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Fan Fiction
| Mortal Kombat: Afterlife |
| Chapter 3: Enter The Realm |
By: Iced Guardian |
DISCLAIMER: The usual: the MK characters don't belong to me, they belong to Midway. I'm just using them for the story, so don't sue. There. BUT everything from the alternate dimension is mine!! (As if there would be trouble with people trying to steal it... "sigh")
FEEDBACK: huh... Do I really need to repeat over and over again how great it is to get any?? Icedguardian666@yahoo.com or fanfiction.net
RATING: Huh, yeah, I guess it's R for the language...
No action, sorry. Again. This chapter continues what I started in the previous one: chapter 3
was a setting of the new universe and its "laws" while this one deals with the heroes' lost while
chapter 5 while concentrate on their quest yet to come.
IMPORTANT: There is heart-breaking content in this chapter, BUT don't stop reading until the
end! Hey, don't misunderstand my intentions: I love happy/sappy endings and I want my story
to have one! READ BETWEEN THE LINES even if it looks(extremely) sad for now.
Something will come up, don't worry. OK? Just read the note at the end of this chapter.
I can't say more for now or else I'd give away too much of the plot...
NOTE: In case you haven't noticed, this story is based on the MK movies universe.
What I'm saying is that this story is what happens between MK:Annihilation(second and
third games) and the new Mortal Kombat(4th).
Yeah, some purists might be offended, but consider this: this fic will fix(somehow) the mess that
was MK:Conquest's ending. I'm really trying to put MK games, movies or TV series
together, but it just is fuckin' impossible. The point is, I'm trying real hard to not screw up that
much the MK universe. But then again...
Anyway, I AM NOT going to write a fanfic about the 4th tournament, BUT it could easily be
done when this fanfic is over. The only minor problem would be Shinnok's death in
MK:Annihilation, but it can "easily" be solved with Quan Chi's amulet thing...
Bottom line is: I'm doing as best as I can, OK?
If you want to flame, be my fuckin' guest.
But if you're reading this, I guess you're enjoying this story and will probably not do such a
thing. No offense meant to anyone, by the way.
I'm, just not really open to non-constructive criticism.
Anyway, enjoy!
Iced Guardian
Walk on fighting...
Don't look ever back...
Walk on fighting...
Don't you look back to your cries...
"Walk On Fighting", Edguy
Mortal Kombat: Afterlife
Chapter 4: Hollow
"Any news about our dear and beloved friends who obviously have no idea of what the word
punctuality means?" Nightwolf asked as he stepped in the meeting room.
To Johnny and Stryker's relief, it wasn't the dark and depressing war room they were expecting
for, but a well furnished and pleasant looking lounge. Couches, long chairs and coffee tables
were gathered in the center of the room white large tables and single chairs were next to the
well-stocked bookcases that were on every wall except the one opposite to the entrance.
Instead, two large windows and a glass door gave a rather nice view of the courtyard where
dozens of warriors where still training. Johnny immediately noticed a piece of furniture that
looked like a mini-bar while Stryker seemed lost in his thoughts, apparently intrigued by the
scene that was taking place outside.
"No." Elranel frowned as he careless threw the book he was reading on the nearest table. "They
were supposed to get here hours ago. I wonder if something wrong happened..."
"Don't worry, they can take care of themselves." Kyle said from the other side of the room as
he put back on its shelf the book he was leafing through. "Hell, they always did." he added as
he sat down on the couch in front of Elranel's
"Yeah..." he sighed. "But it's a whole new ballgame..." he briefly glanced at Johnny and Stryker.
"And we can't allow ourselves to let our guard down. Especially not now..." he added bitterly.
"Elranel!" Nightwolf shook his head. "Where's the make-the-guests-feel-comfortable attitude?
Do you have to scare them off so soon?" he scolded playfully. "And I'm the one supposed to
play that part, by the way..." he smiled wickedly as he gave Johnny and Stryker side glances.
"We don't need them anyway to prepare Johnny and Stryker for their trial tomorrow."
"What trial?" Johnny asked alarmed.
"'Later." Nightwolf dismissed Johnny's intervention with a wave and chuckled.
"Where are my manners? Please have a seat..." he coaxed, indicating a couch, as he sat down
in one of the long chairs. Darla sat next to Elranel and snuggled up to him while he put an arm
around her shoulder. Layna joined Kyle while Johnny and Stryker took the remaining couch.
