Welcome back to Mortal Kombat Ryujin. Last time, we saw Cynder's arrival in Outworld just as Kronika initiated her plan to restart history, bringing Shao Kahn back to life and recruiting him to her cause. But as she did that, past versions of Raiden and his champions came with them, helping Spyro and Cynder to reunite. Now back together, Spyro and Cynder are leading the effort to recapture Shao Kahn, just as Netherrealm forces started invading the Wu Shi. Spyro, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao set out to aid the Academy, as Spyro and Cynder made their note to keep their eyes on Raiden. So, what's going to happen next? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes with Spyro, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao walking through a serene environment of blossoming cherry trees, along the road to the Wu Shi, where Spyro has just told Kung Lao and Liu Kang what happened to them)
Kung Lao: So I'm going to get this straight. I die in the Koliseum of Outworld, and Liu Kang is killed fighting Lord Raiden on a rooftop?
Spyro: As far as my knowledge goes, that's right.
Kung Lao: This future... our future... this is insane!
Liu Kang: Obsessing over it changes nothing, Kung Lao.
Kung Lao: And what? Embracing a future as evil Revenants does?
Liu Kang: I never said we should do that. We cannot change a future we do not understand.
Spyro: Sage advice, Liu Kang.
Liu Kang: I am confident Lord Raiden will be able to guide us through this.
Spyro: (Remembering Dark Raiden) Not so sage advice. Considering he's the one who lead Kung Lao to his death. Not to mention killed you directly, Liu Kang.
Liu Kang: That is not the same Lord Raiden you knew, Spyro.
Spyro: I'm still not so sure of him.
Kung Lao: At this rate, I've still got doubts.
(And just as Liu Kang is about to interject on Raiden's behalf, we arrive at the steps of the Wu Shi, where the corpses of slaughtered monks are strewn about, and as the three ascend to the courtyard, the slaughter is even worse. The paving stones run read with the blood of the monks training there.)
Spyro: (Under his breath) By the Ancestors...
Kung Lao: So many Shaolin, dead...
Liu Kang: They died defending sacred ground. The Netherrealm will pay.
(With vengeance on their mind, the trio make their way underneath the Wu Shi, into the corridor leading to the Dragon Grotto, where one of the traps, a set of swinging axes has apparently been tripped. But Liu Kang notices something... odd about them.)
Liu Kang: Looks like the invaders knew how to disarm these traps?
Kung Lao: Nobody ever told me. Did you know, Liu Kang?
Spyro: I'm guessing you were told, but didn't pay attention.
Liu Kang: (Surprised) You can see through it?
Spyro: Just watch the movement, and strike through at the right moment...
(With that, Spyro watches the swings of the axes, noting exactly when to leap through, then pulls it off with the utmost precision. Impressed, Liu Kang follows suit. After seeing both of them, Kung Lao simply takes off his hat, and flings it into one of the blades, jamming all three of them somehow, before retrieving his hat and joining the others)
Spyro: I'm guessing they only get worse from here. What are we up against, Liu Kang?
Liu Kang: Poison gas, flaming jets, shooting spears...
(Just as Liu Kang starts listing off the traps, all the entrances and windows are barred up)
Spyro: Self-locking rooms?
Kung Lao: I did not do that!
Liu Kang: I didn't either.
(As the trio try to figure out what's going on here, a kunai on a chain flies out of the distance and impales itself on a post, revealing it's master, a ninja-like figure clad in yellow and black, shown in a brief flash of hellfire)
Scorpion: I did.
(As Scorpion recalls his weapon, Liu Kang and Kung Lao realize who their dealing with)
Liu Kang: I'm not surprised you survived the timeline merger, Scorpion.
Scorpion: I will not allow you to stop Kronika, not so long as she keeps her bargain to restore my family and clan.
Liu Kang: Who's Kronika?
Kung Lao: No idea.
Spyro: (To Liu Kang and Kung Lao) Even if your friend here doesn't manage to kill us, those traps likely will. You guys find a way to shut them down, I'll handle Scorpion.
(As Liu Kang and Kung Lao heed Spyro's instruction, Spyro himself confronts their adversary, with flames pouring from the sides of his mouth as if to intimidate Scorpion as he speaks)
Spyro: So, I'm not the only Fire elemental here.
Scorpion: Your flames are nothing against hellfire.
Spyro: Let's see about that.
(Now the battle of fire masters begins, Spyro vs Scorpion. Scorpion burns hot, as Spyro realizes first hand, but he also burns fast, allowing Spyro to extinguish him rather quickly)
Spyro: It's a shame your my adversary. We might get along.
