Chapter 21: Emotional Struggle and Fierce Battles
Sindel along with several warriors and Sheeva continue to lead Alex somewhere. They head through a forest to their destination. Alex couldn't help but smell the nice environment of trees and plants. He wonders about having a home like this someday with his own family. Sindel remains confident about her plan to help Alex in whatever she can. Sheeva on the other hand, has doubts about him. Not that she hates earthrealmers. She thinks that he is a threat to Edenia, Kitana and Sindel. Sindel does not believe that Alex will fall to temptation.
They reach a fountain. In front of it are four lit candles. They surround a circle. It has an Edenian logo on it. It is the sign of Edenia's Kamidogu. "Sindel? What's this? Is it Edenian?" Alex asked.
"Yes. The Kamidogu of the realm. Each realm, including the Netherrealm, Chaosrealm, and Orderrealm have these. They are sacred. Each hidden away to keep their power out of evil hands. We were lucky to hide this from Shao Kahn. He does not know of its existence." Sindel explained.
"I remember hearing about these. Special Forces told me about them during the whole Reiko incident in the Old Era. But why are we here?" Alex asked.
"To help you. This is what helped me. After I killed Shao Kahn, we rebuilt our home. During the process, though, me and Kitana have discovered this. We remembered this. It's sacred power can be used for good and evil. It sensed my redeemed spirit. I used this to meditate. Keep the haunting memories under my control. It was not easy at first. But I used enough strength to put my past behind me. Keep the evil voices out of my head. Kitana helped guide me. Then I moved on from there and journeyed forward to a new life in the New Era." Sindel explained.
"And so you want me to sit here and meditate? But you sure this will work? What if I cause something by accident?" Alex tries to not doubt himself.
"You must relax yourself, Alex. We all understand you. I know it will not be easy. But we must use all the time we need." Sindel said.
"Alright. What do you like for me to do, Sindel? I never done this before. I know how meditation works, but nothing like this." Alex said. He waits for Sindel to guide him.
"Come. I will instruct you as we go." Sindel smiled as she puts a hand on Alex's shoulder and guides him forward. Sindel places Alex on top of the symbol and he faces her.
"What do I do now?" Alex asked.
"Follow my instructions. Sit down and cross your legs. Hold out your hands sideways, let them reach out a little and close your eyes." Sindel instructed and Alex does so. Alex sits down and crosses his legs. He holds his hands out sideways and closes his eyes. Sindel does the same except keeps her eyes open.
"Now what?" Alex asked with his eyes closed.
"Just wait patiently." Sindel instructed him. Alex nods in silence.
Alex starts taking deep breaths. He feels his heart raising, out of wonder of what could come next. After a few moments of silence, the Edenian symbol lights up. Alex can feel it. It's making him activate his powers and glow with the yellow aura. "I feel my powers activating. That's not me." Alex said.
"It is alright. It tends to happen to gods or demi-gods. I will guide you now." Sindel said.
Sindel grabs Alex's hands and closes her eyes. All of a sudden, everything is warping. Alex and Sindel look around and see they are somewhere else. Like a different dimension. It's all green and everything. "Where the hell are we?" Alex asked.
"Inside your mind. An astral plane. This is where I came to conquer my inner darkness. Kitana has guided me by showing me our memories. Our dreams." Sindel explained.
"I can see what I've been through from the past 26 years of my life. I remember most of these." Alex said.
"Relax your mind. Think of the light. If you are to truly succeed, you must embrace the positive memories, no matter how good or bad they are. Conquering the darkness isn't easy, Alex. My inner darkness was Shao Kahn." Sindel said.
"My inner darkness must be Kronika. I remember the horrible things she did. Including the alternate timeline I was pulled from and brought to my real home in Earthrealm." Alex stated.
"Remember those you met in that timeline. Those who cared about you until your fate changed. They may not have been your real family, but they cared about you and raised you." Sindel said. She sees the memories of his adoptive parents taking him in. She also sees the day he almost lost his life to two men and when he was pulled away by Kronika.
"Yeah. It was thanks to them that I made it this far in life before it was changed. I miss them." Alex said.
"Even though it wasn't your real home, you still cared for them. Because they treated you like a son. But you avenged everyone from that timeline when you killed Kronika." Sindel said.
Alex and Sindel then see memories of him meeting the Special Forces. Being saved by Cassie and Takeda from becoming a prisoner. He then sees memories of Kitana and Sindel.
"Are these your memories? That's you and Kitana reuniting after we started the New Era." Alex said.
