Chapter 6: New Training
A week has passed since Sonya, Johnny and Jax have officially retired from the Special Forces. All of them were reluctant to do so since they loved their jobs. But at the same time they knew that they could not continue fighting forever. But they have a hunch that Alex and Cassie will do well to fill in their shoes along with Anthony and Flora. Now that new leaders have risen above, it was time for new training, new missions. Alex and Cassie plan on training their son and daughter on not just fighting, but how to control their powers.
Anthony and Flora wonder how their training will work and how hard it could be. They sit with each other by a table in the mess hall. They have since been told about their parents' powers and couldn't help but believe them. "Man. This is gonna be insane. Learning something that General mom and colonel dad have learned as well. Can it be any crazier?" Flora Cage wonders with joy.
"I'm not sure. I mean you've seen and was told about how mom got her powers. It only came up when she protected grandpa Johnny. And dad was born with it. I'm willing to bet that yours will be as strong as his." Anthony Cage said.
"Maybe. I mean his got a badass upgrade when fighting the soul-sucking sorcerer. A lot of shit can happen on this planet, I don't know whether I should find it funny, or be scared by it." Flora Cage said.
"I would say both. I mean at least you got yours." Anthony Cage sighed in slight doubt.
"Hey. What's wrong, bro?" Flora Cage asked.
"It's just that mom was lucky to have her powers come up to protect her family. Same with grandpa. What if mine don't show up at all? What if I don't even get it, period? For all we know, it could skip a generation." Anthony Cage expresses his doubts.
"Look. You heard what they said. It runs in the family. Always. You never know when it'll happen. It protects anyone close that you love. Remember you have a family that loves you. That's a fact. Gotta get a grip on yourself and be strong. You're our sergeant. I bet you'd make a badass leader." Flora Cage said.
"I would hope so. It's not gonna be easy doing so. Never before have I been a leader. This is one big step up right here. I don't know if I can pull it off, but I can give it my best shot. My absolute best shot. I mean they have taught us that nothing is perfect." Anthony Cage said, giving a small, reassuring smile.
"That's what I like to hear, little bro." Flora said, fistbumping his shoulder. "Don't let mom or dad see you like this or we are gonna have a talk. A real talk. You get me?" Flora Cage asked him and he nods. Flora gives a big smile and grabs his wrist and they start walking towards the workout gym,
Nearby, Alex and Cassie were sitting by the table with Kabal, watching the twins interact with each other. This brings smiles on their faces. They remember the good times.
"Kids. Don't remember them being like you two growing up. Willing to bet you two were opposite of them." Kabal stated. He has since gotten to know Alex and Cassie, the Briggs family, Kung Jin, Takeda and their families. Kabal has respected their deeds and actions for all they have done, including in the Old Era and was glad to hear about Shao Kahn's death, realizing that his own death wasn't in vain.
"Never thought I'd say this, but you're fucking right about that, Kabal. In fact, I was not really like Flora, but she still retains my stubbornness and eagerness. She's always been more energetic than anyone." Cassie stated.
"Cassie has a point. Anthony on the other hand reminds me of me when I was his age. You have no idea how easily intimidated and scared I was when I came here. Knowing Sonya, she made me feel small like a goddamn mouse. Cassie and Takeda were the first ones to trust me. It took months to earn Sonya's." Alex recalls. He's not wrong. It took him a little while to earn Jacqui's trust and friendship along with Jax and Johnny, and Jin's due to his impatience and ego. Sonya finally let up when he saved her daughter's life from Kano.
Kabal looks into his eyes and could quickly tell he's not lying. "Shit. I hear that. In fact, I remember how Sonya treated me when y'all took me prisoner. At least you didn't get thrown into a brig, Alex. Me on the other hand, I could understand that."
Alex and Cassie understand his words. Given the fact that no one trusted him from the get go at all. Not even Alex or Cassie themselves, due to their experience with the Black Dragon. "Yeah. Black Dragon. Anyone who stays loyal to that damn club, it never ends good for anyone. I mean look where that got Kano. Twice. Just fucking twice." Cassie said.
