Chapter 16: Awakening Bloody Chaos
While the Shirai Ryu have been busy with their plan to capture Darrius and Dairou, the Special Forces make plans to find out more information from the new Black Dragon. So far, it has been harder than it looks. Mateo seems smart for someone young and has similar appearances compared to his late father Kano. He's all too eager to avenge him and is also very good at manipulation for someone with a low life. But that would not mean the Special Forces would give up so easily. They'd do anything to take them down once again like they have years ago.
While the Black Dragon tends to make plans, the Special Forces are making their own plans. They hope to find out more about their alliance with the Red Dragon and Shao Kahn and hope to capture them for good and keep them from finding Earthrealm's Kamidogu. General Cassie and Colonel Alex make the plans to infiltrate them.
"All right. So we managed to get some more intel on Mateo and the New Black Dragon. From audio recordings that Alex found, we think that they may know where the Kamidogu are in each realm. The bad news is Shao Kahn and Daegon already have the one from the Netherrealm. The good news is, Master Takeda and Jacqui plan to capture Dairou and Darrius to prevent them from invading Orderrealm and stop King Jerrod. While they make their move, it's time to make ours." Cassie tells everyone.
"There's a Black Dragon tower that's about five floors high," said Alex, "and surrounded real damn good. We need to get to Mateo, Tasia, Tremor and the other two newcomers before they get away. They plan to warn Shao Kahn and Daegon about the Kamidogu of Chaosrealm.
"If we can stop them from getting the damn dagger, then we could try getting it ourselves," said Flora. "And we'll be one step ahead of the asshole bad guys. I like it."
"I'm not sure if it's the brightest idea." Anthony fidgeted with his fingers and forced a smile as he cleared his throat. "You heard of what Kitana Kahn said. That place is too dangerous. I don't even *want* to step in that place one bit."
"Because we don't plan on having you two come with us there," Alex said. "Who knows what danger could be lurking in there? That place is fucking nightmare fuel from what I was told."
"I'm not speaking just as your general," said Cassie as she rested her hands on Anthony and Flora's shoulders, "but as your mother, Chaosrealm is far too dangerous for anyone, especially you two. No way in hell am I making that mistake. Not this time."
Flora took a deep breath. "But we'll be safe. We need to stop them-"
"Your priority is finding the Black Dragon and taking them down before they warn Shao Kahn."
If anything, Cassie would hate to lose her only children, no matter the enemy. The last thing she would want was to lose everyone she loved in front of her.
Anthony and Flora refused to let their parents go to Chaosrealm by themselves. They wanted to help them out as much as possible, but Anthony's point remained true.
Flora sighed, hating that she had to sit out on some missions. Flora kicked the rocks below her, scoffing at the memories... and the overwhelming fear that crept in like a poison.
"But we can still take them together," said Flora. I mean, we're the strongest ones here and you and colonel dad have beaten powerful assholes long before we were born. That Havik guy... he can't be that tough."
"Haven't you been listening?" Anthony said as their father clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. "That place is too chaotic and deadly for us. Who knows what could happen? For all we know, they could set up a *trap* for us?! Shao Kahn or Daegon may be there by now!"
"What do you think we should do?" Flora said, clearing her throat. Her breaths shortened and quickened, causing her voice to crack. "Sit on our asses and wait for the end of the world?! Anthony, you—"
"That's enough!" Alex's voice boomed and echoed around him. "Both of you!"
His outburst shook everyone's nerves, making them stumble slightly backwards. He'd seen the horror hidden behind his children's faces. His voice trembled when he tried to speak again. He regained his composure.
"We're doing this for your safety. Your mother... Jacqui... they've *seen* what Havik has done. If they... if *you*. Flora, if you suddenly lost your brother, we—"
Alex wiped his watery eyes and took a breath, shaking off the memories of the past.
"Disregarding one's safety or other's safety will not be tolerated. Do you understand?"
Alex's eyes narrowed as he sent a glare toward his daughter. His own daughter... other than when Kronika possessed him, his expression alone could have shook his loved ones' souls apart.
Flora slowly sunk into her chair, looking down at the floor. Alex didn't want to yell, but she remained a slave to her emotions.
