Chapter 12: Past and Present Collide
Back in Outworld, Kotal Kahn is blinded by the sands surrounding the entire stadium. Seeing this as an opportunity, Kollector knocks his captives away, stabs one of them with his wooden brace with stakes, takes the key and unlocks it. Reptile, Erron Black, Ermac and Ferra/Torr all arrive to deal with whatever is coming.
Many familiar faces emerge from the sands. On the evil side are Skarlet the Blood Mage who can control blood at will and feeds off her victims, a younger Erron Black, an Earthrealmer who lives in Outworld as a bounty hunter with shotguns, pistols and a cowboy hat. A younger Kano with no facial hair, Baraka, leader of the Tarkatans who was killed three years ago at the hands of D'Vorah, and the evil conqueror Shao Kahn. On the side of good come the past versions of Liu Kang the original Chosen One, Kitana, princess of Outworld and Edenia, and Shao Kahn's adopted daughter turned traitor. Jade, Kitana's best friend and guardian. Kung Lao, Liu Kang's brother-in arms and second best monk of the White Lotus. Finally, Raiden. The humble protective thunder good before he was corrupted. None of them are dead and are still on the side of good.
Kotal Kahn is rather confused by this and wonders how it has happened. He seems to recognize them all. "Raiden? Shao Kahn?"
"General Kotal? What are you doing here?" Shao Kahn asked with suspiscion.
"I am Kotal Kahn now." Kotal corrects him.
"Kahn? Ha! You fool! You pretend to my throne?! You're too merciful to be a Kahn!" Shao Kahn said.
"It is mine by right and deed. You were killed over twenty years ago along with your filthy spawn, Mileena." Kotal said.
"We were at the Mortal Kombat tournament in Outworld. Kung Lao has just defeated Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. Shao Kahn was about to summon Kintaro into battle." Raiden said.
"We are decades beyond those events." Kotal Kahn corrected him.
"For us, they only happened moments ago." Raiden said.
"What game is this, Raiden? What magic powers this delusion?" Shao Kahn accuses him.
"If it is a delusion, Shao Kahn, it is one that we all share." Raiden tries to convince him. "Are the past and future colliding together?"
Kotal looks around and sees many familiar faces, most of them he recognizes. "Kitana. Skarlet, Baraka, all Outworld champions long since dead. If all of you have returned, then that means-"
"Kotal. I am here." Jade steps up.
"Jade. It is you." Kotal is astonished. He knew of her, but the question is how did they meet? But before they could go into details, Shao Kahn shoves Jade out of the way and confronts his former general. Reptile and everyone is except for Erron are pleased to see their true master has returned from the dead.
"Osh-Tekk custom requires all refugees be offered assisted. I offer it to you, Shao Kahn."
"I am not a refugee. I am the true Kahn of Outworld. Surrender my throne to me, or I will soak your blood into the sands!" Shao Kahn threatens him and summons his mighty wrath hammer.
"Reptile! Ferra/Torr! Ermac! Attack!" Kotal Kahn commanded them. But they instead walk over to Shao Kahn and they all glare at their now former leader Kotal. Kotal tightens his grip on his weapon.
"I led you all towards peace in Outworld! And this is how you repay me?! You are no better than D'Vorah!" Kotal shouted.
"Shao Kahn always had a strong will before you became Kahn! You were the only one that could provide strong leadership! Becasue Shao Kahn was the one who taught you!" Reptile said.
"We serve you no longer. The thousand souls that thrive inside us were born to obey all commands of Shao Kahn." Ermac said. Shao Kahn laughs at this. Je finds how amusing and how quick Kotal's allies betray the Osh-Tekk for him.
"I expected this to happen! You are without any allies of Outworld! That is why you're unworthy!" Shao Kahn exclaimed.
He and Kotal fight. They clash weapons together, and despite getting a big cut on his shoulder, Shao Kahn gains the upperhand and he smashes a big statue and it falls under Kotal, incapacitating him. As Kotal's and Shao's own warriors fight each other, the heroes of Earthrealm try to figure out what to do.
