Chapter 16 - An Adventure Out of this World

Cassie

Honestly…kind of freaking out right now. I was given a quick rundown of this supposed Outworld by Raiden and Kitana. They informed me that it was a lush and beautiful place similar to the Asian areas of our world.

"Think of it like Earth but with far less technology," Raiden informed me as I waited for Vic. Kitana meanwhile was examining the TV on the wall.

"This is a smaller device," she said to Raiden. "You say you can watch films on this too?" Raiden nodded.

"Fujin and Vic are big movie guys," my dad said from the kitchen. He was in the middle of making some breakfast for everyone.

"Did you know Vic's father was an actor like you?" Kitana asked my dad. He grinned.

"Yep," he said. "He didn't do a lot of martial arts movies like I did though. He was more of a TV actor but had some big hits too. Like that horror movie series and I believe he was a superhero at one point. In both live action and voice. Which one….do you remember Cass?" I thought for a moment as Vic appeared.

"Vic, who was this hero your father played?" Kitana asked him. Vic frowned in thought. He looked so cute when he did that honestly. Then his eyes widened and he snapped his fingers.

"The Flash! Wally West!" he said excitedly. "I forgot about that too!"

"Yes! That's it!" I said to Kitana. "He was a guy with super speed." Kitana looked intrigued.

"He portrayed a hero on screen like his son?" Kitana asked and looked over to Vic. "He must be proud of you." Vic however looked on the verge of tears again and seeing that reminded me why. The movie where Dante Harris portrayed Wally West had been released posthumously. I remember going to see it with Jacqui. I had to hold my cries in because guess who made an appearance as Wally's love interest at the very end. Vic's mom. The movie was dedicated to the Harris family. Dante had just finished filming his scenes before Jarek's attack. I walked over and hugged him.

"He…he called me at school to tell me he got the part. Remember Cass?" Vic said into my ear. "He was so happy. He said he got it…for me…"

"It's ok," I whispered. "It's ok."

"I hope…I hope I'm honoring him too," he whispered back.

"You are," Liu Kang's voice said from behind me. I turned to see him standing there with his kind smile. "I trust you four are ready? Fujin and the others will be monitoring the cult as we discussed." I looked at the others as well as my dad.

"Don't worry Punkin," he said. "Mileena may look scary, but she is as kind as her sister here."

"Li Mei also may come off as hostile, but she too has a good heart," Kitana advised me. I still gulped and held Vic's hand. He looked a little scared too as the four of us walked outside.

Liu Kang looked around the area and noticed that Ashrah, Sareena and Auntie Sonya were sparring with each other while Nightwolf and Fujin observed them. He turned back to us.

"We have to travel to the Fire Temple via teleportation in order to travel to Outworld," he informed us. "Cassandra and Victor, this method of transportation might feel weird but you are with friends." Hearing him say that somehow made me forget the fact that Liu Kang just said I'm about to teleport halfway around the world. I still held on to Vic tightly as Liu Kang put one of his hands on Vic's shoulders. I watched Vic's entire demeanor go from tense to relaxed in a matter of a few seconds.

"We will be right back," he said to Raiden and Kitana. "Kitana, behave." Kitana blushed as Liu Kang gave her a knowing smile. Before I could even think about anything else, my entire sense of the world was gone. All I saw and felt was darkness. No sound. Nothing. I couldn't even breathe. I honestly felt like I was about to die. But as soon as it started, it stopped. Vic, Liu Kang and I were standing in an area bathed in a sunset. There was Eastern-like architecture everywhere and multiple dragon statues.

"Holy…not a fan of that…" Vic muttered. I agree babe. Liu Kang had since teleported away but quickly returned with Kitana and Raiden.

"What exactly are we helping with Lord Liu Kang?" Raiden asked.

"Li Mei says there has been yet another prison break," Liu Kang answered. "The sorcerer Quan Chi is involved." Raiden, Vic and I reacted to this news. This guy was the sole reason that the Black Dragon Cult was alive and kicking again. He had inadvertently caused the deaths of people I wanted to call my in-laws one day. Liu Kang noticed.

