Please!
Please! I beg of you, no more! No more!
Confess the truth... and the pain will cease.
I told you everything. The Essence, it was taken to the Earth Realm.
- Where in the Earth Realm? - To a man. I heard the name Daahraan.
Did this Princess Kitana take the Essence to this Daahraan?
I don't know. I swear. I swear I don't know.
- She is lying. - No. Emperor, I swear.
I don't know who took the Essence.
Bring the other forward.
Qali! Mistress, please help me. Make him stop.
Why are you doing this to a poor servant?
Servants hear things, know things about their masters.
But why am I here? She serves Kitana.
Yes, loyal to the Princess.
As so many still are.
Watch the Shadow Priest carefully, Qali.
You may be his next victim.
I don't need to watch.
I saw my brother die at you hand... beheaded in front of your army.
I allowed him a noble death. He fought well for his doomed cause.
Great fighters run in your family, Qali. There's clearly fight left in you still.
Fight? Against you? No, Shao Kahn.
I am faithful to Outworld and to my Emperor.
Ah.
And perhaps... faithful to a lifelong friendship.
You grew up with Kitana. You trained together as young girls.
I doubt my stepdaughter's loyalty, why not yours?
- Because there is no reason. - No reason?
No reason? Your family dead at my hand, I murdered your king, I crushed your Realm.
I assume treachery, loyalty I question.
Do you question that I acknowledge you as the greatest power of all Realms?
I bow to that power.
While dreaming of rebellion?
You are either a loyal servant, Qali, or a halfway decent liar.
Just remember... that is the price of treason.
Emperor, I'm convinced the servant is telling the truth.
Shut her up.
Please, I beg of you...
If Kitana is a traitor, you would be wise to be the one to tell me.
Otherwise...
there will be no release from your pain.
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.
You're spoiling us, Taja.
Well, I thought we could all use a little pampering...
after the beatings our bodies have taken lately.
Tell me about it.
I've been in more fights in the last couple of weeks than a bad year in the army.
Thanks to Kung Lao here.
- Hey, I told you there'd be danger. - Danger's one thing.
Ninjas falling from the ceiling are another.
So are guys who have fanged creatures flying out of their hands.
Or ones that shoot ice at you.
I can't believe I'm saying this. None of that can happen.
- Check your bruises. It happened. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Taja, this is great.
- Mmmm. - But can we afford it?
I made a deal with Mei Lyn.
I bartered some old stuff from the trading post to rent this place.
It belongs to one of her uncles.
- Where'd you meet this Mei Lyn? - In the bazaar.
We were admiring the same outfit.
Neither one of us could afford it, but we do have the same taste.
We sort of talked a bit and kind of hit it off.
So you made a new friend, huh?
Yeah. Yeah, I guess I did.
It feels kind of good, you know.
I haven't really had the chance to make friends.
I guess you don't get too close to people when you're robbing them.
Hey, I grew up alone on the streets. I was just a kid.
Yeah, I stole... to survive.
Maybe you don't know what it's like to sleep under bridges...
and never know where your next meal is coming from, but I do.
Hey, it was a joke.
A bad one, okay? I'm sorry.
It's okay.
It was what it was.
[DOOR OPENS]
Can I bring you anything? Tea? Water?
Uh, you could bring me anything.
- Thanks, Mei Lyn. We're fine. - Well, I'm happy you're pleased.
Relax and enjoy.
She's nice, isn't she?
[DOOR CLOSES] Extremely.
I like her. She's very... easy-going.
And resourceful.
- She's stealing our money. - What?
Locked.
Step back.
Kitana! If the Emperor finds out, we're finished.
- He won't. Tell me. - Maya is dead.
I've known her my whole life.
It's just like Kahn to attack the weak, the defenceless.
What did the poor woman say?
She told him the Essence was taken to Earth Realm to someone called Daahraan.
- Did she say how? - No, but he suspects you.
- Speculation proves nothing. - That's why you're still alive.
I must leave for Earth Realm as soon as possible.
You can't, Kitana.
Shao Kahn will kill you if he finds you gone.
