Mortal Kombat 1 Full Transcript

[We get inside the Hourglass. Countless grains of sand fall on a pile of sand, symbolizing the passage of time. The camera focuses on one single grain of sand that explodes to form a new universe. We fly through this new universe and the voice of Lord Liu Kang is heard.]

Lord Liu Kang: Having liberated the Hourglass and become Keeper of Time, my next task was to restart history. Not beholden to past events. I was free to craft a new era. It was with humility, and restraint that I approached this blank canvas. After careful preparation, I began work. Painting over the darkness. After eons passed, I sketched out the realms. After eons more, I brushed them in with life.

[We are descending to the surface of one of the planets, apparently Earth.]

Lord Liu Kang: In my new era, all beings will have the opportunity to find peace. Whether or not they do, will be their responsibility. For my power only permits me to begin this endeavor. It is the duty of mortals to finish it.

MORTAL KOMBAT 1
[Finally we come down to the ground to a lovely autumn garden by a pond with a huge statue of two dragons in the center, and then we go to a small store nearby. A large crowd of people are gathered around the store listening to the merchant.]

Merchant: My friends, your patience is about to be rewarded. For I have saved the best for last. I have recently discovered a cure all of unrivaled potency. It will soon be on the shelves in every home of Outworld. This elixir is crafted from an ancient recipe. It has Patreon flowers. Margovian nectar. Powdered teeth of an Arctikan dragon. All this and more, infused with powerful Lekorian magic. There is a village, in the next canton over, where everyone has purchased this miracle cure. Overnight, all diseases, even Tarkat, have disappeared. Now magic this potent is expensive. And I am sure you're asking yourselves: can I afford it? But the true question you must ask is: can I afford to be without it?

[A menacing voice comes from the crowd.]

Man: You lie, Shang Tsung! Your cures are useless!

[The people part and a large bald black man walks out to Shang Tsung.]

Shang Tsung: I'm sorry. You are?

Man: Someone fool enough to have believed you. My daughter was dying when you came to my farm. You promised a miracle and I gave you all I had. But only days later… …she was dead.

Shang Tsung: (laughing) That is impossible. My magic could not have failed her.

Man: THERE WAS NO MAGIC! I took your elixir to an imperial mage and you know what she said?

[He snatches the medicine bottle out of his hands and smashes it on the ground.]

(glass shatters)

Man: It's nothing. Just borjang tea!

[The man's loud emotional speech did its job. Discontent begins among the gathered people. They surround the dishonest merchant.]

Shang Tsung: (stammers) The mage is mistaken, kind sir. My elixirs are of superior quality. Their efficacy is guaranteed.

[The man grabs Shang Tsung by his clothes and throws him to the ground.]

(angry crowd closes in)

[Day abruptly turns to night. A battered Shang Tsung comes out of his store and sits on the stairs with a box in his hands. Inside the box is a mirror and various things to change his appearance. He takes off his false beard and turns out to be a pretty young guy.]

(thunderclap)

[A creepy looking woman with a hoodie and bright blue eyes approaches him.]

???: It is an excellent ruse, your disguise. Backwater folk are far more likely to trust a kindly old man.

Shang Tsung: Here on behalf of a dissatisfied customer? If it's revenge you want, have at it. If it's restitution… ...there's nothing left.

???: What I want, Shang Tsung, is to elevate you. To make you the great sorcerer that now you can only pretend to be.

Shang Tsung: A generous offer. Why me?

???: You are uniquely resilient. Who else could eke out a living travelling Outworld's hinterlands, selling quack cures and fake magic?

Shang Tsung: (scoffs) A living? It is barely survival.

???: And you were meant for more. To live among kings, not peasant. But since before you were born, you have been conspired against. By those who fear how formidable you could become.

[The woman coming out of the shadows is Kronika.]

Shang Tsung: How do you know this? Who are you?

Kronika: I am your deliverer, Shang Tsung. Join me and I will put the realms at your feet.

[Shang Tsung smiles grimly.]

(thunderclap)

THE NEW ERA / Kung Lao

[The scene switches to a small village. It's a bright day outside. A few people are working in the fields tilling the soil.]

(labored breathing)

Raiden: Huhh… This is a good harvest, Kung Lao.

Kung Lao: (annoyed) Yes "mmmph".... It is a blessing, Raiden.

Raiden: *scoff*... You would rather we starve?

Kung Lao: No, no. Of course not. But we've worked these fields since we were kids. In forty years we'll still be here, stooped and feeble like old man Wei.

Wei: Hmm? *spits*

Raiden: (chuckling) As long as I've known you, you've dreamed of leaving Fengjian. Why can't you be happy here?

Kung Lao: Our ancestors fought in great wars. They died with honor and glory. (sarcasm) Stories of our great adventures... hah... will be passed down for generations.

Raiden: It may not be glorious, but what we do helps the village thrive.

Kung Lao: I know. But is it so wrong to want some excitement?

Raiden: If that's what you want, may I suggest a bet? Dinner at Madam Bo's, tonight. Last to fill their cart pays.

Kung Lao: You work Easter than me? Ha! Since when? You're on, Raiden.

[They shake hands and start harvesting the cabbage. Some time passes. They walk into a restaurant.]

(tea pouring) (smells food in the air)

Kung Lao: That. Is. Amazing.

Raiden: I'm starving. I wonder what Madam Bo is making tonight.

[An old woman approaches them.]

Madam Bo: For you two? Whatever you want.

Kung Lao: Thank you, Madam Bo. You spoil us.

Madam Bo: Like the sons I never had.

[Raiden and Kung Lao sit down at the table.]

Madam Bo: Have you two been practicing my lessons?

Kung Lao: As we can. The harvest leaves us little time for martial arts.

Madam Bo: Since your first words, Kung Lao, you've mouthed nothing but excuses. If you fail to prepare…

Raiden: (completing thought) …your preparations will fail you.

Madam Bo: Good. You haven't forgotten. But we'll see if I make you anything special tonight.

Raiden: I'm glad you're paying. Madam Bo might just pad the bill with her anger.

Kung Lao: I am paying? You finished work last.

Raiden: But I delivered my cart first.

Kung Lao: Delivered? Huh?! The bet was "filled".

Raiden: That's not what I remember.

Kung Lao: So that's how it is, eh? What do you say we settle this man to man? Hmm?

Raiden: (laughing in disbelief) Wait. You mean fight?

Kung Lao: Yes. Right here, right now. Madam Bo can watch, critique our form.

Raiden: Best two out of three?

Kung Lao: Fair enough.

Raiden: We must be careful. Madam Bo will kick us out if we break something.

Kung Lao: (laughing) This won't last long enough for that to happen. You will be down in no time.

(1) KUNG LAO VS RAIDEN

[Kung Lao wins the first round.]

Kung Lao: Must we go another round? We both know how this ends.

[Kung Lao wins the second round.]

(crowd cheering enthusiastically)

[Kung Lao helps Raiden up off the floor.]

Kung Lao: You haven't beaten me yet.

Raiden: The day is coming, Kung Lao.

Kung Lao: (laughing) Keep telling yourself that.

[After a hearty dinner, Raiden looks at the bill.]

Raiden: (sighs) You were hungry.

Kung Lao: *Burp* Ohhh...

Raiden: Everything was delicious, Madam Bo.

Madam Bo: Thank you, Raiden. You boys are always a pleasure to cook for.

[Raiden pays for their lavish dinner and one of the bills flies out of his hands. Smoke catches it. He's at the restaurant with a few of his men.]

Smoke: Madam Bo. The Lin Kuei await your answer.

Madam Bo: I have been busy, Smoke.

Raiden: The Lin Kuei? Who are they?

Kung Lao: Don't know. But I don't like where this is going.

Raiden: What do we do?

Kung Lao: Stay ready.

Smoke: Madam Bo, it is a simple choice. Pay for our protection, or risk harm to this line establishment.

Madam Bo: You'll get nothing from me.

Smoke: That, Madam Bo, is unfortunate.

[His men start trashing the restaurant.]

(panicked screaming)

[Madam Bo herself attacks Smoke.]

Madam Bo: Hiyah!

[They fight briefly, but then Smoke takes the initiative, smashes the old lady's face into the railing and throws her over it. The old lady falls to the first floor, breaking the table underneath her.]

Kung Lao: Madam Bo!!

[They start fighting Smoke’s men, but get caught in a cloud of smoke and get kicked in the face a few times.]

(Raiden and Kung Lan coughing)

(Kung Lao groans in pain)

Smoke: You two are brave. But against us… …you are in over your head.

Kung Lao: We don't care who you are or who you are with! You will not menace Madam Bo!

(2) KUNG LAO VS SMOKE

[Kung Lao wins the first round.]

Kung Lao: You picked the wrong person to extort, ruffian.

[Kung Lao wins the second round.]

Kung Lao: Now who's in over his head?

[He notices that Raiden is still fighting and runs up to him, but sees that he has already defeated several opponents.]

Kung Lao: This was you?

Raiden: Honestly, I'm surprised too.

Kung Lao: Come on. Let's help Madam Bo.

[However, they are in for a little surprise - from the roof they are attacked by Sub-Zero - he releases a large ice star, which the heroes dodge, and from the neighboring corridor comes Scorpion with his harpoon.]

Sub-Zero: Freeze where you stand!

Raiden: How does he do that?!

Kung Lao: (worried) I have no idea.

Sub-Zero: You interfere with Lin Kuei business. Leave, or lace our wrath.

Kung Lao: Abandon Madam Bo? Not happening.

[After his words, Sub-Zero pounces on Raiden, and Scorpion approaches Kung Lao. He throws his harpoon and hooks Kung Lao's leg, then pulls the rope.]

Scorpion: (angry) Get over here!

[However, Kung Lao quickly regains his balance and hits Scorpion with a leg kick to the jaw.]

Kung Lao: Want more? I have plenty. You should have fled when you could.

Scorpion: Prepare to regret ever crossing the Lin Kuei.

(3) KUNG LAO VS SCORPION

[Kung Lao wins the first round.]

Kung Lao: For what it's worth, I'm not regretting this yet.

[Kung Lao wins the second round.]

Kung Lao: It is you who will regret crossing me.

[Meanwhile, Raiden is desperately fighting Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero is much stronger than him and Raiden retreats to the second floor. Kung Lao, seeing their fight, throws his straw hat at Sub-Zero, which of course does no damage.]

*bonk*

Sub-Zero: Ugochh… Incompetent.

[Then Kung Lao throws something resembling a shakram and injures Sub-Zero's arm.]

*nick*

Kung Lao: Ho! That works.

Sub-Zero: I have had enough of you.

Kung Lao: Then go, before I put you down like the rest of your Lin Kuei.

Sub-Zero: You haven't a prayer against the Lin Kuei's grandmaster.

(4) KUNG LAO VS SUB-ZERO

[Kung Lao wins the first round.]

Kung Lao: Sorry, but I have to ask, can any of you Lin Kuei fight?

[Kung Lao wins the second round.]

Kung Lao: Are you sure you're a grandmaster?

[Kung Lao raises his hat and notices a shakram stuck in the wall. An idea pops into his head...]

Kung Lao: Interesting.

[Meanwhile, Raiden is checking on Madam Bo's condition.]

Raiden: Kung Lao, over here!

Kung Lao: (worried) Madam Bo.

Raiden: She’s out cold.

Kung Lao: Oh no. Is she—

[Madam Bo comically abruptly comes to her senses.]

Madam Bo: Dead? Not yet.

[She lights a cigarette.]

Kung Lao: Madam Bo, how are you—

Raiden: Kung Lao!

[He notices a strange hooded man coming down the stairs toward them. He takes off the hood.]

Lord Liu Kang: So, Madam Bo, are they ready?

Madam Bo: A bit thick in the head, perhaps... But they are ready.

Raiden: His eyes are glowing.

Lord Liu Kang: I am Lord Liu Kang. God of Fire and Protector of Earthrealm.

Kung Lao: God? Earthrealm?

Lord Liu Kang: Madam Bo has been preparing you for this moment since you were boys. Today you have proven worthy of joining my champions.

Raiden: This fight was -- a test?

Lord Liu Kang: Of your ability and character, yes. Bi-Han, Kuai Liang.

[The battered Lin Kuei gets to his feet. Sub-Zero and Scorpion come down to Lord Liu Kang.]

Raiden: So these two aren't thugs?

Lord Liu Kang: The Lin Kuei is a centuries-old clan dedicated to Earthrealm's defense.

Raiden: You keep saying Earthrealm. Don't you mean Earth?

Madam Bo: You boys have so much to learn.

Lord Liu Kang: Earth is only a part of Earthrealm… Earthrealm itself is one of many realms. Together they comprise the whole of the universe.

Madam Bo: The realms can be fierce, bitter rivals. That's why we need champions to defend ours.

Lord Liu Kang: The time draws near for the grand martial arts tournament between Earthrealm and the realm of Outworld. Held once each century, it allows each realm to demonstrate its strength. While our realms are at peace, there are Outworlders who would prefer us to be at war. Our victory in the tournament will... temper their zeal.

Madam Bo: I've taught you everything I can. You must finish your training with Lord Liu Kang.

Kung Lao: More training? These two couldn't defeat us.

Sub-Zero: *scoffs*

Madam Bo: *chuckles*

Kung Lao: What?

Madam Bo: They were pulling their punches.

Sub-Zero: Had we not held back, you would not have survived.

Lord Liu Kang: Come. The monks at the Wu Shi Academy await to continue your tutelage.

Kung Lao: I am ready, Lord Liu Kang.

Lord Liu Kang: And you, Raiden?

Raiden: Leave Fengjian? I'm needed here.

Madam Bo: Earthrealm needs you, Raiden. You'll best serve the village by being one of its champions.

Raiden: I understand.

Lord Liu Kang: Excellent. I will join you soon. First, there are other champions I must gather.

MR. A-LIST / Johnny Cage

[Two men are making their way through a dense jungle. One of them is dressed like Indiana Jones and behaves confidently, radiating toughness. His buddy is the classic image of the protagonist's friend Adam, a simple-minded sidekick.]

Adam: We're off the map. We should go back, re-check the route.

Johnny Cage: It’s this way.

[They move on. Johnny mercilessly chops down the thickets in his path and soon they come to the entrance of an ancient temple. The entrance is decorated with a huge, creepy skull.]

Adam: The temple!

[When they get to the entrance they see the corpse of a woman with insects crawling all over her.]

Johnny Cage: Goddammit, Alesia.

[He walks closer to the door to the temple and notices the holes in it.]

Johnny Cage: The darts came from here.

[Johnny pulls out a notebook with his drawings referring to Uncharted, and flips it closed.]

Adam: Can you open it?

Johnny Cage: Without killing us? Let's hope so.

(He manages to open the door to the temple (apparently by solving some kind of puzzle). Johnny and his friend enter the temple with flashlights on.)

Johnny Cage: Turn 'em off.

[They're both turning off the flashlights they just turned on.]

Johnny Cage: Yeah, we're definitely getting warmer.

[They enter a vast room with braziers on the walls with fires burning, illuminating the room.]

Adam: How are these still burning?

Johnny Cage: Oil bubbles up from the ground. The chamber channels it somehow.

[They pass into the next room in the center of which stands a dead man with a shield and a mace.]

Adam: Katara Vala. And his shield!

[He wants to approach the dead man but Johnny stops him.]

Adam: What? So, there's metal in the floor.

Johnny Cage: That's not just any metal. It's liquid mercury.

Adam: Shit. That stuff's toxic.

Johnny Cage: Only step where I step.

[They begin to walk slowly toward the dead man carefully stepping on the rocks. Adam stumbles.]

Johnny Cage: What did I say?

[However, he has already activated a trap that causes the mercury level to rise. Johnny and Adam quickly jump over the rocks to get back to solid ground.]

Adam: I'm sorry, I—

Johnny Cage: Not now.

[He notices a massive rectangular column.]

Johnny Cage: Get out the explosives.

Adam: That's our bridge?

Johnny Cage: Do this right, it'll fall across.

[Suddenly winged female demons appear out of the mercury.]

Adam: The Kalima. They're real?!

Johnny Cage: Keep working. I'll take care of the she-beasts.

She-Beast: You disturb Katara Vala's slumber. For your sin, you die.

(5) JOHNNY CAGE VS SHE-BEAST

[Johnny wins the first round.]

Johnny Cage: I have "so" had enough of you.

[Johnny wins the second round.]

Johnny Cage: Got no time to die, crazy lady.

Adam: You okay?

Johnny Cage: Yes. We ready?

[Adam nods his head and they blow up the column.]

Johnny Cage: Physics, for the win. Let’s go.

[They approach the dead man to examine the shield.]

Adam: This'll be worth millions.

Johnny Cage: It belongs in a museum.

[Suddenly the dead man comes to life and scares Adam who pivots back and falls into the mercury instantly becoming a dried up corpse.]

Johnny Cage: Adam!

Katara Vala: You will not have it.

Johnny Cage: You don't need it, you're dead. Speaking of which, you just killed my best friend. And I'm not one to forgive and forget.

(6) JOHNNY CAGE VS KATARA VALA

[Johnny wins the first round.]

Johnny Cage: This one's for you, Adam.

[Johnny wins the second round.]

Johnny Cage: Now where's that shield…

Katara Vala: I… am not yet defeated.

Johnny Cage: Yes, you are.

[He throws the shield at him, chopping him in half.]

Johnny Cage: Time to go home.

[At this point, the director stops filming - it looks like everything that was happening was just a movie set.]

Director: Cut! Print it!

Johnny Cage: I knew it! I felt that one. You felt it too, right?

Staff: Temple of Katara Vala… Take 39... Tall slate.

[The crew applauds.]

Director: That's a wrap.

[Johnny walks up to the director to shake his hand.]

Johnny Cage: Steven. This was fantastic, thank you.

Steven: Just like the old days.

Johnny Cage: And these props? Jimbo killed it.

Steven: You did too, Johnny.

Johnny Cage: Hey, about my pitch. Y’know, the karate zombie thing? I'm thinking four films. Maybe a streaming series?

Steven: Johnny, I don't—

Johnny Cage: You’re right. Not here. I'll swing by your office after I change.

Steven: I can't. Have to meet with the editors. Marsha will call you.

[The director steps aside.]

Johnny Cage: Great! Have your assistant call me.

[He rubs his neck tiredly. His girlfriend walks up to him.]

Cris: That was great, hon.

Johnny Cage: Wasn't it though? We need to celebrate. I'm thinking "private party".

Cris: Johnny, we need to talk.

[The scene changes to Johnny Cage's huge mansion perched on the edge of a cliff by the sea.]

Cris: You're not the martial arts mega-star you once were, honey. You're lucky Steven owed you a favor.

Johnny Cage: I’m telling you, Cris, we’re fine.

Cris: Can you join me in the fact-based universe? Just once? We're broke. We have to cut back!

