Chapter 23: Exile
A portal opens somewhere in the rainy woods. Alex runs out of there as fast as he can. He falls down to catch his breath after creating one. Alex has tears flowing down his face crying. He believes he has failed everyone, including Cassie. He blames himself for Edenia getting attacked and Cassie getting captured and most likely killed. Everything he wanted to do with her is now gone. Alex walks alone in the rain. He does his best to hold back Kronika's influence on him.
"Why? Why did you make me do that? Liu Kang was my friend. So was Jade." Alex wondered as more tears drop from his eyes.
"They don't deserve you. You belong to me." Kronika tells him.
"I don't belong to anyone." Alex said.
"It is because of them you are like this. Let me help you." Kronika offered.
"I don't need shit from you. All you do is lie to everyone's face. If you're trying that hard, then you're a god awful liar." Alex said.
"Then who's fault is it? Who was responsible for Raiden's death and Cassandra's disappearance? Certainly not Geras. Nor was it Shang Tsung or Liu Kang." Kronika said.
Alex does his best to keep his anger under control. He feels too sad to even try to get angry. He then starts seeing an image of Kronika herself. Alex panics and fires an energy beam at her. The image disappears and hits a few trees. The beam cut through them, causing them to fall over sideways, away from Alex. After the dust clears from the fallen trees, Alex sees something he wasn't expecting. A wooden cabin in the middle of the woods. He wonders how long this has been here? He walks closer to it. He can't help but it feels so familiar. Like he's been here before. There are no vehicles, no people. For some reason, he sees a baby crib.
Alex sees the door already unlocked and walks inside. He notices that there is a couch, a rug, a fireplace, a radio. He comes across paintings on the wall. He seems fascinated by them and wonders who made them. Alex then walks past the living room and finds what looked like to be a workout session, with punching bags and weights and a small track. Now he seems confused. He exits the room and enters what looks like a bedroom. There is a bed, more than several candles untouched, a lighter. Alex was not prepared for what comes next. He sees a picture. Two people and a baby. One of them, a woman, has similar eyes like Fujin and Liu Kang. The man wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulders while she was holding the baby.
"Are these….. My parents?" Alex asked as he shed a few more tears.
Alex starts a fire in the fireplace and warms up. He wraps himself up with a blanket to help him get warm. He stays silent. All he does is stare at the picture in his hands as he sits on the couch almost motionlessly.
"Cassie. Liu Kang. Jade. Everyone. I'm sorry." Alex whispered to himself.
He starts hearing voices. He can't quite make it out though. He takes off the blanket and follows the voices to a basement. As he walks downstairs, the voices start getting louder. Alex reaches the bottom and sees something in the middle of the floor. He sees a symbol. It shows a small blue, round circle and a larger green circle. They're both barely touching each other. Alex realizes that he has found a Kamidogu. Just like the one from Edenia. He then suddenly gets an idea. He grabs four candles and the lighter and places each one at each corner of the Kamidogu. Alex remembers Sindel's instructions and sits down, legs crossed, holding out his hands and closing his eyes. He takes deep breaths and after a few moments, the symbol lights up and his powers activate.
Alex is transported inside his own mind. He looks around and sees that it worked. Everything looks green, surrounding him. He remembered what Sindel told him to do. He thinks about the positive memories he had. The times he first started training with his own team, remembering advice from Jin, Takeda, Jacqui and Cassie. He remembers saving Cassie from Kano, getting injured in the process, his first date with her and first kiss with her. Jump to a year later, his first anniversary with Cassie and giving their first time to each other. The fun times he had going on missions with her, the team, Sonya and Johnny. Alex having some laughs with them. He remembers meeting Raiden, Kung Lao and Liu Kang and quickly greeting them as friends. Later on, he smiles at meeting Kitana and Jade and bonding with them and training. The time Jade saved Alex from Skarlet taking his blood and Cassie accepting his marriage proposal and the day they got married at the start of the New Era.
As he remembers the good times he had, Alex smiled at these. He feels pleased that he has met everyone. But them, he starts to hear her voice once more. "Alex." Kronika said.
Alex turns to face whatever form of Kronika will come. "I'm not running this time, Kronika. You want me? Come and get me!"
Everything around Alex start changing. The green aura surrounding him are transforming into something else. After a few moments, Alex finds himself on a rooftop. This does not seem familiar to him. It looks like Earthrealm when it was invaded by Shao Kahn and his final battle against Raiden before his death in the Old Era. The unfortunate voice speaks to him. "I am here, Alex. I am happy to see you again, my second son." Kronika said. She appears in front of him, happy to see him.
