What are you, crazy?
You can't negotiate this. This is my best stuff.
Well, what're trying to do? Are you trying to steal from me?
Come on, this is worth twice that much.
- It's highway robbery. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Master Leel? So good to see you. What brings you here?
Kung Lao, we heard at the Temple that the Trading Post was open again.
We're trying it.
Soon it will be like it was, now that the word is out that we're in business again.
- A business with very high prices. - Trouble?
I brought in our little crop of apples to trade for cooking spices but...
the transaction has not gone well.
Take it easy. These guys aren't made out of money.
Why don't you take it easy? Taja put me in business here.
I tell you what...
the whole crop of apples for what you wanted...
plus... I'll throw in an extra pound of cinnamon.
And a bit more saffron?
And a bit more saffron.
Good fortune to you.
That was big of you.
We still make twice the profit.
Like Taja said, "Commerce is just another word for burglary".
Listen to you. I still think this isn't such a good idea.
So you said. Look, why don't you just go with it?
We agreed that Taja could try this for a while.
And besides, we're actually bringing in some money.
Where is she anyway?
At the jewellers picking up some rings she ordered.
Relax, you won't have to sell anything.
It wasn't meant to be this.
It's a Trading Post, for crying out loud.
You thought this place was gonna be yours.
I told you it was ours.
Then act like it and stop griping.
Now excuse me. I've gotta shut down.
- I'll do it. - Don't put yourself out.
- We're closing. Come back in the morning. - We're here now.
- You know who I am? - No.
You should ask around. On the streets, ask people if they know Jola.
Maybe I will, but for now, please, get out of our Trading Post.
Your Trading Post? This place is mine.
It belongs to the Black Dragon.
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 have five minutes to clear out.
This place was given to me by Barron Reyland's daughter.
Makes a great story, but it wasn't the Barron's to leave to his daughter.
- What do you mean? - You obviously didn't know him very well.
A gambler, a schemer, a man living beyond his means.
He was forced to take certain... "loans". Lots of them.
He was a fraud?
Up to his neck in debt to us, to the Black Dragon.
Now he's dead and he can't pay. End of story.
Shocked?
The Barron played it well. Few knew him as well as we did.
Regardless of what he was, this place was passed to his daughter, and from her to us.
We're not here to argue. We'll take what's ours.
- No, you won't. - Leave now or die.
Which will it be?
This...
Now Siro!
Stop. Now.
This is my fight, Kebral.
Yes.
It has your mark. Go home.
Did you hear me?
- You can't make me leave. - No. You can stay and be killed...
by them.
- This job was given to me... - We will not discuss it here. Leave.
Wait. You were right to stop this.
Yes.
And you will also make the right decision.
This Trading Post will be ours.
- We've got to stop them. - Why? They're gone.
For now. But they'll regroup and hit us again.
Next time they'll come back with twenty.
They were being beaten. The one named Kebral knew that. It's enough.
Are you deaf? You heard what he said.
- He was just saving face. Wait and see. - Wait and die.
You don't know these people like I do.
You know them? Who are they?
Black Dragon. As long as I've lived, they've been terrorizing Zhu Zin.
They control opium, money, women.
They're the scum of the city and nobody fights them.
We did. And that's my point. They've learned their lesson.
They've just been stung. And believe me, they sting back.
- Enough of the past. What of today? - Trust me, father...
next time all three at the Trading Post will die.
You've lost the element of surprise.
They'll be ready.
If it hadn't been for me, she would have been defeated without warning.
A mistake has been made. The question is how best to rectify it.
There's only one way. Return and take what's ours.
Once the Black Dragon were so dreaded, no one ever dared to fight us.
We're losing our power. We're no longer the force everyone feared.
Times have changed.
We must change, too.
The Black Dragon warriors have become weak and lazy.
We are still a great force.
There's more than one way to show power.
Once we have the Trading Post and other places like it...
we will have instant wealth without taking a single blow.
That is real power.
But because of her rash actions, we may have to pay for it.
Pay? The Black Dragon doesn't pay. We make others pay.
In this, Jola's right. We are not shop keepers.
But there is a limit to how much you can bleed your victims.
Too much greed can destroy us as surely as a battle.
I say it's time we do as our ancestors did...
rule through terror, using the dark powers of the ancient Black Dragon.
Never again. The cost of what you seek is too great.
Those powers cannot be controlled.
In the right hands, they can.
