Motaro turned away from Johnny Cage's corpse. The job had been done, yet there were still two more who remained. "Which one of you wants to die first?" he asked, coldly.
Sonya fell onto her knees, and started to sob silently. Motaro did not even bother to look over, he could tell that the human girl was in emotional pain. "Very well, you shall go first."
Motaro raised the tip of his tail and a large red ball shot out at Sonya, but suddenly Jax stepped in the way and bringing his two arms up, he blocked the attack. Before Motaro could respond, Jax leapt forward and brought his fist down upon Motaro's face. The Centaur was stunned, albeit for a moment, as he stumbled back.
Jax took this moment to approach his grieving comrade, grabbing her arm, he tried to get her to her feet. Though they had lost a comrade in battle, they had no time for grievances.
"Sonya. C'mon, we've gotta go." Jax said, trying to get Sonya to stand up.
"But what about-" Sonya started, trying to hide the tears coming from her eyes.
"It's too late. He's dead, there's nothing we can do now."
"But-"
"C'mon!" Jax shouted. "Stop moping, soldier! Just get up!"
Reluctantly, Sonya got to her feet, and taking one last look at her fallen friend, she followed Jax back towards the jet.
No sooner than they had nearly reached the jet, did they hear a deafening explosion in the foreground. As debris flew up from the distance, Jax shielded Sonya with his body, but there we no need, all that came flying was small pieces of the Special Forces jet.
"What the hell was that?" Sonya asked, as she got to her feet.
"Well, I'll answer it for ya, Sonya."
Jax and Sonya instantly turned to the direction where the voice was coming from. Standing a few feet away, in safe distance from any attack that Sonya and Jax might've taken the initiative to throw was their old enemy: Kano. He had shaved off all of his hair, but it was still the same Kano. They knew by that eyeplate… Sonya had long since carried a deep resentment towards Kano, they fought at Shang Tsung's island, with Kano emerging as the victor. But the next time they engaged in combat, Sonya would make sure that she was the victor.
"Kano!" Sonya said, half in anger and half in surprise.
"Yes, me. Did you expect anyone else?"
Jax drew his pistol and pointed it at Kano, but the villain merely laughed. "Now, now, Jax, do you really think that's going to help you against all these Centaurs?"
"Maybe not against them, but against you? Oh, I think it'll help a lot."
With a grin, Kano tossed one of his butterfly knives at the unprepared Jax. Jax's pistol was almost instantly cut in half, rendering it useless. Jax threw what remained of the pistol to the ground in frustration.
"Well, I'd best be going now. Good luck finding yourselves another ride!" A portal opened behind Kano, who giving his two enemies one last wave, turned and started to head through.
"Oh no you don't!" Sonya shouted, as she ran after Kano. She wanted someone, anyone to take out her anger over Johnny Cage's death. And Kano was the perfect person for that.
As Sonya leapt into the air to try to grab Kano before he escaped, but she was not quick enough. The former Black Dragon leader had already escaped through the portal as it shut behind me, Sonya let out a muffled grunt as she hit the ground, face first.
Jax ran to Sonya's aide and tried to help her get to her feet, but Sonya refused, standing on her own. "You okay?"
"Well, I'm okay, but I'm not hurt at least." Sonya said. "So what do we do now? From what Kano was talking about, it sounds like he destroyed the jet."
"Yeah, hopefully there's something workable in this city."
"What? Oh yeah, Jax, cars would be real useful against outrunning Centaurs." Sonya sneered.
"Not cars, Sonya. Something else."
O-O-O
As Liu Kang and Kung Lao made their way across China, trying to find a way to get to North America, they were also taking great considerable care to hide from any Extermination Squads they would encounter.
"You have any ideas?" Liu Kang asked.
"No, 'fraid I'm all out for this one, Liu." Kung Lao answered.
"Well, that's great, what are we supposed to do then? We can't get to North America without any form of transportation and imagine if the extermination squads saw a plane flying in the sky? It'd be shot down without a second thought."
"Your guess is as good as mine."
With a sigh, Liu Kang sat down on a nearby rock to take a rest. Walking all the way from China to the other side of Asia was a task in itself. Kung Lao decided to go and explore the next area that they would have to travel through.
"Be right back."
