Souls of the dishonoured dead...
Spirits of the NetherRealm, send my message to your master.
It is Shang Tsung that summons him.
Quan Chi.
So, this is the home of the great Shang Tsung.
Wilhout queslion, nothing compared to yours.
How is life among the dead?
Free.
Don't forget, Shang Tsung, I choose to live in my domain.
I was not banished there.
Yes. And you are so welcome everywhere else.
But you travel with your...
What should we calli this?
Your harlot?
Assassin, Sorcerer, and I enjoy my work.
Enough of this. She's mine.
That's all you need to know.
Is this why you sent word to me? Hmm? To spar?
To play games with my slave?
No. It is you I want. And I'm surprised you came willingly.
Curiosity prevailed.
- Let me go! - One of the Emperor's spies?
Or she's the one who services you?
Neither.
She's of no concern.
Then what is?
An alliance.
Hmm.
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 tournamenl called... Mortal Kombat.
Jen, I had to see you one last time.
This is not the end, Kung Lao.
- Your strength is in me and mine in you. - I love you, Jen.
Jen!
Please don't leave me.
He just sits there, doing nothing.
He can do many things. To you, if you disturb him.
So frightened? Such a well-trained pet.
Better that than slave.
You're no better.
At least I can breathe without asking permission.
Silence!
- Get rid of her. - Get rid of yours.
Perhaps I will kill them both.
No.
Spare her death. As for Siann, she's had the pleasure.
Be gone. Go.
Nice outfit.
- Perhaps you will amuse me. - Anytime.
Another time. Now we must begin. The die is cast.
As soon as I turn this over, Kung Lao is twenty-four hours away from being mine.
Will you align your forces with mine to destroy Kung Lao?
His death means little to me.
He's your obsession and, obviously, the Emperor will compensate you.
What do I get?
A power you have coveted but never attained.
You'd give up such a secret?
I will do anything to finish Kung Lao.
Join me in this and I will reveal the secret to taking the life force...
the souls of your victims.
You must realise that by adding your secret to my powers...
there will never be a question as to which of us is...
Is master over the other?
It will take more than one of my secrets for you to be my equal.
So you think.
Now...
will you do it?
First tell me why you need my help.
What I have in mind for Kung Lao...
will require both our powers to create...
and even then the energy drain will be intense.
Challenging.
Do we have a deal?
Yes. Under one condition.
When he dies, Kung Lao's soul is mine.
This is not negotiable.
Done.
Then let us begin.
Don't throw your arms out like that.
- Like what? - Like a chicken.
His chicken just threw you on your ass.
I let you.
- Hey, you fight like a girl. - I am a girl, with amazing moves.
If you'd pay attention, Siro could teach you a lot.
I bet you twenty-four hours of slave Iabour that I can take you in one move.
- Wait a minute. Slave labour? - Mm-hmm.
- You serve me? - Like a dog.
But remember, you lose, you have to do the same.
You're on.
Get ready to scrub my back.
You mean my feel.
- That was pure luck. - Yeah, you're right.
I slipped and seemed to have plastered you against a wall.
Humiliating, isn't it? To lose to such a lucky guy.
This is no joke. In Mortal Kombat it's kill or be killed.
Lighten up. What's wrong with having a little fun once in a while?
If I'm expected to take this seriously, then so are you.
- Hey, hang on, I'll come with you. - I'm going alone, I'll be back later.
What's his problem?
- What's wrong with me? - Good question. One I keep asking myself.
So how 'bout an answer?
- Talk to me. What's going on? - They're back.
Who's back?
The visions. I thought I was finished with them.
Oh. Not a chance, not while you're still afraid.
- I'm not afraid, Rayden, not of dying. - Then what?
Of failing.
Not the first guy to be given responsibility, Kung Lao.
Maybe I don't want it.
Tough. You've got it. Just like everybody else.
Everybody else didn't win Mortal Kombat.
Oh, so your job's harder, is that what's getting to you?
The burden of being special?
I don't want to be special. To carry that extra burden.
Come on. You've gotta job to do, so do l.
And if we did this every day, got together and whined about it...
nothing would get done.
I've tried. Since I lost Jen, my life's been one battle after another.
I'm supposed to be getting others ready for Mortal Kombat, but frankly...
I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone.
Well, don't worry, so far you haven't.
See? It's exactly my point. Maybe I'm in over my head. Maybe I should just get out.
What a great idea. That's great. Of course. Let's quit!
