Welcome back to Mortal Kombat Ryujin. Last time, Spyro and his team attempted to secure Kronika's Crown from Shang Tsung's Island. And while they did manage to secure Revenant Kabal and Revenant Sindel to their team somehow, they ultimately lost the crown to Cetrion and Commander Briggs. But perhaps the biggest revelation, Raiden is already holding on to Shinnok's Amulet, contemplating using it. As we left, Cynder was about to join Sub-Zero and Hanzo Hasashi in trying to recruit Kharon. So how's that going to go? Read on to discover...
(Fair warning before we continue, this chapter will contain pretty major spoilers for the last chapter of Mortal Kombat 11's Story Mode. Though, if you're reading this story at all, you likely don't care about spoilers. But I'm just putting this here so nobody can say I didn't warn them)
(Our tale resumes on the shores of the vast Sea of Blood, where we immediately see Cynder, Hanzo Hasashi, and Sub-Zero staring from the coast at what looks like an old-school torch lighthouse with an attached bridge, upon which stand armies of Netherrealm demons and Cyber Lin Kuei, led by Cetrion, who is actually generating this bridge. Unbeknownst to everyone though, someone is actually pushing their way through the armies, heading in the opposite direction. We can't see who though.)
Cynder: Looks like Kronika's gathering her armies.
Hanzo Hasashi: The fact that she's holding up a bridge is a good sign for us.
Cynder: How so?
Hanzo Hasashi: It means Kronika does not have Kharon on her side. His fleet won't sail unless he commands it to.
Sub-Zero: If he won't help Kronika, maybe he'll help us.
(And just like that, the sounds of screaming can be heard nearby, from what looks like a boathouse built on the shore nearby)
Cynder: Looks like the captain's in, and his guests aren't exactly being friendly
Hanzo Hasashi: Sub-Zero, return to the Fire Garden. Tell the others we set sail as soon as Cynder and I return.
Sub-Zero: Are either of you certain we can count on Kharon's aid?
Cynder: Not really. But we don't have a choice at this point, do we?
(With that, Sub-Zero leaves, allowing Cynder and Hanzo Hasashi to sneak up to Kharon's home, where he is tied down to a table by some sort of electric net, with Frost standing nearby)
Frost: You really should have aided Kronika, Kharon. Too bad you have to suffer for it.
Kharon: I am immortal, you cannot kill me!
Frost: I don't need you dead. I only need it so those meddling dragons can't call on your fleet.
(Just as Frost is about to slash into Kharon's face, Hanzo Hasashi pulls her out of the room with his rope spear, eliciting a faint mumbling of something on his part, no doubt his most famous line. Once Frost gets up from the yanking, Cynder stares her down with Hanzo Hasashi at her side)
Cynder: Looks like you don't know when to quit, Frosty!
Frost: With what promises Kronika's made to me, I have more reason to fight than ever. (To Hanzo Hasashi) Including erasing your filth from existence.
Cynder: Not going to happen.
(Now Cynder has her rematch with Frost, and just as before, Frost's arrogance gets in her way, leading to an easy victory for Cynder.)
Cynder: Kronika really needs to choose better generals.
(And just as Cynder says that, Scorpion appears and knocks her to the ground, as Hanzo Hasashi rushes in to defend her.)
Scorpion: Exactly why she has me.
Cynder: Scorpion, you have to see Kronika is fooling you. The Shirai Ryu are back in full force.
Hanzo Hasashi: I can vouch for that. We've never been stronger!
Scorpion: You built an impostor clan on a foundation of pretenders!
(With that, Scorpion and Hanzo Hasashi start a battle of swords while Cynder recovers. Once she's back in fighting shape though, Cynder joins the battle, deflecting Scorpion's rope spear from hitting Hanzo Hasashi's face before deafening him temporarily with the Fear Element.)
Cynder: You'll become more open minded with age.
Scorpion: Without the original bloodlines, the Shirai Ryu are dead, and have been since they were massacred! Kronika will ensure that bloodbath never happens!
Cynder: You have to look past that Scorpion! Kronika is using your rage to enslave you, just like Quan Chi did!
Hanzo Hasashi: She's right. Only letting go of this rage can save you.