(With that, Liu Kang and Kung Lao come running back in)
Kung Lao: There's no way to shut the traps off!
Liu Kang: More likely whoever was here destroyed it.
(Just as Liu Kang brings the bad news, Scorpion teleports out of the room in a blaze of hellfire while poisonous gas fills the room before a cage springs up around our trio of heroes. Just as the gas starts to take effect on the trio though, it stops, and the traps deactivate)
Spyro: What the heck? If they wanted us dead, why turn of the trap?
(And just as Spyro says that, Revenant Jade enters the room, with Scorpion in tow)
Revenant Jade: The plan requires you three survive.
Liu Kang: Jade? What has happened?
Revenant Jade: Like you, I suffered an untimely death, due to Raiden's incompetence.
Liu Kang: Kung Lao and I know of our deaths, they were our mistake. You will not turn us against Lord Raiden that easily
Spyro: (Completely stunned) Since when is being electrocuted for reasonable defiance "your mistake"?
Revenant Jade: The dragon is right in that regard, Liu Kang. Raiden murdered you for defying him.
(With that, Scorpion strikes at Kung Lao, knocking him unconscious before turning his attention to Liu Kang, leaving Spyro with Revenant Jade)
Spyro: The one Revenant who's tail I haven't kicked yet.
Revenant Jade: You and I both stand against Raiden, so why are we enemies?
Spyro: Because there are better ways to handle him than doing this!
(Now Spyro begins his battle with Revenant Jade. And it seems her premature death and revival weakened her a bit, allowing Spyro to take her down easily)
Spyro: I'm hoping your past self is more bearable
(By this point, Kung Lao has regained consciousness and has joined Liu Kang in battling Scorpion, a battle which Spyro joins as well, and the three ultimately manage to force Scorpion into a fiery retreat. And once he flees, our trio of heroes approach a mostly barred doorway)
Spyro: Willing to bet the Dragon Grotto is through here.
Liu Kang: Indeed it is.
Spyro: Then let's not waste a second.
Kung Lao: Wait, Liu Kang. What if the next enemy through there... is ourselves?
Liu Kang: Then we fight them, Kung Lao. They have forsaken everything we are in attacking the Wu Shi.
Spyro: Good to hear. Because I owe your present self a decapitation.
(With that, our trio of heroes enter the cavernous passageway to the Dragon Grotto, and after passing through a broken gate, enter the Jinsei chamber, where the hulking figure Kronika brought with her to recruit Shao Kahn is gathering strange vials, no doubt containing the Jinsei of Earthrealm)
Liu Kang: Whoever you are, return those before we have to hurt you.
Geras: I was told you would be arriving.
Kung Lao: By who?
Spyro: (Seeing something off to the side) By them, I'm guessing!
(And just as he says that, Revenant Liu Kang enters the room, followed by a Revenant variant of Kung Lao.)
Revenant Kung Lao: Welcome to the future.
Revenant Liu Kang: The future courtesy of Raiden.
Liu Kang: This future may be tragic, but it is not the fault of Lord Raiden. Shinnok's evil has corrupted you both.
Revenant Kung Lao: Really? Did Shinnok's evil make Raiden stand there and watch as Shao Kahn snapped my neck?
Revenant Liu Kang: Or have him strike me down with his lightning just as I was about to defeat Shao Kahn for a second time?
Liu Kang: I refuse to believe this!
Revenant Liu Kang: Once Raiden betrays you again, you'll have no choice but to.
Spyro: (Stepping in between Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and their Revenants) If it's a fight you two want, then you'll battle me. Unless of course you want to risk eliminating yourselves.
Revenant Kung Lao: Very well then, it's your funeral.
Spyro: (To Liu Kang and Kung Lao) You guys handle the muscle, I'll take you on.
(As Liu Kang and Kung Lao rush off to stop Geras from stealing the Jinsei, Spyro stares down his opponents)
Revenant Liu Kang: We meet again, dragon.
Spyro: Two against one? I've had worse odds.
Revenant Kung Lao: Except you haven't fought me.
Spyro: You're right. I've seen better.
(With that, the battle begins. Spyro is almost immediately overwhelmed by the two Revenants. But thankfully, he's faced Revenant Liu Kang before, and is familiar with his style, giving him more time to focus on Revenant Kung Lao. But ultimately, Spyro is able to win, slamming the two Revenants' heads together as a final blow)
Spyro: And that's for Sonya.
