The scene cuts to the abandoned city previously seen in Chapter 1. The words “Five Years Ago” are displayed at the bottom of the screen. Takeda walks through the devestated remains of the once vibrant metropolis, outfitted in the yellow garb of the Shirai Ryu. He warily scans his surroundings, but there are no signs of life throughout the entire urban wasteland.
He approaches the edge of a building, taking cover next to it. As he peeks around the corner, a chained kunai impales itself into the concrete inches from his head. Scorpion – now fully human, and better known as Hanzo Hasashi – pulls his weapon back into his grasp. Hanzo is noticeably wearing ninja garb that is much looser looking than his previous outfit when he was a spectre.
Takeda charges at him with a scissors kick, but the two strikes are blocked easily by Scorpion. He throws several more kicks, but Scorpion evades them all. The former wraith goes on the offensive with several punches, two of which Takeda isn’t quick enough to block. He takes them full in the face.
Takeda rallies and jumps into a spinkick. Hanzo avoids the kick, but Takeda grabs one of his holstered swords from his back. It takes the Shirai Ryu master a few moments – and a double take – before he realises what Takeda did. When he does, he pulls out the other sword and readies himself.
The two ninjas engage in a swordfight, each parrying the other’s swipes at lightning quick speed. After Hanzo dodges a swipe at his waist, Takeda throws his sword directly at his master’s sword-hand. Scorpion blocks the attack and sends the stolen sword soaring skywards, but that gives Takeda the opening to charge forward and jump-kick his master square in the face.
Hasashi falls down hard, and Takahashi catches the falling sword. He swings it downward, but stops it an inch from his master’s neck. For a moment he does nothing but give his mentor a knowing look.
TAKEDA: Yield.
Hanzo flashes a brief smile.
SCORPION: Well done.
He lightly pushes the sword away and offers his hand. Takeda accepts it and pulls him to his feet.
SCORPION: You are now Chujin.
He places a hand on his chest and bows. Takeda bows in response and offers him back his sword.
TAKEDA: You honour me, Master Hasashi.
Scorpion takes the blade back and holsters it.
TAKEDA: Now that I’m Chujin, how will I serve the clan?
SCORPION: Your future does not lie with the Shirai Ryu.
TAKEDA: But… the clan’s my family.
Scorpion turns away, but continues speaking.
SCORPION: When I took you in, I promised your father–
TAKEDA: I don’t have a father.
A new voice catches Takeda’s attention.
KENSHI: Yes you do. One who’s proud of you. A Chujin in record time.
The blind swordsman bows to Takeda, but the younger man looks furious rather than happy.
TAKEDA: (To Scorpion) You knew he was coming? You said nothing?!
SCORPION: Knowing this would be your reaction, yes.
Takeda moves forward, ready to attack his father.
SCORPION: Takeda! Your father is not your enemy.
The younger Takahashi remains unconvinced, and he addresses the elder Takahashi directly.
TAKEDA: Ten years. No visits, nothing. You abandoned me.
KENSHI: I did not abandon you–
TAKEDA: I was eight! My mother had just died! NOW you come back? Think you can jump right in as the proud dad?
KENSHI: Son, I–
He tries to touch Takeda’s shoulder, but finds his hand angrily slapped away.
TAKEDA: To hell with you! I am not your son!
They fight. Reluctant to fight his own flesh and blood, Kenshi is soon at the disadvantage against the newly minted Chujin. After a brief melee, he is soon down on the ground thanks to his son.
TAKEDA: Now get up! I wanna knock you down again!
As Kenshi is rising, Takeda moves in to strike him again.
SCORPION: Takeda, CEASE!
At his master’s voice, Takeda stops in mid-strike.
SCORPION: Kenshi did not abandon you. He brought you here for your protection.
TAKEDA: Protection from what?!
SCORPION: From those who murdered your mother.
TAKEDA: She… she died in an accident!
KENSHI: That is the story I asked Master Hasashi to tell you.
He stands to his feet.
KENSHI: But in truth, your mother was killed by Red Dragon assassins. I was the target. Suchin was the victim.
Takeda growls in fury and lunges forward, grabbing Kenshi by his outfit.
TAKEDA: Son of a bitch! It was your fault!
