Kung Lao, a humble young man with the heart of a great warrior.
Soon that heart will be tested...
as he fights for his home.
The Earth Realm.
Kung Lao will make his stand in the tournament called Mortal Kombat.
Here, the Elder gods grant the greatest fighters...
of the universe the right to defend their own realms...
against the warriors of the dark realm called Outworld.
The rules are simple. Every generation...
the chosen fighters from each side are transported to Shang Tsung's island...
an outpost between realms.
If they lose their battle...
their realm falls to darkness forever...
absorbed in the desolate expanse of Outworld.
Another victory for its Emperor Shao Kahn.
Over centuries of Kombat, Kahn's champion...
Shang Tsung, has remained undefeated.
Laying to waste an untold number of fighters with his sorcery.
Finish him!
Earth is the jewel of the universe.
A young, vast, pristine realm...
whose inhabitants have not yet begun to comprehend the power it holds.
I am Rayden, God of Thunder, Protector of the Earth Realm.
Not an easy job, believe me.
Your soul is mine!
It's time to commit, Kung Lao...
to a destiny you've trained your whole life for.
Here... you are ready.
Physically there is no fighter your equal. But here is your weakness.
Doubts. Lurking in your head.
Since you were a boy, Kung Lao...
I have known that a great and powerful warrior resides in your soul.
Your victory will come from an unwavering belief in yourself.
That and a little luck.
Kung Lao is the best and the last Earth has to offer.
Your final battle, Shang Tsung.
After your victory, Earth finally becomes my domain.
Our domain.
Meaning, of course, that I would share in its power as your most obedient servant.
Your ambition serves you well, Shang Tsung.
But know this: Failure now is unacceptable.
Today, Earth lives or dies with the skill of its greatest warrior.
It is a fight to the death.
In this sacred tournament called Mortal Kombat.
Fight!
Pathetic or not, your soul is mine.
Your will is weak, Kung Lao. Soon to break.
Finish him.
Kill him! Kill him!
Earth will make a fine addition to our world.
You can do this, Kung Lao. Believe.
Jen... I can't stay. But I had to see you one last time.
This is not the end, Kung Lao.
Your strength is in me and mine in you.
You must finish what you've started before it's too late.
Very clever. Playing dead.
Not as clever as this.
Kill him! Kill him!
He is worthless and weak.
Finish him.
No.
Listen to me.
When the next tournament comes, remember what you saw here today.
The people of Earth are not murderers.
In respect of the Elder gods and the laws of Mortal Kombat...
I choose... mercy.
Nice speech.
You should have killed me, Kung Lao.
You look like you're sleeping standing up.
Give me a break Rayden. I'm tired.
I know. You deserve a rest.
I offer gratitude.
To the Elder Gods...
for granting me to courage and the strength to defeat Shang Tsung.
Up at dawn. Filled with anger. Not much of a rest.
- Someone is tormenting me. - Any suspects?
Someone or something is inside my head.
Turning all my thoughts to darkness.
There's no one inside your head, Kung Lao. No one but you.
What you are seeing is no doubt a premonition of your future.
A fate yet unwritten, but clouded with fear.
Haven't I earned the right to just be happy for a change?
Shao Kahn has not been defeated.
His claim to Earth has merely been postponed.
What you have earned, Kung Lao, is the right to be a leader.
To find and train a new generation of fighters...
to stand at your side in the next tournament.
It is one path, Kung Lao, if you so choose.
But remember, in Mortal Kombat, victory is not the end...
it's only the beginning. Why can't you teach the new fighters?
This is not my world.
Not my responsibility. The key to Earth's victory lies in the human spirit.
So you want me to just turn away from everything?
What about my dreams of happiness with Jen?
Do you want me to give up my whole life?
There are rewards.
The Elder Gods have granted that you will not age another day until the next tournament.
Tell me, Rayden, would you rather be old and happy or young and cursed?
If my future is unwritten like you say...
then I'll write it the way I want, from now on!
Why do they never listen to me?
Siro.
- Miss me? - Absolutely not.
Siro, tell me the trip went well. I need my father in a good mood today.
You know I always tell you what you want to hear, Jen.
But this time it might actually be true.
