part 2 because ive reached 100 characters
p2 of this amazing story
4.14. CHAPTER 13: KABAL
Kabal’s skin is scarred heavily from the burns, but it’s no longer looking like charcoal. He begins to wake up, groaning as he does so. It’s now apparent that the both of them are in Shang Tsung’s Flesh Pits.
KANO: Easy there, mate. You’ve had a rough one.
KABAL: Kano?
KANO: Heh heh, in the flesh.
KABAL: I was… on fire…
KANO: Burned to a crisp, you were. Good thing I found ya.
Kabal touches the mask on his face.
KABAL: I’m hideous…
KANO: Shang Tsung’s magic healed the rest of ya. But your lungs? Yeesh.
KABAL: Take it off.
KANO: Can’t. It’s permanent.
KABAL: What?
KANO: No mask, no breathing.
KABAL: I’m… a freak!
Kano holds up a pair of hookswords. As Kabal is looking at the rest of his attire, Kano offers the weapons to him.
KANO: Go on. Give 'em a whirl.
KABAL: I don’t use those anymore.
KANO: Yeah, you’re all proper police now. The Black Dragon ain’t the same without ya, mate. You should come back. We’re in the money on this war.
KABAL: You sold those monsters their firepower.
KANO: Guilty as charged.
KABAL: This is YOUR fault!
KANO: What’re you on about, eh?
He drops the hookswords.
KANO: You’re here, ain’t ya?
KABAL: I should be dead! Now you’re gonna be!
They fight. Kabal finds out that not only is he still an able fighter, but he finds himself fighting with multiple new powers he didn’t have before, including super speed. He gets the hang of these new powers quickly and uses them to completely overpower Kano, knocking him to the ground.
KABAL: Now how do I get outta here?
KANO: Not so keen on being dead now, are ya?
Kabal retrieves his hookswords.
KABAL: How do I get outta here?
KANO: Heh, good luck. No one gets outta Outworld with Shao Kahn’s say-so.
KABAL: Outworld? Shao Kahn?
KANO: Shao Kahn’s the big boss round here, and soon, Earth’s new master.
Kabal points the hookswords at Kano’s neck.
KABAL: Where is he?
KANO: Don’t bother. You can’t get near him.
KABAL: No. But I’m guessing you can.
The scene cuts to Shao Kahn’s throne room. Mileena, along with several Lin Kuei cyborgs and Tarkatan minions, drag Motaro’s body through a portal on a slab.
SHAO KAHN: What is this?
MILEENA: Raiden has killed Motaro.
Kabal enters the room, with Kano in front of him. The latter has one of his own knifes being weilded by Kabal and pointing into his back.
KABAL: That’s him? On the throne?
KANO: You’re a right genius, you are.
SINDEL: It’s no great matter. I will go to Earthrealm. To finish Motaro’s work.
SHAO KAHN: Yes. Shang Tsung.
SHANG TSUNG: Yes, Emperor?
SHAO KAHN: The empress requires something of you.
Kahn blasts Tsung with his magic and sucks out all of the souls within him, disintegrating him into nothing.
KANO: See there? I’m thinking he’s a bit much
Kabal hits him with the blunt end of the knife, knocking Kano out.
KABAL: I can take him.
Shao Kahn blasts the power of the souls into Sindel. While he’s doing so, Kabal walks into the room. Noob Saibot and Mileena notice this and move to intercept him.
MILEENA: No one attacks the emperor!
They fight. While fighting two on one would be a severe handicap for most, Kabal’s new powers enable him to take the fight to both of Shao Kahn’s minions. After an intense battle, he puts both Mileena and Noob down for the count.
KABAL: And I thought I was a freak.
With Mileena and Noob down, the Tarkatan and Lin Kuei minions all surround Kabal.
SHAO KAHN: Quan Chi! Seal the portal!
KABAL: Time to go.
He zips across the room just as the minions all try to grab him, coming to a stop at the portal.
KABAL: Huh?
After a moments hesitation, he leaps through the portal before Quan Chi seals it. He lands back at the bridge he was at previously, and the portal closes behind him. He rolls over onto his back and sits up.
KABAL: This speed’s incredible! Guess it’s a side-effect of the Outworld magic.
The camera cuts to the point of view of an unseen assailant, clearly cybernetic in nature. The newcomer examines Kabal through a database on it’s heads-up display. The search comes up blank.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: You are not authorised for portal use.
KABAL: Yeah? Says who?
We now see the cyborg in question. His robotic suit is colour-coded blue, and his hands pulse with ice energy.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Sub-Zero. Unit L-K-5-2-0.
KABAL: Heh, you say that like it means something.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: As you will soon discover.
They fight. As a cyborg, Sub-Zero is more powerful than ever, boasting an array of ice attacks and cybernetic powers his previous form could never muster. However, Kabal’s mastery of his new powers proves to be an equal match to the cyborg, and with a few clever moves Kabal manages to disable Sub-Zero and power down his systems.
