The scene cuts to the refugee camp. Quan Chi is now in handcuffs and chains, being escorted by Kenshi and Johnny Cage. They drag him into an open shipping container.
KENSHI: Sit.
Quan Chi is forced down on a chair. Two soldiers cuff his legs together in chains as well.
JOHNNY: I’m guessing it’s not your first time in cuffs. What’s your safeword?
Quan Chi gives Johnny a death glare in response. Smiling to himself, Johnny exits the container, followed by Kenshi and the soldiers. The doors are slammed shut. The moment they are, a slight smirk comes to his face. Over this scene, we hear Sonya speaking.
SONYA: Advise Secretary Blake that Quan Chi is in custody. We’ll be moving him to the super-max facility at Fort Charles within the hour.
The scene cuts to Johnny and Kenshi walking up to Sonya, who is relaying the orders to one of her soldiers.
SOLDIER: Yes ma’am.
As they approach, Sonya turns to face them.
SONYA: You two stand guard. Prisoner transfer will be here in twenty.
JOHNNY: Oh, NOW she trusts me to babysit.
Outside of narrowing her eyes at Johnny, Sonya doesn’t respond to the bait. She instead puts her communicator to her ear.
SONYA: Cage, report.
Cassie’s voice is heard on the other line.
CASSIE: We haven’t caught up to D’Vorah. We had her tracked to the Makeba Cliffs, but then her trail went cold.
SONYA: Damn.
The scene switches to begind some shipping containers. Unseen to the soldiers or refugees, several ninjas creep in and hide behind some crates.
CASSIE: Jacqui thinks D’Vorah’s unique physiology may allow us to pinpoint her location. She’s retooling her smart-comm to track D’Vorah’s pheromones.
The lead ninja holds one hand in the air as he crouches down. His subordinates stop and take cover by him.
SONYA: How long?
SCORPION: On my command only. Wound. Do not kill.
CASSIE: She has to write the code. We’re looking at… two hours?
SONYA: Sergeant, your team doesn’t have two hours. We need her found immediately!
JOHNNY: Sonya!
She turns to look at him. He tilts his head and nods angrily. Sonya sighs and takes a moment to calm down before she resumes talking.
SONYA: Cassie, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but there isn’t time. Bring your team back here, we need to re-group and re-deploy.
CASSIE: Yes ma’am.
Sonya hangs up.
JOHNNY: They’re doing their best.
SONYA: I know.
Kenshi looks into the middle distance and – despite his blindness – notices someone approaching.
KENSHI: General. We have a visitor.
Sonya and Johnny turn to see Hanzo Hasashi approaching them in full ninja garb.
SONYA: You two are friends, right? He tell you he was coming?
KENSHI: Nothing.
Sonya walks up to Hanzo, who bows before her.
SCORPION: General.
SONYA: Master Hasashi. I hadn’t received word you were coming.
Behind Sonya, several of her soldiers walk closer to the two of them, guns idle in their hands.
SCORPION: I will have Quan Chi.
SONYA: We have things under control. You can–
SCORPION: He must die.
SONYA: Raiden needs him. Without Quan Chi we can’t restore Liu Kand and the other revenants. You’d leave them trapped? Like you were?
SCORPION: Only Quan Chi concerns me.
He motions to walk past her. Sonya puts a hand on his shoulder. Kenshi pulls out Sento from it’s sheath and Johnny walks forward, ready to fight. Several soldiers surround Hasashi and point their weapons directly at him.
SONYA: Don’t do this, Hanzo. I’ll put you down.
SCORPION: Then we are at an impasse.
He holds up two fingers and calls out a command to attack in Japanese.
The Shirai Ryu ninjas charge out from behind cover and engage the soldiers. Hanzo bats away Sonya’s hand and punches her in the face. He blocks her attacks, but takes a roundhouse kick to the face. He retalitates with a right cross that strikes her across the cheek.
SCORPION: Quan Chi is mine.
They fight. Despite no longer being a wraith, Hanzo is still capable of tapping into his hellish powers, and he brings these to full bear against the General of the Special Forces. Combined with his own fighting skill and prowess, it isn’t long before Sonya is overwhelmed and knocked unconscious.
