MORTAL KOMBAT AFTERLIFE

 by
 
 Jack Bullions
 
 FADE IN:

 The MORTAL KOMBAT LOGO explodes revealing --

 EXT. MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

 Somewhere deep in China.

 A BROWN-TAIL RABBIT hops across the white blanketed expanse 
 of a meadow freshly dusted with powder. In the distance, a 
 dark wall of evergreen rises into the rolling clouds of dark 
 gray. The landscape is serene, tranquil, until -- 

 CLOSER, the nose of the rabbit twitches, and it looks up just 
 as a brilliant red glare lights up the underbrush around it. 
 A shockwave blasts through, shaking the bristles of the brush 
 clean of snow.

 The rabbit scurries, afraid.
 
 A FIGURE drops INTO FRAME as if out of the sky, and lands on 
 the snow with a thud. The glare subsides.

 CLOSE UP, behind the figure, as he rises up slowly. 

 The man is tall, powerfully built, moving with graceful 
 precision. His bodysuit looks familiar, yellow and black.

 EXTREME CLOSE UP, his facial features, horrific, deathly 
 pallor. All this dominated by the eyes, pupil-less, and 
 depthless.

 SCORPION is back. He glances down. The same rabbit has 
 returned, curiosity getting the better. For a moment, they 
 regard each other. Then Scorpion turns away, and scans his 
 surroundings.

 INT. LIN KUEI TEMPLE - NIGHT

 TIGHT ON A LONE MAN, half naked from the waist up, in deep 
 meditation before a SHRINE of candles and incense. Diverse 
 scars, mostly from knives, mar the hard-muscled body. A 
 tarnished LOCKET is strung around his neck. ZHONGLING is 
 barely over 20, but his face has been aged by ordeal. He has 
 had to grow up fast. He'll eventually come by another name 
 but that's for later. 

 EXT. MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

 The solitary figure of Scorpion seemingly floating through 
 the forest. Snow CRUNCHES beneath a step. A disturbance of 
 silence and --

 CUT TO:
 
 INT. LIN KUEI TEMPLE - SAME TIME

 THE EYES of Zhongling spring open suddenly. They are 
 something else -- icy-blue eyes, completely alien to his 
 Asian features.

 He stares at the line of candles. The soft glow of the fire 
 reflect off his eyes.

 Behind him, a man emerges from the black. Meet XIAOXUN. 
 Young also. He speaks in MANDARIN, with SUBTITLES --

 XIAOXUN
 The longer you stare, the harder it is 
 not to. Whatever the old men say.

 ZHONGLING
 (glancing back)
 I needed to pray.

 Xiaoxun kneels beside Zhongling, closes his eyes.

 ZHONGLING
 No news?

 Xiaoxun shakes his head no. A sullen beat.

 ZHONGLING
 It has been over three weeks...

 XIAOXUN
 I know.

 Xiaoxun opens his eyes.

 XIAOXUN
 Are you worried?

 Zhongling doesn't answer. He stands up, grabs his black 
 pullover, and leaves.

 EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT

 Zhongling and Xiaoxun are walking across the long balcony, 
 which overlooks the country.

 Outside -- huge EVERGREENS shoot up into the sky that 
 carefully hide the brazen pillars and bamboo shingles of the 
 temple. A temple of lethal assassins and expert thieves.

 The night clouds are now shot through with occasional flashes 
 of LIGHTNING, presaging a thunderstorm.

 ZHONGLING
 I don't know how much longer I can wait.
 (beat) 
 I'm going to search for him.

 XIAOXUN
 The Master will not let you.

 ZHONGLING
 He will, to find a lost brother.

 XIAOXUN
 Even so, he will send experience. Not 
 students like us.

 Zhongling stops, leans against the rail of the balcony. He 
 eyes the landscape, lost in thought.

 XIAOXUN
 I have faith in Sub-Zero. Don't you 
 have faith?

 ZHONGLING
 I do.

 XIAOXUN
 (shrugging)
 Then you shouldn't worry.

 ZHONGLING
 Hard not to when he is your own blood.

 XIAOXUN
 I wouldn't know.

 They both stare out. A light RAIN begins to fall. Xiaoxun 
 does a gentle wave, his hand follows the angle of the 
 rainfall. The words come out as ENGLISH now...