Johnny slumped down in the couch and rested his feet on a coffee table. Stryker looked
slightly tensed as he sideglanced at Layna and Kyle interact with each other. For a second,
Stryker was scared by the thought that they were a couple. He quickly dismissed that theory,
though, as the interaction between them was almost inexistant and looked purely platonic.
"What, no drinks?" Johnny asked playfully while staring at what he assumed was a bar.
"Don't even think about it." Darla replied in an almost parental tone.
"On second thought..." Nightwolf started as he stood up. "...they might actually need it." he
completed as he reached for the bar. Elranel and Darla gave him disapprobating looks.
"What's it gonna be?" Nightwolf asked over his shoulder as he produced two tall glasses.
"Something strong." Johnny answered.
"That's what I thought." he smiled as he reached for a bottle. "And I bet the same applies to
you, Stryker?"
"Huh, no thanks. I'll be fine." Stryker declined politely.
"Nonsense." Nightwolf shook his head as he poured them two glasses of a transparent liquid
before putting back the bottle in its place.
"Huh, isn't that a bit much?" Stryker asked as Nightwolf came back, taking in the fact that
the glasses were full.
"You'll thank me for it later." Nightwolf smiled as he handed them the drinks.
"What is it?" Johnny asked, eyeing the glass Nightwolf just gave him.
"Tastes like vodka, only stronger." he replied without turning back as he went back to his seat.
"Trust me."
Nightwolf's last remark provoked instant eyerolling from every person in the room except
Johnny and Stryker, who weren't sure of what to make of it.
Johnny shrugged and took a sip while Stryker waited for the results of the experiment.
"Hey, it IS good." he commented with a satisfied grin. Stryker agreed shortly after with a nod.
"Told you." Nightwolf chuckled. "So..." he started, cracking his fingers. "Where do you want
me to start? Good news, bad news, very bad news or extremely bad news?"
"There are good news?" Johnny raised an eyebrow.
"Metaphorically speaking of course." Nightwolf corrected.
"Oh." he let out as he lowered his gaze.
Nightwolf gave and Stryker and Johnny a sad smile while everyone in the room stared at him
expectandly. He just yawned and stretched his arms.
"Aren't you supposed to say something?" Johnny asked, impatience easily detected in his voice.
"You think you can deal with it?" Nightwolf shot back.
"Is there a choice?"
"There isn't any of course." he chuckled. "Well, I'm waiting. Ask." he coaxed.
"We're dead, aren't we?" Stryker mused aloud. "On Earth, that is."
"Yep. Long gone, extinct, finito, adios." he snapped his fingers for dramatic effect. "You probably
don't remember how exactly, but I'm pretty sure Cage does."
Johnny's face turned pale as he remembered his own death. Stryker didn't fail to notice.
"OK... How did I die and why can't I remember while Johnny can?"
"Murdered. Painless death, though. Six bullets in the head. Plus they incinerated your body
so no one could find it and try to revive you." he paused. "And, for the not remembering part, it
can be explained by the fact that you didn't compete in the Mortal Kombat. Johnny did.
That's why his memory hasn't been affected."
"Mortal Kombat... What is it exactly? I heard about it, but no one really got into details."
"To make a long story short, the Mortal Kombat is a tournament where Earth warriors fight for
the survival of their Realm. If Earth looses ten times against its Outword opponents, a portal is
opened and the Outworld armies are allowed to step in the Realm, which would result in the
tragic downfall of Earth." Nightwolf shrugged.
"So what happened? Earth lost for the tenth times? That's why we're here?" Stryker asked.
"No, Earth didn't loose. Thanks to Johnny and his friends Liu Kang and Sonya Blade, the
Outworld impressive winning streak was stopped. Just in time, I might add."
"Then what the hell happened?" Stryker sighed in exasperation.
"Shao Khan, with the help of an Elder god, Shinnok, opened a portal to Earth even though this
meant ignoring his defeat during the Mortal Kombat and breaking the Sacred Rules."
"Woah... Hold it right there." Stryker raised his hands. "Who's Shao Khan?"
"The emperor from Outworld who nearly invaded Earth, murdered Johnny Cage and ordered your
assassination." Nightwolf explained.
"Why can't I remember anything concerning an invasion?" Stryker raised an eyebrow.
"You were killed just before it happened."
