For Klassic Ladder Mode endings, click here.
In the hinterlands of Outworld, an elderly merchant comes to a remote village with the promise of a wonderous potion, one capable of curing any illness — even the dreaded Tarkat disease. The price of this miracle cure was significant, but could one afford to refuse such a price? The villagers seem to be taken in by this old man's words, until a dissatisfied customer comes to reveal this apothecary as a mere charlatan: he had given up everything to afford this "medicine" for his daughter, only for her to still die, because what he had bought was nothing more than ordinary tea. It's not long until the villagers turn on him...
This apothecary is actually Shang Tsung, a common conman using disguises and theatrics to turn a modest profit. Humiliated and devested of what meager belongings he had, he is approached by a mysterious woman. She claims that Shang Tsung is destined for far greater things than his current lot in life, a pitiful existence that had been forced upon him by those conspiring to deny his destiny, and all she asks for is his help.
At this, Shang Tsung grins with menacing delight…
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Chapter 1: The New Era (Kung Lao)
Meanwhile, in Earthrealm, two martial artists work hard on a farm in the country town of Fengjian: Kung Lao, the descendent of great heroes of the past; and Raiden, a man of modest origins and his best friend. Kung Lao laments how boring and uneventful life is, while Raiden feels more content to live in peace and help the village thrive. To kill the boredom of the otherwise tedious labor, the two make a bet with one another: whoever fills their cart last must pay for dinner at Madam Bo's teahouse.
Kung Lao emerges victorious. Raiden tries to finesse his way out of paying the tab by claiming he delivered his cart first, despite this not being the conditions of their bet. The two decide to settle the matter with a friendly spar as Madam Bo, the proprietress of the teahouse and their mentor, watches. Kung Lao comes out on top, and Raiden finally agrees to pay for their dinner.
Before the two can pay their tab, however, unwelcome masked visitors arrive: the Lin Kuei, a clan of masked men come to extort Madam Bo. Their representative, Smoke, demands payment. When Bo refuses, Smoke attacks her and has his men start vandalizing the teahouse. Kung Lao and Raiden immediately confront the Lin Kuei, with Kung Lao personally fending off Smoke while Raiden backs him up while subduing the underlings.
Before they can check on Madam Bo, however, two more Lin Kuei attack them: the cryomancer Sub-Zero, and the firebrand Scorpion. Kung Lao fights off Scorpion while Raiden fights Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero proves stronger and craftier than Raiden can contend with, freezing his arm in place. In desperation, Kung Lao throws his hat at Sub-Zero, only for it to bounce off his head, annoying him. A thrown chakram, however, proves more effective. The two fight, with Kung Lao defeating the self-proclaimed grandmaster as well.
With the Lin Kuei routed, Kung Lao and Raiden rush to Madam Bo's aid. Thankfully, the old war horse proves sturdier than she appears. Afterwards, they are approached by a mysterious figure with glowing eyes, who regards Bo with familiarity. He introduced himself as Lord Liu Kang, the god of fire and protector of Earthrealm. He reveals that Bo had been training them for the day when they would rise as the realm's Champions and that day has finally come. The Lin Kuei, it turns out, weren't common thugs, but guardians of Earthrealm under Liu Kang's supervision: this brawl was a test to measure Kung Lao and Raiden's worth.
A tournament held once every 100 years is going to begin soon, one that would pit the Champions of Earthrealm against the Champions of Outworld, another realm in the vast universe, and Earthrealm's chief rivals. Some in Outworld would like to declare war on Earthrealm, but Earthrealm's victory at the tournament would help to quell these sentiments. For this, however, they would need to continue their training at the Wu Shi Academy, under Liu Kang's watchful eye. While Kung Lao is eager to begin, Raiden worries about leaving Fengjian behind. Madam Bo, however, assures him that this is how he can help Fengjian. In the meantime, however, Liu Kang needs to gather the rest of his Champions…
Kung Lao emerges victorious. Raiden tries to finesse his way out of paying the tab by claiming he delivered his cart first, despite this not being the conditions of their bet. The two decide to settle the matter with a friendly spar as Madam Bo, the proprietress of the teahouse and their mentor, watches. Kung Lao comes out on top, and Raiden finally agrees to pay for their dinner.
Before the two can pay their tab, however, unwelcome masked visitors arrive: the Lin Kuei, a clan of masked men come to extort Madam Bo. Their representative, Smoke, demands payment. When Bo refuses, Smoke attacks her and has his men start vandalizing the teahouse. Kung Lao and Raiden immediately confront the Lin Kuei, with Kung Lao personally fending off Smoke while Raiden backs him up while subduing the underlings.
Before they can check on Madam Bo, however, two more Lin Kuei attack them: the cryomancer Sub-Zero, and the firebrand Scorpion. Kung Lao fights off Scorpion while Raiden fights Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero proves stronger and craftier than Raiden can contend with, freezing his arm in place. In desperation, Kung Lao throws his hat at Sub-Zero, only for it to bounce off his head, annoying him. A thrown chakram, however, proves more effective. The two fight, with Kung Lao defeating the self-proclaimed grandmaster as well.
With the Lin Kuei routed, Kung Lao and Raiden rush to Madam Bo's aid. Thankfully, the old war horse proves sturdier than she appears. Afterwards, they are approached by a mysterious figure with glowing eyes, who regards Bo with familiarity. He introduced himself as Lord Liu Kang, the god of fire and protector of Earthrealm. He reveals that Bo had been training them for the day when they would rise as the realm's Champions and that day has finally come. The Lin Kuei, it turns out, weren't common thugs, but guardians of Earthrealm under Liu Kang's supervision: this brawl was a test to measure Kung Lao and Raiden's worth.
A tournament held once every 100 years is going to begin soon, one that would pit the Champions of Earthrealm against the Champions of Outworld, another realm in the vast universe, and Earthrealm's chief rivals. Some in Outworld would like to declare war on Earthrealm, but Earthrealm's victory at the tournament would help to quell these sentiments. For this, however, they would need to continue their training at the Wu Shi Academy, under Liu Kang's watchful eye. While Kung Lao is eager to begin, Raiden worries about leaving Fengjian behind. Madam Bo, however, assures him that this is how he can help Fengjian. In the meantime, however, Liu Kang needs to gather the rest of his Champions…
Chapter 2: Mr. A-Lister (Johnny Cage)
In an ancient temple, an archaeologist and his assistant uncover an ancient shield, protected by deadly traps and the shield's undead holder and guards. With his martial arts prowess, however, this archaeologist defeats the evil forces and lays claim to his prize…
So goes the current movie in the works, starring Johnny Cage. Once filming wraps, Johnny tries to talk to the director about his latest pitch, only for the director to dodge the issue. Afterwards, Johnny's wife, Cris Carlton, approaches him for a frank talk: Johnny's passing his prime as an actor and he only got the film he just finished making greenlit because of an old favor. His finances are in shambles, and his current lifestyle is untenable. Johnny is unable to face the possibility of having to give up anything, not his mansion, and not his belongings. Frustrated at how the celebrity lifestyle had changed him for the worse, Cris leaves…
Moments later, another man enters, dressed in a sharp suit and brandishing a sword. He has come for one thing: Sento, Johnny's prized katana, which the swordsman claims is the property of his family, the Taira clan. Johnny refuses, and the two come to blows, with Johnny emerging victorious over the mysterious stranger.
Johnny ties the stranger, who introduces himself as Kenshi Takahashi, up. Johnny brushes up on his history, stating that the Taira clan was exterminated during the Siege of Aomori, when they lost the Sento. Kenshi states that there were some survivors from Aomori, who adopted the name of Takahashi after going into hiding amongst the Bakuto, the predecessors to the modern day Yakuza. With Sento, Kenshi hopes to break free from the Yakuza and reclaim the Taira's name and honor.
Johnny doesn't believe a word of it. The doorbell rings, with Johnny believing it to be the police. In truth, however, he is being visited by Liu Kang and the Lin Kuei. Liu Kang had come to speak with Johnny and Kenshi, offering them both "a path forward". Johnny is convinced Cris set this up as a prank, but Liu Kang is quite serious, as is Sub-Zero when he knocks Johnny across the room and into a priceless relic. Pissed, Johnny fights Sub-Zero with his full might and, surprisingly, manages to defeat him.
Liu Kang commands "ENOUGH!" with a small burst of flames from his body, which Johnny realizes is not a special effect. With Johnny now more amenable to listen, Liu Kang explains that both the actor and the swordsman have been chosen as Earthrealm's Champions, joining Kung Lao and Raiden at the Wu Shi Academy to train for the upcoming tournament against Outworld.
So goes the current movie in the works, starring Johnny Cage. Once filming wraps, Johnny tries to talk to the director about his latest pitch, only for the director to dodge the issue. Afterwards, Johnny's wife, Cris Carlton, approaches him for a frank talk: Johnny's passing his prime as an actor and he only got the film he just finished making greenlit because of an old favor. His finances are in shambles, and his current lifestyle is untenable. Johnny is unable to face the possibility of having to give up anything, not his mansion, and not his belongings. Frustrated at how the celebrity lifestyle had changed him for the worse, Cris leaves…
Moments later, another man enters, dressed in a sharp suit and brandishing a sword. He has come for one thing: Sento, Johnny's prized katana, which the swordsman claims is the property of his family, the Taira clan. Johnny refuses, and the two come to blows, with Johnny emerging victorious over the mysterious stranger.
Johnny ties the stranger, who introduces himself as Kenshi Takahashi, up. Johnny brushes up on his history, stating that the Taira clan was exterminated during the Siege of Aomori, when they lost the Sento. Kenshi states that there were some survivors from Aomori, who adopted the name of Takahashi after going into hiding amongst the Bakuto, the predecessors to the modern day Yakuza. With Sento, Kenshi hopes to break free from the Yakuza and reclaim the Taira's name and honor.
Johnny doesn't believe a word of it. The doorbell rings, with Johnny believing it to be the police. In truth, however, he is being visited by Liu Kang and the Lin Kuei. Liu Kang had come to speak with Johnny and Kenshi, offering them both "a path forward". Johnny is convinced Cris set this up as a prank, but Liu Kang is quite serious, as is Sub-Zero when he knocks Johnny across the room and into a priceless relic. Pissed, Johnny fights Sub-Zero with his full might and, surprisingly, manages to defeat him.
Liu Kang commands "ENOUGH!" with a small burst of flames from his body, which Johnny realizes is not a special effect. With Johnny now more amenable to listen, Liu Kang explains that both the actor and the swordsman have been chosen as Earthrealm's Champions, joining Kung Lao and Raiden at the Wu Shi Academy to train for the upcoming tournament against Outworld.
