(The scene cuts to Outworld, inside a beautiful temple garden. Luscious plants surround the walls, while patches of mildew adorn the marble steps. A waterfall flows into a nearby fountain, and standing on the steps are Raiden, Robin Jade, Geo-Force, Terra, Superboy, and Kotal Kahn.)
Kotal Kahn(To Raiden): The Tarkatans, long extinct, have also returned.
Raiden: Shao Kahn will seek them out. He relies on their power.
Robin: Meaning we need to get to them first.
Jade: Kotal's scouts tracked a Tarkatan war party to the Kytinn's Lost Hive, D'Vorah's ancestral home. Her hand in Shao Kahn's escape makes that our starting point.
Raiden: Please advise me of what you learn. I must consult with the Elder Gods.
(He lifts his hand into the air and teleports away with a flash of lightning. As Raiden exits, Kitana walks down the steps of the temple.)
Kitana: When do we leave?
Kotal Kahn: Your duty lies elsewhere, Princess. I need you to enlist Queen Sheeva. Her support is critical, against both Kronika and Shao Kahn.
(Kitana seems none too happy at being ordered around.)
Kitana: Surely you can-
Kotal Kahn: -Queen Sheeva does not trust me. No Shokan has since my bloody battle with Goro.
Jade: Sheeva's always respected your opinion more than anyone's. When she hears you support Kotal, she'll join us.
Geo-Force: And I take it this is your plan?
Jade: No. It's our plan.
(Kitana narrows her eyes at her friend's words, but seemingly takes the advice in. She turns to Kotal.)
Kitana: If that is my duty, so be it.
Kotal Kahn: Thank you, Princess.
(Kotal walks up the steps of the temple and takes his leave. Once he is out of earshot, Kitana angrily turns to Jade, who takes it all in stride.)
Kitana: Are you my friend or his consort?
Jade: It was my idea, Kitana. It's in your best interest. Succeed with Sheeva and Kotal will pledge his loyalty to you. There's no bond more sacred to an Osh-Tekk like him.
Superboy: We might need to come along. Numbers don't always win a battle!
Terra: No. But I'll bet they help.
(The scene cuts to the wastelands of Outworld, a barren desert filled with nothing but rocks, sand and dead trees. A scouting party mounted on some striped horses(all with exotic colors)walks through the desert, with Superboy and the other three not far behind. Kotal and Jade travel on horseback as well, Kotal on a steed with the same color as his blue war paint, while Jade travels on a brown horse the same color as her clothing.)
Jade: I remember when we could ride like this alone.
Kotal Kahn: My life has changed as Outworld's Kahn. Thankfully, you have not.
Jade: You haven't changed much either, despite the years. You're still the same noble warrior I met in Shao Kahn's court. And now you're Kahn. I'm surprised no woman has claimed your bed and become your queen.
(A rare smile adorns Kotal's lips as he snorts in amusement.)
Kotal Kahn: Many have tried.
Jade: Yet they failed. Why?
Kotal Kahn: None of them were you.
Geo-Force: I still can't believe that my sister is actually among us.
Superboy: Nor that Robin is still...Robin.
Terra: Uh, don't you think this is getting a teensy-bit awkward?
Robin: Maybe. But for now, I'm just going to roll with it.
(The scouting party continues on their trek through the desert. They have now reached an area where unnatural looking stalagmites reaching dozens of feet high are littered across the landscape. The party draws to a halt and all dismount, Kotal and Jade included. Jade looks to one side and points her finger toward the ground.)
Jade: There are fresh tracks leading into the Hive. If Shao Kahn's in there, he'll be difficult to find. The tunnels are endless.
Kotal Kahn(To the scouts): Set fire to them. If he's hidden, he will be smoked out.
(Jade places a hand on Kotal's shoulder.)