"Yes. We embraced after reuniting. We swore to never keep secrets from each other ever again. Anything to avoid hurting her again. And Jade." Sindel said.
"They're one of the kindest I've known. I can never forget that." Alex said. He sees memories of meeting them for the first time.
"You must bring up more memories, Alex. Let the positive emotions give you strength. Just enough to conquer the darkness. Keep it at bay. In your situation it will not die until we kill Geras." Sindel said.
Alex nods and starts to remember a lot of things. He remembers his first time training with Cassie, Jin, Takeda and Jacqui. The lessons they taught him, Jacqui seeing him as another best friend, Takeda's and Jin's lessons on trust and honor, and his first kiss with Cassie. He can't help but smile. "I miss these moments. It took plenty of work to gain everyone's trust. Especially Jin and Sonya. Cassie and Takeda were the only ones at first."
"That's it, Alex. Keep remembering." Sindel said.
Alex tries to think about what are some more good memories he can think of. Things seem to be looking up. But then, they both start to hear familiar sounds. Something rather daunting. "Oh god. No, not now." Alex said. He can feel it.
"What's wrong?" Sindel asked out of concern.
"I can hear her voice. The first time I heard her voice. In a dream." Alex said.
"Alex. I'm still here, Alex." Kronika said. Her voice starts to get a little louder. Now Sindel is able to hear her.
"Fight it, Alex. Don't give in to her." Sindel tells him.
"I'm trying. She's trying to call to me." Alex holds his head, covering his ears.
"Resist her. Fight her. Embrace the positive." Sindel advised.
"Come to me. I miss you." Kronika said. Kronika begins to appear. She starts holding her hands out to Alex. Alex starts to panic.
"I-I can't. I have to wake up. Wake up! Stop! STOP!" Alex yelled.
Back in the real world, Alex suddenly falls to his knees, gasping for air. He is covered in some sweat as he regains his bearings. He feels himself shaking.
"Alex. Are you alright?" Sindel bends to a knee to check on him.
"I don't know. I'm- I'm sorry, Sindel. I don't know what came over me. I wanted to fight but I don't know what held me back." Alex struggled. He looked down in shame. He looks at his hands shaking badly.
"It's because you're afraid. Afraid of losing your spirit." Sindel said.
"I was scared of losing control. And take it out on you, Cassie, Jade and Edenia in process. I was worried about putting everyone in danger." Alex admitted.
"It is alright. I didn't succeed on my first try either. You held back like I did." Sindel said, placing a hand on his forehead.
"But how am I suppose to improve? How did you even kill your inner demon being Shao Kahn?" Alex asked.
"It depends on the person. For me, I killed him like I did a year ago. I had to think about what if I killed him before he could conquer Edenia. Think about the positive outcomes. I learned to move on." Sindel said.
"There has to be a way for me. A reason. I'm sorry." Alex said.
"Nonsense. Next time, do not hold back. Remember, if you see her, do not hold back on your strength. During your inner battle, your real answer of countering your inner demons will come." Sindel said.
"I'll try to remember. Thanks." Alex tells her.
"Anytime, my friend. Shall we try again?" Sindel asked Alex.
Alex nods and was about to sit down again and close his eyes, but then. A green portal opened. "Whoa. What the hell was that?"
Sindel recognizes the green portal. She glares in anger and brings out her spear weapon. "Shao Kahn?!"
Sheeva and Alex and the warriors get into a stance to get ready to fight Shao Kahn. It may seem like his portal magic. They were not prepared for what they hear. They hear loud growling and screaming. "That is not Shao Kahn." Sheeva corrected her.
Plenty of undead warriors and cloned Edenian Warriors start coming out charging at them. The clones look similar except, they have monstrous faces and while they fight, they do not think. Sindel's fighters do their best to kill as many as possible. Alex, Sheeva and Sindel fight and kill as many as possible. Sindel stabs two of the undead and uses her sonic scream and blast them towards more. Sheeva uses her dragon fire powers to burn some of the undead warriors and her kombat skills to crush them. Alex uses his weaponry and powers. He shoots some in the head, but is nearly tackled by a cloned edenian warrior. Alex absorbs part of the fire from the candles and burns its face. He uses more fire power to burn more clones and undead. One undead tends to claw him by the face, but Alex ducks does a one-two fiery punch and a fiery drop kick, crushing its head. Suddenly, he gets a call from Cassie.
