Welcome back to Mortal Kombat Ryujin. Last time, things really went wrong. The Special Forces base got blown to smithereens, Sonya and Young Johnny Cage were kidnapped, and our heroes were forced to regroup in the Shirai Ryu Fire Garden after Raiden stopped Spyro from trying to neutralize Sektor's detonation. As we left, Liu Kang and Kung Lao were joining Spyro and Cynder to see how Kitana was doing with convincing the Shokan to join their alliance. How's that going to go? Read on to discover...
(Our tale resumes in what looks like a more palatial setting, despite bones laying everywhere, where a four-armed female figure sits on a throne, speaking to Kitana)
Sheeva: I will say this, you are certainly passionate about this issue Kitana. But, I am not convinced.
Kitana: Queen Sheeva, have the Shokan not fared better under Kotal Kahn than they ever did under Shao Kahn?
Sheeva: To answer your question, there are ways we have, and ways we have not. But the only reason I am reserving judgement is simply due to the odds. Neither side has one factor that declares them an immediate victor. The risk is simply too great.
(At this exact moment, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Spyro, and Cynder are shown in by one of the guards)
Liu Kang: Princess! We come with news.
Kitana: Liu Kang? What have I missed?
Kung Lao: Kotal Kahn has been captured.
Sheeva: Now the odds are starting to turn. The Shokan will not aid a Kahn in chains.
Spyro: Your Highness, if I may...
Sheeva: Who are you, Dragon?
Kitana: These two are the dragons I told you of, Sheeva. Spyro and Cynder, our allies from beyond the Realms.
Sheeva: So you do exist! And here I thought Kitana was spinning a yarn! It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Cynder: The pleasure is ours, Queen Sheeva.
Spyro: The forces of Earthrealm stand ready to fight, Your Highness. Your aid will secure victory.
Sheeva: (Thinking about it) There is still one loose variable. The Tarkatans. Whichever side they are loyal to is the most likely to emerge victorious.
Cynder: Then we'll ensure that's our side. The five of us will return with Baraka himself if we must. Then, we will call our allies and storm Shao Kahn's forces.
Sheeva: It is decided then. If you can suede Tarkata to join your cause, you will have the Shokan on your side as well.
(With that, we cut to the Tarkatan camp, where Kollector is seeing Kotal Kahn loaded onto a cart, and as he is, we Shao Kahn speaking with Skarlet)
Shao Kahn: If I know the Thunder God like I think I do, he'll no doubt have sent reinforcements to try and rescue this pretender.
Skarlet: It seems to me that the dragon is the one in command, not Raiden.
Shao Kahn: Indeed, the two of them are wild cards in this game. Hence why I'm leaving you here to make sure the pretender does not escape. A wild card for the wild cards.
Skarlet: I am honored, Excellency. I can only hope Jade is the one leading them though...
Shao Kahn: Something in her blood intrigues you. What exactly is it?
Skarlet: Edenian blood has a sweet taste to it, Excellency. Only amplified by it's rarity.
(While their conversation continues, we transition to the nearby cliffside, where Spyro, Cynder, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Kitana have arrived)
Kitana: Looks like they're getting ready to transport Kotal to the Koliseum. We don't have much time.
Kung Lao: Then the time to strike is now.
Liu Kang: We'll never sway Baraka to our side that way, Kung Lao.
Spyro: Plus, they're still holding Kotal hostage. He's last on the prisoner carts. If we try anything dumb, he's the first to die.
Cynder: (Seeing something in Kitana's eye) I'm thinking you have a plan.
Kitana: You could say that.
(After a few minutes, we fast forward to see Liu Kang and Kung Lao, disguised as defectors from Kotal's scouts, bringing Kitana, Spyro, and Cynder right in with them.)
Liu Kang: (To Skarlet) I'm assuming you're the one in charge here.
Skarlet: Well, well, isn't this a sight. Princess Kitana, and the meddling dragons.
Kung Lao: Gifts for Shao Kahn. We wish to join his fight against the pretender.
