Johnny Cage painfully and slowly began to regain consciousness; the world around him swirled in a haze of pain and confusion. His face throbbed with agony, a sharp ache radiating from his cheekbones and jaw. His head pounded relentlessly, each heartbeat sending waves of discomfort through his skull. Breathing was an uphill task, his chest tight with the strain of fractured ribs shifting with every inhale and exhale.
Everything hurts. Why does everything hurt?
A low moan escaped Johnny's lips as he struggled against the fog of unconsciousness. He tried opening his eyes, but his eyelids felt heavy. After a few more tries, he slowly and almost reluctantly opened his eyes. He was blinking against the harsh light that seeped into his vision. The cellar's dim surroundings greeted him, and the cold concrete floor beneath him was a stark reminder of his vulnerable position.
As awareness trickled back into his mind, Johnny's gaze flickered to his right arm, which was chained above his head, leaving him immobilized on his back.
'What the fuck!?' Panic clawed at the edges of his consciousness, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the figure standing over him.
A man in a sharp, expensive suit loomed above Johnny, his features composed and unreadable. Johnny's heart raced as he realized he didn't recognize this man or know who he was or why he was there.
"Welcome back, Mr. Cage," the man spoke, his voice smooth and controlled. It was a voice with authority and power, sending a chill down Johnny's spine.
Groaning in pain, Johnny attempted to sit up, his muscles protesting against the effort. Johnny was rewarded with a wave of pain rippling throughout his body, causing him to hiss. Every movement was agony, but he refused to show weakness in front of this unknown man.
"W-who... a-are... y-you...?" Johnny managed to rasp out, his voice hoarse from disuse and pain. Fear and suspicion lurked in his eyes as he awaited an answer.
" My name is Roman Haroshi." He replied calmly as if their meeting was a mere formality. " It's nice to finally meet you, Mr.Cage."
Johnny's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. Roman Haroshi--the name sent a shiver of recognition through him. He was the leader of the ruthless organization that had brought them to this nightmare.
"Fuck.." He muttered, " S-s-so... you're t-the... o-one c-calling the s-shot..."
" Smart man, Mr. Cage. You're a very observant man," Haroshi said to the weakened man in front of him.
" I know... if someone... is running a c-criminal organization..., they... will... not wear... a c-cheap ass suit," Johnny said.
The actor took a deep breath before continuing, " And Kenshi-" Johnny paused, realizing his husband was quiet. Darting his eyes around, Johnny searched for the blind swordsman, " Kenshi? Kenshi!"
Standing beside Johnny, Roman Haroshi spoke with calm authority. "Take it easy, Mr. Cage," he advised, his tone deceptively soothing.
But Johnny focused on Kenshi, his concern overriding any attempt at relaxation, " Where is my husband, you prick."
Haroshi's expression remained impassive as he responded, " I assure you. Takahashi is fine." He moved from where he was standing, revealing Kenshi slumped against the chair, "This conversation is between you and me."
The actor's eyes widened in shock, "What did you do to him?" Johnny demanded, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and worry.
Haroshi's response was cryptic yet unsettling. "I didn't want Kenshi to interfere with our conversation," he explained, his gaze unwavering. It was clear that Haroshi's intentions were veiled in layers of mystery and danger.
"What do you want from me?" Johnny asked, his voice growing weaker as the pain continued to radiate through his body.
Haroshi's reply was simple yet chilling. "I just want to have a conversation, Mr. Cage," he stated, his tone betraying nothing of his true intentions, " There is much to discuss."
Haroshi stood before Johnny, his expression unreadable as he began the conversation with an unexpected opener. "I must say, Mr. Cage, I'm a big fan of your work," he remarked, his tone conveying genuine admiration. "My daughter used to watch your films religiously."
' Great.' Johnny thought, ' I have a fan from the daughter of this crazy psychotic freak.'
Still reeling from the pain and confusion of his injuries, Johnny couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Well, I'm flattered," he replied dryly, his voice laced with skepticism, " You want an autograph or something?"
Haroshi's gaze remained steady, unaffected by Johnny's sarcasm. "Unfortunately, we find ourselves in this situation," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "But I'm afraid matters need to be addressed."
Johnny's brow furrowed in confusion and apprehension. He knew that Haroshi's words held weight, that their fate hung in the balance of this conversation. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice strained with pain as he coughed painfully.
Haroshi's response was cryptic yet ominous. "Your husband, Kenshi, has a debt to pay," he stated matter-of-factly, his eyes piercing into Johnny's with unwavering intensity.
" You guys keep saying that Kenshi has a debt to be paid," Johnny said, his voice frustrated. How about you tell me how much it is, and I'll pay it off instead? Everyone can live happily ever after."
But Haroshi's words dashed Johnny's hopes. "Money won't solve Kenshi's situation," he explained, his tone firm. "He's indebted to me in ways that go beyond currency."
" What do you mean by beyond currency?" Johnny demanded, his voice tinged with fear and frustration.
Haroshi's gaze softened slightly, a hint of sympathy flickering. "Kenshi owes me a debt of loyalty, of service," he clarified, his words hanging heavily in the air. "And until that debt is repaid, neither of you are truly free."
