Since Shinnok's defeat, the Special Forces refugee camp is mostly empty save for a few soldiers and some Outworlders who found a new home in Earth. General Sonya Blade is waiting alongside Raiden, the Thunder God, inside the command tent. Outside, a large green chopper has just landed. Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda, and Kung Jin have exited the chopper and are walking towards the command tent. Cassie was surprised to see Raiden with her mother. "Raiden?" she asked.

"Cassandra Cage," Raiden said. "You and your team have arrived at a perfect time. Come. We have important matters to discuss."

The four walked closer to Raiden and Sonya. "Quan Chi..." Kung Jin guessed.

"Correct, Jin," Sonya confirmed. "I've already informed you that Quan Chi has returned courtesy of Belial."

"Yeah, and?" Cassie queried impatiently.

"Unfortunately, I learned that Belial has with him an artifact known as the Sphere of Wonders," Raiden chimed in.

"Wait. I've heard of that thing," Takeda remembered. "I thought it was just a legend."

"Apparently not, babe." Jacqui said. "What does that mean for us?"

"Guys, the Sphere of Wonders was created to grant wishes," Sonya explained. "Apparently it's so valuable that even back in the middle ages, many people around the world fought and killed each other for it."

"There is more," Raiden added. "I believe Belial and Quan Chi are planning to use this artifact for their own personal gain. Perhaps it could even lead to the creation of a new tournament not unlike Mortal Kombat." Cassie's team had looks of worry on their faces.

Meanwhile, in an empty news room, Quan Chi had somehow tapped all the world's TV communications, meaning every television in the world has a static screen. A skeletal demon created by the sorcerer is managing the camera, with Belial behind the news deck.

"Are you ready, Prince of Darkness?" the skeleton asked Belial.

"As we'll ever be," Belial replied before pointing two fingers towards the camera, which was the cameraman's cue to turn it on. At that moment, a close up of a red demonic face filled every television screen across the globe.

"Greetings, Earthling scum," Belial announced. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Belial, a.k.a. the Prince of Darkness, a.k.a. the fucking devil. Perhaps you've heard of me, or a little thing I carry known as the Sphere of Wonders." The camera pans in on a mystical sphere with a fiery aura surrounding it before cutting back to Belial's face. "To those of you that aren't in the know, this Sphere has the power to grant any wish to any person who has possession of it, now I have possession of it, but I don't wish to use it. So here's the deal: I shall host an inter-dimensional fighting tournament and any and all fighters are invited to participate. I guarantee you it will be one hell of a good time." With that, the communication ended and every television returned to normal.

In a Halloween-esque house, a teenager with white facepaint, blood red lips, orange hair, a t-shirt, brown sweatpants, and boots had a look of sinister contemplation on his face.

to be continued...