"Alex! Where are you? What's happening?!" Cassie called. "I'm hearing explosions and some portals opening."
"I don't know. Must be Shao Kahn. Or Geras doing this." Alex said as he burns more undead and absorbs water to push them away. Sindel cartwheels a couple of the clones and stabs their heads with her sharp heels, killing them. She then picks one up with her hair and throws it into several enemies and slices one in half with her weapon. Sheeva uses her dragon jump to jump really high and stomp on plenty of them.
"That must be it. No one else would be able to control them." Sheeva said.
"And Shang Tsung isn't even here. He couldn't go off by himself." Alex said.
As they continued fighting, Sindel suddenly realized something. "Quan Chi. He must be the one. Who else would have control of these clones?"
"You're right. Shang Tsung wouldn't do so from another realm." Alex said as he beats up more clones and uses water powers to drown more clones and throw the bodies to the undead. He uses his guns to kill more.
"Yeah. That asshole sure knows alot being a warlock. Wait. No. Some of them are coming here to the temple! We gotta get ready!" Cassie said. She brings out her guns and rifle, ready to fight. She doesn't care if she gets sick or tired. Despite her baby, Cassie is still willing to fight, anything to protect it from harm.
"I'm coming back for you! Just hold on, Cassie!" Alex tells her.
"Okay. Be careful. I'll be here at the temple waiting for you!" Cassie said. "I love you."
"I love you too." Alex said before hanging up. "I gotta head back for her! She's in danger. Quan Chi might come for her."
"But it could be a trap. Quan Chi may be using her to get to you." Sindel said.
"Please. I have to save my wife. They're here for me and her. Not you. I can lure some of these guys away." Alex said.
Sindel felt reluctant to let Alex go by himself. She nods to him in understandment. "Alright. But I am sending Sheeva with you. Sheeva. Go with him and make sure no one grabs him."
"I will do as my Empress wishes." Sheeva said. Sheeva still thinks about what she said to Sindel the other day and still debates on doing it. Sindel only hopes she knows what she is doing, sending Sheeva with Alex. Alex could try using his portals, but he still hasn't mastered it yet and he needs full concentration and enough energy to make one. He has no choice but to run on foot.
At the temple, Cassie loads her weapons. She takes deep breaths, trying to keep calm. As much as Cassie doesn't want to fight because of her pregnancy, she at the same time doesn't want to put the baby in danger. She can't help but feel worried that they have come for Alex. But things do not seem to be just that, as she will soon find out. "Jade. How many fighters do we have to spare?"
"More than several. We can hold them off until Quan Chi gets here. In the meantime, I need to get you to safety. You and your baby are not safe here." Jade said.
"But Alex. We need to find him first before we do anything else." Cassie said.
"I'm not leaving without him too. We'll find him, Cassandra." Jade said. "Let us carry onwards. I've already ordered the villagers to be taken to safety."
"Right." Cassie nods.
Cassie locks and loads and Jade takes out her bo staff. Jade assembles many fine warriors they can find. Many fighting bare handed, some using melee weapons and some using bow and arrows or magic. They take cover behind some barricade. Cassie aims her two pistols as they hear loud banging against the huge double doors. After several moments, there was silence. And then the doors sprung open and more than several undead and clones come charging in. Many of the warriors led by Jade also came running towards them. She uses her bo staff to decapitate, kill many of them. She throws her razor rangs through several bodies, cutting them, plenty of blood being spilled. Those that manage to get through Jade and the others have been cut down by Cassie and the ranged Edenian fights with their arrows and magic. They continue to fight them off more. They seem to be winning.
"Guards. Fall back with me and Cassandra. The rest of you, kill the rest." Jade ordered. Jade runs backwards with Cassie and ten guards following her through the big hallway.
"Jade. Where are we going?" Cassie asked.
"There is a secret passageway we can use. With that, we can escape unseen." Jade tells her.
"Alex. You hear that? Secret exit near the temple. Meet us there." Cassie said.
"Got it. I'm getting there." Alex said. He keeps using his energy beams and skills to kill more undead and clones. "Just please be careful, beautiful."
"I will. You too, sweetheart." Cassie said.
Sindel continues to hold them off. She seems to do pretty fine by herself. But she doesn't know how long she can hold them off. Alex and Sheeva fight their way back to the temple to reach Jade and Cassie. Then they find themselves nearly surrounded by more undead and clones.
"Oh shit. They're trying to stall us for time. We don't have much time of our own anymore. Fuckers aren't gonna go easy anytime soon." Alex said.