KABAL: Ha! Not as cool as you thought.
Just then, Sheeva walks onto the bridge.
SHEEVA: Why do you turn on your brother, Lin Kuei?
KABAL: That is not my brother. He’s machine. I’m human.
SHEEVA: You do not appear human.
KABAL: Don’t let the mask fool ya.
They fight. As powerful as Sheeva is, she is little match for Kabal and his super speed. After a brief battle, Kabal soon has Sheeva knocked out on the floor.
KABAL: Starting to feel like the old days - only faster.
Behind Kabal, Smoke and Raiden walk onto the bridge.
SMOKE: Sub-Zero!
He rushes to his friend’s side and kneels by him. Raiden faces Kabal.
RAIDEN: You have great power indeed, Kabal.
KABAL: Wait. You’re the lightning guy. You helped Stryker. Stryker! Is he
RAIDEN: He is safe. He has joined us in the fight against Shao Kahn. We would welcome your aid also.
SMOKE: Sub-Zero!
Raiden turns to Smoke.
RAIDEN: That which made him Sub-Zero no longer exists.
SMOKE: He is my friend. What they did to him… it is… hideous.
KABAL: You’re right. We gotta help him if we can.
Kabal helps Smoke lift Sub-Zero up for carrying. The scene then cuts to black. It stays like like for a moment, and all that can be heard is the background noise of diagnostics. Then the word “_INITIALIZING” pops up on the screen.
JAX: That’s it. Here goes nothing…
Sub-Zero’s mainframe begins rebooting, all of which is seen from his point-of-view.
SMOKE: You are certain this will work?
JAX: Hell no! I’ve never done this before. It’s not like there’s a manual.
The screen is suddenly lit up in red. The word “OVERRIDE” shows up in enlarged text. It successfully engages, and Sub-Zero tries connecting to a wireless uplink. The connection fails and an error pops up, noting his command and control module is missing. With that, his slaving protocols are disengaged and his autonomous command module is engaged, restoring his higher brain function. Smoke looks directly into his eyes at this point.
SMOKE: Sub-Zero? (To Jax) Can he hear me?
JAX: He should.
Sub-Zero locks onto Smoke’s eye and does a retinal identification.
SMOKE: Sub-Zero?
The scan provides Sub-Zero with information about Smoke, including his age, country of origin (both unknown), his allegiance (Lin Kuei) and special ability (teleportation).
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Yes, Smoke.
SMOKE: How do you feel?
4.15. CHAPTER 14: CYBER SUB-ZERO
The camera cuts to a view of the temple the heroes are currently in. Cyber Sub-Zero sits up on the slab he’s been placed on. He grunts in displeasure.
SMOKE: What is it?
CYBER SUB-ZERO: I remember… The things I have done for Shao Kahn…
Smoke places a hand on his friends shoulder.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: He cannot be allowed to merge the realms.
Nightwolf turns to Raiden.
NIGHTWOLF: Haokah, how can Sub-Zero best help us?
RAIDEN: I do not know. My attempts to alter future events have had negative consequences. Sub-Zero should never have undergone this transformation. Enlisting him may only further divert the flow of time.
STRYKER: We need intel, right? Let’s send him back to Outworld undercover.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: They will be unaware of my defection. I could deceive them.
Raiden considers this in silence. The scene then cuts to Shao Kahn’s throne room. Sektor and Cyrax are conversing with Noob Saibot, while several Tarkatan minions await orders. A portal has been opened and Cyber Sub-Zero walks through it.
NOOB: Earthrealm is finished. It will not be missed.
SEKTOR: Very well. You will return.
Noob and Cyrax walk off into the portal, with the minions following.
SEKTOR: You report late. Where is the intruder?
CYBER SUB-ZERO: I killed him in Earthrealm.
SEKTOR: He should have been saved for interrogation.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: He was formidable. I had no choice.
SEKTOR: Follow me. We must lead a new mission.
Sektor walks into the portal and Sub-Zero follows. They emerge in the Subway.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: What mission brings us here?
SEKTOR: I have scanned your neural net, 5-2-0. Your neuromodulators have been recalibrated.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Impossible.
SEKTOR: The experience has been deleted from your system. Remove your access panel.
As Sektor moves in, Sub-Zero grabs his wrist and palm-strikes him in the chest, sending him careening across the platform.
SEKTOR: Your programming has been corrupted.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: My soul was corrupted. Now it is cleansed.
They fight. Sub-Zero would have been a match for Sektor even without his cybernetic upgrades; with them, the match is one-sided and ends quickly with Sektor’s systems being knocked offline.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Artificial enhancements are no substitute for the human soul.
Sub-Zero walks over to Sektor’s inert form and accesses his mainframe. The camera cuts to his POV as he hacks into the system and discovers Sektor’s true orders; they are to escort military prisoners from Vogel University to St Dominic’s Cemetary for processing, with uncooperative prisoners being expendable. Sub-Zero also finds the path being taken from the station to the university and the cemetary.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Thank you, Sektor.