"Lord Raiden. What do we do?" Liu Kang asked his teacher.
"I have met Kotal before. He is a reputed man of honor. He planned on overthrowing Shao Kahn before he disappeared." Raiden said.
"You're right. I know him very well." Jade backs him up. "We need to help him."
Before Shao Kahn could execute his former general, Liu Kang steps in and bicycle kicks Shao Kahn, saving Kotal. Liu Kang dodges his swift, heavy swings, and Raiden helps his student by shocking Shao Kahn with his lightning.
Baraka the Tarkatan starts cutting down some of Kotal Kahn's gladiators with his wrist blades and bites some throats out with his long teeth until he goes to confront the new Kahn himself. "Osh-Tekk. You destroyed your future by betraying Shao Kahn."
"You are the one with no future, Baraka. Your Tarkatans are dead. They allied with Mileena against me. Resist me, and you will die again! I will kill of your kind if I have to!" Kotal said before they fight.
"I will bring your head to Shao Kahn!" Baraka said. They clash with his wrist blades and Kotal's sickles. Baraka attempts to knee him, but Kotal blocks it and stabs his left shoulder and picks him up by the neck and ankles and throws him down, chest first. Kotal slams his giant sword to the ground and slams the flat part of it on Baraka's head, cracking it. Kotal punches his chest and face, lifts him off his feet with his sickle and kicks him in the back twice, sending him flying backwards. Baraka gets up and grows. He shoots sparks from his bone blades, but Kotal grabs a marble shield and slams in in his face, and slams his fists down on his head two times, knocking him down and defeating him.
"Filthy Tarkatan." Kotal said in disgust. Kotal starts killing some of Shao Kahn's warriors as Kung Lao fights Past Kano and quickly defeats him, and Jade fighting Kollector. Before he could help her, he notices a corpse rising up and blood flowing out of it and grabs Kotal Kahn, bringing him down to the Beast Pen. There, he meets another familiar face.
"Recognize me, general?" Skarlet stared at him.
"The orphan turned assassin. Skarlet the Blood Mage. You live again." Kotal answered.
"Better to thrive in Shao Kahn's court than die in the streets. You may be able to practice blood magic, Kotal, but I am the master." Skarlet said.
They fight. Skarlet throws three blood spheres, which Kotal slices apart with his giant sword. She grabs it with her blood whip, only for Kotal to pull her in and knee her in the stomach, kick her in the ankle, and in the stomach, sending her sliding down into the sand. Kotal throws a disc shield at her, but she turns into blood and appears behind him and pulls him in with a bloodstream, kicks the right side of his face, whips her blood whip across his chest, cutting it, but not too badly and stabs herself and Kotal gets slammed in the head by a blood tentacle, sending him sliding down. Skarlet swings a blood scythe at him but he counters with his giant sword and overpowers her and kicks her in the face twice, and headbutts her. Skarlet cuts his leg and triple kicks his chest, uses a bloodstream to pull him in and back kicks his face. Skarlet tries to swing her whip once again, but all three times she misses, allowing Kotal to grab her wrist, cut her stomach, lifts her up and blood falls onto his face and slams her face on the ground twice. Skarlet is out cold, but alive. Kotal wipes the blood off victorious.
"Pride will be your downfall, Skarlet." Kotal said. He hears the doors open and he turns to see Jade.
"Kotal." Jade is relieved that he is alright. She runs into his arms and they embrace each other for a few moments. "I thought you were gone. What happened to you, my love?"
"Shao Kahn took my legion and locked me up in the flesh pits for Shang Tsung and his experiments. I was freed when they died." Kotal tells her.
"Seeing you again makes this worth living the nightmare." Jade smiles fondly. They are interrupted by the younger Erron Black. He wears black clothing, black mask and a black hat, whereas his future self wears brown clothing, no mask and some facial hair.