Skarlet: (To Kitana) I love the irony of this. The Kahn's daughter for millennia, now brought to her knees by common soldiers. Perhaps now you've learned you're no better than the rest of us.
Liu Kang: The former princess is freely gifted to Shao Kahn. The two dragons are contingent on meeting with Baraka directly.
Skarlet: (Realizing it, then laughing) Did you really think Osh-Tekk war paint would be all it would take to fool me, Liu Kang?
(With that, Skarlet shouts an order in Tarkatan, at which point the guards start attacking our quintet of heroes)
Spyro: Well that didn't go well at all!
Kitana: It got us in, didn't it?
Cynder: This part was Kitana's plan, now this is where I take over. You guys think you can handle these creeps while I take out Skarlet?
Spyro: Go for it!
(With that, Cynder sets her sights on Skarlet. The two duke it out in the prisoner tent before eventually taking the brawl to the center of the camp, where the cart holding Kotal Kahn has already left.)
Skarlet: If your plan was to rescue the pretender, you have already failed.
Cynder: You really know how to rally an army, Skarlet. How is it that you end up serving Shao Kahn? He's a maniac!
Skarlet: He saved me from dying in the streets, gave me a purpose! For that, I owe him everything.
Cynder: For destroying your soul, you owe him nothing. (Seeing she's not convinced) Trust me, I was beguiled by a madman in the same way, and made into his slave just like you were. Just give me a chance, and I can save you.
Skarlet: I will never be made weak again!
(Now Cynder duels Skarlet again. Blood flies as Skarlet attempts to drown Cynder in a sanguine flood. But she holds out, and knocks Skarlet to the ground, breathing heavily)
Cynder: Time to test my hypothesis.
(With that, Cynder stands over the still living, but heavily breathing Skarlet, claws ready)
Cynder: This blood-born corruption has almost completely consumed you. Turned you into Shao Kahn's puppet. But I think I can help you see clearly.
(And just as Cynder is about to initiate her plan, Spyro and the others enter. Cynder looks behind them at the Tarkatans on the ground, but Kung Lao sees the glance and reassures her.)
Kung Lao: Don't worry, they're all alive. Just probably in a lot of pain come the dawn.
Spyro: How'd it go against Skarlet?
Cynder: You're just in time to help me out.
Spyro: What exactly are you planning?
Cynder: Trust me. This'll work.
(At this point, Spyro sees where Cynder is going and steps forward)
Spyro: Undoing her corruption won't be easy, but I think I can pull it off.
(With that, Spyro charges up a burst of Aether, but just as the charge permeates his cells, Cynder grabs his paw and slashes it with her tail blade, sending drops of Spyro's Aether infused blood into Skarlet's mouth, just as Spyro jerks back at the pain)
Spyro: What the hell?!
Cynder: Her corruption manifested in a thirst for blood. I figured your Aether-infused blood might work better than the raw energy keeping Cyrax afloat.
Liu Kang: Are you sure this will work?
Cynder: No. But it looks like we're about to find out.
(As soon as Cynder says that, Skarlet starts to convulse, as green energy starts flowing out of her, replaced by violet power flowing in as she regains consciousness)
Skarlet: (Groggily) What... what have you done...?
Cynder: Exactly what I said I would. I've undone Shao Kahn's corruption.
Skarlet: Corruption...?
Cynder: Whatever Shao Kahn did to you, it did give you power, but nearly burned away your soul in the process. He was clever though, putting the energy in your blood. All we did was provide a sanguineous cure. The bloodlust you were burdened with should be lifted, but your powers remain.
Skarlet: I... You're right... my hunger is gone! I feel relieved for the first time in centuries!
(Just as suddenly as she celebrates, Skarlet starts to panic)
Skarlet: By the Elder Gods, what have I done!? All the people I've killed, the crimes I've committed in Shao Kahn's service!
Cynder: (Throwing a comforting wing over Skarlet) Calm yourself, Skarlet. This sort of panic is normal. I went through it before myself. You will be fine.