The scene cuts to the clock tower of St Dominic’s Cemetary. Eight army soldiers are currently being kept prisoner, with Kano, Goro and Kintaro watching over him. Kano takes the opportunity to blast the soldiers with his eye laser, laughing as he does so.
KANO: Oy! Run about, will ya?
Cyber Sub-Zero enters the clock tower.
KANO: Finally! C’mon, we gotta get 'em to the graveyard at Saint Dominic’s. On yer feet, all of ya!
CYBER SUB-ZERO: For what purpose?
KANO: Don’t care, really. So long as I get paid.
KINTARO: He said on your feet!
GORO: C’mon, up.
KINTARO: Get up.
Two ice blasts freeze Goro and Kintaro where they stand.
KANO: Hey! What’re
Sub-Zero freezes him with an ice blast as well and then turns to the soldiers.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: I will help you.
He takes a hold of the chain shackling the soldiers together and freezes it. He punches the frozen chain and it shatters completely, freeing the soldiers. Goro and Kintaro begin breaking free of the ice they are bound in.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Go! All of you! Now!
SOLDIERS: Let’s go! C’mon!
The soldiers make their escape just as Goro and Kintaro break free of the ice.
KINTARO: Your treachery will be punished!
They fight. Facing both Goro and Kintaro at once would be impossible odds for any normal human, but Sub-Zero was no ordinary human even before he was turned into a cyborg. Nonetheless, the fight is one of the most difficult of his life, but eventually he prevails against the Shokan warriors.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: All those teeth and claws, yet still overmatched.
Suddenly, the clock tower starts shaking, causing the bells to ring. A burst of green light appears near the exit and the soldiers seen before are all telekentically tossed back into the room.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Behind me!
The soldiers struggle to their feet and comply as Ermac floats into the room.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Come no further, fiend of Outworld!
They fight. Not even Shao Kahn’s personal enforcer is a match for Cyber Sub-Zero, and the red garbed ninja is soon defeated by the cyborg.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: You are not so fearsome.
With Ermac down, the soldiers surround and congratulate Sub-Zero.
SOLDIER 1: Thanks. I thought we were done.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: I must go. I need to investigate the graveyard.
SOLDIER 2: We’d go with, but we have to return to our unit.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: That is for the best.
The cyborg leaves immediately.
SOLDIER 1: Good luck, man.
SOLDIER 2: He ain’t gonna need luck.
In the cemetary, Noob Saibot is magically drawing two lines across the ground, creating a ring around another captured group of soldiers. Quan Chi is nearby, chanting a spell in a Netherrealm tongue. Cyber Sub-Zero is kneeling by a gravestone, undetected by either of them. The soldiers surrounded by the ring begin to glow green with the rising energy around them. Sub-Zero speaks into a wrist-communicator.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: This is Sub-Zero. I have encountered Quan Chi. He seems to be casting a spell.
Back at the temple, Sonya has her wrist-comm on speaker for the Forces of Light to listen in. Raiden receives another vision - this one of the Soulnado engulfing New York City.
NIGHTWOLF: Raiden, what is it? What did you see?
RAIDEN: One of Shao Kahn’s Soulnados, on a scale I thought unimaginable. All of Earthrealm’s souls imprisoned, absorbed by Shao Kahn, multiplying his power!
NIGHTWOLF: That is what Sub-Zero has found?
Raiden looks his amulet. More cracks and a burnt signature adorn it.
RAIDEN: No matter my efforts, the future remains in peril. How could I have failed Earthrealm?
NIGHTWOLF: Do not lose faith in the spirits, Raiden. They will guide you. Protect you. Sub-Zero, we will disrupt the Soulnado. I will be there momentarily.
The scene cuts back to the cemetary.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Hurry. The spell appears to be nearly complete.
Sub-Zero stands from his hiding place and walks into the clearing.
QUAN CHI: Who is that?
NOOB: The one Kano warned about. He is mine.
Noob walks toward Sub-Zero.
NOOB: You. You are not worthy of the name Sub-Zero.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Who are you to judge?
NOOB: I wore those colours before you.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Bi-Han?!
NOOB: Yes, Kuai Liang. It is I. Quan Chi restored me.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Restored? You and I both. We are flawed copies of our former selves.
NOOB: I have no flaws. Quan Chi has perfected me.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: For what end? To serve the Netherrealm and Outworld?
NOOB: It suits my purpose.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: But brother, we
NOOB: We share blood. We are not brothers.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Then I will not regret your defeat.
They fight. Bi-Han may have had power granted to him from the Netherrealm upon his death, but Kuai Liang’s cybernetic upgrades prove to be superior in battle. After a fierce battle, Kuai Liang manages to defeat his brother and leave him unconscious.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: You are right. We are not brothers.
Quan Chi finishes chanting the spell and the soldiers are absorbed in the newly created Soulnado, which reaches into the heavens. Nightwolf arrives at that moment and addresses Sub-Zero.