Johnny Cage: (scoffs) Cut back? On what?

Cris: Step one is selling this place.

Johnny Cage: I need a refill.

[He walks over to the liquor counter and pours himself a glass.]

Cris: Johnny, we can't keep this up. You spent ten thousand on that sculpture. Thirty thousand on that drone! And this damned sword… Three million dollars!

Johnny Cage: Hey. Sento is history. That sword comes from a—

Cris: That's not the point, Johnny!

Johnny Cage: Cris, honey. The parts, the money. They're coming. Steven's movie is just the beginning. That's why I can't cut back. To be a success, I have to project it. If I don't… "Johnny Cage" is done.

Cris: I didn't marry "Johnny Cage"! I married John Carlton. And I'd give anything to have him back.

[She picks up her purse and heads for the door.]

Johnny Cage: Cris? C'mon, Cris! Where are you going?!
[Cris is coming out of the house.]

Johnny Cage: Fuck.

[He gulps down the alcohol he poured into the glass and goes to pour himself another.]

Johnny Cage: How you like that, Mr. A-List?

[He hears the door open again...]

Johnny Cage: Thank god. Cris, honey, I—

[In front of him stands a young Asian man in an expensive suit and with a sword in his hands.]

Johnny Cage: Where's my wife?! What did you—

Man: Your wife left. She's fine. You will be too, if you cooperate.

Johnny Cage: What do you want?

Man: Sento.

Johnny Cage: You some kind of hired gun? Or do you know Sento's history?

Man: I know it. It's my family blade.

Johnny Cage: No. No way you're Taira clan. They've been dead for centuries.

Man: Not dead. Hiding. With Sento in my hands. I'll lead us out of the shadows.

Johnny Cage: That's a great plan, stranger. Except for one thing. And I won't give it up without a fight.

(7) JOHNNY CAGE VS KENSHI

[Johnny wins the first round.]

Johnny Cage: You tried robbing the wrong house. I am the ultimate home security system.

[Johnny wins the second round.]

Johnny Cage: My house, my rules.

[Johnny ties Kenshi to a chair.]

Johnny Cage: So. You have a name or what?

Kenshi: Kenshi Takahashi.

Johnny Cage: Ha! I knew you weren't Taira clan.

Kenshi: You know nothing, Cage.

Johnny Cage: Four hundred years ago the Taira clan were one of Japan's first families. They lost Sento after getting slaughtered at the Siege of Aomori.

Kenshi: There were survivors. They hid themselves by shedding the name Taira for Takahashi. They joined the Bakuto for its protection.

Johnny Cage: The Yakuza's predecessors… From first family to crime family.

Kenshi: I will break us free of the Yakuza's corruption. Reclaim our name and our position. But my clan won't follow me unless I prove that I can lead. That's why I need Sento.

(doorbell)

Johnny Cage: And that's Malibu's Finest. It's a great story. Bullshit… …but great. You should seriously consider becoming a screenwriter.

[However, Lord Liu Kang, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero appear to be behind the door.]

Johnny Cage: What in the actual fu—

Lord Liu Kang: Good evening. Johnny Cage. I am Liu Kang. Protector of Earthrealm. May we enter?

Johnny Cage: Uh… Nothing's being shot here tonight. You sure 'you're in the right place?

Lord Liu Kang: Yes. We come on a matter of grave importance. We must speak to you and your guest.

Johnny Cage: What? How do you know about him?

Lord Liu Kang: Because I am the God of Fire.

Johnny Cage: Cris, you vixen. Nicely done. Sure. Come right in. Glowing eyes are a nice touch.

Lord Liu Kang: Kenshi Takahashi. A tragic figure with a noble cause. Your actions this evening do you no credit.

Kenshi: Who are these people?

Johnny Cage: You tell me. They're your scene partners.

Lord Liu Kang: I also know of your struggles, Johnny Cage. I am here to offer you both a path forward.

Johnny Cage: (dramatic) Don, dun, doupon. C'mon guys. Let's call this. Cris was a doll to set this up, but… As pranks go this one's eh... a bit obvious.

Lord Liu Kang: This is no prank. Bi-Han, Kuai Liang. If you please?

[Sub-Zero unties Kenshi.]

Johnny Cage: All right, all right. (laughing) I'll play my part in this martial arts LARP. The missus ought to get what she paid for. "Aahh." (clearing throat) Ok. "Ahem" "Ahh..." Hey you—Wait, wait.... Hey, you! Get your damn hands off him. I said… …get your hands off—

[Sub-Zero throws a few quick punches at him and Johnny falls to the floor. An abstract vase on a shelf falls on top of him and shatters.]

Scorpion: Was that necessary, brother?

Sub-Zero: To put him in his place.

Johnny Cage: (in disbelief) That was a Hichuli! One of a kind! All right, I don't care if this a damned prank. You crossed the line!

(8) JOHNNY CAGE VS SUB-ZERO & SCORPION

[Johnny wins the first round.]

Johnny Cage: You guys need a better fight choreographer.

[Johnny wins the second round.]

Johnny Cage: And scene. I hope you're insured because you're paying for my Hichuli.

Sub-Zero: Imbecile! You have no idea with whom you're dealing!

[The Fire God explodes with flames of fury.]

Lord Liu Kang: ENOUGH!

(smoke alarm wailing)

Johnny Cage: Uh… That's no special effect.

Lord Liu Kang: Indeed, Johnny Cage. Kuai Liang?

[Scorpion bows and walks away.]

Johnny Cage: Okay, let's go back to one here. Who are you again?

Lord Liu Kang: Lord Liu Kang. Protector of Earthrealm.

Johnny Cage: Well that last one tracks. But... …what's an Earthrealm?

Lord Liu Kang: All will be explained, Johnny Cage. For now, what is important is that you both have been chosen to join les champions.

Johnny Cage: Why him? Or me for that matter?

Lord Liu Kang: Because I have faith that you will rise to the challenge. And because your service will change the arcs of your lives.

CHOSEN ONE / Raiden

[The scene changes to a temple in China, where many monks train.]

(sounds of monks training)

(sounds of sifting through sand)

[Raiden trains by fighting several monks and defeats them. He is approached by Kung Lao, who has just made a hat with sharp blades on its brim.]

Raiden: That is not a good idea.

Kung Lao: It is genius, Raiden. The next time we see Sub-Zero, I will have to thank him for inspiring it. Ow!

[He cut his finger when he touched the blades.]

Raiden: See? It won't be effective.

[Kung Lao throws his hat and slices through a training dummy. The hat returns to his hands.]

Raiden: Maybe it's too effective.

[Johnny Cage approaches them tired from constant training.]

Johnny Cage: We just need to get on with it. We've been cooped up here for months. I can't base a cinematic universe on Outworld's monsters and magic if I don't ever see them.

Kenshi: That's why you're here?

Johnny Cage: Liu Kang said that this gig would change the arc of my life. That's how it gets done. My ex'll rue the day she gave up on me.

Kenshi: (sighs) So selfless.

Johnny Cage: Oh please. Tattoo. You're just here to get your sword back.

Raiden: We all have our reasons for being here. Some better that others. But we are not here to fight among ourselves. We are here to fight for Earthrealm.

(gong ringing)

Johnny Cage: It's about damn time.

Lord Liu Kang: And today one of you will be chosen to fight for it at the tournament.

Raiden: Only one of us, Lord Liu Kang? Isn't Outworld fielding several champions?

Lord Liu Kang: The tournament's rules give the host realm that advantage. And it is Outworld's turn as host.

Johnny Cage: You know I don't know why I've never asked this, but...uh… (laughs) what's our record at this tournament?

Lord Liu Kang: Earthrealm and Outworld have long been evenly matched. But Outworld is gaining strength. Should it win, its more militant factions will be emboldened.

Raiden: I thought you admired Outworld.

Lord Liu Kang: It is place of great knowledge, wealth, and beauty. But our realms do not share goals and beliefs. We coexist peacefully because Outworld respects our strength. Should we show weakness... our rival will become our enemy.

Kung Lao: I will not lose, Lord Liu Kang.

Lord Liu Kang: First you must win the right to represent us. Whichever one of you outlasts the others will be chosen.

[He sits down on a chair next to a group of monks who are just sitting on the ground to watch the match.]

Lord Liu Kang: Raiden, step forward.

Johnny Cage: (laughs) Good call. Cull the weak first.

Lord Liu Kang: You shall face him, Johnny Cage.

Kenshi: Ready for your close-up?

Johnny Cage: All right, let's do this. But remember, farm boy, I'm a global martial arts icon. I don't think you can handle this much boom.

Raiden: I’m ready, Johnny Cage. My mind and spirit fight as one.

(9) RAIDEN VS JOHNNY CAGE

[Raiden wins the first round.]

Raiden: And that's why I don't need stunt doubles.

[Raiden wins the second round.]

Raiden: This fight was an honor.

Kung Lao: You're welcome…

Lord Liu Kang: Kenshi Takahashi, you are next.

Kenshi: You have skills, Raiden, but you're inexperienced.

Raiden: Whatever experience I lack, I make up for in heart.

Kenshi: It's nerve, not heart, that wins fights.

Raiden: I should know. I've been in hundreds of them.

(10) RAIDEN VS KENSHI

[Raiden wins the first round.]

Raiden: I shouldn't have taken you lightly. I won't do it again.

[Raiden wins the second round.]

Raiden: Do you still question my nerve?

Kenshi: I do not. Yours was a well-earned victory.

Lord Liu Kang: You may rest, Raiden. This evening you will face your final opponent.

[He looks at Kung Lao. Evening is coming. Both opponents rise from their meditation postures.]

Johnny Cage: Fifty bucks says Kung Lao wins.

Kenshi: Make it interesting. Bet me Sento.

Johnny Cage: Ha! Not on your life.

Lord Liu Kang: Raiden. Kung Lao. The winner of this match will represent Earthrealm against Outworld. It is a grave duty, not to be undertaken lightly. You may step back now and suffer no dishonor.

Raiden: I choose to fight, Lord Liu Kang.

Kung Lao: As do I.

Lord Liu Kang: The may the best person win.

[The battle begins!]

Kung Lao: (laughs) Concede, Raiden. You have never beaten me. That won't change today.

Raiden: No? If the monks have taught us one thing… ...it's that the only constant in the universe is change.

(11) RAIDEN VS KUNG LAO

[Raiden wins the first round.]

Kung Lao: That was pure luck, Raiden. Like lightning you won't strike twice.

[Raiden wins the second round.]

Raiden: There is a first time for everything, Kung Lao.

Lord Liu Kang: Although you have all trained well, Raiden has excelled. This outcome does not surprise me.

Kung Lao: How could I have—Congratulations, Raiden.

[Lord Liu Kang takes out a small round metal box with a Medallion inside.]

Lord Liu Kang: For the tournament, you will need this.

[Raiden takes the medallions in his hands. In its center is the Mortal Kombat symbol.]

(electricity crackling)

Lord Liu Kang: Forged by the Elder Gods, it gives the wearer power over lightning and thunder. Go ahead. Try it.

(intensified crackling)

[Raiden hits the statue with a powerful bolt of lightning. Johnny, meanwhile, is filming what is happening on his phone.]

Johnny Cage: Holy Ark of the Covenant!

Raiden: It is Incredible. But is it necessary?

Lord Liu Kang: In addition to possessing great might, the Outworlders you will face also wield great magic. The amulet levels the playing field.

Kung Lao: You must be careful, Raiden. You could get hurt. Even killed!

Lord Liu Kang: No tournament participant has ever been grievously injured or killed. I would never send my champions unwittingly into mortal kombat. We leave in seven days for Outworld's capital, Sun Do. The tournament will be held at the Palace of Empress Sindel.

[The fighters and monks along with Lord Liu Kang enter the temple where he opens a fire portal.]

Lord Liu Kang: Outworld can be both alien and intoxicating to Earthrealmers. Do not become drawn in. You must focus on the task at hand.

[The fighters enter the portal. Johnny, stunned by what's happening, keeps filming on his phone. They enter the portal on the other side and find themselves in a world resembling an Aztec jungle. They are greeted by a small group of locals.]

Johnny Cage: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. Oh my. Are those...

Lord Liu Kang: Empress Sindel's daughters, yes.

Johnny Cage: They do not disappoint.

Raiden: We are Earthrealm's ambassadors, Johnny. We'll show them respect… not unwanted attention.

Mileena: Lord Liu Kang, welcome.

Lord Liu Kang: Thank you, Princess Mileena.

[Unlike the original game here she is not turned into an ugly monster and this is emphasized by the fact that she is not wearing a mask.]

Mileena: You remember my sister?

Lord Liu Kang: Of course. Princess Kitana. May I introduce Johnny Cage… Kung Lao… Kenshi Takahashi... and Earthrealm's champion....

Kitana: I hope you're prepared, Raiden. Our champions are determined to win.

Mileena: None more so than me. It's been too long since we've known victory.

Tanya: Princess Mileena… We should be on our way. Empress Sindel awaits.

Mileena: Thank you, Tanya. Follow me, please.

[A large procession is going down the street, and on the sides of the street are joyful citizens who welcome the soldiers riding in the carriage.]

(singing and revelry) (rhythmic drumbeat playing) (crowd cheering)

[Raiden, who was the center of attention for the first time, looks around happily. Lord Liu Kang furtively looks at him and smiles.]

Raiden: Those are Centaurians… And Shokan!

Mileena: The six-armed beings are Naknadans.

Raiden: The monks described them. But seeing them in person.

Lord Liu Kang: I see that Her Majesty once again spares no expense on the festival.

Mileena: Should she not? It commemorates my late father.

Lord Liu Kang: I admire, Princess. I do not judge. As did all of Outworld. I valued greatly Jerrod's fellowship.

[Mileena notices several bound Tarkatans being led down the street. She bangs her fist on the carriage and it stops, whereupon she approaches the woman who is leading them.]

(knocking)

Mileena: First Consuble! Our route was to be clear. This couldn't wait?

First Consuble: Should I allow Tarkatans to infect the city, Your Highness? Those arrested were harboring some here, rather than report them for quarantine.

Mileena: The Earthrealmers cannot be privy to our secrets, Li Mei. As Sun Do's First Constable, you must show better judgement. Perhaps that's too much to expect.

[Raiden and Lord Liu Kang are watching from the carriage.]

Raiden: Princess Mileena doesn't seem to like her very much.

Lord Liu Kang: Li Mei used to lead the Umgadi, the palace guard. It was on her watch that the Princess's father was murdered.

[They arrive at a huge fancy palace.]

Lord Liu Kang: Worry expends energy for no purpose, Raiden.

Raiden: But the tournament. If I lose…

Lord Liu Kang: Focus on your actions, not the outcome. It is all you can control.

[A large horned man enters the throne room where the heroes and many guests are, pushing those in his way.]

Johnny Cage: Red alert. Incoming stock villain.

Lord Liu Kang: General Shao. Do not let him goad you.

General Shao: (laughing) It is me, or is Earthrealm's champion scrawnier than usual?

Kung Lao: Would you care to test his strength?! Raiden will—

Lord Liu Kang: Will prove himself soon enough.

General Shao: Have you still not told most Earthrealmers that Outworld exists?

Lord Liu Kang: It is safer that way, General.

General Shao: I suppose so. Your people's frail minds couldn't handle the truth.

Lord Liu Kang: You presume them frail, General? Should you... given how frequently they win this tournament?

General Shao: We will destroy your champion, Liu Kang. He will taste no victory.

(trumpeting fanfare)

[Queen Sindel and her daughters enter the throne room. They sit on three thrones.]

Sindel: Welcome, members of the royal house. Welcome, our esteemed Earthrealm guests. We gather once again to honor my late husband's legacy. To continue the tournament that he founded with Lord Liu Kang in hopes that it would foster peace among realms. May Jerrod's soul watch over us with pride from its resting place in the Living Forest. Lord Liu Kang

Lord Liu Kang: Empress Sindel. It pleases me to once again be your guest.

Sindel: Here, you are always welcome. Now. Let us meet your champion.

Lord Liu Kang: Earthrealm's champion is Raiden, Your Majesty. He has earned his place by embodying the very best qualities of Earthrealm's people.

Sindel: You seem nervous, young man.

Raiden: I'm a stranger in an unfamiliar land. Here to compete against its greatest fighters. Yes, I am nervous.

Sindel: As you should be. You have a difficult path ahead.

[The Queen rises from her throne.]

Sindel: It has begun! As tradition requires, Outworld's initial competitor will be Sun Do's First Constable… Li Mei. May she defend our realm's glory as well as she preserves our capital's ender.

Li Mei: Your Majesty. I will honor both the royal house, and all of Outworld, with my kombat.

Sindel: If so, you will vastly exceed my expectations. Remember. Were it not for Jerrod's tradition, you would not be here.

Lord Liu Kang: All you need do is your best. The rest will take care of itself.

Raiden: Yes, Lord Liu Kang.

Li Mei: Shall we see what you can do?

Raiden: Hopefully, this will be the first of many victories.

Li Mei: I will prevail, Earthrealmer. This fight is more important to me than you can ever know.

(12) RAIDEN VS LI MEI

[Raiden wins.]

Raiden: Thank you for the match, First Constable.

(crowd murmuring)

[Li Mei bows bitterly regretting her defeat and leaves.]

Sindel: My compliments, Raiden, on a well-fought match. We'll see how you fare in the next. General Shao. Whom have you chosen as our next competitor?

General Shao: Your Majesty, I have chosen Reiko, my second in command. As a boy, Reiko was orphaned during the Kafallah War. Though captured, his spirit remained unbroken. He scratched, clawed, and survived. After the war, I took him in. Molded him into the perfect soldier. Few others are as well versed in the ways of war.

[Reiko theatrically shows off to Raiden by demonstrating martial arts techniques he knows.]

Reiko: In whose army have you served? In what wars have you fought?

Raiden: I have done neither.

Reiko: Then you are woefully unprepared, Earthrealmer. This will be your last battlefield.

(13) RAIDEN VS REIKO

[Raiden wins the first round.]

Raiden: I may not have faced war, but I am a warrior.

[Raiden wins the second round.]

Raiden: Felled by a simple farmer.

General Shao: *hmph*

Raiden: I am ready for my next opponent, Your Majesty. Whom shall I face?

Sindel: Patience, young man. We are adjourned until first light. I hope to see you all at this evening's banquet.

(folksy music plays)

[In the evening they have a lavish banquet. Kung Lao, unencumbered by table manners, tries to eat as much as he can, which disgusts Kenshi. General Shao and Reiko look at the Earthlings with undisguised malice. Johnny Cage flirts with Kitana.]

Johnny Cage: I'm sorry. You're ten thousand years old? Talk about aging gracefully.

[Raiden is overseeing the process.]

Raiden: What do you see in him?

Lord Liu Kang: He is a hero, Ralden. Though he may not yet know it. Do you recognize everyone here?

