At the Lin Kuei temple. Two members of the clan, outfitted in blue light armour complete with a sword on the back, rush up a gigantic staircase. Sitting on the throne on top of the staircase is Grandmaster Kuai Liang, better known as Sub Zero, now fully restored to life. His whitened eyes take in the two Lin Kuei, who put their hands together and bow their heads before him in respect.

"The forward defenses stand down as you command, Grandmaster." Lin Kuei #1 says.

"It is confirmed. Five intruders." Lin Kuei #2 informs.

The Grandmaster smiles in response.

"It is time to entertain our guests." Sub Zero says.

Outside of the Lin Kuei temple, there is the giant statue of the first Lin Kuei Grandmaster that is in front of the temple's entrance. In the midst of the light snow falling down, Team S.F. have all reached the rendezvous point and wait to the side of the entrance staircase.

"All right, I've got point." Cassie says before looking towards Takeda. "You and Jin, that side." Cassie says.

Both of them exchange a glance. Takeda's face is unreadable, but Kung Jin clearly doesn't agree with the command.

"Move!" Cassie orders.

Both of them obey and slip over to the other side of the staircase.

"Ready?" Cassie asks Jacqui and Zaveer.

Jacqui nods her consent.

"Let's do this." Zaveer says.

Just as Cassie turns to the entrance, the temple doors open up. She hastily backs up as Sub Zero and four Lin Kuei students exit the temple, walking down to the grounds just before them. They stop before the statue of the First Grandmaster and kneel in meditation.

Kung Jin motions with his head to move in. Cassie mouths "Not yet" to him in response. After a moment, Kung Jin chooses to ignore the command and stomps out of his hiding place.

"Dammit, Jin!" Cassie whispers to herself, very irritated.

All three of them then quickly follow as Kung Jin points to Sub Zero.

"You. I need to s–" Kung Jin says before Cassie lightly hits him on the back, grabbing his attention.

Sub Zero then speaks to them without ever lifting his head from his meditation.

"You are not welcome here. State your intentions." Sub Zero demands.

Kung Jin decides to let Cassie do the talking, and she steps forward.

"Grandmaster. We need you to come with us. My name is Sergeant–" Cassie says before the Lin Kuei that is with Sub Zero, barks out a command in Chinese.

Reinforcements then flood in from seemingly nowhere, surrounding Team S-F and outnumbering them about 5 to 1. Sub Zero then stands up from his meditation.

"You demand my cooperation. Yet you are cut off. Surrounded. What will you do?" Sub Zero asks.

"My father always spoke highly of you, Sub Zero. He wants to talk." Cassie says.

"Talking. Always his first choice." Sub Zero says.

"Okay, let's try pummeling. Now!" Kung Jin yells.

"Wait!" Cassie calls out but it's far too late for waiting.

Kung Jin charges into a line of Lin Kuei as Sub Zero rushes in and takes a swing at Cassie. As Takeda, Zaveer and Jacqui begin fighting as well, Cassie barely ducks out of the way in time and only just gets an arm up to block a left swing. Sub Zero knees her in the side and blocks two kicks from her in response. He steps back from a wild right swing and headbutts Cassie, before throwing her to the ground. She then comes up in a roll and pulls out her sidearm, but Sub Zero freezes it with a quick ice ball, rendering it useless.

Cassie then goes into a fighting stance.

"Cassandra Cage. You lead this group, but they do not follow. What would your mother do?" Sub Zero asks.

"Stop wasting time and take you down." Cassie replies.

They then fight. As youthful and determined a fighter as Cassie is, Sub Zero is leagues ahead of her with his strength, experience and powers. After a fierce battle, he leaves her defeated on the ground.

"You are more like your mother than you think." Sub Zero says.

Takeda then charges at Sub Zero from behind and launches into a spin kick (with multiple spins). Sub Zero blocks the attack and throws several punches that Takeda blocks, but he eventually lands one. Takeda fights back with several more kicks, all blocked. On the final kick, Sub Zero covers himself with ice as Takeda lands on him with a spinning downwards kick, seemingly shattering him into ice shards.

After Takeda spends a moment looking around, Sub Zero resurfaces behind him and dropkicks him in the back. The Lin Kuei Grandmaster kips up to his feet as Takeda struggles to his.

"Your powers should have revealed my intention, Takahashi Takeda. No doubt Kenshi taught you how to use them." Sub Zero says.

"My father taught me a lot, Grandmaster." Takeda informs.

"Let us see." Sub Zero says.

They then fight. Even with his agility and lasher whips, the Shirai Ryu ninja proves to be little match for the Lin Kuei Grandmaster. It's not long before Takeda is facedown on the ground, defeated.

"You are not your father. Not yet." Sub Zero says.

Zaveer then charges by attempting an overhead double strike from behind but Sub Zero notices and manages blocks his attempt and manages to push him back. Growling in frustration, Zaveer charges again. Sub Zero blocks several strikes before Zaveer manages to land one to his face. Sub Zero then attempts to strike him before Zaveer teleports behind him and preforms a bicycle kick, knocking Sub Zero to the ground. As Zaveer readies himself to continue kombat, Sub Zero rises to his feet.