"He's right, Flora," said Cassie as she kneeled to face her daughter. "Havik is too powerful. Neither of you are ready to take on guys like him. We understand that you want to help, but don't throw your life away. And, disregarding safety, like he said, will not be tolerated on this team. Do you understand?"
Alex smiled at Flora and gave her a hug. "Now back to what we were saying, if they try to escape, they'll warn the others. Them we will face far more danger when Shao Kahn gets another dagger."
"There is one problem." Kabal raised one finger as he paced around the room. "Someone needs to stay behind at the base and keep tabs in case plans change.""Exactly. And that is why me and Alex are going to stay behind while the rest of y'all will go." Cassie points out to everyone.
"Wait, what? You're not coming with us?" Anthony asked, out of curiosity.
"No. We need to keep an eye on other movements just in case something happens elsewhere in Earthrealm. And just in case we can give a heads up to Takeda and Jacqui, Fujin, Sindel and Kitana. We still haven't heard from Liu Kang as of yet." Cassie said before turning to Alex. "You wanna explain the plan?"
"Will do." Alex replied as he turned on a holoprojector, showing the Black Dragon Tower. "The tower itself is very crucial and heavily armed. Luckily, they don't have all the necessary weapons that we have, which gives us a huge advantage. Mateo should be there with Tasia and the others. Your objective is to capture and extract. From the data files, Tasia and Kira and Tremor and Kobra will be there to guard the floors. Mateo should be on the top floor planning to make contact with Shao Kahn and Daegon. They have spies looking around Chaosrealm for its Kamidogu. Fortunately, we have our own guards looking out for Earthrealm's Kamidogu just in case." Alex tells everyone.
"What's the plan? There needs to be a good one if we're gonna pull this off without too many casualties." Anthony said. "We only have one shot at this."
"You're right. Here's the plan. There are snipers and grenade throwers on the first two floors. Alpha team and bravo team will distract them and take them out to buy you three time to get in there. You have to be fast. Take down Tasia and the others and capture them." Cassie instructs the twins.
"You bet." Flora nodded.
"While they do so. Kabal. You beat Mateo before, you can do it again. Keep him from sending word to Shao Kahn and Daegon. Find out where the Kamidogu is in Chaosrealm." Cassie tells him.
"Got it. It'll payback time for that little fucking creep." Kabal replied with a smirk on his face.
"Once you find out, that is when me and Alex will take our teams to Chaosrealm, fight our way through and get the dagger and get the hell outta there as quickly as possible before Shao Kahn arrives. And hope we don't run into Havik along the way. If we do, then we may have to fight our way out." Cassie sighs. This worries Anthony greatly.
"Wait. Why can't your husband use your badass magic to get us in there?" Kabal asked.
"No. That is way too risky. They're aware of what Alex can do. If we walk through one of the portals or come in with lightning, then they may straight up capture us. This is why we need to maintain a low profile, which is why you'll be taking jets." Cassie corrects him.
"You got your orders. You three start gathering your teams and head out. And please, don't get too hurt out there. For our sake." Alex tells them, especially towards the twins. Not speaking as a colonel but as a father as well.
"You got it, Colonel Boss man." Kabal said before he and Flora turn to leave.
Flora got up from her chair and slowly walked over to her dad, feeling awful for her attitude.
"I'm…. Sorry, dad. I-I just want to help." Flora apologizes.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you. But you need to work on your patience and be less impulsive. And besides, you are helping us. Helping your brother. Me and your mom can take care of ourselves. You have much to learn. Do you understand, sweetie?"
Flora nodded and wipes any tears from her eyes and gave her dad a hug. She gives him a smile before she walks with Kabal to get ready.
Anthony on the other hand, feels worried and a tad nervous.
"Anthony? Something wrong?" Cassie asked.
"It's just that….. I don't know how to say this." Anthony nervously states.
"It's alright. This isn't a school play or anything. Tell us what's on your mind." Alex looks at him with a worried look on his face.
"Are you sure this will work? Sending me out there to lead the mission while you go to what's deemed the most dangerous place of all of existence? What if something happens to you two, or anyone on this team?" Anthony feels afraid.
