KenCage

KenCage is the slash ship between Johnny Cage and Kenshi Takahashi from the Mortal Kombat fandom.

Mortal Kombat 1
After wrapping on a film, Johnny argues with his wife Cris, following their descent into financial bankruptcy as Johnny is slowly spiralling into a washed up film-star and continues to make poor and unwise purchases, with the most damning of this being a three million dollar katana sword, which Johnny argues that the enriching Japanese history behind the blade makes it a worthwhile purchase. Cris leaves upset and Johnny becomes frustrated with himself. An unknown assailant brandishing a sword then steps out from behind to a confused Johnny, who reveals the sword he had purchased actually belongs to his ancestors and that he wishes to reclaim it without needing to harm him. Johnny doesn't believe the heirloom comes from his family, and says he won't give it up without a fight and the two engage in combat. Johnny wins and manages to knock the man unconscious before tying him to a chair. Later at night, the man awakes to be interrogated by Johnny, who tells him that his name is Kenshi Takahashi. Kenshi reveals that he came to retrieve the sword in order to prove to his clan that he is fit to be it's leader and lead them back to their original status before the blade was lost, however Johnny is still sceptical.

They are then interrupted by a ring from the doorbell, who Johnny opens to be greeted by Liu Kang who is accompanied by Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Scorpion unties Kenshi while Liu Kang explains to Johnny on who they are, and that they need both him and Kenshi to aid them in the upcoming Mortal Kombat Tournament before bringing the two to the Wu Shi Academy for training. Months later during training, Kenshi mocks Johnny for how selfless Johnny is for accepting Liu Kang in his mission only because he wants to get back at his ex, while Johnny refutes that he's only here because he wants to get his sword back. When Raiden, one of the academies trainees must face off against his friend Kung Lao to decide who will serve as the representative for the tournament, Johnny makes bets with Kenshi on who will win, who then tries to push Johnny into making the sword the reward for whoever wins the wager which Johnny chuckles at. Raiden wins, and the group then travel via a portal that Liu Kang conjures to meet with Empress Sindel on the champion they have picked, Johnny then excitedly begins recording Liu Kang's magic with his phone which Kenshi then pushes out of the way as he's walking past.

Raiden makes his way through Sindel's champions with great success and manages to become the victor of the tournament. However, when Liu Kang is notified by The Keeper of Time known as Geras that the sorcerer Shang Tsung, who had previously been a prominent danger throughout the realms in the first timeline, has deviated from his path that was specifically written to keep him from causing havoc in the current one and now slowly rises in influence, Kenshi is instructed to find and bring him in for questioning, and both Kung Lao and Johnny are sent to accompany him as a precaution. Kenshi insists that Raiden should be the one joining him instead of Johnny, to which he takes offense to, before the trio are eventually sent on their mission. They come across Shang Tsung in the desert experimenting on those affected by the deadly Tarkatan disease which once fully develops turns one into a bloodthirsty monster, and Johnny begins to devise a strategy to capture him inspired by one of his movies, which Kenshi quickly shuts down saying that they are not basing strategy on his movies. Shang Tsung retreats once they engage, and the leader of the Tarkatans named Barraka inform the trio where his laboratory is. They infiltrate it, and stumble upon Shang Tsung experimenting on Mileena, the daughter and heir of Sindel who had been infected by the disease. They attack and subdue Shang Tsung before Mileena begins to mutate, as Shang Tsung had developed and was preparing to administer the cure to the disease she already had prior, and Mileena begins to become violent and agressive. Kenshi calls for Johnny to help him, and they momentarily manage to hold her down before a blood lusted Mileena manages to break free and attempts to murder Johnny. Kenshi saves him, but Mileena diverts her attention to him and stabs into his eyes with her sai blades as Johnny yells his name out in horror. Kenshi survives, but is now permanently blinded, and the three are imprisoned after it being framed by Shang Tsung that they were attempting to stop Mileena from receiving her treatment and leak her disease to the public.

Johnny awakes in his cell and runs over to comfort Kenshi, saying that he saved his life and he won't forget that. Johnny then tends to Kenshi's wound and applies his signature red bandana over his eyes. Once they escape, Kenshi protests that they should just leave him here now that he is useless, and Johnny objects saying that his family needs him and he's going to get him home and figure out how to help him. In the forests, Kenshi holds onto Johnny's shoulder to help guide him through. Johnny says that the forests remind him of one of his films and Kenshi reveals he had actually seen it and can picture it exactly. Johnny then stares at Kenshi and brightly smiles. Once they come across the demon known as Ashrah, Johnny questions on what a Netherrealm is after she states that's where she resides, and Kenshi says that the monks had covered upon that in their lessons and questions if Johnny had slept through all of them. Johnny begins to protest when Ashrah prepares for a fight after sensing that Shang Tsung is nearby, saying that he needs to get Kenshi home first and foremost, but they agree that Kenshi agreed to this job knowing the risk and too much is at stake. When observing some of Shang Tsung's subordinates, Johnny places his hand on Kenshi's chest before he can engage, and gifts Kenshi his sword back saying that it's now his. During a battle, the spirits of Kenshi's ancestors begin to guide him within the weapon itself, and in the aftermath, Johnny jokingly tells Kenshi not to forget who gave him the sword in the first place and Kenshi smirks that he wont.

Once it's revealed that the Shang Tsung from the original timeline had survived and had been secretly influencing the Shang Tsung from the current one, Liu Kang assembles an army of warriors all from hundreds of alternate timelines to stop him once and for all. The player is then given the option on who assists Liu Kang in defeating Shang Tsung before the character is returned to their respective timeline. In the aftermath of the battle, Johnny and Kenshi as well as the rest of the group are joined at a resteraunt, where Johnny discusses the new movie he is developing. Kenshi laughs, saying he assumes Johnny will be starring, but Johnny reveals he's stepping behind the camera to write and direct and he's going to let someone younger and prettier take the lead. Johnny offers the group roles in the film he had written for them, but all decline while Kenshi says that he would love to but is busy. When receiving the bill, Johnny says that he can't after the three million dollar hole Kenshi's sword created and asks Kenshi if he would be up to it, who gladly accepts.

Fanon
The pairing between Kenshi and Johnny arguably quickly became the biggest ship to spawn from the newest game. The rivalry between the two developing into a friendship serves as the main storyline for both respective characters and as soon as footage of the game showcased the two facing each other, many commented that the two had undeniable chemistry. Many also think that with the franchise rebooting and the storyline of many characters being altered to give something fresh to fans, Johnny having a romance with Kenshi could feel more fitting now that he isn't just yet in a committed relationship.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Johnny/Kenshi tag on AO3

TUMBLR