(Now the battle begins, Cynder and Hanzo Hasashi vs his past self Scorpion. The numbers don't really seem to make much of an impact against Scorpion, but Cynder manages to win the battle all the same.)
Cynder: We both know you could care less about the rest of the Shirai Ryu. It's Harumi and Satoshi you're trying to save.
Scorpion: My family was taken from me. Murdered before I had a chance to save them! Seeing them again is all that matters to me.
Cynder: I understand that pain, Scorpion. My entire life was stolen from me by Malefor before I could even live it. We've all fought through hell and back to undo it. But Kronika is not going to give you the answer. Her plan includes reviving Shinnok, the very architect of your misery.
Scorpion: Silence, Outsider!
Hanzo Hasashi: If you will not hear it from her, then hear it from me. She is correct on every front. When I restored the Shirai Ryu, I vowed we as a clan would protect Earthrealm. (Extending a hand) Help us keep that vow.
Scorpion: (Thinking about it, then seeing something) Behind you!
(But as everyone sees the threat, it's too late, Hanzo Hasashi has been stabbed through the heart, by D'Vorah, descending from the very bridge Cetrion was holding up, the one she crossed against the tide of the armies, just as it and Cetrion dissipate)
Cynder: D'Vorah!? (Realizing it) So I was right. You're Kronika's spy!
D'Vorah: Did you really think This One was on your side? Kronika warned that your companion would suede The Hive to your side, and instructed This One to provide intelligence on your operations. (Stabbing Hanzo Hasashi in the side) Intelligence easily gathered.
(With the pain unbearable, Hanzo Hasashi seemingly erupts into flames, forcing D'Vorah off of him, at which point, Cynder notices an odd smell coming from his woulds)
Cynder: (To D'Vorah) You poisoned him!
D'Vorah: Kronika was right in assuming Hasashi's past sins would act as a grand distraction. Now This One will end you...
(But just as D'Vorah is about to attack, Scorpion rushes in and slices off her stingers)
Scorpion: Nobody uses the Shirai Ryu! Now you will die!
(As Hanzo Hasashi falls to the ground, Scorpion rushes over to help him, allowing D'Vorah a chance to run. But Cynder, outraged at even a semi-expected betrayal, grabs Hanzo Hasashi's rope spear and wraps it around her arm)
Cynder: Why... you... little...!
(With that, Cynder flings the rope spear forward, sending the tip through D'Vorah's chest, as she looks back surprised that Cynder has speared her)
Cynder: GET OVER HERE!
(D'Vorah tries to escape Cynder's grip by firing live insects at her, which Scorpion incinerates with his fire. This gives Cynder plenty of focus to tug on the chain with all her might, sending D'Vorah flying back at Cynder and Scorpion, both of whom proceed to attack. Scorpion slicing her in half with his sword while Cynder's wing blade's decapitate D'Vorah, sending blue blood flying everywhere as D'Vorah's head lands on the ground, a permanent expression of fear on her face. And once the traitor is dealt with, Scorpion and Cynder rush to Hanzo Hasashi's aid as he lay dying from D'Vorah's poison.)
Hanzo Hasashi: The others... are at the Fire Garden. Enlist Kharon's aid. Bring them to the Keep...
Scorpion: (Now seeing what his future self was talking about) You have my word.
(As Hanzo Hasashi falls, Cynder starts removing the rope spear from her arm, before Hanzo Hasashi stops her)
Hanzo Hasashi: No. Keep it...
Cynder: But... Grandmaster Hasashi...
Hanzo Hasashi: You have proven yourself... a truly noble warrior... Consider it your welcoming gift. Cynder, as Grandmaster... I declare you a true Shirai Ryu...
Cynder: (Rewrapping the rope spear around her arm, with a tear in her eye) I am honored, Grandmaster.
Hanzo Hasashi: (To Scorpion) The new Shirai Ryu... are worthy. Cynder is... a perfect example of why. It is their heart, not their blood, that makes someone a warrior...
(And with that, Hanzo Hasashi succumbs to the poison. But as the scene falls silent, we transition slightly forward in time, back to the Fire Garden, where Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, and Spyro are discussing what comes next)
Spyro: The Shaolin are ready to go?
Liu Kang: Yes, Kung Lao just returned with the news. If I know our Shaolin masters, they will fight to the last man.
