The scene cuts to Outworld. Takeda and Jin climb up the stairs of Kotal Kahn’s palace to meet with Jacqui and Cassie. Cassie is speaking with Sonya over her communication piece, next to a large table which seems to where Kotal Kahn and his advisors would meet to discuss affairs.
CASSIE: The Kuatan Jungle?
SONYA: With at least two divisions of Tarkatans. They’re on the move constantly to avoid detection.
Jacqui checks something on her communications device, which appears to be a map of sorts.
JACQUI: That’s not far. Maybe two hundred kilometres.
SONYA: You know what to do.
CASSIE: Yes ma’am.
SONYA: Good luck. Blade out.
Kotal Kahn and D’Vorah walk up to Team S-F from the other side of the table.
KOTAL: You have new information? From Earthrealm?
CASSIE: Kano talked. Gave us the details on Mileena’s location. She has the amulet, but she’s got a lot of protection.
KOTAL: We will strike immediately.
D’VORAH: Perhaps a two-pronged approach. The army will engage Mileena – distract her – while This One retrieves the amulet.
CASSIE: Not alone. “This One’s” coming with.
D’VORAH: Stealth is of the essence.
CASSIE: Did you not hear me?
D’VORAH: You may assist in the main strike–
KOTAL: D’Vorah. We will grant their request and I will finally be rid of Mileena.
D’Vorah doesn’t look too happy at Kotal for this decision, but she says nothing to him.
The scene cuts to D’Vorah letting a large maggot run across her hand. The caption “Five Years Ago” reads in the bottom left of the screen. As the maggot continues it’s course, the camera pans out to show that the scene is set in D’Vorah’s apartment, and seated on two stools are Kotal Kahn (without his blue warpaint) and Reptile. D’Vorah remains standing and facing away from them, though she has a stool of her own.
D’VORAH: This One understands your logic, but does not reach the same conclusion.
She lets the maggot back down into the eggsack it lives in before turning to face them.
D’VORAH: Like others, This One is not pleased with Mileena as Kahnum. But it is not clear your coup will succeed.
KOTAL: That is why I invited our Zaterran friend.
REPTILE: Listen, and join us. I know things about Mileena. Her troubled rule will fall in the telling – and pave the way for Ko’atal.
D’VORAH: What would you know that would cause–
The doors to the apartment are forced open. The three turn to face eight Tarkatans who quickly surround them. Mileena walks in a moment later, flanked by both Ermac and the general of the Tarkatans, Baraka.
MILEENA: (To Ermac and Baraka) Ah, there they are. Three of your fellow councillors, whispering like handmaidens. About what, I wonder?
KOTAL: If only you would hear our counsel. As war with Netherrealm looms, I have urged detente with Earthrealm.
MILEENA: And I’VE told you I would sooner die than treat with my father’s murderers!
KOTAL: You refuse practical solutions to credible threats. You endanger the realm.
MILEENA: And sedition does not? Speak your last, before I have your tongue.
Reptile growls and steps forward, pointing an accusing finger at her.
REPTILE: You are not Shao Kahn’s true heir! She is a construct; formed in Shang Tsung’s Flesh Pits. I saw this. Your best claim to the throne is moot.
MILEENA: How dare you! I succeed Shao Kahn by his decree!
KOTAL: Succeed him you have. But Outworld demands new leadership.
MILEENA: From you? Osh-Tekk fool! (To Baraka) Kill him!
Baraka obediently lunges forward, but his attempted stab is blocked by D’Vorah.
D’VORAH: This One serves Mileena no longer!
She punches Baraka across the face. The Tarkatans spring to attack, but Ko’atal and Reptile have little trouble fending them off.
MILEENA: (To Ermac and the Tarkatans) You will defend your Empress!
ERMAC: Our creator, Shao Kahn, is dead. We will serve whom we choose.
Mileena screams in fury as Ermac attacks, blocking his strikes as best as she can. A Tarkatan lunges at Kotal with a flying kick, but the Osh-Tekk grabs his leg and slams him into the floor. Reptile kicks another mutant in the stomach and knees him in the face, before ducking a blade swipe from a third who’s leapt up on one of the stools. He throws a kick that misses, but forces the Tarkatan to leap off.