"Don't ever call me that. You call yourself a mother, yet you continuously let your own children fight each other while they don't give a shit about each other. You're insane." Alex pointed out.
"They only cared about each other because I willed it. I cared about you most. You remember my reasons for choosing you. You've always been a clever man, Alex. You accept your status as half human half god. That means you chose to meet me, in hopes of joining me." Kronika said, smirking.
"You're wrong. I never wanted anything to do with you. Not after you killed my parents. I killed you before, I can do it again." Alex said, activating his powers and his eyes matching Kronika's.
Kronika fires time daggers at Alex, but he easily dodges it and uses his disc-shields to block them. He runs closer and does two punches to the chest, a knee strike to the chest and a roundhouse kick and back kick to the head. Alex looks up in the sky and sees lightning striking everywhere. He holds up his hands and lightning strikes at Alex and he absorbs it. Alex looks back at the former time keeper and she tries to lift Alex in the air with sand to attack, but Alex quickly absorbs the sand and lands on a foot. Kronika was about to strike him, but Alex uses his lightning he absorbed and electrocutes her as soon as she touches him. Kronika stumbled, allowing Alex to grab her by the head, slam it down to his knee, slam his fist on her back, grabs her head again and punches her face, chops her left shoulder, drop kicks her left shoulder, back kicks her right rib cage, uppercuts her jaw and fires lightning at her and swing kicks her across the face, sending her backwards. He defeats her thanks to the strength combined with the strength from the positive memories he endured.
Kronika struggles to get up. She was barely able to get to a knee before Alex walks up and grabs her by the throat. Kronika tries to breath. "Go ahead. Kill me. Avenge your parents. Take all of your anger out on me. I deserved it."
"Like I needed convincing in the first place." Alex said. He brings out a disc shield, intending to decapitate her. Before he could swing, he feels a hand placed on his shoulder. He hears a familiar voice.
"Alexander. Stop." Raiden said.
Alex turns out, shocked to see Raiden here. He was more confused and saddened he's here. "Raiden? But how? How are you here? You're dead."
"True. I am a memory. Not just to you. But to those who deemed me as a friend of theirs. That includes Fujin and Liu Kang. You need to stop what you are doing." Raiden said.
"Why? Why should I just let her go? Have you forgotten what she did to us? To our families?" Alex asked.
"No. It was wrong of her to kill your parents and start the time war. But should you have succeeded, Kronika would have influenced you permanently." Raiden said. This causes Alex to think more clearly and suddenly realize he's right. He drops Kronika down and she disappears. His eyes go back to normal.
"Raiden. I'm so sorry. It's my fault you're gone. So are Cassie and my parents. All gone because of me." Alex said as he sits down on some rubble.
Raiden takes a seat next to him. "It is not your fault, Alexander. I made my own choice. My sacrifice ensured the mission's success. Cassandra chose to fight despite her condition and killed Quan Chi. You mustn't make assumptions."
"But who else could I blame for the mess? Shang Tsung is an enemy and temporary ally and he didn't know. I didn't know. I'm the reason my parents are gone, and I was going to have a family with Cassie." Alex said.
"It is not just Kronika you blame for your loss. It is yourself. You have inner doubts about yourself. I understand how you feel. When I unlocked memories from different timelines, I realized I was responsible for the many deaths, including Liu Kang and Kung Lao. But I learned to improve and move on. Since the time war, I realized it was possible for me to make sure that would not happen, and you and Liu Kang succeeded where I couldn't." Raiden said.
"But I still don't know what to do. How can I improve myself after so much has happened so quickly? I don't know what to say to everyone if I choose to go back. What they'll say to me. About Edenia. About Cassie. You've been our best hope. You helped turned the tides against Kronika. And before her, Shao Kahn." Alex said.
"You must have hope, Alexander. Follow your spirit. Follow your heart. You have to think clearly. You pulled yourself up when you felt upset about being lied to about your status and your responsibilities." Raiden reminds him. "And I am not the only symbol of hope. Anyone can be the same symbol. You. Liu Kang. Cassandra. Everyone."
"Because of Cassie, Jacqui and you. I remember that." Alex said.
"Right. I believe in you. You have everyone to support you. You must also support them. Remember what you want your future to be." Raiden said. He slowly disappeared as Alex stood up and watched the sky as his eyes once more go back to normal. He remembers Raiden's words and feels as if he's right. Alex realizes that he must use those words to guide him, as he has found his answers. But the question is where to start?
Alex wakes up from the experience. He finds himself back in the cabin he discovered. He stands up and looks down and remembers Raiden's advice. Before he could think, however, he heard lightning coming from outside. Alex knows too well who did that. He briefly looks out the window and sees who. Alex opens the door and sees everyone. He sees Sonya, Johnny, Jacqui, Jax, Takeda, Kenshi, Jin, Kabal, Kitana, Sindel, Jade, and Liu Kang.