"Erron Black. Your future self is ally, not enemy." Kotal said.
"To hell with the future, I live for the moment." Young Erron said. Right as he said that, he nearly dodges a flying bullet and sees where it came from. It came from his future self.
"You sure about that?" Present Erron said. "I'd rather follow Kotal than be treated by an asshole like Shao Kahn." He turns to Kotal. "I got em. Your fight is up there."
Kotal nods and he and Jade run back up into the kolsseum while the two Blacks fight. They stare at each other motionlessly, one hand on a pistol. They swiftly draw their weapons and fire one bullet. Past Erron Black aims straight at his future self. Present Erron tilts his head to the right slighty and aims his gun upward diagnoally. It bounces off the wall.
"You missed, old man. Your time is just about up." Past Erron said with overconfidence.
"I never miss, son." Present Erron said. They both hear creeking coming from above. An empty wooden cage tied to the ceiling by a rope was quickly breaking because of Present Erron's bullet. Moments later, the cage falls and Past Erron leaps forward to avoid being crushed by it. He turns and sees his future self is nowhere to be seen. He is suddenly struck in the neck by the handle of his future self's pistol and is knocked out cold.
"I hit my target. Always." Erron Black said.
Above the colosseum, Kotal sees Liu Kang and Raiden fighting more gladiators, Kung Lao defeating Past Kano. Jade charges at Shao Kahn, jumps with her bo staff, only for the conqueror to grab her by her throat.
"You are beneath me, Jade." Shao Kahn taunted. He was fixing to strangle her, but upon seeing Kotal Kahn, he tosses Jade aside and confronts his new enemy. "I will have my throne returned to me. You Osh-Tekk have always been untrustworthy."
"Outworld will not have any more of your pointless wars as they are rejected. They bring nothing but spilled blood left in vain. It is you who cannot be trusted." Kotal said.
"Empires must expand or they die. I do not need trust. I demand obedience" Shao Kahn said as they collide with each other. Shao Kahn pushes Kotal to a cage and almost had his face torn off by the monster, but Kotal bites his hand hard and pushes him back.
"Your conquest served only you! Not Outworld's people!" Kotal Kahn said.
You never deserved to be Kahn!" Shao Kahn swings his hammer around, while Kotal dodges them. Kotal has known Shao Kahn for his mighty fighting skills for years to come. They briefly clash weapon to weapon, but Shao Kahn disarms him and swings his hammer at his chest and sends him stumbling backwards. Shao Kahn charges and kicks him again in the chest and sending him down. Kotal rolls out of the way as Shao Kahn slams his hammer down on the ground and Kotal throws a disc shield at Shao Kahn's back, causing him pain. Kotal runs in and punches his face two times, knees his chest, kicks his left knee and in the left shoulder. Kotal grabs Shao Kahn and throws him. Shao Kahn quickly shoulder bashed him, punches his chest, cracking it, knees his face, and picks him up and throws him. Shao Kahn growls louder. They clash fists with each other. Kotal attempts to head butt him, but Shao Kahn grabs his head, slams his face down on his knee, slams a fist down on his back and punches him in the face, followed by a grab to the throat and a double kick to his chest wound from Skarlet. Before they could finish their fight, they both look up in the sky and see a bunch of insects flying in the air.
"D'Vorah." Kotal snarls. The insects blind the heroes and a sand portal appears behind Shao Kahn and he sees who it is.
"Shao Kahn! To me!" D'Vorah said. Shao Kahn runs through the portal with all the other villains right behind him. D'Vorah looks at Kotal once more before she leaves and the portal closes.
"I have not known stranger days." Kotal said as Liu Kang and Raiden approach.
"Kotal Kahn. We meet again. You vanished when you planned to rebel against Shao Kahn." Raiden greets him.
"Thunder God Raiden. It was years ago. I was held prisoner by him and Shang Tsung. After Shao Kahn's death, we became allies now turned enemies." Kotal said.
