Welcome back to Mortal Kombat Ryujin. Last time, Spyro arrived in the world of Mortal Kombat, and was roped into an assault on the Netherrealm as proposed by Dark Raiden. And needless to say, it didn't end well, costing General Blade her life. But all of this brings to mind one important question. Where is Cynder? She was transported here too, so where did she go? Read on to discover
(Our story resumes not at the Special Forces base in Earthrealm, but rather in what looks like a coliseum of some sort, where a team of what look like warriors are trying wrestle down a six armed being in a ship's mast-like restraint, forcing the figure to face another warrior looking figure seated upon a throne, as well as his entourage, as they do)
Kotal Kahn: For too long now you have escaped justice, Kollector, sucking dry the bounty of Outworld and her people in your wake. Today, the debt you owe is at last paid.
Kollector: You kill me, and you will lose profits, Kotal.
Kotal Kahn: Something you should have learned by now, Kollector. I am nothing like Shao Kahn. I would not inflict a bandit like you upon those less fortunate.
Kollector: I have the sovereign authority of Shao Kahn to collect whatever tribute he saw fit!
Kotal Kahn: Shao Kahn is dead, and his laws have followed him to the grave. As long as I live, his corruption shall never pollute Outworld again.
(With that, Kotal Kahn takes a rather large sword from a member of his entourage as he rises from his throne, preparing to kill Kollector, when a beam of blue energy shoots down from the sky, depositing a familiar ebony dragoness on the scene, catching both Kotal Kahn and Kollector off guard)
Cynder: (Recovering from the transportation) What the...? What is this place...?
Kotal Kahn: A dragon? (Menacing Kollector with his sword) Did you do this?!
Kollector: My hands are bound, you Osh-Tekk imbecile! How could I have?!
Kotal Kahn: (To Cynder) Who are you? And what are you doing here?!
Cynder: (Regaining her senses) Quite frankly, I don't even know where here is!
Kotal Kahn: You stand in the Koliseum of Outworld, and I am Kotal, it's Kahn.
Cynder: A khanate? Haven't been in one of those in some time.
Kotal Kahn: Tell me, are you friend or foe?
Cynder: I can answer that if you tell me who you're about to behead over there.
Kotal Kahn: He is known as Kollector, a scavenger convicted of robbing the poor of my kingdom with tribute to a deceased tyrant. Now, who are you?
Cynder: My name is Cynder, and since we both stand against tyrants, I would assume we'd be friends.
Kotal Kahn: In Outworld, you can assume nothing.
Kollector: (Admiring Cynder) You look lovely, my dear. Shao Kahn would have honored you greatly, as his concubine...
Cynder: (Creeped out by Kollector's comment) Yeah, I'm definitely against this creep.
Kotal Kahn: Then we share a common enemy.
(Just as Kotal Kahn and Cynder are about to realize their commonalities, the very ground starts to shake as the Koliseum itself begins to... alter. The stone darkens in places as a statue of Kotal Kahn falls)
Kotal Kahn: (To Cynder) Are you doing this?!
Cynder: I don't even know what's happening!
(As this happens, we transition back to the Special Forces headquarters, where Spyro and Dark Raiden are arguing yet again over the Netherrealm invasion while Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs and Johnny Cage watch on, with Cassie Cage specifically recording the whole thing on her phone)
Jacqui Briggs: You're recording this? Seriously?
Cassie Cage: Nobody will believe Raiden got his ass kicked by a dragon otherwise.
(And just as the argument reaches a fever pitch, the room begins to shake, as if hit by the same phenomenon as Outworld is, sand swirling around in both locations as the whole room begins to alter into a darker metal shade in patches. But that isn't the only weird thing going on here, as three columns of swirling sand consolidate into three figures, a man with metal arms that Jacqui Briggs is a female spitting image of, and what appear to be younger versions of General Blade and Johnny Cage, as the sandstorm dies down)
Spyro: (Seeing all of this, and confused) What the...
Dark Raiden: By the Elder Gods, what's happening to me?!
