It had been mere minutes since everyone at the battle at Lianhua Village had left through a portal to a distant Special Forces base. The spacious was more packed than ever with several wounded requiring immediate medical attention whilst surrounded by concerned and panicked faces of allies and friends. Special Forces medics rushed through the crowds of frightened bystanders, their footsteps helping to drown out the soft groans that came from their patients. Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs watched the scene unfold in horror as they stood in a corner out of the way.
"Shit…" Jax swore. "In all my years I ain't ever seen a mess like this…"
"It was enough of a bloodbath before the Tarkatan soldiers showed up," Sonya sighed. "So many of them risked or outright gave their lives to protect us."
"And to think we were known as monsters once," Karekna remarked as she approached the two soldiers with Korhau by his side.
"Are you two alright?" Sonya asked. "I'm sorry about your people."
"I assumed you two were in charge," Korhau admitted.
"We run this base," Jax confirmed with a nod, "but anything medical you'll wanna have a chat with my wife."
"I'm here!" Vera announced as she anxiously jogged over after overhearing their conversation. "What can I help with?"
"Do you have enough support to look after my kind?" Korhau asked. "I mean… is there enough room or workers to look after them and do you know how to treat us?"
"Ambulances have been called," Vera tried to assure him but Korhau had a blank expression. "Oh! Ambulances they're… transporters that'll be able to take soldiers to the nearest hospital where they'll be treated."
"Thank you," Korhau said gratefully as Vera pulled him out the doorway as stretchers began being rolled in by soldiers to provide more seating for the wounded.
"As for Tarkatan biology… it's certainly foreign," Vera admitted. "We can take care of wounds and even broken bones despite your unique spikes and arm blades, but I don't know how we can help anyone with mouth injuries."
"I'm asking this so I can report back to Karbrac," Korhau explained. "We'll be able to send our nurses to assist."
"That'd be good," Vera nodded before quickly turning to her husband. "Jax, I need you-"
"What's going on?!" Cassie shouted out of concern as she and Jacqui rushed into the , the crowd distracting them from their training.
"Cass, you don't want to see any of this," Johnny marched towards his daughter, standing in her path.
"Mom?" Jacqui looked to Vera for any news.
"I'm too busy to explain, sweetie," Vera told her. "Jax, I need the room cleared! It's too crowded!"
"Attention, everyone!" Jax immediately straightened himself and raised his voice, his loudness so booming that everyone could hear him. "Our medics need the room cleared out for a bit! Anyone who doesn't require support right now needs to step outside!"
"I'll take them to the hall," Johnny decided. "Follow me, folks!"
"But-" Cassie went to protest.
"Now!" Sonya ordered as she ushered Cassie towards the exciting crowd.
"My Mother!" Mileena cried out as Kitana grabbed her shoulder, trying to pull her away. "I can't leave her!"
"Please give my team some space to help her!" Vera pleaded as she rushed down the room.
"Come on, Mileena," Tanya said softly as she held Mileena's hand and she and Kitana slowly guided her out of the room.
Johnny Cage led the group down a busy hallway where more medics and soldiers at the base were rushing up and down, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the cold, metallic walls. They emerged into a vast, open hall space, a room typically reserved for the assembly of troops, where soldiers would normally stand at attention, awaiting orders. But today, it had been repurposed. Rows of benches lined the space, scattered with the heroes who thought against the Deadly Alliance and their allies sitting down in hushed anticipation. Nitara opted to fly up at the sight of a high ceiling, despite her injured wing, preferring to sit alone in the rafters. The tension in the air was palpable, as if the room itself was holding its breath, waiting for any updates about the wounded. Johnny's eyes scanned the area, a saddened expression on his face, the more serious side of him that Cassie was rarely exposed to.
"What the Hell is going on?" Cassie asked with fear in her eyes and tone.
"Remember those sorcerers you would've heard about before we left?" Johnny asked and Cassie nodded. "They attacked us at Liu Kang's funeral, it wasn't pretty."
"Oh…" Cassie realised.
"We were being told we might get our first major assignments soon," Jacqui stated. "Would fighting the sorcerers be it?"
"God no!" Jax refused as he stepped into the hall.
"Not Shang Tsung and Quan Chi directly at least," Johnny assured.
"Not at all!" Jax corrected him. "This is too dangerous for us, we can't put our rookies out there too, Cage!"
"Well it's not my call!" Johnny threw his hands up. "But if we take anymore losses then we might run out of options."
"Don't say that, Cage," Jax shook his head. "I need a smoke, I'll be outside."
A visibly frustrated Jax stormed out of the hall and Jacqui sighed at the sight. "Normally I think he's just being overprotective," she believed, "but his concerns are definitely legit with everything that's happened recently."
"You two shouldn't have to worry about this crap," Johnny sighed.
"What if we can help though?" Cassie asked. "Maybe it is time to let us get involved."
"I'm thinking that… but… it wouldn't be right," Johnny dismissed the thought.
"We've been trained for special missions like this shit!" Cassie insisted. "If I can help, then I'll help!"
"I'll talk with Sonya about it at some point," Johnny replied. "I think it's too big of a leap though, kid, I don't-"
"I'm not a kid anymore, Dad," Cassie groaned.
"Fine then," Johnny retorted, "you're a trainee in progress."
"That's so unfair!" Cassie complained. "What do you think, Jacqui?"
"I don't know anymore," Jacqui shrugged.
"Just drop it for now," Johnny requested. "Please?"
"Fine," Cassie said reluctantly, rolling her eyes.
"Jacqui, can you check on your dad?" Johnny asked.
"Of course," she nodded before running off after her father.
"I'm going back to practice," Cassie decided before stropping out of the room.
"Just take it easy, Cass," Johnny said as he waved her off. He then glanced around the room again, the most striking sight to him was Mileena sobbing against Tanya's shoulder whilst she and Kitana attempted to comfort her.
"She'll be alright," Tanya tried to reassure the sisters. "She has to be."
"I hope so," Kitana replied as she rubbed Mileena's shoulder.
Mileena couldn't verbally reply, her crying was uncontrollable. She had lost so much in such little time. She knew that losing Sindel would be a breaking point.
Johnny Cage gulped as he slowly approached the trio, even with all of his charisma and confidence, he wasn't sure of what to say. Unlike the Johnny Cage of old, he knew to think before he spoke.
"Kitana. Mileena," he acknowledged the siblings as he stood over their bench. "I'm so sorry…"
"Thank you, Cage," Kitana replied gratefully.
"Do any of you need anything?" Cage asked. "We have food and drink here."
"I just need my Mother…" Mileena cried out.
"I'm sorry," he apologised again, taking a small step back.
"You know much about guns?" Kitana asked, assuming he would be an Earthrealmer.
"I avoid them like the plague," Cage sighed, "but helping out with the S.F… I've definitely learnt a thing or two."