Skarlet: I can't believe how blind I was to what Shao Kahn was doing. (Seeing Kitana) And to how right you were, Princess Kitana.
Kitana: That is in the past now, Skarlet. What's important is you have a chance to redeem yourself now.
Skarlet: You would honestly forgive me? After all I've done?
Spyro: We would.
Skarlet: Thank you, all of you. You may rest assured, I will not waste this new chance.
Cynder: Good to hear. Now, we need to get back on track. Skarlet, where is Baraka? We came to try and secure his alliance.
Skarlet: Baraka? Fight for Kotal's allies? That is about as likely as Shao Kahn not crushing my skull once he finds out I've betrayed him.
Spyro: As much as I hate to say it, Skarlet's right. This is an uphill battle. If Jade and I weren't able to stop Kotal earlier, he'd have killed every Tarkatan in this place.
(And just as they say that, Baraka enters with an army of Tarkatans.)
Baraka: How right you are, Dragon! Kotal Kahn has made his stance known, and so has Tarkata.
(Just as Cynder is about to step forward, Kitana and Spyro stop her, and stare down Baraka)
Spyro: Baraka, we can end this peacefully, Tarkata needn't lose another soul.
Baraka: You stand with Kotal Kahn, that makes you our enemy. In the New Era, Kotal will fall and Shao Kahn will rule!
Kitana: And you will be enslaved all over again. We offer you freedom!
Baraka: In the face of annihilation?!
(With that, Baraka charges at Spyro and Kitana, and the battle begins. Kitana manages to pin Baraka from afar while Spyro beats the tar out of him. And with one final move, Baraka is bested)
Spyro: Hear us out, Baraka. We speak the truth.
(As the main battle was going on, everyone else was engaged in battling the Tarkatan horde, when just as things appear to be at their bleakest, Baraka gets back to his feet, and issues an order in Tarkatan)
Spyro: What'd he say?
Kitana: (Hopeful) He ordered them to stop!
Baraka: Speak your piece. You have earned it.
Kitana: Spyro, will you do the honors?
Spyro: Gladly, Kitana. (To the Tarkatans) My knowledge of this world may be incomplete, but from what I know, Shao Kahn has abused Tarkata and all of Outworld for millennia! Pitting its people against one another while sending ally and enemy alike to fight his battles. And for what? The "honor" of dying in his wars? To be his slaves?
Baraka: The alternative is extinction. Kotal Kahn has said as much to my face.
Spyro: Join us against Shao Kahn and we will see to it Tarkata will survive. And that all of Outworld's people: Tarkatan, Kytinn, Osh-Tekk, Shokan, Naknadan, and Edenian alike will all have a seat at the table. That all will live, at last, in a truly united Outworld. The choice is yours Baraka. Live perpetually in squalor as Shao Kahn's slave, or join Kotal Kahn as a trusted ally.
Baraka: (After thinking about it a moment) Tarkata has never been given an offer of this caliber before. But the words are yours, not Kotal Kahn's.
Cynder: Then once we stop Shao Kahn, we'll make sure Kotal agrees to it.
Baraka: He offers anything less than what you dragons are saying, I will personally slit his throat.
Kitana: If Kotal offers less, I will personally aid you in gaining it.
Baraka: (Thinking it over) Very well then, we will give you one chance. But if for even a second it seems you have turned against me, all of you will die.
Spyro: Once chance is all we need, Baraka.
Cynder: Now then, we must make haste. Kotal's already been taken to the Koliseum. I'd be surprised if he still has his head at this point.
Spyro: Then we haven't a moment to lose. Time to summon our forces.
Kitana: Can you bring Sheeva here while you're at it?
Spyro: I think so.
(With that, Spyro summons every ounce of energy he can muster. And as Aether floods his cells, columns of violet energy emerge from the ground, and the other heroes of this story arrive: Grandmaster Hasashi, Sub-Zero, Jade, D'Vorah, Erron Black, Jacqui Briggs, Jax, Cassie Cage, Cyrax, Sheeva, and even Johnny Cage leaning on a makeshift crutch are all here.)
