Chapter 25: The Sky Temple Battle

The rest of the heroes are currently marching forward. In the front are Fujin, Nightwolf, Shang Tsung, Jacqui, Jax, Takeda, Kenshi, Kung Jin, and Jade. They march on forward with their soldiers, monks and more than several Edenian warriors. Behind them are the Lin Kuie assembled by Grandmaster Sub-Zero. Along with him, Smoke and Cyrax have joined him. Grandmaster Hasashi has also assembled his Shirai Ryu, ready to fight. In the back were Kitana, Kotal and Kung Lao leading the monks, Osh-Tekk and Tarkatans. As they approach the big gate with Kronika's and Geras' design, they notice many familiar enemies staring down at them. Sektor and the mind-controlled Frost, Mileena, Skarlet, Rain, Reptile, and Tanya.

"Soon, it will be time to unleash hell on all of them! Show no mercy for father's sake!" Mileena commands them.

"We need to get up there quick. We don't have a whole lot of time." Jax said.

"Now, Fujin." Shang Tsung tells the wind god. Fujin puts on the new Edenian steel crown. Fujin, despite being a god, feels pain rushing to his head. He managed to collect himself before he managed to gain focus. He waves his hands around in a pattern and starts to gain enough strength. Once he felt strong enough, he thrusts his arms forward towards the gate and the two giant doors come flying open.

Fujin falls to his knees from the crown's usage. Nightwolf managed to catch him before he could pass out. "It is alright. I need a moment to recover."

"I got you covered, Fujin." Jax said. "The rest of you, go!"

Everyone else starts running toward the massive armies of undead and Cyber Lin Kuie. The two sides collide with each other. The soldiers, monks and Edenian fighters start slaughtering the monsters and cyborgs. They are already making good progress. Despite that, more than several soldiers, monks and Edenians start falling to them as well.

As Grandmaster Sub-Zero keeps on slaying more and more enemies, he is confronted by Frost. "Sub-Zero! You did this to me! You left me for dead! Geras came to my rescue and offered me a place in the Next Era! I will be the new Grandmaster."

Cyrax and Smoke step up, but Sub-Zero puts his arms in front of them. He looks at his two friends in silence. They quickly understand what he meant and leave the two to rejoin the fight. "Frost. You must listen. Geras and Sektor are manipulating you. This isn't you. They only spared you to turn you against us. He doesn't care for the Lin Kuie."

"If you cared enough for the Lin Kuie, then you should've sacrificed yourself instead of your own clan!" Frost claimed.

"I am willing to lay down my life for anyone, Frost. You included." Sub-Zero said.

"I'd be more than happy to oblige your words." Frost said. They begin to fight.

Frost leaps forward using two ice lances coming out of her robotic hands, which Sub-Zero dodges. He ducks and uppercuts her via chest and freezes her in place. He punches her across the chest, and double kicks her in the head, sending her back. He then kicks her face, then her right leg and then her right shoulder. Sub-Zero uppercuts her, freezes her again and jumps and front flip kicks her down. Frost swings an ice dagger at his feet, which he avoids. But Frost kicks him in the jaw, and back kicks him across the head, chops his right shoulder and knees his chest. Frost then fires small iceballs from her shoulders and they collide with Sub-Zero. He is stunned, allowing Frost to do a slide shoulder bash and swing ice daggers at his shoulders, cutting them. She then double kicks his chest and punches his face, sending him backwards. Sub-Zero decided to end this quickly. The grandmaster summons an ice sword and deflects swings from her ice lances. He managed to shatter one of her lances, freeze her feet, punches and knee strikes her face, cracking her faceplate and creates an ice wall behind him and shoulder bashes Frost and throws her into the ice wall and the grandmaster charges and delivers a strong kick to the face, defeating her.

"Forgive me, Frost." Sub-Zero said. He turns her over and opens her back and removes her access panel. He remembered how to disable her behavioral modifications just like he did Cyrax once. He switches off some circuits and reprograms her personality. She will be unconscious for a little bit. Sub-Zero looks down and feels at a loss, blaming himself for this. But he didn't have time to mourn when Sektor came and throws Sub-Zero away from her.

"Kuai Liang. I was hoping you would come here. I never had my chance to fight you in the Netherrealm in the Old Era." Sektor said.

