Chapter Eleven: Confrontations – Cassie Cage, Part One

Note: As I mentioned earlier in the story, I am modeling Alexander Aaron/Phobos after Jai Courtney (mainly after his appearance from Spartacus). Second, I know that Kusanagi is a aikuchi (a sword without the tsuba, or guard). Here, I'm modeling it after the Yamato from Devil May Cry. Also, the Confrontations Chapters are long, as they take place in a single day. Which means that they may be split up into two parts.

The conflict against Kronika and her forces was known by many names.

The New Era War. The Earthrealm War. The Titan War. Among the Exiled Gods, Team S-F, the Reincarnated Kombatants, the Avengers, and the X-Men, however, it was simply known as Kronika's War.

Some say that the war officially commenced when the Black Dragon and The Hand invaded Cage Incorporated in full force. Others say it was Cetrion's declaration of war that was the start of it. If asked about it, Matt Murdock would respond that the death of Elektra was what started the war. And a small few believed that the war began with Kronika's failed attempt to merge the two realms.

But most people believed that it was the Exiled Gods' confrontations with their past enemies that had officially started the war.

Like now.

Land's End, San Francisco

Land's End – one of the lesser-known and visited beaches in San Francisco, Land's End was a hidden gem, secluded behind the cliffs west of Lincoln Park. It was also only accessible by means of a steep trail. While the beach itself was a beautiful spot for one to sunbathe or to hold a picnic, swimming was prohibited due to the dangerous water conditions.

It was Cassie Cage's favorite hideaway, her special place, be it to train or have some time for herself, to meditate and reflect. It was also here that she and Sonya talked about her accepting the scholarship to West Point. The blond lieutenant was in casual attire; red tanktop, sleeveless dark brown jacket, zipped halfway, black cargo pants and boots.

Her S-F issued tactical pistols had been a mainstay for many years, and served her well. But during the Reincarnated Kombatants' training trip, her pistols had been damaged while on assignment. So, Cassie upgraded to a pair of Glock 22 pistols, favored by the Navy SEALs. While Cassie wanted to wield a Desert Eagle like her mother, even she knew that the dual Glocks were more practical. Second, the Glocks themselves were now enchanted, courtesy of her then-boyfriend, now fiance.

It had been a birthday gift on his end, Alex taking her Glocks to his uncle Hephaestus and having them enchanted. Originally chambered to hold a .45 round, the pistols now had the stopping power of an armor-piercing 7.62 round and she could fire them without running the magazine dry.

Simply put, Cassie now wielded two enchanted Glocks with infinite ammo.

With the death of Elektra and the Black Dragon absorbing The Hand into its organization, the Exiled Gods were put on high alert, even more with Hanzo, given his past grievances with the organization stemming from his rescue of Liu Hasashi and killing Gorgon. Ironically, it was Hanzo's killing of The Hand's leader that had brought both her and Alex together.

Originally, when Alex was born, the Fates had decreed that 'the son of Alexander Ares-Son' would die at the hands of Gorgon, his soul sent to Elysium. But with the arrival of the Exiled Gods, Alex's fate changed.

It had been Hanzo Hasashi, not Alex, who had faced off against Tomi Shishido, while Alex watched from the sidelines. While Gorgon was armed with the Godkiller Blade, Hanzo had fought long and hard for many years, both as a revenant and as a human, and now, as a God.

The battle had taken place at a HYDRA base in New Zealand, Hanzo personally intervening following several HYDRA attacks on several Shirai Ryu safe-houses in the area and a failed attempt to kidnap Liu Hasashi once again. Gorgon had vowed to slay a God with his blade, but that vow would go unconsummated, as Hanzo brought forth the full fury of the God of Hellfire.

For all his mutant abilities, it had been Gorgon's hubris that caused his downfall. Gorgon was reduced to ashes and Hanzo took the Godkiller Blade as a trophy. With Gorgon dead, Alex's destiny changed. During some off-time with the Secret Warriors some years later, Alex met Cassie during a photoshoot, as Cassie worked part-time as a model for her father. To say that he was smitten with the demigoddess was putting it lightly.