- The Essence is worth my life. - And what about mine?
Kahn is convinced that if you're a traitor, I must be, too.
- Then remain in Outworld. You'll be safe. - I can't let you do this alone.
- Then meet me in one hour. - I'll be waiting.
I've always been able to count on you, Qali.
What did you learn?
How best to use a branding iron for torture.
Get to it or I may teach you even more about torture.
One of the Shadow Priests made a servant woman confess...
that something called the Essence was taken to Earth Realm.
The Essence of Edenia.
I thought Edenia was destroyed when Kahn invaded.
True. But not its soul.
As long as the Essence exists, Edenians still have hope.
That is what Shao Kahn must crush.
I think Kahn suspects that Kitana may go after the Essence.
- But if he catches her, she's dead. - She will go.
And you will follow her.
Straight to the Essence.
If the Emperor finds out I'm gone, he'll kill me.
You. Water.
Nicely executed. But why kill a water bearer?
He's a spy for Shao Kahn.
They're everywhere down here.
They listen and watch. And I hunt them.
It's me Shao Kahn is watching.
That is why you will be able to follow Kitana to the Essence.
For the time being, I will stay here. I can cover your absence.
I will go, but what is it? What am I looking for?
Only Kitana knows what form it has taken...
but it is a mystical living force that can bring life back to their dead Realm.
But what good is that to you?
It will buy my freedom from this blue hell.
And since I'll be risking my life to do this for you...
I assume you'll buy my freedom, too.
And here I thought you were helping because you cared...
to stay alive.
Now go.
On my way.
Why have you brought me to this terrible place?
Is this why I'm here? So that you can stare at me?
One of my greatest joys.
- Really? Have you seen enough? - Not yet.
There's a portrait of me in my mother's old room.
Why don't you go and enjoy yourself with it?
I wish to leave.
Even for you, this is tedious.
Such impatience, Kitana. Is there somewhere else you'd rather be?
- What are you planning? - Nothing.
My plans died years ago.
- With your father. - And my mother.
She took her own life.
She thought it better than submission to you.
Yet you accepted.
- You remain my daughter. - Daughter.
- Not lover. - Obedient, I hope.
Always, Emperor.
It's a wise choice, Kitana.
So many have suffered by opposing me.
You are a great warrior on the battlefield.
And ever alert on the throne.
Rebels, plotters, spies. All have failed.
- Is this my lesson for today? - For your life.
Stay loyal, Kitana...
and live forever as a princess.
Or defy you and die.
It would be a great waste.
Where were you? I was worried.
With the Emperor.
Does he suspect?
Of course. But I must go.
How are we getting to Earth Realm?
My father taught me the secret years ago.
We must first travel to a neutral Realm.
The gatekeeper in Zitara knows me, he'll open a portal.
You can still stay.
No. I'm going with you, Kitana.
But you dread this journey. I can see it. Strange in you, who's so fearless.
Whatever happens, I'll stay at your side.
- You are a true friend. - Yes, but you are right...
- I am frightened. - It is impossible not to be.
I was saving that money to buy some new clothes.
I'm surprised she didn't steal the ones we're wearing.
I must be slipping. Buying that "let's be pals" act.
I should've spotted her as a pro.
At least Mei Lyn was a thief. She could've been an assassin.
I swear I will never trust another woman.
Rayden said finding anyone to trust is going to be a challenge.
Finding Mei Lyn isn't.
I'm going to turn this town upside-down to find that smiling little crook.
I'll help you.
The Earth Realm.
Kitana, you do know where the Essence is, don't you?
It is best not to question when the answers will get you killed.
I may already be dead just for coming. I deserve to know what I'm dying for.
At least tell me who this Daahraan is.
An Edenian warrior, loyal to his Realm.
- At last. - Daahraan.
We must talk.
Alone.
Are you sure, Kitana?
You've come for the Essence. Edenia is ready to rise again.
No. Shao Kahn has learned that the Essence was brought to the Earth Realm.
He'll send his warriors to find it.
- It must be moved at once. - That is why we have come.