"I am surprised, given our shared antipathy toward Shao Kahn. I do not understand what you mean." Raiden expressed confusion.
"Everything has changed after the war against the Netherrealm and the final defeat of Shinnok." Kotal Kahn said.
"Shinnok is defeated. How is that possible? He's an Elder God." Liu Kang is shocked.
"Our realms joined to fight him. As a result of our victory, you have changed. To protect Earthrealm, you lashed out at all those you consider to be a threat." Kotal explains.
"That cannot be. I would never do that. I may have enemies, but never would I threaten anyone unless for an absolute reason" Raiden said.
"My Raiden wore Shinnok's amulet as a symbol of anger." Kotal replied.
"I assure you, Kotal Kahn. I am not that Raiden. We have a common cause. Solving the cause of this temporal crisis and defeating Shao Kahn." Raiden said.
"I agree." Kotal said. "We have allies. The Special Forces of Earthrealm. Perhaps they are aware of the recent events that have transpired."
"Thank you. Liu Kang, Kung Lao and I will head to Earthrealm and learn from them. We must better understand the phenomenon we are experiencing." Raiden said.
"I will have my scouts track Shao Kahn." Kotal Kahn said.
Liu Kang walks over to Kitana. "I had a feeling we would be fighting alongside each other. But I believe believe this is where we say farewell to each other."
"Only for now. I can't leave while Shao Kahn threatens Outworld. I must do what I must to seek justice for what he did to my family and all of Edenia." Kitana said.
"I will return for you, Kitana. To aid you." Liu Kang said and bows his head before her. Kitana smiles before throwing her arms around him and hugs him. Liu Kang is surprised by this and hugs back. Liu Kang joins Kung Lao and Raiden as they transport to Earthrealm.
The heroes in Outworld separate to find out what's the cause of the temporal anomalies. Raiden and his two best students head to the Special Forces base to find out more about the time anomalies. Kitana and Jade stay with Kotal Kahn to forge a plan to track down Shao Kahn and defeat him for all that he has done.
Shao Kahn and the other villains have escaped with help from D'Vorah and they retreat to her Kytinn hive. Despite understanding that he stepped into the future, he still has questions.
"You evade my questions, D'Vorah. I rounded your people, burned your hives to the ground, and yet you assisted me." Shao Kahn said.
"You can't trust her, Excellency. Kotal Kahn did and she betrayed him to Shinnok." Kollector tells him.
"Kotal Kahn. How am I dead and he is the one who sits on my throne? What about my daughter Mileena?" Shao Kahn asked.
"You planned to merge Earthrealm into Outworld, but the Elder Gods intervened and Raiden killed you with their powers. With you, Sindel and Shang Tsung dead, and Quan Chi missing, Mileena became Kahn." Reptile explains.
"After this one killed your daughter, Kotal took the throne for himself." D'Vorah said, with a hint of pride in her tone.
Shao Kahn did not like any of those news at all, but when he hears about who killed his favorite daughter, he was pissed.
"You?! YOU KILLED MILEENA?! IF YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH, YOU WILL BE THE NEXT TO DIE!" Shao Kahn was about to attack her, but the sands start flowing around them once again and behind him comes Kronika, Geras and a woman in the white hood.
"D'Vorah as well as you are both under my protection, Shao Kahn. My name is Kronika. Keeper of Time." The Keeper of Time introduces herself.
"I read legends about a Keeper of Time guarding the Sands of Time. The legends are in fact true after all. And you are a Titan if I am not mistaken." Shao Kahn said.
"Yes. I am here because I am displeased with how history has unfolded. You were not meant to suffer a horrible fate at Raiden's hands." Kronika said. "That's why I stopped time and merged the timelines together. I enlist all those who disdain the changes. We may draw allies from both eras."
"How will fighting your battles benefit me? What do I gain from" Shao Kahn asked.
