Hey, you guys gotta try this cake, it's excellent.
Y eah, it's great.
Anything else?
I think I have more room for another rum cake.
Where do you put it? You've already eaten like half a cow.
I'm not ready to leave yet.
Well, I am. I'm going to the Temple tomorrow and I need to get an early start.
Good night.
- Good night. - See you later.
I'm glad you're not rushing off.
Stay as long as you'd like. I'll get the cake.
- Thank you very much. - Siro... always so polite.
You know, you are always pretty polite.
Way I was raised. Besides, it helps with the ladies.
- Women love it. - Gee, thanks for the tip.
Sir... sir, come quick. They're killing her.
- What? - A local woman.
Who?
I don't know her name but they're torturing her. You must come. Come.
What's your little barmaid's name?
- I never asked. - Great.
You step on your tongue all night drooling over her...
and you don't know what to call her?
You might want to get her name.
Women love that.
Oh, hold on a second.
- Evening, Cassie. - Oh, Taja. Did you want roses?
- Yes, please. - I'm sorry, I just sold the last ones.
Oh. No big deal. I was gonna shop tomorrow anyway. I'll just pick some up then.
I'll have some nice red ones in the morning.
Great. See you tomorrow.
- See? See what they're doing. - Stop it.
- And who are you? The rescuer? - Yes.
What has this woman done to you?
Nothing, really.
She just stepped in our way and didn't move quick enough when we told her to.
She annoyed me. Like you.
Are you all right?
She'll help you. I'll deal with these two.
- Ah, you are gonna deal with us. - Let me have him.
Easy.
He must be pretty brave if he's willing to fight both of us at once.
Well, let's see how you do against three.
In each of us there burns a soul of a warrior.
In every generation, a few are chosen to prove it.
Centuries ago in a time of darkness and fury that fate befell three strangers.
A monk - Kung Lao...
An exiled guard - Siro...
And a thief - Taja...
Who have to defend our Earth Realm from the forces of Outworld.
By fighting for their lives.
By fighting for their honour.
Your soul is mine!
And by fighting for their realm.
It's the burden you must carry.
In a tournament called... Mortal Kombat.
Come on. Let's go.
What the hell was that all about?
A woman was attacked.
She's dead.
- Why? - For nothing. It was senseless.
It seemed like sport to them. I'm glad you guys showed up.
We heard the fight. No idea it was you though.
- What is it? - Just a broken bottle.
Oh.
Why don't we get you home? Looks like you took a couple of good shots here.
I'll tell the guards about the dead woman.
You miserable sluts.
I should have brought others. Ones who won't fail.
Lift your heads.
I want to see you clearly to remind me of what failure looks like.
Look at me!
Tell me, Siann? Sora?
Still so silent in my presence?
They serve you as I do, Quan Chi.
Like three rats from a stinking sewer!
Since you wish to talk, Mika, tell me... what... went... wrong?
He has friends. They... interrupted us.
We should have stayed. I'd like to kill that girl.
Ah, that must be Taja. The other was Siro, the old bodyguard.
Kung Lao's two warriors.
So they frightened you off?
You may need a lesson soon to remind you of what real fear is.
Give me the bottle.
It is lost... broken in the fight.
My work...
drying up on the streets of that filthy city.
- I'm sending you back. - No, please!
You'll need us, Quan Chi.
- I meant back to Kung Lao. - Yes, yes, of course.
Give us another chance. Please.
- And what of the two friends? - May we kill them slowly?
Yes. Slowly. But let them do the work.
I'll give them the same present that I had for Kung Lao.
What works on one will work on all.
The others will have their own horrors to deal with...
but Kung Lao's - that will be the deepest.
Ah, the dust of the NetherRealm. From the evil of countless souls.
Impenetrable as night.
It'll mask all goodness, all nobility, all honour.
Once in, only the worst in them can thrive. Let's see what they're made of.
Blood...
to blood.
Darkness...
to darkness.
You're sure you wanna make this trip?
Those three sweethearts from last night could still be around.
I half hope they are.
- How long are you gonna be gone? - Just a day.
One of the young monks is being made master today.
It's kind of a big deal. Want to come?
I don't think I could stand the excitement.
Anyway, I want to shop. We're out of everything.
Speaking of which, where is Siro?
I wanted him to carry some stuff for me.
You just missed him. He took off to get a shave.
Oh, the barmaid.
He's not getting spruced up for us. See you tomorrow morning.
Nice and close. I like it smooth.
- I'm sorry. - It's okay. It's just a scratch.
Morning, Cassie.