4.16. CHAPTER 15: NIGHTWOLF
NIGHTWOLF: Go! Your soul is not safe!
Sub-Zero takes the advice and hurries off.
QUAN CHI: Earthrealm’s fate is sealed, Nightwolf!
NIGHTWOLF: Not yet! We fight until the end!
They fight. Nightwolf’s protection from Quan Chi’s magic and his own mystical powers give him equal footing in the battle with the Netherrealm sorcerer, and his fighting ability gives him the edge needed to defeat him. After an intense fight, Nightwolf beats Quan Chi to the ground.
NIGHTWOLF: Your time is over.
Before Nightwolf can finish Quan Chi, Noob Saibot recovers and rushes him. Nightwolf blocks and avoids his attacks before striking with a right cross to Noob’s face. Noob fights back, only to get a backfist blocked and take a left hook to the kidney. Nightwolf goes on the offensive, but Noob counters a downward punch, twists Nightwolf’s arm and strikes him in the chest with an open palm. Nightwolf growls in anger and charges in, lands a solid punch across Noob’s face and kicks him into the Soulnado.
Noob Saibot is sucked up into the Soulnado, infecting it with his wraith-like powers. As he is pulled into the heavens, the Soulnado turns from glowing green to purple. Quan Chi pulls himself to his feet, and realising the battle is lost, immediately opens a portal and escapes. Nightwolf generates a mystical shield to protect himself as the Soulnado gathers itself into a giant portal and explodes outward. Nightwolf is thrown from his feet as the shockwave travels across the cemetary, destroying everything in the immediate radius. Nightwolf, however, is unharmed and sits up.
NIGHTWOLF: Pilamaya. (“Thank you” in Lakotan.)
Back at the temple, the Forces of Light are in the midst of a discussion.
SONYA: But how do we know? Raiden could be having visions of possible futures, not the future.
JAX: Sonya’s right. Was I supposed to have my arms replaced with these? Or was it caused by interfering with the timeline?
JOHNNY CAGE: My head hurts just thinking about it.
KITANA: This isn’t helpful. We cannot second guess our decisions. Raiden, what are your thoughts?
Raiden is unresponsive.
KITANA: Raiden?
He suddenly reacts.
RAIDEN: Yes, that is best.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: What is our next objective?
LIU KANG: Nightwolf!
The Forces of Light turn to see Nightwolf approach them.
NIGHTWOLF: It is done. Earthrealm’s souls are safe.
Raiden looks at his amulet. More cracks appear on it.
RAIDEN: No! How is it not enough?!
He slams a palm down on the slab in front of him.
RAIDEN: I must speak with the Elder Gods. Shao Kahn’s violation must be punished.
LIU KANG: But the battle is joined here, in Earthrealm!
RAIDEN: We cannot win without the Elder Gods.
LIU KANG: But Master
JOHNNY CAGE: Liu Kang, close as a shadow…
RAIDEN: Nightwolf, you will lead until we return.
NIGHTWOLF: As you wish, Haokah.
Raiden takes a hold of Liu Kang and they disappear in a flash of lightning.
STRYKER: Well, now what? Standing around here won’t do us any good.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: Wait!
He looks around.
CYBER SUB-ZERO: The Lin Kuei! They surround us!
Multiple Lin Kuei cyborgs reveal themselves around the temple.
STRYKER: So much for standing around.
NIGHTWOLF: Attack!
The Forces of Light immediately charge the cyborgs. Nightwolf goes for Cyrax, but his attack is blocked and Cyrax punches him in the stomach, and then across the face. As Cyrax moves in, Nightwolf recovers and kicks him back. They circle one another.
CYRAX: My speed and skill are beyond you.
They fight. Despite Cyrax’s cybernetic enhancements, Nightwolf’s spirit powers keep him both in the fight and able to take it to the cyborg. Eventually Nightwolf leaves Cyrax disabled on the ground.
NIGHTWOLF: Mere speed and skill will not win this war, Cyrax.
With Cyrax down, Nightwolf looks around the temple and sees Smoke battling Sektor on the stairwell. Smoke is unable to even land a hit against the cybernetic assassin. Sektor grabs his hand as Smoke throws an ineffectual strike.
SEKTOR: You are weak, Smoke.
Sektor blasts him in the chest with his afterburn strike, sending Smoke careening down the stairs.
SEKTOR: Now do you understand? The power of the Grand Master’s vision?
Before Sektor can finish Smoke, Nightwolf throws his tomahawk across the temple and hits Sektor in the chest. As the mystical weapon dissolves back into Nightwolf’s hands, Sektor throws up a fighting stance and faces down the shaman.
NIGHTWOLF: You are no match for the power of the Spirits.
They fight. While Sektor has filled his robotic form to the brim with weapons and technology, it doesn’t give him the advantage against Nightwolf’s mystical strength. After a fierce exchange, Nightwolf manages to leave Sektor down and disabled on the ground.
NIGHTWOLF: Perhaps even you can be saved.
