(The scene opens at the Dawn of Time. From afar, we see an outstretch of rock, and on that rock is the Hourglass of Time. As the camera zooms in, we see two figures in front of the hourglass. One is the Fire God Liu Kang, who has just knocked the other - Kronika, the Keeper of Time - to her knees. As Kronika rises, Liu Kang charges up a fireball and blasts her straight in the chest. He shoots three more, each striking the helpless Kronika, before charging up a final blast that shoots out from his hands like a flamethrower. The blast engulfs Kronika entirely, and when it ends, we see that her entire body has molded into what looks like molten organic glass. Liu Kang approaches the now crystalline form of Kronika. He chops her outstretched hand, shattering her arm to the elbow, then repeats the motion with her other arm, shattering that too. Growling in fury, he roundhouse kicks her across the face, and her entire head explodes into pieces. He then contemptuously pushes down what remains of her body, letting it break apart completely upon impacting with the ground. With the Titan of Time lying dead at his feet, Liu Kang closes his eyes, trying to find focus again...)
Raiden: Our work is finished, Liu Kang.
(Liu Kang opens his eyes and looks around. Behind him stands Raiden...but something is different. Raiden's attire is the same from before, but his voice no longer reverberates with power.)
Liu Kang: Lord Raiden.
(Raiden looks up at him. There is no electric blue glow in his eyes. His pupils are brown and look entirely human.)
Raiden: I am merely Raiden, now. You have proven worthy to take my place as the new Protector of Earthrealm, once it is restored.
Liu Kang: You honor me, Raiden.
(Liu Kang clasps his hands and bows.)
Raiden: The honor is mine, Lord Liu Kang. The sands of time are yours to shape. It falls upon you to architect a new history.
Liu Kang: The fate of all realms... in my hands? Raiden, I cannot do this alone.
Raiden: I shall advise you for as long as my mortality allows. But have no doubt, you are up to the task.
Liu Kang: Then together, let us begin.
(As Liu Kang turns to the hourglass, the title of the DLC appears across the sky for a few moments, before fading out: "MORTAL KOMBAT 11: REVERSION" As the new God of Fire and Thunder begins to motion with his hands, the sands inside the hourglass begin to shift, while turquoise time magic reverberates off both. However, that's not all that happens - the hourglass itself begins to crack across its glass surface. Liu Kang seems a little perplexed by this, but still continues to manipulate the sands within. Suddenly, a fiery portal opens to his right and a voice shouts from within)
Unseen: Cease, Liu Kang, before you doom us all!
(Kang looks to the portal. Three figures step through, followed by forty-four others concealed in shadow at first through the brightness of the portal, but as they step closer the figures become recognizable. Jason Lee Scott and Tommy Oliver in their prime as Rangers, along with fellow heroes Andros from KO-35, Leo Corbett of Terra Venture, Jack Landors and his commanding officer Anubis "Doggie" Cruger, Tyler Navarro and Sir Ivan of Zandar, and Devon Daniels appear along with eight of their enemies. Next to appear are Lok Lambert, Sophie Casterwill, Dante Vale, Zhalia Moon, and the Blood Spiral Casterwill Hunters Kiel and Marduk, along with all their Titans. Joining those present are the 'Bang Babies' Static, Gear, Ebon, Rubberband Man, Hotstreak, and Kangor. Also arriving on the scene are the heroes Geo-Force and Terra before they were converted to evil, Robin the Boy Wonder, and Superboy. Also appearing is a man carrying a golden pyramid puzzle around his chest, who is soon revealed to be the man who spoke up before. Along with him are several others with what looks to be sword-like items, and a woman sporting a red fedora hat and Trench Coat is the last to arrive.
Raiden: What trickery is this?
Dante Vale: The same thing I was going to ask you. But it looks like you've got a problem, just when you think you don't.
Raiden: And what would that be?
Dante Vale: Well, it would appear as though that Hourglass won't function properly without a power source.
Raiden: You speak of the Crown of Kronika.