"But why? I had absolutely no idea of what was going on! I wasn't even at that Mortal Kombat
thing anyway, for God's sake!"
"You were destined to join the Earth's Chosen Ones and help them thwart Shao Khan's plan.
He knew it, thanks to the Elder god Shinnok -Shao Khan's father, by the way- and he decided to
terminate you before you could accomplish your destiny."
"Let me get this straight. There's this evil guy, Shao Khan, who's trying to invade Earth by
winning this Mortal Kombat tournament, but he can't. So he decides to cheat and attack Earth
anyway, killing Johnny and I in the process, because we're supposed to stop him somehow.
Am I right?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Nightwolf nodded.
"Then why are we here? We should be dead! We ARE dead, god damnit!"
"Not according to my bosses' will." Nightwolf grinned. "You see, if Shinnok and Shao Khan
would've played by the rules, both of you would still be alive and none of this whole
dimension-switching thing would have ever happened."
"And I guess you're supposed to somehew fix this whole mess?" he suggested sarcastically.
"That's my job."
"So... you're the one who resurrected us?" Stryker asked.
"Something like that. Your bodies were... terminated, but your souls never ceased to exist.
I summoned your corpses and sent them out of space and time with your souls. They were
to be kept there until Shao Khan would be defeated by the Earth warriors."
Everyone in the room, except Stryker, of course, had been silent the whole time, since it was
the first time they heard the complete version of Nightwolf's story.
"Wait a second!" the instant reply didn't come from Stryker, but from Elranel. "I thought you
were the one who ended this Shao Khan's reign!"
"I never said so." Nightwolf replied slyly.
"That was a Guardian's job! Why did mortals have to do it? How is it possible?"
"Because Earth's dimension, which is named Isengel by the way, is a special case.
An exception. Some... events from the past taught Guardians to be extremely careful whenever
this dimension is concerned."
"Exceptions? There are no exceptions!" Kyle shot back. "Unless it's... No... Do you mean
it's THE exception?" he asked with confusion in his voice.
"Yep."
"Woah, what's he talking about?" Elranel barged in.
"Isengel is the dimension where all the troubles that led to the almost destruction of the Cosmos
and the Second Birth came from." Nightwolf clarified nonchalantly.
"You never mentionned that before!" Elranel pointed out. "How come Kyle knows?"
"Because he was there and none of you were born, duh!" Nightwolf shrugged. "You sometimes
tend to forget the fact that he's 1300 years old"
"1295"
"Whatever." Nightwolf dismissed with a wave.
"Why didn't you tell me? I'm supposed to be the boss around here!" Elranel sprang off the couch.
"It never came up.".
"It never.." he grumbled. "You're not going to get away with that, Nightwolf! I'm not going to
stop until... hey!" he ducked as the pillow Nightwolf had expertly thrown at him flew past his
head, almost hitting Darla in the process. She shot daggers at Nightwolf..
"No more interruptions. Sit down." Nightwolf ordered. "I dare you to say something." he said
with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I double dare you."
As a response, Elranel raised in hands in submission and muttered some obscenities
before settling down on the couch, a visible scowl on his face.
"Good. Now, where were we?" he asked, staring back at Johnny and Stryker.
Both of them looked extremely confused and didn't respond.
"I assume you didn't understand a word of what we just said, but don't worry, I'll explain to
everyone when the right time comes..." he glanced around the room, daring someone to
complain. No one did. "Well?"
"The bodies and souls out of space and time part." Stryker informed.
"Right. As I was saying, they were to be sealed until Shao Khan was to be defeated and..." he
started, but stopped as he saw Johnny raise his hand. "What now?" Nightwolf sighed.
"Sonya, Liu, Kitana... are they all right? They're the ones who destroyed Shao Khan, aren't
they?" Johnny surmised.
"The answer's a yes for both question. Liu kang killed Shao Khan and avenged your death
with the help of Sonya, Kitana, Rayden himself and a new player, Jax Briggs. I believe I could
add my name to the list since I gave Liu Kang some helpful coaching advice, but that could be
debatable, I guess..." he left his sentence hanging and shrugged.
"What about Earth?" Johnny asked. "It was saved, right?"
"Yes. After Shao Khan's downfall, the Elder gods prevented Earth's invasion by altering the
course of time, which resulted in everything going back to the way it was before Shao Kahn's
appearance after the Mortal Kombat." he answered.