(With that we turn to see Dark Raiden is still surrounded by sand, ultimately dissolving into sand, leaving behind Shinnok's amulet)
Spyro: I won't lie, you deserved that.
(Meanwhile, back in Outworld, Kollector uses the chaos to impale one of the guards holding him down on the very thing he is imprisoned in, stealing the key off his belt and unlocking himself. And as he does, more sandstorms consolidate into people, a woman in red, a cowboy, a humanoid with ridiculously large teeth and a pair of arm blades, a man with a metal eye, and a fearsome looking armored figure in a familiar skull helmet. But that is not all this madness has to offer, as a second set of sandstorms form, consolidating into even more people, this time, more familiar ones, younger, living versions of Liu Kang, Kitana, and Jade, along with a man in a comically large hat, and what looks like Dark Raiden, except in white and using blue lightning)
Cynder: (Seeing what has just happened) Yeah, I did not do that.
(As all of this happens, the arena has fallen silent, as Kotal Kahn attempts to talk to these new figures)
Kotal Kahn: Raiden? (Seeing the second figure) Shao Kahn?!
Shao Kahn: (As Kollector joins his party) General Kotal?
Kotal Kahn: I am your general no longer. You may address me as Kotal Kahn.
Shao Kahn: You? Kahn?! Ha! You pretend to my throne, weakling.
Cynder: (Stepping to Kotal Kahn's side, then addressing him) Guessing this is the tyrant you're talking about.
Kotal Kahn: (To Cynder) You guess accurately.
Cynder: (To Shao Kahn) News flash, shrimpy, it's not your throne anymore.
Kotal Kahn: Ever since your death, and that of your abominable spawn Mileena, the throne of Outworld has been mine by word and deed.
Raiden: Wait a second. What is happening here? We were just at the Mortal Kombat tournament. Kung Lao had just defeated Quan Chi and Shang Tsung.
Kotal Kahn: That was nearly 30 years ago!
Raiden: Thirty years ago?
Shao Kahn: What game are you trying to play, Raiden?! Is this some kind of illusion?!
Raiden: If so, it is shared.
Cynder: I have a bad feeling about this...
Kotal Kahn: You know what is happening here?
Cynder: Let's just say it's a theory I hope isn't true.
Raiden: If you have an explanation, please, speak it.
Cynder: I'd need my companion to confirm...
Raiden: Your companion?
Cynder: Yes, my companion... (Realizing it) SPYRO! Gah! I'd forgotten all about him!
Kotal Kahn: (Trying to assuage her panic) Calm yourself Cynder. What was your hypothesis?
Cynder: It may sound strange, but it seems like the past and future are merging.
Kotal Kahn: That would explain all of this. Skarlet, Baraka, Kitana, all of you are long since dead. (Thinking of something) Wait, if all of you are back, then...
Jade: I'm here, Kotal.
Kotal Kahn: (Elated) Jade!
(And just as Kotal is about to greet his presumably old friend, Shao Kahn pushes her out of the way in an act of defiance)
Kotal Kahn: Osh-Tekk custom requires refugees be granted aid, even though you are not deserving of it Shao Kahn. I offer it...
Shao Kahn: REFUGEE!? I am Outworld's Kahn, not you! (Summons his war hammer) Now vacate my throne or these sands will run red with your blood!
(With that, the battle begins, Kotal Kahn and Cynder vs Shao Kahn. Kotal Kahn manages to embed his sword in Shao Kahn's arm, but it doesn't even phase him, as he gets up and continues trying to break Kotal Kahn's skull with his war hammer, ultimately breaking a pillar and toppling it onto Kotal Kahn, before turning his attention to Cynder)
Liu Kang: Lord Raiden, what should we do?
Raiden: While I have never met Kotal, I have heard he is of an honorable constitution.
Jade: I can vouch for that. I know him well.
Cynder: Then what are you doing standing around?! Help us out here!