"First you dishonor the clan, side with Shao Kahn and Kronika. Now you kidnap my apprentice and assimilate her against her own will. This fight is now personal." Sub-Zero said.

"For once, my old friend. I agree." Sektor said before they fight.

Sektor fires missiles, which Sub-Zero freezes in place. He brings out two ice swords and comes towards him. He throws one sword, which Sektor grabs and crushes, which leaves him for an opening. Sub-Zero kicks his chest and uppercuts it and freezes the ground and shoulder bashes Sektor, sending him into a tree. Sektor teleports in front of him and backhands his face and punches his right waist. He kicks him away, only to pull him back in with an electrified net and knee his stomach and elbow his back and toss him upwards. Sektor teleports again, grabs Sub-Zero and slams him into the ground.

Sektor was about to finish him with a missile point blank to the face until he was suddenly stabbed in the left shoulder by an ice scythe. He looks up and sees it came from Frost. She glares at him with great hatred for what he did to her. Sektor decides to ignore Sub-Zero and fight Frost instead. Frost and Sektor switch between defense and offense. Sektor kicks her stomach, her chest, grabs her by the throat and slams her to the ground face first. Frost spin kicks and trips Sektor. She lifts him back up and swings ice scythes at his right arm and shoulder and then slams them onto his head, but he managed to catch the swing at the last minute and kick her backwards. Frost stands there and smiles. Sektor quickly sees this and turns around. Sub-Zero plunges two ice axes into his sides before kicking him down. He summons a bigger axe and slams it into his robotic face. Sub-Zero uses it as leverage as the axe slides down to Sektor's chest and raises him into the air and slams him into the ground, breaking the ice axes. Sektor is on one leg and is heavily damaged. His face is partially destroyed, and his circuits in the chest and right arm are also destroyed. Sub-Zero uses this chance to freeze the majority of his body like before. This time, Sub-Zero uses another ice axe to decapitate Sektor and his head drops down to the ground. Sub-Zero lifts Sektor's head and freezes it before throwing a final punch to it. The head shatters to pieces and his entire fist is covered in blood. With Sektor's death, all of the cyber lin kuei have been shut down once again.

"Grandmaster." Frost said. She approaches him with great sorrow.

"Frost. Forgive me. I intended to save you. Now you're one of them again." Sub-Zero said with guilt on his face.

"No. It is I who asks you. I bought you time to escape and look where this has gotten me. I attacked you and tried to kill you. How can I make amends?" Frost asked, bending her head down.

"All is forgiven my best student. What is important is you have returned to us. We must fight side by side with each other once more. Are you with me, Frost?" Sub-Zero asked, offering his hand. Frost shakes it.

"As stealthy as the night, deadly as the dawn." Frost said. She and her grandmaster go to rejoin Smoke and Cyrax and help fight their way to the Sky Temple. But there are many other enemies that still need to be taken down. Next was Skarlet.

Jacqui and Jade have been working together to fight off many undead and clones. Thankfully they no longer have to deal with the Cyber Lin Kuei. That is until Skarlet came in. "Skarlet. I hope you missed us." Jacqui sarcastically said.

"Why, yes I did. I have been looking forward to facing you two again. Your blood has been satisfying in the past. But I remember savoring Cassandra's and Alex's blood. It will be all worth abandoning the Red Dragon when I had my chance." Skarlet said.

"You are nothing but a blood hound to Shao Kahn, Skarlet. You have taken enough blood today, yesterday, and before so in the Old Era. Not ever again." Jade said. They fight Skarlet 2 on 1.

Skarlet brings out a blood scythe and goes for Jade first. They swing their own weapons at each other. Skarlet swings her weapon upward, but misses. This gives Jade a chance as she slams her staff into Skarlet's left knee, cracking it. She then swings it down on her left shoulder and swings her staff at the left rib cage and back, sending her to Jacqui. Jacqui punches her right shoulder and right waist, cyber kicks her left rib cage, cracking it and does a swing kick across the head. Jacqui grabs her and jumps and elbow strikes her head, cracking the back of her skull. Skarlet pushes Jacqui away and kicks her right waist, chops her left shoulder and and backflip kicks her in the chin. She then uses blood tentacles to grab her by the feet. Skarlet approaches her to try to drain her blood, but Jacqui shoots bullets in her feet, allowing her to break free from the tentacles. Jacqui slams her down to the ground and grabs her right leg and breaks it literally.

