Chapter 22: Doubts and Self Doubts
Things in Edenia are starting to get worse and worse. Sindel and Liu Kang have called for Kitana and the Special Forces. They have been told about what just happened in Edenia. They could not believe what they were told, especially Kitana Kahn. Liu Kang transferred the Special Forces and Kitana Kahn to Edenia.
Kitana was the first to step out and she runs up to Liu Kang and hugs him. "Liu Kang. Are you hurt? What happened? Is mother alright?"
"We are fine, Kitana. Your people are already cleaning up and repairing the damage as we speak. Sindel has unfortunate news for us." Liu Kang said.
"Where is Quan Chi? That son of a fucking bitch has a lot of guts for trying to attack my best friends like that." Jacqui said, cracking her knuckles.
"Quan Chi is dead. Cassandra killed him." Liu Kang corrects her. This surprises everyone, particularly Sonya and Johnny. Quan Chi was not easy to capture or kill. Considering Cassie's power upgrade, her powers nearly rivaled that of Quan Chi's himself.
"Where is she and Alex? Are they alright?" Sonya asked, showing great concern.
Liu Kang remained silent. He was extremely reluctant to speak on what happened. But given the state they are in, he has no choice. "It is better than you see for yourselves." Liu Kang said as he starts leading them to the palace. Jacqui, Takeda and Jin looked at each other in confusion.
As they continued walking, Kitana felt horrified about what has become of their home. It felt like Shao Kahn has taken over again and ruined their home and people. It brought some good news to their hearts that Quan Chi is dead once more. Kitana sees her mother and goes to hug her. "Mother. By the gods you're alright."
"Kitana. I would say the same to you. I apologize for interrupting your duties as Kahn. But we have urgent news to discuss." Sindel said.
"Where are Alex and Cassie?" Sonya asked. Sindel looks at her with silence on her face. Sindel looks at Liu Kang and nods to him. Liu Kang continues to lead the Special Forces and Kitana to their room. Alex is lying in bed unconscious with Jade by his side. Jade can't help but have a sad look on her face. She hears the door open and sees Sonya, Johnny, Jacqui and the others walking in.
Jacqui dashes over to her best friend and tries to wake him up. "Alex. Alex, wake up. Please." There was no response. He lays there motionlessly.
"What happened? Where is my daughter? Jade? Where is Cassie?" Sonya demanded answers from her. Jade was very reluctant to answer, just like Liu Kang and Sindel. Given the circumstances they are in, she also has no choice.
"Alex lost control again. After Cassandra killed Quan Chi, Geras came and captured her. I tried to stop him, but I was no match. Kronika possessed Alex again for the third time and fought Sheeva after she pushed him too far. Thankfully, I called Liu Kang over to help." Jade reluctantly told them.
"Her influence over Alex has gotten worse. I could hear both of their voices at the same time. It was not easy, but I had no choice but to fight him. I defeated Alex and he found a gift from Cassandra, causing him to regain his will, but passed out in the process." Liu Kang said.
"Hold up? What do you mean Sheeva pushed him too far? What does she have to do with this?" Jax asked.
"It is something that we must discuss. All of us." Sindel tells everyone. They all look at each other and share the same look, wanting answers on what happened. Jacqui gives her best friend a hug before she walks away. As they all leave, Jade turns back to Alex.
"Wake up soon, my little brother. We miss you." Jade said as she kisses Alex's cheek once more before she turns to leave to join the others. Sonya also turns to him.
"Fight the influence over you. That's an order, my son." Sonya said with a hand on his shoulder out of worry and caresses his face. Jacqui and Johnny both share a look of worry over Alex and feel scared on what could happen to Cassie.
A portal opens. This time, to the island of Shang Tsung. Shang Tsung exits with Fujin and Jerrod. In Jerrod's hand is the newly forged crown. Behind the three is the floating, broken crown still trapped within the sorcerer's soul barrier. Coming out as well are small armies of Tarkatans and Osh-Tekk led by Baraka and Kotal. The island, while not in ruins like it was in the Old Era, is just about dead. No undead monks lying around, no hanged bodies or even blood.