Johnny closed his eyes for a second and a smile crossed his lips.
She was OK. At least he hadn't died for nothing.
But that wasn't enough. He didn't just want her to be OK, he wanted to be with her.
"Almost everything." Johnny corrected. "It does sound like a happy ending, but I don't see us
in the picture. Why?"
"My job isn't to bring back the dead."
"What the..." he mumbled. "I don't get it. Wouldn't resurrecting us on Earth be setting things
right, since, well, we weren't supposed to die in the first place?"
"It's not that simple. Bringing you back would also mean doing the same for Shao Khan and
his minions. I can't allow that."
"Wait, did their souls survive too?" Johnny asked confused.
"Like hell." Nightwolf huffed. "They died breaking the Sacred Rules. As if any Guardian would
ever try to save them. You were given a second chance here while they simply ceased to exist."
Johnny was now screaming inside his head. Apparently, he wasn't going to be brought back to
life on Earth. He didn't want a second chance HERE, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with
Sonya on Earth. They were both alive, though, which meant that there was still hope.
He might have a chance to somehow find a way back to...
"No."
"No what?" Johnny looked up at Nightwolf..
"You're not going back, Johnny. I'm sorry." Nightwolf said apologetically.
"You're fuckin' kidding me, right?" he shouted angrily as he sprang off the couch.
"Unfortunately, I'm not. You're stuck here. Like it or not"
"No! This can't be!" he screamed. "If there's a way in, there must be a damn way out!"
"Doesn't work that way."
"You're more powerful than a fuckin' god! Can't you do anything?"
"I'm not the one who makes the rules, Johnny. And I can't bend them."
Johnny just stood there, motionless. He lowered his head and clenched his fists,
fighting back the tears that were welling up inside.
"If it makes you feel better, it wouldn't have worked out anyway..." Nightwolf added.
"If you think I need a fuckin' couple counselor right now..." he looked up angrily and stared in
disbelief at Nightwolf.
"That's not what I meant. What I'm saying is this: each dimension has its own agenda."
"Could you please drop the fuckin' mystery act and speak english, god damnit?" Johnny growled.
"She's dead, Johnny. It may have seemed like hours for you, but you died decades ago on
Earth." Nightwolf clarified.
Johhny had to hold on to the couch's arm to not fall back. He just stood there motionless until
he dropped to his knees and buried his head in his hands.
In a second, his world had fallen apart. With one phrase, Nightwolf had mercilessly crushed any
dreams of happily spending the rest of his life with the woman he loved more than anything else.
It was just so unfair. He would've given up everything for her. Hell, he even died for her.
His reason to fight was gone. His reason to be strong was gone. His reason to live was gone.
The only thing that had kept him sane since his arrival in this dimension was the hope of ever
seeing her again. And now she was gone. Forever. It should've been the other way around.
Everyone remaint silent in the room as they looked at Johnny fall to his knees. They shared
an uncomfortable silence as he seemed lost in his own world. He wasn't crying, though.
Stryker was surprised by Johnny's reaction. This wasn't the talkative, mishievous and sometimes
annoying Johnny he had spend the day with. In front of him was a broken man.
His wife?, he wondered as he tried to understand why Johnny was so upset. No, "devastated",
would be a much better word. As if his soul had died with the woman named Sonya. Hollow.
He tried to understand what Johnny was going through, but just couldn't. Of course he was
having a hard time dealing with the dead and never coming back parts, but he didn't have
someone special in his life. Of course, there was family and friends, but, well, it seemed
so insignifiant compared to what Johnny had lost. He wanted to help him. He really wanted to.
Nightwolf was so disgusted and angry at himself right now. He doubted he could ever look at
himself in a mirror the same way he used to. Damnit. He hadn't predicted such a reaction.
Johnathan Cage, an arogant, self-centered, snob and uncaring jack-ass who starred in dumb
action movies for a living(Nightwolf, even if he was a Guardian, had never understood the
fascination of humans for these...) was literally destroyed by the lost of a woman he had only
known for, well, almost an entire week. Of course, they had gone through more than most
people in a lifetime, but it hadn't even occured to Nightwolf that Johnny would've fallen so hard
for her. He felt so sorry for Johnny, since he understood exactly what he was going through.