(Before long, Shao Kahn manages to fling Cynder away, ultimately crushing Kotal Kahn's hand as he tries to emerge from the rubble. But just as Shao Kahn is about to bring the hammer down, literally, Liu Kang rushes in and bicycle kicks Shao Kahn into the path of Raiden, who shocks Shao Kahn long enough for Kotal Kahn to reclaim his blade. Meanwhile, Baraka is going to town on Kotal Kahn's guards, slaughtering more than a few of them before Cynder and Kotal Kahn catch up to him)
Baraka: You are a fool, Osh-Tekk. You are throwing away your future by crossing Shao Kahn!
Kotal Kahn: You are the one with no future Baraka. You and the Tarkatans are dead. After they sided with Mileena against me, I made sure of that.
Baraka: Then for Tarkata, you will die!
(Baraka and Kotal Kahn start to battle, but Cynder ultimately steps in and prepares to take on Baraka herself)
Baraka: You aid Tarkata's destroyer!
Cynder: Hey I just got here only slightly before you did. I still have no idea what's going on exactly!
Baraka: (Extending his arm blades) Then allow me to educate you!
(With that, Cynder and Baraka begin their battle. The fight is intense, but ultimately Cynder emerges victorious)
Cynder: I'll admit, you're pretty good.
(With that, Cynder attempts to rejoin the main brawl, but then a surge of blood forces her into some underground portion of the Koliseum, with Kotal Kahn ultimately joining her down there, as the blood reveals it's controler, Skarlet)
Cynder: Who the heck are you?!
Kotal Kahn: Her name is Skarlet. One of Shao Kahn's assassins, corrupted by his blood magic.
Skarlet: Corrupted? Is that what you call it? It's still better than being a starving orphan on the streets.
Cynder: (To Kotal Kahn) Leave this one to me, Kotal. I know a thing or two about corruption.
(With that, Kotal Kahn attempts to head back up to the Koliseum proper while Skarlet continues to menace Cynder)
Cynder: If this truly is corruption, at least as I know it, then there is a way back.
Skarlet: Back to the weakling I was before? Not a chance.
(With that, Cynder and Skarlet start their battle. Blood flies everywhere, mostly due to Skarlet's manipulation of it, but Cynder ultimately emerges victorious)
Cynder: I can help you, Skarlet.
(With that, the door out of this place opens, revealing Jade standing there, particularly spying Kotal Kahn)
Jade: Kotal!
(With elation, Jade runs up to Kotal Kahn, at which point, the two kiss, revealing to Cynder their relationship)
Jade: I had thought you dead! What happened?
Kotal Kahn: My legion and I were betrayed. Ambushed by Shao Kahn. He kept me alive in Shang Tsung's Flesh Pits, for torture and experimentation. Only when the sorcerer died was I freed.
Jade: For just this moment, living this nightmare was worth it.
Kotal Kahn: I shall not lose you again.
(As Cynder looks on, she is reminded of herself and Spyro, longing to reunite with her beloved. But just as she reminisces, another door flies open, revealing the cowboy)
Kotal Kahn: Erron Black. I had forgot you allied with Shao Kahn in the past.
Cynder: Kotal, Jade, the others need you. I'll handle this guy.
(As Kotal Kahn and Jade leave, Cynder faces down Young Erron Black)
Cynder: I'm guessing you're one of Kotal's allies in this present, Erron Black.
Young Erron Black: You think I give a damn about the future? I prefer to live in the moment.
Cynder: A philosophy that will cost you dearly.
(The standoff is set, Cynder against Young Erron Black. This battle is probably the quickest, as Young Erron Black's guns can do little to pierce Cynder's scales, at least not before she can kick his tail)
Cynder: At least you mellow with age. I think.
(With that, Cynder ascends a staircase back into the Koliseum proper, where we can see Kotal Kahn is fighting Shao Kahn head on)
Shao Kahn: You will return my throne to me or else, Osh-Tekk!
Kotal Kahn: Outworld grew tired of your pointless wars, and rejected them!
Shao Kahn: An empire must expand or else it will die!
