Chapter 26: Leading
No mission goes without sacrifice. To some soldiers, without sacrifice, there can be no victory. Nightwolf has been rescued by the Special Forces with help from Batman and his friends. But in doing so, Cassie Cage has saved her husband Alex from certain death, but at the cost of one of her arms and passing out from blood loss. The heroes have already lost Kitana. All they can do is hope for good news.
Alex sits down with his sister Jade and his daughter Flora beside him. Alex wraps his arm around Flora's head as his fingers stroke her hair as Anthony puts a hand on her shoulder. Jade on the other hand, holds Alex's other hand to help comfort him. They wait for answers as the doctor comes out.
"Doctor? How is she?" Alex asked.
"The general lost a lot of blood. Thankfully, Supergirl cauterized the bleeding to stop it. The damage, on the other hand..." The doctor said.
"Will she be okay? How long will she be out?" Anthony asked.
"The good news is General Cassie is stabilized for now. But we don't know if she will survive." The doctor tells them.
"I think I can help." Mister Terrific approached. "I can use my T-Spheres and take some of their tech to help build a new arm. And make some modifications. Robotics is one of my majors, something Batman doesn't have. If it's okay with the captain, of course."
The doctor turns to Alex and he nods. The doctor turns back to Michael Holt. "Very well. I'll send word to scientists to assist you." The doctor walks away as Mister Terrific walks inside with some of his drones and begins taking them apart to analyze.
As soon as that happens, the four outside hear footsteps approaching them fast. They stand up. It turns out to be Jacqui, Jin, Takeda and Vera walking in on them. Jacqui and Vera both have sad looks on their faces.
Vera runs up to Anthony and Flora and hugs them both tight. Jacqui does the same and squeezes Alex.
"Liu Kang told us everything. Are you okay?" Jacqui asked, looking at her best friend.
"I'm okay. Cassie, she- she gave her life to save me." Alex replied as he tries not to tear up again.
"Alex. It's not your fault. We all took a promise to protect each other with our lives, no matter what, even if we die fighting. Not just for you or Cass." Jacqui gives him another hug and a kiss on the cheek.
After hugging her cousins, Vera turns to hug her uncle. "I'm so sorry, Uncle Alex. Is Auntie gonna be okay?"
"The doctor said she's stabilized, but we don't know if she'll wake up after so much blood loss. Michael has some sort of plan, but I don't know." Alex answered her. He walks into the medical room, with Cassie's left forearm hooked to an HIV and wearing an oxygen mask over her mouth.
Mister Terrific continues working as Alex stands over his wife with a sad look and dropping a tear.
"I promise to do my best for you, my love. Even if the worst has yet to come." Alex said as he leans in and kisses Cassie's forehead before leaving. As he closes the door, he faces his children, niece and friends.
Alex is having a hard time trying to find what words to say to everyone. He's trying to not let the guilt weigh in on his head and allowing the anxiety to break through his heart because of the new responsibility thrust upon his shoulders.
In the main bunker, Alex is surrounded by his friends and family as they turn to him for advice. He's having a hard time deciding what to do. Never before had he had to help lead everyone in a situation that could lead to the end of all worlds, bigger than all the fights he has fought in.
"Alex." Jacqui sits down next to him. "We need you. Now more than ever. You've seen how Cassie leads. She's trained me. She thought about making me her second in command, but I thought you'd be the better pick after I joined the Shirai Ryu. Cassie would want you to lead. We showed you survival skills, how to command, how to rely on yourself without communication for a week in the wild. You're stronger than you know. Takeda has the best teacher, Hanzo. Cassie was the best teacher you've- we've had."
"Alexander." Kotal steps up. "Given as the general and former khan, Kitana has witnessed your actions and how you once gave your life to stop Shang Tsung. You are a tree that has stood tall, fighting even the fiercest storms. The tree grew new leaves and not one has fallen."
"Clark and I both led the Justice League. We've always had our differences, even before Joker, but we learned to stand together. I fought through hell and back to bring things back together. With most of my friends Barry, Hal, Oliver. Even Kara was there to support me. Now we support you." Bruce said to Alex.
"Alex. I know too well the meaning of true leadership. I was afraid of being the new protector of Earthrealm after succeeding Raiden. After he died, I have realized that I cannot always save everyone. Neither can anyone else in this room. But we do not give up. You never gave up after what Kronika put you through multiple times and you moved past it. There is no perfect leader and I am at peace with that. And so was Kitana. If she were here, she would agree with us all." Liu Kang said to his friend.
Alex thought deeply about their words. He knows that they are not wrong. It was never easy for anyone to lead. They've all been stuck between a rock and a hard place. He knows about Batman and Liu Kang and he understands Takeda, as it wasn't easy taking up the mantle of grandmaster after Hanzo's retirement and death. Not to mention Kotal being Kahn after Shao Kahn's and Mileena's deaths in the Old Era. And he's done a fine job as a general of Outworld. He finally stands up to face everyone.