"Oh yeah. Him getting killed. You know, I wish I was awake to see Sonya shoot him in the eye." Kabal expressed. He remembered being tricked by Kano into thinking Sonya tricked and tortured him.
"You and me both. Given that he tricked me with those damn cyborgs, I was hoping for some payback." Alex said. He was really hoping he'd go with Cassie to rescue the younger versions of Johnny and Sonya to get back at him, but reluctantly went with Jacqui instead due to wanting to respect Cassie's wishes.
"But still. A lot of shit has changed. Shao Kahn, Kronika, and Kano gone. Who else could possibly stop us?" Kabal asked.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Kabal. I mean this isn't the first time we counted every enemy for dead. Shao Kahn cheated death, and so has Kronika. I fucking hate it when they do that. That sent chills down all over me." Alex said. To him, Kronika possessing him a few times was one of, if not, the worst experience he has ever had.
"Same here. It's annoying as shit and makes me want to ask why won't these assholes ever die? But Kronika is the biggest load off our backs twice. Can't let us decide our own fate. I mean there is nothing wrong with us succeeding on our own merits and some we could do together." Cassie said.
"You think your kiddos will be up for this? I mean not to doubt them, but they have some things to work on after all. The special training they have." Kabal said.
"Oh yeah. It's gonna be a lot of work. It took me three years to realize all the things I could do with my powers." Alex said.
"What do you think we should do about that, Alex?" Cassie asked her husband.
"I would think we should do one thing at a time. Flora needs to learn one thing at a time, so she won't get overwhelmed and learn how to master each part of her powers. It took me a few days in Outworld to learn much." Alex suggested. He remembered the days he visited Outworld and met Kitana and Jade. They always felt pleased to have him and Cassie as good friends, and in Jade's case, as their guardian and Alex's older sister-figure.
"You're right. Flora has your powers. So I can leave her to you. I can help with Anthony. Try my best to show his powers. Hopefully they will come up soon." Cassie said.
"I'll help too. Gotta be prepared as best as possible. Learn from the best people with the most experience." Kabal said.
"All right. Come on, we have work to do." Cassie ordered them. The guys nod and they follow Cassie to the gym. The couple have faith that Anthony and Flora will do fine when they start going on missions. It's only a matter of time.
In the gym, Anthony and Flora train with each other. There have been times where Anthony has one, but other times where Flora has won. They're just about almost tied. Flora loves to train whenever they're not on a mission somewhere. Anthony likes training too, but he doesn't take it too seriously knowing how it could lead to overconfidence.
Flora blocks an elbow strike and a kick to the knee and parries her brother's foot away and uppercuts his chest, kicks him in the chin and back kicks Anthony in the head. Anthony stumbles backwards, and this allows his sister to elbow his neck, knee his left shoulder and trip him and she kicks his chest and pins him, defeating her brother. Anthony taps put and they both stop to catch their breath. Flora bends down for a moment to catch her breath. "D-damn. You're just as fast as ever." Flora said, catching her breath.
"You know we've been sparing since we were privates. Of course I learned how to keep up with you. Sometimes I forget our sparing record for this year. What was it again?" Anthony Cage asked.
"We're tied. Nine and nine." Flora Cage reminds him as she helps him up.
"Well damn. We must have been going crazy with it, haven't we?" Anthony Cage joked.
"That's the best part about training, Anthony. No need to hold back, even if it's against a family or fellow soldier." Flora Cage said.
"Don't let that energy of yours go to your head. You know how much trouble that could bring again?" Anthony Cage reminds her.
"I know. I know. It could bring trouble." Flora Cage said. This isn't the first time she was told of this. There were times where she took things a little far with training and accidentally injured her brother, much to their parent's dismay. Alex and Cassie had to remind her from time to time not too take things too far in training and control her energy and not let that be used to her disadvantage.
"Good. You better remember that. Anything to avoid getting chastised again by general mom and colonel dad. Apparently you love trouble and you know it." Anthony Cage joked.