"Fear not." Sheeva said. She calls out in foreign language. Alex seemed to be confused by what she's going. Then he hears yelling. Shokan start jumping in on the undead and clones. They start tearing them apart with their brute strength. "Go. I will buy you more time to reach them. I will meet you there." Alex nods and continues running by himself, killing many along the way with whatever fire or water elements he has left. Alex kills many more with his pistols, energy beams and Kombat.
Jade and Cassie were about halfway there. Jade can tell because of how the hallways were designed and looking out the windows she knows exactly where they are. As they continue running, Cassie quickly feels tired.
"Cassandra. Are you alright? We must keep moving. I will send some healers with you and Alex once we make it. Just bare with me much longer." Jade said.
"Y-yeah. I'm okay. Just need to catch my breath. You're a kind friend. Let's keep moving. We don't wanna keep Alex waiting for us." Cassie said as they continue running. "Who knows how long until someone else comes."
As soon as Cassie said that, another portal opens in front of them. They stand, ready to fight. Only one person walks through this time. It is Quan Chi.
"Kill him!" Jade ordered. The ten guards all attack Quan Chi. The warlock dodges several punches and lifts two of them up and throws them off the rail to their deaths. One of them swings their weapons down on his head, but Quan Chi stops it with his magic and breaks the blade off of it and it plunges through her face, killing her. Four of them try to fire their arrows, but Quan Chi opens four small portals to send them through and they fly into their heads. They drop down dead. The last three use their magic to counter the warlock, but he uses different illusions of himself to confuse the guards. The illusions attack, but the three guards destroy them, but them, they each fall through a portal and it closes halfway on them, killing them, with blood and inside parts coming out. The real Quan Chi appears.
"Jade. You were once the bodyguard of Shao Kahn. How pitiful that you've chosen to ally with Kitana and Raiden. That had costed you your own life in the Old Era. And look where that has gotten Raiden." Quan Chi said.
Jade tightens her grip around her staff and gets to a defensive stance. "You do not get to speak of his name. His efforts to stop your two masters will not be meaningless."
"There is such a thing called redemption. If you step aside and let me have Cassandra Cage, no harm shall come to you. I will see that you have a spot in the Next Era." Quan Chi offered.
"Don't you dare touch her!" Jade snarled at him. "I would never trade my friendship with Cassandra and Alex for Shao Kahn's lies."
"Cassandra must pay with her life. I will school her and give Geras her beating heart." Quan Chi said.
"You? School me? You know I toasted Shinnok. You knew about that. Oh, wait. That's right. You were dead by the time that happened. I'd be glad to return the favor." Cassie mocks him.
"I cannot allow you to fight." Jade said.
"I'm not debating with you on it." Cassie argued back. Cassie glares at Jade with a serious look. Jade is reluctant, not wanting to happen to her baby, but understands the situation.
"Your lives are now sealed." Quan Chi said
"Game on, warlock boy." Cassie said. She and Jade nod to each other before they fight 2 on 1.
Jade throws her razor rang at the warlock, which Quan Chi deflects with his magic. He is met by a down swing to the right shoulder and and front flip kick to the same shoulder and a back kick to the right rib cage. This allows Cassie to throw two yellow shadow punches to the face and a back kick to the right shoulder, cracking it. Cassie does a elbow strike to the chest and a punch to the nose, stumbling him. Jade trips him with her staff and kicks him in the back. Quan Chi is sent flying, but he suddenly teleports and appears behind Jade. She is pulled in by his magic and the warlock elbows her chin and elbows her left leg and punches her forehead. Cassie tries a shadow punch, but is stopped midway and pushes backwards and thrown down. Thankfully, Jade catches her and sets her down. Quan Chi uses this and punches Jade's face, chest and does a palm strike to the chest.
"You cannot surpass me. Geras has made me stronger with the hourglass. How can you possibly hope to stop us?" Quan Chi asked.
"Because you always underestimate us. That's what led to your death and Shinnok's defeat. I can say the same for Shao Kahn, the Red Dragon and Kronika." Jade said.
