" How decadent." " Don't you ever knock?" "It's a little late for modesty." "You must have had to sell your soul to get a flower in this hell hole." "Or was it just your virtue?" "I may have to live down here like an animal but I certainly don't have to feel like one." "I'm a woman." "Or have you forgotten?" "A very vain one." "You should be careful." "Too much water can... wrinkle your skin." "What have you done?" "How could you do this to me?" "That was horrible." "You haven't seen the half of it." "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." " Why'd you do that for?" " If I have to suffer through this, so do you." "That's it, I'm out of here." "Hey!" "Wait!" "Sorry." "Bathroom break." "Same..." "Taja, what's with you?" "I can't believe Kung Lao asked us to come to this retreat." "Well, look at his face." "This is nirvana for him." "Well, it's like watching corn grow for me." "To top it off, this has got to be the worst heat wave in years." "Oh, here he comes." "Be nice." "What's wrong?" "Why did you leave?" "Look, the whole meditation, spiritual awareness stuff just isn't for us." "I was nice." "I'm sorry, Kung Lao, but it's true." "Aren't you going to say anything?" "Nothing to say." "I hoped you'd embrace my training and traditions." "You didn't." " And you're not upset?" " I've been meditating." "It'll take more than this to upset me." "Then we'll head back to Zhu Zin." "Fine." "I'll see you at the Trading Post when I'm finished here." "Have fun." "Or whatever it is you're having here." "Master Hwang." "Kung Lao." "It's good to have you back with us, if only for a short time." "Thank you." "My life now leaves little time for spiritual relief." " Let's get outta here." " Now?" "Hey, the sun is brutal." "We should wait till it sets." "I'd rather fry than stay any longer." "The monks are so..." " And what's with all the bowing?" " I don't know." "Sorry to hear you're leaving so soon, but we must each follow our own path." " And we'll be taking this one." " May your journey be safe." "And speedy." "Ah, I can't wait to get home." "Oh, my..." "Wait!" " Hold on, Taj." " Wait!" "We almost made it." "The sun can be cruel." "You'll need this on you long journey." "You're right." "Thank you." "Here, a drink might help." "The mind perceives a skip and a jump... but this old body feels it has climbed a mountain." "Perhaps you should wait till the sun crests." " Hey, that's what I..." " That's..." "We can handle it." "Thanks again." " It's like walking in a bonfire out here." " I told you to wait till sunset." "Oh, that's right." "You did tell me." "About fifty times!" "Hey come on!" "You've guzzled half the bag already!" "Just my half." " Hey!" " You wanted travel by day... you should suffer most." "Oh, that's mature." "He is in peace." "We all miss him." "And Master Hwang died of all age as we all must do one day." "No." "It was not Master Hwang's time to die." "What do you mean?" "What's happening?" "Sorcery." "Sorcery." "Move it." "He doesn't want to work!" "Were you successful?" "That depends on your point of view." "I told you to remain hidden." "What you told me was to hang around and see what happened." "And?" " I did exactly that." " But you were discovered..." "Things took a strange turn." "One of the old monks died, just shrivelled to dust." " An added bonus." " Maybe." "But while I was trying to get closer to see what else happened... one of those orange tents spotted me and alerted Kung Lao." "Kung Lao saw you?" "Yes, he did." "And if I hadn't won that foot race, we'd still be back there fighting it out." "It doesn't matter." "Maybe not to you." "I believe it's time for me to go and reap my reward." "I don't know, Shang Tsung." "The Emperor has new spies down here." "They'll report to him if you leave." "Then I'll have to be very careful." "Shang Tsung?" "!" "How did you do that?" "It's an old trick." "Unfortunately, one that uses a great deal of energy." "I'll need more to sustain my powers." "You." "We've done this trek before but I don't remember it feeling so far." "This is unbearable." "I told..." "Hey, if you say it, Siro, I swear I'll flatten you." "I was just going to ask you for the water bag." "It's empty." "Well, you didn't think I'd give it to you if there were any water left, did you?" "I was his real target." "I should have ripped Shang Tsung's heart out while I had the chance." "No, you're not like him." "Let it go, Kung Lao." "You must prepare to face the new crisis." "What do you mean?" "What happened to Master Hwang." "He was killed by Shang Tsung's sorcery." "But how?" "He aged." "Even after death, it continued." "Some sort of potion." "And how did he come to take it instead of you?" "I don't know." "Like everyone here he was fasting, drinking only water." " My water bag." " Let us see." "I don't get it." "Shang Tsung knows I can't age until the next Mortal Kombat Tournament." "The Elder God's decree keeps me young." "Perhaps the arrogant sorcerer thought his powers great enough... or he has another plan." "It's