Sheeva: I see you managed to convince Baraka.
Cynder: As we swore we would.
Sheeva: Then you have the Shokan's loyalty.
Spyro: (To Kitana) We stand ready, Kitana. Give the order and we will charge.
Kitana: Then let us make haste. To the Koliseum!
(As Kitana takes charge, we transition directly to the Koliseum, where Kotal Kahn is trapped in the stocks while Shao Kahn stands ready to execute him)
Shao Kahn: For too long you have suffered at this pretender's hands. But now, I, the one true Kahn, will end this madness once and for all! I shall Make Outworld Great Again, into the glorious empire we once were! All realms will tremble before our might! We will again be conquerors, never the conquered!
(But just as Shao Kahn is about to bash Kotal Kahn's head in, the door to the Koliseum is blown from it's hinges, as the forces of good, led by Spyro, Cynder, and Kitana enter the arena)
Shao Kahn: (Seeing Baraka, D'Vorah, and Skarlet) I could see your betrayal coming, Baraka, D'Vorah. But you, Skarlet?! After everything I've done for you, you turn on me?!
Skarlet: I have seen clearly for the first time in ages, and it is clear you truly are a monster.
Kitana: This madness ends now, Shao Kahn.
Shao Kahn: If only you'd shown this boldness centuries ago, Kitana! Perhaps then Mileena wouldn't have needed to exist!
Cynder: Mileena was an abomination.
Spyro: Just like the one who ordered her creation.
(With that, the war begins. Kitana, Spyro, and Cynder start attacking Shao Kahn, Jade works to get Kotal out of the stocks and everyone else starts fending off Shao Kahn's forces with the aid of the Tarkatans and the Shokan. After a few minutes into the battle, Cynder almost gets sneak attacked by Kollector, but she fights him off pretty quickly while Spyro and Kitana continue to battle Shao Kahn.)
Kollector: As of now I retract my compliments from when you arrived. Shao Kahn would never want someone who knows no loyalty as his concubine!
Cynder: You dare stand in judgement of me?
Kollector: I can tell from your attitude, you were born to privilege that you throw away! If you had known cold or hunger, perhaps you would be more intelligent about this!
Cynder: Newsflash, Kollector. Anything you've gone through, I've been through worse.
(Now Cynder starts her brawl with Kollector. Even though the Naknadan has the limb advantage, Cynder is the only one with fighting experience, and as such, easily wins this bout)
Cynder: Unlike Skarlet and Baraka, there's no saving you.
(As Kollector slips unconscious, Cynder rejoins the battle against Shao Kahn, providing a nice little distraction for Kotal Kahn, now free to sneak up on Shao Kahn and throw sand in his eye before charging him into a wall, knocking a few spectators from the stands. Kotal Kahn holds Shao Kahn in a tight grip, but not before Shao Kahn breaks it by almost crushing Kotal Kahn's back before lifting him overhead. And just as Shao Kahn is about to break Kotal Kahn a la Bane, Spyro rams into Shao Kahn's back, sending Kotal Kahn flying to the ground as Shao Kahn lands on his face, helmet ringing before Cynder and Kitana slash him across the chest.)
Spyro: This madness ends here, Shao Kahn. Surrender or you will die.
Shao Kahn: Surrender?! On the brink of victory?! Not a chance! (To Kitana) You've turned out exactly like Jerrod. Weak willed and feeble minded.
Kitana: You mean King Jerrod. The father you stole not just from me, but from all of Edenia!
Shao Kahn: I wanted Jerrod's wife, not his child! I only spared you because Sindel begged me to.
Cynder: Why am I not surprised you let the whims of your lust dictate your military strategy? Now you are doomed to fall. Ironically, to the one you should have killed.
Shao Kahn: A mistake I rectify today.
(Now, it is time, the greatest battle yet. Spyro, Cynder, and Kitana, all against Shao Kahn. The battle is one of which the muses still sing. For every fan swipe, every stab wound and ever headbutt, there is a hammer swing to match, but ultimately, against all odds, Spyro and Cynder nail Shao Kan with successive blasts of Aether energy, knocking him to the ground as they hold him there)
Cynder: Kitana, will you do the honors?