Hera, on the other hand, saw a golden opportunity. A chance for an alliance between the Exiled Gods and the Greek Pantheon. What better way to secure that by means of a marriage contract? The Olympic Group were on good terms with Cage Incorporated, so might as well make it official, right?

However, Hera's scheming was shot down by Cassie's parents, stating that if Cassie married, then it would be for love, not for personal gain. Ares also vetoed the marriage contract, stating that 'Alex is not a prize to be won.' With Athena and Zeus, surprisingly, backing the God of War, Hera relented.

But, as Cassie was now engaged to Alex, she got what she wanted. While she was happy with the engagement, she cared for her grandson's happiness overall.

Cassie's engagement ring was not on her finger. Instead, she had it looped on her chain, where it rested alongside her dogtags. Now, at least, Jacqui wasn't alone with potential wedding bells hanging over her head. Cassie, for her part, was looking forward to being married to the youngest member in the Greek Pantheon, the God of Fear himself.

But Hera did speak with Cassie privately, both her and Ares when it became clear that she was going to marry Alex. While she had given Cassie her blessings, she did leave a warning for Cassie should she stray.

"I am the Goddess of Marriage, and I value fidelity above all things. Be loyal to Alexander, and he will be loyal to you. But be warned, Cassandra. I love all of my grandchildren, including Alexander. Should you break his heart, and the darkest pits of Tartarus will make the Netherrealm look like a vacation. Got it?"

Threat aside, Hera gave Cassie her blessings and welcomed her into the family unofficially. Only when she wedded Alex, was it made official.

"Something on your mind, babe? You seem distant."

Alexander's voice roused Cassie out of her thoughts. Thoughts that now, Kronika and Earthrealm were now creeping on the new Earth's doorstep, as her parents had warned her.

The couple were walking along the beach. Like Cassie, Alex dressed simply in a white T-shirt with the phrase TITANIC 1912 SWIM TEAM on the front, black denim jeans, and heavy work boots. He was muscular, but it reminded Cassie of Uncle Hanzo, and not like a walking mountain of muscle like Uncle Jax.

"Is it because of our engagement?" Alex asked, concerned.

"No. Earthrealm," Cassie replied simply.

There were no secrets between the two. Alex knew everything about Cassie and her family, including their pasts back in Earthrealm. When he discovered that Cassie was 20 years his senior, he took the news in stride, joking that "he always wanted to date an older woman." It was also one of the main reasons why his father approved of Cassie; the way she had fought Shinnok with only her ancestral powers had earned Cassie the respect and support of the God of War.

And this was before she became a demigoddess.

The God of Fear was concerned. "They found you?" he asked.

Cassie nodded. "Took them only sixteen years. And they drew first blood." She fished out her smartphone and pulled up the picture of Elektra's body. "Elektra's dead."

Alex looked at the picture and blanched. "The necktie," he noted, seeing Elektra's tongue through the gaping throat wound. "A favorite among the Colombian hitmen."

"Kano's calling card," Cassie continued. "I should know. Mom's been chasing him long before I was born."

Alex frowned. "Which one was Kano again?"

"The Aussie with the faceplate and a penchant for knives."

Alex nodded in understanding. "Gotcha." He looked out over the sea, where the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier sat moored across the way, having arrived during the night. "Think it might be the reason why they are here?" he asked.

Cassie shook her head. "No. They found out about me and my team being hosts to the Phoenix Force. But I don't think that Rogers or the others know about my family."

"Oh. Anyone aside from my family knows about you and yours?" Alex asked.

"Xavier, of course. Doc Strange, and that's only because he and Aunt Sky trained together. Thor, because Mom spent some time in Asgard learning how to better control her powers. Fortunately, Odin swore his son to secrecy." She sighed. "If you ask me, it's pretty ballsy of Uncle Hanzo having an inside man with Rogers and his crew of misfits. Then again, his intel gave us time to prepare."

"And do you consider your family and teammates a band of misfits?"

Cassie snorted. "We got that down to an art form." Then, her expression darkened.