"To survive a… bullet… to the head…" Kitana shuddered just thinking about what had occurred. "Is it even possible?"
"It's… unlikely," he admitted, "but yes, it's definitely possible."
"Then may the Elder Gods watch over her," Tanya prayed.
"I'm unsure about the Elder Gods," Johnny replied, "but I do know that some of the best, most experienced medics in the realm are in that room helping Sindel."
"Thank you," Kitana said gratefully again with Mileena nodding, sharing the sentiment.
"You feeling any better, Mileena?" Tanya asked as she noticed her crying stop.
"It's… somewhat reassuring," she replied before coughing. "Maybe I will have something to drink."
"We have water," Johnny confirmed again. "If you're looking for more exciting options then there's hot drinks."
"Hot drinks?" Mileena asked with curiosity.
"He means tea and coffee," Kitana explained.
"You're forgetting the best thing," Johnny raised a finger. "Hot chocolate."
"Chocolate?" herself was puzzled now.
"No way!" Johnny couldn't believe it. "Outworld doesn't have chocolate?!"
"What is chocolate?!" Kitana questioned again.
Johnny stared at Kitana in disbelief, then turned to Tanya and Mileena, hoping for a different answer, but they were equally confused. Mileena stared blankly whilst Tanya merely shrugged.
"You guys are missing out," Johnny said, shaking his head. "Chocolate is... well, it's like this sweet, magical food from Earthrealm," he explained and then clarified, "uh… not actual magic, it just tastes good."
Kitana raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And it's made from...?"
"Cacao beans, seeds from cacao trees," Johnny continued to elaborate. "They're processed, turned into all kinds of things like chocolate bars or, in this case, drinks."
"I suppose we could try it," Mileena suggested.
"You must!" Johnny insisted. "I'll put the kettle on!"
"Kettle?" Mileena raised an eyebrow as Johnny jogged off to the kitchen.
"Oh!" Kitana recalled the object. "The Wu Shi had one, it heats water, more advanced than our teapots."
"Earthrealm magic," Mileena deduced.
Approaching the other women, Jade chimed into the conversation. "You know there's talks of their technology being shared with other realms soon?" Jade asked.
"It's inevitable I'm sure," Kitana nodded.
"How are you all?" Jade asked as she hugged her closest friend tightly. "I'm sorry about Sindel…"
"It's alright, Jade," Kitana tried to reassure. "Well… it's not… but we'll manage."
"We're here for you," Jade promised. "Everyone in this room."
"Thanks," Kitana smiled faintly as she pulled away from the embrace. "So how about you?"
"I guess I'm just worried about my own family too," Jade admitted. "Li's been… well she's still the sweetest woman in all the realms… but all this has been getting to her and that alone is getting to me."
"She did lash out at Azaco," Kitana noted.
"He asked for it," Jade defended her fiancée. "I didn't really pick up on how angry she can get until Reiko."
"His death was necessary," Kitana stated plainly.
"Yes," Jade nodded but then sighed. "It's just she… kept going at him with the Wrath Hammer, one of the most brutal things I've ever witnessed."
"Perhaps I should've done that to Shao," Mileena remarked bitterly.
"I don't fault Li for her actions, she hasn't acted upon anything that wasn't deserved," Jade clarified. "I'm just worried that the stress is too much for her."
"These are indeed stressful times," Kitana related. "I'm sure she'll be alright though, Jade, as long as you two have each other."
"Thank you, Kitana," Jade said gratefully before turning to Tanya. "And how are you, Tanya? I know Daahraan got hurt also."
"Nothing fatal," Tanya let out a sigh of relief. "Doesn't mean I'm happy about any of this."
"Of course not," Jade agreed. "I should get back to Li… with all this chaos it's like fate doesn't want us to have our wedding."
"It'll come," Kitana promised. "No more losses."
"I wish that was something we could enforce with complete certainty," Jade replied with a frown. "I appreciate it regardless."
After one last hug, Jade walked off to return to Li Mei. The Outworld hero stood beside Asgaarth and the Kytinn couple of D'Vorah and A'Vital. Avien was busy inspecting Li Mei's Kunlun Dao, curious about her unique sword.
"Do you wield swords?" Li Mei questioned. "I've never seen you use one, Asgaarth."
"With my species having gone into hiding, few are clued on how to counter the offence of an Avien," Asgaarth explained as he saw his reflection in the blade. "I've found that using the unique abilities that my Avien heritage has granted offers me a greater advantage than a standard sword," he handed the weapon back to Li Mei. "Still, I am fond of such weaponry."
"This One hopes that there is a community of Kytinn in hiding," D'Vorah wished as A'Vital wrapped a stinger around her lovingly.
"It's possible," Asgaarth assured. "The Kytinn are sometimes subterranean, yes?"
"Hives can be built underground," A'Vital confirmed. "Perhaps more Kytinn will be uncovered once we restore Arnyek."
"To hide from Shao Kahn you must do so well, it's possible that they're burrowed so deep that they're clueless to the regime changes in the realm," Asgaarth pointed out. "Always remain hopeful."
"Always remain hopeful…" Li Mei repeated to herself quietly as she sheathed the Kunlun Dao.
"Are you alright, my love?" Jade asked as she stood in front of Li Mei, the couple quickly hugging each other.
"Just thinking about Topaz," Li opened up. "I imagine she's not a target of the sorcerers, but it's…"
"Worrying," Jade understood her immediately. "I get it, I hope my mothers are both fine also."
"Is Emitta still in Sabar City?" Li Mei asked and Jade nodded. "That can't be good…"
"The Deadly Alliance has quarantined the capital," Asgaarth revealed. "My flock flew over it the other day, nobody gets in or out."
"They don't want anyone even coming close to the fortress," Li Mei sighed. "What will we do?"
"We'll have to infiltrate the city," Jade concluded.
"We what?" Li Mei looked shocked.
"I can't leave my mother there," Jade refused. "Do you know what's happening to the residents trapped in the city, Asgaarth?"
"I haven't a clue," Asgaarth shook his head. "One thing that I am certain of, both your faces are amongst many of us littered throughout the realm."
"Some paper isn't going to stop me," Jade said sternly. "What do you think, Li?"
"I'm always by your side," Li Mei vowed. "We have to be awfully careful though."
"As careful as can be," Jade promised.
"And we go check on Sun Do first," Li Mei demanded.
"Of course, love," Jade agreed. "I'm sure Topaz made it home safely."
"I hope so too…"
Whilst the couple spoke, steering between the groups of people waiting in the busy hall, carrying a silver tray with 3 glasses filled with steaming hot chocolate as Johnny navigated towards Kitana, Mileena and Tanya.
"Here you girls go," Johnny said as he offered the tray to them. "Be careful with the heat!"
"Thank you," the three Edenians thanked the actor in unison as they carefully grabbed the hot drinks.
