8 Twenty Years Later

"Twenty Years Later" The scene fades into Johnny Cage, now with greyed hair. Johnny is talking in what appears to be a high-tech communications room with Five younger fighters; his daughter Cassie Cage, who looks a lot like her mother, Jax's daughter Jacqui, who can be as much of a firecracker like her father, a Shaolin by the name of Kung Jin, who is Kung Lao's nephew and already proving to be just as arrogant, Kano's nephew Alex Darkov, whom Sonya identified already as Outworld's lost prince and Takahashi Takeda from the Shirai Ryu, Kenshi's son, and Scorpion's student.

"Raiden told me later that I'm descended from some Mediterranean war cult."

He pauses to snort in derision and then continued

"Bred as warriors for the gods." I've never been able to re-summon that green halo. Raiden thinks it was triggered when I saw a loved one about to die."

Kung Jin seems to view the tale with some skepticism. He looks over to Cassie, who has her back to him and is concentrating on the computer before her he remarked

"How 'bout you, Cassie? Can you summon anything like that? Or did it skip a generation?"

Takeda not wanting a fight to break out, knowing that Alex and Cassie were engaged to be married by now, Alex had already proven himself quite protective of Cassie, said

"Take it easy, Jin."

Cassie retorted

"We didn't need a halo in Darfur - or Iran, or Kurdistan. Did we, Jacqui?"

Jacqui replies to her childhood friend

"Nope, we didn't. Shaolin monks ever send you there, Jin?"

Kung Jin scoffs before saying

"I've seen plenty of action; Takeda and I both. Stuff that'd blow your Special Forces minds—"

"Fu—"

Before Jin can continue, and before Cassie can interject with an expletive-laden reply, Johnny stands back up to defuse the situation, addressing everyone as he does so, even quiet Alexander who has himself slightly turned away, sharpening his knife that his uncle gave him

"At ease. You're all here because you deserve to be. You're beautiful and unique snowflakes. Even you Alex."

Everyone sits in silent disbelief at what they just heard, Alex turned back a shocked expression on his face, making his crimson eyes less intimating. With the tension gone, Johnny continues.

"Now, as I'm sure you're unaware - judging from the lack of gift cards - today is our team's six week anniversary. Secretary Blake says he's pleased with our progress."

Kung Jin snarks

"You could spit in his hair and he'd be "pleased with our progress"."

Jacqui sighs

"He was smart enough to have Mister Cage put this team together."

Takeda speaks his mind

"I'm glad the Shirai Ryu chose me to join. New places..."

He looks over to Jacqui, admiring her

"...new faces."

Jacqui closes her eyes briefly and tries not to stare at Takeda, who sits where he is still smiling at her. Alex looks about and stays quiet though Cassie smiles at her fiancé before saying

"Still surprised Kano allowed you to be here Alex."

"Well, your father wanted me to be here. And honestly, I do worry about you. Better I am here so I can help watch your back. Also, Kano ordered me to join."

Cassie blushed at his words. He only ever wanted to see her safe and unharmed. Johnny coughs to get their attention back on him, not out of narcissism, but as their handler and leader

"As the secretary pointed out, us older folks are going to retire someday, so it's time for your generation to step up. Shaolin, Shirai Ryu, S-F, and regrettably Black Dragon Together. For your team's first mission, you're going to the Lin Kuei Temple."

Kung Jin and Takeda share a meaningful look. Alex perks up he always had great respect for both the Lin Kuei and Shirai-Ryu clans. So, to be visiting one of the clans was not something he was going to miss. Johnny continued

"We haven't heard from the Grandmaster in a while, so we need to make sure he's still on our side; that he's got our backs if things flare up again with Outworld. You need to bring him in, but don't be surprised if Sub-Zero's not willing to cooperate."

Everyone was confused and worried now. Takeda was the most confused considering that Sub-Zero and his grandmaster had a truce, much to his surprise but he respected even favored it. Alex was suspicious oh not of Sub-Zero, but of his future father in law. What was the man up to? Was this a test? Kung Jin had many thoughts flying through his head and Jacqui did too only Cassie had the balls to ask

"Why be worried about Outworld? I thought Kotal Kahn respected the Reiko Accords?"

Johnny sighed nodding but still answering

"He does, but he's facing a civil war. The rebels win, those accords will be history. Also, he's nervous, there are rumors that the last Kahn's infant son survived Quan Chi's slaughtering of his mother and twin sister."

Kung Jin looks at Johnny Cage and asks

"Do the rumors state whether or not this "Heir" supports the rebels or not?"

"No, the rumors do not state that as the rumors point to the infant being raised here in Earthrealm. That is the other reason we need Sub-Zero. Should paranoid Kotal Kahn try to invade we are not so overwhelmed like when Shao Kahn and later Shinnok tried."

Alex's brow furrowed in thought and Takeda asked what was so clearly on everyone's mind

"Why would Kotal Kahn try to invade Earthrealm over Shao Kahn's heir?"

Johnny sighed and said

"Ever hear of Divine right of Kings Takeda?"

"Yeah, it's how the Pharaohs of Egypt justified their rule to their people. Wait you don't think Shao Kahn's heir would do that? Do you?"

Johnny only nodded very unaware that they were speaking in front of the very heir they were referring to. Not that Alex knew, but if he had, he would not want the throne anyway. He was happy here in Earthrealm.