Quan Chi finishes chanting the spell and the soldiers are absorbed in the newly created Soulnado, which reaches into the heavens. Nightwolf arrives at that moment and addresses Sub Zero.

"Go! Your soul is not safe!" Nightwolf warns.

Sub Zero takes the advice and hurries off.

"Earthrealm's fate is sealed, Nightwolf!" Quan Chi announces.

"Not yet! We fight until the end!" Nightwolf replies.

They then fight. Nightwolf's protection from Quan Chi's magic and his own mystical powers give him equal footing in the battle with the Netherrealm sorcerer, and his fighting ability gives him the edge needed to defeat him. After an intense fight, Nightwolf beats Quan Chi to the ground.

"Your time is over." Nightwolf says.

Before Nightwolf can finish Quan Chi, Noob Saibot recovers and rushes him. Nightwolf blocks and avoids his attacks before striking with a right cross to Noob's face. Noob fights back, only to get a backfist blocked and takes a left hook to the kidney. Nightwolf goes on the offensive, but Noob counters a downward punch, twists Nightwolf's arm and strikes him in the chest with an open palm. Nightwolf growls in anger and charges in, lands a solid punch across Noob's face and kicks him into the Soulnado.

Noob Saibot is then sucked up into the Soulnado, infecting it with his wraith-like powers. As he is pulled into the heavens, the Soulnado turns from glowing green to purple. Quan Chi pulls himself to his feet, and realising the battle is lost, immediately opens a portal and escapes. Nightwolf generates a mystical shield to protect himself as the Soulnado gathers itself into a giant portal and explodes outward. Nightwolf is thrown from his feet as the shockwave travels across the cemetery, destroying everything in the immediate radius. Nightwolf, however, is unharmed and sits up.

"Pilamaya. ("Thank you" in Matokan.)" Nightwolf says.

Back at the temple, the Forces of Light are in the midst of a discussion.

"But how do we know? Raiden could be having visions of possible futures, not the future." Sonya suggests.

"Sonya's right. Was I supposed to have my arms replaced with these? Or was it caused by interfering with the timeline?" Jax asks, looking at the new cybernetic arms he was given.

"My head hurts just thinking about it." Johnny Cage says.

"You and me both, Johnny." Manado says.

"This isn't helpful. We cannot second guess our decisions. Raiden, what are your thoughts?" Kitana asks but Raiden is unresponsive.

"Raiden?" Kitana asks again.

He then suddenly reacts.

"Yes, that is best." Raiden says.

"What is our next objective?" Cyber Sub Zero asks.

"Nightwolf!" Liu Kang calls out.

The Forces of Light turn to see Nightwolf approach them.

"It is done. Earthrealm's souls are safe." Nightwolf informs.

The forces of light are relieved by this information. Raiden then looks at his amulet. More cracks appear on it.

"No! How is it not enough?!" Raiden asks in anger.

He then slams a palm down on the slab in front of him, startling everyone.

"I must speak with the Elder Gods. Shao Kahn's violation must be punished." Raiden says.

"But the battle is joined here, in Earthrealm!" Liu Kang says.

"We cannot win without the Elder Gods." Raiden says.

"But Master–" Liu Kang says before being cut off.

"Wait!" Cyber Sub Zero calls out.

He then looks around.

"What is it Sub Zero?" Manado asks.

"The Lin Kuei! They surround us!" Cyber Sub Zero informs as multiple Lin Kuei cyborgs reveal themselves around the temple.

"So much for standing around." Stryker says.

"Attack!" Raiden calls out.

The Forces of Light then immediately charge the cyborgs. Nightwolf goes for Cyrax, but his attack is blocked and Cyrax punches him in the stomach, and then across the face. As Cyrax moves in, Nightwolf recovers and kicks him back. They circle one another.

"My speed and skill are beyond you." Cyrax says.

They then fight. Despite Cyrax's cybernetic enhancements, Nightwolf's spirit powers keep him both in the fight and able to take it to the cyborg. Eventually Nightwolf leaves Cyrax disabled on the ground.

"Mere speed and skill will not win this war, Cyrax." Nightwolf says.

With Cyrax down, Nightwolf looks around the temple and sees Smoke battling Sektor on the stairwell. Smoke is unable to even land a hit against the cybernetic assassin. Sektor grabs his hand as Smoke throws an ineffectual strike.

"You are weak, Smoke." Sektor says.

