Chapter Text
Johnny had to hang back with Kenshi when their little party went to investigate the Harbinger’s Kiss. Baraka split off from them to assist with the ship, joining Liu Kang. The younger captain either had been nearby or sprinted over to help, nearly leaving Kung Lao in the dust. But they were there, assisting with unloading the injured from the galleon.
“This is my fault.” Kenshi said beside Johnny. The scene had been described for him and his frown deepened each time he heard of damage or injury. The princess herself still had not been seen, at least not from Johnny’s view, so her whereabouts couldn't be relayed.
“It's not your fault.” Johnny assured him.
“It was my ship.” He stated and crossed his arms.
“We don't know that.” He quickly countered.
“No, we do.” He grumbled. “We've heard enough about what she's been doing without me, to enemy and friend alike. You said it yourself, she is somewhere in these waters.”
“Good points, still not your fault.” Johnny said.
Kenshi huffed and didn't argue with him further. He crossed his arms and waited.
Johnny turned back to watching the ship, watching his friends. Even from this distance, he could see Liu Kang checking everyone who passed him. If he was trying not to let his worry and attachment to the princess show, he was sh*t at it. Several minutes passed before the man’s shoulders finally relaxed, Kitana greeting him by grasping his hands before they remembered where they were and recomposed themselves. He had to laugh at the display, catching Kenshi's curious head tilt out of the corner of his eye. “It's nothing.”
“I would still like to know what I'm missing.” He reminded, “You are my eyes.”
“Liu Kang found the princes. They're, uh, close. Kind of?”
“Physically or…?”
“They're into each other but they're not together and they're really bad at hiding it.” He said with a laugh.
“I don't think you're one to talk.” Kenshi said and pulled away from him, turning his attention to Raiden as he approached them.
“I had hoped we would see the Harbinger’s Kiss, though not like this.” He remarked and began to walk down toward Liu Kang.
Johnny gave Kenshi a look he couldn’t see until his hand rested on his shoulder again, a quiet prompt. He understood well enough, at least, and followed Raiden down toward the dock. He was aware of how close Kenshi was walking to him, but never too close to step on his heels.
The three of them met up with the others. Baraka had disappeared somewhere among the bustle, but Kung Lao had joined Liu Kang and Kitana.
The princess looked tired, but otherwise alright. A few scrapes and bruises but in one piece and better off than some of her other crew. She quickly regarded Raiden and Johnny, relaxing once she recognized them. “It was good enough to see you, Liu Kang, but I am glad the rest of your crew is here as well.”
“We travel together.” He confirmed, holding her hand gently. Or maybe she was holding his, using him to keep herself grounded and upright.
“Princess Kitana!” A woman pushed forward toward them, making Liu Kang and Kitana drop their hold. She stopped beside the princess. “I know you are a capable woman, but I have a duty to your mother to keep you safe. I cannot have you running off like that!”
Kenshi’s hand on Johnny’s shoulder tensed. He stepped behind him a little to hide.
“After that attack, Seido is the safest place I can be.” Kitana replied then gestured around the group. “I have luckily crossed paths with some friends.”
The woman's gaze landed on Liu Kang first. She sighed, “I figured it would be you.”
Liu Kang sheepishly smiled and bowed a little to her.
Her gaze swept over Kung Lao, they both just nodded to each other then she landed on the elder captain. “Raiden.”
“Li Mei.” There was familiarity in their greetings but they weren't exactly on friendly terms. Johnny had no clue why, exactly, Raiden was honorable and did right by the Empire. Maybe they had beef from long before and never quite got over it.
Her gaze went to him next, brow furrowing. “I don't recall your face among the Sif's crew.”
“I joined up not too long ago.” He held out a hand to her. “Johnny Cage.”
Her expression changed immediately and she took his hand with an excited shake. She still kept her composure, though. “I knew I recognized your face from somewhere. You did good work as a bounty hunter. I know the Empire isn't where your allegiance necessarily laid, but I thank you for your service to it.”
He chuckled, “It was an honor.”
She gave him a fond smile then her gaze shifted to the man behind him. The smile slowly disappeared into a scowl. She recognized him, and she remembered him. “You.”
Kenshi let go of Johnny’s shoulder and took a step back.
“By order of the Empress, you are under arrest!” She started forward toward him. Johnny put an arm out in front of Kenshi while Raiden stepped into her path. Just behind her, even Kitana reached out to try and pull her back. Their actions effectively stopped her and she glared at the two men in front of her. “He must be tried and executed for his crimes against the Empire and her people!”