Jacqui and Jade were the first ones to come up to Alex and they both hug him tight. Alex smiles and hugs them back. Sonya and Johnny hug him next, then Takeda and Kung Jin. Kitana and Sindel smile at their friend as well as Liu Kang, Kenshi and Kabal. "Guys. What are you all doing here? How did you find me? You shouldn't have come." Alex tells them.
"We've come to bring you back. We're not the same without you. Why did you do that? You snuck off without telling us." Jacqui tells him, giving him a concerned glare. "Do you have any idea what would've happened if we lost you?! What were you thinking, Alex?!" She asked before giving him another hug.
"Because I would put you all in danger, Jacqui. It's all my fault. Cassie is gone. I broke your promise. I have to remain in exile." Alex looks down.
"Alex. You didn't break any promise. Cassie made her own choice. She fought hard to protect you. Besides, she's still alive." Sonya said.
"Alive? What are you talking about? What do you mean?" Alex was confused.
"As Earthrealm's protector and the Keeper of Time, I have visions. Unlike Geras they are full visions. I have seen a future involving you, Cassandra and your family. I knew you would come here. That's how I knew where to find you." Liu Kang said.
Alex couldn't help but smile and shed a tear by the news. "I can't believe it. Cassie's alive. But why? Why would Geras take her instead of killing her? Unless he may have had other ideas."
"Because Geras is tricking you. He tried to trick us all into splitting up. By manipulating your emotions and causing us to argue, his plan would've worked. If you hadn't sent that message, we would've still been bickering. Alex, you have been our hope, my little brother." Jade said, placing a hand on his face to caress it, making her little brother figure smile.
"No. It's not just me. Liu Kang. Raiden. All of us. We are the symbol of hope. It's not just Raiden. I realize that now. I saw him." Alex said, looking back at the cabin. Alex remembered what Raiden said while inside his own mind.
"Is that an old cabin?" Jacqui asked.
"Not just any cabin. This cabin. It was made by my parents." Alex said. He shows Jacqui, Sonya and Johnny the picture frame of the two.
"Whoa. That's your mother. She's the goddess of wind and earth, just like you said." Jacqui said. Jacqui looks at Alex and could tell the sadness in his eyes and kisses him on the cheek. "I'm sorry, Alex."
"I know, Jacqui." Alex smiles at his best friend.
"So those are your real parents. The ones that gave you your powers in the first place." Sonya said.
"But how did you see Raiden?" Johnny asked. Alex said nothing. Instead, he looks at Kitana and Sindel. They both immediately know what he's talking about.
"By the gods. You found a Kamidogu here in Earthrealm. You remembered my advice. Couldn't be more glad for you." Sindel said, stepping up.
"I kept Kronika at bay, but who knows how long? Raiden was there too as a memory. He reminded me of my purpose here. He told me to have hope. Follow the heart and spirit. We made mistakes. But that doesn't mean we give up. We can improve. We do that then we build hope." Alex said.
"You're right. All of us here are the reason why we stand here living and breathing. Raiden, me, Cassie, Liu Kang. Everyone. We do things by the good choices we make in life." Johnny said.
"We can still win. But not one of us can do it without the other. As I told Baraka once before, we must fight with each other, not for each other. We have done so many times in the past. I know that we can do so again." Kitana said, stepping up. "But we can't do so without you, Alex."
"Kitana is right, Alex. You have fought bravely after every lesson we taught you in the Special Forces. You have always been one of my best soldiers. We always saw you, Jacqui and Cassie as successors to me, Johnny and Jax. I'm proud to have you as a son." Sonya said.
"Your heart has always been in the right place. You knew instantly that Kronika offered nothing of value to you. We need each other, Alex." Liu Kang offered his hand. Alex looks at him for a second before shaking his hand.
"Thank you. All of you. You guys are the reason why my life has changed for the better. Jacqui for being my best friend and older sister. Sonya and Johnny for being inspirations for me like Cassie is to me. Sindel for your wisdom. Jade for being the best guardian and sister-figure ever. All of you, including Raiden and Cassie. I want to bring peace back. Live up to my parents. But to Sonya and Johnny too. Be a soldier like them. We can't stop there. We need to repolish our plan." Alex said.
"We have our plan, Alex. Fujin, Shang Tsung and King Jerrod have contacted me and told me that the crown has finished preparations and destroyed the old one. They are on their way to present the crown." Liu Kang said.
"Good. We can go from there once we get that crown. We need to think it through carefully though." Alex said.
