"Has he come?" "I have." "Uh, as requested." "Can you find him?" "I can." "Even he can't run loose on Earth Realm undetected." " Can you defeat him?" " Uh, the price may be high." "Do it and you'll have what you want." "Bring me Shang Tsung!" " Help me." " Out of my way." "Please, have mercy." "Get back, you filthy beggar." "Soon." "Very soon." "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." " Hey, how was your lunch?" " Short." "I noticed." "What happened?" "You just met this woman." "Yeah, and you'd think it'd be a little early for her to try to turn me into someone else." "Uh-oh." "The make-over started, huh?" "I've seen her twice and it's already..." ""Siro, sit up straight". "Siro, I think you should cut your hair shorter"." " I'm done." " Done?" "Yeah, I'm taking a break." "I'm going to do what you do." "Me?" "What do I do?" "You're smart." "You don't just go out with any guy." "Well, let's be honest." "It's not like, uh..." "You're selective." "You're waiting for the right one." "Yep, that's me." "Selective." "The next woman I go out with is going to be someone... who knows me and accepts me for who I am." "Someone like you." "You know, I mean, uh, someone who's a friend first." "Yeah." "Yeah, yeah, sure." "More?" " Farmer." "Over by the foothills." " How many is that?" "Ten." "Shang Tsung has killed here..." "here... here." "No real pattern." "It's like he's just wandering all over the map." " But it's all still in this same area." " Staying close to here." " He's waiting for a chance to kill us." " Then I say we give him what he wants." " Right." "We pack up and find him first." " I'm in." "That simple, huh?" "Just find him, track him and beat him... end of story?" "Something like that." "We are talking about the same man, are we not?" "About so tall, goatee... sorcerer with immense power?" "One who almost got you all killed in the Cobalt Mines?" "Okay, okay, Rayden." "We know who we're fighting." "Three of us should be able to handle him." "Make that two." "Remember, Kung Lao cannot fight." "Shang Tsung no longer serves Shao Kahn." " It's not Mortal Kombat." "I can fight him." " You're sure?" "Well, you're saying I can't?" "Actually, I'm not sure." "You're still Mortal Kombat Champion and... it's all very confusing." "I'll have to check." "Do that." "Maybe you'll find out before we get him." "This is not wise, Kung Lao." "Then what is wise, Rayden?" "Letting Shang Tsung run wild?" "Killing innocent people?" "Right." "And the longer we wait, the stronger he'll become." "There are rules." "Maybe it's time to say "the hell with the rules"." "I used to like this free will stuff." " Why are you here?" "You have a job." " Which is being done." "I came to speak of your war." "This "war" with Kreeya... it should have lasted a day." "Yet it goes on and on." "Someone is helping her." "Perhaps Shang Tsung." "Perhaps." "Your enemy with a powerful sorcerer at her side is even more formidable." " Obviously." " Yet there are other concerns." " There's treachery, Emperor." "Traitors." " Everywhere." "They surround me." "But I'll destroy every enemy of this Realm." "We could... together." "Oh, yes." "Yes, perhaps we could." "But for now, I want you to deal with the enemy I know." " Shang Tsung." " As I said, he is being dealt with." "Where are you?" "I know you're in there!" "Don't be rude, sorcerer." "Answer her." "Quan Chi's walking dead." "Where's the other?" "Here." "Next time you'll die!" "Shao Kahn has found a new sorcerer." "My three skilled assassins." "Mika was hurt." "Mika is dead!" "You all are." "That doesn't mean I can't feel pain in this body." "Maybe I'll change your body and show you real pain." "We did our best." "I'm sure you did." "You're pathetic." "Then you shouldn't have sent us." "True." "So what good are you?" "I should destroy you myself." "You don't want to destroy us, Quan Chi, right?" "I mean, we're still your killers..." "Yes." "And we do have other talents." "Yes, there are things you're good at." "Time for a new plan." "There's a lot of ground to cover." "I'm gonna head north and west." "You