The Despair Prompt (Pitched by: Alwaysdoubted)
Goal: Write a scene where the main character or characters face a situation that has a dire nature. This can be about anything, so don't limit possibilities. (I.E., a death in the family, watching a loved one suffer, whether by an illness or being tortured)
Verse: Mortal Kombat
Characters: Kim and Jade
The Scene
In all my years, I never thought I'd have to see the sight of Pa in critical condition. All of the tears he told me to tough through escaped my eyes, 170 years of them. Can you even think of crying so much? Otou-san took me in, and from the first day, he started teaching me the sword. After that, I never felt weak again.
I never felt any more vulnerable then, seeing him in a hospital bed. Mileena wished she wept as much as I did. I can make a safe bet that she's still by his side. And the fact that we all know who did it, but the right people refuse to intervene?
It's starting to set me off.
After running out of tears to shed and being fed up with Mileena constantly worrying over his condition, I left the medical center hunting for the bastard who did this to him.
Manuel, Jade's Father.
Pa and I were skeptical of him the moment he revealed himself. We backed off because Doc Maddox did the same thing for Ben and Sarge. But him not wanting to help Earth after Shinnok's invasion and Liu Kang's death by the Deadly Alliance rubbed us the wrong way. Manuel was quick to defend himself when Pa called him out for his lack of effort on anything during the invasion. Jade eventually convinced us to cut him some slack. He'd been in hiding for who knows how long; it was wrong of her to use Pa's seclusion as a comparison. Pa willingly chose to live alone, like he willingly chose to adopt me, so that wasn't fair. Still, we relented.
Then, Mileena and I saw Pa injured at the Freedom Fighter Training Grounds. Next, we noticed Manuel's shadowy figure trying to escape, and I caught him. But, while we were trying to assess Pa's injuries, Jade and Sindel 'let him' escape their captivity. I knew Sindel was like her bastard ex-bastard husband, but this was a new low for Jade.
With my mind deadset on ripping Manuel a new one, Shana and I search relentlessly through Edenia for that treacherous Dad Belly. I may have a nose like a bloodhound, but I don't have its tracking ability. I couldn't drink to give myself good luck. I want to be completely sober when I send Manuel, as well as his paper-made ego, to reunite with his late wife. Shana starts growling when we start approaching the forest. It couldn't be Manuel, but I can guess who it was.
"Jade. You've been following us?" I called her out.
She revealed herself from behind a tree, Shana's growling quite audible. On her hip was her Razer Rang that Pa made for her as a badge of office.
"Tell me where your father is, Jade," I said with a straight face, if not a slight scowl. "Better yet, don't because you probably won't tell me anyway. Why is he going to get off scot-free for this? Answer me that instead because I want to be as angry as possible when I confront him. And I get the feeling that your answer is going to be not only terrible but blood boiling."
"I understand that you're angry, Kimura. But killing Father will not guarantee your father's good health."
"I know, Jade. But boy, will it make me feel a lot better. Sindel in on it as well? Why did she let this happen? Because Xan's not her son-in-law yet?"
I ran down the possible reasons why Lady Bi-Polar let this shit happen, the fumes really blowing. "And it's not because he did this to Otou-san! It's because after all the work Pa did to reconcile with you so he can be a part of Ted's life, you allowed this to happen! Even though if the roles were reversed, you'd have all the permission in the world, from Ben, Sarge, Doc, Ilah, and Dakini, to murder Pa in cold blood. Because every time you two got into a heated debate, he was treated like the fucking villain! Pa's in a hospital bed, Jade! And his attacker is essentially gonna get off without punishment! Even though it's your JOB to punish any wrongdoings! This is a breach of your Oath. You do know this, right?"
My gasket blew for the first time in my entire life. I felt a combination of sorrow and anger, both on full display right now.
"I just got my father back, Kimura! I will not let anyone kill him! Not even my daughter's Godmother," Jade responded, her tone indicating she doesn't want to fight.
I get in her face and take the Razer Rang from her as I pushed her to the ground. "This is not justice, Jade! At least throw him in jail! He's still in the wrong! Pa disagreeing with him doesn't warrant Manuel putting him in a coma!"
"But he's MY Father." She got up. "There are still things I need to ask him, bonding to be done. I will not let anyone get in the way of this. You'd act similarly if Xan was in my father's shoes. You know this, Kimura, so don't deny it."
To my disgust, she made a good point.
"You're right. But if I were in your position, we'd be fighting already. I understand you completely, but Manuel needs to pay for this. You may have gotten your father back, but he nearly took mine away. Justice will be done," I said before tossing the Razer Rang back at her feet.
Then I draw my Laundry Pole as Shana's growling reached a volume where it can be echoed.
