"Who are you?" " Surrender." "To you?" "Lose your powers, sorcerer?" "I have others." "Vorpax." " What are you waiting for?" " Nothing." "Did you really expect me to fight the Emperor's warriors?" "Emperor?" "My Emperor." "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." "How could this have happened?" "Outworld has been breached." "What's going on here, Reiko?" " Who's behind this?" " I don't know." "It seems too easy." "Their warriors appeared as if from nowhere." " How many?" " Nearly fifty." "All female." "Only a handful made it into the Cobalt Mines." "They took Shang Tsung." "Shang Tsung." "How could just a handful of women steal my sorcerer?" "Summon the Shadow Priests." "[THUNDER RUMBLlNG]" " I think you'll like this." " Oh, yes, it's lovely." "Lovely." "We'll take this." " But I think this is..." " I make the decisions." "We'll take this." "Do you have a problem with that?" " Let's not alienate the customers, shall we?" " Did you hear this guy?" " A man." "Finally someone I can deal with." " Oh, you mean I can help you out?" " Exactly." " I can." "What... what're you..." " Why are you doing this?" " Get out of here!" "And don't come back." "Come on." "If he lays a hand on you, come back and tell me, okay?" "Now!" "Move it!" "Thank goodness you were here so I didn't alienate any customers." " He's an ass." " Yup." "Typical man." "Convinced he's superior because he's hairier." "Don't judge men by that." "Okay, well, he's worst-case." "But you know what I mean." "Look around." "Don't you think men consider themselves better than women?" "Oh, not all men." "Hey, Kung Lao, help me out here." " Taja thinks all men are..." " Oh, no, I'm not getting into this." "Wise move." "Rayden." "What is it this time?" "Who's looking to kill us?" "Well, actually, I'm here to tell you of a little trouble that happened somewhere else." "Where?" "Outworld." " What trouble?" " Just happened." "A small raiding party got inside Shao Kahn's borders." "There was a fight." " I love it." " But how?" "Who could be powerful enough to pull a move like that?" "Even I don't know that." "But what I am certain of is all the warriors were women." "Okay, this is too good." "Shao Kahn gets his butt kicked by women." "Not exactly kicked." "I still don't understand who could..." "Does he ever say good-bye?" "By reading the blood of the fallen warriors..." "I see their empire's large, made of many realms." "Who leads them?" "Her name is Kreeya." "Why have I not heard of this woman before now?" "Her home is distant." "She's been moving toward Outworld for years." "To be destroyed." "My forces are inexhaustible." "I'll crush her." "Where is she now?" "Out of your reach." "Kreeya is in Earth Realm." "Are they treating you well?" "As well as you've treated me all this time?" "How does it feel to be the slave, Shang Tsung?" "Do you enjoy this?" "What do you want from me?" "It's my queen that needs you." "But afterwards, you will be mine." "I have hated you for so long, dreamed about the day I'd get even with you." "Now I'm wondering... if there is anything I can ever really do to make you pay for what you've done to me." "I should have killed you." "In a way you did." "Believe me, I'll make you suffer." "I will pay you back." "Very slowly." "If you brought me here to kill me, then do it." "Patience, Shang Tsung." "Like I said, my queen has a use for you." "The way she used you." "To spy on Outworld." "And Earth Realm." "My time here was very useful." "My role was to prepare the way." "To prepare for our way." "Shao Kahn will kill you and your queen, unless I get the chance first." "Bow to my ruler!" "Queen Kreeya." "You've done well, Vorpax..." "as I knew you would." "Remove him." "You were right." "Earth Realm is ideal for our needs." "Is it time?" "Close." "Two days." "During which, we are the most vulnerable." "You've been here before." "Who in this realm might oppose us?" "Earth's warriors, perhaps." "Then we must invite them here... to learn of us." "I'll send word." "There are three near here that I know of." " Enemies of Shao Kahn?" " Definitely." "One of them was the last victor of Mortal Kombat." "Excellent." "Then we're allies." "Mmmm..." "Earth mortals are independent." "Fiercely so at times." "I don't know if they'll view our arrival as we do." "Perhaps we should offer them some proof of our friendship." "Yes." "I need to know as much as I can about them before we meet." "Then you'll approach the ones you know... and invite them here to join us in defeating Shao Kahn." "I'm telling you if women ran the world, we would not have the problems we have." "No." "We would have a different set." "Right?" "Okay, here's what I think." " Women are just as capable as men." " See?" "And that includes being just as capable of screwing things up." "Or at least shaking things up." " Did you find out about these women?" " No." "Not everything." "Not yet." "Rayden, doesn't it bother you being a God and not knowing everything?" " What bothers me is my memory." " Memory of