He had too lost the woman of his life. They had been a happy couple for milleniums until they
were separated. The hard way. Maybe it would've been different if he would've been able to get
to her in time. Much worse, he knew she was still out there somewhere, but he couldn't do
anything about it. Johnny's pain was almost a reflexion of his. He really wanted to put an end
to it and tell him. But he couldn't. Not now. Maybe never. He honestly hoped it wouldn't
come to that. It had been an extremely difficult decision to take, but he had to do what was
best for a whole universe. Cage would have to answer to the call of destiny and forget about his
own happiness just like he did himself so many years ago. He musn't forget Stryker, too, who
would have to deal with it too, but he didn't seem as much affected as Johnny. Not even close.
Nightwolf couldn't allow himself to loose them or let them join the dark side. By any means.
He had failed in the past and wasn't going to repeat the same mistake, even if it meant increased
torment for Johnny Cage. The man was strong-willed and stubborn. He would eventually get
over it. Just like he did himself. He had known from the beginning that dealing with Cage
was going to be tricky, but he wasn't prepared to this. Damnit.
I have to be strong, Johnny thought, regaining his composure. Move on. I have to. I can. I will.
Not now, but someday, when I'll be ready. It may take a while, hell, maybe forever, but I'll do it.
Sonya would want me to. Just like I would've wanted her too.
I'll keep you in my heart forever, Sonya. You're gone, but not forgotten. Never. I'd really want
to just put an end to all this madness right now only to be with you. I could, but I won't.
I think... No, I know that I'm not meant to die yet. My journey is not over. Not even close.
I can feel it. And this Nightwolf will set me on the right path. He's going to ask me something.
You know it too. I have no idea of what it will be, but I'm pretty sure it will have something to do
with death. Hell, it always do. And I will say yes, whatever the cost is. Never look back.
I'm doing this for you, Sonya Blade. Because I love you. I have always did. I always will.
Well, I have to go now, but I know we will be together someday. I promise.
I don't know where, when or how. I just know it.
Five long and painful minutes went by before Johnny raised his head and slowly stood up, his
eyes still closed and his fists clenched. The others had gathered into a small circle around him
and had looked down at him sympathetically the whole time, even if they couldn't understand
his pain. He allowed his body to relax and opened his eyes. His stare was empty and all
trace of the joy of life that was previously emanating from Johnny had vanished.
No one dared to speak or comment.
"If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go for a walk. Probably break some shit on the way to let
it all out." he announced. "Hope you don't mind." he shook his head.
"Let me rephrase: I don't care anyway." he added, even if he knew no one would try to stop him.
Nightwolf and Kyle, who were standing next to each other, quickly moved aside and watched
him go past them and head for the door that led to the courtyard. They waited until he was
outside before someone spoke.
"How are you holding up?" Nightwolf inquired, looking at Stryker.
"I'm... I'm kinda shocked and everything, but... but I'll be OK, I guess..." He shook his head.
"Johnny's the one who needs help. Someone should go after him before he does
something real stupid." Stryker added.
"I'll do it when he's going to be ready." Nightwolf replied.
"But he could..." Stryker protested.
"He won't."
"I'll go with you." Darla proposed.
"No. It's better if I go alone."
She was about to say something, but a serie of screams interrupted her. It lasted about a
minute, maybe more, before it came to an end.
"He's ready." Nightwolf simply said as he turned around and left the room.
* * *
As soon as he slammed the door behind him, Johnny desperately looked around, trying to find
the weapon racks he had spotted earlier this afternoon(or morning, he wasn't even sure) when
he, Nightwolf, Elranel and Stryker had been teleported here. It was almost pitch black and the
lights near the main building weren't very helpful. He spotted a group of warriors nearby who
were fighting with long staves. He jogged up to them until he was close enough to clearly
see their faces.
"Hey!" he called out. Some of them stopped their actions and looked at him curiously.
"Where did you get those?"
"What?" one of them asked surprised.
"The weapons. I'm new around here. Where can I get some?" Johnny asked impatiently.
"Over there." another warrior replied, indicating at a general direction.
"I don't see anything." Johnny mumbled, narrowing his eyes.
"I'll show you..." he shook his head. "Follow me."
"I'm right behind you."
Johnny followed the man and as they got closer, the dim moonlight finally allowed Johnny to
see what he was looking for.
"Uh, I see it now. I'll be fine. Thanks" Johnny dismissed him.