D’Vorah has now extended her spider-like limbs to kombat Baraka. She parries his blade swipes, pushes him back with the limbs and charges forward, tackling him off the balcony of the apartment. As they fall, D’Vorah opens up her wings and flies into the air, while Baraka crashes hard onto the market place below. Bystanders immediately scatter from the area. Baraka picks himself painfully off the ground while D’Vorah gracefully lands.
D’VORAH: Still you follow Mileena?
BARAKA: Shao Kahn conquered my realm. I owe him my loyalty. I honour his will.
They fight. As vicious and deadly as Baraka is, he proves to be outmatched when facing for D’Vorah, who’s attack range and powers far outshine his. After a short but fierce battle, Baraka is left staggering on his feet, dazed and helpless.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE BEGINS]
D’Vorah looks back to her department and spots Ko’atal walking up to the balcony. He looks over to Baraka and gives her the thumbs down – the cue to finish him. In response, D’Vorah extends two of her spider limbs and stabs Baraka through the face and chest, impaling his brain and heart on them both. She pulls her limbs back to her, takes the organs in both her regular hands and slams them together, destroying them in a shower of blood and gore. Baraka’s corpse falls backward and remains as food for the flies, and D’Vorah extends her wings and flies back to her apartment.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE ENDS]
As D’Vorah returns, Ermac and Reptile have Mileena restrained, though still growling in anger. The other Tarkatans are either dead or unconscious.
D’VORAH: Baraka is dead. Your last ally has left you.
Mileena falls silent at these words. Ko’atal takes one of his bloodied shoulder sickles and lifts Mileena’s chin with it.
KOTAL: (To Reptile) Take her away.
The Zaterran does as he is commanded. Ermac watches him and Mileena leave the apartment, and then turns to face Kotal and D’Vorah.
ERMAC: We would serve the new ruler of Outworld.
D’VORAH: Then you serve… Kotal Kahn.
Kotal nods at her. Both she and Ermac kneel at Kotal’s feet, and he looks satisfied at their fealty.
The scene cuts back to the present day, in the Kuatan jungle. Various tents are set up, with Tarkatans running between them. Cassie and D’Vorah sneak into the makeshift campsite. They crouch behind some crates and barrels, while the sounds of battle between two armies is heard close by. D’Vorah leans in close to Cassie, eyeing something in the distance.
D’VORAH: There.
She is looking at a large tent a few yards away from their hiding spot. Rain walks out of it, accompanied by a Tarkatan. He says something and the Tarkatan rushes off. D’Vorah sneaks out of cover and Cassie follows. Rain turns to see them both approaching, Cassie drawing her pistols and flanking him from one side, while D’Vorah apporaches from the other side.
RAIN: (To D’Vorah) Here to surrender, traitor?
D’VORAH: You would speak of treason? This One knows you desire the throne. Why serve Mileena?
RAIN: I advise her. Stealing the amulet was my genius. It kills her a bit each time she uses it.
D’VORAH: As both sides diminish, you fill the void.
RAIN: Exactly my plan.
While Rain is speaking, Tanya sneaks up from behind on Cassie and grabs her. As they struggle, Rain charges at D’Vorah with a running knee, catching her on the chin. He grabs her arm, pulls her in and punches her in the face. She staggers back into a fighting stance.
RAIN: A shame you will not see it’s fruition.
They fight. With his power over water and lightning alike, the Edenian half-god proves to be a difficult fight for D’Vorah. Nonetheless, her own powers and fighting prowess prove to be too much for him, and he is soon left unconscious at her feet.
D’VORAH: Your schemes end here.
The scene pans over to Tanya, who has now straddled Cassie and is pummelling her in the face. As D’Vorah approaches, Tanya stops her attack. D’Vorah pauses for a moment, but turns toward the tent. Tanya stops her by launching a fireball, just missing her by a few inches.
TANYA: Leaving without your friend, D’Vorah?
She stands up and walks toward her.
TANYA: Your people believe we avoided your island out of respect for your solitary nature. We just didn’t like you.