what?" "Of an old tale." "A legend that I heard thousands of years ago about a seed." "What's an army of female warriors got to do with an old myth?" "Aren't most myths based on some truth?" "As I said, the story is..." "Of a seed that travelled the universe." "They said the seed blew from realm to realm and took root." "The seed was powerful and dominant." "And often where it flowered, there was beauty, peace." "In other places, it brought death." "And chaos." "So are you telling us this so we should look for a plant or bush or something?" "All I know is... something new has arrived in Earth Realm." "How did they do it?" "A portal powerful enough to transport that many warriors cannot go unnoticed." "Not even the Shadow Priests understand how she did it." "It must be Shang Tsung's work." " We don't know that for sure." " Did anyone see them take him?" "There's one prisoner still alive but he's too weak to talk." "If he lives, we'll know more." "However it happened, she has my sorcerer." "And Kreeya may force him to fight against Outworld, or kill him for refusing." "Or worse." "Will Shang Tsung seek revenge against me for what I've done to him?" "And join her willingly?" "Hey, Taja, are you here?" "Taja's not here." "We've come to ask if..." "Siro." "Vorpax?" " Relax, I'm not going to hurt him." " A little late for that." "He didn't give me a chance to explain." "He attacked before asking questions." "I would've done the same." "What do you want?" " To talk." " Talk." "You've heard about a raid within Outworld?" " Yeah." " We are of that army." "Of the empire of Queen Kreeya." "She sends you an invitation to join her." "To help her defeat Shao Kahn." "But you work for Shao Kahn." "At least Shang Tsung." "No." "I loathe them both." "I did what I had to to stay alive until we were ready to make our next move." "You've been down there with me, Taja." "No one wants to see Shao Kahn fall more than I do." "You've had a taste of the kind of fighters we are." "With Kreeya leading us, we can defeat him." "Talk it over." "Tell Kung Lao." "We want all of you with us." "At least meet with Queen Kreeya and hear what she's offering you." "Her camp lies just beyond the old Jiing bridge." "Vorpax?" "She stood beside Shang Tsung every step of the way." " She fought us..." " She also helped us in the Cobalt Mines." "May have." "We don't know for sure whose side she's on." "Now you want us to trust her and this Empress Kreeya... who looks to be as powerful as Shao Kahn?" "We didn't say trust." "But I think we might at least consider what she has to offer." "Just because she didn't knife you when she had the chance." "Kung Lao, she's asking us to join their army fighting Shao Kahn." "Look, so far the only thing that's prevented our home from being ruled over by Outworld..." " is a set of Elder God rules." " Right." "He can't invade unless he's the ultimate victor in Mortal Kombat." "In other words, for as long as he follows those rules." "What if some day he decides to defy the Elder Gods and comes to finish us?" "It would take how long, weeks, hours, seconds?" "He can't, Siro." "You guarantee that?" " No." "Nothing's for sure." " Then let's finish him first." "Okay." "Say Kreeya takes out Shao Kahn." "By your reasoning, maybe she then decides to defy the Elder Gods..." "All right, all right." "We can debate this all day or we can check her out." "I agree." "Let's at least see what she's like." "Fine." "I don't have a problem with that." "You're free to make your own decisions." " Go right ahead." " You won't come with us?" "No." "Some... something's not right here." "I want to wait." "Okay." "We'll bring you a report." "You must feel like you've died and gone to heaven." "Do you think they leave the ugly ones at home and just travel with these?" "I don't know." "Maybe they're all born this way." "Incredible." "But I fought them, too." "I have to respect anyone with those kind of combat skills." "Yeah, and remember, they used those skills to take on Shao Kahn." "Mm-hmm." "I'm so glad you came." "Please come in." "Empress Kreeya, I present to you Taja and Siro, the ones I spoke to you of." "Taja, it is my honour." "I'm always delighted to meet a strong fearless woman." "One that can and will fight." "And Siro, your fighting skills and military knowledge... would be of great value here." "You are both most welcome." " Thank you." " I thought there was another." "Kung Lao." "Yes, I'm afraid we've learned to be a bit cautious." "Kung Lao maybe more than us." "I don't blame him." "We are using Earth Realm as a sanctuary." "At the moment, we carry swords and shields." "But I also offer knowledge, culture, beauty." "Once Shao Kahn is stopped, people in all realms can start a new, and better life." "Um, speaking of people..." " What is it, Siro?" " Well, where are your men?" " At home, in our realm." " They don't fight?" "No." "I hope that doesn't make you uncomfortable... being here among so many powerful women." "No, it's, uh, it's just very different." "It's