The man just shrugged and left Johnny alone, mumbling something about newbies.
Johnny whistled as he looked at the various and numerous weapons in front of him. Impressive.
He grabbed two long wooden staves and turned around, one in each hand. He calmly walked
to the giant tree he had seen on the way. As he got closer, he dropped one of the staves
and held the remaining by one of its ends with both hands, as if he was holding a very long sword.
He let out a powerful scream as he swung the staff as hard as he could against the tree.
The staff broke in two and Johnny swung the remaining half against the tree another time.
He took a run up and threw what was left of the staff as far and as high as he could, still
screaming in the process. In no time Johnny gave the remaining weapon pretty much the same
treatment than its predecessor. He was now unarmed, but sill in a nearly bersek state.
He rushed to the tree and kicked it hard as he could. Repeatedly. Of course it didn't do much
damage at first, but at least it allowed Johnny to hit something without risking to kill it.
Johnny quickly got tired of the kicks and went on with a serie of punches. He punched so hard
it only took four blows before his knuckles started bleeding, but that didn't stop him.
As if he would bother about physical pain in a moment like this.
He finally stopped when he was literally out of breath. He looked down and at his bloodied hands
before he felt his knees weaken. He looked at the sky in despair before falling flat on his butt.
He sobbed and finally allowed himself to fall back as he felt the tears running down his cheeks.
Johnathan Cage had never cried in his whole life. He used to think it was a sign of weakness,
but he just didn't care anymore about his image. He finally opened his eyes when the crying
stopped. Stars. He just stared at them in admiration as they allowed him to forget for a short
moment that all of this wasn't just an horrible nightmare.
"Is it helping?" Nightwolf's voice surprised him.
"What?" Johnny looked around and saw Nightwolf walking towards him.
"The stars." Nightwolf clarified as he sat beside Johnny.
"No, not really." Johnny replied as he slowly sat up.
"We do have punching bags in the gym, you know..." he commented as he glanced at the now
seriously damaged tree. Johnny didn't respond.
"Feeling better?" Nightwolf inquired in a brotherly tone.
"Yeah. Not much, but still better." Johnny shrugged.
"That's a good thing."
"It'll take time, though."
"I can understand that. No one's gonna push you."
"I appreciate it." he smiled tiredly.
"I know what you're going through."
"You're not just saying that, are you?" Johnny raised an eyebrow.
"No." he sighed. "Her name was Staria. Spent a couple of milleniums together until fate
separated us. Rather brutally, I might add."
"Long time ago?"
"4327 years."
"Sorry to hear that. Captured?"
"Something like that."
"You know where she is?"
"Yes."
"Why don't you try to save her or send one of your friends? Elranel looks like he can take care
of any opponent that would ever cross his path." Johnny commented. "I saw him fight."
"Even Elranel couldn't defeat that opponent." Nightwolf replied bitterly.
"And who might that be?" Johnny asked intrigued.
"The Emperor himself."
"That bad, huh?"
"You have no idea." Nightwolf nodded. Neither of them spoke for a few seconds.
"Yes." Johnny said firmly after taking a deep breath.
"Yes what?" now it was Nightwolf's turn to look surprised.
"Yes to whatever you are going to ask me later. I'll do it and I'll go through that trial of yours,
whatever the hell it is." he clarified.
"I understand now why Rayden choose you." Nightwolf chuckled. "You're not just an idiotic
actor..."
"Hey."
"Who has truly amazing fighting skills..."
"That's better."
"Yep, you're much more than that, Johnathan Cage." Nightwolf chuckled. "A warrior. A hero.
A past, present and future hero."
"You're the first one to tell me such a thing." Johnny smiled. Another silence.
"Do you want to know what happened to her?" Nightwolf asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Please tell me she moved on and had a good life."
"She died less than a year after the Mortal Kombat. She went on a dangerous mission with
a coworker from the Special Forces, Jax Briggs, and got killed in action."
"Oh..." Johnny looked down. "What about Liu?"
"Still alive and kicking. He saved the world one last time in a wicked tournament held by a mad
sorcerer named Quan Chi. The Earth warriors had a really tough time since five of their elite
were dead and finding back-up Chosen Ones isn't exactly an easy task. Even for Rayden."
"Five? Sonya, Jax, Stryker and I. That makes four. Who's the fifth?"
