The scene cuts to Outworld’s capital, Z’unkahran. Team S-F are walking through the crowded streets of Outworlders going about their normal business.
JACQUI: I dunno, I expected the sky to be purple or something.
KUNG JIN: Don’t believe everything you see online.
CASSIE: And what makes you an expert?
KUNG JIN: The Shaolin archives. I studied a lot about Outworld.
CASSIE: No substitute for experience.
KUNG JIN: So what makes you our leader?
The two of them stop walking and stare one another down. Takeda intercedes before anything else happens.
TAKEDA: Guys, let’s stick to the mission?
Cassie breaks off the staredown and walks off. Jin smiles to himself and follows along with Takeda and Jacqui.
CASSIE: Li Mei has to be telling the truth.
JACQUI: An invasion would violate the Reiko Accords.
KUNG JIN: ‘Cause you can always trust an Outworlder…
TAKEDA: But if Outworld’s our ally, why didn’t they help us during the Netherrealm war? Against Quan Chi and his team of…
KUNG JIN: Revenants? Like Jacqui’s dad?
Jacqui stops dead at this remark.
JACQUI: Asshole!
Jin turns round, addressing everyone as he does so.
KUNG JIN: It’s not an alliance. Non-aggression pact. Outworld is not our ally.
A new voice cuts through the air, and Team S-F find themselves surrounded by several of Kotal Kahn’s soldiers. The one speaking stands out the most in his gunslinger attire.
ERRON: A point you might make with more subtlety, given your surroundings. Now state your business. Including a reason why we shouldn’t kill you.
Takeda puts his hand to his head, telepathically reading Erron Black’s mind.
TAKEDA: I can read you. You’re not from Outworld.
ERRON: I’m from Earthrealm – like you – but my employer, Kotal Kahn is from Outworld. So now I’m from Outworld. State your business.
CASSIE: We’re emissaries. We need to talk to Kotal Kahn.
She pulls something out of her back pocket.
CASSIE: Here, we have Raiden’s official seal.
Black looks at it for a moment.
ERRON: I can buy one of those at that stall right over there.
KUNG JIN: Look, you can arrest us, even kill us, but if we’re telling the truth, you probably get a pay cut – or worse. You take us to the Kahn, I’ll tell ‘im you took us down. Maybe get you a bonus. You can’t lose.
Erron considers this new offer for a moment longer than he did Cassie’s.
ERRON: Follow me.
He walks off. Team S-F follow with the soldiers close by. Jin flashes another smile at Cassie. They walk into the main plaza of the marketplace, where a crowd has gathered to watch a public event. A soldier on a raised platform addresses all present, reading from a scroll.
SOLDIER: “In these times of war, we are required to view every resource as a weapon for our Emperor to use at his discretion.”
The scene cuts to a closer view. A man has been bound in the stocks, and two soldiers pull him out and restrain him.
SOLDIER: “To take without his leave is to steal from the hand of Kotal Kahn himself.”
Kung Jin stops to take in the scene, with mounting horror clear on his face.
SOLDIER: “Therefore, having been found guilty of theft, you shall be put to death.”
THIEF: I was hungry!
He is slammed onto a headsman’s block.
SOLDIER: Your sentence will be carried out… immediately!
Jin turns to Erron.
KUNG JIN: Death? For petty theft?
ERRON: Remember where you are.
Defiantly, Jin pushes his way through the crowd.
CASSIE: Jin?
Erron pulls out a revolver, intending to shoot Kung Jin in the back. Cassie grabs his arm and throws him down, causing the shot to go wide.
Takeda and Jacqui begin fighting the soldiers as well. On the platform, a soldier holds a macuahuitl – an Aztec (or in this universe, Osh-Tekk) spiked war club – over the thief’s head. As he prepares to swing it downward, an arrow pierces his shoulder, sending him down in pain. Jin puts down his bow-staff and charges in.
Three soldiers pull their swords and meet him in kombat. Kung Jin easily blocks the first’s attacks with his staff and hits him in the side of his helmet. Jin hits another strike to his stomach and knocks him down with a bash to the back of his head. He blocks two strikes from the second soldier and sends him sprawling with a staff hit to the face, then repeats the motion to the third soldier before he can even finish his attack. Behind him, other Outworld citizens begin attacking the soldiers as well.
Elsewhere, Erron blocks a high kick and a punches from Cassie, and she blocks two of his attempts to shoot her and ducks a pistol whip. He counters another strike from her by bashing her in the forehead with his revolver and dashes off from the fight while she’s stunned.
The soldiers now have a full scale riot on their hands. One is tackled off the platform by an Outworld citizen, while a second is pushed off by another citizen, allowing Jin to run up and free the thief from his binds.
KUNG JIN: Get outta here! Go!
The citizen helps the grateful thief to his feet. Jin turns round and walks off the platform, coming face to face with Erron Black.
ERRON: I knew I shouldn’t have listened to you.
KUNG JIN: A lesson in trust… from a mercenary.
ERRON: Here’s another learning opportunity.
