Chapter 31: Special Forces vs Black Dragon
The heroes are making their final preparations for the upcoming battles that lie ahead for them. While Outworld and Edenia make their own preparations, The Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu and Monks do the same.
The Special Forces are the only ones to make plans. Their plan for now is to take down the Black Dragon permanently. They have done so before, and they are confident they can do so again. Not only that, but they want to buy the young protectors time to meet with Taven and head to the Pyramid.
"Alright. I got some good news, my friends." Cassie said, getting everyone's attention. "We found the clubhouse where Mateo and everyone else is hiding. It's at the Black Dragon Market alloy. I remember that place. Where Sonya and Johnny were kidnapped."
"You mean the place where Sonya killed Kano before? And kicked Geras' ass?" Jacqui asked. She remembered all the details Cassie gave them while she, Past Jax and Alex went to Shang Tsung's island.
"That's the one. But unlike last time, it is heavily armed and upgraded in terms of defense. Mateo once again learned from Kano's mistakes. It's bigger and has a lot of men. More than last time and it doesn't even have a fighting cage." Cassie said.
"But something does not make sense. Why would they choose a place that they have been to before in the Old Era? It would have to be a very personal reason." Kung Jin said.
"Jin's right. Probably because Sonya killed Kano in the past like before. Which just shows that he still holds a grudge against the Cage family. That makes sense. He would want to end this there and as soon as possible." Takeda said.
"But this could be a trap. Mateo may be expecting us to come. And given what he can do, and the buddies he's made, he won't hold back on anyone. He will pay for what he did to Kabal and to us." Alex said.
"It'll most likely be a trap. A risk that we may have to take. Anything to avoid fireworks from those assholes. Last thing we need are nukes. The thing is they could be hiding them anywhere." Cassie said.
"That's not the only issue. For all we know, if Mateo spots us, he can set them off on all of us at any moment. I think our first objective is to disarm them first, and then deal with them." Jacqui suggested.
"But how? Mateo is smart, but even he isn't as stupid as Kano is." Alex wondered. "Even with stealth tech and jets, there is no way we will be able to sneak in from the outside."
"You're right. That's where you come in, Alex." Cassie tells him. "You can use your powers to create portals. We can infiltrate them from the inside, immediately take out all the cameras and disable the nukes. Once we do that, we can signal our soldiers to come in and fight. We also need to make sure that Mateo and the others don't try to escape. Everything depends on it."
"Because once we wipe them all out, we can all stand a better chance against Shao Kahn and his creepy ass buddies." Jacqui said.
"And help Taven defeat Daegon." Alex said.
"Alex. You still have the Kamidogu dagger?" Cassie asked. Alex responds by holding up Earthrealm's Kamidogu in his hand. "Good. We need to give it to Anthony and Flora for safekeeping."
"Are you sure about this, Cass? What if something happens to them if they hold on to those things?" Jacqui worries.
"I don't like it either, Jacqui. But we need to distract the assholes before they catch on to us." Cassie sighs. The five walk away from the planning table and head to where the young protectors are.
"Hey guys. Can we talk to all of you for a few minutes?" Alex asked everyone.
"Sure. What's up, colonel dad?" Flora asked.
"We have something very important for you to do. All of you. Listen. The five of us are going on a mission. To take down the Black Dragon once and for all." Alex said.
"What about us? Why can't we go with you?" Anthony asked, offering to come fight with them.
"No. We have a better idea for you two." Cassie said. Alex grabs Anthony's hand and gives him the dagger.
"Wait, what? I don't understand. Why are you giving this to us? You're the strongest soldiers we know." Anthony asked.
"We need to throw off Mateo and the new Black Dragon, make them think we have it instead of you. Besides, Taven will need your help. You heard Liu Kang. It's better this way because regardless, Shao Kahn will head to the pyramid with Daegon and Havik." Cassie said.
"But we can just hide these anywhere. With the shields up, they can't find us as long as we remain hidden." Vera steps up.
"That is not a good idea." Chang Bao steps up. "When we met Daegon, he said that the Kamidogu daggers can track one another. So hiding here will not do us any good. Your shields only delay the inevitable."
"So our only plan is to head to Taven's father's pyramid before anyone else does. If we keep moving, it will take them longer to try to hunt us down." Cyan steps up.
"Pardon me for interrupting." Meia said, stepping up. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Meia. Chosen princess of Jerrod and Sindel. The king and queen asked me to come assist you with your quest."
"It's nice to meet you, Meia. I'm Sergeant Anthony Cage." Anthony shakes Meia's hand. "And this is my sister, Specialist Flora Cage."
"What's up, girl?. I'm Flora." Flora also shakes her hand and gives her a wink and friendly smile.