Jade suddenly appears behind the warlock and kicks him in the back, sending him to Cassie. Cassie does a shadow kick to the chest, cracking it greatly. Jade then swings her staff at his head, damaging it a bit, followed by a chop strike to the top of his head, and a back kick to the side of the neck and uses a razor rang to stab the back of his left shoulder, making it bleed. Quan Chi elbows Jade's throat, uses his magic to throw her into a wall and pulls her in for a punch to the head and knee strike to the gut and throws her behind him. Cassie sees Jade temporary down and is more pissed off. Cassie uses her powers and Quan Chi's hands glow with magic. She dashes at him and the two clash hands with each other. Quan Chi smirks, having confidence in his victory. He slowly tries to overpower Cassie's strength. Cassie needed to think fast. She knees his chest two times, making the warlock cough up blood, and Cassie blasts him back with a yellow shadow ball. Cassie comes in and swings her baton at him twice. She throws a small flare in his face, blinding him. Cassie does a cartwheel kick and does a kick and punch to the warlock's groin, making it explode. Cassie swings the butts of her two pistols, cracking Quan Chi's jaw and shoots him through the collarbone. Quan Chi is on his knees, bleeding out greatly. Cassie stares down at her enemy and decides to finish him. The commander forces him to stand up and pushes him backwards. Cassie does a strong shadow kick and it launches through the warlock's torso, kicking his heart out. She then takes out her switchblade and drives it through his neck and pushes it upwards through his head, splitting it in half. Quan Chi's body falls to the floor dead.
Cassie drops her weapons and deactivates her powers. She then falls to her knees and starts heaving again. She throws up from the pregnancy and feels weak. Cassie briefly smiles that they've rid themselves of Quan Chi for good once again. Jade sees this and smiles at her friend. Before they could both recover however, a sand portal appears. Jade's eyes widened. Cassie sees her reaction and looks behind her. Geras comes through and smirks.
"I am impressed, Cassandra and Jade. You have killed the most powerful warlock everyone has ever known. He has served his purpose. And now, so have you." Geras said.
"N-not today, Geras. Soon, my husband will be here to kick your ass." Cassie said. She attempts to crawl to her weapons, but Geras lifts her in the air and traps her hands and feet into the sand. Cassie couldn't move one bit.
Jade gets back up and rushes over. She leaps forward to slam her staff through Geras' forehead partially, but unfornatly, it was not enough to stop him. Geras grabs Jade by her neck and she was forced to watch as his wound stitches itself back up. Like it was never there to begin with. He uses his powers to push Jade farther away and slamming her into the ceiling, easily defeating her. Geras walks closer to Cassie and brings out a giant fist with spikes. He is finally ready to kill her.
"You will answer for Shinnok. With your life." Geras said. He lifts his fist in the air to execute her. Cassie closes her eyes to await death. After several seconds, she opens her eyes again and sees something wrong.
"What the hell? What the fuck are you waiting for?" Cassie said.
Cassie noticed the change of color in his eyes. They look similar to when Alex gets angry against his own will and becomes possessed. After a moment, Geras' eyes return to normal. He then looks at Cassie.
"There's been a change in plans." Geras said. He waves his hand around her face and Cassie falls asleep. Geras catches her before she falls and opens another sand portal to escape. Geras has taken Cassie prisoner.
As soon as Geras leaves, all of the undead and clones suddenly stop attacking. Sindel, her warriors and the Shokan look on in confusion. They all seize their attack and the undead and clones retreat to all the portals they came from. Sindel sees some Shokan coming back. "Are you all alright?"
"Yes, Empress. We have survived our ordeal." A male shokan said.
Sindel looks around and sees one familiar face missing. "Where is Queen Sheeva? Was she not with you and Alex?"
"We helped her distract them while we bought your friend time to get to his wife and Jade. After they escaped, Sheeva went alone. She has went on to the temple" The Shokan said.
"She must be intending the wounded. We must be quick." Sindel ordered and they leave. But Sindel was wrong.
After Geras leaves, Alex runs up and catches his breath. He lifts his head and sees all the guards dead, Quan Chi killed and Jade regaining consciousness. "Jade. What happened? Where's Cassie?" Jade said nothing, with a sad look on her face. "Jade, please tell me." She still wouldn't say anything. Alex walks closer to her, but stops midway when he steps on one of Cassie's pistols. He sees her twin pistols, her rifle and some barf on the ground. Alex tries not too hyperventilate.
"I am sorry, Alex. He came and took her." Jade said.
"No. No. Cassie." Alex said. He tries his best not to tear up. He falls to his knees and picks up her twin pistols. He tightens his grip around them. He drops a couple of tears on one of them. Jade walks over to put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
Things start feeling worse when Sheeva shows up. Sheeva also sees what has happened. Several dead bodies, including Quan Chi. She then looks at Alex holding his wife's weapons in his hands. He stays silent about what has happened. "This was your doing." Sheeva tells him.