They fight. As deadly and pragmatic a fighter as Erron Black is, Kung Jin exhibits equal skill and speed with his own weapons. After a hard fought battle, the Shaolin student leaves the mercenary flat on his back.
KUNG JIN: I’m a quick learner.
The soldiers surrounding the rest of Team S-F are quickly defeated. A loud deep roar attracts Jacqui’s attention, and several thumping footsteps catch the attention of everyone else as well. They look up in horror at what is approaching, but Jin steels himself as he hears a young girl calling out threats in the Outworld tongue.
The gigantic hooded brute Torr walks into the plaza, and on his back is his rider, the diminutive Ferra. She gives off an evil cackle as they take in the scene.
FERRA: Let’s play, Torr!
Torr roars in response and starts forward. Team S-F get into fighting stances.
CASSIE: You couldn’t just ask for a pony like every other girl?
Kung Jin nocks an arrow into his bow-staff.
KUNG JIN: The archives never mentioned symbiotes.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE BEGINS]
At Ferra’s battle cry, Torr charges forward. Cassie, Jacqui and Takeda run to meet them, while Jin aims his bow-staff. Jacqui ducks a right swing from Torr and tries to punch him, but Torr easily blocks her attempts. As Torr grabs Jackie and hoists her over his head, Jin fires off an arrow that hits him in the shoulder, causing him to drop Jacqui before he can slam her into the ground.
Torr pulls the arrow out and charges forward, but Takeda runs into his path. He blocks a fist from Torr, who blocks his attacks and grabs his leg, throwing him to the ground while Jin prepares another shot. The brute bashes Takeda with both his fists while he’s down, but Jin hits him with another arrow in the shoulder before he can repeat the motion.
Once more Torr pulls the arrow out and charges forward. Cassie tries to hit him with a Shadow kick, but Torr catches her leg.
FERRA: Break her face!
Torr complies by punching Cassie square in her face with his free fist. He picks her up by the shoulders and hoists her over his head, eye level with Ferra, who brandishes the claws on her hands.
FERRA: Ferra cut you!
This time, Jin shoots his arrow at Ferra, catching her in the shoulder and knocking her off Torr’s back. Torr throws down Cassie and runs in to meet Kung Jin in kombat. Ferra quickly rights herself and jumps right back on Torr’s back.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE ENDS]
FERRA: You here make trouble, Skinny?
She barks off a growl.
FERRA: Trouble make you!
Torr roars in compliance.
They fight. Ferra/Torr prove to be unlike any opponent Kung Jin has ever faced, with the hulking giant and depraved dwarf fighting in tandem with amazing effect. Nonetheless, Jin’s speed, training and endurance all pay off in the end and after a long hard brawl he leaves Torr defeated on the ground, on top of Ferra.
KUNG JIN: Love to learn more about ya. Too bad you’re insane.
As Ferra struggles to pull herself out from under Torr’s unconscious body, Jin rushes over to the rest of Team S-F, who are picking themselves back up.
KUNG JIN: You guys all right?
They say nothing in response, but a cry across the plaza grabs their attention. More soldiers – far more than they can take on – dash towards them. Once they are surrounded, the Kytinn D’Vorah strolls up to Team S-F.
D’VORAH: The Earthrealmers, yes? This One must learn more of your diplomatic techniques.
CASSIE: We’re here to see Kotal Kahn. General Blade’s–
D’VORAH: You interfere with Outworld matters. The penalty is death.
CASSIE: I’m sensing a theme.
D’VORAH: But as we honour the Reiko accords, we will consult the emperor. You will await him here.
She walks off, leaving Team S-F surrounded by the soldiers. Cassie turns to Jin.
CASSIE: You wanna take this opportunity to tell us what the fuckshit you were thinking?!
TAKEDA: I gotta wonder why you’d risk interrealm war for a bread thief.
KUNG JIN: Because not all thieves are irredeemable.
The scene fades into an enclosed shrine. The words “Five Years Ago” appear at the bottom of the screen. The doors to the shrine are opened by Kung Jin, wearing the shrouded clothes of a thief. He looks around the shrine, which has paintings of many of Earthrealms greatest heroes framed on the walls. Jin stops at two of the paintings – of the Shaolin’s finest, Kung Lao and Liu Kang.
Jin looks regretful at what he is going to do, but nonetheless steels himself and picks up a jade statue on a table below the paintings, small enough to hold in one hand. After pausing another moment to contemplate his actions, he grips the statue tightly and flees the shrine.
An exterior shot reveals that Jin is fleeing from the Sky Temple. He makes it to the outside courtyard and pauses to admire the statue. As he walks away, he fails to spot Raiden standing behind him.
RAIDEN: It has more sentimental than monetary value.
Jin stops dead at his words.
RAIDEN: Nevertheless, I would prefer you did not steal it.
KUNG JIN: It’s a family heirloom. One that shouldn’t have been given to you!
The statue disappears from Jin’s hand in a flash of lightning, and reappears in Raiden’s.
RAIDEN: Your family honoured me with this memento of your cousin Lao. After his death.
KUNG JIN: A death you caused! You made him fight Shao Kahn, then stood there while that bastard snapped his neck!
