*Closed to lightning_raiden* AU to MKX story

[soldier_blade]

There was a stack of papers on the coffee table that Sonya needed to grade. Since earning a doctorate in pre-modern warfare and becoming a professor, she was pretty prompt about grading and keeping track of grades (something that both annoyed and relieved her students at the same time), but today wasn't one of those days.

Instead, she was sitting out on the deck of her and John's condo, watching people enjoy the late afternoon on Venice beach. Tomorrow would've marked the 23rd Anniversary of the end of the Netherrealm war, and 25 years since she'd been pulled back from that literal hell. A month ago, she and John received an invitation to a memorial service to remember those lost, but she couldn't bring herself to accept, not even after all this time, it was still too painful. Once and awhile Jax called her on advice to deal with the Outworld Civil war, but that was as close as she was willing to broach the subject.

She wasn't sure what was worse: the difficulty of coping with what happened, or the residual anger of dragging Johnny and Cassie with her while she couldn't fight off her own demons. She had the sort of life any woman would kill for, but years of therapy couldn't erase the self doubt of what she'd done to deserve them.

The deck was her favorite place to meditate; the white noise a welcomed distraction. Rumor had it that the current emperor would make an appearance at the memorial service, and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. In the first few years of therapy, John was always on tender-hooks when the possibility of a trigger made an appearance, and anything to do with Outworld was certainly one of those. Even if the symptoms were more manageable now, the three of them were still careful. Even when Cassie joined the army, John didn't tell her until it was already official, and the deal done.

She looked at her watch. Those papers weren't going to grade themselves, but that meant going inside, and she wasn't quiet ready for that just yet.

Comments

[soldier_blade]

"Suppose I just need closure." That's what all of them said. Even after all this time, both the Outworld and Nether realm wars were still with her. There were times she wondered how the hell she and Johnny even remained together, when it was a daily struggle with her demons.

That was why she chose her department in the first place. Old war tactics were 'safe' once they were on paper: she chose it over a degree in bio chemistry just as a way of connecting to her old life.

There was a part of her that wanted to know-why? Even after all these years, she still couldn't understand why he was willing to betray their souls to Quan Chi-yet she couldn't bring herself to ask, not even after all this time.

Some things were better left unanswered. "Cassie's up for promotion, I'm told-Sergeant Cage, a nice ring to it."

[lightning_raiden]

Closure. They all said it, the survivors. Something he could not offer, for the war never seemed to truly end for him. He stands there quietly, letting her find her words, or decide to dismiss him. He gives a silent nod when she mentions Cassie, a turn in conversation he wasn't exactly expecting.

"She has worked hard for it."

[soldier_blade]

"She has." Sonya kept in contact with Jax as much as they were able to. He couldn't give full records, but he could tell her as much. "I remember when John told me, flattered as I was..I still wanted to strangle him for it."

Of course, there was nothing either one of them could do. Cassie was over nineteen years old and had passed all of the examinations, to deny her that chance because of her own fears would've been borderline illegal.

[lightning_raiden]

Any other time Raiden would have commented that Cassie brings honor to her family, though considering there are two champions of Earthrealm in the family, that's difficult to top, but she was well on her way.

He is not surprised to hear Sonya had her reservations, but is still glad she let her daughter choose her own path. He crosses his arms, turning to look out over the balcony. With the tournament over and the realms in relative peace, the young Cage had the opportunity to make her own destiny. Raiden could only hope, and pray to the Elder gods, that the calm lasted long enough for both generations to enjoy it.

[soldier_blade]

She watched him for a moment, torn between offering hospitality (even as a gesture) and the old reservations she had for him.

Instead, she walked over to stand besides him at the railing, keeping her focus on the people along the boardwalk. "What else can I expect from the ceremony, besides this treaty?"

This was important. Any sort of surprise, especially around OUtworld, was prone to trigger a sort of attack from her. Triggers with her were unpredictable: sometimes (most times), she could handle them, but some days caught her off guard and it was always tricky knowing what sort of day it would be.

[lightning_raiden]

He glances at her out of the corner of his eye, and then focuses back on the view before him, staring off far beyond the boardwalk, beyond the people.