"Satoshi and Vera." Satoshi steps up and bows his head before her. "Welcome to our side, new ally." Aster and Kung Gen also nod to her as a friend.
"Thank you." Meia said. "It is nice to meet you all. Queen Sindel has told me about you all and your heroics. I have heard of good and evil earthrealmers and I hoped to come across the former first. It is an honor to meet you all."
"It is good to see you again, Meia. It's been more than a while since we have written to each other." Daisuki said to her, smiling while blushing.
"Apologies, my dear friend Daisuki. Things have gotten…. Complicated." Meia stated.
"The honor is ours, Lady Meia." Takeda said. "So what brings you here to help us out?"
"These." Meia holds up the daggers of Edenia and Orderrealm. "The king and queen as well as Taven asked me to hold onto these, knowing they are best safe with me. And they told me that you all were building a team based on the young protectors. Although I do wish to be more independent, I see no reason to turn it down."
"The more the merrier. So what do you propose we should do with these things, Meia?" Vera asked.
"Because there is an alternate way for us to get to the Pyramid of Argus. Taven himself told me everything. According to him, Argus told him before he was put to slumber. Based on my studies, its hidden to the eastlands of Edenia. His wife Delia built the pathway just in case of emergencies." Meia points out.
"So in other words, a shortcut." Vera said.
"You know what? That could work. If we can catch up to Taven, we could help him fight Daegon. Once we kill him, all that's left are Shao Kahn and Havik." Anthony supports Meia's idea.
"An alternate pathway. This can be used to our advantage. To get a head start against our enemies. But if we start now, it will not last for long." Aster said.
"Aster is right. We have the element of surprise on our side." Kung Gen said, winking at Aster.
"So it's settled then." Alex said. "Anthony. Flora. May we have a word with you two?"
"Same to you two, Vera and Satoshi?" Jacqui asked them. The four young ones follow the adults to have a private conversation with each other, followed by Kung Gen.
"What's up? You need us for something else?" Anthony asked.
"No. We want to ask you something else. Are you four up for this? This is a huge responsibility. More than anything else through the realms and all of time. Many people. Hundreds or thousands can be killed. If one of us fails, all of us will fail." Cassie said.
"You must be ready for anything. Do not hold back on anyone or anything. Don't let anyone scare you or trick you. You do not run. You fight." Jacqui said.
"Put all of your efforts into your thoughts and think positive. Think negatively, and it will have an affect on your fighting skills and emotions." Takeda said.
"See the real world for what it is like. Stand together as true friends." Kung Jin said.
"Everything that happens now is in your hands. In all of our hands. Have faith in each other. We all have faith in you. Have faith in us as well. Remember that, and you will grow stronger." Alex tells them.
Alex, Cassie and the twins salute each other before they hug each other. Alex kisses Flora's cheek while Vera and Takeda hug each before she hugs Jacqui. The parents in turn shake Satoshi's hand and hug him. Kung Jin and Kung Gen bow to each other and hug out of love. As things are settled, they walk back to where the other young protectors are.
"Alright. All of you, head for that passageway and meet up with Taven. Don't let go of each other." Cassie tells everyone. "We will keep in touch with each other. That's a promise." The young ones nod in response.
"Good luck, everyone." Takeda tells them. "Whenever you all are ready, head to Edenia. Follow Meia's lead.
The four turn to Alex and he activates his powers and waves his hands in a pattern and an orange portal opens in front of them. Alex, Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda and Jin look at the young protectors one more time and smile at them before they one by one enter through the portal as it closes. This leaves the young ones by themselves.
In the gateway to sneaking into the Black Market alley, Cassie and the team are walking their way through while Alpha and Bravo team are flying their way to the base for a surprise attack.
As the five walk their way through, they begin to remember the good times they all had. From the team forming to defeating Shinnok to Alex joining, and all the way through the New Era. They have fought the biggest threats such as Kronika, Geras and Shang Tsung.
"Wow. Can't believe it's been so long since this team has come together. Too damn long perhaps." Jacqui stated.
"You're telling me. We've always had our ups and downs as a team. Remember how young we were and now look at us. Almost 25 years later and we are still kicking." Kung Jin said.
"Let's see. The team formed after the Reiko accords were formed, and dealt with Mileena and Shinnok." Takeda said.
"And me kicking his ass, still one of the most surprising things that has ever happened in my life. Honestly, I didn't think I was gonna do it. All of my thoughts were me saving dad. But I'm proud of it." Cassie said. She always had that pride in her spirit when she defeated Shinnok and Cassie never considered herself a chosen one. Just a leader.