My father, your grandfather, was as great a fighter as we have ever seen.
Yet he sought more.
He claimed the dark powers and I watched as a young man...
as they destroyed him from within.
I fought at his side the day he died, in agony, till nothing was left...
not even his bones to bury.
No.
There will be no talking of returning to that.
Old tales.
I will suffer no more disrespect.
I am your leader and your father. You will do as I say. Is that clear?
We will abide by your decisions, Father.
Always.
Dissension within is our greatest enemy.
Frankly, I'm not surprised that the righteous Barron was really a low life.
I mean, I remember the way he treated me... or at least tried to.
What a hypocrite, refusing to let you marry his daughter.
It doesn't matter what the Barron did. Legally the Trading Post is ours.
And do you think the Black Dragon cares about what's legal or not?
They'll kill us and take it. Unless we hit them first.
Let it go, Siro.
Maybe you don't mind having to look over your shoulder until it comes, but I do.
Taja?
Well, sure I'm concerned, but...
I don't really know what's best.
Well, I do. End it now.
We'll do nothing.
That's it? You give the orders and we just obey?
Who the hell put you in charge?
No one. You and Taja know we're equals in all of this.
And I'm not ordering you to do anything, Siro.
What I am asking you to do is to slow down.
There may be nothing to fight over.
He's dead wrong, you know.
A gift.
Easy, Siro.
No bodyguards. Just me.
How do you know my name?
I asked about you.
The man who took out two of my best men with one blow.
- You're a fighter, Siro. A good one. - You may find out soon just how good.
- Oh, I hope so. - I don't sleep with the enemy.
- Isn't that better than ending up dead? - That remains to be seen.
You don't scare, do you? We're alike in that way.
Touch me again and I'll put the dagger in your heart.
At the same time I put a knife in your throat. You see, Siro, we do think the same.
What do you want?
- You. - You're crazy.
Quite the opposite. I know your value, Siro.
There's a place for you with us. With me.
You? You're nothing.
Your father controls the Black Dragon and your brother controls you.
No one... controls me.
We'll have the Trading Post, Siro.
Why sacrifice yourself for it? Just join us.
Get out of my sight.
That was a mistake.
Think about my offer when the fist of the Black Dragon crushes you.
Where's my shipment? You promised me a dozen slaves.
Only one passenger this trip.
I can only open the portal for slaves. You know that.
Then consider me a slave.
They may kill me. There's no way out for you once you're there.
I'll think about that, not you. Take me now.
I said move it!
- What's this? - A new slave.
She said she'd reward anyone who took her to Shang Tsung.
I wanted to see you "reward" her.
I will.
Who is this?
A daughter of an old enemy.
Come to get reacquainted. You remember our last meeting, don't you, Shang Tsung.
When your father betrayed me and I swore to kill him.
Yes. Right after we shared my bed...
as I remember.
Bannak knows you're here?
My father is not part of the deal I've come to propose...
privately.
Vorpax can stay for now. She likes proposals.
I do. So talk.
Centuries ago, my people unleashed a dragon fire.
Then, out of fear and weakness, the fire was allowed to die.
I want you to awaken those ancient powers now.
There is a reason your ancestors let it die away.
They were cowards. Like my brother and father.
You haven't lived through them.
You have no idea what you would be unleashing.
I know it is my destiny to make the Black Dragon the force it once was.
Will you help me?
- The question is why I should. - Name your price.
- Murder. - Gladly.
Don't be so eager.
The man I want dead is named Kung Lao.
Of course. The one who defeated you in Mortal Kombat.
Oh, it's too good, Shang Tsung.
It's too...
perfect.
- You know him? - Yes. My sworn enemy also.
I will take great pride in delivering his head to you.
Do we have a deal?
Leave us.
I wouldn't trust her, Shang Tsung.
I don't trust you. What's the difference?
You deserve each other.
I thought you'd never ask.
I haven't.
- Return to Earth Realm. - But the powers...
They can be yours.
You must bring me something...
before I release the ancient powers of the Black Dragon.
Vorpax?
Did you hear everything well from your rat hole?
Well enough. But I can't believe you're gonna give some...
dragon powers to a woman like that.
Where's Taja?
She left before dawn. There was a silk caravan passing by.
Thought she could make a deal.
Helping her out?
I said I would open for her if she doesn't get back.
Did Taja say anything about her talking with the other local merchants?
You mean about paying the Black Dragon?