But then, a bright light temporarily blinded them. Above them is yet another familiar face. One that was thought to be dead for a long time. "Lord Liu Kang. Alex Cage. I must speak with you." Cetrion said.
"Who the hell are you supposed to be?" Sonya asked, getting out her weapons.
"Cetrion. A fallen Elder God. Like her brother Shinnok." Jacqui said. She glared at Cetrion, remembering what she put Jacqui and Alex through.
"Yes. I am the goddess of life and virtue. I am not here to fight. I have a matter of news." Cetrion said.
"We already know Geras' plan, Cetrion. To bring back Kronika so she can take yours and Geras' lives to create a Next Era. It will not succeed." Liu Kang said.
"And that Geras took my wife." Alex glared at her.
"I understand that you see me as your enemy. But I do not wish to be one today." Cetrion said.
"How come we have a hard time believing you? A so-called Elder God who is always honest, yet was willing to help Kronika wipe out all life. You are a goddamn hypocrite!" Jacqui pointed out.
"It was a mistake. I just need to speak with Liu Kang and Alex. Please. Give me this chance." Cetrion said.
"How do we know you will keep your word, Cetrion? I tried to bargain with you to turn against your mother. But you chose to join her anyway because Kronika manipulates it. Just like she is trying to manipulate us." Liu Kang said.
"I have thought you would say that. That is why I have a proposal. If you can defeat me in Kombat, then I will tell you the real reason why I am here." Cetrion said.
The others all look at each other with suspicious looks on their faces. They fear that it may be a trap for them to either capture or kill them for Geras. But Alex remembered something. "Alright. Fine. You want a challenge? Then I'll take it."
Jade steps up and places her staff in front of his chest, Sonya and Liu Kang put their hands on his shoulders and Jacqui and Takeda step in front of him. "Alex. You cannot be serious about this. What if this is a trap?" Jade asked, worried about him.
"She's Kronika's daughter, remember? She could try to trick you like Geras did." Sonya said.
"I know what you guys mean. But what choice do we have? After all, she denied that she was lying before when she told me the truth. The only way to get info out of her is to beat her." Alex said.
Jacqui remembered being there that day when Cetrion took Alex hostage that day and explained everything about him. That included the origins of his powers, his real family and Kronika's need of him. "Let him go. He's right."
"What? We can't. She's an Elder God." Takeda said.
"It's okay, Takeda. I know what I'm doing. Do you all trust me?" Alex asked.
"We do trust you, Alex. But not her. Just be careful." Takeda said before they step back. Alex pars his friend's shoulder and looks back at Liu Kang and the fire god nods to him in confidence. Alex turns back to face Cetrion.
"One thing, though, Cetrion. Do not hold back. And do not think about going back on your word. Otherwise, we will finish you. We promised the same thing to Shang Tsung." Alex said. He glows with the yellow aura.
"I understand, Alex. Let us begin kombat." Cetrion said. The other heroes stand back to a good distance as they fight.
Alex bends down to absorb part of the earth and stands back up. Cetrion lifts a boulder from the ground and throws it. Alex punches through it and gives the Elder God a strong punch to the jaw, another to the chest, a chop strike to the right rib cage, a knee strike to the chest, and an elbow strike to the back and he pushes Cetrion back. Alex runs up and punches across her face, does a back kick to the head and jumps over her, kicks her lower spine and throws her down on the ground. Alex stands back. Cetrion recovers and slams her hands to the ground and tendrils come out and grab Alex almost everywhere. Alex uses his strength to break free. Cetrion palm strikes his face and kicks him across the chest before pulling him in with her tendrils and they burn his skin a little, but not much thanks to his powers and healing factor. Cetrion does two water palm strikes, kicks his right shin and does a corkscrew kick to the chest before slamming him down with her tendrils, chest first. Alex slams his fist in the ground, making a minor shake and stumbling Cetrion. She tries to do a palm strike, but Alex grabs her wrist, punches her face, slams her arm against her neck, knees and kicks her chest, and fires an energy beam at her, sending her backwards.
Cetrion shoots fire from the air twice. Alex dodges the first one and absorbs the second one. While he was distracted, Cetrion does a fiery palm strike and back hand strike to the chest and left leg followed by a wind kick to the left rib cage, sending Alex backwards, only for Cetrion to pull him in for a chop strike to the head. She lifts Alex in the air with a boulder underneath his feet. Alex, remembering this, jumps off it before Cetrion had a chance to throw him and shoots fire at her, burning her. Alex shoots more fire, which Cetrion encounters with water. It creates an evaporation cloud. Cetrion clears the smoke, but Alex isn't seen anywhere. He suddenly appears beside her and punches her lower spine, the back of the head and back of the right shoulder and two roundhouse kicks to the head and back. Cetrion falls forward in defeat.
