10:00 P.M: Night of the Second Day
Callie's POV
These two... These two!
Nothing but malicious thoughts came to mind when referring to these two little shits. Benji gave them a look that screamed: 'I'm gonna kill you both.' No doubt his thoughts mirrored mine.
Finally, he broke the long silence. "If it isn't the backstabber and the entitled brat."
"If it isn't the Loudmouth General and Mad Man Maddox." Tanya bit down a snicker. "Surprised to see us?"
"Not really. You two never liked dealing with your problems directly, preferring to run away from them. When Ryuji told us of your leaving and betrayal, it wasn't shocking. So, why are you two here?" I showed a smug expression. "Had enough of lickin' Shao Kahn's feet and kissing his ass before finally deciding to make yourselves useful?"
"There's nothing wrong with showing loyalty to your homeland," Tanya answered.
"Loyalty is the last word I'd use to describe you. What balloon headed lie did Shao Kahn fill your heads with?" Benji spat.
Tanya shot him a vicious glare. "Well, if you must know, he promised me a spot as a General in his army. But Rain here wanted more than just some position."
Now it was finally Rain's turn to speak. "For knocking you both out of the tournament, he'll make me the Emperor of Edenia's remains in Outworld."
So that's what this is about. Power. That's what it was all about back in Edenia. It's why I got the position as General of the Freedom Fighters, and Tanya didn't.
"Seems ya can't let go of a ten thousand year grudge eh, Tanya? There was a reason why Jerrod chose me instead of you. You would've led the Freedom Fighters into suicide. You don't know a thing about running an army."
"So what!?" Tanya screeched. "I was qualified to be General until Benny Boy here told Jerrod of you."
Benji took exception to the slander, slicking his hair back. "Don't pin the blame on me. I merely suggested that she join as a soldier. Not my fault he recognized her skills as a combatant. Nor is it that Jerrod chose Cal instead of you."
The conversation was reaching a breaking point.
"How many people in Outworld know of us?" I inquired.
"Just the higher-ups in Shao Kahn's army. However, he has made the general public aware. They cannot stand either of you."
"When you go back to Outworld when you lose, tell them we hate them too." I tied my hair up and took out my Combat Knife.
Tanya had something else to say while snickering. (Gods shut the hell up!) "How cute. The siblings dress similarly. Don't tell me you fight the same too?"
I scoffed after giving Benji a once over. "Better than that gold crap you're wearin'." My eyes strayed to view Rain. "And at least we're not dressed like a Prince album!"
"Wait... What Prince- Oh, my Gods. Purple Rain!?" Benji proclaimed before cackling like a hyena. The pair didn't take my insult well.
"Laugh all you want, simpletons. But we know something you two don't."
"Like you'll tell us anyway," I shot back.
"Is that so, General? Even concerning the identity of your Parents' murderer?"
We shoot looks at the Prince. "How do you know of that?" I demanded venomously.
"Shao Kahn has eyes, ears, and soldiers everywhere. And being the loyal servants we are, he gladly told us of who."
My patience was running out. "Then who murdered Mommy and Papa?"
Rain merely laughed at my inquiry before scoffing. "I've no reason to tell such lowlives like you two. As you both will die here."
I loosened every limb on my body before getting into a fighting position. Benji followed suit, so did Rain and Tanya.
Shang Tsung yelled, "The Maddox Siblings vs. Tanya and Rain! FIGHT!"
I immediately went after Tanya, swinging for her vital organs. Her skill in acrobats allowed her to dodge them but not my kick to her stomach, which pushed her back. She recovered and ran back at me to start the next wave of her attacks, releasing nicely formed punches and kicks. Tanya always had good form and continuously trained to maintain her flexibility. I parried a kick to my face and nearly got hit by the upcoming palm, which would've caved in my nose. I created some distance between us but not before nicking her arm with my Combat Knife, deep enough for the wound to bleed.
"I forgot that you can actually fight, Tanya. But first blood goes to yours truly." I bowed mockingly, the Monks clapping afterward, not picking up on my sarcasm.
"Always the loudmouth, Callie Ann. Ten-Thousand years haven't changed your sharp tongue."
"Being a loudmouth is who I am. That will never change. But you know you loved it when I talked trash to anyone, yourself included. When you were a scout, I always noticed how your knees shook whenever I said something vulgar towards the soldiers. You took weird pleasure in what I had to say, so much that rumors were being spread about how you had feelings for me. Did you miss me that much? Have a crush on your former superior, Tanya? I didn't know you played for both teams," I smoothly said before winking at her flustered face.