No, Princess. Go to a man in Zhu Zin named Kung Lao.
He's the only one you can trust.
Kung Lao. The last victor of Mortal Kombat.
The same.
- I don't understand. - You will.
Let me tell you where I've hidden the Essence.
If Kung Lao refuses to help...?
You'll persuade him.
Shao Kahn knows he must destroy the Essence.
And if he succeeds, he may not have a reason to keep his step-daughter alive.
I know. You're in danger, too.
Promise me you'll leave from here as soon as we've gone.
My destiny is fulfilled. There's no reason for me to stay. Go now.
Maybe this Kung Lao can be trusted, but what about the other two?
We'll deal with them.
The risks are too great.
The longer we stay here, the more the chances are the Emperor...
There's no turning back for me now, Qali.
- For either of us. - Then let's finish what we've begun.
Nice night. Out robbing people? Or did you get enough from us today?
Hold her tight while I search her pockets for our money.
She doesn't have any pockets. Hey...
might be better if you hold her and I search.
You get the next thief.
In luck it'll be some toothless, fat guy.
She's been a busy girl. Shall we give ourselves a bonus?
We'll give the rest to the poor.
At least the Barron had good taste.
Another move and I tighten the noose.
I'm no servant. What do you want?
- Where is the one called Kung Lao? - He's not here.
Wait a minute, I think I hear him.
You're finished.
Qali, no.
I've searched all the rooms, he's not here.
We're not here to hurt you.
Yeah, right.
This should put a smile on Taja's face.
- Let me go! - Taja!
- Let me go! - Release her.
- Are you all right? - I'll live.
- Did they do this to you? - Just me.
- Who are you? - If you're Kung Lao, we need your help.
- What, kicking me around some more? - What's this all about?
I'm Kitana and this is Qali, my friend. She misinterpreted our intent.
Oh, gee, maybe it was noose around the neck.
You said you came here for my help. Explain.
Not in front of them. I can only tell you. We must leave at once.
Kung Lao's not going anywhere with you.
If you need my help, you'll explain here and now.
Daahraan said I can trust only you.
- I know him. Well. - Who is he?
A reclusive warrior and a friend of The Order of Light.
He helped me in my training.
Taught me moves I thought were impossible.
But who says this guy really sent her? I say she's lying.
- How dare you speak that way... - Qali.
- Please. Will you come? - There's an easy way to settle this.
Go and ask Daahraan.
No. He'll be gone by now.
Ah, isn't that convenient. She obviously doesn't want you anywhere near the guy.
He's probably never even heard of her.
Either we check out your story with Daahraan or find someone else to help you.
Then we must leave this minute and be there at first light.
- I'm ready. - No. Kung Lao.
You can't do this, Kung Lao. I've seen one of them fight.
- Two could be deadly. - Qali will stay here with your friends.
In peace.
Let's go.
Come on. Let's show our guest what great hosts we are.
Your room's right this way.
Over there.
Who did this to you?
Outworld... woman.
The Emperor's step daughter... Kitana.
He's dead.
Someone was here after us.
Did you hear me? He's dead.
I heard you. The Emperor's warriors must've followed me here.
I was afraid that would happen. I warned him to leave.
Shao Kahn's step-daughter. You didn't mention that.
Would you have come if you had known it?
I would have killed you on the spot instead of waiting until now.
Kitana will die for this.
Take it easy. Siro's right outside. Here.
Something to eat.
Little hungry, aren't we?
These are delicacies. Bread and melon.
Come on. You don't have those where you come from?
Once in abundance, but no more.
Outworld is dark arid wasteland.
Right. Any other delicacies I can get you?
Perhaps you can send me the big strong Siro or...
- is he yours? - Mine?
Your lover.
Or is it the other one, the famous Kung Lao?
- Or maybe it's both. - I don't have to listen to this.
Earth Realm mortals. So easily offended.
- I don't believe any of that "Outworld" crap. - Oh, it's real. Very real.
- As is the Emperor Shao Kahn. - Yeah?
Well, I'll believe it when I see it.
