In Earthrealm (and the people in them).

Motaro impaling Johnny Cage on a spear.

Raiden and Nightwolf standing before a black portal in the middle of a

desert.

Raiden watching Jax receiving his cybernetic implants.

Liu Kang punching a hole through Shao Kahn's chest.

Kano in shackles.

Baraka commanding Tarkatan forces to attack the Wu Shi Academy.

Liu Kang in a fighting stance before a beaten Shang Tsung.

Kung Lao discarding a disguise and running toward Baraka.

Reptile lunging toward Johnny Cage.

The portal then pans out into the eyes of Raiden. He gasps and clutches his

head. It's apparent that this is the Raiden of the past - of the time of

first Mortal Kombat tournament, to be precise. Liu Kang walks up to him.

LIU KANG: Lord Raiden! What is wrong?

RAIDEN: Strange visions...

A crackling of magic eminates from Raiden's amulet. He holds it in his hand.

It has cracked in several places.

LIU KANG: Your amulet!

RAIDEN: It is nothing, Liu Kang. The tournament begins.

They both turn to witness a procession of monks walking towards them. It

becomes apparent they are on Shang Tsung's magical island. Johnny Cage

watches alongside Sonya Blade to the left of them. Sub-Zero (Bi-Han, the

older brother) is slightly behind them with Cyrax and Sektor (both currently

human) flanking him.

The camera cuts to behind the grandmasters throne. The elderly Shang-Tsung

walks out, flanked by Kitana and Jade. Baraka enters as well to the left of

them. Nightwolf (on Raiden's left) watches cautiously, while Quan Chi and

Scorpion (to the left of Johnny Cage and Sonya) watch them impassively. The

monks finish their walk and sit down before Shang Tsung.

SHANG TSUNG: Kombatants. I am Shang Tsung! In the coming days each of you

will fight. Some are here of their own volition, others were brought here by

chance...

As Tsung continues talking, Johnny Cage looks to his right at Sonya.

JOHNNY CAGE: Hey, beautiful. Johnny Cage.

SONYA: Good for you.

JOHNNY CAGE: What? "Massive Strike", "Citizen Cage", "Ninja Mime"? None of

those ring a bell?

Sonya looks over to see another kombatant walking out into the arena.

SONYA: Kano...

JOHNNY CAGE: "Kano"? Wasn't in that one...

SHANG TSUNG: You participate in the most important Mortal Kombat in history!

This tournament, the tenth after nine Outworld victories, will determine

Earthrealm's fate. If you defeat all of your opponents, you will face one

final challenge... me.

JOHNNY CAGE: Huh! That old geezer's the final challenge? They might as well

give me the belt right now. They do have belts, right?

Someone coughs behind Cage. He turns round to see Shang Tsung standing

beside him.

JOHNNY CAGE: What? How did you--

SHANG TSUNG: Appearances can be deceiving.

He levitates back toward his throne.

---------------------------

(3D) CHAPTER 1: JOHNNY CAGE

---------------------------

SHANG TSUNG: Our first kombatant will be Mr. Cage!

Johnny laughs defiantly and strides forward.

JOHNNY CAGE: That's right! That's right! Who's it gonna be?

SHANG TSUNG: Reptile!

Cage looks toward a rooftop of the arena. Reptile materialises on the rooftop

(having been observing while invisible) and jumps to the arena floor to the

monks applause.

JOHNNY CAGE: Nice stunt! Who's your agent?

SHANG TSUNG: Begin!

JOHNNY CAGE: All right, it's showtime!

They fight. Cage gets his chance to show off his considerable martial skills

against the Zaterrean assassin. After a fierce exchange, Cage shows he can

back up his trash talking by managing to defeat Reptile.

JOHNNY CAGE: He got Caged! That's it, ha haa! Oh yeah! I'm so pretty!

Liu Kang and Raiden watch Johnny's gloating with equal amounts of disgust.

Cage then stalks up to several of the observing kombatants.

JOHNNY CAGE: And I'm takin' you down, I'm takin' you down, I'm takin' you

out, I'm takin' you out, and I'm taking you out...

He's now in front of Sonya.

JOHNNY CAGE: ...for dinner!

Johnny snickers as Sonya reacts with disdain.

