Welcome back to Mortal Kombat Ryujin! Last time, Cynder and the Special Forces rescued Kano's captives, including a surprise encounter with Nightwolf, taking out both Kanos in the process. And while this is happening, Spyro is accompanying the Briggs family and Cyrax to Shang Tsung's Island. So what's going to happen? Read on to discover...
(Our tale resumes on a heavily armed battleship in the middle of the ocean, where Spyro is shown transfusing Aether into Cyrax, keeping his soul overpowering the Cyber Lin Kuei network's destruction, with Jacqui Briggs scanning the skyline as Jax joins everyone on the bow of the ship)
Jax: So how's the view?
Jacqui Briggs: No sign of a mystical barrier.
Jax: Trust me, when it hits you, you'll know.
Spyro: We'll keep our eyes pealed.
Jacqui Briggs: (To Jax) You feeling okay?
Jax: Strangely, I'm feeling in control. Probably for the first time in ages.
Spyro: Trust me, Jax. I get the feeling. We both got into our wars at the deep end. Only you got tossed in and I jumped.
Jax: Fair enough, but I guess knowing what's possibly going to happen to me, it finally feels like I came up for air. But like Raiden said, things are going to end differently this time.
Jacqui Briggs: I don't mean to sound evil, but I hope they don't end too differently.
Spyro: Why's that?
Jacqui Briggs: All those horrible things that happen to dad? That's how he met and fell in love with my mother. If these things don't happen, you two may not meet. I might not exist.
Jax: Jacqui, you're not just some fluke of the timeline. I may not get all this cosmic bullshit, but I know that you are here for a reason.
Spyro: On that we all agree. I sense greatness in you and Cassie both. Not just anyone could pick up your parents' legacies.
(And just as this moment of reassurance sets in, a green fog appears on the surrounding sea, surrounding a large island)
Jax: Heads up. Shang Tsung's Island, dead ahead.
(As the fog creeps all around the ship, the state of the Island is made known. Wrecked ships are strewn about the coastline, the ruins of two large statues, likely of Shang Tsung himself, lay half submerged. The gate marking the entrance to the dock is overgrown with ivy and vines. And in front of it all, a crumbling symbol of a dragon's head dominates the skyline)
Jax: Here we go again.
Cyrax: You can say that again.
(With the scene established, the battleship docks, and the team disembarks, immediately making their way to a walkway surrounded by statues of Mortal Kombat's initial roster marking the entrance to Shang Tsung's fortress. And as they enter, the courtyard is in ruins, with the partially mummified corpses of Shaolin monks and the bodies of previous kombatants scattered around the courtyard and hanging from the ceiling of the entryway as a grim decor. Amongst them we can pick out a man in a motion capture suit, an individual dressed like Scorpion but purple instead of yellow, and a giant being with a smaller one stuck to its back.)
Spyro: Was it always this creepy here?
Jax: Not even close. When I was here for the tournament, there had to have been thousands of people here. (Noting the corpses) And these guys were way younger.
Cyrax: Feels like only yesterday, doesn't it? What happened to this place?
Jacqui Briggs: Guess Shang Tsung's death took this place with it.
(At this point, Spyro looks around, hearing what sounds like monks chanting something)
Spyro: Do you guys hear that?
Jacqui Briggs: I don't hear anything. This place must be getting to you.
Cyrax: I can confirm, there's only ambient noise. Maybe that's what you're hearing?
Spyro: No, it sounds like these monks are chanting something.
Jax: How? They're dead!
Spyro: (Holding his head) I must be hallucinating.
Jacqui Briggs: (Examining a tablet with a tracker open on it) Nobody's here but us. Guess we didn't need stealth.
(And just as she says that, a strange vortex of green energy starts swirling around, before consolidating into the image of a man in green and black, a very familiar individual. Shang Tsung has arrived, sending everyone into defensive positions)
Shang Tsung: Welcome to my island, travellers.
Jax: I thought you said Shang Tsung was dead!
Jacqui Briggs: (Checking her scanner) I'm not getting anything.