Sub-Zero: That is what will likely be needed.
Spyro: Any word from Cynder or Grandmaster Hasashi? We can't take the fight to Kronika unless Kharon is with us.
Sub-Zero: Nothing at the moment. If we don't hear soon, I'll return to the Netherrealm and check up on them.
(And just as the trio enters the main courtyard, a column of fire erupts, depositing Scorpion and Cynder, with D'Vorah's head, into the Fire Garden)
Liu Kang: Wrong Scorpion. Looks like we're in trouble.
Scorpion: (Marvelling at the sight) The Fire Garden... rebuilt... It is true! The Shirai Ryu have been restored!
Sub-Zero: Why have you come here, Scorpion?! (Seeing D'Vorah's head) What have you done?!
Cynder: Sub-Zero, I can explain everything. D'Vorah betrayed us to Kronika, she killed Grandmaster Hasashi.
Scorpion: As such, I come on behalf of the deceased Grandmaster Hasashi.
Sub-Zero: So you killed them then, and now you've come to finish us off!
Cynder: Sub-Zero, that's now how it went down! D'Vorah killed Grandmaster Hasashi, so Scorpion and I killed her. Hence why we have this. (Throws D'Vorah's head on the ground)
Sub-Zero: And how do we know she didn't send Scorpion as a backup plan?
Scorpion: Your mistrust is understandable and earned, but I come to assist you!
Sub-Zero: Spin your lies elsewhere, Scorpion!
(As Sub-Zero is about to punch Scorpion, Cynder steps in the way and blocks the blow)
Cynder: He's telling the truth, Sub-Zero.
Sub-Zero: Even though it's coming from you, I find that impossible to believe.
Cynder: Allow me to prove it to you then.
(Now Cynder battles Sub-Zero, her long time ally, to knock some sense into him. After a few minutes of battle, she emerges victorious)
Cynder: Now do you believe me, Sub-Zero?
(Liu Kang is about to enter the fight, but Spyro stops him)
Liu Kang: What are you doing?!
Spyro: Stopping you from making the same mistake as Sub-Zero. Cynder's right.
(But just as things appear to be going right, as usual, lightning strikes, knocking Scorpion to the ground before turning on Cynder as well, revealing Raiden has come back)
Raiden: You brought Scorpion here?!
Cynder: Grandmaster Hasashi is dead, murdered by that traitor D'Vorah. Scorpion aided me in exacting revenge upon her. He comes on Grandmaster Hasashi's behalf.
Liu Kang: Is she serious?
Spyro: Cynder wouldn't lie about this sort of thing, Liu Kang.
Scorpion: I come honoring my future self's dying wish. Kharon has agreed to ferry your forces to Kronika's Isle. But we must leave now.
Raiden: What proof do you have of Kharon's offer.
Scorpion: I have only my word.
Cynder: (Standing in Scorpion's defense) And mine.
Raiden: His word is worthless. At the tournament I trusted him to spare Bi-Han, and he betrayed me!
Cynder: Then take my word, Kid Thunder.
Scorpion: Bi-Han's death was a rage-born mistake. I seek redemption.
Raiden: Enough of your lies, Scorpion!
Cynder: You want to hurt him, you'll go through me.
Raiden: Now I see what is really going on here. You are both mere slaves, and Kronika your master!
(At the mere insinuation that she serves Kronika, Cynder rushes into battle against Raiden. Ultimately, the Thunder God is no match for her and Scorpion, as he falls quickly)
Cynder: Get your head out of your ass and listen up, Raiden!
Raiden: (Getting back up) Spin your falsehoods elsewhere, dragon! We will not be entrapped by Kronika!
Cynder: It's not a trap! Why can't you just listen!?
(At this point, Liu Kang steps around Spyro's blocking wing and joins the fray)
Liu Kang: Lord Raiden! We should at least hear them out. Perhaps they are telling the truth.
Raiden: (Shifting his hat) There is a way we can find out.
(With that, Raiden pulls out Shinnok's Amulet, blasting energy through it directly into Scorpion, before hitting Cynder with it as well. At the mere sight of this, Spyro runs in about to rip his head off before Liu Kang stops him)
Raiden: Now then, dragon, the truth!