Jade: Kotal, we don't know who else is in th-
(A sudden thundering in the ground below interrupts her. The horses are immediately spooked by the noise and vibrations and takeoff running in every direction away from them. Insect creatures that somewhat resemble an Earthrealm spider(but with their size increased to almost that of a human)emerge from the ground. Kotal draws out his macuahitl blade as Jade and the other four get into a fighting stance. One of the creatures' lunges at Robin, grabbing his legs in its mouth. Another tries for Kotal, but he slices his blade across its face. The first creature begins to pull Robin away. Robin is pulled away screaming underground as another creature comes at Kotal. The creature now holds Robin fully in its maw, scuttering across the underground tunnel with breakneck speed. It emerges in the same part of the Hive that Shao Kahn spoke with Kronika in, although no one else appears to be present now. As Robin struggles in the grasp of the insect, a more terrifying presence jumps into the room with them-the revenant Jade)
Robin(to himself): Man, I don't think I EVER want to be like her one of these days.
O. Jade: It was my loyalty to Kitana that did me in. It led directly to death.
Robin: One thing's for sure, I know that I can count on my team. And unlike you, I know I can trust them!
O. Jade: It is pitiful you choose servitude.
Robin: Better to serve under justice than to be amongst evildoers like Shao Kahn. His oppression cannot stand! And we're going to end it!(They fight. It seems like both fighters are masters of the Bo Staff, but it seems clear that there can only be one true master here)Looks like in the end, you're the one who chose servitude.(He soon enough sees Superboy with D'Vorah, who easily manages to dodge his assault)
Superboy: Face it, bugface; between me and the other warriors here, you've got nowhere to run!
D'vorah: This One acts only for the Hive's survival.
Superboy: And you think that because you're serving Kronika, you're seeing that mission through, huh? Did I mention I hate bugs as much as I hate monkeys?(They fight. There is no fighter in Outworld like D'Vorah, who's speed, poison and control over insects is unmatched. But, Superboy is driven into an aggressive fury that takes the Kytinn by surprise. The demi-Kryptonian warrior takes the fight to D'Vorah and beats her to the ground.)Game, set, and match!(The two are joined by Geo-Force and Terra)
Robin: Well, we seem to have given our friends on the surface some privacy.
Geo-Force: True. And we have a chance at some enemy intel...
Terra: Provided 'someone' can give it to us(She lifts up a stalagmite with her powers, while Geo-Force forms a five-pointed shuriken with his, Robin points his staff downward and sticks it in the Kytinn's throat, all while Superboy pins her down)
Superboy: And if this 'someone' wants to survive, she'll tell us where to find Shao Kahn.
(D'Vorah growls in anger, but her eyes show she has no fight left. The scene cuts to three almost completely charred bodies, hung from tree stumps. Kotal Kahn, Jade, the DC heroes, and the Outworld scouts are on a cliff side, looking into the valley below.
Kotal Kahn: Ghosts of my past. D'Vorah spoke the truth.(Below them are a multitude of large tents, all kept erect by several large poles crammed upright. The tents are considerably larger than the Tarkatans walking between them and encompass the entire valley.)We are outnumbered.
Geo-Force: Maybe. But there is no doubt we can find Shao Kahn and end this madness if our squad sticks together...
Kotal Kahn: What you propose is dangerous.
Geo-Force: Be patient, Kotal. We've tried things your way, now we do it my way...(He, and his fellows sneak behind one Tarkatan warrior. They pick up their pace into a run, and soon hear voices before them speaking in the untranslated Tarkatan language.)
TARKATAN 1: Okot nara toka nit Ratash, oko nar?
(They get into cover behind a tent. A group of five Tarkatans walk into the main campsite area, deep in discussion.)
TARKATAN 2: Nar hartak latah ratk.
(The Tarkatans break into laughter. Terra peaks out from her cover and notices they are walking away from their position.)
TARKATAN 3: Alk Tarkata aka ha, Tetakh.
(The DC heroes break cover and start running in the opposite direction to the Tarkatans.)
TARKATAN 1: No nakhut nay.