SCORPION: I wish you no harm, General Blade.
Two of the Shirai Ryu drag Sonya away. Hanzo walks over to the shipping container holding Quan Chi. His ninjas have successfully restrained the guards on post there. However, Kenshi sneaks up behind Scorpion and unleashes a telekenetic shockwave from Sento, slamming Hasashi into the container doors. Kenshi then levitates him into the air.
KENSHI: Call off your men, Hanzo!
Hanzo remains calm in spite of his incapacitation.
SCORPION: If you value our friendship, you will give me Quan Chi.
In response, Kenshi throws Scorpion across the campsite. He smashes hard into the side of a humvee. He looks up to see Kenshi charging at him and throws his chained kunai, which Kenshi slides to evade. As Kenshi rises, Hanzo tackles him, knocking the sword from his grasp. Kenshi pushes him off and they both roll to their feet.
SCORPION: Withdraw. Without Sento you are vulnerable.
Johnny Cage takes this moment to tackle the ninja from the side.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE BEGINS]
Hanzo pushes Johnny away from him, but the movie star comes back with a backhand. Hanzo evades it, blocks several more blows from Johnny and catches him on the chin with a palm strike.
Johnny comes in again with a right hook. Hanzo once again blocks the blow and several more that follow, landing a jump kick that catches Cage in the chest and staggers him backwards. Johnny takes a moment to get back into a fighting stance, and Hanzo follows suit.
Johnny tries landing a strike to the kidney this time, but Hanzo intercepts it. Again, Hasashi fends off multiple punches from Cage before grabbing his leg off a failed kick, sweeping the other out from under him. Johnny pounds the ground with a fist in frustration and stands up once more.
[QUICK TIME CUTSCENE ENDS]
JOHNNY: Just like old times!
They fight. Johnny Cage has lost none of his fighting skill over the years, but the youthful agility he possessed in his earlier bout against the ninja has not fared so well. The fight is intense and close, but in the end it is Hanzo Hasashi who proves the victor this time around.
SCORPION: Only Quan Chi’s death will abate my anger.
With Cage down, Scorpion turns back to the shipping container. Kenshi is still down on one knee, but he tries to reason with him.
KENSHI: Hanzo, no! You’ve earned great trust for the Shirai Ryu. Do not squander it by murdering a withered sorcerer!
SCORPION: That withered sorcerer is the architect of my suffering.
A ninja grabs Kenshi and restrains him as Hanzo continues toward the container.
The scene cuts to an outside table on a snowy mountaintop, complete with two bowls and a kettle. The caption “Five Years Ago – Lin Kuei Temple” reads at the bottom of the screen. Hanzo Hasashi walks toward the table, eyeing it suspiciously. He turns around at the sound of someone approaching – who turns out to be Kuai Liang. Hanzo says nothing, but does not look pleased to see him approach.
SUB-ZERO: Master Hasashi. I am grateful that you’ve come.
He bows before Hanzo.
SCORPION: Speak your mind. I do not wish to linger here.
Kuai motions toward the table. When Hanzo does not move, he walks around him and kneels by it.
SUB-ZERO: You re-establish the Shirai-Ryu as I reform the Lin Kuei. We both seek to shed our clans’ dark pasts. Dedicate them to Earthrealm’s protection.
He puts some flavouring inside the two bowls.
SUB-ZERO: Our common purpose gives us a chance to end old rivalries. To start anew.
SCORPION: You’ll confess what you’ve long denied? That your clan’s hands are soaked in Shirai-Ryu blood? In the blood of my family?
SUB-ZERO: …Our honour is indeed stained. Please. Sit.
Hanzo finally complies with the request.
SUB-ZERO: After you and I were freed from Quan Chi’s control, I sought out my clan. I had hoped rebellion from within would have quashed the Grandmaster’s plans.
Kuai pours the water from the kettle into the bowls.
SUB-ZERO: But Sektor had realised his father’s vision. The Lin Kuei had benn fully cyberized. I pledged to kill Sektor and his followers. Re-form the Lin Kuei and restore our honour.
SCORPION: I am not interested in Lin Kuei politics, Sub-Zero.
