Author's Note: Alright, back in that juicy goodness as we advance further into this arc! Some fun details coming up that I hope y'all enjoy.
-Chapter 18: The Heat of the Moment-
Fight clubs, cage fighting, underground backalley brawls. One thing all of these had in common was just how illegal they were. That said, the right kind of market could pay their fighters handsomely for winning. If they were willing to bleed, be bruised, lose a few teeth, sport a black eye, should they come out on top any fighter in these underworld rings could earn a hefty sum for being the entertainment of the masses.
One such fighter was a stocky man with a Quebecois heritage. With a shaved head and dark eyes just poking out from the edge of a green sweatband, he was clad in a dirty muscle shirt and a black pair of trousers with a green patch on the legs. No one knew his name or his origin, only that he spoke with a French accent, fought using the Hapkido martial art, and brought a unique brand of showmanship to his fights: the ability to manipulate fire within his hands.
And that's how he earned his nickname… Blaze.
His opponent was a shirtless nobody hiding behind sunglasses and a bandana over his mouth. With arms raised he threw out a few weak punches that Blaze easily dodged. "Tu me gosses, man. Gimme a real fight!" He taunted, shifting back and forth on the balls of his feet. Clearly this man was a jobber, put into the ring with no experience other than the promise of quick cash. But in this cutthroat world, only the victors claimed the spoils.
Blaze struck first with a heavy overhead chop, then an elbow strike, and then finally a two-fisted blow that sent the jobber flying back into the cage wall. Chainlink metal rattled loudly to the approving roar of the crowd. Steadying himself, Blaze began to focused with a curled lip, snarling slightly as fire engulfed his hands. "Couvre-feu, chump!" He remarked, landing a fiery uppercut that stunned his opponent before whipping around and landing a lunging punch that left a scorched fist-mark burned into the jobber's chest. The chainlink metal fractured and broke outwards, sending the jobber spilling out onto the floor among the ravenous crowd.
Chuckling as he was declared victor, Blaze popped his arms into a muscle-man pose with his fists still aflame, showing off for the crowd.
The match over, Blaze hauled himself out of the cage and collected his earnings from the local scorekeeper before tromping over to the nearby bar to count his money as the next round of fights began. Too busy flicking through bills, Blaze was pulled from his musings by a feminine voice saying, "Smooth moves out there." He looked up finding himself face to face with the apparent barkeep. She had short black hair, lovely features, and wore a pink halter top that exposed a generous amount of plentiful cleavage.
"That? Ah, it was nothing." Blaze brushed it off with a grin, looking her up and down one more time.
"How'd you do that?" The barkeep asked, fetching a beer from a fridge. "The whole fire-hands shit."
"Oh, lefty and righty?" Blaze snickered, holding up his limbs. "It's something I could do since I was a teen. Started lots a fires."
"On purpose?" The barkeep wondered, sauntering over.
"Eh, mostly on accident. Didn't learn how to control this merde bizarre until I got older." Blaze answered. He looked her up and down again. "Got a name, jolie dame?"
"Tasia." She answered, pouring the beer into a pre-mixed mug filled with ice. "You?"
"Ah, just call me Blaze. Most people do." Tasia smirked and slid over the frosted mug.
"On the house, Blaze. You earned it for giving these fuckers one helluva show." She remarked. Never one to turn down a free drink, Blaze saluted her graciousness.
"Mes remerciements, jolie dame." He replied, taking a long sip before he stashed his money away. He left the bar with drink in hand, intending to watch a couple more fights before calling it quits. Tasia watched him, go waiting until his attention was wholly on something else before she pressed a finger to the tiny earpiece concealed within her ear.
"Drink's in the mix, boss. Won't be long now." She said with a soft, cunning smile.
"Nice work, Tas. Keep tabs on 'em." Kano replied from the other end.
Returning to the Wu Shi Academy with Kai in tow, Raiden teleported onto the scene with a burst of lightning. His American ally looked around, breathing deeply as familiar sights, sounds, and smells overtook his senses. "Not much has changed." He mused.
"Not everything does change." Raiden responded. They advanced on the edge of the Academy where Liu Kang and Kung Lao were busy helping White Lotus monks pack travelling crates for the pending trip to Ying Fortress. The two Shaolin champions were surprised to see Raiden and his newcomer.