"I-I-I don't know what you're talking about, Callie Ann. I would rather commit suicide than think of your flawless body and washboard abs on top of- Wait, no!"
"Ha! I knew it! Oh, don't feel bad, Tanya. I'm pretty sure 2/3rds of the Freedom Fighters had very lewd thoughts of me. But since I was the best fighter in Edenia, no one approached me. Funny, it wasn't my looks that drove people away, but my status." My demeanor changed from playful to deadly. "Whatever, that was 10,000 years ago. Times have changed. But for once, I don't want to talk, but pummel you into a red puddle of blood."
Tanya's reveal of her feelings for me wasn't intentional. I mean, the rumors were valid, but I didn't think that they were accurate! Awesome, now I got in her head. Now to finish this. I relentlessly attacked, my ferocity bypassing her defenses by way of her blade wounds. After one more slash to her abdomen, I tackled Tanya, pinning her on the ground while wiping the blood off my Combat Knife before putting it away.
Time for some fun at her expense.
I intertwined our hands, pinning her arms above her head as I slowly leaned toward her face. Inch by inch, the gap between our lips tightened. I stopped temporarily as our noses touched. Tanya looked on in shock, my breathing slowed to a sensual rhythm. I started breathing softly from my mouth and pecked her on the lips, retreating before she could return it. Freeing my hand, I furiously landed an elbow on the bridge of her nose, Tanya passing out from the force of the blow.
Getting back on my feet, I turned to see how Benji was doing. Unsurprisingly, he had Rain on his knees before connecting on a Buzzsaw Kick and putting him in a Reverse Arm Lock.
"Having fun, Benji?"
"Not really. Rain here still can't fight. So long as I got this hold synched in, he isn't going anywhere."
"Really? Tanya is out, so I say we have a little fun with Prince here." I bent down, so I'm level with them before getting my Combat Knife back out.
"I'm for it. What did you have in mind?"
"Just keep him in place for a sec."
Benji complied. Taking my Knife, I slowly stuck its tip into Rain's earlobe, his yells cut off by Benji applying pressure to his arm. Eventually, the limb arm gave out before snapping. I start acting like this was an interrogation.
"Who killed Mommy and Papa? And what were they arrested for?"
"I will not answer to you cretin," he responded through clenched teeth.
"Have it your way."
I slowly pushed my Knife deeper into his ear. Rain screamed louder, so much that the Monks winced.
"That pride of yours is going to result in you going deaf in one ear. Spare yourself the trauma and speak up! Or would you rather have me start nicking veins until you start internally bleeding to death?"
"You wouldn't dare, you Edenian Harlot!"
"You're pushin' the wrong Edenian, brat," I said before yanking the Knife out of his ear and lined it up with his free wrist. "Last chance before the pain escalates."
Before he could probably tell me to go to hell, Shang Tsung blurted out with anger seeping in his tone. "The Maddox Siblings win! Let the Prince go, Doctor!"
Benji did so, rather he slammed Rain's head against the hard floor before standing up to dust himself off. "Well done, you two! Due to your performance, I will not have you fight tomorrow!"
My brother scoffed. "And how do we know you'll keep your word!? Since you like bending the rules like a pretzel!"
"Mind your tongue, Doctor! My word is enough! Now leave the courtyard!" Shang Tsung ordered as he stood up and stomped off.
The Monks then left in response. Benji and I then headed out, leaving the unconscious bodies of the traitors. I lightly punted Rain's head after walking past him.
"Ugh, I despise those two," I uttered in disdain.
"Really? How you were putting on a show with Tanya made it seem the opposite," Benji stated.
"Hush, Benji. I don't return her feelings as it was all for mental damage. A fight is half physical, half mental. Doing that will benefit us the next we see her. I know what I'm doing. Remember, I'm a former General. Everything has a motive no matter how crazy it is on the surface," I explained. "I mean the rumors were true. Both of them. Besides, there are no rules in war. Why should I care for the well being of my enemies?"
"I think that your blatant disregard for your foes is why you have so many haters."
I look at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"When you were General of the Freedom Fighters, you deployed the most aggressive but sharp tactics I've ever seen. Remember the Billiards Theory?"
"Like it was yesterday! One of my proudest moments."
The Billiards Theory went like this.
