Chapter Text
The day started like any other for Cassie Cage, 3 mile run, breakfast and some training with her best friend Jacqui.
The training also went as always, some warm ups, weight-lifting, a couple wins for her, a couple wins for Jacqui, typical Special Forces routine. But damn, she needed to remind Jacqui to soften her blows.
No envy or pettiness were involved in her and her best friend's sparring. The goal was to get stronger together and having some fun. They could be beating the shit out of each other one minute and be walking together, arm in arm talking about nothing the next. They were starting to get used to having no imminent danger hanging above their heads.
Thanks to the eerie peace between all the realms they felt comfortable to change into their civilian clothing and go about town like... normal young adults.
"I wasn't sure when I woke up but I'm actually so excited for today." Jacqui said with a big smile as she was putting on some hoop earrings.
"What do you think about these?" she asked tilting her head for Cassie to see and state her opinion on the gold piece of jewelry
"Definitely better than the last ones!" Cassie exclaimed.
"Hey! What's wrong with the last ones?" Jacqui asked holding up the large earrings with colorful jewels in them.
"They're good... If you wanna scream I'm a 50 year old with 13 cats for friends at the people downtown." Cassie joked.
"Urgh, Whatever."
"Don't be so grumpy, what I mean is these hoop ones are fire! But, anyway I'm excited as hell too, I feel like we haven't been out in ages! How does this look." Cassie held blue ripped jeans and a lacy black top against her body for Jacqui to judge.
"Oh my God you're NOT going there." Jacqui said with a little laugh.
"Oh hell yes I am... Although what's the point when..." Cassie mumbled sadly
"Oh, girl don't tell me you're still moping over that ass-hat Dylan!"
"Yeah... Our last fight ended BADLY, but he didn't officially call us off."
"Well if he hasn't then you should!" Jacqui exclaimed encouragingly.
"You're a serious bombshell and a COMMANDER of the Special Forces, he's just a toxic pathetic accountant from a niche law firm, girl, you can do so much better! You need to get someone as badass and full of personality as you."
Cassie smiled sheepishly "Maybe you're right..."
Cassie threw on her outfit along with some black cat eye sunglasses and a black leather jacket.
"All set!" Cassie exclaimed excitedly.
"But you know, Cass I don't think we should be leaving just yet..." Jacqui said, checking the time on her wrist watch, slight worry in her tone.
"URGH, why not Jacqui?! I'm CRAVING some coffee and the crap we have here just ain't cutting it..."
"I mean... haven't you heard?"
"Heard about what?" Cassie asked confused.
"We were going to have a.. Uh... Delegation? From Outworld they've been thinking about forming a stronger combined force and bond, considering we still have some ancient titans thinking about some... Self-indulgent realm domination." Jacqui informed, while combing her hair.
Cassie let out a hearty laugh.
"Oh THAT ought to be something... Okay guess we'll have a rain check on that coffee..."
~Meanwhile in Outworld~
Unlike what common folk believe, the mighty golden throne room of the three Kahns was always quite empty and tranquil. Merely 3 years ago the people of Outworld were fighting for who was to claim the throne and the wise Kahn, Kitana, decided it’d be best to share the leader’s duties with 2 individuals whom she trusted most, Kotal and Jade.
As Kotal circled the huge throne room, struggling to bridle his anxiety, Jade and Kitana watched him and while Jade was trying to think of ways she could calm her lover, Kitana was impatiently waiting for him to voice his plans, or at the very least, to say something. She finally got what she was waiting for as Kotal stopped and faced his equals.
"Should we take a squad of Osh-Tekk guards with us?"
Kitana rolled her eyes sitting in one of the three thrones of the Outworld rulers. At moments like this she wondered how this man earned his place as Kahn and as a God.
When she was about babble a sarcastic response, Jade spoke out
"It's EARTHREALM, Kotal, not Chaosrealm." she commented, amused by her lover's panic.
"You're right... But I can't help but feel wary, after all we weren't always allies with the special forces."
"Well the past is in the past, Kotal" Kitana remarked. "The realms have been enjoying the longest period of peace in recent history—“
“Which is only three years, Kitana.”
“Do not interrupt me, Kotal!..” Kitana said with a booming voice but then regained her calm composure.
“The economy of Outworld and all the tribes in it are thriving! Even Baraka sits happily as an ally at our table!"
When Kotal heard the last sentence about Baraka he stopped a whisper of a smirk crawling on his face, already imagining what remark Erron would have added about Baraka’s… permanent grin. Not wishing to anger Kitana any more he refrained from commenting.