- Bribing them to leave us alone? - Yeah. What do you think?
I don't think. I know. There isn't enough money on earth to satisfy them.
Speaking of money, I gotta open up for business.
A man of peace...
"Wait and see what they do"?
Well, here's your answer, loud and clear.
Read it.
One will die each day until the demands of the Black Dragon are met.
That's it. They kill one, we kill one.
Then what? If they kill two, three, ten and we keep matching them...
- Yes. We keep fighting. - No. Retaliating is not the answer.
You of all people must want to avenge his death.
- Revenge was not his way, or mine. - Then what is?
Sitting on your hands and meditating while they cut down your friends?
No, but neither is running out and butchering people.
Well, it's either that or back down.
Believe me, once you give into the Black Dragon and they own you...
they'll never stop until you have nothing left to give.
I know damn well the monks taught you to fight for what you believe in...
to protect what's yours.
For now, I'll think of him.
I'll have his body prepared for burial, and take him home.
It'll give me time to think.
And give them another chance to hit again?
Are you afraid of the Black Dragon, Kung Lao?
No, Siro, what I really fear at this moment is you, out of control with rage.
Where are you going?
To do what needs to be done.
Bring me some wine.
Sad day.
It was senseless.
Murder usually is.
I'm taking his body to the Temple for burial.
Good.
What are you doing here?
I thought I'd save you the trouble of calling.
What makes you think I would?
This crisis.
Okay, since you're so eager to help, what do I do?
Well, I'd kick the hell out of 'em myself, but then I'm a god, I can do that sort of thing.
Just like that you're telling me to be no better than them?
Oh, no, you have to be better, much better to win.
I spent my whole life believing that aggression was not the way.
I learned to fight to defend myself and to defend my realm, not to attack.
But you were also taught to fight for what you believe in, for what you know is right.
And what is right?
Battle after battle, dozens may die.
- This is not a fight I want. - Tough.
You've got it.
There is another way. Give them what they want and walk away.
You mean run?
Like you're doing now from me?
- It will end it. - Will it?
Without a victory, there is only doubt.
What are you saying, Rayden?
Our father would still be alive if you'd listened to me.
You. You started this war, Jola.
And I'll finish it. My way.
You will do nothing without my consent.
- As the oldest, I am our new leader. - Father's death served you well.
Watch yourself, sister.
I want to put a stop to the killing.
But I swear I will take one more life if you challenge me.
The assassin stole the ancient medallion...
the symbol of our leadership.
But with it, or without it, I am the new leader of the Black Dragon.
Is that clear?
Very.
Siro...
Behind you.
- What are you doing hiding back there? - Watching our backs.
You scared the hell out of me. Where've you been?
In town, asking people where I can find the Black Dragon.
And?
They're findable.
Well, why didn't you tell me you were back? I didn't even hear you come in.
I'm not the only one you didn't hear.
It's from them.
- Why didn't they kill me? - Read it.
They want a meeting.
That's what they'll get.
- Siro, it could be a set-up. - I hope it is.
Yeah, but they only asked for Kung Lao. He's not here. I'll handle it.
Stay inside and keep your head down.
Siro, no.
Got your note.
It was not sent to you.
- Well, I'm what you get. - My father is dead.
But since one of you killed him, I'm sure you know that.
A monk is also dead. And I'm sure you know that.
His death was unfortunate.
But now the Black Dragon has a new leader...
Me.
That's why I set this meeting so I could meet with your leader, Kung Lao.
He's gone. And he's not our "leader".
Then how 'bout I propose you a deal?
You think we killed your father and you want to deal?
It's over and cannot be undone.
The truth is my father was old, his time past.
Your grief is touching.
I want the Trading Post. Unlike my father and my sister, I'm willing to pay for it.
Name your price.
So you've come to beg like a dog?
- A dog with teeth. - Maybe I'll fix that.
Enough.
You've made your point.
Now will you talk?
Let's do.
- You'll die for this. - Not before you.
When my people come looking for me...
Better be soon, the blade is getting closer.
Names.
I can never tell you that.
Bad answer. Who killed the monk?
Who killed the monk?
Wait. Jola... my sister. I think she killed him.
- That's a start. We've got one name. More. - I can never betray them.
You're just full of morals, aren't you?
Interesting though, you'll give up your sister...
What's going on?
Since you couldn't decide what course to take, I took one for you.
- His sister killed the monk. - And you killed my father.