"That was for me and Cassie." Jacqui said, giving her the middle finger.

Skarlet is on one leg and can't even stand. Jade approaches her and uses her staff to slice off both her arms and legs, causing Skarlet to fall down. Jade then slices off Skarlet's head and launches it through the air and stabs it through the mouth with her staff. Skarlet's head drops down to the floor with her body as blood is spewing everywhere. "And that was for me and Alex."

Jacqui glared at Skarlet's remains once more before turning to Jade. "You were not kidding when you said you wanted some payback."

"That is what happens when she dares touches anyone that suffered at her hands. That includes you, Jacquline." Jade tells her.

"I appreciate the thought. Thanks." Jacqui smiled and nod at her before they return to battle.

Meanwhile, Hanzo meets and fights Mileena and Tanya. "You have always picked enemies poorly, Mileena."

"Is that right? Then maybe this will be too easy for me, Scorpion." Mileena said.

"That is no longer my name. I am Hanzo Hasashi. You? You are nothing compared to Kitana." Hanzo said.

"I shall throw your head into the Sea of Blood when I am finished with you!" Mileena growled in anger before they fight 2 on 1.

Mileena fires blasts from her sais which Hanzo deflects with his flaming chain spears. He then throws them around her body and pulls her towards Hanzo, allowing him to a fiery kick to the face and a swing fiery kick across the head. He then jumps and knees her neck, stabs her right shoulder and backflip kicks her chest, sending her into the air. Hanzo teleports and spin kicks Tanya in the spine, sending her flying down. Tanya and Hanzo's fire kicks collide with each other. Tanya teleports beside Hanzo, but he was too quick for her. Hanzo once more swings his chain spears at her arms, making them bleed greatly and runs one of them through her right rib cage, breaking it. Hanzo pulls her towards him and jump punches her face, knocking her out. Mileena gets back up and spin rolls towards his ankles. Hanzo teleports but Mileena was prepared. She spin rolls backwards, sending him into the air. Mileena grabs Hanzo, stabs his shoulders, swings at his back, making it bleed a little, handstand kicks his head and grabs his neck with her legs and throws him down, chest first. Hanzo recovers and was ready. Hanzo teleports behind her and does a series of kicks and teleports and she is sent flying everywhere. Grandmaster Hasashi delivers a fiery punch to the stomach and a punch the the head, cracking her skull. Mileena falls over, and Hanzo stomps on her chest, also greatly damaging it. Mileena lays there defeated.

"Your father would have been ashamed of Shang Tsung's creation." Hanzo said.

While Nightwolf engages Rain, both Cyrax and Smoke fight Reptile. Reptile fires acid out of his mouth, making Smoke fire a smoke ball to stop it. They collide and explode. When the fog clears, Reptile is nowhere to be seen. They look around for him. Reptile is climbing the trees to get the jump on them. Reptile jumps off to attack Cyrax, but he senses this and throws a saw blade through Reptile's left shoulder, causing him to fall down and injure himself. Reptile snarls, but was caught by Smoke in surprise. Smoke kicks his lower spine and front flip kicks his already injured left shoulder, cracking it and double kicks his back, sending him to Cyrax. He uses his arm gauntlets and sends it towards his right hip, making him bleed. Cyrax then defeats him with a punch to the forehead, a stab to the right kneecap and a frontflip kick on top of his head.

"So much for protectors of Earthrealm. First, you have lost your closest friend Raiden. And now your friend Liu Kang cowers in fear. They're too afraid to fight me. Instead, they choose to sacrifice their allies, starting with you." Rain said.

"You do not know Liu Kang like I do. The Great Spirit believes in him. He will bring peace and prosperity unlike you. Your ambitions threaten the realms." Nightwolf said.

"Whoever your Great Spirit is, she is not wrong about that." Rain said before they fight.

Rain fires water from his palm which Nightwolf blocks by swinging his tomahawk in fast circles. Rain uses this chance to roundhouse kick his head, teleport and swing kick him in the upper spine, sending him down. Nightwolf gets back up and throws his tomahawk. Rain changes into water and the axe phases through him. As soon as he changes back, Nightwolf elbows his right shoulder, knees his chest and shoulder bashes him backwards followed by a strong tomahawk swing to the right shoulder, damaging it and making blood fly out. Nightwolf swings an arm at his left shoulder, punches his forehead and gives the gut a strong kick, scooping Rain off his feet. Rain evaporates into water, causing Nightwolf to miss. Rain reappears and punches him across the face, grabs his arm, stabs it with his kamadhar and swing kicks the back of his head. Nightwolf growls at this. Rain throws projectiles from the weapons which Nightwolf counters with spirit arrows. Rain dashes towards him, but Nightwolf uses his bear spirit power to counter him. Nightwolf swings swings the tomahawk at his chest, making it bleed and cuts his right arm, uppercuts him by the jaw and slams the nonsharp endpoint of his weapon onto Rain's head. Rain falls over defeated.