(As this goes on, Liu Kang runs in front of Raiden)
Liu Kang: Raiden, you must stop this!
Raiden: Liu Kang, step aside!
Liu Kang: You have to put down the amulet! It's darkness is already taking a hold of you!
(At the very sound of that, Raiden turns to Liu Kang, and blasts him with Shinnok's Amulet)
Raiden: Our time is running out, and these dragons have brought us nothing, Liu Kang. The Realms hang in the balance! So to defend them, I must command order!
Liu Kang: All this time, I had thought it impossible. But Spyro and the Revenants were right! You cannot be trusted!
Raiden: (As his eyes and lightning turn as red as Dark Raiden's) I do not need trust! I demand obedience!
(At this point, something clicks in Spyro's mind, and he steps between Raiden and Liu Kang)
Spyro: This madness ends here, Raiden. I finally see what's going on.
Raiden: You would do best to remain out of this, dragon!
Spyro: Not this time, Raiden.
(Now the battle begins: Raiden against Spyro. Raiden may hold the strength advantage, but Spyro holds a power beyond anything Raiden could comprehend. Despite this, Raiden gets the upper hand somehow, and knocks Spyro to the ground)
Raiden: I now see the truth. D'Vorah was not Kronika's spy, you two were, and you killed her because she figured your deception out!
(Spyro, enraged at Raiden's suggestion, gets back up and charges, only to be hit with Shinnok's Amulet. During this point, Cynder recovers, slams into the back of Raiden's skull before helping Spyro back to his feet, at which point Raiden blasts both with Shinnok's Amulet, before placing his boot on Cynder's head, aiming the Amulet at her.)
Raiden: Now, I shall terminate you both, before you can destroy us.
(Just as Raiden is about to blast through Cynder's skull, Spyro fires a bolt of Aether at the Thunder God, knocking him off of her)
Spyro: You need to listen Raiden!
Raiden: Every word you have spun is deception! Your deadly alliance must be stopped before you allow Kronika to cause armageddon!
(With that, Round 2 between Spyro and Raiden begins. This time, Spyro is fighting with righteous fury on his side, as shown by how he throws the Thunder God to te ground in under a minute)
Spyro: How can you not see history is repeating itself!?
(Enraged, Raiden attempts to hit Spyro with his lightning, but Spyro keeps dodging, and eventually gets close enough to strike at Raiden, knocking him down, before pouncing on him)
Spyro: You have to look past this anger, Raiden! The truth has been staring you in the face and you've been blind to it this whole time! (As Aether surges through his veins) Can't you see it?! THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE!
(With that, Spyro slams his hands against the sides of Raiden's head and sends the Aether surging into him. And as the energy flows, Raiden sees everything. So many battles where he has fought and killed Liu Kang: the rooftop of Mortal Kombat 9, Blaze's Pyramid from Armageddon, Apokolips from Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, as well as plenty unseen by this point in history. And the battles shown are not just against Liu Kang, battles against many figures unknown to this world show up battling against Raiden, but Liu Kang is always shown being killed or already dead. And as it all ends, we transition back to the Fire Garden, as Spyro lets go, leaping off Raiden, while the energy sends the Thunder God flying backwards, and destroying Shinnok's Amulet, as he starts to get to his feet as everyone else on this team enters the area, trying to figure out what's going on.)
Raiden: What... did I just see...?
Spyro: The explanation for everything. Why Kronika knows exactly where to go and how to stop us, with or without her spy D'Vorah, why my temporal headaches have been so bad. The reason everything has been going rogue. This has happened before. All of this!
Liu Kang: What are you talking about?
Spyro: Raiden and Liu Kang have only battled because Kronika is trying to keep them separate. More so now than in any of the previous timelines.
Cassie Cage: Wait, timelines? As in plural?
Cynder: Now it all makes sense. Kronika's reset history before. Countless times!
Spyro: Exactly. And one thing she always makes sure of, Liu Kang and Raiden cannot exist together past a certain point. Something she was always able to do with just the people of this world, but then one of the more recent timelines had something she didn't expect. Raiden gave Liu Kang his godly power, and their combined strength was just about able to defeat her, but she barely managed to defeat them before beheading Liu Kang at the beginning of time. But when she started her New Era, Raiden's energy had soaked into the Hourglass from Liu Kang's blood, restoring him to the timeline. It was then Kronika realized the combatants of this world weren't going to be enough, so she began bringing in warriors from other universes to ensure her victory. Dark Knights, Caped Wonders, Automated Killing Machines, Hellspawns, Clown-themed Criminals, whoever she thought could succeed where she failed. None of them worked. Until now.