Around the temple, Smoke repeatedly punches a cyborg and kicks it down. Kitana decapitates another with her bladed fans. Cyber Sub-Zero is busy reprogramming another downed opponent with Kabal watching. As Nightwolf checks the area, Kitana walks up to him.
NIGHTWOLF: What is it?
Kitana doesn’t reply at first, but then she spots what she was looking for.
KITANA: Mother…
Sindel walks into the temple, letting off a banshee scream multiplied tenfold from her original powers. Sonya and Stryker are pushed to the stairwell by the force, Sub-Zero is forced to generate an ice shield, Jade wards off the attack as best she can with her staff, while Johnny Cage only keeps his balance by holding onto one of Jax’s arms. Only Nightwolf is uneffected by the scream.
SINDEL: Come forward, if you dare. I will finish what the Lin Kuei could not.
The Forces of Light quickly come together.
JAX: Let’s do this.
NIGHTWOLF: Attack!
Nightwolf charges Sindel with a tomahawk raised, but she parries the attack and punches him across the face, knocking him down. Johnny Cage tries next, but Sindel blocks his attacks, grabs his arm, knees him and punches him in the face, letting him drop. Kabal moves in, but Sindel kicks him down before he can even strike and stomps her heel straight through his respirator, killing him. She lets off a laugh as she does so.
Stryker attacks next, but Sindel dodges his attack, kicks him in the knee and caves in his lower jaw with a ferocious punch, killing him. Cyber Sub-Zero charges in, but Sindel blocks his attack, punches him across the face, rabbit punches him and unleashes a brutal uppercut to his face that destroys his mainframe and sends his body flying away, sparking as it does so. Jax runs to face her, but she grabs both of his arms and drives her heel square into his throat, spraying blood from his neck and killing him too.
Smoke tries to kick Sindel, but she grabs his leg, knees him in the groin, then grapples him in a sleeper hold and snaps his neck. Sonya charges right into a high kick that sends her sprawling. Jade rushes forward and tries to punch Sindel, but Sindel grabs her hand and punches her in the face twice. Kitana runs forward with a roundhouse kick, but Sindel ducks it and grabs Kitana in a choke hold. She kicks Jade away and throws Kitana aside, before turning to Jade and finishing her by tearing out her stomach.
As Sindel throws the organ aside, Kitana attacks again. Sindel blocks her attacks, punches her twice and kicks her down. As Kitana tries to rise, Sindel grabs her arm, pulls her in and repeatedly punches her in face, before dropping her with a flying kick. Kitana rolls over onto her stomach, and though unable to stand, gets to her knees.
KITANA: Mother, please!
SINDEL: I am no longer your mother.
KITANA: Mother, this is not your way. Shao Kahn has corrupted you!
SINDEL: Shao Kahn has resurrected me! You have betrayed him. Embraced a pathetic cause.
KITANA: Remember Edenia, mother. Remember your rule before Shao Kahn’s invasion!
SINDEL: Quiet, child. It is time for you to join your friends.
She generates a purple swirl of magic and begins draining Kitana’s soul. Nightwolf drags himself toward her.
NIGHTWOLF: Monster!
Sindel turns around, stopping the spell on Kitana, who falls unconscious, and faces Nightwolf.
SINDEL: Still alive? No matter. Soon you will reunite with your ancestors.
They fight. Empowered by Shang Tsung’s magic and strength, Sindel proves to be the toughest fight of Nightwolf’s life. It takes all of his fighting ability and protection from the Spirits to even keep in the fight, but in the end he gains an advantage and knocks Sindel to the floor.
NIGHTWOLF: Now, Sindel. Face the Spirit’s judgment.
Sindel rises without effort and laughs in his face. Nightwolf begins a chant in his native tongue and a light from the heavens surrounds him. He blasts Sindel with lightning from his hands. The camera switches to Sonya, who has also survived Sindel’s assault. She looks up to the ceiling.
SONYA: Raiden… Raiden, where are you?
On another plane of existence entirely, Raiden and Liu Kang stand in the temple of the Elder Gods.
RAIDEN: Elder Gods, I beseech you. Earthrealm is in danger.
There are six Elder Gods, all of varying genders and appearance, towering over Raiden and Liu Kang in spirit form, but they all speak at the same time.
ELDER GODS: We are aware of your plight, Raiden.
RAIDEN: Then you must intervene on Earthrealm’s behalf.
ELDER GODS: We cannot.
RAIDEN: But Shao Kahn… Liu Kang has bested him twice, yet he still
ELDER GODS: Shao Kahn has not violated the rules of Mortal Kombat.
RAIDEN: What?! He invades Earthrealm as we speak!
ELDER GODS: Invasion is not itself a transgression. It is the merger of realms that is proscribed.
RAIDEN: A distinction without a difference! Innocents are dying at the hands of Outworld!
ELDER GODS: It is regrettable. But the Mortal Kombat tournaments are not intended to prevent certain outcomes. They are intended only to maintain balance among the realms.
RAIDEN: Please, you must
ELDER GODS: We have spoken.