"I will ask you this one last time. Tell me where Manuel is, or move," I say ominously. "He's using you, and I will expose him."
Jade picked up the Razer Rang and split the blades. "I'm deeply sorry, Kimura. But I cannot do that... because I will deal with him."
Sometime later:
It's been a few hours after my spat with Jade as I waited near her house, the sun setting in the distance. The others already knew what happened, so it was pointless to even argue with them. Even Dakini didn't want to talk to me, which I understood. I then saw Jade walking up the hill.
Wasting little time, I marched up to her. "Finally. What took you s-"
I stopped talking immediately after seeing Jade in full view. She looked like a wreck. Blood decorated her entire body from head to toe, open wounds everywhere, along with a gruesome black eye. Her hair was like she had gotten in a fight with scissors and lost. And judging by the expression on her face, she was clearly upset and somber, tear lines streaking her face.
"What happened?" I asked, unsure if I wanted the answer.
Jade's answer was blunt and to the point. "He's dead..."
My eyes widened. "You... you killed him?"
"What other choice did I have, Kimura?" Her voice held an edge. "You were hell-bent on delivering justice to him while questioning my Oath. So I did my due diligence and sought out the truth. My father was a racist of the worst kind along the same lines as Jerrod. And Xan was the target of his ire. Added to that, he cursed my choices of marrying Benji and Sareena. That is something I will never condone, no matter your father's lack of a filter. Execution was the only suitable punishment. You must be so proud and satisfied being right... again."
I was at a loss for words. Jade admired and revered her father for the longest due to his supposed selfless duty to Edenia. Now that the truth came out, that so-called perfect image no longer existed. It probably didn't sit well with her to kill Manuel but to protect her family name. Destiny had to be weeping at the circumstances.
"I... know you didn't want to do that, Jade. But-"
"Save it." Jade interrupted before walking past me, not even bothering to look at me. "Leave, Kimura. Goodnight."
She left me flatfooted, the door closing gently behind her as I heard bitter crying. I still can't find the right words for what just took place on the way back home. Yet, a part of me is glad that some measure of justice was served.
But at what cost...?
The Despair Prompt (Alwaysdoubted's take)
Beaten, humiliated, overwhelmed, and defeated. That best described Jai's predicament.
Despite his best efforts and intentions, it seemed as though fate would remain cruel. Daegon and his cronies had made their presence known and unveiled the thin curtain that was his plot. Much to his horror, Rain and Tanya were behind this as well.
It all came together.
Both Edenians were responsible for the murders across the realm and framing him. Public opinion quickly turned against Jai amongst the Knights except for a select few. The dissension grew in the population to the point where he couldn't show himself in public. Thus, matters were made worse when Jade had arrested Jai for questioning, placing him in prison before his trial took place. This was after enduring everything that Kotal Kahn and his own entourage sent his way.
*CRACK*
Another shot to the ribs. That hurt more than Jai wanted to admit, considering he already suffered three ribs broken. His collarbone was near a fracture with numerous welts and bruises across his torso and arms. How he was still conscious after the hellacious beating was beyond him.
Daegon was relentless, letting his followers do his dirty work before he dismissed them. He wasn't Argus's child for nothing, his assault worse than everyone else combined, as Taven could attest. Jai was granted no reprieve for nearly an hour. Any longer would guarantee being placed in a coma or death at worst.
Off to the side, Rain watched with a sick, demented smirk. Tanya, however, didn't share the same pleasure. Though she wanted Jai for herself, she didn't want his corpse either. Yet, nothing left her mouth in protest as opposing Daegon at this juncture meant betrayal.
Something she excelled at.
There was some good to come out of this for the pyromancer. Jade was in captivity and restrained by three of Daegon's guards with her own litany of injuries. Most noticeably, blood streaking from her temple. That was enough to garner a small smile of her own. There was no competition for Jai as Tanya didn't believe that Outworlder could compare to her with Jade out of the way. The problem in letting Jade live was that she knew the truth behind the murders. If the royal family caught wind of this dastardly plot, King Jerrod would stop at nothing to hunt each of them down.
Jai crashed against the nearest tree back first, unable to move without indescribable pain. However, each attack meant the pain threshold lessened, and he realized Daegon wished to break him not only physically but mentally and emotionally.
The constant torment was taking its toll.
"It's hopeless to continue in this pointless struggle." Daegon's mocking voice hung in the air.
No sudden reply occurred with Jai wisely trying to catch his breath, pained as they were. Time was running short to mount any sort of offense or even an effective strategy. The Academy's training had not adequately prepared him for an opponent this cunning or powerful.
Daegon stalked over to him. "Think of what I can offer you. A place within my ranks, all the power you could imagine, and anything else your heart desires. Jerrod and his Queen were quick to discard your unique talents, something that can prove useful to me."