"Lord Raiden… Brother Kai." Liu greeted, extending a traditional Shaolin bow. "I must confess, I was not expecting you to return."
"Neither was I." Kai agreed, returning the bow. "But apparently the whole realm needs my help."
"Provided you can handle the responsibility." Kung Lao muttered.
"That is enough, Kung Lao." Raiden stated sharply. "In this time of crisis we cannot afford to bicker amongst ourselves or quarrel over unnecessary disputes. Kai has returned of his own free will and you will respect his choice." Thoroughly chided, Lao offered a silent bow of greeting that Kai returned. "How are preparations for the trip to Ying Fortress?"
"Master Wen sent several Shaolin ahead to prepare for our arrival. Much of our necessary supplies have already been packed." Liu answered and Raiden nodded.
"Very well. I have assembled a new list of possible champions worthy of recruitment. They must be tracked down as soon as possible…" he trailed off and the three Shaolin believed he had finished his statement.
"Before Outworld decides to make a move." Kung Lao concluded. Raiden suddenly lifted his head, eyes ablaze.
"I fear foul play may already be afoot, Kung Lao." He stated gravely. "One of the potential champions I had in mind has disappeared from my sight. I can no longer sense his Arcana."
"He has been kidnapped?" Kai questioned.
"Yes, but by who I do not know." Raiden replied. As he spoke, the group was joined by Magnus and Mileena, returning from other preparations. "This matter must be investigated immediately. We are in grave danger if Earthrealm's other champions are being targeted."
"Targeted?" Magnus asked aloud. "Someone is being targeted?"
"Other champions on Lord Raiden's spectrum." Liu Kang explained, filling him in. "One such individual has gone missing and his arcana can no longer be sensed." Magnus frowned.
"If they are like I was in how Raiden found me, then this does not bode well."
"Sounds like Outworld to me. If he is no longer here, in this realm, where else would he be?" Mileena mused. Raiden nodded in agreement.
"An astute observation, Mileena." He concurred. "We must organize an appropriate response."
"That may have to wait, brother," a voice called out from the heavens. Their gaze drawn skyward, the group discovered Fujin descending from above, riding on the winds. He dropped down, revealing his brow furrowed with worry. "Kagutsuchi brings word of a Tarkatan raid on a township in Japan. By the time he arrived to intervene, they had fled with prisoners in tow." The wind god stated urgently. Raiden frowned.
"They go too far." He growled, lightning crackling within his clenched fist.
"We need to retrieve them. There's no telling what horrors Outworld plans to unleash upon these innocents." Fujin insisted. The group came to an agreement, collectively nodding.
"I will go with Lord Fujin." Magnus offered.
"Very well. Kung Lao will assist you." Raiden decided. "I will take Liu Kang and Mileena to investigate the disappearance of this champion. Kai, stay here and help the Shaolin with preparations. Wait for our return." The dark-skinned American nodded silently, accepting his passive role. "May the Elder Gods protect us all." Raiden said solemnly…
Elsewhere…
Blaze came to with a grumbling groan. His head was pounding and his ears were ringing. He had no idea how long he'd been out for but, more importantly, he wasn't sure how he'd gone under in the first place. "Ugh… calice de crisse…" Blaze massaged his temples, trying to figure out where he was and why.
To his surprise, he found himself in a glass enclosure, about seven feet high and eight feet wide. The walls and roof were made of a thick glass while the floor was polished metal. It was like something out of the zoo.
"Hey… what gives?" He demanded, standing up. He raced to one wall, pounding on one of the panes. It didn't break, didn't even shudder from the impacts. Growing heated, the veins in Blaze's arms started to glow as flames burst into life around his hands as the angry fighter sought to melt his way out.
But not long after he combusted, fire-retardant foam flooded the enclosure and choked out his flames. Sputtering and coughing, Blaze fell to the floor as someone from just beyond his prison started chuckling. "Careful, mate! That box o' yors don't like fire all that much." Picking himself up and dusting off the residual foam, Blaze looked up with a growl as Kano walked into the room. The soft red glow from his chest reactor and optical unit flared in the shadows of the room, heralding his entrance as Blaze came face-to-face with the goateed Austrailian mercenary.
"What'd you do to me, piqûre borgne?!" He demanded, hammering the glass one more time.