 XIAOXUN
 "I do love the rain, it washes problems 
 right off the trees of life."

 ZHONGLING
 (grinning)
 Woody Allen.

 XIAOXUN
 Saw a movie of his once. He is funny.

 Zhongling nods absently.

 XIAOXUN
 Perhaps you should speak with the Master 
 then.

 ZHONGLING
 (nodding)
 I can try.

 XIAOXUN
 And maybe he will let you go.

 ZHONGLING
 Would you come with me? If I go.

 XIAOXUN
 Out there?
 (beat)
 If you go.

 He puts a hand on Zhongling's shoulder, and smiles warmly.

 EXT. MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

 Scorpion trudges across the snow, gradually making his way up 
 the mountain. The sky above is becoming dismal. Clouds 
 moving fast. THUNDER picking up. Rain pelting harder now. 

 Scorpion stops, and looks up at the sky, noting the changes. 

 His head tilts down, looking ahead. Behind the trees, and 
 nature, is the Lin Kuei Temple.

 And finally, he looks down, in his hand is a MASK.

 SCORPION
 (with effort)
 I am here... brother...

 The voice is as cold as the snow, and hallow. Like 
 resonating from his throat.
 
 SCORPION
 A message... I promise...

 An extended beat.

 SCORPION
 A journey... thousand miles... 
 
 A pause. Confusion. He brings both hands to his head, 
 gripping. Frustrated.

 SCORPION
 A journey... thousand miles... 

 FLASH CUT --

 IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL

 The walls rise into darkness on all sides, their surfaces 
 like the interior of a pyramid, pitted with age, and
 rotting away.

 TILT DOWNWARDS TO,

 TWO FIGURES, backlit by the intense heat of FLAMES below 
 their feet, are kicking the living shit out of each other.

 SCORPION

 in present, gripping the mask tighter as the images play 
 through his mind. 

 FLASH CUTS --

 CLOSER. Scorpion has a lifeless Sub-Zero by the neck, 
 holding him on the edge. The inferno below TWISTING, and 
 CHURNING violently, as if yearning for the body to plummet.

 A VOICE booms from somewhere far off.

 MALE VOICE (O.S.)
 FINISH HIM!

 TIGHT ON Scorpion, a change overcoming his face. He stumbles 
 backwards, pulling Sub-Zero with him.

 MALE VOICE (O.S.)
 HERE IS YOUR VENGEANCE! FINISH HIM!

 Scorpion, collapsed on his knees, has Sub-Zero cradled in 
 his arms. He throws his head up, SCREAMING and --

 WHAM! Scorpion, present day, looking down at the empty mask.

 SCORPION
 A journey of a thousand miles begins with 
 a single step... I promise...

 Suddenly, he breaks into a dash. 

 LONG LENS, WHIP PANNING with Scorpion as he runs. His 
 movements like a machine. No stumbles. No wasted motion. 

 INT. LIN KUEI TEMPLE - CHAMBER - NIGHT

 The LIN KUEI MASTER is standing by an open window, looking 
 out at the rain.

 MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
 The time is now. You must decide where 
 you stand. Will Emperor Shao Khan find 
 you as an ally or his enemy?

 The Master looks back. The man is seated on a chair, 
 although we can't make out who it is yet. A soft KNOCKING on 
 the door.

 MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
 Do we have a deal?

 His hand descends into frame, resting on the chair arm. On 
 his finger is a ring, with the serpent insignia. It glows 
 furiously even under the dimly lit room.

 The Master looks back at the window.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 You send machines to protect us?

 ANGLE ON THE MAN

 who we now see is SHANG TSUNG, alive. Despite sharp handsome 
 features, piercing eyebrows, he's about the scariest looking 
 mother on the planet.

 His two guardians, a slick-blood red ninja ERMAC, and a ninja 
 in green with reptilian skin, REPTILE, flank his sides. Both 
 watch the Master impassively.

 The leather creaks as Shang Tsung sits forward.

 SHANG TSUNG
 Cybernetic implants. I guarantee you 
 the procedure will be painless.

 The Master scoffs.

 SHANG TSUNG (CONT'D)
 In exchange, you guide me through your 
 underground tunnels and give me the Map 
 of Elements.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 I need time to think.

 SHANG TSUNG
 Time is precious, as is the Emperor's 
 patience.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 Your threats are meaningless. The Lin 
 Kuei have survived for centuries.