"Then the craziest shit happens. I get pulled to Earthrealm by Kronika and none of us knew, then I have powers, and discover I'm part elder god and a chosen one, to being part of the Cage family to being possessed by Kronika, which is my worst nightmare. And cheating death." Alex remembered.
All of them share a laugh at the memories they have had together. Things have changed for everyone for the better since the New Era, despite the pros and cons it has. But they have had more good things happen than bad things. Starting families, moving on with their lives and such.
"Cassie told me you took on Shao Kahn and Mileena. How did that feel beating those two fuckers?" Jacqui looks at them.
"Shao Kahn doesn't scare me. He was a pain in the ass to deal with though. He's powerful, but not as powerful as Cetrion or Kronika." Alex said.
"Mileena was just an insane son of a bitch. A little girl trapped in an ugly ass body. Told her she'll never be like Kitana." Cassie said, making Jacqui snicker.
"The times we always had our differences with each other, even after Alex showed up." Kung Jin said.
"Even the times where you were a big asshole half the time? Oh yeah, I can definitely agree on that. And all the trouble you kept putting us through. Like with Sub-Zero and Kotal. You were the biggest pain in the ass. For all of us, even for mom and dad." Cassie points out. Everyone else looks at Jin, knowing she's not wrong.
"I was just an impatient hothead back then. That was the Old Era." Jin defends himself.
"That may be so, but you were still an asshole to me when I first joined. Even with reasons of your own. Such as when you left a huge bruise on my face and nearly took my head off." Alex remembered.
"Hey. I said I was sorry a thousand times." Jin said, making Alex snicker.
"What would you say would be the happiest moment of your life?" Alex asked.
"Me? I wanna say the time I became master of the monks and teacher alongside my uncle Kung Lao. I didn't think I would get that far in life. I was hoping I would fight alongside my uncle. And the way you guys always compare me with him, now I see what you all are talking about." Kung Jin admitted, making everyone laugh.
"Finally. Took you long enough to figure that out. To figure out how much of a pain you were. I mean how do you think Liu Kang felt having to put up with Lao?" Takeda joked.
"Can't even imagine." Jin shrugs.
"My favorite moment alongside Jacqui is the blood ceremony. Part of it was scary but it was a good experience for both of us." Takeda mentioned. He felt happy since the day he married Jacqui and the quest they went on, despite it nearly costing them their lives.
"And kicking the Red Dragon's ass and killing Lang Cho and Dogron. Completely worth the trip. Serves those assholes right for messing with the clan and family. That's how it rolls in the Takahashi and Briggs homes." Jacqui said. "And not to mention having Vera." She smiles at the thoughts of her daughter.
"Living up to the family legacy. That's what we always do. Always have, always will." Cassie said.
"Anything special you like to remember, bestie?" Jacqui asked her best friend.
"Well. There was mine and Alex's wedding. That was the happiest day of my life. And the times we both sparred together." Cassie mentions, making Jacqui giggle. She remembers Cassie telling her she tricked Alex into thinking he hurt her, only to get tripped and forced to give up. "And giving birth to Anthony and Flora." Cassie mentioned. This makes Alex sigh.
"You alright, Alex?" Jacqui asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah. It's just that I have too many good memories to think about. My first mission. First date, first anniversary. The wedding. Meeting Jade and Kitana. Going to Edenia and having help from Sindel. Meeting my own parents one time. Earning everyone's trust. I just don't know how I do it." Alex admitted.
"It's like I told you before, Alex. I saw honesty and courage within you. And I saw your spirit. I knew you were a good person from the start and made us proud. And that's how you became part of the family. How everyone trusts you. How Kitana saw you as a friend and how Jade loves you like a brother." Cassie holds Alex's hand.
"You've been there for us whenever we were down." Jacqui tells him. "When I lost my mom, and when Sonya died, and you being there for Jade. And the times we were all there for you, such as when you found out your life was a lie, but you kept going. And we gave you motivation."
"We got this far because of you, Alex. You helped kill Kronika and Shang Tsung." Takeda said to him.
"If it weren't for you, none of us would have existed. Because of you, we grew up and have better lives. New generations of heroes." Kung Jin pats him on the back.
"Thank you. All of you. I often ask myself what I do without you all. I'm just glad to be here with you. We are all hope. Just like what Raiden told me. It's what got us this far. Me, you four, Raiden, Liu Kang, everyone. I told my parents that Cassie changed my life for the better. And I can say the same for you." Alex tells everyone.
"No matter what happens to us, we do this for everything. For Earthrealm. For our families. For all of reality. For Kabal and Kotal. We fight or we die trying. But we will not let anything be in vain. Do I make myself clear?" Cassie tells everyone.