(With that, Kitana gets the message and steps up to finish Shao Kahn)
Shao Kahn: Go ahead then! Kill me!
Kitana: I shall not inherit your cruelty.
(As a sign of this, Kitana simply slashes deep into Shao Kahn's face, causing him extreme pain, but not killing him)
Kitana: I will not give you the satisfaction of a Fatality. You will be spared, but just barely, so you can stand trial for your crimes, and be left to watch as all you could ever care about is lost to you.
(With that, Kitana retrieves her fans as a pack of Tarkatan, Shokan, and Osh-Tekk warriors swarm Shao Kahn and place him into the very stocks Kotal Kahn was in)
Liu Kang: (Seeing this) I told you she wouldn't kill him. Justice trumps revenge.
Kung Lao: Fair enough. Once Kronika's beaten, I'll surrender the hat for a week.
(Meanwhile, we transition to where Kotal Kahn landed, as Jade is checking his wounds)
Jade: Do you feel anything?
Kotal Kahn: Below the waist, not very much.
Spyro: If I had to guess, you're this close to being paralyzed, Kotal.
Kotal Kahn: Perhaps a fate I deserve. To be as defenseless as those I slaughtered unjustly.
Jade: I wouldn't call yourself defenseless yet. Not while I'm here at least.
Cynder: Nor while we stand here, Kotal Kahn.
Kotal Kahn: Even in spite of all I've done, you still trust me?
Spyro: (Holding his head while trying to suppress a temporal headache) Let's just say this timeline nonsense has given you a second chance. So don't waste it.
(At this point, we see Baraka, Sheeva, D'Vorah, and Kitana enter the picture)
Kotal Kahn: You needn't worry of that, Spyro.
Kitana: The battle is over. Shao Kahn has been captured, the throne is secure.
Kotal Kahn: Baraka, Sheeva, I have not served any of you well. And D'Vorah, I have misjudged you and your loyalty. Yet all of you still came to my aid in my moment of greatest need. For this, you have my eternal gratitude.
Baraka: We are not in need of charity. We shall share in Outworld's rule.
Kotal Kahn: Sadly, that is not my decision to make any longer. My actions have now shown me I am unfit to reign as Kahn. I let my anger get the better of me, and Outworld was almost lost to it. Now, I pass the title to someone more worthy than I.
(With that, Kotal Kahn points directly at Kitana, indicating her as his successor)
Kitana: Me?
Kotal Kahn: Yes, you. You who have done what I never could, and united Outworld. The throne is yours now, Kitana Kahn.
(The whole of the Koliseum falls silent for a moment, as if nobody knows what to do with this information, but then, Cynder speaks up)
Cynder: Hail Kitana, Kahn of Outworld!
(Seeing the idea, Spyro joins in)
Spyro: Hail Kitana, Kahn of Outworld!
(And just like that, everyone in the Koliseum, even the allies of Earthrealm, join in, hailing Kitana as the new Kahn, bolstering her confidence enough to reply)
Kitana: Kotal, I am humbled. (To the entire Koliseum) From this moment forward, may all of Outworld's people fight together, and may nothing rend them asunder!
(With Kitana's proclamation, the crowd erupts into uproarious cheers, allowing us to focus in on Kung Lao and Liu Kang)
Kung Lao: (Taking off his hat) Looks like Kitana is officially out of your league, Liu Kang.
(With the celebration concluded, we transition back to the Shirai Ryu Fire Garden, where everyone has gathered for the next part of the mission, even Kotal Kahn has made it, despite being on crutches.)
Cynder: At least now Outworld's armies aren't at Kronika's beck and call.
Spyro: Now we just need to find Kronika's hideout, and rescue Sonya and the other Johnny Cage.
Hanzo Hasashi: I believe I can help in that first regard. Do you know of Kharon?
Sub-Zero: Of course! Kharon!
Spyro: Who's Kharon?