The Protector God of Outworld soon walked by as he made the rounds checking on everyone at the hall. "What's going on over here?" Bo' Rai Cho asked as he peered past Johnny's shoulder.
"No booze here, big guy," Johnny informed him. When Johnny saw the usually jolly God frown, he grew concerned. "I'm sorry, are you okay?"
"I'm wanting to stay away from drinking," he revealed to the actor.
"I get it, man," Johnny assured him. "I've had issues with the bottle too, I want to sober up."
"I thought I was in control of it," Bo' Rai Cho claimed, "but I'm not sure anymore."
"Well you've been a great role model to a lot of folk," Johnny praised. "It's your call though."
"It's not the main reason I'm so down," Bo' Rai Cho admitted.
"We just saw a lot of shit happen back there," Johnny agreed.
"Do you know what happened to Fujin?" Bo' Rai Cho asked.
"No," he shook his head, Johnny's eyes widening as he saw the depressed look on Bo's face. "Do you know what happened?"
"He was killed," Bo' Rai Cho revealed. "One of many I have no doubt."
"Killed?!" Johnny gasped, dropping the tray he was holding onto it which created an echoing clang when it hit the floor. "Gods always return though, right?"
"The soul of a God can reform a body a limitless number of times," Bo' Rai Cho confirmed. "The rules of the afterlife still apply though."
"What about the Elders?" Johnny wondered.
"Their active presence in the Heavens seems to make escaping it even harder than the Netherrealm," Bo' Rai Cho explained as he walked around in circles whilst Cage stood frozen in shock. "For the Elder Gods' desired balance, they don't let Gods, even their own servants, leave the afterlife upon death."
"This is so fucked up," Johnny complained as he kicked the ground. "Who could've even managed to kill Fujin?! Those bastard sorcerers?!"
"No," Bo' Rai Cho shook his head. "Daegon."
"Who?" Cage scratched his head in confusion.
"Kitana and I fought him," Mileena recalled between sips of her drink. "He might've been the deadliest opponent I've ever encountered."
"Just what we needed," Johnny remarked sarcastically, frustration seeping through his voice.
"I'm spreading the news as I go around," Bo' Rai Cho told the group. "It feels horrible everytime I say it, but people deserve to be in the know."
"So much explaining, giving condolences, mourning people," Johnny began to list off what was becoming a trend.
"It shows we all care for each other," Bo' Rai Cho pointed out. "We at least have that."
"Of course," Cage nodded before turning to the Edenians. "How's that hot chocolate?"
"It's nice, comforting," Kitana complimented as she cradled the cup delicately in her hands. "It'd be a hit in Edenia, I'll have to deliver one of our realms pies to you sometime."
"Please do," Cage smirked before turning to see Tanya chugging down the remainder of her drink. "Slow down, Tanya, you'll burn your tongue!"
"It's not that hot," Tanya argued as she set the cup down on the side of the bench. "Although I guess my Pyromancy does affect that."
"Neat party trick at least," Johnny jokes. "What about you, Mileena?"
"Mil," Kitana tapped her shoulder when her sister didn't reply.
"Sorry," Mileena apologised as if she had just suddenly snapped out of a trance, lifting her head with bloodshot eyes. "It's just with the talk of mourning… even if Mother is alright, there's still Meat gone."
"I had no idea," Johnny realised. "I'm so sorry."
"It happened after we split off in groups," Tanya recalled. She then glanced up to look at Nitara as she sat in the rafters."He died protecting Nitara."
"He's my brother," Mileena whispered as she began to tear up. "He didn't deserve this…"
"I couldn't imagine it," Johnny replied solemnly. "Losing that much family at once…"
"You and Baraka were good friends, weren't you?" Mileena sniffled.
"He didn't care to explore Earthrealm, got too many stares," Johnny remembered fondly, "so when he'd make a trip to Earth he'd normally stop at Casa del Cage; mine and Sonya's mansion."
"I've tried some Earthrealm food from what he brought back," Mileena recalled.
"We'd share cooking recipes," Johnny laughed. "He was so sweet to Cass when she was little too."
"We had always wanted a child," Mileena revealed. "I didn't think it'd be right at such a busy time of undoing Shao Kahn's wrongs… I didn't know we had such little time left together."
"I'm so sorry," he apologised. "I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
"They're good memories," Mileena clarified. "I just wish we'd have done those plans."
"You'd have been great parents," Johnny assured her. "He was so uncharacteristically nervous when I offered to introduce him to Cassie, he thought she'd be scared of Tarkatans."
"Most of you Earthrealmers are," Mileena pointed out. "I understand it's not necessarily out of prejudice though; they're just not used to it."
"Cassie's always been used to Outworld species," Johnny explained. "There was a Shokan who moved to Earth after people were aware of the realms, he called himself Bob, I paid him to be the mansion's caretaker as well as babysit Cassie when I was off shooting movies."
"Nice to hear other Outworld natives tryout life in Earthrealm," Bo' Rai Cho commented, chuckling at his own memories of his lengthy stay in Earthrealm.
"What's he up to now?" Mileena asked.
Johnny Cage merely shrugged. "Not a damn clue," he admitted. "He took off without a word and never came back to the mansion."
"Do you think something bad happened to him?" Bo' Rai Cho wondered.
"He's a Shokan, ain't nobody messing with him," Johnny argued.
"Fair point," Bo' Rai Cho confessed. He then returned back to their more serious topic, "as for those who we lost today, unfortunately we'll either have to postpone any additional funerals, or do them even more discreetly."
"It's too risky now," Kitana agreed, "and so many of us are frankly busy with this crisis, how long will we be waiting?"
"Not very long," Sonya Blade announced as she stepped into the hall. "Vera has an update about Sindel and Meat."
"Meat?" Mileena looked up with a puzzled expression before gazing even further up to see Nitara. "She should know too."
"Can someone fetch Nitara down then?" Sonya asked.
Overhearing this, Ermac began to levitate up towards the ceiling as they approached Nitara who sat quietly on the rafters, her wings folded tightly against her back as she mourned. The dim light cast long shadows over her face, but her expression was unmistakably pained.
"The General has called for you," Ermac informed her.
"For what?" Nitara looked up with an annoyed expression. "I already know Meat's dead."
"Perhaps not," Ermac replied.
"What do you mean?" Nitara questioned. "You can sense souls, right?"
"Meat never had a soul to sense," Ermac revealed. "That's another part of his unique biology, he is a mesh of reanimated flesh grown from a skeleton, nothing more."
"I don't understand constructs," she admitted.
"The purpose of Meat is still perplexing," Ermac stated as they tried to think of what Shang Tsung's goal for him was. "Given his uniqueness, perhaps he lives?"
"It's not possible…" Nitara sighed. "And without a soul? He won't even see the Heavens… poor thing…"
"Shouldn't you at least check?" Ermac asked. "We have seen all sorts of constructs back at the village, so many have defied what seemed possible."