"Very funny, Anthony. We'll see who likes trouble next time we face each other. But for now, they should be here any minute now." Flora Cage said.
As Flora and Anthony continue talking, their parents Alex and Cassie, as well as Kabal walk in on them resting while talking. The twins see this and both stand in line almost immediately. The new general and colonel look at their children, both sharing the same look on their faces. Anthony and Flora could guess on what they plan on saying.
"Anthony and Flora. How is training coming?" Alex asked.
"We're tied again. Nine to nine." Anthony Cage reported.
This brings a smile to their parents' faces. "Great. That just goes to show that you two have improved a whole lot. You also learned that there is a difference in training hard and tiring your body out. Something your grandmother taught us. Now you two must already know why you're in this room, right?" Cassie asked the two.
"Special training I assume? What you two have promised to us from last week during the party?" Flora Cage asked.
"You happen to be right. But by Special Forces tradition, there are no family favors here. Here's how this is gonna work. This training will be based on mine and your mother's experience. We think it's best to train you to help control your powers just as they did with me." Alex tells them.
"But how will this work? Who will train who?" Flora Cage asked.
"Simple, Flora. Because you have colonel dad's powers he will train you. As for me, I will be helping your brother Anthony." Cassie said to her daughter.
"Yes, ma'am." The twins say to her. Cassie and Anthony go to sit down on the benches to watch how Alex will train Flora. Cassie has every confidence that her husband will do anything in his power to help their daughter.
"All right, Flora. Are you ready to do this?" Alex asked his daughter.
"Yes, sir! I'm so looking forward to this!" Flora Cage expresses her excitement. "So how will this whole thing work?"
"One thing at a time. You need to master one thing at a time. So you will know when to be ready. Watch this." Alex instructed. He closes his eyes and the silver aura appears around his body and his eyes turn white. Just like his mother's.
Flora whistles in amazement. "Wow. I know I've seen you do that more than several times before, but that will never get old." She smiles. Even Cassie and Anthony agree with her. Cassie would never forget the day his powers started manifesting once he saved her from Kano.
"Oh yeah. Badass. Now how this will work is you have to focus. Try to think about it. Think that you have control over it. Think about protecting those you care about. That's what I do all the time." Alex instructed.
Flora nodded and closed her eyes like her father did. She thinks about wanting to protect her dad Alex, her mom Cassie, and her younger brother Anthony. Flora takes deep breaths about thinking of protection. Within a few seconds, purple aura begins to glow around her body. She opens her eyes and greatly smiles that it worked. "Oh my god. I actually did it." Flora Cage smiles.
"Good. I knew you could pull it off easily. But again, don't let overconfidence get the best of you. There are plenty of things to do with energy-based powers. You must learn to master them and be prepared. It was easier than I thought but I didn't learn everything about them right away. One weakness that I have is I can only absorb energy and elements when I expect it. Otherwise, it will hurt like hell." Alex explained.
"So one thing at a time. First energy, then elements at a different time. I get it. One thing at a time. I feel like I would have been overwhelmed by all of it. I may be smart, but I don't want to overthink it." Flora Cage said.
"Right. Clever girl. That's why I am helping you. I'm gonna show you everything about energy powers. Like I told your mom, it took me three years. It will take far less time. I promise you that." Alex said.
"So which part is first then?" Flora Cage asked.
"First off, how to absorb it. You have to think about absorbing it. It won't always be easy to remember that when in battle. This is your sword and shield." Alex said.
"What do you mean?" Flora Cage was confused.
"I mean your powers double as attack when you use it to fight, and when you absorb it to protect yourself." Alex said.
"Oh! Now I get it. So this thing around my body protects me and helps me use energy attacks. Smart way of putting it. But how do I know how to absorb it?" Flora Cage asked her dad.
"You have to think about it. You need to expect yourself to absorb the energy. If you don't then it will hurt like hell. Thankfully I can use mine to just stun rather than kill. Now hold out your hands and get ready." Alex said.
