Across the shoreline, the Grandmasters of the Shirai Ryu and Lin
Kuei walk toward their destination. They stop to take in the view
of a large bridge of rock – too thin to be a natural occurrence,
and with no visible support from one end to the other – stretching
across the skyline.
The camera cuts to the bridge itself, showing the massive army
– numbering in the thousands – of Netherrealm oni and Cyber Lin
Kuei walking across it. A glowing figure beaming light from her
being hovers high above the bridge, and that figure is Cetrion.
A close up on her face reveals she is visibly straining, and her
arms are held aloft in the air. It becomes apparent that the
constructed bridge of rock is her doing, and she is focusing on
keeping it aloft for the army of demons to traverse across it.
Back on the shoreline, Hanzo Hasashi looks to Kuai Liang.
SCORPION Those warriors must be headed for Kronika’s Keep.
SUB-ZERO Agreed. But why not use Kharon’s fleet The bridge
clearly taxes her power.
SCORPION The fleet’s bound to Kharon. It sails only by his
command. That it’s still moored suggests he won’t help Kronika.
SUB-ZERO In which case he may help us.
Back on the bridge, the last of the Netherrealm army has finished
crossing. Still focusing as best she can, Cetrion disperses the
bridge, causing it to disintegrate into a green mist. On the
shoreline, a scream of agony resonates across the surroundings.
Scorpion turns to look at a nearby shack, determining that was
where the scream came from.
SCORPION It looks like Kharon is home, perhaps hosting some
unwelcome guests.
He turns to Sub-Zero.
SCORPION Return to Earthrealm. Tell the others we’ve found him.
We’ll deploy as soon as I return.
SUB-ZERO Are you certain Kharon will aid us
SCORPION No. But he’s our best chance.
The scene cuts to a closer shot of the shack. Scorpion approaches
it, taking cover behind an outcropping of rock. The camera cuts
to him peeking through the window of the shack, where he sees
Kharon.
Kharon himself would almost pass for an old human, were it not
that his skin on the top of his head is pitch dark and his eyes
a milky grey. He is also laid on a table, wrapped in a webbed
cocoon. The camera pans across the shack to show the creature
responsible, who drops down from the ceiling.
It is D’Vorah.
D’VORAH You should have aided Kronika, Kharon. Now you must
suffer.
She approaches the table and releases a swarm of insects from
her hand. They engluf Kharon’s face, but he remains defiant.
KHARON I am immortal, D’Vorah. You cannot kill me.
D’VORAH This One needs only render you unfit to ferry Kronika’s
enemies.
She suddenly lurches forward in pain as something plunges into
her back.
SCORPION GET OVER HERE!
D’Vorah is violently yanked out of the shack window, courtesy of
Scorpion’s chained kunai. She falls onto the shoreline in
a crumpled heap, but as Scorpion lands nearby, she pulls herself
to a standing position with the help of her extendable stingers.
SCORPION First Shinnok, now Kronika. You fight for lost causes.
D’VORAH This One ensures the Hive’s survival. You will not save
the Shirai Ryu.
They fight. In the past, D’Vorah has managed to overcome Hanzo,
and her fighting ability and unique control over parasites and
poison has not waned since then. But Hanzo’s discipline and
skill have also improved immensely, and he takes the fight to
the Kytinn. After a brutal exchange, he beats her into
unconsciousness.
SCORPION The Shirai Ryu will not fall.
A noise from behind him causes Hanzo to turn, but he reacts too
late. His younger self teleports in and punches him square in the
face, sending him sprawling across the shoreline. Hanzo struggles
back to his feet as his younger self faces him down.
Y. SCORPION Your clan of impostors will indeed fall.
O. SCORPION I’ve restored the Shirai Ryu. Built a clan that’s
never been stronger.
Young Scorpion angrily points a finger in his direction.
Y. SCORPION On a foundation of pretenders and outsiders! Kronika
told me.
He pulls out his ninjato sword and twirls it in his hands. Old
Scorpion pulls out his own ninjato. Young Scorpion charges his
older self, who meets the charge with one of his own. They clash,
with Old Scorpion pressing the attack. His younger self blocks
and parries his sword strikes, pushing back on him after their
blades briefly lock.
They each block and deflect one another’s strikes until Hanzo
ducks a swipe from his younger self and delivers a counter stab,
but Young Scorpion teleports away in a flash of hellfire before
he can connect. This time, Hanzo is ready and does a 180 degree
turn just as his younger self emerges behind him.
In slow motion, Young Scorpion throws his chained kunai, but Old
Scorpion skillfully knocks it aside with his sword before it hits.
He then grabs the chain, tugs on it to unbalance his younger self
and ignites the chain with some hellfire of his own. The fire
travels down the chain in an instant, torching Young Scorpion and
forcing him onto his knees in pain.
Hanzo stops attacking, but his younger self is not willing to
surrender just yet. He remains on one knee.
Y. SCORPION Without our original bloodlines, there is no Shirai
Ryu. Our clan’s massacre extinguished them. Kronika will revive
the true Shirai Ryu in the New Era!
He stands back up and assumes a fighting stance. Hanzo does so as
well.
O. SCORPION Do not trust Kronika! She uses your anger to enslave
you, as Quan Chi did both of us. I let go my rage, and it saved
me. To save yourself, you must do the same.
They fight. The battle is truly an epic one, with both kombatants
equally matched in strength, fighting skill and powers of
hellfire. But the elder Scorpion has one thing the younger lacks;
control over his anger. He uses it to fight intelligently,
gradually finding weak spots in his younger self’s attacks and
taking advantage. After a hellacious battle, the younger Scorpion
is finally beaten into submission.
O. SCORPION It’s past time you were freed. We both know what
truly drives you. It’s not Shirai Ryu pride… it’s your wife…
and child.