"When we apprehend him, we will question him on his motives in reviving the cult because I too would like to know why," Liu Kang said. "Come, the portal is this way."

Liu Kang led the four of us to an area under a small little roof. There was nothing of note under here but then Liu Kang began to wave his hands and arms in a circular motion. A large fireball-like object began to form in front of him as he worked. I looked over at Vic. He returned my gaze and then grabbed my hand. I took that as "whatever happens, we're together." Have I ever mentioned how much I loved this man? Liu Kang finished after several seconds and turned to Vic and I.

"I will repeat what I said to Raiden before he initially went to Outworld. It can be both alien and intoxicating to Earthrealmers. Do not become drawn in. You must focus on the task at hand. That task is locating Li Mei and assisting her in her investigation," he informed us. "Kitana, you and Raiden go inform the Empress of this crisis. She may not know yet."

"Yes Lord Liu Kang," Raiden said and gave a slight bow. I caught Kitana shooting him a small grin too. Liu Kang turned back to the fireball thing and then…walked into it. Fuck. I have to walk into that?! What if it cooked me alive?! I felt Kitana's hand on my shoulder and she used her other hand to beckon me forward. I gulped, squeezed Vic's hand and proceeded to walk into the fireball with him.

In Outworld.

My vision was obscured by white light. I had no idea what I was doing in this fireball thing but I could feel Kitana's hand on my shoulder and my hand in Vic's. Eventually, my vision was no longer obscured by blinding light. Instead, my eyes came upon the most beautiful looking city I've ever seen. If I were to give you a comparison, imagine a city in Feudal Japan but with much more vibrant colors and more Chinese like imagery. I was simply in awe. I would totally get married here if I could! I could see it now, Vic standing there with…with his mom. Fuck…that just made me sad. All the more reason I wanted to bury Jarek alive for what he did to the love of my life. Liu Kang's voice stopped my mind from giving me perfect wedding ideas.

"Ahh, greetings Li Mei," he said. I turned to see him giving a small bow to a fair skinned woman that resembled an Asian woman from Earthrealm. She was wearing a purple kimono underneath a black vest and a steel belt. Alongside that, were orange pants and knee high boots ending in open toed shoes. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail and she was eyeing Vic with a narrowed gaze for a moment. I immediately staked my claim on him by grabbing his arm. That's when Li Mei noticed me and her eyes became wide.

"Her? She is Johnny Cage's daughter?!" she said incredulously. Now I should have said that this isn't the first time this has happened to me. I have heard my dad was a bit of a child before I was born. He had been married one time before my mom came into his life and constantly tried to hold on to his fading fame at the time. I bet many people who knew that Johnny Cage were just as surprised as Li Mei when she found out who I was.

"Yes First Constable. This is Cassandra Cage and Victor Harris," Liu Kang said and motioned to us. "You know Kitana and Raiden. Has the Empress been informed of the situation?" Li Mei shook her head and then indicated a direction behind her.

"She's in the Palace," she said to Kitana. Kitana and Raiden immediately started off in that direction. Li Mei was studying Vic again.

"Harris is your family name?" Li Mei asked him. Vic nodded.

"Yes my dad is an actor too," Vic said for some reason. "Although he was not in such high quality Christmas films as 'Frosty the Swoleman'." OH COME ON! I completely blocked that movie out of my head! That was one of my dad's really early films. One of the ones where he was the star. It was about a gym bro with frosted tips (hence Frosty) who teams up with the Miami Police to save the beach from being turned into condominiums by…lifting them into oblivion on Christmas. To be honest, it's not as bad as it sounds. It got like a B- on FlickGrades dot com. To my surprise, Liu Kang chuckled.

"Oh yes," he said. "I know that one. Quite the funny theme song too. Do you recall?" Vic gave me a devilish grin and then started singing.

"Frosty the Swoleman, he could bench press 405, with some rock hard abs and tremendous calves, yeah the big man has arrived!" he sang. While doing so, I watched Li Mei's face turn from curious into outright shock. Vic continued singing.