"Looks like I won, Cetrion. Now tell me why you're here. Don't even try to run or lie your way out of this." Alex said.
Cetrion recovers and is on her knees and stands up. "Very well. I must go with my word. It concerns your wife, Cassandra."
"We know Cassie is alive. But why did Geras take her instead?" Alex asked.
"Because he wanted to make mother's influence over you stronger. In hope that you would succumb to it and join Geras and bring her back. What Geras did not tell me was that you are to have a baby with her." Cetrion said.
"So he kidnapped her because of the baby. But why do that? Unless." Alex looks back at the cabin and the picture frame and it hits them.
"Because chances are our grandchildren might have your powers. Or Cassie's. Maybe even both. Just like when it happened to her and you." Sonya said.
"Yes. But that is not all Cassandra has told me. These feelings I have. I feel a sense of pity, guilt, remorse and doubt. I was told that if Cassandra did not stop Shinnok, he would've killed the Elder Gods, me included. I began to realize she was right. And I started to feel this way when Kronika killed Alex's parents. I managed to hide it from her, but since my resurrection, these feelings have resurfaced." Cetrion said.
"Like I said before, Cetrion. Your heart betrays you. You fought for your mother's vision. Deep down, you know that her desire for a perfect balance is folly." Liu Kang said.
"But you are the Keeper of Time. How do I know who is being honest with me?" Cetrion asked.
"Allow me to show you." Liu Kang said. He activates his powers and places a fingertip on her forehead, causing her to gasp and almost roll her eyes back.
They find themselves back at the Keep. They see Cassie held captive. The hourglass and Alex's torches. "Why are we at the Keep?" Cetrion asked.
"This isn't the Keep. Rather, this is what I want to show you with the hourglass." Liu Kang said. He shows Cetrion different versions of the Sands of Time.
"This. These are the Sands of Time. I recognize how the path was set. It was made by Kronika." Cetrion said. She then sees the fire god show the Elder God the Sands of Time after Kronika's death. "The Sands of Time changed after Kronika's demise. But why are they different?"
"You will see. But you will not like it. Here is Kronika's version. This is what would've happened should she have succeeded in destroying me and turning Alex. Your light and Shinnok's darkness were to be at more war with each other. All those she recruited for her cause would've made the same mistakes over and over again. More lives lost. She even recruited Jackson Briggs, convincing him to help her to keep Jacquiline from joining the Special Forces. But it was a lie. Here, Jackson Briggs and his daughter are nowhere to be seen. They would've been wiped from history due to their love for the Cage family." Liu Kang explained.
"But she promised everyone good things." Cetrion said, feeling more sad.
"But here are the visions me, Kitana and Alex crafted. It showed everyone happy that they moved on with their lives. Kitana and Sindel reuniting despite losing their home to Shao Kahn who is still alive and still had control over Edenia. Alex and Cassandra being married along with Jacquline and Takeda. There were no wars. I've seen the future. Should Geras have not returned, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi would've done their counterattack and would have failed. But Geras came back. He made this happen because of Kronika. If she returns, then the same thing will happen all over again like in the Old Era." Liu Kang said.
Cetrion felt more upset. Not out of anger. But of sadness and betrayal. Cetrion was always told by her mother about the good things she would've brought to a new timeline. She then felt like if Kronika won, there would've been more innocent casualties in her visions than what has happened in the New Era. Liu Kang and Cetrion return to reality. Cetrion is on all fours, gasping for air. She looks down in shock and belief on what has happened. What Kronika's visions are compared to the New Era. She feels heartbroken and lied to. "What have I done?" Cetrion said, still looking down.
Before anyone could answer, a portal opens. Nightwolf, Shang Tsung, Fujin carrying the crown and King Jerrod come through. Kotal and Baraka went back to Outworld. Sindel steps forward and sees her husband. Her eyes are almost filled with tears as she finally sees him alive and walking again. "Jerrod. My love. Is it really you?" Sindel asked, stepping forward.
"It is me, wife. I breathe again. You look much the same." Jerrod smiles at his wife. Sindel responds by hugging him.
"I missed you. It has been so long that we have been forced apart for nearly eons. The years we could've had together." Sindel said.
"I want to show redemption for my mistake. If Shao Kahn were here, I'd thrust as many swords in his chest and pull out all of his insides until I find his heart for all he has done to wrong our family name." Jerrod said.
"I killed Shao Kahn before. I'd be glad to do it again. This time, with you. My darling love." Sindel strokes his face and their foreheads touch each other and they smile.