 SHANG TSUNG
 (grins)
 Mountains. Trees. Formidable to the 
 wind and weather. Look outside. His 
 invasion has already begun and he will 
 have the amulet in the end. Now do we 
 have a deal?

 Another KNOCK.
 
 LIN KUEI MASTER
 (Mandarin)
 Come in!

 The door slides open revealing Zhongling. He's startled, 
 not expecting the additional company.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 Zhongling. Did guards not tell you no 
 one is allowed in my chambers?

 ZHONGLING
 I snuck past them, Master. This is 
 important.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 Explain yourself.

 ZHONGLING
 It's about my brother. He left three 
 weeks ago, and I have not heard from him 
 since.

 Shang Tsung sizes him up.

 SHANG TSUNG
 I know this face. I sense it in his 
 soul. Zhongling? Sub-Zero?
 (off the Master's nod)
 Yes. I recognize the face.

 Zhongling's heart nearly jumps to his throat.

 ZHONGLING
 You have heard? Master? My brother..?

 SHANG TSUNG
 You love your brother.

 The Master looks slightly ticked by Shang Tsung's meddling. 
 He wants nothing more than to be done with this.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 Your brother is lost.

 He turns around, his back to him. There's a silence. All 
 color drained from Zhongling's face. He shifts his eyes to 
 the floor.

 ZHONGLING
 His body?

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 Unrecoverable.

 Zhongling looks up in a steely resolve.

 ZHONGLING
 Where was this tournament? I will find 
 his body.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 No. No one is to leave temple. We have 
 important matters to discuss tonight. 
 Everyone must attend.

 ZHONGLING
 (challenging)
 You're asking me to abandon him?

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 First you come in here without 
 permission and now you talk back?

 Zhongling lowers his head.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 You do not know what you ask. Sub-Zero 
 was sent into Outworld and now he is 
 lost. It is a loss we all feel. Now 
 go.
 
 Zhongling bows, albeit quickly, and leaves. The Master 
 watches the door slide back shut.

 SHANG TSUNG
 He struggles like his brother. He would 
 have made a poor assassin, don't you 
 think?

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 (coldly)
 What do you know of the Lin Kuei?

 INT. OUTSIDE CHAMBERS - NIGHT

 Zhongling keeps what must be several hundred degrees of rage 
 inside of him. His mind makes a decision. He doesn't need 
 to think twice.

 INT. ZHONGLING'S CELL - NIGHT

 Zhongling is dressed completely in a black jumpsuit. He 
 tightens the leather of his gloves with a fist. Slings a bag 
 of his personals over his shoulder.

 He looks into the candle fire and snuffs out the flame 
 between his thumb and finger.

 INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

 Zhongling moves silently through the hallway. He peers 
 around a corner. Nothing stirring.

 As if sensing something, he peers into the darkness behind 
 him, then turns and leaves.

 HOLD FRAME as Zhongling disappears. A piece of the darkness 
 moves.

 EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT

 The back of a passing LIN KUEI WARRIOR to us. A blur flashes 
 across from behind him. Zhongling grabs hold of the rail, 
 swings over.

 BELOW,

 On the next floor. Zhongling hops down, and bolts like a 
 shot.

 EXT. TEMPLE GROUNDS - NIGHT

 Scorpion stands, body in perfect stillness like a statue, 
 gazing at the Temple. Thunder BOOMING now.

 INT. THE MAP ROOM - NIGHT

 The Master leads Shang Tsung, Ermac and Reptile into a bare 
 room of solid stone. An altar is set on top of a raised dais 
 in the center. Resting on the altar is an ancient scroll, 
 THE MAP OF ELEMENTS.

 Shang Tsung flashes his pearly whites at the sight of it. 
 They reach the altar. Shang Tsung's hands immediately are 
 drawn to the scroll.

 LIN KUEI MASTER
 Do not touch. 

 SHANG TSUNG
 I forget. The temple of thieves.

 The Master scowls. He slips a hand under the altar, and we 
 see there is a hole carved smoothly into the rock. He 
 fiddles with something inside, a metallic CLUNK.
 
 LIN KUEI MASTER
 One year ago, I sent Sub-Zero to find 
 amulet for you. He brought back map, 
 and you said nothing.
 