Instead of saluting her, they all form a group hug around each other. They smile at this tender moment. The five break apart and see their destination right in front of them. They five nod to each other before they finally step through.
The team has reached the inside of the Black Market alley. It looks completely different from the inside. The basement has more technology, with computer monitors, more weapons, even nukes. What makes the heroes question is how Mateo and the others manage to get their hands on them. That did not matter to them. To them, their concern is disabling them permanently and taking down the Black Dragon. Good news is it is nowhere near civilization.
That's not the only change. The Black Dragon has more armory, so they could withstand blows, but not bullets. There are cells in place of the original cage ring which the Kano duo used to imprison the younger versions of Sonya and Johnny. There are also armored trucks, but not too advanced. Mateo must have been clever enough to modify his own vehicles that he stole.
Cassie was hoping to never see this place again. She remembered saving the younger versions of her parents and that this was the last place where they fought Kano in the Old Era before he died. Everyone else on the team would have liked to see that.
"Welp. We're here. What's our first move?" Jacqui asked. Cassie shoots the cameras in the room so no one could spot them.
"First off. Disable the nukes and shields. You and Alex can handle that." Cassie tells her best friend and her husband. "Takeda. You and Jin will sneak through this shit place. Take out the guards and unlock the doors for our men. I'll stay here and be on the lookout while guarding Alex and Jacqui."
"You got it, Cass." Jacqui nods. She taps Alex's shoulder and they head to the monitors and start getting to work on disabling the nukes.
"Ready to do this, Jin?" Takeda asked.
"Always. It's time for some payback." Jin gets his bow staff out before they quietly sneak out the door.
As Takeda and Jin leave the room, Jacqui and Alex continue to work the computers while at the same time watching the cameras to make sure no one approaches the room. "How are we doing, you two?"
"Nerve Racking as fuck. I mean we haven't dealt with this sort of shit for a long ass time. It's different than last time." Jacqui said.
"Uh-oh. Cassie. We got some men approaching!" Alex warns her.
"Good. Some target practice." Cassie loads her guns and stands at the wall close to the door. She holds them up. Cassie's serious face means she shows business and does not fool around. When it comes to her job, she never does.
As the double doors open, a few goons walk in, aiming their rifles around the room while failing to notice Cassie. The three goons then set their eyes on Alex and Jacqui as they work together. Before they could cock their weapons, Cassie shoots one in the head, the second one in the eye and the third through the throat. The three fall dead. Four more goons come in. Cassie jumps, kicks two of them in the head, knocking them out and shoots them in the legs and head and they drop dead.
"Guys. I may need some help soon!" Cassie reminds them as she fights off more.
"Just a few more seconds." Jacqui replied.
"And…. Got it!" Alex yells. "The nukes are disabled and put in encryption codes so they can't turn them back on. Shields are down and cameras are down, but not for long."
Jacqui equips her gauntlets while Alex has his twin pistols. They jump out of the chairs and start to help Cassie. Jacqui grabs a goon by the neck with her legs, throws him down and stomps her sharp high heels into his eyes, killing him. She uppercuts another and shoots a bullet through the goon's head and kills her. Alex dodges a punch, backhands the goon in the back of the head before shooting a bullet, killing him. Alex elbows another in the neck, does a knee strike to the chest before pushing a gun through the goon's mouth and shoots him dead.
"Thanks." Cassie nods to them. "Come on. Let's catch up to Takeda and Jin. See how they are doing." Cassie starts running to where Takeda and Jin are with Alex and Jacqui tailing her.
Takeda and Jin battle their way through the goons, knocking them out or killing them regardless. As they reach outside, Jin quickly fires his arrows at the goons standing on the roof, instantly killing them as he goes while Takeda uses his chain whips to slice and cut them. One goon standing by the door gate was about to shoot Takeda, but he puts two fingers to the head and takes control of the man and forces him to unlock the gate. The big doors slowly slide open before Jin shoots that man dead.
All the soldiers start running in and shooting many goons everywhere they see them. Jin and Takeda turn to each other and fist bump. They then see Alex and the girls coming towards them just in time.
"Got everything done here. You three are just in time." Takeda tells them.
"Good. Now it's our turn for some payback. Time to find Mateo and bring him down." Cassie ordered everyone. "All troops! Battle stations! Do not let anyone go free! Do not let a single one escape!" She ordered the soldiers. Cassie gestures for her team and soldiers to follow her as they run towards the inside of the huge building, where Mateo and his crew are. They have nowhere to run.
Inside, Kobra and Tasia see on the cameras that the Special Forces are running towards their location. This does not sit well with everyone at all, not one bit. "The Special Bastards are here! I thought we broke them! Made them go run and hide like baby chickens!" Kobra states.