Alex talks to Fujin and Shang Tsung about the progress. "Has it been done? Has it been successful?" He asked.
"Yes. All souls remain intact. We have enough power to find Kronika's Keep. We do that, we will find Geras. He will not have anywhere to hide." Fujin said. He holds up the new Edenian Steel crafted crown in his hand.
"And then, Liu Kang can defeat him in Kombat and use the hourglass against him. He will no longer be immortal. He can then be killed." Shang Tsung said.
"We better give it to Liu Kang then. We better hurry." Alex said before he falls in pain. He grabs his head.
"Alex? Are you alright?" Fujin asked. Jacqui, Johnny, Jin, Jade and Takeda come in to check what's wrong.
Alex tries to catch his breath to speak. His eyes briefly matched Kronika's for a moment. Something else is going up rather than anger. "He's….. he's here."
"Who? Who's here?" Jin asked.
"Geras." Shang Tsung guessed. Sand starts flowing around them. Everyone almost loses their footing. They see a sand portal open and everyone gets into a stance, ready to fight. Surprisingly, Geras has come alone.
"Lord Liu Kang. Lord Fujin. Shang Tsung. Alex Cage. I assume that you are enjoying each other's company making plans to stop me?" Geras asked.
"Make no mistake, Geras. We have the crown. There is nowhere you can hide now. We know your weakness." Liu Kang said.
"Yes. But you would've found me much earlier should Shang Tsung not interfere with your journey to recover the original crown, we would have fought each other already. One of us would already be dead." Geras said.
"I see no harm in confirming your suspicions." Shang Tsung tells him.
"Even if you destroy me, which in turn will kill Kronika's subconsciousness from both my mind and Alex's mind. You are aware of how treacherous the sorcerer is." Geras said.
"That's why we're more than prepared. Not one moment anyone has laid eyes off him. If he does one dumb move, we will kill him." Alex said.
"Indeed you are. But have you ever thought about how and why Shang Tsung knows of my weakness? About Kronika and the crown?" Geras asked.
"Because he did her bidding. He's been gathering souls to fuel the crown. He's been doing so his entire life." Sonya said while she aims her weapons at him.
"Shang Tsung is being too modest. After all. It was not Kronika that designed the crown. It was him. That is why no one but him, Kronika, and Liu Kang know about its power." Geras explained.
This causes everyone to glare at the sorcerer with great hatred. Sonya aiming one of her ring gauntlets at him, as did Jacqui. Takeda, Jin, Sindel, Jerrod and Kitana all prepared to draw their weapons at him. This did not even intimidate the old man.
"Had I told you the truth about the crown, we would still be in Outworld bickering among ourselves." Shang Tsung said.
"It is now or never, Liu Kang. You do not deserve to be called Keeper of Time. Only Kronika deserves that power. If you do not do this, then Shang Tsung will take the power for himself."
"Then we will kill him too if we have to. But you are the bigger threat than him." Liu Kang said.
"Do not make this mistake, Liu Kang. You will soon doom all realms to oblivion." Geras said.
"As if Kronika wouldn't." Alex said.
"You may have kept Kronika's subconsciousness at bay, Alex. But it is only temporary. Who knows how much longer you have left until she returns and controls you once more." Geras said.
"You're not gonna be tricking anyone anymore." Alex said.
Alex nods to Liu Kang, Fujin and Shang Tsung. Geras knocks them all back with his sand powers, making Fujin drop the crown. Geras smirks and was about to grab the crown. But then, tendrils suddenly grab it and they pull it to none other than Cetrion. "Cetrion. You're betraying me? And your own mother?!" Geras looks at her with a stern glare.
"No. I betrayed the better good once before. Never again. It is you that has betrayed me. You lied to me. You and Kronika lied about everything. Kronika is no longer my mother. She is a disgrace." Cetrion said. She hands the crown to Jacqui for safekeeping.
"So be it. Kronika would've been a disappointment in you." Geras said.
"I must do what is rightfully right by virtue." Cetrion said before they fight.
Cetrion uses tendrils to pull Geras in and does a back kick to the head, palm strike to the left shoulder, and a kick to the right shin and shoots fire to send him backwards. Geras uses sand powers and creates a sand wall that pushes Cetrion into Geras, allowing him to swing his arm at her face, kick her chest, grab her throat for a headbutt, knee her stomach and throw her and kick her back. Cetrion recovers and sees Geras throwing a sand spear. Cetrion counters this by making a stone wall to block it. She then forced the stone wall to break apart and they all collide into Geras. Cetrion strikes him with water from the ground, surrounds him in a sphere of water and lifts him in the air. She freezes him in place and throws him down.
