In a burst of hellfire, Scorpion teleports onto the arena floor. Johnny Cage

gasps in awe, and even Liu Kang looks impressed.

SHANG TSUNG: Scorpion! Specter of the Netherrealm! Resurrected by the

sorcerer Quan Chi! Who among you is worthy of this challenge?

SCORPION: Where is the Lin Kuei Sub-Zero? He killed my family and clan. I

will have his head!

Raiden approaches the masked guard.

RAIDEN: I know it is you, Kung Lao. The Shaolin monks chose Liu Kang to

represent your order in this tournament.

KUNG LAO: I am Liu Kang's equal!

RAIDEN: That remains to be seen.

KUNG LAO: Watch and see.

He promptly walks onto the arena floor, discarding his disguise as he does

so.

KUNG LAO: I accept the challenge!

LIU KANG: Kung Lao?

Shang Tsung looks quite disturbed at this new turn of events. Kung Lao faces

Scorpion.

KUNG LAO: Nevermind the Lin Kuei. Now you face a Shaolin.

He accentuates his point by running two fingers across his razor-sharp hat

and assuming a fighting stance.

SCORPION: You will regret your impulsiveness.

They fight. Although an expert fighter in the Shaolin arts, the powers of

the Netherrealm prove too much to cope with for Kung Lao. Scorpion soon beats

him into an unconscious form on the ground.

SCORPION: You are not yet a warrior.

LIU KANG: Kung Lao!

Liu Kang rushes to the aid of his Shaolin brother. Raiden walks over and

begins to admonish Kung Lao.

RAIDEN: Listen when your elders speak! You could not win this fight.

He assists Liu Kang in helping Kung Lao to his feet. Scorpion watches the

exchange without emotion, then turns to face Shang Tsung.

SCORPION: I have defeated the challenger, Shang Tsung. I demand Sub-Zero!

Raiden gets another vision at that moment; first of Scorpion holding

Sub-Zero's removed head along with his spinal cord, then the head morphs

Into the visage of the wraith Noob Saibot.

SHANG TSUNG: You will demand nothing! Nightwolf!

The native American walks over to Scorpion and addresses him.

NIGHTWOLF: Your aggression is misplaced.

SCORPION: What do you know of my pa--

NIGHTWOLF: You are not the only one whose people have been victimised. But I

have found new purpose in serving the Spirits. I do not cling to the past.

SCORPION: You no longer seek retribution? You dishonour your kind. I will

honour the memory of my fallen.

They fight. Nightwolf's powers prove more of a match for Scorpion that Kung

Lao did, but even he cannot withstand the fury of the vengeful ninja.

Scorpion once again emerges victorious and leaves Nightwolf unconscious on

the ground.

SCORPION: The spirits have forsaken you, Shaman.

SHANG TSUNG: An impressive start!

Scorpion clenches a fist at Shang Tsung that bursts into flame.

SCORPION: You waste my time, sorcerer!

Quan Chi holds up his hand.

QUAN CHI: Restraint, Scorpion.

Although not pleased about it, Scorpion acknowledges the order and his hand

returns to normal.

SHANG TSUNG: You will fight Sub-Zero soon enough.

He stands up and takes his leave, with Quan Chi following. As Scorpion lowers

his head and ponders recent events, Raiden attracts his attention.

RAIDEN: Scorpion, I understand your desire for revenge. But Nightwolf is

right. There are other ways in which you may find peace.

SCORPION: Sub-Zero deserves death.

RAIDEN: Defeat Sub-Zero if you must, but do not kill him. I fear his death

will give rise to a more treacherous foe.

SCORPION: I will have my revenge!

RAIDEN: Spare Sub-Zero's life and I will request that the Elder Gods return

the Shirai Ryu to the realm of mortals.

Scorpion takes a few moments to contemplate this new turn of events. He

eventually looks Raiden in the eyes and nods his consent. Raiden nods back

and walks off with Liu Kang and Kung Lao, leaving the spectre alone.

Some time later, the door to Shang Tsung's throne room is opened and Scorpion

walks in. Several kombatants are milling around discussing things with one

another. Two of those kombatants are Cyrax and Sektor of the Lin Kuei.

CYRAX: I understand there are benefits to the Grand Master's plan, but his

plan goes against Lin Kuei principles.

SEKTOR: We are Lin Kuei, Cyrax. We will obey the Grand Master's commands.