Spyro: If I had to guess, this is his version of a no trespassing sign.
Shang Tsung: If you are seeing this message, then it means I have been betrayed, most likely by Shao Kahn or Quan Chi, and have died. You are welcome to explore. If you are able to find my greatest secret, you may have it. Assuming you pass the challenge of course.
(And just as quickly as it appeared, Shang Tsung's message vanishes into the green energy it formed from.)
Cyrax: Well that wasn't creepy at all.
Spyro: Speak for yourself, Cyrax.
(Just when it appears the danger has passed, Jacqui Briggs' radar starts going off)
Jax: What's happening?!
Jacqui Briggs: Pair of bogeys heading our way. One's moving really fast!
(And just like that, something appears and starts circling the quartet of heroes. Spyro, recognizing his opponent, backs up strategically, and drops his tail right into the object's path, tripping it up, revealing Revenant Kabal, along with Revenant Jade once she comes out of hiding.)
Revenant Kabal: Looks like Kronika was right about someone coming here.
Spyro: (Analyzing the scene) Jacqui, Cyrax, you guys handle Jade's Revenant.
Jax: Looks like its us against Kabal.
Revenant Kabal: Well well, if it isn't Jax Briggs. We were partners under Quan Chi. Why not have a second go at that?
Jax: Wrong Jax, Kabal. I've never been a Revenant, and I don't plan to.
Revenant Kabal: (Seeing Spyro) Don't think I've forgotten our encounter in the Bone Temple.
Spyro: I remember. As much as you don't remember your oath to protect and serve the public.
Revenant Kabal: That Kabal is long dead.
Spyro: I'm not so sure. Let's see if we can't do something about that.
(With that, Spyro and Jax start their brawl with Revenant Kabal. As Jax punches his face in for the seventh time, Spyro headbutts Revenant Kabal out of Jax's grip, almost knocking the speedy fighter to the ground.)
Spyro: Time to test my theory.
(As Kabal is about to fall over, but continually isn't doing so, Spyro walks up to him, Aether coursing through his veins, leaving Jax confused)
Jax: What exactly are you trying to do? Re-power his soul like you did Cyrax?
Spyro: I can't restore Kabal's soul, since Quan Chi is dead, but he was one of your allies when Outworld invaded. At least if Jacqui's history lesson is correct, that is.
Jax: I'm thinking he can't remember it.
Spyro: If my hypothesis is right, he just might.
(With that, Spyro channels Aether into his front paws and places them on either side of Revenant Kabal's head, sending the energy through his system, causing him great pain as Kabal's appearance in Mortal Kombat 9 flashes before his eyes, finally recalling what happened before Quan Chi enslaved him. And after a few minutes of this, Spyro releases his grip, giving Revenant Kabal a minute to recover.)
Revenant Kabal: Wha... what did you do to me?
Spyro: Broke the seal Quan Chi placed on you.
Revenant Kabal: Wait, you were able to restore me?!
Spyro: No. With the sorcerer dead, I couldn't restore your soul. I was just able to restore your memories.
Revenant Kabal: My god... what have I done?
Spyro: The past is of no concern now, Kabal.
Revenant Kabal: Even so, I have to make up for what I've done.
(At this point, we see Revenant Jade has completely knocked Cyrax to the ground and is beating the tar out of Jacqui Briggs)
Revenant Kabal: And it looks like now's my opportunity!
(With that, Revenant Kabal dashes straight into Revenant Jade, hook swords first, while Spyro and Jax tend to Jacqui Briggs and Cyrax.)
Revenant Jade: You dare betray us, Kabal?
Revenant Kabal: News-flash Jade, the real Kabal is back. Not the puppet you knew.
Revenant Jade: Very well then.
(With her declaration known, Revenant Jade pulls out her staff, charges it with soul energy and slams it into the ground)
Revenant Jade: In the name of Shinnok, I command you to RISE!
(As energy flows through the ground, the Shaolin corpses, as well as those hanging from the courtyard entrance rise and join Revenant Jade, surrounding Spyro and company.)
Revenant Jade: You will not interrupt Kronika's work, even if I have to kill all of you.