Geras cracks his neck and was ready to fight back. Geras uppercuts Cetrion, sending her in the air. He uses sand to bring her back down and traps her. This allows the immortal man to do another uppercut to the jaw. He does two punches to the chest and face and grabs her and throws her into a sand wall behind him and she bounces off it and turns his fist into a giant fist and punches her chest, partially cracking it, sending her into a sand sledgehammer which swings at the back of the head. Cetrion is down to a knee. She glared at her former ally. Geras looks over her in disappointment and was about to finish her, but he is suddenly knocked back by a dragon kick to the back. Geras grits his teeth. It was Liu Kang, being given the crown by Jacqui. He is joined by Alex, Fujin and Shang Tsung. Alex runs over to check on Cetrion and help heal her with his powers.
"Finally. A real challenge. Do not make this your greatest mistake. Surrender the crown and Alex and I might have room for you in the Next Era." Geras said.
"Not now. Not ever." Liu Kang said.
"Can you fight, Cetrion?" Alex asked as he finished healing her.
"Indeed I can, Alex. Allow me to help you in return." Cetrion said. Alex nods and activates his powers. Cetrion fires water and Alex absorbs it. She stands up and she and Alex nod to each other. Geras growls at this.
Alex fired an energy beam at Geras which he blocked with his giant fist. Cetrion uses tendrils to pull his arm away, allowing Alex to uppercut his chest, kick his forehead and gives him a strong kick to the chest, sending him to Fujin. The wind god stabs his right shoulder with the fist with his sword, making it bleed. Fujin triple kicks him in the head and chest, pulls him in with the wind and kicks his back, sending him to the sorcerer. Shang Tsung's hands glow uses a small soul tornado to lift him in the air and gives him two palm strikes, one to the leg and the other to the stomach and a strong kick to the chest. He takes a soul ball and it uppercuts his chin, hits his injured right shoulder and it slams into Geras's chest. The sorcerer slides into his legs, sweeping him up off his feet and Liu Kang does a dragon kick and a fiery backflip, sending him even further in the air. Alex uses water power powers he got from Cetrion and forms a sphere around him and throws Geras down, greatly cracking his chest, shoulders, collarbone and front of the skull. Cetrion sends multiple boulders through his head, and chest and shoulders, sending him into a tree. She then summons sharp pieces of wood and sends them into Geras's face and fires a powerful blast, sending him through the tree, making him slide down.
The five nod to each other and Liu Kang opens a portal with the crown's power. Cetrion gathers Geras' remains before he can resurrect himself while Fujin summons the wind and Alex fires a beam and they sent him to the portal before it closes on him.
"Where'd he go?" Alex asked.
"We have sent him back to the Keep. He will not be going anywhere." Liu Kang said.
"Soon. I placed a barrier to keep him from escaping. But it will not be long until he escapes and repeats this situation over again. He will be stronger and our tactic will not work. He will get the crown and Alex." Shang Tsung said.
"I was able to hold Kronika back this time, but next time won't work. It'll happen if I get too close to him." Alex said.
"He has nowhere else to run. Only one thing to do." Liu Kang and the crown glow with power. He closes his eyes and puts his hands together. As Geras is putting himself back together, Liu Kang uses the crown and the hourglass to find where the Keep is. Liu Kang knew Geras wouldn't be insane enough to try Orderrealm and Chaosrrealm. He finally opens his eyes and takes the crown off. He hands it to Fujin.
"Liu Kang. Have you found the Keep?" Fujin asked.
"Indeed I have. It is here in Earthrealm. It is hidden with the Sky Temple." Liu Kang said.
"The Sky Temple? Why there? Shinnok tried to go there to corrupt the Jinsei. That would've brought doom to all realms and the Elder Gods." Sonya said.
"I do not believe Geras would try to corrupt the Jinsei. He has learned from my brother's past mistake by underestimating your daughter." Cetrion said.
"I remember you guys telling me that it's Earthrealm's life source. Now I get it. The Jinsei was used to power up the hourglass. Just like last time when Geras attacked the Shaolin school." Alex said.
"Alex is right. That has to be the only reason." Jacqui said.
"Indeed it is. Geras also plans to use the Jinsei to give more power to Kronika. Without a doubt since now I have turned traitor against him." Cetrion said.
"We need a plan. It probably won't be easy. Geras will have a stronger army with the Jinsei, no doubt. Including Shao Kahn." Sonya said.
"I have one. But it is the only plan we have. We must attack head on. With our combined forces, we will prevail. We have the element of surprise. We can divide up into groups." Liu Kang said.
"Let me contact Grandmaster Hasashi and Grandmaster Liang. Let them know what we've discovered. Assemble the Shirai Ryu and Lin Kuie." Takeda said.