"Someone's real interested in those flamin' hands a' yors. Lookin' ta pay a pretty-diamond or two for ya." Kano explained, crossing his arms. "That there box's engineered ta put out a fire, so don't botha tryin' ta light up in there. It'll snuff ya faster'n ya can piss." As he spoke, a second figure emerged from the shadows and Blaze recognized her instantly.
No longer was she dressed in just a pink halter top and leggings to match; she had traded out for a black and silver chestplate, spiked shoulder pads, and purple armored gauntlets. The handles of two swords jutted up from her back to frame her head on either side. A metallic stash hung between her legs, ending just before her black-spiked boots.
"You!" He exclaimed, recognizing the barkeep. "You spiked me drink!" He realized.
"Ohhh, smarter than you look stud." Tasia remarked in response. "Too bad Outworld already paid for you, I wouldn't mind letting you hang around a little longer." She purred.
"Keep it in ya pants, Tas." Kano scoffed. "Ya hear from the contact?"
"ETA… fuck it, anytime between now and tomorrow morning, I guess. Apparently these Outworlders don't care about our timekeeping." Tasia responded.
"Psh, fuckin' typical." Kano muttered, rolling his good eye. He turned back to Blaze and grinned. "You're gonna like 'em, frenchie. Buncha freaks, jus' like you." Blaze shook his head, struggling to figure out what Kano was talking about when a glow filled the room behind him. He turned to see surging, fiery energy forming within the open area of the storage room. "Well, bloody hell, that didn't take long at all." Kano remarked. Blaze continued to watch transfixed as the energy formed into a circular ring, the portal hardening into existence as a pair of shadowy figures slowly emerged from the other side…
A rumble of thunder and a crackling lightning bolt heralded the arrival of Lord Raiden, the thunder god materializing within along with Liu Kang and Mileena. The dazzling lightning strike receded to reveal a seedy back alley on the cold, snowy streets of Russia. Littering the scene were the remnants of a black market consisting of two stands lined up alongside the right of an old, crashed bus, each seller's stand offering used electronics and high-grade destructive weaponry. On the left side of the bus, a railway connected to a dilapidated building, and a third shack with old computer monitors and several servers could be found on the far left of the bus.
"This is where I last sensed the champion's Arcana." Raiden announced. "I do not know what happened to him."
"Or where he has gone." Liu mused, looking around with a scrutinizing gaze. "He could be anywhere."
"If he has been taken to Outworld then there will be traces of portal magick." Mileena surmised. "We should search, within and without." She added, gesturing to the distant building. Raiden nodded in agreement.
"Proceed with caution. I will remain out here to investigate the area. If you need my aid, you need only ask." He told the pair before disappearing in a burst of sparks. Wasting no time, Liu and Mileena advanced on the complex at the end of the black market alley. A large garage door beckoned them closer as did the man door beside it… and the bodyguard standing between.
"Do you think he'll let us in if we ask nicely?" Mileena wondered.
"Not likely." Liu replied, gesturing to a symbol painted on the garage door; it was a dagger pointing downwards flanked by two dragonic images… the sigil of the Black Dragon.
A solid Asian man, shirtless save for a dirty black vest, strode forward to head them off. He held up his hand like a traffic cop. "Sorry," he said. "Can't come in without an invitation."
"Here's our invitation," Liu said, and swung a sharp right hook into his jaw, punching his right hand out straight from the shoulder. He didn't slow as he stepped over his unconscious form and inside. "He did not look like a civilian." Liu mused, as Mileena too stepped over the bouncer's body. Two more unsmiling men dressed in ragged biker gang-ish gear converged on them from further within the building. One of them started reaching inside his leather jacket where a shoulder holster might be. Mileena threw out one of her sai, pinning his hand beneath his jacket. Teleporting to her weapon, she executed a split-kick that cracked their skulls and pitched them to the floor unconscious. Sheathing her sai behind her, Mileena and Liu continued on unhindered. There were no more Black Dragon waiting for them, no one paid to be on patrol and watch the empty interior of the fight club.
A caged arena centered inside a bar with enough space around it to house dozens of onlookers able to peer through the fence links, the makeshift arena itself was filled with dozens of random items and objects, ranging from multiple folded metal chairs, beds, beer bottles and empty food containers, garbage bags, to a sledgehammer and bloody chainsaw. The Black Dragon logo could be seen painted on the support pillars, while bloody hooked chains hung from the ceiling above alongside blood splattered shredded clothes and other fabrics.