Alex hears this and drops her pistols on the ground. He stands up and turns to face Sheeva. "Excuse me?"
"You are the reason we lost many souls today. Why Quan Chi and Geras decided to attack Edenia and its people." Sheeva said, blaming him for the incident.
"What? You think I did this on purpose? How the fuck was I suppose to know what was going to happen? You were there with me and Sindel when it started." Alex said, glaring at her.
"That may be true, but it was you and your wife they were after." Sheeva said.
"Sheeva. That is not true. I was there with Cassandra. She did not know this would happen. I saw what really happened. Geras took her and abducted her after she killed Quan Chi." Jade tries to defend him.
"But she is not here. Geras probably took her for a proper execution." Sheeva said.
"Hey! You don't get to make assumptions about my wife like that! Who do you think you are, judging someone you don't even know well?" Alex said. He starts to feel angry again. He tries his best to stay as calm as possible.
"I could care less for you and your friends. She was your wife." Sheeva said, coming closer to him.
"Sheeva. That is enough. Leave him alone. I cannot let you do this." Jade said, blocking her. Sheeva pushes Jade aside to the wall.
Alex starts to feel more sharp pain in his head and falls to his knees. Jade comes closer to her friend to see what's wrong, but Alex holds out his hand, telling her to stand back. "Sindel….. Liu Kang. Hurry!" Alex tells her. Jade quickly nods, realizing what he meant. She runs to find Sindel and call Liu Kang.
Alex keeps trying to resist the pain. He starts losing the battle. "She's dead." Kronika said.
"You are to blame for everything that has happened here in Edenia. You brought murder here." Sheeva said.
"Stop." Alex tells her.
"Give in to your negative emotions. Use it against your enemies." Kronika said.
"If you had not come here, we would all be alive. Several of our people are gone because of you." Sheeva said, cracking her four fists.
"Shut up." Alex said.
"You cannot resist, Alex. Fulfill your path. Heed my voice. Follow my wisdom." Kronika said.
"And now, because of you. Your wife is dead. And soon, so will the rest of your family. Just like your parents. Everyone has made a mistake of trusting you." Sheeva said. She is about to execute him, but was not prepared for what comes next.
"I. Said. SHUT UP!" Alex activates his powers, unleashing an energy blast and sending the Shokan Queen backwards out the window.
Sheeva quickly recovers and lands on a knee, slamming two of her fists in the ground. She looks up and sees Alex descending down on her. His eyes are once more black with green pupils, possessed by Kronika once more. "You are Kronika's pawn. You've always been."
"I am no one's pawn! I do what I think is best! For me! For Kronika! You don't get to tell me what is right and what is wrong! You do not get to talk about anyone I love and care about! Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda, anyone that I grew up with!" Alex glared at her.
"Sindel denied my request to kill you. She has told me about what is going on. Since Geras cannot die, I will have to kill you instead. Then Kronika's subconsciousness will go with you." Sheeva said. Several Shokan and some Edenian fighters arrive to see what's happening and get ready to fight.
"You want to kill me? Good luck! I killed Kronika! I will kill you next! Anyone else who thinks the same way as you or get in my way, I will kill them too! I don't care who it is! No one can stop me from bringing them all back! AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT MY REAL PARENTS!" Alex yelled.
"You are a danger to us all. We will not have to put up with you being the biggest threat again." Sheeva said as she ordered the Shokan to fight the possessed Alex.
Alex fires a beam at a Shokan's ankle and breaks it and Alex stomps on its head, killing him. Two more shoot fire, which Alex easily absorbs and fires it back at him and they fly through their chests and they fall down dead. The possessed Alex absorbs part of the earth and he dodged several punches from one Shokan, breaks her arm and thrusts a fist through the chest and the attacker dies. He sees two more coming at him and punches the ground and stumbles them. Alex jumps on one of them and literally tears one of their heads off and fires an energy beam at the other. Six Edenian warriors all charge at Alex at once, but he uses his disc shields and spins and decapitates all of them at once, blood going everywhere. His eyes glared at Sheeva, the only one left as part of his body and face are covered in their blood.