"I suppose you're right," Nitara admitted as she wiped tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Ermac."
Holding her arm for support, Ermac and Nitara slowly lowered down to the floor in front of Sonya Blade. Kitana and Mileena stood either side of the Special Forces General, awaiting permission to see Sindel.
"May We join you?" Ermac requested before they headed to the .
"Of course," Sonya nodded in confirmation. "Come on!"
As the small group entered the , they walked past several Tarkatans and Lianhua villagers being treated, Mileena rushed past them to reach the bed that Sindel had been placed on. Vera and a couple other doctors stood over her, carefully assessing her.
Their eyes fell down upon Sindel who was lying pale and motionless in the bed. Her once-majestic black and white hair, now matted with blood, was spread across the pillow. Bandages covered parts of her head where the bullet had struck, and her regal armour had been replaced by hospital linens. Tubes and wires connected her to various machines, their rhythmic beeping the only sign of life alongside her chest which rose and fell slowly, a faint reminder of her continued existence, though her expression was eerily still.
"Will she be alright?!" Mileena asked, praying for confirmation.
"The good news is that she's alive," Vera assured her. "We've stopped the bleeding and her breathing is stabilised."
"Thank the Gods…" Mileena let out a relieved sigh as she leant against Kitana, feeling light headed.
"What's the bad news?" Kitana asked nervously.
"She's in a coma…" Vera declared with sadness. "With the nature of these injuries, we cannot predict when she'll wake up."
"Oh no…" Kitana replied as Mileena gasped.
"Additionally, the bullet that shot her is partially lodged into her brain," Vera added onto the unfortunate news. "We will begin surgery to extract it soon, but permanent brain damage appears to be unavoidable. I'm sorry."
"What can that damage lead to?" Kitana asked, wanting to fully understand the severity.
"Many possible side effects," Vera elaborated, "most notably is potential memory loss and even… paralysis."
"Is there anything we can do?!" Mileena asked desperately as she began to tear up again.
"The only way to truly fix this damage completely would be… magic," Vera realised.
"What kind?" Ermac asked as they continued to stare down at Sindel, the entire collective deeply saddened by the sight of such a beloved Edenian in hospital.
"Raiden's helped resolve many otherwise life changing injuries," Sonya added. "Where the Hell is he though?"
"Unfortunately my medical degree didn't come with a God tracker," Vera shrugged, "so that's not for me to figure out."
"We'll find him," Kitana promised.
"I'll ask around," Sonya decided before leaving to return to the hall.
Meanwhile, Nitara looked past the group, her eyes focusing on Meat. Although initially covered by a white sheet, it had been pushed aside to the floor, exposing the fleshy construct. Confused medics stood around him, Nitara pushing past to see what was going on. The Vampire gasped at the sight before her.
Examining the countless bullet holes that had been left in Meat's body from Kendrick Shayde, she gasped as she saw the edges of the circular wounds pull inward, the torn flesh progressively reconnecting and filling up the bullet holes one by one, making its way up Meat's body. A massive hole had been left in his head, his brain partially destroyed as a result. As Nitara and the medics continued to observe him, they saw the exposed chunks of his brain begin to expand, cells forming and building up new parts to replace the destroyed ones. As the brain rounded out, it was soon surrounded by bone and flesh and whilst the finishing touches were underway… life came back to the construct.
Meat's eyes moved, looking directly at Nitara. "Hey…" He waved to her weakly.
"You're alive!" Nitara cried out in joy, swooping towards Meat and hugging him.
"What happened?" Meat asked.
"You… sacrificed yourself to save me," Nitara explained. "The battle is over and we thought you were dead… but… you regenerated?"
"What do you mean?" Meat asked.
"You were shot up badly," Nitara elaborated as Meat slowly sat up from the bed. "The wounds healed… on their own."
"Don't bodies normally heal?"
"Not like that."
"I have cut my hand a few times when cooking," Meat recalled his clever accidents. "The cuts would close after a few minutes."
"That's definitely NOT normal," Nitara assured him.
"So I have powers?" Meat shifted to the immediate next conclusion. "Neat."
"Meat!" Mileena cried out as he rushed towards his fleshy brother, not caring for the blood that'd come onto her from their embrace.
"I have some regeneration abilities, Milly, or so I'm told," Meat informed her.
"Maybe we can fix that eye," Mileena commented.
"It's a fashion statement!" Meat shook his head, his loose eye bouncing off his cheek repeatedly as he did so.
"You're weird," Mileena chuckled slightly. "I love you for that."
"I love you too, sis."
As the heroes embraced the silver lining to this disastrous event, Jax stood in the outside parking lot smoking a cigar he had left in his office. The moment of calm helped the Special Forces Major relax, although he remained concerned about everything that had been going on recently.
"Dad?" Jacqui called out softly as she exited the base. "I just came to check on you."
"Don't worry about me, Jacqui," Jax tried to reassure her.
Jacqui stepped closer, hopping down the stairs to the parking area. "It's hard not to with everything that's been happening."
"I know, Jacqui," Jax said as he exhaled a puff of smoke, looking up at the rising sunset of the early morning. "It's just… I'm already worried about all my friends here who have been fighting these life threatening battles… I just can't imagine you joining it all."
"You've never wanted me to go down this path," Jacqui crossed her arms as she spoke. "Yet you always supported me once my mind was set on this."
"It's the least I can do," Jax shrugged it off as nothing important. "Where are you going with this, Jacqui?"
"You've my Dad!" Jacqui exclaimed loudly. "You've always had my back, so if time comes for me to do the same for you, then please… can you let me?"
Jax glanced at Jacqui, the stubborn strength in her voice a reflection of her mother. "You're something else, kid," he grinned. "Alright, you got me. I appreciate it."
"Is that a yes then?"
"That's General Blade's call," Jax insisted. "If she approves then… I can't stop it. I won't hold you back, prevent you from growing."
"Thanks," Jacqui said gratefully. "I think Aunt Sonya's eager for us to get some experience in."
"We'll see," Jax replied before taking another drag of his cigar. "Listen, sweetpea… I know you look up to me and everything… but I need you to understand the dangers of doing this."
"Like you said, I'm not a kid anymore," Jacqui pointed out. "I understand that lives are at stake."
"Nineteen ninety-two," Jax recalled the year. "Me and Sonya were at the helm of a squadron overseas, pursuing Kano who stole a boat and ended up at an island, that's where the Mortal Kombat tournament took place."
"I remember," Jacqui nodded.
"What I never told you was that I wasn't really a participant until the following tournament," Jax clarified. "Our entire squadron was… murdered. I was taken prisoner in hopes of luring Sonya into a trap. We were so damn lucky, a literal God saved our asses."
"Raiden," Jacqui guessed and Jax nodded.
"I had experienced the loss of a fellow already of course," Jax continued to remember. "So many casualties of war or simply a cost for the Black Dragon's nefarious activities… but like you, I understood that it was an awful albeit normal standard of our work."