"The Great Spirit's doubts about you should rather be unfortunate for you, Rain." Nightwolf said.

Things seem to be looking up for the heroes. The Cyber Lin Kuie are shut down and plenty of clones and undead are falling victim. Despite that, they are losing more people on their side too. As the battle goes on, Kenshi senses something from his transmitter. He pushes it and plays the message.

"Because those soldiers are stronger than many of you combined. You know what? Fuck your tricks! Fuck your amusement! There's nothing here but Kombat! You want to party, huh? Alright then! Let's party!" Kabal said.

"Perhaps I haven't broken enough bones. Too many times you have failed Kano and the Black Dragon. I have heard you killed him personally. Why Sonya Blade chose to spare you makes me laugh. I don't pity weak." Shao Kahn said

Kenshi listens to the fight between Kabal and Shao Kahn. It has ended with Shao Kahn being victorious after breaking Kabal and some of his bones. He then overhears him and Jerrod ordering the brainwashed Shokans to take him, Sonya and Johnny to Edenia as prisoners of war. Kenshi holds his sword more tightly as he realizes what just happened. He turns his head in the direction of where Shao Kahn and his forces are coming.


The heroes seem to making good progress trying to reach the Keep and confront Geras. Shao Kahn's followers are down. But the question remains where is Shao Kahn himself? He's nowhere to be seen.

Kitana and her armies are all fighting in the rear. They remain suspicious. She can't help but feel worried about what is going on.

"I do not understand. I have not heard word from anyone. We lost all contact with Major General Blade and her side of the Special Forces. No word from Sheeva and the Shokans. Or mother. Or father." Kitana feels saddened.

Kung Lao slices dozens of undead in half and beats many to death. "They shouldn't be taking this long. I received word that Shao Kahn's followers are down. Sektor is gone and so is Skarlet." Kung Lao said. As they fight side by side, they notice something. "Who's that coming towards us?" He pointed in the direction. He can't quite make it out.

Kitana looks through a telescope. She could not believe her eyes. She sees Shao Kahn commanding the Shokan and Edenian warriors. Kitana can't find Sindel or Sheeva. But she has found someone else with him. "By the gods. Damn you, father!" Kitana glares at him and Shao Kahn as they make their way towards them.

Shao Kahn, the brainwashed Jerrod and Shao Kahn's forces March their way to the armies of Outworld. Kung Lao has already sent word for assistance from the Shirai Ryu. They and Kotal continue fighting the undead and clones but as Shao Kahn starts getting closer, they have no choice but to kill some of the Shokans too and Edenians if they have to.

"Now. Where are Kitana and Kotal?" Shao Kahn asked. "They can't hide forever." They both see something coming their way.

Kitana, Kung Lao, and Kotal fight their way through the rear, knocking out or killing many on their way. Kung Lao's hat is flying through the air, killing many undead, and Shokans as possible. That was until Jerrod catches it with his finger tips.

"Nobody is hiding, Shao Kahn. You failed many times at the Elder Gods' hands. And you failed again in the Kolosseum and in Edenia." Kung Lao said. "And that belongs to me, King Jerrod."

Jerrod throws the hat back and Kung Lao catches it. Albeit without his hand being cut. Kung Lao glared before turning back to them. Kitana and Kung Lao catch up to him and confront. Kitana then sees what is actually going on.

"Father. What has father done to bewitch you? How? When did this happen?" Kitana tries to snap him out of it.

"Poor Kitana. Did you honestly believe that your plan to march to the Sky Temple would go off without a hitch? Geras knew this would happen in case his incompetence got the best of him. I placed a hex on your father, knowing that you would succeed into retrieving his body from the Netherrealm because I let you." Shao Kahn explained.