"Frosty the Swoleman, was as natty as he can be. There were no steroids, zero opioids but perhaps some creatine!" Vic put a hand on my shoulder and still continued singing. God dammit…this was embarrassing a little bit but fuck me this guy could sing.

"There must have been some caffeine in his pre workout that day, for when he chugged it in one gulp his PR was blown away! Frosty the Swoleman, now can bench press 450, I know that's a lot but hey here's a thought, he can bench press you and me!" Vic finished singing and took a mock bow. Li Mei was now smiling…which I had been briefed on that that was a rare sight.

"I knew it!" she said to him. "With that voice, there is no doubt that Hikari was your mother!" Vic became struck dumb. Karma. Gotta love it.

"Wh…what?" he said. "You knew her?"

"I was one of her teachers," Li Mei said and walked over to Vic. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, the hair. It's a dead giveaway."

"But…wasn't she trained by someone named Madam Bo?" Vic asked Liu Kang. Liu Kang nodded.

"Initially yes, but I figured that Li Mei would be able to help your mother with her powers," he answered.

"Isn't that cheating?" I asked. "Like for this martial arts tournament between Earth and Outworld?" Liu Kang smiled…and I felt that he was reminiscing about something.

"We can always make slight exceptions," he said. "Also Li Mei, yes. He is that baby." Li Mei let out a loud gasp and ran her hand along Vic's face. Vic looked confused.

"I visited your family one day after you were born to give my congratulations. You were swaddled in your mother's arms giving me a curious look. Then Hikari gave you to me and…and you smiled at me. Then giggled when I did this," Li Mei said to Vic. Then she waved her hand in the air and caused some firecrackers to explode in purple colored sparks.

"You thought I was your mother and fell asleep while I was holding you," Li Mei continued. Oh. My. God. That is so cute! Are you picturing that?! Cause I sure as fuck am! Vic turned red.

"He must have been an adorable little baby," I said.

"He was Miss Cage," Li Mei answered. "Hold on, are you his betrothed?" As I expected, Vic panicked.

"Well, I mean…not exactly…not that I don't want to but I've uh," he spluttered. Li Mei seemed to understand.

"I see, come you three, let me show you what has happened," she said.

Outworld's Prison

Li Mei proceeded to lead us to a dungeon-like prison area. While it looked like how you would expect a dungeon to look, it didn't necessarily smell like one if you know what I mean. Vic was avoiding my gaze for some reason.

"Hey," I whispered to him. He jumped in surprise.

"Please…don't," he began but I stopped him. I knew why he was antsy.

"I'm not mad sweetie," I said. "That can wait. This cult thing is more important right now ok?" Vic nodded.

"I…I want to…" he muttered. I placed my hand on his face.

"I know. I can wait," I said. "Double promise." At that moment Li Mei held up her hand, halting our advance. A woman dressed in yellow with almost chalk white skin approached us.

"That is Khameleon," Liu Kang informed Vic and I softly. "Her allies shortened that name by calling her Kay." Khameleon addressed us.

"Greetings Earthrealmers," she said in an Egyptian sounding accent. Huh, I didn't expect that.

"My name is…" she let out a series of hissing noises before continuing in English. "But you may call me Khameleon or Kay. I know who you are. You resemble the fast red haired man in that one Earthrealm film I saw with Kitana young man. Are you his son?" Vic nodded.

"I'm Vic," he said and then motioned to me. "And this is Cassie Cage." Kay's eyes widened in shock before turning to Li Mei.

"Yes," Li Mei said. "I know. Can you tell us the situation?" Kay motioned to a hole in the wall.

"The prisoners escaped this way. And from what the guards have told me, there was a small group of people that assisted," she said.

"Who escaped," I asked her bravely. I could tell Kay smiled at me from under her mask.

"The usual. We have reason to believe that it was that Seido man and his partner who orchestrated this attack," Kay said.