"What?" Alex asked. "Cassie, what is it?"

Cassie's hand went for one of her Glocks, but she relaxed her grip. 'We have uninvited guests,' Cassie said, before turning to speak to the uninvited guests. "Sneaking up on me while I'm out with my boyfriend is a real easy way to get a terminal case of lead poisoning, Blue."

Alex turned around. There was only one person he knew that Cassie would address as 'Blue.' Sure enough, Captain America was present, along with Black Widow.

With Cap and Widow...

Steve wondered whether or not he was being lured into a trap, a thought shared with Black Widow. But as both the First Avenger and the Black Widow had past dealings with Cassie, her team, S-F and Cage Incorporated in the past, it was highly unlikely.

On the way to San Francisco, Steve and the Avengers had been debating on a course of action. Some wanted diplomacy. Some opted for a tactical extraction – track Cassandra Cage down, subdue her using Agent Hook, and be out of San Francisco before her parents knew what had happened. That idea was immediately shot down, as that would not only make enemies out of her parents, but they would probably join forces with Cyclops and the X-Men.

And given Cassie was now engaged to Phobos, that stunt would definitely piss off not only Phobos, but also his family as well. And Ares spoke highly of his potential daughter-in-law.

Maria Hill's disdain towards the Cage family was well-known, stemming from the Superhuman Registration Act, in which neither parents nor their daughter registered due to their being mutants. Maria especially didn't like Cassie due to how she and Jacqui had tore through the Capekillers when they raided the Union Vale hideaway. Sure it had been a mistake due to her sharing the same last name as Luke and Jessica, but the fact that Cassie and Jacqui had beaten down a squad of Capekillers, and was only subdued by Iron Man had left a black eye on S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Cage and Briggs family had given the Act and S.H.I.E.L.D. one giant middle finger...and got away with it. What infuriated Maria was that they did it legally thanks to the military registry.

Officially, that is.

Maria's opinion on the Cage family was different, and she told Hanzo as much. And she didn't pull her punches when she told the Shirai Ryu boss how she felt about Cassie and her parents. That was one of the things that Hanzo respected about Maria, and in turn, kept her identity a secret from his fellow Exiled Gods. All they needed to know was that he had an insider in S.H.I.E.L.D.

When Steve told Maria of his plan, suffice to say, the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. thought that Steve was out of his mind. Which is why Natasha was accompanying him on this task. Steve allowed it...so long as she did not antagonize Cassie, lest they end up with another incident similar to Union Vale again.

Sam Alexander wanted to come as well, but Cap told him that he was on standby. He had a better chance at diplomacy if Cassie was around people she knew. And to provide extra firepower should things get violent if Cap's attempts at diplomacy fail.

Steve Rogers had watched Cassie and Jacqui's military careers with great interest, the two girls coming onto his radar following a series of counter-offensives Inferno Squad had launched against HYDRA. While put off slightly that their two male teammates were Shirai Ryu and Lin Kuei respectively, Cap saw the potential in Team S-F.

Cap even approached Sonya and Jax on the issue of letting Team S-F join the Avengers. Sonya and Jax were flattered by the proposal, but refused. They did, however, allowed Team S-F to work with the Avengers on several joint Inferno-Avengers assignments in regards to HYDRA and other terrorist organizations.

Besides, working with the Avengers full-time would be a conflict of interest.

Natasha was in her usual leather catsuit, while Steve himself was dressed in a black military-style turtleneck sweater, slacks and boots. Of course, he still had his shield, slung across his back.

Now, things had changed, Steve realized as he and Natasha hoofed it along the trail that led to the beach.

"This is a bad idea, Steve," Natasha complained.

"You and everyone else said the same thing," Steve replied. "The only thing we got going for ourselves is that I know Cassie. Hopefully, if she gives up without a fight, then maybe her teammates will see reason and do the same."

"And what about her parents, let alone the rest of S-F, the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu?"

"We'll cross that bridge once we get to it. Right now, we need to focus on Cassie. Sometimes, the most difficult of problems requires a practical solution."

