Morning hits and a navy ship can be seen plowing its way through foggy waters. At the boat's bow, Jax walks up to Jacqui and Zaveer, who are looking out to the horizon.

"How's the view?" Younger Jax asks.

"No sign yet of the mystical barrier you mentioned." Jacqui says.

"Oh, you'll know it when it comes." Younger Jax assures.

He then places his hands on the side railing of the boat, also looking to the distance.

"How you feeling?" Jacqui asks.

"For the first time in a while, in control. I got tossed into the deep end of this world of gods and monsters. But now, knowing my future, I feel like I've finally come up for air. Those bad things that happened to me... I mean, what will happen to me? Like Raiden said, it's gonna be different." Younger Jax explains.

He then looks to Jacqui.

"Isn't this gonna be good news?" Younger Jax asks.

Jacqui looks almost crushed at his words.

"The things that happened to my dad. That trauma he suffered? It's why my parents met. They fell in love while he was in recovery." Jacqui explains as she turns away and walks across the ship's bow. "If they don't happen, you and Mom may not meet. I may never be born." Jacqui says.

Younger Jax then walks up to her.

"Jacqui, I-I can't pretend I get all this cosmic time stuff... (He then places his hand on her shoulder.) ...but I do know you are here for a reason. You're not just some random accident." Younger Jax assures.

She looks back at him, uncertainty still etched on her face.

"I hope so." Jacqui says.

On the far horizon, an island can be seen that seems to surrounded by what appears to be a green mist.

As the boat was approaching the mist. Derelict ships can be seen lying broken against the rocks they smashed upon, their sails rotted and almost gone. Gigantic stone statues of samurai warriors are submerged up to their necks in the waters of the sea.

The navy ship passes by all of this, with Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui looking overhead as the ship pass under a decaying entrance way. They both look ahead of them, taking in the sight of the iconic Mortal Kombat dragon symbol, depicted here as a weathered and crumbling gigantic metallic statue.

"Shang Tsung's island!" Zaveer realizes.

"Here we go again." Younger Jax says.

Soon, the ship reaches the entrance to the warrior's shrine. Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui walk in alone, taking in the decay before them. There is no roof to speak off, and the concrete pillars that held it up are broken and decaying. The statues of warriors past and present show varying signs of disrepair. There are no sounds or signs of life, save from the howls of the wind.

Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui pass through the shrine into a passage leading into the courtyard. While there is a roof here, it is worn and rotting, with only a colony of sleeping bats being the only living beings present.

As they approach the end of the passage, they pause to gaze upon the grisly sight of 5 corpses hanging from the rafters. The corpses are Shaolin monks, hanged by their necks. Their skin is horrifically decayed, but has not yet completely rotted away, leaving their eyes intact but a dull yellow-gray in colour.

Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui walk out into the courtyard itself. Like the rest of the island, it is barren and devoid of life.

"When I was here for the tournament, there were people everywhere." Younger Jax says.

He then looks to a line of Shaolin monks, rotted away to skeletons wearing torn clothing.

"These guys looked a lot younger. Seems like only yesterday..." Younger Jax says.

Jacqui then pulls out a PDA on her hip and starts to examine it.

"I suppose after Shang Tsung died, this place did, too. Good riddance if you ask me." Zaveer says.

"I second that." Jacqui says.

Her PDA (acting as some form of mobile radar) shows no signs of life on its scans.

"Nobody's home. So much for needing stealth. Should've brought the whole squad." Jacqui points out.

"Kinda hoping Raiden's wrong about the Well of Souls. I don't wanna be here longer than we–" Younger Jax says before being interrupted by a warning beep on Jacqui's PDA.

She then glances down at it.

"Multiple contacts!" Jacqui says.

Zavver and Jax then gets themselves into a fighting stance.

"How many?" Zaveer asks.

Jacqui checks the PDA. There are two square icons (one yellow, one red) that flicker constantly at varying points across the interface.

"Two! But one of 'em's circling us real fast!" Jacqui says.

As she says this, a purple blur of light speeds around them both, knocking the PDA from Jacqui's hands. The blur continues to move around them in a circle, boxing them in. After a few moments, Jax hurls his arm out directly into the blur, catching it with a clothesline and hurling it into the air. The figure - now clearly visible as the revenant Kabal, rights himself in mid-air and lands in a kneeling position, sliding to a halt.

As Kabal stands up, the revenant Jade walks in behind Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui.

"Kronika knew Raiden would send someone here." Revenant Kabal says.