Chapter 3: Chosen One (Raiden)
Months have passed since Liu Kang gathered his champions. After a bout of training with the warrior monks of the Wu Shi Temple, Raiden is approached by Kung Lao, who shows off his newly designed bladed hat. Raiden decides it might be too effective after Kung Lao decapitates a training dummy with it before Kenshi and Johnny approach the pair. As Raiden tries to mediate tensions between the latter two, Liu Kang comes out to join the quartet, ready to decide which of the four will represent Earthrealm against Outworld's champions in the upcoming tournament (The tournament host gets to field multiple champions, with Outworld having that advantage on this occasion). He warns that while both realms have generally been evenly matched over the previous tournaments, Outworld has been gaining strength and the militant factions there will become emboldened should it win, potentially turning the rival realm into an enemy.
Assembling the four of them in front of the other monks, Liu Kang states that they will fight each other, with the right to represent Earthrealm as the prize. Raiden defeats Johnny and then Kenshi, before facing Kung Lao that evening. Despite Raiden having never beaten his friend in the past, there's a first time for everything, and he is officially selected as Earthrealm's champion. As an additional bonus, Liu Kang gives him an amulet forged by the Elder Gods that grants its wielder power over lightning and thunder, in order to match the magic users of Outworld. The necessity of such a thing has Kung Lao worried for Raiden's safety, but Liu Kang assures them that no participants have been greviously injured or killed in the tournament before, and that he would never unwittingly send his champions into such a situation.
Seven days later, Liu Kang conjures a portal to Outworld's capital of Sun Do, and he, Raiden and company travel through it. They are met on the other end by princesses Kitana and Mileena, the daughters of Outworld Empress Sindel, as well as their bodyguard Tanya. Following the introductions - during which Mileena reveals herself to be one of Outworld's champions - the Earthrealm contingent is taken to Sindel's palace via a procession through the capital's streets, during which Raiden and Liu Kang observe the Outworlders throwing a festival to honor Jerrod, the now deceased father of Mileena and Kitana. The festive mood is quickly spoiled however when the procession comes across a group of Outworlders being arrested for secretly harboring Tarkat sufferers, with Mileena berating the official in charge - Sun Do's First Constable Li Mei - for blocking the procession's route, and warning her that the Earthrealmers cannot be shown Outworld's secrets. Raiden notes that there seems to be beef between the princess and the First Constable, and Liu Kang explains that Jerrod was murdered back when Li Mei was the head of the Umgadi - the palace guard.
Within the throne room of the palace, Raiden and the Earthrealm contingent meet General Shao, the musclebound, brutish and boisterous commander of Outworld's armed forces. Shao wastes little time before trash talking Raiden and Earthrealm as a whole, only for Liu Kang to remind him of Earthrealm's previous victories in the tournament. Empress Sindel of Outworld then makes her appearance; after she takes her throne and exchanges pleasantries with Liu Kang, Raiden introduces himself, and Sindel politely warns him that he's right to be nervous about Outworld and its champions. She then declares the start of the tournament, and brings forth Li Mei as the first of those champions, while making clear that she thinks no more highly of her than her daughter does.
Raiden defeats Li Mei, who departs the throne room to the sound of murmuring from the crowd of Sindel's courtiers. Congratulating Raiden on his victory, Sindel calls upon Shao to introduce Outworld's next champion, and Shao presents his second-in-command Reiko, an orphan and child survivor of a past war whom Shao took in and trained after seeing his will to survive. But despite his experience with conflict eclipsing Raiden's own, Reiko too is beaten by Earthrealm's champion, and Sindel declares the tournament adjourned until the next dawn.
At a banquet being held at the palace that evening, Raiden asks Liu Kang what he sees in Johnny as he watches the actor flirt with Kitana, with the guardian of Earthrealm replying that Johnny is a hero, even if he doesn't yet realize it. Liu Kang then points out Rain - the High Mage of Outworld - to Raiden, before both of them notice Mileena clutching her stomach, with Tanya coming over to check on her. Liu Kang notes that fighting Tanya would be a challenge for Raiden; like her fellow Umgadi, she was chosen from among Outworld's firstborn daughters and raised from infancy to protect the royal family. Raiden comments on the royal family's need for such protection, and Liu Kang replies that while the last milennium under Sindel has been a good one for Outworld, the time before then has often been difficult for the realm. Sindel then stands up and calls for unity and open dialogue between Earthrealm and Outworld, but Shao scoffs at Raiden when he offers a gracious response to this, claiming the people of both realms could not be any more different. Sindel cuts him off before he can say any more though, and Shao departs the banquet.
Following the banquet, Sindel berates her commander in chief for his behavior, accusing him of insulting her honor and his family's military history. Shao points out that a sorcerer within Sindel's court has prophesized that Liu Kang plans to conquer Outworld, and insists that they must act to prevent such a thing, but Sindel replies that regardless of the sorcerer's past accuracy, there's no proof of such intent from Liu Kang. She goes on to point out that the Guardian of Earthrealm has helped keep Outworld at peace in the past, but Shao dismisses this as him forcing Outworld's subservience, rather than allowing them to destroy their enemies. Sindel ends the discussion by stating that Outworld will only act if she finds reason to judge the prophecy accurate, and reminds Shao that war should be the last resort, not the first.
Mileena and Kitana then enter the room, Sindel having summoned her daughters. After Shao leaves, Sindel reveals she saw Mileena's earlier moment of sickness at the banquet, and declares that Kitana will face Raiden in her place tomorrow, the empress fearing the symptoms of Mileena's "disease" could manifest if she's allowed to fight. Mileena protests that such a thing will serve as bait to the Outworlders who want Kitana to replace her as Sindel's heir, but Sindel is unsympathetic, claiming that Mileena's sickness is her fault. She brings up a past night when Mileena left the palace unattended, to which the empress's older daughter claims she just needed to get out of the place, with Sindel accusing her of never thinking things through. Kitana then insists - not unkindly - that they need to keep Mileena's disease a secret if she is to inherit the throne, and that she could be banished to the Wastes if such a thing becomes public knowledge, but Mileena nevertheless storms out of the room.
The next day finds Sindel, her court and the Earthrealm contingent gathered within the palace grounds, Raiden having defeated a number of Outworld's champions offscreen. Sindel then brings out Kitana as his next opponent, claiming that Mileena is away on important imperial business. Despite Liu Kang protesting that he has not prepared Raiden for such a fight, Raiden accepts it, and the champion of Earthrealm adds Kitana to his list of vanquished opponents, winning the Outworld princess's respect in the process. With that, Sindel calls forth her final champion, who turns out to be none other than Shao; Raiden defeats him as well, thus winning the tournament for Earthrealm. Needless to say, defeat does not endear Raiden or Earthrealm to Shao.
Following the tournament's conclusion, Liu Kang is visited by Geras, a golem and old friend of his who has been watching over the Hourglass - a device capable of dictating the flow of history - on the God of Fire's behalf. Liu Kang remarks that being Earthrealm's Protector suited him far better than overseeing the Hourglass as Keeper of Time did, adding that he did not want to share Kronika's fate of going mad from trying to control history. He expresses gratitude to Geras for safeguarding the Hourglass in his place, claiming that the new era has played out as desired, but the golem warns that not all is well. While Liu Kang once used the Hourglass to alter the destinies of certain individuals and prevent them from becoming threats in this era, one such figure - Shang Tsung - has escaped the fate dictated for him and gotten a place in Sindel's court, and is also on track to become a powerful sorcerer, putting Liu Kang's vision of peace at risk. Grave at this news, Liu Kang resolves to investigate, while instructing Geras to keep an eye on things via the Hourglass.
Assembling the four of them in front of the other monks, Liu Kang states that they will fight each other, with the right to represent Earthrealm as the prize. Raiden defeats Johnny and then Kenshi, before facing Kung Lao that evening. Despite Raiden having never beaten his friend in the past, there's a first time for everything, and he is officially selected as Earthrealm's champion. As an additional bonus, Liu Kang gives him an amulet forged by the Elder Gods that grants its wielder power over lightning and thunder, in order to match the magic users of Outworld. The necessity of such a thing has Kung Lao worried for Raiden's safety, but Liu Kang assures them that no participants have been greviously injured or killed in the tournament before, and that he would never unwittingly send his champions into such a situation.
Seven days later, Liu Kang conjures a portal to Outworld's capital of Sun Do, and he, Raiden and company travel through it. They are met on the other end by princesses Kitana and Mileena, the daughters of Outworld Empress Sindel, as well as their bodyguard Tanya. Following the introductions - during which Mileena reveals herself to be one of Outworld's champions - the Earthrealm contingent is taken to Sindel's palace via a procession through the capital's streets, during which Raiden and Liu Kang observe the Outworlders throwing a festival to honor Jerrod, the now deceased father of Mileena and Kitana. The festive mood is quickly spoiled however when the procession comes across a group of Outworlders being arrested for secretly harboring Tarkat sufferers, with Mileena berating the official in charge - Sun Do's First Constable Li Mei - for blocking the procession's route, and warning her that the Earthrealmers cannot be shown Outworld's secrets. Raiden notes that there seems to be beef between the princess and the First Constable, and Liu Kang explains that Jerrod was murdered back when Li Mei was the head of the Umgadi - the palace guard.
Within the throne room of the palace, Raiden and the Earthrealm contingent meet General Shao, the musclebound, brutish and boisterous commander of Outworld's armed forces. Shao wastes little time before trash talking Raiden and Earthrealm as a whole, only for Liu Kang to remind him of Earthrealm's previous victories in the tournament. Empress Sindel of Outworld then makes her appearance; after she takes her throne and exchanges pleasantries with Liu Kang, Raiden introduces himself, and Sindel politely warns him that he's right to be nervous about Outworld and its champions. She then declares the start of the tournament, and brings forth Li Mei as the first of those champions, while making clear that she thinks no more highly of her than her daughter does.
Raiden defeats Li Mei, who departs the throne room to the sound of murmuring from the crowd of Sindel's courtiers. Congratulating Raiden on his victory, Sindel calls upon Shao to introduce Outworld's next champion, and Shao presents his second-in-command Reiko, an orphan and child survivor of a past war whom Shao took in and trained after seeing his will to survive. But despite his experience with conflict eclipsing Raiden's own, Reiko too is beaten by Earthrealm's champion, and Sindel declares the tournament adjourned until the next dawn.
At a banquet being held at the palace that evening, Raiden asks Liu Kang what he sees in Johnny as he watches the actor flirt with Kitana, with the guardian of Earthrealm replying that Johnny is a hero, even if he doesn't yet realize it. Liu Kang then points out Rain - the High Mage of Outworld - to Raiden, before both of them notice Mileena clutching her stomach, with Tanya coming over to check on her. Liu Kang notes that fighting Tanya would be a challenge for Raiden; like her fellow Umgadi, she was chosen from among Outworld's firstborn daughters and raised from infancy to protect the royal family. Raiden comments on the royal family's need for such protection, and Liu Kang replies that while the last milennium under Sindel has been a good one for Outworld, the time before then has often been difficult for the realm. Sindel then stands up and calls for unity and open dialogue between Earthrealm and Outworld, but Shao scoffs at Raiden when he offers a gracious response to this, claiming the people of both realms could not be any more different. Sindel cuts him off before he can say any more though, and Shao departs the banquet.