I just got your father a very sweet deal on two hundred pounds of cinnamon.
Good. Then he won't mind me asking for a gift.
A gift?
Yeah, for the Temple of the Order of Light. It's their holiest week...
Oh, I know, that Mortal Kombat nonsense.
Nonsense or not, it's only right for us as citizens here...
to make an offering to the Temple and its fighters.
Like Kung Lao?
Yes.
Wish me luck.
Are you enjoying the rewards of failure?
- Great Shao Kahn, end this now. - How dare you beg for death!
Only victors are granted their desires.
There's a fate worse than death.
The Cobalt Mines of Shokan.
An eternity of pain and suffering.
Mocked by the dregs of the universe.
A fitting punishment for letting the Earth realm slip through my hands!
You are forever known as Outcast.
Failure.
Failure!
Now remove this vermin from my sight.
Revenge will be mine. Kung Lao will die!
Come on. We're almost at the Temple.
Siro, how do I look? And be honest.
In love. Undeniably in love. And this concerns not just your father, but me too.
What have you told him?
You underestimate your father. He can see it as plainly as I can.
He only wants what's best for you.
Well, I'm glad he knows. The love Kung Lao and I share was meant to be.
A word of warning, Jen.
It may be that the only thing inevitable...
is a battle of wills between you and your father.
Not very friendly, are they?
Something's not right.
Enough.
No bloodshed on sacred ground.
Why didn't you tell me you were coming?
A contribution for your temple. I wanted it to be a surprise.
What to do, what to do? Oh...
- the Barron could use some kitchen help. - I'd rather die.
And you will, if you can't cook. Where are you going, Jen?
Tradition says all contributions to the Temple must be made in person.
- Jen goes nowhere without me. - She's safe now, Siro.
- Thanks to you. - Five minutes. Then I come hunting.
You're all heart.
Now you may just find out that's far from the truth.
Come here, I want to show you something.
- You've been practicing. - Ssshhh.
Focus, you taught me. I can't be distracted.
What? Scared I can beat you now? Don't look so surprised, Kung Lao.
- You're a very good teacher. - Jen, l...
I, uh, had visions while I've been gone.
About us?
It's nice to know when you're away on your Temple retreats...
- that I'm still in your dreams. - Jen, please. Listen to me...
- This vision I had... - Let me guess.
You saw us together, just like now.
As husband and wife.
Growing old in each other's arms.
You, uh, read my mind.
Just one thing, the only problem now is going to be convincing my father.
Kung Lao, my friend. It's good to see you.
The trading post is closed. This must be a social visit.
Actually, I've come to propose a deal with the Barron.
Wish me luck.
Hey, smile, Kung Lao.
After all, it's not every day you get to propose to the Barron's daughter.
How's our thief?
Being treated like one.
No.
And to what do I owe the honour, Kung Lao?
I think you know, Barron, that over the years I've become very close to your daughter.
Is that so?
And I'm ready to dedicate my life to Jen's happiness.
She's a dear girl. She deserves happiness.
And what are your financial prospects, Kung Lao?
Just how much does that Temple pay you to save the world?
Well, sir, it doesn't exactly work that way.
I'm well aware of the way it works, your training to fight...
other realms, your Elder Gods.
But, if you're serious about marrying Jen...
you have to put aside this foolishness once and for all.
But Barron, how can you ask me to abandon my faith?
What you call faith, Kung Lao, I call delusions.
- They're not delusions! - I am a businessman.
I have practical concerns for the welfare of my daughter...
and if you cannot seriously provide for her, then your request is denied.
Guards! Show him out.
I can't accept that answer. Jen will be my wife!
Jen is my property!
And like everything else in this trading post, she has a price...
which I'm afraid you cannot afford.
Leave now, Kung Lao, or I'll consider you a thief and treat you accordingly.
No, I will not leave without Jen.
Be smart now, Kung Lao. Don't make me hurt you.
Take him outside and punish him.
Father, wait! Today at the Temple...
Sir, it was Kung Lao who saved us from the thieves.
- This is true? - I swear it.
I will spare you punishment this time.
But if you show yourself here again, I'll consider it a threat to my daughter's...
safety and I will have no choice but to have you killed.