Jax then walks towards Kabal.

"Give me ten seconds with this guy." Younger Jax says.

As Jax approaches Kabal, Zaveer and Jacqui confront Jade.

"Jax Briggs. We were partners under Quan Chi's command. You'll join me again." Revenant Kabal promises.

"Got the wrong Jax. I haven't been a revenant. And I never will." Younger Jax says.

They then fight. With his unnatural speed and skill with hookswords, Kabal is a tough opponent to take down, but Jax's metal arms prove to be a fantastic defense against both. Plowing through Kabal's fury, Jax manages to overpower and defeat the revenant.

"Times are changing, Kabal." Younger Jax says.

Jax then turns around at the sound of fighting. As he does, Jade strikes Jacqui with a sidekick that sends her sprawling. She rolls over multiple times and back to her feet, just in time for Zaveer to catch her.

As this happens, Kabal rises to his feet again.

"I'll take the speed freak." Jacqui says.

"Be wary. He is not to be underestimated." Zaveer warns.

Nodding her head, she approaches Kabal as Zaveer helps Jax with fighting Jade.

"We buried you in the Netherrealm. You a glutton for punishment?" Jacqui asks.

"It's only you and me, this time. There's no castle to bury me under." Revenant Kabal points out.

"Think that hurt? You have no idea." Jacqui says.

They then fight. With a speed enhanced by magic and a troublesome weapon in the hookswords he wields, Kabal would be a frightening encounter against an ordinary human. But Jacqui has the best tech from the Special Forces at her disposal, which includes the exoskeleton that she wears as armour. Combined with her fighting ability, this proves more than enough to take down the revenant Black Dragon.

"I'm guessing that hurt worse." Jacqui says.

Jacqui then turns around at the sound of fighting. As she does, Jade strikes Jax with a sidekick that knocks him flying. He rolls once and forces himself onto one knee, sliding to a halt next to Jacqui. She helps him to his feet. Jade then turns, only to be kicked back by Zaveer, causing her to slide across the ground before using her staff to cease her movement.

Jade then approaches the three of them and slams her staff into the ground. She picks it up and twirls it over her head, roaring out as green energy cascades in a circle above her. She once again slams the staff into the ground, and the green energy pulses from it in shockwaves into the surrounding area.

"Rise in Shinnok's name!" Revenant Jade commands.

The energy reaches the hanging corpses from earlier, which suddenly revive and start freeing themselves from the ropes they are hanging from. One corpse's flesh is so rotted that it decapitates itself before it can free its neck, but this does not inhibit the rest of the body from standing up along with the others.

The Shaolin zombies, along with others from the surrounding area, approach Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui, growling at them with vocal cords long rotted away and surround them in a semi-circle. Jade also walks up to them.

"You'll not disturb Kronika's work." Revenant Jade says.

"Disturb? Try "ending"." Jacqui corrects.

"You're done messing with the Well of Souls!" Younger Jax says.

"You're not as strong as you think, Jax. As I recall, Sindel made quick work of you." Revenant Jade points out.

"The same could be said for you." Zaveer says.

"I'll take the lady in green." Younger Jax says.

As he says these words, a Shaolin zombie charges at Jacqui, striking her thrice in the face. She catches a fourth strike, lands two face punches of her own, then a gut strike and finishes with a leg kick that sweeps the zombie off its feet.

Another zombie charges in, but Zaveer punches it in the chest before it can land a blow. He elbows it in the throat and puts it in a reverse headlock, just as a third charges in. Jacqui raises her foot and kicks the third zombie so hard that her leg goes straight through its chest, destroying its torso in a shower of blood.

As the zombie collapses, Jacqui knocks the zombie she's holding to the ground with a heart punch. Another Shaolin zombie tries to kick her, but Zaveer parries the blow and punches it across the face. He tries two more punches, but the zombie blocks these and counters with a palm strike to his solar plexus, following through with an uppercut that staggers him.

As the zombie tries to land another punch, Jacqui grabs its arm and punches it in the chest. She follows through by shooting the zombie with her arm-mounted gun, blowing a hole through its chest. Another zombie kicks at her, but Jacqui blocks the blow and perforates it with several point blank shots from her guns.

Another zombie strikes her across the face, but Zaveer blocks a series of punches from it and lands one of his own. He turns to find yet another zombie leaping down at her, but Jacqui grabs its outstretched hand and judo-throws it to the ground. She unleashes a barrage from her guns, utterly pulping the reanimated corpse.