"Your father has taught you well, Zaveer Chujin, but your anger clouds your judgment." Sub Zero says.

"But that doesn't mean anger inhibits my kombat. It gives me strength." Zaveer says.

They then fight. It becomes clear to Sub Zero that Zaveer is a force to be reckoned with. However, Sub Zero takes notice that Zaveer's anger give him an opening that he exploits. That opening allows Sub Zero to knock Zaveer to the ground.

"It also leaves you vulnerable, Zaveer Chujin." Sub Zero says.

From behind, Jacqui attempts to punch Sub Zero in the back of his head, but he anticipates her attack and sweeps her legs with his arm. Jacqui turns her fall into a cartwheel and lands on her feet.

"Dammit" Jacqui says to herself.

"You announced your arrival, Jacqueline Briggs." Sub Zero says.

"Specialist Briggs." Jacqui corrects.

"Yes. Military decorum is important to your family." Sub Zero says.

Jacqui then takes several swings at Sub-Zero, one of them managing to hit him on his side. She lands another in his stomach and a superman punch to his face, staggering him a few steps backwards.

"If you know my father, you know me. Thought you and he were friends." Jacqui says.

"Our histories share a dark chapter." Sub Zero informs.

They then fight. Despite her only augmentation being her powered gauntlets, Jacqui proves to be a tough fighter. However, Sub Zero's experience, strength and ice powers see him through the fight and he knocks Jacqui to the ground.

"Do not judge yourself harshly, Specialist Briggs." Sub Zero says.

Jacqui suddenly whirls to her feet and lands a spin kick across Sub Zero's face. She then lands a right hand and then a roundhouse kick, taking the Grandmaster to one knee, stunned. A Lin Kuei ninja charges her with a sword, forcing her to block his attacks and disengage from the fight. Elsewhere on the temple grounds, Kung Jin throws a Lin Kuei to the ground, blocks a sword strike from another, grabs his arms and judo throws him down too.

Seeing Sub Zero on one knee, Kung Jin charges in with a straight kick, but Sub Zero suddenly stands up and blocks it along with a follow up kick. The Grandmaster ducks under one of Kung Jin's jump spinning kicks and charges in with several punches. Kung Jin blocks most, but one in the chest and another in the face tag him. He staggers back from the onslaught and magically readies his bow staff.

"A feint. Bravo." Kung Jin says.

"Kung Jin. You should rally your companions rather than mock your superiors." Sub Zero advices.

"I'll remember that, in case I ever meet one." Kung Jin says.

They then fight. Kung Jin's arrogance prove to be his undoing, for in spite of his skill in battle, Sub-Zero's endurance is far too strong and his powers are far greater. In short order, Kung Jin is lying on his back in the snow.

"False bravado does not suit you." Sub Zero says.

By now, the Lin Kuei have successfully subdued Cassie, Jacqui, Zaveer, and Takeda, and have them on their knees with their hands tied behind them. Kung Jin is soon bound and put with them in the same manner. Sub Zero walks over to Team S.F.

"Any ideas?" Takeda asks.

"Sub Zero, let's talk." Cassie says.

"That opportunity has passed." Sub Zero replies.

"Got a new plan, Cage?" Kung Jin asks.

"You could'a followed the old one, Jin." Zaveer says.

"You're gonna catch hell if you kill us." Cassie says.

Sub Zero considers this for a moment.

"...Yes. I suppose so." Sub Zero says.

He then calls out to one of the Lin Kuei in Chinese. The assassin cuts the ropes that bind Team S.F., and the Lin Kuei walk back into the temple.

"That worked?" Cassie asks in confusion.

A whistle then catches Team S.F's attention as they rise to their feet. Standing on the staircase to the temple is Johnny Cage, who salutes them with a pointed finger.

"This was all a... a–" Jacqui says before being cut off.

"A training exercise." Sub Zero informs.

"Damn. I shoulda seen it." Cassie says to herself.

"You and your friends show much promise, Cassandra Cage. But until you function as one, you will fall short." Sub Zero explains.

Back on their plane and in their command centre, Team S.F. begin dressing their outfits and pride. Cassie walks in, making sure to shoulder bump Kung Jin as she passes. Johnny follows behind her.

"So other than that you enjoyed your visit." Johnny asks.

"The Lin Kuei shredded us." Cassie says.

"You, maybe." Kung Jin says.

"I see plenty of frozen boot prints on your ass, too." Jacqui informs.

"Yeah Jin, you faired no better than the rest of us." Zaveer points out.

"C'mon now, you're all winners in my book." Johnny assures.

This does nothing to encourage Team S-F, who continue to look downcast. Johnny's phone begins to vibrate in his back pocket and he takes it out. He takes one look at the screen and becomes deadly serious.

"New orders. From General Blade." Johnny says.

He then walks over to the computer and types something in. He reads the screen for more info.

"Priority One: Outworlders. Here in Earthrealm..." Johnny says.

"Outworlders? Here?" Zaveer asks.

"An invasion?" Takeda asks.

"Couldn't be." Jacqui says.

She then notices that Johnny is silent. So does Kung Jin.