Get him out of here.
The great Shang Tsung. No better than the rest of us now.
Unless you count his powers of sorcery, which are legend.
All cheap tricks. We all lose our powers down here.
I hope so. Otherwise your respected position is seriously in doubt.
I'll show Shang who he bows to now.
I'm Z'dak and this is my region.
There's no power greater than mine down here.
Yes. You're right. There is no greater power than your stench.
You work when I say. You rest when I say.
- You're my slave now. - I think not.
- Out of tricks, sorcerer? - A few more... up my sleeve.
Hocus. Pocus.
You dropped something.
I warned that it was no match for the mighty Shang Tsung.
But... fools have to learn the hard way.
I can only imagine what you're down here for.
But it does not serve my purpose right now.
So... disappear... before there's another hard lesson.
Your purpose, if the rumours are true...
is revenge upon the Earth Realm warrior, Kung Lao.
A difficult proposition from inside these mines...
but possible with my help, of course.
All I ask in exchange is a way out of this hell-hole.
A simple arrangement between friends.
Help me take revenge on Kung Lao...
and you will live to see tomorrow.
How's that for an arrangement?
Splendid.
You're at a crossroads, Kung Lao.
Part of you accepts your obligation, part of you rejects it.
Your visions are created by self-doubt.
Ignoring them will only make them stronger until one day they will become real.
I can't control them.
Then do what's in your power to do.
You're the last Earth fighter left.
To find more and train them well, that is one path.
The other promises bliss...
but it will also lead you to betrayal, to suffering and death.
Not a tough decision if you ask me.
No, I can't, Rayden.
If I betray my heart now, I'll be haunted by regrets.
Either way I lose.
At least one way leads to Jen.
- You're really quite fortunate. - And how's that?
Shao Kahn did not choose these mines as his prison by accident.
The luminescence of cobalt deadens any special powers a fighter may have.
Except yours, for some reason.
I am human by origin. This... this rubble has no effect on me.
A human? I've made a deal with a mere human?
A human with enough power to erase you from history.
And yet clearly not enough power to escape these mines yourself.
You must have really enraged Shao Kahn.
Your usefulness is waning.
You've told me nothing about this place that wasn't painfully obvious.
Oh, but there are other places.
Places most prisoners know nothing of.
I've seen the secrets of Shao Kahn's conquests hidden below us.
All that way for this... this trinket?
Hardly a trinket. This is The Scorpio, stolen by Kahn from a conquered realm.
- Bugs. I have no need for bugs. - Go closer.
You will see there is more than meets the eye.
You are seconds away from annihilation.
Legend says The Scorpio holds a prisoner within it. A most deadly warrior.
It occurred to me that with your magic powers...
you could release the warrior within.
In exchange for settling your score on Earth with Kung Lao.
Takeda, Takeda! Please let me in. I have to see Jen.
Are you crazy? The Barron's issued an execution order if you're seen here.
Takeda, we've been friends for too many years. You have to let me in.
My whole future depends on it.
Look, my future depends on not letting you in.
Takeda, I have to come in. Don't make me hurt you.
You give yourself far too much credit, Kung Lao. And you give me, far too little.
You know, my only consolation is...
When the Barron finds you knocked out, he'll see you tried to stop me.
At least one of our futures will be secure.
- Kung Lao, I thought I'd never... - Shhh. The guards will find me soon.
I thought I'd never see you again.
You should know me better than that. Quickly now, Jen. We have to leave.
I call upon the soul trapped inside and offer these terms for your release.
Unleash your malevolence from the skies above onto Earth Realm...
- I knew something was not right. - Siro, please.
I owe you so much already, I know.
But do what you know is right for me.
I swore to ensure your happiness.
Protect her as I have, Kung Lao.
Go quickly.
Takeda!
Come on, Jen. I'm here for you.
Jen?
No, Takeda, you don't understand. I'm leaving with Kung Lao.
That will not happen.
No.
No fruit tonight.
I'm hungry for something else.
Something... new.
- You've got a real way with women. - Mm-hm.
- Excuse me, sir. - This better be good, Siro.
- Jen has eloped with Kung Lao. - What?