TARKATAN 3: Trakka tor no rakata.
(As they run through the camp, a group of six Tarkatans walk out, prompting them to duck behind another tent.)
TARKATAN 1: Kabak takar wak kakta kaht? Tak pakar rah batahat.
(This group walks right next to the tent the DC heroes are using for cover.)
TARKATAN 2: Tor parkaht. Wak kaht nak Shao Kahn kolkat ha trabakar.
TARKATAN 1: Wakt hakka turk. Wak rakata raynar Kotal khanak.
(They walk on, none looking in Jade's direction.)
TARKATAN 3: Nar oko papkhat.(As the group walks off, they break cover. They turn, start to run... and step right into the path of a female Tarkatan, who backs up in surprise and fear.)
F. TARKATAN: Toh ha na? Taka ha na aki Tarkata? Nay... nay... Trakka ti!
(The female is terrified, and through her speech is untranslated she has realized the DC heroes are not allied with the Tarkatans. The others ready themselves to silence her, but Robin holds his hand out.)
Robin: No.
(The female holds her hand out in surrender.)
F. TARKATAN: Parkha...
(Robin holds her hands up as well, trying to calm the female as he approaches her.)
Robin: It's all right. We won't harm you.
F. TARKATAN: Parkha nah... nay ti oto nokorta.(The female continues to edge backwards.)
Robin: We're looking for Shao Kahn.
F. TARKATAN: Shao Kahn? Pakta ray Shao Kahn?
Robin: Please... we only need to-(The female backs up into two posts behind her. Suddenly, a nearby male Tarkatan blows a war horn, sounding the alarm. Dozens more Tarkatans begin running toward the group.)RUN!
(As they try to get the heck outta dodge, Kotal hears the war horns sounding across the camp and realizes that things have gotten out of hand)
Kotal Kahn: With me!
(He jumps onto his horse, which rears up onto its hind legs. Kotal remains in the saddle and tugs on its reins, making the horse gallop off down the valley. Kotal's soldiers follow soon after on their own mounts. Back in the camp, The group flee from three Tarkatans in hot pursuit. The other scouts are nowhere to be seen. As they run, two more Tarkatans join the chase. Robin reaches a flight of steps and turns about, swinging her staff and catching the nearest Tarkatan in the side of his head, knocking him down. He follows with a swipe in the other direction, knocking down the next Tarkatan after him, then he swings his staff downwards and cracks a third Tarkatan on the top of his skull, following through with a kick to his face that sends him sprawling. The fourth Tarkatan does not run blindly into action like the others before him, instead leading with his arm-blades. Terra dodges back and up the stairs, avoiding his swipes. She counters with a few strikes strikes to both of his knees, then an upward swing right into his groin. She finishes with a strike to his head that knocks him aside. The fifth Tarkatan charges immediately afterward, but Robin sweeps his legs out from under him with his staff and slams his staff into his midsection, incapacitating him. As a sixth Tarkatan charges next, Robin retreats further up the steps. She parries an arm-blade attack with his staff and bashes the Tarkatan upside his head, knocking him off the steps, then repeats the motion for a seventh immediately afterwards. An eighth Tarkatan tries his luck next, but Robin stabs his staff straight into his open maw and knocks him down. The group has now reached the top of the stairs they was climbing, and it now becomes obvious that she has ascended into a meat carriage. Dozens of human bodies with the skin flayed off their forms are hanging from the low ceiling above her. Realizing the Tarkatans are going to keep coming for them, they turn around and make their way through the carriage. Another Tarkatan charges behind them, swiping madly with his arm blades and carving through some bodies. One of his swipes ends with him accidentally getting his blade stuck in a body, and Robin takes advantage with a roundhouse kick to his face, knocking him senseless. The group looks to see more bodies, these ones hanging from chains over a pit of hot coals. She shoves a body into the face of another Tarkatan to knock him down and runs toward the chains, leaping into the air and grabbing the nearest to her. With effortless grace, she swings to the next chain and catches it, repeating the process for every next chain. As another Tarkatan swings behind her, Terra grabs one of the hooks that ends the chain and stabs the Tarkatan through the side of the head. Immediately his body loses its grip and tears itself free of his head, falling to the coals below and catching fire. Another Tarkatan swings toward Superboy, using the head of his fallen comrade as a grip. Robin swings back in his direction and kicks him in the face, sending him down to a fiery end. One more Tarkatan swings toward Terra and leaps, managing to grab her left leg. She kicks him off and he falls as well. They keep swinging across the chains, dragging one carrying a particularly large corpse into the face of another pursuing Tarkatan, causing him to fall into the coals as well. Geo-Force is the one who reaches the other side, pushing his way through more flayed bodies. He jumps off the meat carriage and into an open area of the war camp. Dozens of Tarkatans swarm in around him and the others, and they finally come to a halt as they see the exit is barred by none other than the Naknada known as Kollector and even more Tarkatans. Kollector smiles as the DC heroes find themselves surrounded on all sides, but Geo-Force remains unfazed and addresses him directly.)