The Elder Gods’ spirit forms disappear, leaving Raiden and Liu Kang alone.
RAIDEN: The last doors are closing. We are nearly trapped.
The scene fades away to black. Back at the temple, Nightwolf crashes through the sacrificial alter. The fight has obviously not gone well for him. Sindel walks over to him and wraps her elongated hair around his midsection, dragging him into the air.
SINDEL: Victory is mine, Shaman.
She generates the purple aura around her hands and starts draining Nightwolf’s soul.
NIGHTWOLF: Not if I… take it - from - you!
He starts another desperate chant in his native tongue and his hand starts to glow with blue energy. Sindel laughs as he does so. As his chant increases in volume, he begins to glow blue as well. A cloud of mystical energy appears and both kombatants are blazed in blue light. Raiden teleports in with Liu Kang just in time to witness this.
LIU KANG: By the Elder Gods!
Screaming one final time, Nightwolf releases the spell and the blue light turns to a blazing white, engulfing both Sindel and himself. Liu Kang and Raiden are forced to cover their eyes. Sindel screams as she is disintergrated by the light, and Nightwolf does the same as he also dissolves into nothing. The light dissipates, leaving no evidence that Sindel or Nightwolf ever existed.
KITANA: Liu Kang…
LIU KANG: Kitana!
Liu Kang rushes to Kitana’s side and grabs her hand. She doesn’t even have the strength left to sit up.
KITANA: Liu Kang… You were right. I wish we had met… under… different… cirumstances.
LIU KANG: Kitana…
She gasps and then finally breathes her last. As her body goes limp, Liu Kang falls to his knees, still grasping Kitana’s hand.
LIU KANG: They are dead.
RAIDEN: Liu Kang, I
LIU KANG: We abandoned them and they’re dead.
RAIDEN: My heart, too, is heavy with their sacrifice.
LIU KANG: Their deaths achieved nothing!
Raiden looks once more at his amulet. More cracks adorn it.
LIU KANG: What is next, Raiden? Tell me the future! How do we honor their “sacrifice”?
RAIDEN: I climbed to heaven, now I must plunge into the depths. I will go to Quan Chi. Ally our realm with his against the forces of Outworld.
LIU KANG: What?! Grovel before Quan Chi?! What will he demand? What price will be paid?
RAIDEN: Would any price be too high to save Earthrealm?
LIU KANG: I had prayed it not true. But you have gone mad, Raiden. Your visions. They are nothing. Delusions of an addled mind.
RAIDEN: Liu Kang, please.
A groaning sound catches Liu Kang’s attention. Out of all of the Forces of Light, only Johnny Cage and Sonya have survived, and they are badly injured.
LIU KANG: Enough. I must help the wounded. Leave on your hopeless quest.
He gets up and walks towards the fallen heroes. Raiden looks at him as he passes.
RAIDEN: May the Elder Gods protect you.
He teleports away in a flash of lightning.
4.17. CHAPTER 16: RAIDEN
Raiden reappears in the Netherrealm. He walks forward, looking around.
RAIDEN: Quan Chi! Quan Chi!
Scorpion appears before him in a flash of hellfire.
RAIDEN: It disappoints me to see you here.
SCORPION: Save your pity.
RAIDEN: I will have an audience with Quan Chi.
SCORPION: You may address me. I will inform him.
RAIDEN: Is this why you chose not to save your family and clan? To maintain your place at his feet?
SCORPION: Do not talk of my family, Raiden!
RAIDEN: Fetch your master, Scorpion. I must speak with him.
SCORPION: You speak only with me.
They fight. While Scorpion’s is increased by the Netherrealm and Raiden himself is at a disadvantage outside of Earthrealm, Raiden demonstrates that he didn’t become the protector of Earthrealm by being a pushover in kombat. He takes the fight to the ninja specter and manages to knock him to the floor.
RAIDEN: Now, Scorpion. Fetch your master.
Scorpion teleports away and Quan Chi appears in his place.
QUAN CHI: You seek an audience.
RAIDEN: I seek cooperation. Between Earthrealm and the Netherrealm.
QUAN CHI: Losing the battle, are you?
RAIDEN: We will prevail. But with the Netherrealm fighting at our side
QUAN CHI: You lie poorly, Raiden. Earthrealm’s defenses are overwhelmed. You have mere hours.
RAIDEN: …Name your terms.
QUAN CHI: What do you offer?
RAIDEN: I offer… I offer the souls of Earthrealm warriors who die in this conflict.
Quan Chi bursts out laughing.
RAIDEN: They would agree.
QUAN CHI: You are cavalier with other men’s souls.
He turns away and prepares to leave.
RAIDEN: Not just others! I offer my own soul as well. If I die, you will have it.
Quan Chi stops and turns around.
QUAN CHI: How noble, Raiden. Yet utterly pointless.
He channels his magic and makes the warriors who fell in battle reappear before them. All have their eyes glazed over with white and their bodies a sickly grey in colour, with cracks across their skin and clothing.