"I have never felt more alive than ever. You were a fool to believe that everything would just be normal again after my resurrection. It cost you your friend Raiden. And your mother has paid for what she has done." Jerrod said.

"Please. Do not tell me that you just killed your own wife. We fought through hell and back to bring you to life. What has she done to you?" Kitana said.

"Naive child. I have her locked up in Edenia with Sheeva and your Earthrealmer friends. Sindel betrayed me. She let me die. She stood there and did nothing. She would have fought too, but she was a coward. Sindel believes that we are no better than commoners. She cared more about herself than anyone. Disowned my name. That's why she left you with my one true master. You were a bigger fool for leaving him to side with Raiden." Jerrod said.

Kitana could not believe everything she just heard. Her worst nightmare was seeing either him or Sindel saying such cruel words. Kung Lao and Kotal both feel pretty pissed off.

"You dare talk about your own family? In front of your own daughter? In front of Shao Kahn?" Kotal said.

"Leave the man be, Kotal. You owe me Kombat along with Liu Kang, Kitana and Alex Cage. I'll kill them once I am finished with you." Shao Kahn said. He separates from Jerrod, who stays behind to fight his daughter and Kung Lao.

Shao Kahn swings his wrath hammer which Kotal blocks with his two sickles. The conqueror slowly managed to get the upper hand against his former general, disarming him of his own weapons and kicks him back.

"Your suppression will not stand. Anyone would make a better empire than you. Tyranny never wins!" Kotal said before they resume fighting.

Shao Kahn and Kotal swing their giant hammers and swords respectively. Shao Kahn is once again getting the best of his former general when their weapons collide. Kotal thinks quickly and knees him in the crotch area and takes a chance to slice his chest, making it bleed quickly and making the conqueror drop his sword. Shao Kahn ducks another swing and grabs the sword and tosses it away. Kotal kicks his chest, sliding him away. He then punches his right shoulder, across the face, uppercuts his chin and slams both fists down on his face. Kotal grabs his former master's throat and holds him to a tree, intending to choke him. Shao Kahn grabs both of Kotal's wrists and crushes them long enough and slams a fist into his face. Kotal goes for another punch, only for Shao Kahn to parry it and punch his left shoulder and right waist. Kotal keeps trying to counter, only to be kicked in the face twice, punched in the chest, cracking it. Shao Kahn then kicks his right leg, cracking it, elbowing his chest and punching his left shoulder and grabbing his head and slam it onto his knee. He then grabs the former general by the arm, knees his spine and headbutts Kotal and throws him onto the ground. Kotal's face is covered in alot of blood as he laid there defeated.

"You've always underestimated my power, General Kotal." Shao Kahn said.

Kitana and Kung Lao both fight the brainwashed King Jerrod while Shao Kahn fought Kotal simultaneously. "You are not yourself. You are breaking your family's hearts. Shao Kahn knows nothing about heart and family." Kung Lao said.

"And I suppose a mere monk such as yourself know anything about family? Shao Kahn told me that heart is for the weak willed people." Jerrod said.

"That's because he doesn't know what love really is. Even towards his creation which he calls his daughter Mileena. Remember mother. Remember Edenia and its people." Kitana said.

"Quiet, child. If you were a queen of Edenia, you would have brought disaster. Soon you will witness our true wrath and show punishment to those who defy me." Jerrod said. They resume fighting 2 on 1.

Jerrod swings his sword which Kitana fights back with her fans. Kitana is faster, but Jerrod is more skilled. He disarms one of her arms with his sword and roundhouse kicks her in the back of the head. Kitana jumps back and throws her other fan at him which he deflects, but it comes back to her. She blocks a sword swing and kicks him in the chest and chin, stumbling and sending him to Kung Lao. The monk throws rapid punches at his chest and face and elbows him downwards. Jerrod rolls back up and Kung Lao swings his hat which the brainwashed king counters with his sword. They were both pretty fast paced until Kung Lao spins him into the air, jumps and throws him into the ground. Jerrod growls in anger and he jumps and does rapid kicks and kicks Kung Lao's hat out of his hand and knees his jaw, roundhouse kicks his head, elbows his chest and grabs his throat and throws him down. Jerrod was about to execute him but Kitana comes in and jumps on his back and rolls him away from Kung Lao. Kitana backflip kicks him into the air, throws her daggers into his shoulders, cracking them. She grabs Jerrod, throws him down and the daggers dig deeper into his shoulder and knees him the back of the head. Jerrod falls in defeat.