They left some time ago. And I allowed it.
You allowed it?!
Takeda, I'm sorry about what happened outside.
- But I had no choice. - Neither do l.
No, I order you to let us go!
Damn you.
I can see the doubt in your eyes now, Kung Lao. You can't beat me.
No!
Get over here.
You...
Summon my guards.
I was warned I'd be betrayed.
But I never imagined it would be you.
Have mercy on your friend.
No, Kung Lao.
Take him!
- As you ordered, Barron. - Seize him.
Please, no.
I will deal with you later, Jeneviere. Please.
Your efforts shall be rewarded, Takeda.
You will be promoted to Siro's job as my personal consort.
As soon as you banish this traitor from my trading post.
You should not have ignored my warnings, Kung Lao.
You've forced my hand in this.
Tomorrow...
you die.
No place for a woman.
Jailed in this pit, slave to a ruthless man like the Barron.
Who are you?
Oh, me, I'm just a lowly thief like yourself.
Caught taking what wasn't mine from the Barron.
I am not lowly.
Oh...
How'd you get in the other side of that grate?
When they were moving the temple warrior guy into my cell earlier tonight, I snuck out.
Temple warrior?
You mean Kung Lao?
Mm-hm. Yeah. You know, he's to be executed tomorrow morning.
Some say with him dies the future of all mankind.
Oh, you mean all that stuff in those old legends.
Yeah, you're right. Who cares?
Wait.
Can you get me out of here?
Me?
I'm no use to you.
It'll take two strong young bodies to move this grate.
You and... maybe a warrior.
I see.
You want me to save Kung Lao.
Oh, heavens, no.
That would be suicide helping him escape.
Besides, wasn't it his fault that you were caught in the first place?
Not really.
But...
I mean, I might just...
kill myself if I have to stay down in this rat hole another night.
Hey, where did you go?
This is all my fault.
- I never should have let you... - Enough.
It's not your fault. I brought this on my own by not doing my job.
Please be careful, Jen. Something is not right with Takeda.
Your instincts are never wrong, Siro.
Show yourself here again, Siro, and you'll be killed on sight.
It might be worth it, just to get another shot at you, traitor.
If I'm the traitor...
why are you the one being exiled?
Better hurry now, or you'll miss Kung Lao's execution.
I'm within my rights to offer you nothing...
but I know that you're a spiritual man so...
I will grant you five minutes for prayer.
You're too kind.
Speak.
Such a lucky man, Shang Tsung, to get everything you've ever dreamed of.
Kung Lao dies today.
How?
Barron Reyland has ordered him beheaded.
I want his soul.
There is none stronger in Earth Realm than Kung Lao.
Without fresh souls, my powers will fade.
The Scorpion lives. We will be there at the moment of death to take it.
- Then you must free him. - I must?
If it is your will.
It is my will. Die, Kung Lao.
Take Jen home. Guard, take her back home!
I must be crazy.
I feel his suffering and it is wonderful!
Excuse me.
Hi, um, this is very embarrassing. Um...
I would like to take a bath...
but I can't get my clothes off with these chains on.
Could you help?
Yeah? Great.
Um, now if you could just, uh, yeah, right here...
What're you doing?
If you want me to break your boyfriend free, I'm gonna need your help.
I don't understand. Why would you do that for him?
Well, the other day when I tried to rob you, he saved my life. I owe him one.
And nothing personal, but I'd hate to see your father get what he wants.
What can I do?
Where does your father keep his keys?
Two minutes, that's how long your brain needs without the body.
Enjoy.
Kill him.
Now Jen.
Takeda!
- We've come to set you free! - So I see.
What is going on?
You and Taja must go far away.
Jeneviere!
Stop this treachery.
Stop it!
Don't come any closer.
Why are you doing this to me, Jen?
Could you truly love Kung Lao more than your own father?
If you would've loved me, Father, you would've never made me choose.
Go, now!
- Guards! Guards, help me! - Come with us, Jen.
Kung Lao.
Go, both of you, please!
Stop them!
Who is there?
All packed and ready to go.
Who are you?
Just a lowly beggar.
But one who hears things.
Moving about as I do.
The rumour has it...
the Barron's daughter is in need of a new bodyguard.