Johnny couldn't believe what Roman revealed to him, "You're absolutely delusional." He said, pressing a hand on his chest, "Kenshi is not your whipping boy; he is his own man. He should be free to do whatever the hell he wants."
"Seems you truly underestimate the situation Kenshi has put himself in."
" Fuck that." He said straining his body caused him to hiss. Damnit.
Haroshi, unmoved by Johnny's outburst, continued calmly. " You do realize Kenshi has Taira blood in him, correct?"
Johnny's eyes widened in realization as he recalled the stories of the Taira Clan, being forced-into hiding after most of them were slaughtered in battle. They lost Sento in the process,"I know about the Taira Clan and what happened to them," Johnny admitted, his voice filled with apprehension and curiosity.
Hiroshi nodded, his expression inscrutable. "And you know that the Taira Clan are indebted to the Yakuza and Bakuto," he added, his words hanging heavily in the air. They were thought to be extinct. Turns out they were hidden in plain sight, adopting a new name."
" Takahashi." Johnny finished his sentence
" You do know your history, Johnathan," Haroshi raised an eyebrow.
Johnny was taken aback by Haroshi calling him by his real name but tried hard to mask his reaction. " I already told you I already knew. I'm not stupid," Johnny snapped, losing his patience.
" Kenshi has wiped out countless numbers of my men." Haroshi said, eyeing Johnny with a deafening glare, " And you, Johnathan, by assisting him, you have inserted yourself in a situation you have no business being in."
A defiant spark lit up in Johnny's eyes as he met Haroshi's gaze. "And I would do it again," he declared, his voice filled with determination. "Kenshi is not your pawn, Haroshi. He deserves to be free, and I won't let you treat him like a commodity."
Haroshi's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes showed a glint of respect. "Your loyalty is admirable, Mr. Cage," he remarked, his tone almost approving, "But let's not play games. I'm going to give you an ultimatum."
Johnny's eyes narrowed, " An Ultimatum?"
Haroshi nodded, " Yes, Johnathan. It's a rather simple choice and one I highly recommend you take."
" What's the ultimatum?" Johnny asked, but he couldn't help his curiosity.
Haroshi's expression turned serious as he leaned in closer to Johnny. "Let Kenshi go," he stated bluntly. "Leave this behind, and I'll give you my word no one will come after you."
Johnny's eyes widened with disbelief. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, " Leave Kenshi!?" He said in shock, " You're fucking nuts."
" This offer expires after this conversation, Johnathan. If I were you, I would choose wisely."
Johnny's brow furrowed in disbelief. "And if I don't?" he challenged, his tone daring Haroshi to reveal his true intentions.
A dangerous glint flickered in Haroshi's eyes as he replied, " Let's just say The Yakuza don't take too kindly to outsiders. Especially outsiders who threaten our business of operations. The consequences of these actions will not go unpunished."
Despite his weakened state, Johnny's resolve remained steadfast. "I won't abandon my husband," he declared, his voice filled with determination. "Not for anything."
Haroshi tilted his head, "You're a tough one, Mr. Cage. But even the strongest will break eventually. Think about it. You have a chance to save yourself."
" There is nothing to think about." Johnny glared, holding his ground, " I will not betray my husband."
Haroshi's gaze lingered on Johnny, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. He could see the toll the ordeal had taken on Johnny, the pain etched in every line of his face, but he also saw the unyielding loyalty and love that drove Johnny's defiance.
"It's a shame," Haroshi clicked his tongue, his voice tinged with regret, " I was hoping you wouldn't make such a foolish decision."
" You're gonna-" Johnny felt a jolt of pain flooding his body, resulting in him groaning in pain. Johnny Cage struggled to draw each breath, his chest tight with agony as the broken ribs protested with every wheeze. The tire iron strike had left him battered and bruised, his body a canvas of pain and suffering. Each inhalation felt like shards of glass scraping against his lungs, each exhalation a struggle against the crushing weight of his injuries.
Roman Haroshi, standing nearby, observed Johnny's struggle with a detached curiosity. " Seems your body is betraying you, Johnathan. I can sense your discomfort," he remarked coolly, his voice devoid of sympathy.
Johnny gave a weak chuckle, " Y-you... d-don't... say..." he quipped, his voice strained but defiant, " W-whatever... you... d-did... to... me... w-while I was... out, may have... something to... do with it..." Johnny can feel his strength giving out.
Haroshi's expression remained impassive as he regarded Johnny. "You made your choice, Mr. Cage," he stated matter-of-factly, his tone final. Without another word, he turned and began to walk away, leaving Johnny in his pain and darkness.
The world around Johnny seemed to blur and spin as his vision grew hazy. The darkness crept in from the edges, swallowing him whole as consciousness slipped away. His last sensation was the overwhelming ache in his body and the bitter taste of defeat and defiance mingling on his lips.
In that moment of fading awareness, Johnny Cage was a warrior in the throes of battle, his spirit unbroken even as his body succumbed to the relentless onslaught. And as darkness consumed him, a spark of defiance burned bright, a silent promise that he would rise again and defy the odds and reclaim his strength.