A bad headache is what wakes Manado from a deep slumber. It takes him awhile to fully wake as he aches in pain from his head. When he does, he looks around, realizing that he is no longer in the town of Z'unkahran, but what appears to be the interior of a tent. He then turns his attention to the doorway. What he sees is that the location appears to be some kind of jungle and there were other tents scattered around the area so Manado figured he was at some kind of camp. Guarding the tent he was in were two Tarkatans wearing bladed armour and had their arm blades unsheathed. Manado then begins to realize what happened.

"Mileena..." Manado whispers.

This word brought the attention of the Tarkatans. Seeing that he was awake, they ran off, obviously to inform Mileena. Manado then tries to stand up from the chair he was in but couldn't move because of the shackles that were bound to his arms. After about a moment, Mileena arrives along with Rain and Tanya, and of course the two Tarkatans that informed her.

"Ah, Manado, we meet again." Mileena says.

"Mileena." Manado replies.

"I can bet that you are wondering why I brought you here." Mileena says.

"Yeah, I do wonder why you decided to kidnap me." Manado replies sarcastically.

"Don't get smart with me. Now, the reason I brought you here is a simple one. Revenge." Mileena explains.

"Revenge? What... (realization) Oh for the Elder God's sake. We are not doing this again, Mileena." Manado says.

"Silence! Not only is it your fault I was locked up, but you also took Zaveer away from me!" Mileena snaps.

"How many times must I say this? I have tried to help you Mileena! I have tried to get you to understand the problems that were right in your face but you decided to ignore them! And I've said this before, but I didn't want our son to get involved in this mess. Zaveer doesn't deserve dealing with all of this. Why can't you see that?" Manado explains.

Mileena was about to lash out before realizing that would only cause more problems so she takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I've told you many times before that I would never ally with Earthrealm. Unlike the false emperor that is Kotal." Mileena says.

"Mileena, you know that I would never let you attack Earthrealm. I would have never let you attack my friends, my mentor." Manado points out.

At this point, Mileena had enough.

"I'm done hearing this, you will obey me and aid in my reclaiming of the throne of Outworld." Mileena says.

"Not of it means you threatening the realms like Shao Kahn." Manado says.

"You will aid me! If not willingly, then I will have no choice but to use force." Mileena says.

Mileena then takes out one of her sais.

"Why bother Mileena? Nothing you can do hasn't been done to me already." Manado asks.

"Believe me, Chujin, my methods can be very... convincing." Mileena says.

Manado, realizing the situation, knew that he has to get out as soon as he can. He then tries to escape the shackles binding his arms and with a strong pull, along with use of his magic, manages to rip himself free from his bindings.

"You just couldn't cooperate with me, could you? Restrain him!" Mileena orders.

Rain, Tanya and the Tarkatans charge into the tent. Manado responds by slamming his fist into the ground and red energy engulfs them, causing them to seize before they fall to the ground unconscious.

"Stay out of my way Mileena, before you force my hand." Manado warns.

"Never!" Mileena snaps before charging.

Manado ducks from a strike and responds with a strike of his own to Mileena's head, but she sees it coming and blocks it before landing to strike to Manado's shoulder. Manado quickly recovers and sends an ax kick to Mileena's sternum, followed by a overhead kick to the top of her head, causing her to stagger. Manado takes advantage of her being stunned and flees from the tent. As he runs, he could hear Mileena's anger.

"You can't find forever Manado! I will find you!" Mileena orders.

Manado continues to run for a short while before deciding to hide behind one of the tents. He takes a look and sees Mileena with a group of tarkatans.

"He couldn't have gone far. Search the camp!" Mileena orders and then the group disperses.

"She never listens. I need to get out of here." Manado says to himself.

Seeing that the coast was clear, Manado pops out of his hiding spot but then comes face to face with someone he hasn't seen before.

It was what appeared to be female. But had the features of what Reptile has. Green Reptilian skin, claws on the fingers and toes, and snake-like eyes but this woman's eyes were completely white. The Reptilian woman was wearing a traditional Outworld uniform but was dark green in color and she was holding what appeared to be a large sword.

Manado then prepares his fighting stance.