(As this conversation rages, Cynder runs in and manages to deliver a good few slashes to Shao Kahn, before he faces her directly)
Shao Kahn: Insolent female! You will pay for daring to attack me!
Cynder: Killing arrogant self-serving conquerors is kind of my thing.
(Cynder and Shao Kahn, a battle that will ring throughout the ages, but ultimately, one that falls to Cynder, but just barely)
Cynder: And this is why you don't rule this place anymore.
(Just as victory appears certain, the sky is engulfed with insects, which apparently Kotal Kahn recognizes)
Cynder: What is that?!
Kotal Kahn: Not what, whom. It's D'Vorah!
(As this is happening, the insects swarm Cynder and her allies as, unseen to them, a portal of sand opens up, revealing a humanoid figure kind of resembling a hornet's nest)
D'Vorah: Shao Kahn! This way!
(At D'Vorah's behest, Shao Kahn, Kollector, Young Erron Black, Skarlet, Baraka, and the rest of Shao Kahn's allies run into the portal she emerged from, and all flee the scene as the chaos dies down)
Kotal Kahn: I have never known a day as strange as this one.
Cynder: That's an understatement.
(At this point, one of the doors into the Koliseum opens, allowing in a figure who resembles a much older Erron Black)
Erron Black: You're not going to believe this, boss. I swear I just saw Tarkatans setting up camp not too far out west. I thought we hunted them all down!
Kotal Kahn: It was not your eyes deceiving you, Erron Black.
Erron Black: Great, looks like we missed some then.
Cynder: Wait, didn't I just kick your tail, and then see you flee into a sand portal?
Erron Black: (Not recognizing Cynder) Whoa, who's the lizard?
Kotal Kahn: Cynder is an ally from another realm.
Erron Black: Well then, pleasure to meet you, ma'am.
Cynder: Must've been your younger self who's tail I kicked.
Erron Black: Wait, there's two of me running around now? I don't even want to know.
(As this conversation continues, Raiden attempts to make a diplomatic introduction to Kotal Kahn.)
Raiden: Kotal Kahn. I am Raiden, the...
Kotal Kahn: I am well aware of who you are, Raiden.
Raiden: Then we are acquainted in this timeline?
Kotal Kahn: We were allies once, but no longer.
Raiden: Given our mutual hatred of Shao Kahn, that seems surprising.
Kotal Kahn: After the defeat of Shinnok, everything changed.
Liu Kang: Shinnok was defeated? Thank the Elder Gods for that.
Kotal Kahn: Outworld and Earthrealm joined forces, but after that battle, you became a hardened vigilante, striking out at anyone who could even remotely threaten Earthrealm. It's been like this the last two years.
Raiden: (Completely stunned) That... it cannot be.
Kotal Kahn: In this era, you wear Shinnok's amulet as a sign of fury
Raiden: You may be assured that that Raiden and I are not the same.
Cynder: And either way, the three of us have a common goal. Fix this timeline and keep Shao Kahn from regaining power.
Raiden: Agreed. I will return to Earthrealm with Liu Kang and Kung Lao, we will figure out what temporal displacements have occurred.
Kotal Kahn: I will have scouting parties sent out to locate Shao Kahn and his forces. (To Erron Black) Erron Black...
Erron Black: Don't have to tell me twice, Kotal. I'll put a posse together and see if we can't find that bastard.
Kitana: You will have my aid as well.
Jade: And mine.
Liu Kang: (To Kitana) And once able, I will return to aid as well, Princess.
Cynder: And I'll go with Raiden. Hopefully then we can get some answers as to what's going on here.
Raiden: Agreed. Then let us go.
(As Raiden transports himself, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, and Cynder away from Outworld, we pick up in a strange location, a hive of some sort where Shao Kahn is having an argument with D'Vorah)
Shao Kahn: If you killed Mileena as you say, I will slaughter you, insect!
D'Vorah: Not so fast, Shao Kahn. This One is under protection.
Shao Kahn: By who's command, worm!?