You'll quit. I'll quit.
Earth Realm, you're on your own.
Maybe you should try harder, look farther.
Do you think it's possible there might be someone out there who's as good...
or, dare I say it, better than you?
Yes, of course it's possible, but you always said it rested on me.
To find new fighters. So if you do lose, there's a new victor to take your place.
And a new sucker for you to manipulate.
So I do my part for humankind and it's, "So long, Kung Lao. Next".
Look, you are good. If you play your cards right, you could live forever.
Or not. You're mortal. Mortals die.
And I will.
In the next Mortal Kombat tournament.
Or two or three down the line. And for what?
So that others can be happy for a few extra years?
When I finally fall, the Earth Realm is lost anyway.
Are you listening to this?
"If I die, the Earth Realm falls. What a crummy life".
Here's a word of advice. Get over yourself and get on with it.
And give up my dreams?
Start by giving up your visions.
Be careful of what you create, Kung Lao.
Hurry up, Taja, I'm starving.
Needs more salt. Why don't you run over there and get it?
You're pushing your luck, Siro.
And you're welshing on your bet.
You know, this is good.
I'm getting a look at what a sadistic ass you'd be if you ever got any real power.
And I'm seeing what a miserable loser you can be.
Seen Kung Lao?
Not since he stomped off.
I wonder what's eating him.
He's been spending a lot of time in Jen's old room lately.
I know. It's like he can't let go.
Sometimes you never get over that kind of loss.
Or you think it's healing and something brings the pain right back.
Yeah.
Too much salt. Let's try again.
- Eh, hungry, yeah? It's good. Take. - No, thanks.
Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. There are other appetites, huh?
Oh. Oh.
- Again, no. - Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
There is one more, huh?
Ah. Oh. She will do anything you ask. Eh?
No!
Argh!
This is what I'm fighting for.
Wait!
If you're after money, I don't have any.
- Please help me. - What do you mean?
The merchant. He kidnapped me and I just want to get home.
Help me!
Hurry up!
Help me! Help!
- Where are you? - Help!
Come oul and face me.
Help!
It is done.
Almost.
What the hell is going on?
This is Zhu Zin? This can't be Zhu Zin.
- Stop distracting me. - I didn't make a sound.
Be silent somewhere else. This is difficult.
What you are doing to Kung Lao?
- Yes. - What have you done?
- I always marvel at your abilities. - Quan Chi and I moved him.
- Moved? To where? - To another realm of our creation.
But one born in Kung Lao's dreams.
It is exactly like his own, only much much better.
A more... perfect world.
So he will believe.
But how is that punishing him?
When the twenly-four hours have elapsed, his new realm will become something else.
Something of my imagining. A hell he can never escape.
Quan Chi helped me create the iliusion...
but it is up to me to hold it.
Now leave.
The effort is draining.
- Okay. I am done. - I am not.
- Better get a bowl. - Better get a life.
Hey, you wanted to bet.
And here's my next bet. It will never happen again.
Oh, good. I'm glad you learned something. Now wash my feet.
I've been walking barefoot all day.
You know, I'm getting a little worried about Kung Lao.
- Maybe we should go look for him. - Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh...
No changing the subject. Feet first.
And that's the way I hope they bury you.
Siro, Taja! Open up.
Trading Post is closed. Please come back tomorrow.
Siro. Look, I apologise, okay? Now please, let me in.
Who are you? Siro! Taja!
There's no Siro here. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.
I live here. You're very confused. The Barron Reyland lives here.
Barron? What do you mean? He's dead.
Please, sir, don't make this more difficult.
Kung Lao.
It can't be. Jen...
You've finally come.
Jen...
I knew it. I knew you'd find me.
How can this be? It's a dream. This isn't real.
Feel my arms around you and then tell me it's not real.
You! I'm not hungry. Want my food?
- We all have to keep our energy up. - Thal is our deal.
I've done my part with Kung Lao. Now it's time you show me how you do this.
In due course. I need all my energy to keep the illusion alive.
When the twenty-four hours have passed...
and Kung Lao is trapped in my alternate realm...
then I will give you what we agreed.
It wouldn't be wise to try to cheat me.
You may have the power to steal souls...
but you know I have abilities that you can't even fathom.
Betray me... and I can make even this... worse.
People just don't come back from the dead. Is that it? Am I dead, too?
No, Kung Lao. We're both very much alive.
Not now.
Your father wants to see you.
- Your father's here? - Of course.
- We'll be right down. - Very well.