"Kabal. He was a criminal, former member of the Black Dragon. Kano's gang.
"You know what I'm talking about, right?"
"I remember Kano." Johnny nodded.
"Anyway, Kabal was a Chosen warrior too. Pretty much like Stryker, he was supposed to join
Liu Kang in his battle against Shao Khan after the invasion had started."
"And Shao Khan killed him too?"
"No. It's quite surprising, but Kabal actually survived the assault of Shao Khan's assassins.
The battle had left him scarred and heavily damaged, though, so he never got the chance to
meet or help Liu Kang."
"Must be one tough guy, if he fared better than Stryker."
"One of the toughest and meanest ones, yes..." Nightwolf chuckled. "The fact that he was a
criminal kinda helped, though."
"How?"
"Well, he was used to people trying to kill or backstab him, so he wasn't caught off guard like
our friend Stryker."
"What happened to him afterwards?"
"He chose to die honorably instead of living in shame. It wasn't enough to save Sonya and
Jax, though..."
"What's that supposed to mean? What does he has to do with Sonya?"
"Well, even though Shao Khan's extermination squads didn't kill Kabal, they did important
damage. He was hospitalized and kept alive only by artificial respirators."
"Huh huh."
"No need to say he was extremely pissed off. His near-death experience resulted in him having
an epiphany."
"An epiphany?"
"Yep, decided to devote his life fighting injustice and crime, especially his former associates
from the Black Dragon."
"So that's how he and Sonya must've met..." Johnny mused.
"Close, but not true. They never met each other. After the Mortal Kombat, Sonya didn't stop
her vendetta against the Black Dragon. She and her new partner Jax found in Kabal a potential
ally in their war against the organisation and its new leader, Jarek.
Kano's spiritual son, if you like."
"OK. What about the never meeting each other part?"
"The thing is that Kabal was murdered by the Black Dragon before he met Sonya and Jax.
Horrible and painful death. You don't wanna know..." Nightwolf shuddered.
"Anyway, Sonya and Jax never got wind of it and were fooled by an impostor. There was a
welcome party for them. They fought well, but..." he sighed. "You can pretty much guess
what happened afterwards...."
"Did someone get back at Jarek?" Johnny asked with a clenched fist.
"That's where I was getting at. Ironically, Jarek helped Liu Kang and the other Earth fighters
defeat Quan Chi and his minions in the new tournament. They might not have won without him."
"He... what? Couldn't have Rayden found someone else?"
"Rayden was in desperate need fighters, since there were only three left. Liu, Sub-Zero and Kai."
"Who's Kai? And didn't Liu kill that Sub-Zero guy in the first tournament?"
"Kai's a former member of the White Lotus society, a similar organisation to the one Liu Kang
was affiliated to. And it was Sub-Zero's twin brother who joined sides with Liu Kang."
"Twin broth.. OK. So there were only four of them including that guy Jarek?"
"No. Rayden and Fujin helped too."
"Fujin?"
"The god of Wind. One of Rayden's buddies."
"I thought only mortals were supposed to fight."
"It wasn't a traditional Mortal Kombat. The real one's yet to come and it looks like there won't
be much competition with Shao Khan gone."
"So what happened with this tournament?"
"To make a long story short, Quan Chi was killed by Scorpion... one of the warriors Quan Chi
had resurrected for the tournament." he quickly added as he saw Johnny's jaw dropping.
"Anyway, without their leader, the few Outworld warriors who were still alive, aware of the fact
that they were going to loose and fast, simply fled to never be seen again on Earth."
"Nice bedtime story." Johnny commented with a yawn. "Anything else?" he asked as he got
up and stretched a bit.
"Yeah, Liu and Kitana are now a couple." Nightwolf replied, getting up too.
"I had already figured out that part." he rolled his eyes.
"Stop." he instructed. "Let me take care of those."
"What?"
"Your hands. Give them to me and close your eyes."
Johnny was about to protest, but went along as he decided he was too tired to argue. Nightwolf
took his hands in his and a shiver went through Johnny's body.
"It's OK. Open your eyes."
Johnny opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. There were no traces of the injuries he
had inflicted himself. As good as new.
"Woah." he breathed, pleasantly surprised. "That comes with the Guardian thing, right?"
"Yep. Le's go, the others are waiting..." he said as he started walking.
"Yeah..."