"The progress has big potential, Kitana Kahn, but we can't forget the silent danger we always face from the furthest realms and the most ancient titans! This permanent alliance with Earthrealm could be crucial!"
"We understand your concerns Kotal Kahn, but there's really nothing to be wary about!" Jade replied, if she was using his title to refer to him, he knew she was being serious, it was her special way of saying ‘Get a grip you paranoid child!’ to Kotal.
"I'm sure commander Cage and general Blade will be more than cooperative."
"Hope you're right."
"Well then. It's time for the two of you to depart." said Kitana.
"You're not joining us?" Jade asked surprised.
"I have a meeting with Sheeva and Baraka, so unfortunately I have to send you two alone."
“There’s something I need to complete before our departure as well, Jade.”
“And what exactly is it, Kotal?”
“I need to inform Erron Black about our plans,as someone who has lived in Earthrealm, it’s only fitting if he accompanies our scouts.”
“Is telling him now dire?”
Despite Erron’s innate recklessness Kotal still respected him and considered him a friend, he couldn’t betray the gunslinger’s trust and decide something for him behind his back.
“He is an individual I trust most, Jade, and he deserves to know where we all stand in this noble mission.” Kotal said sternly.
“…I am in no place to tell you who to and not to inform of this, Kotal. I trust your judgment, after you’re done, meet me at the entrance of the Edenian Garden.”
"Thank you, Jade."
"Good luck, you two." Kitana said warmly.
~Somewhere in the Outworld deserts~
Breathe in… Breathe out… Look around, get acquainted with your surroundings.
See the orange and the yellow dancing. Listen carefully, listen to the dull noise in the background, the cacophony of the sounds in the marketplace stayed back two miles ago. Silence welcomed tired souls here. It showed them the sky, it is not blue.
One of these souls was a man, lost in thought, in the middle of the sand robe on the desert of Outworld. A typical time killing activity for him. Who could blame him though? He was aware, this moment of speaking to himself was going to be the last conversation for a while. How long, he couldn’t predict.
Was there actually going to be another? He had no idea. And frankly, he didn’t care.
And this lack of knowledge was the best thrill of his simple life.
So he stood still, eyes closed and proud.
Trusted his ears and felt the warm breeze. Felt the blankness around pulling him into its embrace.
You know, maybe he wasn’t the worst hombre after all.
Now footsteps came into the scene. At first he almost didn’t make them out. Then slowly and steadily, the sounds came closer.
Every step also brought sunlight, not much to his surprise.
He knew exactly who was disturbing his peace. Kotal Kahn.
“Once again, I’ve found you in a place I least expected you to be, Erron” the tall Osh-Tekk said, the moment he approached the cowboy.
Erron turned his face towards where Kotal stood and was looking at him with his glowing eyes. Those eyes held concentration and a need for peace.
For a chaotic asshole like him, a need for safety was not of any importance. Maybe that’s the reason he never wanted to become someone big.
“You realize I’m a Texan fella, no?” he asked, a sly grin on his face.
“When one spends their time in the same environment for far too long, they don’t feel the same enthusiasm towards it.”
“But this desert is not the desert back home. And the sky isn’t even blue here.” Erron remarked
“I thought you didn’t give a damn about blue.” Kotal mocked.
“I don’t, that’s why you found me here, Kotal Kahn.”
Kotal let out a chuckle at his friend’s remark. He was used to their bickers at this point because he was conscious about the fact that Erron Black acted and talked bitter as somewhat of a defense mechanism. No one would attempt bothering him that way.
His bodyguard and friend seemed to like his silence, his loneliness. He did not dare to judge his preferences.
Oh, Kotal never forgot the time they met for the first time.
~ . ~ . ~ . ~
Erron was hired by Shao Kahn to shoot the then Osh-Tekk general, and somehow he had managed to sneak into his bedroom in the middle of the night. When Kotal had awoken from the unorthodox presence in his room, for some reason he found Erron sitting by the window, admiring the view into Outworld, covered by darkness and an occasional flickering light from the marketplace lanterns. When Erron Black realized Kotal Kahn has woken up, he slowly turned towards him and muttered.
“…Negotiation?” Turns out, Erron had accepted the offer to kill him, because he wanted to get out of Shao Kahn’s place, one way or another.
That reckless jackal of a man…
~ . ~ . ~ . ~
“You’re not here to watch the sunrise and hold hands right?” Erron asked jokingly.
Kotal smirked. “Can’t say I am… I felt the need to inform you that I’m going to need you to accompany a group of my warriors to Earthrealm… They’re going to train with the Special Forces.”