I know it's very difficult to understand right now.
Just give it one day.
You'll see, everything will be perfect.
Where are we?
Does it matter?
- Back again? - Barron...
No, not this time, Kung Lao. Here things are different.
We need to talk. I think I can explain things better than my eager daughter, hmm?
Hold on.
- I'm going to bed. - Who said you were done?
There is nothing more that I could possibly do for you.
No. Not in your dreams.
Or yours. I'm not gonna make this bliss for you.
Please. Mow I'm going to bed. You can continue torturing me in the morning.
You know, Kung Lao's still not home yet.
I know. I'm going to look for him. But I'll let you sleep.
- Mmm. - Come sunrise though, breakfast in bed.
In your lap. Hope you find him.
So do I.
I can imagine how you must feel. It's difficult at first.
How could all of this exist? So much is the same, but somehow different.
Well, I'll tell you... my daughter's love for you hasn't changed.
Yet your hatred for me has.
Because I've learned. I've seen my mistakes. That's what this is about.
Being given a second chance to make it right. And what about you, Kung Lao?
Have you learned or are you going to give up what you desire a second time?
I need to understand how all of this is possible.
There are countless realms, Kung Lao.
Outworld, Earth Realm, thousands more.
This is simply another, an alternate reality.
One in which you don't have to fight for what you want.
But how can this happen?
Free will. Yours.
You long to be with Jen. And you... you deserve it.
And here you can be.
Like I said, lhis is just one of many realms...
and we have been brought back here together to make things right this time.
To be with Jen, all I have to do is...
stay?
Pick a path and it's yours.
Stay, Kung Lao.
Join us and you'll finally know the happiness you've always craved for.
I've waited long enough.
The cobalt is starting to affect my powers.
I have to get out of here.
Patience.
Kung Lao still has a few more hours before it is final.
Give me the secret and I'll bide my time in the parallel realm waiting for Kung Lao.
Use your powers, Quan Chi.
I can't fight the cobalt.
He can.
Shang Tsung is a human. The ore doesn't affect him.
It has nothing to do with power.
Too bad you can't get a little... energy boost.
It is a talent he lacks.
You're playing a deadly game, Shang Tsung. One you can't win.
- Well, it looks like he already has. - You will regret this.
I promise.
He's getting away.
Let him. I have what I needed.
- He'll tell the Emperor. - Tell him what?
That Shang Tsung has not left the mines...
but he has removed the victor of Mortal Kombat from Earth Realm...
leaving no champion to fight in the next tournament?
Yes. Perfect. Hmm, what about Kung Lao?
His fate was sealed when he entered the realm.
Even Quan Chi will not be able to convince him to leave paradise.
Oh, sir?
Your breakfast is ready.
Well, get down here or I'll toss it.
Have you been out all night?
Looking for him.
He's been acting very weird. And now this. Something is definitely wrong.
What're we gonna do?
I'm not sure.
- Are you still open? - No, I'm sorry. We just closed.
Thanks anyway.
Where's Kung Lao?
I can tell you.
Who are you?
Quan Chi.
Are your witches behind you?
They're not needed here.
Where's Kung Lao?
In trouble. And I am the only hope of saving him.
Liar.
Don't force me to waste more energy.
If you don't listen to me, your friend dies.
You're his enemy.
- And so is Shang Tsung. - Why would you help him?
It's personal.
I'll help him ruin Shang's pian...
and if you don't do exactly as I say, and quickly...
you'll never see Kung Lao again.
- He'll be trapped in another realm. - What other realm?
What the hell are you talking about and why should we believe you?
You must. Come with me or die where you stand. Choose.
We'll go.
- Oh, morning. How about some breakfast? - I can't.
Ah, of course you can. The food here is wonderful.
- No, no. - Anything you like.
I have to go. Just to sort things out.
I'm...
I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Kung Lao.
You've been given a second chance. One chance.
If you leave now, you can never return and you lose Jen forever.
No.
I can't lose her again.
But how can I turn my back on my responsibility?
Did you ask for it?
Do you really want this burden that has been thrust upon you?
Earth Realm's fate is not your problem, Kung Lao.
Maybe you're here because you're really not the one destined to save it.
Believe me, they'll find another to take your place.
- And if they don't? - Oh, they will.
You don't have to carry this weight on your shoulders.
Here you're free to live the life you choose.
Stay here, Kung Lao.
Be with me always.
I'm counting on you two to give me tons of grandchildren.