"Your Zaterren. But I thought Reptile was the only one left." Manado wonders.

The reptilian creature then walks forward.

"Wrong. My name is Khameleon. I'm one of Mileena's enforcers. She wants me to bring you to her and I will oblige." Khameleon informs.

"Trust me when I say this. You'll find out that I am not easy prey to take down." Manado warns.

"I'm counting on it." Khameleon says.

They then fight. Although not prepared for Khameleon's ferocity and skills since he never fought Zaterrens before, Manado quickly adapts and learns her weaknesses. After a long battle. Manado manages to knock her into unconsciousness.

"As I said, not easy prey." Manado says before walking off.

He slips through the tents, avoiding detection until he eventually reaches the center of the camp. There he could see a large group of Tarkatans with someone else Manado hadn't seen. This one was also female but had the features of a dragon, or more specifically the wings, claws, and tail. The dragon woman appears to be wearing a red shirt along with an attire that was similar to Khameleon but they were black and red in color but had armour plates on them. Manado then realizes what the woman is.

"A Vaeternian? I thought they were just a myth." Manado wonders.

The vampiric woman then started to sniff the air.

"I sense something. Scan the perimeter." The vaeternian known as Nitara orders.

"I better get out of here." Manado says to himself.

He then sneaks away from of his original hiding place and moves along from behind the tents. As he reaches the trees to move away from the campsite, a voice is heard from behind.

"I knew I sensed something! All of you, bring him to me!" Nitara yells.

Manado turns to see Nitara and a group of Tarkatans charging towards him. He then turns runs with the group quickly following from behind. As he runs, he quickly uses his magic to create a barrier behind him, but this quickly proves ineffective as the Tarkatans simply run around it while Nitara simply flies over it.

"Oh come on!" Manado says in frustration as he continues to run.

Eventually, he loses the group and finds himself in an area filled with trees with faces on them.

"Well this brings back memories." Manado says.

He then remembers the time he encountered Kitana in this very forest during the tournament. He then takes out the blue crystal he was given, pondering what to do next.

"I have failed you once, Kitana. But I promise that I make things right." Manado says.

"If you want to make things right, then you comply and return with me." a voice says.

Manado then turns and sees Nitana flying in the air above the living trees.

"How did you find me?" Manado asks.

Nitara then laughs in amusement.

"My dear Manado, once I catch one's scent, I will always find them." Nitara says.

"I'm gonna say this once. Stay out of my way or you're really gonna get hurt." Manado warns.

"You would dare a battle with a vaeternian?!" Nitara asks.

"To escape from this madness, I will if I must." Manado says.

Nitara then flies down towards Manado in an attempt to grab him, but Manado manages to sidestep, causing her to miss. She then charges again while Manado jumps up to attack. The two then collide with a fist to Manado's face and a kick to Nitara's face, causing both to fall to the ground. The two then rise again and assume fighting stances.

"I see that you are formidable. But do you really think that you can take me?" Nitara asks, getting into a fighting stance.

"There is only one way to find out." Manado says, assuming his fighting stance.

They then fight. Nitara's dragon abilities like flight and breathing fire would give anyone a hard time to be able to defeat her, not to mention the abilities that her Vampire side would give her, but Manado is no ordinary man. Using his agility, he manages to dodge any ball of fire spat at him. After a fierce battle, Manado emerges victorious.

"Go back to you coffin, vampire." Manado says.

Before he can leave the area, he is confronted by Rain and Tanya.

"I should've known you would follow me here." Manado says.

"Manado, don't make us do this. You already know how this will end." Tanya says.

"Last time I fought you, you caught me off guard. That will not happen again." Manado says.

The warriors then fight. Despite the edenians being victorious in their last fight, Manado learned from his mistakes and takes the two head on. After an enduring battle, Manado knocks the two edenians onto the ground.

"I have learned from our last battle." Manado says.

As he prepares to leave the living forest Mileena confronts Manado, teleporting in front of him

"Manado, there is no running from this." Mileena says.

"Get out of my way Mileena. Don't make me fight you." Manado says.

"You don't get it do you? This is a matter that doesn't just involve you. It involves the fate of all of Outworld." Mileena explains.