“We are no longer in the Empire's waters, Li Mei.” Raiden reminded.
She put her hands on her hips. “Then we must turn him over to Seido's officials.”
“No can do.” Johnny said, “His bounty's mine.”
She gave him a harsh look. “Then why do you still have him?”
“Seido doesn't offer as much as your Empress.” He answered smoothly, glancing to Kenshi behind him.
“So you're just walking around the open streets with him? He could get away like Bi-Han!”
Of course she remembered that. Johnny resisted flinching, though he did a little when Kenshi touched his back. He ignored him and instead addressed her concern with a gesture to Kenshi’s face, to his blindfold. “He wouldn't get very far when he can't see where he's going. He's unarmed, too.”
Li Mei still didn't look convinced. She slid her gaze to Raiden. “I am more disappointed in you for allowing him to roam.”
“He is no threat.” Raiden asserted, “He has been nothing but cooperative with us since we found him.”
“And where did you find him?” She crossed her arms.
Behind her, Johnny could see Kitana shaking her head and exchanging an exhausted glance with Liu Kang.
“In our hold.” Raiden answered. “A stowaway.”
Li Mei glared at Kenshi again, “Quite low for the Takahashi heir.”
Kenshi shifted his weight, still holding onto the back of Johnny’s shirt. “I have been lower.”
“He is under our protection.” Raiden stated, dragging her attention back to him. “We are responsible for him, therefore we are making sure he does not cause future trouble.”
“You don’t sound like you’re planning to turn him in, Raiden.”
“I am not.” He made a gesture to Johnny, “He found him. The bounty he is worth is his to collect.”
She glanced between them then finally relented. “Fine. I have faith in your capabilities, especially as a team. Now Princess-” she turned back to Kitana and Liu Kang, “we must get you and the rest of our crew to the nearest doctor.”
“I am fine.” She tried to assure her.
“She is right.” Liu Kang spoke to Kitana, “You both survived an attack, you both should be seen.”
Kitana looked at him, a little betrayed that he would side with Li Mei but a small amused smile appeared on her lips. “Would you like to guide us, then?”
Kenshi tugged on Johnny’s shirt, pulling his attention away from the group in front of them as they began to depart. He hissed, “You didn’t tell me that Lin Kuei was Bi-Han.”
“Yeah, so what?” He glanced at him.
“I’ve never met a bigger prick in my life.” Kenshi grumbled. “You captured him but he got away?”
“It was complicated!” Johnny huffed.
“The past is the past.” Raiden waved his hand. “He is dead now, he is not a concern.”
“What? When?!” Johnny turned back to him.
Raiden raised his brows, “A few years ago. His brother took over the Lin Kuei and gave word that Bi-Han had been assassinated.”
“He had no shortage of enemies.” Kenshi muttered, “But I guess if he could be captured by Cage, he could be killed by anyone more skilled.”
“Hey.” Johnny wasn’t entirely sure if that was an insult or not, but he was going to take it as one.
“I am not surprised you did not know, Takahashi. But you, Cage, I am.”
“I’ve been kind of busy with the whole Shadow thing.” Johnny defended himself. “Speaking of–”
“I will speak with the princess first.” Raiden cut him off with a sharp look. “We will make plans after.”
“I would like to speak with her, as well.” Kenshi stepped around Johnny. “I believe it was my ship that caused her harm.”
He regarded him but nodded, “I am afraid it may be the case, as well. We will let them rest a moment then make plans for our next course.”
“Even if the Shadow wasn’t the one who harmed her and her crew, I would still like to find it.” Kenshi said, “You did say you would help me.”
“I did.” Raiden said, “I am not forgetting my promise.”
Kenshi slowly nodded. He had to trust Raiden, though Johnny wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. The guy still had his sword, showing a distrust of him.
“You should return to our lodgings before someone else recognizes him.” Raiden spoke lower then stepped away from them, moving to join Baraka, still assisting with the ship.
Johnny watched him and rolled his eyes, glancing back to Kenshi. “Hate to say it, but he’s right. I don’t need someone seeing a ghost and trying to exorcise it.”
“The hell does that mean?” Kenshi crossed his arms.
“I mean,” He poked his chest, Kenshi slapping his hand away. “I don’t want you to get killed.”
He shrugged, tilting his head away and hugging himself.