"In terms of cleanliness, the Black Dragon leave much to be desired." Liu Kang remarked.
"But where are they?" Mileena questioned, narrowing her gaze. "If they have taken a powerful champion prisoner…"
"Then it stands they are all on guard duty." Liu concluded. Furrowing her brow, Mileena's more ethereal senses detected a strong surge of arcane energy, one she was quite familiar with.
"There is a portal open. Somewhere. We need to start looking." The Outworld woman led the way with Liu Kang close behind. As they were alone in the fight club for a moment, the monk let his mind wander towards more burning questions that had arisen during the tournament. The answers to which, he hoped, could be proffered by the woman with him.
"Mileena… I have a question. About Kitana." Mileena stiffened slightly at the mention of her forced half-sister before easing herself back into a relaxed state.
"I can't promise I have a sufficient answer, Liu." She murmured in reply.
"I am aware." The monk responded. "When I fought her during the tournament, she seemed… different than what I expected. Shao Kahn's loyal daughter, yes, but not bloodthirsty or craving violence."
"She always was precise." Mileena huffed. "As the 'older sister' she could always be counted on to be completely obedient to Shao Kahn. Always reminding me of 'our father's wishes' and things like that. She was mature, moreso than I was back then, I suspect she still is now."
"With maturity comes discipline. This much I know from growing up with Kung Lao." Liu surmised. Mileena glanced at the monk.
"How… did she come off when you engaged in kombat?"
"Much the same as you described. Determined to win and even seeking death for failing Shao Kahn. I refused to give it to her." Liu explained. Mileena nodded numbly.
"Still as loyal as ever…" There was a hint of something in her voice that gave Liu pause. He let the silence endure for a moment before broaching the question.
"What happened that day? The day you left Outworld?"
It took Mileena some time before she could work up an answer. By then they were all alone in a corridor where many doors spanned each side; the back room of the bar. "I… overheard an argument between Shao and Kitana. I didn't catch all of it by the time I drew close enough to eavesdrop, but what I did hear was Shao tell Kitana the truth about me… before she erased her memories to make it appear as though nothing had happened. But I heard enough. I confronted Shao about not being considered his daughter and he did not refute it. He tried to force me in line but I could not bear it and fled to Earthrealm." Liu nodded slowly, saying nothing as he simply allowed Mileena to explain what she was ready to explain. "The fact Kitana remains loyal to him means Shao Kahn's hold over her is still total. I don't hold any ill-will against her… if anything I pity her for being trapped without knowing it."
"But there is nothing you can do. Your time away has allowed Shao Kahn to cement his control over her." Liu surmised and Mileena nodded.
"She's just another one of his victims." She said quietly. All of a sudden, her gaze perked up as her head turned towards the end of the hall. Her Tarkatan senses were suddenly coming in handy. "I hear voices… and I sense power. Plenty of it."
"Arcana power?" Liu asked.
"Let's find out." Mileena responded as they broke into a trot to draw closer.
Blaze had no idea who these women were or what they wanted with him and the cybernetic mercenary. What he did know was that their natural beauty was something otherworldly. They looked human but, deep down, Blaze knew they were not.
Princess Kitana was dressed as she had been the day of the tournament, her sculpted body draped in blue silks held together by metal fasteners that made her appear far more physical than regal. With her was her bodyguard, the Edenian Umgadi known as Jade. Jade was a woman with Asian features and long black hair. Wherever her flesh wasn't covered with shimmering green silk, it was covered with tattoos showing leaping tigers and coiling dragons. She, like Kitana, had most of her face concealed by a battle veil made of the same green silk. Despite her silence Jade carried herself with a measure of grace and poised that rivalled the Outworld princess, who played the part of diplomat as she spoke with their rough-hewn contact. "The Emperor is awaiting your first delivery, Kano. He does not like to be kept waiting for long. Although your promptness this time is to be commended." She stated.
"Some days, yor worshipfulness, life likes ta drop lil' presents in my lap." Kano replied, winking with his good eye as he tucked both thumbs into his belt.
Out of sight, sticking to the shadows, Mileena and Liu slipped into the room and used the various crates in the storage room as cover to observe the meeting. "Kitana and Jade." Liu noted in a hushed voice. "And Lord Raiden's champion in the glass box."
