Trainer's Estate, Earthrealm 9:00 A.M.: One Day Later

Benjamin's POV:

I usually wake up a lot earlier than Cal does since she values her 'beauty rest,' hence why my sister tends to sleep in more than I do. However, my daily routine wasn't the reason why I'm awake early this morning. What I learned yesterday was a pivotal factor, along with not being able to sleep all that well.

Even from the grave, Jerrod is spitting on our family's legacy. Turns out that disrespecting those who have even the slightest chance of overthrowing them is an inherited trait in his damn family. Part of me is content, but the other part dwells about maybe leaving that element of my life a mystery. We can't even go after him since he's deceased with his wife. In all honesty, this is merely a hollow victory as Jerrod probably wanted to eradicate the entire Maddox family just before Cal, and I got the heck out of dodge. The sheer thought of Jerrod and his family finding slithering, sneaky ways to kill off members of our ancestors raises my salt levels to the point where it can contest with seawater.

At this time, I would go and meditate, but I knew it wouldn't help my furious state of mind. Instead, I decided to do something that always soothes me. Listen to music. There's a Vinyl Player located in our estate, and while it took longer than anticipated, I found a bunch of old records stowed away in the basement. Makes me wonder what this place was before it became what it is today. I picked a Coleman Hawkins record before walking towards the player. (Coleman Hawkins was a Tenor Sax player and was one of the founding fathers of the Bebop Era. His sound and tone are almost instantly recognizable because of his strong vibrato and sharp sound. Easily his most famous recording is of his take on the Standard, Body, and Soul.)

Being careful, I take the record out of its case and place it on the Vinyl Player, letting move it accordingly before turning on the power. (Play Body and Soul by Coleman Hawkins.) Satisfied, I leaned back in my chair, intently memorizing the smooth melody surrounding the room. I felt lost in the rhythm, a habit I quickly formed when I began developing my taste for music. Before long, I hear the door open and find Cal who looked like she just woke up judging from her bedhead and droopy eyes sitting next to me. The first statement from her today proved that once again, we are undoubtedly siblings.

"You must be angry from what Uncle Okada told us yesterday," Cal stated the obvious before greeting me with a quick hug.

I knew what my sister was trying to do, bait me into giving her the correct answer.

To my disappointment, I just had to take the bait. "How do you know I'm angry at all Cal? You know I like listening to music sometimes."

Cal raised an eyebrow in annoyance. "You only listen to Coleman Hawkins when you're outraged. I realized you do this because last time you got this mad, you ended up destroying four practice dummies, then came up with a shitty excuse."

"I was practicing my Aikido." I defended.

"Aikido is a defensive martial art, Benji. There isn't much striking; I'm not a ditz." Cal retorted, tapping my forehead in the process.

My eyes roll. "Whatever. If anyone is angrier than me right now, it's you, seeing as you don't want Kenshi here." I replied.

Cal's face immediately soured. "He should've stayed in Special Forces. It doesn't matter that he served under me when I was still General. No one should be this loyal to anyone. Sonya, from what I heard via Jax, is doing excellent. She might be doing a better job than me." The last of her words held apparent disappointment.

"And yet here we are; more than 20,000 years after our birth and because of your loyalty to me, we're in a solid spot," I said.

"Don't act like it was all sunshine and rainbows from the jump, Benji. It took a lot for me to trust you, and being my older brother didn't help. That was millennia ago," she explained before getting out of her chair. "I'm going to get ready before we start discussing on daily actions for the day."

With that, Cal promptly left the room. I thought about staying longer but went against that decision. Music can only help for so long. I turned the vinyl player off, placed the record back in its sleeve and put it back where I found it before leaving the room.

I make it to the kitchen to start making myself some breakfast, nothing substantial in case I want to train later on. After I finished preparing my mean, I sat down at the table and dug in.

"Good morning, Benjamin," Kenshi greeted me from a couple of seats down.