D’VORAH: The Kytinn do prefer solitude – which I will achieve momentarily.
They fight. Despite being well versed in both magic and kombat, the Edenian soon finds herself being overpowered by D’Vorah, who’s control over insects proves to be the decisive factor in the fight. It’s not long after that Tanya falls unconscious next to Rain.
D’VORAH: Now two Edenians will die.
She approaches the two of them and extends her spider limbs from her back, but Cassie – now back on her feet – has other ideas.
CASSIE: I know you said you weren’t friends, but you’re not killing them. Head’s fine, by the way.
D’Vorah is clearly annoyed, but retracts her limbs.
D’VORAH: Very well. Let us go.
They enter the tent. Inside is a locked chest. Cassie attemps to open the lock.
D’VORAH: Step aside.
She does so. D’Vorah puts her hand to the lock. A horde of tiny insects no bigger than ants seemingly spawn from her hand and pour into the lock to devour it from the inside.
CASSIE: That… is really disturbing.
A shout from outside the tent catches their attention.
MILEENA: D’Vorah!
She stalks into the tent. Cassie draws her pistol, but D’Vorah barks out an attack in the Kytinn language. Her stomach splits open at the same time, pouring out a swarm of flying insects that cloud over Mileena.
Growling, she backs out of the tent, trying to fend the swarm off with her hands. D’Vorah silently motions to Cassie to stay and guard the chest, before walking out of the tent to confront Mileena.
D’VORAH: This One knew you would not stray far from the amulet.
MILEENA: You took my throne. Now you wish to steal my means of reclaiming it?!
D’VORAH: Neither was meant for you!
MILEENA: WHO ARE YOU TO SAY?! I will take something of yours – your LIFE!
They fight. As vicious and skilled a fighter as Mileena is, even she is not a match for D’Vorah’s mastery over all things insect. The battle proves to be long and brutal, but in the end the Kytinn is victorious.
D’VORAH: This One will enjoy your death.
The scene cuts to some time later, in another tent complete with Osh-Tekk inspired decorations and a large throne styled in the same manner. Kotal Kahn steps up to the throne and sits in it. D’Vorah stands to the left of the throne, while Mileena is on her knees before them both. The battle was evidently won by Kotal’s forces, as Team S-F are also present in the tent behind Mileena.
MILEENA: Enough of your prattle. Finish me, that I may join my father.
KOTAL: You do not deserve death by an emperor’s hand. Instead I give the honour to my worthy First Minister.
He looks over to D’Vorah, who smiles in anticipation. She strolls up to Mileena, grabs her by both cheeks and – much to Mileena’s surprise – kisses her full on the lips. However, the outside of Mileena’s mouth – still framed by her Tarkatan features – shows the full story, as insects begin falling out through her enlarged teeth. D’Vorah’s minions begin eating Mileena’s face from inside her mouth, much to the disgust of Team S-F.
The process only takes a few seconds. By the time D’Vorah lets Mileena go, her face is already a bloody mess. She manages to scream out a last cry of pain and agony, but by then her eyes, hair and the skin on her head is completely gone, consumed by the insects. She falls to the floor, writhing and gurgling as the insects continue to devour the flesh on her skull, even bursting through her stomach as well. A few seconds later, her body is completely still, with pools of blood rising from her head and abdomen. D’Vorah looks over to Team S-F with an eerie smile on her face before turning back to her position at Kotal’s side.
KOTAL: The rebellion is over.
CASSIE: Well, thanks for that. (To Jacqui) I know I’ll never eat again.
Jacqui says nothing. Cassie looks back to Kotal, Shinnok’s Amulet in her hand.
CASSIE: With your leave, we’re gonna head back to Earthrealm. Put the amulet back where it belongs.
Kotal motions with his right hand, which glows with a dark blue light. Team S-F suddenly find themselves restrained at the waist, with their arms pinned to their sides, by the same blue light that has surrounded them each.
CASSIE: The hell are you doing?!
Kotal stands up and walks toward her.
KOTAL: Earthrealm cannot be trusted to protect the amulet. It will remain with me.
