Kintaro. He almost died, but Kano equipped him with gears and a mask to keep himself alive. He was healed by Shang Tsung. Most of his injuries were healed, but were scarred. His lungs could not be saved. Kabal remembers fighting Kano once he realizes that he was responsible for helping Shao Kahn destroy cities and escaping Outworld.
He also sees himself fighting Sindel while she was brainwashed. Sadly, he became her first victim. He also remembers becoming a revenant and serving Quan Chi and Shinnok and participating in the time war. Interestingly enough, he shares memories with his other self when he sided with Kano and was tricked into thinking Sonya scarred and burned him. Kabal opens his eyes and remained confused. Kabal felt sad about siding with Shinnok and Kronika and trying to kill Sonya and all of Earthrealm. When he remembered what Kano and Shang Tsung did, he became beyond pissed. Kabal decides to confront Kano once and for all.
"KANO!" Kabal yells to get his attention.
Kano turns around and feels relieved at the sight of his former ally. "Kabal. Just the guy I wanted to see. Shao Kahn ditched us, but with you back, we can turn things around."
"Fuck off, Kano. You tricked me. You helped Shao Kahn invade Earthrealm. Sold them firepower, destroyed cities. Made me hideous. And you tricked another me into thinking that Sonya burned me when it was that four-armed tiger monster guy." Kabal said, closing his fists.
"Oh, come on. That was in the Old Era. Sorry for leaving ya with the Special Forces. I guess I haven't been giving ya second chances. For ole times sake. You and me against them. We'll win Shao Kahn's trust and make you a place in the Next Era." Kano offered.
"I'll pass, asshole. Special Forces has treated me far better than you have. I don't care if they'll mistrust me for the rest of my life. For all I know so far, it's better than yours." Kabal said.
"Kabal. You wouldn't kill your friend now. Would you?" Kano asked.
"Does this answer your question?" Kabal gets out hook swords.
"Then so be it, mate." Kano shrugs before they start fighting.
Kabal and Kano clash with their hook swords and daggers. Kano swings a kick, but Kabal dodges and punches Kano in the chest and roundhouse kicks him in the head and trips him with his hook swords. Kano tries to stab him with his boot knife, but Kabal jumps and grabs his ankle and throws him. Kabal and Kano glare at each other with great hatred. Kano uses his cannonball move, but Kabal runs backwards, speeds through Kano, making him spin, kicks him in the back, wraps a hook sword to the neck and kicks him in the lower spine, sending him down. Kano throws a dagger, which Kabal deflects and Kano fires his optic laser. Kabal dodges but is grabbed by the shoulders. Kano headbutts him, chops his left shoulder and tackles him down. Kano rapidly mashes his head against Kabal's. Kabal feels a bit dazed. Before Kano could land the finishing blow, Kabal grabs the dagger Kano threw, and thrusts it into Kano's cyber eye. Kano screams in pain, being half blind. Kabal pushes him off. He once more dashes past Kano, dazing him. Kabal slides and breaks both of his shins. He runs up behind Kano and slashes the hook swords into Kano's shoulder blades, ribs and spine before kicking him away. Kabal throws one of his hook swords at Kano's left shoulder, runs forward, pulls that sword away, ripping Kano's arm off. Kabal back kicks Kano in the back of the head, steps on his right leg and stabs Kano's chin with a hook sword and with great strength, Kabal pulls on his sword and Kano's head and spine are brutally pulled off his body. Tons of blood comes pouring out of his body. From his neck and left shoulder. Kabal steps off his leg and Kano's body falls back down, chest first.
"Fatality, bitch." Kabal said. He spits on the body of the now dead Kano. He then sees Johnny and Jax come in and are stunned by what they see.
"Holy shit. He killed him. He actually killed him." Johnny said. His eyes widened. He knew Kano died before and how, but this was more brutal.
Outside, the teams and Kenshi have secured the Edenian Steel. Jacqui and Sonya meet outside. They wait for Johnny, Jax and Kabal. "Well. This mission went on without a damn hitch." Jacqui said.
"You're right, Jacqui. Still. Can't help thinking that something is up. This felt easier than before. At least Geras wasn't there to save anyone's asses this time. Or Shao Kahn for that matter." Sonya said. As soon as she said that, she and Sonya turn around and see Johnny, Jax and Kabal walking out. No one could believe their own eyes at what they see. They see Kano's head still attached to Kabal's hook sword. He drops it on the ground as more blood comes out.
"Mind. Blown." Jacqui said. She, Takeda and Jin could not believe it. Kano is actually dead. Kabal walks up to the Major General.
"Major General Sonya. I'm sorry. About everything. I remember now. Everything from the Old Era. He used me. Tricked me into thinking you tortured me. He sold firepower to Shao Kahn during that invasion. I even remember becoming a slave to Shinnok." Kabal said.
Sonya remained stunned for several more moments. She realizes that the capsule Liu Kang gave her actually contained Kabal's memories. She remembered what he went through, before and after he became a revenant. "Kabal. I understand now. It wasn't your fault. Like you said, Kano used you. For his own benefit. You did the right thing of helping us."
"But I killed him. I shouldn't have done that. That isn't your way. I know I'm going to face execution anyway, but I had to." Kabal said. He feels slightly guilty for killing Kano. Not that he feels bad for him. Kabal wanted to get some big payback on him for what he did.
"I never said anything about execution. Besides, you've done much for us. You provided details of our hated enemy, saved one of my soldiers and did the one thing no one else did. It had to be done anyway. Besides, you're free to do whatever you like, as long as you don't go making trouble again." Sonya offered.
Kabal thinks for a moment. He looks at Johnny and Jax. They seem to finally trust him for helping them. They seem happy that Kano is finally no more. Jacqui and her team feel the same way. He then turns back to the Major General. "You know, after a year of seeing what you guys are like personally, how you fight with each other unlike the Black Dragon. I like this. I remember being part of the police force in the Old Era. I think it's time I step up. I want to join y'all. I want redemption."
Sonya smirks at his words. Though she hated former Black Dragon members, she had thought Kabal would prove to be a valuable asset. "You already have, Kabal. You did so by killing Kano. That is enough. I'll see to it that your charges have been dropped and find you a place in the Special Forces." Sonya offers her hand and Kabal shakes it.
Jacqui and the team look on for what happened. They feel so glad that the Black Dragon is gone for good. They've been a thorn in the Special Forces' side for too long. "God fucking damn. Wait until Alex and Cassie hear about this." Jacqui said, making Jin and Takeda laugh. With their mission successful. They retreat to base with the Edenian Steel.
Note: I honestly thought Kano lived up his usefulness. As for Tasia and Tremor, we might see them again in the future. The fatality Kabal used on Kano I made it up. Thought I'd add a slow mo-like description for Kabal after watching X-Men's Quicksilver and Sonic the hedgehog 2020. I always loved those scenes.