He makes no move to strike him, though. Scorpion slowly steps forward.
SCORPION: Your father has devoted his life to fighting animals like the Red Dragon. It is they who are without honour.
Takeda lets his father go and walks away, taking a moment to collect his emotions. Beneath his anger, pain is clearly visible on his face.
TAKEDA: You shouldn’t have hidden the truth.
KENSHI: You would have gone after your mother’s killers unprepared. I could not risk that.
Takeda says nothing, but slowly processes the information he’s being told.
KENSHI: Master Hasashi has perfected your fighting skills.
His next words echo in Takeda’s head, rather than being spoken aloud.
KENSHI: (Telepathically) Now it is time to complete your training.
Takeda instinctively puts his hand to his head, in the stance he will later adopt when putting his own telepathic skills to use.
TAKEDA: How– how did you do that?
KENSHI: (Telepathically) We are telepaths. A family gift.
TAKEDA: I can read minds?
KENSHI: (Telepathically) Through training, we will determine your full abilities.
He reverts to speaking his next words.
KENSHI: And then we will hunt down the Red Dragon. Together.
He puts a hand on Takeda’s shoulder. This time it is not slapped away.
The scene cuts back to the present day. Team S-F take cover behind the side of the docked ship they were kept prisoner in. They spot Reptile, Ermac and Erron Black looking over the bodies of the soldiers killed by D’Vorah earlier.
REPTILE: This is D’Vorah’s work.
ERRON: No argument there. Only she could create wounds like these.
TAKEDA: (To Cassie) That D’Vorah’s full of surprises.
ERRON: Question is, is she working with anyone else?
Reptile sniffs the air and straightens up, seemingly catching a scent. He turns to face the docked ship. Erron notices and stands up as well.
ERRON: What is it?
Team S-F duck back down behind cover.
TAKEDA: Damn. He’s made us.
CASSIE: Okay guys, standard diamond formation. Takeda, you’re on point. Jacqui, bring up the rear. Kung Jin, air cover.
Jin pulls an arrow from his quiver.
KUNG JIN: You got it.
On the dock, Reptile confirms his suspicions.
REPTILE: The Earthrealmers! D’Vorah freed them!
Takeda, Cassie and Jacqui charge out of cover. As the Outworlders get into a fighting stance, Kung Jin lets loose an arrow that hits at their feet, unleashing a cloud of blue gas into the air. Team S-F move in as they struggle to catch their breath.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE BEGINS]
Jacqui charges down Erron Black and Cassie engages Ermac. Takeda runs up to Reptile and issues a challenge in Japanese. Reptile growls in response and turns invisible. Takeda looks around in anticipation, and finds Reptile directly in front of him, readying a punch. Takeda lands one of his own before it connects, staggering the Zaterran and turning him invisible again.
As Takeda looks around for Reptile, the lizardman is briefly outlined as he sneaks round Takeda’s back. He comes at him from his right side with another punch, but Takeda blocks it and lands two hits of his own. Reptile is forced to back away and turn invisible once more.
As Takeda looks over the docks for his unseen foe, he notices a nearby barrel move and fall into the water. He puts two fingers to his temple and – remembering Sub-Zero’s training from earlier – realises that it was a distraction. He turns around to spot Reptile attacking him from behind. Takeda once again blocks his strike and throws a punch that catches Reptile in the kidney. He follows with a face strike and kicks him in the chest, sending him sprawling and turning invisible yet again.
Takeda holds his telepath stance yet again this time, and closes his eyes in concentration. As Reptile charges him from behind, Takeda turns and throws a fist that catches the Zaterran square on the forehead. He falls down and turns invisible for a fifth time.
As Takeda once again puts two fingers to his temple and closes his eyes, Reptile uncloaks a good few steps away from him and throws out his extendable tongue. Takeda catches it without even looking, then pulls Reptile in and punches him thrice in the face, staggering him back.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE ENDS]
They fight. Already weakened by Takeda’s defense, Reptile finds himself at the disadvantage against the Shirai Ryu’s fighting techniques and advanced weaponary. It isn’t long until the Zaterrean lies defeated on the docks.
TAKEDA: One down. Two to go.