"Go ahead. After that, you, Jin, Jacqui, Kenshi and Jax will go into one group with your teams and Jin's own monks. Me, Johnny, and Kabal will go into another." Sonya said.
"What about me?" Alex asked.
"No. Not you, Sergeant. We can't have the same thing happen to you like earlier. Geras will be laying a trap for you. Do not come unless there is a last resort. Do I make myself clear, Sergeant Alex?" Sonya asked.
Alex felt reluctant, but he knows that Sonya is right. "Yes, ma'am. Always willing to serve the Special Forces." Alex salutes her. Sonya smiled at her son-in law and hugs him. Alex smiles and hugs back.
"We'll get Cassie back. I promise you that." Johnny said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I shall lead Outworld and its people. Kung Lao, Kotal and Baraka will be joining me with the Osh-Tekk, Tarkatans and Monks." Kitana said.
"Kitana. With your permission, I would like to accompany Jacquline and her group. I have a personal score to settle." Jade asked. Kitana nods and the two hug each other.
"I shall accompany them too with Shang Tsung." Fujin stated.
"I volunteer as well." Nightwolf said.
"Good. Me, Alex and Cetrion will stay behind. At least until Geras is killed or as a last resort. We cannot risk him taking Alex and Cetrion." Liu Kang said.
"I agree with Liu Kang. This leaves me and Jerrod to lead our warriors and the Shokans. Shao Kahn and Geras' armies will be no match for us." Sindel said.
"We are all set then. May the Elder God protect us." Liu Kang said.
Shang Tsung opens a portal, allowing Kitana, Sindel and Jerrod to walk through. The king stops for another glare at the old man. "Sorcerer." Jerrod said before he walks through and the portal shuts.
"Looks like your strategy has worked out well after all, Shang Tsung." Fujin said.
"Of course it did." Shang Tsung smirked. He seems more confident that his plan worked. But his brilliant skills at tactics may or may not benefit him next.
As the heroes make their preparations to take down Geras, Alex, Liu Kang and Cetrion remain behind. Liu Kang has informed the redeemed Elder God of the plan. While she may not like it, she understands that it is the only way.
Alex and Fujin have a private conversation with each other. "I saw them. In that house. A picture of my parents." Alex said, holding the picture."
Fujin looks at the photo and his eyes widened at the realization. "By the gods. That's Flora and Anthony."
"You knew them? How?" Alex looks at him with curiosity."
"Flora is a friend of mine and an Elder God. They met during Shao Kahn's invasion and she saved your father's life. Your father discovered his powers during a run in with the Black Dragon. Your great-grandfather also had his power, but they are not as powerful as yours." Fujin said.
"And they chose to lay low. I was born after Johnny defeated Shinnok and Raiden sealed him." Alex guessed.
"Indeed. Flora chose to follow my advice to live among humans.." Fujin said.
"I miss him. I wish Raiden was here with us." Alex said, feeling sad.
"I miss him too. I remember the one time me and Raiden argued with one another. I left the Sky Temple to live among humans. He warned me to not become too attached to them. Sentiment will impede the execution of my duty. Warriors like all of us here. We are strengthened by sentiment. We do not fight to kill enemies, we do so to protect those we love. That is why it cuts so deeply when we fail. In the end, Raiden accepted my choice and we kept in touch with each other." Fujin said.
"Those are some good words, Fujin. I never knew what it was like arguing with a sibling since I'm an only child. Being here, meeting people like Jacqui and Jade, I see them like sisters, and Takeda like a brother. It feels right" Alex said.
"Exactly, Alex. They fought to protect those who loved from the Red Dragon. You didn't just fight Kronika to kill her. You fought her to save those you love, including Cassandra. Rest assured, Alex. We will rescue her." Fujin said.
"Thank you, Fujin. Be careful going out there. Once you do that, there's no turning back. And I'm glad you told me my parents' names. Now I can truly picture them." Alex said.
"May we all return victorious, Alex. Remember, do not come until at a last resort." Fujin reminds him. Alex nods. Fujin leaves with the other heroes and Shang Tsung to make their preparations for the battle. Alex remains behind with Liu Kang and Cetrion. As much as he doesn't like to sit out a fight, he knows it's too risky, or wanting to get caught in a trap.
Note: Yet another sad chapter I made, mainly with Alex living in Exile and seeing Raiden as a memory. Shang Tsung being the one creating the crown was taken from Aftermath. Even though I didn't like the story, it was a good plot twist. One of my personal favorite chapters I have written. Alex at his lowest point in life and he was convinced to stand up and fight for everything and everyone he loves, including his new family. This was his mental test. His physical and emotional tests will come soon enough.