"This is a good thing for us, my brother. Maybe they want to suffer and cry more. I say we give it to them." Kira gleefully smiles. She sharpens her daggers and stares at her own reflection, imagining wanting more blood on it.
"Mateo." Tremor turns to him, who appears to look like he just woke up from a long nap. "What do you suggest we do?"
"We stand and fight. If they want a war, then it is a war that they will get. And it will end before it will even start." Mateo swears on it.
"But your heart. You still need some rest." Tasia tries to reassure her son.
"I don't give a flying fuck. If the Cage family wants to die along with Kabal, then so be it. We shared the same dream for years. The dream can come true more since Kabal died. The general is mine to deal with" Mateo tells them all off.
"And the others?" Kobra asked.
"Do whatever you have to do. Make their deaths worth remembering and worth suffering." Mateo tells Kobra, much to his delight.
"Oh, I intend to. I am tired of losing to their damn children anyway." Kobra steps up.
"We split off, take one at a time. Take no prisoners. If one survives, take one alive. We will need someone to spill beans on all of their bases. All of their weapons." Mateo said before finally smiling. "I am coming for you, Cage." Mateo said. Tremor, Tasia, Kobra and Kira stand along with him, both sides willing to make their last stand against each other.
The heroes continue to fight their way through the goons. Cassie jumps over two goons and swings her switchblade at the back of their necks, slicing them open and killing them before throwing the blade into a third one's neck and shoots a fourth one dead. Cassie runs over to the third goon, leaps towards him and grabs the blade and rolls over him and thrusts the blade into a goon's stomach before backflip kicking him in the forehead. Jacqui takes out one of her daggers and thrusts it through the mouth and kills him. Jacqui jumps on one's neck and shoots bullets from her gauntlets, killing a goon and uses her kickboxing style moves and gauntlets and kills more. One tries to approach her with a baton, but she parries it and shoots the goon from the chest to the head and dropping her dead before stabbing another through the heart.
Alex uses his bo staff and spins it in different directions while deflecting bullets and fighting some goons with their own melee weapons. He overpowers them and trips one, and thrusts the bo staff through the mouth, killing him. He pole dances around it and kicks away two more of them before he bends backwards to dodge a punch and he grabs one of his pistols and shoots the goon in the arm, chest and head. He then does a spin jumps, grabs his other pistol and lands on the ground and spins in place while killing seven goons.
Takeda slides under a goon, tripping him before using his sword to cut part of his waist open before stabbing another behind him in the head without even looking. He sees seven more goons running towards him but he uses his new chain spear he received from Hanzo and swings it and it slices open all of their throats. Blood comes spewing out as all of them drop dead.
Kung Jin uses his bowstaff and fires arrows from a safe distance. When one approaches him, he takes an arrow, he thrusts it through the goon's eye, killing him. Kung Jin counters another goon's punches and kicks and jumps over him, locks his bow staff around his neck and surely snaps it, killing the last goon before the heroes make more progress.
Cassie leads the four down to the basement with the backup cameras installed and back online. Another goon tries to approach her, but Cassie elbows him before stabbing him in the heart with her switchblade, dropping him dead. She then sets her eyes on Mateo and the others, angrily glaring at them with so much deep hatred. As they all do so, the entire place is goin up in flames from the outside. Fire is in a lot of places as the fighting goes on.
"Cassandra Cage. Baby girl of Sonya Blade. Not surprised that you live up to expectations. But your expectations are getting stale." Mateo said.
"First off, I set my own standards. Two, there are good and bad role models. Three, you are one to talk, motherfucker. Coming from the guy who followed an idiot who died twice. Some father you got there. Twenty-four years we didn't have to put up with you assholes." Cassie said as the other four agreed with her.
"You really thought the Black Dragon would stay dead? Nothing dies so easily, you gotta admit. I hoped to break you after I murdered Kabal for my dad. But you are a glutton for punishment." Mateo said.
"You and all of your friends are just wanting to accept death, do you? Well we'd be glad to give it to you as a parting gift." Kira smiles.
"As in you know, part you here, part of you there, part of you way over there staining the walls and floors on your graves!" Kobra said to them.
"Alright. That's it. I've had enough of these guys already!" Kung Jin is very pissed. He was the first to jump in after Kobra and goes after him while Takeda goes after Kira. This leaves Alex and the girls to deal with Mateo, Tremor and Tasia.
"I want her." Tasia points her finger to Jacqui.
"Fine by me." Jacqui said before she separates to fight Tasia.
"I have a score to settle with this blindly loyal asshole." Alex said, referring to Tremor. Tremor smirks, agreeing with the idea and the two separate from each other, leaving Cassie with Mateo.