(With that, a new sandstorm begins as Kronika arrives, with a burly looking henchman and strange cloaked figure in tow)
Kronika: By my command, Shao Kahn. The command of Kronika.
Shao Kahn: (Flabbergasted) The legends are true... you really do exist!
Kronika: Yes, and to fix history's current path, I require your aid.
Shao Kahn: So you broke time to bring me 30 years into the future?
Kronika: Not broke, stopped. I have chosen to enlist anyone who is dissatisfied with the timeline as it is to aid me in my mission.
Shao Kahn: And how exactly do I benefit from this?
Kronika: My New Era will be one without a Raiden to stop you. Your empire will never fall.
Shao Kahn: You can do that?
Kronika: Not easily. The task requires immense effort. And as well, the tool I use, my Hourglass, is unprotected.
Shao Kahn: So you want me for my armies then.
Kronika: Do we have a bargain then?
Shao Kahn: (Considering it briefly) We do.
(As Shao Kahn makes his bargain, we transition back to the Special Forces headquarters, where Spyro is piecing together what happened here, much to his disbelief)
Spyro: There's no way, there is simply no way any being can do this!
Johnny Cage: At least I'm not the only one losing my mind here. How the heck are there two of me in one room?! Shouldn't this destroy all of time or something?
Spyro: That's what I'm trying to piece together!
Young Johnny Cage: Think you can throw this one onto the pile? I'm 30 years into the future and there's not one jetpack in sight. What's going on here?!
(Just as Spyro is trying to tune out Young Johnny Cage, one of the doors opens, revealing Cassie Cage talking to Raiden and Cynder)
Raiden: So what Kotal Kahn said is true. I have walked a dark path in this timeline.
Cassie Cage: Dark is an understatement. Try authoritarian dictatorial.
Spyro: (Catching the glint of Cynder's tail blade out of the corner of his eye) Wait, can it be? (Looking up to confirm it is who he thinks it is) CYNDER!
Cynder: (Finally seeing Spyro) SPYRO!
(With that, the two lovers embrace in their reunion)
Spyro: I thought I'd lost you...
Cynder: You're not the only one. If it weren't for Raiden here, I'd still be stuck in Outworld.
Spyro: (Hearing that name) Raiden?!
(Now Spyro sees Raiden, and in a fit of rage runs up and punches him in the face, again)
Spyro: You have some nerve coming back here after what you've done! And don't think a simple color scheme change will fool me!
Raiden: I know my counterpoint in this timeline has done horrible things, but I...
Spyro: (As a dark aura surrounds him) SILENCE!
(With that it looks like Spyro is about to kill Raiden, before Cynder stops him)
Cynder: Spyro, calm yourself! This isn't that Raiden. It's him from about 30 years ago.
Spyro: (Hearing this) 30 years ago? (As the dark aura fades) Then it's true. Someone is meddling with time. No wonder I was getting temporal headaches.
Raiden: Temporal headaches? I do not understand.
Spyro: I can manipulate time to a degree, but the strain always gives me a headache. Being in the presence of too much chronal energy, or someone manipulating it can do that as well.
Young Johnny Cage: Wait, you get headaches when someone messes with time? Does anybody have a pen? I need to write that down. A little reworking and that could be the next summer blockbuster!
(As Johnny Cage slaps his younger self, we focus in on the younger General Blade, and the man with metal arms)
Jax: I'll say it. This has to be the strangest thing that's ever happened to us. Not only are we in the future, but we've both got daughters our own age!
Sonya: I know, right? But how in Earthrealm did I think sleeping with Cage was a good idea?
Jax: Yeah, I have no answer for that one.
(And now Jacqui Briggs enters the room with Liu Kang and Kung Lao, which Spyro notices)
Spyro: (Seeing Liu Kang) So, you're the real Liu Kang. It's an honor to finally meet you.
Liu Kang: From what Cynder has told me, the feeling is mutual.
(And now Sonya joins the conversation)
Sonya: I'll second that.
(Now we see Spyro can't even look Sonya in the eye, as if from grief)
Sonya: Trust me kid, this is weird for all of us.