 SHANG TSUNG
 Those were hectic times. I ran into 
 some minor obstacles, like death.
 (taking the scroll)
 You have struck a good bargain.
 
 The Master nods. He doesn't look too sure.
 
 EXT. LIN KUEI TEMPLE - NIGHT
 
 Zhongling slides the paneled door a crack, stares through 
 the space.

 HIS POV: TWO MORE WARRIORS, doing routine back and forths on 
 the courtyard.

 Zhongling slips through the door, rushes behind another 
 building. He heads in the other direction.

 EXT. TEMPLE WALLS - NIGHT

 Zhongling drops INTO FRAME, landing with cat-like precision. 
 He rises in a defensive crouch. 

 After a moment, Zhongling relaxes, wiping some rain away 
 from his eyes. He looks back at the Temple.

 XIAOXUN (O.S.)
 You shouldn't do that.

 Zhongling lurches to his feet, spins to Xiaoxun coming out of 
 the trees. He has his own bag slung over behind him.

 XIAOXUN
 Second-guessing yourself.

 ZHONGLING
 I'm not.

 XIAOXUN
 Thought you wanted me along?

 ZHONGLING
 If they let me go.

 XIAOXUN
 Is this different?

 ZHONGLING
 Xiaoxun, I can't come back to the 
 Temple.

 XIAOXUN
 Well... I do miss Woody Allen.

 Zhongling pauses a second, heart and mind arguing. He nods 
 to his friend.
 
 ZHONGLING
 Okay. Then let's go.

 They are gone, like fleet leaves, dashing into the forest. 
 If they waited a second longer, they would have seen --

 RED ARCHAIC LIGHTNING flashing across from one cloud to the 
 other over the Temple. Completely unnatural. The wind picks 
 up, and with it the HUMMING of several thousand sourceless 
 voices.

 CUT TO INSIDE THE COURTYARD,

 The warriors are gathering by the droves, looking confused up 
 at the sky.

 Panel windows rattle in their wooden frames.

 Wind whipping snow into dunes.

 The HUMMING intensifies, until it sounds like a full blown 
 chorus. Then the courtyard is completely washed over by a 
 brilliant RED LIGHT, accompanied by a CONCUSION like the 
 clap of thunder.

 ON THE BALCONY,

 The Master stares grimly as the LIGHTNING subsides, and is 
 replaced by a humongous swirling mass of RED CLOUDS. Shang 
 Tsung appears at his side.

 EXT. MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

 Zhongling and Xiaoxun are dead in their tracks. Dumbfounded 
 by the maelstrom-like anomaly in the sky. It's as though the 
 Heavens have opened their doors to the world below.

 EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE - NIGHT

 Same frame, except the on-lookers are LIU KANG, SONYA BLADE, 
 JOHNNY CAGE, KITANA, and RAYDEN, the survivors of the last 
 Tournament. 

 RAYDEN
 This cannot be.

 JOHNNY CAGE
 What the hell is that?
 
 EXT. N.O.R.A.D. - CHEYENNE MOUNTAINS - DAY

 A tall powerful black man, U.S. Special Forces, JACKSON 'JAX' 
 BRIGGS, stares up at the sky. 

 ANGLE ON JAX, the same swirling mass of clouds sitting right 
 over the N.O.R.A.D. center, plummeting the area into 
 darkness.

 A MARINE SERGEANT rushes up to him.

 MARINE SERGEANT
 Major Briggs, sir.

 He hands him a clipboard. Jax reads it over.

 JAX
 Jesus Christ, this is all from North 
 Atlantic?

 MARINE SERGENT
 Yes, sir. And latest from Canadian air 
 space. They're popping up everywhere.

 VARIOUS SHOTS --

 NEW YORK CITY -- The same swirling mass of clouds sitting 
 right over the heart of Manhattan.

 PARIS -- The Eiffel Tower bathed with the red glow of the 
 swirling clouds, drawing spectators. Eternal night falls.

 SAN FRANCISCO -- Another of the anomalies right over the 
 Golden Gates Bridge. The same darkening effect.

 MOSCOW -- People rushing to the Kremlin to watch.

 EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE - NIGHT

 As before.

 JOHNNY CAGE
 What the hell was that? That thing?

 Rayden leaves the group, his eyes fixated to the foreboding 
 clouds.