How did I not notice him entering? That only meant I need to get a grip on my psyche.

"Good morning, Kenshi," I reply after swallowing an egg. "Making yourself at home?"

Kenshi nods. "I am, thanks for asking." He bowed his head before saying, "The General has also asked such things despite not wanting me here."

"That's good to hear, especially since I'm convinced that one small blunder will give Cal enough reason for her to kick you out."

"That's what I also think, Doctor," Kenshi agreed with my sentiment.

A temporary silence engulfed the room, the sound of Cal's shower going on in the background. I will probably need one shortly.

"How do you deal with the General?" Kenshi asked after waiting nearly half a minute.

I shrugged. "The same way you, Jax, and Sonya probably did; time and patience. I suppose I got a head start being her brother. I'll admit it wasn't always like what you see before you. For a while, she hated me." I responded as I continue eating my food.

Another question came from Kenshi. "I also wonder about this. You say to call you Ben, but General calls you, Benji. Why is that?"

I finished my food and took the plate to the sink to wash it off. "Further proof of the fact that Cal used to hate me. When we were young, she didn't know the proper nickname for Benjamin, which is Ben. So Cal called me Benji as a substitute. In hindsight, I think she knew but did that to annoy me. At first, I was not too fond of the name because my sister can be very competitive and made one-sided competitions with me. Believe me when I say Benji got annoying fast. As the years went by, and the fact that I was her older sibling no longer being a good enough reason to hate me, Benji became her special way to call for me. With that in mind, she abhors it when someone else calls me that as if she doesn't trust anyone else." I finish. I then bow in respect. "Sorry for the rant."

Kenshi shook his head. "No problem, Benjamin. Thanks for the insight. Another question if I may."

"For knowing Cal for a while, I don't understand the inquisition. You could've just asked her." I stated.

Cal, who is now actually awake and dressed adequately after her shower, responded, "No, he couldn't have. I would've kicked him out of Special Forces if he got too personal with his questioning. I promote building friendships and bonds during your service. However, I'm off limits until I retire. So ask away now that I'm a former General."

She was just as annoyed as me, and I had a general idea of what the question will be.

"Are you two really of Earthrealm?" Kenshi inquires. "You two seem… enigmatic for lack of a better term."

Cal and I look at each other before she shrugs, followed by an explanation. "No, we're both from Edenia."

Now it was Kenshi's turn to look confused. Well, as much as you can without having proper eyesight. "Edenia? So you two have lived longer than us here on Earthrealm then. That explains how you two are wise beyond your years. How did you end up in Earthrealm?"

I outwardly sigh. "That's a long story.

We told him everything, from our humble childhoods, us being unknowing targets of a rival family's wrath, leaving Edenia, starting the Resistance (a highlight of the story to him, but I digress), all the way to us settling in Earthrealm, and winning her freedom from Outworld. As expected, Kenshi had trouble taking in all of this information.

"So you two are survivors of the last Mortal Kombat Tournament? Moreover, the two founding members of The Resistance, all within a span of 10,000 years?" Kenshi asked, looking for reassurance.

"That's what happened, and how we got the Trainer's estate believe it or not. Our job is going to take us cross-realm to prevent possible invaders of Earthrealm. That's why I didn't want you joining us. I don't think you're ready for such a heavy task." Cal said bluntly.

"Which is why I asked for a discharge," Kenshi replied. "You're the only person in Special Forces who didn't approve of my standing. Not to say that you didn't appreciate my work ethic, because you admired it, but you took the fact that I'm telepath as a reason to be critical of me."

"Kenshi, I can and did find a reason to be critical about everyone who worked for me whether it was for the Freedom Fighters or Special Forces. So yeah, I was highly critical of you. You use your powers not as an asset but as a crutch. Plus, you're practically defenseless without Sento. Sonya followed orders too much, and Jax was too stiff for his good." Cal remorselessly critiqued.