Flora nods and takes a stance and holds out her hands. Alex extends his arms and fires an energy beam at her palms. Flora closes her eyes, hoping it would work and true enough, she successfully absorbs the beam her father shot at her and her arms light up. Flora opens her eyes and sees that it worked. Absolutely no pain at all. "Holy shit. This works even better than I could've possibly imagined."
"Told you so. Did anyone have any doubt about you? I didn't think so." Alex said. Suddenly, he gets another vision alongside Flora. They see a second torch light up. Two out of five are now lit. Just like before.
Alex and Flora snap back into reality, both regaining their bearings. Anthony and Cassie quickly walk over to check on them. "Flora? Are you okay? You kind of spaced out there for several seconds." Anthony Cage feels concerned.
"I'm… I'm fine. That was weird. Something like that happened yesterday. After you won and I congratulated you, I saw some sort of vision. Torches. Five of them. Now two are lit up. Why does this keep happening?" Flora Cage feels weird.
"It's because your powers are getting stronger. I've been there. That has not happened to me for years. It happened when I first came here to Earthrealm." Alex tells his daughter.
"How did that feel by the way? Seeing those visions." Flora Cage asked her father.
"Like having a dream. I've had dreams weirder than that. And some of the worst nightmares I have had after the New Era was born. But you and I having the same visions, this is different." Alex said.
"Your dad has a point. It took years to figure out what it all meant. The only other person that could keep track of his powers getting stronger was Kronika. After what he told us, that only meant his powers got stronger. And look where he got us." Cassie said.
"That's always been true. Besides, ever since you told us about her, she sounds like a damn, spoiled creeper." Anthony Cage said, causing Flora to snicker at the joke.
"Pretty much. I would've fucking hated to meet someone like her. Caused so much trouble for everyone, but gotta thank dad and Lord Liu Kang." Flora Cage said. The twins were also told about the many allies their parents and grandparents have made. From all they have been told, Anthony and Flora chose to admire them.
"Just what I was thinking. I hated her even more with what she tried to do with your dad. Personally, I don't blame anyone, Flora." Cassie said.
"I thought there is more to these powers than I was shown. I thought I couldn't use elements until a certain point." Flora Cage said.
"Unless you were always meant to from the beginning when you got your powers. I mean dad didn't know about the whole element thing until sometime after he met Sub-Zero." Anthony Cage said.
"Right. When Frost tried to set me on fire, which ended up failing. It was a shocker for me, I'm not gonna lie. Didn't even think I could ever do that. It took me a long time to realize that I could have done it from the beginning. But it's always better to learn something late than never." Alex said.
"What else is there besides the energy laser beams? I figured I could combine energy powers with my fighting style. Something I learned from you on the field." Flora Cage said, looking at her father with a smile.
"There's a little more to it than that. This trick I learned when I was facing Kitana, it was just out of nowhere." Alex said. "Cross your arms together in front of your face."
Flora was confused by the statement, but she does so. "You mean like this?" Flora asked. As soon as she did that, two disc shields appear out of nowhere. Her eyes widened at the sudden appearance. They glow a bright blue She looks at them in amazement as they lay attached to her wrists. Flora looks up her father. "Now what do I do?"
"Remember how we taught you how to block and parry attacks?" Alex asked and Flora nodded and gets to a defensive stance. "Good."
Alex comes in and throws a punch, elbow strike and knee strike to the shields. He then follows up with two roundhouse kicks to the shields. It nearly stumbled his daughter before he stops. He looks at the shields and sees that they don't even have a single dent or scratch on them.
"Not even a crack on them. That is badass right there." Flora Cage said.
"Oh, that's not the badass part right there." Cassie corrected her and smiles. Flora saw the smile and was confused.
"This is the badass part." Alex crosses his arms and brings out two disc shields. He gestures for the other four to follow and he brings up some fake targets and opens his hands. The disc shields come into his hands and he throws them at four of the targets and they fly into opposite directions, decapitating all of the dummies and one swoop. He grabs one of the discs and kicks the other into the fifth one's chest.
"Holy shit! That is fucking something! That is badass right there!" Flora Cage looks on in amazement.
"Oh man. That is just wow. I didn't know you could do that. Where did you learn that special move?" Anthony asks his dad.
