Chapter 30: Preparations


The heroes are all unsure on what to do next. All the Kamidogu daggers have been uncovered. They have recovered the ones of Outworld, Orderrealm and Earthrealm. The villains have the daggers of the Netherrealm, Edenia and Chaosrealm.

Alex and Cassie head to the medbay to patch up their respective wounds. Alex is teaching his daughter Flora how to heal Cassie's wound that she received from Mileena. Jade and Anthony watch in amazement.

"Focus. Channel your powers and you can speed up the healing process of the injury. But do not think too hard, otherwise, you may end up making yourself pass out." Alex advises his daughter.

Flora nods and closes her eyes. Her hand glows red like her actual powers and Cassie's wound starts glowing as well. Flora concentrates and within a minute, her mother's wound starts stitching itself back together until there is nothing left. Other than the small amount of blood, it looks like it has not been wounded to begin with.

"Wow. Did not even realize god-like powers could heal others. Wish I knew this sooner. But why does this stuff always make me feel so tired?" Flora asked as she wipes some sweat from her forehead.

"Because you're half human. It takes up some energy to heal others or create portals. Same thing with me. Trust me, it took me a long time to completely master them. Told you it is not as easy as you think." Alex said.

"He's right. But you did very well. In fact, it doesn't even hurt anymore." Cassie smiles at Flora. "Keep that up and you'll be able to heal faster and better. I just know it." Cassie looks at her. Flora couldn't help but blush a little at her words of compliments.

"God. Those freaks were scarier and tougher than I thought. But glad we killed those fuckers. And Shao Kahn and Mileena. Man, who knew they would show up. I would've been scared as hell to go up against them." Anthony expresses.

"Never fear your enemy, young Anthony." Jade said. "Do not take the enemy for granted. If you let them see your fear, then they will use that to their advantage. Shao Kahn may be intimidating, but everyone who has come across him have shown bravery."

"But Colonel dad kicked his ass. He's not scared of anything." Flora said.

"Only be brave when you have to be. That does not mean you go looking for trouble. That's what we taught you in the Special Forces." Cassie tells both of them.

"I know that. That's what I try to do whenever we go on missions and such. But you have to admit, it was the most frightening experience we've ever faced before. They're not gonna scare us that easily anymore." Anthony stands up.

"You are speaking my language. I like that." Jade smirks. Before they could talk further, a soldier walks in on them.

"General. Colonel. Sorry to interrupt, but you're receiving messages from the Shirai Ryu and the edenian queen. They said it's urgent." The soldier said.

"Okay. We're on our way. Come on, guys." Cassie tells everyone. As the five continue their way to the main hub room with Alex and Cassie leading, the twins both notice Jade still smiling at them.

"What's so funny?" Anthony asked, trying not to chuckle.

"You two remind me so much of your father and mother when I first met them." Jade tells them. "I remember meeting your father in Outworld in the Old Era. Just about your age. I remember him telling me and Kitanan about his doubts about himself until he was convinced to pull through. We have always been very generous with each other."

"I could tell, considering you love to be protective of others, including mom and dad. He's told me alot about you. That you act as his sister and such." Anthony smiles back.

"Of course. I was no more than surprised when he came up with the idea. I was flattered. I swore to be his guardian for as long as I drew breath, as well as being his sister." Jade said.

"Wow. Wait until you meet our cousin Vera. She tends to act like a guardian to us from time to time. Vera can be weird, but she really means well. And you do not wanna piss her off for any reason." Flora said. This makes Jade chuckle, seeing that Flora carries her mother's sense of humor.

"I suppose you could consider yourselves lucky. I am glad that you two have someone like Vera, who is the daughter of Jacquline. I first met her and your mother at your parent's wedding. It was a good day to remember. You two honestly look like them and have their eyes, respectively." Jade compliments them.

"Thanks. I guess we should be glad that dad met someone like you. Very kind of you to come along with us. Thank you for being there with us." Anthony shows his gratitude.

"It was my pleasure, young Anthony and Flora." Jade said. "There is something I do like to say."