Spyro: We're not here to interrupt, we're here to stop this dead in its tracks.
Jax: Kronika's not getting her hands on the Well of Souls!
Revenant Jade: As much as I'd like to teach you a lesson myself, there's still work to be done. So I'll have my other associate handle you.
(With that, Revenant Jade hits the end of her staff against the ground, as if to summon someone, and she does, a Revenant clad in violet, with ridiculously long silver hair with a black stripe down the center)
Revenant Sindel: Well, well, well. Jackson Briggs. I'd say it's good to see you again, if it were.
Revenant Kabal: We're screwed.
Spyro: And why do you say that?
Revenant Kabal: That's Sindel we're dealing with. She's the best Outworld has to offer in terms of military force.
Spyro: (Analyzing the scene as Revenant Jade leaves) You guys handle the zombies. Sindel's mine.
Revenant Kabal: Good call. I'm not messing with her again!
(As the others go to town on the Shaolin and Kombatant zombies, Spyro stares down Sindel)
Spyro: Shao Kahn murdered Jerrod in cold blood simply because he wanted to rape you, he stole your kingdom from you and your daughter. What would Kitana think of you fighting on the same side as him!?
Revenant Sindel: Shao Kahn was a preferable alternative to that bleeding heart Jerrod. As for Kitana, she has too much of her father in her.
Spyro: In Jerrod's case, I'd say that's a good thing.
(Now the battle begins, Spyro vs Revenant Sindel. The Revenant queen is a formidable combatant, but Spyro defeats her, just barely)
Spyro: Let's see if I can't restore the real you.
(With this, Spyro attempts the same technique he just tried on Revenant Kabal, and just like before, Sindel's time from before the her first appearance in the new timeline flashes before her eyes, her murder of Jerrod, as well as her eventual regret of letting Shao Kahn conquer Edenia, the same incident which led her to take her own life, and within minutes, Revenant Sindel has ceased floating and starts to recover her memory)
Revenant Sindel: What... what have I done?
Spyro: No time to explain, Sindel. I'll get you caught up later. Right now, we've got bigger fish to fry.
(Seeing the army of zombies attacking the others. Spyro and Revenant Sindel rush into action to fight off the corpses. And after a few minutes, the now sextet of heroes has the army defeated.)
Revenant Kabal: (Completely stunned) I never would have thought I'd see the day. You got Sindel on our side.
Spyro: Trust me, it wasn't easy. There was a lot of magic cloaking Sindel's memories.
Revenant Sindel: That'll happen when Quan Chi revives you, twice.
Jacqui Briggs: Now that the handshakes and how do you do's are finished, we have to get to the Well of Souls before Jade does. If I saw the diagrams correctly, it's supposed to be underground.
Jax: Then I know just where to go. We'll have to take a shortcut through Goro's Lair.
Spyro: Good think Kotal killed him then, one less threat we'll have to deal with.
(With that, Jax leads the team to a door on the other side of the courtyard, opening it to reveal a torch lit cavern, one of which Jax lights a cigar off of as they get further down)
Spyro: Jax, are you sure you know where you're going?
Jax: To be honest, no. Shang Tsung kept me down here during the first tournament. And my memory of it is a bit hazy, given I was beat to hell and back. But, it should be near here.
(Within moments, the team reaches the main room of Goro's Lair, where the Shokan Prince himself can be seen seated dead upon his throne. And in one corner of the immense room, an ornately decorated well with green energy rising from it and what looks like a crown floating in it's center.)
Jacqui Briggs: Looks like we're at our destination.
Jax: Five bucks says that crown is what Kronika's after.
Revenant Sindel: Then you'll be paid. Liu Kang's Revenant sent us after it.
Cyrax: It looks like it's drawing in the souls.
Spyro: Let's get it out of here before the guard shows up.
(Suddenly, the dark figure of Bi-Han rises from the shadows generated by the Well)
Bi-Han: I never left.
Spyro: I'm guessing you're Bi-Han, the one who's tail Cynder kicked at the Cyber Lin Kuei Assembly.