Are you going to give it all up?
Yes, yes.
I will stay.
You are in a parallel realm.
Return to this spot when you're ready to leave.
Resist temptation or pay the price.
Remember, it's all an illusion.
You say Kung Lao has Jen. What if we can't convince him to return with us?
Find a way or we all lose.
Me to Shang Tsung and you... your lives.
Time's running out for Kung Lao.
Quan Chi is trying to interfere.
What do you mean? How?
He has sent Kung Lao's friends into the realm.
They'll bring him back.
Even they will not be able to convince him to leave his love.
But they may not even try once they are captivated by their own perfect world.
- Three for the price of one? - Exactly.
Go back to sleep.
Are you coming back?
Of course.
I can't lose you again.
Unbelievable.
I know, I know. I mean, it is Zhu Zin, but it's not.
Tell me about it.
Do you like it?
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
Take it.
No. No, l... You mean... take it?
Taja?
Taja, come on.
This is what Quan Chi meant about temptation.
Yeah, but he never said how much temptation.
We have to go.
Yeah, we have to go.
- Maybe just five more minutes. - No. Now.
If it's this bad for us, imagine what Kung Lao's going through.
Did you see that?
Mm-hmm. We have to hurry. Time's running out.
Check upstairs.
Kung Lao!
- Welcome home, Siro. - Barron. I don't believe it.
My home's with the living. Where's Kung Lao?
- Where he belongs. With Jen. - We've come to take him out of here.
You're free to join us, both of you.
But I can't let you interfere with Jen's happiness.
Like you did? That's why she was killed.
- You disappoint me again, Siro. - Kung Lao. Kung Lao, where are you?
- Forget it. Jen has him. - Siro. Taja. You're here.
Not for long. We gotta get you out of here.
You see, it's perfect. Now you have me and your friends.
It's an illusion! It's not real!
You are wrong Siro. It is real. And I'm staying here with Jen.
Kung Lao listen to me. Shang Tsung created this.
Shang Tsung?
- How do you know that? - Trust me, it's true.
No.
Why would he do it? It's my dream.
Kung Lao, you have to leave.
- I am not loosing her again. - She is not real!
None of this is!
Siro!
Do you see? Do you see?
Shang Tsung is your sworn enemy He is never going to let you keep Jen.
Once he's trapped you he is going to turn this place into a living hell.
It's already starting. Look around you, Kung Lao.
Really look. The illusion is fading.
Time is running out.
You can't go, you're mine forever.
You've got to come now!
Go, I'll be right behind you. Go!
Hurry! We don't have much time left!
I really mean it Kung Lao. You're here forever.
Stop him!
Damn it! Where is he?
We can't wait much longer.
Oh God! He stayed!
You want to be with Jen!
If you leave now you can never return.
No, look!
- Hurry! The portal is closing! - Come on!
Are you going to give it all up?
Come on!
Kung Lao. You can'l go, you're mine forever.
I know it's very difficuit lo understand right now.
I knew it! I knew you'd find me!
Noooo!
Feels right.
Have a nice trip?
- It's really home. Isn't it? - Yes.
I wasn't sure I'd ever see you back here.
You almost didn't. If we hadn't come, he would have stayed...
- giving up everything. - What the hell were you thinking?
The other life. The one I've always wanted.
When I saw it, I was overwhelmed, I guess.
I wanted it to be real.
- How did you ever find me? - Quan Chi.
Luckily Shang Tsung made himseif a bigger enemy to Quan Chi than you.
For the moment at least.
Out of the way creep!
Now, that's the Zhu Zhin I know and love.
It may not be perfect, but it's never dull.
You're so weird, Siro.
And you are still a slave to my weirdness.
Forget it! Time is up.
No way! We got interrupted to save Kung Lao!
Then he owes you. Make him your slave. I am retired.
- It was a trap, Kung Lao. - One I wanted to fall into.
I'd have stayed. I loved it there.
No pressure. No responsibiiilies.
No doubts.
I'd go back, you know.
If I could make it last.
- Do you hear yourself? - I would have left Earth Realm.
Something to think about.
- Isn't it? - Yeah.
- Maybe I am not the one. - Maybe not.
Then again. Maybe you are.
Jen...
So much power...
in one man.
My compliments to Quan Chi.
Such a generous gift.
You are exceptional.
Tell him I'm almost grateful for the news you brought me...
Quan Chi has made a powerful ally today.
And me?
You're slave to two masters.
It can be done.
Your turn.