The old one quit.
Quit? I would die for that girl.
Now you tell me who is spreading these treacherous lies about Siro.
Or I'll have you begging for your life.
Speak.
Your words are very impressive.
A quick word of advice, my friend.
Don't wear yourself out on me...
if you ever hope to get your old job back.
Are you sure this leads up to Jen's room?
Yes, I'm sure.
I've just escaped, and here I am, sneaking right back in.
Okay.
Push.
Harder.
You were hardly innocent.
No, I'm a thief.
Have been most of my life.
Not just here either, in many places.
This is where I slept. Nice, isn't it?
Oh, I was given a choice. Down here with the rats, or...
upstairs in the Barron's chamber.
- You choose the rats? - I may be a thief...
but I do have my standards.
Through there is the servants' stairs.
They lead to the bed chambers.
I snuck up there once, just to see what it would be like.
I know it sounds silly, but I, uh, I even tried on one of her gowns.
Raw silk.
Soft, luxurious. And the way it caressed my skin, it...
it made me feel...
more than just a thief.
Jen's a very lucky girl to have someone like you.
You'll find someone too, Taja.
But this is not your fight.
Go now. Escape while you can.
- You've earned your freedom. - No, um...
wait for nightfall.
And as for me, let's just say I'm a fool for a happy ending.
No guards at the stairs. I guess the Barron doesn't realise how crazy you are.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Siro?
I thought you were banished.
- Ow! - Shhh.
I thought you were dead.
And you, you're supposed to be in shackles.
Unpredictable, aren't we?
Taja rescued me. We've come back to get Jen.
Hey, that's why I'm here, too.
Some beggar in the woods got me thinking.
I have a hunch Jen's not safe here anymore.
Tell me about this beggar.
Oh, he was very insolent.
But very nimble.
Long grey hair, bright blue eyes. About... this tall?
Hey! I know that guy. He escaped from here last night...
after he guilted me into saving you.
He's name is Rayden. He is the Thunder God and protector of the Earth Realm.
Wanna run that by me again?
Yeah, you lost me at Thunder God.
You really are nuts, Kung Lao.
It doesn't matter if you believe me.
If Rayden came to you both then I can't do this without you.
The last part I agree with. But, what's our plan?
Very simple. Get her and get out.
Less noise.
Something isn't right. This door is never unlocked.
Wait here. Cover my back.
Jen?
Take him!
Takeda!
It's me, Kung Lao.
- No, Takeda. Please! - That's enough, Takeda. Take him away.
Your soul belongs to Shang Tsung.
I said enough.
Stop him.
Stop this sorcery!
No!
No, no. You'll break your legs.
Don't ask me why he didn't.
I should've listened to Rayden.
I should've killed Takeda while I had the chance.
I should've killed Shang Tsung.
Kung Lao, come quick. The Barron's dying.
Kung Lao. Kung Lao, I beg you, save my... my Jeneviere.
- Do you know where Takeda might take her? - No. But you must stop him.
Now...
I was wrong.
Please... forgive... me.
So where do we start looking?
Everywhere. She may have been taken to Outworld.
- "Outworld"? Where's that? - It's another realm, another dimension.
- It's hard to explain. - Let me guess...
Outworld is where your Thunder god lives.
Don't make me laugh. I wouldn't be caught dead in Outworld.
Fortunately, immortals can't die.
- That's the beggar! That's him! - Yeah, and a liar. He told me he was a thief.
- Jen's been taken. I have to know where. - Walk with me.
Rayden, I don't have time for one of your lectures.
If you had listened to my last lecture, Kung Lao...
you may not be in this situation now.
I'm sorry. You're right.
But Jen's in trouble. And I think Shang Tsung's behind this.
If that's true, you're being led straight to your death.
I don't care. Tell me where she is, Rayden, I have to save her.
I understand.
Your visions, Kung Lao, what is it you saw?
I saw death.
My own.
Of those I care for.
The monks.
The Temple. Is that it? Is that where he's taken her?
The Temple is also where you're most vulnerable.
Until you commit to fulfil your destiny, you cannot defeat Takeda.
There's much more at stake here, Kung Lao, than even the life of Jen.