Geo-Force: Of all the employers, in all the realms, in the entire universe, and still, you exploit others to rise above your station.
Kollector: I have risen TO my station, outsider.
(Behind them, the Tarkatans roar and turn to another battle taking place - Kotal Kahn and his soldiers have reached them. Kotal stabs through a nearby Tarkatan with his gigantic sword, swipes with a backhanded strike to send another flying, then cleaves upward to catch another Tarktan, following through with a downward swing that splits him in half from head to groin. Kotal grabs another Tarkatan by the throat and lifts him off his feet, using his sword to stab through a Tarkatan charging him while doing so, and then killing another with a backward swipe. He turns his attention back to the Tarkatan in his grasp and crushes his windpipe, throwing him aside and stabbing through two Tarkatans at once with his sword. One falls aside, but the other is still alive on his blade. Kotal breaks into a run, charging toward more foes with the still alive Tarkatan screaming in terror next to him. Kotal's charge takes him past Geo-Force, who faces down Kollector.)
Kollector: Before Shao Kahn raised me up, Outworlders despised the Naknada. Now they fear us. Tell me that is not progress!
Geo-Force: Servitude is the proper word...!(They fight. Kollector's unique physiology, his surprising strength and his multitude of hidden weapons present a challenge that no ordinary human could hope to prevail against. But Geo-Force knows his kind well, and his own speed, skill and experience allow him to slip past his defenses and take the fight to him. After a fierce melee, Geo-Force leaves Kollector defeated on the ground.)
Geo-Force: Fear and respect are not equals.
(He looks to Kotal, who is parading in front of the surviving Tarkatans. He stops before the female Tarkatan who had the misfortune of running into Robin earlier. Though she looks down in fear and despair, Kotal Kahn has no pity for her. He looks to his soldiers.)
Kotal Kahn: Line them up. Execute them.
(With the Tarkatans lined up, Kotal walks behind a male Tarkatan who is still standing and kicks him to his knees. A nearby Outworld soldier wields a small macuahuitl and he brings it to bear, ready to slice the Tarkatan's head off. Kotal stands once more in front of the doomed Tarkatans and brings his hand up. The female Tarkatan closes her eyes in terror as Kotal's soldiers raise their blades... but Terra puts a hand on Kotal's shoulder before he can bring his other hand down.)
Terra: Kotal! This is cruel! Many didn't fight us. There are children!
Kotal Kahn: You forget; In my time, they joined Mileena in rebellion against me!
Terra: These aren't the same Tarkatans, Kotal. A better Kahn would offer them a warm hand, not cold steel. I deeply apologize, Kotal Kahn, but I cannot allow this!(They fight. With his sheer strength, magical powers and deadly weapons, Kotal is a match for even Shao Kahn and would have had little trouble taking on Terra... were it not for the fact that he is in love with Jade. As such, he is taken aback when the new girl challenges him and does not bring his full strength to bear, allowing Terra the chance she needs. She holds nothing back and leaves him a beaten and unconscious mess on the floor.)