Raiden: Most, yes. From your descriptions. Except for him.

Lord Liu Kang: That is Rain, the High Mage of Outworld. Not his given name, but one earned due to his mastery of water magic.

[Mileena can't sit still. It's like she has a stomach ache.]

Tanya: (whispering) Are you unwell, Princess?

Mileena: I am fine, Tanya.

Raiden: I know I'm to fight Mileena... but will I also face Tanya?

Lord Liu Kang: By tradition, you should not. If you did… you would be tested.

Raiden: Why?

Lord Liu Kang: Umgadi, like Tanya, are warrior priestesses… Selected from the first born daughters of Outworld. From infancy, they are trained to defend the royal family.

Raiden: Outworld must see much conflict, if the Empress needs such protection.

Lord Liu Kang: Its past has been difficult. Though the last thousand years of Empress Sindel's reign have been a true golden age... the memories of that strife still linger.

Sindel: My husband Jerrod believed that the future of our realms lay together. Let us move forward in open dialogue... letting no secrets tear our bonds asunder…

Raiden: Your Majesty. It's an honor to be here and to meet your people. I can already see there's more that joins us than divides us.

General Shao: (snarling laugh) Our peoples could not be more different, champion.

Raiden: Excuse me?

General Shao: You heard me. Earthrealmers are devoid of all—

Sindel: That's enough, General.

General Shao: My apologies, Your Majesty. Perhaps I've enjoyed too much of this excellent wine. With your permission—

Sindel: You man go.

[Getting up from his seat he breaks the glass he was drinking from. After a while, he and the queen chat in her private office.]

Sindel: It is bad enough we may lose to the Earthrealmers. But then you go and drunkenly insult them?! You needlessly stain my honor and your family's proud military tradition!

General Shao: May I speak freely, Your Majesty?

Sindel: (exasperated sigh) Again with this? If you must.

General Shao: We must act on the sorcerer's prophecy. He warns that Liu Kang will conquer Outworld.

Sindel: And his predictions are usually impeccable. But I've no proof of Liu Kang's ill intent. His interventions have kept Outworld at peace for centuries.

General Shao: He herds us into compromises, shackles our independence. If we could meet our enemies in battle. We'd—

Sindel: You would consign us to endless war!

General Shao: Better that than be Liu Kang's lapdog.

Sindel: If I see evidence of the prophecy's accuracy, we will act. But only then… ...and only at my command. Did not your illustrious lather teach you that war is the last resort… ...not the first?

General Shao: He did. Your Majesty.

Sindel: Do not forget that, General.

(knocking on door)

Sindel: Come.

[The Queen's daughters enter. General Shao leaves the office.]

Mileena: You asked to see us.

Sindel: I saw what happened this evening.

Mileena: That was nothing. Something I ate.

Sindel: Was it? I can't chance it, can I? If you fight tomorrow, the symptoms of your disease could manifest. Kitana will take your place.

Mileena: What?! (stammering) There are already whispers she should replace me as your heir. This will make them screams!

Sindel: Your Illness is your fault. Why you left the palace that night unattended is still beyond me.

Mileena: I just needed time alone, away from all this. I never thought that --

Sindel: That's your problem, Mileena. You never think.

Kitana: (stammering) Mother is only trying to protect you, sister. If your disease becomes known, you will be banished to the Wastes. For you to hold the throne, we must keep your secret.

[Upset, Mileena leaves the queen's office. The next day, the tournament resumes.]

Sindel: You continue to surprise, Raiden. Among others, you have defeated Kotal, Motaro, and Sheeva. Only two fights remain. Are you ready, Earthrealmer?

Raiden: I am, Your Majesty.

Sindel: Then next you face my daughter… Kitana.

Lord Liu Kang: Your Majesty, this is unprecedented. Raiden's next opponent should be your heir.

Sindel: Mileena is unavailable. She's away on pressing imperial business.

Lord Liu Kang: But I have not prepared him to battle Kitana.

Sindel: He's already demonstrated great skill. (mockingly) Can he not improvise?

Raiden: Do not worry. I can do this.

Lord Liu Kang: Very well.

Kitana: I will be no easier to fight than my sister, Earthrealmer.

Raiden: I suffer under no such delusion, Your Highness.

Kitana: I will win this fight. For her, my Empress, and all of Outworld.

(14) RAIDEN VS KITANA

[Raiden wins the first round.]

Kitana: This isn't done yet. Face me.

[Raiden wins the second round.]

Raiden: You fight well, Princess.

Kitana: As do you, Earthrealmer. Surprisingly so.

Raiden: I hope we meet again. Under different circumstances.

Sindel: It's time for the final match. It's a testament to your abilities that you've made it thus far. But now you must face General Shao.

[The General approaches the throne in his battle helmet and with his battle warhammer in hand.]

Sindel: Victor of Tervarian Wan. Conqueror of the Kuatan Plains. Defender of the Navala Coast. As has his family for generations, General Shao defends us with zeal and tenacity. All of Outworld is grateful for his service.

Raiden: That's a notable list of accomplishments, General.

General Shao: It is a mere fraction of them. A full recitation would take days.

(15) RAIDEN VS GENERAL SHAO

[Raiden wins the first round.]

General Shao: Liu Kang's trained you well. But not well enough to win.

Raiden: It's over. I’ve done it! Congratulations, Raiden. Earthream wins.

(Shao groaning)

[Raiden walks over to the General to help him up.]

Raiden: May I assist you?

[However, the General rejects his hand.]

General Shao: Stay away, Earthrealmer.

Lord Liu Kang: Well done. You have exceeded my greatest expectations.

Raiden: Thank you, Lord Liu Kang.

Lord Liu Kang: Because of you, the Outworlders who would disturb the peace will once again be held at bay. Come. Let us bid our hosts farewell and return to Earthrealm.

Johnny Cage: All right, yeah!

Kenshi: It was impressive!

Kung Lao: That was fantastic, Raiden. You really showed those Outworlders how it's done.

[A short while later, Lord Liu Kang is resting in front of a bonfire flame in the center of the room.]

(fire roars) (whirling sands)

[Geras teleports to him.]

Lord Liu Kang: Geras, my old friend. It's been eons. It is good to see you.

Geras: Likewise, Lord Liu Kang. I have watched you with the Hourglass. You are relishing your role as Earthrealm's Protector.

Lord Liu Kang: It suits me far better than being Keeper of Time ever did. I never wanted to replace Kronika. Being history's architect drove her mad. I had no wish to share her fate. Which is why I am forever grateful that you volunteered to safeguard the Hourglass. Despite my having relinquished its power, the new era has unfolded as it should.

Geras: You created me in your own image. Duty is my highest calling.

Lord Liu Kang: While I am glad you here, you are not one for social calls. Is there trouble with the Hourglass?

Geras: With something it has shown me.

Lord Liu Kang: What, Geras?

Geras: When you restarted history, you altered the destinies of certain malefactors to neutralize them. At least one of them is defying that destiny: Shang Tsung.

Lord Liu Kang: Go on.

Geras: He has escaped his meaningless life and is on his way to becoming a powerful sorcerer. He has already infiltrated Sindel's court.

Lord Liu Kang: I saw no sign of him during the tournament. But if that snake is in Sindel's ear—

Geras: Your vision of peace may already be compromised.

Lord Liu Kang: I appreciate this warning. Geras. I will investigate. Please return to the Hourglass and see what else you can learn.

SECRETS AND LIES / Kenshi

[Kenshi examines a crude drawing that depicts Shang Tsung.]

Kenshi: So we find him in Outworld and bring him here for questioning?

Lord Liu Kang: Yes. If what I fear has happened, he is a grave threat to the realms.

Kenshi: Anything else?

Lord Liu Kang: Shang Tsung is a master of deceit. Do not trust a word he utters.

Johnny Cage: Sounds a lot like my first agent.

Kenshi: It's a tricky mission. I'd rather Raiden go along than this one.

Johnny Cage: Hey! "This one" is up for the job.

[Johnny is wearing a high-tech ninja costume with Sento behind his back.]

Lord Liu Kang: This mission must be done quietly. I am breaking my word with Empress Sindell by sending you into Outworld without her knowledge. Due to the tournament, Raiden is now a familiar face there. Sending him will only increase your risk of being discovered. This tallsman is attuned to Shang Trung's chi. Follow it to him… And be careful. May the Elder Gods protect you.

[Some time passes. Kenshi, Johnny Cage and Kung Lao are wandering through the desert.]

Johnny Cage: Ugh… Are we there yet?

Kenshi: Again? How old are you, five?

Johnny Cage: What can I say? These boots weren't made for walking.

Kung Lao: If that is the most pain you feel today, consider yourself lucky.

Johnny Cage: Oh, I'm already lucky… I've got Senio strapped to my back

Kenshi: I will reclaim it, Cage.

Johnny Cage: Got three million? It's yours.

Kenshi: You know I don't have it.

Kenshi: I bet your Yakuza pals could come up with in. Oh, that's right, you blew them all. If there's one lesson Hollywood's taught me, it's never burn bridges. You never know who can help.

[Kenshi stops and gets more serious.]

Kenshi: The Yakuza are leeches, bleeding out those too weak to resist. I grew up in that life and I never understood it. Why my gain required others' pain. I got out. I need my clan out, too. We can't be part of their crimes any longer.

(Johnny groans)

[They find a gorge where soldiers are trying to contain a large group of Tarkatan.]

(talisman reacting)

[Johnny is filming what's going on with his phone.]

Johnny Cage: What's your precious say?

Kenshi: That Shang Tsung is among those… thing.

Johnny Cage: Oh, my fans are gonna go nuts cosplaying them at Cage Con.

[Two soldiers hold one of the Tarkatan, Baraka, and bring him to Shang Tsung, who is holding a syringe.]

Shang Tsung: Hold him still. If he squirms cannot extract marrow.

Kung Lao: That's Shang Tsung.

Johnny Cage: Let's jump him after he's done. (exclaims) In "Fists of Iron" we did this thing where like—

Kenshi: We're not basing strategy on your movies, Cage.

Baraka: Let me go! You can't do this!

Shang Tsung: The wound will heal in time. It is a small price to pay for progress.

[He stabs the syringe into Baraka's back.]

(screaming in pain)

[Baraka breaks free of the soldiers' grip and attacks. A full-scale riot ensues.]

Johnny Cage: On second thought, this scene's playing fine without us.

Kung Lao: (yawn) Yeah, I say we let them finish it.

Kenshi: We have to save Shang Tsung. Liu Kang needs him alive.

[Shang Tsung transforms into one of the Tartakan and gets lost in the crowd.]

Kung Lao: How did he do that?!

Tartakan: I would've killed him, but for you!

Kenshi: I get why you'd want to, but you can't.

Baraka: You're one of his minions! You'll die in his place!

(16) KENSHI VS BARAKA

[Kenshi wins the first round.]

Kenshi: You haven't stopped him. You've just made him angry.

[Kenshi wins the second round.]

Kenshi: Now please. Let me explain.

[They are surrounded.]

Johnny Cage: You got us into this. How about getting us out?

Kenshi: I know what this looks like, but we don't work for Shang Tsung.

Baraka: If not, why save him?

Kenshi: Because Liu Kang, Earthrealm's Protector, wants to question him. He thinks Shang Tsung may be a threat to both our realms. I'm Kenshi Takahashi.

Baraka: Our kind do not shake hands.

Kenshi: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend.

Baraka: Don't you know what we are?

Kenshi: No, we don't.

Baraka: We are victims of Tarkat. The disease is not easily gotten, but you can't risk more close exposure. It disfigures, then debilitates. In time, it will turn us all into blood-thirsty monsters.

Kenshi: So you weren't always like this?

Baraka: I was once a rich merchant. But when I became ill, I was banished. Now I run this colony. I am Baraka.

Kenshi: What does Shang Tsung want with your bone marrow, Baraka?

Baraka: I don't know. But he comes here each month to harvest it.

Kenshi: Release us and we'll capture Shang Tsung. And we'll find out why he's been coming here, I promise.

Baraka: Let them go.

Kenshi: Thank you. We won't let you down.

[He notices that the amulet broke during the battle.]

Kenshi: Damn. This was guiding us to Shang Tsung. Now we can't find him.

Baraka: His laboratory is near. I'll take you.

Johnny Cage: Any idea what to expect?

Baraka: No. I've never been inside.

Kenshi: Stay here. We'll check it out.

[They enter the lab and go up the stairs. On the Upper Floor, they find Shang Tsung, Tanya and Rain. The heroes go into hiding.]

Shang Tsung: The addition of crushed Kytinn larvae proved an inspired choice. In testing, outcomes improved significantly. I have modified the formula since the last time it was administered. It uses several new ingredients. This new serum is exactly what we need. Its effects will be immediate and long-lasting.

Rain: How can you be sure?

Shang Tsung: Because it is brewed from freshly extracted Tarkatan marrow. It couldn't be more potent.

[Mileena is lying on the operating table. She's unconscious.]

Kung Lao: He is infecting Mileena with Tarkat.

Johnny Cage: And he's got two of Sindel's top dogs in on it. No wonder Liu Kang is worried about this guy.

Kenshi: We need to stop him.

Johnny Cage: Save a distressed damsel? Sure thing.

[They come out of hiding.]

Kenshi: Get away from her!

Johnny Cage: (eyeing Tanya) You bitch!

Kung Lao: Excuse me?!

Johnny Cage: You know, the movie: tiny girl, ginormous alien. (imitates Newt) Riple!

Johnny Cage: Seriously?

Rain: Earthrealmers?! How did they find us.

Tanya: They've already seen too much.

[She attacks Johnny and Kung Lao.]

(chains clanging)

[Kenshi attacks Shang Tsung. He drops the syringe and tries to escape.]

Shang Tsung: I need time. Buy it for me.

Rain: Liu Kang sent you, didn't he? Sent you to learn our secrets!

Kenshi: He sent us here for Shang Tung. But it looks like he's just part of the problem.

(17) KENSHI VS RAIN

[Kenshi wins round one.]

Rain: Think you've won? We are just getting started.

[Kenshi wins round two.]

Kenshi: The High Mage is brought low.

[Meanwhile, Johnny is fighting Tanya, who he clearly can't beat.]

(chains whirling)

[Kenshi throws Tanya off taking her attention back to himself.]

Kenshi: I thought Umgadi were loyal to the royal house. Yet here you are, scheming against the princess.

Tanya: You trespass in Outworld, interfere in imperial matters. It is you, not I, who is the schemer here.

(18) KENSHI VS TANYA

[Kenshi wins the first round.]

Kenshi: Your plot ends here, Umgadi.

[Kenshi wins the second round.]

Kenshi: Your plot is over.

[He approaches the operating table.]

Kenshi: Step away from the table.

Shang Tsung: This is twice you've been a thorn in my side. You Earthrealmers do have unhealthy habit.

Johnny Cage: You heard him. You're not infecting her with Tarkat.

Shang Tsung: I am trying to protect her, not infect her.

Kenshi: We've heard about how you lie. Excuse us if we're skeptical. Cover him.

[He approaches Mileena.]

Kenshi: Princess, are you all right?

Mileena: Is it over?

Kenshi: Yes. You're safe. We've stopped Shang Tsung.

Mileena: Stopped him. Why?!

[She gets sick - she starts to transform.]

Kenshi: Princess! Princess, what's wrong?! (to Shang Tsung) What did you do to her?!

Shang Tsung: It's what you've done, fool! Let me help her, before it's too late.

(Mileena screaming in pain)

[Mileena turns into a monster - her mouth becomes like Tarkatan's hellmouth.]

Monster Mileena: BLAARRGG!

Shang Tsung: Now do you believe, Earthrealmers?

Kenshi: What do we do?

Shang Tsung: Keep her occupied. I need time to finish more serum.

Kenshi: Johnny! A hand?

Johnny Cage: We got pages for this? Or are we winging it?

Kenshi: Whatever we do, we can't hurt her.

Johnny Cage: Her? I'm worried about us.

Kenshi: Princess! We can help you…

Monster Mileena: Your blood (sniffs) I smell it. How sweet it will be to lick off my fingers.

(19) KENSHI & JOHNNY VS MILEENA

[Kenshi wins the first round.]

Monster Mileena: Don't deny me your flesh. I must feed.

[Kenshi wins the second round.]

Kenshi: Johnny! Kung Lao! Help hold her down!

(Mileena struggling)

Kenshi: It's now or never, Shang Tsung!

[Mileena fights desperately. She grabs the sai on the table and pokes Kenshi's eyes out with it.]

Johnny Cage: Kenshi!

[At this moment, Shang Tsung grabs her and injects with the serum.]

(syringe injecting serum)

[Kitana runs into the lab with the royal guards.]

Kitana: By the gods! Mileena! What's happened here, sorcerer?!

Shang Tsung: These men were sent to disrupt your sister's treatment and scandalize Outworld by revealing her illness.

Johnny Cage: What?! That's totally fake news! Princess, we—

[Goro knocks him, Kung Lao and Kenshi out with quick punches.]

General Shao: Thank you, Goro. I've no stomach for Earthrealm lies. We should detain the Earthrealmers and the Tarkatan we found outside.
At least until the Empress is ready to respond to this incursion.

Kitana: Agreed.

[He snaps his fingers and the unconscious heroes are carried out of the lab.]

General Shao: But she must realize that this incident proves Earthrealm's bad faith. We must strike them now to protect ourselves.

Kitana: No. They would not do this. There must be a misunderstanding.

(portal opening)

[Suddenly, a green portal opens up in the middle of the lab from which none other than Quan Chi emerges, but his skin is still a healthy pale red hue.]

Quan Chi: It is no misunderstanding, Princess. It is a confirmation of my prophecy. Left unchecked, Liu Kang will conquer Outworld… I apologize for not arriving sooner, to defend your sister. I am glad she received her treatment.

Shang Tsung: The Princess is safe, but the threat from Earthrealm remains.

General Shao: Yes. Quan Chi, when do you anticipate they will strike?

Quan Chi: Soon. Today's events were foretold in the final quatrains of the prophecy.

General Shao: Then I am right. We must act now, Princess.

Kitana: I will take your concerns to the Empress. It is for her to decide. Rain, Tanya. Assist me.

[Rain carries Mileena out of the lab. He leaves with Kitana and Tanya.]

General Shao: What truly happened here, sorcerer?

Shang Tsung: That the Earthrealmers interrupted the Princess's treatment was happenstance. They were here to capture me for Liu Kang.

General Shao: You? Why?

Shang Tsung: That I must investigate. For now, let us revel in our good fortune. The Earthrealmers' serendipitous arrival has given us ample evidence to convince the Empress of the truth of Quan Chi's prophecy.

General Shao: Conflict with Earthrealm is now inevitable.

Shang Tsung: Not necessarily. The Empress has never been eager for conflict...

General Shao: If she resists, she will be replaced. Outworld needs a steadfast leader.