SUB-ZERO: When I finally killed Sektor, I discovered the Lin Kuei had not sacrificed it’s honour with the Cyber Initiative. We had abandoned it long before.
Liang passes Hasashi the prepared bowl of soup. Before he can take it, Hanzo hears the sound of an ice attack being prepared. He dodges in the nick of time, and an ice blast destroys the table. Hanzo rolls to his feet to see a female Lin Kuei – who uses ice powers just like Sub-Zero – walking toward him with the intent to fight.
FROST: There will be no peace, Scorpion!
SCORPION: Frost! (To Sub-Zero) The Lin Kuei are still without honour!
He charges Frost, blocks two strikes from her, punches her in the face and downs her with a roundhouse kick.
SUB-ZERO: Master Hasashi, wait!
SCORPION: For what? More treachery? I will have your head!
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. However, Hanzo Hasashi takes the advantage with his opponent’s reluctance to fight. After a back and forth exchange, the Shirai-Ryu knocks the Lin Kuei to the floor.
SCORPION: Our story ends here, Sub-Zero.
He pulls one of his ninjato from his back and prepares to decapitate Kuai Liang. However, Frost charges him once again, this time brandishing an ice dagger. As Hanzo turns to kill her instead, an ice blast from Sub-Zero freezes her solid. Scorpion turns around in confusion to find Sub-Zero standing once more.
SCORPION: What is this?!
SUB-ZERO: I did not bring you here for treachery. Frost is strong, but lacks judgment. She cannot see the wisdom of peace. I will deal with her.
Hanzo is still suspicious at this words, but he does consider them. The scene cuts to inside the temple. Hanzo and Kuai walk up into the main chamber together, Hanzo having put his sword back in its sheath.
SCORPION: You spoke of the Lin Kuei’s lost honour.
SUB-ZERO: For years, I had thought you had unfairly blamed the Lin Kuei for the deaths of your family and clan.
They stop by a table. The cybernetic arm and head of Sektor lie on it, both hooked up to some sort of battery.
SUB-ZERO: But Sektor’s cyber-preserved memories revealed the truth.
He presses a button on Sektor’s arm. From a projected light it reveals a hologram of Quan Chi.
QUAN CHI: The Lin Kuei need to abide their agreements, Sektor. The Grandmaster gave Shinnok his word.
Sektor’s recorded voice replies in response.
SEKTOR: Shinnok’s currency is lies. As is yours.
QUAN CHI: Payment is due. I exterminated the Shirai-Ryu as promised.
SEKTOR: Hanzo Hasashi lives. He’s your spectre, Scorpion.
QUAN CHI: I created Scorpion from Hasashi’s soul AFTER he died. We observed the agreement.
SEKTOR: The letter, not the spirit. You are owed nothing.
The hologram fades. Hanzo’s face now shows pure horror at the words he just heard.
SCORPION: Harumi… Satoshi…
He bows his head forward in shame.
SUB-ZERO: Had I known of my clan’s complicity in the Shirai-Ryu’s extinction, our history would be different.
SCORPION: I killed your brother because I thought… he–
SUB-ZERO: Quan Chi is responsible for Bi-Han’s death.
A newfound determination enters Scorpion’s eyes and he raises his head.
SCORPION: Sektor was wrong. There is a debt to be paid – and Quan Chi will pay it.
He puts a hand to his chest in a salute. Kuai Liang returns the salute with his hands clasped together. The two former rivals bow to one another.
The scene cuts back to the refugee camp. Quan Chi has been dragged out of the container by two Shirai-Ryu. They throw him to the ground before Hanzo Hasashi. Johnny, Sonya and Kenshi watch all of this from on their knees, restrained by the ninjas who have successfully defeated their forces.
SCORPION: (To his men) Unbind him.
One of them undoes the chains on Quan Chi. The sorcerer remains on his knees.
QUAN CHI: Scorpion, we can–
Hanzo backfists him in the face, knocking him to the ground.
SCORPION: MY NAME IS HANZO HASASHI!!
He grabs Quan Chi by the scruff of his neck.
SCORPION: You killed my wife! My son! And then you burrowed your way into my head! Misdirected my VENGEANCE! COST ME MY ONE CHANCE TO HAVE THEM RESTORED!