"Everyone. Thank you. I know it's one of the biggest responsibilities, but if Cassie could do it, then so can I. After all, she did mentor me. I won't let her sacrifice be for nothing. I have a plan. Bruce told me that Barry recovered the first cube box needed for you guys to get home. We need to stay one step ahead of them. Bruce. You said you track the other pieces through the one we got back?"
"Yes. They're scattered. Two in Earthrealm, one in Outworld and two in Edenia. The problems are Darkseid, Mileena and Adrelita are there. Clark is the easiest to take down, but we need to coordinate with each other and send out the most appropriate fighters out there. The only problem is Polaris will be able to track them as well. I never got the time to study his suit. I can have Michael search ahead with his T-Spheres." Batman said.
"Good. That'll work. So we know Superman is weak to Kryptonite and magic, such as me and Liu Kang. If we can capture him, Wonder Woman and Black Adam, we can secure them. Good thing you have kryptonite and red sun cells built in those drones. Mileena would be no problem to beat, but Adrelita is a whole other story. The best we can do for her for now is keep her distracted. We need to spread everyone out." Alex said.
"Please. I know Edenia best. Me, Daisuki and Princess Meia can find your technology in our realm. We can secure them, but someone needs to distract Adrelita." Jade steps up.
"I never back down from a fight." Liu Kang steps up. "I underestimated the dragon. This time as the keeper of time, titan and protector, I will not hold back this time."
"So we got Adrelita and Mileena covered. I know how we can lure Superman away. But once we do that, Bruce and Liu Kang can secure them. I have an idea for them. Now for Darkseid, he's gonna be the toughest. He and Steppenwolf were hardly hurt by my powers. It's gonna take more than that. We probably can't beat him, but we can delay him." Alex said.
"I like to deal with this asshole." Kara steps up. "I got a score to settle for poisoning my cousin's head with lies. I'm up for a challenge. And if my cousin has to pay for what he did to your wife with no regrets, then so be it. And if he can't be redeemed, then I can't bring myself to see him as my cousin."
"But what about the Anti-Life Equation?" Flora asked. "We can't let Darkseid get near it, otherwise he'll control us all and spread it across both worlds, even beyond that."
"That is why we need to get to y'alls dimension first before he does. Once we're there, we need to find a way to destroy the equation before he can turn it against us. Everything depends on it." Alex said. "Batman. What was that technology that Darkseid used? You said something like it was used for your tech and for that Cyborg guy."
"The Mother Box Technology. Alien technology unlike any other. Victor's father saved his life with one of them. They provided him with many powers. Hacking, super strength, enchanced armor and being able to open boom tubes." Batman answered.
"What are boom tubes?" Alex asked.
"Portals. Cyborg was able to open boom tubes with precise coordinates and within seconds. There was more he could do with them, but he never got to try it because it was too dangerous, even before he died."
"Dangerous... like maybe black holes."
"Exactly."
"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute." Anthony walked in. "You mean open a black hole? On their earth? But that'll destroy it, and the anti life thing for sure."
"I wasn't suggesting that. I have a better idea." Alex corrected his son.
Everyone was listening to what Alex has to say. He could be onto something and they watch with interest.
"My suggestion is after we retrieve the anti-life equation, with Batman and Michael's tech, we can make our way to Darkseid's home world. To make sure that they don't hurt anymore worlds, we can lure Darkseid and his parademons back to his home planet. Now you said he has advanced technology from those motherboxes, allowing him to teleport anywhere. Well, why don't we open a big one up? Take The portal gateways with us to the alien world. Reprogram them and have them make it a blackhole that'll suck in him, the planet and his army forever. No way to escape while we make our escape." Alex said.
"Oh yeah. That is a good idea, Alex. I like it alot." Jacqui smiles. "Looks like we're going all out from here on out. We've got payback we're dying to spend."
"I like the plan. But we still have Havik, Doomsday and the Legion. They'll still pose a threat." Liu Kang reminds everyone.
"If I can make a suggestion, I'd say we take out Doomsday once and for all. That monster once killed Clark, taking him with it. And given Kara's injuries, we can't take any chances." Batman said.
"Not only that, Darkseid is a master at planning. And he creates parademons from anyone. Worst comes to worst, he could try to make new ones from Kal-El's or Doomsday's dna. We can't let that happen." Kara points out.
"I know just what to do with Doomsday. No one is invulnerable to death." Liu Kang said.
"Alright, everyone. Let's get to planning more. See who will go where." Alex tells everyone.
Superman and his Regime are lamenting from their recent failure to prevent their enemies from rescuing Nightwolf. Superman feels humiliated after being defeated by Alex Cage. He throws big piles of rubble from the top of the cathedral high into the sky until they vanish.
"Unbelievable!" Superman shouted as he fires heat vision at the magma until it explodes and sprouts up like a mini volcano.
"Kal-El. Calm yourself." Diana tries to tell him.
"I'm supposed to be the most powerful being in our universe. Bruce beat me. Kara beat me. And now some soldier beats me with special powers!" Superman tells her.
"Remember what Mileena and Havik told us. That man, who goes by Alex Cage, he's half Elder God. And the Elder Gods are one of the most powerful beings in this universe. He controls every element." Diana reminds him.