"Forgive me, father." Kitana said.

Kung Lao goes to check on them. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I am fine. I do not know how long until he wakes up." Kitana said, looking sad at her father.

They both turn to see about half the brainwashed warriors and Shokan feel dazed as soon as Jerrod was defeated. "The hex. When we defeated your father, it must have broken the curse on them. They were connected to him." Kung Lao said.

"Of course. You're right. That means the other half are connected-" Kitana is cut off when the conqueror spoke.

"To me. Jerrod is not the only one I can hex under my will." Shao Kahn said, standing over Kotal's unconscious body. "I now have control over his big Osh-Tekk army. Despite them being weaker, they will do for now. I still have control over half the Shokan and Edenians. Kill them!" Shao Kahn ordered them. Before they could even surround the two, the restored Shokan and Edenians recover just in time to help defend them. Kitana and Kung Lao fight against the other brainwashed while Jerrod and Kotal were dragged away for safety. Shao Kahn manages to sneak away with even more of his own men, including the hexed Osh-Tekk. He glares at Jerrod's body in disgust, as if to call him useless.


Things still look good at the Sky Temple. The heroes are still trying their best to get past Geras' huge army and get to the Keep and the hourglass. Fujin flies Jax to the heroes to catch up with them. Before they could do anything, they notice someone behind them. They see Shao Kahn and many Osh-Tekk, edenians and Shokan under his control.

"I was wondering where the mean son of a bitch has been." Jax said.

"It appears he has hexed them to his side. Still no word from Sonya Blade or Sindel. Shao Kahn must have something to do with it. Go. Warn the others." Fujin tells him. Jax obliges and runs after his daughter and the others. Fujin then sees Fire God Liu Kang come flying in.

"Fujin. The crown. Something has went wrong with my visions. Shao Kahn arrived with an unexpected plan. I must wield it against him if we are to win." Liu Kang said.

"But you must save your strength for Geras. I will handle it." Fujin said.

"I understand your judgement. But you are inexperienced with it. Please. I do not wish something horrible to happen to you." Liu Kang said.

Fujin thought for a moment. He decided to hand Liu Kang the crown. He holds it in his hands. They both see Kenshi come in. He seems really pissed off. "Your lies have been revealed, sorcerer!"

Liu Kang attacks both Kenshi and Fujin with firepower, knocking them back. It isn't him at all. It was actually Shang Tsung in disguise. "You should have been more vigilant, wind god. Now you will witness as I will have the power to control destiny." Shang Tsung said. He puts on the new crown and he is glowing with power. His appearance has changed entirely. His sorcerer robes have changed to armor, resembling what Geras wears, given to him by Kronika. He no longer has the old man appearance. Shang Tsung is now younger with black hair and no facial hair or wrinkles.

"This has been your plan all along, hasn't it, Shang Tsung? From the moment your memories were restored by Geras." Fujin glared at him while he floats.

"Geras was a fool to restore me. Kronika on the other hand was wise to dispose of me during the merging of the past and present. She knew she had no more use for me when she chose Alex instead." Shang Tsung said. "Now that I have the power, I will be more than Geras' equal. More powerful than Kronika."

"Your evil will not triumph." Kenshi said. He throws his sword and uses telepathy to guide it to kill him. But the sorcerer's enhanced reflexes allowed him to easily dodge all of his attacks. Fujin flies up to try to fight him, but he grabs the wind god's legs and throws him down and fires fire skulls and incapitates him and Kenshi.

Shang Tsung descends down to the ground. Sub-Zero and Hanzo kill more undead before they both glare up at the sorcerer. They are prepared to face him once and for all. "You have always been nothing but a lying snake, Shang Tsung. How predictable." Sub-Zero said.

"What will be my prediction is you two will be the last grandmasters of your clans that will ever exist." Shang Tsung said.

"That will not happen. If we fall by your hands. Then our titles will be passed down." Hanzo said. They both fight the enhanced sorcerer.