He takes the amulet from her.
KUNG JIN: The Reiko Accords require that you–
KOTAL: The Accords no longer concern me. But you may prove useful – when Raiden comes for this.
Two of Kotal’s soldiers take Team S-F by the shoulders, escorting them out of the tent. Kotal looks at the amulet in his hand, and behind him D’Vorah also looks to it.
The scene cuts to D’Vorah, now outside the tent and somewhere in the jungle.
D’VORAH: This One deceived them.
A nearby tree obstructs the view of the person she is speaking with.
D’VORAH: The amulet is in Kotal Kahn’s possession.
UNKNOWN: You can retrieve it?
D’VORAH: He trusts no one else to transport it.
UNKNOWN: Keeping you close to the Outworld throne these many years has proven most fortunate, D’Vorah.
The speaker finally shows himself. He is protecting himself through the magical equivalent of a hologram, but it’s clear to all who it is – the Netherrealm sorcerer Quan Chi.
QUAN CHI: They never suspected one of their own to be a disciple of our lord.
D’VORAH: This One lives to serve Shinnok.
QUAN CHI: You have done well. Now bring it to me.
D’VORAH: Without delay, Quan Chi.
The scene cuts to the Netherrealm. Quan Chi has his eyes closed, and ghostly green mists project around his head. As he opens his eyes, the mist disapates. He walks over to where a group of hell-horses (creatures with the body of a horse, the head of a ram and feet and horns that glow white hot at the base) are standing. Mounted on the hell-horses are three of Quan Chi’s remaining revenants; Sindel, Kitana and Liu Kang. Kung Lao stands nearby another horse, holding it by it’s reins.
KUNG LAO: Master.
Quan Chi mounts his hell-horse, as does Kung Lao.
LIU KANG: What news from Outworld?
QUAN CHI: Shinnok will soon be freed. We make for my fortress.
They gallop off. The scene cuts back to the Outworld Kove. Two of Kotal Kahn’s soldiers hold a treasure chest between them, carrying it down the docks. D’Vorah walks in front of them. With a sly smile on her face, she slowly stops and turns to face them.
SOLDIER #1: Is there a problem?
D’VORAH: Two problems.
She sprays them both in the face with yellow resin generated from her hands. The venom in the spray overwhelms the soldiers and kills them within seconds. D’Vorah then breaks into the chest and retrieves Shinnok’s Amulet, grinning wickedly as she does so. She stands back up and exits the Kove.
The scene fades from there into a large barn in Earthrealm, focusing on an old red tractor. Jackson Briggs – now in a farmer’s outfit, but with his cybernetic arms clearly visible – walks over to the tractor with a screwdriver in hand. He begins to work away on the tractor’s motor when Sonya walks in to the barn.
SONYA: Your wife told me I’d find you in here.
Jax doesn’t take his eyes off the tractor.
JAX: You and Vera have a nice chat?
SONYA: Always.
Jax says nothing and walks over to the barn’s toolbench. Sonya walks toward the tractor to get a better look
SONYA: Is that a National? I haven’t seen one this–
JAX: You didn’t come to here to discuss farm implements.
He walks back to the tractor, still not looking at Sonya.
SONYA: All right. I’ll cut to the chase. I need your help.
JAX: My help?
SONYA: I know. I don’t have any right to–
JAX: You knew what I wanted.
SONYA: Jacqui volunteered. She came to me.
Jax says nothing for a moment, and then lets out a long sigh.
JAX: I know.
SONYA: Listen, I get why you didn’t want Jacqui joining S-F. Why you retired. I mean, if I had to live with memories of being one of Quan Chi’s thugs? I would’ve eaten a gun a long time ago.
JAX: Well, you know Vera.
He finally turns to look at her.
JAX: She never would’ve allowed that.
Sonya actually gives a chuckle at this comment.
JAX: So what is it you need help with? The Outworld refugees?
SONYA: Worse. Shinnok’s Amulet. Mileena has it.
JAX: Damn.
SONYA: And we’ve gotten word from Sareena that Quan Chi has resurfaced in the Netherrealm.