"This is anything but practical."

"I know."

He had to admit that Cassie had chosen a nice little spot...if she was leading the three of them into a trap. Then again, Nat was probably being cautious...or paranoid.

Speaking of Cassie, they came across her while she was with Phobos. It was public knowledge that Cassie and Alex Aaron were a couple, Alex himself having worked with S.H.I.E.L.D. back when Fury was in charge. When Fury disappeared, Alex left S.H.I.E.L.D. and unfortunately, Alex himself would be quick to defend his girlfriend should things head south.

Taking a breath, and hoping for the best, Steve walked forward...

...and stopped after several steps when he saw Cassie's gloved hand rest on the handle of her gun. One raised hand stopped Natasha from drawing her own pistol.

"Sneaking up on me while I'm out with my boyfriend is a real easy way to get a terminal case of lead poisoning, Blue," Cassie noted in a dry tone.

Steve calmed down. 'Blue' was Cassie's nickname for him, due to the color scheme of his costume. While some people found it insulting, she made it sound dignified. Cap didn't mind, as he actually found it to be rather endearing.

Alex spun on the duo. "Rogers," he said.

Steve nodded. "Phobos," he responded.

A sharp glare from Cassie made Alex calm down. Cap breathed a small sigh of relief. Cassie would make sure that Alex would not act rash. He was a lot like his father in some cases. On top of that, Cassie wasn't showing any signs of hostility.

"I knew you were following me," Cassie said. She tapped the side of her head. "Telepath, remember? I also know that if it's serious to bring out Red here, then the rest of the merry band of Avengers isn't too far behind, right?"

Seeing as how lying was pointless, Steve nodded. "We need to talk, Cassie. I know that you're one of four hosts of the Phoenix Force, the other three being your teammates."

Cassie didn't deny it or scream bloody murder at the trio. Instead, she looked rather amused, something that neither Natasha nor Steve was expecting. "Figured it out, huh? Yes, it's true, Steve. I'm one of the four hosts to the Phoenix Force. Originally, I was to be the host of the Phoenix Force. But after what it had done to Jean, I had my concerns. Fortunately, Aunt Sky was able to split it into four halves, with the help of Master Yao."

Cassie raised one hand. Cosmic flame blossomed in her hand. Steve, and Widow noticed that the flames were darker than what they were used to.

"How long?" Widow asked. "How long have you and your friends been the hosts?"

Cassie banished the flame. "Before the Act was passed."

Now Steve saw why Cassie was so calm. All this time, he and the others thought that there was one host, but rather two. Once again, the game had turned on its head with this new development. But he had a job to do. "Lieutenant... Cassie...you of all people know just how dangerous the Phoenix Force is. We need to contain it, just in case it breaks free."

"I've had a portion of its power for a while now, and I feel fine, Blue," Cassie said. "My powers and Aunt Sky's warding keeps it in check. It's properly contained within me and the others. Besides, you know that my parents wouldn't allow that. Especially Mom."

Steve knew she was right. Sonya would fight for her daughter. And the last thing anyone wanted was another Civil War. "Cass..."

Cassie cut him off. "I know what it did to Jean. She was my friend. I also know that while you and your friends see it as a harbinger of death, others see it as a beacon of hope." She then looked at the three newcomers that had just arrived. "Isn't that right, Summers?"

Steve and Widow turned around. Cyclops was standing there, Emma Frost beside him. Behind them, was Colossus, having been asked to tag along at the last minute. With the appearance of the X-Men, Steve knew that the mission had gone south.

He just hoped that Cyclops or Cassie would make things worse. Speaking of Cassie, she noticed the bands on both Colossus' arms, forearms, and hands. Cassie frowned. Colossus was the new Juggernaut. Either Petey had done it willingly or Magik failed to heed her words. Either way, when this was all over, Cassie was going to have a long talk with Magik.

"So...it was true," Cyclops said, his visor gleaming in the sun. "The Phoenix was here all along. Didn't expect it to be you and Jacqui. I thought it was just the two of you. But it's your entire team..."