guys should go the other way." "Well, wait." "You can't go off alone." "Rayden may be right." "Or he may be wrong." "I want Shang Tsung." "And this time I want him dead." "Before he can add to his collection of lost souls." " Kung Lao..." " We're wasting time!" "Kung Lao, look, Shang Tsung will have too great an advantage at night." "If we don't find him, we meet back here at dusk, okay?" "Agreed." "Be careful." "Let's go." "Smell that?" "Yeah." "Fire." "Something happened here." "Down here." "I think I got something." "Looks like there was a fight here recently." " Shang Tsung." " He's been here." "Who would Shang Tsung be fighting?" "Vorpax maybe." "Kreeya could have sent her to finish him." "If she found him, she didn't kill him here." "So he's still out there." "Check the ground." "See if you can find out which way he went." "I think he headed this way." "Watch out!" "Shang Tsung laid traps around the place." "And I nearly..." "Thanks..." "I owe you one." "That was close." "It'll be dark soon." " We'd better be getting back." " Right." "Don't wanna run into one of those in the night." "We can start searching again in the morning." "Shang Tsung's handy work?" "I want him, Rayden." "This is murder." "All the evil in the world is not your responsibility." "But this is." "If I killed Shang Tsung when I had the chance, none of this would be happening." "Even if you find him, you may not be able to do anything." "I can." "And I will." "I'm going to kill him." "Just another way you're becoming like him." " What are you talking about?" " Your obsession." "It's just like his for you." "Both of you making each other your driving force, your reason for living." "Somewhat flattering in a way, I guess." "My obsession is to stop this slaughter." "Just try not to end up a part of it." "I'm glad you're here." "I think I've got something." "I found another body." "Here, on the north road." "I'm not so sure his movements are random." " We found something, too." " His camp." "Where?" "Show me." "Here." "That's it." "All the killings have been in a circle around his camp." " Except this one." " He's moving." "Closer." "Toward us." "We can get him." "Do you see?" "Yes." "Of course." "Then we plan for it, right?" "We find a good point to intercept him." "A good place where we have the advantage." "Are you listening to me?" "Yes." "Intercept him." "I think I'm tired." "Can't this wait?" "I'd like to... go to bed." "We should make plans." "Taja's right." "It's been a long day." "Go on up." "Get comfortable." "You should come along soon, too." "I will." "Good night, Kung Lao." "Sleep well." " Is she all right?" " She's fine." "He is moving toward the city." "Something more... comfortable." " Where do you think is our best place?" " Anywhere." "You choose." "What is up with you?" "Both you and Taja seem so unconcerned here." " I'm going to need your help." " And you'll have it." "It doesn't matter what place you pick." "Shang Tsung is finished." "I'm going to bed." "Beautiful..." "Inviting, isn't it?" "Very." " Are you tired?" " I'm hungry." "Siro!" "Taja!" "Are you guys up here?" "Where are they?" " Siro?" "!" " I'm here." " Are you in there?" " We both are." "Sleep well?" " What are you two doing?" " Waking up." "Yes, but..." " Do you need us?" " I wanted to go over our plans." "All right." "We'll be right down to join you." "Right." "Downstairs when you're through... ready." "Whatever." "I don't believe this." "He seemed surprised." "Yes." "But this would surprise him more." "You don't suppose those two have never done that before." "It would appear not." "What a shame." "And a waste." "I doubt those two even realise what their bodies are capable of... with the right guidance." "You were magnificent." "You prefer the mortal's body to mine?" "I enjoy you both." "I think we should do this more often." "Like... now." "Later." "We have to continue to be his "friends" until the time is right." "Kung Lao has done our work for us." "He's figured out Shang Tsung's trail." "Headed here like a blind fool." "So intent on killing Kung Lao." "While