"True, but I liked your critical attitude. That only made your praise more rewarding." Kenshi responded, not fazed at all by Cal's critical words. "Give me time Callie Ann, and I will show you my exponential growth." He finished before bowing to Cal.

Cal shrugged, defeated by his seemingly endless optimism. "Fine, do your best, because the U.S. is not the only thing at risk now. We're trying to maintain realm-wide peace, not just one country. You may never receive rewards for your actions save for praise from Raiden if that even means something."

"Thank you both. I'll make the most of this opportunity." Kenshi bowed with confidence.

"Well, that's that; welcome aboard," I say before turning my attention to my sister. "Any idea on what to do now?"

She held a slight level of snark in her look. "I do, hear me out."

I audibly groan. "Here we go."

"Shut up, Benji!" her voice considerably picked up. "Now then, we should go to Outworld."

Silence struck unnecessarily hard. I give Cal a look similar to: 'Are you fucking kidding me?'

Cal quickly picked up on my skepticism. "I know what you're thinking: 'Are you fucking kidding me?'"

"Precisely. Goro did more than fracture your spine. He also gave you partial brain damage." I chastised her after being stupefied by Cal's proposal. "Why in Argus' name would we go to Outworld right after we won Earthrealm's freedom from Shao Kahn?"

"Look at it this way, boys. Someone with the mindset of Shao Kahn isn't going to take his previous defeat lying down," Cal pointed out.

I only partially agree with that statement. "If he doesn't, the Elder Gods will punish him."

Cal took exception to that by folding her arms. "Oh? If that's the case, Benji, then Realm Merging would be outlawed. The Elder Gods don't care for mortal kind. The fact they allow the Mortal Kombat Tournament to exist is a testament to how little they care for us all." She spat back. "Now shush! Normally you make a good point if you were talking about Seido, but this is Outworld we're talking. The Realm of Order thinks that all must follow regulations without question. Outworld believes rules are expendable. Think about it; how many times did Outworld cheat during the last MK tournament?"

I ponder my sister's logic, and it made sense. It all revolved to various events: Tanya and Rain, Jade's attempt to kill me, Kitana trying to assassinate Liu Kang and Cal, Liu Kang facing Quan Chi and Scorpion alone. Lastly, Shang Tsung giving Goro extra energy when we fought him.

"Too many," I answer.

"Exactly. Imagine you're Shao Kahn for a minute. Better yet, I'll do it for you." Cal then started a poor impersonation of our hated enemy. "I'm Shao Kahn, the raging asshole! I think I deserve everything because I'm entitled to even the smallest of items! Everything is mine! MINE, MINE,

I raise an eyebrow. "That's a horrible enactment."

"Regardless, Ben. She makes a good point." Kenshi supported Callie's heinous idea.

"Furthermore, put yourself in his shoes. A thousand years ago, you lost the MK tournament. You're angry, not understandably so; we're not raging fucks." Callie started again. One century later, you send in Goro to murder the Great Kung Lao and start a nine-win tournament streak for Outworld. Earthrealm is in the palm of your hands as you can't possibly mess this up. To your astonishment, Outworld loses, Goro killed in the process. The icing on the fucking cake, there are not one; not two, but three survivors on Earthrealm's team? If I were Shao Kahn, I would lose any sense of rational thought by punishing Shang Tsung, lash out at Kitana, and the rest of the court. Maybe, just maybe, kill a couple of hundred people. Y'know, typical tyrant actions."

Thank God that rant was over. "Okay, Shao Kahn is a sore loser, but that doesn't explain why we should go to Outworld." I retorted.