“We can wait for Liu Kang.” Johnny nudged him, “Come on.”
Kenshi didn’t answer further, just moved a hand to Johnny’s shoulder and walked with him.
His silence was a bit unsettling but Johnny tried not to think about it. He couldn’t think about much now, actually. If the Harbinger’s Kiss could limp her way here, and the Shadow was the culprit - not pirates, he hoped - then it was still nearby. They could find it.
Maybe he would figure out what he wanted once on the deck. Or die, according to Kenshi’s fears. Maybe the sooner they found it the better. If he did die, maybe Kenshi could still move on and find some happiness. It would suck, not being with him, but he admitted he wanted better for the man. With all the sh*t and loss he dealt with. But maybe Kenshi didn’t deserve it. That wasn’t for Johnny to decide.
They didn’t say a word until they stopped at Kenshi’s door.
Kenshi turned back to him a little, “I don't want you to get killed either, you know.”
“I'll be fine.” Johnny wasn't sure what prompted that.
He frowned, biting his bottom lip. There clearly was something else he wanted to say but he kept it to himself and stepped into his room. Johnny half expected to be invited inside, but the door was closed in his face.
“Good talk?” He muttered and stepped back. He waited, just hoping, but the door didn’t open again. He fought with himself for a minute, deciding if he should try to press and ask what was wrong. He knew the answer, though, Kenshi wanted to go find the Shadow immediately, before it caused more harm.
Johnny needed to entertain himself for a while. It left Kenshi unsupervised, but he returned to the docks. The bustle around the Harbinger’s Kiss had petered out, the ship now undergoing repairs. It would probably be stuck here for a while.
Raiden was still hovering around, watching said repairs.
He cautiously approached him. “Any word yet?”
A quick glance to regard him, “Not yet.”
“Alright.” He stood next to him, watching too. His gaze shifted over to the Sif. “Are you actually going to help Kenshi.”
“Of course.” He said. “I made him a promise.”
“So you trust him with a big, cursed ship and not a sword?”
Raiden gave him another look, “Based on his history, he has done far more damage with that blade than the ship. If you remember, he has threatened you with it.”
Johnny flushed a bit and sputtered out an excuse. “That was a long time ago.”
“I would still rather not risk it.” He continued, “It will remain safely in my cabin with the map.”
That wasn’t very secure, Johnny thought. The old fool pretty much told him exactly where to look for the sword with little in the way to prevent him from taking it. “Why not give it back to me?”
“Because I know what you will do with it.” He answered, starting to walk away. “I must find Liu Kang and see if he has learned anything.”
The f*ck was that supposed to mean? Johnny was caught up on the first part of Raiden’s statement, completely glazing over his disengagement. Did he think he still wanted to kill Kenshi? That was all their relationship was, as far as Raiden knew. The two of them fighting with each other, attempting to kill one another. The dreams Johnny had of using Kenshi’s sword against him still clawed at the back of his mind and he tried to shove them down. He wanted to prove the dreams and Raiden wrong. He was always out to prove people’s assumptions about him wrong.
He waited until it was dark out. Waited until he saw Raiden walking with Liu Kang back to their lodgings. The captain was nowhere near his ship. This idea probably wouldn’t put him in a good light for Raiden, but that wasn’t exactly the important part of this.
Johnny slunk down the docks to the Sif, which sat silent. Only a few crew were on board, hanging out and effectively acting like guards. At least they knew Johnny and didn’t bat an eye when he boarded the ship. He walked around until no one was trying to talk to him or pay him any attention. Sure he was safe, he slipped inside Raiden’s cabin.
It was dark. Only some external light filtered in through the windows at the back. It was good enough to work by. Sure enough, Kenshi’s sword was set on the table, on top of the map. He barely regarded the marks on the parchment, only long enough to see Raiden had some notes of locations otherwise not marked. He had noted down Bentsea and the old Takahashi residence, Mileena’s port and a rough guess for Black Dragon territory. Just keeping track.
He didn’t linger on it, grabbing the sword and strapping it to his hip. He paused. Maybe that was too obvious. Well, he had no better option. He quietly slipped out of the cabin again and left the Sif relatively unnoticed. A couple crewmates had cast glances at him but no one made a comment of the sword he had his hand on.
That was probably the easiest theft he had ever done. Not that he did a lot of stealing, just on occasion if he really needed to for whatever reason. And this was an important reason.