Zhalia Moon: Exactly. Without it, it looks like you've wasted time all on your own.
Carmen Sandiego: But I know a way in which we can get it to use the power properly, and just the tool to help.
Ebon: And that would be...?
Zhalia Moon: I think that thing is a Chronoskimmer. If we use that...
Vector: Then that crown is as good as recovered! So, what are we waiting for?
(The unlikely group zaps back to the past just as a sandstorm has erupted in the Koliseum, sending the crowd and even some soldiers into a panic. Kotal Kahn is distracted by the spectacle, but Kollector keeps calm. He notices that one of the soldiers pinning him in place has taken his grip off the pole he was holding. Without hesitation, Kollector seizes the chance given to him. He ducks low and swipes to his left, both unbalancing the other soldiers and striking them with their own poles. They are all sent sprawling to the ground. Kollector focuses on one of them and impales the poor man straight through the chest with one of the sharpened poles. As the soldier screams in agony, Kollector pivots the pole upwards, dragging the soldier down it and right into Kollector's hands. Grinning sadistically, Kollector takes the keys to the neck brace from the soldier's belt and undoes the lock keeping the brace together. He shakes it off as the now-dead soldier crumples to the ground, still impaled on the pole. Several tornadoes have sprouted up in the Koliseum, and much like they did on Earthrealm, they dispel people from them: the blood mage Skarlet, a younger Erron Black, the savage Tarkatan known as Baraka, a young and bald-shaven Kano and most tellingly, Outworld's previous Emperor - Shao Kahn. But the remaining tornadoes in the Koliseum bring forth other people instead - Liu Kang, Kitana, Kung Lao and Jade - not the dead revenants of the current era, but fully alive. Out of the final tornado steps Raiden - not his dark counterpart, but the Raiden of yesteryear, who summons his signature blue lightning as the tornado dies down. The tornadoes have also brought in numerous Outworld soldiers-loyal minions of Shao Kahn, who stand close by their Emperor. For long moments, the crowd remains silent, taking in the spectacle before them. Kotal Kahn looks around as well, pausing to note that the statues that once bore his likeness have now been replaced by those of Shao Kahn. He approaches the new arrivals.)
Kotal Kahn: Raiden? Shao Kahn?
Shao Kahn: General Kotal?
(The two Kahns step toward one another.)
Kotal Kahn: Kotal Kahn.
Shao Kahn: Kahn? Pathetic fool. You pretend to my throne!
Kotal Kahn: It is mine, by right and deed. You were killed, long ago, as was your repugnant spawn, Mileena.
Raiden: We were at the Mortal Kombat tournament. Kung Lao had just defeated Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.
Kotal Kahn: We are decades beyond those events.
Raiden: For us, they happened only moments ago.
Shao Kahn: What game are you playing, Raiden? What magic powers this delusion?
Raiden: If it is a delusion, it is one we all share. Is it possible that the past and future are colliding?
(Kotal looks around at the newcomers.)
Kotal Kahn: Kitana, Baraka, Skarlet - all Outworld champions long since gone. If you have all returned, has-
(Jade suddenly steps forward, clear joy in her eyes.)
Jade: I am here, Kotal.
(Kotal's eyes are wide open in disbelief.)
Kotal Kahn: Jade...
(The moment is ruined as Shao Kahn shoves Jade aside to face Kotal down. The current Kahn of Outworld keeps his composure. Behind him, his soldiers and those of Shao Kahn have readied their weapons.)
Kotal Kahn: Osh-Tekk custom requires all refugees be offered assistance. I offer it to you, Shao Kahn.
Shao Kahn: I am no refugee! I am Kahn of Outworld! Vacate my throne-(He points toward the throne, then at Kotal.)-or I'll soak these sands with your blood!
(With a gesture, Shao Kahn magically summons his warhammer and charges at Kotal, who parries the blow with a swing of his sword. He parries another, but Shao shoulder checks Kotal while he's off balance. Kotal recovers quickly though and slams his blade through Shao's left shoulder, drawing blood. The former Emperor roars in anger and pushes to his feet, driving Kotal back. He swings his hammer down, forcing Kotal to block again. This time, the two weapons grind against one another as both kombatants attempt to overpower the other.)