(With that we see Liu Kang and Kung Lao giving chase to Geras, just as he gets away, before stopping to notice their defeated Revenants)
Kung Lao: (Having thought about his Revenant's words) Is it just me, or could they be right?
Liu Kang: We'll have to worry about it later.
Spyro: Besides, we've got bigger problems right now.
(With that, Geras enters the fray, with a belt full of Jinsei capsules)
Geras: You really should have heeded the words of your Revenants. (Holding up the capsules) With this power, Kronika will be able to remake history...
(Just as Geras starts a presumable monologue, Kung Lao throws his hat, decapitating Geras instantly, and getting a little bit of the blood on Spyro as it returns)
Kung Lao: Well that was easy.
(Just then, Geras' severed head turns into sand, only to reform on his neck, restoring him to life)
Liu Kang: And this is why you never say that, Kung Lao.
Spyro: (To Geras) What are you?
Geras: I am Geras, Kronika's warrior.
Spyro: And how exactly did you just do that?!
Geras: I am a fixed point of history. Every death and rebirth makes me stronger.
Kung Lao: Is that even possible?
Spyro: I don't think he's in the mood for 20 Questions right now!
(With that, Geras charges. Even in a three on one battle, Geras holds his own and appears to be winning, until Spyro manages to claw him down and cause him to drop the Jinsei vials, knocking them across the room in the process)
Spyro: Kung Lao! Get the vials! We'll handle this creep!
(As Kung Lao run after the vials, Spyro and Liu Kang continue their battle with Geras)
Liu Kang: This is undoubtedly a new one on me.
Spyro: You and me both, Liu Kang.
Geras: We both share a hatred of Raiden, Spyro. Why do you think Kronika recruited the Revenants?
Spyro: (Dumbfounded) How the hell do you know my name?!
Geras: I know of you from Kronika, and of Cynder as well. Join us and you will be blessed in the New Era.
Spyro: No chance, fossil.
(Now the battle begins, Spyro and Liu Kang vs Geras. Geras has undoubtedly seen a lot in however many lives he's lived, but Spyro is not one of them, and the purple dragon and Shaolin monk readily pound Geras into the floor)
Spyro: Fixed point in time my ass.
(With that, Geras gets back up, unperturbed by Spyro's attack as Kung Lao returns with the Jinsei belt)
Geras: You certainly live up to your reputation, all three of you. I respect your spirit, but I will not let you stop me from doing Kronika's will.
Spyro: Save the speeches, relic!
(With that, the trio attempts to charge Geras, only just as they're about to attack him, Geras somehow causes time to freeze, trapping Liu Kang and Kung Lao, as well as Spyro, allowing Geras time to retrieve the Jinsei capsules, just before Spyro somehow manages to attack him)
Geras: How did you...?
Spyro: Since you know everything about me, then surely you knew I could manipulate Time too!
(Just as Spyro's about to have a Round 2 with Geras, a strange whirlwind of sand emerges, forming into Kronika)
Kronika: That's enough, Geras.
(As Geras sees his mistress has arrived, he hands over the Jinsei, just as Spyro recognizes Kronika from his dreams)
Spyro: I'm guessing you're Kronika.
Kronika: And you would be correct, Spyro.
Spyro: Whatever you're planning, this madness ends now.
Kronika: On the contrary, it's only just beginning.
(With that, Kronika summons a pulse of chronal energy, giving Spyro a massive temporal headache, enough to render him inert with the pain, giving Geras enough time to try and kill him, just as Kronika stops him)
Kronika: Not quite yet, Geras. He is essential to our plan. All three of them are.
Geras: Letting them live is a dangerous proposition.
Kronika: If Liu Kang and Kung Lao die, their Revenants will cease to exist. As for Spyro, he's more important than you could know. But either way, we have all we need to resculpt the Sands of Time as it is, and Shao Kahn and Sektor are in place. Our forces are almost ready.
(With that, Kronika and Geras teleport away, restarting time as they leave, causing Liu Kang and Kung Lao to hit the floor, just as Spyro gets back up from his headache)
Liu Kang: What just happened...?
Spyro: I think we just met this "Kronika". Or at least I did. I'll explain everything on the way out.
(As Spyro and company leave the Wu Shi and the Dragon Grotto behind, we transition to Kronika's lair, where Kronika is discussing the plan with Revenant Kitana, Shao Kahn, and some sort of red humanoid robot)
Revenant Kitana: As promised, 10,000 legions of the Netherrealm's finest warriors stand ready to defend the Keep.
Kronika: Excellent. (To Shao Kahn) And what of Outworld?
Shao Kahn: They will be here once I reclaim their loyalty from that impostor Kotal.