"This complicates things," Colossus added.

"Understatement of the year, Piotr," Emma added.

"How'd you find out?" Cassie asked. "Wait...how did you know I'd be here?"

"Emma tracked you down," Cyclops explained. Cassie rolled her eyes at Emma's smirk. "Hope saw the tattoo on Jacqui's back. You got the same one as well. I remember Rachel mentioning the tattoo as a mark of one who was the Phoenix's host. Rachel has the same tattoo on her back."

Widow stepped forward. "Summers, please...don't make this into a bigger deal than it is already. This is a matter of national security."

"Funny, seeing as how this is a mutant matter," rebuked Cyclops. "Cassie and her team are mutants. We'll handle it."

Steve sighed. "This isn't a 'mutant-versus-human' problem, Summers. We need to take care of this."

"Cassandra and her team are no threat," insisted Cyclops. "They are the last hope for my people. The Phoenix isn't a harbinger of death. It's a force of rebirth. For all mutantkind."

"You're too close to it, Summers," Cap rebuked. "I was expecting friction from her parents, not from you. I was hoping that we both can come to an understanding. Man to man, leader to leader. Please trust me on this."

"I'm too close to it?" Cyclops sounded insulted. "You're too far away from it, Rogers. You've always have been. Only now, do you need something from us, the mutants. Where were you for us when we needed you? Or the Avengers for that matter?"

"I was respecting you," Steve replied. "But since you want to have this discussion, it will have to wait. Cassie and her team are coming with us, for the safety of the planet."

"So you can lock them away?" Cyclops retorted. "No. They're coming with us."

"Ugh..." Cassie groaned. This wasn't going to end well. As if she already had enough on her plate.

Little did she knew – or anyone else, for that matter – at that exact moment, the day would go from bad to straight balls-out FUBAR.

Cassie wasn't there when Geras attacked her parents; appearing in a twister of golden sand. But now, she was seeing what her parents had seen; a twister of fine, golden sand. Almost immediately, the hairs on the back of her neck rose, and her danger meter went from DEFCON 3 to DEFCON 1.

"Is that your father?" Cap asked.

"No. It's not him," Cassie replied, Cap noting the dread in her voice. "It's much worse."

And Cassie saw him. It had been sixteen years since she saw him, but she'd never forget Kano. He was older, but still built for a man in his sixties as he emerged from the twister, his eye glinted as he caught sight of Cassie. And he was not alone. His companion was also someone Cassie didn't forget, seeing as how it was Tasia and Jarek that had kidnapped both her and Jacqui.

The thirty armed Black Dragons accompanying Kano and Tasia were considered overkill.

From the corner of his eye, Steve looked at Cassie, then back at the man. These two knew each other, meaning that they have history. Cap didn't like the gleam in Kano's eye. He seen it many times in the past. The woman accompanying the one-eyed man was looking at Alex with a sadistic gleam in his eye, Alex having materialized Kusanagi in his hand from a plume of flame, the blade still sheathed.

He would have to question Cassie about it later on. If they survived this, that is.

"You will accompany Shao Kahn in apprehending Cassandra Cage. Anyone accompanying her is considered expendable. Show no mercy. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly, Lady Kronika."

It was supposed to be a simple job. Capture Cassie Cage for Shao Kahn, and kill anyone else who was with her. Simple enough, which is why Kano wanted this job. He loved simple jobs. And any job designed to screw Cassie's parents over was music to his ears.

When Kano joined up with Kronika, he had plans on how he would... 'handle' Cassie, following his defeat at his mother's hands and the following decimation of the Black Dragon, also orchestrated by Sonya. Oh, how he wanted to violate Sonya Two in full view of her parents, forcing them to watch as he make Cassie beg for death, but would not deliver. But it was being denied the valuable S-F tech that really pissed him off.

When Kronika brought back Shao Kahn, his plans changed. Now, Cassie Cage was forever out of his reach, as Shao Kahn laid claim to Sonya's baby girl. When Kahn declared that Cassie would be his concubine by free will or by force, Kano saw it for Cassie, a fate worse than death. On top of that, Sindel haven't forgotten about how Cassie had kicked her ass back at the Sky Temple, and vowed to 'spank her until her ass bled.'

