Liu Kang wandered through the jungle that took up a significant portion of Shang Tsung's island. Camping overnight in the trees he was quick to start moving at sunrise. Despite having the light back, Liu Kang remained cautious as he saw the unconscious bodies litter the ground, Liu gazed down to see the concealed faces of the Masked Guards with these ones in particular wearing camouflage ninja-like attires. Raiden had used his abilities to grant Liu Kang seemingly safe passage to Goro's Lair.
Hearing rustling in the trees, Liu Kang stopped and looked over his shoulder. One remaining Masked Guard leapt from a thick tree branch in an attempt to ambush the monk. Rolling aside, the Masked Guard slammed his naginata into the earth. Before he could yank the blade out of the mud, Liu Kang swept his leg and knocked him down.
"I'm sorry!" The Masked Guard cried out as Liu Kang placed a foot on his neck. "Don't kill me!"
"I don't do that," Liu Kang assured him. "Just point me to Goro's Lair."
The Masked Guard nodded rapidly, eager to compy, pointing towards a dug up pit hidden past some foliage that led to the underground entrance of the Shokan. As Liu Kang walked down the old mossy stone stairs, the Masked Guard attempted another sneak attack. Trying to shove the Shaolin Monk down the stairs, Liu Kang spun around and caught him with a backfist, knocking the Masked Guard out as his unconscious body tumbled down the old stairs, chipping one of the steps.
"I did not want to do that," Liu Kang muttered as he reached the bottom of the stairs, now facing a massive steel door leading into the dungeons. However, before he could push the door open, it was pulled open suddenly by the dungeons inhabitant.
Goro.
"Come on in," he offered. "It's not a suitable place for anyone, letalone Prince of the Shokan," Goro sighed as Liu Kang cautiously entered his lair. "Shang Tsung has the wrong idea about my people living a partially subterranean life with part of our city being built from a mountain."
"Or he sees you as less than a person," Liu Kang suggested, "with no care for you."
"I don't need your advice, Earthrealmer," Goro dismissed him. "Do you really think that after all these hundreds of years I wouldn't have figured that out myself?"
"Then why fight for him?"
"I fight for Outworld," Goro corrected him, "not Shang Tsung."
"My friend was captured," Liu Kang cut to the point of his prescence, realising that debating the Shokan was pointless. "I assumed he was taken here."
"The other monk," Goro nodded. "Indeed he was."
"Can I release him?" Liu Kang asked.
"That's not my call," Goro shook his head. "Only if you defeat me will you get the chance to do so."
"He doesn't deserve this," Liu Kang tried to reason.
"I'm sure he doesn't, despite his attitude," Goro grimaced as he turned back to see Kung Lao in his cell.
"Lao!" Liu Kang cried out as he went to rush to his best friend but Goro held him back with one massive three fingered hand.
"I'm allowed to leave if Earthrealm wins," Kung Lao explained as he held tightly to the bars. "Goro here is a stickler for the rules."
"It's an unfortunate fate," Goro admitted. "No honour in it, but you may at least survive."
"My ancestor cannot say the same," Kung Lao retorted angrily.
"I granted your better a grand warrior's death… just look at how many generations of Earthrealmers it has passed down to," Goro remarked as he walked towards the cell, Kung Lao staring at him.
"You had no right to kill him!" Lao snapped. "I don't care how honourable you think it was, you killed a good man!"
"And you made the foolish decision to sneak your way to the island uninvited just to avenge this man you never met," Goro pointed out.
"I want Earthrealm safe," Kung Lao clarified. "Fighting you was just a bonus."
"Too bad you'll achieve neither."
"Let me fight you and we'll find out," Lao challenged.
"I'll do no such thing!" Goro yelled.
"Don't worry, Lao," Liu Kang stepped forward. "I will fight Goro, and I will end all this."
"Your confidence is admirable," Goro commended as he turned to Liu Kang. "Do not keep your expectations so high though."
"And maybe you shouldn't be so overconfident, Prince," Liu Kang suggested.
"Perhaps," Goro smirked as he offered Liu Kang a handshake. The monk reluctantly accepted whilst a burst of lightning occurred in the dungeon with Raiden emerging in the dimly lit space, standing between the Shaolin Monk and the Mortal Kombat Champion.
"Lord Raiden," Liu Kang greeted as he pulled out from Goro's tight grip.