"I know what you mean, Anthony. I remember being afraid on my first mission. It didn't all go according to plan, but we still did good. We are trained to never be afraid of anything on a mission. Show no fear and show no modesty. From what we've been seeing you've been a good leader so far. Ask your mother. She's not a perfect leader." Alex advised his son before hugging him.
"Flora told me you beat Tasia and unlocked your powers. I'm real proud of you. I remember that I doubted myself when I was made team leader of Aunt Jacqui, Uncle Takeda and Kung Jin. Despite whatever arguments I had with him, I was still able to pull it off. Leadership is hard to bear, but it's not impossible. We are all willing to lay down our lives for Earthrealm. You got this, Anthony." Cassie tells him.
Anthony sighs. He wouldn't want to disappoint his parents and his sister. And he has remembered the times when they went on missions together and the twins have gotten into trouble with their parents from time to time, partly because of Flora. But he gets the feeling that they're right and brings up the courage to smile. "Yes, General and Colonel." Anthony salutes them and smiles.
"That's the spirit, Sergeant Kiddo." Cassie said before she kisses the top of his forehead. "Now go on. You got a job to do." Anthony nods and goes to catch up to Flora and Kabal as they begin to gather their troops for battle. Then Alex and Cassie are left alone.
"I feel that all too well honestly. He has a fair point. Us going to Chaosrealm is something new for me, and I know you hate going to that place very much. For all we know, it might be a death trap." Alex said.
"I know. But it's time they learn to start going on some missions on their own. They're grown. Besides, I'm not letting Shao Kahn, Mileena or anyone else touch them, or else someone is going to answer. They will learn more independence, and Anthony and Flora need each other. Just like I need you, Alex." Cassie said, grabbing his hand.
"I know what you mean. And I need you too. Because I love you. Nothing will ever change that." Alex said, before they gently put their foreheads together and they slowly kiss each other. They smile as they kiss before they pull away. They sigh happily at each other as they look at the twins and Kabal taking off to the Black Dragon tower. Cassie on the other hand is still horrified and remembered being traumatized for what she went through with Jacqui at the hands of Havik and shivers from thinking of the memory.
In the Old Era
Note: This scene takes place during the Mortal Kombat X comics
During the dark times in the Old Era, there was a war going on. A bloody war. After Shang Tsung's death, the island died with him. But it was not unused during its time in the Old Era. It was a base used by an ancient, dangerous enemy that no one suspected. The Chaos Cleric from Chaosrealm. The being calls himself Havik. He is an anarchist, and wishes to one day spread chaos through all the realms. He is the King of Chaos and opposes the likes of Orderrealm and Outworld. He resides in the highest tower of Shang Tsung, where he took the sorcerer's throne. In terms of appearance, he sports a gladiator helmet, and the majority of his clothing exposing the right side of his chest and his face resembles the appearance of a skeleton and has no pupils in his eyes. The symbol on his chest resembles a ninja star. He speaks to the blood magik being Skarlet.
"You stole this from Kotal's own chambers? During a Shokan Siege? Bold move, Skarlet. Reiko has chosen his allies very wisely, given his well known strategies." Havik praises her as he holds the Kamidogu dagger of Outworld in his hand. It resembles a regular dagger, and the handle of it has three squares on each side.
"I did what I had to do, Havik. Shao Kahn trained me to use blood magik, but I could not master it because of his death. I wish to learn more blood magik and feed off victims." Skarlet said.
"Oh, and you will, my friend. But first. In my captive, is someone from an heir born with an ancient warrior power. Power that can be taken. But in order for it to be taken….." Havik said as he opens the cell door, revealing to be Cassie Cage held prisoner. Her neck is shackled to the wall and wears a white tank top and short shorts. "Our little warrior has to fight." Cassie is nearly blinded by the bright light as she looks at her capturer.
Deep within the flesh pits where Mileena was created, Cassie was shackled by her wrists and ankles, forced to stand and watch as Skarlet fights Jacqui. Jacqui, despite being a well known fighter, proved to be no match for the blood magik user. "Run! Get outta here, Jacqui! Go!" Cassie yells to her. But Skarlet has been busy punching and kicking her around the area, before Skarlet knees Jacqui's jaw, cracking it, and making her fall down in defeat, much to Cassie's horror as her eyes widened.