Cassie's not well. She went to lie down. I'm her sister, Siann.
Oh, well... a dozen roses, please.
Thank you.
Here. A lucky 13th for you, free.
Ow. Ah...
I'm so sorry, I didn't get all the thorns off of it.
Did it hurt?
No. It's no big deal. Anyway, here you go.
And you make sure and tell Cassie I hope she's feeling better. Thanks.
Cassie's feeling no pain.
Help me!
Help! Somebody please help me!
Is someone there?
- Over here! - Where are you?
Over here! Help me.
Untie me, please.
I was strangling.
Wet leather. When the sun dried it up, it would cut through your neck.
Who did this to you?
It was highwaymen. I told them I had nothing but they... they still did this.
You should come with me. The monks at the Temple will look after you.
No, actually, I'm not alone. I am to meet my husband here at sunset.
- He's off hunting. - Good.
- Could you help me stand? - Mm-hmm.
- Oh, god, I'm sorry, I've hurt you. I... - It's nothing. Here.
I'll leave you some bread and cheese.
You've done so much already. You're a kind man.
I'm just glad I came by when I did.
Sit by the roadside and rest until your husband comes by.
I will. And thank you again.
Fool. What use have I for this?
Night is falling, Kung Lao. A long dark night.
- All three? - Yes, Quan Chi.
All three were infected as you ordered.
Excellent. Now the veil drops and chaos begins.
Violence, hatred, greed and deceit. And wonderful descents into madness.
Each will be different, you know.
Following their own unique darkness...
the parts of them they try so hard to control and lock away.
They should thank me.
Without goodness, without light, life can be so much more...
interesting.
And so much shorter.
A bit like your problem.
Quan Chi...
- don't. - Don't?
You don't like our game, Mika?
- Please? - I love it.
It's all right.
You know I can fix you and that pleases me so much to know how needed I am.
You want to please me, don't you, Mika?
- Yes, of course. - Let me see how much.
Let me see the real you. The one I remember so well when we first met...
before my powers changed you. Please... no.
God, stop!
Ah, the first blush. Next the flesh will begin to fall away, followed by...
Ahhh, the stench of death.
I'll please you as I always do. Ah, that is so much better.
Now I know you mean it.
Everything has its price, Mika.
- You know mine. - Yes, yes.
- She'd look good like that. - Would you like it to be your turn, Siann?
Uh, uh, uh.
Drink...
And come with me.
Kung Lao, you're back. Can we spar today like you promised?
No.
- Taja, come here. - What do you want?
- You know what I want. - What're you talking about?
- Where is it? - How the hell do I know?
- You know because you took it. - Drop dead.
Shut up, the both of you. What's this about?
She took my coin purse. I put it on my table last night, this morning it's gone.
Well, the condition you're in, you probably dropped it in the latrine.
- You're drunk. - I am not.
I had a little sip this morning.
You would too if you had to stay the night with a thief in the house.
You lying piece of garbage.
Speaking of garbage, what happened to this place?
Ask pig boy.
- I was looking for something. - He tore it up looking for his wine cask.
- Slob. - I'll show you.
Didn't take it, huh?
I was holding it for you until you sobered up.
You both make me sick.
He's right about you at least.
Time for more shopping!
Hey, sweetheart, I need some service here.
- Yes? - You've been avoiding me.
It just looked like you had everything you needed.
Please. I have work to do.
- Yeah, right here on my lap. - What happened to you?
God, I never knew you could be like this!
I never knew I could be like this either.
Great, isn't it?
If you need anything else, I'll get the owner to wait on you.
Good-bye.
She's crazy about me.
Beautiful.
This is ivory from Africa, right?
Could I please see that, uh, mirror on the top shelf?
There's some more service I need to night. And not from the owner.
Let me go, Siro, and I'll try to forget any of this happened tonight.
Nothing's happened yet, but when it does, I sure don't want you to forget it.
Let's have another kiss.
- Stop it, you're hurting me. - Then stop struggling.
Stop!
You're an animal. A pathetic animal. And I hope I never lay eyes on you again.
Where's Cassie?
She's dead. Someone murdered her.
I've come to take her body home.
My god, that's horrible. I just spoke with her.
- May I see her? - If you wish.
The wagon's come. Excuse me.
Poor girl.
Rest in peace, Cassie.
What're you doing, Siro?
Hey, Kung Lao, come on, have a drink. Here.
Where did you get that?
What? This? I don't know. Upstairs? This is Jen's scarf.
I told you never to set foot in her room.
What else did you take?
Nothing. Listen to you. All this foul-mood, rage-crap.
