Mortal Kombat III
CHAPTER 16: SAMURAI JACK

Back in the heroes' hideout, an off-screen Jasmine kicked Tarzan into the stone table, smashing it to rubble. With the shaman unable to stand up, the brainwashed Edenian queen used her hair like a whip/rope to wrap around his torso and pick him up.

As Tarzan gasped, Jasmine smirked. "Victory is mine, shaman."

As the brainwashed queen used her magic to try and absorb his soul, the writhing shaman growled. "Not . . . if I . . . take it . . . from you."

Chanting in his ancient language, Tarzan cast his own magic on the still-oblivious Jasmine.

When Samurai Jack and Omi returned, the bald Shaolin was shocked to see what was going down. "By the Elder Gods!"

Unaware of his allies' presence and attempted run to his aid, the shaman cast a bright Ascension light upon him and the bewitched queen, both of whom screamed in agony as they slowly faded into nothing.

As the Thunder God and the bald Shaolin looked around the room they only saw the still forms of their friends, most of dull-gray-colored from their souls being drained—only Ron Stoppable, Kim Possible, and Raimundo Pedrosa seemed to be left with color. No one noticed the soul amulet that Jasmine used was left behind nor, while Samurai Jack and Omi had their backs turned, Shere Khan silently floating over to the amulet and gingerly picking it up with his telekinesis before looking into the sad reflection of himself as it stared back at him.

"Omi . . ." called Kimiko Tohomiko's weak voice, snapping the two standing Earthrealm allies to her attention.

"Kimiko!" gasped the bald Shaolin as he and the Thunder God ran to her.

It prompted Shere Khan to hide in the shadows again as he floated over to a hiding spot, amulet in hand. As he hid behind one of the pillars, he stared at the soul amulet in melancholy.

Omi took the slowly dying Edenian princess by the hand.

"Omi . . ." Kimiko wheezed, single tear rolling down her eye, "you were right. I wish we had met . . . under . . . different . . . circumstances."

Omi, his eyes glazed over, gripped the Edenian princess' hand tighter. "Kimiko. . . ."

As the saddened Thunder God and bald Shaolin watched, the princess slowly closed her eyes and became dull gray like Mary and the most of her other allies.

As for Shere Khan, he noticed the soul amulet glow for a brief second, as if whatever life was left in the Edenian princess had been absorbed.

The bald Shaolin closed his eyes for a moment. "They are gone."

"Omi, I—" started Samurai Jack in a sympathetic tone.

"We abandoned them . . . and they're gone. Killed. Their souls lost."

". . .My heart, too, is heavy with their sacrifice."

However, Omi's anger deepened. "Their deaths achieved nothing!"

The Thunder God paused before taking another look at his amulet, the cracks now increased and deeper.

"What's next, Samurai Jack!? Tell me the future! How do we honor their 'sacrifice'!?"

Samurai Jack looked reluctant to the conclusion he came to as he put his amulet back in place. "I climbed to heaven, now I must plunge into the depths. I will go to Freakshow. Ally our realm with his against the forces of Outworld."

"WHAT!? Grovel before Freakshow!? What will he demand? What price will be paid?"

"Would any price be too high to save Earthrealm?"

Omi paused for a moment. ". . . I prayed it not true. But you have gone mad, Samurai Jack. Your visions. They are nothing. Delusions of an addled mind."

"Omi," implored Samurai Jack, "please."

The two Earthrealm allies heard the sounds of groaning and scraping metal. As they turned around, they noticed Raimundo, Kim, and Ron trying to drag themselves up back into a standing position.

"Enough," said the bald Shaolin in eerie calmness, "I must help the wounded. Leave on your hopeless quest."

And with that, Omi stood back up and slowly walked over to his three still-alive allies.

Samurai Jack was silent as well before speaking. "May the Elder Gods protect you."

A short moment later, the Thunder God disappeared in a bolt of lightning as he transported himself . . .

. . . To the NetherRealm.

Samurai Jack looked about the inferno, searching for the white-skinned necromancer.

But then, he paused, as if having another vision. It doesn't make sense. It doesn't even have anything to do with the future. What could it mean? Samurai Jack thought. Confused for a moment, Samurai Jack put these thoughts in the back of his mind before slowly walking forward, calling. "Freakshow! Freakshow!"

From a ball of fire, Barnyard Dawg appeared, wearing slightly different garb.

The Thunder God couldn't help but look sympathetic toward the once-proud Shirai Ryu ninja warrior. "It disappoints me to see you here."