Alone, navigating the unfamiliar streets, made Johnny uneasy. Seido was very… Quiet. At least compared to the other towns where the nightlife was rife with busy taverns and drunkards and pretty women to keep men company for the right price. Seido was not that. The people who walked around were mostly guards, who gave him harsh looks or questioned him. He answered honestly, he was returning to his lodgings, and they reluctantly let him continue on.
Maybe it was paranoia, maybe it was the guards, but he definitely felt like he was being watched. He must be tired, maybe just feeling a little guilty for sneaking into Raiden’s cabin. He didn’t feel bad about taking the sword, though, he felt the morality of stealing it back would be negated by giving it to its owner.
Johnny stopped. He spotted someone who was, in fact, watching him. Shadowy, walking the other way down the street. He tried not to think about it and kept walking, offering a polite but awkward nod as he walked past.
“That is a fine sword.” A smooth but smug voice. “Surely not yours.”
“Finders keepers.” Johnny joked, hand on the sword. He slowed, squinting in the dim lighting. “Do I know you?”
“Perhaps.” He hummed, stepping a little closer to him. “You look familiar.”
“You look a little familiar to me, too.” He wasn’t lying. His memory was decent and he was desperately trying to figure out where he had seen this man before. Not at a tavern, he knew his face better than that. “You wouldn’t happen to have a bounty poster out, would you?”
His brows raised and he smirked, “Aah, a bounty hunter. I do remember you. A shame your fame did not last.”
“You’re the second person today to recognize me. I’d say I’m doing pretty good.” He put his hands on his hips. “Care to give me your name, stranger?”
The man raised a hand and snapped, a flame lighting over his fingers, revealing his face. “I am sure you already know.”
Johnny glanced at the magic flame then to his face. He smiled, a defense mechanism. “Shang Tsung, I presume?”
“The one and only.” He bowed a little.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I was merely curious about that sword on your hip.” He nodded to it.
Johnny protectively turned it away from him. “What of it?”
“It belongs to your blind friend, doesn't it?”
“He's not my friend.” Johnny was quick to correct, playing off his suspicion as frustration.
Shang Tsung's brows raised in interest, the sly smile still on his lips. “I did not mean to offend.”
“Do you mind cutting to the chase? Your head still has quite a number on it over in Sindel's Empire.” Johnny gripped the hilt of the sword with one hand. A silent threat.
“And I understand his does, as well. More than me, last I checked.” He sounded disappointed. “There is no ‘chase,’ Cage. Not quite yet. I simply want information.”
“I have some questions, too.” Though maybe they were too dangerous to ask. He had to think about what he said for once.
“Then let us walk and talk, perhaps get a drink?” Shang Tsung offered with a gesture to a tavern down the road.
“How polite, buying me a drink first.” He teased a bit and followed the mage. A well-lit tavern was better than these streets. They didn’t say much else until they were seated and drinks were placed in front of them. Johnny had erred on the side of caution and made sure his was bottled, while Shang Tsung helped himself to some exquisite Seido wine.
“Speak your mind, Cage.” Shang Tsung prompted, easing back into his seat.
“I thought I heard through the grapevine that you were all buddy-buddy with Shao Khan.” Johnny began, “Why are you all the way out here?”
He scoffed, “Shao Khan did not see my vision. He is a brute who only speaks in the language of violence. He wanted to control the Shadow and I was willing to help him, but he would not hear out my desire for it. He only wants to conquer.”
“What do you want with the Shadow?” He watched him closely.
“Are you assessing if my motive is worthy enough for it?”
He shrugged, “I’m not the one to determine that. But you don’t want to play along with Shao Khan’s conquest, so what do you want it for, then?”
He straightened and sipped his wine. “I would like to study it. Perhaps the curse can be dismantled and could be used as a catalyst to remove other curses. Particularly ones with no definite cause.”
“Like what?”
“There is one I have come to call ‘Tarkat.’” He answered and pulled out a journal from his satchel, flipping through the discolored pages full of scrawling handwriting and rough diagrams. All were too difficult to read at a glance. He landed on a page and read off his notes. “It disfigures the subject first. Lesions, animalistic features. Then, emboldening their more primal instincts, makes them bloodthirsty and violent. Truly fascinating.”
“And you want the Shadow to help with that?” Johnny sipped his ale slowly. So Baraka’s illness was a curse? For what? Why him? Why Mileena?
“Of course. It is one of the most powerful entities in the sea.” He answered and shut the journal again.
“Entity?” He repeated. He never heard the ship referred to as such.