simply the way we are." "But wherever we go, all people... women and men, become our sisters and our brothers." "See for yourselves." "Stay as long as you like." "It is wise to be cautious." "But not so much that you miss a chance to change your world." "That is what Kung Lao must understand." "Enjoy." " It's almost odd, seeing that guy here." " He's another Earth warrior like yourself." "Here at the Empress' invitation." "So if you're part of all this, how did you end up in the Cobalt Mines?" "I was sent to Outworld years ago as a spy." "A very unfortunate mistake got me sent to the mines... so I kept my real identity secret and I aligned myself with Shang Tsung... in order to continue my work as best as I could." "I knew my mother would rescue me some day." "Your mother?" "Your Kreeya's daughter?" "So that means you're some sort of princess." "In a way I am." "And my Queen relies on me." "But in her eyes, each and every one of us is important." "Who's there?" "I am Kreeya." "And this is my gift to you." "Kreeya..." "Vorpax's Queen." "I am." "Since you wouldn't come to me, I've come to you... with this symbol of my friendship." "You're a fool." "Every day you let me live is another chance I have to kill you." "You're the one in chains." "He says it to provoke me, hoping I'll take his life and put an end to his humiliation." " This man is your enemy." " He is." "If the stories I've been told are true... you could've taken the sorcerer's life, but you let him live." " I did." " We are more alike than I imagined." "You think as I do." "Will you talk with me?" "All right." "Take him back to camp." " What will you do with him?" " What you did." "I'll spare him, but not free him." "There are places in my empire... unlike Shao Kahn's, which are secure for those like Shang Tsung." " Your empire?" " Even the word bothers you, doesn't it?" "It is an empire, yes." "But I assure you nothing like Shao Kahn's." "But you fight and conquer." "I must fight Shao Kahn, as I have others like him." "There's no other way to deal with a beast." "Then what?" "You take over realms?" " Do they just offer themselves up to you?" " In a way." "Come, walk with me." "We must share our knowledge with others." "When this is made known to new realms, then... well, then, we are often simply invited in." "Becoming one with the people there." " One?" " Yes." "Much as you were taught as a child by your monks... the "one-ness" of all nature, of all living creatures." "But how?" "Well, as I said, we are powerful people." "When we breed, our traits prevail." "And the others, the original people, just disappear?" "Over many lifetimes." "They're absorbed, Kung Lao, into something new... making life infinitely better for all." "But giving up Earth..." "It's begun." "We are here, freely and in peace." "It's unbelievable." " It can't be." " Only one thing can alter it now." "If Shao Kahn defeats us." "I know you will do what you think is best." "But before you decide, I'd like to show you what could lie in store for Earth Realm." "I'll come." "From what I've seen, it's a society that works." "The warriors are great." "Almost flawless physically." "And they seem polite and kind." "But do you eventually want everyone on Earth Realm to become them?" "Siro?" "I know, the end result sounds sort of unthinkable." "The point is, we won't be here to see it." "It'll take what, a million years for all mortals to disappear?" "Meanwhile, every generation grows stronger." "We do it, Kung Lao." "I mean, we breed better cattle, better dogs." "Hell, even nature does it to us." "The weak children die and the strong ones grow... and have even stronger children in the future." "Maybe it's inevitable." "Maybe it's just an accelerated version of what's bound to happen." "But I don't think the mortal part will ever disappear." "I think it'll always be around somehow in the future." "I don't know, maybe you're right." "Who's that?" "Some other Earth warrior." " We're not the only ones Kreeya's contacted." " Kung Lao, I'm glad you've come." "There's something I'd like to show you." "All of you." " What is it?" " A demonstration by my Queen." "So..." "You wait." "Kung Lao..." "I asked you here because I wanted you and our other guests to see something." "More proof, I hope, of our intentions here." "It's going to be all right." "She's a leper." "This we can do for you." "We suffer from no such diseases." "We carry in our blood elements which can destroy them." "This you can inherit from us." "It's your time now." "Come with me." "Quickly." "I encourage you all to spend more time here." "Hopefully, it will make your decision about us easier." " You see?" " It's fantastic." "Come with me now." "There are some other things I'd like to show you." "You go ahead." "I want to talk to the woman she just cured." "Of course." "You're all right." "Almost there." "Hurry." "It's time." "Just here." "Lie down." "Come on." "Here." "Oh, it is your time." "When they're born early, it is painful." "You did