"General Briggs has arranged for a small ceremony. Kotal Kahn will use the Portal Stone in his possession for the last time before handing it over. He will have his two closest aids in attendance. I will be giving him a new portal stone, with limited properties. The treaty will be signed, and then a feast is to be held. I will not be attending the feast, I understand Kahn intends to hold a traditional Outworld celebration of the agreement at that time." In other words, Raiden didn't recommend Sonya stick around for the party. It would involve a measure of slaughter, though ceremonial and not of human sacrifice. Briggs had made that part exactingly clear to Kahn.

[soldier_blade]

That much Jax did tell her. For all her time away from the army, Sonya couldn't push down the officer side of her. She took a deep breath. "I'll go, and I'll stay for the ceremony too. One, I want to meet this Kotal Kahn in person, and..I need to know that I can handle myself around that much blood."

After all, she was fine back when her daughter was growing up and loosing her baby teeth, or injured her kneed or elbow: blood wasn't as issue for her. She wanted to know if she could handle it on that level.

[lightning_raiden]

Raiden wasn't a fan of sacrificial offerings of the kind Outworld was known for, human, animal or otherwise, but his gaze comes back to the immediate area around them as he looks over to Sonya.

"If you wish, I will also stay." He knew Kotal Kahn well enough, but he could provide assistance to Sonya without requiring Jax to step out from the ceremonies at a critical point if she needed to leave. Kahn knew Raiden's own stance on the matter, but he had not actually told him he would not attend the feast, yet.

[soldier_blade]

She sucked in a breath, letting it out as she deliberated. Something she always hated about her 'illness' was how those around her responded. She thought returning to the army to settle the papers would result in death attempts, but those in the building just looked at her like she might break into pieces at any sudden movement. She hated how people considered her fragile after her return, hated how her brain seemed to agree with them.

Even after all this time, the thought of going made her sick. Only for Jax, Johnny..and Earthrealm would she go: she wasn't sure she could trust Raiden like that anymore.

The sound of the door opening got her attention, along with a 'Honey', I'm home' that never failed to have her roll her eyes.

Sonya waved to john through the window on the balcony. "Over here."

Dressed for a day out, she noticed John's frown when he saw Raiden. As supportive as her husband had always been of the god, Sonya didn't think it was easy to remain so when he had to live with the demons inside her. "Raiden," He set his sunglasses down. "What brings you here?"

[lightning_raiden]

His hat dips as Raiden tilts an ear slightly at the sound of Johnny Cage returning home, hearing his call to Sonya. He was glad they had each other. He turns as Johnny approaches, taking in that frown as well.

"I came to extend an invitation to join us at the signing of the treaty with Outworld." Naturally, with Johnny having been involved in the earlier war, he would also be included in such proceedings.

[soldier_blade]

Sonya watched him reach into the fridge and pull out two drinks, before joining them on the deck. She accepted the cola from him (since she'd been on medication, she had to be careful with alcohol).

"I know." He said, opening his own beer. Sonya guessed the only reason he didn't offer Raiden one was because he knew the god didn't drink. "Least, I know you were invited."

The last part was said to her; she merely shrugged. "I think I should go..been hiding long enough."

The hand on her shoulder's almost hesitant, John's grip feeling light. She set a hand ontop of his. "It'll mean a lot to us, and it might do you some good."

Sonya could only make a 'hmph' sound in return.

[lightning_raiden]

"There is still time until the ceremony to make your decision." Raiden's hat bobs slightly with his words. "General Briggs is making arrangements, he would be best to contact should you choose to attend."

Raiden, for the most part, was staying out of the middle of this. He was busy constructing the new portal stone, and also keeping an eye out for trouble from other realms. The ceremony would be an ideal situation to weaken two strong powers at once. Such a threat was part of the reason for keeping the celebration small.

[soldier_blade]

"I'm aware." Sonya almost snapped at him, leading to John removing his hand from her shoulder. She tried to get herself to calm down. "He extended the invitation in the first place. Wanted to be the one to tell me rather than just through the mail."

The invitation was still on her desk, the envelope opened just enough for her to read it.

"Raiden, I appreciate you coming in to check on me." Much as it grated in her, in a sense, she appreciated it. "But I need to get grading papers."

[lightning_raiden]

Raiden doesn't flinch at the snap, but his still posture should tell her she's made her point. At her dismissal he offers a bow to her and Johnny.

"Please extend my congratulations to Sergeant Cage. I hope to see you soon." With that he raises his hand and disappears in a flash of light and the smell of ozone.