Barnyard Dawg, however, paid no heed as he gave a burning glare (A/N: No pun intended). "Save yer pity."

". . . I will have an audience with Freakshow."

"You may address me. I will inform."

Samurai Jack resent a glare toward the yellow-and-black-clad specter. "Is that why you chose not to save your family and clan? To maintain your place at his feet?"

Barnyard Dawg then moved dangerously closer to the Thunder God. "Do not talk of me family, Samurai Jack!"

"Fetch your master, Barnyard Dawg. I must speak with him!"

"You speak only with me."

The fight between lightning and fire had ensued. While Barnyard Dawg proved to be a formidable Kombatant, Samurai Jack was able to defeat him with his Vicinity Burst move. The Thunder God looked down at his defeated opponent with a snarl on his face. "Now, Barnyard Dawg. Fetch your master."

(A/N: Again, no puns intended.)

While on his knees, Barnyard Dawg disappeared in flames. About a second later, Freakshow appeared in his place.

The smirking white-skinned necromancer took two steps forward. "You seek an audience."

Samurai Jack stared back, steely as ever. "I seek cooperation. Between Earthrealm and the NetherRealm."

Freakshow merely folded his arms across his chest, still smirking. "Losing the battle, are you?" The way he asked that, his tone was filled with taunt.

"We will prevail. But with the NetherRealm fighting at our side—"

"You lie poorly, Samurai Jack. Earthrealm's defenses are overwhelmed. You have mere hours."

". . . Name your terms."

"What do you offer?"

"I offer . . ." Samurai Jack paused in reluctance, looking down, ". . . I offer the souls of Earthrealm warriors who die in the conflict."

Freakshow merely laughed aloud in evil smugness.

The Thunder God just glared. "They would agree."

The necromancer just looked back smugly before walking away. "You are cavalier with other men's souls."

"Not just others! I offer my own soul as well. If I die, you will have it."

"How noble, Samurai Jack." Freakshow then turned around again. "Yet utterly pointless."

In the gap between Samurai Jack and Freakshow (now about two to three yards), the dull-gray-colored revenants of Foghorn Leghorn, Mary Melody, Tarzan, Jasmine, T-Bone, Boog, Danny Fenton, Timmy Turner, Kimiko, and Razor appeared, their eyes all glowing white, lifeless, and brainwashed.

"No!" exclaimed the Thunder God in disbelief.

Barnyard Dawg appeared beside his master, then.

"You see," inquired the necromancer in his sly, smug tone, "their souls are already mine, or at least their revenant forms. Aku's payment for NetherRealm's allegiance."

"No! . . . It was not meant to be!"

"Earthrealm has lost, Samurai Jack. Now so shall you." The evil necromancer looked at Boog, T-Bone, and Razor. "Finish him."

Boog verbally obeyed as he and the other revenants followed the order, before their eyes glowed red. "As you command, master."

Reluctant to fight his allies, Samurai Jack was forced to do battle against them, dodging their respective powers and weapons and using his lightning and then knocking each of them off their feet onto the ground.

The Thunder God looked down at his defeated allies. "May the Elder Gods watch over you."

Freakshow begged to differ. "The Elder Gods cannot help them. Their souls are mine." The necromancer then looked toward the rest of the still-standing revenants. "Kimiko Tohomiko. Tarzan. Timmy Turner."

The three revenants obeyed their master's bidding, their white eyes now red.

"You have sealed our fates in the NetherRealm, Thunder God—" spoke Kimiko— "you have condemned us all."

And with that, Samurai Jack was forced to go through the same process of dodging his possessed enemies and using his lightning against them before sweeping low and knocking them off their feet.

The Thunder God looked back at the white-skinned necromancer with a burning glare filled with loathe. "Curse you, Freakshow."

Again, Freakshow merely ignored Samurai Jack. "Aku's victory is nearly complete. Soon he will arrive in Earthrealm."

"No. The Elder Gods cannot allow it." With a look of wanting to tear into him, the Thunder God walked up to the necromancer.

Barnyard Dawg grabbed the hilt of his twin katana blades in anticipation of needing to defend his master.

Freakshow glared back with no concern. "The Elder Gods are toothless. Your world is near destruction. Yet they do not act."

"They must!" shouted Samurai Jack. "Only through Mortal Kombat may Aku merge the realms. Lest he face the judgment of the Elder Gods. . . ." He then paused in his tracks, epiphany clear on his face, but for more reasons than one. ". . . Lest he face the judgment of the Elder Gods. He must win!"