JAX: He shows his face after twenty-five years… just as Shinnok’s Amulet is in play. That’s not a coincidence.
SONYA: That’s why I need you. You’re Quan Chi expertise. We wouldn’t reactive your commission. You’d be an observer.
Jax looks to be considering the offer, but his face suddenly turns into a frown as he spots Johnny Cage walking up to them both.
JAX: Cage.
JOHNNY: Jax.
SONYA: What is it?
JOHNNY: Just wanted to see if maybe–
JAX: You could help close the deal? Yeah, because that worked out so well last time.
JOHNNY: Can’t blame a guy for trying.
Sonya does her level best to ignore Johnny and get Jax back on track.
SONYA: We need you, Jax. Help me capture Quan Chi. None of us is safe if he gets near that amulet.
Jax says nothing for a few moments, but finally relents.
JAX: So where’s Jacqui in all this?
SONYA: Outworld. With Cassie’s team recovering the amulet.
Jax lets out a loud sigh.
JOHNNY: She’ll be fine. We expect to hear “mission accomplished” from them soon.
Jax looks unconvinced. The scene cuts to what appears to be a brig on the lower decks of a docked ship. Inside each of the cells are Team S-F. Jacqui examines her cell, looking for a way out. Cassie tries forcing the door of her cell open to no success. Kung Jin meditates. Takeda sits on the bench in his cell, one hand on his temple.
JACQUI: So what’chu guys think? They gonna kill us?
TAKEDA: They would’ve done it by now.
KUNG JIN: Unless Kotal Kahn’s planning on having us as “guests” at the Koliseum.
Cassie rattles the bars on the cell door, to no avail. She sighs in frustraion.
CASSIE: Well, if they don’t kill us, my mother will. Me, at least.
TAKEDA: Tough being the general’s daughter?
CASSIE: You have no idea.
KUNG JIN: I do. My great-whatever grandfather took down Shang Tsung. Saved Earthrealm. How often do you think that comes up at family gatherings?
CASSIE: That was six hundred years ago.
KUNG JIN: And yet you’d think it happened yesterday.
JACQUI: No pressure there.
CASSIE: I’ve trained all my life… can fight my way out of (nearly) anything… but I still feel like a second-rate Cage.
TAKEDA: At least you grew up with people expecting things from you.
JACQUI: I thought you and your dad were best friends?
He gets up and walks toward the cell door, leaning on the bars.
TAKEDA: Now. He was a no-show for a long time.
JACQUI: I can relate.
KUNG JIN: What was that like growing up? Having an ex-revenant father?
TAKEDA: Jin!
KUNG JIN: No, I’m asking! Couldn’t have been easy.
JACQUI: …He was just a BIT over-protective. When I joined S-F, Mister Cage insisted on being the one to tell my dad. He thought it’d go over smoother.
Cassie chuckles at this.
CASSIE: I’ll never forget that day. My dad came home with a broken jaw.
They all share brief chuckles at that comment. After a moment’s silence, they hear footsteps from above deck. A silhouette appears at the hatch of the deck, and the sound of keys jingling is unmistakable.
TAKEDA: All right, I got this.
CASSIE: You’ve got what, exactly?
TAKEDA: Trust me.
The hatch is opened. One of Kotal Kahn’s soldiers enters the deck with a bucket full of bread loafs. He stops once he reaches the end of the staircase.
SOLDIER: Away from the bars!
Team S-F comply with the order. The soldier tosses the bread loaves to each of them in turn. When he gets to Takeda, he notices the Shirai Ryu in his telepathic stance and steps in for a closer look. Takeda has his eyes closed in concentration, until they suddenly snap open. The soldier groans and tries to clutch his head, but falls unconscious before he can. Takeda leans through the bars and grabs the keys on his waistbelt. He unlocks the door to his cell, then follows by unlocking the doors on his friends cells.
JACQUI: How’d you do that?
TAKEDA: I overloaded his senses. Only works at short range.
JACQUI: Being the son of a telepath has it’s perks.
TAKEDA: I didn’t use to think so.
Jacqui looks over to Jin, who shrugs his shoulders. Team S-F all exit the brig.