"The island of the sorcerer. The last time I was on this island, it was reduced to ash and ruins. Presumably after you died. Which was how I escaped your flesh pits." Kotal said.
"You presume correctly, Kotal. I remember the times I had projects regarding Osh-Tekk. They have always been the most interesting species." Shang Tsung said.
This only led to the former general and khan to grab Shang Tsung by the throat and lift him up. "Do not think I have forgotten the torture you have put me through, sorcerer! I'd be more than happy to end you right here and now. Fortunately for you, we still need you." Kotal said before setting the old man down.
"Enough arguing. We need to finish our plan. Shang Tsung needs to transfer the souls from the old crown to the one I just finished. We must make haste before Geras and Shao Kahn come for it." Jerrod reminds them.
Shang Tsung leads Fujin and Jerrod down to the well of souls. Baraka and Kotal guard the entrance of the well to make sure nobody gets in. They also sent some of their best fighters down with them so nobody but them gets out. As the three walk, Fujin has a discussion with the sorcerer. "I must ask, sorcerer. How long until you betray us?" Fujin asked.
"I find your lack of faith amusing, god of wind." Shang Tsung smirks.
"When it happens, we will be ready." Fujin reminds him. While they don't interact with each other as often as the sorcerer did with Raiden or Kitana, he knows Shang Tsung too well. Given that while it is predictable that he will betray them, Shang Tsung is full of surprises.
As they reach the Well of Souls, Jerrod seems rather surprised that it was still running. "How is this place still active when you retreated with your mighty emperor?" Jerrod asked.
"Because souls don't die. They can never be destroyed. They only become the source of power." Shang Tsung explained.
"Indeed. While I was locked up in the void, Kronika explained her reasons for wanting the crown in the first place. Even after Shang Tsung died, the Well of Souls remained alive. All of these souls are the source of temporal time powers. Kronika knew when it was the right time to extract the crown from the island." Fujin said.
"I see now. That's why the crown was more than an amplifier. It is too vital to restart time without it, otherwise, all realms would have been destroyed." Jerrod said.
"This will take plenty of willpower to pull the task off. It will take more than a while to transfer the power from the old crown to this one. Only because of all the souls it had absorbed for so many years in the Old Era." Shang Tsung stated.
"Let us begin then." Fujin said. He nods to Jerrod and he nods back. Shang Tsung uses his magic to lift the old crown to the Well. Jerrod walks forward to place the crown made of Edenian Steel underneath the old crown. The sorcerer's hands glow and holds his arms upwards before bringing down to the ground, placing a soul barrier to surround the crowns. He snaps his fingers and the soul barrier surrounding the broken crown vanishes. The souls start flying everywhere trying to find a way out. But there was no place to go. Who knew the souls would be sensitive. The souls see the only other place to go. They all start flying down to the edenian steel crown and it starts absorbing them at a much faster rate than before. The three look on as they let the magic do the work.
As everyone attends the meeting in Edenia, Alex is the only exception. He remains passed out after having been under Kronika's influence for so long. At first he lays there not even making a single move. But then, his fingers start twitching and moving. Alex continues taking steady breaths but then he starts to hyperventilate more.
In one of the Black Dragon bases, Alex finds himself fighting Tremor once more. He remembers Tremor attempting to crush him with two stone walls. Alex pushes back as much as possible, but then his eyes turned black for the first time upon getting angry and absorbs the stone powers, making the walls crumble. Next was when his eyes briefly changed once more upon Cassie getting wounded by Kano and Tasia after she and Nightwolf defeated them. Fast forward to a year later where Alex nearly tried to kill Shang Tsung upon the latter insulting his parents as a poor subject, then when he heard about Raiden's death at Shao Kahn's hands and when he got angry and blamed Shang Tsung for being responsible. And during both of those times, Cassie was there to calm him down. Last but not least, was when he found out Cassie was captured, only to be goaded to anger once more by Sheeva, who blames him for Edenia getting attacked and being the one to assume that Cassie is possibly executed. All of that led to him fighting Sheeva and Fire God Liu Kang. Thankfully, Liu Kang triumphed over him, and Alex passes out once he remembered his wife and her gift she gave him.