"It is you who face judgment, Samurai Jack."

As the revenants started to surround him, the Thunder God looked up at the necromancer and the Shirai Ryu ninja. "Thank you, Freakshow. I now know what must be done. . . . And before I go, I have one more thing to say . . . to Barnyard Dawg. Come forward—I have something to show you."

The ninja specter looked confused. Cautiously, however, Barnyard Dawg followed the Thunder God's order (much to the white-skinned necromancer's ire). As Samurai Jack placed his hand on the ninja specter's shoulder, the two shared a vision: The two both see Steelbeak in his cryomancer form before reaching above his head and pulling his face off, revealing Freakshow.

As the vision ended, Barnyard Dawg looked stunned.

"Barnyard Dawg, why don't you ask your 'master' what truly happened to your family and clan?" inquired Samurai Jack. "After all, it was he who killed you and the Shirai Ryu, and it was he who lied to you."

As the Thunder God transported himself out of the inferno, Barnyard Dawg and Freakshow looked perplexed for a moment. The Shirai Ryu specter then turned his head slowly, his face now wearing a dangerous glare and his voice sounding just as dangerous. "Is what he said true, Freakshow?"

"Now, Barnyard Dawg," implored the now metaphorically shrinking necromancer as his voice trembled nervously, "let's not do anything irrational. There is a pretty good explanation to all this."

"You lied to me! It was not Steelbeak or the Lin Kuei who killed me family and clan! You killed them! Me honor and me soul are now condemned. It is ALL . . . YOUR . . . FAULT!"

Unbeknownst to any of the beings present, Shere Khan appeared behind them with the soul amulet still in his hand as he and the revenants watched the confrontation taking place.

The necromancer started to back up. "Barnyard Dawg, remember your place. I am still your master."

"Not anymore, ya ain't."

"Now please, Barnyard Dawg. Just hear me out first."

"GET OVER HERE!"

". . . Barnyard Dawg? . . . No. . . . No."

With fire in both fists, Barnyard Dawg pulled off his mask and revealed his fiery skull.

Somewhere in the NetherRealm, the sound of flames and agonized screaming could be heard.

Back in Earthrealm, Samurai Jack teleported himself onto the rooftop, where a portal between there and Outworld had just opened up.

"Back from the NetherRealm empty-handed, I see?" drawled Omi, his arms folded as he stood in the doorway.

"Omi!" exclaimed the Thunder God as his apprentice approached him. "Omi, I now realize what we must do. We must allow Aku to merge the realms!"

"That is insane!" exclaimed the bald Shaolin in angry disbelief.

"The Elder Gods forbid it without victory in Mortal Kombat. When he does, the Elder Gods' fury will fall upon him." Even though Omi continued to shake his head, the Thunder God continued. "Defeating Aku before the merge is but temporary. He will return, bringing Armageddon. I have foreseen it!"

"Enough, Samurai Jack!" shouted Omi, temporarily raising his hand. The two Earthrealm warriors then noticed Aku slowly approaching the opened portal. ". . . He is here."

As the bald Shaolin started to approach the warlord, the Thunder God stopped him by grasping his shoulder. "No! Do as I say! Have faith in the Elder Gods. Have faith in me."

However, Omi disobeyed as he continued onward.

Samurai Jack stopped him again, his voice now firm. "Omi! I cannot let you fight Aku!"

The bald Shaolin stood ready to fight, a snarl clear on his face. "Then you . . . are my enemy!"

Once again, the Thunder God was forced to fight another one of his own allies. After performing his Lightning move and his Electric Fly move, Samurai Jack then stopped Omi with a low-spin kick, knocking him off his feet before looking down. "Omi, do not interfere!"

The bald Shaolin picked himself back up as he watched Aku slowly walk into Earthrealm.

Ron, Kim, and Raimundo appeared then. Upon looking closer, the three Earthrealm warriors were pretty banged up from their fights against the Lin Kuei and the possessed Jasmine. Ron had both his eyes blackened while patches of his face were red with bruises; Kim had a cut above either eye, blood trickling down either side of her mouth, and a small patch of where her cheekbone would be was black and blue; and Raimundo, though not physically injured like his two allies, had about half the right side of his mask missing and revealing his eye and the rest of his face, while his body armor was randomly scuffed, dented, or ripped off.

As all five of the Earthrealm warriors watched, Omi then stood up entirely with a face twisted in angry determination.