Still, Jai remained defiant. "I'd... sooner die."
Letting out a thunderous laugh, Daegon got close enough to grab Jai by the throat, a pained groan somehow able to escape him as he was dragged to the edge of a cliff. It was looking bleak now with depleted strength and a wavering resolve.
"Tanya, come forth," Daegon called for his aide.
Taken aback, Tanya did as he asked and approached her leader. Then, Daegon snapped his fingers, the signal for his other followers to pull Jade toward them as well.
"Tell me, dear. How much does this boy matter to you? Hmm?"
His inquiry wasn't expected from either party.
Daegon veered his gaze to Jade, who looked helpless before he forcefully cupped her jaw, their noses almost touching. "What about you, Jade? Seeing as we're all here because of your foolish sense of justice."
"Go to hell!" Jade growled.
Before she could even blink, Daegon's hand swiftly backhanded her across the face with his free hand. "An expected answer. Not surprising."
Daegon could easily see through Jade's veiled facade despite the outburst, her eyes holding a sense of fear and trepidation. The stories behind this man's madness weren't exaggerated in the slightest, and why he was the most wanted criminal in Edenian history. It was no wonder he evaded the guillotine for countless millennia.
"I can sense each of you hold emotional ties to him, and I dare say it's why you're at each other's throats. Human feelings are quite humourous. I wonder, though..."
Daegon's grip increased, strangling Jai to the point where oxygen was almost nonexistent. Tanya felt her chest tighten, but not nearly as how Jade's did as both watched Daegon dangle the object of their desire.
"Are these attachments enough to save him?" Daegon's revolting grin returned. "Let's find out!"
Callously, he tossed Jai like a rag doll and cackled as he sent the boy plunging downward. His landing spot... the ocean blue.
"NOO!" Tanya screamed.
"JAAAAIIIII!" Jade howled in despair.
Ignoring the pain with great urgency, Jade fought against her captives before freeing one of her hands to impale the first guard's neck with her metal nails. That allowed her to land a solid knee to the other's solar plexus before rolling free from the rear chokehold of the last remaining guard. Neither Tanya nor Daegon reacted quickly enough to stop Jade from diving after Jai.
Daegon stopped Tanya in her tracks. "Let them go. It's improbable either of them survives."
"This was not part of the deal!" Tanya exclaimed.
"You do as I command! Your affections for that boy have clouded your judgment, Tanya. There are more suitable choices for you once I claim Edenia as my own. And besides, this is only the beginning."
The descent grew increasingly faster with each second, Jai and Jade hurtling toward the ocean at a breakneck pace. That mattered little to Edenia's General as she tucked in her arms, thus accelerating her speed. She knew it wouldn't matter as Jai would crash into the sea first, but she'll have a better chance to save him if following right behind.
'Come on, dammit! I can't lose him!' Jade cursed, her speed growing ever so slightly.
As expected, Jai landed in the ocean with a sickening thud, enough to break more bones in his body. It wasn't long before Jade landed as well in a diving pose. Quickly submerged, she began searching for Jai, his unresponsive body sinking toward the bottom.
With haste, Jade swam desperately, able to hold her breath for upward to two and a half minutes. She realized that may not be enough to carry herself and Jai back up. She needed to be quick yet smart.
Or they'll both die.
Jade had managed to grab one of Jai's arms while pulling his body into hers and began swimming back to shore. The effort meant she couldn't waste any movement. Faster and faster, her legs kicked as each lung burned.
Through sheer will, Jade reached the surface and let out a relieved gasp of air, making sure Jai's head was above as well. She couldn't stop here, the hard work just beginning as the nearest landmass was a while away. Jade only had one arm at her disposal to guide amidst the current, but even that factor didn't deter her. Inconceivable to most, she saved Jai and herself from drowning, letting out numerous coughs and hacks.
Quickly, Jade turned her attention back to Jai, his face pale and lifeless. His chest suffered a nasty gash from Daegon's sword in their battle earlier. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was the only way to save him. Immediately, she followed the correct procedures.
To her unease, he wasn't budging.
"Jai..." Jade patted his face. "Jai, can you hear me? Jai, please..."
She leaned into his chest to listen for a heartbeat, to find it was declining. Panic started to settle in, prompting Jade to increase her efforts. Numerous attempts yielded no results.
Tears welled in Jade's eyes as she began shaking his shoulders. "Jai... Jai! Jai, wake up! Please! Say something! I'm sorry! Jai!"
No movement, not even a twitch.
Jade let out a shriek of anguish, unable to hold in her grief as she cried against his chest. The boy she grew up with, shared her deepest secrets with, and had a deep love for was dying.
That was until a quiet gurgle was heard...