Hanzo Hasashi: The master of the ancient ship of the dead. Sub-Zero and I both met him during our time as Revenants.
Sub-Zero: His one job, transport condemned souls to the Netherrealm using the space between all the Realms.
Hanzo Hasashi: If anyone knows where Kronika is headquartered, it's him.
Cynder: Do you think he'll be willing to help?
Hanzo Hasashi: I would say it's worth a shot.
Cynder: Alright then. You two prep to head out and test this plan. Let me know when you're ready. I plan to join you.
Sub-Zero: It will be an honor to fight alongside you again.
Cassie Cage: Not that the armies of Outworld aren't good enough, but I still don't think we have enough manpower for this.
Liu Kang: You can leave that to us. We head out to aid in preparations for the Shaolin to join our battle.
Kitana: I will return to Outworld with the others and begin preparing our forces.
Cassie Cage: Meanwhile, the rest of us will go and secure Mom.
Spyro: That may not be the best move, Cassie. Kronika's actions have shown she's weaker than we might think. Else why would she need to steal Earthrealm's Jinsei?
Jacqui Briggs: So you think she's still building power.
Spyro: With the Dragon Grotto sealed off, Kronika's going to need another power source of equal strength.
Jax: I think I know just where she's heading.
Cynder: And where's that, Jax?
Jax: It's back on Shang Tsung's Island, they call it the Well of Souls. I saw it when I was held captive there during the first tournament.
Cynder: Okay then. Jax, Jacqui, Cyrax, I'll go with you and check out Shang Tsung's Island.
Spyro: Meanwhile, I'll go with Cassie to secure Sonya and the other Johnny Cage.
Cynder: Be careful out there. If either Sonya or the other Johnny Cage die in this, Cassie will cease to exist.
Spyro: You know me, Cynder. I'm nothing if not careful.
(And just as things appear to be going well, Raiden shows up)
Spyro: What do you want, Raiden?
Raiden: I simply wish to be involved in this battle to save Earthrealm.
Cynder: Funny, since you're the one who started this mess.
Spyro: And made it worse.
Raiden: I have knowledge of things beyond the Realms, yet I am sidelined by two dragons from another world?
Spyro: You've been sidelined because I can't trust you!
Raiden: What have I done to earn this?!
Spyro: For one, you caused all this!
Raiden: That version of myself and I are completely different individuals!
Cynder: Yet you did tell Liu Kang and Kung Lao that if time hadn't been messed with, they'd still be dead right now!
Raiden: That timeline is one of many, and we are not on that path right now!
Cynder: Who told you that? Cetrion?!
(As this argument goes on, Spyro starts to hold his head in intense pain, as his headaches are getting much, much worse)
Raiden: Another one of his headaches? Impossible! I have detected no further timeline aberrations!
Spyro: This shouldn't be possible! There can't be this much chronal energy in this Realm! Even if 25 years of history are collapsing onto each other!
Raiden: (Getting an idea) Then this is how I shall aid you. I shall consult every source I know, and try to find the answer to these headaches of yours.
Spyro: (Irritated) If it gets you out of our way, that's fine by me.
(With that Raiden vanishes in a flash of lightning)
Cynder: They're that bad?
Spyro: They've gone from a dull roar to a screaming migraine.
Cynder: Perhaps you should sit this one out then.
Spyro: No. I've got this. (Collapses from the pain) Okay, I don't have this.
Cynder: Tell you what. You go with Cyrax and the Briggs Family to Shang Tsung's Island. The sea air might calm your head. I'll go with Cassie and rescue Kano's captives.
Spyro: (Amidst the pain) Probably a good idea. Let's get moving.
(With that, the groups disperse as our tale ends for today)
Well that was a very action packed chapter! And yes, I couldn't have one dragon take on Shao Kahn alone. It had to be a duel against him. And nobody could have finished him off but Kitana. As to why I didn't have Shao Kahn die, I figured if he lived, his followers would declare him a martyr and fight back more to avenge him. Anyways, things are about to heat up. Next time: Rescue Mission! So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!