Kung Jin and Kobra are evenly paced with each other, not letting up. "For a mere monk punk, you got skills. But I'll burn your face as you scream and drop blood tears."
"No one calls me a mere monk punk. Ever. You face me. Nephew of Kung Lao." Kung Jin said.
"You ain't worth any spit." Kobra said before they fight.
Kobra and Jin run towards each other with their weapons. Kobra swings his flaming escrima sticks while Kung Jin blocks the attacks with his bow staff. Kung Jin side step dodges it as he swings his bow staff on Kobra's shoulder, on the head and across the right waist, and spins and swings his weapon at Kobra's left rib cage, across the chest and across the face, stumbling him. Jin jumps, dive kicks him in the chest and slams the staff onto his face, breaking his nose. Jin jumps, spins vertically and lands on Kobra's chest, making him spit out blood. Jin jumps off of him to get a distance.
Kobra gets back up and is pissed. His sticks light up with fire and he swings them and they shoot fireballs, surprising Jin. Jin dodges and fires arrows, which Kobra also dodges and swiftly runs in and kicks Jin in the chin followed by the top of the head and then a spin kick to the chest, sending Kung Jin back. Kobra swings his sticks in circles, hitting Jin's shoulders multiple times and cracking them a bit. Jin attempts to kick him straight in the jaw, but Kobra counters by grabbing his foot and punching him in the face, cracking it. Jin rolls back and was ready. Kobra was about to finish him by slamming his fiery sticks onto his face, but Kung Jin swings his staff upward, hitting his jaw and slamming it onto his head, cracking his skull, fires two arrows into Kobra's shoulders and grabbing his head and throws him down, back first, breaking his ribs. Kung Jin uses his bow staff and fire spits into Kobra's face, scorching it as he screams, but more pain comes his way as Kung Jin fires arrows at his arms, shoulders, his heart and his forehead, finally killing Kobra as he falls onto his back, lifeless.
"Am I worth anything to you yet?" Jin insultingly asked.
Takeda continues to fight Kira and is starting to get the best of her. "You're good, for someone who is almost as insane as Mileena."
"That's the nicest thing I have been told." Kira smirks.
"It will be the last thing you'll hear." Takeda threatens her.
"I shall enjoy hearing screams!" Kira said as they resumed.
Takeda throws daggers at Kira's feet, which she jumps over, only to be pulled down by Takeda's chain spear, pulled in and kicked in the face twice, then kicks Kira's right knee and right rib cage before Takeda uppercuts her and slams a fist down onto her head. Kira swings both of her daggers upwards, which Takeda blocks and roundhouse kicks her in the head, sending her down.
Kira rolls back and recovers. She chuckles quietly before she blows some pink mist into Takeda's eyes, causing him pain. Kira takes her daggers and swings two horizontal swings across his chest and two vertical ones onto his shoulders, causing some pain. Kira then chop strikes his right rib cage and uppercuts his chin. Takeda stumbles but he remains calm. He breathes in and out as Kira jumps to attack. Takeda, with his eyes closed, easily dodges it and without looking, blocks all of Kira's swings. He lets go of his sword and uses telekinesis and the sword fights Kira which she tries her best to block, until the sword disarms her of one of her daggers before it thrusts itself through Kira's right thigh, causing it to bleed.
Takeda takes the chain spear and fires it though Kira's chest. "Get over here!" Takeda yells as she is pulled towards him and kicks her in the back, greatly cracking her spine and does an eagle kick on her face, cracking the front of her skull. Kira is sent flying until she hits a wall. Kira's vision is completely blurry and is too dazed to move or speak.
Takeda thrusts his chain spears forward and make their way through Kira's stomach and back, breaking her spine until most of it is through her. Takeda jumps forward and kicks Kira backwards, causing her intestines to fall out while in mid-air he twists the chain spears together and lands on the ground before finally pulling them part as they go towards Kira. Kira is ripped in half; her head and arms come flying off as her upper body is broken apart while her lower half falls to the ground as blood rains down where her remains are.
"Your own screams, you mean?" Takeda roasts her.
Jacqui continues to fight Tasia and this time, the former was prepared for the latter, given the last time she and the others fought her. "Give it up, bitch. I've came prepared to kill your ass this time."
"Briggs. Overconfident as per usual. When will you ever learn?" Tasia said.
"Confident enough to know the truth that your club always loses because they're douchebags." Jacqui insults her.
"My son Mateo will rise up and lead us to a new age. A new age of the Black Dragon." Tasia said before they resumed fighting.