"What's that?" Anthony asked.

"I have promised to protect them for as long as I live. I want to do the same for you two. Alex is my brother and the last thing I would hate to see is anything bad happen to you two. Would you do the same for each other? And for my own children should you two meet again?" Jade asked them.

Anthony and Flora looked at each other. They have grown fond of Cyan and Shu-Shang despite having met them once in Outworld. Then again, they do want to get to get to know them more along with Aster and Kung Gen.

"Yes. We'd like to. After all, we've grown to like them when we first met them in Outworld. It would be a good opportunity to do so. It would be our pleasure." Anthony tells Jade.

"I am glad, you two. You carry your father's personality, Anthony. I know that you will not fail us." Jade places a hand on his cheek, making Anthony smile before she turns to Flora. "And you are a very shy, yet brave young woman. Just like your mother. Always look after your brother. Never let him out of your sight." Jade tells her and Flora nods and smiles as Jade places a hand on her shoulder. Jade smiles at their kindness and honesty before they go to catch up to Alex and Cassie.


Alex, Cassie, Jade and the twins are called upon to hear about the good news and the bad news. But the bad news outweighs the good news, as they are being explained by Sindel, Jacqui and Takeda. They all talk outside the Special Forces base.

"What? Hanzo? Dead?" Cassie couldn't believe the words. "No. It can't be."

"Who could've done this?" Alex asked, clearly saddened by yet another loss from a good friend.

"An edenian named Tessa. She was Lang Cho's sister. I killed him myself." Jacqui said.

"She will pay for what she did to Hanzo. And for anyone else she slaughtered." Takeda tightened his fist.

"Hanzo's death was unforeseen. But it will not be in vain. That is one more that the Red Dragon will answer for." Liu Kang added.

"And everyone associated with my brother." Taven stepped up. "We lost three important people today. Meia is taking this really hard. I never knew Daegon would be so diabolical."

"So Tessa was with you guys for years undercover? And no one even noticed? No wonder how she managed to easily outsmart y'all and take Edenia's dagger. Because Shao Kahn and Daegon sent her and none of us noticed. She was hidden away by Mavado." Jacqui said.

"Tessa fed them more than enough information. That is how she pulled her plan off. And that includes knowing how and where to invade the Shirai Ryu." Sindel said. "But why?"

"I know what they are planning though." Kenshi said, getting their attention. "They plan on luring us into different traps to kill us so they could take the Kamidogu daggers we have. I used my telepathy on some of the Red Dragon members to overhear their conversation. Mateo plans to lure the Special Forces into a trap. While Shao Kahn would be dealing with Outworld and Havik with Edenia respectively."

"A trap that will most likely get us all killed. There has to be another way. We can't let them get their hands on any more of these things." Flora said.

"But it may be the only way to confront our enemies. They would do anything to achieve their goals. But we must be exceptionally careful with our next step. One false move, and all may be lost. There is only one way we can win." Fujin stated.

"Indeed, Fujin." Liu Kang steps up. "In fact. There is a way we can win. This requires a certain amount of people. They are the key to our victory over Shao Kahn and his allies. We must make sure that victory over them is permanent."

"Lord Liu Kang." Frost said. "I am not sure what you mean. You once mentioned that Raiden stopped Armageddon from happening. All of us died that day."

"You are correct, Frost. But there are many people that have never existed in the old timeline. That was before Raiden changed history. Because of him, new heroes were born." Liu Kang said.

"And who would they be?" Alex asked.

"All of you. You, Alex first of all. You, your wife and family. Kung Jin and Kung Gen. Takeda and Jacqueline. Their daughter. Our children of Outworld. In your case, Frost, your apprentice Aster. " Liu Kang points out everyone, including his son and daughter listening. "Thanks to Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Jax and Kenshi and Alex's parents, we have succeeded over powerful foes."

"So they are the key to help us turn the tide against Shao Kahn, Havik and Daegon. But there are risks to our own ideas. Chances are many of us could be killed if we try to prevent Armageddon from happening again. I am afraid that this may be a risk that we all have to take." Fujin said.