"Outworld, when I met Jade and Kitana for the first time and they helped train me. They first came up by accident when I was facing Kitana. She advised me on what else I could do with them." Alex said.
"That's why we have such special friends and why we have a special someone in the family." Cassie said, walking over to Alex and kissing him on the cheek.
"So now what? Should I try it out too?" Flora Cage asked.
Alex smiled and nodded. "Yes. Remember. You want to concentrate as best as you can. Like an actual frisbee or something. And try not to throw them too hard otherwise you'll cut our heads off." Alex joked.
"Excuse me?" Anthony Cage asked in a slightly worried voice.
"Relax. I'm kidding. Besides, they work similar to the beams. They can only kill if she wants them too." Alex said, rubbing the back of his head.
Flora steps forward and takes deep breaths. After a few moments of silence, Flora throws her disc shields at the targets. They hit all five one by one, but not as she intended to. One dummy's chest is cut open, one is actually decapitated, and the other three ended up losing arms or legs. She then turns to the family in slight embarrassment. "Sorry. I didn't mean to fuck up like that."
"It's alright. I mean nobody is perfect at it. I mean I had a hard time controlling my powers as well when I first unlocked them. It took me more than a year to figure out mine. It only came up when my life was in danger and when I was protecting your grandpa." Cassie reassures her daughter.
"She's right. I'm pretty sure you'll get the hang of it. I mean, you exceed in using guns like all of us do." Anthony compliments his sister, giving her a smile. He then remembered something and turned to his mother. "Which reminds me. How does mine work? How do I know when the time is right for when they will appear. Or if they appear."
"They will come up. Only when in a dire situation. For me and grandpa, it was against Shinnok. I know we can try to unlock yours. But that also means you must always be prepared." Cassie tells her son.
"Yes. You'll never know the right timing. It's a leap of faith. That doesn't mean you should doubt yourself and give up. You gotta have patience on your side, son. Use that to your advantage." Alex shows his support for Anthony.
Anthony could not help but share a small smirk with his parents. He can only hope that they're right. "If you say so. Better safe than sorry, I guess. But how will training help me understand my powers?"
"You will know when it comes to you. Me and my dad have not won every battle, even after getting our powers. No one is invincible." Cassie advised.
"If that's the case, then I'm ready to fight, general mom. Not a moment too soon I can't back down from a fight. Like you said, always keep a guard up. Hold strong, push back. That's how it works in the Cage family." Anthony Cage said.
"That's the spirit, Sergeant Anthony. Come. Let us get started then." Cassie motions for him to come to the arena with her and he nods and follows. Alex and Flora take a seat to watch them fight.
"I have faith in my brother. I know he'll make a good leader. A badass one perhaps." Flora Cage said.
"No leader is perfect, but I know he'll do just fine. But you are right." Alex replied.
Over at the arena, Cassie and Anthony get ready to fight. "Remember your training and focus on the task at hand."
"You men kick the C.O's ass? Better be the right answer." Anthony Cage joked.
Cassie smirked at what he said. "All right, then, Sergeant. Let's see what you are made of." Cassie said before the two begin to fight. General Cassie activates her powers and glows yellow.
"As the general orders, I follow." Anthony said as they start to fight.
Cassie comes in with a elbow and knee strike, which Anthony parries away and backhands Cassie in the forehead, punches her stomach and back kicks her left shoulder. This gave Cassie an opening as her son does an elbow strike to the left knee and backflip kick, stumbling her. The new general recovers and gets back up into a defensive stance. Anthony charges forward and tries to throw a knee strike, but Cassie steps backwards and kicks Anthony's chest, chop strikes his right shoulder and punches him across the forehead. Anthony gets back up.
"Use your inner strength. Think about how you want to protect those you love most. That you're willing to lay down your life for your family, including your sister." Cassie advised. Anthony listens to what she says. He thinks about how much he loves his sister Flora, his father Alex and his mother Cassie.