Jacqui jumps and backhands Tasia in the face, punches her in the chest and across the face before using her cyber heel attack to the face several times before kicking her far away in the chest. Tasia gets up, only for Jacqui to jump over, and punches her in the chest twice before firing energy bolts at her chest, and grabs her arm, throws her down and elbows the back of Tasia's head and jumps down and slams her knees onto Tasia's back, cracking it.
Tasia suddenly teleports away and starts swinging her sword like crazy. Jacqui does her best to block each of the blows. Tasia does a vertical swing, throwing Jacqui off balance before swinging her sword close to her stomach, but only leaving a mild cut, but still hurting badly. Tasia smirks at her wound and wanted to leave more. Jacqui rolls over, kicks Tasia in the chin and brings her down and does a strong eagle kick to the head. But Tasia teleports again and elbows Jacqui in the back of the head, and double kicks her back and cuts her right shoulder. Jacqui gestures to her pain, but is now pissed. Jacqui fires smoke bombs at the ground all around her, but when Tasia swings her sword, Jacqui suddenly wasn't there. That was until Tasia hears yelling behind her and she turns around, only to receive a very strong punch to the face by Jacqui, breaking her nose and greatly cracking her skull. She throws a device behind Tasia and it creates a blue, thin wall. She fires energy bolts from her gauntlets and hits Tasia in the chest, cracking it. Jacqui fires bullets and they go through Tasia's shoulders and parts of her chest and they bounce off the wall and go through her throat and part of her ear. Jacqui jumps and kicks Tasia through the wall, breaking it.
Tasia is on her knees, bleeding out all over her body, and she finds herself unable to speak, choking on her own blood. Jacqui walks up to Tasia, and her anklets glow blue. She continually kicks Tasia so fast, she is unable to react as she kicks her head off and her torso off, leaving more blood to come from Tasia's upper torso.
"A new age of humiliation that is." Jacqui said.
Small minor quakes occur as Alex continues to fight Tremor.
"Still strong as hell, yet still dumb as a typical big brute. Apparently you'll never learn that this life isn't just for you." Alex joked.
"And you are still with the Special Forces. You should be dead or retired. I'll be happy to put you in your place when I give your head to Mateo." Tremor replied.
"There you go again. Acting like a fanboy." Alex rolls his eyes.
"I will be his best fighter once I kill a half god." Tremor said as they resumed fighting.
Alex glows silver white as Tremor rolls a magma ball which Alex uses earth powers to create a small wall to stop it. Tremor jumps forward to slam his fists down, but Alex dodges and pulls him in with the wind and elbows his chest and punches his throat and side kicks his jaw. He ducks, punches Tremor's right knee, uppercuts his forehead and backflip kicks him in the jaw, stumbling him. This allows Alex to summon water with his powers waves his hands in different directions before he fires it at Tremor, sending him through a water portal and he ends up on the other side, allowing Alex to double kick his stomach and chest and uses energy enhanced punches to the jaw, and a kick to the chest, sending Tremor into a wall.
Tremor recovers and growls. He puts his fists together and was not gonna go down so easily. He throws a magma ball at Alex, who dodges under and jumps over another one. He and Tremor switch between offense and defense, with Alex blocking and parrying Tremor's attacks. Tremor punches Alex backwards, sliding. Alex blocks with his disc shields, but Tremor uppercuts Alex, sending him in the air as Tremor grabs his ankles and throws him down to the ground. Alex rolls backwards, but Tremor traps his arms with stones, preventing him from moving as Tremor slams a fist down on his head, kicks him in the chest and back hand strikes him across the face, cracking part of Alex's skull. Alex stumbles backwards, allowing Tremor to bring up a stone pillar that hits Alex in the back, cracking parts of his spine as he is sent towards Tremor. He throws a magma covered punch, which Alex grabs and blocks the punch with his powers and electrocutes Tremor with his lightning powers before doing a strong jump kick to the forehead, cracking it. Tremor throws a straight kick, which Alex avoids and sends him backwards with an energy beam before grabbing his arm, uppercuts his jaw, cracking it, punches his face and throws him down.
Alex rolls under Tremor and elbows and punches his spine, cracking and breaking it. He then goes in front of Tremor, punches his right shin, breaking it entirely and does two roundhouse kicks to the jaw, breaking it almost completely. Tremor is dazed and his vision is blurry. Alex's fists glow and he uppercuts Tremor in the jaw, cracking it and nearly breaking it. Alex decides to finish him.
Alex charges up a fist and thrusts it through Tremor's chest, making a big whole and uses the strength to pull it apart. His hands are then covered in flames and thrusts both hands into his chest and sets him on fire from the inside. Tremor screams as he is burned to death like being in a furnace as the flames began to reach outside his body and burn him to death. Tremor falls onto his back, screaming before he slowly dies.