As Liu Kang relaxed, he couldn't help but think about Kitana, the girl he had met during his time in Outworld. She was a great help to him, sharing with him information and ultimately saving him from Shao Kahn, allowing him to defeat the tyrant. Yet she decided to stay behind in Outworld while he and his fellow Earthrealm warriors escaped back to Earth. He often regretted not convincing her to the do the same.
"Liu Kang! Get over here! Now!" Kung Lao shouted from a distance.
Wondering what could be the matter, Liu Kang instantly got up and ran off towards his friend. Was he under attack?
He did see any Tarkatas in the area, so Kung Lao was definitely not under attack from one of Kahn's extermination squads. Kung Lao was kneeling over someone, judging by sight, it was definitely a woman's body, clad in a blue leotard. He knew only one woman who would wear an outfit like that. As he moved past Kung Lao, he instantly recognized this woman. It was Kitana.
O-O-O
Deep in Shao Kahn's palace, inside was a chamber that was referred to as the Soul Chambers. Inside what looked to be the gaping mouth of a gargoyle were souls that twirled up and down like that of a tornado.
It was through these chambers that Shao Kahn was to take souls from the Netherrealm. Having received word from Rain, Shao Kahn personally headed towards the Soul Chambers to steal as many as souls as he possibly could. Reaching his hand inside, his reach began to extend into the Netherrealm.
The Netherrealm began to shake, several condemned souls found themselves being drawn towards the sky in the forbidden realm and no one was more displaced at this development than Shinnok himself.
"What is the meaning of this?" He shouted angrily. "Quan Chi?"
"I do not know, my lord. Something is causing the Netherrealm to shake." Quan Chi answered, holding on to a wall to sustain his balance.
"Oh really?" Shinnok said, irritated. "What made you think of that?"
"It must be Shao Kahn's doing. Only he could."
"I knew it!" Shinnok shouted. "I knew we couldn't trust him!"
"What's your plan of action, Lord Shinnok? Should I send the Brotherhood?"
"No, I'll do with this myself." Shinnok said, as he began to levitate. Shinnok then proceeded to blast through the roof of his own palace.
"Nobody seems to use windows anymore." Quan Chi remarked.
The former Elder God angrily shot his own beam of energy towards the sky. "Any soul that is condemned to the Netherrealm belongs to me and me alone!"
Back in Outworld, Shao Kahn began to feel the effects of Shinnok's counterattack. His face began to twitch in pain as he was propelled backward, hitting the far wall. Stunned, the Emperor brought himself to his knees, his screams of rage echoed throughout the palace.
Unbeknownst to neither Shao Kahn nor Shinnok, one soul had been freed. It was the ninja specter, Scorpion.
O-O-O
Flung out of the Netherrealm, Scorpion landed on the ruined streets of Earthrealm. As he regained his senses, Scorpion stood up. Much to his surprise, he was no longer standing in the pits of the Netherrealm, he was standing on the grounds of Earth….
O-O-O
Liu Kang nudged Kitana awake, who stirred for a moment, before opening her eyes.
"Kitana?" Liu Kang asked, concerned.
"Liu Kang, is that you?" Kitana asked, groaning in pain.
"Yes, it's me."
Liu Kang and Kung Lao helped Kitana get to her feet.
"I always thought about you, Kitana. I was worried that you would be…"
"No, I managed to avoid dying, that's all I can say."
"How'd you get here?" Kung Lao asked.
"Had a little help from a friend."
"A friend?" Liu Kang asked, curious.
"Don't worry about it." Kitana said. "So where am I?"
"You're in China."
"Oh, on Earthrealm?" Kitana asked, for a moment she tripped, but fortunately Liu Kang caught her and helped her get back to her feet.
"Easy now." said Liu Kang.
"I know. Sorry, I guess I'm still a little worn out." said Kitana.
"Kitana, the extermination squads, do you know anything about them?" Liu Kang asked.
"Well, in addition to Baraka and the Tarkatas, Shao Kahn has enlisted the Centaurs and…" She gasped. "Oh, Liu, you're their primary target. Kahn has placed a very high ransom on your head."
"Me?" Liu Kang asked.
"Well, it's not too surprising. Considering you have been the primary cause of their past failures." said Kung Lao.
"Yes, we'd best get moving… where are you two going exactly?"
"Raiden told us to head to North America, only problem is we have no way to get there, North America is impossible to reach by only walking through China." Liu Kang answered.