Pray you never do.
Pray you never know those horrors.
Where is the Essence?
You were right, he couldn't be broken.
I tortured him until he was half-dead...
but the fool wouldn't tell me anything.
Then why have you returned? You should be following the Princess.
While I was trying to convince the old man to talk, she came back.
Guess who she was with?
Your old friend Kung Lao.
Kung Lao?
The old man sent her to him. But wait, it gets better.
Kung Lao thinks Kitana killed Daahraan, so now he's hunting her.
I thought you'd like that part.
Kung Lao has no idea the kind of warrior he faces with Princess Kitana.
- Is she good enough to kill him? - Kitana possesses unique powers.
- Her age alone gives her an advantage. - But she's his age.
Kitana is nearly 10,000 years old. I have got to get her skin cream.
She's Edenian. They live many millennia, but they are still mortal and can be killed.
You are wasting time. Get back and follow Kitana to the Essence.
Are you coming?
I'll take that as a no.
I've looked everywhere. She's gone. Probably straight back to her friend.
I can't believe how stupid we are.
Hey, we did the right thing. We locked her in.
We should've tied her up and thrown her down a well.
We have to tell Kung Lao.
How? We have no idea where they took him.
Rayden. We have to call Rayden.
What, you got something better?
Look, maybe he is a God and if so, he should know how to find Kung Lao.
I can't believe I'm saying this.
So how do we reach him?
Well, Gods are all-knowing. Let's... let's assume they're all-hearing, too.
Rayden.
Rayden, we need you.
Now!
Damn it, Rayden, show yourself.
You really didn't think that would work, did you?
No.
Kung Lao's on his own.
Rayden?
Rayden, are you out there?
Rayden?
On your knees, Kung Lao, or the next one will be in your heart.
If I were an assassin, the first fan would've taken off your head.
You'll wish you had killed me.
Perhaps.
I'll give you a chance.
- But first hear what I have to say. - Start talking.
I am Princess Kitana...
the true daughter of King Jarrod, the rightful ruler of Edenia.
But it is also true that I am the step-daughter of Shao Kahn...
and I had no choice in that fate.
Your real father...
Executed by the Emperor that conquered our Realm.
When Shao Kahn's forces invaded, my father knew we were finished.
He gave me a pouch containing the remaining Essence of our once beautiful Realm.
He told me I must take the Essence away for it would wither and die...
as nothing of beauty could survive in the Outworld.
He sent me to Earth Realm where he knew the Essence would nourish and thrive there.
- And you gave it to Daahraan. - Yes.
A loyal warrior who stayed behind to hide the Essence and guard it with his life.
Until today, even I didn't know where it was hidden.
The secret cost him his life.
And I regret his death as much as you do.
So many have died.
It was while I was away trying to save the Essence of my home...
that Shao Kahn murdered my father.
Later, my mother took her own life.
Where is the Essence now, Kitana?
Daahraan said it's hidden in a garden...
not far away from the Temple ruins.
What I don't understand is why you came to me?
Shao Kahn's assassins are obviously here.
I can't risk leading them to the Essence.
They will continue to follow me like they did Daahraan.
Let them come...
while you move the Essence of Edenia.
Where will you go?
To get Qali. We must go back to Outworld. Will you do this for me?
Will you hide the Essence and carry the secret to your grave?
As Daahraan did?
He knew what I'd be asking of you. He believed in you.
I will do it for you.
Thank you.
- He should've been back by now. - No kidding.
Why did we let him go with her? I knew it was all lies.
- I am an Edenian Princess. I do not lie. - Where's Kung Lao?
- What did you do to him? - Nothing. Where's Qali?
- You know damn well she left. - Qali's gone?
- Cut the act. Where'd you send her? - Nowhere.
Well, she left soon after you did.
There is no time. I have to warn Kung Lao.
You mean we. Come on, Siro.
You. Kitana went back to get you.
I... I followed you. I came to protect you.
You came here to steal. For who? Did Shao Kahn send you?
Yes. But I am loyal to Kitana.