"Lemme finish explaining," Cal continued. "Shao Kahn is a self-entitled brat who thinks he deserves Earthrealm among everything else, and practically taste the environment. All of a sudden, you're told you can't have it anymore. When you're that egotistical, you will do anything to assume domination. Shao Kahn is pretty much a spoiled child, which leads back into my earlier analogy. Outworlders like breaking the rules and Shao Kahn will do anything for another chance to absorb Earthrealm. That's why we should go to Outworld. A simple loss will not be enough to stop that lunatic. To make sure we have peace across all realms, we need to kill Shao Kahn," she finally finished.

Silence once again plagues the estate; not from stupidity, but of confusion. She knows it's never this straightforward, right?

"Cal, as much as I love the prospect of killing the biggest threat to the realms, we can't just perform an assassination. He's not like a regular tyrant." I say, shattering the stillness.

Kenshi, who remained quiet for a good portion of this conversation, nodded in agreement. "I concur with Benjamin, Callie Ann. A hit on Shao Kahn is a little out of our reach at the moment, not to mention there'll be a hefty bounty on all our heads."

"On top of that, if we get caught, then we gave Shao Kahn a reason to commence another MK tournament without waiting another 98 years." I finished.

Cal, being privy to all this, retorts, "Need I remind you, Benji, the reason why Ryuji and the others got caught is that Tanya and Rain sold them out. There are only three of us as opposed to the ten scouts I sent, for one. Two, there's no logical reason for us to turn our backs on each other with our working relationship already established. Three, we won't get caught so long as we stay together and protect one another. The only problem I see is killing him, but we can work that out in the coming days. It's not like I'm saying we do it now!"

"You heavily implied so, Cal," I said bluntly. "Be clearer about timelines."

"I'll work on it," my sister responded. "Do you have a better idea, Benji? I'm all ears if that's the case."

My head shakes. "No, I don't have anything better, so it's something we can work towards."

A smile latched on to Cal's face. "We'll talk more about it later. For now, I'm going to go stretch before my exercise."

Kenshi rose out of his chair. "May I join you, Callie? I wish to get some sparring done for the day."

She shrugs. "I don't see the harm. You going to join us, Benji?"

"Not today," I told her. "Need to meditate for a bit before I start doing anything else." Finally, I got up from my seat before making my way to the Room of Silence. "Maybe later if you're still up for it."

"All right, Benji. I'll hold you to it." Cal conceded as she and Kenshi went the opposite direction.

"You know where I'll be," I said as I leave the room.

When I enter the Room of Silence, I proceed to the center of the room and start my meditation, or that's what I wanted to say. Not too long after I sat on the floor with both eyes closed, I became confused as another voice makes its presence known.

"Benjamin," the voice called out to me.

I open an eye to see if anyone is within these walls, nothing but space. That was until a portal opened, and coming through it was Okada, with him was Sareena. It's not an overreaction to suggest that I'm surprised my mentor is here, but I find it odd that he came so soon.

"Okada," I welcomed my now uncle. "When you said you were going to visit, I didn't expect it so soon, or for you to bring company," I calmly respond while glancing at Sareena.

"Oh sorry, Benjamin," he apologized. "Did I come at a bad time?"

"Only if you came a few minutes later, then you definitely would have, but since I didn't start my meditation, I can spare a few minutes," I reply as I start to stand up.

Okada puts a hand up as if to halt me. "No need. I will keep the visit brief and to the point. Since you're now working to secure Earthrealm's safety, I'm requesting to allow Sareena to join your team."

Confusion wracked my face at the sudden solicitation. "I thought she worked for the actual Brotherhood of Shadow?"

Sareena shook her head at the question and stepped forward. "I volunteered to help them due to my ties with the cult. What Okada didn't divulge to you is that the cult is after me. However, should I join you here in Earthrealm, they won't risk a full-scale realm invasion as it wouldn't be in their interest to do so; not right away."

I was a little skeptical when Sareena said that last part. A sigh left me as I sit back down. "Ask Cal; I have no problem with it considering who you are, Okada. However, despite the fact she calls you Uncle, my sister has only known you for a day."

Okada was puzzled. "She can't hear us already?"