Kano would pay money to see that happen.

Shang Tsung and Tanya were successful in their recon mission. They were successful in not only identifying the reincarnated kombatants, but also in locating the Cage family. That was a start. The missing pieces soon fell into place, as Elektra proved to be quite useful regarding intel on the Shirai Ryu and the Lin Kuei.

But Kano could give two shits about them. No, he wanted to hurt Sonya and Johnny in any and every way possible.

He spied Cassie almost instantly upon emerging from the tornado of sand. Still the spitting image of dear old Mum. But the costumed yobbos almost made him laugh. Yet, the blonde with the blue lipstick and the redhead with the catsuit were good-looking sheilas. Maybe he could take them as sort of a payment for the job.

But first, business before pleasure.

"You have got to be shitting me," Cassie muttered upon recognizing Kano and Tasia. She didn't have much time, so she quickly opened up a mental discussion with Alex and the others. 'Okay, listen up. The shit's about to hit the fan big time. The smug-looking Aussie with the faceplate is Kano. He's the Black Dragon boss with a penchant for knives. The psycho bitch is Tasia, the resident ninja.'

Kano. Now, Cap and Widow got a name to match the face.

'These guys are psychopaths personified. Stone-cold killers,' Cassie continued. 'Trust me on this. They won't show you any mercy.'

'They know you, Cass,' Emma noted. 'Care to explain?'

'It's complicated,' Cassie replied. 'Alex, deal with Tasia.'

'Got it,' Alex said as Cassie broke the link.

Walking with that same cocky swagger as if he knew that he had won before the game even started, Kano casually pulled out a knife from his belt, while Tasia slowly drew out her swords. Alex, in the meantime, raised Kusanagi and pressed his thumb against the sword's guard, pushing out a perfect inch of Japanese steel. Tasia saw this, and approved.

"'Ello, baby girl," Kano drawled. "Been a while."

"Kano." Cassie deadpanned as she pulled out one of her pistols, mentally flipping the safety off. "Why the hell aren't you dead yet?"

"Now, now," Kano replied his voice falsely tender, "that's no way to speak to Uncle Kano, especially after all this time apart. 'Sides, I'm a survivor. It's what I do."

"She looks just like Sonya," Tasia said sizing Cassie up.

"Wager she scream like her, too," Kano added. He looked at Alex. "So you must be the boyfriend, if anything."

"Fiance," Alex grounded out.

"Fiance?" Kano repeated, surprised. "Well then. Sucks to be in yer shoes, mate. From what I heard, Shao Kahn doesn't like to share."

Cap turned to Cassie. "Shao who?"

Before Cassie could reply, a flash of green energy drew their attention. Given that her parents and their fellow Exiles could open up portals, Cassie recognized a portal right off the bat. Only problem is that Cassie knew their energy signature.

He was as every bit as how her parents and Jax had described him. Well over seven feet tall, with more muscles than Jax. Spiked pauldrons that served as his armor. Giant warhammer slung over one shoulder. And that skull-shaped helmet. Red eyes stared at Cassie like she was a piece of meat.

'Oh, shit,' Cassie mentally cursed as Cap armed himself with his shield. 'It's him.'

Kano, for his part, smirked at Cassie's discomfort.

"Cassandra Cage...the Keeper of the Emerald Light," Shao Kahn intoned.

"Aren't you the popular one," Alex muttered.

"What of it?" Cassie demanded, addressing Kahn.

"You have fire, woman. It is because of that fire that enabled you to defeat not only Shinnok, but also my lady wife and Kitana," Kahn said. "For that, you will have the honor of serving me, both as my concubine and as my chief enforcer."

If Cassie could turn green, then she would be the same color as Cetrion's hair. "One – eww! Two – piss off!"

Kahn chuckled. "I like females with fire." He turned his attention to both Emma and Widow. "You can have those two, Kano, for services rendered. Kill the men, but bring Cassandra Cage to me alive."