Shang Tsung: A leader like you, perhaps?

General Shao: If my realm requires it of me. Kill the Earthrealmers. They cannot report back to Liu Kang.

[He's leaving.]

Quan Chi: Their deaths will also feed the ire between realms.

Shang Tsung: Two birds… one stone.

Quan Chi: (laughs) Our benefactor will be pleased.

Shang Tsung: She needs the realms at war, not at the brink of it, in order to conquer them both. Only then will we rule at her side.

Quan Chi: Before she found me, languishing in the mines, I would not have thought such a thing possible. But soon… ...she'll have transformed us from serfs into scions.

(banging on cell bars)

Kenshi: You've been at that for hours.

Baraka: If you could see, you'd know why. (banging continues)

Kenshi: That's not happening, is it? Keep talking, will you? To keep my mind off this. (banging continues) Tell me about life before you got sick.

Baraka: I was doing well, trading goods up and down the Fartakh coast. My family was comfortable, happy. (dejected sigh) Then Tarkat came. It took my wife, then my children. Cruelly it lets me live for now. I think it enjoys ravaging my body more slowly.

Johnny Cage: Ugh. This hangover. Kenshi! Goddamnit. How bad's the pain?

Kenshi: Excruciating.

Johnny Cage: You saved me. I won't forget that.

Baraka: But you may just regret it.

Johnny Cage: What're you—

(banging continues)

(distant screaming)

Johnny Cage: What in the… When did we take the left turn into survival horror?

Baraka: This is Shang Tsung's real laboratory.

Kenshi: We're beneath where we were before. That was a false front.

Johnny Cage: Reminds me of this cheap ass film I did in my early days: The Flesh Pits. God that was trash.

(heavy door swings open)

Johnny Cage: Who's that?

Baraka: Our jailer.

(ravenous eating)

Jailer: How is he?

Johnny Cage: His eyes are gouged out. Guess.

Jailer: That will dull the pain.

Baraka: You're vile to be part of this.

Jailer: You are Shang Tsung's prisoner. I'm his slave. He has my family. He'll kill them if I don't obey.

[Johnny smears ointment on a red bandage and puts it over Kenshi's eyes.]

(Kenshi sighs with relief)

Baraka: Why did he pick you?

Jailer: So he could learn how I shapeshift.

Kung Lao: He learned that from you? We saw him do that. It was unreal.

Johnny Cage: So how does it work? You just shapeshift into anything you want?

Jailer: I can shift only between this and my natural form.

Johnny Cage: Whoa.

[TheJailer appears to be Reptile.]

Baraka: You're Zaterrain. Your race can shape shift?

Reptile: None can except me.

[Shang Tsung teleported towards them in a flash of white light.]

Shang Tsung: Oh, they're ready. It’s time.

Baraka: Time for what, sorcerer?

Shang Tsung: Replication experiment. They begin with your vivisection. I'll use your harvested parts to build new creations. The process is fatal, of course.

Johnny Cage: Liu Kang won't let you get away with this.

Shang Tsung: (chuckling) That presumes he will ever learn what happened. But when I am done, there will be no trace left of you. I shall return soon to check progress. I have other matters to which I must attend.

Baraka: You don't have to do this.

Reptile: It's either you or my family.

(gate opening)

[He opens the cage with a distraught Tarkatan.]

Reptile: Put them in the chambers.

[The cage holding our heroes is also raised. Johnny jumps out of it by grabbing the top edge and attacks the first Tarkatan who runs up.]

Johnny Cage: Ocoaah! Uah!

[A full-scale battle ensues, but Tarkatan manages to defeat Johnny and Kenshi - they are forced into capsule-shaped electrified cages.]

(20) BARAKA VS TARKATAN

(electricity zapping)

Kung Lao: You spoke too soon, Baraka.

[They are attacked by a large mutant.]

Super Tarkatan: RAWR!

(21) BARAKA & KUNG LAO VS SUPER TARKATAN

Baraka: Enough distractions.

[He breaks down the capsule cage doors with his bare hands and lets Johnny and Kenshi out. Kenshi just falls out of the cage since he hasn't really recovered from his injuries yet. The others help him walk.]

Reptile: I'm ruined! Shang Tung will puntali me for this by torturing my family! You'll pay…

(22) BARAKA VS REPTILE

[Baraka wins the first round.]

Reptile: You won’t escape. I won’t let you!

[Baraka wins the second round.]

Baraka: We are leaving.

Reptile: Then kill me. If I die, maybe he'll spare my family.

Baraka: No. I won't murder you.

Reptile: It's mercy, not murder. Not that what I've done deserves yours.

Baraka: You were protecting your family. I would've done the same.

[Shang Tsung teleports into the dungeon. He stares angrily at the mountain of Tartakan bodies. Johnny grabs the Sento lying on the table.]

Shang Tsung: What has happened here? Syzoth, you fool. You've let them ruin everything!

Baraka: (threateningly) We’re going, sorcerer!

Johnny Cage: And we’re taking you with us. Liu Kang would like a word.

Shang Tsung: I cannot be apprehend so easily.

[He turns around reading the spell and directs at them a stream of green magic that forms a green mist.]

Johnny Cage: Yeah, I got a bad feeling about this.

Shang Tsung: I bid you all farewell. Cheer up, Syzoth. I'm reuniting you with your family.

Reptile: They're dead? You killed them?!

Shang Tsung: Many moons ago. I do hate loose ends.

[Reptile is about to attack the sorcerer but teleports away and disappears.]

Johnny Cage: We've gotta get out of here. *coughing*

[Reptile runs to the door, but it's locked.]

Kung Lao: What's wrong?

Reptile: The door must have sealed when the gas was released.

(coughing)

Baraka: Step aside.

TEST YOUR MIGHT: BARAKA

[Baraka breaks down the door with his bare hands.]

(door explodes)

Baraka: Hurry!

Reptile: Follow me. This way.

Kenshi: Leave me. I'll just slow you down.

Johnny Cage: What? Shang Tsung finds you, he'll kill you.

Kenshi: Look at me, Cage! I'm useless. Don't risk your lives to save mine.

Johnny Cage: Hey. You are not giving up. The Taira need you, remember? We are gonna get back home and figure out how to help you. Got it?

[They leave the lab and go outside.]

Kung Lao: We can't linger. We'll be captured. We need help getting Kenshi to the portal at Sun Do.

Baraka: I can take you only to the city's gate. Tarkatans are forbidden inside.

Reptile: I'll see you the rest of the way. It's the least I can do to make amends.

Johnny Cage: God this reminds me of Wicked Planen. We had this forest in the second act—

Kenshi: The manticore battle?

Johnny Cage: Yes! It was a pain to shoot, but man did it come out epic.

Kenshi: I can picture it exactly.

[The characters are slowly walking down the forest path.]

Baraka: This is the Living Forest.

Kung Lao: Aren't all forests living Baraka?

Baraka: No others have tree the house the souls of the dead.

Johnny Cage: Whoa, wait a tick. We're talking ghosts?!

Baraka: Good ones, not evil.

Johnny Cage: You guys know anybody in here?

Baraka: Some distant relatives.

Reptile: You will find no Zaterram.

Kung Lao: Why not?

Reptile: Warm bloods don't welcome us. So we keep to ourselves, living underground in Zikandur province.

Kung Lao: Then how did you meet Shang Tsung?

Reptile: That I could take human form made me a freak among my people. I was terrorized and run out. Starving and beggared, I joined a travelling carnival. Turned out there are many who would pay good money to see my “gift". Back then, Shang Tsung was a huckster. We crossed paths and he saw what I could do. When he began to learn real sorcery, he asked to study me. When I declined, he took my family hostage.

Johnny Cage: Well. That's an offer you can't refuse.

Reptile: He's dangerous. And he has plans. He, General Shao, Rain, they are conspiring.

Kenshi: To do what?

Reptile: I can't say for certain. I've only overheard fragments.

(distant roaring)

[Baraka and Reptile, who is transformed into lizard form, run towards the sound, preparing to fight. When they find the place where the roar came from, they see a woman in white armor killing some creature.]

Woman: Quan Chi sends more demons?!

Baraka: Wait! We're not—

[However, she is already spreading her wings and flying to attack. With a kick, she knocks Reptile to the ground.]

(Reptile groans)

Woman: With each of you I kill, my absolution grows nearer. Shedding your blood brings me closer to the light.

(23) BARAKA VS ASHRAH

[Baraka wins the first round.]

Baraka: Stop this. Killing me won't absolve your sins.

[Baraka wins the second round.]

Baraka: Whoever you are, we are not demons.

Ashrah: If not demons, what are you?

Baraka: He's Zaterran. I am Edenian. Or I was before my Tarkat affliction.

Ashrah: Outworlders?! Apologies. I'm glad I've caused neither of you permanent injury.

[Kenshi, Johnny Cage and Kung Lao approach them. Kenshi can't see the severed heads underfoot, for obvious reasons.]

Kenshi: (smiling) What is that?

Johnny Cage: Just keep swimming. So. Who's our femme fatale?

Ashrah: I am Ashrah, demon of the Netherrealm.

Johnny Cage: Demon? You look human, mostly. And what's a Netherrealm?

Kenshi: The monks covered that with us. Did you sleep through every lesson?

Johnny Cage: That one, apparently.

Kung Lao: (sighs) Netherrealm's hell, but real.

Johnny Cage: No shit.

Ashrah: I appear nearly human because I've purged most evil from my soul. When I'm done, the last vestiges of my demonic form will fade away.

Kung Lao: Why were the demons after you?

Ashrah: They were sent by Quan Chi, my former master. I was part of his Sisterhood of Shadow. He wanted... still wants dominion over the realms. I renounced him when I realized that I could not help him defile them.

Reptile: And now he wants you dead.

Ashrah: Precisely. I followed Quan Chi from the Netherrealm, here. He's building devices that steal souls on a mass scale. He's testing the first on the dead that reside in the forest.

Baraka: Why steal souls, Ashrah?

Ashrah: To harness their power. To what end, I don't know. But I do know that it's to aid the designs of another sorcerer… Shang Tsung.

Johnny Cage: Dammit. That guy's everywhere.

Kenshi: You're sure Quan Chi is here.

Ashrah: My kriss senses him. He's nearby.

[Kenshi touches Johnny's shoulder.]

Johnny Cage: Nope, no. We're getting you home.

Kenshi: We have a job to do. Quan Chi could lead us to Shang Tsung.

Baraka: Your Liu Kang is right. Shang Tsung's a danger that must be dealt with. I will aid you.

Reptile: As will I.

Johnny Cage: (sigh) I guess the ayes have it. Motion carries. Ashrah, lead the way.

[Ashrah smiles at this turn of events and walks down the path with the heroes.]

(kriss reacting)

Ashrah: Quan Chi is close. The emanations of his mill grow stronger.

Baraka: That is a powerful weapon.

Ashrah: And my perfect ally. As I smite the evil it finds, I am further purified.

Johnny Cage: Now I've done steps, so I'm all for self-help. But since when does a demoness want to be less evil?

Ashrah: I had spent eternity demand to the Netherrealm. I had assumed that's all there was to existence. But then I saw Earthrealm, saw Outworld. Saw there was a better way to five. And that to have it, I needed to cleanse my soul. My sister demons were furious at my change of heart. Kia and Jalaaka were the first to hunt me..

Kenshi: Quan Chi is also a demon?

Ashrah: Actually, he's an Outworlder. But he mastered the dark magic needed for unfettered travel to my realm.

[A dragonfly flies by. Reptile eats it with a crunch without a second thought.]

(insect buzzing) (crunching sounds) (Reptile's tongue snaps)

Johnny Cage: Any idea how he buddied up with Shang Tsung?

Ashrah: They share a common benefactor. She plucked them both from obscurity, taught them everything they know. I've never met her, but there's no question that she is a sorceress beyond compare.

(kriss reacting)

Ashrah: Quan Chi is near.

Quan Chi: I am ready for your contributions.

[A vampire demoness with large red leathery wings hands him a red soul stone.]

Quan Chi: Excellent, Nitara. I need yours as well.

Havik: Darrius and I have been thinking, sorcerer—

Quan Chi: Do not try to renegotiate, Havik.

Havik: We need proof that you'll deliver.

Sareena: That he's delivered for Nitara's Vaeternians in all the proof you need.

Nitara: Sareena's right. Because of Quin Chi's magic, my realm's people are no longer poisoned by sunlight. We have finally escape in the shadows.

Quan Chi: Rest assured. The spells you will receive will bring down Orderrealm's government.

Havik: When will we have them, Quan Chi?

Quan Chi: After the attack on Earthrealm… which could be called off if the soul stealer's efficacy isn't demonstrated promptly.

[Havik hands Quan Chi his red stone. The heroes come closer.]

(Quan Chi chanting in the distance)

Johnny Cage: Well this plot just got thicker.

Ashrah: Earthrealm is in grave danger. Just one soul stealer can kill hundreds of thousands. If he unleashes a battery of them—

Baraka: Millions will die.

Kung Lao: He must be stopped.

Ashrah: I will deal with Quan Chi. The four of you subdue the others.

Johnny Cage: Whoa there, big fella. This stop's where you get off.

Kenshi: You heard her! Millions could die.

Johnny Cage: Which is why we don't want you tripping us up out there. Now. Give me your sword.

Kenshi: Why?

Johnny Cage: Just give it.

[Kenshi reluctantly gives him his sword. Johnny Cage gives him Sento in return.]

Kenshi: What?! I can't. Not when you're—

Johnny Cage: You saved my life. It's yours.

UPWARD CLIMB / Ashrah

[Kenshi stays in hiding while the rest of the heroes run towards the sorcerer.]

Nitara: Quan Chi!

Quan Chi: Yet again you evade capture, Ashrah. And now it appears you've found allies.

Ashrah: We are joined against you, sorcerer. You won't be stealing any souls!

[Everyone gets an opponent. Ashrah fights Nitara, Baraka fights Havik, Kung Lao fights Sareena and Johnny Cage gets some black man with glasses. Ashrah manages to wound Nitara.]

Nitara: That blade's enchanted!

Ashrah: It was forged to destroy evil. It's slain many of your vampire kind.

Nitara: We can't help what we are. That we feed on blood doesn't make us evil.

(24) ASHRAH VS NITARA

[Ashrah wins the first round.]

Ashrah: Is that your best, demon? You'll need much more.

[Ashrah wins the second round.]

Ashrah: I am one step closer to redemption.

[Meanwhile, Quan Chi manages to activate the altar. It shoots a stream of green energy into the sky.]

(Quan Chi chanting) (spirits walling)

Johnny Cage: My god. It's a… ...soulnado.

(Quan Chi chanting)

[The outline of a human body appears in the flow of green energy. Ermac emerges from the energy.]

Ashrah: What dark magic is this?!

Ermac: We are Ermac. A collection of souls, bound by Quan Chi's magic. We live to obey his commands.

Quan Chi: Kill them.

[Ermac scatters heroes without much difficulty using his green magic.]

(Ashrah groaning in pain)

Havik: Quan Chi must succeed if I'm to liberate Orderrealm. I'll not let him fail!

Ashrah: Killing one realm to free another is a heinous proposition! One I won't let you fulfil.

(25) ASHRAH VS HAVIK

Ashrah: Take your chaos elsewhere.

Quan Chi: I always feared you would be trouble, Ashrah. You're not compliant like your sisters.

Ashrah: And now they're dead by my hand, because you sent them against me. I'll never forgive you for that Quan Chi!

(26) ASHRAH VS QUAN CHI

[Ashrah wins the first round.]

Ashrah: This has been a long time coming, sorcerer.

[Ashrah wins the second round.]

Ashrah: When I'm finished here, I will finish you.

[All the heroes are desperately trying to fight Ermac, but even together they are nowhere near his strength. Kenshi can hear what's going on.]

Kenshi: I can't let them die.

[He attacks and immediately flies off to the side. He loses his Sento in flight and tries unsuccessfully to find it. However, the sword calls out to him.]

Sento: ...Kenshi Takahashi…

Kenshi: What? Who is that?

Sento: Your ancestors. Come to us. In this, your time of need, the Taira will not fail you.

[Something happens to his eyes - they glow blue and now Kenshi can see, albeit indistinctly. He attacks Ermac and stabs his sword into his chest.]

(Ermac screaming in pain)

[Ermac throws Kenshi away but the sword starts defending him of his own volition by reflecting magic.]

Kenshi: It siphoned his souls. It now has his power!

Ashrah: That was unexpected.

Kenshi: You're telling me. Shall we finish this?

Ashrah: Let's. This fight's not over. I'll defeat all of Quan Chi's minions.

Ermac: We are many. You are one. We will destroy you.

(27) ASHRAH & KENSHI VS ERMAC

Ermac: Quan Chi requires your death. His demand will be satisfied.

Ashrah: Resistance is never pointless.

[Lying on the ground and barely moving Ermac continues to threaten.]

Ermac: We are many. You are one. We will destroy you.

Kenshi: What's wrong with him?

Ashrah: Kombat must have weakened the magic that binds his souls together.

[Suddenly Ermac's eyes glow blue and he begins to speak in other voices.]

Ermac: Sindel! I'll find you!

[After that, he loses consciousness or something like that.]

Kenshi: What was that?

Ashrah: Watch him. I'll shut down the soul stealer.

(crystal shattering)

Quan Chi: Ashrah, don't!

[The ghost that flew out of the well of souls grabs Quan Chi by the head and sucks something out of him, probably his life force. This causes Quan Chi's skin to turn white. He falls to the ground, unconscious.]

Ashrah: Since that didn't kill you, I will.

Kenshi: No, Ashrah!

Ashrah: He's too dangerous to let live.

Kenshi: Liu Kang needs to question him. He knows Shang Tsung's plans.

Ashrah: Very well.

Johnny Cage: Well... clearly underpaid for that. Did you know what it could do?

Kenshi: The legends never mentioned mystical powers. The souls of my ancestors live within it... They intend to guide me.

Johnny Cage: Just don't forget who gave it to you, Takahashi.

Kenshi: I won't, Cage. Now let's get him to Earthrealm.

Johnny Cage: I know home's here for you, Baraka... but Syzoth, Ashrah… You can come with if you want. I'm sure—Liu Kang will welcome you.

Ashrah: I've never had a home. That would be wonderful.

[Meanwhile, in his fortress, Shang Tsung opens a fire portal.]

(chanting)

[Kronika comes out of it.]

Kronika: Report, Shang Tsung—

Shang Tsung: The soul stealers are under construction. Quan Chi tests the final components as we speak.

Kronika: And the army?

Shang Tsung: Will obey your every command… ...once it's been fed sufficient souls. I've also conceived a plan to break the Lin Kuei away from Liu Kang. Instead of defending Earthrealm, they will betray it.

Kronika: Excellent. You have learned quickly, Shang Tsung, and well. You will soon reap the bounty of what you've sown.