Cynder: Now I see it. Kronika brought us here! We were her latest attempt!
Spyro: Chosen after observing our battles through the Hourglass. And up until now, she kept the secret hid. But then Raiden and Liu Kang's confrontation made me realize it. From there I just had to unlock Raiden's memories of the previous timelines.
(At this point, we see Raiden has helped Scorpion up, and healed the wound in his side)
Cynder: So Kronika's been trying to keep Raiden and Liu Kang separated because she knows they're the one thing that can defeat her.
Spyro: They'd be a deadly alliance against her. So Liu Kang dies each time, by Raiden's hand. But now that we know, Kronika won't be able to fool us so easily.
(And just as everything starts making sense, a sandstorm blows through, freezing everyone but Spyro and Cynder in time as Kronika arrives.)
Kronika: I knew the pattern wouldn't remain hidden forever.
Cynder: Then there's only one question to clear up. Why us? Why drag us into this realm to ensure your timeline comes to pass!?
Kronika: Isn't it obvious? (Looking straight at Cyrax, Skarlet, Revenant Kabal, and Revenant Sindel) Your power is beyond anything the Realms can provide. Every other time I called upon foreign champions, their powers could be linked back to somewhere in this world. But you two, you are unique among the worlds beyond the Realms. Even my initial observations of your world could not have prepared me for what I have seen since bringing you here.
Spyro: You may rest uneasy at knowing we will not be further divided by your machinations, Kronika!
Kronika: You think you are the first to say that? Between Raiden and all of them, I have had this conversation so many times that I've lost count.
Cynder: This timeline won't be your lucky one!
Kronika: You think I am unaware of what your power can do? I have played out all possible opportunities to ensure it will be. You cannot win. But, you are welcome to try. Without Liu Kang or Spyro of course.
(With that, Kronika summons her power and easily transports the still time frozen Liu Kang from the scene, but with greater effort is able to somehow transport Spyro away, despite how Cynder attempts to stop it)
Cynder: Mark my words, Kronika. You will be stopped this time, and we will make you pay for everything you've done!
Kronika: I find that highly unlikely. Enjoy these few hours. They are all you have left.
(And with that, Kronika returns to her keep. And just as she leaves, time unfreezes.)
Jax: Somebody mind telling me what just happened?
Sonya: Wait, where's Liu Kang?!
Cassie Cage: And where's Spyro?!
Cynder: Kronika has both of them. We have to get moving. Now. Kharon is waiting for us.
Kung Lao: (Seeing Raiden is still dumbfounded from earlier) Lord Raiden, the time has come. The final battle approaches. We need your aid.
Raiden: (After a few minutes of shock) Go.
Jacqui Briggs: What?
Raiden: Go. Without me. I... need to process what I have just seen.
Sub-Zero: Are you going to aid in the battle?
Raiden: I... I don't know... (Under his breath) What have I done...?
(With that, Raiden, still unsure of himself, transports away in a panicked burst of blue lightning)
Cynder: He can catch up if he decides to join. Scorpion, can you get us to Kharon's location?
Scorpion: Not a group of this size.
Cynder: I can help in that regard. Everyone, gather your forces. We set out immediately. If we are going to save your world, we have to save Spyro and Liu Kang.
(And at that moment, as everyone sets out to gather their forces for the final battle, our tale ends for today)
And that seems like an opportune spot to end for today. So, we're in the endgame now, and the major questions have been answered. Kronika is pulling champions from other worlds to ensure she is successful in bringing about the New Era, because she's come close to failing before. And to be fair, this can actually happen in the game. The scenario I just described, where Liu Kang becomes a god and is beheaded by Kronika at the beginning of time, is the Bad Ending of the Story Mode. I had this whole scenario planned from the start, but had no idea how to make it so Kronika survived to initiate this contingency, but then I remembered that Bad Ending, and it made sense. Anyways, next time, the endgame begins. So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!