"I offer a powerful empire in the New Era for you, Shao Kahn. You can expand it through all the realms. And the best of all, the thunder god Raiden will not exist to trouble you anymore." Kronika said.
"You can erase Raiden from existence?" Shao Kahn is surprised.
"It is a task that will take time along with alot of power and effort. I cannot do this alone. My hourglass requires protection while I work. Will your Outworld armies defend it?" Kronika offers her help.
"They shall, Kronika." Shao Kahn smirks evilly.
Back in Earthrealm, Alex, Johnny, Cassie and Jacqui explain the past events to the past versions of Jax, Johnny and Sonya. Takeda and Kung Jin support them to confirm the stories.
Past Jax is surprised that he has a daughter, as he thought he wouldn't have a family because of his arms. He was also told of his time as a revenant, but fortunately, thanks to Raiden, he was brought back. Past Sonya is somewhat surprised that she became a General in the Special Forces and she has a daughter named Cassie and the fact that she has Alex as her boyfriend. However, she seems rather disgusted that she married Johnny Cage, given his selfishness and ego. Past Johnny, while surprised of what has become of his future and that he married Sonya, he seems to care more about how futuristic the present is and wants to do a collab with his present self, much to Present Johnny's annoyance. Present Johnny is rather uncomfortable with his past self, given the embarrassing past he has had back when he had a big ego as a movie star. Cassie, Jacqui and Alex meet Raiden, Liu Kang and Kung Lao outside by the base.
Raiden used his powers to teleport himself and his two students outside the base and was expecting someone like Sonya Blade or Jackson Briggs, but ends up meeting someone else. The young warriors were surprised to see Raiden, Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Jin is shocked to see Kung Lao again and not as a Revenant.
"Are you part of the Special Forces? What are your names?" Raiden asked.
The five young fighters look at each other and nod in agreement. Cassie was the first to step up. "I'm Cassandra Cage, but I prefer to be called Cassie. I'm the daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade. I'm the current Commander and CO."
"I'm Jacqueline Briggs, Jackson Briggs' daughter and sergeant. But you can call me Jacqui." Jacqui introduces herself.
"Takeda Takahashi. Kenshi's son, and chujin of the Shirai Ryu." Takeda stepped up.
"Kung Jin. Member of the White Lotus, led by you, Lord Raiden... and I am the nephew of Kung Lao." Kung Jin admitted. Kung Lao could not believe his eyes and ears. He never knew that he had a nephew. Or will have. He never knew his true heritage other than his ancestor the Great Kung Lao. Even Liu Kang is surprised by this.
"I have not expected the three of them to grow families of their own. I have only known them for more than a while. From what I have learned, that I have been allies with the Special Forces for decades." Raiden said.
"About two and a half decades to be exact." Alex said.
"And what is your name, young man?" Raiden asked.
"I'm Alex Torres. Current Lieutenant of the Special Forces." Alex said, sounding a bit shy. He feels some sort of distrust towards Raiden because of different circumstances, but then again, this is Raiden from before his corruption.
"He's also my boyfriend." Cassie said, and the couple smile.
"I am honored to meet you. A friend of the Cage and Briggs family is a friend and ally of ours. I am Raiden. God of Thunder. These are my students, Liu Kang and Kung Lao." Raiden said. Liu Kang bows his head to them and Kung Lao just nods. "I have heard of events that has transpired for the last two decades, one regarding Shinnok."
The five warriors once again nod to each other. This time, Alex steps up. "Yeah, about that. We've known about you guys for years. Long story."
While Jacqui, Takeda and Kung Jin explain to Liu Kang and Kung Lao about the events after Shao Kahn, Cassie and Alex catch Raiden up on what happened after Shinnok, but decided to tell him about Alex's arrival later as they enter the base.
"So it is true. I walked a darker path based on what Kotal Kahn has told me." Raiden said. He did not want to think it is true at all.
"After Shinnok got beaten, you became a different Raiden. Black clothes, red lightning. Authoritarian attitude adjustment." Cassie said.