NARROW ESCAPE / Reptile

[Reptile, like a ninja, leaps across the rooftops in pursuit of an unsuspecting General Shao. The tournament festivities continue outside.]

(distant crowds cheering) (louder cheering)

Li Mei: Who are these Earthrealmers we're looking for?

General Shao: You have their descriptions.

Li Mei: You can at least tell me why they're here. What they've done.

General Shao: State secrets. Not for your ears.

(Fireworks whistling and bursting)

[The festivities continue. Both princesses stand on a small podium cheerfully greeting people. Mileena, who suddenly looks normal again, is approached by Tanya.]

Tanya: Yes, Princess?

Mileena: Fetch us water please?

Tanya: As you wish.

Kitana: Careful, sister. Entanglements with Umgadi are forbidden. You know their vows.

Mileena: Who told you?

Kitana: No one. I have eyes. As do the snakes at court who would cheer your downfall.

Mileena: The Umgadi's rules are ridiculous.

Kitana: And you can change them when you are Empress. For now, you cannot jeopardize your ascension.

[Mileena is leaving. Meanwhile, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Ashrah knock out some soldiers to change into their clothes.]

Johnny Cage: Night, night, sweet Prince of Darkness. Oh! Perfect. You'll fit right in.

[Ashrah puts on a hat that looks like a huge upside-down deep frying pan.]

Ashrah: You couldn't steal a more functional hat?

Johnny Cage: What? It hides your face. And honestly… ...it suits you.

[Kenshi looks at Quan Chi, who they have also dressed in a masquerade costume.]

Kenshi: I still don't know about this. Carrying him around will attract unwanted attention.

Johnny Cage: Look at it out there. It's like Mardi Gras. People will think he just partied too hard.

[Reptile jumps down to them from the roof.]

Kenshi: What's the word?

Reptile: Go toward the stage, then right to the portal gate. But there are soldiers and constables everywhere.

Kung Lao: Are you sure these are enough? One person spots us… ...and we are dead.

Reptile: And that's why I'll create a diversion.

Kenshi: They're out for you, too, Syzoth.

Reptile: To catch me… …they must see me.

[He becomes invisible.]

Johnny Cage: Damn. You didn't tell me you could go full Predator.

(revelers cheering)

Ashrah: Huff.

Kenshi: We could use that diversion.

(rocket whistling) (explosion) (crowd screaming)

[A few fireworks set the neighborhood on fire. Panic sets in.]

Ashrah: Good work, Syroth.

Tanya: Come, Princess!

Kitana: Unhand me. I'm going nowhere.

(explosion)

General Shao: Douse the fires!

Li Mei: Stand down. General. This is my problem, not the military's.

[She notices a lizard on the roof.]

Li Mei: Look!

General Shao: Syzoth.

Li Mei: You know him? Who is he?

General Shao: Unimportant. But it means the Earthrealmers are here. Reiko!

[The hunt for Reptile begins. Reiko and Li Mei are after him.]

(throwing star whizzing through the air)

(Reptile cries out)

[Knocked off the roof Reptile falls to the sidewalk and clutching his wounded arm runs away.]

Li Mei: I'll get him.

[Meanwhile, Kenshi notices the pursuit of Reptile.]

Kenshi: Syzoth!

Li Mei: Green blood? You're Zaterran. How can you—

Reptile: There is much you don't know. Like what the General is truly up to.

Li Mei: Surrender and I’ll hear you out. I can't if you resist arrest.

Reptile: You arrest me, he'll execute me. That's not how I intend to die.

(28) REPTILE VS MEI LI

[Reptile wins the first round.]

Reptile: My quarrel's not with you. Let me pass.

[Reptile wins the second round.]

Reptile: Know that I am sorry for disturbing Sun Do's peace.

[Meanwhile, Princess Kitana finally gets tired of watching and doing nothing.]

Kitana: (disgusted sigh) Ludicrous.

[She reveals her fans and goes to fight Reptile.]

Tanya: Princess, no! You could be hurt.

Kitana: Insurrection from a Zaterran? This is a day I never thought I'd see.

Reptile: You misread my Intentions. Princess… Sadly, I've no time to explain them.

(29) REPTILE VS KITANA

[Reptile wins the first round.]

Kitana: For one who claims not to be a rebel, you fight tenaciously.

[Reptile wins the second round.]

Reptile: Soon you will know the truth.

Tanya: Guh...

Reptile: Take the Princess and go. My fight's not with her… or you.

Tanya: It is now that you've had your hands on her. I will take your life as punishment.

(30) REPTILE VS TANYA

[Reptile wins the first round.]

I haven't hurt the Princess. This need not continue.

[Reptile wins the second round.]

Reptile: My sentence is suspended, Umgadi.

[Meanwhile, General Shao finds Johnny and his friends.]

General Shao: Found you.

(Quai Chi awakening) (Quan Chi gasping)

[Quan Chi wakes up but is immediately kicked and falls to the ground. After waking up a little, he runs away.]

Goro: What about him?

General Shao: Worry only about the Earthrealmers.

Johnny Cage: This was one of my movies, we'd get saved by a plucky, comic sidekick.

(distant triumphant laughing)

[Kenshi and Reptile jump down to them, grabbing onto the ropes.]

Kenshi: If we die today… ...we die together.

Johnny Cage: Not comic, but definitely plucky.

[A full-scale fight is about to begin!]

(crowd fighting)

General Shao: It's unlike Shang Tsung to leave loose ends.

Reptile: Now that I'm free of him, I'll reveal your conspiracy to all of Ourworld.

General Shao: (laughing) You'll do nothing of the kind. Dead men tell no tales.

(31) REPTILE VS GENERAL SHAO

[Reptile wins the first round.]

General Shao: You've more grit than I expected. It will make your defeat that much more satisfying—

[Reptile wins the second round.]

Reptile: You won't silence me, General.

[The other heroes have also dealt with their opponents but reinforcements are on their way.]

Reptile: We must go. Now!

(Mataro galloping)

[They run away. Johnny manages to punch Goro in the face.]

Johnny Cage: Ha ha!

[Along the way, they encounter a fire portal and run into it.]

(portal opening)

[They find themselves right in front of Lord Liu Kang.]

Lord Liu Kang: Johnny, Kenshi, Kung Lao. You have safely returned.

[He notices that Kenshi is blind.]

Lord Liu Kang: By the Elder Gods!

Johnny Cage: We had a run in with Princess Mileena's inner demons.

Kenshi: She took my sight. But Sento, in its own way, restored it.

Lord Liu Kang: I glad that Sento bonded with you. Though my hope was that the means would be different this time.

Kenshi: This time?

Lord Liu Kang: Forgive me, Kenshi. I misspoke. Go. The monks will tend to your wounds.

Johnny Cage: We found Shang Tsung, but he got away. I can see why you're twitchy about him. He's neck deep in some serious (shit)—

Lord Liu Kang: Rest. Eat. Then we will discuss.

Johnny Cage: Can I also get a martini? Shaken, not stirred? Ahhh. I'm sorry. Meet the newest members of the Earthrealm Player. We wouldn't have made it back without them.

Lord Liu Kang: Ashrah and Syzoth.

Reptile: You know us?

Lord Liu Kang: As Earthrealm's Protector, there is much I know.

Ashrah: Do you also know of my former master, Quan Chi? He colludes with Shang Tsung.

Lord Liu Kang: A new deadly alliance? You must tell me all you know.

Johnny Cage: Well. So much for that martini.

[In the evening standing in his room deep vase with a fire Lord Liu Kang communicates with Geras again.]

Lord Liu Kang: Shang Tsung and Quan Chi again conspire against Earthrealm? What Johnny and Kenshi report should not be possible. You witnessed how I rewrote history. I gave the sorcerers meaningless lives... They should have never gained power, let alone joined forces.

Geras: And your work was flawless. Such would their lives have been, had someone not interfered.

Lord Liu Kang: Interfered? What do you mean?

Geras: Both sorcerers were visited by this person. It is her intervention that bent the arcs of their lives.

Lord Liu Kang: Who is she?

Geras: Unknown. Her identity has been obscured from the Hourglass.

Lord Liu Kang: Who could have that power? Is it Kronika, somehow resurrected?

Geras: Impossible. Titans, once destroyed, cannot be revived.

Lord Liu Kang: Then someone else must have survived the previous timeline… Someone with a vendetta against me.

Geras: It is the only plausible theory.

Lord Liu Kang: You must determine its validity, Geras. The fate all the realms may depend in it.

BAND OF BROTHERS / Sub-Zero

[Sub-Zero and Scorpion await an audience at Lord Liu Kang's chambers.]

Sub-Zero: How long are we expected to linger?

Scorpion: Patience, Bi-Han. There are many demands on Liu Kang's attention. Were he here, Father would advise us to wait without protest.

Sub-Zero: But now he is gone and I am Grandmaster.

Scorpion: His teachings did not pass with him. They should still guide—

Sub-Zero: Guide us, yes. Shackle us, no.

Scorpion: We can't abandon tradition.

Sub-Zero: Mind your place, Tomas. Father may have taken you in, made you one of us... …but your blood will never be Lin Kuei.

Raiden: Lord Liu Kang can see you now.

Sub-Zero: It is about time.

Lord Liu Kang: Shang Tsung is here, at the ruins of Ying Fortress. His soul stealers are already under construction. You must destroy them, and capture Shang Tsung, before either can inflict harm upon Earthrealm.

Sub-Zero: We will leave immediately.

Raiden: And we will join you.

Sub-Zero: You are not Lin Kuei. You would only hinder the effort.

Kung Lao: Raiden and I are more than—

Scorpion: We're trained differently. It takes years to master our ways.

Lord Liu Kang: You and Raiden have my full confidence, but you are needed elsewhere. Go to the Wu Shi. The monks must prepare you for war.

[Sub-Zero, Scorpion and Smoke go on a mission to Shang Tsung Castle.]

Smoke: The only way in is over the walls.

Sub-Zero: We must find a less guarded section before attempting an ascent. Finally we face a worthy foe. Victory will bring us glory.

Scorpion: Glory? We fight for duty.

Sub-Zero: Does our Father's ghost possess you? All I hear is his voice.

Scorpion: We must honor his vision, Bi-Han.

Sub-Zero: Vision is what he lacked. He was blind to our superiority. We settle for defending Earthrealm when we could help lead it.

Scorpion: Our clan doesn't govern. It serves…

Sub-Zero: That is our past. It won't be our future.

[They start climbing up the steep wall which is just a huge crevice. Smoke climbs using a cloud of smoke, Sub-Zero uses kunai, and Scorpion climbs using his hook.]

(winds rushing)

[Suddenly, from behind the clouds, they are attacked by a rabid winged creature.]

Nitara: Screech!

Smoke: (panicked screaming)

[Smoke loses control and goes down, but manages to hook his kunai into the wall.]

Nitara: (guiturail roar)

[She attacks Sub-Zero but is thrown off by Sareena. Scorpion also prepares to fight.]

Nitara: Argh!

Sub-Zero: As a boy I heard tales of battles against your kind. I had thought them tall ones.

Nitara: All Earthrealniers will soon know of Vaeternus. My realm starves and it's coming here to feed.

(32) SUB-ZERO VS NITARA

[Sub-Zero wins the first round.]

Nitara: Think you've overcome me? Think again.

[Sub-Zero wins the second round.]

Sub-Zero: You will end this day hungry.

[He's about to leave but his legs are enveloped in green energy.]

Sub-Zero: What is this?!

Ermac: We are charged with defending the fortress. None will escape us.

[His arms are also entangled with green energy and appear to be hurting Sub-Zero.]

Sub-Zero: Argh!

TEST YOUR MIGHT: Sub-Zero

[Using all of his strength and will Sub-Zero breaks free of his grip. He throws Ermac back with a torrent of ice.]

Ermac: Ooph!

Sub-Zero: You are Quan Chi's creation. Liu Kang warned about you. I had hoped for the chance to battle your dark magic.

(33) SUB-ZERO VS ERMAC

[Sub-Zero wins the first round.]

Sub-Zero: Liu Kang was overly concerned. Your magic does not impress.

[Sub-Zero wins the second round.]

Sub-Zero: You are not so fearsome.

[Smoke and Scorpion run up to him.]

Sub-Zero: You're both unharmed?

Scorpion: We are, brother.

Sub-Zero: Good. After our years of idleness, it pleases me to again face kombat.

Scorpion: I will be pleased when we complete our mission.

[They run cautiously to the castle gates and go inside.]

(running footsteps) (air freezing into ice)

[Quan Chi's voice can be heard from afar.]

Quan Chi: Be careful with what you're handling. We have no time for mistakes. Continue working. I must oversee production of the remaining basins.

Smoke: That's Quan Chi. The other sorcerer Liu Kang described.

Sub-Zero: Kuai Liang and I will capture him. Stay here. Do not let them activate the soul stealers.

[They follow Quan Chi. Sub-Zero picks up a large gold coin.]

Sub-Zero: There will be spoils in this war.

Scorpion: Let us win it first, brother.

(approaching footsteps)

[Sub-Zero and Scorpion are hiding. Shang Tsung enters.]

Shang Tsung: Will the soul stealers be completed on time, Quin Chi?

Quan Chi: Yes. Our benefactor's guidance has proven most helpful.

Scorpion: If we break it, we'll halt their construction.

Sub-Zero: Agreed.

[They leave their hiding place and attack. Quan Chi fires a powerful stream of his magic consisting of multiple skulls, but Sub-Zero simply fights it off with his hand.]

Quan Chi: Ah, the Lin Kuei. We have been expecting you.

Sub-Zero: Were you told also to expect defeat? This ends no other way.

(34) SUB-ZERO VS QUAN-CHI

[Sub-Zero wins the first round.]

Sub-Zero: You should never have come here. I will bury you in this fortress.

[Sub-Zero wins the second round.]

Sub-Zero: Your failure was inevitable.

[Meanwhile, Scorpion is fighting Shang Tsung. Shang Tsung fires a fireball and Scorpion is pelted with coins. In retaliation, Sub-Zero attacks him with a stream of ice.]

Shang Tsung: This is so unnecessary. What I can offer you, you won't decline.

Sub-Zero: Unless it's your surrender… ...I am not interested.

(35) SUB-ZERO VS SHANG TSUNG

[Sub-Zero wins the first round.]

Shang Tsung: It's your choice: I can give you freedom, or I can take your life.

[Sub-Zero wins the second round.]

Sub-Zero: I had hoped for a worthier enemy...

[He creates a huge ice axe out of thin air and prepares to kill Shang Tsung when General Shao's soldiers burst into the room.]

(General Shao's hoard charging)

Sub-Zero: Argh!

[The soldiers are unexpectedly quick to bring both Scorpion and Sub-Zero to their knees.]

(Scorpion and Sub-Zero struggling)

Shang Tsung: Perhaps now you wish to entertain my offer?

Sub-Zero: How would you know what I value? We are strangers to each other.

Shang Tsung: I know that you wish to break free of Liu Kang's control… …to gain your clan unrivaled power… I offer the means to do both.

Scorpion: Ignore him, brother. He promises only corruption.

Shang Tsung: Grandmaster… I am sure you're asking yourself… Can I afford to trust a man I have never met? But the true question your must ask is… Can I afford not to?

[Sub-Zero only raises an eyebrow in response. We are transported to the temple where Heras is studying the CCTV cameras - watching the conversation between Kronika and Shang Tsung that took place some time ago.]

Geras: Ju ah! Ha ta!

Kronika: And you were meant for more. To live among kings, not peasants. But since before you were born, you have been conspired against. By those who fear how formidable you could become. I am your deliverer, Shang Tsung. Join me and I will put the realms at your feet.

Geras: Who are you? Impossible.

CIVIL WAR / Scorpion

[We return to the Shang Tsung fortress. Sub-Zero and Scorpion are led down the corridor in shackles.]

General Shao: My realm and your can have much in common. We both feel the pull of Liu Kang's leash.

Shang Tsung: Once Outworld rules Earthrealm, you will be free to remake the Lin Kuei in any manner you see fit.

Scorpion: Han, don't listen! We must stop them, not—

Sub-Zero: Silence, Kual Liang.

Scorpion: But brother—

Sub-Zero: Obey your Grandmaster! (to Shang Tsung) Can you win this war? Soul stealers are deadly, but they're not enough.

Shang Tsung: You only think so because you don't understand their true purpose.

Sub-Zero: Explain.

Shang Tsung: Emperor Ying built this fortress during one of Earthrealm's most turbulent periods. Enemies beset him on all sides. He built a great army to protect his empire. He built a second one to protect him in the afterlife. This is Emperor Ying's Dragon Army.

[They enter a massive treasury flanked by stone statues of soldiers, some of which look remarkably like the dragon form from the first Dark Souls. There are tons of gold and various jewelry scattered around.]

Sub-Zero: Impressive… But does this history lesson have a point?

Shang Tsung: These statues were constructed, and enchanted, by the great mages in the Emperor's court. They are animated by fragments of souls.

[He pulls a crown from a chest and pours a green liquid from a small bottle over it.]

Shang Tsung: Once alive they fight tirelessly, unburdened by remorse or pity.

[He puts the crown on his head and the statues come to life.]

(stone statues activating) (heavy stone slabs moving in unison)

Shang Tsung: As our ally, you will be given command of several battalions. Few in Earthrealm could then resist the Lin Kuei.

[Sub-Zero approaches Shang Tsung to remove his shackles, thus submitting to his will.]

Scorpion: Bi-Han!! How could you?! Father would turn in his grave if he saw this!

Sub-Zero: He was a doddering old fool! He did us a favor, having that accident. And I was right to let him die.

Scorpion: Let him die?! You said you tried to save him!

Sub Zero: A lie. Because you couldn't, and still can't, lace the truth. Father had doomed the Lin Kuei to mediocrity. Now we will achieve greatness.

[Not accepting his words Scorpion breaks out of the grip of the soldiers and begin to scatter them left and right. He is even attacked by General Shao, but he is unable to resist the warrior, upset to the core of his heart betrayal of his brother.]

General Shao: Ha! (chain breaks)

Shang Tsung: (laughing) He is a feisty one.

General Shao: Are you going to blather or make yourself useful? This Earthrealmer must be neutralized.

(36) SCORPION VS GENERAL SHAO & SHANG TSUNG

[Scorpion wins the first round.]

Scorpion: You may corrupt Bi-Han, but you won't corrupt me.

[Scorpion wins the second round.]

Scorpion: Neither of you are up to the task.

Sub-Zero: Do not let Kuai Liang escape!

[Shang Tsung activates his stone warriors. However, Scorpion burns them with a wall of flame and flees. He enters another room also packed with treasures - many golden moments just lying mountains on the stone floor. He hears voices coming from far away.]

Rain: So the gold's purity is important.

Quan Chi: Pollutants impact efficiency. Like barnacles on a ship's hull, they create drag and reduce speed.