Marduk(chuckles): Looks like we got here in the nick of time.
Joey Wheeler: Yeah. And it also looks like we got here without anybody noticing, right Yuge?
Yugi Muto(having just switched with his other self): Yeah, but now we need to keep it that way.
Jaden Yuki: By getting out of here?
Crow Hogan: Sounds good to me.
(They start to flee just as things start to get more and more intense)
Liu Kang: Lord Raiden... what do we do?
Raiden: I have not met Kotal, but he is reputed to be a man of honor.
(Jade runs up to both men while Raiden is speaking.)
Jade: It's true. I know him well.
Raiden: Then we must navigate this crisis by aiding him.
(Meanwhile, our other group is trying to avoid the conflict, until they are blocked by the young Erron Black)
Erron Black: Going somewhere, hombres?
Yugi Muto: We don't want to cause any trouble, so just move aside.
Erron Black: No can-do, partner.(Soon enough, he and the other kombatants present are met with a surprising shock)
Yugi Muto: YU-GI-OH!
Atem: Just because you're looking for a fight, doesn't mean I won't give you one. In fact, 'he' might.(He summons his Berfomet)
Erron Black: What the... A flying Shokan? Doesn't matter, I'm taking it down!
(They fight. Erron Black fights with deadly precision and with no honor, but his tactics are ones that Beformet can counter easy, and he overcomes them with his strength and prowess. After a brief melee, Black is soon left down and out.)
Atem: A well-fought duel nonetheless.
Kiel: Not bad, but now everyone here is bound to notice us now.(As he says this, Baraka growls from behind them)
Baraka: You interlopers dare cross into Outworld?
Atem: Oh, it's more than dare, and my 'loyal warrior' can cut you down in my stead.(He summons his Buster Blader)
Baraka: Ha, at least my weaponry can match his!
(They fight. Yet while fighting with fists is not something the Buster Blader is good at; luck seems to be the only thing that helps defeat Baraka)
Atem: Just stay down.
(This victory comes at a good moment, as Kotal has bested Shao Kahn. Before Kotal can finish his opponent though, a plague of insects swarms into the Koliseum. Kotal looks into the sky and realises at once who it is.)
Kotal Kahn: D'Vorah.
(The insects swarm around Kotal, forcing him to shield his face. Across the Koliseum, the insects have swarmed every other kombatant as well, incapacitating all of them. As Shao Kahn rises to his knees, a sand portal opens behind him. He turns to find the Kytinn herself emerging from the portal.)
D'Vorah: Shao Kahn! To me!
(Without hesitation, Shao Kahn runs into the portal. Skarlet, Kano, the younger Erron Black, Baraka and Kollector all follow right after him. Realizing that this could lead them to Kronika, Zhalia quickly casts Logosbook for her and Dante as she, Carmen, Ebon, Hotstreak, the Barian Emperors, the Spiral Hunters, and the Ranger villains follow them. D'Vorah pauses only long enough to hiss contemptuously at Kotal before stepping into the sand portal, which closes after her.)
Kotal Kahn: I have not known stranger days.
Raiden: Kotal Kahn. I am Raiden, Protector of Earthrealm.
Kotal Kahn: I know you.
Raiden: We are acquainted in your era?
Kotal Kahn: We were allies who became enemies.
Raiden: I am surprised, given our shared antipathy toward Shao
Kahn.
Kotal Kahn: Everything changed after your defeat of Shinnok.
Liu Kang: Shinnok's defeated?
Kotal Kahn: Our realms joined to fight him. But in victory, you were hardened. To protect Earthrealm, you lashed out at all realms you deemed threats.
(Raiden looks downcast as this revelation.)
Raiden: That... cannot be.
Kotal Kahn: My Raiden wears Shinnok's amulet as a symbol of his fury.