Kronika: Make sure of it. Now, Sektor, you are willing to abide by the terms of our deal, correct?
Sektor: I have already begun our end of the bargain. The assembly has already begun production under Cyrax's oversight. And all is proceeding well beyond expectations. There should be another 2500 Cyber Lin Kuei produced within the next hour, giving our minimum required number within 12 hours.
(With that, we transition back to the Special Forces base, where Raiden has just returned from consulting with the Elder Gods, to see Liu Kang and Kung Lao training against each other, before noticing him)
Liu Kang: What did the Elder Gods have to say, Lord Raiden?
Raiden: We must find Kronika, and rest the Sands of Time from her control.
Spyro: (Joining in) If what I saw of Kronika is anything to go by, that's easier said than done.
Raiden: You saw her?
Spyro: Apparently she forgot I can manipulate Time as well. To a degree, and certainly not this degree.
Raiden: She knows who you are?
Spyro: Yes.
Raiden: This is most grave indeed.
Kung Lao: Lord Raiden, forgive me, but I must ask. Is everything we've heard true?
Raiden: Had the timeline proceeded as initially it had, my actions would have lead to your deaths. But the Elder Gods have assured me that this is far from inevitable, but one of many timelines. You and Liu Kang have my vow that no harm will come to either of you.
(Liu Kang takes this vow on faith, but Kung Lao is a little more skeptical, and Spyro even more so. But just as everyone gets this info, we transition inside the base where Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs filling Cynder in on their search just as Spyro and company return.)
Cynder: (Seeing Spyro) How'd it go?
Spyro: Not good. They got away with some of the Jinsei.
Cassie Cage: Not a good sign, especially once we factor in the other temporal anomalies.
Cynder: That meaning?
Jacqui Briggs: Just got a report from Grandmaster Sub-Zero. The Lin Kuei have suffered heavy losses. Apparently, this time merger revived Sektor as well.
Spyro: Sektor? That name sounds familiar... I think Kronika said something about him in the Dragon Grotto.
Cynder: (Confused) Kronika?
Spyro: The person behind all this.
Cynder: (Noting this, then to Cassie Cage) Who's Sektor again?
Cassie Cage: Sub-Zero's predecessor as Grandmaster. He corrupted and cyberized pretty much all the Lin Kuei. Not even Sub-Zero escaped. Currently, Sektor is reactivating one of the Cyber Lin Kuei assembly plants.
Raiden: Undoubtedly working for Kronika, to bolster her forces with new Cyber Lin Kuei.
Cassie Cage: Sub-Zero wasn't taking any chances on anyone using Cyber Lin Kuei. He and Grandmaster Hasashi are already on their way to shut it down.
Raiden: Hasashi? As in Hanzo Hasashi?
Cassie Cage: Don't worry, he's not Scorpion anymore. Your future self had him restored.
Spyro: Tell this Sub-Zero I'll be joining him.
(As soon as he says that, Spyro's temporal headaches start flaring up again, as Cynder helps him into a chair)
Cynder: Not so fast, Spyro. These headaches are getting worse, not to mention you're pretty badly bruised and beaten from your last match. I'll go meet Sub-Zero and Grandmaster Hasashi. You rest here. Get something for those headaches.
Spyro: These headaches ebb and flow, I'm fine for now. (As his stomach growls) But it sounds like I could use a sandwich.
Cynder: (Chuckling) That's my Spyro.
Raiden: Wait, in this timeline, Scorpion is not a Revenant?
Spyro: More like no longer a Revenant. We met his past self at the Wu Shi.
Jacqui Briggs: Ever since Quan Chi's death, Sub-Zero and Grandmaster Hasashi have pretty much buried the hatchet, or.. rope spear I guess. The Lin Kuei and the newly reformed Shirai Ryu have been close allies ever since, to each other and us.
Cynder: Sounds like I'm in for a good time then.
Cassie Cage: Already let Sub-Zero know to expect you.
Cynder: Alright then. Time to roll out.
(As Cynder sinks into her shadow to join Sub-Zero and Hanzo Hasashi, our tale ends for today)
And that seems like a good place to end. So, Kronika knows about Spyro and Cynder, at least enough to inform Geras about them. But how exactly is this? What does she know that we don't? The answers will be revealed. Aside from that, the next chapter is going to be one of my favorites, I'm sure. I've been anticipating it ever since I started thinking of this project: Cynder, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero all fighting together! Though it's Hanzo Hasashi in this case, as opposed to actual Revenant-style Scorpion, but it's still going to be good. So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!