Rain: Heh… I see.

[Scorpion creeps closer. He stands right behind Rain and Quan Chi. Rain spots him in the reflection of the golden ornament and attacks him with a stream of water in the back.]

(rushing water)

Rain: So you've declinal Shang Tsung's offer. I assume your brother has not?

Scorpion: The sorcerer tempted him into forsaking his oath.

Rain: He can be convincing, can't he? Spurning him... is a grave mistake.

(37) SCORPION VS RAIN & QUAN CHI

[Scorpion wins the first round.]

Scorpion: Your scheme will fail. I'll see to it.

[Scorpion wins the second round.]

Scorpion: The mistake is yours, Outworlder.

[Havik runs into the room.]

Havik: What have you done?!

(spear squishes)

[An unequal fight ensues during which Scoripion is grabbed and tries to dunk his head in boiling gold.]

TEST YOU MIGHT: Scorpion

(Scorpion struggling) (Havik screaming)

[Scorpion breaks free and dips Havik's head into the boiling gold. The entire lower part of Havik's face burns.]

Havik: I am not finished. For burning me, you'll burn in the Netherrealm!

(38) SCORPION VS HAVIK

Scorpion: A Lin Kuei's flame is not easily smothered.

Guard: Split up! We must find him!

[Scorpion leaves the fortress and goes outside where Smoke is waiting for him.]

(distant shouting)

Smoke: What happened?! Where's Bi-Han?

Scorpion: He's betrayed us. We're all in imminent danger.

[He briefly summarizes the recent events.]

Smoke: Letting Father die… Forsaking Earthrealm? He's abandoned all reason!

Scorpion: I knew Bi Han's frustrations ran deep. But I never thought they could inspire such madness. We can't let his corruption spread.

Smoke: Whatever it takes, I am with you.

Scorpion: Thank you. We may not share blood, but we are brothers.

[However, Sub-Zero had already caught up with them.]

Sub-Zero: Do your oaths mean nothing?! It's your duty to obey my will!

Scorpion: Not when it betrays Lin Kuei principles. We won't sacrifice them to serve your ambition!

(ice dagger forming)

Sub-Zero: RAAAHH!

[They begin to fight fiercely, but in the end Sub-Zero manages to overpower Scorpion. He stabs him in the face with a dagger, leaving a long scar over his eye.]

(Scorpion cries out in pain)

[Smoke runs up to him.]

Smoke: Kuai Liang!

Scorpion: Stay back! This is my fight.

Sub-Zero: End this, brother! Embrace the future.

Scorpion: I want no part of it! You pervert all that it means to be Lin Kuei!

(39) SCORPION VS SUB-ZERO

[Scorpion wins the first round.]

Scorpion: You disgrace our family and clan!

[Scorpion wins the second round.]

Scorpion: You are my grandmaster no longer.

[He tears off his badge and leaves it lying on the ground to Sub-Zero.]

Smoke: What are you doing? Once he's exposed, won't you be made Grandmaster?

Scorpion: You forget Cyrax and Sektor. Their loyalty to Bi Han is absolute. They'll sooner abet his corruption than follow me. We must chart a new course. One that both that honors our Father's legacy and serves Earthrealm… Help me. We can't leave him here to aid Shang Tsung.

[They take Sub-Zero, who is passed out, and leave the fortress. Shang Tsung activates four green pillars that shoot straight up into the sky. These pillars can be seen from afar.]

Lord Liu Kang: How did you achieve this, sorcerer?

[Geras teleports over to him.]

Lord Liu Kang: You arrive not a moment too soon, Geras. What have you learned?

Geras: In scrutinizing Shang Tsung's first meeting with his benefactor, I made an important discovery. Her life essence, the very time crystals that make up her being… ...are not of this timeline.

Lord Liu Kang: Not of this timeline? How could someone from a previous timeline enter this one?

Geras: That cannot happen.

Lord Liu Kang: If that cannot happen, then what has happened, Geras? There are no other timelines than those that have come before.

Geras: All evidence points to the presence of a second timeline, which exists concurrently with ours.

Lord Liu Kang: Two timelines, side by side, moving forward simultaneously.

Geras: Never in a billion lifetimes have I seen this. But that does not make the other timeline any less real. There can be no doubt that Shang Tsung's benefactor hails from it.

Lord Liu Kang: Hmm.... And who she is, why she's here, where she's from… ...all questions we need answered. Which we can't, while we are under attack. I will go to Sindel. Convince her to withdraw from Earthrealm by showing her how history is being manipulated.

Geras: That will require revealing to her your prior role as Keeper of Time.

Lord Liu Kang: The situation gives me no choice. I will need your help. Geras. To prove my claims to the Empress.

PROTECT AND SERVE / Li Mei

[Lord Liu Kang teleports to the palace. He is met by a group of soldiers led by Li Mei.]

Li Mei: Return home, Lord Liu Kang. I am to let no one pass.

Lord Liu Kang: I must see Her Majesty. She must call off her attack on Earthrealm.

Li Mei: Her decision was unwise, but she no longer seeks my counsel. And I doubt she's interested in yours.

Lord Liu Kang: The Empress has been deceived. Shang Tsung and General Shao have fomented this crisis as a means to steal her throne.

Li Mei: General Shao? I knew he was hiding his true intentions. But join Shang Tsung? (sigh) I knew he couldn't be trusted. Were I still Umgadi, he never would have breathed the same air as the Empress. My palace sources told me he arrived out of nowhere and immediately had the Empress's ear.

Lord Liu Kang: He gained her trust by treating Princess Mileena's condition. Tragically, she is afflicted with Tarkat disease.

Li Mei: Tarkat? The Empress must be beside herself. If Shang Tsung found a treatment, no wonder she embraced him.

Lord Liu Kang: I have shared this with no one. I trust that you of all people, will keep this secret.

Li Mei: Of course. Were it made public, it would bring down the royal family.

Lord Liu Kang: Li Mei, Empress Sindel needs our help. Will you join me?

Li Mei: Emperor Jerrod's death, the pain it caused Empress Sindel, has always haunted me. I failed the royal family once. I won't do so again.

[After a while, Liu Keng and Li Mei are already riding in a carriage to the palace surrounded by a dozen soldiers.]

Li Mei: Everything now makes sense. My Umgadi contacts had said the General's soldiers had been encroaching. But still I can't fathom it. General Shao committing treason?

Lord Liu Kang: It is the fruit of a poisonous seed planted by Shang Tsung. He played to the General's vanity, inflamed his prejudices, to convince him that he alone can save Outworld.

Li Mei: He may be unstoppable. The Umgadi don't have numbers and my constables aren't trained for war.

Lord Liu Kang: Know that I, too, will aid in the Empress's defense.

(heast rearing)

Li Mei: Driver, what is it?

[She gets out of the carriage and sees that there is already a battle going on outside.]

Li Mei: I may need that aid right now.

[Reiko and Motaro approach her.]

Reiko: Return Liu Kang to the portal gate, Li Mei. He isn't welcome in Outworld.

Li Mei: I won't support the General, Reiko. Nor his plot to usurp the throne.

Reiko: Then you won't live to see the new regime.

[Motaro rips off the hands of the nearest soldier and the fight begins. Li Mei returns to the carriage.]

Li Mei: They have us surrounded.

Lord Liu Kang: I am Earthrealm's Protector, Li Mei. I am no stranger to kombat.

Li Mei: Then let's get out there.

[They get out of the carriage and start fighting. Reiko approaches Li Mei.]

Reiko: You should've joined us, not the constabulary. We could've used your Umgadi skills.

Li Mei: Enough! I've no use for a traitor's compliments.

(40) LI MEI VS REIKO

[Li Mei wins the first round.]

Li Mei: I thought Shao's soldiers were better trained.

[Li Mei wins the second round.]

Li Mei: You and your accomplices will face judgement, Reiko.

[In the end, the soldiers of the royal guard defeat the rebels.]

Li Mei: (to Lord Liu Kang) We must leave. Reinforcements will be on the way.

[They arrive at the palace. The royal protector Tanya and some soldiers get in their way.]

Tanya: Word of his arrival precedes you. (to Lord Liu Kang) Surrender if you wish to remain unharmed.

Li Mei: Let us pass, Tanya. The Empress and her family are in danger. He brings word that Shang Tsung and General Shao plot against them.

Tanya: The General?! Are you so easily taken in by lies? Once again, you prove incapable of protecting the royal house.

(41) LI MEI VS TANYA

[Li Mei wins the first round.]

Li Mei: We waste precious time, Tanya. Let's finish this.

[Li Mei wins the second round.]

Li Mei: I'm sorry you made that necessary.

[She and Lord Liu Kang are surrounded by women with spears.]

Li Mei: Priestesses… ...you know who I am. Of my deeds when I was one of you. I may no longer be welcome… but in my heart I am still Umgadi. I will always honor my vows. He is here to end a threat to the Empress. Stand against us and she will lose the throne. Stand with us, and we will save the empire.

[They listen to her because in the next scene Li Mei is leading Tanya bound.]

Tanya: Why didn't you kill me?

Li Mei: Because we mean you no harm.

Lord Liu Kang: And that you live will help prove that fact to the Empress.

[They enter the throne room where Sindel sits on the throne surrounded by her daughters.]

Sindel: How dare you, Li Mei! It's not enough that you let Jerrod be murdered? You'd let Liu Kang destroy the rest of my family?

Li Mei: My heart broke when your husband died. I lost not only my Emperor... but you, my closest friend. I know you may never forgive me… ...but don't be blinded by anger and grief. We are here to help you.

[Tanya tries to strangle her with her own tied hands. A fight breaks out.]

Li Mei: Hurrk!

[Kitana takes out her fans and rushes into the fight too. Mileena also wants to fight, but mother stops her.]

Sindel: No, daughter! Your condition.

Kitana: Your faithlessness astounds, Li Mei! How can you side with Earthrealm against us?!

Li Mei: I am acting for your family's benefit… ...and for Outworld's! If you took a moment, you'd realize it!

(42) LI MEI VS KITANA

[Li Mei wins the first round.]

Li Mei: Your Highness, please. You fight the wrong battle.

[Li Mei wins the second round.]

Li Mei: You must be smarter, Princess.

[Seeing that her sister has lost Mileena rushes into action.]

Sindel: No, Mileena. I forbid it.

Mileena: I must. If I won't risk my life for the throne, I'm not worthy of it.

[Mother with tears in her eyes can't find the words to stop her daughter. Mileena attacks Li Mei and even wins the first confrontation.]

Li Mei: I remember teaching you that, Princes. You were but a girl.

Mileena: Hmph! That was long ago. Much has changed.

Li Mei: My loyalty to your family hasn't. Trust me now as you did then.

[Between them there is a short fight in which Li Mei is the winner.]

Li Mei: Please, Princess. Just listen. We shouldn't fight!

[However, the princess lying face down before turns to her with an already toothy maw.]

Mileena: Haaa…

[Seeing this the mother runs up to her.]

Sindel: Mileena!

[Mileena immediately attacks her mother. Her jaw expands to look more like a Predator's. Li Mei struggles to pull the distraught princess away from her mother.]

Li Mei: Forgive me, Princess. But I won't allow you to hurt yourself or anyone else.

(43) LI MEI VS MILEENA

[Li Mei wins the first round.]

Li Mei: I must be careful. I cannot harm her.

[Li Mei wins the second round.]

Li Mei: Tarkat makes victims of us all.

[The fight ends and Tanya is untied. She approaches Mileena and injects her with a yellow solution.]

(Mileena rasping) (syringe injecting serum)

[Her mouth returns to its previous state.]

Mileena: Uhh...

Tanya: Praise Argus.

Sindel: Thank you. I am in your debt.

Li Mei: No, Your Majesty. There can be no debt between friends.

Lord Liu Kang: I am glad she is safe, and that our conflict has ended.

Sindel: It is paused, not ended. Li Mei has earned my goodwill. Whether you do remains to be seen.

Lord Liu Kang: I seek only peace, Your Majesty.

Sindel: Is that why you send minions on secret missions into my empire? You've proved yourself the enemy I was long warned you would be.

Lord Liu Kang: I understand your anger. But I had reason to believe that Shang Tsung posed a threat to both of us. Until I confirmed them, I did not want to burden you with my suspicions.

Sindel: And now?

Lord Liu Kang: They have proven true. Shnag Tsung. Quan Chi. The General. They conspire to conquer our realms.

Sindel: A serious charge. Where is your proof?

Lord Liu Kang: At Shang Tsung's laboratory. If what you see there does not convince you, I will surrender Earthrealm without a fight.

FOR THE EMPIRE / Sindel

[After such a loud statement, the queen immediately goes to Shang Tsung Fortress and looks around in horror.]

Sindel: Could I have so… misjudge them? For Shang Tsung to indulge in such depravity. For General Shao to condone it… They are not the men I thought them.

Lord Liu Kang: Despite my best efforts, neither man, nor Quan Chi, are who they were meant to be.

Sindel: They’re not your responsibility. They're Outworlders.

Lord Liu Kang: But it is I who crafted their destinies… ...along with those of all other beings, at the dawn of history.

Kitana: You created the realms? Is… your mind addled, demi-god?

Lord Liu Kang: I am a mere demi-god now. But eons ago I was more powerful than all of the Elder Gods combined. I was a Titan, and the Keeper of Time.

[He conjures up Geras.]

Liu Kang: This is Geras.

Geras: Your Majesty. Your Highnesses.

Lord Liu Kang: Geras is the guardian of the Hourglass. A celestial object which lies beyond the realms, the Hourglass regulates time and destiny. When I wielded its power, it was upon me to craft all of existence. Which I did, when I restarted history.

Sindel: Re-started?

Geras: This timeline was preceded by billions more, though this is the first by Liu Kang’s design. The others were designed by his predecessor, Kronika. Kronika was obsessed with equalizing good and evil. When a timeline veered too far to one or the other, she would halt it and restart history. Tinkering with lives and events in the hope of achieving her golden balance.

Lord Liu Kang: In prior timelines, Kronika gave Shang Tsung and Quan Chi mastery of the most vile magics. Shao was not a general, but a tyrannical ruler, bent on conquest. You, Sindel, were his ruthless wife, who would do anything to preserve your privilege. When I took the Hourglass from Kronika, I vowed to do better. So in this timeline, the sorcerers would not gain their dark powers. Shao would be your loyal follower… ...and you would rule Outworld firmly, but fairly.

Geras: But someone has interfered with Liu Kang's design. Shao, Shang Tsung, Quan Chi... all have been groomed by an unknown entity to be the villains they were in previous timelines.

Sindel: Where to begin? Am I to kneel to my creator? Do you expect worship?

Lord Liu Kang: No. Your Majesty. My prior role was thrust upon me by circumstance. I am in no way divine.

Sindel: You had power over all of creation, yet you gave it up.

Lord Liu Kang: Because I saw how it drove Kronika mad. I knew I would fare no better, had I kept it.

(door slams open)

[General Shao enters, surrounded by Rain and Nitara as well as several soldiers.]

Sindel: You. How dare you conspire against Outworld?

General Shao: Not against Outworld, but against your misguided rule.

Sindel: So you sanction these unspeakable horrors? Lie to me about the threats we face? Thanks to you, Earthrealm blood is already on my hands. Bloodshed without cause or provocation!

[General Shao takes out an amulet emitting a red glow.]

General Shao: Don't. Move.

Lord Liu Kang: Empress. Everyone. Stay back!

Sindel: What is it?

Lord Liu Kang: The Amulet of Shinnok. A weapon of terrifying power.

General Shao: It should not exist. Its maker is powerless, as Liu Kang designed.

Lord Liu Kang: Yet more proof of foreign interference.

General Shao: Enough prattle! You'll both bend a knee to Outworld's new emperor.

Lord Liu Kang: Put down the amulet. Its evil is beyond your control.

General Shao: Ha ha ha ha ha! Do you think I’d do battle not trained with my weapons? I am more than prepared!

(Geras, Mileena, Kitana and Tanya scream as they are sucked into the amulet)

(Li Mel and her constables charge the conspirators)

[A full-scale fight begins. Everyone gets an opponent. Nitara attacks Queen Sindel.]

Sindel: AHH! So General Shao casts his lot with Outworld's enemies against me.

Nitara: HISSSS!

Sindel: He's a fool to ally with you bloodsucking fiends!

(44) SINDEL VS NITARA

[Sindel wins the first round.]

Sindel: Still you fight on? It is a pointless endeavor.

[Sindel wins the second round.]

Sindel: You're no better than Shang Tsung's monstrosities.

[After winning, she helps Lord Liu Kang finish Rain off - she knocks Rain out with a leg kick.]

Lord Liu Kang: Tanya and your daughters. They are not dead, but trapped in the amulet. We can still save them.

[However, General Shao stands in their way. He threateningly points the Shinnok’s Amulet at them....]

Li Mei: Yaa!

[...but is kicked in the leg by Li Mei! Sindel picks up the amulet and all the heroes flee, but a group of soldiers try to stop them.]

Lord Liu Kang: Fwah!

[He unleashes a powerful jet of flame at them.]

Sindel:

[Queen Sindel lets out her signature banshee scream! The soldiers are defeated. A pile of stone falls on them from the ceiling.]

Reiko: Detain them!

[In the next room, the fight continues. We see Motaro and Li Mei fighting with soldiers from opposite sides.]

Sindel: It's no surprise that you are party to Shao's treason. Know that it will cost you your life!

Reiko: I owe him mine many times over. Sacrificing it in his service would be an honor.

(45) SINDEL VS REIKO

[Sindel wins the first round.]

Sindel: That Shao misled you makes you no less culpable. You will answer for this crime.

[Sindel wins the second round.]

Sindel: Your rebellion is doomed.

[Meanwhile, General Shao and Rain burst into the room.]

General Shao: Hyah!

[Rain blows a stream of water and Li Mei pushes her queen away from the stream, getting hit herself.]

Sindel: Your betrayal hurts most Rain. I thought of you as a son.

Rain: I've outgrown you, Empress. Shang Tsung's taught me that I've just scratched the surface of my power. To explore it, I can't be bound by your limits!

(46) SINDEL VS RAIN

[Sindel wins the first round.]

Rain: Shang Tsung's taught me more than you know. It's time I show you.

[Sindel wins the second round.]

Sindel: You are forever dead to me.

[Meanwhile, General Shao kills the empress' elite guards with his axe.]

General Shao: Your reign is over, Sindel.

Sindel: I remember the weak, sickly boy you were. How your father fought to push you past your infirmities. Now you repay him by spitting on his ideals. Your revolt shreds every value he held dear!

(47) SINDEL VS GENERAL SHAO

[Sindel wins the first round.]

Sindel: You've forsaken both me and the Empire. Your family name will be forever tarnished.

[Sindel wins the second round.]

Sindel: You are relieved, General.

[Lord Liu Kang runs up.]