"Yield for now, Skarlet." Havik ordered and she complied. Havik walks closer to Cassie and holds her by the chin, chuckling.
"Why? Why are you doing this to us? We never did anything to you!" Cassie yelled.
"Because you are the daughter of Johnny Cage, are you not, young one?" Havik said.
"Yeah, so? What the hell does that have to do with anything? Want an autograph or something?" Cassie asked.
"More than that. I want power. Your power, Cassie Cage. Your mortal father Johnny Cage defeated Shinnok. An Elder God. That is something that is deemed impossible. Unless his bloodline are warriors that were made to fight the gods. It is said that their powers awaken when their closest loved ones are in danger of dying. So tell me….. Doesn't your friend Jacqui's life mean anything to you?" Havik demands her.
"Please. Don't do this. I don't have my dad's power. I don't even know how to awaken it. Just let her go." Cassie pleads with him while trying to not show tears.
"Hmm. Perhaps it skipped a generation… or you haven't suffered enough." Havik smiles gleefully. He turns to Skarlet and was about to signal her to start attacking the already weak Jacqui again, but is interrupted by another voice.
"Lord Havik." Reiko walks in with another dagger. It resembles a straight blade, with some language inscripted on it and has a green dot near the bottom of it and on the other side is a smaller blue dot.
"Ah, Reiko. You have returned." Havik said.
"I present to you, the Kamidogu of Earthrealm. It was easy enough to find for you." Reiko said as he gives Havik the dagger.
"Good. Only one more and then we can make you a Blood God." Havik promises Reiko.
"One more? But how is that possible?" Reiko asked.
"The foolish Thunder God Raiden has collected the Kamidogu for us. Raiden is playing right into our trap. The more work he does to protect Earthrealm, the closer we are to conquering it." Havik said as he starts laughing evilly as he looks at five of the six daggers he now has in his grasp.
Later that night, Cassie lies asleep in her cell until she hears knocking at the door. She sits up and caresses her head, like having a headache. As she regains her sight and bearings, the door suddenly opens right onto her face, making blood come flying out of her nose, causing her to hold it. Before she could retaliate, she is met is a kick to the chin from a shoe. Cassie was knocked to the floor and looks up and couldn't believe what she was witnessing.
"Jacqui?!" Cassie couldn't believe it. Jacqui was actually attacking her own best friend. But that's not it. Her eyes are completely covered in red. The color of blood. Not to mention she notices a stab wound on her chest. It was not there last time.
"Good news, Cassie! We are saved! Skarlet can free us….. With the Blood Code!" Jacqui smirks over her as she held Cassie by her tank top. Cassie now realizes she's possessed and tries to snap her out of it.
"Jacqui! This is insane! Don't do this! Please! It's me!" Cassie tries to reach her, but to no avail.
"We have some very important guests coming, Cassie Cage. Your parents." Skarlet said before turning to the possessed Jacqui. "Hold her." She ordered. Jacqui gets behind Cassie and holds her in place by locking arms with her.
"I swear, if you so much as fucking touch them, I'll fucking tear you in half!" Cassie threatens her.
"Oh, I'm not going to touch them, do not worry. You will. You'll give them a proper bloody welcome!" Skarlet exclaimed as she thrusts a Kamidogu dagger into Cassie's chest, making her scream so loud, her screams echos nearly the entire castle. The entire room glows red as Cassie looks up as she continues screaming in a lot of pain. After several moments, Skarlet pulls the dagger away from Cassie's chest, leaving a stab wound and scarred. She falls to her hands and knees and gasps for air. Within a few moments, she stands up, head turns up and Cassie finally opens her eyes. They are now blood red just like Jacqui's. Jacqui stands beside her and they both start laughing maniacally.
Note: This chapter may not seem much, but it is a set up for the next two chapters ahead. Now about Alex's outburst. It may have seemed too harsh for someone like him to lose his cool. but no. Alex needed to put his foot down and demonstrate that he's not afraid to show his authority as not just their second in command, but as their father. He has grown much more mature and has long moved on from his tragic past and does not wish the same for his children, and he had the right idea to call his daughter out on her impulsiveness and lack of patience. This is one reason why Anthony is leader of this new group of young protectors, as he is more patient and level-headed.