I take a soldier, particularly a buff one, and have him storm a stronghold or fortress. Using the reports the scouts created, the main forces would split into groups and use the secret entrances to cause chaos amongst the enemy. Before they knew what was happening, the army attacked while they were unprepared. It was foolproof because I would have picked off the guardians of the entrances with my uncanny ability to hit targets from far distances. I called this unique ability Hawkeye. My eyes would glow a violent purple, granting me further sight.
"Your aggressive nature, along with running your mouth while backing up everything you say, earned more sneers than cheers," Benji continued his explanation. "Plus, you didn't care for the enemy at all. On a battlefield, you think anything goes."
"Anything does go on a battlefield, Benji. Wars and battles aren't won with honor. It takes survivability, grit, and quick thinking. That's why I think that way."
"And it has molded into the fury that is my little sister," Benji joked.
I pushed him. "Oh, shut up. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night, Cal."
Benji went to bed. I wasn't feeling tired at this point and decided to walk around to tire myself. I found myself at the Pit, the moon's rays shining brightly without the throne to block its beam.
"What are you doing out here? It is past curfew!" I turned to see the Princess, Kitana I believe her name was.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, Princess. I'll head to my room shortly. I don't want any more unnecessary trouble," I spat before going to my room.
But she spoke again. "Better yet, this is a prime opportunity."
I turned around, not in the mood to play this game. "For what?"
"Have you forgotten? The night of the first day, you embarrassed me in front of Jade and Shang Tsung," Kitana growled.
"Your partner has an infatuation with my brother, it seems. She approached him for combat before walking away." I crossed my arms. "Mind telling me why Jade is so interested in him?"
"That doesn't concern me. Jade is wasting her time with a peasant like him, let alone a revolting Warlock."
I huffed angrily. "You certainly act like royalty, putting down my brother like he's nothing. I suppose your tyrannical jackass of a father never taught you a fundamental lesson in the world of battle."
"Oh, really? You mock my father and my lineage!? Then humble me, General! What is this lesson you'll attempt to beat into me?" Kitana sarcastically spat in a demeaning tone.
"First off, I'm not mocking you and your father. If anything, I spit on and proceed to two-step on you, your father, and his court of savages. Second..." I nearly ripped my knife holster by taking out my Combat Knife. "The lesson you never learned is that there is always someone better than you."
She then brandished her fan. "Now's the time to show you that I am your better."
We charged each other. Kitana went for multiple strikes, but I either dodged or stopped them. I landed a stiff kick to her stomach as she fell to one knee. The General in me makes her presence felt.
"ON YOUR FEET PRINCESS!" I commanded.
She complied before I beckoned her to strike me again. Kitana took a couple of breaths before charging me again. Interrupted her first strike and landed a stiff elbow on her forehead before quickly transitioning behind her. I grabbed her by the waist and planted her with a Dragon Suplex. Afterward, I caught a handful of her hair and placed my Knife against her jugular.
"COME ON, SOLDIER! IF THIS WAS A BATTLE, YOU WOULD'VE DIED TWICE! WHAT'S THIS TALK OF REDEMPTION WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN LAND A CLEAN HIT? TRY AGAIN WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MOOD FOR A FIGHT!" I shouted before slamming Kitana's face against the ground.
As I walked away, I heard her shaken voice. "Why are you so much stronger than me? I'm Outworld's Top Assassin. I shouldn't be losing to a lowly Earthrealmer..."
I inhaled and exhaled. Gods, I swear I'm eventually going to kill this woman. Well, since all of Outworld knows that Benji and I are pretty much runaway Edenians, I didn't see any point in hiding the truth any longer.
"I'm Edenian."
"What?"
"You heard me right. I'm an Edenian. In fact, Benji and I are nearly twice your age." I turned to see that her eyes bulged. "But do you really want to know why I'm miles ahead of you?"
"Please," she responded, still shaken by the thrashing I gave her.
"Because Princess... My Papa taught me the ins and out of Kombat while you lived the high life from the second I could walk. Benji and I struggled to survive in a time where Edenians couldn't care less for two orphans. I had to survive off of life lessons and grit. My childhood hardened me and made me who I am. I never knew privilege all my life while you were practically surrounded by it. I killed my first person when I was 3,500 years old."
Needless to say, Kitana looked horrified.
"While you were an infant, I was starting rebellions and forcing changes. Therefore, you can never beat me because you never had to experience what I did. No training can prepare you for that. Now, if you attack me again, I will slit your throat, gut your stomach, and throw you off this bridge. Understood?"