"We're in the Room of Silence, Okada," I tell him. "The only way you can hear anything is if we're all in the room, which we are, or if someone opens the door. Otherwise, you can't hear anything. A murder could occur, and if the door's closed, no one outside will hear a peep."

"Well then, I'll go talk to her. Stay here, Sareena. I'll be right back." Okada instructed as he opened another portal and walked through.

Sareena decided to sit across from me. Though I desired to get back to my mediation, she started a conversation with me.

"It seems that you two are close; you and Okada." Sareena initiated.

I nod to confirm. "We are. Taught me about being a Warlock. I spent a year learning Necromancy from him. I owe Okada a lot." I eye her quizzically. "Do you know him well?"

"I've been playing spy for the Brotherhood for years," Sareena said. "Okada always kept my soul on just the right amount of corrupt, so I could continue infiltrating the cult. He made certain the operation went well. I got to know him in the meantime." She went silent. "He's had a relatively tragic life, no?"

I reluctantly agreed. "You're telling me. Just yesterday, I learned more about Okada than I ever thought."

"Did that have to do with the aptly titled, 'Uncle'?" she asked.

"Correct. It turns out Okada knew, and worked alongside our parents, but, due to in-court treachery, he and my parents fell to execution." I respond as bits and pieces of anger leaked from my tone.

Sareena for one looked visibly sad. "Oh. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. It must not mean much, but I'm deeply sorry for your loss."

She seemed rather genuine and didn't show any sign of deceitfulness. "Thank you, Sareena. Also, it doesn't matter where your origins are; words can only diminish in value. I don't have a reason to lower the value of what you say. So don't worry too much." I finished before laughing a little. "I sound like an old man."

Sareena laughed with me.

"Almost like Okada."

"I do, don't I? Guess Necromancy isn't the only thing I picked up from him." I joked.

After my attempt at humor, I see Cal, Okada, and Kenshi entering the room.

"And you're sure the Netherrealm won't come after us?" my sister directed the question at my mentor.

Okada thinly smirks. "Positive, my niece. The Netherrealm prefers being independent. If too many denizens occupy the realm at once, the government will have to start killing off the townspeople. Your safety and Sareena's is all but assured if you do this." Okada pointed out.

Cal scratched her chin in thought. There were many things to consider should we allow Sareena to stay. Besides, having another person within the household will give Cal someone else to talk to besides myself and Kenshi. Could prove beneficial for all parties involved.

She finally sighed in defeat. "Fine, only because you're my uncle."

"Thank you so much, Callie Ann!" exclaimed Okada, delighted from the news and grabbed Cal in a hug.

Cal then turned to Sareena.

"Well, I guess you'll be staying with us then." Cal moves out of the way to show our other roommate. "This is Kenshi, the other member of our little squad here."

Kenshi bows. "Good to meet you, Sareena."

Cal then brings the conversation to me. "Benji! We're gonna head for Shang Tsung's Island!"

I give her a screwy look. "Why go back there? Shouldn't you have PTSD from what Goro did two years ago?" I ask.

Cal shot me a glare.

"Shut up; we're not going there to reminisce. I'll explain when we get there. Now come on! You too, Sareena."

Sareena and I stand back up. "Will I get used to her?" she asked me.

I nod. "Eventually, but it takes time. I know firsthand."

"Then I'll follow your lead in the meantime," Sareena smiles. For a demoness, she has an adorable smile. Wait, why did I think that?

"Well, that is my cue to leave," Okada prepared to depart back to the Netherrealm. "Take care, Sareena. Try not to get those two into any trouble. They've endured enough torture."

Cal took exception to that. "Uncle!"

"Okada, shoo," I say shooing him away.

He opens a portal back to his home. "Ta-ta everyone." Okada exits the estate as I sigh in annoyance.

"That's our uncle." Cal joked.

I brought the mood back on track. "You said Shang Tsung's Island, Cal?"