While this takes place, Jax approaches Jade.

"Was a time when you knew who to fight for. But between Quan Chi and Kronika, your mind ain't right." Younger Jax says.

"I joined Raiden against Shao Kahn. He led me to my doom. Now Raiden leads you there, too." Revenant Jade points out.

They then fight. For all of Jade's speed and skill, Jax has beaten her before, back when he didn't have cybernetic arms. Now with his new upgrades, the battle is tipped even further in his favour. It's not long before Jade is down and out by his feet.

"I'll take my chances with Raiden." Younger Jax says.

Jade then rises again as Zaveer and Jacqui have been pushed back by the zombies.

"I've got Kitana's BFF." Jacqui says.

As she walks towards Jade, a Shaolin zombie closes on Jax. He parries two jabs and a sidekick but gets kicked in the chest by another zombie. A third leaps into the air in slow motion with a flying strike, but as time kicks back to normal Jax uppercuts it, smashing its head into bloody pulps.

Zaveer catches a high kick from another zombie and heaves it over his head by its leg, slamming it into another zombie charging in. He parries a chop from a fifth zombie, ducks and weaves two more chops, then punches it in the kidney and drops it with two hooks to its face, causing it to spew blood.

Another two zombies try to attack Jax at the same time, but he blocks their strikes with his metal arms, grabbing one when it tries to kick him. He kicks out the zombies other leg, causing it to fall. Another zombie tries to attack him with the other one still standing, but Jax blocks their strikes and stuns them both with simultaneous punches to their spines. He then grabs them by their heads and smashes them together, instantly turning them into a shower of blood.

Jax drops the now headless corpses to the ground and dusts off his arms. He then looks towards Zaveer.

"Nice work." Zaveer says.

As the two move to finish off the remaining zombies, Jade and Jacqui approach one another.

"I hear past you deserves respect. But this version? Not so much." Jacqui says.

"Spare me your pity, Earthrealmer." Revenant Jade says.

They then fight. Despite the revenant Jade possessing great speed and skill of her younger counterpart, Jacqui has faced her before and beaten her. The outcome does not differ here, and soon the revenant is laying unconscious at Jacqui's feet.

"Pity's all I got for you." Jacqui says.

With Jade and the reanimated Shaolin down, Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui regroup together.

"Enough dancing with the dead. Raiden said this Well of Souls would be underground." Jacqui says.

Jax then points off to one side.

"This way." Younger Jax says.

They then walk over to a large set of doors leading out of the courtyard. Jax shoves them aside with little difficulty, thanks to his metal arms.

They then head down into an underground cave, lit up by torch lights. Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui walk through cautiously, checking around them for any more surprises. As they walk through the cave, Jax crushes a human skull underneath his foot, then stops for a moment at one of the torches, using it to light a cigar. Jacqui looks a bit nonplussed at his nonchalance, but decides not to comment on it.

"This is Goro's Lair?" Jacqui asks.

"Thankfully minus Goro." Jax says.

"Don't have to worry about him anymore. He's been dead for years." Zaveer points out.

"Good riddance too. Shang Tsung kept me locked up here, back at my first tournament. Never thought I'd be back..." Younger Jax says.

She then places a hand on his shoulder.

"Remember where a Well of Souls might be?" Jacqui asks.

"Couldn't tell you. I was pretty beat up. It's all a bit hazy." Younger Jax explains.

They then proceed through the cave, eventually coming out into a large underground throne room. Dead oni and skulls of long deceased monsters litter the ground, and they pass the corpse of a long dead Shokan seated on his throne. But as Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui do so, they come face to face with what appears to be a swirling tornado made up of soul energy, hovering over a large well.

"I'm guessing this is it." Jacqui says.

Jax then takes a puff from his cigar, looking at an object that is in the center of the soulnado.

"That crown. Five bucks says it's Kronika's." Younger Jax says.

"It's drawing souls from the well." Zaveer points out.

Zaveer is correct in his observation; the souls from the soulnado are all being dragged into the crown.

"There's no way that thing's unguarded. Let's grab-and-go before whoever's on duty gets back." Younger Jax advices.

"I never left." Noob Saibot says.

From behind a nearby pillar emerges the Netherrealm wraith known as Noob Saibot. He enters a fighting stance. Jax and Jacqui respond by aiming their weapons, a service pistol for Jax, and an arm-gun for Jacqui, and opening fire. Noob disappears in a flash of magic and appears to the right of Jacqui in the form of a shadow. She and Jax fire again but the bullets go straight through the apparition, ricocheting off the cave walls.