That's not where the dream ends. This time, Alex is once again at the beginning of time. Kronika is there with him. So is a battered and beaten Liu Kang. Cassie, Jade and everyone else are already dead, all of them stabbed or beaten to death by her. Kronika holds Liu Kang by the head and brings out a blade from her hand and swiftly slices Liu Kang's throat open. His head falls of his shoulders, killing the fire god. Kronika then turns to Alex, who is lying on his chest, trying to get back up, but is too weak.
"Now there is nothing else to stop me. Not even you, Alex. This time, you will belong to me and my family for eternity." Kronika said.
"I…. I won't be part of it. I-I rather die than be part of this." Alex said in weak defiance.
"You do not have a choice. I know that you will grow to like it soon enough." Kronika said. She uses her telekinesis to lift Alex in their air. She starts glowing again and starts transferring a copy of her soul, spirit and powers to him as they start flowing into his body. This time, the ritual is going by faster than last time.
"No. No. Please don't." Alex pleads. Of course, Kronika doesn't listen and continues performing the ritual. She smirks as they continued with the ritual.
"Almost done. You will feel my powers. My soul and spirit forever." Kronika said.
"Please. Don't do this." Alex tries to move, but can't move a muscle.
It was too late, as a copy of Kronika's soul, powers and spirit have all flown into his body. Kronika sets Alex down gently. His eyes remained closed and head down at the ground as he stands there motionlessly.
"Welcome to the New Era. Isn't that right, Alex?" Kronika asked as she walks over to Alex.
After a few moments of silence, Alex looks up and opens his eyes. They are now black with green pupils. He has sadness in his eyes. "Kronika. My mother."
Kronika smirks evilly as she cups Alex's face in her hands. Kronika kisses Alex's forehead as they look at each other. "It is alright, Alex. You are forgiven. You have my eyes now. Come my new son. Your brother and sister Shinnok and Cetrion wait for us." Kronika said. She puts an arm around her new son as they approach the corrupted Elder Gods. In Kronika's New Era, Alex, under Kronika's influence, watches over Shinnok and Cetrion as the only Elder Gods in existence as he acts as their guardian. Shinnok puts a hand on Alex's shoulder and Cetrion caresses his cheek. Kronika watches her three children with a triumphant look on her face, as she is pleased.
Alex then suddenly wakes up at a very rapid speed as he sits up, heavily gasping for air. He looks around and sees that he's in the same room as he and Cassie stayed in. He could only hope it was a dream, only for him to remember that Cassie is not there with him. Alex tries his best not to panic as he attempts to hold back on his tears, remembering that Cassie is gone. He then gets up and looks out the window and sees Edenia being picked up after the massacre being led by Quan Chi. He falls to his knees and feels a lot of guilt in his heart. The only people he could think about were Raiden and Cassie, not to mention all those he cares about. He looks over near his bed and sees Cassie's gift and a holo recorder. "Raiden. Cassie. I'm sorry."
Edenia is being picked up from the invasion made by Quan Chi and Geras. The villagers and some fighters are cleaning up after what happened. The enemy's mission only partially succeeded. They captured Cassie Cage, some presume her to be dead, some believe her to be alive. But Alex has yet to be captured as well. However, they never planned on capturing him. Geras ignored him on purpose to manipulate his emotions even further to drive him to being possessed by Kronika. The Special Forces members, as well as Kitana Kahn have been called to Edenia to discuss recent events. Alex is the only one not part of the meeting, since he is still passed out from Kronika's influence. The Special Forces as well as Kitana are not happy with what happened.
"You fool! Do you have any idea what you could've possibly done?!" Kitana asked, glaring at Sheeva for her actions.
"I was trying to save everyone from your friend's wrath. Someone needed to stand up and make a last resort. Geras can't be killed and given the lack of progress, I had to do something." Sheeva defends herself.
"I told you to not kill him! Alex is our friend! We do not kill friends or our allies, no matter the situation!" Sindel said. She is still pissed at Sheeva disobeying her.