Kitana remained silent due to being bombarded with the truth. I wasn't having any of it, however. "UNDERSTOOD!?"
She violently nodded her head.
"Good." I then helped her up and dusted her off. "Don't make me kill you, Kitty. We may be enemies, but we're sisters nonetheless. I would hate to have to kill one of my own." I began walking away but stopped. "One more thing. Tell Jade that her intentions regarding Benji better be good, or she'll deal with me."
The next day, I arrived at the courtyard and saw Benji chatting with Nightwolf. I approached them to hear the conversation. From Shang Tsung's throne, Kitana and Jade were sitting with each other. Kitana noticed me and averted her gaze, which didn't go unnoticed by her protector.
"Good morning, Panthera. Sleep well?"
"Arguably, I've had better. But we've finally reached the final stages of the tournament. Just a few more battles, then we can head back home."
"I salute your confidence, Panthera. I wish I was still so I can fight alongside you two."
"No worries. I'm pretty sure Johnny Cage is still in this."
"The next battle will be Cyrax vs. Johnny Cage!"
We all turn to see Cyrax head up. Johnny followed afterward, and he started his loudmouth blabbering. Way to jinx our good fortunes.
"Ready for your beat down, Sunshine? Here it comes!"
"FIGHT!"
And the fight began.
Cyrax is a weird one and seemed conflicted about something, his fighting style odd too. He had these bottles with a strange substance in them. I thought it was urine at first but turned out to be an explosive compound. He also had this weird net while hiding a buzzsaw in his right arm. I assumed he had it on his left arm too. And using some unknown method, he can teleport. In truth, it might just be an invisibility compound.
Anyway, Cyrax wound up eliminating Johnny from the tournament.
"So much for that."
Benji and Nightwolf shook their heads in disapproval. "He could've won if he just focused for once," my brother stated.
Shang Tsung nodded in approval and yelled, "FINISH HIM!"
Cyrax stalked Johnny and picked him up by the neck before cocking his fist back. However, much to Earthrealm's pleasant surprise, he relented. "No! I will not kill him!"
He screamed as he let Johnny go before exiting the courtyard with Sektor in tow.
"That can't be good. Sektor isn't known for his smarts. Cal, go after them and intervene on Cyrax's behalf."
"You sure, Benji?"
"I'm positive. We don't have any fights today, remember?"
I nodded, recollecting what the old fart said last night. With that, I snuck after them and found them in the garden. I hid in a tree branch, so they couldn't see me overhearing the conversation.
"You were commanded to kill Johnny Cage. You disobeyed," Sektor chastised.
"I eliminated him from the tournament. He didn't need to die."
"You have broken your oath."
"I used my judgment! Besides, you were supposed to kill Dr. Maddox until he broke your arm, knocked you out, and embarrassed you in front of everyone."
Who in their right mind would hire Sektor to kill Benji? I'll most likely look into this after the tournament has concluded.
Anyway, Sektor spoke up again. "The Cyber-Initiative will eliminate insubordination. Then, when I get my rematch with the Doctor, I will destroy him."
"We are not machines, Sektor. I chose to serve the Lin Kuei but will not surrender my free will!"
Yeah, good on you, Cyrax! The two clashed, and Cyrax emerged as the winner. "Tell the Grand Master I am finished."
"No one leaves the Lin Kuei-" Sektor responded before Cyrax punted his head, knocking him out.
I reveal myself. "Well done, Cyrax!"
"Who are you?"
"Name's Callie. I'm Doctor Maddox's sister." I reached my hand out for a handshake. "You never heard of me because I was in America."
He took it as we shook hands. "So, what are you gonna do now? From what I heard, the Lin Kuei is a life service."
"I'm unsure and fear that they will hunt me down. If I am caught, I'll most certainly become cyberized."
I scratched my chin in thought. Then, I came up with an idea. "Talk with Raiden. See if he can get you in the White Lotus Society. Certainly a kombatant of your skill will definitely fit in there. And I'll see if I can pull some strings to get you entry into the Special Forces."
"You're Special Forces?" He asked, shocked.
I chuckled a little. "Surprised? Y'know I can fight well. But yeah, I'm the General."
"The General is a-"
"Woman? Yes. I have a lot of pull, comes with serving for a while. If you get in either entity, the Lin Kuei shouldn't come after you unless they're willing to start a war. But yeah, speak to Raiden, like now."