"Next time, I'll break his bones. One by one. I'll make him scream like I did when I killed that general." Superman declared, mentioning Cassie.
"That woman was his wife." Diana said. "She gave her life to save her true love. Kal, I think we should reconsider. These people we've been facing. They mention that they're protecting these realms rather than conquering them. What if what Mileena has told us are lies?" Diana begins to question themselves. Kal-El slowly turns to her.
"Are you turning on me, Diana?" Superman accused her. Diana shivered, nearly losing her footing once he gave her a scary glare.
"What? No. I mean, think about it. What if we're fighting on the wrong side? Of course, none of us trust Polaris, and it's bad enough we're teaming up with him even after he murdered Victor. Darkseid. Mileena. They may not seem to be who we think they are." Diana tries to tell him.
"If they betray us, then we will kill them too. We can't take any chances with anyone. I never said I fully trust anyone. I'm taking a page out of Bruce's book. As paranoid as my old friend can be, he has his reasons." Superman said.
"Kal. Hear me out. Maybe we should consult with Bruce like we did about Brainiac." Diana tries to tell him.
"That's enough for you! I only did it out of desperation! Now I don't want to hear it! Leave! Now!" Superman ordered her.
Diana looked at him nearly motionlessly. About how arrogant and blinded by anger and desperation have left her speechless. Diana reluctantly walks away in defeat. As she does, Darkseid hovers in from a portal using a portal stone given to him by Mileena.
"I heard what has transpired here. So they took the prisoner." Darkseid guessed.
"Yes. They took Nightwolf. But the general of the Special Forces is dead. The second in command could only watch in utter sadness and fear. He should have killed me when he had the chance." Superman replied. Darkseid examines his wounds that he sustained. He remembers that he is weak to magic as well.
"I see. It appears that Mileena Kahnum was telling the truth about this soldier who is half an elder god. Impressive. Perhaps I would like to see this myself. But first, we must continue with our proposed plan." Darkseid reminds Kal-El. "Do not worry, my friend. All will be ours soon enough."
"We lost the first cube. But I place a tracker in my suit. Even if they disable the tracker I placed on Batman's tech, I can still track it by its electromagnetic energetic pulse. They can't get away that easily." Polaris tells them. "I have five coordinates, scattered in Earthrealm, Outworld and Edenia."
"Good. Mileena will handle the ones in Edenia. I will return to Outworld to investigate and have my parademons scout the entire realm." Darkseid turns to leave. But before he can open up a portal, he sees Black Adam carrying Doomsday with his lightning powers. Doomsday is covered in molten lava and has survived despite few burns on him.
"I have found Doomsday in the lava of the Netherrealm. But his mind control inhibitor must be reset to reawaken him." Adam said.
"Polaris will handle that. Won't he?" Superman turns to him, threatening him with his heat vision. Polaris shakes and nods quickly as a response.
"Who is this creature?" Darkseid asked, approaching it.
"Doomsday. This monster was created by my father's brother Zod after it was born on prehistoric Krypton. Zod was a general on Krypton before he was arrested and sentenced to life banishment. It was made to cause an apocalypse everywhere he goes. Hellbent on destruction until it came across me. We both killed each other, but I was resurrected. Doomsday on the other hand, adapts to whichever kills it. That was until I placed it completely under my control." Superman explained to Darkseid.
Darkseid circles the creature, analyzing it from head to toe, amazed by its appearance. And given that it barely has any wounds and no severe injuries from Supergirl, it impresses him even more.
"Impressive. Very impressive. Such fire. Low intelligence, but very powerful. Resists intense cold and heat, especially from the sun. Powerful healing factor, stronger than anything I've seen. It can control its own bone growth from any part of the body. By looking at them, they contain poison. Strong enough to kill a kryptonian. Despite its bulk, it has amazing speed and can leap high in the sky until it touches clouds. And as you said, Superman, adaptive evolutionary powers. This may work for us. But one is not enough." Darkseid said.
"What do you mean?" Superman asked.
"I have created over millions of parademons for years. Any creature I have come across I rewrite their dna to become different types of parademons. However, none of them are powerful enough to face the strongest of enemies. But if we are to truly crush our enemies, including the fire god, then I believe Doomsday may be the key to making a possible hybrid of parademons created from its dna." Darkseid suggested.
"I like the sound of that. With that kind of army, nothing can virtually stop us. Even Bruce can't outsmart you. He's yours." Superman said. Once you get to Outworld, we can contact each other for further instruction."
Darkseid nods and fires his omega beams and wraps them all around Doomsday as he hovers into another portal with him in toll as Diana watches from a fair distance. She shivers in fear for the danger that could happen next. She's horrified just by thinking about it. But what can she do?
Note: So the reason for what happened to Cassie. In the previous story, Alex spent the entire time as her second in command. With her fate unknown, Alex must step up and take her place as leader of the Special Forces, to help him understand the burden of leadership after witnessing Cassie and Liu Kang and that it's up to him to help make the plans to defeat their enemies. He was tested physically, mentally and emotionally. Now his experience must be tested. And this story will have more focus on him, Liu Kang and some others. Particularly in the next chapter.