Following the banquet, Sindel berates her commander in chief for his behavior, accusing him of insulting her honor and his family's military history. Shao points out that a sorcerer within Sindel's court has prophesized that Liu Kang plans to conquer Outworld, and insists that they must act to prevent such a thing, but Sindel replies that regardless of the sorcerer's past accuracy, there's no proof of such intent from Liu Kang. She goes on to point out that the Guardian of Earthrealm has helped keep Outworld at peace in the past, but Shao dismisses this as him forcing Outworld's subservience, rather than allowing them to destroy their enemies. Sindel ends the discussion by stating that Outworld will only act if she finds reason to judge the prophecy accurate, and reminds Shao that war should be the last resort, not the first.
Mileena and Kitana then enter the room, Sindel having summoned her daughters. After Shao leaves, Sindel reveals she saw Mileena's earlier moment of sickness at the banquet, and declares that Kitana will face Raiden in her place tomorrow, the empress fearing the symptoms of Mileena's "disease" could manifest if she's allowed to fight. Mileena protests that such a thing will serve as bait to the Outworlders who want Kitana to replace her as Sindel's heir, but Sindel is unsympathetic, claiming that Mileena's sickness is her fault. She brings up a past night when Mileena left the palace unattended, to which the empress's older daughter claims she just needed to get out of the place, with Sindel accusing her of never thinking things through. Kitana then insists - not unkindly - that they need to keep Mileena's disease a secret if she is to inherit the throne, and that she could be banished to the Wastes if such a thing becomes public knowledge, but Mileena nevertheless storms out of the room.
The next day finds Sindel, her court and the Earthrealm contingent gathered within the palace grounds, Raiden having defeated a number of Outworld's champions offscreen. Sindel then brings out Kitana as his next opponent, claiming that Mileena is away on important imperial business. Despite Liu Kang protesting that he has not prepared Raiden for such a fight, Raiden accepts it, and the champion of Earthrealm adds Kitana to his list of vanquished opponents, winning the Outworld princess's respect in the process. With that, Sindel calls forth her final champion, who turns out to be none other than Shao; Raiden defeats him as well, thus winning the tournament for Earthrealm. Needless to say, defeat does not endear Raiden or Earthrealm to Shao.
Following the tournament's conclusion, Liu Kang is visited by Geras, a golem and old friend of his who has been watching over the Hourglass - a device capable of dictating the flow of history - on the God of Fire's behalf. Liu Kang remarks that being Earthrealm's Protector suited him far better than overseeing the Hourglass as Keeper of Time did, adding that he did not want to share Kronika's fate of going mad from trying to control history. He expresses gratitude to Geras for safeguarding the Hourglass in his place, claiming that the new era has played out as desired, but the golem warns that not all is well. While Liu Kang once used the Hourglass to alter the destinies of certain individuals and prevent them from becoming threats in this era, one such figure - Shang Tsung - has escaped the fate dictated for him and gotten a place in Sindel's court, and is also on track to become a powerful sorcerer, putting Liu Kang's vision of peace at risk. Grave at this news, Liu Kang resolves to investigate, while instructing Geras to keep an eye on things via the Hourglass.
Chapter 4: Secrets and Lies (Kenshi)
After briefing Kenshi, Johnny and Kung Lao on Shang Tsung, Liu Kang tasks them with entering Outworld and capturing him. Kenshi is less than happy about working with Johnny when Raiden's an option, but Liu Kang indicates that he doesn't want Sindel to know what he's up to, and Raiden's too well-known a face in Outworld following the tournament. He gives them a compass attuned to Shang Tsung's chi to allow them to track him, and dispatches them on their mission.
Within Outworld, Johnny mocks Kenshi's decision to cut ties with the Yakuza, claiming he could have used them to get Sento back, but Kenshi retorts that he wants nothing to do with criminals who leech off others, and nor does he want his clan dependent on them. Following the conversation, the trio come across a village where Outworld soldiers are facing off with a group of Tarkat victims, and discover Shang Tsung extracting bone marrow from Baraka, one of the infected. After the sorcerer gets his sample though, Baraka attacks the soldiers restraining him, inspiring the other infected to fight back and forcing the Earthrealm trio to intervene, lest their quarry get himself killed before Liu Kang can speak to him. Kenshi manages to prevent Baraka from killing Shang Tsung, but the sorcerer takes the opportunity to shapeshift into a Tarkat sufferer and slip away, before the victorious mob of infected turn on the Earthrealm trio. As Kung Lao and Johnny hold them back, Kenshi faces off with Baraka and defeats him, at which point he's able to explain things and defuse the conflict. Baraka tells him about Tarkat, warning that it both disfigures its victims and eventually turns them into blood-thirsty monsters. The infected are banished, with Baraka himself being a rich merchant prior to contracting the disease.
Kenshi asks why Shang Tsung seeks the bone marrow of the infected, but Baraka doesn't know, and the swordsman convinces him to let them go with a promise to capture the sorcerer. Unfortunately the compass no longer works, but fortunately Shang Tsung has his laboratory set up nearby, and Baraka is willing to lead the Earthrealm trio to it. Sneaking into the laboratory, the three listen in on a discussion between Shang Tsung, Rain and Tanya, with an unconscious Mileena lying on a chair in front of the three. The sorcerer tells the others about a serum he's developed from the Tarkatan marrow; fearing they intend to infect Mileena with the disease, the Earthrealm trio attack, prompting a full-on fight with the three Outworlders in which the serum is destroyed. After the Earthrealmers triumph, Shang Tsung claims he's trying to aid Mileena rather than infect her, but they aren't convinced thanks to Liu Kang's warning, and Kenshi orders the other two to keep an eye on him while he goes to check on Mileena. Much to his surprise though, the princess is distressed to learn that Shang Tsung was interfered with, and starts spasming in pain seconds later, before sprouting the claws and mouth of a Tarkatan. Turns out infecting her with the disease would have been redundant.
The infected Mileena turns violent, but Kenshi and Johnny manage to subdue her, allowing Shang Tsung to whip up another dose of his serum. Before he can inject it though, Mileena gets free and grabs a pair of sai, which she uses to stab Kenshi through both eyes after the swordsman keeps her from mutilating Johnny. Shao, Kitana and several Outworld soldiers then show up, and Shang Tsung accuses the Earthrealmers of disrupting Mileena's treatment and trying to reveal her illness. Johnny and Kung Lao are subsequently knocked out by Goro, a Shokan soldier under Shao's command, and Shao convinces Kitana to have the Earthrealmers and Baraka - who was found outside the laboratory - detained so that Sindel can decide what to do about them.
The general claims that the incident is proof of the concerns he's been bringing up about Earthrealm, but Kitana is willing to believe it could just be a misunderstanding. Then a portal opens, and a second sorcerer - Quan Chi - steps into the room, claiming the recent events are proof of his prophecy, and that he foresees Earthrealm making its next strike soon. Shao claims Outworld must act immediately, but Kitana insists that it's Sindel's call, before she, Rain and Tanya leave with Mileena. Once the four of them are gone, Shang Tsung reveals to Shao that the Earthrealmers had intended to capture him on Liu Kang's behalf. He claims to not know Liu Kang's motivations, and suggests that for now, the three of them take advantage of the incursion to sway Sindel to their side, though he admits that she has never been one for conflict. Shao voices the thought of replacing her, and then orders the deaths of the Earthrealmers to prevent them from reporting back to Liu Kang.
After Shao leaves, Quan Chi notes to Shang Tsung that the deaths of Liu Kang's agents would fuel further conflict between the realms, adding that this would serve their benefactor well. Shang Tsung reminds his fellow sorcerer that things must escalate to war before their benefactor can conquer the realms, at which point they will rule at her side. Quan Chi - once a lowly miner - remarks that "she'll have transformed [them] from serfs into scions".
Within Outworld, Johnny mocks Kenshi's decision to cut ties with the Yakuza, claiming he could have used them to get Sento back, but Kenshi retorts that he wants nothing to do with criminals who leech off others, and nor does he want his clan dependent on them. Following the conversation, the trio come across a village where Outworld soldiers are facing off with a group of Tarkat victims, and discover Shang Tsung extracting bone marrow from Baraka, one of the infected. After the sorcerer gets his sample though, Baraka attacks the soldiers restraining him, inspiring the other infected to fight back and forcing the Earthrealm trio to intervene, lest their quarry get himself killed before Liu Kang can speak to him. Kenshi manages to prevent Baraka from killing Shang Tsung, but the sorcerer takes the opportunity to shapeshift into a Tarkat sufferer and slip away, before the victorious mob of infected turn on the Earthrealm trio. As Kung Lao and Johnny hold them back, Kenshi faces off with Baraka and defeats him, at which point he's able to explain things and defuse the conflict. Baraka tells him about Tarkat, warning that it both disfigures its victims and eventually turns them into blood-thirsty monsters. The infected are banished, with Baraka himself being a rich merchant prior to contracting the disease.
Kenshi asks why Shang Tsung seeks the bone marrow of the infected, but Baraka doesn't know, and the swordsman convinces him to let them go with a promise to capture the sorcerer. Unfortunately the compass no longer works, but fortunately Shang Tsung has his laboratory set up nearby, and Baraka is willing to lead the Earthrealm trio to it. Sneaking into the laboratory, the three listen in on a discussion between Shang Tsung, Rain and Tanya, with an unconscious Mileena lying on a chair in front of the three. The sorcerer tells the others about a serum he's developed from the Tarkatan marrow; fearing they intend to infect Mileena with the disease, the Earthrealm trio attack, prompting a full-on fight with the three Outworlders in which the serum is destroyed. After the Earthrealmers triumph, Shang Tsung claims he's trying to aid Mileena rather than infect her, but they aren't convinced thanks to Liu Kang's warning, and Kenshi orders the other two to keep an eye on him while he goes to check on Mileena. Much to his surprise though, the princess is distressed to learn that Shang Tsung was interfered with, and starts spasming in pain seconds later, before sprouting the claws and mouth of a Tarkatan. Turns out infecting her with the disease would have been redundant.
The infected Mileena turns violent, but Kenshi and Johnny manage to subdue her, allowing Shang Tsung to whip up another dose of his serum. Before he can inject it though, Mileena gets free and grabs a pair of sai, which she uses to stab Kenshi through both eyes after the swordsman keeps her from mutilating Johnny. Shao, Kitana and several Outworld soldiers then show up, and Shang Tsung accuses the Earthrealmers of disrupting Mileena's treatment and trying to reveal her illness. Johnny and Kung Lao are subsequently knocked out by Goro, a Shokan soldier under Shao's command, and Shao convinces Kitana to have the Earthrealmers and Baraka - who was found outside the laboratory - detained so that Sindel can decide what to do about them.