"But what can we do, father?" Chang Bao asked. "We have to stop them from taking these daggers."

"I know, Chang Bao. But it is the only way. You and your brother Daisuki must take the dagger of Outworld." Liu Kang said to them, much to everyone's worry.

"Wait. Are you sure about this? We aren't strong enough to face them by ourselves. What do we do with them?" Daisuki worries.

"The Pyramid of my father." Taven said. "The daggers act as keys to unlocking Blaze from his seal."

"But the Pyramid has remained to be found for eons. It could be in any of the realms. I have read stories about them, but I could not find anything." Meia said.

"On the contrary, the Pyramid of Argus is in Edenia itself." Taven corrects her.

"And exactly how long have you known this? Why didn't you say anything about it before?" Kitana questions him.

"My father did not wish it so unless absolutely necessary. But now that all the Kamidogu daggers have been uncovered, I see no reason to hide it from you any further." Taven said. "Please forgive my deception. I only did this to protect everyone here."

"Where is the Pyramid? There is no way it's in the kingdom of Edenia. That would be too obvious." Cassie said.

"It must be further than where Taven was asleep." Kung Jin said.

"True. The Pyramid of Argus is in the Southlands from the palace. It is surrounded by a huge crater that is twice as big as the palace itself. The Pyramid itself is hidden beneath the ground and will only rise when Armageddon is near and when all six Kamidogu daggers have been united at the crater. Now the issue is Daegon should know where it is by now. Despite his ego, he isn't thick." Taven explained.

"But we must divide and conquer. The Black Dragon are a big threat to us if we do not get rid of them, given their expertise in nuclear weapons." Liu Kang said.

"True. But at the same time, we can't bring the daggers with us. And we can't leave them unguarded. It's too dangerous to take them with us, otherwise we'd risk that asshole Mateo from using it." Alex said.

"Alex is right. Given what Daegon did in Outworld, we cannot risk any chances of them doing it again. We could, however, throw them off." Kitana said.

"What do you propose, Kitana?" Jacqui asked.

"You will not like it. But we can give the daggers to our respective children. To ours, Alex and Cassandra's and to Meia." Kitana said. Everyone seems very skeptical about this.

"No. We can't. The powers are too powerful for them. It could tear them apart from the inside for all we know. There has to be another way." Cassie protests.

"Yeah. I am not risking my own daughter to carry those damn things around while we go on a mission without them. We've seen what those things do and you know that." Jacqui argues.

"And I am not willing to lose my student to those bastards." Frost also said.

"I understand your concern, both of you. I do not like it either. But it is the only way. And you heard what Taven and Liu Kang said. Taven is the only one who can stop Armageddon. I do not want to risk the safety of our families either, but we must do so. The last thing I would want is to lose any more loved ones at the hands of Daegon." Kitana replied.

The Special Forces as well as the Shirai Ryu, Monks and Lin Kuei all look at each other with mixed reactions. Reactions that show fear, reluctance and skepticism. Alex and Cassie know they are ready to stand by themselves, but given the situation they are in and the experience they share, they see Kitana's point. Same with Takeda and Jacqui and Frost as well.

"If that is the case, then alright. Liu Kang and Kitana are right. We need to distract them. I can lead the Special Forces to take down the Black Dragon once and for all. This time, they won't get off so easily." Cassie said.

"We shall wait in Outworld and Edenia. Shao Kahn and Havik are sure to come. We will be ready." Liu Kang said.

"I will take Kung Lao to Edenia. Sindel will need my assistance." Fujin said. "Kung Jin and Kung Gen will remain here.

"Then it is settled. When the time comes, I will play my part in ensuring our own survival." Liu Kang said. "But in case anything goes wrong, it has been an honor protecting the realms and being your friend. All of you. Good luck to us all. May the Elder Gods protect us." Liu Kang lights up and creates a lightning portal.

Sindel, Fujin, Nightwolf and Kung Lao head to Edenia. Frost returns to her temple while Kenshi returns to the Shirai Ryu region.