"Oh, yes. Thank you, General. I will speak to him now," Cyrax said as he exited the garden.
I viewed the setting sun. Man, the day went by so fast. Seeing as there was nothing else to do, I decided to head back to the palace area, where everyone usually went when the battles concluded for the day.
After arriving, I see all Earthrealmers standing on one side, the Outworlders on the other. I stood with Benji and Nightwolf as Shang Tsung sat on his throne as usual. Soon after I settled, we heard footsteps, and that was when the sorcerer started speaking.
"Kombatants! I present this latest creation of Shao Kahn. He is many warriors comprised into one being. Behold... Ermac!"
Another Outworld competitor?
For the love of Argus, Outworld is growing desperate if they keep bringing in more kombatants who aren't on their home turf. This is getting ridiculous. As Ermac flaunted his power to us all, the Outworlders, particularly Baraka, Reptile, and even Kano, seemed impressed. The rest of the Outworlders were indifferent while we were unimpressed. Eventually, he finished, and we realized it was finally Liu Kang's time to fight.
I heard Raiden speak to him. "Be wary, Liu Kang. He is unlike anything you have faced before."
Liu Kang walked up opposite Ermac, Shang Tsung talking his mouth off as usual. "Liu Kang! You, along with the Maddox Siblings, are the only members of Earthrealm's warriors to make to the final stage of the tournament!"
Taking a deep breath, Liu Kang readied himself. "I am ready."
Ermac quipped back. "We are many. You are but one. We will destroy you."
"FIGHT!"
Thus, the final stages of the MK tournament began. Liu Kang fought with a very refined form of Jun Fan in tandem with his fire, making him a komplete warrior. I looked to Benji and saw that his eyes were closed, focusing on something.
"Benji... What are you doing?"
"Looking into his mind. Shang Tsung wasn't joking when he said Ermac was comprised of many warriors. There are at least a thousand of them in his consciousness. And..."
"And what?"
His expression was grave. "Most of them are Edenian."
"What?" I then gasped after realizing whose souls they were, my teeth clenching. "He took the souls of the Freedom Fighters... That bastard!"
In my peripheral vision, both Jade and Kitana were concerned by my sudden anger. Not paying attention, I noticed Ermac already lost. That was quick. Liu Kang showed apparent disinterest in having Earthrealm losing her independence.
"Earthrealm will not fall to your master's hands."
We all nodded in agreement. Raiden and Kung Lao walked up to him, and they left the throne room first. Jax and Sonya followed, next were Nightwolf, then Benji and I. I felt my hands shaking in anger.
"Cal, relax. We will avenge them."
"I know. Now I really want to get my hands on that old hag after what we learned."
"In time. Now we know that Tanya and Rain are still alive, and Shao Kahn did with the Edenian Freedom Fighters. All the more reason to win Earthrealm's freedom."
I nodded slowly, my anger dissipating. "You're right."
"Jade and Kitana were glancing at us when you were surveying Ermac's mind."
"Did they? Didn't notice. You don't think Jade broke her promise?"
I shook my head. "Doubt it, but I did reveal our background to Kitana after she tried to kill me on the Pit."
Benji was confused. "Why did you do that?"
"I was angry. Like the General of the Freedom Fighters came out briefly. I kind of slammed her against the floor in retaliation. But Outworld knows of us, so there's no point in hiding it anymore."
"You have a point." Benji put a hand to his chin in deep thought. "Oh well. The fact that they couldn't find us for so long only speaks volumes about how good we are at staying off the grid."
"That and Seido is one of the few realms Shao Kahn refuses to invade. If Seido merges with Outworld, we're all doomed," I said nonchalantly as we all went to our separate rooms to go to bed.
Tomorrow may be the final day of the MK tournament. Earthrealm will stay free, I'll bet my life on it!
A/N: And that's all for now.
On the shorter side, but I still felt like I wrote enough to feel content with where it ended. Next time, Arc I will be over! But I won't go straight into the events of MK 2 yet. There will be a couple of chapters to tie up loose ends, like the mystery contractor for the hit on Benji and the results of Cyrax's leaving of the Lin Kuei.
But anyway. Did you guys like the Chapter? Did you not? Let me know with a review or a PM. And while you're at it, go to my profile and check my other stories out. You might find something you like. I can't wait to put the MK I Arc to bed next time.
Later!