SHANG TSUNG: Your second challenge, Mr. Cage. Baraka!

The Tarkatan warrior roars out loud and jumps to the arena floor to the

monks applause.

JOHNNY CAGE: Hmmm, ok... Nice makeup, but is it really necessary?

Baraka unsheathes his arm-blades.

JOHNNY CAGE: Woah!

BARAKA: They will taste your flesh!

They fight. Even though he's just fought an intense battle with Reptile,

Cage shows he still has the stamina to take on Baraka. After another hard

fought exchange, Cage manages to emerge victorious and still has the energy

to keep talking.

JOHNNY CAGE: Man, I love those blades! My producer has got to meet you! We're

doing "Tommy Scissorfists", and--

SHANG TSUNG: Congratulations, Mr. Cage. Now, FINISH HIM!

JOHNNY CAGE: Finish him? Yeah, right!

SHANG TSUNG: Kill him!

Johnny looks to the crowd. Sub-Zero and Cyrax look on in anticipation, as do

Quan Chi and Scorpion. Cage begins to realise the gravity of his situation.

JOHNNY CAGE: Woah! Woah, woah, wait a second! I'm not gonna kill anyone!

Liu Kang throws a confused look at Raiden, who takes in the scene impassively.

SHANG TSUNG: Very well.

He stands up from his chair.

SHANG TSUNG: The tournament will resume at dawn!

He turns around and departs. The monks all rise and start to do the same.

JOHNNY CAGE: What, that's it? Really?

No one answers him. Johnny turns around and rubs his hands in anticipation.

JOHNNY CAGE: Now where'd that hottie go?

As he leaves, Johnny finds Raiden and Liu Kang walking up to him.

RAIDEN: You fought well.

JOHNNY CAGE: Thanks. Nice hat.

LIU KANG: You should be more respectful of Lord Raiden. He is the protector

of Earthrealm, the God of Thunder, the--

JOHNNY CAGE: Look, I don't know what kind of role-playing you guys are into,

but count me out.

He turns to leave but Kang steps in his path.

LIU KANG: This tournament is more than a chance for personal glory. We are

fighting for the very survival of Earthrealm.

JOHNNY CAGE: What are you talking about?

RAIDEN: Your last opponent was Tarkatan. He was born with those blades.

JOHNNY CAGE: (Sarcastically) Yeah, those things are real.

Two guards pick up Baraka's unconscious form and carry him off.

RAIDEN: He represents Outworld. Had you lost, the emperor Shao Kahn would

have come one step closer to physically absorbing our world into his.

JOHNNY CAGE: Outworld, yeah right, right...

RAIDEN: The Elder Gods created the Mortal Kombat tournament to give

Earthrealm a chance to defend itself. But if we lose this time, Shao Kahn

will conquer all.

JOHNNY CAGE: Dun Dun Dunnn!

He dramatically throws his arms up in the air.

JOHNNY CAGE: Look guys, I'm an actor. I save the world for the cameras. If

this emperor is really a threat, call the military. Me, I've got a date with

a blonde. Ciao!

He slaps Raiden on the arm and leaves.

LIU KANG: What do you see in him?

RAIDEN: He is a hero, Liu Kang, though he may not yet know it.

On a bridge overbearing a deep pit, Sonya Blade is trying to use her radio to

talk to the Special Forces Command.

COMMAND: Triangulating your signal for evac, but...

The radio becomes briefly distorted.

COMMAND: ...there is no island.

SONYA: I'm standing on it! Just lock onto my wrist comm!

Johnny walks onto the bridge and smiles.

COMMAND: Understood. What is your current status?

SONYA: They have Jax. And if I don't fight in this crazy tournament, they'll

kill him. I'm gonna try to--

JOHNNY CAGE: Need help? I specialise in rescuing damsels in distress.

SONYA: You again. Listen, I've got serious problems here. I'm in no mood to

be hit on by some movie star.

JOHNNY CAGE: C'mon. A girl like you shouldn't be wandering around this freak

show alone.

Sonya sighs and tries to walk off. Johnny grabs her by the arm.

JOHNNY CAGE: Look, baby, I can't let you run loose without an escort.

Sonya punches him in the stomach, then across the face, knocking him down.