"You did it to save yourself. I was there when it happened. How dare you blame him for actions he did not commit?" Jade said
"Yeah. Alex is my best friend! And because of you he is passed out. We warned you about Kronika trying to control him and the plan we had to take down Geras. And in case you forget, the crown is prepped and needs time to absorb the souls. Obviously, you don't give a shit about anyone." Jacqui said. Even Jacqui agrees with Jade and Kitana about what happened.
"You do not get to judge me on my actions. Are all earthrealmers so arrogant? Such as Cassandra Cage. She was an idiot to fight Quan Chi while under a serious condition." Sheeva said.
She should not have said that. Jacqui was now beyond pissed and aims her arm gauntlets at Sheeva to shoot her. Within a second, Sonya grabs Jacqui's shoulder to tell her to stop. She then glares at them. "And you don't get to judge what is best for you by killing someone we care about. That isn't just my sergeant. That is my son-in law you tried to execute. Now Alex is incapitated and my only daughter is missing."
"Your daughter may be dead for all we know. I am sorry." Sheeva said.
"Sorry doesn't cut it. Maybe if your empress had better followers, we wouldn't be in this mess. Alex would be happy and Cassie would still be here." Sonya said. On a rare occasion, Sonya is trying her best to hold back tears. She really wishes that Cassie isn't dead, trying to deny what some think really happen.
"You're saying this is my fault then?" Sindel said. She stands up and glares at the Major General.
"Hell yes. If you told Sheeva not to kill Alex, then you should've had better people keep an eye on her instead of letting her go with him. That was what led to her pissing Alex off because she is a fucking idiot. I knew why I had a feeling in my stomach that I couldn't trust you." Sonya accuses her.
"No one accuses me of any wrong actions I did not commit. I thought you were a wise person, Sonya Blade. But it may seem that I was wrong." Sindel said.
Soon, just about everyone start arguing in the room. Who's to blame for certain actions. Alex nearly going on a rampage. Cassie going missing. What else could come next? But then, Fire God Liu Kang fires lightning at the ground, getting everyone's attention. "That's enough! All of you! This is not getting us anywhere. This is what Geras wants from us."
"And what makes you say that?" Jacqui asked.
"Because I have seen it. Geras is not the only one with visions. Now I see his plans. He is manipulating Alex's emotions to make Kronika's influence over him stronger. He did this by allowing Shao Kahn kill Raiden and taking Cassandra." Liu Kang said.
The heroes all look at each other. They began to realize their mistakes with the pointless arguments. Sonya and Sindel now feel bad about their argument with each other. Jacqui began to calm down as did Kitana and Jade. "Liu Kang is right. He's the Keeper of Time. Only he can receive full visions, unlike Geras. What can we do now?" Kitana asked.
Before Liu Kang could answer, a guard comes in. "Empress Sindel. Kitana Kahn. I apologize for interrupting. I have bad news."
"What is wrong? What happened?" Kitana asked.
"Alex is gone." The guard. This immediately alerts everyone, especially Jacqui, Takeda, Jin, Jade, Sonya and Johnny.
"What do you mean he's gone?" Jade asked.
"We heard him talking and opening a portal. By the time we figured out what he intended to do, we came into the room too late. He ran through the portal before we could get a chance to go after him." The guard explained. "All that is left is this."
Jacqui walks over and sees what the guard is holding and takes it from his hands. "It's a holo recorder. Some of us carry these in case we like to make daily or weekly vlogs."
"Play it. Maybe there's an explanation." Sonya said. Jacqui pushes the button and sets it down. It shows Alex looking on with guilt on his face.
"Sonya. Johnny. Jacqui. I'm sorry. I failed. I promised all of you that I would protect Cassie. I broke that promise. I shouldn't have left her alone with Jade. She's not at fault. I am. I can't counter this god damn curse. No matter what I do. I can't fight it, I can't control it. As for Kitana, Jade and Sindel. I'm sorry for being a burden. Sheeva was right. Raiden is dead. Cassie is gone, probably dead because of me. I brought ruin on your home. I figured that you guys would start pointing fingers at each other. If you need anyone to blame. Blame me instead. I'm sorry. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. It's time I punish myself for failing you all, including Cassie and Raiden. I'm going into exile. It's the only way to keep you safe from me. I'm sorry." Alex finishes. His voice sounds like he is tearing up.