CYRAX: It means giving up our free will... our souls. It will turn us into--

Sektor stops him as Scorpion approaches them.

SEKTOR: Scorpion.

CYRAX: Your inferior clan is dead. Soon you will join them.

SCORPION: My clan may walk the Earth once more.

Cyrax pushes him back in response. Shang Tsung immediately spots this.

SHANG TSUNG: A challenge! Scorpion versus Cyrax and Sektor!

CYRAX: Your obesssion with Sub-Zero ends here.

They fight. Both Cyrax and Sektor are formidable warriors with plenty of

weapons and technology to fight with, but Scorpion's unnatural strength and

powers still give him the edge in kombat. Both members of the Lin Kuei are

soon knocked unconscious.

SCORPION: I will have my revenge, but I will not kill Sub-Zero.

As Raiden nods his approval, a new voice attracts everyone's attention.

SUB-ZERO: Will not? Or cannot?

Sub-Zero walks into the room.

SCORPION: You!

The two enemies walk up to one another.

SCORPION: The Shirai Ryu are dead. You will suffer as they did.

SUB-ZERO: To hell with your clan!

SCORPION: No, to Hell with YOU!

He grabs Sub-Zero and they both disappear in a flash of hellfire. They

reappear in a place filled with fire, burning bodies and malicious

architecture.

SUB-ZERO: The Netherrealm.

SCORPION: This is where I was reborn. This is where you will pay!

They fight. The battle is truly an epic one, with both kombatants equally

matched in strength and fighting skill. In the end, Scorpion's fury gets the

better of Sub-Zero and he is beaten into submission.

SCORPION: I have avenged my family and clan.

Quan Chi teleports into the realm.

QUAN CHI: This is your retribution? Scorpion, kill him.

SCORPION: I... I will not. He has been beaten.

QUAN CHI: Have you forgotten?

Quan Chi magically creates a visage of the homeland of the Shirai Ryu.

SCORPION: What is this?

The entire village is in flames. Shirai Ryu clansmen are cut down by a hail

of arrows.

SCORPION: No...

Another is decapitated by a Lin Kuei assassin. Yet more are run through by

katanas from horseback riders and by arrows from archer marksmen. Among the

horseriders is Sub-Zero.

QUAN CHI: Your clan. Your family.

Another vision is magically created by the sorcerer. It shows Scorpion's

wife and infant son huddled in a corner of their home. The door opens to

reveal Sub-Zero, katana in hand. He unsheathes it, and unmoved by the wife's

tears, brings the blade down. All that is seen is a blood splattering the

walls, along with the petals of a rose worn in his wife's hair. The

implications are all too obvious.

SCORPION: NO!

The vision fades. Sub-Zero, badly wounded as he is, is on his feet and

holding a hand up in mercy.

SUB-ZERO: That is not me!

Scorpion rips his mask off his head. All that is present is a skull enwrapped

in flames. The scene immediately cuts to black.

Back in the throne room of Shang Tsung, Scorpion reappears. Shang Tsung

smiles in anticipation. Wordlessly, Scorpion holds up a scorched skull with

the spinal cord attached.

JOHNNY CAGE: Ouch.

His head hung in either sorrow or despair, Scorpion lets the skull shatter on

the ground. With a loud scream, he bursts into flame and disappears. As the

kombatants leave, Raiden looks over the skull alongside Cyrax.

RAIDEN: Despite my efforts, my vision has come to pass. An unfortunate end.

He once defended Earthrealm from the Netherrealm armies of Shinnok and Quan

Chi.

CYRAX: Scorpion will pay for this!

RAIDEN: Sub-Zero's fate is his own doing.

CYRAX: His own doing?!

RAIDEN: The Lin Kuei have a history of making ruinous choices.

Cyrax glares at Raiden and begins to storm off, but Raiden's next words stop

him short.

RAIDEN: Such as the Cyber Initiative.

Cyrax turns back around to face him.

CYRAX: I am among those speaking out against the Grand Master's plan.

Surgically transform the Lin Kuei into glorified robots? It kills our

intuition, our instincts.

RAIDEN: Did you speak out against the Lin Kuei's participation in this

tournament?

CYRAX: We were invited by Shang Tsung.

RAIDEN: He pays you to kill Earthrealm warriors. Betraying your own realm?

I expect better, even from an assassin.