Several more shadow forms of Noob Saibot appear around them, leaving the three surrounded on all sides. They stand back to back to back, waiting for the shadows to make a move. One suddenly roars and charges them, and they fire immediately. This time their bullets manage to dissipate the shadow into thin air and they immediately shoot two more shadows into nothingness.

Doing so, however, leaves them open for three more shadows to attack. Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui parry their strikes and throw them to the ground, dissipating them as well. Another two shadows attack, but Jax fells one with a flurry of body blows and a spinning back kick to the chest, while Jacqui fends off the other behind him.

Another shadow rushes Jax and lands a punch across his face, but Jax blocks its next blow, ducks a strike and lands a counter punch that rocks the shadow. He follows through with a jumping spinkick that turns it into vapour.

A shadow suddenly appears behind Jacqui and grabs her in a rear choke hold. Two more shadows appear, and while she elbows one in the face, the other grabs her arm and restrains her. As Jax triesto help, three more shadows appear around him and grapple him in the same way. Zaveer then blasts another shadow away but three more appear and restrain him as well, pinning him to the floor.

With the three of them restrained, Noob Saibot steps out of the shadows to face them fully.

"Who are you?" Jacqui asks.

"A deathly shadow. In life, I was called Bi-Han." Noob Saibot says.

"And I should know who that is?" Jacqui asks.

"The first Sub Zero. Scorpion ripped out his spine. Left it in a heap upstairs, in Shang Tsung's old throne room." Younger Jax explains.

An event the New Era will wipe from history." Noob Saibot says.

"Hang on, Jacqui. I got this." Younger Jax says.

Jax struggles with the shadow clones for a moment, bringing the one on his left in front of him. He headbutts it so hard that it instantly dissipates into nothing. With his free hand, he punches the shadow on his left and then throws it to the ground, throwing the shadow grappling him from behind at the same time. He slams his metallic arms onto each of the shadows, destroying them.

Jacqui struggles to break free from the shadows gripping her, but she is unable to do so. Knowing that Noob is the one controlling them, Jax walks over to face him down.

"Ermac was weak. He took your arms but did not finish you." Noob Saibot says.

"Got that right. I'm just that tough." Younger Jax says.

They then fight. Noob Saibot's powers over darkness and shadows would overpower any normal human, but Jax has faced down tougher odds before. With the help of his cybernetic arms, he manages to take the fight to the former Bi-Han, eventually leaving him down and out on the ground.

"Guess Ermac's not the only one who's weak."

As Noob Saibot falls unconscious, the shadow clones that Zaveer and Jacqui continue to fight against all dissolve into thin air. Jax walks over to them.

"C'mon. Let's get that thing and get outta here." Younger Jax advices.

Suddenly, More shadow clones appear and restrain them again. The two then see Noob Saibot has risen again.

"You will not disturb the making of the New Era." Noob Saibot says.

"Enough of this New Era crap." Jacqui says.

She then raises her leg and kicks the shadow on her left in the face, dissipating it. She turns to the shadow on her right and shoots it under the chin with her wrist-mounted gun, dissolving it as well. She then grabs the arm of the shadow gripping her neck and throws it to the ground, blasting it in the face with both of her mounted guns.

Zaveer and Jax are still unable to break free from the shadows restraining them, but Jacqui knows she must take care of Noob Saibot before she can help her father. She walks over to Noob, facing him down.

Zaveer then summons his magic and blasts the shadows restraining him away. He then rushes towards Jax as more shadows confront him. As this happens, Jacqui confronts Noob Saibot.

"You're not rewriting history." Jacqui says.

"Victors write history, and I do not lose." Noob Saibot says.

They then fight. The shadow powers of Noob Saibot are unlike anything that Jacqui has ever faced before, but in between her fighting skill and advanced weaponry, she has enough in her to keep in the fight. After a heroic struggle, she eventually manages to defeat the Netherrealm wraith.

"Who's writing history now?" Jacqui asks.

With Noob Saibot left in an unconscious heap yet again, the shadow figures holding Jax suddenly dissipate into the air, freeing him. Zaveer goes to punch another shadow but it dissipates just before he lands the punch, causing him to only hit air. He then motions to Jax and Jacqui.

"Ok. Now we get the crown." Zaveer says.

Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui walk over to the Well of Souls. Jacqui nervously approaches the crown that hovers above its surface. She slowly brings her hands up, but just before she can grab the crown, an older male voice calls out across the cavern.

