The Kombat Kids (MKX AU)

Kindergarten

Cassie remembers that day like it was yesterday.

She remembers her dad's car, the smell of the upholstery and his after-shave.

She remembers the large, gloomy building covered in fading bright colors with the happy lady that showed them the way.

She remembers letting go of her father after crying her eyes out.

That was her first day.

* * * *

Now, it's like her sixtieth day at kindergarten...and she hates it.

Jacqui Briggs, her best friend, sat in front of her. She was doodling a picture of Cassie's uncle Jax.

Jax was Jacqui's father and was really cool.

He has robot-arms and let Cassie drink coffee...which her dad never let her do.

Nevertheless, little Cass was bored and wanted to do something other than draw. She wanted to play, but Jacqui was doing something else.

Still bored and caught up in her own thoughts, she chewed her wad of bubblegum and blew a bubble.

Why couldn't there be someone like her to play with?

Almost as if the universe granted her wish, a familiar figure came through the door. He was tall and wearing a white robe with a funny hat. Cassie recognized him immediately, and so did Jacqui.

"Grandpa Raiden!" The two girls squealed with excitement. They dropped what they were doing and rushed towards the older man.

Cassie wrapped her arms around Raiden's leg and refused to let go. "Take me home!" She whined. "It's so boring."

"I'm sorry Miss Cage, but I am not here to take you home." Raiden sighed, prying her off of him. "I am here to enroll a new student."

"Huh?" Cassie and Jacqui frowned. They could never understand Raiden when he talked in his adult language.

"Here. Let me show you." He smiled, gesturing behind himself. "I would like you to meet Kung Jin. He is a cousin of Kung Lao."

"Wait." Jacqui frowned, pondering that bit of information. "Kung Lao is that guy with a scissor hat, right?"

Raiden couldn't help but chuckle. The little girl's innocence was quite amusing. "Yes." He smiled.

"No!" A squeaky, prepubescent voice argued. "It's a 'razor-rimmed' hat and he tosses it at people like you! He told me himself!"

Cassie's gaze narrowed as she zeroed in on the little boy who said that. He was scowling behind Raiden and attempting to pull his long black hair out of his face.

He was taller than all the other kids and visibly stronger too. There was no way he could be in kindergarten. First grade maybe, but definitely not kindergarten. Once again, Raiden's power had prevailed and broke the rules.

Cassie wondered how he did that all the time.

She'd like to try it.

"This is Kung Jin. He will be joining you today." Raiden sighed, pushing the little boy in front of him and leaving.

Kung Jin pouted, watching as the robed man left.

Just like everyone else.

They always left him.

At least, that's what he thought until the two girls started to show off their curiosity.

"Your hair is really pretty." Jacqui smiled, tugging gently on a stray strand of his black hair. "I wish mine was like yours."