"All the shit with the other realms took things to another level, huh?"
"Sure," Jax confirmed. "You're from before all that stuff was public knowledge, it's nuts to learn," he recalled as Jacqui listened closely. "The island messed me up, but we were close to stopping Kano so I figured I'll get therapy after that and things will smooth over."
"Then what?"
"Then I lost my arms…" Jax sighed as he looked down at his cybernetics. "And I still had it luckier than most with these cybernetics, I don't know how I'd have overcome the loss of them without S.F tech."
"I'm sorry, Dad," Jacqui apologised as she held onto one of his cybernetic arms.
"It's alright," Jax reassured her. "It's just I miss some things, and some stuff I never got to do. I never got to hold you in my arms… and actually feel it. It's a horrible feeling and I just… I don't want you scarred too."
"I wish I could take it all away from you, Dad," Jacqui said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "I wish you didn't have to go through that."
"Again, you shouldn't be worried about me," Jax replied, his eyes flickering with a mix of pride and sorrow. "In the end, these experiences are a part of the man I am now. I just hope your experiences won't be filled with as much pain."
"I hope so too," Jacqui agreed.
"And my story ain't done," Jax reminded both himself and Jacqui. "I thought after the invasions of Shao Kahn and Shinnok that it wouldn't happen again, at least not in my lifetime… but the sorcerers are something even worse I reckon."
"Sounds to me like they all share being the worst," Jacqui shared her own take. "Can't get much more reprehensible than that lot."
"You sure can't," Jax shook his head. "Going into the military to fight at least somewhat normal threats, forces from our own realm and planet, that's frightening enough… but this? I don't want you sent down to fight in this war."
"I'm not afraid of the fight, Dad. I've trained for this. You and Aunt Sonya made sure of that," Jacqui replied, her voice steady and confident. "If they do threaten Earth, I think it should be all hands on deck."
Jax took one last drag of his cigar and nodded. "You've always been the best part of my life, Jacqui, I just want you safe."
"You want Earthrealm as a whole safe," Jacqui pointed out. "That's why we do this… we put ourselves at risk to save others."
"You're right, Jacqui, as always," Jax smiled as he put out his cigar, stood tall, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Now, let's head back in."
"Wait," Jacqui stopped before going inside. "Will you be alright?"
"I will," Jax repeated. "I just want you to be fine as well."
"Then I will be too," Jacqui smirked before hugging her father. "C'mon then."
Together, they walked back towards the base to check on how things were going. Returning to the gathering hall, the first thing they saw was Stryker and Nightwolf leaning against the wall together. The police officer gazed down at the ground, his mind elsewhere as he worried about Kabal's mysterious absence.
"His body would have surely been discovered by now if he had been killed," Nightwolf told Stryker, giving a logical assessment to try to reassure him. "I'm sure he's alive."
"And we would've seen him if he hadn't been taken away," Stryker suggested, taking his hat off and wiping sweat from his forehead.
Jax took a deep breath as he and Jacqui approached. "Hey, Stryker, Nightwolf," he greeted them. "Thinking about Kabal, huh?"
"Kurtis believes someone took him away," Nightwolf explained.
"Not just anyone," Stryker sighed as he pushed himself off the wall. "The Black Dragon."
"Why'd they still care about him?" Jax questioned.
"Beats me," Stryker shrugged. "I just know they've done it before and when he returned he had a damn gas mask on…"
As they discussed the potential threat of the Black Dragon, Jacqui wandered off after spotting Scorpion, the Shirai Ryu Grandmaster. Remembering Takeda, the boy she had a fond time with at the party in Edenia, she recalled how he was one of Scorpion's pupils. Jacqui decided to take the chance to ask about him.
"Excuse me," Jacqui said politely as she tapped Scorpion's shoulder.
Turning around on the bench he sat on, Scorpion greeted her with a smile. "Can I help you?"
"I was at the party," she reintroduced herself. "I was talking to one of your students."
"I remember you," Scorpion nodded. "Jacqui, was it?"
"That's right," Jacqui confirmed. "Is Takeda here?"
"I'm afraid not," Scorpion said before gesturing to his side. "His parents are present though."
"Hello," Suchin waved at the young soldier whilst smiling gently. Jacqui of course waved back.
"We didn't want to bring any students to the funerals," Kenshi explained. "They knew Baraka and Liu Kang but obviously nobody in the classes would've been too close to them."
"A wise move it turned out to be," Scorpion assessed. "I doubt they'd have been ready for the attack."
"Y-yeah," Jacqui stammered, a reminder of her own inexperience and another warning albeit indirectly, of the path she wanted to go down.
"We weren't even ready," Suchin sighed. "We had each other's backs though," she commented as she hugged Kenshi's arm.
"Yes," Kenshi agreed as he kissed her on the head. "We'll always be beside each other."
"Was there a message you wanted to pass onto Takeda, Jacqui?" Scorpion asked.
"Uh… no," Jacqui shook her head. "He was just… nice. So I thought if he just so happened to be here then it would've been cool, y'know?"
"I'm sure," Scorpion replied. "Stay safe now."
"You too," Jacqui said as she headed back to Jax. Once she was out of range, Scorpion couldn't help but chuckle.
"Someone has a crush," Suchin commented before laughing with Scorpion.
"You think so?" Kenshi asked, completely oblivious.
"I know you're blind, honey, but c'mon!" Suchin nudged him. "That was almost as obvious as you, almost."
"I was?" Kenshi looked puzzled.
"Inviting a random woman into your home because of the rain?" Suchin recalled. "Then showing off your fancy tricks?"
"Fair point," Kenshi grinned. "It worked though."
"It sure did," Suchin said as they kissed.
"That Jacqui does seem friendly though," Kenshi commented.
"She's pretty too," Suchin complimented. "I think we should tell Takeda that she's been asking about him."
"Quite a distance between them though," Kenshi considered.
"Such a traditionalist," Suchin continued to lovingly poke fun at her husband. "We have portal technology now, silly."
"Don't compare me to them," Kenshi shook his head. "It's no fun when there's so many old-timey fools in this world. I just like swords."
"That makes two of us," Scorpion chimed in."
"Fair enough, samurai," Suchin giggled. "What do you think, Hanzo?"
"You know I'm an advocate for love," Scorpion told them as he remembered the times with Harumi and Satoshi. "It can lead to pain," he admitted, "but it's still worth pursuing for the fond times and memories."
"Family is important," Kenshi agreed. "We stick together."
"Look who is here," Suchin pointed ahead as approaching the Shirai Ryu trio was Lin Kuei's own trio of Sub-Zero, Cyrax and Smoke.
"Kenshi's right," Smoke commented. "Still shocks me to hear both Shirai Ryu and Lin Kuei be united under this mindset."
"It is a change I never saw coming," Scorpion admitted. "Thank you all for helping make it possible."