Raiden: Be assured, Kotal Kahn, I am not that Raiden. We have common cause. Both in solving this temporal crisis and in defeating Shao Kahn.
Kotal Kahn: Agreed.
Raiden: Liu Kang, Kung Lao and I will return to Earthrealm and learn what temporal anomalies have occurred there. We must better understand the phenomenon we are experiencing.
Kotal Kahn: I will have my scouts track Shao Kahn.
(While they are speaking, Liu Kang walks over to Kitana.)
Liu Kang: So, this is goodbye.
Kitana: Only goodbye for now. I can't leave while Shao Kahn threatens Outworld. I must seek justice for what he did to my family and to all Edenia.
Liu Kang: I will come back for you- to aid you, Princess.
Lok Lambert: Looks like we're splitting up too.
Joey Wheeler: Aw well, I can't imagine what this version of Earth is like right now anyway.
Geo-Force: But until we can solve this mystery and recover the crown, this may be the only way.
Dante Vale: A wise choice.
(The scene cuts to D'Vorah's Lost Hive, hidden underground in an unknown section of Outworld. Shao Kahn faces the Kytinn herself, with Kollector, Skarlet, Erron Black, Kano, Zhalia and her group and Baraka waiting in the background.)
Shao Kahn: You evade my questions, D'Vorah. I routed your people. Burned this hive. Yet you aid me.
(Behind Shao Kahn, Kollector has donned some more fancier clothing, including a hood that covers his head. He approaches the former Emperor from behind.)
Kollector: We can't trust her, Excellency. Kotal Kahn did, and she betrayed him to Shinnok.
Shao Kahn: Kotal Kahn...(He spits out the word "Kahn" with as much contempt as he can muster.)How is it I'm dead and he sits on my throne?
Kollector: You tried merging Earthrealm into Outworld. The Elder Gods intervened, and Raiden killed you. That's when Mileena became Kahn.
D'Vorah: After This One killed your daughter, Kotal claimed the throne.
(D'Vorah's statement whips Shao Kahn into a frenzy.)
Shao Kahn: You killed Mileena?! If this is true, YOU WILL DIE!
(As Shao Kahn raises his fist to attack, D'Vorah sprouts her stingers from her back. They are both interrupted before coming to blows by a sandstorm that dies down as quickly as it was formed. Emerging from that storm is Kronika, alongside two minions of hers. One is a woman clothed in a long-hooded garment that conceals everything except the blue mask on the lower half on her face. The second is what appears to be a large dark-skinned man, but upon closer inspection is an artificial construct in the form of a human being. The three of them approach Shao Kahn and D'Vorah.)
Kronika: D'Vorah is under my protection, Shao Kahn. As are you. I am Kronika.
Zhalia Moon(thinking): That's Kronika?
Shao Kahn: The legends are true?
Kronika: I am displeased with how history has unfolded.
Shao Kahn: So you broke time?
Kronika: I stopped time. I enlist all those who disdain the current course of history. By merging past and present, we may draw upon allies from both eras.
Shao Kahn: How will fighting your battles benefit me?
Kronika: I offer a greater empire in the New Era, Shao Kahn. Raiden will not exist to thwart you.
Shao Kahn: You can wipe Raiden from history?
Kronika: It is an immense task, requiring great power and effort. My hourglass requires protection while I work. Will your Outworld armies defend it?
Shao Kahn: They shall.
(As she moves across the Hive, browsing through the other warriors, something catches her eye)
Kronika: You! Hmmm, what can I make of you?
Geras: Well, this one is clearly wicked and rotten to the core. Those two sounds like they're brute material, with a hint of tracker. These guys are of the same kind of ruling class as Kahn, and the other eight sound really nasty. But this one...
Zhalia Moon: Huh?!
Geras: I think might be even worse.
Zhalia Moon: Well, when you put it that way... This is true.
(Back in the Special Forces command center in Earthrealm, the older Johnny Cage is leaning over his younger counterpart, who has his feet up on a workstation and his hands behind his head.)