gone." "When did you see it last?" "I was taking a drink while I was... talking to Taja and Siro." "They must've taken the water bag." "They are much younger than Master Hwang, but the end result will be the same." " There must be something I can do." " You must go here..." " well east of Zhu Zin." " Where is this?" "A living forest." "You will find a woman there." " Is she a friend of the Order?" " Omegis is friend to no one." "She is a mistress of the dark powers and it is said years ago she defeated mortality." "If anyone can help, she can." "I will go to her now." "The journey is too far for you to get there and back in time." "Find your friends and take them along, before they are too old to travel." "Remember, Omegis is friend to no one." "I've walked a lot further in a day, but I don't remember when it took it out of me like this." "Must have been the sun." "That's it." "I'm outta here." "Oh, man." "I'm stiff as a board." "Don't even say the sun did that." "Nope." "We're just getting old." "Well, maybe you are." "I'm just a kid." "A kid with grey hair?" " Pluck it out!" " Nah, do it yourself." "I'm..." "Oooh, I'm too tired." "Forget it, I'll do it in the morning." "Taja!" "Siro!" "Where are you?" "Taja!" "Siro!" "Oh, are you all right?" " What's going on?" " Taja..." "What?" "So I don't look my best in the morning..." " Siro, your face." " Your face." " I need a mirror." " What the hell is happening to us?" " We don't have time right now." " Make time." "We've got to leave right now." "I'll explain to you on the road." "Road to where?" "Come on, Taja." "Bring the mirror if you want, but let's go." "This... this is what did it." "Something was in the water?" "It was meant for me." "I'm so sorry." "What's happening to us?" "You're aging, Taja." "That's not possible." "It can't be happening." "Taja, look at me." "It's true." "No, I..." "I..." "I don't want to look at you." "I want this to go away." "How do we make it stop?" "Don't... it'll be all right." "There is a way, but we have to leave right now... before..." "Before we're too old to make it?" "Come on." " Kung Lao, let's rest for a minute." " I don't think we should risk the time." "Oh, no." "No, it's not fair." "What did I do to deserve this?" "We've got to keep moving." "No, I can't stand it anymore." "Leave me alone." "Let's give her a minute." "You can't blame her." "God, yesterday we were too young to even worry about getting old." "I've tried not to think about this..." "you growing old..." "Since you won Mortal Kombat?" "You didn't have to wait long." "At this rate, we'll have lived out the rest of our lives in a day." "Stop talking like it's over." "Come on." "We've got to keep moving." "Come on." "We've got to keep moving." "Taja..." "All right." "Hang on, guys." "We must be getting close." "Siro, can I ask you something?" "Sure." "How old do I look?" "Sixty something, but a good sixty something." "Hey." "Kung Lao." "Defend yourselves." " We've got to help him." " Siro, no." "One hit and our old bones will snap like twigs." "I think we've gone as far as we can." "We're fading fast." "You'll have to find this Omegis without us." "I won't leave you." "What if you're..." "Gone when you get back?" "We'll try to hold on." "You have to." "I can't let you die on me." "Not now." "Not like this." "Sit and rest." "Save your strength." "She has to be close now." "Did you mean what you said earlier?" "That I looked good?" "For your age." "You look distinguished yourself." "Thank you, madam." "Take it easy." "Take it easy." "We're really dying, Siro." "So much for the great dreams for the future." "This is the future." "And it sucks." "Cold?" "I'm scared, Siro." "I don't want to die out here." "At least we're not alone." "Even with company... when it's your time, you always die alone." "Omegis?" "Where is she?" "This should be the place." "Omegis?" "!" "So, you defeated my guards." " Omegis?" " Go away while you still can." "No, wait!" "You're brave." "Not very smart, are you?" "But brave." "My friends are dying." "Things happen." "Stay where you are." " I had to see you." " See me?" "The last thing you ever want to do is see me." "You stay where you are... or something very unpleasant will happen to you." "I'm not leaving I've known others like you." "Really?" "And what other masters of the dark arts have you met?" " A man named Shang Tsung." " Shang Tsung?" "How do you know him?" "I defeated him in battle." "Ah, you're Kung Lao, the great saviour of Earth Realm." "Yes, and I need your help." "My help doesn't come cheap, warrior." "Are you ready to pay the price?" "Is Shang Tsung dead?" "No, but he's imprisoned in Outworld." "I spared him." "How noble." "My god, you are delicious." "I need to tell you why I've come." "Of course." "I may not let you leave, but by all means, tell me why you're here." "My friends are aging." "Really?" "Getting, uh, older?" "Uglier?" "So frightening to them that they had to send their handsome young friend to Omegis." "No, it's not normal aging." "It's a