"Of course, Hanzo," Sub-Zero spoke up as Scorpion got off the bench to bow their heads at each other out of respect.
"Couldn't ask for better grandmasters," Suchin praised.
"Unfortunately the old competition wasn't very steep, Suchin," Cyrax told her.
"I know," Suchin sighed as she looked at Cyrax. "That your old leader would turn you into that… against your wishes… it's-"
"Inhumane," Cyrax finished the sentence. "I'm still not properly used to it."
"I was speaking with General Blade," Sub-Zero revealed, placing a hand on the cyborg's shoulder. "The Special Forces are open to attempt tests to, at least partially, you."
"Really?!" Cyrax spun around in shock and Kuai Liang nodded. "Thank you so much."
"It's their idea," he clarified. "They could do with a cyborg like yourself to be used to help analysis for potential solutions."
"I'll help with anything, no matter the risk," Cyrax promised enthusiastically. "I suppose they have their hands full at the moment though."
"Unfortunately so," Sub-Zero confirmed. "They'll make contact when they're ready to further their research."
"That's brilliant!" Cyrax cheered.
Sonya approached the group, smiling as she realised that Sub-Zero had already told Cyrax. "Glad to see you're happy," she told the yellow cyborg. "We'll be in touch."
"You don't know how much this means to me," Cyrax told her.
"Now I can't promise results," Sonya admitted, "but we will try."
"Thank you," Cyrax said gratefully as she shook his metallic hand.
"Will we be waiting much longer, Sonya?" Stryker asked impatiently. "I need to get back to the station to look for Kabal."
"We should get back to our clans too," Scorpion acknowledged.
"The new initiates will need us," Smoke realised. "And I need a nap."
"Our portals are set up," Sonya confirmed. "Thanks to Lin Kuei we've managed to rebuild our portal room after Hsu Hao blew it to bits, we can now enter precise coordinates."
"Interrealm travel is unavailable right now though," Jax pointed out. "I presume Kitana will be able to handle that side of things."
"It'll take some time, but I can do it," Kitana confirmed as she stepped into the hall alongside Mileena, Tanya and the now healed Meat.
"You're alive?" Sonya was surprised, as were many others in the room who gasped to see Meat walking around as if nothing happened. "I saw your body… healing? Still, I thought it was impossible."
"I think I know what the purpose of my creation was," Meat theorised. "Shang Tsung wanted durable warriors with great healing properties, I guess I wasn't a failed experiment after all."
"I guess miracles happen," Stryker commented. "Perhaps Kabal will be alright after all…"
"Wake up!"
Without warning, a foot shot out, connecting with the side of an old mattress. The thud echoed through the room, sending up a small puff of dust as the springs let out a strained groyne. The mattress barely shifted, its middle caved in from years of neglect. The boot pushed the mattress into the wall, the man sleeping on it being thrown into it as well, shoulder smacking against the rotting wallpaper.
"Kabal!" No Face yelled, kicking him now. "I pulled my ass out of bed early for this shit, you ain't getting a lie-in!"
The former Black Dragon opened his eyes and groaned, pushing his hands against the uncomfortable mattress as he slowly began to get up. He gasped as he accidentally tripped over a hose, the heavy thud of metal toppling over whilst Kabal saw the mask on his face fly off as he fell down into No Face's arm.
"Watch it!" No Face yelled as he caught him.
"Shit!" Kabal swore before gagging, needing the mask to breathe.
"Hold on," No Face said as he pushed Kabal down and grabbed the mask before putting it over his mouth again. "Deep breaths, pig, c'mon."
As Kabal caught his breath, No Face turned his attention to the sound of banging at the floor. The fallen tank had stirred a ruckus that had disturbed the downstairs neighbours.
"Get off my ass!" No Face yelled as he stomped on the decaying floorboards. "It was a fuckin' accident!"
"Huh?" Kabal looked around, confused as he inhaled the air.
"The neighbours are assholes," No Face explained. "Don't worry about it, I'll probably incinerate them later," he muttered to himself as he helped Kabal stand up.
Glancing around the room, Kabal realised he wasn't in a Black Dragon hideout… this was merely No Face's home. A messy room in a rundown apartment that surely didn't pass any health and safety regulations. Nails sticking out of floorboards, a lack of carpeting in sight, as well as various signs of chipping in the planks used. The room was compact, housing a mattress without a frame to call it a bed, an ugly antique couch, and a mouldy kitchen off in a dimly lit corner of the room surrounded by cracked discoloured tiles. Kabal had to give No Face credit, these conditions were at least not his fault, he knew this because there wasn't a single pile of ash present.
"This is your home?" Kabal checked, his voice muffled by the respirator.
"You gotta speak up, Kabby, I can't hear a word you're saying," No Face told him as he shuffled closer.
"Is this your home?" Kabal repeated, voice louder.
"Not much of a home," No Face sighed. "Yeah though, I guess it's the closest thing to it."
"Don't you guys still have hideouts, wouldn't they be any better?" Kabal wondered.
"Wouldn't you like to know," No Face snickered. "Try a question like that again, pig, and I'll roast you like one."
"You're already halfway there, prick," Kabal spoke with visible frustration.
"And I just saved your ass, prick," No Face bounced the insult back before dragging a chair with a bent leg over and carefully sitting down. "Anyway, I brought you to my crib because I don't need my boss knowing about this shit, got it?"
"Why?" Kabal asked.
"I just don't!" No Face leaned forward, screaming anxiously. "This was my favour to you, nothing else!"
"Favour?" Kabal repeated, completely puzzled.
"I… I guess I felt guilty," No Face confessed. "About toasting ya, I mean."
"Well… I'm alive at least," Kabal saw the silver lining. "I must admit, I'm surprised to hear you say that."
"I'm a real piece of shit aren't I?!" No Face snapped, standing up aggressively and kicking his chair over.
"Calm down," Kabal instructed him as he paced the room.
"You calm down!" No Face yelled. "Ugh… I just wanted to do something nice, try to make up for the accident."
"I appreciate that," Kabal told him sincerely.
"Good," No Face smiled, an admittedly unsettling sight despite his attempt at being friendly. "I can't stand the new regime, not like the Black Dragon of old! Really I care about you more than the posers that make up the new breed!"
"Why do you hate it?" Kabal questioned. "Just a change of heart or…?"
"It's too strict!" No Face complained, stomping his feet. "The new boss is a fucking control freak, he's like Hitler!"
"Huh?"
"Shit!" No Face swore. "I didn't mean it because he's German, I'm not a racist!"
"I didn't say-" Kabal went to reassure him but was interrupted by more rambling.
"Actually no," No Face shook his head frantically. "He's worse than that anyway… Red Dragon."
"I've heard bad things about them, but worse than literal Nazis seems like a bit of a stretch," Kabal argued, trying to sound polite.