"You've always been the worst fighter, Tremor." Alex said as he caught his breath. Over several feet, Cassie continues to fight Mateo.
"Damn. For someone young, you are a tough bitch." Cassie said.
"I want to be flattered, blondie, but I don't take compliments from assholes like you. You may have killed everyone I had, but I don't give in to fear! I am the Black Dragon!" Mateo said.
"It has died before because of Kano's poor leadership and lack of brains. It'll happen again. His face always looked like an ass." Cassie said.
"And you have your fucking dad's mouth. But this fight will be entertaining. How does this going to feel for you, mate?" Mateo asked as they resume fighting.
Cassie equips her guns as Mateo loads his gauntlets with bullets and they fire at each other. They sway left and right avoiding bullets while trying to hit each other. One of his gauntlets starts firing a laser at Cassie. She sees this and runs. Cassie needs to close the gap. She briefly runs on the wall before jumping off and hitting Mateo in the left eye before rolling to a distance. Mateo recovers and fires a missile from his other gauntlet, which Cassie swiftly dodges and does a yellow shadow kick to the chest, sending Mateo backwards. Cassie comes in and does a punch across the face, uppercuts him in the chin and backhands him in the back of the head, sending Mateo down. Mateo rolls forward and growls and brings out daggers from his gauntlets. Cassie brings out her switchblade and they clash weapons. None seem to be getting the upper hand, but once they lock weapons, Cassie kicks Mateo's right rib cage and swings her blade at his left eye, cutting part of his face and giving him a scar. Cassie then does a punch to the face, knees his chest and does a strong kick to the forehead, cracking it and sending him backwards.
Mateo touches his face and sees it bleeding and the cut stings. He instead chuckles at this, knowing what his father looked like before he died. He then looks up at Cassie and stands up. He fires a laser from his gauntlet at Cassie, who dodges, but Mateo lounges forward and tackles her down. He laughs as he punches Cassie in the face three times and headbutts her. Mateo aims his gauntlets to finish her with a bullet in the head, but Cassie, with anger, knees his stomach and kicks him off. Mateo recovers and backhands Cassie in the head and jumps and does a swing kick to the head, making her spill some blood.
Cassie is more pissed off. She remembers the troubles the Special Forces had to go through because of the Black Dragon, including allying with Shao Kahn and Kronika, all the murders, kidnaps and other crimes. She stands back up and glows yellow and stares at the son of Kano. Cassie runs towards Mateo who fires missiles, which Cassie ducks and slides under them and kicks his stomach, delivers a strong punch to the nuts, making Mateo cringe in pain, as Cassie then delivers a strong kick to the jaw, cracking it and nearly breaking it and sending Mateo far. As he is in the air, Cassie does a shadow backflip kick to the spine, nearly breaking it and Mateo lands on the ground.
Mateo tries to get up, but he can't. He can't even feel his own legs. Cassie walks up to Mateo. They both stare at each other with pure hatred. Cassie looks into Mateo's eyes and sees nothing more than his own father Kano. He is too much like him. Although not one to take lives, Cassie would hate to have history repeat itself endlessly. Cassie takes out one of her metal batons and swings it so hard at Mateo's jaw, nearly breaking it off and hanging very loose on the left side of his face. Cassie then pulls out a grenade and literally shoves it into his mouth and pulls the pin before jumping away. Mateo's screams were muffled by the device as it goes off, and Mateo's body explodes. Blood flies everywhere and some gets onto Cassie's uniform and all over the wall. Not a single trace of him left.
"Feels fucking amazing, mate. That was for Kabal." Cassie mocks him. She looks over at Mateo's corpse and breathes a sigh of relief that it's over. Then she looks over at everyone else. She is amazed that her best friend, her husband and her close comrades have also killed their enemies.
They all look at Cassie. Takeda, Alex, Jacqui and Jin all share the same look on their faces. A look of surprise and triumphant. "Holy shit. We did it. We actually did it. Again." Jacqui said.
"Yeah. And I actually get to see it happen to the Black Dragon for once. This feels good." Alex smirks before walking over to his wife. "Are you alright, babe?"
"I'm alright, sweetheart. I'm just glad these assholes are done. Out of our lives again." Cassie smiles as Alex cups her face and kisses her. Jacqui turns to her husband Takeda, who pulls her in by the face and kisses her as well. Kung Jin smiles at this. At the fact that they have seemingly won.
Note: This may not be the best cliffhanger, but this is the real last time we will see the Black Dragon. As they have served their purpose. Cassie's fatality right there was made up, lol. Things will be coming towards everyone's way very soon.