Bi-Han: A battle I correct today...
(With that, Bi-Han dissolves into the shadows, and before long, shadow copies of himself are surrounding the entire team. After a few minutes of fighting, the copies overwhelm the entire group, containing them as the real Bi-Han appears next to Goro's corpse)
Bi-Han: A pity the pretender to the shadows was unable to come. But she shall soon join you all in death.
Spyro: Not a chance, shadow-man!
(With that, Spyro breaks free of the copies restraining him and approaches the real Bi-Han, ready to brawl)
Spyro: From what Cynder's told me, you're a lightweight. Should be easy to take you down.
Bi-Han: Do not underestimate me. It shall be your demise.
(Now Spyro gets his turn to beat up Bi-Han. And just like with Cynder, the former Sub-Zero falls quickly)
Spyro: Should've stayed dead, Bi-Han. Now to get that crown.
(Just as Spyro approaches the well, the figure of Shang Tsung appears again, right in front of the Well of Souls.)
Shang Tsung: Congratulations, you have located my greatest secret. As I said before, it is yours if you can pass the challenge. Defeat the crown's guardian, and it is yours
Spyro: Guardian?! Bi-Han is down and there's nobody else down here!
(In a moment of genuine surprise, the apparent illusion of Shang Tsung fires a bolt of soul energy, separating Spyro from his team)
Shang Tsung: Apparently you have forgotten about the messenger.
Spyro: Wait... you're alive!? How is this possible?!
Shang Tsung: I cannot reveal all of my secrets. But I will say it involves Ermac and a bit of dust.
Spyro: What's your game, sorcerer?
Shang Tsung: You wish to claim this crown? You must defeat me in Mortal Kombat.
Spyro: I'm getting really sick of fighting for one day. Let's make this quick, I've got a hell of a temporal headache.
(Now Spyro battles the unexpected foe that is the revived Shang Tsung. Despite the sorcerer's experience in battle, garnered from warriors souls, Spyro has him on the mat almost instantly)
Spyro: Now if it's not too much to ask, I'm taking the crown.
Shang Tsung: Congratulations my friend, you have proven yourself worthy of using Kronika's crown against her.
Spyro: Wait, how do you know this is meant for Kronika?
Shang Tsung: I was aware Kronika made a contingency out of me. So I hope you teach her that nobody makes a puppet out of Shang Tsung.
Spyro: How do I know we can trust anything you say?
Shang Tsung: You don't. And that's what makes it fun.
(With that, Shang Tsung fades into green mist, chuckling all the way, calling his revival into question.)
Jax: So, wait, was he alive or not?
Spyro: At this rate, I've got too much of a headache to tell or care. Let's just get the crown and get out of here.
(Just as Spyro is about to grab the crown, a familiar voice calls out)
?: Wait!
(With this the entire team turns around and goes into defensive positions, just as Jacqui Briggs sees the source of the voice, only illuminated by the faint light of a cigar.)
Jacqui Briggs: Dad?
(His identity revealed, Commander Briggs steps forward, revealing new prosthetic arms, very similar in design to armor worn by Kronika's minions)
Jacqui Briggs: Wait, how did you get here?
Jax: Something tells me this isn't a good omen.
Spyro: Wait a second, that armor, those arms, they're in Kronika's design!
Jacqui Briggs: Dad, what are you doing...?
Commander Briggs: Giving you the life you deserve.
Jax: By letting the universe get destroyed?!
Commander Briggs: Restarted, not destroyed. Jacqui, after everything that's happened, I realized I was never the father you needed. Your Ma was the only one holding me together.
Spyro: Even so, Jacqui has turned into an amazing young woman, and a hell of a soldier at that!
Commander Briggs: She wasn't supposed to have to be a soldier! And if I hadn't fallen apart like I did, she wouldn't have been one.
Jacqui Briggs: That's not why I enlisted!
Commander Briggs: Please, Jacqui! I'm just trying to help you for once in my second life. So, please, just hand the crown over. I don't want to hurt anyone.