Shao Kahn destroyed Edenia and he'll do the same to us if we disobey him.
Kitana's weakness is she is a dreamer.
Edenia is finished and I'm tired of people dying for a lost cause.
Right. So you kill for the Emperor?
- Daahraan? I did not kill him. - She's right.
I did.
Who are you?
Her name is Vorpax. She's imprisoned with Shang Tsung.
Who sends his best.
You'll never get it.
Then I'll take it.
No, Shang Tsung, I won't let you take it and you know you can't fight me.
Not until the next Mortal Kombat Tournament.
The brave warrior, hiding behind the rules of the Elder Gods.
Kitana... allied with the Emperor's mortal enemy. How interesting.
Remember who you're speaking to, Sorcerer. I am a princess.
Indeed. Which makes you a royal traitor.
If Shao Kahn learns that you've left your cobalt prison...
you'll pay with your life, Shang.
The Emperor will give me his thanks...
and my freedom when I present him with the Essence of Edenia.
The Essence!
Wait for me, you son of a...
You. You led Shang to the Essence.
No. I know nothing of Shang Tsung.
Shao Kahn sent me under threat of torture.
Enough lies. You attacked me.
Yes. And I would've destroyed the Essence. To protect you, Kitana.
But I failed.
When Shang hands the Essence to Shao Kahn, we are both dead.
Go back to Outworld and tell the Emperor that the Essence no longer exists.
- Shang destroyed it. - But how?
It doesn't matter. Go now. Leave.
- The key to unlock my prison. - And mine. Open it.
Let's see what it looks like.
Maggots? The Essence is maggots?
Shouldn't you be thinking about the Emperor instead of punishing me?
The Emperor will know nothing of this. Do you hear me?
Very clearly. I will say nothing. But what of Kitana?
She knows I cannot tell of her treachery...
without revealing that I escaped this hell.
Stalemate.
Do you believe her?
Lying or not, she can't tell the Emperor what happened here.
It would be her death sentence. And one thing I am sure of...
Qali values her life above all else.
- Edenia is forever lost. - Or... about to flourish again.
Before Shang burned the vine, I took this.
You saved it.
When you told me the Essence was a seed Daahraan planted...
I realised it must be the strange vine.
The Essence is in the pollen, it can be planted again.
- The soul of a realm in a simple flower. - There is nothing simple about it.
Where have you been? We've been worried sick about you.
Hey, Taja even tried calling Rayden.
- Really? Did he show up? - No.
Some God. He didn't even hear me screaming for him.
I'm not so sure...
I gotta get some rest.
Wait, wait, wait. What happened?
A lot. I'll tell you later.
Wait. At least tell us what happened to Kitana?
She's gone...
The instincts of a great warrior.
I thought you'd gone back.
- It's done. The essence is safe. - I know, I came to thank you, Kung Lao.
I may have lost an old friend today. But I made a new one.
Will I see you again?
It's difficult. He's always watching me.
She is a remarkable woman.
You know Kitana?
Oh, yes, of course. Many years.
- As she sat at the side of Shao Kahn. - Somehow planning to save Edenia.
It was a beautiful place once. Rich, vibrant.
Much like Earth Realm.
- Will it ever be again? - Even I don't know that.
You're right.
She is a remarkable woman.
I went from wanting her dead to believing in her cause completely.
As if there was some kind of bond between us.
There is.
I think I understand.
She doesn't want to see what happened to Edenia happen here.
You're both warriors, Kung Lao.
You saved your Realm. Kitana was unable to save hers.
Shang Tsung plots for his freedom.
Others too work against you.
You are surrounded by treachery, Emperor.
There is nothing new in this.
No. But I am loyal to you. An ally like me. Someone to trust.
It's true I've spent years in these mines, only waiting for you to call on me.
Whatever others may do, I serve only you.
And I'm willing to serve you more.
- A survivor. - Ask anything of me, Emperor.
You can use me for any number of things.
Let me show you my loyalty.
- You can be useful. - Yes. But more. So much more.
Perhaps you could be useful but it does not please me now. Go.
Very, very useful.