"How is it that the Black Dragon have kept this under wraps?" Mileena questioned. Liu had an answer when a soft glow drew his eyes skyward.
"Look, up near the roof. That jewel is arcane in nature. Kano must have gotten his hands on protective wards to shield this part of his operation." The glittering ruby-like disk shimmered faintly in the sparse light, revealing its magical properties to Mileena. "If we can remove it, we will break the binding spell and allow Lord Raiden to perceive where we are." Liu looked to his ally as Mileena was slipped her own indigo veil over the lower half of her face. "I will distract them if you can deal with it."
"I can and I will." Mileena promised, teleporting away in a plume of violet fire. Liu Kang began to step cautiously as he timed his approach. Kano and Kitana were still talking.
"…Should this prove acceptable, the Emperor would like more than a single Arcana-empowered individual next time." Kitana stated. "He is considering regular shipments to fuel Outworld's power."
"Hey, if the ol' Emperah is willin' ta hold up his end, I will too." Kano stated bluntly. Kitana's eyes narrowed.
"My father is not a man to be treated lightly, Earthrealmer." She cautioned. "He is the warlord of Jazukh, he has laid low the provinces of Makeba, conquered the fortresses of Sarna-"
"Look, I'm sure those are lovely titles, girlie, but they don't mean jack-shit ta me." Kano interrupted. "'round 'ere, we do things nice an' simple; gimme what I want, I give you what ya want no questions asked." Although tested by his lack of decorum, Kitana did not allow her emotions to boil over.
"And what do you want?"
"The agreed upon price fo' starters…" Said Kano. His good eye glanced downwards as he tilted to the side, eyeing up the princess. "and a piece o' that ass wouldn't hurt neither…" Kitana balked wordlessly as Jade quickly stepped in front, her collapsed razorrang held out like a dagger towards the mercenary.
"How dare you address Princess Kitana so vulgarly!" She snapped. Kano just raised his hands in a blithe gesture of passivity, chuckling at a joke only he found funny.
"Relax darlin'. Didn't mean nothin' by it." He snickered. Kitana's hand on Jade's shoulder was the only thing that could ease the senior Umgadi.
"You will be paid. After we inspect the champion." Kitana stated. Kano nodded in acceptance.
"How about you inspect this champion instead?" Liu Kang offered as he strode onto the scene. The Black Dragon tensed, taken completely by surprise at his appearance. Kitana reached for her war fans as Jade gripped her blade a little tighter.
"What the… How in tha bloody fuck did you get in 'ere?" Kano demanded.
"You use cheap doors and cheaper locks." Liu blithely responded, assuming a Jun Fan stance as his hand erupted with chi fire. "I am impressed, Kano. The company you keep is finer than you." Kitana's eyes narrowed again as she began striding forward.
"Consider this part of your payment, mercenary. I will dispose of this infestation for you." She declared, advancing towards Liu with strength and violence in every step. Liu Kang kept his cool, slowly circling the princess as Kitana eyed Liu coldly. Here in the dim light of the storage room she didn't look as soft and alluring as she had during the tournament. Instead her face was stern, and she moved carefully, keeping her body centered and her weight balanced. Her technique, Liu reflected, was excellent.
Kitana was the first to attack with a jabbing punch. Liu blocked the blow to one side with his forearm, but didn't counterattack. Her next attack was quicker and came from an unexpected direction. She swept her leg behind his in a reaping kick. Liu jumped over the attacking leg and moved back instead of moving in to make his own attack.
The two fighters continued to circle. Kitana made a series of jabs to Liu's head, but he evaded them, never taking the opportunity to make an attack of his own, even when an opening appeared. Liu was unwilling to hurt someone who, he was certain, could one day join his side.
Another jab punched toward his head, but this time it was a feint that masked the motion of her legs sweeping toward him. He tried to leap away, but she anticipated his action and took him down. Liu landed on his back with Princess Kitana on top of him, pinning his shoulders down.
Liu rolled and twisted, his hand flashing out to take Kitana in the side. The blow drove the breath from her lungs, forcing her to loosen her grip. Liu threw her off and sprang to his feet. Now he fought in earnest, but the princess was a good fighter, as good as anyone Liu had ever faced. A second time she put him on his back, his shoulders forced into the rough concrete floor of the storeroom. Liu got his hand beneath her chin and forced it up and back, his fingers digging toward her eyes. Kitana's grip broke, and Liu rolled to his feet. He looked up just in time to see a flying side kick aimed at his head. His only chance was to dive under it and roll. The move unbalanced him. He stood for a fraction of a second teetering on one foot, before he could spin and take a step back toward the center.