Lord Liu Kang: The amulet, Your Majesty.

[Sindel hands him Shinnok's Amulet and Lord Liu Kang uses it to bring back Kitana, Mileena, Geras and Tanya, who had been absorbed by the amulet. Sindel hugs her daughters.]

Lord Liu Kang: I hate to disrupt, but we must act quickly to save Earthrealm.

Sindel: Is that the command of my creator?

Lord Liu Kang: No, Your Majesty. It is the request of a friend.

QUEEN'S GAMBIT / Mileena

[The heroes proceed to the snow-covered castle of Shang Tsung, where he and Quan Chi craft a crown at a well emitting green energy.]

Shang Tsung: We are ready.

Quan Chi: And the soul stealers?

Shang Tsung: Keep them running. I am sure we'll find a use for the collected souls.

[She walks into the main building. Kitana and the others meanwhile quietly eliminate the guards, acting like ninjas. Teaming up with Smoke and Scorpion, they encounter a group of soldiers marching through the courtyard.]

Mileena: Will they stand down, if ordered?

Sindel: No. Those are the General's most loyal lieutenants.

Smoke: They must be neutralized if we are to shut down the soul stealers.

Lord Liu Kang: Yes they do. We should split up.

[The heroes run to attack and start a massive battle in a wide courtyard with many soul stealers on large wooden pedestals. Tanya and Mileena run up to the rightmost soul stealer but at that very moment Ermac descends from the sky.]

Tanya: Stay behind me, Princess.

Mileena: No. We fight together.

[Ermac throws the pieces of the fortress at them and hits Tanya, but the agile Mileena leaps over the debris and almost manages to attack Ermac, but he throws her away. He lifts her and Tanya into the air and throws them against the castle wall.]

(Mileena struggling to stand)

(Tanya groaning in pain)

Mileena: What's wrong?!

Tanya: Guh! My ribs. They may be broken.

[Ermac walks up to them.]

Tanya: Guh! Help me up.

Mileena: No, Tanya. Stay down. This time, I protect you.

Ermac: We are Ermac. It is pointless to resist us.

Mileena: Come any closer and you'll feel the points of my blades.

[She pulls out her sai threateningly.]

Ermac: We are many, you are one. Your souls will become part of our collection.

(48) MILEENA VS ERMAC

[Mileena wins the first round.]

Mileena: You have no chance of taking my soul.

[Mileena wins the second round.]

Mileena: You'll have no part of me, Ermac.

[She runs up to Tanya.]

Tanya: Amazing Mileena. In another life, you could have been Umgadi.

Mileena: I prefer this one, dearest Tanya.

Tanya: Guh...

[Ermac, meanwhile, seems to be struggling with himself...]

Ermac: Uhh_Gah... Raaaaaahhh…

Mileena: We must leave. Quickly.

Jerrod's Spirit: Mileena. Wait.

[Ermac's face is changing.]

Mileena: Father? Is it truly you?!

Jerrod: Yes, Mileena. This body was created from the Living Forest's souls. Mine was one of them. Your attack broke the spell that binds us. Now I am in control.

Mileena: Father!

[Happy, they embrace.]

Jerrod: You are Umgadi, but not Li Mei.

Tanya: I replaced her after your death, Your Majesty. She left the order rather than accept punishment.

Jerrod: Punishment? It was not her fault.

Mileena: A discussion for another time, Father. We must go.

[The others have already destroyed their soul stealers (including apparently the one Mileena couldn't destroy) and are walking victoriously through the empty courtyard. Kitana hugs her father when she sees him.]

Sindel: Jerrod?!

Jerrod: Yes, Sindel. It's me.

[They hug each other out of sheer joy.]

Sindel: Ah! How I've missed you.

Lord Liu Kang: Greetings Jerrod.

[He bows respectfully.]

Jerrod: Liu Kang, my friend. We meet again.

Lord Liu Kang: It is good to have you back. We once again find ourselves in challenging circumstances.

Jerrod: And once again we will prevail. As always, Sindel, I am yours to command.

[The scene changes to the castle itself, where Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are watching a demonstration by their army of reanimated soldiers. Mileena, Smoke and the others sneak in.]

Mileena: How is it they're unaware that the soul stealers are shut down?

Smoke: We are deep within the mountain. From here, they couldn't tell.

Lord Liu Kang: Look at them conspiring. It is history we should not be repeating.

Scorpion: We must take the crown. Without it, he can't raise more warriors.

Sindel: Our odds will improve if we can surround them.

Mileena: I'll distract them while the rest of you get into position. Leave it to me, Mother.

[She sneaks up on the conspirators.]

Mileena: Shang Tsung.

Shang Tsung: Princess Mileena?

Mileena: I bring news from Outworld. Sindel is deposed. General Shao now rules.

Quan Chi: And yet you are still free?

Mileena: To succeed, the General needed help on the inside. I provided it.

Quan Chi: The heir to the throne gives it up willingly?

[As they talk the other heroes creep closer.]

Mileena: Ha! It's a burden I've never wanted. The realm is better left in General. Emperor Shao's hands.

Shang Tsung: A most mature perspective. Outworld benefits from your wisdom.

Mileena: Yes, Shang Tsung. It does… ...But not in the manner that you expect.

[Scorpion attacks the soldiers. The others also join the fight.]

Scorpion: Ssseeehh!

Shang Tsung: A bold gambit, Princess.

Quan Chi: It is an impressive display of guile. Who knew she was so capable?

Mileena: You count yourselves among my doubters? I will count you among the dead.

(49) MILEENA VS SHANG TSUNG & QUAN CHI

[Mileena wins the first round.]

Mileena: Your betrayal will be punished. Do not expect leniency.

[Mileena wins the second round.]

Mileena: There will be consequences for forsaking Outworld.

[Shang Tsung reaches for his crown to activate the soldiers but it is not on his head - it fell off during the fight.]

Lord Liu Kang: Thanks to the Princess, this fight is ended.

Shang Tsung: The fight, perhaps. Not the battle.

Lord Liu Kang: True. Until your benefactor is caught, the realms remain threatened. Who is she, sorcerer?

(Shang Tsung laughing)

Shang Tsung: Speak of the devil. Liu Kang… meet Damashi.

[The crown on the floor begins to glow.]

Lord Liu Kang: Damashi?!

[Four figures appear... Shang Tsung, Sindel, Geras and Evil Raiden... from Mortal Kombat 11, though the faces are tweaked for the new game.]

Lord Liu Kang: You are the victim of deception, sorcerer.

Shang Tsung: You're not Damashi… You're me!

Shang Tsung (MK11): More correctly, you are me. A poor facsimile, anyway, made lesser by Liu Kang's meddling.

Sindel: What's happening here? Who is he?!

Lord Liu Kang: This Shang Tsung is whom I battled for the Hourglass. I thought him dead.

Shang Tsung (MK11): As I did you, Liu Kang—It turns out, our battle released mammoth energies which ripped apart time's fabric. The fight had two conclusions. In one, I was the victor… In the other, it was you. It was eons before I discovered this. Once I did, I knew the path forward.

[He transforms into Damashi... which is a dark version of Kronika from MK11.]

Damashi: I took this form and infiltrated your timeline. I elevated these wretches, giving them great power. Together, they sowed discord among the realms and assembled for me the Dragon Army. I led them to believe they were aiding my conquest of Earthrealm and Outworld. But my intent is to exterminate all life in this timeline and then merge it into my own.

Shang Tsung: You promised us realms. Now you leave us to slaughter?

Shang Tsung (MK11): You were pawns, not partners. Your purpose served, you will be sacrificed.

Quan Chi: We served you loyally. Built you the dragon crown!

[He looks at the crown.]

Shang Tsung (MK11): This? It is a toy. I do not need it to control the Dragon Army, only the souls contained within.

[He breaks the crown releasing the souls that possess the soulless warriors.]

Shang Tsung (MK11): Goodbye, Liu Kang. Neither you, nor your timeline, will be missed.

[He disappears leaving only Dark Sindel and Dark Raiden (MK11). The heroes prepare for battle.]

Shang Tsung: It appears our interests align… for now.

Lord Liu Kang: Know that I trust neither of you. I will finish you both at the first hint of treachery.

[Meanwhile, Dark Raiden and Dark Sindel are preparing to attack.]

Dark Sindel: Screeeech!

Dark Raiden : Hrgn!

[Mileena attacks Dark Raiden, who easily throws her off. Jerrod runs up to her.]

Jerrod: Mileena! What's wrong?!

Mileena: Serum… Wearing off… Must stay in control…

[Her mouth is bristling with fangs. She walks toward Dark Raiden.]

Mileena: Blaarrrhhh! You attack my family?! I will make you suffer!

Dark Raiden: Further resistance serves no purpose. This timeline will be destroyed.

(50) MILEENA VS DARK RAIDEN

[Mileena wins the first round.]

Mileena: You haven't much light left. It won't take long to finish you.

[Mileena wins the second round.]

Mileena: This new Shing Trung should have sent more minions.

Dark Sindel: Ha ha ha! Come forward, if you dare. I will finish what Raiden could not.

[She effortlessly scatters all of Earth's heroes, including Lord Liu Kang. Only Sindel from this reality gets up leaning on her sword.]

Dark Sindel: Your tenacity's to be admired.

Sindel: Until our last breaths are taken... as long as blood flows through our veins… …we are not beaten.

Dark Sindel: (chuckling) Noble sentiments, which in the end matter little. None of you will leave here alive.

[They fight fiercely on katanas. Sindel from our reality wins, but at the last moment Dark Sindel raises her sword with magic hair and stabs Sindel from our reality with it. Mileena approaches her.]

Dark Sindel: Oh, it's so vid to see a child lose her mother.

Mileena: If my mother dies, she won't be the only Sindel to perish.

(51) MILEENA VS DARK SINDEL

[Mileena wins the first round.]

Mileena: This ends when I rip out your heart with my hands.

[Victorious she falls to the stone floor.]

(Mileena struggling)

[Tanya runs up to her with a syringe.]

(syringe injecting serum)

(Sindel gasping)

Kitana: Mother, you can't go. Not yet.

Sindel: It's my time, dear. At least we had a few hours more.

Jerrod: I will cherish them.

[Healed, Mileena runs up to her mother.]

Mileena: Mother.

Sindel: You are now Empress. Rule well.

Mileena: I will, Mother. Father and Kitana will help me.

[However, she is already dead. Jerrod consumes her soul regardless of her will.]

Jerrod: Of course.

Mileena: Father, wh-what did you do?!

Jerrod: I collected your mother's soul. It resides within me. She is safe.

Lord Liu Kang: Hurry, everyone! We must withdraw.

[They leave the fortress going far into the mountains.]

Kitana: To move an army that large among realms he'll need a portal, yes?

Lord Liu Kang: More than one.

Mileena: He will need a nexus ol portal gateways. It must be nearby. We follow them, they will lead us to it.

Lord Liu Kang: Agreed. But we cannot strike until Raiden and Kung Lao arrive.

Smoke: That the Lin Kuei won't aid us is unforgivable. Bi-Han has corrupted them totally.

Scorpion: When this crisis ends, we will deal with that one.

Lord Liu Kang: This is but the opening battle in a longer war. "Titan" Shang Tsung has prepared his entire timeline for it… we cannot match its strength.

Shang Tsung: My counterpart said that your battle with him ripped time's fabric, creating two timelines. But how do we know that it wasn't for further? If there are two timeline, can't there be more?

Lord Liu Kang: Why the thought experiment, sorcerer?

Shang Tsung: You said we lacked strength. We might find it in other timelines.

Scorpion: How would we do that?

Kitana: We gather allies from across timelines… ...other Titans… ...to build an overwhelming force.

Lord Liu Kang: If they exist. We have no proof that they do.

Jerrod: We must fight the battle in front of us. We can't stake our survival on pure conjecture.

Mileena: If Liu Kang is right, the battle in front of us is already lost. This may be our only hope.

Lord Liu Kang: Geras. Your thoughts?

Geras: It is possible. But as I am only the Hourglass's steward, such a search is beyond me. It can only be undertaken by the Keeper of Time.

Lord Liu Kang: And I no longer wield that power.

Geras: You may be able to regain it.

Lord Liu Kang: How do you mean?

Geras: When you gave up control of the Hourglass… ...I worried that, one day, you would find you needed it. So rather than let your power dissipate. I collected it… ...To this day it remains safely stored.

Lord Liu Kang: Why did you never tell me this?

Geras: Because the process of restoring your power is likely irreversible. Returning to the life you have now as Earthrealm's Protector, a life you cherish, may be impossible.

Lord Liu Kang: And you didn't want me tempted to make that sacrifice... unless it was absolutely necessary.

Geras: Correct.

Lord Liu Kang: Thank you, Geras. You have saved us with your wisdom. Now. Where have you stored my power? We must retrieve it.

Geras: It is at the Fire Temple. Stored in the jade jaguar gifted to you by the Great Kung Lao.

[However, Geras turns out to be a traitor. He immediately flees to his master, Titan Shang Tsung.]

Titan Shang Tsung: Yes, Geras?

Geras: Liu Kang has proven more resilient than anticipated. He and his comrades have escaped the fortress.

Titan Shang Tsung: Forget the others, find Liu Kang. He alone threatens my plans.

[Then we see a scene of Geras walking together with Lord Liu Kang... what's going on?]

Lord Liu Kang: You could have picked no better vessel to store my power, Geras. Have always treasured the Great Kung Lao's gift. It reminds me of his meticulous nature and his generous heart.

Geras: Once we retrieve the jade jaguar, we will proceed to the Hourglass. There we will transfer the temporal power stored within it to you.

Lord Liu Kang: It now occurs to me that, all along you have had unfettered access to the power stored within. You could have taken it, become Keeper of Time, but chose not to. Why?

Geras: Because I have faith in your vision for this new era. I am content to be its guardian.

Lord Liu Kang: Thank you, Geras. Now this process you propose. You are sure it will restore my power?

Geras: As sure as I can be of one that has been neither tried nor tested. But even if successful, it is not guaranteed that you will find any other timelines or allies. They may not exist.

Lord Liu Kang: (sighs) I pray this is not a fool's errand. I hate leaving the others behind.

Geras: Your champions will holster their strength against the Dragon Army. It is sure to be the mother of all battles.

Lord Liu Kang: May the Elder Gods protect them…

DEADLY ALLIANCE / Shang Tsung

[Meanwhile, Shang Tsung is also assembling an army. He summoned dark versions of Sub-Zero, Smoke, Scorpion, Kenshi, Rain, and Ermac.]

(distant whirling)

(camera aperture clicks)

(beeping on controller)

[The entire Titan Shang Tsung army is filmed by Johnny with his drone camera.]

Johnny Cage: (chuckles) My ex was so wrong. The 30K I spent on this seems like a steal right now.

Mileena: This... magic is incredible.

[She tries to touch the tablet but Johnny moves away.]

Johnny Cage: Not magic, Your Loveliness. Technology.

Raiden: Either way, it's clear what must happen next. The gateways and the Dragon Army have to be destroyed. Scorpion, have you a plan?

Scorpion: We must divide our forces. You, Shang Tsung, Quan Chi will use your magic to attack the portals. As you do, Kenshi and Jerrod will grind down the Dragon Army. The rest of us will attack our dark doubles. If they're defeated, it will hopefully throw the dragon warriors into disarray.

Quan Chi: An astute strategy.

Shang Tsung: Truly. I could not have devised a better one.

Scorpion: Enough with the empty flattery. If you want our trust, give us actions, not words.

[Meanwhile, at the Titan Shang Tsung Army location, preparations continue for the opening of the portal.]

Dark Shao: It is time. Our venom will spread. It will be the end of all things. Armageddon.

[The heroes are already hiding on top of the mountain. Kung Lao signals and Jerrod and Kenshi attack the Titan Shang Tsung army, throwing huge rocks at them. Smoke and Scorpion throw smoke and fireballs at them. The rest of them attack head-on. Shang Tsung, Raiden and Quan Chi try to break the portal with magic but are prevented from doing so by Ermac, Dark Kenshi on the other side. The two of them manage to overpower the three heroes.]

Shang Tsung: That is unfortunate.

Quan Chi: The battle continues, Shang Tsung.

Shang Tsung: Quan Chi, with me. I, for one, am not pleased we were double-crossed.

Quan Chi: It is an ire I share.

Shang Tsung: May I suggest we harness our anger… and use it to obliterate my doppelganger's minions.

(52) SHANG TSUNG VS DARK KENSHI

[Shang Tsung wins the first round.]

Shang Tsung: Effective but insufficient. You cannot thwart me.

[Shang Tsung wins in the second round.]

Shang Tsung: This pair will trouble us no more.

[After defeating Kenshi Shang Tsung, Raiden and Quan Chi continue to destroy the portal.]

Raiden: Aiiiigh!

(Shang Tsung chanting)

[Dark Rain and Dark Smoke run up to them.]

Shang Tsung: There are more who require our attention.

[Dark Rain surrounds them with a water bubble and then he and Dark Smoke wreck them on the snowy ground.]

Quan Chi: Uuugh.

[Raiden comes to their aid and eliminates both of them with two lightning bolts.]

(Dark Rain and Dark Smoke yelp in pain)

Raiden: You're welcome, sorcerers.

Shang Tsung: Is it me, or is that Raiden becoming insufferable?

Quan Chi: You are not wrong, but it is tomorrow's problem. Let us first solve today's.

(53) SHANG TSUNG & QUAN CHI VS DARK RAIN & DARK SMOKE

[Shang Tsung wins the first round.]

Shang Tsung: Still wish to fight? I will send you to a watery grave.

[Shang Tsung wins the second round.]

Shang Tsung: Problem solved.

Quan Chi: Two of five.

Shang Tsung: It's progress… Now on to the next…

[The three of them attack Dark Shao, and after a long fight where they were only getting hit, they manage to win and use their magic powers to bring the general to his knees.]

Dark Shao: Aaagh!

[The portal is beginning to weaken.]

Shang Tsung: Did you see that?

Quan Chi: His life force is feeding the portals' energy.

Shang Tsung: We kill him, we close them permanently.

[The three of them attack him again with their magical bodies already intending to kil.]

Dark Shao: Rasshhhh!!

[However, they are once again interrupted... this time by Dark Scorpion and Dark Sub-Zero.]

Quan Chi: These meddling minions grow tiresome.

Shang Tsung: Let us finish them.

(54) SHANG TSUNG & QUAN CHI VS DARK SCORPION & DARK SUB-ZERO

[Shang Tsung wins the first round.]

Shang Tsung: Your flame will be snuffed out.

[Shang Tsung wins the second round.]

Shang Tsung: So much for fire and ice.

[Raiden had been fighting the dark version of the general all this time. He almost lost if Shang Tsung hadn't intervened.]

(Raiden groaning)

Dark Reiko: Are you hurt?

Dark Shao: (laughing) I've never been better. Fools. Your spell worked before only because you surprised me. It won't happen again.

