Chapter Text
"Kotal Kahn has agreed to peace treaty talks. I would like to send you as our emissary."
Raiden's strange request and the details of the visit repeated in Sonya's head as she let herself into Cage's mansion. Sonya wasn't used to charming people; she was usually the muscle, the force behind the charisma.
The mansion was a beautifully decorated, upscale home in the middle of Malibu that screamed JOHNNY CAGE. It was also impossible to hear anyone knocking or ringing the bell, so Johnny entrusted her with a set of keys and the security system code.
It still felt strangely intimate.
"Hello?!" She called down the hall before making her way into the dining room, and almost ran smack dab into Kenshi.
"Oh, shit!" She startled. The blindfolded swordsman looked almost comical in one of Cage's white, fluffy robes, holding his Sexiest Swordsman mug that she and Jax had ordered as a joke years ago. "Sorry," she said, "I didn't know you would be here."
That was stupid
She really needed to stop blanking on Kenshi's new role in Johnny's life.
"Good morning, Sonya." Kenshi smiled. "Coffee?"
"Ugh, yes, please."
"Good morning!" Johnny's voice came next. Sonya spun to find him shirtless, surprise surprise, and freshly showered, hair still wet and smelling amazing. "Hey, babe," he smiled.
"Good morning," Sonya and Kenshi replied in unison.
Johnny looked between them, and Sonya cringed.
Because he wasn't talking to her.
Her ex-partner and her ex-partner were now... Current partners. Romantically. They had pet names for each other, not her.
"Sorry." Sonya shook her head, cursing herself vehemently.
"What are you sorry for? Get in here!" Johnny quickly covered her fumble, pulling Sonya in for an awkward hug.
He kissed Kenshi on the cheek next, and something sour hit her stomach. It still ached from time to time.
Over two years of family therapy with Cassie and Johnny had improved her relationship with the actor by leaps and bounds. But other than some fooling around and occasional cuddling, nothing came of it.
Then Kenshi returned from his personal mission with Takeda, and he and Johnny got cozy.
Two years after the fall of Shinnok, the trio who had fought the fallen God together was a duo and a third wheel again.
Only, Sonya was the third wheel this time.
Sure, there was that one night, a bottle of champagne, and a threesome that ended on a promising note. But that tryst ended the next day and was never addressed again.
But Johnny Cage deserved to move on instead of waiting around for Sonya to get her shit together.
And Kenshi deserved that peace and simple happiness.
That didn't make it easier.
"So, what can we do ya for, super star?" Johnny asked as Kenshi handed him a steaming mug of coffee. He still clearly loved her as a friend and the mother of his child. She wouldn't trade that for the world.
"It's not the kids?" asked Kenshi.
Sonya accepted hers as well. "The team is fine. Cassie's got it covered." Their daughter was well on her way to taking over Jax's mantle as Commander, especially if the Kombat Kids pulled off their current op. "I wanted to talk to you about something else. Both of you, actually." Her eyes followed Kenshi's hand as he grabbed Cage's and squeezed, clearly trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Cage looked at Kenshi and squeezed back, a secret conversation that she would never be a part of. "I need advice."
"Oh," Johnny's voice flattened out, strangely.
Sonya cocked a perfectly groomed brow. "Is this a bad time?" she asked.
"What? No! Sorry, go ahead!" Johnny quickly sputtered. Kenshi rubbed his hand, another wordless message.
Sonya told them about the mission and her trepidation. "I mean, I'm a marine, not a diplomat."
"No shit," Kenshi huffed out a laugh.
"Seriously! What if I cause another interrealm incident!" The last time she'd found herself in charge of relations with Kotal Kahn, she had refused to intervene in their civil war. Kahn had begged for help, practically gotten on his knees.
There was no way the emperor forgot that.
Sonya hated it, too, but she had to say no. It was the right choice at the time; getting involved in Outworld's strife was too dangerous for Earthrealm. They had to stay neutral.
Now the realms’ relationship was even more tenuous, stretched to its limits and ready to snap.
"Hey, this is the first time you're being sent on a mission where you're not expected to spy or arrest or kill someone. Nobody has to get hurt. And an actual alliance with Outworld? That would be your greatest achievement, second to Cass. Third, if you count me." Johnny grinned.
"He is right. You are more than capable." Their support tugged at something in her chest. "And it would be a nice break. Outworld does have its charms," Kenshi's face scrunched at that lie. "I'm sure."
Sonya laughed mostly because she didn't want to cry.
The irony of Raiden sending her to charm the emperor.
But it was for the good of the realm…
And Raiden had proven a good judge of potential many times. She looked at Johnny with that thought. Raiden saw a hero when nobody else did, and he was right.
"Hey, you got this. Just be your dazzling, charming self, and Kahn will be putty in your hands," Johnny winked like he knew her doubts.
"Dazzling, right. I got that in spades." The men laughed, and they settled into their comfortable conversation as Sonya enjoyed their presence.
Until Johnny grabbed a napkin and wiped some creamer off Kenshi's beard with an affectionate chuckle, Kenshi grabbed his hand and laughed.
Third wheel status, engaged.
"Thanks for the words of wisdom." Sonya kicked back her remaining coffee. "I should go."
"You don't have to run off…" Johnny objected,
"It's fine. I have stuff to do." Nothing whatsoever. "Enjoy your morning." That I barged in on.
She really needed to get a grip. Get a life. Move on.
Maybe this visit to Outworld could be just the thing.
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"That was painful," Kenshi deadpanned.
Johnny stood at the window to watch Sonya back out of the driveway. She had rushed off like they were chasing her out the door with a broomstick. His shoulders slumped. "Yeah. It got awkward there."
"The subtle approach isn't working. Hints aren't working. We need to be clearer."
“Subtle approach? You think that was subtle?" Johnny pouted. "I called her babe, hugged her, complimented her… And my wink was top-tier flirtation! What more can I do?"
"She's taking everything we say and do as exclusion and rejection. Her mind is filtering everything through that lens. She couldn't sense our interest if we tried."
"Makes sense. I guess we can't all have psychic powers on our side." Johnny tapped him with his elbow. "So, what's the plan, then? Sit her down and say, "We love you, be our girl?"
"Maybe not in those words… But, yes. After her mission, though. She's already under enough pressure. We'll show our support by not rushing things."
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Erron bowed before his emperor. Kotal Kahn nodded as he stood from the kneel.
"General Blade has accepted our goodwill invitation. We will arrange the terms of her visit, but I am putting you in charge of welcoming her to our realm."
Erron nodded, completely holding in his exasperated grunt. Babysitting the Earth realmer sounded about as appealing as being quartered by Clydesdales.
Not that he had any personal quarrel with Sonya Blade, but she had a few bones to pick with him. He did help Kano kidnap her daughter. Then there was that time he tried to kill the entire team.
Oh, and the whole ex-Black Dragon thing.
"Don't look so morose. Your skills will be put to good use. I'm sending you because I need somebody who can handle her; Sonya Blade will not be returning home anytime soon."