What's your problem?
You, for one.
Why don't you go play hard-ass with someone else?
- You looking for a fight, Kung Lao? - If I were, it wouldn't be with you.
I'd want a real challenge. Taja was right, you are a pig.
I've heard enough of this. That's it. Take it back.
Can't handle a little truth? How 'bout some more?
You're a used-up, free-loading bodyguard...
who couldn't even do that right when you had the job.
You let Jen die.
That's it.
God, what are we doing?
Hell of a hit.
I think you killed him.
- What happened here? - We fought.
Thanks for the report.
- Just let him lie there. - He's hurt.
- Badly. - He got what was coming to him.
What was the fight about?
Him. He's the reason why so much goes wrong.
Him and others like him, getting into my life, using me, hurting me.
None of your friends are trying to hurt you.
I have no friends!
Maybe that's because you're trying to kill them all.
He's like the rest. It's all been lies.
Just calm down. You're just confused. You're...
You're just like all of them, Rayden!
And this time, you're wrong.
For the first time, I'm seeing things as they really are.
I see my true enemies.
Kung Lao, come here!
Siro. Siro, can you hear me?
Siro, what happened? What's wrong with Kung Lao?
Angry. Violent.
You reek of wine.
- Siro, where's Taja? - I don't know.
- Stealing. - Stealing?
Look, Siro, I'm gonna look for Taja, all right?
But I'm gonna get you inside now. I'll come back for you later, all right?
One done.
Sora.
Go to the city. Let's help the girl along.
Yes, Quan Chi.
Oh... the best is yet to come.
I didn't do it, I swear.
Liar. I saw you steal from the goldsmith. Hang the dirty thief.
- Get the rope up. - No, no! I'll give it all back. I promise.
You'll all get it back.
Rayden. Oh, oh, thank God, you came. I owe you one, Rayden.
They were gonna kill me.
That's generally what happens to thieves.
Right, right. I'll make sure everyone gets their stuff back.
That they will.
You're gonna be a very busy woman going from house to house and shop to shop.
I don't know what's going on...
but I'm gonna find out.
You're on a rampage, Kung Lao seems to be out of his mind, and Siro...
- What about Siro? - He's hurt, badly.
- We have to help him. - I will help him.
You will do nothing for a while.
Yeah, yeah, I'll just lay low.
Lower than you think. While I see an old friend.
Out of my way.
I said move.
In a hurry, Sora?
- Who are you? - Look at me.
Look in my eyes.
Rayden?
You're a long way from your home, Sora. What's he doing here?
I don't know.
It's the truth. I'm only following his orders, like the others.
- He tells me nothing. - And what are his orders?
I can't tell you that. You know what he'll do to me.
He'll send you to NetherRealm. But at least it's somewhere, Sora.
I could send you to nothingness.
What does he want?
The fighter. Kung Lao.
- He's given them something. - His friends also?
- Yes. - Why?
Tell me what he gave them.
I know little.
Only that it masks the good. And it allows the evil to emerge.
A thief, a drunkard and a killer.
I've told you all I know.
Siro?
Fever.
- Taja. - Rayden, thank God you're back.
Let me out of here.
Has Kung Lao returned?
No, he hasn't been here.
I promise I won't steal anymore. Just... just open the door, okay?
But you will. And you'll cheat, and you'll lie.
What do you mean?
What's happening to me?
It's happened to all of you. The work of a man named Quan Chi.
- Who's Quan Chi? - A sorcerer.
- Like Shang Tsung? - No.
Very different but just as bad.
- Well, what's gonna happen? - I'm a God, not a fortune-teller.
For now you're coming with me. I'll take you to the Temple.
- Is Siro better? - No, he's dying.
- Well, help him, Rayden. Use your powers. - I'm afraid if I tried, it'd kill him.
We'll take him with us to the monks. Hold on. We're taking the fast way.
Yaaaah!
Kung Lao!
No!
I'll kill you!
Help him.
- You. You're the worst of all of them. - Listen to me.
You're seeing darkness where there's light.
Enemies where there are only friends.
It's sorcery, Kung Lao. A man named Quan Chi.
No, the sorcerer only opened the door.
It's you who walked through. Look around you.
The Temple?
So much a part of your life, of what you care about, yet look at what you almost did.
You almost killed a monk. For that you would've been dishonoured forever.
That's it, of course. Your dishonour, that's what he's after.
- Quan Chi? - Yes.
If you die in noble combat fighting evil, your soul will reside in a place of greatness.
But dishonoured, killing the innocent, for that you will be sent to NetherRealm...
where Quan Chi holds power.