Spyro: Stranger than you could know, General Blade... I mean, Sonya.
Sonya: (Fascinated) How so?
Spyro: How do I say this... at this point in the timeline, you're kind of dead.
Sonya: Dead? How?
Spyro: Mission in the Netherrealm, you died destroying an important target.
Sonya: (Collapsing into a chair from surprise) Seriously?
Spyro: Yeah, and now here you are, young enough to be the sister of your own daughter.
Sonya: It really is strange.
Spyro: Indeed. (Refocusing) But now is not the time to dwell on the past-future-whatever-it-is-now. We have a mission. (To the entire room) Okay, everyone, we need to formulate a plan.
Cynder: Kotal's already got Erron Black leading search parties to locate Shao Kahn, so we need to focus our efforts on pinning down what's causing this timeline merging.
Raiden: I will consult with the Elder Gods, see what they know. (To Liu Kang) Liu Kang, Kung Lao, will you aid our allies in the meantime.
Liu Kang: Gladly, Lord Raiden.
(As Raiden leaves, Spyro is slightly relieved, knowing what he knows about Raiden)
Jacqui Briggs: Guys, you're going to want to see this! I've got Netherrealm activity converging at the Wu Shi Temple.
Cassie Cage: Wait, I thought nuking the castle was supposed to stop them?
Spyro: I told Raiden this madness would spark a war! And now the prophecy is fulfilled.
Liu Kang: Kung Lao and I will go. We have to defend our Shaolin masters.
Jax: Wait, why would they even go after your alma mater anyways, Liu Kang?
Kung Lao: Beneath the Wu Shi is the Dragon Grotto.
Liu Kang: And from the Dragon Grotto, Earthrealm's Jinsei bubbles to the surface.
Cassie Cage: Netherrealm's going for the Jinsei again? Not good. The last time that happened, well, things went horribly wrong.
Kung Lao: Though, the Grotto is protected by our best traps and guardians. And I have a feeling our future selves are already down there.
Spyro: I can't speak for Kung Lao, but I wouldn't be surprised if Liu Kang's present self is leading the attack.
Liu Kang: Leading the attack? Why would I...?
Spyro: It's a long story. I'll tell you while we're on the way.
Kung Lao: You wish to join us in defending the Wu Shi?
Spyro: With no way back to our Realm known, Cynder and I are in this for the long haul.
Liu Kang: Very well then. It would be an honor to fight alongside you.
Spyro: Alright then. We set out forthwith.
(With that, we fast forward a few minutes to see Spyro preparing for his mission with Liu Kang and Kung Lao as Cynder walks up to him)
Cynder: So, what's your deal with Raiden?
Spyro: Let's just say his present self, before he disappeared to likely make room for his past self, wasn't exactly the best person.
Cynder: I know he walked a dark path in this timeline.
Spyro: Dark is an understatement. He's the reason Liu Kang is dead.
Cynder: (Astonished) What?
Spyro: I don't recall all the details, but in stopping Shao Kahn last time, Raiden killed Liu Kang, and if I had to guess, his actions got Kitana, Jade, and Kung Lao killed as well. But that's not all.
Cynder: What else could there be?
Spyro: He's the one from my dream.
Cynder: Which one? There were three parties involved last I checked.
Spyro: The executioner.
(At that, Cynder falls silent, processing it all)
Cynder: Sounds like we'd better keep a close eye on him, past version or otherwise.
Spyro: This past version especially. He's from right around when Liu Kang died, if the brief history lesson I got from Commander Cage and Sergeant Briggs is anything to go by.
Cynder: A very close eye indeed then.
(And as Spyro and Cynder finalize their agreement to keep an eye on Raiden, our story ends for now)
And that looks like a good place to end. So, that was a lot to take in all in one chapter. I hope I didn't miss anything from the story mode. Chapter 2 had a lot to take in so I had to cut some it down, particularly Young Johnny Cage. But don't worry, there's more of him coming up later. Anyways, what awaits Spyro, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao at the Wu Shi? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!