"Is that so?" a new menacing voice boomed over the area. I turned to see…a rather horrible looking man. First off, he had like no lips. Second off, he had that emo haircut I unfortunately had for a bit in 8th grade. Vic still makes fun of me for it sometimes. He was wearing this metal gauntlet-like thing with a blade on its forearm and no undershirt. Next to him was an African American man dressed in an orange and black jumpsuit. Complete with sunglasses. The sunglasses man punched his fist into his other hand and pointed at me. I raised an eyebrow, summoned some Shadow Cassies and smirked back at him. He looked a little less confident now. But that wasn't all. More people made their appearance known. First off, there was a cybernetic centaur with what looked like a laser shooting tail. Next to him was a man holding a staff and dressed in purple robes and a hood. And finally…a bug lady. Gross. The man at the actual forefront turned out to be a man with chalk white skin with red tattoos. He had his hands behind his back and was chuckling slightly.

"Quan Chi!" Li Mei growled and struck up a fighting stance. Vic looked over at Li Mei in surprise.

"Him? Spitshine over here? He's Quan Chi?" Vic said. "Man, if the sun hit him just right, he'd blind an entire city." I couldn't help but chuckle. Vic was normally really good with quips like that. Kay chuckled too, along with Li Mei and even Liu Kang. Quan Chi spoke in a surprisingly deep and smooth voice.

"I have found you Earthrealmers," he said and conjured a green skull from his hand.

"Did you bring cupcakes," I responded. Quan Chi narrowed his eyes at me.

"No. Death," he growled and then said "WOO LAY!" He launched his green skull at me which I managed to dodge. After that, it was time for an all out brawl between our groups. Liu Kang was the one who went to handle Quan Chi and Purple Man. Vic had decided to take on the horse dude while Li Mei fought No Lips and Kay started dueling Sunglasses Man. That left me with Bug Lady. Bug Lady raised her hand and shot a swarm of bugs at me. Again I dodged and retaliated with a shadow ball. That hit her right in the chest and caused her to stagger backwards.

"You're the bug, I'm the windshield," I said to her and summoned a Shadow Cassie. Bug Lady hissed and then said "This one breaks windshields!" She then sprouted wings and flew at me. Before I could dodge, I was being lifted high into the air. Bug Lady opened her mouth and horrible maggot like things started spewing out of it. I jerked my head out of the way and used my feet to kick her away. This turned out to be a not so good idea because I was rather high up in the air. Fuck…this was going to hurt. I closed my eyes and waited for pain to come..but it didn't. I found myself being held aloft by something. Thinking it was my baby, I opened my eyes and turned to thank him but no, I was being held in the air by some blue fans spinning around me. Vic was emerging from a smashed wall dusting himself off and shouted "ALRIGHT MUSTANG SALLY! I'M TURNING YOU INTO FUCKING GLUE!" before charging at Horse Dude while dodging blasts from the tail laser. It turned out to have been Kay that saved me. She had apparently incapacitated Sunglasses Man already. She offered me her hand which I took.

"Are you alright? Kytinn can be nasty," she said. "I am surprised Quan Chi went to them for help. Or perhaps, this one just showed up just because." Bug Lady landed on the ground near us and hissed again.

"I will handle this," Kay said. In a flash, she charged full speed at Bug Lady, dived forward while spinning and drilled right through Bug Lady's torso. Kay emerged on the other side, covered in blue blood and entrails holding Bug Lady's heart…which she then crushed in her hand. Bug Lady of course fell over dead.

"Do not cross the Umgadi Kytinn scum," Kay said to the corpse. "Oh look, your companion has managed to take down Motaro with Liu Kang!" I turned to see that yes, Liu Kang and Vic were alternating punches and kicks to the horse guy apparently named Motaro. Motaro was knocked unconscious by Liu Kang though. As for No Lips and Purple Man? Out cold. Quan Chi looked as though he was bound by magic. Score one for the good guys.

Kay and I joined the others circling Quan Chi. Quan Chi looked rather annoyed at this whole situation.

"I should not have decided to return here," he muttered.

"But you did didn't you Quan Cheesy," Vic retorted. "Why?" Quan Chi looked up at Vic and smiled wickedly.

"How are your parents?" he taunted. It took the combined might of Liu Kang and Li Mei to hold Vic back. While that was happening, I summoned a Shadow Cassie and it lifted a surprised Quan Chi into the air.