"You know fuckall about them!" No Face yelled in Kabal's face. "If you did then you'd have ratted on the Reds as well."
"Sure," Kabal admitted. "Knew the name and the reputation but I had nothing to report back to Kurtis with."
"I bet you can't wait to get back into the pigsty," No Face imagined, chuckling at the thought.
"If that's what you wanna call it then sure," Kabal couldn't be bothered to argue further.
"It's the truth!" No Face exclaimed, lifting a finger proudly.
"Wait…" Kabal had finally processed No Face's rant, suddenly picking up on a crucial detail. "Your new leader's German?"
"Uh…" No Face didn't respond and instead began backing away from the officer.
"It's Rotwang, isn't it?!" Kabal realised. "I should've known."
"You heard nothing!" No Face shrieked as he grabbed his flamethrower, hastily aiming it at Kabal. "I'm no snitch!"
"Alright!" Kabal raised his hands. "It's cool, take it easy!"
"Stop telling me what to do!" No Face demanded.
Kabal chose to be silent, glaring at No Face. The pyromaniac sighed, throwing his flamethrower aside.
"Just go away," No Face pleaded.
"You know you don't have to stay with the clan," Kabal told him.
"Unlike you, I'm not a tractor," No Face retorted.
"What do you even gain from them?" Kabal had to ask, despite being instructed not to. "This apartment is horrendous, No Face, surely you see that!"
"So?"
"So they don't pay you enough," Kabal theorised. "You're just clinging onto old times, refusing to change even though you must."
"Maybe I'm just not good with finances!" No Face argued. "Speaking of, I need to pay my dickhead of a landlord."
"I might have to talk with him too," Kabal considered. "How he's running this place clearly isn't legal."
"And get this place shutdown?" No Face assumed. "Leave me homeless? Of fucking course you'd do that, cop," he then punched himself in his scarred face at a sudden realisation. "
"This place is no home," Kabal remarked. "I want to help you, No Face, but if you keep sticking around with the Black Dragon then you know I have no choice left."
"It's all I've got," No Face rolled his crazed eyes. "Anyway, how are you gonna have a chat with anyone when you've gotta drag that air tank around?"
"Fair point," he admitted as he glanced at the solid steel tank providing him with oxygen. "Why do you even have this stuff?"
"Black Dragon business," No Face stated. "Stop tryna pry."
"I wasn't-" Kabal went to defend himself but just let out a defeated sigh instead. "What now then?"
"Do you have spare masks?"
"Of course," Kabal nodded.
"Then get up and run to your spare," No Face ordered. "I'm not giving this away for nothing."
"So… you want me to take the respirator off?" Kabal asked as she slowly stood up.
"Yeah," No Face confirmed. "You better run fast."
"I don't even know where we are!" Kabal raised his voice.
"Figure it out," No Face said simply. "I've helped you out enough."
"If you say so," Kabal began stretching, preparing to sprint for his life. "Just try to stay out of trouble."
"Y'know that's impossible," No Face stated as he opened the door for his guest.
"Then we'll see each other again," Kabal promised before taking one last deep breath before ripping the respirator off and taking off, leaving a gust of wind in his path as he rushed down the stairway and into the busy streets…
The Deadly Alliance stared down at the corpse of Captain Kendrick Shayde, his body having been carried down into the basement of Shang Tsung's Palace. The pair of sorcerers inspected his wounds, looking to determine if his body could be salvaged.
"Is he really so important?" Quan Chi asked as he poked curiously at the bullet holes that littered his body. "This body would require a lot of repairs, and we don't have time to experiment on someone so… menial."
"He's important enough to resurrect," Shang Tsung stated as he grabbed the corpse by the neck. "We can try something different though."
"Ooh, I like it when you get creative," Quan Chi smirked.
Squeezing down on Shayde's neck, Shang Tsung began consuming his soul before it travelled to the Netherrealm. Within seconds, Tsung left behind a withered husk.
"What next?" Quan Chi asked.
"Do you have any spare skeletons?" Shang Tsung inquired.
"I have a closet full!" Quan Chi revealed as he created a portal and quite literally dragged a skeleton out from the collection at his Netherrealm fortress, before dragging Shayde's corpse through, intending to use his skeleton once his body decomposed. "Bones are very easy to reanimate, but doing so essentially creates a new being."
"With no soul attached, they have no past identity or abilities," Shang Tsung realised. "Which is why I have this…"
Shang Tsung showed off a small wooden container that had a chain of bones forming a necklace around it. Opening the miniature box, Shang Tsung released Kendrick Shayde's soul into it before sealing the lid.
"I enchanted the material to store souls," Shang Tsung revealed.
"Impressive," Quan Chi applauded. "Shinnok was able to enchant a jar to contain the soul of his very own daughter."
"If I practise this technique enough, perhaps I can have a vault full of lingering souls," Shang Tsung imagined, both sorcerers chuckling at the thought.
"What can it do though?" Quan Chi asked as Tsung handed him the necklace.
"It should possess the wearer, if there is no other soul, to control the uninhabited body," Shang Tsung explained his plan. "Without the Flesh Pits, I've been unable to experiment with this project though."
"Time for the moment of truth then," Quan remarked as he lifted the skeleton up. "Hold on… wouldn't it be better to just use the original body?"
"Between his wounds and all the life I just sucked out of him, a fresh skeleton will frankly be of greater use," Tsung argued.
"I can't argue with that logic," Quan Chi admitted as he put the necklace on the skeleton.
The soul let out a howl as the necklace rested on the skeleton's clavicle, the previously lifeless body suddenly lifting its head, gasping as he staggered back against the plain walls of the dark room.
"No…" Shayde sobbed as he looked at his new body. "I should be dead!"
"But you're not," Quan Chi told him. "All thanks to your master."
"Kill me!" Shayde begged. "I can't do this anymore!"
Shang Tsung firmly struck the skeleton with a flaming skull of his own, slumping Shayde's skeletal frame against the wall.
"You must!" Shang Tsung hissed. "The Nethership needs a captain!"
"I have many ways to punish any attempt to decline or defy his orders," Quan Chi laughed at the sight of Shayde. "They will not be a swift death, they will be an eternity of suffering."
"Now you go up there, tell your friends that the great Deadly Alliance gave you life again, and you take the opportunity to celebrate… my treat," Shang Tsung ordered as he pulled Shayde up to his feet. "Am I clear?"
"Yes…" Shayde replied plainly, not having anything else to say. He wanted to cry but he couldn't anymore, not with his new body.
"What do you say?" Quan Chi asked.
"Thank you…" Shayde said weakly, not meaning it at all.
"Now go," Shang Tsung said as he pushed him towards the stairway.
"Boss?" Erron Black called from the top of the stairs. Kendrick Shayde walked past, looking down at the floor, completely defeated. Due to being just a skeleton, Erron didn't recognise him at all.
"What is it, Black?" Tsung asked.