The general claims that the incident is proof of the concerns he's been bringing up about Earthrealm, but Kitana is willing to believe it could just be a misunderstanding. Then a portal opens, and a second sorcerer - Quan Chi - steps into the room, claiming the recent events are proof of his prophecy, and that he foresees Earthrealm making its next strike soon. Shao claims Outworld must act immediately, but Kitana insists that it's Sindel's call, before she, Rain and Tanya leave with Mileena. Once the four of them are gone, Shang Tsung reveals to Shao that the Earthrealmers had intended to capture him on Liu Kang's behalf. He claims to not know Liu Kang's motivations, and suggests that for now, the three of them take advantage of the incursion to sway Sindel to their side, though he admits that she has never been one for conflict. Shao voices the thought of replacing her, and then orders the deaths of the Earthrealmers to prevent them from reporting back to Liu Kang.
After Shao leaves, Quan Chi notes to Shang Tsung that the deaths of Liu Kang's agents would fuel further conflict between the realms, adding that this would serve their benefactor well. Shang Tsung reminds his fellow sorcerer that things must escalate to war before their benefactor can conquer the realms, at which point they will rule at her side. Quan Chi - once a lowly miner - remarks that "she'll have transformed [them] from serfs into scions".
Chapter 5: Weird Science (Baraka)
Baraka and the Earthrealm trio find themselves imprisoned within a dungeon beneath Shang Tsung's laboratory, or rather, within Shang Tsung's real laboratory, the flesh pits. The quartet are soon visited by the dungeon's warden, a hooded and masked man in black and green who provides the freshly-blind Kenshi with an ointment for his pain, and admits that Shang Tsung is keeping his family captive to force his compliance. The man - Reptile - also reveals that he provided the sorcerer with his knowledge on how to shapeshift, having access to the ability himself, though he can only shift between a human form and his natural, Zaterran form.
Shang Tsung chooses that moment to pop in and reveal his intentions to have his prisoners vivisected for his experiments, before departing again. Having little other choice, Reptile dispatches a group of Tarkatan klones to restrain the four prisoners, but the quartet refuse to go quietly, with Baraka and Kung Lao working together to dispatch the klones and a monstrous super Tarkatan, before going on to defeat a despondent Reptile. The beaten Zaterran asks that Baraka kill him, in the hope that it'll convince Shang Tsung to leave his family alone. He claims he deserves it after what he's done in Shang Tsung's name, but Baraka - who had lost his own family to Tarkat - refuses, admitting that he would've done the same in Reptile's position.
The moment is then interrupted by the return of Shang Tsung, who curses Reptile for allowing the quartet to kill off his experiments before summoning poisonous gas to kill everyone, smugly revealing to Reptile that he already murdered his family long ago. He teleports away as the now enraged Reptile charges him, intending to leave the quintet to die within the now sealed laboratory, but Baraka manages to smash the door down and enable them to escape. As they leave, Kenshi asks the others to leave him behind, believing himself useless without his eyes, but Johnny - grateful to the swordsman for saving him from Mileena earlier - convinces him to keep on going for the sake of the Taira.
With Tarkatans like Baraka forbidden from entering Sun Do, Reptile agrees to lead the Earthrealm trio to the portal within the city as his way of making amends. The quintet head into the Living Forest, a region where the trees house the souls of the dead, where Reptile talks about his backstory; while his people generally avoid "warm-bloods" due to Fantastic Racism, he was ostracized and driven out by them due to his ability to take a human form, and subsequently joined a traveling carnival where he met Shang Tsung. He warns that the sorcerer is conspiring with Shao and Rain, but he doesn't know the details about it, before the group hear roaring coming from up ahead.
Baraka and Reptile race off to investigate, and find a woman in white armor fighting a horde of monstrous creatures. With Reptile in his Zaterran form and Baraka being, well, Baraka, the woman mistakes them for demons of Quan Chi and attacks, but the pair manage to repel her. After they explain things to her, the woman apologizes for her mistake before introducing herself to the group as Ashrah, a demon of the Netherrealm who's looking to purge her soul of evil, having once served Quan Chi and his ambitions of ruling the realms. She reveals that Quan Chi has come to Outworld and started building devices that steal souls en masse in order to allow him and Shang Tsung to harness their power, with one such device within the Living Forest. Despite Johnny's protests, Kenshi convinces the group to go after Quan Chi, in the hope that it'll get them closer to Shang Tsung.
Shang Tsung chooses that moment to pop in and reveal his intentions to have his prisoners vivisected for his experiments, before departing again. Having little other choice, Reptile dispatches a group of Tarkatan klones to restrain the four prisoners, but the quartet refuse to go quietly, with Baraka and Kung Lao working together to dispatch the klones and a monstrous super Tarkatan, before going on to defeat a despondent Reptile. The beaten Zaterran asks that Baraka kill him, in the hope that it'll convince Shang Tsung to leave his family alone. He claims he deserves it after what he's done in Shang Tsung's name, but Baraka - who had lost his own family to Tarkat - refuses, admitting that he would've done the same in Reptile's position.
The moment is then interrupted by the return of Shang Tsung, who curses Reptile for allowing the quartet to kill off his experiments before summoning poisonous gas to kill everyone, smugly revealing to Reptile that he already murdered his family long ago. He teleports away as the now enraged Reptile charges him, intending to leave the quintet to die within the now sealed laboratory, but Baraka manages to smash the door down and enable them to escape. As they leave, Kenshi asks the others to leave him behind, believing himself useless without his eyes, but Johnny - grateful to the swordsman for saving him from Mileena earlier - convinces him to keep on going for the sake of the Taira.
With Tarkatans like Baraka forbidden from entering Sun Do, Reptile agrees to lead the Earthrealm trio to the portal within the city as his way of making amends. The quintet head into the Living Forest, a region where the trees house the souls of the dead, where Reptile talks about his backstory; while his people generally avoid "warm-bloods" due to Fantastic Racism, he was ostracized and driven out by them due to his ability to take a human form, and subsequently joined a traveling carnival where he met Shang Tsung. He warns that the sorcerer is conspiring with Shao and Rain, but he doesn't know the details about it, before the group hear roaring coming from up ahead.
Baraka and Reptile race off to investigate, and find a woman in white armor fighting a horde of monstrous creatures. With Reptile in his Zaterran form and Baraka being, well, Baraka, the woman mistakes them for demons of Quan Chi and attacks, but the pair manage to repel her. After they explain things to her, the woman apologizes for her mistake before introducing herself to the group as Ashrah, a demon of the Netherrealm who's looking to purge her soul of evil, having once served Quan Chi and his ambitions of ruling the realms. She reveals that Quan Chi has come to Outworld and started building devices that steal souls en masse in order to allow him and Shang Tsung to harness their power, with one such device within the Living Forest. Despite Johnny's protests, Kenshi convinces the group to go after Quan Chi, in the hope that it'll get them closer to Shang Tsung.
Chapter 6: Upward Climb (Ashrah)
As Ashrah leads the group through the Living Forest, Johnny questions why she wants to ditch her evilness. Ashrah answers that she'd once thought the Netherrealm was all there was to existence, but then she saw Earthrealm and Outworld, and realized there was a better way for her to live available, if only she could cleanse her soul first. She also adds that Quan Chi is no demon, but an Outworlder whose mastery of dark magic allows him free travel to the Netherrealm, and that he and Shang Tsung are both in service to a powerful sorceress who taught them their abilities. Having never met the sorceress herself though, that's all she knows.
Elsewhere in the forest, Quan Chi and four others are gathered around one of the soul stealing devices Ashrah spoke of earlier. A winged Vaeternian woman by the name of Nitara hands over a red crystal to him, but a man named Havik hesitates to do the same, claiming that he and Darrius - a bald black man from Orderrealm - want proof that Quan Chi can fulfill his end of a bargain they've worked out with him. The fifth member of the group, a Netherrealm demoness by the name of Sareena, points out that Quan Chi has already come through for Nitara's people - his spells sparing them from being "poisoned by sunlight" - and the sorcerer assures Havik and Darrius that the spells he's granting them will bring down Orderrealm's government. He warns them though that he'll only hand them over following a planned attack on Earthrealm, and that said attack could be called off if the soul stealer is not shown to work soon. Havik responds by handing over his own red crystal, and Quan Chi fits it with Nitara's crystal, causing the soul stealer to let out an ominous rumble.
Ashrah's group comes across the soul stealer and Quan Chi's group not long later. Aware that even a single one of the devices could kill hundreds of millions, Ashrah prepares to lead her group in an attack on it, but Johnny has Kenshi stay back, not wanting the blind swordsman to be a liability in the upcoming fight. Kenshi hands over his sword at Johnny's insistence...and Johnny responds by giving him Sento, as thanks for saving his life earlier. Ashrah and the rest of the group then charge the soul stealer and engage Quan Chi's group, with Ashrah and Reptile defeating Nitara, before Quan Chi's chanting causes the device to emit a pillar of green light that draws in spirits from the surrounding forest, killing the trees that once housed them. As Ashrah and company watch, the captured spirits are forged them into a gray-skinned, monstrous figure in black and red robes.
Ashrah asks what's happening, and the figure declares itself to be Ermac, a collection of souls bound by Quan Chi's magic. The sorcerer promptly orders Ermac to kill Ashrah and her group; Ermac attacks, and it soon becomes clear that he's got them outmatched, with Ashrah and Reptile ultimately getting thrown away via telekinesis. As the demoness gets up, Havik approaches her alongside Darrius, insisting he can only liberate Orderrealm if Quan Chi wins today. Ashrah calls him out on his willingness to sacrifice another realm for the sake of his own, and she and Reptile defeat the other pair.
With the two men defeated, Ashrah is confronted by Quan Chi, her old master lambasting her for her disobedience. Ashrah in turn brings up how she was forced to kill her sisters in self-defense after he sent them after her following her defection, before attacking and defeating him. Ermac intervenes before she can kill him though, and he proceeds to hand Ashrah and her group their asses once again, before Kenshi draws Sento and charges him in a desperate attempt to save his comrades. The blind swordsman is swatted aside with a telekinetic blast, dropping Sento; as he frantically gropes around for it, the katana, now glowing blue, calls out to him with the voices of his ancestors, allowing him to recover it. As he picks it up, his ancestors assure him that the Taira will not fail him in his moment of need, and his eye sockets burn with a blue glow of their own behind his blindfold.
The swordsman finds himself able to see Ermac barelling towards him; he intercepts the charge with an attack, and impales the sorcerous creation after a quick exchange, fighting as though he never lost his sight. Ermac blasts him away again and follows up with a volley of magical bolts, but Sento - having absorbed some of Ermac's souls whilst stuck in him - levitates and deflects the attack away on its own. Ashrah then comes up to join Kenshi, and the duo take down the now weakened Ermac, who vows to find Sindel as he lies upon the ground, with Ashrah guessing that the fighting must have affected the magic binding Ermac's souls together. Leaving Kenshi to watch over the beaten Ermac, Ashrah disables the soul stealer, freeing the souls it had trapped; one of them attacks Quan Chi, turning his skin deathly white and rendering him unconscious before fading away. Ashrah decides to finish the sorcerer off, but Kenshi convinces her to let him live so that Liu Kang can question him about Shang Tsung's plans, and the trio are then joined by the rest of Ashrah's group. After a brief chat with Kenshi about Sento's newly-discovered powers, Johnny suggests to Ashrah and Reptile - who unlike Baraka have nowhere to call home - that they accompany the Earthrealmers back to their realm. Happy at the possibility of having a home for the first time in her existence, Ashrah accepts.
