In Earthrealm, a loud cry of "Incoming!" is heard as explosions go off. Briefly, the sound cuts to the noise of a pipebomb, then as it returns to normal, it brings with it the sight of a devastated New York City, being attacked by Outworld's army.

The U.S. Army is fighting a losing battle against Tarkatans equipped with shotguns and rocket launchers, as well as twenty foot high Outworld monstrosities. Kurtis Stryker and his partner Kabal are currently standing on a rooftop, watching the Outworld invaders advance.

"Fifteen... Sixteen... Seventeen... Eighteen. Kabal, call it in." Stryker says.

"Base. Eagle Two. We count eighteen. One-eight bogies. Southbound on Olympic." Kabal says.

"Roger that." Base replies

"Eagle Two out." Kabal says.

"This is not happening." Stryker says.

"Not what I was thinking when I swore to protect and serve." Kabal says.

"What is that?" Stryker asks as he and Kabal look down the building to see Reptile climbing towards them.

"I'm thinking shoot first, ask questions later." Kabal suggests.

"Fine with me." Stryker replies.

They then begin shooting at Reptile, but he dodges the shots with ease and continues climbing. As he nears the top he leaps over them and lands behind them.

"Pistols!" Stryker calls out.

They then draw their pistols and fire again, but Reptile blocks the attacks by spewing forth some acid vapor, which acts as a shield. As the two officers reload, Reptile strikes with his tongue, disarming Kabal and knocking him over. He then tongues Stryker's gun, disarming him.

"Enough of this! It's you and me, Freakshow!" Stryker yells.

They then begin to fight. Although unaccustomed to fighting Outworld warriors, Stryker's rigorous training and arsenal of weapons manages to see him through the fight. Eventually he leaves Reptile on his back, defeated.

"Spitting? Sticking out your tongue? Bet your mama's real proud." Stryker says.

Stryker then walks over to Kabal and helps him up.

"C'mon. We're going street level. We've been compromised." Stryker says.

"It ain't safe down there." Kabal points out.

"Better there than here." Stryker says.

He then walks off, leaving Kabal sighing and shaking his head. They manage to reach ground level of the building they're in, but then they see army troopers falling back, being chased by one of the gigantic monsters that they have seen earlier. Kabal then notices someone on the bridge across from them.

"Stryker! Check her out!" Kabal points out.

Stryker looks to where Kabal was and they both see a female in a rather revealing purple leotard and leggings.

"Whaddya think? Friend or foe." Kabal asked.

"Foe." Stryker replies

"Dressed like that?" Kabal asked.

"Definitely foe. Cover me." Stryker says.

As army troopers round a corner to fight an unseen foe, Stryker walks out to the bridge. As Mileena approaches, he calls out to her.

"Hey, what're you doing out here?" Stryker asks.

She then laughs and pulls off her mask, revealing her Tarkatan features.

"Looking for a new playmate!" Mileena laughs.

They then fight. Restraining himself to using non-lethal force, Stryker manages to eventually subdue the feral "daughter" of Shao Kahn.

"You're coming with me." Stryker says.

A loud roar causes Stryker to turn his head to the bridge to the left of him. A large creature, shaped like a gigantic pterodactyl, flies overhead. While he's distracted, Mileena manages to pick herself up and charge at him, when several lightning bolts shock her into unconsciousness. Raiden, who fired the electric bolts floats down from the sky and lands next to Stryker.

"Who... who are you?" Stryker asks.

Before Raiden can answer, he grabs his head in pain as he receives another vision. This time, it is unclear about what it is.

"You all right?" Stryker asks.

As Raiden recovers, a loud roar by the other bridge attracts their attention. They see Johnny Cage getting beaten up by a centaur named Motaro.

"Johnny Cage fighting a giant monster? What is this, "Time Smashers"?!" Johnny asks himself.

Raiden then flies over to the bridge and blasts Motaro with lightning before he can deliver a fatal blow. He finishes off Motaro by hitting him with his torpedo attack. The resultant force sends Motaro through the bridge and into the water below.

"That guy just shot lightning. From his hands. How'd he do that?" Kabal asks.

"No idea." Stryker replies.

Suddenly, A loud growling emanates to their right. Before them, they see Kintaro approaching.

"Spread out. Give 'im multiple targets." Stryker orders.

Kabal then moves to Stryker's right, across the bridge. Before he can pull the trigger, Kintaro blasts him with his flame breath. Kabal is set ablaze, screaming in agony as his skin cooks. Stryker is prevented from rushing to his aid lest Kintaro does the same to him.

"Humans. Less ugly when they burn." Kintaro says.

They then fight. Not holding back anything this time, Stryker lets Kintaro have the full brunt of his weapons. Even so, it takes everything he has and then some to knock the Shokan unconscious.

"Never knew I had it in me..." Stryker says to himself.

A loud groaning catches Stryker's attention.

"Kabal!" Stryker calls out.

He rushes over to his partner, who's clothing and skin are practically charcoal and activates his radio.

"Base! Eagle Two!" Stryker calls out on his communicator.

"Go Eagle Two." Base responds.

"Need Medevac. Current position. Kabal is down. Third-degree burns." Stryker says.

"Medevac unit routing to you. ETA ten minutes." Base informs.

Over by the subway, Stryker fails to notice Ermac sneaking up on him. Ermac then grabs Stryker with his telekinesis and lifts him into the air.

"What the?!" Stryker asks in confusion.

"Say again?" Base asks.

"Eeeeugh!" Stryker grunts.

"Eagle Two, report! Eagle Two!" Base calls out from the communicator.

Stryker is then telekinetically hurled into the subway. He bounces hard off the escalator railing and lands facedown on the platform. As he struggles to his feet, Ermac floats down to face him.

"The emperor will have your soul." Ermac says.

"Yeah? Come and get it!" Stryker snaps.

They then fight. Ermac's telekinesis and mastery over magic is something completely alien to Stryker, but he adapts quickly and fends off the assault with his own weaponry. After an intense battle, Stryker finally drops Ermac.

"I think I'll be keeping my soul." Stryker says.

Stryker's attention is then brought to the top of the escalator by another voice.

"I have been searching for you, Kurtis Stryker." Nightwolf says.

Stryker draws his pistol and trains it on the newcomer.

"Well you found me! Who are you?" Stryker asks.

"I am Nightwolf. Lord Raiden is gathering Earth's defenders. You are among them." Nightwolf says.

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Stryker asks.

"Raiden leads Earth's defense against these Outworld invaders. He is our best hope for survival." Nightwolf explains.

"Yeah, well. "Earthrealm Defender" is about ten steps above my pay grade." Stryker says to the shaman warrior.

"I see you doubt yourself, even after your victories. Come." Nightwolf says.

After some consideration, Stryker nods his consent, puts away his gun and follows.

Back on the bridge, all Stryker could find was only the smoking outline remains of where Kabal's body was.

"What?" Stryker asks in confusion.

Both he and Nightwolf have run up to the outline.

"Where is he? Medevac hasn't been here." Stryker asks.

"Perhaps he has gone to find help." Nightwolf suggests.

"Naw, he was way too banged up. Someone took him." Stryker says.

Nightwolf and Stryker look back down at the outline on the ground, wondering who would have taken Kabal.