Kung Jin has moved up and is now taking on Erron Black. He isn’t faring too well, as Erron kicks him in the side and then kicks his legs out from under him. As Jin falls, Erron slams a fist into his abdomen, leaving him reeling on the ground in pain. Black aims his revolver at Kung Jin’s head, but Takeda uses his whips to grab Erron by the ankles, dragging him off his feet.
Takeda turns in the opposite direction and gives the whips a hard tug, sending Black flying over his head and through the staircase to the docked ship, demolishing it completely. With Erron down for the moment, Takeda runs over to Jin and helps him back to his feet.
KUNG JIN: When we get back, you’re teaching me that.
TAKEDA: Deal. Go help with Ermac. I’ve got this.
Behind them, Erron kips up to his feet and charges Takeda. The ninja turns around and tries to slide tackle Black, but the outlaw vaults over him, coming down into a roll to his feet. Takeda also spins back to his feet.
ERRON: Think you can handle me alone? You’re either brave or foolish.
They fight. Takeda proves his bravery twice over through his speed and skill, and takes the battle right to the mercenary. After a hard fought battle, Takeda leaves Black as unconscious as he did Reptile.
TAKEDA: Brave or foolish, I’m alive.
Over at the end of the docks, Ermac has been keeping the rest of Team S-F at bay easily enough. He faceplants Kung Jin with a telekenetic slam, blasts Jacqui right down the docks with a burst of soul energy and caps it off by deflecting Cassie’s gun from her hand, before levitating her into the air. Before Ermac can finish her, Takeda grapples him in a sleeper hold, breaking the energies keeping Cassie in the air. She falls unconscious, and Ermac is unable to bring his powers to Takeda while grappled.
TAKEDA: Let’s see what’s worth learning in there.
He slams a palm onto Ermac’s forehead. Takeda only holds it there a couple of moments before he cries out in pain and reels backward, clutching his head and letting go of Ermac.
TAKEDA: So many minds… trapped inside…
ERMAC: We exist to serve. Bound by Shao Kahn’s magic.
TAKEDA: The chaos… the voices…
ERMAC: We are many. You are one. Your abilities pale before us.
They fight. The battle proves to be one of the toughest challenges Takeda has ever faced, for Ermac was hardly weakened by the onslaught of Team S-F and Takeda himself is still disorientated after trying to read his mind. Nonetheless, the Shirai Ryu Chujin steps up to the task and fights with all he has. At the end it proves to be just enough to defeat the many souled warrior.
TAKEDA: I think I’ve had enough of Outworld.
Takeda walks over to his teammates, who have just finished picking themselves off the docks.
JACQUI: I’m starting to get why my dad retired.
CASSIE: We have to find D’Vorah. Get the amulet.
KUNG JIN: Let’s go. They won’t be out long.
They depart. The scene cuts to Kotal Kahn’s palace. Reptile, Erron and Ermac are all either seated or standing around the table, with the Kahn pacing nearby.
KOTAL: D’Vorah? And the Earthrealmers?
ERRON: She stole the amulet, then helped them escape.
REPTILE: She betrayed us to the Thunder God.
Kotal shakes his head in disappointment.
KOTAL: You wound me, D’Vorah.
He turns to his lieutenants.
KOTAL: Prepare the legions. We go to Earthrealm. We will wrest back the amulet from that devil Raiden.
The scene cuts to the Kuatan jungle, where Team S-F have now reached. Takeda is speaking to Kenshi through his communicator.
TAKEDA: We’re all in one piece. No one seems to be tailing us.
KENSHI: Have you been able to determine where D’Vorah was headed?
TAKEDA: We think she’s headed for the Sea of Blood.
Another voice is heard over the communicator.
JAX: Damn!
JACQUI: Dad?
JAX: She’s coming here. To Quan Chi. There’s a secret portal near the Sea of Blood. Quan Chi had it built when we were gettin’ ready to invade Outworld.
CASSIE: Great.
JACQUI: Dad, what are you doing? Why are you in the Netherrealm?
The scene cuts to the Netherrealm. Jax is walking along the Krossroads with Kenshi and a squad of Special Forces soldiers, speaking into the communicator.
JAX: Well, now who’s being overprotective?