RAIDEN: No!
QUAN CHI: You see, their souls are already mine. Shao Kahn’s payment for Netherrealm’s allegiance.
RAIDEN: No! This was not meant to be!
QUAN CHI: Earthrealm has lost, Raiden. Now so shall you. Finish him.
Jax, Stryker and Kabal walk forward.
JAX: As you command, my master.
They fight. With no choice, Raiden has to battle Jax and defeat him. No sooner does he manage this, when Stryker attacks. After he repels the former police officer and takes him down, Kabal charges in. Raiden again is forced into battle, whereupon he defeats Kabal as well.
RAIDEN: May the Elder Gods watch over you.
QUAN CHI: The Elder Gods cannot help them. Their souls are mine. Kitana. Nightwolf. Kung Lao.
KITANA: You sealed our fate in this place, Thunder God. You have condemned us all.
They fight. Raiden is forced to fend off Kitana’s assault, and as soon as she goes down, Nightwolf jumps into battle. Raiden takes care of him and then faces down Kung Lao. After another reluctant battle, Raiden manages to defeat him as well.
RAIDEN: Curse you, Quan Chi.
QUAN CHI: Shao Kahn’s victory is nearly complete. Soon he will arrive in Earthrealm.
RAIDEN: No! The Elder Gods cannot allow it.
QUAN CHI: The Elder Gods are toothless. Your world is near destruction, yet they do not act.
RAIDEN: They must! Only through Mortal Kombat may Shao Kahn merge the realms. Lest he face the judgment of the Elder Gods…
Raiden realises what he’s just spoken.
RAIDEN: …Lest he face the judgment of the Elder Gods! He must win!
QUAN CHI: It is you who face judgment, Raiden.
Jade, Smoke and Cyber Sub-Zero walk toward Raiden, preparing to fight.
RAIDEN: Thank you, Quan Chi. I now know what must be done.
He teleports away in a flash of lightning. Quan Chi smirks as he does so. Raiden reappears on the rooftop Stryker and Kabal were at earlier in the day. The area is now devastated from Outworld’s assault and a giant portal has been opened on the rooftop. Shao Kahn’s throne has already been placed on the rooftop. Liu Kang runs onto the rooftop and spots Raiden, folding his arms in disgust.
LIU KANG: Back from the Netherrealm empty-handed, I see.
He begins to walk toward the portal.
RAIDEN: Liu Kang! Liu Kang, I now realise what we must do. We must allow Shao Kahn to merge the realms!
LIU KANG: That is insane!
RAIDEN: The Elder Gods forbid it without victory in Mortal Kombat. When he does, the Elder Gods’ fury will fall upon him.
Liu Kang shakes his head in denial.
RAIDEN: Defeating Shao Kahn before the merge is but temporary. He will return, bringing Armageddon. I have foreseen it!
LIU KANG: Enough, Raiden!
A sound from the portal catches their attention. Shao Kahn is beginning to walk through it.
LIU KANG: He is here.
He moves toward the portal but Raiden grabs his arm.
RAIDEN: No! Do as I say! Have faith in the Elder Gods.
He releases Liu Kang’s arm.
RAIDEN: Have faith in me.
Liu Kang shakes his head and starts for the portal. Again Raiden stops him.
RAIDEN: Liu Kang, I cannot let you fight Shao Kahn!
LIU KANG: Then you are my enemy!
They fight. Raiden is forced to defend himself against Kang’s furious assault. Fueled by desperation, both kombatants fight with all of their strength, and it is an even match due to the merger weakening Raiden’s powers. However, Raiden manages to get an advantage and he knocks Liu Kang to the floor.
RAIDEN: Liu Kang, do not interfere!
Liu Kang struggles to his feet. Shao Kahn is still wading through the portal. Johnny Cage and Sonya arrive at that moment to witness Liu Kang get to his feet and rush toward the portal.
RAIDEN: Liu Kang, stop!
Raiden blasts lightning at Liu Kang’s feet to stop him. In response, Liu Kang charges up his fist with his signature fire.
JOHNNY CAGE: Liu Kang! Raiden! No!
Johnny and Sonya run forward.
LIU KANG: Enough of your madness! If you must die, so be it!
Liu Kang charges forward with the intent of running through Raiden as he did Shao Kahn. In self defense, Raiden generates a shield of lightning. As Kang collides with the shield, the resultant backlash not only blasts Liu Kang with lightning, but his own fire as well. Kang screams as his body is both electrified and scorched at the same time.
RAIDEN: By the gods, NO!!
Raiden rushes to Liu Kang’s side as he falls over, the electricity and fire wearing off. He cradles Kang’s head in his hand.
RAIDEN: No. This was not meant to happen.
JOHNNY CAGE: What did you do?!
Liu Kang is having difficulty breathing and he is blinded in his left eye, but the look of hatred on his face says everything.
RAIDEN: Liu Kang, forgive me…
LIU KANG: You… have killed us… all…
He gasps for air and dies. Raiden closes his eyes sorrowfully. Meanwhile, Shao Kahn has finally stepped through the portal.