"Oh, did I mention that Rayden lost his immortality, died, was revived and almost got promoted
to the rank of Elder god?"
"No, you didn't." Johnny replied sarcastically. "Almost?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Well, he refused the offer and kept his title of Earth's protector. Oh yeah, he's also got a thing
going on with Sindel."
"Who's Sindel?"
"Kitana's mother."
"Kitana's m... Wasn't she dead or someth... Nevermind that, I don't wanna hear it.."
"Smart move." Nightwolf commented.
"Learning from my mistakes is in my top ten basic rules of living." Johnny grinned.
"Oh, almost forgot..." he smiled. "Your last movie was a hit."
"I already knew that." Johnny shrugged.
"No, I meant the one you were shooting when you died."
"Sudden Violence 2?"
"Yeah, that one."
"They finished it without me!" Johnny huffed, truly insulted.
"Well, they thought you were dead and the movie was almost completed, so..."
"Well, actually, there were just three minor action scenes left to shot. But I still can't
believe they..."
"If it makes you feel better, the double wasn't nearly as good as you..."
"They thought I was dead? What story did they made up?" Johnny raised an eyebrow.
"Well, the official version was that you died in a car accident in China. But since the body was
never found, other... theories emerged."
"Like what?"
"Mostly the classic aliens abduction thing..." Nightwolf answered with a shrug.
"Kinda close to the truth, isn't it?" he chuckled.
"They have no idea."
As they approached the part of the main building where the meeting room was, they could hear
voices from the inside. It sounded like an animated discussion.
"I thought they'd be waiting for me or something..." Johnny commented somewhat insulted.
"The others probably arrived while we were outside." Nightwolf guessed.
He stopped in his tracks and put his hand on Johnny's shoulder.
"You'll be OK?"
"Yeah..."
"One last thing: If they sent who I think they sent, -and I seriously hope they didn't- you're in for
a really bad surprise. An awful one. Think you can handle it?" he asked concerned.
"Sure."
"You don't want to know what is it?"
"I don't see how it could get any worse, so..."
"Very well, then."
As soon as he stepped inside, Johnny took a look at the three newcomers. Unfortunately, they
had their back on him and all of them had rather long hair, so he couldn't tell if they were men or
women. The discussion must've been pretty interesting, because no one seemed to notice their
entrance. They were wearing gray gray uniforms instead of robes, to his relief. It was really
getting to him that almost everyone was eyeing curiously his clothing. Nightwolf whistled to
catch their attention. They all stopped talking at once and some of them turned around
to look at Nightwolf and Johnny.
He could now clearly see their faces. Two men and woman. Johnny froze in stracks.
His jaw dropped and his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Quit staring, it's impolite." Nightwolf commanded as he nudged him rather violently. "And don't
stop walking, you look like an idiot."
"Is that some kind of sick joke?" Johnny asked disgusted as he turned to Nightwolf.
"I'm afraid it's not. Keep walking."
"You do realize this is not going to help at all?" he said through clenched teeth as he shook his
head and set his eyes on the woman again.
"I know. I tried to not have her involved, but they obviouslydidn't listen to me..."
"I don't believe in coincidences anywhere. Who is she and what is she doing here?" Johnny
asked, uncapable of keeping his eyes from her.
"Elranel and Darla's daughter. Name's Jenna. I'd be careful if I'd be you. She's got a temper
and her parents are quite protective. Well, considering she's 518 and all." he sighed. "Let me do
the introduction, OK? I'm afraid you'll do something stupid..."
"I couldn't even if I wanted to..." Johnny shook his head. "I can't talk to her. This isn't right..."
"You'll have to sooner or later." Nightwolf pointed out. "She'll probably by one your mentors."
"That's what I'm afraid of..." Johnny sighed as he stared at the woman in front of him.
He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to.
>From all people... What kind of sick twist of fate is this?, he thought.
What did I do to deserve this? As if I wasn't tormented and confused enough...
Sonya. The woman looked exactly like her, only her hair and eyes were blue. If he would've
met the woman in other circumstances, he would've thought for sure she was Sonya's twin sister.
A blessing and a curse at the same time, Johnny thought.
To be continued...
IMPORTANT: For all Sonya/Johnny shippers! IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT LOOKS!
Read between the lines! NIGHTWOLF simply said Sonya was dead, that's it...
Keep that in mind!
Hint: re-read the part about Nightwolf's reaction.
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