CYRAX: My loyalty is to the Grand Master.

He tries to walk off again, but Raiden stops him once more.

RAIDEN: Victory for Shang Tsung means the end of Earthrealm. And the Lin Kuei.

Cyrax pauses for a moment, but still walks off. Baraka, who has watched the

whole exchange, snarls ominously and also leaves.

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

(3G) CHAPTER 4: CYRAX

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

The scene changes to The Pit. Cyrax is walking along it when a growl attracts

his attention. He turns around to see Baraka alonside with a tall woman with

four arms.

CYRAX: What are you doing? I'm not here to fight you. I'm assigned to kill

Johnny Cage.

SHEEVA: Shang Tsung no longer has need of you.

She holds two of her arms up to stop Baraka from intervening.

CYRAX: What do you mean?

SHEEVA: He is terminating your agreement. And you!

They fight. Although unprepared to take on a member of the Shokan race, Cyrax

and his weapons prove to be up to the challenge. After a heated fight, he

manages to defeat Sheeva.

CYRAX: I need to have a talk with your master.

Baraka roars and charges forward, blades unsheathed.

BARAKA: This fight is not over.

CYRAX: You mean to finish me? You couldn't even stop the actor!

They fight. Baraka's fury, as ferocious as his blades, is still not enough to

defeat Cyrax's tricks and skill. The Tarkatan nomad is soon lying on the

floor next to Sheeva.

CYRAX: Now this fight is over. Shang Tsung has turned on me. I need to find

out why.

Back in the arena, Shang Tsung is talking with Sektor. Cyrax looks over to

Raiden, who greets him with a nod. Cyrax then walks over to Sektor and Tsung.

CYRAX: Sektor, we need to talk. Our host tried to have me killed.

SHANG TSUNG: You were speaking with the Thunder God. Your indescretion has

jepordised my plan.

SEKTOR: Cyrax is Lin Kuei. He will complete his task.

SHANG TSUNG: We shall see. The next match will be Cyrax versus Johnny Cage.

JOHNNY CAGE: What, me? All right then.

Johnny steps up to the arena floor.

JOHNNY CAGE: Not everyone gets to rumble with a celebrity. Ready for your

beatdown, Sunshine? Here it comes!

They fight. The battle is an intense display of martial arts and dirty

tricks, but in the end Cyrax manages to emerge victorious.

CYRAX: That should shut you up.

Cyrax stalks over to Cage and lifts him up by the neck, preparing to land a

final blow.

SHANG TSUNG: Finish him!

Cyrax looks over to Tsung, then to Raiden, who shakes his head. He makes his

decision.

CYRAX: I won't kill him!

He lets Cage down and walks off. Shang Tsung glowers in fury, but Raiden nods

his approval. Sektor watches his comrade leave with disdain on his face. The

scene cuts to the two of them talking in the jungle.

SEKTOR: You were commanded to kill Johnny Cage. You disobeyed.

CYRAX: I eliminated him from the tournament. He didn't need to die.

SEKTOR: You have broken your oath.

CYRAX: I used my judgment!

SEKTOR: The Cyber Initiative will eliminate insubordination.

CYRAX: We're not machines, Sektor. I chose to serve the Lin Kuei. But I will

not surrender my free will!

They fight. The fight between the two technologically advanced assassins is

brutal and deadly, but in the end it is Cyrax who defeats Sektor.

CYRAX: Tell the Grand Master I am finished.

SEKTOR: No one leaves the Lin Kuei--

Cyrax responds by kicking Sektor in the face, knocking him unconscious. He

then walks off.

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

(3H) CHAPTER 5: LIU KANG

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

Back in Shang Tsung's throne room, several masked guards are escorting a new

warrior, covered in a mask of cloth and red clothing.

SHANG TSUNG: Kombatants! I present this latest creation of Shao Kahn. He is

many warriors, their souls fused into one being. Behold... Ermac!

Ermac assumes a fighting kata. He glows with green energy, makes a magic

light crackle before him and the air around him into ripples. Johnny Cage is

once again impressed. Kano snickers under his breath.

RAIDEN: Be wary, Liu Kang. He is unlike anything you have fought before.

Liu Kang steps up to face Ermac.

SHANG TSUNG: Liu Kang! You are the sole Earthrealm warrior to progress to

this final stage of the tournament!

LIU KANG: I am ready.