Kitana was facing Liu again. The Shaolin took a step toward her, then another. He launched a punch toward her head. She blocked it and counter-punched. Liu used an outside block to keep it from touching him, his other hand grasping her wrist. Then he leapt, snapping out his right leg so that the ball of his foot took her in the belly. He let the momentum of his kick turn him around before he landed, still holding her wrist.
He bent forward, propelling her over his shoulder. She landed face down, full-length on the floor. Liu fell on top of her, pinning her wrists together with one hand while raising her head with his forearm held against her throat. She was pinned and helpless. "I appreciate the spar," said a victorious Liu, "but I've other business to attend to."
All of a sudden, a shadow kick plowed into his side and sent Liu tumbling across the ground. "You will keep your hands off of Princess Kitana!" Jade stated coldly, her body thrumming with ambient violet energy as her own Arcana flared brilliantly. Liu sprang to his feet, ready to fight again as Jade prepared herself for kombat. The woman swayed slightly from side to side and spun two flashing half-moon daggers around her body in a dazzling display of skill. Her knives made a whirring sound as they split the air, and the early morning light glittered from their edges. They made a cage of living steel around the woman, which it would seem impossible for anyone to penetrate.
Liu watched, bare-handed, as Jade demonstrated the knives' effectiveness. The display was over; the woman took a ready stance, her weight on her back leg, one of the half-moon daggers held behind and above her head, the other at waist-level before her. Assuming a Jeet Kun Do stance, Liu was prepared for more kombat…
Kombat never came, however, for Mileena reappeared in a flash of violet flame mid-dive kick and her boot crashed into the back of Jade's head, slamming the woman into the ground before she cartwheeled off and stood with Liu Kang, drawing her sai as she did. "Just how many a' these fuckers got in 'ere, huh? What the fuck am I payin' y'all for?!" Kano snapped to his fellow mercenaries. Kitana ignored her, her face coiled into an expression of barely contained rage as she snapped over her war fans.
"You traitorous little cur!" She growled, eyes only for Mileena.
"You misunderstand the situation, Kitana." Mileena responded. "Sadly, I have no time to explain." Her free hand tossed down the ruby-like protection amulet, a neat little hole bored into the centre. Kano took one look and realized his means of keeping Blaze's presence a secret had been rendered null and void. Mileena drew her second sai as Jade crawled back to her feet, daggers long forgotten as she reached for her bo staff. Energized rods shot out of an ornate metal handle as her emerald weapon sprang to life.
"I misunderstand nothing. You are the one who abandoned our father and sided with the enemy!" Kitana snapped. "I'll have your head for such disrespect!" Mileena ignored her and glanced in Liu Kang's direction.
"Free the champion. I'll hold them off."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Go!" She ordered, rushing to meet Kitana head on as bladed fans and sai struck with the resounding clang of metal on metal. Liu turned and sprinted towards the glass prison, making a rapid sweeping gesture for the occupant within to move out of his way. Cloaking his fist with chi fire again, Liu wound up and delivered a punch with enough enhanced force to fracture the glass pane, cracks spiderwebbing along the surface. Biding his time, Liu took careful aim and then delivered a one-inch punch that shattered the glass completely. The man within bounded out, happy to be free again.
"Merci beaucoup, mon ami." He earnestly replied.
"You are welcome." The monk replied. "I am Liu Kang."
"Blaze." The man responded. They both ducked as a scarlet laser passed just over their heads. "But maybe we should share introductions later, eh?" Blaze suggested. Liu nodded in agreement and lunged into a flying dragon kick, sending Jade sprawling as Mileena's weapons remained locked with Kitana. Blaze charged onto the scene shortly after, stomping his foot down mid-sidestep to unleash a wave of fire that Mileena swiftly avoided as she broke off her clash with Kitana. The princess vaulted over the wall of flame to stand with Jade.
"I no longer find this deal profitable." She surmised with a haughty huff. "When you have sorted out your house, Kano, you may contact us again. But no sooner." The two Edenians made to leave as the Black Dragon started moving. Tasia brandished her twin katana and made a beeline for Mileena, the two women locking weapons as Liu summoned a fireball to keep the approaching mercenaries at bay with a fiery detonation.