Liu Kang and Kitana stay behind to talk to their children as well as Jade. "You two are ready for more responsibility. You always wanted to protect the realms. Now is your chance." Liu Kang tells them.

"Father, I… I do not know. I hope you are right. But what if we are not ready for this? What if something terrible happens? We could lose you too." Daisuki expresses his fear.

"Fear not, my son. You will know in your heart when you are ready. We all know this feeling. Do not doubt yourself." Liu Kang said to him. Daisuki bows to his father out of love.

"It is about your time to lead, my daughter. I know you will succeed me someday. You have potential alongside your brother, Chang Bao. Just know that no matter what happens, I love you both." Kitana said before hugging her daughter.

"I love you too, mother. Please be careful." Chang Bao expresses worry.

"Shu-Shang. Cyan. I know we have been through things recently, but we cannot dwell on the past forever. We must move forward to a better future." Jade said.

"This will be for our father. For us. They will be pay for crossing us for the last time." Shu-Shang said.

"Do not hold back on your strength, Shu-Shang. Remember what he taught you before." Jade said. "Cyan. Please do your duty. Protect your sister. And furthermore. Protect your new friends. Promise me." Jade said, looking at Vera and the others.

"I promise, mother. I do everything in my power." Cyan said. Jade smirks and gives him a kiss on the forehead.

"Thank you. Both of you. Look after one another." Jade tells them and they nod. She, Kitana and Liu Kang approach Alex, Cassie, Jin, Takeda and Jacqui.

"I do hope you have a plan as always." Liu Kang smirks with confidence.

"You bet your ass." Cassie said. "We know what to do. We all have our duty as always. Whatever you guys have planned, hope it goes well on your end."

"Thank you, Cassandra. I always knew you'd have potential as a leader and wife." Kitana tells her before they hug each other.

"I always hate saying goodbye to you, Jade. I always enjoy your company." Alex said to Jade.

"I can always say the same to you, Alex. You inspired us all. And I am very proud of you. Proud of what you have become." Jade smiles and hugs Alex. "Good luck. I love you, my little brother." Jade kisses Alex on the cheek and smiles at him.

"I love you too, Jade." Alex smiles. Jade and Kitana walk through the lightning portal before them and back to Outworld. Liu Kang looks back at everyone with a smirk on his face before he is the last one to enter the portal before it closes. This leaves Alex, Cassie, Takeda, Jacqui, Jin, the twins, Vera and Satoshi, Kung Gen, Aster, Cyan, Shu-Shang, Chang Bao and Daisuki at the Special Forces base.


Taven mediates outside in the back of the palace. He takes steady, deep breaths. He thinks about the times he has had with his family. He remembers his dear mother Delia and how she cared for him and Daegon despite their differences and the times his father mentored them and taught them how to fight.

Taven also remembers the good memories he had with Daegon before their falling out. They were happy to have each other as brothers. He remembered the times they were raised together, played together and had each other's backs while growing up. Taven resents his brother for accidentally killing his mother. But there is this feeling inside of him. Something he hasn't felt before regarding Daegon.

But before he could put some thought into it, when a door opens behind him. Taven opens his eyes and he knows exactly who it is.

"Sir Taven? You wanted to see me, sir?" Meia asked.

"Yes, my young dear girl. Come in." Taven asked her politely. Meia closes the door and it is just the two of them. "There is something that I must ask of you."

"What is it? Do you need my assistance with something?" Meia asked.

"Yes. I need your help. I need you to go to Earthrealm. Lady Sindel asked me to tell you." Taven said.

"Me? Go to Earthrealm? She said this? Are you sure about this?" Meia sounds surprised by this.

"Yes. She has told me you want to interact with these young new heroes you have once mentioned. We can send you there. But there is something that you must do for me." Taven explains to her, much to her mild confusion.


Note: We're getting close. The parents and mentors are going to divide and conquer and hold off the enemy. This is where all of the young protectors will start to come together. Liu Kang has a plan. But what could it be? And how can it help them defeat Shao Kahn, Daegon and Havik?