"Omi, stop!" warned Samurai Jack.

But the bald Shaolin shot a fireball at the Thunder God and sent him flying a little before landing on his back!"

"Omi! Samurai Jack! No!" pleaded Ron as he ran toward them, with Kim and Raimundo following.

"Enough of your madness!" exclaimed Omi as he looked down at the Thunder God. "I refuse to sit idly by while Aku steals our realm!"

With fiery fists, the bald Shaolin took off in a dead run toward the portal and the slowly emerging warlord.

"Omi, wait!" called Kim, but the Special Forces lieutenant's plea was ignored all the same.

As Omi made a flying leap toward Aku, he was met and smacked hard by Aku's war hammer, sending him flying and rolling about a few feet across the roof.

"By the Elder Gods, no!" Samurai Jack exclaimed in a voice filled with pain. As he and his allies ran toward the bald Shaolin, the Thunder God picked the former up gingerly. "No, it was not meant to happen."

"Why didn't you do anything!?" questioned Ron as he, his crush, and his rival-turned-friend all stood above the Thunder God.

It was at that moment that Shere Khan appeared in the doorway to the roof.

"Omi," sadly implored Samurai Jack, "forgive me. . . ."

". . . You . . ." rasped Omi, ". . . have killed us . . . all. . . ."

As the bald Shaolin slowly fell limp in his hands, Samurai Jack closed his eyes and sadly bowed his head; Kim and Ron both closed their eyes and bowed their heads, too, as tears rolled down their faces; and Raimundo, bowing his head and closing (at least) his one exposed eye, placed his right fist on his chest, over his heart.

Meanwhile, Aku laughed in evil triumph as he stepped into Earthrealm.

"I have seen enough death befall the honored—" glared Raimundo (now speaking in his normal voice due to the damage to his mask)—"now it's time that it claimed the dishonored."

"Come on, it's up to us!" command Kim.

The Cyborg ally ran to the warlord's right flank, while Kim and Ron ran to the left flank.

However, while still laughing evilly, Aku used his free hand to perform magic on the Special Forces lieutenant and the cocky actor, pushing them back and leaving them incapacitated. With his war hammer wielding hand, the Outworlder used it to smack the yellow-and-black-clad Cyborg out of the way, a somewhat muffled clang heard from the latter's chest.

Samurai Jack, leaving the still form of his pupil, stood up and reluctantly bowed his head to the evil warlord.

"Ah," grinned Aku, "Samurai Jack. You have come to your senses.

The Thunder God sighed. "Earthrealm's citizens suffer. Further resistance serves no purpose."

"All these ages you have fought me. You denied me my rightful claim. . . . Not this time."

Rearing back a fist, Aku punched Samurai Jack and sent him sprawling. It seemed that the Thunder God's visions were coming true.

The Outworld warlord stood over his bruised enemy. "The Elder Gods fear me now." Chuckling sinisterly, he picked up the Thunder God. "Their pathetic Mortal Kombat shackles me no longer." After punching him several times in the face back and forth, the warlord threw Samurai Jack.

(ENTER SLOW MOTION)

As he was sent flying in the air, Samurai Jack's amulet fell off his robe, shattering to pieces.

(EXIT SLOW MOTION)

As he landed back on the roof, the Thunder God was near it edge before slowly picking himself up, only being able to get on his back.

Holding his war hammer again, Aku transferred his dark magic into it. "They masquerade as Dragons . . . but are mere toothless Worms." Stomping down on Samurai Jack's chest and keeping him in place, the evil Outworld warlord continued his monologue and spread his arms ot wide. "I know you can feel it. It is the end of all things."

"Elder Gods, where are you?" rasped Samurai Jack. "Why do you forsake me?"

Aku then picked up the Thunder God by his robe again. "Your time has passed."

After being tossed again, back to the middle of the roof, Samurai Jack laid there, looking defeated before slowly picking himself up and standing most of the way.

"Ages wasted in foolish resistance—" continued Aku as he walked toward him—"I have won."

"Yes . . ." rasped the Thunder God, ". . . you have won."

"Now, Samurai Jack." The warlord prepared to swing his war hammer. "Your world ends."

Aku stopped in his tracks as yellow bolts of lightning descended from the sky and six golden Dragons (of the Chinese/Asian variety) flew toward Samurai Jack. As they did so, orbiting around him like electrons to an atom, they and the Thunder God floated in mid-air and soon they were absorbed into his system, being made from magic. In doing so, they healed him, strengthened him, upgraded him and his powers.