Meanwhile, within a mountain fortress, Shang Tsung meets with the mysterious woman who extended a hand to him during his Snake Oil Salesman days. He tells her that the soul stealers - intended to fuel an army that will obey the woman's commands - are under construction, and that he's working on a plan to turn the Lin Kuei against Liu Kang and Earthrealm. Smiling, the woman expresses praise for how much Shang Tsung has learned, and assures him that he will soon recieve the reward he's earned, to which the sorcerer gives a smile of his own.
Elsewhere in the forest, Quan Chi and four others are gathered around one of the soul stealing devices Ashrah spoke of earlier. A winged Vaeternian woman by the name of Nitara hands over a red crystal to him, but a man named Havik hesitates to do the same, claiming that he and Darrius - a bald black man from Orderrealm - want proof that Quan Chi can fulfill his end of a bargain they've worked out with him. The fifth member of the group, a Netherrealm demoness by the name of Sareena, points out that Quan Chi has already come through for Nitara's people - his spells sparing them from being "poisoned by sunlight" - and the sorcerer assures Havik and Darrius that the spells he's granting them will bring down Orderrealm's government. He warns them though that he'll only hand them over following a planned attack on Earthrealm, and that said attack could be called off if the soul stealer is not shown to work soon. Havik responds by handing over his own red crystal, and Quan Chi fits it with Nitara's crystal, causing the soul stealer to let out an ominous rumble.
Ashrah's group comes across the soul stealer and Quan Chi's group not long later. Aware that even a single one of the devices could kill hundreds of millions, Ashrah prepares to lead her group in an attack on it, but Johnny has Kenshi stay back, not wanting the blind swordsman to be a liability in the upcoming fight. Kenshi hands over his sword at Johnny's insistence...and Johnny responds by giving him Sento, as thanks for saving his life earlier. Ashrah and the rest of the group then charge the soul stealer and engage Quan Chi's group, with Ashrah and Reptile defeating Nitara, before Quan Chi's chanting causes the device to emit a pillar of green light that draws in spirits from the surrounding forest, killing the trees that once housed them. As Ashrah and company watch, the captured spirits are forged them into a gray-skinned, monstrous figure in black and red robes.
Ashrah asks what's happening, and the figure declares itself to be Ermac, a collection of souls bound by Quan Chi's magic. The sorcerer promptly orders Ermac to kill Ashrah and her group; Ermac attacks, and it soon becomes clear that he's got them outmatched, with Ashrah and Reptile ultimately getting thrown away via telekinesis. As the demoness gets up, Havik approaches her alongside Darrius, insisting he can only liberate Orderrealm if Quan Chi wins today. Ashrah calls him out on his willingness to sacrifice another realm for the sake of his own, and she and Reptile defeat the other pair.
With the two men defeated, Ashrah is confronted by Quan Chi, her old master lambasting her for her disobedience. Ashrah in turn brings up how she was forced to kill her sisters in self-defense after he sent them after her following her defection, before attacking and defeating him. Ermac intervenes before she can kill him though, and he proceeds to hand Ashrah and her group their asses once again, before Kenshi draws Sento and charges him in a desperate attempt to save his comrades. The blind swordsman is swatted aside with a telekinetic blast, dropping Sento; as he frantically gropes around for it, the katana, now glowing blue, calls out to him with the voices of his ancestors, allowing him to recover it. As he picks it up, his ancestors assure him that the Taira will not fail him in his moment of need, and his eye sockets burn with a blue glow of their own behind his blindfold.
The swordsman finds himself able to see Ermac barelling towards him; he intercepts the charge with an attack, and impales the sorcerous creation after a quick exchange, fighting as though he never lost his sight. Ermac blasts him away again and follows up with a volley of magical bolts, but Sento - having absorbed some of Ermac's souls whilst stuck in him - levitates and deflects the attack away on its own. Ashrah then comes up to join Kenshi, and the duo take down the now weakened Ermac, who vows to find Sindel as he lies upon the ground, with Ashrah guessing that the fighting must have affected the magic binding Ermac's souls together. Leaving Kenshi to watch over the beaten Ermac, Ashrah disables the soul stealer, freeing the souls it had trapped; one of them attacks Quan Chi, turning his skin deathly white and rendering him unconscious before fading away. Ashrah decides to finish the sorcerer off, but Kenshi convinces her to let him live so that Liu Kang can question him about Shang Tsung's plans, and the trio are then joined by the rest of Ashrah's group. After a brief chat with Kenshi about Sento's newly-discovered powers, Johnny suggests to Ashrah and Reptile - who unlike Baraka have nowhere to call home - that they accompany the Earthrealmers back to their realm. Happy at the possibility of having a home for the first time in her existence, Ashrah accepts.
Meanwhile, within a mountain fortress, Shang Tsung meets with the mysterious woman who extended a hand to him during his Snake Oil Salesman days. He tells her that the soul stealers - intended to fuel an army that will obey the woman's commands - are under construction, and that he's working on a plan to turn the Lin Kuei against Liu Kang and Earthrealm. Smiling, the woman expresses praise for how much Shang Tsung has learned, and assures him that he will soon recieve the reward he's earned, to which the sorcerer gives a smile of his own.
Chapter 7: Narrow Escape (Reptile)
As night falls within Sun Do, Reptile traverses the rooftops of the celebrating city to scout out a route to the portal for his group. Down on the city streets, Shao and Li Mei are searching for the escaped Earthrealmers, the latter unaware of the truth behind the hunt. Elsewhere, beneath a grand pavilion, Kitana chides Mileena when she sees her sister flirt with Tanya; such an engagement is a Forbidden Romance due to the Umgadi having a Vow of Celibacy, and Mileena already has enemies at court. The younger sister advises Mileena to wait until she becomes Empress - and thus can rewrite inconvenient rules to her liking - but the heir to the Outworld throne is not pacified and storms off.
Meanwhile, Reptile rejoins the rest of his group, who have stolen hats and clothes from the festivalgoers in order to blend in with the crowd. Even with the disguises though, Kung Lao is skeptical about their chances of getting to the portal without being recognized, but Reptile replies that he intends to create a diversion for them, and reveals that he also has the ability to become partially invisible. Sure enough, when the group come across a group of Outworld soldiers on a busy street, several fires start going off in the area, sending the crowds into a panic and allowing them to slip away. Unfortunately, this also draws the attention of Tanya, Kitana, Shao and Li Mei, with the latter two spotting Reptile upon a roof. Shao lets slip that he knows Reptile in front of Li Mei, but dismisses the matter as unimportant, before dispatching Reiko to assist the first constable in apprehending the shapeshifter.
Giving chase, Reiko manages to wound Reptile with a throwing star, providing him and Li Mei with a blood trail they can follow. Kenshi spots the pair chasing the injured Reptile, and abandons the escape to go and help him, while Reptile lures his pursuers onto a bridge near Kitana's pavilion before revealing himself. He alludes to the conspiracy that Shao is involved in, and Li Mei encourages him to surrender and testify about it to her, but Reptile refuses, fearing he'll simply be executed if he gives himself up. The two pairs subsequently fight, with Reptile and Kenshi emerging victorious.
Kitana witnesses the fight; exasperated at seeing yet another failure on Li Mei's part, and assuming that Reptile is mounting a one-Zaterrran insurrection, she rushes over to deal with him and Kenshi, Tanya following close behind. She's no more successful than the first constable was, and after taking her out, Reptile attempts to defuse the situation. Tanya is in no mood to let him off after seeing him lay hands on her charge though, and Reptile is forced to deal with her as well. Around the same time, Quan Chi - whom Reptile's group had been passing off as a passed-out partygoer - wakes up just as Shao and his soldiers come across the rest of Reptile's group. The sorcerer manages to escape, and the Outworlders approach their quarry, before Reptile and Kenshi arrive to aid their friends. A full-on brawl breaks out between the two sides; during the fighting, Reptile manages to take down the Outworld commander-in-chief, before he and the others escape to Earthrealm through the portal.
Liu Kang is on hand to greet his champions and their new allies, but after learning about Kenshi getting blinded and bonding with Sento, he remarks that he had hoped the latter would come about through a different means "this time". Kenshi comments on this choice of phrase, but Liu Kang claims he merely misspoke, and sends him off to get his wounds tended. Kung Lao follows, while Johnny attempts to give a report on their adventure, only for Liu Kang to encourage him to get some R&R first. Johnny then introduces both Reptile and Ashrah, with the Guardian of Earthrealm indicating that he already knows about the pair. The news that Shang Tsung is working with Quan Chi comes as a shock to him however, and he instructs the trio to come with him and tell him everything they know.
Some time later, Liu Kang and Geras are discussing how Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are once again a pair of sorcerers conspiring against Earthrealm, with Liu Kang claiming he rewrote history to make such things impossible. Geras replies that someone has interfered with his plans, informing the God of Fire that an unknown woman visited both sorcerers and set their lives on different courses than intended. Liu Kang questions whether this woman could be Kronika, but Geras tells him that titans - the race Kronika belongs to - cannot be revived if destroyed, leading both men to deduce that another party with ill feelings towards Liu Kang must have survived the previous timeline.
Meanwhile, Reptile rejoins the rest of his group, who have stolen hats and clothes from the festivalgoers in order to blend in with the crowd. Even with the disguises though, Kung Lao is skeptical about their chances of getting to the portal without being recognized, but Reptile replies that he intends to create a diversion for them, and reveals that he also has the ability to become partially invisible. Sure enough, when the group come across a group of Outworld soldiers on a busy street, several fires start going off in the area, sending the crowds into a panic and allowing them to slip away. Unfortunately, this also draws the attention of Tanya, Kitana, Shao and Li Mei, with the latter two spotting Reptile upon a roof. Shao lets slip that he knows Reptile in front of Li Mei, but dismisses the matter as unimportant, before dispatching Reiko to assist the first constable in apprehending the shapeshifter.
Giving chase, Reiko manages to wound Reptile with a throwing star, providing him and Li Mei with a blood trail they can follow. Kenshi spots the pair chasing the injured Reptile, and abandons the escape to go and help him, while Reptile lures his pursuers onto a bridge near Kitana's pavilion before revealing himself. He alludes to the conspiracy that Shao is involved in, and Li Mei encourages him to surrender and testify about it to her, but Reptile refuses, fearing he'll simply be executed if he gives himself up. The two pairs subsequently fight, with Reptile and Kenshi emerging victorious.