“Are you too naive to realize the control she has over herself?” He narrowed his eyes, voice condescending. “The Shadow has her own will and desires. She cannot be influenced unless she allows it.”
Kenshi had said something similar recently. He should have questioned him about it when he first mentioned it.
“I would like to ask my questions now.” He waited until Johnny nodded and gave him a small ‘go ahead’ gesture before he continued. “Where did you find your blind companion?”
“You make us sound like we’re on friendly terms.” Johnny joked then continued to lie. “On an old rum runner island. We have no idea how long he was there, but it was out of the way, one of the ones used between Bentsea and Sindel’s Empire.”
“He is worth a good sum, assuming you are aware who he is.”
Johnny nodded a little.
“If you turned him in here, I am sure Empress Sindel and Shao Khan would agree to a temporary peace for it.” Shang Tsung was watching Johnny closely over his wine glass. Searching his face and watching the small shift of his weight in the chair. “It would be poetic if he were to be executed in Bentsea. People would pay well to see it.”
“Yeah, well, that’s not my decision.” Johnny leaned forward and sipped his drink. He hated the idea. He always left town whenever he turned in a bounty the judges already had their minds made up about, or stubbornly refused to attend the execution if he was still there. If he attended Kenshi’s execution it would be to try and get him out. “Captain Raiden wanted to help him, so that’s what we’re doing.”
“Help him?” He scrunched his face disapprovingly.
“He lost everything, so he took pity on him.”
He rolled his eyes. “He hasn’t changed.”
“‘Scuse me?”
“Raiden. Still oh so noble and convinced he is in the right.” He sipped his wine.
“You sound like you knew him pretty well.” He chuckled a little.
“Perhaps too well.” He shrugged, skipping right over confirming what sort of relationship that was. “He was not a fan of my work. We disagreed frequently on the sciences and magic.”
“Aren’t you wanted for your ‘sciences?’”
“Perhaps I was a tad… Unconventional in my experiments.” Shang Tsung waved a hand and avoided meeting Johnny’s gaze. “But it all was for the greater good, even if Raiden could not see it.”
“For the greater good, huh?”
“I already explained some of my research to you. Tarkat is only the surface.” He quickly continued, “Do you know how your… Bounty became blind?”
The curiosity in his voice made Johnny uneasy, but it meant that he had no idea about Kenshi being the captain of the Shadow, right? Or maybe he was fishing for an answer that would hint directly to that. “No idea. He didn’t tell us what happened on that island.”
“He had no crew? Or ship?”
“There was a wreck.” Johnny looked upward like he was recalling it. “Raiden identified it. As for crew, I think they died and were eaten.”
Shang Tsung’s eyes lit up with fascination. “Cannibalism? Resources must have been scarce on that island. To resort to such barbarism…”
“He bit me once.” He scrunched his nose and rubbed his wrist. “He’s gotten better since being reintroduced to people but I wouldn’t put it past him to do it again.”
“He sounds like an interesting character.” He mused.
“He is.” There was an inkling of fondness that slipped through Johnny’s voice. He hoped Shang Tsung hadn’t picked up on it.
“What did Raiden promise him?”
“To get him back home.”
“That is quite a distance from here.” His eyes narrowed, “And it is no longer his.”
“We got a little caught up in helping out another ship.” Johnny told the half truth of it. “I’m not sure what the plan is now.”
Shang Tsung had a curiously amused expression on his face, though maybe it was the one that was always resting on his features. “I know you do not trust me and I am not asking you to, though I would have you consider I know the Shadow is out here, far from the Takahashi residence. I am looking for the captain.”
Keep playing dumb. “Okay? And?”
“And I will make sure that he drowns this time.” He said, watching Johnny’s shoulders stiffen. “Unless, you steal the Shadow from him, like you stole the sword, and bring it to me.”
“You know the Shadow’s rules as well as everyone else. Your promise is hollow.” Johnny said.
“I also know curses better than anyone.” Shang Tsung said, “I can sever the bond between the captain and ship, I could even restore his sight if you care enough for him, but I need the ship in order to do so.”
Johnny tightened his grip on the hilt, feeling the grooves that were molded to Kenshi’s hand. No matter what he offered, Johnny did not trust the man. But he understood him to be powerful. He had taken Kenshi from that cove and dropped him in the ocean - luckily on the Sif, but it meant he had the power to do it again. And this time he wouldn’t misplace him.