"It is time for the final set of tournament matches," Raiden announced. "Take Kung Lao and come with me to the throne room."
"Shang Tsung has a throne room?" Lao scoffed at the thought. "He's full of himself."
"And Goro won't let him leave," Liu Kang added.
"It is not my choice," Goro defended himself as Raiden turned to him.
"Release him," Raiden ordered.
"Are you breaking the Elder Gods' rules now, Raiden?" Goro questioned. "Kung Lao did break the rules, this punishment is perfectly legal."
"I suppose so…" Raiden sighed.
"Just take Liu and go win that tournament," Kung Lao advised. "I can wait a little longer."
"As you wish," Raiden agreed as he grabbed Liu Kang's shoulder.
"I will be back," Liu Kang promised.
"Good luck," Goro wished as Raiden teleported himself and Liu Kang away. "He'll need it."
Emerging in the palace's throne room, Liu Kang stood in the centre of the room. Before him sat Shang Tsung on a velvet throne adorned by golden patterns that matched the pillars holding up the expensive room. Every participant both current and eliminated stood on either side of the spacious room, including the previously absent Sub-Zero. Waiting impatiently, Scorpion stared at Sub-Zero with fiery vengeance in his pupiless eyes. The icebender glared back with a look of malice, neither warrior willing to get along.
"Baraka, Scorpion, Sub-Zero," Shang Tsung began to list off the remaining competitors. "You three are the last representatives for Outworld. As for Earthrealm, only Nightwolf and Liu Kang remain."
Raiden nodded. "The tournament will conclude here," he elaborated. "We must all be prepared for what happens next."
"Nightwolf!" Shang Tsung called out. "You will face Baraka."
"We both come from tribes," Nightwolf acknowledged as the two fighters confidently approached each other.
"What's yours?" Baraka snarled as he drew his arm blades.
"The Matoka," Nightwolf revealed. "I am their protector and much more."
"That name means nothing to me," Baraka remarked. "I just hope you fight like a leader should."
"Fight!" Shang Tsung demanded.
Baraka didn't hesitate to attack Nightwolf first, the Tarkatan tackling the Matokan warrior, sinking his blades into the sides of his body which tore through Nightwolf's denim jacket. Nightwolf kicked Baraka off but stumbled when he tried to stand due to his wounds.
"Get up!" Baraka barked. "I want a challenge in this tournament for once!"
"And you have found one," Nightwolf assured him as his ancient magic concealed his body in a glowing green energy which pulled him to his feet.
Tomahawks summoning in his hands, Nightwolf deflecting and incoming jam from Baraka's blades. Baraka staggered back, leaving him vulnerable to an energy powered shoulder bash that knocked him onto the red carpet of the throne room that obscured the blood that dripped from Nightwolf's sides. Pushing off his arm blades, Baraka popped back up to his feet, blocking a string of tomahawk attacks, the bone that made up the arm blades of the Tarkatans being strong enough to withstand metal.
Nightwolf circled Baraka, blood dripping from his wounds, his tomahawks crackling with spiritual energy. Baraka snarled, baring his jagged teeth as he lunged again, slashing wildly with his bone arm blades. Nightwolf continued to parrry each strike with precision, his tomahawks sparking against Baraka's bone. The two combatants locked eyes, both fierce, neither willing to back down as they fought for their respective realms.
With a roar, Baraka swung his arm blades in a wide arc, forcing Nightwolf to block with both tomahawks. The sheer force of the charged swing caused Nightwolf to drop one of his weapons, but he continued to fight by digging a tomahawk into Baraka's chest, slicing through his red and white vest and piercing his spiky skin. Baraka staggered back as the tomahawk remained impaled in his chest.
Nightwolf pushed forward, kicking Baraka into a pillar. Bouncing off the wall, Baraka was caught in a flurry of strikes Nightwolf had learnt from practicing val-tudo, ending the barrage with an attempted grab. Baraka sliced at Nightwolf's stomach, causing a stinging cut before being followed up by a knee into a flying front kick that Nightwolf blocked. Baraka growled more intensly as he tore the tomahawk out his body and cast it aside.