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

They fight. Ermac's telekenetic powers and control over magic would be an

even match for several kombatants, but Liu Kang is no oridinary warrior.

After an intense battle, his fighting skill overcomes the mystical warrior.

LIU KANG: Earthrealm will not fall into your master's hands.

With the fight over, the kombatants take their leave. Kitana walks over to

Shang Tsung, who is seething with rage.

KITANA: He is a greater threat than anticipated. I will insure he does not

reach the final challenge.

Shang Tsung nods his approval and Kitana departs after Kang. Later in the

forest, Liu Kang is practicing a kata with Raiden watching.

RAIDEN: Remember Bo' Rai Cho's teachings. For my vision to be realised, you

must not let emotion overpower you.

LIU KANG: Your visions. What causes them?

RAIDEN: My future self sent them to me. Perhaps to ensure some outcome.

LIU KANG: Or to prevent one.

Raiden gasps again. Another vision appears in his mind, this time of future

Raiden.

FUTURE RAIDEN: He must win!

The vision disappears.

RAIDEN: "He must win". Those are my last words before I die. I believe it is

you who must win.

He takes off his amulet.

RAIDEN: This amulet was forged by the Elder Gods. It cracked here in the

present after my first vision. If we choose wisely, the future will be

secured and the cracks healed.

LIU KANG: I trust you will make the right decisions.

RAIDEN: We must trust in the Elder Gods, Liu Kang.

Raiden teleports away in a flash of lightning. Liu Kang prepares to resume

his kata, only to find Kitana walking toward him. She attacks immediately,

but he blocks all of her attacks and kicks her away. She tries again, fails

to land a good hit and he kicks her away again. Getting angry, Kitana tries

another attack, but Liu Kang grabs both her arms before she can connect. He

seems rather intrigued by her efforts.

LIU KANG: You're good! Show me more.

She pushes him back.

KITANA: Do not underestimate me, Shaolin.

They fight. Even with ten thousand years of experience behind her, Kitana is

pretty much outclassed by the Shaolin warrior. She is soon down on the floor.

LIU KANG: I am impressed.

KITANA: Do it.

LIU KANG: Do what?

KITANA: Kill me.

Kitana is now sitting up. Liu Kang kneels next to her.

LIU KANG: Why would I do that?

KITANA: I came to kill you. I have failed my father. My emperor.

LIU KANG: Shao Kahn is your father?!

KITANA: I have disgraced him. You must kill me.

LIU KANG: I will not.

She looks up at him in confusion.

LIU KANG: This encounter never took place. You have disgraced no one.

He stands up and begins to walk away, but turns around one last time.

LIU KANG: I hope we meet again. Under... different circumstances.

He walks off, leaving Kitana to ponder what took place.

The scene cuts to the courtyard exterior. It is now night, and Liu Kang

walks in, flanked by Kung Lao and Raiden. Earthrealm's remaining warriors,

along with Shang Tsung and Kitana, are all waiting in anticipation.

SHANG TSUNG: Kombatants! Only one Earthrealm warrior remains.

Raiden nods and Kung Lao places his hand on Kang's shoulder. They nod to one

another.

SHANG TSUNG: The Shaolin Liu Kang. Is he ready to bear such a heavy burden?

Earthrealm's fate is in his hands. Your opponent will be... Scorpion!

The hellspawn ninja appears in a flash of fire. Liu Kang assumes a fighting

stance.

LIU KANG: I do not fear you, demon.

SHANG TSUNG: Fighting with Scorpion... the sorcerer Quan Chi!

Quan Chi teleports through a portal, laughing as he does so.

SCORPION: You have already lost.

They fight. The odds are truly stacked against Liu Kang, but he rises to the

occassion and surpasses both Netherrealm denziens with his strength, speed

and fighting prowess. After a intense battle of endurance, Kang prevails.

LIU KANG: As I said, I do not fear you. I pity you.

Shang Tsung's eyes narrow with displeasure. Liu Kang walks up to Raiden.

RAIDEN: You have done well. But the tournament is not yet over.

LIU KANG: Goro.

JOHNNY CAGE: (To Sonya) What's a "Goro"?

She shrugs in answer.

SHANG TSUNG: Liu Kang... it has been years since an Earthrealm warrior has

progressed this far. But the reigning champion is far beyond your ability.

To the Lair with you!