"There's a Red Dragon here," he explained. "Said he's got some news to report."
"This better be good," Tsung muttered as he and Quan Chi walked up the stairs into the great hall of the palace.
"Shang Tsung, Quan Chi," Mavado greeted at the top. "Reeks of traitors in here."
"What do you want, Mavado?" Quan Chi questioned.
"Nothing to do with you sorcerers," Mavado admitted. "Yet here we are."
"Careful, Earthrealmer," Quan Chi stepped in front of him, looking down at Mavado as their height difference became clear. "Comments like that could be hazardous."
"Get your vile breath out my face," Mavado waved him off.
"We could kill you this instant!" Quan Chi threatened.
"Doubt it," Mavado shrugged. "Even so, what do you tell my boss?"
"Mind your place," Shang Tsung stepped forth. "I thought you Red Dragon were all about prioritising business first."
"I am," he nodded. "Why else do you think I brought my fine ass out to your palace."
"How did you even find this place?" Tsung wondered.
"Same way I discovered where most of our enemies left to," Mavado revealed, pulling out a perfectly folded piece of paper from his coat's pocket. "One of the Special Forces main hideouts."
Unfolding the piece of paper, Shang Tsung saw a printed photograph taken of the . "How many are here?"
"Many have left by now," Mavado admitted. "If you really want to keep the pressure on them, Grandmaster Daegon advises that you attack this base ASAP."
"Go do that then," Tsung ordered. "Send your clan, maybe bring some Black Dragons too."
"So no support from you, huh?" Mavado rolled his eyes. "Typical."
"Well if everyone is leaving but the wounded then that just leaves them and the Special Forces, correct?" Tsung asked and Mavado nodded.
"Is that too hard for you?" Quan Chi taunted, talking down to Mavado as if he were a child.
"It'll be done," Mavado promised. "I just expected a bit more support, you realise that even Sindel's still alive?"
"Maybe have your men invest in better bullets next time," Shang Tsung advised.
"Still did more damage than any of your combined magic," Mavado argued. "Did you even eliminate the monk?"
"Unforeseen circumstances prevented that," Tsung claimed. "He'll be lucky to make his way home alive though."
"And I did most of the damage to the Wind God only for your leader to steal my kill," Quan Chi grimaced.
"At least that's one we know is dead for sure," Mavado sighed.
"Y'all gonna ease off on the dick measuring contest and get to work?" Erron asked, having stood quietly beside the three the whole time.
"How rich coming from the man who was too cowardly to join us in battle," Shang Tsung gave the outlaw a disappointed glare. "Perhaps you and Mr. Bennett should join the Dragon clans."
"Whatever you say," Erron tipped his hat before heading off to his room. "I'll get prepared, come back when you are."
"My transporters are expensive, cowpoke," Mavado told him, the metallic platform of a portable portal generator dangling in his hands. "You either ride with me now or stay home, because I'm not returning for Shang's dead weight."
"And I heard the Red Dragon were all strict and no nonsense," Erron recalled as he considered the options he had. Glancing at Shang Tsung, the sorcerer gave him an angered glare, an indicator of the choice to make.
"I'm getting down to business, no?" Mavado asked, crossing his arms.
"Garrett!" Erron shouted, calling for his close friend.
"I'm coming!" Garrett said as he began marching down the stairs leading into the main hall, passing by the rows of undead soldiers to meet the others. "What's going on?"
"You're coming with me," Mavado informed him. "We've got a job to do."
"What job?"
"I'll explain on the way," Mavado promised as he began walking towards the exit, not wanting to be around the sorcerers any longer. "Move it!"
The Deadly Alliance watched as Mavado led Erron Black and Garrett Bennett out of the palace, leaving the sorcerers to themselves.
"What's next?" Quan Chi wondered, brushing his hand down Shang Tsung's golden armour. "Any more plans?"
"I have a… few ideas," Tsung replied as he stepped towards the fellow sorcerer, pressing a hand against a wound on his chest from the previous battle. "However, I think it's your turn to take charge of planning now," he realised. "I recall you mentioning you have some plans of your own."
"Indeed," Quan Chi confirmed as he rubbed his gloved hands together mischievously. "We must heal first though, repair our wounds and recharge our magic."
"You'd share your inner sanctum chamber with me?" Tsung presumed.
"No," he shook his head before making a portal. "You've shared a lot with me, Tsung, so I suppose it's only fair that I share this with you."
"How exciting," Shang Tsung remarked as he stepped through the portal with Quan Chi, anticipating a big surprise on the other side.
The Deadly Alliance emerged on a small island, standing before a large entranceway to a fortress. The stone structure loomed ominously, an embodiment of dark magic and twisted ambition. Massive and angular, its walls were connected to towers which reached into the violet sky of Outworld like skeletal fingers. The fortress walls had been forged from dark, obsidian-like stone, decorated in banners matching Quan Chi's attire. Quan Chi let out a crazed but joyful laugh at the sight, seeing the building as perfect.
"You built another fortress?" Shang Tsung realised the aesthetics suited his demonic ally well.
"My most loyal Demons oversaw the construction," Quan Chi explained. "Come on in, you'll realise its significance soon enough."
Passing the foreboding entranceway, the Deadly Alliance began walking atop a bridge, a bright ball of light beaming at the end of the long walk. Their feet made echoes in the open space, the sound of their footsteps treading on the neatly placed tiles that were patterned with swirling patterns and golden gemstones. The bridge stood above a pit leading to a great drop, water from the surrounding sea filling the bottom of the depths.
To the sides of the fortress there were numerous skeletons scattered around, commanded under orders of Marinella and Vanesella to work tirelessly on the fortress's final touches, the same constructors who built the stronghold in the first place. Their bones clattered with every movement, some hoisting massive stones into place while others engraved intricate, arcane symbols onto the walls. These undead labourers moved with unnatural precision, constructing the last battlements and final pieces of decoration to satisfy Quan Chi's ego. Groups of skeletons worked together to carry perfectly chiselled statues of the sorcerers into place. Quan Chi grinned at the reflection of himself.
"Is this what I think it is?" Shang Tsung wondered as he reached the light, its glow partially concealed by a partially closed dome made of Outworld Steel.
"The Jinsei," Quan Chi confirmed, ushering Shang Tsung forth to come closer to the mystical essence. "It's said that it can regenerate the health and powers of not just Gods, but mortals also."
"Will it amplify our magic?" Shang Tsung wondered.
"I installed the same runes I enchanted for my inner sanctum," Quan Chi revealed, pointing to one of the enchantments that had been placed atop the steel. "I've reworked its properties… our powers shall become even greater!"
"Shall we begin then?" Shang Tsung asked as the two sorcerers' hands clasped together in a show of respect and appreciation.
"After this, things shall become even more interesting," Quan Chi promised as they held hands as they slowly stepped inside the Jinsei, ready for another magical upgrade…