He then blasts him in the chest with his after-burn strike, sending Smoke careening down the stairs.

"Now do you understand? The power of the Grand Master's vision?" Sektor asks.

Before Sektor can finish Smoke, Nightwolf throws his tomahawk across the temple and hits Sektor in the chest.

As the mystical weapon dissolves back into Nightwolf's hands, Sektor throws up a fighting stance and faces down the shaman.

"You are no match for the power of the Spirits." Nightwolf says.

They then fight. While Sektor has filled his robotic form to the brim with weapons and technology, it doesn't give him the advantage against Nightwolf's mystical strength. After a fierce exchange, Nightwolf manages to leave Sektor down and disabled on the ground.

"Perhaps even you can be saved." Nightwolf says.

Around the temple, Smoke repeatedly punches a cyborg and kicks it down. Kitana decapitates another with her bladed fans. Raiden electrocutes half a dozen cyborgs before they fall to the ground completely fried. Cyber Sub Zero is busy reprogramming another downed opponent with Kabal watching.

As Nightwolf checks the area, Kitana walks up to him.

"What is it?" Nightwolf asks.

Kitana doesn't reply at first, but then she spots what she was looking for.

"Mother..." Kitana says in disbelief.

Sindel then walks into the temple, letting off a banshee scream multiplied tenfold from her original powers.

Sonya and Stryker are pushed to the stairwell by the force, Sub Zero is forced to generate an ice shield, Jade wards off the attack as best she can with her staff, while Johnny Cage only keeps his balance by holding onto one of Jax's arms. Only Raiden, Nightwolf and Manado are unaffected by the scream.

"Come forward, if you dare. I will finish what the Lin Kuei could not." Sindel announces.

The Forces of Light quickly come together.

"Let's do this." Jax says.

Raiden suddenly receives another vision, this time showing the order of light lying dead around the temple floor.

"No. You strike now, you will all perish. I will deal with this." Raiden says.

Raiden then charges, much to everyone's confusion. Raiden sends a right hook followed with an ax kick which Sindel blocks and counters with a strike to his collarbone, knocking him back. Raiden then sends an electric ball of energy at her, but she sends it outwards with her newly given magic. Raiden then charges again and manages to land a kick to the face followed by a strike to her right knee, knocking her down. He then prepares his lightning when Sindel suddenly sends a sonic scream straight at him, sending him flying backwards and hitting the wall on the far side of the room, knocked unconscious.

"Raiden!" Manado calls out as he rushes to aid his master.

The rest of the forces of light turn their attention back towards Sindel. Nightwolf charges Sindel with a tomahawk raised, but she parries the attack and punches him across the face, knocking him down. Johnny Cage tries next, but Sindel blocks his attacks, grabs his arm, knees him and punches in the face, letting him drop. Kabal moves in with his super speed, but Sindel kicks him down before he can even strike and stomps her heel straight to his face. She lets off a laugh as she does so. Liu Kang then sends a flurry of fireballs straight at her but Sindel avoids them as she approaches him. Liu kang sends a series of strikes that were blocked before attempting a roundhouse kick which resulted in Sindel ducking underneath it before using her magic hair to grab his leg and toss him aside.

Stryker attacks next with his baton, but Sindel dodges his attack, kicks him in the knee and strikes him in the head with a ferocious punch,knocking him out. Cyber Sub Zero charges in, using an ice sword to try and cut her down but Sindel blocks his attack, punches him across the face, rabbit punches him and unleashes a brutal uppercut to his face, sending his body flying backwards. Jax runs to face her, but she grabs both of his arms and sends her heel square into his face, sending him flying backwards as well.

Scarlet then uses her blood teleport to appear in front of her and then tries to stab her with blood daggers, but Sindel grabs her hands and knocks the daggers out of her hands. Having her disarmed, Sindel picks up the one of the dropped daggers and stabs Scarlet in the shoulder, followed by a kick to the gut, knocking her down. Smoke then tries to kick Sindel by teleporting behind her, but she counters the attack, grabs his leg, knees him in the groin, sending him to the ground, wincing in pain. Sonya charges right into a high kick that sends her sprawling. Jade rushes forward and tries to punch Sindel, but Sindel grabs her hand and punches her in the face twice. Kitana runs forward with a roundhouse kick, but Sindel ducks it and grabs Kitana in a choke hold. She kicks Jade away and throws Kitana aside, before turning to Jade and finishing her by sending her flying with a sonic scream.