Erron’s expression suddenly darkened. He turned away from Kotal, staring off into the distance. Was he really going to have to return… home? He wondered if much had changed in that shithole… At least he knew the sad excuse of a “family” he had was rotting in the ground.
“Speak your mind, Erron.” Kotal suggested
“I haven’t stepped one foot there… in almost a century now.”
“I am aware Erron… but your work won’t go uncompensated.”
Erron turned back towards him slightly.
“…Go on.”
~Edenian Garden~
Jade stood peacefully among the beautiful and exotic flowers of the Edenian Garden. As Kahnum one of her first orders was to turn the old alley where people used to fight and kill each other, into a beautiful garden filled with rare Edenian flora. After all, it was to honor the Edenians who lost their lives during Shao Kahn’s tyranny, it was the least she could do to immortalize them.
As she was touching the petals of a silky yellow flower she felt strong hands wrap softly around her waist. She turned around to face them, and was relieved to see her lover, Kotal.
“An hour apart from each other in our eternity and I’ve already missed you, Kotal.”
She cupped his face in her hands and leaned in for a tender kiss.
“A minute was enough for me, Jade.” Kotal said after they broke the kiss.
They pulled away from each other and started walking around the peaceful garden.
“Did you inform Erron Black of our plans.” Her voice lost its sweetness as she spoke of the gunslinger. She didn’t carry a particular liking towards him, like her partner did.
“Yes… He was ready to cooperate… after an offer of a generous pay.”
Jade sighed. “Did not expect any better of him.”
Kotal stopped facing his queen.
“He’s a good man at heart, Jade… but he has hidden it far behind a rough exterior of a reckless, emotionless man.”
“Once again, Kotal, I do not doubt your judgement, after all, I don’t know his story…”
as she finished her sentence she put her hand on his shoulder, smiling lovingly.
“But I find it most sweet and charitable of you to accept such a …broken man into the group your closest allies… it proves to me that your heart is not hardened, it’s indeed full of love and compassion.”
Kotal looked away with a smile on his lips, blushing a bit. But Jade put a hand on his cheek and made him face her, before pulling him into yet another sweet kiss.
They stood there in each other’s embrace for a minute… before he pulled away, clearing his throat.
“I…uh…Think we should get going.”
“As you wish Kotal.” She replied with a smile.
~Back at the special forces base~
The Metal doors slid open to reveal Jade and Kotal, some of the special forces soldiers stopped to nod in respect and acknowledgement while others just threw a look and walked right by.
Cassie and Jacqui approached them with welcoming smiles on their faces
“Commander Cage, Sergeant Briggs.” Kotal bowed to the young women as a sign of respect. Jade chuckled at her partner’s formal greeting as she wrapped Cassie and Jacqui in a friendly hug.
“It’s nice to see you again, Jade.” Jacqui said with a smile.
“The feeling’s mutual, Jacqueline, it’s nice to see you both again in a much more… Peaceful atmosphere.
“Come on, we’ll show you around.” Cassie said with a friendly tone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“And here’s our training hall, we’ve got top of the line technology and arsenal here and if you’d like we can help your squads learn how to deal with those… Okay I think that’s pretty much it!”
Cassie exclaimed almost relieved that the long tour around the base was finally over
“Interesting…We would love to send some of our finest soldiers to learn the ways of the Earthrealmers... and your customs, of course.” Kotal said confidently.
“That’s no problem, a lot of our soldiers have been put into inactive reserves so we have a lot of space for your people.”
“Yeah, we’ve actually been waiting to train some rookies ourselves.”
“It is good to hear, Sergeant Briggs, but my scouts are no rookies.”
“Oh trust me, with our technology, they are.” Jacqui replied with snark.
“Hm…Then we better send them as soon as possible”
“…About that…” Jacqui started
And Cassie continued “We have a week off for our national holidays here in…Earthrealm, we don’t really work on those days.”
“How fascinating...” Kotal added. “In my culture, during holidays we sacrifice animal blood to the sun.”
“…Uh…Neat!” Cassie said sort of freaked out. “Can’t say we share that custom.”
Jade put a hand on Kotal’s shoulder ushering him back.
“Please excuse him, girls.”
“No, no it’s fine.” Jacqui added reassuringly.
~~~~~~
“We’re happy you were so cooperative, Cassandra.”
“Just Cassie is fine, Jade.”
“Very well, Cassie, thanks for welcoming us, we’re hoping to hear from you soon.” Jade said with a wave as she and Kotal entered the portal back to outworld.
“….Glad that’s over.” Cassie mumbled.
“Yeah… animals blood, seriously? What’s wrong with those people” Jacqui answered.
“Mhm…To the coffeehouse?”
“Yeap.”