"Yep," she says.

I channel energy through my hands and summon a portal to the island where the Mortal Kombat tournament took place. As we all step through, we land back on Shang Tsung's Island, which looked barren, lifeless even.

"This is Shang Tsung's island?" Kenshi scanned the area devoid of inhabitants. "I would think the place would be more... tropical."

"If the stories that circulate him in the Netherrealm are true, then I'm not surprised," Sareena added.

"To think that he doesn't come here in 100 years. The place must look like hell when he comes back. No pun intended." I respond. "Cal, why are we here exactly?"

Cal began leading the way. "I'll show you; follow me."

She started heading in the direction of the Courtyard. We walk for at least an hour until we reach the docks. In front of us amid a dense fog stood a large but badly damaged ship. A closer look revealed it to be Shang Tsung's Nethership.

"The Nethership is still here? I thought that Shang Tsung would've taken it back with him to Outworld?" I remarked.

"Well, tough luck for him, cause we're taking it," Cal commented.

All of us were confused, me especially. "Since when can you command a ship?"

Her response wasn't as predictable as I initially thought. "Since from way back in Edenia. It was required if you aspired to be General of the Freedom Fighters. So, we're going to be commandeering it and then sail it back to the estate in China. Any objections?"

I promptly gave her my answer. "Nope. Congrats, Cal. You came up with a plan that doesn't sound stupid on paper."

"Better than any plan you devised the last ten millennia," she spat back while giggling. "We should check out the inside."

"Oh, yes. If Shang Tsung didn't take care of the island, he didn't take care of the hanging men inside. They must be beyond rotten at this point." I countered.

That soured her mood. "Oh, right. Dammit. You don't know any air freshening spells?"

"No," I answered bluntly. "But let's stop complaining and clean the ship before we take it back to the estate."

We head inside, and my predictions were correct. The Nethership smelled horrific, but with teamwork, we cleared the corpses and steered the Nethership back to the Trainer's estate. When we returned and anchored the ship, a sudden inquisition took place.

"Wait, I can summon portals. Why are we taking the Nethership when I can do that?" I ask.

Cal's answer was quick to the point. "Because Benji; not all our work is going to involve cross-realm travel, you know. Sometimes we have to help a certain faction or help get rid of one, and we lack the funds to buy a plane. On top of that, I flew in a plane, and have flown a plane for twenty-five years. Getting sick of flying in those unstable machines, so we're sailing instead. Plus, it won't raise much suspicion as summoning a portal will and simply showing up in a separate part of Earthrealm. It all makes sense in the end."

It was believable until she finished her explanation. "Plus, I always wanted to be called Captain Callie."

"I'm not calling you that, ever." I immediately respond.

Callie playfully pushed me. "Whatever, Benji. Regardless, we've made much progress today."

Soon after that, Raiden teleported directly in front of us, startling Sareena in the process. "Doctor Maddox. General Maddox."

Both of us step to meet the Thunder God. "Lord Raiden. Is there something wrong?" Cal voiced her concern.

"No, although I appreciate your concern," Raiden relayed to us. "I have come to inform you that we will be awarding Liu Kang with a medal of victory in the coming week. I wish to invite you both to the event located at the Wu-Shi Academy."

We both nod in consent. "We'll be there," I answered.

"Excellent. Please enjoy the rest of your day." Raiden told us as he exited via teleportation.

"Well, guess we have plans for next week. In the meantime, you ready to spar?"

I sigh. She did hold me to it. "I suppose. C'mon, weirdo."

Before I could react, Cal slapped me upside the head. "Oh, shut up!"

A/N: And that ends the final Bonus Chapter for now! What did you guys think? Did you guys enjoy it? Did you not? Let me know with a Review or a PM, and while you're at it check out my Profile and give my other stories a shot! I'm leaving. Ba-bye! Currently listening to Crime Pays by MadGibs.