well, sister." "Come." "Make this good news." "It is informative." "The witness to the attack talked before he died." "And?" "Shang Tsung was not the only prisoner taken." "There was another." "Who?" "Vorpax." "She was an accomplice in the attack." "Has everyone turned on me?" "!" "The Shadow Priests tell me... that this Kreeya... is not just using Earth Realm as a hiding place... but as a staging ground." "It's time to get rid of her." "We are forbidden to attack Earth Realm." "My aggression will be against Kreeya, not against Earth Realm itself." " Will the Elder Gods see that distinction?" " I'm defending myself!" "I'll crush Kreeya!" "And if part or all of Earth Realm is damaged in the process, so be it." "It's an unfortunate loss." "But an honourable need to protect my realm." "I'll give my reasons to the Elder Gods after the deed is done." "What the...?" " Not a pretty sight, is it?" " It's hideous." "Do something." " Not that simple." " Kreeya's a monster." "There are thousands of children in there and they mature fast." "In days." "She'll destroy us as she tries to destroy Shao Kahn." "Possibly." "Definitely." "You're protector of Earth Realm..." " We've been through this before." " I know." "We have to fight our own battles." "But what chance to we have against this woman?" "She's here now because she's not bound by the laws." "Yes, she is." "She just hasn't broken any yet." "We're about to be over-run." " I need to know how to fight this." " You cannot win alone." "Then we need you." "I cannot interfere unless the rules have been broken." "Stop saying that, Rayden." "Kreeya hasn't broken any rules..." " and she's still going to win..." " Kung Lao... calm down." "Breathe." "And listen." "Tell me what to do." "Rayden." "Rayden!" "Listen." "I have told you what to do." "Kung Lao." "What's wrong?" " This." " What are you talking about?" "An invasion of Earth." "Kreeya's secret army, right here in our own realm." "I saw it." "Perhaps you misunderstand what you saw." "There can't be an army." "We would have seen it." "They're still growing." "Thousands of them... in some sort of hive." "This is our way, Kung Lao." "They're my children." " All of them?" " Yes." "We are all sisters here." "They're adults in a day or two." "The people of Earth will become one with yours in a matter of years, not centuries." "Even sooner than that." " It's not our wish to kill your people." " No... you'll over-run us to the point of extinction." "I found one man dead already." "My mate for the nest." "It's very sad that he had to die." "It happens sometimes." "I'm sorry if you feel like I've deceived you, but what I've said stands." "Earth Realm will be a richer, better place." "For you!" "When there are none of us left." "Earth Realm is ours!" "Siro..." "Taja..." "Taja, stay with us." "Watch this all happen." " These are my friends." " Then, sadly... you've all become my enemies." "Take them away." "Wait!" "I have a special place for you." "Rest now while you can." "Our Empress will be here soon." "She only mates with the very strong and your seed will make powerful nests." "Of course." "The seed." "I'd finish you now if I could." "I'm listening, Rayden." "It's not the rules stopping you, it's this cage." "What do you mean?" " You're trapped, nowhere to run." " Shut up, fool." "That's it, isn't it?" "You know you can't beat me." " I'll kill you in our next fight." " Then show me." "We're dead anyway..." " yet you stand there and do nothing." " Enough!" "What's the matter, can't fight without your powers?" " I don't need them to destroy you." " Coward!" "Uh-oh, someone broke a rule." "Well, don't just stand there." "No need to thank me." "The rule between you remains." "The threat to you both is great." "Do you understand?" "Kreeya has a nest of warriors." "It has to be destroyed." "There's nothing I can do while she has the gemstone around her neck." "There are guards nearby." "You'll be dead before they get here." "You really don't believe in our superiority, do you?" "Yes!" "We have to destroy her nest." "I will." "As a last act for my Emperor." "Last act?" "I have to save Earth Realm." "It is my new home." "Kung Lao, what's happening?" "Shang Tsung's taking his revenge." "Shang killed them." "All of them." "Not all." "Kreeya and Vorpax aren't among the dead." "And Shang Tsung?" "The power he used here is loose in Earth Realm." "Kreeya has been stopped in Earth Realm." "Where is Shang Tsung?" "Unknown." "We've interrogated the prisoners our scouts captured." "And?" "We forced them to show us the location of other hives Kreeya established here." " Destroy them." " We have, but there are more." "We found she has to mate with a male from each Realm she intends to invade." " Another traitor." " Yes." "He will be found." "I swear it." "And how many hives has she established across our borders?" "Thousands." "Out of which comes thousands of warriors in just a few days." "We're under attack." " They're pouring across our borders." " Alert the troops." "We are at war!"