Pretty crafty, you bald bastard.
- He wants your soul. - Stop him, Rayden.
I can't. I can't stop any of this, only you can. It's you doing this.
- I want to steal? - Like a bandit.
Anything you can get your hands on.
You want to steal as much as Siro wants to drink and Kung Lao to kill.
I can't believe that.
Well, just because you can't or won't see something doesn't mean it's not there.
When you were a conscious thief, why'd you do it?
To stay alive. You know I grew up poor and alone.
Maybe I stole so I'd never have to face those things again.
Wrong. It's an excuse. What you've always told yourself.
- Well, why else would I steal? - Because you love it.
Every light-fingered, nerve-wracking, dangerous moment of it.
It's like a craving of a drug you know you have to keep a lid on.
What about Siro?
Did he just become a drunk?
Because part of him is.
The part that wants to blur away the need he carries...
of being expected to do the right thing.
There's a Siro inside Siro that detests that.
A guy who just wants to sing dirty songs, belch and pinch women.
Go on, Rayden. I'm next. Right?
You are. And you're not going to like it.
So bitter to have been raised from childhood to fight...
to carry the burden of Mortal Kombat...
to lose the woman you love.
Someone has to pay for all that unhappiness, don't they?
- Yes! - You see? You said it.
Because Kung Lao feels it.
What do we do?
You look in the mirror that Quan Chi has held up...
and know that it's only half the picture.
That's the only spell you have to break.
Do that... and if you still want to fight, one way or another, you'll have it.
When Quan Chi hears of what happened here today, he'll come to claim his prize.
- You told Rayden? - What could I do, he's a God.
And protector of Earth Realm.
You brought this down on us.
Quan Chi will bring his other women to replace us for sure if he learns of this.
I ought to tear off that face he gave you.
You stand up against Rayden and see how you do!
Quiet! Both of you.
We need to think.
Which means you need to think for all of us?
Who appointed you high priestess of this group anyway?
Should it be you?
So that we may just kill and kill and kill some more?
- Losing your stomach for it? - No. As you might find out.
Rayden may not be a problem. He has no authority over us.
You can't be sure of that. He may destroy us.
Quaking like a leaf. It was your cowardice that got us into this.
Not the first time either.
What do we do?
We tell him exactly what we came to tell him.
Which is... what?
We were on our way to you. Kung Lao has attacked the Temple.
A group of monks came to the city with the news.
- He's on a killing spree. - He's killing his own. Well...
It is done. He is mine.
Kung Lao.
Look at you. Ready for battle, hmm?
Yes.
Here they are. The ones who helped destroy you and your friends.
Fight them.
- What holds you back? - Me.
Rayden. Come to see him die? Kill him!
You can't interfere in mortal battles. They're not mortal.
Be gone.
What matter is this of yours, Rayden?
Whether he dies today, tomorrow or next year, he is lost.
To NetherRealm.
For a fighter like him, what would Shao Kahn or a hundred others pay for the soul...
of the victor of Mortal Kombat?
Auctioning souls...
unbelievable, even for you.
- I'm glad you're so impressed. - He's not in NetherRealm yet.
He will be. I'll fight him alone. And I'll kill him.
A fair fight, sorcerer.
So be it. With his rage, it'll be an easy victory.
What have you done?
Explained what you've done. In time to stop it.
- There has been no dishonour? - The monk lives... as does Siro.
Remember this day, Quan Chi.
I will never forget.
If I can't have his soul, I have no further need to be here.
- Damn him. - Let him go.
You have won much here today.
Hey, Rayden, this is a tough walk.
Why don't you flash us back like you did when we came here?
- You know, the fast way. - Is anyone dying?
No.
Then we walk.
You know he's gonna be all right.
The monks skills are great.
And he forgives you.
The monks, too.
Seems that leaves only one person left.
Me. Forgive myself for being so full of hatred and evil.
It's difficult, but it's important that you face this.
But how, Rayden? I've tried my whole life to rid myself of those things.
That you can't do.
What you must do is accept them. Embrace them.
It creates balance.
Just remember...
the greater the darkness, so too the greater the light.
Pretty poetic, huh?
What do you suppose they're talking about?
Same thing we are.
It's horrible, Siro. What do we do?
Return and try to atone for what we've done.
Yeah, but...
What?
It's always with us. This... this dark thing.
How do we deal with it?
You're afraid it will come back like it did.
Yeah, aren't you?
It's a fight, Taja. A battle inside of us.
We'll have to fight to control it.
But what if we can't always control it?
What if we can't?