Tsung opens a portal under Kang's feet. He falls right through it and lands

hard on the floor of the Lair. It is in fact the prison Sonya fought through,

and notably there is a large throne that has no one in it. Kang rises to his

feet and looks around, spotting no one until a voice sounds out behind him.

GORO: I did not expect to fight in this tournament.

Kang wheels around. He comes face to face with an eight foot tall, four armed

humanoid.

GORO: But eventually even the Shaolin produce a warrior worthy of a Shokan.

He stalks forward to face Liu Kang.

LIU KANG: I know who you are! I am ready for you!

GORO: I will give you a warriors death.

They fight. The battle is the most intense of Liu Kang's life. Goro's

strength is unparalled and his endurance legendary. It takes all of Kang's

skill, speed and stamina to keep in the fight, but amazingly he manages to

take it to the Mortal Kombat champion. After what seems like an age, Goro

finally goes down to the Shaolin warrior.

LIU KANG: It seems the Shaolin trained a warrior greater than a Shokan.

Sensing Goro is out cold, Liu Kang clasps his hands in a prayer of thanks. A

portal opens up behind him. He looks to it with grim determination.

In Shang Tsung's throne room, Raiden and the others await the arrival of the

victor. Shang Tsung sneers unhappily when he sees it is Liu Kang. He steps

from his throne to the floor as Raiden takes in a deep breath in anticipation.

LIU KANG: Shang Tsung! Only one fight remains! Face me... in Mortal Kombat!

SHANG TSUNG: So be it.

They fight. The evil sorcerer brings all of his dark magic to bear, from his

fireballs to the ability to morph into any fighter he chooses. But Liu Kang

fights past all of it, delivering a vicious beatdown to the treacherous

servant of Shao Kahn. Finally, Kang knocks Tsung to the floor, leaving him

beaten.

LIU KANG: Say it.

SHANG TSUNG: I concede.

The Earthrealm warriors all cheer in unison.

KUNG LAO: Well done, my friend.

RAIDEN: He has saved Earthrealm.

A large beam of light, eminating from a portal, descends into the throne

room. The Earthrealm warriors all surround Liu Kang, offering him

congratulations.

SONYA: That was awesome, Liu Kang!

NIGHTWOLF: Congratulations.

JAX: Way to go, kid!

JOHNNY CAGE: MVP, baby!

Shang Tsung and his minions all take their leave through a portal back to

Outworld. The last to depart is Kitana, who casts a longing look at Liu

Kang. He smiles at her as she exits through the portal. Kang then turns to

face Raiden, who bows his head in congratulations. Liu Kang does the same. As

Kung Lao puts a hand on his shoulder and Kang nods back, Raiden takes another

look at his amulet expectantly... only to find more cracks appear among it.

He ponders the meaning of this with a look of worry.

Back in Outworld, Shang Tsung is on his knees before Shao Kahn. Baraka,

Reptile and Kitana stand over the sorcerer expectantly.

SHAO KAHN: You failed me! Five hundred years I have waited! Now I must wait

five hundred more!

SHANG TSUNG: My lord! All is not lost!

Kahn turns around and begins speaking to himself.

SHAO KAHN: Curse the Elder Gods and their tournament!

SHANG TSUNG: My lord!

SHAO KAHN: I should have taken Earthrealm by force! But I am bound by their

rules.

He sits on his throne.

SHAO KAHN: Rules that cannot be broken.

SHANG TSUNG: My lord--

SHAO KAHN: Kill him!

Baraka and Reptile restrain Tsung as Kitana prepares her bladed fans.

SHANG TSUNG: But what if the rules were changed?

Kahn holds up his hand.

SHAO KAHN: Kitana!

She pauses.

SHAO KAHN: Continue...

At the Wu Shi Academy in Earthrealm, Liu Kang walks through a congregation

of monks and his new friends from the tournament (minus Nightwolf, who's

presumably returned to his homeland) towards Raiden. He clasps his hands in

respect and bows his head. Raiden then presents him with a golden medal with

a dragon at it's forefront, signifying Kang's new status as Champion of

Mortal Kombat. He hangs the medal around Kang's neck as the crowd applauds.

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

(3I) CHAPTER 6: JAX

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

Time passes to night. Still at the Wu Shi Academy, Jax is smoking a cigar

while contemplating recent events with Raiden.

RAIDEN: I do not understand why my amulet is furthur damaged. "He must win".