Spyro: (Pushing Commander Briggs back) Like it or not, you already have, Commander Briggs. Jacqui enlisted not because you weren't the father figure she needed, but because she wanted to be just like you. She idolized you! And yet here you are, making a deal that Kronika's not even going to keep! I never thought I could see someone stoop this low.
Commander Briggs: And what would you know about any of this, dragon?! You don't know...
Spyro: Don't give me that "you don't know my life" bull crap. I know you suffered, and still do. The road to hell may be paved with good intentions, but that's no reason to break your daughter's heart like this!
(Now Spyro, firmly angry at Commander Briggs at this point, starts savagely beating into his opponent. And after a few minutes, Spyro has Commander Briggs bested.)
Spyro: Trust me Commander, this brawl gives me no pleasure.
(As Spyro calms down, Jacqui Briggs runs forward and checks for Commander Briggs' pulse)
Jacqui Briggs: He's alive. Unconscious but alive.
Jax: This has to be the trippiest thing I've ever seen.
Jacqui Briggs: (Looking down at her unconscious father) I get the feeling.
Spyro: We can't leave him here, lest we forget Jade's Revenant is still here somewhere. Let's get the crown and get both of them out of here.
(Within moments, the team is back in the courtyard of Shang Tsung's palace, crown and Commander Briggs in hand, with the latter being held up by Revenant Kabal and Cyrax.)
Jax: Good riddance to this place, I say.
Jacqui Briggs: Couldn't agree more.
(And just as things appear to be going right, Revenant Jade reappears, blocking the exit)
Revenant Jade: And where do you think you're going?
Spyro: Wondered where you went off to. Time to finish you off.
(And just as Spyro is about to battle Revenant Jade again, a bright light shines in the sky, nearly blinding everyone, as Cetrion arrives)
Cetrion: Mortals! This battle is for naught. Surrender Kronika's crown and the elder Jackson Briggs, and no harm will come to you.
Spyro: We all know that's complete bull Cetrion.
Cetrion: I still do not understand you, Spyro. You and Mother both stand against Raiden, yet you stand against her as well.
Spyro: I don't side with wackos who destroy time.
Cetrion: Mother is simply trying to restore the balance Raiden has destroyed.
Spyro: Balance? You think any of this is balance?! Your mother has recruited at least five different agents of evil, yet only balances them against one being of good, that being Commander Briggs here. How is that balanced?!
Cetrion: The number of evil souls is meant to balance against my virtuous one, in place of my deceased brother Shinnok. Now please, stand down. Further resistance will only lead to your suffering.
Spyro: Like hell I'm standing down, let alone on the orders of Kronika's daughter! (To Jacqui Briggs) Get the crown and Commander Briggs out of here! We can't risk any more of Kronika's goons showing up!
Cetrion: (To Revenant Jade) Stop them!
(As his team starts running, and Revenant Jade starts closing in on them, Spyro begins his battle with Cetrion. While Cetrion may be a god, Spyro has the power of Aether on his side, and readily defeats the last of the Elder Gods with it.)
Spyro: Hypocrite.
(As Spyro prepares to stop Revenant Jade from harming his team, Cetrion gets back up)
Cetrion: You have been warned! You are dealing with things far beyond your understanding! I had no wish to harm you, but now you have forced my hand.
(With that, Cetrion slams her open palm into the ground, causing the very ground to break apart, and in the chaos, everyone except Spyro falls into the cracks, holding on by ledges within. And as this happens, the crown falls right next to Spyro somehow, as Commander Briggs gets back up, rejoining Cetrion)
Spyro: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!
Cetrion: Surrender the crown and their lives will be spared.
Jacqui Briggs: Don't give her the crown, Spyro! Get out of here!
Jax: We'll be okay, man! Go!
Cetrion: So what will you do, Spyro? Complete your mission, or save their lives?
Cyrax: You can't let her get the crown!
Revenant Kabal: She's liable to kill us anyway! Run!
Sindel: No allies are worth risking the safety of the Realms!
Commander Briggs: Listen, Spyro. Nobody here wants to hurt anyone. Please, just hand the crown over.