RAIDEN: You go too far, Kung Jin.
KUNG JIN: No… Not far enough.
They fight. Kung Jin soon realises he is outmatched, as the Thunder God takes little damage from his onslaught. Even when he manages to knock Raiden to the ground, he knows fighting him is in vain.
KUNG JIN: Just let me go.
Jin walks away, despondent, only to find Raiden teleporting directly into his path, completely uninjured from the brief fight.
RAIDEN: Blood of Kung Lao, descendant of the Great Kung Lao… a common thief. Did you think you could walk unimpeded into my temple and walk out again… without my complicity?
KUNG JIN: You wanted me to attack you. Why?
RAIDEN: To release your anger. Make you amenable to reason.
Jin hangs his head, unable to meet Raiden’s eyes.
KUNG JIN: And make me feel like shit.
RAIDEN: Self-loathing has always been an unfortunate part of your makeup. There lies ahead a brighter path. One that will truly honor your ancestors.
He puts a hand on Jin’s shoulder.
RAIDEN: One that is worthy of you. Go to the Wu Shi Academy. Join the Shaolin, like Kung Lao before you.
Raiden takes his hand from Jin’s shoulder. Jin turns away from him, still downcast.
KUNG JIN: I can’t. They won’t… accept–
RAIDEN: They care only about what is in your heart. Not whom your heart desires.
KUNG JIN: It’s too late for me.
Raiden holds out the statue for Jin. He takes it.
RAIDEN: It is never too late, Kung Jin.
Jin finally looks into his eyes, and lights up with determination.
Back in Outworld, Kotal Kahn has his back to Cassie Cage in contemplation. D’Vorah, Erron Black, Ferra/Torr and Kotal’s soldiers still have Team S-F surrounded. He turns back round and walks toward Cassie.
KOTAL: Your news of refugees is troubling. Their exodus to Earthrealm was not known to me.
He turns away and walks onto the platform.
KOTAL: I do know this: I invited no guests from Earthrealm. Certainly none who would disrupt the execution of justice.
He places a hand on the stocks that the thief was formerly in.
KOTAL: How do I know you are not allied with Mileena? Perhaps her newfound power has earned her new friends?
CASSIE: Friends? No. No! We’re not even sure that’s Shinnok’s Amulet that she has–
KOTAL: She employs Shinnok’s Amulet against me?! The very item Earthrealm swore would be safe in it’s care?! When Outworld was offered no participation–
Realising that negotations are taking a turn for the worse, Kung Jin starts foward.
CASSIE: We were under attack, not Outworld–
Jin steps in front of Cassie and interjects.
KUNG JIN: Kotal Kahn… The Fire that Burns the Sun. We are here because we share your concerns about the missing item. We intend no ill against your rule.
KOTAL: At least one Earthrealmer can forge words like silver. But I recall an Earthrealm expression: “There is more honour among thieves than diplomats.”
KUNG JIN: I’ve had the questionable fortune to be both, Emperor. But I’m telling you the truth.
KOTAL: You are allied with Mileena. (To D’Vorah) You may carry out your sentence.
KUNG JIN: Kotal Kahn, under Outworld law, I claim the right of defense… by kombat.
TAKEDA: What?
JACQUI: You’re gonna fight… a duel?
KUNG JIN: To absolve us of all accusations. (To Kotal) Denying the request brings dishonour upon the accuser.
KOTAL: You know much of Outworld.
He steps down from the platform.
D’VORAH: Know also: The duel ends in death.
Jin steps into a fighting stance as Kotal does the same.
KOTAL: You have won nothing. Merely a few more seconds of breath.
They fight. The battle proves to be one of the toughest of Kung Jin’s life. Facing down an Osh-Tekk warrior at full strength is no easy feat, and it takes all of Jin’s speed and skill in battle to hang in there. After what seems like a lifetime, Jin finally powers through Kotal’s strength and leaves him down on the ground, defeated.
KUNG JIN: And now, Emperor?
Breathing heavily, Kotal cannot find the strength to rise again.
KOTAL: The charges against you are void. I say to all that Earthrealm means Outworld no harm.
D’Vorah looks shocked at these words. Team S-F can barely believe it either. Kotal gets to his knees, but rises no further.
KOTAL: Now kill me. Be done with it.
CASSIE: You’re not actually gonna…?
Jin steps closer to Kotal.
KUNG JIN: Instead of your life, I claim your service.
Kotal looks up in surprise.
KUNG JIN: If Mileena does have the amulet, we can get it from her more easily if we work together.
The Kahn rises to his feet. D’Vorah walks up to him.
D’VORAH: Emperor, they cannot be trusted–
KOTAL: D’Vorah, can you not perceive? I am indebted to them.
He holds out his arm, and Jin clasps it at the elbow. Kotal returns the hand (or arm) shake.
KUNG JIN: You honour us, Kotal Kahn. Our gratitude is wide like the ocean.
Kotal says nothing, but frowns at the words.
CASSIE: I’ll talk to General Blade. Tell her about our new… arrangement.