The warlord, meanwhile, looked confused at the new development, squinting his eyes against the bright golden light.

Samurai Jack, now looking stoic again, spoke in a combination of his voice and the Elder Gods' voices. "You violate our will, Aku. You merge realms without victory in Mortal Kombat. Our penalty is clear."

Using the combination of his lightning and the Elder Gods' magic, Samurai Jack struck a ball of energy against the warlord.

However, Aku remained unaffected as he laughed it off, still standing in place. "An anemic effort from ineffectual deities. Today I become the Elder God!"

However, fortunately, the warlord didn't stand a chance against the Thunder God. Samurai Jack used his Lightning move, his Electric Fly move, and his Electrocute move. He then finished the warlord off by casting a ball of lightning at him, teleporting from behind and striking the latter in the back, and finally teleporting to the front again and karate-chopping him in the head before striking a spark of lightning between them.

As the fight ended, Samurai Jack stood up again, taking on his stoic pose. As for Aku, after dragging his miserable body back up, he breathed heavily due to exhaustion and anger. He even used his war hammer to help prop himself back up, but was too weak to really use it.

Just then, the golden Dragons charged at Aku and swarmed around him as he screamed and writhed in pain from the Elder Gods' wrath. Picking up the defeated warlord, screaming and writhing still, the Dragon Gods and their slowly deteriorating quarry descended into the reddened sky as a yellow beam of light just before disappearing all together and destroying the evil Outworlder.

Soon the sky turned blue once again. While on his knees from the energy spent on fighting the warlord, Samurai Jack looked up in relief. He then removed his cracking amulet from his robe, watching it repair itself and becoming whole once again.

As for Shere Khan, still hiding in the doorway, was awestruck and seemed pleased with the Thunder God's victory. Taking one last glance at the glowing soul amulet, the soul-infused specter threw it hard on the ground, shattering it.

Ron, Kim, and Raimundo helped the Thunder God up onto his feet as his voice sounded relieved, yet heavy with grief. "It is over. But only at the gravest of costs." He and the three other Earthrealm warriors walked over to Omi's still form. "So many are gone. Their light sunk into the Earth. I am responsible for their loss."

Kim looked at Samurai Jack in sympathy. "You did what you had to. To protect Earthrealm. Losses in war . . . are . . . are inevitable." In the last sentence, the S.F. lieutenant became choked up.

Ron walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder sympathetically. "Yeah, it's never easy.

After removing his Feelings book from his cybernetic chest cavity, Raimundo examined the dented work of literature that cushioned the blow from the war hammer. He then placed a fist over his chest. "It's considered respectful to honor those who have fallen in Earthrealm's defense. Can't we honor their sacrifice by giving them a moment of silence?"

"Give, I say, give who or whom a moment of silence, son?" asked a familiar voice.

The four Earthrealm warriors spun around and were surprised as they saw Foghorn standing behind them—wearing his original cryomancer outfit (bar the mask)—with Danny by his side.

"Foghorn!? Danny!?" exclaimed the yellow-and-black clad Cyborg in gleeful disbelief before running toward them and gave his Lin Kuei brethren a hug.

Soon T-Bone, Razor, Timmy, Mary, Kimiko, Jasmine, Tarzan, and Boog each materliazed one by one—even Barnyard Dawg appeared, looking mortal and not wearing his mask. All the fallen Earthrealm warriors, the Edenian queen, and the Shirai Ryu ninja were alive and well.

Running toward him, Kim and Ron shared a rejoiced hug with Boog, the latter happy and chuckling. "It's good seeing ya'll as well."

"Incredible!" exclaimed Timmy. "We're alive! Earthrealm is saved! And nobody's mind is being controlled! . . . Samurai Jack, how could it be?"

The Thunder God smiled thoughtfully, yet a tad bit knowingly as well. "Divine intervention, I suppose."

". . . Wait, where's Omi?"

"Yes, did he make it?" asked Kimiko curiously.

Before Samurai Jack could say a word, a slightly weakened Omi appeared from behind him. ". . . Did . . . somebody . . . call for me? . . . Wait, did we win? . . . Or are we all dead?"

"Nope," smiled Timmy, "we're all alive and well—that or resurrected and well. Knuckle-pound, buddy?"

The bald Shaolin smiled sheepishly. "Oh, no, not yet. I feel like I could use a great deal of healing."

Smiling as well, Kimiko leaned in and kissed the blushing Omi on the cheek. "Does that help a little?"