Sheeva runs and jumps to smash her shield against Alex but he steps out of the way and elbows her lower spine, punches her right leg, and swing kicks her in the back. He dodges a punch and he punches twice and swing kicks her in the jaw and back flip kicks her in the head, sending her to the ground. Sheeva punches the ground with all four fists, stumbling Alex. Sheeva grabs him and swings a punch on his head, backhands him and punches his gut. She then grabs him with three arms and punches and backhands him four times before punching his chest, sending Alex down. He rolls backwards and recovers. Sheeva shoots two dragon fire balls from her hands, but Alex easily catches and absorbs it. He smirks. Sheeva growls and throws her spiked shield, but Alex deflects it with an energy beam and shoots another at her right leg, cracking it. Alex charges in to do three fiery punches to the chest and left shoulder and two fiery roundhouse kicks to the head. Sheeva grabs his throat, backhands his stomach and uppercuts him sending him in the air. Sheeva jumps really high to finish him off, but as soon as she was about to land, Alex sees this and rolls out the way and gives her a hard energy punch to the left shoulder, greatly damaging it, back kicks her upper spine, stumbling her, and firing two big dragon fire balls at her, sending her forward. Sheeva gets back up and punches the ground again, but Alex jumps this time, knowing she would do that. He delivers a strong punch to the jaw and a swing kick, damaging it. He rolls, punches her right shin, nearly breaking it, and elbows her lower spine, and fires an energy beam at her back, cracking it. Sheeva falls down, chest first in defeat.
"You are one of my biggest threats, Sheeva. Now you left me with no choice." Alex said. He walks up to the Shokan queen, who is struggling to get up. Alex kicks her in the head, turning her on her back. He closes his fist in anger and charges it up. He looks at the nearly unconscious shokan and was about to deliver a fatal energy punch blow to her head, but then, his wrist was suddenly grabbed and pushed back. Alex looks up and sees Fire God Liu Kang. "Get the hell out of my way, Liu Kang."
"Alex, please. This is not Sheeva's fault. She has nothing to do with this." Liu Kang tells him.
"Even though she mocks my family and my wife. You're right, Liu Kang. In fact, it's your fault! You were the one that came up with this plan of yours since you met Shang Tsung! Because you decided to accept his proposal, Raiden is dead and Cassie is gone! Better yet, if you just killed him, the crown would've been intact. We wouldn't need him. And Raiden and Cassie would still be here!" Alex accuses him.
"That is not true. Jade has told me about Cassandra. I am sorry for the loss. But no one is to blame. Raiden volunteered himself to help save Earthrealm. His sacrifice won't be in vain. Jerrod needs more time. We need him and Shang Tsung." Liu Kang said.
"I'm a goddamn idiot for listening to you! I was going to have a family! Your visions and your alliance with the old man have taken that chance away from me!" Alex said. His hands start glowing.
"Alex. Stop this! Be rational! You have to shut it down." Liu Kang said.
"I am giving you a choice. Get out of my way, let me go to Outworld and finish the sorcerer. If you don't then I'll be forced to fight you too." Alex threatens him.
"You must calm yourself." Liu Kang said.
"Last warning. I'll go to Geras myself and bring her back. I must do it. I must command order and protect Kronika's children. My families." The possessed Alex said.
"Kronika's darkness is controlling you. This is not the way. Shang Tsung is not the enemy this time." Liu Kang said. He begins to realize Kronika's possession over Alex is getting worse.
This only makes Alex angrier than before. He responds by firing an energy beam at Liu Kang, but he swiftly dodges to the side. "You also betray me! ENOUGH OF YOUR MADNESS, LIU KANG! IF YOU BOTH HAVE TO DIE THEN SO BE IT!" The possessed Alex said. Liu Kang hears both Alex's and Kronika's voices talking at the same time.
Liu Kang wants to save his friend, but has no choice but to fight him. "Forgive me, Alex. Kronika's power influences your anger and clouds your judgment. Have faith in me."
Fire God Liu Kang fires three fireballs at the possessed Alex but he absorbs two and kicks the other away. The two chosen ones run towards each other. Alex dodges nunchuck swings and grabs his wrists, headbutts him and backkicks him across the head and knees his chest. Alex quickly gets into a handstand and grabs the fire god's neck with his legs and throws him down, back first and quickly flips back up to a stance. Liu Kang spin kicks back up while Alex steps back. They both walk in a circle glaring at each other.