QUAN CHI: Your family… I–
Scorpion hauls him to his feet, roaring in rage.
SCORPION: Quiet, sorcerer! Nothing can help you now!
They fight. At his weakest and without any help forthcoming, Quan Chi suffers the beating of his life. Nothing he can do subsides the rage of Hanzo Hasashi, who relentlessly pounds him again and again and again. The one sided battle ends with Quan Chi facedown in the dirt.
SCORPION: At last, you feel my pain.
As Quan Chi struggles to rise, Hanzo kicks him in the face, knocking him on his back. Hanzo slams Quan Chi’s head into the ground and then punches him some more.
SONYA: Scorpion, stop!
A portal opens before them. Hanzo looks up and spots D’Vorah approaching.
D’VORAH: Quan Chi!
Hanzo rushes her with his sword at the ready. D’Vorah parries his blows with her stingers. He manages to cut off one of them with his sword, but as he tries an overhead chop, she stabs him in the chest with the other stinger, bringing him down to one knee. D’Vorah rushes to Quan Chi’s side.
QUAN CHI: Amulet…
D’Vorah pulls it out, but a chained kunai impales Quan Chi through the chest before he can take it.
SCORPION: GET OVER HERE!
The sorcerer is dragged back to Hanzo’s side.
D’VORAH: No!
Hanzo yanks Quan Chi by the chain imbedded in him to a seated position. He’s still barely alive though, and holds his hands towards the amulet, chanting a dark spell in a Netherrealm tongue. In slow motion, D’Vorah throws the amulet to his outstretched arms, while Hanzo brings his ninjato down towards his neck. Just before the blade cuts into him, Quan Chi finishes the chant and grabs the amulet.
An instant later, his head is sliced clean off his shoulders.
SCORPION: Blood for blood. Your debt is paid.
He throws down the headless corpse. Shinnok’s Amulet rolls to a stop on the ground… and erupts with dark purple energy and hellish fire.
Shinnok’s form is faintly visible within the energies.
JOHNNY: Oh shit.
SONYA: (To the ninjas) Free us! Now!
They realise the situation has gone to hell and comply. The amulet finally stops dispelling energy, and it’s owner picks it off the ground in triumph.
D’VORAH: Shinnok.
Behind Shinnok, Scorpion roars in anger and swings his ninjato at him. The fallen Elder God turns around and blasts him with the amulet’s magic, knocking him unconscious. Johnny, Sonya, Kenshi and the Shirai-Ryu ninjas charge at him next, and all receive the same treatment.
SHINNOK: How small they are.
D’Vorah walks up to him and bows.
D’VORAH: This One greets Lord Shinnok.
SHINNOK: Quan Chi chose his servants well. He was wise to restore me in Earthrealm, behind their defenses.
D’VORAH: Quan Chi deceived them. Allowed himself to be captured. He knew they would bring him here.
They look toward the sorcerer’s dead body.
SHINNOK: A pity he did not live to see his work completed.
Johnny Cage starts to wake up, groaning as he does so. Shinnok turns to him.
SHINNOK: There will be no surprises from you, Mister Cage. (To D’Vorah) Bring him.
Another portal opens, bringing forth the revenants Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Kitana, Sindel and Smoke. They stop before Shinnok and bow to him.
LIU KANG: Praise be to Lord Shinnok.
SHINNOK: Let us be on our way.
LIU KANG: There is an Earthrealm force in Netherrealm.
SHINNOK: I am aware. They will be neutralised.
He and his followers leave through a portal. Once it closes, Sonya begins to awaken. Team S-F arrive through a portal of their own as she tries to sit up.
CASSIE: Oh, shit!
She rushes over to Sonya, while Kung Jin rushes to Scorpion and Takeda and Jacqui run to Kenshi.
CASSIE: Mom!
She takes Sonya by the shoulders.
CASSIE: Where’s Dad?
SONYA: Shinnok…
CASSIE: Mom, mom, where’d they go?
Sonya passes out again.
CASSIE: Mom?!
It is Hanzo Hasashi who answers her.
SCORPION: Your father… Shinnok’s prisoner… at the Sky Temple.