"You're not afraid are you, Mister Cage?" Kung Jin asks.

"Outworlders, I can handle..." Johnny says.

Later, Team S-F's plane touches down at a refugee camp policed by the Special Forces. The blind swordsman Kenshi, aged and graying as well, walks over to the plane. A few minutes later, Johnny and Team S.F. have disembarked from the plane.

"So when did they show up?" Johnny asks.

"The portal opened by the docks a few hours ago. Nearly five thousand in all. Refugees from the Outworld civil war." Kenshi explains.

"Must be bad if they risked coming to Earthrealm." Johnny says.

"Among those five thousand, is our old friend Manado. He is currently speaking with Raiden." Kenshi says.

"Well, at least he is alright." Johnny says.

"After you." Kenshi says to the group.

As Kung Jin, Cassie, Jacqui and Johnny all walk into one of the command tents, Kenshi stops Takeda and puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Do not dwell on your encounter with the Lin Kuei, son." Kenshi says telepathically.

Takeda sighs out loud.

"Kinda hard not to." Takeda replies telepathically.

They both walk into the command tent. Amidst all of the Special Forces soldiers at various monitors, Raiden and Manado stand over a beautiful young woman, who despite looking vaguely Asian is no doubt from Outworld. She is sitting and nursing a hot drink as Kenshi and Takeda walk over.

General Sonya Blade, looking startlingly young for almost fifty, turns when she sees them approaching.

"Thanks, Kenshi. Could you and Mister Cage join us?" Sonya asks.

She perches on the side of a nearby table near the woman. Cassie begins to walk over as well, and Sonya addresses her while barely looking in her direction.

"Sergeant Cage, you and your team as you were." Sonya orders.

She then turns away. Cassie is clearly annoyed by this, and shares a glance with her father. At his silent request, she does as she's told.

Manado moves to stand beside Zaveer.

"How you holding up, son?" Manado asks.

"Don't know. Could be worse I guess." Zaveer says.

Manado then chuckles.

"That's true." Manado says, patting Zaveer's shoulder.

"If your done over there, Manado?" Sonya asks sternly.

"Of course, General." Manado replies, focusing back to the situation at hand.

"This is Li Mei. She seeks asylum for her people in Earthrealm." Raiden informs.

"Our village, Sun Do, was the epicentre of a fierce battle. We barely escaped with our lives. If it wasn't for Manado here, we would've never made it." Li Mei explains.

"It is my duty to protect the innocent." Manado says.

"Such is war." Johnny says.

A moment of silence then passes.

"I mean, no offense, but... you Outworlders kinda live for that, right?" Johnny asks.

"This was different. The rebels, Mileena, had a weapon unlike anything... Entire battalions, erased. It was not honorable. Not kombat." Li Mei says.

"Tell me more about the weapon." Raiden asks.

"A talisman. Gold, with a centre jewel. Mileena wields it's crimson energy without precision." Li Mei informs.

"Well, that's good then–" Cassie says.

"Not now, Sergeant Cage." Sonya sternly says.

Cassie looks downcast as Li Mei continues.

"It is enough that she possesses it. It turns the tide in her favor. The emperor grows desperate. And those caught in the middle... pay the price." Li Mei explains.

"If this talisman is what I suspect it to be, we may all pay a price." Raiden says.

"We talking about Shinnok's Amulet?" Kung Jin asks.

"Can't be. The base, the vault, your wardings? S.F., Shaolin, no way anyone can get past all that." Sonya says.

"I must be certain." Raiden says before leaving the tent.

Johnny then breaks the silence.

"Well, this is cozy." Johnny says.

Sonya says nothing, but glares at him with an annoyed expression. Li Mei notices the tension between them and tries to cool it off.

"You remind me of an Earthrealmer who crossed over with us. He also found humour in everything." Li Mei explains.

This catches Manado's attention. He then tries to speak but Johnny beats him to it.

"Handsome guy, right?" Johnny asks.

The joke is seemingly lost on Li Mei.

"He was an Earthrealmer. One of his eyes... glowed red." Li Mei informs.

At this, Johnny, Manado and Sonya realise exactly who she means.

"Who does she mean?" Kung Jin whispers.

Jacqui shrugs in response.

"Kenshi, continue with Li Mei. I'm going to the refugee camp. Gotta get to him before he finds a way out." Sonya says before walking outside.

Johnny falls in with her.

"I'll come with." Johnny says.

Sonya stops at once and addresses Johnny directly.

"Go get an update on camp security from Colonel Flagg." Sonya orders.

"Why?" Johnny asks.

"Because then you won't be here." Sonya replies coldly.

Cassie looks more outraged than her father does and starts forward. Johnny motions for her to stand down and then leaves the tent without another word. Sonya watches him as he leaves, and doesn't look away until Cassie addresses her.

"Are we with you?" Cassie asks.

"No. I need to confirm with Kotal Kahn that Li Mei's story is true. You and your team are going to Outworld." Sonya says before turning towards Manado. "Manado. You will accompany Cassie and her team." Sonya orders.

Manado then nods before Sonya then turns around and leaves the tent without another word.