Now unarmed, Nightwolf was defenseless against Baraka's arm blades. He attempted resummon his signature weapons, but Baraka stabbed an arm blade into his hand as he raised it up to call upon it. Nightwolf fought back with a pair of jabs, but when he went for a third Baraka fit his entire fist in his mouth and chomped down, sinking his razor sharp Tarkatan teeth into his hand. Pulling away, Nightwolf clutched onto his hand in pain.
"Well fought…" Nightwolf gasped weakly as he collapsed to his knees.
"Finish him!" Shang Tsung barked demandingly, Baraka gave the sorcerer a hesitant nod.
Baraka grabbed the Matokan and whilst Nightwolf struggled, his strength was gone. Baraka sneered, leaning in close. "Your fight ends here, human."
Before Baraka could behead Nightwolf, the Matokan let out a magical chant before unleashing a fierce bolt of lightning that broke through the palace roof and struck both fighters, knocking them both away. As Nightwolf's last gasp, the warrior soon passed out afterwards, but Baraka slowly stood up, shaking his head in pain and confusion from being struck by lightning. He slowly approached the unconcious Nightwolf.
"Don't kill him!" Sonya yelled as she came running at Baraka. Despite her smaller figure, she managed to knock Baraka over with a leaping kick.
"This again?!" Baraka growled. "I'll have your head for such dishonour!" He charged at Sonya, only to be stopped by Jax, who grabbed him by the waist and suplexed the Tarkatan to the floor.
Meanwhile, Raiden helped Nightwolf to his feet. "Thank you," Nightwolf said weakly as he began to slowly regain consciousness. "I'm sorry for being unable to defeat him, Haokah."
"Have faith in Liu Kang being able to finish this," Raiden recommended as he guided Nightwolf to the sidelines.
"Raiden, your friends are breaking the rules of the tournament!" Shang Tsung pointed out. "You disgrace your precious Elder Gods with this interference."
"The Elder Gods never condoned your fatalities," Raiden countered. "It is regretful that they refuse to outright ban it, but I promise that there won't be anymore deaths due to this cursed tournament!"
"I'm sure you'd love to protect your golden boy," Tsung eyed Liu Kang who lifted his head. "You'll be lucky to even fight Goro, letalone survive what is yet to come."
"I will defeat him," Liu Kang promised. "I will become champion and most importantly of all, put a stop to your emperor's wicked plans!"
"You must defeat me first," Sub-Zero declared, stepping forward, eager to fulfill his contract to eliminate the Earthrealm warriors, knowing that the payment Shang Tsung offered would be sufficient enough to go into hiding and retire. Sub-Zero was unaware of what had happened to Cyrax and Sektor, merely assuming they had been killed earlier in the tournament, as he hadn't seen them since the first round, which only furthered his determination to fight for the opposing side, to avenge his Lin Kuei brothers.
"No, Sub-Zero," Shang Tsung held him back with a simple hand in his face which was swatted away firmly. "I have a different challenger for you."
"Who?" Sub-Zero asked, only to be stabbed a second later by a spear that impaled him through the chest.
"Me," came the quick response from Scorpion.
Scorpion dragged Sub-Zero into his clutches, his burning hands wrapping around Bi-Han's neck. "I finally have you… murderer."
"What... are you... talking about?" Sub-Zero gasped, confused and angered by the sudden attack.
"We both know!" Scorpion screamed, listing his lost loved ones as he beat the assassin into a bloody pulp. "My wife… my son!"
"You're…" Sub-Zero gasped. "You're Shirai Ryu!"
"Hanzo Hasashi," Scorpion confirmed his identity. "You killed me at the Shaolin Temple," he grimaced behind his yellow mask. "Then you led the assault that killed them all!"
"No!" Sub-Zero denied the claim. "I wasn't there! I-"
"LIAR!" Scorpion interrupted, tearing off his mask to reveal a flaming skull beneath his human-like face, a facade that only a Spectre could pull off.
Sub-Zero forged an ice sword and charged at the Spectre, only for his sword to melt in the heat of Scorpion's raging flames.
"Hanzo, wait!" Sub-Zero pleaded.
"DIE!" Scorpion cried out, as flames erupted from his mouth, incinerating Sub-Zero as he cried out in pain which drowned out any attempt to defend himself.
Raiden tried to intervene but the hellfire was so fierce that by the time he shoved Scorpion back and the flames diminished, nothing of Bi-Han remained except a pile of ash…
"Holy shit!" Johnny Cage swore as he leapt back at the sight before the audience. "I thought fire and ice were on the same side!"