(Spyro, in a moment of sheer panic, realizes he could never live with letting them die just to escape with the crown. He would not let five die because he did nothing. So begrudgingly, he throws the crown to Commander Briggs. Then, strangely to her word, Cetrion reverses the damage, sending everyone back to the surface as Revenant Jade rejoins them)
Revenant Jade: A wise choice, dragon.
Spyro: (To Commander Briggs, with almost no respect left in his voice) I hope you're happy with what you're doing to your own daughter, Briggs.
Commander Briggs: Dammit, I'm not doing this to Jacqui! I'm doing this for her! I love my little girl too much to see her die in some inter-realm conflict she entered because of me.
Cetrion: Come Commander, Kronika awaits our return.
(With that, Commander Briggs begrudgingly joins Cetrion and Revenant Jade as the transport themselves back to Kronika's Keep. And as the three of them disappear, Spyro rushes to his team to make sure they're okay. After ensuring everyone is alright, he immediately punches the entryway side in frustration, before turning back to his team)
Spyro: This war isn't over yet.
(As Spyro makes his solemn declaration, we transition back to Kronika's Keep, where Commander Briggs, Cetrion, Revenant Liu Kang, and Revenant Kitana are gathered as Kronika accepts the crown from her daughter.)
Kronika: Thank you, all of you. With this, our reckoning is at hand. (To Commander Briggs) I sense apprehension in you, Jackson Briggs.
Commander Briggs: Let's just say I'm not usually surrounded by such friendly faces.
Kronika: Yes, our alliance is unusual, but forged from a common goal. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Liu Kang, Kitana, are your troops ready?
Revenant Kitana: Our legions are en route. We will personally ensure their arrival.
Kronika: Excellent: Then the time has come.
(With that, Kronika places the crown upon her head, the power of Shang Tsung's soul collection coursing through her.)
Kronika: So many souls. So much time. Now the New Era draws ever closer!
(As Kronika's power grows, we transition to the Fire Garden, where Spyro and company have just returned, and Spyro is going over the status with Cynder as they walk through the tranquil environment)
Cynder: Commander Briggs' actions certainly throw a monkey wrench into the plan.
Spyro: I know. Cassie and the others couldn't believe it when I told them what happened.
Cynder: But now that Kronika's got that crown, locating her base may not be enough to stop her.
Spyro: The added forces of Kabal and Sindel might help.
Cynder: True. Even if they don't have their souls back, they are still incredibly strong. (Sensing something is up) Your headaches are getting worse, aren't they?
Spyro: While we were on Shang Tsung's Island, I swear I was hearing monks chanting, yet all the monks there were dead.
Cynder: This is getting troubling. (thinking about it) And furthermore, how did Kronika even know you were there to begin with?
Spyro: I have a theory. I think she's got a mole in our team. And I have a feeling I know who it is.
Cynder: I'm thinking I do too.
(As Spyro and Cynder re-enter the main area of the Fire Garden, Revenant Kabal and Revenant Sindel are shown getting acquainted with everyone, particularly and emotional reunion between Kitana and Revenant Sindel, the former of whom steps up to Spyro as he arrives)
Kitana: Is it true? You were able to restore my mother?
Spyro: (Sighs) Not entirely. Without Quan Chi, her soul is unreachable. All I did was unlock her memories. And what I saw, even I'm surprised.
Revenant Sindel: I've already told her the true story.
Cynder: True story?
Spyro: I'll explain later.
Revenant Sindel: And now knowing Shao Kahn is to face trial for what he's done to Edenia, to all of us, it has made living this long nightmare thrice over worth it. Not only to see him jailed, but to restore my relationship with my daughter. Thank you, Spyro, Cynder, for giving me this chance.
Kitana: A sentiment I echo, Spyro. You've put our family back together, in a way I never thought possible.
Spyro: Given the circumstances, what little I can do is the least I can do. I just wish I could do more.
(Just as things appear to be going well, Raiden appears again)
Raiden: Do not doubt yourself, young one. This energy of yours has done seemingly impossible things already. Cured Skarlet of her blood lust, saved Cyrax from being killed when the Assembly shut down, brought Kabal and Sindel to our side. I would not be surprised if you actually can restore souls believed lost.