I understand.
I need a vacation.
Kung Lao is in trouble. I need two strong bodies...
to help me kill him.
It's okay. They're with my Temple.
Not anymore.
- Killer monks. This should be fun. - Speak for yourself.
Go on. We'll take care of your friends. Or whatever they are.
Two on two. Seems like a fair fight.
I hate a fair fight.
Ever been in this situation before?
- Yeah. You first. - Okay.
Your turn!
Jen.
Kung Lao.
Takeda?
Takeda is no more. I am Scorpion.
Whoever you are, if Shang Tsung sent you, it was to kill me, not her.
I was sent to make you suffer.
And then kill you. Get over here!
I'm going to kill you, Kung Lao.
Jen!
Is it over? Did I kill him?
Almost, Jen. Almost.
Your will is weak, Kung Lao. Soon to break.
Together we can beat him, Kung Lao.
No. I have to do this myself. Stay with Jen.
Jen. It's over now. Stay with me.
I will always be with you Kung Lao.
My home is now your heart.
Jen.
Please, don't leave me.
Please.
I ask of you Elder Gods only this...
Let this candle burn in memory of my lost love, Jeneviere.
Until we are reunited... someday, somewhere.
I'm sorry about Jen.
There's still so much I don't understand.
I can never forgive myself for Jen.
You do what you must, Kung Lao.
This Realm of yours is the greatest prize in the universe.
And now that Shang Tsung has taken Jen and Takeda...
we know that he can strike out at anytime in any form...
and will stop at nothing to defeat you.
Beware who you trust, for evil is everywhere...
and it is relentless.
Where do I even start?
The City of Zhu Zin.
It is not just the centre of your world, but the crossroads of many realms.
You must find a place in the heart of the city to call your own.
A place where you can find and train new fighters for the next tournament.
The key...
Jen gave me this.
She said... her home is in my heart.
The Trading Post. It's vacant now. This must be the key to the gate.
It's what Jen would've wanted.
But be warned.
Warriors will come to you from all over the world.
Some fugitives, some disguised as friends...
some even led by a vision of their own destinies.
But anyone who joins you also becomes a target for Shang Tsung's minions.
How will I know the true fighters? Where will I find them?
Trust only your instincts, Kung Lao.
For nothing and no one are always what they seem.
Now...
go kick some butt.
Kung Lao! Kung Lao.
I've been giving it some thought and I want to try and put my past behind me.
Take it from me, it's always there.
You're probably right. I just want to do something useful for a change.
Very admirable.
Look, I'm offering you my help, Kung Lao, on this "mission" of yours.
But don't make me beg.
Since when did you become a believer, Taja?
I'm not but I have to admit I saw some very strange stuff and...
if I'm gonna risk my life, better it to be for something worthwhile.
I could use your help, but I can't be responsible for your safety.
I can't be for yours either.
So where're you off to know, Siro?
Hard to say.
What fool would hire a consort whose last charge died before his eyes?
I'm sure I'll find work in Zhu Zin.
Cleaning sewers, something prestigious like that.
Take care. Both of you.
Siro, you could come with us.
Only if it means getting revenge for Jen's death.
All the other things you talk about make no sense to me.
It may take a while, but Shang Tsung will be punished.
I must warn you both...
the forces of Outworld will stop at nothing to defeat us.
We must beware who we trust.
For evil is everywhere and it is relentless.
Sounds better than dying alone.
Brooding?
Be very careful.
I will, Shang. With you, I always will.
Walk with me.
Where?
Into the future.
Even though you failed...
You have lived too long.
I was going to say that even the greatest plans made...
by the most powerful can sometimes fail.
So there is only one thing left to do.
And what is that?
Make more great plans.
You're not the only warrior imprisoned here by Shao Kahn.
Kahn's been around for eons and over the years...
he's imprisoned hundreds of fighters, just like us.
"Us"?
I only show so much on a first date.
We're just full of surprises, aren't we?
In the Cobalt Mines, nothing is at is looks.
So I see.
Hundreds of fighters, all trapped down here. With us.
We could build an army.
As always, Earth will live or die on the skills of its greatest warriors.
In the sacred tournament called Mortal Kombat.