The Search for Johnny Cage
Ch9: Where in the World is Johnny Cage?
Back in the early days of the search inside the War Room of Special Forces, General Sonya Blade stands beside Kenshi Takahasi and his son Takeda. Three special forces operatives look up at the computer monitor to see none other than three operatives from the Psychonauts. Staring back from the computer monitory is Ford Crueller, Sasha Nein, and Milla Voldello. Sonya leans over on the keyboard and looks up to see the eccentric Ford Crueller.
Sonya: Any leads?
Crueller looks at his two psychic peers both of them look at each other and nod at him. Crueller turn back to the monitor with a disheveled look on his face telling her, "We've scanned this planet top to bottom and inside out. No luck Sonya!". Sonya punches down on the keyboard and looks up in anger.
Sonya: What do you mean you couldn't find him?! You're the Psychonauts, you all are some of the most powerful psychics on the planet-
Sasha: If I may General, we called upon some of best and brightest minds. We even outsourced and brought in psychics and telepaths from anywhere we could reach.
Milla: We apologize General we've exhausted every resource and lead we could.
Sonya is about interject and try to ask them another question about the leads they had but Kenshi places his hand on her shoulder and tells the Psychonauts "Thank you for trying we appreciate your efforts I know it's no easy feat. Whatever they're using to hide Johnny it's effective". Crueller then nods his head humbly and then tells Sonya, "Listen, General Blade I knew your father. He was a good man who got things done. If you're anything like your father at this you'll find Johnny in no time…". Sonya silently nods in defeat and turns around to walk away but Crueller stops her with one last thing to tell her.
Crueller: General wait, there is something we've determined as a group.
Sonya turns back to the monitor asking Ford, "What might that be?". Ford looks up trying to think of the words to say in order to make it make sense but decides to just say it.
Crueller: We've determined that based on our lack of findings… Where Johnny is, he's not on Earth.
Sonya nods walking away and the video call ends. Kenshi and Takeda both walk towards the General of the Special Forces.
Kenshi: Sonya!
The General turns around to see her blind friend and his son comfort her. They have warm receptive faces while Sonya is clearly stressed and hasn't slept in days.
Takeda: We'll find him General.
Sonya: I appreciate that Takeda but that doesn't make any sense… if he's not on Earth then when is he?
Elsewhere, Johnny comes too. He finds himself in a dark room with the only light shinning down on him. He looks around to see pitch black then looks down to see that he has a single chain tied around his left ankle.
Johnny: Where the Hell...
Using his powers Johnny breaks the chain freeing himself, he runs out of the light and into the darkness but he's able to make out the shape of door. Johnny kicks the door and a loud thud echoes through the hallway. Expecting to see a standard warehouse or even somekind of military compound the hallway is metallic and bright, reminding him of several sci-fi movies he has starred in. Johnny knows he needs to be silent in order to escape and is disappointed in his lack of sleath.
Johnny: Goddamnit! Alright just have to be ninja-
Before Johnny can even finish that thought he looks around to see that he is surrounded by strange humanoid robots. These robots stand at about 6 feet tall and where the stomach would be on a human is a pink creature that almost resembles a brain. These creatures are the Utrom and they are heavily armed. There is a brief moment before Johnny decides to make a run for it, lasers flying in every direction. Johnny is able to run far enough away from them and find a corner to hide behind to catch his breath.
Johnny: Shit!... What are those things!
Suddenly the wall forms a pair of hands and tries to strangle Johnny but he is too quick and dashes away. A small group of Utrom soldiers run into Johnny but he is able to dispatch the aliens with no issue. Kicking one of their robotic heads clean off and taking a laser rifle for himself.
Johnny: SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!
He sprays the entire hallway with plasma bolts, peppering the alien's cybernetic augments. However suddenly, Johnny finds himself in the middle of a mini sandstorm surrounding him as the Utrom begin to retreat.
Johnny: You couldn't write shit like this!
A voice raspy voice from behind Johnny tells him, "No you couldn't!". Johnny turns to see two people standing in the middle of the hallway, Celia Penderghast and the mummified sorcerer Kan-Ra. Celia unsheathes her sword pointing at Johnny.
Celia: I'm not sure how you got out there but?
Johnny: You serious? It was one metallic chain!
Kan-Ra: Ming and Krang will not be pleased...
Celia: Bebop and Rocksteady's problem, not ours.
Johnny: Why am I here, matter of fact WHERE is here?
Celia: What do you want me to say movie star? "You're not in Kansas anymore"!
Johnny: Very funny young lady. I'm going home now and if that means I gotta go through you then-
Kan-Ra uses his mysticism to violently push Johnny back into a wall with the wind. The impact of Johnny's bare back makes an intense shattering sound as he totals the advanced alien technology. Celia then charges at Johnny while he is seemingly down, she jumps into the air ready to impale his shoulder to keep him in place. Johnny looks up and in the nick of time rolls out of the dent in the wall he created and turns around just as swiftly, he readies a ball of green shadow energy and throws it at Celia only for her to turn into an origami swan. The ball of energy completely misses her and instead hits the wall melting a hole in it.
Johnny: Of course! The mummy and an origami ninja have abducted me and have an army of aliens.
Johnny charges at the mummified sorcerer, Kan-Ra stands ready to go to war against Johnny. Suddenly a familiar voice that is calm but stern comes from behind affirming to Johnny, "Oh no they are not responsible for your abduction...". Johnny suddenly falls to the ground in pain holding his head and gritting his teeth but the pains comes all the same. Johnny looks up to see Ming standing above him alongside Kan-Ra and Celia Penderghast. Ming's piercing yellow pupils looking into Johnny's soul.