"Yeah, heh-heh, a little."

"Yep," nodded Ron, "I would have shipped it."

Kim held the cocky actor's hand and rested on his shoulder (much to his delight). "No arguments here."

Raimundo couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the couple as he stood there with his arms folded across his chest.

"Hey, uhh, Foghorn Leghorn, is it?" inquired Barnyard Dawg.

"Yes? What's on, I say, what's on your mind, Dawg?" Foghorn inquired back.

"I'm sorry about yer brother. I . . . I didn't know the whole truth."

"No, no, I understand. It seemed like I lost Steelbeak as a brother a long time ago—a long time, that is."

The Shirai Ryu ninja held his hand out. "So, truce?"

"Truce." The blue-clad Lin Kuei shook hands energetically for a moment.

". . . So, does that mean you'll help Earthrealm?" Danny inquired.

"Just temporarily—" shrugged Barnyard Dawg—"I have a lotta honor I need ta redeem. Afterwards I'll need to assemble the Shirai Ryu in honor and memory of me original brethren."

"That's not the only redemption needing to be done," sighed Jasmine, the Edenian queen sounding guilty, "for I also have much to do before I am forgiven. I am sorry Earthrealm warriors, and my daughter, for what I have done."

"No, Mother," said Kimiko, "it was not your fault.

Mary shrugged. "You weren't able to break the dark magic."

"I understand, Kimiko and Mary, but I must amend for my mistakes. Please Samurai Jack, let me help you and Earthrealm."

The Thunder God bowed his head. "Of course, Queen Jasmine—your aid to Earthrealm would be most welcome."

"Well, how 'bout that?" asked T-Bone. "Aku has been stopped, and we're still gaining allies."

Razor couldn't help but chuckle. "The more the merrier."

From behind the doorway he'd been hiding behind, Shere Khan extracted one of the many warrior souls from himself, and that soul took on the form of a man who appeared to be Jasmine's age.

"Aladdin?" asked the Edenian queen in surprise as she watched the soul walk toward her and the princess.

"Jasmine? Kimiko?" inquired Aladdin's soul.

"Father?" asked the Edenian princess.

The broken royal Edenian family gathered into a group hug.

As he watched from his hiding spot, Shere Khan looked thoughtful. "They are but one despite their numbers, and yet . . . maybe we are one as well." With that, the specter teleported elsewhere.

"You were right all along, Master. Could you ever forgive me?" inquired Omi to the Thunder God.

Samurai Jack softly looked down at the bald Shaolin. "I do forgive you. I understand you only meant good intentions. I just hope you could forgive me in return."

"Of course, Samurai Jack. However, I am curious. Is it all over?"

"What should we do now?" Tarzan asked.

As the Earthrealm warriors and allies, plus Barnyard Dawg, looked to him, Samurai Jack knew what must be done. "We are still far from being done. Come. Let us tend to the fallen. Then we must help our realm rebuild. Our work has only just begun."

And with that, all Kombatants present disappeared in a bolt of lightning. Little did they know was that Aku's damaged warlord helmet was left behind.

It was then that a lanky ghostly-looking figure appeared beside the warlord helmet. That figure was Pitch, the fallen Elder God. "My plan almost worked to perfection, if not for the Elder Gods' interference. However, the plan has set everything into motion now, starting with manipulating my competition. Aku was blinded by rage. How easily he was convinced the Elder Gods would ignore his merging the realms. Freakshow might have been slain and the Thunder God still lives, but it does not matter. Neither Earthrealm nor Outworld can ever withstand the NetherRealm's onslaught. It will only be a matter of time. Soon I will be free. Earthrealm and Outworld will soon be mine."

Pitch smiled evilly as he finished his monologue.

The End

Well, sort of. After all, I still promised all of you the third and final part of the commentary—the cartoon characters' closing thoughts. In any case, how do you feel about the changes I made here in the chapter? Would it have done the original characters justice (including Sindel and Ermac) in a legitimate manner? And has anyone figured out what the inside joke was when I used Flash the Sloth from Zootopia in the few chapters? Also, I forgot to mention a couple chapters back: What did all of you think of the Feelings book reference that came from Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance? I'm kind of surprised that Ed Boon and John Tobias didn't come up with the idea for Cyrax and secured his status as a good character (or at least a neutral one). But that's just my opinion.

Nevertheless, the main story might be finished, but there's still the closing commentary! Believe me, you won't want to miss that. :)