"Answer the question Spitshine," I growled. Quan Chi laughed.

"This is amusing. Cage Jr. thinks she is threatening," he said and managed to break free of both my Shadow Cassie and whatever Liu Kang did. He shoved me back and began to run but another Shadow Cassie tackled him to the ground and Liu Kang picked him up and held him at bay.

"Talk sorcerer," Liu Kang threatened. Quan Chi rolled his eyes.

"Fine, I will humor you," he said. "It was an assassination attempt on Li Mei and whatever Umgadi showed up. I chose my allies poorly it seems." As he spoke, other Outworld police forces had arrived to clean up the mess and return escaped prisoners to their cells. Including Motaro. Raiden, Kitana and a woman dressed in pink were among them alongside an African American woman dressed in similar garb to Kay had also shown up.

"Fantastic," Vic growled. "Next question. Why did you revive the Black Dragon?" Quan Chi smiled wickedly again.

"I figured that it was pretty easy to figure out you dolt," Quan Chi taunted. "The cult and I share the goal of finding and reviving the Dragon King Onaga. And even then, I chose my allies poorly. But their leader told me all about you and your mother Mr. Harris before he betrayed me." Then Quan Chi spotted Raiden and smiled at him too.

"You miss your big sister, don't you Champion of Earthrealm," he spat at Raiden. Kitana and the other yellow clad woman held him back as he started cursing in his native tongue. Something I've never heard Raiden do.

"Why do you want to find this Dragon King," the pink clad woman asked menacingly.

"So I can take control of Outworld from you Empress, you are just as soft as your dead mother," Quan Chi taunted. Before anyone could do anything, Quan Chi said something like "AH-VEE-NO MA NA EY!" and disappeared into a green portal.

Vic snarled in anger and punched the ground where Quan Chi was standing moments before.

"Dammit!" he muttered. Liu Kang also looked pretty angry at Quan Chi's disappearance. He saw my look of concern.

"Do not worry Cassandra," he said. "Quan Chi can not go between realms. Your family is safe."

"Still though," Li Mei stated. "He escaped again."

"A minor setback," Raiden said. "I managed to see you fight alongside Vic quite well, Lord Liu Kang." Liu Kang's smile returned.

"Yes, he fights like a combination of his mother and her brothers," he said calmly.

"I don't need to start calling you 'Master Liu Kang' do I?" Vic asked.

"No, I would prefer you didn't. It reminds me too much of my previous role," Liu Kang said before he stopped himself. Vic noticed.

"Go on," he said menacingly. "What, are you like the creator of the whole universe or something?" Almost reluctantly Liu Kang nodded. Wh-what…am I essentially standing in the presence of actual factual GOD right now?! Liu Kang sighed and turned to Vic and I.

"Before any of this, in a previous timeline. I battled a Titan named Kronika. The result of our battle ripped apart time's fabric and caused multiple deviations. I was the one who crafted this timeline in an attempt to restore peace by giving previous threats meaningless lives but even that proved to be unsuccessful," Liu Kang explained.

"Time out," I said. "You mean like…you created this whole universe we live in?" Liu Kang nodded.

"There's also a bunch of alternate timelines," Raiden added. "Remember the time where that evil version of Scorpion showed up? And was absolutely livid that Kuai Liang married Harumi?"

"Oh yes," Li Mei said. "With that obscuring smoke nonsense? And he had, I believe you Earthrealmers called it 'super armor' on him?"

"I recall the time we had to fight an evil version of you, Raiden," Kitana added while the pink clad woman nodded. Liu Kang held up a hand respectfully telling the others to stop.

"I split my duties as Keeper of Time and Earthrealm's Protector with Geras," he explained.

"That means…" Vic snarled angrily. "YOU created him! IT WAS YOUR FAULT!" Vic suddenly lunged at Liu Kang violently but Raiden, Li Mei and Kitana managed to hold him at bay.

"YOU WATCHED HER DIE! YOU MADE HIM KILL MY DAD!" Vic shouted at Liu Kang. "WHY DID YOU DO NOTHING!"