Kano grinned evilly. "With pleasure."

Slowly and with purpose, Alex drew Kusanagi. "Sorry to disappoint, but Cassie's my fiance."

"Not for long," Tasia replied. "I'll play with you."

"You heard the Kahn," Kano barked out. "Get 'em!"

BLAM.

Kano saw that this wasn't the same Cassie Cage that he knew back in Earthrealm as she calmly blew a giant smoking hole in the chest of the Black Dragon standing next to him. She died with a surprised look on her face.

Cassie drawing first blood provoked the others into action. Almost immediately, their various firearms were being raised and taking aim at Cassie and her group. One of them managed to fire off a shot at Alex. Bad move.

BLAM.

PING.

While despite being the son of the God of War, Alex was trained by the Japanese kami Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the Chaos King in the art of Japanese swordsmanship in an attempt to overthrow his Olympian kin. It backfired, and now, Alex was firmly in his father's camp.

Tasia saw no wasted movement as in one quick move, Alex deflected the bullet, sending it back towards the gunman. He ended up collapsing onto the ground, choking on his own blood after the bullet went through his throat, the sands absorbing the blood as it gushed from his open wound. Then, he was still, the blood soaking the sands.

Before anyone else could fire their weapons, Emma struck. Blue-tinted lips twisted into a smirk as the various firearms' clips ejected from their weapons, screws untwisting rapidly, causing the weapons to fall into pieces.

"Let's make this a fair fight, shall we?" Emma taunted as her skin hardened.

Kano's response was to unleash a blast from his infared eye, Kano assuming that her powers were similar to Subzero's cryomancy, he let loose a powerful eye blast. Instead of melting, Emma looked unscathed.

"Nice try. Diamond-covered skin," Emma sneered. Without turning to Scott, she said, "Show him how it's done, baby."

Scott took aim at Kano, and fired, Kano barely managed to avoid the optic blast which took down three of Kano's Black Dragons.

Meanwhile, Emma had charged head-first into the horde of Black Dragons, accompanied by Cyclops. Despite Cassie's animosity towards Scott's main squeeze, Emma can hold her own in kombat, but Cassie was her superior, as she had more experience.

Holstering her pistol, she faced off against Kano. The Black Dragon boss was getting back to a vertical base, having avoided Cyclops' optic blast. Gripping his knife in his hand, he saw that Cyclops had his hands full with fighting off the Black Dragon alongside that blond bitch.

But Kano's desire to gut the leader of the X-Men would not come to pass, due to Cassie's intervention. A flying knee caught Kano's jaw, causing him to drop his knife. But Cassie wasn't alone, as the Black Widow joined the demigoddess of fire in the fight, knocking Kano on his ass with a flying kick, Cassie ducking as she sensed Widow from behind.

"Go and help Emma and Scott, Lieutenant," Widow ordered. "I got this."

"Be careful, Nat," Cassie warned. "Kano's not to be underestimated."

The Slavic redhead turned to Cassie and grinned. "Neither am I. Now go."

'You saw the laser beam,' Cassie warned mentally, 'but be on the lookout for his Cannonball. Mom and Dad says that it hurts like a bitch. Plus he's got knives stashed in his boots.'

"Dolzhno byt', Kassandra." (Duly noted, Cassandra.) Widow turned back to Kano, as Cassie rushed in to assist Cyclops and Frost.

Kano spat out blood from his mouth. "So yer a Slav, eh?" He pulled out a second set of knives. "The way ya move...yer a professional. An assassin."

"The finest the Red Room has ever produced," Widow replied. "Your spirit, or your body."

Kano frowned. "What are you goin' on about?" he demanded.

"Exactly which part of you do I break first," Widow clarified. "They call me the Black Widow for a reason. The black widow is considered to be the most dangerous of predators."

"There's dangerous...and there's me, love," Kano replied, before attacking the Russian S.H.I.E.L.D. operative. Widow responded by charging towards the Black Dragon boss.

With this incident – now known as the Clash at Land's End – Kronika's War had begun.