"Jacqui, wait." An unseen person calls out.

The lone figure stays in the shadows of Goro's lair, but he brings a lit cigar to his lips, taking a long smoke before throwing it aside. He then steps into the light... revealing himself to be Jax, the older Jax, and one who looks radically different from the one seen earlier in the story.

He no longer wears military gear or farming clothes. Instead he wears a shirt of blue and trousers of white, held by a belt of golden, elegant design. His cybernetic arms look radically different, and would almost pass for human were they not showing open machinery where the elbow and wrist joints connect. His face shows utter despair all over it.

The younger Jax stares at his older self, completely nonplussed, while Jacqui looks at him with mounting horror.

"Mind. Blown." Younger Jax says.

"Oh no." Zaveer says.

"Dad? How'd you get here?" Jacqui asks.

As she walks over to him, Younger Jax's confusion turns to anger, as he realises the answer to her question.

"I'll give you one guess." Younger Jax says.

"Dad, your–" Jacqui says as she then looks down at his new arms.

"--your arms! Those look like Kronika's design! What are you doing?" Jacqui asks.

Jax brings his hands up, forming them into fists. He closes his eyes, trying his hardest not to break down, then opens them again, looking his daughter straight in the eye.

"Giving you the life you deserve." Jax says.

He then brings his fists to his side.

"By destroying the universe?" Zaveer asks.

Older Jax then glances at Zaveer for a moment.

"Restarting it, not destroying it." Jax corrects.

He then looks back at Jacqui.

"Being a revenant. The years I lost, the things I did. Your Ma held me together. But I was never the father you needed." Jax explains.

"You're talking nonsense, man! You raised a fine daughter. She's one helluva soldier." Younger Jax points out.

Jacqui smiles at Younger Jax but Older Jax glares at him

"She shouldn't have been a soldier!" Jax points out before looking back towards his daughter.

"I never wanted you out there, taking those risks." Jax says.

He then places his hands on his daughter's shoulders.

"If I hadn't fallen apart, you wouldn't have felt the need to enlist." Jax says.

Looking heartbroken at his words, Jacqui pushes her father's arms away and steps backward.

"That's not why I do this, Dad!" Jacqui points out.

"Please! Give that crown to me. I don't want to hurt anybody." Jax says.

"This is seriously messed up..." Jacqui says.

Before she can even contemplate doing anything, Zaveer places a hand on her shoulder.

"Hang back, Jacqui." Zaveer says

"He's right, kid. I know I wouldn't want to fight my Dad." Younger Jax says.

He then gently pushes them back and walks over to confront his older self.

"How bout we keep this between me, myself and I? Never thought I'd stoop so low." Younger Jax says.

"You don't know how bad it gets! Losing your arms was just the beginning." Jax points out.

"I know you suffered. You still do. But you don't betray your unit, and you SURE as hell don't betray your family!" Younger Jax yells.

They then fight. With his strength and skill enhanced with Kronika's magi-tech, one might assume the elder Jax would have the upper hand against his younger and more inexperienced self. But for all of his strength, Old Jax's heart is not in the battle, allowing his younger self to take advantage of his hesitance and despair. After a fierce exchange, Young Jax manages to knock out his older counterpart.

"There's gotta be a way to make this right." Younger Jax says.

With the battle over, Jacqui runs over to her dad and checks his pulse as Zaveer follows.

"He's out, but he'll recover." Jacqui says.

She then looks back to Young Jax.

"How're you?" Jacqui asks.

"Trippin'. You?" Younger Jax asks.

"Ditto." Jacqui says.

She then looks down at her father, then back at Younger Jax.

"We can't leave him. Let's get him and the crown out of here." Jacqui suggests.

"Agreed." Zaveer says.

Later in the Kourtyard. Jacqui and Younger Jax hold Older Jax between them, supporting him as he struggles to walk. He doesn't even attempt to fight them, his will to do so being completely sapped. Zaveer walks ahead of them, the crown being held in his hands.

"If I never come back here, it'll be too soon." Younger Jax says.

"You said it." Zaveer says.

"I heard that." Jacqui says.

Suddenly, a rumbling sound and a glow of light from the heavens catches their attention. Zaveer, Jacqui and Jax cover their eyes as the light continues to brighten, and in that light is the outline of the Elder God Cetrion.

"Mortals!" Cetrion calls out.

She then glides down from the sky, hands held aloft in almost a welcoming gesture.

"Surrender Kronika's crown and the elder Jackson Briggs. No harm will come to you." Cetrion says.