"That was completely unnecessary," Raiden shook his head in disapproval.
"Enough murder!" Liu Kang stepped forth angrily.
Scorpion felt no satisfaction from his vengeance, only a deepening sadness that cooled his rage. After glaring at the seared floor, he turned to Liu Kang who had rushed over. Shang Tsung, ever eager, took the opportunity to begin the next fight.
"Well done, Scorpion, next you shall face Liu Kang!" Shang Tsung announced. "Fight!"
"No," Scorpion refused. "I only came for Sub-Zero."
"We had a deal!" Quan Chi yelled as he emerged from behind Shang Tsung's throne.
"You are indebted to me, Spectre," Shang Tsung announced. "And I said fight!"
"Leave me alone!" Scorpion cried out as he prepared to depart.
"Wait!" Quan Chi yelled. "Did you at least acquire the-"
It was too late, Scorpion faded out of the room, returning to the Netherrealm.
"What, Quan Chi?" Shang Tsung asked as he raised a bushy grey eyebrow.
"You know what you have," Quan Chi turned to the fellow sorcerer with a frustrated look. "I… my master requires it."
"As do I," Shang Tsung stated, cautious not to state what the object was due to Raiden's presence. "Perhaps we can share it at some point."
"Perhaps," Quan Chi shrugged as he made a portal behind him. "I'll see you around, Tsung."
"Farewell," Shang Tsung waved as Quan Chi returned to the Netherrealm to tame his Spectre. "Now where were we?"
"This leaves Liu Kang and Baraka," Raiden pointed out.
"Even hurt, I can defeat a mere monk," Baraka claimed as he stepped forth.
"I'm sorry that it couldn't be more fair," Liu Kang apologised as he stood opposite the Tarkatan. "Although nothing in this tournament seems fair."
"Fight!" Shang Tsung shouted.
Baraka charged forth, both arm blades sticking out as he reached out for Liu Kang. Dodging with a roll, Liu stood up with a handstand combined with a rising kick that caught Baraka on the jaw and launched him off his feet. Flipping backwards with surprising agility, Baraka ran at Liu Kang again. Swinging his blades wildly, the Shaolin Monk struggled to get any strikes in with the range that the blades gave Baraka as well as the concern of being cut up by such deadly weapons. Despite sneaking in some firm kicks to the side of Baraka's leg, the Tarkatan didn't react and knocked Liu back with a vicious headbutt.
Although he preferred not to use it, Liu Kang saw that this fight required him to use his nunchaku. Pulling them from the back of his black belt, Liu Kang swung the nunchaku precisely when Baraka attempted to stab at him with the arm blades again. This time, Liu managed to wrap the nunchaku around the blade, the chain in the middle being used to pull his arm up, exposing Baraka for a firm finger strike that dug into his wound. Liu Kang took no pleasure in taking advantage of his injury, but he knew that he had to fight as hard as he could not just for his life… but all of Earthrealm as well.
"Coward!" Baraka snarled as he clutched the wound again.
Liu Kang began beating at Baraka's arm blades using the nunchaku, the force of the blunt weapon putting pressure on his bones. Baraka decided to retract the arm blades right as Liu Kang went for another swing, causing the attack to whiff as the bones pulled back into Baraka's body. Taking advantage, Baraka grabbed Liu Kang and went to take a bite into his neck. Charging his fists with fire, Liu Kang dropped his nunchaku and began rapidly punching Baraka in the gut at such a rate that the fire spread to his attire.
As Baraka was pushed back from the blows, Liu Kang lifted the nunchaku in the air with his foot, before kicking it on the way down which brought the weapon straight into Baraka's face, cracking over his skull. The Tarkatan immediately fell unconscious and Liu Kang retrieved his nunchaku before raising an arm in victory.
"Liu Kang wins…" Shang Tsung grimaced.
"Only one fight remains, sorcerer!" Liu Kang bellowed. "Me versus Goro!"
"You have my sincerest apologies for the pain you're about to endure," Shang Tsung said as he made a gesture with his hand, opening a portal beneath Liu Kang's feet, and the Shaolin warrior slowly descended into it.
"Good luck, Liu Kang," Raiden wished as Earthrealm's last hope sank into the swirling fiery magic…