we wait..." " in disguise." " Perfect disguise." "Come..." "Taja." "Ah!" "I broke my wrist." " Stop struggling." "Try to think." " I am!" "Of getting us out of here." "I'm not real crazy about sitting around waiting for them to kill us." "You won't have to wait long." "How are our little rats doing?" "You can catch the most interesting things in the forest." "And so easily." "All right, you blind-sided us." "You got us." "What do you want with us?" "Yeah, we're nothing to you or that freak who's your master." "Oh, but you are." "All that energy." " What is Quan Chi doing?" " What he does best." "He's keeping us alive for a reason, Siro." "You see?" "And once Kung Lao realises we're missing, he'll come looking for us." "Will he?" "Kung Lao won't miss you." "How can he when you're already there?" "Play nice with our little rats." "Remember, they're ours when this is over." "Have fun." "I always do when it involves killing." "You two ready?" "I found a good place to stop Shang Tsung." "A little valley... a few miles up the north road." "Why bother?" "Why bother?" " We have to stop him." " Do it here." "This is where he's headed." "You saw it on your map." "This is your best defence." "On your ground." "The Trading Post." "Yes, but he'll kill again on the way." " Can't be helped." " Can't be helped?" "What about the people out there?" "!" "Let Shang come." "Kill him." "Then you've protected all the people." "I'm going out to scout the city." "He might be here already." "I'll come with you." "No!" "Stay here." "Help Kung Lao prepare the place." "What's gotten into him?" "Into both of you?" " What do you mean?" " His attitude." "Yours." "How long have you been sleeping together?" "Quite a while." "Is that what's bothering you?" "Well, why didn't you tell me?" "Probably because it's none of your business." "Now I'm going upstairs." "Don't forget to close the gates." " Try to get her over here." " Why?" "Just do it." "Hey!" "I want some water." "And I'd like to cut your throat." "Guess we both lose." "Mmm... it's just as well." "I don't want you too close." " What was that?" " You heard me." "I'm just not crazy about dead people." "I mean, that's what you are, right?" "Just a resurrected corpse." "You know, that... that kinda makes me sick to think about it, doesn't it?" "Shut your mouth before I shut it for you." "Oh, no." "You can't even do that." "You... aren't allowed to kill us, remember?" "You just gotta sit there like some zombie watchdog." "I may not be able to kill you, but he didn't say anything about not beating you." "That's it?" "Good question." "Are the undead ever really dead-dead?" "I think we ought to get outta here before we find out." "Yeah." " You have brought me word from Quan Chi?" " My report is... private, Emperor." "Tell me of Shang Tsung." "His end is near." "I don't need a messenger to tell me that nothing has happened!" "It will be soon." "The trap has been set." "Well, then spring it and return when you have something to report." "I have other instructions." " What other instructions?" " May I approach?" "Quan Chi has asked me to see to any..." "needs you may have." "Consider it a gift..." "a token of his loyalty." "Yes." "I am familiar with his "gifts"." "Do I please you?" "Well enough." "Come to my chamber." "We'll talk about Quan Chi's loyalty." "Quan Chi is loyal, Shao Kahn." "Loyal to the death!" "You fool." "You think I couldn't see through this... cheap conjurer's trick?" " I didn't want to!" "I did want to!" "I swear!" " Silence!" "Don't insult me any further." "Drop the charade." "Guards!" "Reveal yourself here or die." "Quan Chi." "Your ambition is even greater than I expected." "Kreeya's offer was higher." "You take the empty promises of a desperate woman over me?" "The Emperor of Outworld?" "Because you underestimate her..." "Kreeya will defeat you." "You'll die now, sorcerer." "But slowly." "You're not mortal like Shang Tsung." "The Cobalt will..." "drain you and drain you." "And weaken you to nothingness." "Take him to the Cobalt Mines." "Traitors." "Trouble breathing, sorcerer?" "Doing