potion of some sort." "It's meant for me." "Shang Tsung's doing." "His skills are great." "As are mine." "What?" "Not to your liking?" "Well, what would you prefer?" "Raven haired?" "Blonde?" "Oh, taller?" "Maybe a little thinner?" "I can be whatever you want." "Look, I'm not here for this." "Look, you intruded on me." "You do what I say." "I may make you my slave..." "or I may take you to bed... or both." "We have a lot in common." "What in common?" "This whole process of what your friends are going through." "Aging." "I am centuries old." "I've just stopped counting." "And you, ageless, until you lose the next Mortal Kombat." "This is about Taja and Siro." "They're young and they're going to die within hours." "And this is a great tragedy to you?" "Yes, of course." "This is all so new to you." "There's very little that you understand." "I understand the desire to live." "Do you?" "!" "You want to save them, but you're gonna go on and on and on." "Your little friends are eye blinks in your life." "Just think of the countless friends, relatives, lovers, even your enemies." "They're dying and you're left." "That's a horror you can't even comprehend." "That is what drove me to these woods." "I envy your friends." "You won't help." "Then I'll go to them." "I should be with them near the end." "Your naivete sickens me." "Here." "Take it." "Take it." "Half for each." "Let them live." "Get to care for them more." "It's my punishment to you." "Kung Lao... my gift to you - advice." "Lose the next Mortal Kombat." "Die young and beautiful." "Siro!" "Taja!" "I've been keeping your old friends company." "Stop!" "Or I'll snap their necks." "Sorry, Kung Lao." "Wasn't much we could do." "I have what you need." "So, you managed to find the old hag." "How sad you won't be able to give that to them." "You didn't really think that the potion would work on me, did you?" "Actually, I thought it might." "Then I realised it didn't matter." "I had all I needed." "For what?" "To make you fight." "You know you can't fight me, Shang Tsung." "The rules of the Elder Gods prohibit it." "Unless you waive the rules." "Do it or watch them die." "Don't, Kung Lao." "It's not a fair fight." "You're exhausted." "I can't stand by and watch you die." "No, you can't." "Not the merciful Kung Lao." "Fight me, Kung Lao." "Fight me now in Mortal Kombat!" "Done." "I waive the rules, Shang Tsung." "I waive the rules." "And this time..." "I will kill you." "So predictable." "You should be grateful I'm going to kill you and save you the pain of never aging... of watching your friends die away one by one." "Only my enemy will die." "Now let them go." "Ready?" "Kung Lao... the vial." "Quick." "Come on, Siro." "Fight." "Taja, drink the rest." "Hurry." "Is he...?" "I don't know." "Do you feel anything?" "Is it working?" "I don't know." "You can't die on me, Siro!" "Easy." "I'm brittle, remember?" "Oh, thank god." "I don't know what I'd do without you around to annoy me." "Shang Tsung?" "I'm going to finish him." "Where is he?" "I've got to see him right now." "What's the hurry?" "We're bound to run into him sometime down here." "I've been given orders from the Emperor to check on Shang." "Aren't I enough for you?" "Maybe... maybe after I've seen him you can keep me company." "I'm sure he's around here somewhere." "It's a big mine." "Now, why don't we just enjoy ourselves why we wait for him to wander back?" "I'm right here." "Get away from me, you reeking swine." "The things I have to do for you..." "What happened?" "Energy's gone..." " Let's go." " Where?" "To find another." "Is he dead?" "He disappeared somehow." "Maybe a portal, I don't know." "But at least the both of you are okay again." "Nice timing, Thunder God, the crisis is over... as usual." "Kung Lao!" "Are you all right?" "Are you crazy, Rayden?" "!" "What the hell was that for?" "Shang almost killed you, what if you'd lost?" "I didn't." "You risked Earth's Realm to save two meagre lives." " Hey, wait a minute." " Don't!" "Are you telling me that I should have just let them die?" "I am this close to killing them myself... then you'd never be tempted to protect them again." "One of the reasons why you love Earth Realm is because people care enough... to fight for their friends." "You're not people!" "You're the last victor of Mortal Kombat." "The lives of everyone in this Realm depend on you." " I knew I could beat Shang Tsung." " You know nothing!" "You are a coward, Kung Lao." "He faced Shang Tsung and you call him a coward?" "You did it because you're afraid to be alone." "You were born to be a warrior." "If you continue to win in Mortal Kombat, you'll live to witness all your friends die." "All of them!" "I've heard this lecture before." " But did you listen?" " Yes, and I hear you." "But do you see?" "Do you see that your entire Realm is at stake?" "It's the burden you must carry." "And today you nearly lost everything." "For what?" "For caring..." "Well, you better start learning to care for all of humanity before it's too late."