Sonya could no longer hold back the tears. Johnny wraps an arm around her to help comfort her. Jacqui covers her mouth out of sadness before she starts crying. Takeda holds her as she cries in his chest. Jade looks down in sadness, feeling as if she once again failed to be his best guardian. Jax and Jin look at each other and feel shocked. Sindel and Kitana also feel heartbroken at the message. Liu Kang tries to keep a straight face. But then, he suddenly starts having another vision.
"Liu Kang? What's wrong? Is it another vision?" Kitana asked out of concern. She walks over and holds his hand and places her arm around him.
"Yes. In fact. It is a good one. One that not even I saw coming. Cassandra is alive." Liu Kang said.
Johnny and Sonya quickly look at each other and Jacqui turns around, few tears still dropping. "How do you know this exactly?"
"I've seen her future. It involves her, Alex and their family." Liu Kang said. The parents, Jacqui and the team and Jade all smile out of relief at the news. Johnny and Sonya embrace each other as did Jacqui and Takeda.
"But how can that be? How could her future child or children be part of the visions? There must be a reason." Takeda said.
"I do not know. What I do know is we must find Alex. We still need him as well. I may have a feeling where he is." Liu Kang smiled.
As Liu Kang has seen in his visions, Cassie is indeed alive. In Kronika's Keep, Cassie remains asleep. She slowly wakes up and realizes where she is. She sees the hourglass and her husband's torches. Cassie tries to get up, but she finds herself shackled by the wrists and legs in a chair. Cassie tries to use her powers, but they aren't even budging.
"I would save your strength, Cassie Cage. Unless you have the powers and strength of me and Kronika combined that of an Elder God, you cannot break free from those. They were designed by Kronika herself." Geras told her.
"I'm in the titan bitch's Keep. Figured you'd take me here. I'm rather surprised by your change of plans. Rather fucking stupid though." Cassie said.
"You must be wondering why I spared you rather than kill you?" Geras asked.
"Oh boy, I love surprises from my enemies, especially the worst ones." Cassie sarcastically said.
"It is because Kronika has sensed your future. She told me about your future children." Geras said.
"What do they have to do with this? Why take me and not Alex?" Cassie asked, glaring at him.
"Because it was never part of my plan. I needed the other half of Kronika's subconsciousness to fully awaken to possess Alex. As Shang Tsung has mentioned, it was due to Alex's anger. Allowing him to mock Alex's parents, allowing Shao Kahn to kill Raiden and taking you would make Kronika's influence over him stronger so he would come to me. He is on even terms with Liu Kang. I realized too late had he not found your gift to him, I would have succeeded in tricking him into killing Liu Kang and come to me." Geras explained.
"If you think my husband is going to be tricked by someone like you, a guy who can't stay fucking dead. You're wrong. I know him. I know he will follow his heart and come to me. You'll never shake my faith in him. Like I told Alex: no matter what happens, I'll still love him." Cassie said.
"A brave one, you are. But also a foolish one. Kronika will possess him forever and bring her subconsciousness and the new crown to her. Once Cetrion and I give Kronika our full power to her, no one can stop her. Not even Liu Kang." Geras said.
"Why the hell do you want my soon to be born baby?" Cassie asked.
"I know you have been wondering why your powers have become stronger beyond your father Johnny Cage. It is because of your bond with Alex that has made them stronger. It first came up when you protected your father from Shinnok because of your love for him. And now it grew stronger because of your love for Alex. The other reason is because your future children. Just like your father, as well as Alex's parents, your children will have yours and Alex's powers." Geras explained.
"And you brought me here because Kronika wanted to make slaves out of them just like she tried to do to Alex. It failed before. I can guarantee it will fail again." Cassie said.
"Not this time." Geras said.