She assumes a fighting stance.

SONYA: I don't need an escort, and I'm sure as hell not your baby!

They fight. Although reluctant to do so, Johnny Cage shows that he's not

afraid of fighting a woman if he has to. After a brief scuffle, Cage manages

to get the upper hand and he knocks Sonya to the ground.

JOHNNY CAGE: Ha haaa! Not bad for a... girl...

Johnny seems to regret getting caught up in the moment and extends his hand

to her.

JOHNNY CAGE: Look, sorry about that.

Sonya slaps his hand away.

SONYA: I don't need your help.

JOHNNY CAGE: Fine. Have it your way. I'll just leave you to your... problems.

Cage fails to notice the burly Australian sneaking up behind him.

KANO: Good idea!

Kano grabs Cage from behind and throws him off the bridge.

KANO: Now that he's softened you up, it's my turn!

The camera begins to pan down the bridge.

SONYA: Not man enough for a fair fight?

KANO: I don't do "fair".

Off camera, Kano blasts her with his eye beam.

KANO: No need to get up, love.

The camera pans furthur down the bridge to see Johnny has grabbed one of the

protruding spikes to save himself from impalement. Sonya's screams echo

above him as he looks down at the victims that fell before him.

KANO: So tell me...how are things at Command?

SONYA: Bastard!

Sonya continues to scream as Kano blasts her again and again. Cage attempts

to climb up the rock surface, but cannot get a good grip without slipping.

KANO: Guillible bitch. Just had to point you in the wrong direction.

Couldn'ta done it without ya!

SONYA: S.F. is on the way. You won't get far.

KANO: Oh, I got a knack for survival. You, on the other hand, are gonna die

here.

Cage suddenly somersaults back onto the bridge.

JOHNNY CAGE: Step away from the lady!

He stalks toward Kano, dusting himself off.

JOHNNY CAGE: Fans think my moves are all wire work and special effects.

Truth is... I AM the special effects.

They fight. While Johnny has his work cut out for him fighting a brutal thug

like Kano, he manages to keep the fight at a level pace and, using a few

tricks up his sleeve, leaves Kano on the floor unconscious.

JOHNNY CAGE: Throw that on your... barby... Shrimp...

He walks toward Sonya.

SONYA: Thanks.

JOHNNY CAGE: No problem. Who is that guy anyway?

He offers her his hand, but remembering what happened last time, he draws it

back. Sonya then extends her hand to him, allowing him to help her to his

feet.

SONYA: His name's Kano. He was an informant in our Black Dragon investigation.

Big-time arms dealers. Turns out he was their leader and giving us the

runaround. Lot of our guys got killed because of him.

JOHNNY CAGE: So that's not a costume? You're actual military?

SONYA: Special Forces.

JOHNNY CAGE: Get out! So you know about this "threat to the world" stuff,

right? Raiden called in the cavalry.

SONYA: Raiden? No idea who you're talking about.

As they turn around, they see no sign of Kano.

SONYA: Damn.

JOHNNY CAGE: He can't be far.

SONYA: He'll have to wait.

She holds out her hand.

SONYA: I appreciate your help, Cage.

Johnny shakes it.

JOHNNY CAGE: Johnny.

SONYA: But right now I've got things to take care of. My C.O. is locked up

on this island somewhere. I have to find him.

She walks off. Cage looks at her with admiration.

---------------------

(3E) CHAPTER 2: SONYA

---------------------

Sonya has found her way into an underground location on the island. She

creeps around cautiously.

SONYA: Jax! Jax, are you in here?

She has walked into what appears to be a prison or a lair. Rotting bodies

stripped off their flesh hang off rusty meathooks. One of the the iron

barred cells Sonya comes across contains Jackson Briggs. He looks like he's

been severely beaten during his incarceration.

SONYA: Oh my God. What did they do to you?

JAX: Run, girl, run...

Behind her, Shang Tsung walks into the prison with two masked guards flanking

him.

SHANG TSUNG: Miss Blade! You do not disappoint. I have been expecting you.

SONYA: Let him go! We're not part of your tournament!

SHANG TSUNG: On the contrary, you are very much a kontestant. You will face

Sub-Zero, of the Lin Kuei clan of assassins.