Kitana witnesses the fight; exasperated at seeing yet another failure on Li Mei's part, and assuming that Reptile is mounting a one-Zaterrran insurrection, she rushes over to deal with him and Kenshi, Tanya following close behind. She's no more successful than the first constable was, and after taking her out, Reptile attempts to defuse the situation. Tanya is in no mood to let him off after seeing him lay hands on her charge though, and Reptile is forced to deal with her as well. Around the same time, Quan Chi - whom Reptile's group had been passing off as a passed-out partygoer - wakes up just as Shao and his soldiers come across the rest of Reptile's group. The sorcerer manages to escape, and the Outworlders approach their quarry, before Reptile and Kenshi arrive to aid their friends. A full-on brawl breaks out between the two sides; during the fighting, Reptile manages to take down the Outworld commander-in-chief, before he and the others escape to Earthrealm through the portal.
Liu Kang is on hand to greet his champions and their new allies, but after learning about Kenshi getting blinded and bonding with Sento, he remarks that he had hoped the latter would come about through a different means "this time". Kenshi comments on this choice of phrase, but Liu Kang claims he merely misspoke, and sends him off to get his wounds tended. Kung Lao follows, while Johnny attempts to give a report on their adventure, only for Liu Kang to encourage him to get some R&R first. Johnny then introduces both Reptile and Ashrah, with the Guardian of Earthrealm indicating that he already knows about the pair. The news that Shang Tsung is working with Quan Chi comes as a shock to him however, and he instructs the trio to come with him and tell him everything they know.
Some time later, Liu Kang and Geras are discussing how Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are once again a pair of sorcerers conspiring against Earthrealm, with Liu Kang claiming he rewrote history to make such things impossible. Geras replies that someone has interfered with his plans, informing the God of Fire that an unknown woman visited both sorcerers and set their lives on different courses than intended. Liu Kang questions whether this woman could be Kronika, but Geras tells him that titans - the race Kronika belongs to - cannot be revived if destroyed, leading both men to deduce that another party with ill feelings towards Liu Kang must have survived the previous timeline.
Chapter 8: Band of Brothers (Sub-Zero)
Sub-Zero, Scorpion and Smoke are waiting for Liu Kang's next order, with Sub-Zero starting to get impatient about it. Smoke advises that they should follow their father's teachings and not rush things - a sentiment Scorpion agrees with - but Sub-Zero only warns him to mind his place, reminding him that while he might've been adopted into the Lin Kuei, he doesn't have their blood. Kung Lao and Raiden then show up with a summons from Liu Kang, who tasks the brothers with traveling to a place known as Ying Fortress, currently occupied by Outworld; once there, they're to destroy the soul stealers there and capture Shang Tsung. Raiden volunteers himself and Kung Lao to help, but Sub-Zero claims that having non-Lin Kuei along for the ride would only hinder them, with Scorpion explaining - not unkindly - that the Lin Kuei's stealth skills take years to master. In the end, Liu Kang tells Kung Lao and Raiden that he needs them elsewhere, namely preparing for war with the Wu Shi monks.
Later on, when the three Lin Kuei are scouting out Ying Fortress, Scorpion criticizes Sub-Zero when the blue ninja talks of the glory he thinks completing the mission would bring them. Sub-Zero responds by mocking Scorpion for taking after their father so much, claiming their old man was blind to the Lin Kuei's superiority, and that the clan could help lead Earthrealm rather than just defend it. He states that the Lin Kuei's past of serving will not be his future, before the three brothers scale the fortress walls. Right as they reach the top though, they are attacked by Nitara and Sareena, with the Vaeternian knocking Smoke off the wall before she and the demoness engage the other two Lin Kuei.
Sub-Zero and Scorpion defeat the two women, only for Ermac to show up as another defender of the fortress. Sub-Zero admits he'd been hoping for such a fight ever since Liu Kang told him about Ermac, and he and Scorpion dispatch the sorcerous creation before continuing with their infiltration. Entering a courtyard, they discover some of the finished soul stealers, and come across Quan Chi overseeing the construction of another before heading deeper into the fortress. Instructing Smoke to stay and keep the soul stealers from being activated, Sub-Zero heads after Quan Chi with Scorpion, with the pair following the sorcerer into a treasure room filled with piles of gold and other riches. To Scorpion's disapproval, Sub-Zero expresses joy in coming across such a prize.
Shang Tsung then shows up in the treasure room, having come to get an update on the soul stealers from Quan Chi. Sub-Zero and Scorpion take the opportunity to attack the two sorcerers and defeat both, only for a squadron of Outworld soldiers to storm the room and engage the Lin Kuei right after, overwhelming and capturing them. With both of Liu Kang's agents restrained, Shang Tsung reveals he's aware of how much Sub-Zero chafes at being Liu Kang's subordinate, and offers him the means to gain independence and power for the Lin Kuei. Sub-Zero responds only with silence
Back in Earthrealm, Geras uses the Hourglass to observe the conversation between Shang Tsung and the mysterious woman from the beginning of the game. As he wonders to himself who the woman could be, he sees something that he had once considered impossible.
Later on, when the three Lin Kuei are scouting out Ying Fortress, Scorpion criticizes Sub-Zero when the blue ninja talks of the glory he thinks completing the mission would bring them. Sub-Zero responds by mocking Scorpion for taking after their father so much, claiming their old man was blind to the Lin Kuei's superiority, and that the clan could help lead Earthrealm rather than just defend it. He states that the Lin Kuei's past of serving will not be his future, before the three brothers scale the fortress walls. Right as they reach the top though, they are attacked by Nitara and Sareena, with the Vaeternian knocking Smoke off the wall before she and the demoness engage the other two Lin Kuei.
Sub-Zero and Scorpion defeat the two women, only for Ermac to show up as another defender of the fortress. Sub-Zero admits he'd been hoping for such a fight ever since Liu Kang told him about Ermac, and he and Scorpion dispatch the sorcerous creation before continuing with their infiltration. Entering a courtyard, they discover some of the finished soul stealers, and come across Quan Chi overseeing the construction of another before heading deeper into the fortress. Instructing Smoke to stay and keep the soul stealers from being activated, Sub-Zero heads after Quan Chi with Scorpion, with the pair following the sorcerer into a treasure room filled with piles of gold and other riches. To Scorpion's disapproval, Sub-Zero expresses joy in coming across such a prize.
Shang Tsung then shows up in the treasure room, having come to get an update on the soul stealers from Quan Chi. Sub-Zero and Scorpion take the opportunity to attack the two sorcerers and defeat both, only for a squadron of Outworld soldiers to storm the room and engage the Lin Kuei right after, overwhelming and capturing them. With both of Liu Kang's agents restrained, Shang Tsung reveals he's aware of how much Sub-Zero chafes at being Liu Kang's subordinate, and offers him the means to gain independence and power for the Lin Kuei. Sub-Zero responds only with silence
Back in Earthrealm, Geras uses the Hourglass to observe the conversation between Shang Tsung and the mysterious woman from the beginning of the game. As he wonders to himself who the woman could be, he sees something that he had once considered impossible.
Chapter 9: Civil War (Scorpion)
The captured Scorpion and Sub-Zero are led through the fortress by Shao and Shang Tsung, the Outworld general claiming that his realm and the Lin Kuei both share the fate of being bound to Liu Kang, and the sorcerer assuring Sub-Zero that he'll be free to remake the Lin Kuei as he pleases once Earthream is under Outworld's control. Ignoring Scorpion's pleas to not listen to their enemies' words, Sub-Zero warns Shang Tsung that even soul stealers won't be enough to win a war against Earthrealm, but Shang Tsung replies that he only believes that because he doesn't know their true purpose.
Leading his prisoners and their escort into a great cavern filled with statues of warriors, Shang Tsung explains that the fortress's builder - Emperor Ying - also built two armies; one to protect his empire, the other to protect him in the afterlife. The statues around them are Emperor Ying's Dragon Army, he declares. Sub-Zero asks if there's a point to the history lesson, and Shang Tsung tells him that the statues were created by Ying's mages; with fragments of souls, they can be made to come alive, and fight without mercy or need of rest. Putting on a crown that allows him to command the statues, the sorcerer gives a demonstration of such with a handful of the statues, and offers several battalions' worth to the Lin Kuei if they ally with him. Stepping forward, Sub-Zero raises his arms in acceptance of the offer.
Scorpion is understandably distraught at this betrayal of their father, but Sub-Zero responds by claiming the man in question was an old fool, and revealing that he had left him to die in the accident that took his life, rather than trying to save him as he had told Scorpion. He claims their father doomed the Lin Kuei to mediocrity, and that now they'll achieve greatness, but Scorpion isn't having it. With the chains around his wrists, he attacks the Outworld soldiers holding him, then Shao, then Shang Tsung, and finally his brother, before breaking his chains and fleeing the cavern as Shang Tsung sics more of the stone warriors on him.
Returning to the treasure room where he and Sub-Zero faced Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, Scorpion comes across Quan Chi again, this time with Rain. He attempts to sneak past them, but the Outworld High Mage spots his reflection on the surface of a gold plate, forcing him to fight off both. Right after that though, Havik and Darrius show up and attack; in the ensuing fight, Scorpion forces Havik's face into a vat of molten gold, melting off the man's nose, lips and part of his face, before overcoming the pair and meeting back up with Smoke in the courtyard, whereupon he informs the man of Sub-Zero's betrayal.
As the two men leave the fortress to keep the Lin Kuei from being corrupted any further, Smoke vows to stay by Scorpion's side whatever happens, and Scorpion declares the man his brother even if they don't share blood. Unfortunately, who should show up then but Sub-Zero, who rages at the pair for forsaking their oaths to obey him (nevermind that he's forsaking the Lin Kuei's very principles). He and Scorpion fight - Scorpion getting a scar over his right eye courtesy of an ice dagger during it - before Scorpion defeats his treacherous brother and declares himself out of the Lin Kuei. Smoke questions this course of action, arguing that Scorpion could instead expose Sub-Zero's betrayal and become Grandmaster in his place, but Scorpion replies that Sub-Zero has loyalists in Cyrax and Sektor; he and Smoke must therefore choose a path of their own in order to serve Earthrealm and honor their father. They escape the fortress with Sub-Zero, but as they do, the soul stealers are activated.
Watching the activation from afar, Liu Kang questions how Shang Tsung could've achieved all of this. As if on cue, Geras shows up and reveals what it was he learned at the end of the last chapter; the woman who met with Shang Tsung does not belong to the current timeline. Liu Kang asks how that could be, and Geras argues that the woman could only have come from a second timeline playing out alongside the one he and Liu Kang are currently in. Wanting answers about this woman's identity and her motives, Liu Kang resolves to go to Outworld and reveal the manipulations of history to Sindel, in the hope of getting her to withdraw her forces from Earthrealm and thus give him time to investigate. Geras warns that this would require Liu Kang to reveal his past role as Keeper of Time to Sindel, but Liu Kang's willing to make that sacrifice under these circumstances.
Leading his prisoners and their escort into a great cavern filled with statues of warriors, Shang Tsung explains that the fortress's builder - Emperor Ying - also built two armies; one to protect his empire, the other to protect him in the afterlife. The statues around them are Emperor Ying's Dragon Army, he declares. Sub-Zero asks if there's a point to the history lesson, and Shang Tsung tells him that the statues were created by Ying's mages; with fragments of souls, they can be made to come alive, and fight without mercy or need of rest. Putting on a crown that allows him to command the statues, the sorcerer gives a demonstration of such with a handful of the statues, and offers several battalions' worth to the Lin Kuei if they ally with him. Stepping forward, Sub-Zero raises his arms in acceptance of the offer.