- This is insane, Siro. - No, you're the one who's insane.
Stay back.
Do it. Kill him.
Too many have died already. Get out of here.
Another one I'll just have to kill later. You can't stop me.
- I will. - Not another move.
This is between us.
You got that, Thunder God?
You figure this is a good day to die, Siro?
You never cease to amaze me. You have a problem, what do you do?
You try to tear each others throats out.
You, you want blood. Taja, she wants to roll over and pay.
And you...
you're so confused with the violence, you want to ignore it and hope it goes away.
So who's right?
Hmm.
I suppose you all are in your own little way.
This is no time for your riddles, Rayden.
My way is the only one that makes sense. This is a war, damn it.
And which war are you referring to?
The one with the Black Dragon or the one between the two of you?
You're the one who dropped in uninvited.
So what should we do?
That's not my job.
But I will say this... start looking inside for the answers.
You are useless unless you put a lid on your fury.
And tell Taja to pick a side.
Kung Lao...
you must come to grips with your moral questions.
Right now the Black Dragon cannot be defeated. Divided you fall.
I did not kill that old man, Kung Lao...
but I would have.
Then who did?
Ugh, she's back.
Jola brought me a present.
Why don't you go dig cobalt or whatever it is you do here?
- Why don't you kiss my... - As much as I'd enjoy...
watching you claw at each other, our work awaits.
You have the ancient medallion, what more do you need?
Give me the power and I promise Kung Lao will die.
And if you fail?
I won't.
In life only death is certain. Know this, Jola, even if you fail, I will be paid.
So be it. Use the medallion.
Give me the power.
I'm surprised your father would give up this treasure.
My father is dead.
I slit his throat. Maybe I underestimated you.
Once the dark forces are unleashed there is no turning back.
I am ready.
Are you?
It is done.
The ancient power of the Black Dragon is within you.
What the hell is she?
Incredible.
An incarnation of the living dragon.
Go bring me my prize.
I know you think I'm out of control but I promise I will fight with a cool head.
I still think we should wipe 'em out, to the last man.
- I said it. Now you. - I've made my decision.
- I sent Kebral a note. - It would have been nice to see it first.
- There's no point. I knew what you'd say. - What was in it?
I'm giving the Trading Post back to the Black Dragon.
Enjoying Father's chair?
I've earned the right to sit in it. I have the Trading Post.
Really?
And you actually think you had anything to do with that?
- What have you done? - Taken control.
Your own father?
And my own brother, if you don't acknowledge me now.
No one will follow you. I am the leader.
Unless you're dead...
then it passes on to me.
Taja!
Time to fry, Siro.
I expected more from the great Kung Lao.
I'll give you more than you can handle, Jola.
What's happening?
A portal?
I thought the Black Dragon were from Earth Realm.
Her new powers weren't.
She made a deal with the devil.
Dragon lady got her ass kicked.
Foolish girl.
I saved your life.
You were dying.
I was winning.
In another second, you would have been dust.
You arrogantly used powers you know nothing about. As I knew you would.
Their curse continues in you, feeding your power but waiting to consume you.
Your ancestors knew this. Now you have learned.
Yes.
The powers are strong.
- All I need is time to learn to use them. - And time you shall have...
here.
What? What do you mean?
You will remain with me in the mines.
You will train and learn to control that which I have given to you.
No, Shang Tsung. Send me back.
The powers are mine.
They are within you... but they are mine.
You belong to me now, Jola.
That is my price.
Welcome.
What made you change your mind?
When I finally realized that if we didn't fight them, no one would...
and I wanted the fight to be on our ground.
Ever use a door?
- Would you? - Probably not.
Where's Taja?
Out buying again.
Now that the Black Dragon's off our back...
she can't wait to get back into business again.
Ah, greed is a great motivator. And you two... I'm stunned really.
After all the sound advice I've given you, you seemed to have listened.
- The stakes were high. - Oh, I see. Yes.
It's generally the Earth Realm that's hanging in the balance...
this time it was the Trading Post.
It was more than that.
Humans.
What changed your mind?
Thinking more about how aggression and defence are alike...
instead of how different they are.
Ah.
- Pretty thin line, isn't it? - At any rate, it's over.
Isn't it?
Is Jola dead?
Maybe not.
- But she's gone. - For now.
The evil the Black Dragon represents has endured for centuries.
There is little doubt that one way or another, it will continue.