Kitana attacks again. Sindel blocks her attacks, punches her twice and kicks her down. As Kitana tries to rise, Sindel grabs her arm, pulls her in and repeatedly punches her in the face, before dropping her with a flying kick. Kitana rolls over onto her stomach, and though unable to stand, gets to her knees.

"Mother, please!" Kitana begs.

"I am no longer your mother." Sindel says.

"Mother, this is not your way. Shao Kahn has corrupted you!" Kitana tries to reason.

"Shao Kahn has resurrected me! You have betrayed him, embraced a pathetic cause." Sindel says.

"Remember Edenia, mother. Remember your rule before Shao Kahn's invasion!" Kitana begs.

"Quiet, child. It is time for you to join your friends." Sindel says.

Sindel then generates a purple swirl of magic but before she could use it to drain Kitana's soul, a tomahawk hits her right into her back, making her stumble. She turns and sees Nightwolf approaching her, holding onto his stomach.

"Monster!" Nightwolf says.

"Still alive? No matter. Soon you will reunite with your ancestors." Sindel says.

They then start their fight. Empowered by Shang Tsung's magic and strength, Sindel proves to be the toughest fight of Nightwolf's life. It takes all of his fighting ability and protection from the Spirits to even keep in the fight, but in the end he gains an advantage and knocks Sindel to the floor.

"Now, Sindel. Face the Spirit's judgment." Nightwolf says.

Sindel then rises without effort and laughs in his face. Nightwolf then begins a chant in his native tongue and a light from the heavens surrounds him. He blasts Sindel with lightning from his hands.

Manado turns his attention away from the still unconscious Raiden and looks to see the devastation that has occurred, everyone being bloodied and beaten and left on the ground. He then looks towards the battle between Nightwolf and Sindel, with the latter aging the upper hand yet again. Manado begins to feel his anger build up before standing as his eyes begin to glow red.

Nightwolf is then sent crashing through the sacrificial altar. The fight has obviously not gone well for him. Sindel walks over to him and wraps her elongated hair around his midsection, dragging him into the air.

"Victory is mine, Shaman." Sindel says.

She then generates the purple aura around her hands and starts draining Nightwolf's soul. Before she could finish, Manado tackles her off the alter, releasing her hold on Nightwolf as they fall down the steps onto the floor below. As they get back onto their feet, Manado glares at Sindel as he gets ready to begin kombat.

"You have caused enough damage here Sindel. Now you will suffer the consequences of facing the forces of light." Manado says in his darker voice.

Sindel merely laughs in amusement.

"You will only fall like the rest of your friends." Sindel says.

She then charges towards Manado who prepares his fighting stance. Sindel strikes with a knee to the chest followed by a hand strike to the neck, both blocked by Manado. Manado then attempts to counter her with a flurry of punches, managing to land one to her head before sending an elbow to the gut, causing Sindel to stagger. Manado then continues his onslaught by sending a ball of bright red energy, striking Sindel and the energy sparks around her body, causing her to yell out in pain before landing on her hands and knees. As Manado continues sending out his energy, Sindel sends out a surprising sonic scream, catching Manado off guard and sending him flying and hitting the wall behind him. He then lands onto the ground, stunned from the hit he recieved. As he tries to rise again, Sindel approaches him and grabs onto his throat, forcing him back up. Sindel then sends two punches to his face, followed by a kick to the chest before using her hair to grab onto his legs before slamming him onto the ground from side to side over and over again. She then slams him one final time before releasing her hair grip from his legs and he is writhing on the ground, struggling to even move.

"I must admit, I have never seen someone with a power such as yours, but even then you couldn't stop me. And now your power will be mine and my husband will conquer all the realms." Sindel gloats.

She then summons her magic as Manado reached his knees, beginning to drain his soul. Manado screams out in pain before suddenly his eyes glow red again.

"No... Sindel. You... will not... succeed." Manado says.

Suddenly, Manado's red energy glides through Sindel's magic and strikes her, causing them both to yell out.

At this point, Raiden reawakens to witness what is happening.

"Manado!" Raiden calls out before rushing to aid him.