Scorpion is understandably distraught at this betrayal of their father, but Sub-Zero responds by claiming the man in question was an old fool, and revealing that he had left him to die in the accident that took his life, rather than trying to save him as he had told Scorpion. He claims their father doomed the Lin Kuei to mediocrity, and that now they'll achieve greatness, but Scorpion isn't having it. With the chains around his wrists, he attacks the Outworld soldiers holding him, then Shao, then Shang Tsung, and finally his brother, before breaking his chains and fleeing the cavern as Shang Tsung sics more of the stone warriors on him.
Returning to the treasure room where he and Sub-Zero faced Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, Scorpion comes across Quan Chi again, this time with Rain. He attempts to sneak past them, but the Outworld High Mage spots his reflection on the surface of a gold plate, forcing him to fight off both. Right after that though, Havik and Darrius show up and attack; in the ensuing fight, Scorpion forces Havik's face into a vat of molten gold, melting off the man's nose, lips and part of his face, before overcoming the pair and meeting back up with Smoke in the courtyard, whereupon he informs the man of Sub-Zero's betrayal.
As the two men leave the fortress to keep the Lin Kuei from being corrupted any further, Smoke vows to stay by Scorpion's side whatever happens, and Scorpion declares the man his brother even if they don't share blood. Unfortunately, who should show up then but Sub-Zero, who rages at the pair for forsaking their oaths to obey him (nevermind that he's forsaking the Lin Kuei's very principles). He and Scorpion fight - Scorpion getting a scar over his right eye courtesy of an ice dagger during it - before Scorpion defeats his treacherous brother and declares himself out of the Lin Kuei. Smoke questions this course of action, arguing that Scorpion could instead expose Sub-Zero's betrayal and become Grandmaster in his place, but Scorpion replies that Sub-Zero has loyalists in Cyrax and Sektor; he and Smoke must therefore choose a path of their own in order to serve Earthrealm and honor their father. They escape the fortress with Sub-Zero, but as they do, the soul stealers are activated.
Watching the activation from afar, Liu Kang questions how Shang Tsung could've achieved all of this. As if on cue, Geras shows up and reveals what it was he learned at the end of the last chapter; the woman who met with Shang Tsung does not belong to the current timeline. Liu Kang asks how that could be, and Geras argues that the woman could only have come from a second timeline playing out alongside the one he and Liu Kang are currently in. Wanting answers about this woman's identity and her motives, Liu Kang resolves to go to Outworld and reveal the manipulations of history to Sindel, in the hope of getting her to withdraw her forces from Earthrealm and thus give him time to investigate. Geras warns that this would require Liu Kang to reveal his past role as Keeper of Time to Sindel, but Liu Kang's willing to make that sacrifice under these circumstances.
Chapter 10: Protect and Serve (Li Mei)
Liu Kang walks through the portal into Sun Do, where he finds Li Mei and several of her constables waiting for him. The First Constable tells the God of Fire to return to his realm, warning that Sindel is unlikely to heed his calls for a ceasefire, to which Liu Kang responds by telling her of Shao and Shang Tsung's conspiracy against the Empress. Li Mei isn't surprised to hear of such a thing; besides everything she's seen of Shao's recent behavior, she can recall how Shang Tsung just showed up at the palace one day and immediately won Sindel's trust, something that never sat right with her. Liu Kang puts this down to him treating Mileena's Tarkat, and Li Mei agrees not to reveal that secret to anyone else, aware that such news would bring down the Outworld royal family if made public. She also agrees to help Liu Kang save Sindel, not wanting to fail her empress again.
As she and Liu Kang head to the palace, Li Mei questions why Shao would betray Sindel, with Liu Kang guessing that Shang Tsung manipulated him into believing it necessary to save Outworld. Moments later, the pair and Li Mei's constables are stopped in the streets by a group of Outworld soldiers led by Reiko and the Centaurian Motaro. Reiko orders Li Mei to take Liu Kang back to the portal, but Li Mei responds that she won't support Shao's plan to usurp the throne, and Reiko and his troops proceed to attack. Li Mei and Liu Kang manage to defeat them however, and continue to the palace.
The pair are met in the palace grounds by Tanya and Khameleon. Li Mei attempts to explain things, but Tanya denounces Liu Kang's claims as lies and mocks the First Constable for once again failing to protect the royal house. The two pairs fight, but after Li Mei and Liu Kang triumph, they find themselves surrounded by the rest of the Umgadi. Li Mei manages to sway them to their side by reminding them that she was once an Umgadi herself, and then convincing them of Liu Kang's good intentions, and the group continue on towards Sindel's throne room with Tanya as a captive, Li Mei and Liu Kang hoping that keeping her alive will prove their sincerity to Sindel.
As Li Mei approaches Sindel and the rest of her family with both the Umgadi and the Guardian of Earthrealm at her back, the Empress is understandably ticked off at what's by all appearances a full-on betrayal by the woman who already failed to save her beloved husband's life. Li Mei assures her that she's no less unhappy about Jerrod's death - and the loss of Sindel's friendship along with it - but urges Sindel to not let herself be blinded by anger and grief. Before Sindel can reply, Tanya attacks Li Mei again, with the Umgadi taking the opportunity to turn on her and Liu Kang. During the subsequent fighting, Kitana attacks Li Mei; her resulting defeat prompts Mileena to step in despite Sindel's concerns, the older princess considering herself unworthy of the throne if she won't fight for it. Unfortunately, a kick to the head from Li Mei sets off her Tarkat, and the now maddened princess nearly savages her mother before Li Mei pulls her off and manages to subdue her. Tanya returns Mileena to her usual self with a dose of the serum, and Sindel gives genuine thanks to Li Mei for her actions, both women forgiving each other for their past mistakes.
Unfortunately, while Li Mei's forgiven, Sindel's not yet willing to extend Liu Kang that same courtesy, what with the whole sneaking Earthrealmers into Outworld thing. Liu Kang accepts her anger, explaining that he didn't want to burden her with what at the time were unconfirmed suspicions about Shang Tsung. Now though, he knows that Shang Tsung, Quan Chi and Shao conspire to rule the realms. Sindel asks for proof, and Liu Kang directs her to Shang Tsung's laboratory, offering to give up Earthrealm peacefully if she's not convinced afterwards.
As she and Liu Kang head to the palace, Li Mei questions why Shao would betray Sindel, with Liu Kang guessing that Shang Tsung manipulated him into believing it necessary to save Outworld. Moments later, the pair and Li Mei's constables are stopped in the streets by a group of Outworld soldiers led by Reiko and the Centaurian Motaro. Reiko orders Li Mei to take Liu Kang back to the portal, but Li Mei responds that she won't support Shao's plan to usurp the throne, and Reiko and his troops proceed to attack. Li Mei and Liu Kang manage to defeat them however, and continue to the palace.
The pair are met in the palace grounds by Tanya and Khameleon. Li Mei attempts to explain things, but Tanya denounces Liu Kang's claims as lies and mocks the First Constable for once again failing to protect the royal house. The two pairs fight, but after Li Mei and Liu Kang triumph, they find themselves surrounded by the rest of the Umgadi. Li Mei manages to sway them to their side by reminding them that she was once an Umgadi herself, and then convincing them of Liu Kang's good intentions, and the group continue on towards Sindel's throne room with Tanya as a captive, Li Mei and Liu Kang hoping that keeping her alive will prove their sincerity to Sindel.
As Li Mei approaches Sindel and the rest of her family with both the Umgadi and the Guardian of Earthrealm at her back, the Empress is understandably ticked off at what's by all appearances a full-on betrayal by the woman who already failed to save her beloved husband's life. Li Mei assures her that she's no less unhappy about Jerrod's death - and the loss of Sindel's friendship along with it - but urges Sindel to not let herself be blinded by anger and grief. Before Sindel can reply, Tanya attacks Li Mei again, with the Umgadi taking the opportunity to turn on her and Liu Kang. During the subsequent fighting, Kitana attacks Li Mei; her resulting defeat prompts Mileena to step in despite Sindel's concerns, the older princess considering herself unworthy of the throne if she won't fight for it. Unfortunately, a kick to the head from Li Mei sets off her Tarkat, and the now maddened princess nearly savages her mother before Li Mei pulls her off and manages to subdue her. Tanya returns Mileena to her usual self with a dose of the serum, and Sindel gives genuine thanks to Li Mei for her actions, both women forgiving each other for their past mistakes.
Unfortunately, while Li Mei's forgiven, Sindel's not yet willing to extend Liu Kang that same courtesy, what with the whole sneaking Earthrealmers into Outworld thing. Liu Kang accepts her anger, explaining that he didn't want to burden her with what at the time were unconfirmed suspicions about Shang Tsung. Now though, he knows that Shang Tsung, Quan Chi and Shao conspire to rule the realms. Sindel asks for proof, and Liu Kang directs her to Shang Tsung's laboratory, offering to give up Earthrealm peacefully if she's not convinced afterwards.
Chapter 11: For the Empire (Sindel)
Liu Kang, the royal family and their loyalists are gathered within Shang Tsung's flesh pits, where the horrific sight of a mutiliated prisoner is more than enough to convince Sindel of the truth about the sorcerer and his co-conspirators. Liu Kang then reveals his past role as the Keeper of Time to her and her daughters, before summoning Geras and telling the family about the Hourglass, and how he had once had to use it to craft all existence after restarting history. Sindel questions this choice of words, and Geras tells her of Liu Kang's predecessor Kronika, who had been obsessed with creating a timeline in which good and evil remained in perfect balance for eternity. Such a balance could not be made permanent however; whenever it tipped too far to one side, Kronika would halt the timeline and restart it, doing so billions of times in the hope of obtaining her elusive balance. Within these timelines, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi wielded vile dark magic, and Shao ruled Outworld as a despotic warlord, with Sindel herself - much to her unease - serving as his equally ruthless and power-hungry queen. The current timeline came about after Liu Kang killed Kronika and took the Hourglass for himself; wanting to do better then her, he arranged for Shang Tsung and Quan Chi to be powerless men, and Sindel to become a benign ruler of Outworld with Shao as her loyal follower, but now there's another entity who's corrupted the three men into the past, villainous selves.
Sindel is understandably struggling to take all of this in. She asks if Liu Kang expects worship or obedience from her, but Liu Kang assures her that he only became Keeper of Time due to circumstance rather than anything divine. He also adds that he gave up the role - and the omnipotence tied to it - because of how Kronika went mad trying to create her perfect timeline.