Seeing as kombat was erupting all over the place, and wanting no part in the ongoing melee, Blaze decided to beat a hasty retreat and started running towards the nearest door. He was abruptly stopped when a laser blast cut off his retreat, forcing him to turn and confront a sour-faced Kano. "Big mistake." Said Blaze, assuming a Hapkido stance.
"You ain't goin' nowhere, frenchie." Kano retorted. "I've got a fat fuckin' payday ridin' on your ass, and I intend ta fuckin' deliver!" His statement was punctuated by a burst from his optic laser, concussing Blaze's face and driving him back as Kano drew his knives from his boot and surged ahead, pouncing on Blaze and driving both knives into his chest in order to lift him up and then slam him down on the ground.
Despite the pain, Blaze rolled to his feet and executed a high kick he converted into heel strike that smashed Kano across the face. Following up with a jab and then a spinning backhand fist that crashed into Kano before Blaze executed another sidestep stomp that unleashed a wave of fire across the mercenary's knees. Kano was quick to retaliate with a ball strike that allowed him to cut a pair of slashes across Blaze's body, knocking him down and giving the merc time to ready a molotov for proper use. The ground was soon covered in flames… but that was to his disadvantage as Blaze's Arcana power flared and he took control of the fire to channel them into a fireball that he blasted straight at Kano. The merc hit the deck as scorching flames sizzled overhead, crisping the hairs on his back. "Two can play that game, bâtard de trahison bon marché!" Blaze retorted, assuming a Hapkido stance again.
The Black Dragon leader scrambled back into the fight and struck with a blade that popped out of his gauntlet over his elbow. It sliced across Blaze's chest, causing blood to spill down his body as Kano drew his knives. Blaze quickly started parrying Kano's stabbing attempts, warding him off with carefully timed blows mastered over months of intensive training. He struck back with a hard punch, infusing his fist with fiery Arcana energy for an empowered follow-up uppercut. The blow pitched Kano back and lay him out flat on the ground. Kano forced himself to his feet, his skin a little charred and blackened, but the Black Dragon leader had suffered far worse and kept fighting with a sinister grin.
He managed to drop Blaze with a heavy boot to the gut, putting him on him hands and knees as he lined up and dropped an elbow into the back of his neck. Springing to his feet, Kano unleashed a beam from his optic emitter that blasted Blaze away from him, cackling gleefully as the Arcana kombatant struggled to rise. But Blaze did rise and scampered out of the way before a throwing knife managed to stick her. He lunged in and attacked Kano with a cry, slamming his fist past his defences and into his face, spinning him around. Kicking him into the air, Blaze landed a chop and hammering left and right hooks before he landed two swift kicks to the abdomen that knocked Kano back to the ground. His Arcana fire spread, enveloping his whole body, allowing Blaze to dive forward and into the ground, reappearing just before the rising Kano to deliver a flying, fiery uppercut that cracked his jaw.
Kano went down as Blaze stood tall. "Had enough?" He wondered. Kano massaged his sore jaw.
"You got some fuckin' cheek on ya." He growled, forcing himself up. Overcharging his chest reactor, a gravity field pulled Blaze in close, the kombatant stumbling towards Kano as the Black Dragon lunged. He landed a sharp kick to his gut, complete with a hidden knife popping out to keep him stuck in and offering him the necessary leverage to landed a swift kick across Blaze's jaw, sending him spinning. The Frenchman clutched his wound to recover, only to suffer a headbutt as Kano's cybernetics smashed into his skull. But that was merely a prelude, as Kano drew his knife and stabbed him repeatedly, using his impaled weapon as leverage for his boot as he planted a boot on Blaze's face and rode him into the ground. Hopping off, he drove a swift kick into Blaze's ribs, breaking them, before raising his boot and deploying a spike that pierced clean through Blaze and gave him the leverage to shove him across the ground as Kano ripped out his knife. "Time ta find out if Outworld'll take ya dead or alive!" Kano sneered, standing over the collapsed Blaze.
Before he could do anything more, Liu Kang attacked Kano from behind with a flying Dragon Kick, pitching the mercenary across the room. The monk helped Blaze to his feet as he looked about the room. Mileena was still duelling Tasia, Kitana and Jade were nowhere to be seen, and the Black Dragon were still closing in. "Lord Raiden!" He called out.