Cetrion walks in and sees Geras talking to someone. "Geras. I have finally regained my full strength. Awaiting your orders. May I ask who you are talking to?"
"As I promised you, Cetrion. Your gift." Geras steps aside and Cetrion becomes surprised at who it is.
"Cassandra Cage. You brought her here?" Cetrion asked, giving him a slight suspicious tone in her voice.
"To help remedy you of what she has put your family through. She defeated Shinnok. Upset Kronika's balance. I brought her here so you, Shinnok and Kronika can take your revenge on her. At the right time." Geras said.
"What about you, Geras?" Cetrion asked. "Unless you are needed elsewhere at this time in hopes of bringing your plan to full completion?"
"Yes. Kronika has told me in her visions do not kill her yet. It is time for the final phase of the plan to commence." Geras said. He opens a sand portal and walks through.
This leaves Cetrion alone with Cassie. The fallen Elder God stares at her with great hatred. Even though she is the goddess of life and virtue, she is tempted to do anything to get some payback. "I've been waiting a long time to meet you, Cassandra. Shinnok was not yours to fight. You helped Raiden upset the balance permanently. Because of your friend Liu Kang, it is even more off balance."
"If he's your brother, then why weren't you on the frontlines?" Cassie asked.
"I work in mysterious ways. It is time I demonstrate how I feel. You will soon share the pain me and my mother went through." Cetrion said. She holds up her hands.
Cassie glares and tries not to panic at what Cetrion is fixing to do to her. Cetrion gets angry and starts punching and backhanding her in the face, shoulders, chest and forehead. Cassie remains strong and grits her teeth as more blood comes out of her mouth. She has never felt that much pain before, being given minor bruises on her right cheek, forehead and shoulders. The Elder God keeps striking her in the same places. Cetrion is resisting the temptation to kill her, but feels as if she shouldn't wait. Cetrion wraps her tendrils around Cassie's neck and starts choking her.
Cassie tries to move her hands, but the shackles still would not budge. "Y-you can't. You m-mustn't."
"And why should I give you mercy? I may have done so to your friend Jacquline. But give me a reason why I should not kill you here and now." Cetrion glared at her.
"B-because. The b-baby." Cassie said, struggling to breathe.
This causes Cetrion to unwrap the tendrils from her neck and let her breathe. "Baby? Are you saying that you are pregnant?"
"The baby is mine and Alex's." Cassie corrects her.
Cetrion takes a few steps back. She is just shocked that she almost killed a pregnant woman. "I almost killed a pregnant woman. Geras did not say anything about your child. The question is why?"
"Because just like Kronika, Geras is using you. Liu Kang told me everything when he fought you. You're the goddess of life. That means you should care about life and not work for evil. She's keeping you in the dark, tricked you into killing the Elder Gods." Cassie tells her.
"I….. I don't believe you. You have to be lying. All my mother wants is balance. Nothing more. Anything to bring back my brother." Cetrion said.
"If I hadn't beaten Shinnok, he would've destroyed the universe, starting with the Elder Gods, you included. It shows that he doesn't care about you. You may care about Shinnok, but it's only because of Kronika's urging." Cassie said.
"What do you think I should do then? Betray my mother and ally myself with Liu Kang against her and Geras?" Cetrion questions her.
"That's something you need to decide for yourself. Think about it. Geras told me that my child or children are gonna have mine and Alex's powers. Just like Alex's parents passed their powers down to him. Are you going to let history repeat itself? Kronika killed his parents when he was a baby. I promise you she will do the same to us if she comes back. There's still a chance at showing redemption, Cetrion." Cassie tells her. Cetrion looks away for several moments in silence. These feelings of hers are getting stronger every minute, every hour. Cetrion misses her family, but she may be starting to believe Cassie's words. Just maybe.
Note: I think it's time to explain Cetrion. She's back because Geras knew her soul would break free. While she misses her mother and brother, she started to have a huge sense of doubt about them since she carries a virtue of life and honesty. Cetrion feels as if something is wrong, and she feels that way after talking to Cassie. What will she do now?