Zeke and the others returned from the tournament, talking and laughing about the good times and they're separate adventures. When they returned to Sakura, they saw Smoke, Raiden, Hayabusa...and Cole.
Zeke: COLE!
Cole: Hm?
Zeke ran over to Cole to explain all about the tournament. The others followed as his old allies were in shock to see that Cole MacGrath was truly alive. Hitomi, Leifang, Ayane and Kasumi ran up to Cole, giving him a hug and explaining how much they were happy to see him alive. As for Hayate, he simply smiled. Tina began to walk slowly over to him.
Hitomi: I can't believe it's really you!
Cole: Belive it, kiddo. I'm really here.
Leifang: Is it true? Zeke really brought you back?
Cole: Yeah, it's true.
Ayane: It's good to have you back, MacGrath.
Cole: I wasn't expecting you to say that.
Kasumi: Welcome back, Cole.
Cole: Thank you, Kasumi.
Tina: ...
Cole: Hey, Tina. It's me. I'm really here.
Tina: ...
Tina hugged Cole's body and cried, in his arms. She began to cry and pleased that he was back. Everyone smiled at the sight of Tina's tears of joy. Some time passed and Jade was seen in the gardens, practicing her new ninja skills. Smoke came walking from within the temple to see for himself. He watched as Jade was progressing with her skills. He was impressed with her...she went from an Outworld assassin to a Mugen Tenshi ninja.
Smoke: You are progressing, Jade. I am very impressed.
Jade: I did not expect Mugen Tenshi to be this much work.
Smoke: Yes, I've heard it is a struggle but you are a fast learner.
Jade: Is this all I must learn?
Smoke: I am not sure. There are other techniques but you will come to that, in due time.
Jade: Will I learn how to use the sword?
Smoke: Perhaps. You must first learn how to handle one, before you can use one.
Jade: Show me. Please.
Smoke: I am not familiar in this Mugen Tenshi arts but...Very well. But pay attention.
Jade: I will.
Smoke pulled out a sword and gave it to Jade. She held the handle but Smoke said she wasn't one with the blade. He walked behind Jade and held her hands, to show her how it is done. Jade was well focused on the lesson...but more on Smoke's hands. He held onto her hands tightly, only trying to show her how to handle the blade. She looked to him, as he looked to her. Her grip was still on the blade...yet her eyes were glued to him.
Jade: I have never noticed but...have wonderful eyes.
Smoke: Thank you...I...I am sorry for attacking you, in Outworld. I had thought you...
Jade: Do not blame yourself. Mileena did have the appearance of Kitana.
Smoke: Yes, Kitana is lucky to have a friend like you.
Jade: Yes, as are your allies. You are a good man, misguided at time but a good man.
Smoke: It is good to see that yu are no longer Shao Kahn's assassin. You are...Mugen Tenshi.
Jade: Yes...
With Cole, he and Tina were alone and catching for lost times.
Cole: I can't believe so much has passed, since I died.
Tina: We've all really missed you...I've missed you.
Cole: I missed you too?
Tina: I'm glad we were about bring one of our friends from New Marais back...
Cole: Yeah, I miss Kuo as well.
Tina: Can't we bring her back, like Zeke did with you?
Cole: We could try...I'll ask him and see.
Tina: So..live been wanting you to meet my dad. I've talked about you a lot with him.
Cole: I'd love to come and meet him. Let's go.
Tina grabbed Cole's hand and led him back to her house. Back at Sakura, Zeke was continuing his training with Kung Lao and Liu Kang.
Liu Kang: Excellent work, Zeke. You've come far in your training.
Kung Lao: But you must remember our teachings...do not let emotions overpower you.
Zeke: What do you mean?
Kung Lao: You will understand, when the time comes.
Zeke: Well, I'll continue training until I'm strong enough to overcome that.
Liu Kang: Do not train too much, you will wear your body out.
Zeke: Got it. Take a break every now and then. I'll remember that.
Kitana: Someone is wanting to be a Shaolin as well?