Y. SCORPION Harumi and Satoshi were stolen from me. Murdered.
Seeing them again is all that matters.
He stands back to his feet, still enraged.
O. SCORPION We share this pain. I fought through Hell to end it.
But Kronika’s New Era is not the remedy. She would resurrect
Shinnok – the same devil who brought death to our family and clan.
He cannot be allowed to return!
Hanzo walks up to his younger self, who is ready to fight, but
taking in the words spoken to him.
O. SCORPION When I revived the Shirai Ryu, I vowed our clan
would ensure Earthrealm’s protection.
He holds out his hand. His younger self recoils from it.
O. SCORPION Help me keep that promise.
Young Scorpion looks away from him, lost in thought. As he looks
his older self in the eye again, his look changes from thoughtful
to horrified, as four stingers arise behind Old Scorpion. He turns
around just as D’Vorah stabs Hanzo in the chest, the blow so
powerful the stinger goes clean through his body.
He grabs the stinger with his hand, but is unable to pry it loose.
D’Vorah comes in closer, fondling his cheek with her hand in what
could be described as a twisted lover’s embrace. Her other
stingers lightly tap Hanzo’s body, until one of them finds a soft
spot, stabbing into his side. He groans in agony, but remains
defiant, and he suddenly channels hellfire through his entire body,
blasting D’Vorah away from him. He struggles to remain upright,
though.
O. SCORPION Poison…
He groans and falls to one knee. D’Vorah stands back to her
feet, grinning sadistically.
D’VORAH Kronika knew your past sins would distract you. Now This
One ends your misery.
Unbeknownst to her, Young Scorpion sneaks up on D’Vorah from
behind and chops off all four of her stingers with his ninjato.
She falls to her knees.
Y. SCORPION Now, you die!
D’Vorah suddenly whirls around and blasts a swarm of insects into
Young Scorpion’s face. As he backpedals and destroys them with a
burst of hellfire, D’Vorah scrambles backwards on all fours in a
reverse crab walk, before burrowing underground. Ignoring her
escape, Young Scorpion rushes to his elder self’s side, who still
has not risen from one knee.
O. SCORPION Raiden is at the Fire Gardens. Enlist Kharon’s aid.
Bring Raiden’s army to the Keep. You must!
Y. SCORPION You have my word.
Old Scorpion almost stands fully, but staggers. Young Scorpion
catches him before he can fall, bringing him to gently rest in his
arms.
O. SCORPION The new Shirai Ryu are worthy. It’s heart, not blood,
that makes them warriors.
With those final words, Hanzo Hasashi slumps forward… and
breathes his last.
The scene fades from the Netherrealm to the Fire Gardens, just
as a breeze blows the autumn leaves into the sky. In the gardens,
Liu Kang and Sub-Zero walk together in conversation.
SUB-ZERO Your Shaolin masters, they’re ready
LIU KANG They will fight until the last man.
SUB-ZERO That is likely what it will take.
LIU KANG There will not be a fight if Kharon does not help us.
Is there any word from Grandmaster Hasashi
SUB-ZERO No. If we do not hear soon, I will return to the
Netherrealm.
Before them, Scorpion emerges in a flash of hellfire. Instantly,
Liu Kang and Sub-Zero shift to fighting stances, but Scorpion
does not follow suit, instead looking around at the scenery.
LIU KANG (To Sub-Zero) Wrong Scorpion. This cannot be good.
SUB-ZERO Get Raiden!
As Liu Kang runs off, Sub-Zero faces Scorpion down.
SCORPION The Fire Gardens, rebuilt The Shirai Ryu are indeed
restored.
SUB-ZERO Why are you here, Scorpion Where is Grandmaster
Hasashi
SCORPION …He is dead.
SUB-ZERO And now you have come to finish us.
SCORPION I understand your mistrust, but I am here to assist you!
SUB-ZERO I find that impossible to believe!
They fight. As has been the case with their many fights before,
Scorpion and Sub-Zero are equally matched in skill, strength,
speed and powers. But this time, it is Sub-Zero who fights
recklessly, allowing Scorpion the opportunities he needs to
exploit his weaknesses. After a back and forth exchange, the
wraith knocks the Grandmaster to the floor.
SCORPION You misunderstand my intentions.
Suddenly, a lightning blast catches Scorpion square in the chest.
He is hurled backwards and crashes to the ground hard. Raiden
stands above the beaten Sub-Zero, his hands charged with
lightning. Liu Kang stands beside him.
RAIDEN Who sent you here, Scorpion
Scorpion struggles to his feet.
SCORPION My future self is dead. I am here at his behest.
LIU KANG Grandmaster Hasashi sent you
SCORPION I honour his dying wish. Kharon will ferry your armies
to the Isle of Kronika. We must leave at once.
RAIDEN Do you have proof of Kharon’s offer
SCORPION …Only my word.
RAIDEN Your word is worthless. At the tournament, I trusted you
to spare Bi-Han, and you betrayed me.
SCORPION A mistake born of rage. I seek redemption.
RAIDEN Lies, Scorpion! You are a slave! And Kronika is your
master!
They fight. Scorpion finds himself in the battle of his life.
Raiden himself is at full strength in Earthrealm, he has the
power of thunder and lightning at his beck and call and thousands
of years of fighting experience. It takes all of Scorpion’s
martial arts skill and powers of the Netherrealm to even keep
in the fight, but he refuses to fall, and manages to knock the
Thunder God to his knees for a moment.
SCORPION Raiden, you must listen!
RAIDEN Spout your falsehoods elsewhere, Scorpion! Kronika will
not entrap us.
He stands back to his feet.
SCORPION It is no trap! Kharon awaits you in the Netherrealm.