"Victor, I could not," Liu Kang said plainly.

"LIAR!" Vic shouted. "THEY'RE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!"

"I believed turning Jarek into a US Soldier under the command of Jackson Briggs would stop his violent tendencies. I was wrong. It was in his blood to be a menace from day one," Liu Kang explained.

"But…but…" Vic said and stopped his violent flailing. I took it upon myself to relieve the others of holding him. I shot him a look that ordered him to hear Liu Kang out.

"Victor, I can not interfere like that. If I were to help her, others might request things of me that are less moral. It is against my power. My power only permits me to begin this endeavor. It is the duty of mortals to finish it. Some have found peace, others have taken it upon themselves to defy that peace. I knew your parents Victor Harris. Hikari was one of the nicest people to exist and loved every single member of her family. It destroyed me when I heard from Raiden that she perished and I will reveal that yes, I assisted in the initial disbandment of the cult. Albeit at a distance. I simply provided guidance to Fujin and he and Kabal took the cult down from the inside. I am sorry Victor," Liu Kang explained. Vic still looked angry but he seemed to understand.

"She…she never saw what I could do…" Vic said.

"She saw you save Kimi," I told him. "Remember? You said you saw her again right after Jarek ran away. We know what scares him now too. Fire." Vic sort of nodded and looked over at Li Mei.

"Of course I will assist you if you need it Vic," she said and gave him a little bow. "You assisted me, therefore, at the permission of the Empress, I will help you take down your family's killer." The pink clad woman inclined her head.

"Oh yes, forgive me Empress I am sorry," Liu Kang said. "Cassandra and Victor, this is the Empress of Outworld, Mileena." Mileena pulled down her mask revealing that she was the identical twin sister of Kitana. The only thing that differed was the hair styles. Kitana's was long on all sides while Mileena's was shaved on both sides of her head. She shared Kitana's kind smile. She was currently studying Vic.

"The man from the film about the Earthrealm literature hero with super speed, right sister?" she said to Kitana. "He looks just like him but with long brown hair."

"That is his father," Kitana explained. Mileena nodded.

"Young man, you have Outworld's aid should you need it against the Black Dragon Cult," Mileena said to Vic. "Kitana and Li Mei will be at the forefront. Tanya and Khameleon, you are in command of my army while Kitana is away." Kay and that other yellow clad woman nodded.

"Empress, look at Victor once more," Liu Kang said. Mileena did so and I watched her eyes get wide and she turned to Kitana, who nodded. Vic sighed.

"Lemme guess, Mileena held me too? When I was a baby? I've been here before with Li Mei and my mom haven't I?" Vic asked. Liu Kang and I smiled at him while Mileena nodded.

"The little infant who cried at all the loud fireworks until he heard the soothing voice of his mother!" Mileena said happily. "He giggled at me too!"

"Yes sister, I figured that out as soon as I realized who his father was. I held you too Vic. Your little brain was so confused at all the new people smiling at you until you saw your mother," Kitana told him. Vic muttered under his breath while I again pictured that happening.

"Watch out Cassandra," Liu Kang said to me as Raiden looked beside himself with new jokes to make about Vic. "Victor always seems to have a way with the ladies."

Back at Fujin's

After another round of "I Fucking Hate Teleporting", Vic, Raiden and I arrived back at Fujin's place. Kitana and Li Mei needed to attend to some Outworld matters and would join us whenever they were able.

"Vic, I'm glad you were able to control your rage," Raiden said to him as we walked up the path. "It appears my lessons have been paying off."

"I mean, fighting a god seems like a terrible idea," Vic answered. "But yeah, I could hear my mom's voice going 'No Victor' over and over." Vic shot me a glance and I knew who was actually telling him to stop alongside his mom. Me. Your girl. The only girl Victor Harris has ever loved. Jealous? Too bad, he's MINE. Fujin was there to greet us along with Ashrah.

"Your father, aunt and Sareena are off looking into a supposed lead Cassie," she informed me. "How was Outworld? It was beautiful wasn't it? Did you see Syzoth?"