Spyro: (Already frustrated) On that much we can actually agree Raiden. But just because we have this power doesn't mean we should be using it with abandon!
Raiden: You mean to say you are intentionally holding back? Even when the Realms need us at our full strength?!
Spyro: You want to know why? I'll tell you. This world was not made for our sort of power. I don't know what effect it's having just by doing the small things I have done! I dare not risk any more than what I've already done. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if every one with Aether in their system is tearing apart this world with every step.
(At the mere thought of this, Cyrax, Revenant Kabal and Revenant Sindel literally look down at their feet out of nervous reactions to make sure they aren't doing as Spyro guessed.)
Raiden: I see. Your restraint is wise.
Cynder: What are you doing here anyways, Raiden?
Raiden: (Nervously) I was checking in with Nightwolf, to see if the Matoka will be ready to aid us. He assured me they stand prepared.
(At this point, Cynder spots something is off about Raiden, just as Cassie Cage, Sub-Zero and Hanzo Hasashi enter)
Spyro: I'll believe it when I hear it from Nightwolf's lips.
Raiden: Knowing your distrust of me, that is fair.
Kitana: Outworld's forces stand ready as well.
Cassie Cage: So are the Special Forces.
Cynder: Excellent. Now all we need is a means of transport.
Sub-Zero: You may leave that in our hands.
Cynder: (Seeing her allies) I'm guessing you're ready to head for Kharon.
Hanzo Hasashi: Indeed. We leave forthwith.
Cynder: I'll join you in a moment.
Sub-Zero: Excellent.
Spyro: Everyone, gather your forces and be ready. Once we secure Kharon's fleet, we need to be ready to head out.
Raiden: It seems things are coming together promisingly. I will inform Nightwolf to await summons.
(With that, Raiden hastily teleports out of the scene, as everyone leaves to ready their forces, leaving Spyro and Cynder basically alone)
Spyro: I saw that look you gave Raiden. Something's up, isn't it.
Cynder: I sensed darkness upon him. Not unlike that which you have previously described to me.
Spyro: You don't think...
Cynder: You were right not to trust him. I saw it. Barely hidden under his hat. Shinnok's Amulet.
Spyro: I knew we couldn't trust him. Even now he's drifting into his future self.
Cynder: Perhaps it would be best if Sub-Zero and Grandmaster Hasashi go alone.
Spyro: Go. I'll keep an eye on Raiden. You need to focus on helping us secure Kharon.
Cynder: (Kissing Spyro's cheek) Alright. I'm counting on you, hero.
Spyro: Have I ever let you down?
(At that response, Cynder can only chuckle, as she leaves with Sub-Zero and Hanzo Hasashi to secure Kharon's fleet in the Netherrealm. But our tale is not over yet, as we transition to the ruined thrones of the Elder Gods, where Raiden, alone, removes his hat and reveals Cynder was right, Shinnok's Amulet is underneath it)
Raiden: Dare I use this weapon?
(With that, Raiden is just about to put on the Amulet, but he resists)
Raiden: No. I will not use this without reason.
(With that, Raiden sticks the Amulet back under his hat and departs as our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to end. Things are starting to wrap up now. And if anyone says the Shang Tsung appearance was disappointing, I don't disagree. I went back and forth on whether to add him to the party so to speak or not. But Sindel, she was a certainty, mostly because people seem to hate her character in the game. I can see why, but I also realize she's a Revenant at this point, and they say things the real person would never say. Just look to Mortal Kombat X if you don't know what I'm talking about. And besides, the human Sindel in this game might just be from a point in the timeline where she genuinely did think her actions were right, and she regretted it later in life, hence why she killed herself before Mortal Kombat 9. Anyways, it looks like Raiden is leaning to the Dark Side. Not good. But there will be more on that next chapter, as our covering of Chapter 10 will lean into Chapter 11 as well, considering there's a break point I like so much better in there than cutting off right at the end of Chapter 10. Where am I talking about? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!