"Say who?" Blaze wondered, confused despite his weakened state.
He would have his answer soon enough.
A brilliant thunderbolt struck within the storeroom, channeling the appearance of Earthrealm's thunder god in all his divine glory. With a shout, he unleashed crackling bolts of lightning from his hands, warding off the attacking mercenaries in defence of Liu and Blaze. "Calice de Crisse!" Blaze exclaimed.
"Well met, Liu Kang." Raiden applauded. "Mileena! Let us leave this place!" He called out. Mileena promptly responded by breaking away from Tasia and disappearing in a plume of violet light, reappearing beside her allies. "Shield your eyes, all of you." Raiden commanded. Concentrating his divine essence, a blast of electrical energy erupted from his person, blinding the Black Dragon closing in on them. Liu, Blaze, and Mileena covered their eyes as infinite white consumed them.
By the time the light had receded, they were gone.
"Fuckin' dammit…" Kano cursed as he picked himself up, dusting himself off. He looked around. Kitana and Jade were gone, along with his chance of another big score. "Tas! Round up the others!" He ordered. His second-in-command (her rank elevated after Jarrek's death) sheathed her blades and strode over.
"We're going after them, boss?" She asked.
"Nah, we got lucky findin' frenchie in our midst. We gotta go aftah smaller prey that ain't gonna cost us an arm an' a leg." Kano replied, looking around for something to drink. "This ain't ovah… not by a long shot."
Several miles away, Raiden reappeared with Liu, Mileena, and Blaze in tow. The arcane cage fighter stumbled to the ground. "Sacre bleu!" He gasped. "What the hell was that?" He wondered aloud, easing himself to the ground. Raiden knelt beside him.
"Be still. I will heal your injuries." He stated, conjuring his magics between his hands and generating electrical energy that bathed Blaze head to toe, gradually restoring his body to full health. Liu knelt beside them.
"Those were the Black Dragon. They are mercenaries who are in service of other realms, threatening to undermine Earthrealm." He explained. "It is unfortunate they targeted you, but your Arcana is strong enough to warrant attention." Blaze looked up at him, confused by everything he was hearing.
"You keep calling it that. What the hell is it?"
"Your ability to conjure fire." Raiden stated. "You have the abilities of a fire elemental." He rose, magic abating, as Blaze discovered he had been fully healed.
"We came here hoping to protect you from the Black Dragon… and also recruit you to help fight back against their benefactors." Liu confessed. "There are more like you, Blaze. We would like to help you with your powers." The cage fighter picked himself up.
"Yeah, well, thanks but no thanks." He promptly responded. "I was doing quite alright for myself before this shitstorm consumed me." Liu cocked his head, perplexed by his negative response.
"But you have the potential to be so much more-"
"No no no, j'ai mon voyage! Je m'en sacre!" Blaze insisted. "I'm not interested in your little club!"
"You do not wish to understand your powers?" Raiden asked calmly. "You do not wish to hone them and become even more skillful as a champion of kombat?"
"Hey, that's your thing. Me? I prefer makin' big bucks like this." Blaze replied. "Look, thanks for the save back there, but I don't want nothing to do with this crazy shit." He started walking away, trying to find a way back to the room he'd rented for his time here. Mileena tried to chase after him, only to be stopped by Raiden.
"Let him leave, Mileena."
"But we need him. Don't we?" She questioned.
"The call goes out to many, but only a select few have the willpower to answer it." Raiden replied. "What we are asking is nothing short of total devotion. Your entire life will be dedicated to Earthrealm's defence. Blaze has already found a life to devote itself to him. His devotion to it is strong, strong enough to dissuade him from choosing another path."
"So we just let him go?" Liu asked. "Lord Raiden, that could be a dangerous loose end."
"Perhaps so, Liu Kang. But everyone has a path." The thunder god replied, watching as Blaze retreated further and further away from him. "For now, this is what Blaze must walk."
Author's Note: Hope everyone enjoyed BLAZE showing up! Some fun facts about his appearance this time: his outfit takes inspiration from Blaze's old rival Hornbuckle on the klassic Pit stage, his ethnicity and Quebecois comes from his physical inspiration (actor Michael Mando), and his powers are loosely derived from El Diablo in Suicide Squad.
Anyway, hard at work on the next one. That's gonna be real fun!