"Oh." Kitana said. "Your realm's terrain is different from Outworld. But we better keep moving, there's no telling when the extermination squads will…"
"Too late, princess."
The three turned to see Shang Tsung facing them from only a feet away, behind him were at least a dozen Shadow Priests. Although the outfit was different, and the hair was longer than before. There was no mistaking it: that man was Shang Tsung, the former Grandmaster of the Mortal Kombat Tournament.
"Shang Tsung?" Liu Kang yelled.
"Indeed, Liu Kang, it is I." Shang Tsung said, smiling. "And I will see to it, that I will be the one to take your soul. Not Shao Kahn."
"You'll have to deal with me first, sorcerer!" Kung Lao shouted.
"With pleasure, Lao!" Shang Tsung had previously lost to Kung Lao in the Outworld Tournament, a loss he was sure to redeem himself for. In Shang Tsung's hands, he formed his Straight Fire projectile attack, it shot out at Kung Lao, who was instantly propelled backwards on contact.
"Kung Lao!" Liu Kang shouted. Kung Lao was slightly moving, which could only mean that he had survived the blast.
"Now then, where were we? Oh yes… Do what you want with Lao and Kitana, but Kang is mine to kill." Tsung ordered to his Shadow Priests.
Kitana drew her two twin fans as Kung Lao got to his feet. "Be careful, Liu." He warned. "He's a lot more powerful than he used to be."
Liu Kang gave a slight nod, just as the Shadow Priests made their attack. Liu Kang had to force his way past them, as Kitana and Kung Lao began to engage the Shadow Priests in battle.
As Liu Kang ran towards him, Shang Tsung prepared another Straight Fire projectile, but Liu Kang was ready and leapt to the side. Before Shang Tsung could prepare another attack, Liu Kang performed his Flying Kick technique, which knocked the sorcerer onto the ground.
"I really, really hate that kick."
In frustration, Shang Tsung got to his feet, and prepared another fire attack, but this time it came at Liu Kang from both sides, the young warrior had little time to dodge and was struck by the fire. Landing on the ground, Liu Kang quickly got to his feet to dodge Shang Tsung's next attack.
Shang Tsung began to transform, taking the form of a ninja that Liu Kang had never seen before. Suddenly, Liu Kang began to levitate in the sky against his will and was slammed into the ground multiple times. He was then flung towards Shang Tsung, who turned back to normal.
Just when the sorcerer thought he had won, Liu Kang swept his foot around, tripping the sorcerer, then bringing his feet around a second time. He struck the backside of Shang Tsung's head. The two began to engage in a string of physical combos, each trying to gain the advantage. While blows were dealt on both sides, it was becoming more and more clear that Liu Kang had the advantage.
With a grin, Shang Tsung changed form again, this time into Kitana, this caused Liu Kang to stop attacking for a moment, allowing Shang Tsung to get in a quick hit to the stomach. But this hesitation quickly ended, when Liu Kang managed to get in a quick jab to the chest, causing the sorcerer to revert to normal.
Liu Kang and Shang Tsung resumed their attack on the other. Despite his advantage in sheer power, Shang Tsung was overmatched by the young warrior's speed and skill. In desperation, Shang Tsung leapt into the air, trying to slam Liu Kang into the ground with both of his feet, but Liu Kang managed to leap backwards, dodging the attack. Before Shang Tsung could get himself set up after missing his attack. Liu Kang's foot struck Shang Tsung across the face, sending the sorcerer flying off into the distance.
As he lay slightly injured, the sorcerer pounded his fist in frustration. "Why can't I defeat him…? He's only a boy…"
"It's over, sorcerer." He heard Liu Kang say, Kitana and Kung Lao had rushed to Liu Kang's side, this could only mean that the Shadow Priests had been defeated.
"No… it's not over yet, boy." Tsung said, getting to his feet. "We'll meet again, I guarantee it, Champion."
Before any of them could make a move, the sorcerer vanished through a portal.
"You all right?" Kung Lao asked.
"Yeah, I'm not injured." Liu Kang answered, brushing himself off.
"Good." Suddenly Kung Lao just remembered. "Kitana, what was it they resurrected in order to invade Earth?"
"It… It was…" She seemed rather sad.
"Kitana?" Liu Kang said, noticing Kitana's discomfort.
"My mother… they resurrected my mother."