Ming: I am the one who organized your abduction.
The Shin-Tan leader looks at his two companions with disappointment on his face. "My friends, why is Mister Cage out from the holding cell?". Kan-Ran chuckles before using his magic levitate Johnny's body.
Kan-Ra: The animal hybrid lackeys of Krang are lazy and did not activate the hard light restraints. instead they used one singular chain like we are a barbaric tribe of Visigtoth warriors.
Ming: I see, come Mister Cage! You might as well know where we are!
Ming leads the way as Kan-Ra, Celia, and the telepathically dragged Johnny follow behind. After a few moments traversing winding hallways the group find themselves in some kind of command center. Standing in the middle of this rooms are two men wearing samurai armor, the shoulder blades and gauntlets covered in spikes and a helmet that he holds by his side. This man is also has a distinct scar that looks like he was clawed right around his eye but he doesn't appear to be blind. The other man is a large bald man with a visor around his eyes, red pants, and an Utrom in it's stomach. These men are Oroku Saki the Shredder and Krang the tyrant of Dimension X.
Shredder: Why is he out?
Ming: Apparently despite working for you for a number of years, your associates do not know how to use this technology. My apprentice and our partner were cleaning up their mess when I decided to pick up the slack.
Krang: It's a miracle that Bebop and Rocksteady even made it as far as they have. They will be dealt with.
Kan-Ra drops Johnny's body and he writhes in pain on the ground for a few moments before Ming finally stops using his abilities on him. Johnny looks up at the group of villains surrounding him like a terminally ill child would look up doctors.
Johnny: Where am I? Who are you people?
Ming: Ah I see your a little fuzzy from our last encounter. I am Ming, leader of the Shin-Tan. These are just handful of my associates: Celia Penderghast, Kan-Ra, Krang, and the honorable Foot Clan's Shredder.
Johnny: Wait... the attack on the Hall!
Ming: Yes, that was executed by men. You see Mister Cage you are apart of a great puzzle, do you like puzzles?
Johnny: What do you want from me?
Ming: All in good time Mister Cage. While I can't tell you the whole truth I will be far more transparent than Raiden.
Johnny: What do you mean?
Ming: He's been lying to you from the start. He serves another group with their own interests.
Johnny: Yeah I know about the Elder Gods! Not big on praying to them but-
Ming: I'm not talking about the Elder Gods, Mister Cage. Raiden has been apart of a cabal with membership that has changed over the centuries with one goal... Preservation of life but never to improve it.
Johnny tries to get back up but falls on his face smacking his forehead on the metal floor which only causes him more pain. Ming scoffs at the actor turned hero but then looks at his allies realizing that two of them are missing.
Ming: Where are the others?
Krang: Scarab said he's trying to locate the other piece of the puzzle.
Kan-Ra: That fool knows Rapses has already played his part for now!
Shredder: Not just the boy but also the girl.
Ming: So he has found Kim Wu then?
Krang: He believes so.
Ming: Excellent but what about Rikkin?
Krang: Why don't you ask him yourself!
Krang's robotic armor projects a hologram of the CEO of Abstergo Industries Alan Rikkin. He is an old man with gray hair and dour expression on his face.
Rikkin: Hello Ming, my men have managed to locate a cave with runes and symbols that match the Summoning Key and the carvings in the cave Ming found. My men are getting to work on setting up a perimeter around it as we speak.
Ming: That is excellent news. Scarab has apparently located Kim Wu, we all rendezvous at the base in Medici to discuss your findings in Normandy there after.
The hologram fades away and Johnny laughs at the group of villains despite being in pain.
Johnny: What the fuck is this?! Hahaha, you guys weren't cool enough for the Legion of Doom or the Masters of Evil? Shinnok doesn't pay enough?! Don't get me wrong I've heard of most of you but what is this really?
The Shredder readies his wrist blade to slice Cage into little pieces for speaking in this manner but Ming raises his hand calling the Shredder off. Ming instead crouches down to Cage's level and speaks to him as if he were a child.
Ming: The entire of multiverse has been rewritten. There were once creatures more powerful than the Elder Gods' Raiden serves. I intend to unlock the power they once wielded, you and a handful of others are the key to that. Celia, take him back to his cell.
Celia along with two Utrom soldiers walk up to Johnny cuffing him and forcing him to his feet. Celia pushes Johnny into the direction of the door but before they walk out Ming says, "Give him the cell with the view. I want him to know that nobody is coming for him.".
Johnny: Now I get the red carpet treatment?!
Ming: Like I said, you are apart of a great puzzle. One that will lead us to a treasure far more valuable than gold.
Celia hits Johnny's back with the hilt of her katana causing him to stumble toward the door. The Utrom soldiers then drag Johnny back to his cell and Celia follows behind to make sure there are no shenanigans. Once they arrive to his cell Johnny is restrained by hardlight cuffs that force his hands to go straight up and bind his legs together as he levitates in the exact center of the room. Directly across from him is window that shows what's outside of his cell, it resembles the void of space but instead of pitch black darkness it's a bright and vibrant orange with pink nebula clouds off in the distance. Celia goes to leave but stops in her tracks when Johnny speaks up.
Johnny: You were right Celia, I'm not in Kansas anymore!
Celia: How did you-
Johnny: Know your name? I was very invested in the dismantling of the DUP. I read about your file and what Augustine did to you. I can help you, just get me out of here.
Celia: Ming has helped just enough.
Johnny: Has he though?
Celia: Enjoy your stay. Dimension X is a fascinating place.
Celia walks out out of the cell and as she does a forcefield like cell door forms. Johnny stares into the void of space that is not even the slightest bit familiar to him and breathes in a deep sigh wondering how he's going to get out this mess.