By this point, Sindel and Manado begin to grip onto their heads as they struggle against the magic. They suddenly begin to glow with a mix of purple and red before their magic disperses from them in a violent shockwave, knocking Raiden back onto his back. The shockwave quickly vanishes and Raiden looks up to find Manado and Sindel lying on their backs, both severely bloodied and even burned in various places. Raiden quickly rushes to Manado's aid but finds him unresponsive. At this moment, everyone else regains consciousness. They then look to see Raiden holding an unconscious Manado as they quickly rush towards them.

"Lord Raiden, what happened?" Liu Kang asks.

"The two of them fought. Sindel managed to knock him down and attempted to use her magic on him. Somehow he managed to counter the magic and used his own, both of them being struck as a result." Raiden explains.

"But I don't understand. Mother never had this kind of power before. Where did it come from?" Kitana wonders as she tends to her mother.

"I believe I can answer that." Kabal says, gaining everyone's attention.

"How do you know?" Stryker asks.

"When I did my escape from Outworld, I witnessed Shao Kahn seemingly absorbed the body of who he called Shang Tsung. He then took whatever magic he had to placed it into her." Kabal said, looking at the downed Sindel.

"He must've absorbed Shang Tsung's magic, killing him as a result. He then must've gave Sindel that very magic, multiplying her power." Raiden realizes.

He then looks toward Kitana.

"What is her condition?" Raiden asks.

Kitana kneels down and checks for a pulse, but finds none. Kitana then sighs in a mix of sorrow and uncertainty.

"Mother is gone. Whatever magic Manado expelled out took everything she had." Kitana says.

"And Manado?" Liu Kang asks.

Raiden say nothing but shakes his head in response. Everyone hangs their heads down in sorrow at the loss of their friend. Kitana even sheds a tear. Raiden looks once more at his amulet. More cracks adorn it.

"I know we are saddened at the loss of our friend, but we must not his sacrifice be in vain, we must win this war." Liu Kang says, earning a nod from everyone.

"Liu Kang is right. Until Shao Kahn is defeated, Earthrealm remains in peril." Raiden agrees.

"Then we must act quickly. Soon, Shao Kahn will arrive in Earthrealm to merge it with Outworld." Skarlet warns, having removed her dagger from her shoulder, courtesy of Jade aiding her.

"The elder gods cannot allow it. Only through mortal kombat may Shao Kahn merge the realms. Lest he face the judgement of the elder gods." Raiden says.

Raiden then realizes what he's just spoken. "...Lest he face the judgment of the Elder Gods! He must win!" Raiden realizes.

Liu Kang then realizes what Raiden means.

"Lord Raiden. Please don't tell me what I think you are meaning." Liu Kang says.

"As much as I pain for it to come to this Liu Kang, we are left with no other choice. We must allow Shao Kahn to merge the realms." Raiden says.

Everyone is left shocked by his revelation.

"That is insane!" Liu Kang says.

Raiden then turns towards Liu Kang.

"The Elder Gods forbid it without victory in Mortal Kombat. When he does, the Elder Gods' fury will fall upon him." Raiden explains.

Liu Kang then shakes his head in denial, frustrating Raiden.

"Defeating Shao Kahn before the merge is but temporary. He will return, bringing Armageddon." Raiden insists.

"Enough, Raiden!" Liu Kang snaps, not wanting to hear more.

Kitana then places his hand on Liu Kang's shoulder, gaining his attention.

"As much as I don't like the idea Liu Kang, it may just be our only hope." Kitana says.

"Kitana, this plan is madness. Willingly allowing Shao Kahn to merge the realms with the hope that the elder gods intervene? We need to take the battle to him immediately and end this madness ourselves!" Liu Kang snaps.

"Enough!" Raiden snaps.

Liu Kang then sighs and looks towards Raiden, rage still seen in his eyes.

"I had prayed it not true. But you have gone mad, Raiden. Your visions. They are nothing. Delusions of an addled mind." Liu Kang says.

"You can worry about this later Liu Kang. Right now, we must focus on Shao Kahn." Kitana points out.

"If Raiden's plan is the only one we have, at the very least, we can slow Shao Kahn down and stall enough time for the elder gods to arrive." Stryker suggests.

"It's risky, but we don't have any choice." Jade says.

Kitana nods then turns towards Raiden.

"Raiden, I suggest we make haste to the portal." Kitana suggests.

Raiden nods his head before teleporting everyone in a flash of lightning. As the lightning receds, the burned body of Manado can be seen lying on the ground when all of a sudden, his eyes open, showing them in a deep glowing red. Looks like Manado Chujin is not so dead after all.