(55) SHANG TSUNG & QUAN CHI VS DARK SHAO & DARK REIKO

[Shang Tsung wins the first round.]

Shang Tsung: Size isn't all that matters.

[Shang Tsung wins the second round.]

Shang Tsung: His soul is ours.

[He begins piercing Dark Reiko's neck with particular ferocity with the claws on his armband.]

(Dark Reiko gasps)

[After that he just sucks the soul out of Dark Shao.]

(Dark Shao's panicked screams)

[The portal is closing.]

Raiden: You've done it! The army's trapped.

Quan Chi: All of the other realms in this timeline are safe.

Shang Tsung: Never forget, Raiden… that we risked our lives to perform this service.

Raiden: One that wouldn't have been needed, if you hadn't conspired with the other Shang Tsung.

[They notice that the battle of a huge number of warriors is still going on.]

Shang Tsung: They will fight to the last man.

Raiden: Come. We must help the others.

TIME OF DEATH / Liu Kang

[Lord Liu Kang controls the Hourglass in the temple. He is regaining his Guardian powers.]

Geras: Are you ready to begin the search?

Lord Liu Kang: Ready enough. May there be other timelines and titans to find.

[He summons an uncomprehending Kitana from another world. This version of Kitana looks more like a Chinese woman and wears a green-colored suit.]

MK11 Kitana: Geras? Liu Kang?!

Lord Liu Kang: Easy, Kitana. You are among friends.

MK11 Kitana: What's happened?! Where am I?!

Lord Liu Kang: A long way from home. In a different timeline, to be precise.

MK11 Kitana: What? Are you also a—

Lord Liu Kang: A Keeper of Time? Yes.

MK11 Kitana: Both of us? How is that possible?

Lord Liu Kang: The battle for Kronika's Hourglass ripped apart time's fabric. Where there was once one timeline, there are now many. Each new timeline represents a different possible outcome of that battle. In mine, I became time's keeper. In yours, it was you. In others it could be lade, Sindel, even Kano. The possibilities are endless.

MK11 Kitana: If many timelines sprung from one, and we were both part of it, then you are… ...you are my Liu Kang.

Lord Liu Kang: The same one who battled you in Shang Tsung's Courtyard. Who fought at your side at the Koliseum.

[He takes her hand.]

Lord Liu Kang: Who beamed with pride when you became Outworld's Kahn.

[They're kissing.]

MK11 Kitana: Why does late seem always to conspire against us? To deny us life's simple pleasures?

Lord Liu Kang: I don't know. Perhaps in one of the many timelines, they are ours.

MK11 Kitana: I would like to think you brought me here for them, but… I know you well enough to know better. What duty beckons us?

Lord Liu Kang: I will tell you… But first, we must gather more of our old friends.

Kung Lao: Shang Tsung a titan, wielding the power of the Hourglass.

MK11 Lord Raiden: Yes, Kung Lao. He is a threat to all timelines.

Geras: He is not yet aware of any beyond his and Ulu Kang's.

MK11 Lord Kitana: For now. It is only a matter of time.

MK11 Lord Raiden: I had hoped my victory over Kronika would end the endless cycle of kombat. Sadly it begins anew.

MK11 Lord Kitana: We have no choice. We must stop Shang Tsung.

Kung Lao: The millions in my White Lotus Society will aid us, if needed.

Lord Liu Kang: Thank you, my friends.

[There's a rumbling sound nearby.]

Lord Liu Kang: He is here.

[Titan Shang Tsung shows up with an army of fighters from the previous game. All of them are now wearing different, more evil versions of their costumes.]

Titan Shang Tsung: Liu Kang, you have found allies. Titan allies in fact. How could I have been so blind? Of course our timelines aren't the only two.

Lord Liu Kang: Retreat to yours, Shang Tsung. Your attempt to merge timelines has failed.

Titan Shang Tsung: Yes. Your comrades proved most resourceful. Thus I have resigned myself to simply destroying your timeline. Knowing that others exist to conquer makes that choice much more palatable. Once I destroy your Hourglass, your timeline will cease to exist. I will take great pleasure in finishing you, one last time.

[A full scale battle of famous fighters is about to begin!]

Lord Liu Kang (to MK11 Kitana): You fight how I remember. I know what you'll do before you do it.

MK11 Kitana: Likewise. Let's hope our advantage proves decisive.

(56) LORD LIU KANG & MK11 KITANA VS MK11 BARAKA & MK11 REPTILE

[Lord Liu Kang wins the first round.]

Lord Liu Kang: Why not slither back to your timeline?

[Lord Liu Kang wins the second round.]

Lord Liu Kang: How I've missed fighting by Kitana's side.

(Titan Shang Tsung chanting)

MK11 Tanya: Let's rip the flesh from their bones.

MK11 Kitana: Are Tanyas of all timelines this evil? Mine is no better.

Lord Liu Kang: You should meet mine, she's a vast improvement.

MK11 Kitana: I'd like that, should we survive this battle.

(57) LORD LIU KANG & MK11 KITANA VS MK11 TANYA & MK11 LI MEI

[Lord Liu Kang wins the first round.]

Lord Liu Kang: There's no question that I prefer my Li Mei to you.

[Lord Liu Kang wins the second round.]

Lord Liu Kang: Are you the best Shang Tsung can do?

[However, the entire battle was just a distraction as Titan Shang Tsung was destroying Hourglass.]

Titan Shang Tsung: It has begun!

[Lord Liu Kang is getting sick.]

Lord Liu Kang: Ugh!

MK11 Kitana: Liu Kang!

Lord Liu Kang: We must stop them. If the Hourglass is emptied, this timeline will be destroyed.

[He kicks away Nitara, who saves the blood from Geras.]

Geras: Raaahh!

Lord Liu Kang: Heal quickly, my friend.

[Meanwhile, MK11 Liu Kang and Kung Lao defeat Raiden and turn to Lord Liu Kang.]

MK11 Liu Kang: This battle ends with your timeline obliterated. Your final moments will be torture and pain.

Lord Liu Kang: I don't fear your bravado. I have bested twins, lär more evil than you.

(58) LORD LIU KANG & MK11 KITANA VS MK11 LIU KANG & MK11 KUNG LAO

[Lord Liu Kang wins the first round.]

Lord Liu Kang: It's time to break my mirror image.

[Lord Liu Kang wins the second round.]

Lord Liu Kang: Go back to your timeline, Brothers.

Geras: We have little time. The Hourglass is failing.

MK11 Lord Kitana: Then let us end this now.

Titan Shang Tsung: Be good girls and kill them, won't you?

Dark Kitana: As your command Shang Thing.

Lord Liu Kang: Kitana and I will fight them. You save the Hourglass!

Geras: Yes, Liu Kang.

Shang Tsung: (laughing) Fool. You cannot save it.

MK11 Lord Kitana: I don't know which of them is worse. Both are cracked reflections of me.

Lord Liu Kang: They are abominations. Neither will survive this fight.

(59) LORD LIU KANG & MK11 KITANA VS DARK KITANA & DARK MILEENA

[Lord Liu Kang wins the first round.]

Lord Liu Kang: You deserve this!

[Lord Liu Kang wins the second round.]

Lord Liu Kang: Once Shang Tsung is finished, you will be too.

[He joins the fight for the Hourglass. A massive confrontation begins - three heroes with magical powers Lord Liu Kang, Raiden and Geras versus three villains Titan Shang Tsung, Dark Kitana and Dark Kung Lao are all trying to influence the Hourglass. Some try to destroy it while others try to protect it. The Hourglass begins to crack and sand spills out of it onto the floor, but Titan Shang Tsung has a hard time standing up to it.]

(Shang Tsung struggling)

[He loses his strength and the cracks in the Hourglass disappear.]

Titan Shang Tsung: This isn't over, Liu Kang.

[He retreats with his warriors and disappears into the portal.]

Lord Liu Kang: Thank you, everyone, for your aid. This battle was won together.

MK11 Lord Kitana: Shang Tsung is gone, but he's not defeated. He will be back to renew his campaign.

Kung Lao: Not only against this timeline, but against all timelines.

MK11 Raiden: Our choice is clear. We must take the light to him. Destroy any power he has to make war against us.

Lord Liu Kang: Agreed. Shang Tsung is likely already gathering allies as I gathered you. We must best his efforts. Assemble an overwhelming army from across all timelines.

[He creates a fire portal and the heroes set off.]

ARMAGEDDON

[Lord Liu Kang gathers a huge army of fighters from different universes. There's even a female version of Johnny! We are offered a choice of fighters, but despite such a huge selection we can only use one of the fighters available in the game. I'm going to assume you've chosen Raiden. Lord Liu Kang's vast army stands at the foot of a tall Aztec pyramid. At the top of the pyramid stands Titan Shang Tsung, staring haughtily at those gathered at the foot.]

Lord Liu Kang: There is nowhere to run, Shang Tsung. Nowhere to hide. We have banded together to rid all timelines of your evil. The threat you pose to them ends today.

Titan Shang Tsung: Such certainty, Liu Kang. That this battle will end in your favor.

Lord Liu Kang: It can end no other way. Because across all timelines, the arc of history bends toward justice.

Titan Shang Tsung: Does it? In this timeline, it bends toward me.

(Shang Tsung summons an enormous interdimensional portal)

Titan Shang Tsung: Behold, Liu Kang, the hell I unleash upon you!

[Dark versions of the heroes emerge from the portal. Titan Shang Tsung orders the attack. All fights and dialog will be slightly different when selecting different characters.]

(yelling charge)

[One of the most epic battles in Mortal Kombat history begins. A multitude of heroes face off against a huge number of villains fighting exclusively hand-to-hand for some reason, despite the fact that even a small use of abilities can easily change the balance of the battlefield. Raiden breaks through and faces one of the versions of Sindel, who in her universe has become the Lizard Queen.]

Lizard Queen: Reptiloids are apex predators.

(60) RAIDEN VS LIZARD QUEEN

[Raiden quickly defeats her and runs on. He encounters the purple robot LK-7T2, which is a robotic version of Smoke.]

Raiden: May the Elder Gods protect me.

(61) RAIDEN VS LK-7T2

[He runs forward and punches Dark Kenshi in the face, who tries to attack him with his sword. Quantum-Chi jumps on top of him, which I think is a mix of Quan Chi and Shinnok.]

Raiden: The storm has come.

(62) RAIDEN VS QUANTUM-CHI

[Raiden runs on and runs into Dark Sonya, who in her universe has lost her eye and has become like Kano. She tries to attack Raiden with a knife and laser from her mechanical eye. Raiden defeats her but is attacked by Dark Johnny, who in his universe became Fire God.]

Fire Kage: It's time to wrap this production.

(63) RAIDEN VS FIRE KAGE

[Raiden quickly defeats the show-off but is attacked by Goro with hammers! However, Johnny immediately comes to Raiden's aid, or rather 3 variants at once - a mime, a karate master and a woman. They attack Goro and win (though they quickly die in a pit of green energy). And Raiden is attacked by Dark Kung Lao, who in his universe became Scorpion.]

Scorp Lao: Your fire is no match for mine.

(64) RAIDEN VS SCORP LAO

[Raiden is quickly defeated and runs on. He is attacked by 4 villains with automatic weapons - Tanya, Scorpion, Reiko and Sonya, but I'm not sure how accurate I am in identifying who exactly because the scene happens quite quickly.]

MK11 Lord Kitana: Allow me.

[She mercilessly kills villains by cutting off their heads.]

Raiden: Thank you, Kitana.

MK11 Lord Kitana: You're welcome. Now hurry. There's no time to waste.

[She is immediately knocked down and Raiden attacks Dark Kenshi, who in his universe became Rain.]

Sento Storm: You can't fight in blinding rain.

(65) RAIDEN VS SENTO STORM

[After winning, Raiden is attacked by a female version of Kung Lao, but quickly wins. He is then approached by Dark Shao, who in his universe has become Sub-Zero.]

Shao-Zero: You won't withstand my lightning.

(66) RAIDEN VS SHAO-ZERO

[With the win Raiden finally makes it to the top.]

Titan Shang Tsung: Assist me, Quan Chi.

[Together they create a huge fireball and try to kill Raiden but he dodges it. The ball hits the fighters below apparently killing some of them. Raiden is attacked by several Dark Mileena. He kills several, but the last one rolls on the ground and tries to impale him with her sai.]

TEST YOUR MIGHT: RAIDEN

[Raiden overpowers Dark Mileena and sticks her own sai in her eyes. Meanwhile, Titan Shang Tsung and Quan Chi prepare to launch another fireball but are thwarted by their good versions who attack and defeat them.]

Good Shang Tsung: Hurry, Raiden! You are almost there!

[Titan Shang Tsung then not only sucks the soul out of both of them, but also pulls their skeletons out. Raiden runs on and is attacked by a female version of Ermac.]

Raiden: I will defeat you.

(67) RAIDEN VS ERMAC

[After winning, he meets his female version who rather reminds me of Sindel in the guise of Raiden.]

(68) RAIDEN VS GUARD OF THUNDER

[After defeating her, he meets Lord Liu Kang who is also climbing the stairs.]

Lord Liu Kang: It's only a little further, Raiden. Follow me!

[They come face to face with Deadly Alliance - Titan Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.]

Lord Liu Kang: Your defenses have failed, Shang Tsung. This is over.

Titan Shang Tsung: I do not think so.

Lord Liu Kang: Realize, sorcerer, that you've brought this on yourself. Avarice and ego have again proved your undoing. We have no choice but to eradicate you.

Titan Shang Tsung: It is you who will be eradicated. You and your followers. And once you are dead, all timelines will be mine.

[They get into a fight. Raiden is quickly defeated and Lord Liu Kang fights the two opponents alone. Not without difficulty he defeats Quan Chi and is left alone with Titan Shang Tsung and almost wins, but Quan Chi restrains him with his green energy snake. Raiden realizes that now everything depends on him.]

Quan Chi: Your position is precarious. To survive, you must submit.

Titan Shang Tsung: Yes. The question you must ask is: if Liu Kang couldn't finish us, how possibly could you?

(69) RAIDEN VS TITAN SHANG TSUNG & QUAN CHI

[Raiden wins a hard fought battle. He is approached by the freed Lord Liu Kang. Further dialogs may vary slightly depending on which character you choose.]

Lord Liu Kang: And they called me the Chosen One.

Raiden: You honor me, Liu Kang. May I finish this?

Lord Liu Kang: You have done more than enough. Please, permit me to end this.

[He uses his abilities to turn the bodies of Titan Shang Tsung and Quan Chi into sand and scatter them to the wind.]

Lord Liu Kang: May that be the last we see of you.

[An earthquake is starting.]

Raiden: What's happening?!

Lord Liu Kang: The timeline! Without Shang Tsung to hold it together, it's falling apart! You must return to your timeline before this one collapses. Thank you for your aid, Raiden. May we one day meet again.

[He moves his teahouse. Lord Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Kenshi, Johnny Cage and Raiden are peacefully drinking tea.]

(pouring tea)

Johnny Cage: I'm telling you, the locations we've found here are money. I mean look at this. (beep) Don't the rainbow colors on these mountains just scream Outworld?

Raiden: I cannot believe you'll be telling our story. About how we defeated Shang Tsung.

Johnny Cage: Well the studio thinks it's fiction, not fact. (laughs) But I don't care, as long as it's covering the budget.

Kenshi: (laughing) I assume you'll be the star?

Johnny Cage: Nope, I'm behind the camera. Writing and directing. Time to let someone younger and prettier take the lead. You know, I've written in parts for all of you. If you want them.

Kung Lao: Us? On screen?

Johnny Cage: I mean they're cameos. But like they say… there are no small parts.

Raiden: Thank you, Johnny. But we must decline.

Kung Lao: But Raiden!

Raiden: The new initiates arrive tomorrow. We must return to the Wu Shi to begin their instruction.

Kung Lao: Of course. You are right.

Johnny Cage: What about you, Takahashi? I need a blind swordsman. And no actor can do what you do.

Kenshi: (chuckling) I would love to… But my work to revive the Taira is starting to pay off. I can't let up now.

Johnny Cage: Well I know better than to ask you. Your plate is always full.

Lord Liu Kang: Indeed, Johnny Cage. Which is why I must now depart.

Kenshi: Off to Outworld? To advise the Empress?

Lord Liu Kang: Between her father and her sister, Mileena is receiving plenty of good advice. And with the sorcerers and the general imprisoned, there are few threats to her rule.

Raiden: Is something wrong, then?

Lord Liu Kang: I am simply shoring up our delenses. As you know, Bi-Han and his Lin Kuei have abandoned their roles as Earthrealm's guardians. His brother Kuai Liang has agreed to build a new clan, the Shirai Ryu, to take its place. I must go aid his efforts.

Kung Lao: Is there anything we can do?

Lord Liu Kang: Not yet. But I will call upon all of you when the time comes. Madam Bo. Once again, you have served an excellent meal.

Madam Bo: That's kind of you to say.

Lord Liu Kang: Enjoy the rest of your evening. And thank you, all of you. You have served well as Earthrealm's champions.

Johnny Cage: No. Liu Kang… Joining up with you really has changed the arcs of our lives.

Lord Liu Kang: (smiling) I am glad.

[He's leaving.]

Madam Bo: All right gentlemen. If you're finished, there's only one thing left to do. Which one of you gets the bad news?

[She puts the dinner bill on the table.]

Johnny Cage: Not me. I'm still three mill in the hole on Sento. How uh... thick's your wallet, Takahashi?

Kenshi: Thick enough. But seems to me our hosts are on the hook. They did invite us.

Kung Lao: You think we have money? The Shaolin live modestly.

Raiden: Easy, Kung Lao.

Johnny Cage: Don't worry, farm boy. I've got this covered. Besides, my business manager tells me I can write this whole thing off.

[Lord Liu Kang meanwhile while giving the restaurant all the while listening to the conversation in the background.]

Lord Liu Kang: The realms are in safe hands.

THE END

[EXTRA SCENE]

[At the foot of the pyramid lies a mountain of corpses being pecked by crows. On the steps lies Jax, whose arms have been torn off.....]

(Jax struggling to breathe)

[He is approached by several otter characters - Quan Chi who became Sub-Zero, Tanya-Kitana, Kenshi-Goro and Titan Havik with a mace.]

Titan Havik: Ahhh… Look at him. Clinging to life. (chuckling) Even now, he struggle.

Kenshi-Goro: Everyone who fought today, did so fiercely.

Titan Havik: Hmmmm... (chuckles)

[He throws his mace at Jax's head and turns it into a bloody mess.]

Titan Havik: Had I not been here for it... I would have thought it impossible. Warriors from across timelines, clashing in kombat. The blood. The death…The chaos.

Kenshi-Goro: Yes, Lord Havik. It's unfortunate it all ended so fast.

Titan Havik: The next time… It won't.