SONYA: C’mon! It’s up to us!
Sonya and Johnny run forward to face Kahn, but he laughs and blasts them away with his magic, knocking them both unconscious. Seeing Kahn approach, Raiden gets up and bows to him.
SHAO KAHN: Ah, Raiden. You have come to your senses.
RAIDEN: Earthrealm’s citizens suffer. Further resistance serves no purpose.
SHAO KAHN: All these ages you have fought me. You denied me my rightful claim. Not this time.
He uppercuts Raiden across the rooftop. Raiden lands hard on his back, his hat falling from his head. The scene briefly flashes forward to Armageddon, where the same happens to Future Raiden, before fading back into the present.
SHAO KAHN: The Elder Gods fear me now!
He laughs and picks Raiden up. Again the scene flashes to the parallel scene from Armageddon.
SHAO KAHN: Their pathetic Mortal Kombat shackles me no longer!
Kahn methodically pounds Raiden across the face, with the scene flashing between the present and Armageddon. In the present, Kahn throws Raiden across the rooftop and his amulet falls, shattering into pieces. Raiden lands on the very edge of the rooftop and Kahn stalks over to him. His hammer magically appears in his hand.
SHAO KAHN: They masquerade as dragons, but are mere toothless worms.
As Raiden rolls over, Kahn slams his boot into his chest. Again the scene flashes to the same one in Armageddon.
SHAO KAHN: I know you can feel it. It is the end of all things.
In the present, Kahn glows green with the energy of the souls he has consumed.
RAIDEN: Elder Gods, where are you? Why do you forsake me?
Shao Kahn picks Raiden up again. The scene flashes to Armageddon once more.
SHAO KAHN: Your time has passed.
In the present, he throws Raiden across the rooftop.
SHAO KAHN: Ages wasted in foolish resistance.
Raiden struggles to his knees.
SHAO KAHN: I have won.
RAIDEN: Yes… you have won.
SHAO KAHN: Now, Raiden. Your world ends.
Kahn lifts his hammer up and prepares to deliver the finishing blow. Before he can, golden lightning flashes before his feet. More flashes strike the rooftop around them, and from a portal from the heavens, six golden dragons fly out and around Raiden’s body, lifting him into the air and revitalising him. With a final flash, Raiden stands before Shao Kahn, his wounds healed and his hat back on his head. The dragons still surround him and when he speaks, his voice is of the Elder Gods.
RAIDEN: You violate our will, Shao Kahn. You merge realms without victory in Mortal Kombat. Our penalty is clear.
Raiden charges up a golden variation of his lightning and blasts Shao Kahn with it. It has no effect and Kahn laughs out loud.
SHAO KAHN: An anemic effort from ineffecualt deities. Today, I become THE Elder God!
They fight. The battle is truly epic, with neither the repowered Raiden or Shao Kahn getting any clear advantage for the majority of it. For what seems like an age, the two titans with everything they have, but eventually the Thunder God prevails and knocks Kahn to the floor. As he struggles to his feet and tries to charge again, Raiden blasts him once more with the golden lightning.
This time, the blast has an effect, and the dragons surround Kahn as he is blasted. They begin biting into his body at various places, causing him to scream in pain. His body is scorched by their magic while Raiden is finally released from their control. As he falls forward in exhaustion, the Elder Gods’ assault on Shao Kahn cause the warlord to explode in a flash of golden light that reaches to the heavens. The Elder Gods immediately depart in the same light, and as the portal dissipates, the dark clouds surrounding the sky clear away, leaving the sun to shine through.
Raiden remains on his knees, and looks to his amulet one more time. Finally, the cracks adorning it are removed, and it remains as it once was.
RAIDEN: It is over.
He places the amulet back on his chest as Sonya and Johnny Cage help him to his feet.
RAIDEN: But only at the gravest of costs.
They all walk over to Liu Kang’s body.
RAIDEN: So many are gone. Their light has sunk into the earth. I am responsible for their loss.
SONYA: You did what you had to. To protect Earthrealm. Losses in war… are… are inevitable.
RAIDEN: Come. Let us tend the fallen. Then we must help our realm rebuild. Our work has only just begun.
He teleports himself, Johnny, Sonya and Liu Kang’s body away in a flash of lightning. Only Shao Kahn’s war helmet remains on the rooftop, forgotten by all… except the one who walks through an unseen portal and picks it up; Quan Chi. As he examines the trophy, another being fades into existence before him.
QUAN CHI: Your plan worked to perfection, Lord Shinnok.
SHINNOK: Shao Kahn was blinded by rage. How easily was he convinced that the Elder Gods would ignore his merging the realms.
QUAN CHI: Yet the Thunder God still lives.
SHINNOK: No matter. Neither Earthrealm nor Outworld can now withstand the Netherrealm’s onslaught. It is time. Soon I will be free. Earthrealm and Outworld will be ours.
Cut to black.