better than you." "My old home." "Chase your new traitor, Shao Kahn." "I have other enemies to attend to." " What do you want?" " I have a message for Kung Lao." "Give it to me." "Sorry, it's for Kung Lao." " Hand it over, or I'll..." " Take it easy, Taja." "He's just a messenger." "Thanks." "What is it?" "Is it from Siro?" "Some boots I ordered are ready." "It's from the merchant." "I'll pick them up tomorrow." "I'm going to get a couple of hours of sleep." " I'll stand guard till you come back." " Thanks." "Boots...." "Where is he?" "Bed." "He's not here." " Why did you let him leave?" " I didn't realize." "A messenger came and gave him this and then he went upstairs." "Boots." " Something's wrong." " I'll go after him." "No." "Kung Lao's served his purpose." "Shang Tsung will be here soon." "I can feel him." "He is near." "Rayden?" "Kung Lao, over here." "How is this possible?" "You tell us." "What's happening?" "You... the both of you..." "I just saw you at the Trading Post." "That explains the "he needs our energy" stuff." "What's going on?" "Some kind of illusion." "The two of us at the Trading Post are really Quan Chi and one of his dead murderers." " But how..." " Shape-shifting." "It takes a little energy, but it's really not that tough." "Clever of you to figure it out." "I thought my notes were pretty clever, too." " Your notes?" " There were two." "The first said, "Meet me at the tavern, tell no one"." "Then it said, "Read and throw away the second note"." "Signed by you." " By me?" " Well, I couldn't sign our names, could I?" " You are good." " Quan Chi." "What the hell is he up to?" " Settling scores." " Yeah?" "Well, I've got a couple to settle, too." "No, I think we should all just sit and enjoy the show." "Buy you a drink?" "Later." "I'm not sitting here while that maniac runs around with my face and body." "Thank you." "Come on, Siro." "Sit back and relax." "Let someone else do the fighting for once." "Quan Chi and Shang Tsung." "Should be a beauty." "There goes the Trading Post." "And when it's over, you might get a crack at one of them." "But for now..." "I think it's just about show time." "Be ready..." "He's here." "Shang..." "Tsung." "Sora!" "I cut her off." "She won't be joining us." " Just you and me." " I need no help." "Even if I die, you lose." "For murdering you?" "Ha!" "He ordered it." "I know." "But then you tried to assassinate him." "I can shape-shift, too." "Never again." "This isn't over." "I can't believe they slept up there." "They did a lot more than that." "Much more." " You can't be serious." " With our bodies?" "Yep." " Oh, no." "No, please." "No?" " Take it easy, Taja." "It wasn't us." "I know, but..." "It's just an illusion, remember?" "Still." "We gotta burn these things, right, Siro?" " Siro?" " Huh?" "Oh, uh, yeah." "Burn them." "Shang Tsung survived." "Back hiding in the forest." " I hope he dies there." " He won't." "And don't forget, it was his hatred for you that brought him here in the first place." " What about Quan Chi?" " Lost him." "Who's side is he on anyway?" "Whichever." "It will never be yours." "How could this have happened?" "!" "No one saw him, Emperor." "We've searched the mines." "He's gone." "First Shang Tsung, now Quan Chi!" "Who else dares to defy me?" "Soon... everyone will feel my power!" "Forgive my surprise." "After all, you've turned us down before." "You seemed uninterested in Queen Kreeya's offer." " We changed our mind, all right?" " So I see." "Coming here when you have nowhere else to go." " Maybe I'll send you somewhere, you little..." " Silence!" "Leave." "Forgive them." "They'll be punished." "Things have happened to make Kreeya's offer more... acceptable." "Perhaps because you're being hunted by Shao Kahn?" "My compliments to your spies." "I assume they told you it was the work of Shang Tsung?" "Yes, my old friend." "He will pay..." "With his life." "But we must be clear on this... our fight now is against the Emperor." "Agreed." "When he falls, all power will be ours." "In Kreeya's name, of course." "Of course." "Welcome to our camp."