Sub-Zero shoots ice at Shang Tsung, which he counters by shooting fire. Hanzo teleports to stab him, but the sorcerer sidesteps the killing move and double kicks Hanzo into Sub-Zero. Liang gets back up and tends to slide into him, but Shang Tsung lifts him in the air and slams his fists down into his chest, cracking it. Hanzo jumps to swing his sword and dagger at Shang Tsung, but the sorcerer steps back and palm strikes his right waist, punches his face and does a swing kick across the face. The sorcerer then punches his forehead and pelvis area and kicks his chest, sending him into the air. Shang Tsung uses his magic and slams Hanzo down to the ground twice, defeating him. Sub-Zero comes back in and throws sharp ice blades towards Shang Tsung, which he easily dodges. Grandmaster Liang manages to land a back kick to the back of the head and cuts his arm and stabs it with another blade. But the sorcerer's arm quickly heals itself and knees Sub-Zero's chest, palm strikes his right shoulder and elbow strikes his head. Shang Tsung charges and kicks Sub-Zero's chest, cracking it and sending him backwards. The sorcerer was not finished. He uses his powers to pull Sub-Zero in and blasts his feet, scoops him off his feet via tripping, kicks his back and holds him in the air and lands a curve punch down onto his head, sending Sub-Zero down in defeat.

"Your clans will die with you." Shang Tsung said. He approaches the two defeated grandmasters and holds out his hands and he starts absorbing their souls. He smiles in gloating as they scream in agony. The sorcerer can feel their powers, but before he can finished, he is interrupted by the arrival of Kenshi and Fujin.

"Their souls are not yours to take." Fujin said as they approach.

"Their souls are mine. Yours and Kenshi's are the next that will be mine." Shang Tsung said. "They will be useful in my service in a future. A future that is inevitable."

"That future will not come to pass, sorcerer. It is time you pay for your crimes. For all that you have done." Kenshi said before they fight.

Kenshi uses his telekinesis to guide his sword to try to kill the sorcerer. Shang Tsung once again avoided every blow. Kenshi tries to come close for physical attacks, but the sorcerer was able to block every single attack. Shang Tsung chop strikes his head, kicks his left leg, sends his fiery fingers covered in metal claws, uppercuts Kenshi and burning his chin and punches his face, left rib cage, cracking it and then a strong kick to the chest, cracking it and easily defeating Kenshi. Fujin comes in and they both fly into the air. Fujin attempted to strike him, but Shang Tsung managed to avoid and block every blow. He grabs the wind god by the leg and throws him down, but Fujin recovers just in time. Fujin tries to unleash a series of spinning air kicks on the sorcerer and continuous swings from his sword as it spins around him. But Shang Tsung flies above Fujin and slams both fists down on his hand, sending the wind god crashing into the ground, defeating him as well.

"Your fates are now destined by me." Shang Tsung said. He looks at his other defeated enemies and also takes the majority of their souls. Shao Kahn arrives just in time while everyone else is staying back fighting Shao Kahn's forces as well.

"Well done, Shang Tsung. It is time to finish them." Shao Kahn suggested. Before he could bring out a weapon, Shang Tsung steps up.

"I have a better plan for them. We can siphon their power for eternity." Shang Tsung offered.

Shao Kahn smiles. He likes the idea. He gestures two hexed shokans to come and take them away. Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung continue through the Sky Temple while the Shokan tend to take Fujin and Kenshi away. Before a portal could come, Takeda and Jacqui come in and kill the two Shokan and bomb the other ones.

Takeda bends over to his fallen father. He tries to shake him awake but he gets no response. Takeda tries to hold back the tears in his eyes. Then his sadness turned to anger. He was about to go fight them, but Jacqui grabs his shoulder.

"Takeda, don't. You've seen what Shang Tsung can do with the crown. You can't beat him." Jacqui said.

"What are we supposed to do? We can't just sit around here and wait for the end of the world." Takeda said.

"Don't worry. Liu Kang, Cetrion and Alex will come. I just know. They'll stop them and Geras. We gotta have faith in them." Jacqui looks at him. Takeda looks at his wife and turns back to his father and Fujin. He reluctantly sighs and nods. All they can do is stall the enemy and hope for some good news. They notice that Shao Kahn's followers are attacking not just them, but Geras, army too. What is going on?


Note: So I noticed a lot of people are comparing this story to Aftermath. It was my intention to do so. I'll be honest, I was let down by how it turned out just like a lot of people were. And I thought I would help make it better, have it make more sense, fix some issues and make everyone else important in hopes of pleasing everyone. The best thing about the Aftermath story was Shang Tsung. I loved his role and his voice actor. I apologize if I'm making things too similar to Aftermath. But next chapter will be the finale.