"Yeah, about that. What happened to Dark you? How come you're an only child, and I have an evil twin?" Present Johnny asked while referring to his past self.
"Yeah, tell me about it. Not a single futuristic invention. Jetpacks, flying cars, holograms, maybe even laser swords. And we've been here for one hour. Seriously, where's the fun at?" Past Johnny said. Present Johnny can't help but grit his teeth out of annoyance. He really is ashamed of his past personality.
"God almighty somebody help me." Present Johnny whispered to himself.
"The last time we saw you, you disintegrated into sand." Alex said.
"As an immortal, I exist outside the laws of time. That could explain why I am affected differently. Whoever or whatever caused these events, caused my future counterpart to cease to exist, as there can only be one." Raiden said.
"And all that was left after Dark you faded away was this." Alex holds out Shinnok's amulet.
"I don't believe this. Shinnok's amulet." Raiden is shocked and recognizes what Alex is holding. "So I must have defeated him after we took down Shao Kahn?"
"Not exactly, well sort of. You sealed him inside this thing after Johnny defeated him with his superhuman power. After he broke free, Cassie defeated him for good and you took him away." Alex tells him. Raiden looks at Cassie and she nods in confirmation as she glows and pulls off a shadow kick as an example of her power and explains the details.
Meanwhile, the younger Jax and Sonya talk to each other to catch up on past events and some changes in the future.
"Weird, isn't it? Not being the one in charge." Past Jax said.
"That's what's weird?" Past Sonya asks.
"That, and we have daughters our age." Past Jax said.
"Look at her. I have a kid who has a boyfriend. What I want to know is how could I have a kid? With him?" Past Sonya refers to her Johnny, much to her shock.
"On the bright side, at least they're not actresses." Past Jax said as they see their Johnny trying to talk to his future self, much to the latter's annoyance.
"Come on, think about it. We get points off the gross. Coming this summer: Johnny Cage and Johnny Cage in TimeQuake!" Past Johnny tries to get him interested, to no avail.
"Get away from me right now. Hard pass. I'd rather watch Fatal Infinity and cringe than do a project with you." Present Johnny said. Past Sonya and Past Jax are surprised by how mature Present Johnny is.
Jacqui, Jin and Takeda walk in with Liu Kang and Kung Lao to Cassie, Alex and Raiden. They are trying to think of a plan on how to solve this situation.
"For months, I have been receiving vague premonitions of the future. None of them foretold this. With my own amulet lost during the time merging process, I must confer with the Elder Gods. Liu Kang, Kung Lao. Please assist the Special Forces while I am away." Raiden instructs them.
"Follow me." Jacqui tells them. "Alex, wanna help?"
Alex sees Past Sonya walking over to Cassie to ask her something.
"Sure, Jacqui." Alex said before turning to Cassie. "I'll leave you alone to talk." Alex kisses her on the cheek before going to help Jacqui. Cassie smiles at the kiss.
"Commander Cassie?" Past Sonya asked.
"Yes, Mom. I mean General. I mean- damn it! Sorry. Force of habit. I always call you mom when we're alone, but general out in public." Cassie is not used to how young her mom is.
"I know. This is strange for me too." Past Sonya said.
"You have no idea. I don't know how to say it." Cassie feels reluctant.
"What?" Past Sonya asks.
" Yesterday, we went on a mission and…" Cassie remains silent for a moment. "You gave your life to save it." Cassie said, her voice sounding like she was going to tear up and cry again. She was trying her best to fight off her tears.
Past Sonya takes a few steps back before she sits down, even more shocked by her death. "Son of a bitch. Seriously?"
"Yeah. And yet here you are. Young enough to be my sister." Cassie said with sadness in her eyes.
"Cass, you need to see this." Jacqui calls for her and she and Sonya both walk over. "Sat feeds show a Netherrealm incursion at the Wu Shi Academy."
"Netherrealm? Taking out Shinnok's temple was supposed to stop them." Cassie said.