O. Johnny: I swear to God, I'm losing it. Can't someone - anyone -explain to me what the hell is going on?!
Y. Johnny: Right? I've been in the future for a whole hour and I haven't seen one jetpack. Not one!
(Older Johnny closes his eyes and purses his lips together, trying to keep his anger in check. Raiden walks into the command centre alongside Cassie Cage.)
Raiden: So, it is true. I walked a darker path.
Cassie: After Shinnok went down, you became a different person. Red lightning, black clothes. Authoritarian attitude adjustment.
O. Johnny: Yeah, about that; what happened to "Dark" you, hmm? How come you're an only child and I've got an evil twin?(Younger Johnny spreads his arms out in agitation.)
RAIDEN: As an immortal, I exist outside the normal laws of time. That could explain why I am affected differently.
(In another part of the command centre, Jax offers Sonya a cup of coffee.)
Sonya: Thanks.
Jax: Weird, isn't it? Not being in charge.
Sonya: That's what's weird?
Jax: That, and having daughters our age.
(They look over at Cassie speaking with Raiden.)
Sonya: Look at her. How do I have a kid... with him?
(Behind Cassie, the younger Johnny is checking his fingernails.)
Jax: Huh. At least she's not an actress.
(Both Johnnys walk past Sonya and Jax as they are speaking, with Older Johnny clearly not wanting to hear anything from his younger self.)
Y. Johnny: C'mon, at least think about it. We each get points off the gross. Coming this summmer... Johnny Cage AND Johnny Cage! In "Timequake"!
(As they walk out of the command centre, Jacqui walks in with Liu Kang and Kung Lao. They walk up to Raiden and Cassie, who are now next to the holographic table projector seen earlier.)
Cassie: Any thoughts on what to do next?
Raiden: For months, I have been receiving vague premonitions of the future. But none of them foretold this. I must confer with the Elder Gods.(He looks over to the new arrivals.)Liu Kang, Kung Lao. Please assist the Special Forces while I am gone.
Liu Kang: Yes, Lord Raiden.
Jacqui: Follow me.
(As Jacqui walks the monks over to get briefed, Sonya approaches Cassie.)
Sonya: Commander?
Cassie: Yes, Mom- I mean, General! I mean...(She breaks off, unable to finish.)
Sonya: This is strange for me too.
Cassie: You have no idea.
(Something about her tone puts Sonya on edge.)
Sonya: What?
Cassie: Ugh, how do I say this...? This morning, "we" were on a mission... and you gave your life to save it.(Cassie nearly breaks down at her words. Sonya recoils in shock and sits down on a nearby chair.)
Sonya: Son of a bitch. Seriously?
Cassie: Yeah. And now here you are. Young enough to be my sister.
Jacqui: Cass, you need to see this!
(Steeling herself, Commander Cage walks over to Jacqui, who points to an alert on the nearby computer screen.)
Jacqui: Sat feeds show a Netherrealm incursion at the Wu Shi Academy.
Cassie: Netherrealm? Taking out Shinnok's Temple was supposed to stop them.
Jacqui: It's gotta be the time anomaly.
Liu Kang: We must help our Shaolin masters.(Kung Lao nods in agreement.)
Jax: Why would the Netherrealm want to bust up your alma mater, Liu Kang?
Liu Kang: The Dragon Grotto. It's underneath the Academy. Earthrealm's Jinsei energy bubbles up in its springs.
Cassie: That's no good. We've seen firsthand what happens when the Netherrealm screws with Earthrealm's life force.
Kung Lao: They will not reach the Grotto. It is protected by powerful magic. The deadliest traps. I am sure our counterparts from your era are already dealing with them.(Jacqui cringes at the words and looks to Cassie.)
Cassie: Kung Lao, Liu Kang... you might wanna sit down. And this goes double for our 'extra-special' guests.
(The Shaolin monks' frown at her statement and glance at one another. The scene cuts to the Wu Shi Academy. Liu Kang and Kung Lao have walked through the massive gateway and are heading down a path to the Academy itself, with Lok and Sophie tagging along.)