Liu Kang realizes Alex is not holding back and he mustn't either. Alex fires energy beams at his legs, but Liu Kang jumps and elbows Alex's face twice and chops his left shoulder and does a dragon kick and sends Alex to a great distance. Liu Kang swings his nunchucks at Alex's head and trips him with it. Alex fires the two fireballs at his chest, stumbling him. Alex elbows his leg, knees his stomach and back flip kicks him in the head. Alex then roundhouse kicks his head, back kicks his face and jump kicks him in the chest, sending him backwards, just about the same distance Alex was sent to. Alex absorbs part of the earth and walks towards the fire god. Liu Kang recovers and tries to go for a kick, but Alex grabs his leg, chops it, punches his forehead and throws him into a tree. Alex fires a strong energy beam, causing the fire god pain, but Liu Kang blasts him back with lightning. Liu Kang dashes, kicks his right rib cage, the chin and does a bicycle kick to the chest, sending him sliding down.
Alex gets back up. Both he and Liu Kang both feel pain from fighting each other. Liu Kang knows that he will not let up and has to end it. Liu Kang suddenly appears in front of him and does a punch across the face, chest, and kick to the stomach. He grabs his throat with his nunchucks and knees his chest, cracking it, and does a roundhouse kick to the head. Alex stumbles but regains his footing. He punches the ground, stumbling the fire god. He comes in and unleashes a punch to the right shoulder, partially cracking it, a chop strike to the left rib cage followed by a kick, and a back swing kick to the forehead, a punch to the throat. He grabs Liu Kang by the shoulder and fires an energy beam at his chest, sending him up to the same hallway building of the temple with Quan Chi's dead body. He rolls back and sees Alex suddenly jump up. He twitches his neck on both sides to pop it. He blocks Liu Kang's kick and back kick and pushes him backwards. Liu Kang shoots fire at Alex, who immediately rolls to his left. Liu Kang saw this coming and uses lightning to pull Alex to him, grabs him by the throat and electrocutes him and does a strong fire punch to the chest, sending Alex backwards to a wall, narrowly defeating him. Alex gets back up, not letting up his anger yet feeling tired and weak.
Alex tries to stand up, but he could only crawl, trying to find the strength to get back up. He was still not letting up his anger and his eyes have not changed. As he crawls forward to the fire god, but stops when he touches something. He accidently pushes a button and it turns on. It's the same holoprojector he got as his anniversary gift. He looks and sees a video playing, showing memories of him and Cassie. Liu Kang sees this and stops as well when Alex picks it up. He realized that it's playing music while showing numerous pictures of the couple. As it continues playing, Jade and Sindel run in and see the video playing. Sheeva jumps up high and sees what is going on. As soon as the video ends, Alex deactivates his powers and remembers the gift. He can't help but shed a tear. "Cassie?" He whispered.
"Alex." Jade tells him, gaining his attention.
Alex faces Liu Kang, Sindel and Jade. All seeing a devastated look on his face. He looks at his own hands covered in blood, and wanted to ask what he had done.
"What did I do?" Alex questions himself. The things he said, murdering many Shokan and Edenians, fighting Sheeva and Liu Kang. He tries to shrug it off in denial, but has another sharp pain in his head. Alex screams in alot of pain from how long he has been under Kronika's influence. The pain finally stops and he feels extremely dizzy and they see his eyes go back to normal. Alex drops the projector and falls over and faints.
Liu Kang and Jade both run over to Alex. Both try to shake him awake but he doesn't even move. "Alex. Alex, wake up. We need you, my brother." Jade said, feeling more and more worried. She feels more guilty about leaving her duty to be Alex's and Cassie's guardian.
"He'll be alright, Jade. He's still alive. He needs attention. We need to help Alex." Liu Kang said.
Sindel nods to the guards and they help lift Alex with magic. Jade kisses Alex's forehead before they walk away with his body flowing between them. Liu Kang puts a comforting hand on her shoulder, both knowing he'll be alright. As soon as the two magician guards take Alex back to the room he was staying with his wife, Sindel glares at the Shokan queen. "Sheeva. What have you done?!"
Queen Sheeva turns to her empress. She has a pitiful look on her face for what she tried to do. She immediately realized that Jade told her everything. Jade and Liu Kang also glare at Sheeva for her reckless actions. All of them are demanding an explanation from her. But that's not all. They also must explain everything to their other allies, including Cassie's family.
Note: I brought the Kamidogu into this. References to special items from Deception and Armageddon, as well as them becoming daggers in the MKX comics. They will be important for much later. The way Liu Kang and Possessed Alex interacted is sort of a reference to Aftermath, especially with Alex's threat. This was where Fujin and Shang Tsung fought Raiden when he succumbed to Shinnok's amulet's power much quicker. Cassie's fatality on Quan Chi I also made up.