He stands up and thinks about what would happen if someone or something dangerous came from the likes of Netherrealm, or Black Dragon, or any other enemy they might face. Anthony tightens his fist and looks at his mother with more bravery on his face. He gets back into a stance and gets ready. Cassie comes in and jumps, dive kicks an attack, only for her son to dodge, elbow strike her in the left rib cage, roundhouse kick her across the head, stumbling her and out of nowhere, Anthony begins glowing green and executes one of Cassie's and Johnny's signature move, the shadow kick. It makes direct contact with Cassie, and she slides backwards and falls to a knee. She is able to withstand the pain with her own powers and gets back up, looking at her son with a big smile.
Alex and Flora, who were watching, walk over to the two of them with proud looks on their faces. "Holy shit, bro. That was the epic shadow kick! That was fucking fantastic!" Flora Cage exclaimed.
"I've seen that move so many times. It never gets old. Real proud of you, Anthony. Did it on the first try. It took a lot of damn guts to pull that off. I knew you'd do it. There was never any doubt." Alex smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder. He could not help but feel really proud of his son.
"They're right, Anthony. That Shadow Kick is just the start. There is much more to it than that. Trust me. It took forever to master these powers. I never thought they'd become different when I went up against Kano. It's the bond that I have with your dad that made me stronger." Cassie explained.
"So that's how. Love and bonds what makes this happen. But how do I know it will be even stronger or be able to bring it up." Anthony Cage said.
"Like I said. It's a leap of faith." Cassie said. As she said that, she gets a message from her wrist communicator.
"What is it, Cassie?" Kabal asked.
"It's a message. It's from Takeda and Jacqui. Something about someone attacking a village." Cassie replied.
"Who? Did they say who specifically?" Alex asked.
"No. They said they want to tell us themselves. In person." Cassie tells them.
"I'll round up some troops and meet you guys in the hanger." Kabal said as he leaves.
"Oh boy. Looks like we're going on a trip to see uncle, auntie and cousin Vera. It's been more than a while, am I right?" Flora Cage asked.
"Yeah. I heard Vera is the new chujin. That's music to my ears. I'm willing to bet that she will make a good chujin too." Anthony said. He, Flora and Vera get along with each quite well, similar to how Cassie and Jacqui do. As the twins and Kabal leave, Alex talks to his wife.
"You feeling alright?" Alex asked, feeling concerned about that kick she received.
"Yeah. I'm fine. I've been through worse injuries and survived so much shit. It takes a lot more than that to bring down a Cage. Just like what dad used to say to me." Cassie said.
"You're telling me. I still remember myself taking a hand to the heart, died, and came back to life. That was the scariest shit I've been through. At least I got to meet my parents just this one time." Alex remembered. Everyone hated that moment when Alex was killed by Shang Tsung, especially Cassie, Jacqui and Jade. They were relieved when he came back and easily believed him about his parents.
Cassie looks at him in the eyes and grabs his hands. "You've always done the right thing. You've always made your own parents proud. Naming our kids after them was the best way to honor them. We never got to know what your real last name was, so we honored you by making you one of us. Nothing can change that."
"That's one day I'll never forget. Sometimes I had dreams of you meeting my parents. They knew about you and were glad you are the one for me. That you were the one that pulled me out of the darkness. When my life felt meaningless. I've always had you, Johnny, Jacqui, Sonya, Jax, Jin and Takeda, and Jade." Alex said.
"That's because you're the best friend anyone has had, and the best husband I have. Because I love you so much, Alex." Cassie said.
"I love you too, Cassie." Alex replied. Alex cups her face in his hands and he leans in and kisses her. The kiss lasts for several seconds before they break off. They smile and look into each other's eyes. They walk to catch up to the twins while holding hands. They look forward to seeing Takeda, Jacqui and Vera once again.
Note: We're finally getting onto the main story after introducing new OCs. Anthony and Flora are slowly learning the responsibilities of understanding and controlling their powers. Anthony's, just like her mother's and grandfather's, may or may not be fully used. And Alex will see that Flora will unlock her potential far quicker than he did, which took him three years. Until then, I hope you enjoy this chapter!