Kitana came walking out of the Sakura temple and she was wearing some new gear. She had on a dark purple, strapless dress with a pink butterfly printed on the skirt, complete with matching pull-on sleeves, stockings, heeled boots, and a giant red or orange obi bow tied around her waist.
Kung Lao: Interesting new attire, Kitana.
Zeke: Yeah, looks awesome on you.
Kitana: Why thank you, Lao...Zeke.
Zeke: Why aren't you two getting some new threads?
Kung Lao: These are the clothes suited for a Shaolin.
Liu Kang: We are fine with what we have.
Zeke: Sounds fair.
Hayate: Guys, the tournament begins soon. We must return.
Zeke: Right, we've gotten far with our skills.
?: Skills? I think not.
The group turned around and noticed someone walking towards them. It was a woman. She had a yellow and black color scheme, long hair and sinister glowing white eyes. Her outfit was a yellow and black bustier with matching skirt.
Kitana: Tanya!
Kung Lao, Liu Kang and Zeke: Tanya?
Kitana: A traitor to Edenia.
Kitana stood ready to fight, as Tanya just stood there.
Tanya: My family respected you, Kitana.
Kitana: It is not enough to stay my hand.
Tanya: Please, princess, Edenians should not fight each other.
Kitana: Our realm is dead, as you shall be.
Kitana charged after Kitana and tried punching, kicking and such but Tanya evaded them all and pushed Kitana back.
Tanya: Let us talk about this, Kitana.
Kitana: I do not wish to speak to you, traitor. You betray ALL realms.
Kung Lao: Kitana...
Kung Lao placed a hand on Kitana's shoulder, asking her to walked up to try and reason with Tanya.
Kung Lao: Tanya, why are you here and how did you make it to this realm?
Tanya: I saw you at the tournament. After Liu Kang defeated Shao Kahn...or so we thought, I made my way here. I've stayed hidden, ever since. Kitana, Edenia can still be saved. Allow me to take you back and we can fight for it...together.
Kitana: Outworld had taken over. It is no longer my home. Earthrealm is where I reside.
Tanya: And you speak of me as the traitor. YOU are the true traitor.
Liu Kang: Kitana has made up her mind. She will stay with us.
Kung Lao: Tanya, you are more than welcome to stay with us and fight for Earthrealm.
Tanya: Fight alongside Earthrealmers? I don't think so.
Kitana: Then return to Outworld...and stay there.
Tanya: You will regret this decision, princess.
Tanya began to leave, into the woods, outside of Sakura. They were all wondering what she meant when she said that. Tina brought Cole to her home and introduced her to Bass Armstrong and her friend Mila.
Bass: My daughter had told me a lot about you, MacGrath.
Cole: So I've heard.
Bass: She told me about her...vacation to New Marais. Such a shame it's changed.
Cole: Yeah. But thanks to me and the others...it's different now...free actually.
Tina: No more monsters, militia or ice freaks.
Cole: You said that 881 was here with you?
Tina: Yep. Zeke and Helena worked hard to bring him back.
Cole: And he works for DOATEC?
Tina: Yep. After bringing him back, Helena explained what happened and gave him a job as the protector of DOATEC.
Cole: Well, I'm glad that he's back.
Bass: So, I hear your off on more heroic duties?
Cole: Yeah, I've been getting these visions of certain warriors. And I found out that I had to save them from a tragic fate they would soon have to face. Sadly...we lost Zack.
Bass: Yes...Tina told me about that. I wish I was there, when it happened.
Cole: It's alright. Once Earthrealm 1 is saved, the visions and struggle should stop.
Bass: Then let us help you. We can fight for you.
Cole and Tina: What?
Bass: If you have more help, you can stop this nightmare from happening.
Tina: Daddy...
Cole: Are you sure you wanna do that?
Bass: It's no trouble. I'll call up some friends who'll be glad to help out.
Cole: Well, alright, if you want.
Just then, Cole's phone buzzed and it was from Zeke. He informed him that Smoke needs his help to awaken Sub-Zero. Cole responded by saying he was on his way. As for Tanya, she was speaking with a few...enemies, informing them of Kitana, Liu Kang, Kung Lao and the others who escaped from Earthrealm 1.