At that moment though, Shao, Rain, Nitara and Goro force their way into the laboratory. Sindel calls Shao out on his betrayal, but Shao replies that he's conspiring against her misguided rule, claiming that her loyalty to Liu Kang makes vassals of all Outworlders. Sindel asks if that justifies the things he's done - condoning Shang Tsung's experiments, lying to her about threats to Outworld and misleading her into starting an unjustified war - to which Shao responds by busting out Shinnok's amulet, a powerful weapon from a past timeline, and yet more proof of inter-timeline interference. Liu Kang warns Shao that he won't be able to control such a thing, but Shao laughs and claims he already knows how to do so, before sucking Geras, Mileena, Kitana and Tanya into it. Sindel, her remaining loyalists and Liu Kang proceed to attack the conspirators, with Sindel defeating Nitara before she and her allies escape with the amulet.
Back at the top level of the laboratory, Sindel's group encounter Reiko, Motaro and a contingent of soldiers loyal to Shao; Sindel and Li Mei defeat Shao's protege before doing the same with Rain, whom the Empress treated as a son before Shang Tsung tempted him away with promises of greater power. After he's taken care of, Sindel turns her attention to Shao, accusing him of betraying his father with his rebellion despite everything the man did to put his son in the position he once enjoyed. The empress takes down the treacherous general, bringing an end to the fighting, and Liu Kang frees those imprisoned within the amulet. Overjoyed, Sindel rushes forward to share an embrace with her daughters, before Liu Kang requests - as no more than a friend - that she and her family help to save Earthrealm.
Sindel is understandably struggling to take all of this in. She asks if Liu Kang expects worship or obedience from her, but Liu Kang assures her that he only became Keeper of Time due to circumstance rather than anything divine. He also adds that he gave up the role - and the omnipotence tied to it - because of how Kronika went mad trying to create her perfect timeline.
At that moment though, Shao, Rain, Nitara and Goro force their way into the laboratory. Sindel calls Shao out on his betrayal, but Shao replies that he's conspiring against her misguided rule, claiming that her loyalty to Liu Kang makes vassals of all Outworlders. Sindel asks if that justifies the things he's done - condoning Shang Tsung's experiments, lying to her about threats to Outworld and misleading her into starting an unjustified war - to which Shao responds by busting out Shinnok's amulet, a powerful weapon from a past timeline, and yet more proof of inter-timeline interference. Liu Kang warns Shao that he won't be able to control such a thing, but Shao laughs and claims he already knows how to do so, before sucking Geras, Mileena, Kitana and Tanya into it. Sindel, her remaining loyalists and Liu Kang proceed to attack the conspirators, with Sindel defeating Nitara before she and her allies escape with the amulet.
Back at the top level of the laboratory, Sindel's group encounter Reiko, Motaro and a contingent of soldiers loyal to Shao; Sindel and Li Mei defeat Shao's protege before doing the same with Rain, whom the Empress treated as a son before Shang Tsung tempted him away with promises of greater power. After he's taken care of, Sindel turns her attention to Shao, accusing him of betraying his father with his rebellion despite everything the man did to put his son in the position he once enjoyed. The empress takes down the treacherous general, bringing an end to the fighting, and Liu Kang frees those imprisoned within the amulet. Overjoyed, Sindel rushes forward to share an embrace with her daughters, before Liu Kang requests - as no more than a friend - that she and her family help to save Earthrealm.
Chapter 12: Queen's Gambit (Mileena)
Mileena, her family and the rest of their allies, including Scorpion and Smoke, infiltrate Ying Fortress, while Shang Tsung - who by now has finished empowering the crown that will enable him to control the Dragon Army - heads deeper into the compound with Quan Chi. Their enemies mount an attack on the soul stealers and the Shao loyalists guarding them, with Mileena and Tanya facing and defeating Ermac. As the couple head off though, Ermac stands up and speaks to Mileena with the voice and face of her father Jerrod, whose soul was one of the many used to create the being. Jerrod tells them that thanks to Mileena's efforts, the spell binding Ermac's soul has been broken, allowing him to control the body, and effectively reuniting him with his daughters and wife.
Mileena's group sneak into the cavern housing the Dragon Army, finding Shang Tsung and Quan Chi still unaware that the soul stealers have been shut down. Mileena distracts the villainous pair by approaching and lying to them that Shao has overthrown Sindel back in Outworld - claiming herself to be an agent of Shao's who never wanted the throne when questioned by Quan Chi - allowing her allies to surround and then ambush them. She and Tanya take down the two sorcerers together, after which Liu Kang demands the identity of their benefactor. Shang Tsung glances towards the crown, which levitates into the air as he introduces an individual named Damashi...only for four figures resembling Sindel, Raiden, Geras and Shang Tsung himself to appear instead.
As Shang Tsung wonders what's going on, his double - wielding titan powers like Kronika's - approaches him and claims himself to be the original Shang Tsung, with Liu Kang seconding the point; this version of the sorcerer is one he fought with over the Hourglass long ago. The new Shang Tsung explains that the battle in question created two diverging timelines; the current timeline in which Liu Kang won, and an alternate timeline where Shang Tsung was the victor. When he learned of the existence of the other timeline, the titan-empowered Shang Tsung jumped into it and took on the form of Kronika in order to empower Quan Chi and his alternate counterpart, before having them sow interrealm discord and assemble the Dragon Army on his behalf. His claim that he sought rule of Earthrealm and Outworld was another lie; his true goal is to exterminate all life in Liu Kang's timeline and merge it into his own. As for the crown, he doesn't need it to control the Dragon Army, just the souls within.
Making his point, Shang Tsung breaks the crown and releases the souls within, before he and his version of Geras disappear from the scene. Quan Chi and the Shang Tsung of Liu Kang's timeline reluctantly ally themselves with the heroes, and the group attack the "dark" versions of Sindel, Raiden and Geras from Shang Tsung's timeline. Dark Sindel's magical screams and Dark Raiden's lightning initially prove overwhelming for them though, and Mileena takes a heavy hit just as her anti-Tarkat serum starts to wear off. Giving in to her monstrous nature, she manages to defeat Dark Raiden and then Dark Sindel, though not before the latter mortally wounds the Sindel of Liu Kang's timeline. With the fighting over, the dying empress expresses joy that she got to enjoy a few hours more with her once dead husband, before using her last words to name Mileena the Empress of Outworld. Jerrod draws Sindel's soul into his body, keeping it safe, and the kombatants withdraw from the cavern.
As the kombatants gather outside the fortress to watch the Dragon Army begin its march, the mood is grim; even if the Lin Kuei hadn't defected, the Titan version of Shang Tsung will have been preparing his timeline to go to war since long ago, meaning Liu Kang's timeline will be at a huge strength disadvantage once the fighting starts. The Shang Tsung of this timeline has an idea; what if there were more than two timelines created during the battle over the Hourglass? If so, they could use them to make up for their strength deficit, with Kitana realizing he means to gather allies from these timelines. Geras however explains that even if such timelines exist, only the Keeper of Time can search for them and Liu Kang no longer has that power. He may be able to recover it though; Geras reveals that when Liu Kang originally gave up his power over the Hourglass, he collected and preserved it in case the God of Fire ever needed to make use of it in the future. He never mentioned this to Liu Kang until now because re-becoming the Keeper of Time would likely make it a permanent change and force him to relinquish his beloved life as the Guardian of Earthrealm; he didn't want his friend to be able to make that sacrifice unless there was no other option.
Liu Kang thanks Geras for his wisdom and asks where his power has been stored. Geras replies that it's back at the Fire Temple, within a jade jaguar gifted to Liu Kang by the Great Kung Lao.
Mileena's group sneak into the cavern housing the Dragon Army, finding Shang Tsung and Quan Chi still unaware that the soul stealers have been shut down. Mileena distracts the villainous pair by approaching and lying to them that Shao has overthrown Sindel back in Outworld - claiming herself to be an agent of Shao's who never wanted the throne when questioned by Quan Chi - allowing her allies to surround and then ambush them. She and Tanya take down the two sorcerers together, after which Liu Kang demands the identity of their benefactor. Shang Tsung glances towards the crown, which levitates into the air as he introduces an individual named Damashi...only for four figures resembling Sindel, Raiden, Geras and Shang Tsung himself to appear instead.
As Shang Tsung wonders what's going on, his double - wielding titan powers like Kronika's - approaches him and claims himself to be the original Shang Tsung, with Liu Kang seconding the point; this version of the sorcerer is one he fought with over the Hourglass long ago. The new Shang Tsung explains that the battle in question created two diverging timelines; the current timeline in which Liu Kang won, and an alternate timeline where Shang Tsung was the victor. When he learned of the existence of the other timeline, the titan-empowered Shang Tsung jumped into it and took on the form of Kronika in order to empower Quan Chi and his alternate counterpart, before having them sow interrealm discord and assemble the Dragon Army on his behalf. His claim that he sought rule of Earthrealm and Outworld was another lie; his true goal is to exterminate all life in Liu Kang's timeline and merge it into his own. As for the crown, he doesn't need it to control the Dragon Army, just the souls within.
Making his point, Shang Tsung breaks the crown and releases the souls within, before he and his version of Geras disappear from the scene. Quan Chi and the Shang Tsung of Liu Kang's timeline reluctantly ally themselves with the heroes, and the group attack the "dark" versions of Sindel, Raiden and Geras from Shang Tsung's timeline. Dark Sindel's magical screams and Dark Raiden's lightning initially prove overwhelming for them though, and Mileena takes a heavy hit just as her anti-Tarkat serum starts to wear off. Giving in to her monstrous nature, she manages to defeat Dark Raiden and then Dark Sindel, though not before the latter mortally wounds the Sindel of Liu Kang's timeline. With the fighting over, the dying empress expresses joy that she got to enjoy a few hours more with her once dead husband, before using her last words to name Mileena the Empress of Outworld. Jerrod draws Sindel's soul into his body, keeping it safe, and the kombatants withdraw from the cavern.
As the kombatants gather outside the fortress to watch the Dragon Army begin its march, the mood is grim; even if the Lin Kuei hadn't defected, the Titan version of Shang Tsung will have been preparing his timeline to go to war since long ago, meaning Liu Kang's timeline will be at a huge strength disadvantage once the fighting starts. The Shang Tsung of this timeline has an idea; what if there were more than two timelines created during the battle over the Hourglass? If so, they could use them to make up for their strength deficit, with Kitana realizing he means to gather allies from these timelines. Geras however explains that even if such timelines exist, only the Keeper of Time can search for them and Liu Kang no longer has that power. He may be able to recover it though; Geras reveals that when Liu Kang originally gave up his power over the Hourglass, he collected and preserved it in case the God of Fire ever needed to make use of it in the future. He never mentioned this to Liu Kang until now because re-becoming the Keeper of Time would likely make it a permanent change and force him to relinquish his beloved life as the Guardian of Earthrealm; he didn't want his friend to be able to make that sacrifice unless there was no other option.
Liu Kang thanks Geras for his wisdom and asks where his power has been stored. Geras replies that it's back at the Fire Temple, within a jade jaguar gifted to Liu Kang by the Great Kung Lao.
Chapter 13: Deadly Alliance (Shang Tsung)
Chapter 14: Time of Death (Liu Kang)
Chapter 15: Armageddon