Terra: Your heart has hardened, Kotal.
(Both the Outworlders and Tarkatans seemingly stopped everything to watch the fight, but the crowd begins to part for a newcomer to the scene - Shao Kahn and his warguard. A couple of Outworlders make a run for it, but most stand down, realizing there is no point in running. Upon spotting the former Emperor, the DC heroes silently contemplate their situation)
Superboy: You guys take our friends and get outta here, I'll deal with Shao Kahn!
Terra: Are you sure about this?
Superboy: I am.(He turns to face his new foe, just as everyone else flees. Meanwhile, we come to the chambers of the Elder Gods. Static, Gear, and the Rubberband Man are already present... but the chambers themselves are abandoned and in ruin. The thrones that once housed the Elder Gods are either empty, or in some cases outright destroyed. The boys look around with a clear expression of sorrow on their faces.)
Gear: It is...too late.
Cetrion: Blame yourselves for the Elder Gods' deaths, foolish heroes...(The three men looks around. Cetrion hovers toward the platform they are standing on. She is no longer dozens of meters in height, nor does she shine with a spectral hue. Instead, she is slightly smaller than Raiden, having adopted the form of a woman as he does a mortal man. Unlike Raiden though, Cetrion's skin shines with a purple hue and her outfit appears to be a combination of turquoise crystalline armour with an undergarment made out of leaves.)Your actions have irrevocably altered Kronika's balance of light and dark. Shinnok's decapitation was the cap stone.
Static: You are a paragon of virtue. You should wish evil vanquished!
Cetrion: I abide my mother's will.
Rubberband Man: You were begotten by Kronika.
Cetrion: As was my brother, Shinnok. The darkness to my light. Nature demands equilibrium. Balance is perfection. You have stepped out of the status quo, made that balance impossible. That's why the New Era holds no place for you.
Gear: You will not succeed. Cyrax has been turned to the light side...!
Cetrion: Oh?
Rubberband Man: Yeah, and I imagine Superboy is fighting against Shao Kahn now!
Static: Face it Cetrion... You, him, your mother... Earthrealm's better off without the lot of you.
Cetrion: And we, quite the same!
(Our angered goddess heads back to the Keep, certainly unhappy, and ignoring Ebon, Kangor, and Hotstreak; all of whom had fought those three before. Meanwhile, we head on over to to the interior of the Special Forces base. A training dummy's torso is on display. A large klaxon sounds in the background, and a moment later a fireball shoots into the dummy, exploding outward and completely destroying it. From across the firing range, the younger Jax shoots two more fireballs from his heated up arms, destroying another dummy. As his arms cool down, he smiles at the effects of the cybernetics.)
Jacqui stands a few feet behind him, holding a rifle of her own.
Jax: Man, these arms are an upgrade. It'll be payback time, next time I see Ermac.
Jacqui: Oh, I made sure he got his.(She turns away from the firing range and puts the rifle down while Jax flexes his new arms.)
Jax: Hmm, I imagine "future me" is out kicking ass with these right now.
(Jacqui pauses at the mention of her father, and speaks without looking back at Jax, taking off her ear protectors as Jax does the same.)
Jacqui: Cassie told you that "future you" spent time as a revenant, yeah?
Jax: Sounded horrible. Can't imagine becoming Shinnok's puppet. But she says I come back from it.
(Jacqui now faces Jax with her arms crossed, clearly not at ease.)
Jacqui: The experience haunted Dad. But then he- you - met Mom. She brought you back to life.
Jax: The love of a good woman? Like the sound of that.
Jacqui: She was Dad's everything. She died last year. Dad's stayed on the farm. He feels safer there.
(At these words, Jax looks just as troubled as Jacqui. He contemplates them for a few moments.)