"You think I don't know that? I know you want to regain your throne but the way you would rule it will threaten the safety of the realm. I cannot let that happen." Manado explains.

They then fight. Manado, although having no wish to fight Mileena is forced to engage in kombat. Mileena tries to use her savageness nature, skills, and magical abilities to incapacitate Manado, but because of knowing Mileena beforehand, he knows how to counter her attacks. After what seemed to be an eternity, he knocks Mileena to the ground.

"Do not force my hand. Mileena." Manado warns.

Manado then turns around to leave but hears Mileena getting back on her feet.

"Manado, please. I know we have our differences. But you need to understand the situation at hand." Mileena says..

Manado thinks for a moment before sighing and turning around to face the half-breed.

"What do you mean?" Manado asks.

"As the civil war went on, I've learned something that made the war more than just me reclaiming my throne and getting my revenge." Mileena explains.

This piqued Manado's interest.

"What is it that you've learned?" Manado asks in confusion.

"I learned that Kotal isn't the peace seeker you think he is." Mileena explains.

"What are you talking about?" Manado asks.

"Have you ever noticed that there are certain races in Outworld that he particularly isn't very fond of being around?" Mileena asks.

"Now that you say that, I have noticed Kotal Kahn has been very bias on certain races." Manado says.

"And there is a reason for that. Kotal wishes for those certain races to be exterminated. Tarkatans, Vaeternians, even Zaterrens. All are among the many races Kotal wishes to eradicate from Outworld." Mileena explains.

This news gives Manado a shock.

"Impossible! Kotal would never commit such an act." Manado says.

"Are you sure about that?" Mileena asks.

Manado then thinks for a moment, trying to take in the information.

"Ok. Suppose that what you said is true, why would you go through all this trouble to kidnap me?" Manado asks.

"Because you are our best chance to ensure the survival of the species. Plus I worry for you." Mileena explains.

"You worry about me? I thought you hated me, considering that I took Zaveer to Earthrealm." Manado asks, surprised by what he heard.

"Of course I do. Even after everything that has happened, I still care for you, even if I have a hard time showing it." Mileena says.

"Clearly." Manado says.

"Look, I am willing to put aside all of our differences and even agree to be an ally to Earthrealm if you help me win this war and bring Kotal down." Mileena begs.

Manado thinks for a moment.

"You promise to end this conflict?" Manado asks.

"I give you my solemn vow." Mileena says.

Manado then sighs.

"Very well. But if we are going to do this, our best chance for success is to make sure that they won't try to search for you anymore." Manado explains.

"And how do you suppose we do that?" Mileena asks.

"Don't worry, I have a plan." Manado assures before he and Mileena walk off to gather the rebels.

Later, Manado finds himself back at the camp in one of the tents in front of a large table. With him is Mileena and her enforcers, namely Tanya, Rain, Khameleon, and Nitara.

"Our best chance to end this rebellion is with a form of deception. We need to make them think that Mileena is dead." Manado explains.

"And how do you suppose we do that, Manado?" Rain asks.

"I think it's best I show you." Manado says.

He then turns toward Mileena and summons his red magic which then engulfs her. A moments passes before the energy moves away from Mileena and takes form. Eventually, the energy turns into a clone, an exact clone of Mileena, leaving everyone surprised.

"We will use the clone as the opportunity we need for this plan to come to fruition. And once Outworld believes that Mileena is dead, we will strike in the dead of night when they least expect it and bring Kotal down for his treason." Manado says.

Meanwhile, Johnny Cage and his team are looking at live video of the Lin Kuei temple, viewed through a high tech computer monitor. Various statistics outline the screen.

"Once we hit the drop-point, we split up. Jacqui, Zaveer and I will come in from the south. You two from the west." Cassie explains.

"Rendezvous here. The north entrance." Jacqui says, pointing to where they will rendezvous.

"Then what? A simple pick up and go?" Kung Jin asks.

"We bag 'im if he resists." Cassie replies.

"Resistance might be more possible than you think." Takeda points out.

"From what I know, Kuai Liang isn't exactly known to be very willing to surrender." Zaveer points out.

"Don't sweat it. It comes to that, Sub Zero won't know what hit him." Cassie says.