"Unless the time anomaly has something to do with it, it must've been rebuilt." Alex corrects her.
"He's right. Someone has to be in charge of it." Jacqui said.
"Somebody's definitely behind all of this. The Revenants can't be the ones doing this." Takeda said.
"We must help our Shaolin Masters right now." Liu Kang said.
"Why would the Netherrealm bust up your alma master, Liu Kang?" Past Jax asks.
"The Dragon Grotto. It's underneath the Academy. Earthrealm's jinsei bubbles up in it's spring." Liu Kang explains.
"That can't be good." Alex said.
"Most of us saw firsthand what happens when the Netherrealm messes with Earthrealm's life source. Bad shit is bound to happen when jinsei is involved." Cassie stated.
"You don't think they shouldn't be able to get through to the jinsei, do they?" Alex worries.
"They will not reach the Grotto. It is protected by powerful magic. The deadliest traps. I am sure that our counterparts from your era are already dealing with them." Kung Lao reassures him.
Unfortunately for them, the team all look at each other, all reluctant to tell them of their fates. Jacqui grits her teeth while Takeda scratches the back of his head. Alex gulps and feels a nervous feeling drop to his stomach.
"Kung Lao. Liu Kang, you two might want to have a seat." Cassie tells them, much to their confusion.
Cassie and the others were very reluctant to tell the monks the truth. But given that sooner or later they'd find out, they knew not to keep them into the dark. They inform them of their own deaths and how they occurred. Jin was the first to mention that they died.
"So it is true what Kotal Kahn said. Shao Kahn has been killed, but at the cost of many lives and we become Shinnok's slaves, Scorpion included." Liu Kang is barely able to bear the news, but Kung Lao is more reluctant to believe them.
"And Raiden killed him because the Elder Gods punished Shao Kahn?" Kung Lao said.
"Yes. He and my parents were the only ones that survived. You died attempting to help save Earthrealm. Most of your allies were killed by his slave named Sindel. Some of you were brought back thanks to Raiden. Jax, Sub-Zero and Scorpion, who became a good guy." Cassie tells them.
"Why couldn't he revive the rest of us?' Kung Lao questions them.
"Because he needed Quan Chi alive to merge his magic with the latter, but Hanzo Hasahi killed him to avenge his family and clan." Jin explained.
"With Quan Chi dead, there's no way to resurrect the rest of you. You were permanently brainwashed by Shinnok's poisonous royalty. Sorry you had to hear that, but you would've found out sooner or later." Alex tells them. He felt bad about telling them, afraid of how they'd react.
"It is alright, Alex. While I do not like what we have heard, you did the right thing by being honest." Liu Kang assures him.
"Our revenant selves are going to steal the Jinsei. We must hurry if we are to stop them." Kung Lao said."
"I can come with you." Jin offered.
"No. We need everyone here. I'm sure Liu Kang and Kung Lao can handle themselves." Cassie ordered, much to Jin's frustration. He really wants to fight alongside his uncle.
"Do you know how to get past the traps?" Alex asks.
"Of course, we've always held classes and learned many things, including disabling the traps. It should be no problem. Kung Lao is right. We must ensure Earthrealm's safety, not to mention the lives of the monks." Liu Kang said. "We will return once we complete our objective."
"Good luck out there." Cassie said.
Liu Kang nods before he and Kung Lao leave. They can only hope that it isn't too late. It is only a matter of time before they meet their revenant selves.
Note: Not much to say about this Chapter then extensive interactions such as Past Sonya and Past Jax surprised by Present Johnny and how much he has matured. And an actual part with Cassie's team meeting Raiden, Liu Kang and Kung Lao and with Alex into the mix. And Reptile, Ermac and Ferra/Torr, who were absent from the video game, are in this story as supporting antagonists. And I also like to point out that in this story the heroes playable in MK9 are currently wearing their outfits from that game, such as Kitana and Jade for example rather than their default skins from MK11.