"Yes, it was and I believe we did see Syzoth. Dressed in green with a hood and a lizard tattoo on his face?" I answered. Ashrah nodded.

"I saw him when we were leaving and he wanted me to give you this," I added and took out a folded piece of paper. Ashrah took and unfolded it. I watched her blush and quickly stow it in an inside pocket and cleared her throat. She and I exchanged a knowing glance while Raiden and Vic weren't looking though.

"I trust Outworld was no trouble for you?" Fujin asked us. I shook my head. But that's when Raiden walked over and put his arm around his brother.

"We met someone you know fondly, brother," he said. "Do you know who I mean?" Fujin thought for a second and then his eyes widened.

"Oh dear…" he said in a soft voice. It was Vic's turn to look smug. That also made him look extremely cute.

"You had a crush on Li Mei when you were younger, didn't you uncle," he asked Fujin. Fujin reluctantly nodded.

"Teased about it for literal years," Fujin muttered. Vic realized that I too had been smiling at him a little smugly.

"Don't worry Fujin," I said. "I caught your nephew giving her the goo goo eyes too and I'm about to kick his ass." Vic turned red.

"No! I was just…looking at her while speaking to her! She's pretty, yes, but obviously not as pretty as you!" he spluttered while Raiden and Fujin grinned.

"Oooh, so close!" Raiden said.

"Here's a shovel Vic," Fujin said and mimed handing one to Vic. "Continue to dig that hole deeper." Vic looked at me and started to sputter again but I stopped him by putting a finger to his mouth.

"I'll handle this guys," I said in a mock angry voice. The others walked away leaving me with my cute boyfriend trying desperately to explain himself. I knew he wasn't eyeing Li Mei with romantic intent, it's just fun to mess with him sometimes. Sareena though…she needs to back off a little bit. I catch her eyeing Vic every so often.

"Cassie," he began.

"Victor," I answered, which immediately shut him up. "I know. I'm just kidding. I just wanted you alone so I could do this." I kissed him before he could say anything else. I felt him kiss me back after a few seconds. I have no idea how he manages to keep his lips so soft but he does. I stopped eventually.

"That would be so fucked up to go out with someone who held you as a baby," I said and entwined my fingers in his. "Come on, I know you don't see her like that."

"I agree…but she trained her Cass," he said. "I never knew that!"

"Makes sense. Did you see her shooting purple projectiles made of light?" I answered. Vic nodded and then yawned. I did too.

"Shall we turn in early? That was quite the adventure," Vic said and pulled out his phone to look at the time. "Never mind, it's only about seven. Damn…time must work differently between realms or something…"

"Dinner and a movie then," I asked and grabbed his arm to lean against his shoulder. "I'll let you pick the food."

"What if I wanted to watch Frosty the Swoleman though?!" Vic said and pretended to pout. I rolled my eyes. Absolute dork. Honestly. But I knew how to sway him.

"Fine, then that means no pizza time," I said. "I'm thinking of Indian food anyway." Vic gasped.

"DON'T YOU TAKE PIZZA TIME FROM ME!" he said. "YOU JUST PROMISED PIZZA TIME!"

"Alright then. Pizza it is. That means I pick the movie. We'll go to my house. Much more private," I said and smiled. Vic gasped.

"Oh Cassandra," he whispered in the faux British accent. "That's naughty." I smiled again and kissed his cheek.

"Let's go doofus," I said and pulled him closer to me again. "I know what I want to watch actually." Vic gasped softly.

"The…Wally West Flash movie?" he asked softly.

"Yes sweetie. I watched you be a hero today. But I think the person that taught you all of those good morals needs some recognition too," I said and hugged him.

"I know…I know he's proud of me," Vic managed to say.

"I am too sweetie," I said and pecked his cheek again. "Come on. I'm hungry." Vic let out a small gasp again and I followed his gaze. As I expected, the spirits of his parents showed up again. Dante struck the Flash running pose while Lauren smiled over at us. Vic smiled back and pulled me closer to him as the spirits faded as quickly as they came.

This is the man I want to marry. I don't care how long it takes. I said I would never lose him again. Ever.