"No deal." Jacqui says as she and Young Jax set down Old Jax as gently as possible.

"We know you betrayed the Elder Gods, Cetrion." Jacqui says.

Cetrion finishes her descent, hovering a few feet from the ground before them.

"Kronika must restore the balance that Raiden destroyed. Can you not see he is the devil in these matters?" Cetrion asks.

"At least he's the devil we know." Younger Jax says.

"Stand down Cetrion. We both know how this will end." Zaveer says as he summons his magic.

"Which is why I am not alone." Cetrion says.

Behind her appears Dark Raiden. Zaveer, Jacqui, and Jax go wide eyed.

"Raiden! What are you doing?" Jacqui asks.

"Kronika's actions ensure earthrealm's survival. Stand down now." Dark Raiden commands.

Zaveer stands in defiance.

"Sorry Raiden. But I won't let the realms suffer." Zaveer says as he assumes a fighting stance.

Dark Raiden frowns before charging towards him with his electric fly attack, sending him back and causing him to drop the crown. As this happens, Jax and Jacqui ready themselves to face Cetrion.

"Can we take an Elder God?" Jacqui asks Younger Jax.

"Cassie and Zaveer beat Shinnok." Younger Jax says.

"Only because they were born with crazy magic powers." Jacqui points out.

"Maybe we have our own magic." Younger Jax says as he glances down at Kronika's crown, lying on the ground in front of them.

"Stand down, please. Resistance only ensures your suffering." Cetrion suggests.

Jacqui picks up the crown and takes it in her hands, but Jax suddenly snatches it away from her.

"What're you doing?!" Jacqui asks.

"Stand back. We don't know what this thing'll do." Younger Jax says.

He then places the crown on his head. He groans and shuts his eyes at the unmatched power of the souls within, but with a sudden shout of determination, he opens his eyes and faces down Cetrion.

"That crown is meant for Kronika. Your human physiology cannot control its power." Cetrion explains.

"Only got to wear this thing long enough to beat you." Younger Jax says.

They then fight. Even with the power of countless souls coursing through his veins, the battle ends up being the most difficult of Jackson Briggs' life. Cetrion is unlike anything he has ever fought, with her total control over nature and its elements. But he does not give up, and after an immense effort, he manages to knock Cetrion to the floor.

"Mission accomplished." Younger Jax says.

Jax puts both hands on the crown, and after a moment of struggling, manages to remove it. He almost falls but Jacqui is quick to catch him. He stands back to his feet with her help.

As Cetrion rises to her feet again, Jacqui then takes the crown in her hands.

"I can't let you d–" Younger Jax says before being cut off.

"I'm not discussing it." Jacqui says.

She then puts it on her head before Jax can stop her. She closes her eyes in concentration as the power of untold amounts of souls focuses itself on her being. However, it only takes a moment for her to open her eyes again. She walks toward Cetrion.

"Your mind is too frail to wield Kronika's weapon. For your own safety, remove it!" Cetrion suggests.

Jacqui visibly strains to walk forward, proving at least some truth in Cetrion's words. Nonetheless, she refuses to back down.

"It's not time for safety. It's time for action." Jacqui says.

They then fight. Although powered up by the magic of Kronika's crown, Jacqui ends up facing her most difficult opponent yet. Cetrion's powers are infinite and immense, but the word "quit" is not in Jacqui's vocabulary. She takes the fight to the Elder God and manages to just barely knock her to the ground.

"Eat your heart out, Cassie Cage." Jacqui says.

She then tries to remove the crown, but struggles in doing so. Younger Jax runs over and grabs the crown in both hands. Together, they yank it off Jacqui's head. They then turn to see Dark Raiden being thrown back and landing next to the downed Cetrion. Jax and Jacqui then see Zaveer with purple magic enveloping his arms and his eyes glowing the same color. The magic quickly dissipates as he stands beside them.

Cetrion then brings herself up one knee, glaring menacingly at Zaveer, Jax and Jacqui.

"You were warned! Mere mortals cannot control the crown. I did not wish to harm you. But now you have forced my hand." Cetrion says.

She then raises her hand into the air. It glows for a moment as a blue mist surrounds it, then she slams it down on the ground. Instantly, the stone tiles beneath Jax and Jacqui begin to crack and tear, suffering the full effects of an earthquake. They both struggle to remain upright as the ground around them starts to shift apart.

Zaveer then notices the floor beneath Jacqui beiginning to crack underneath Jacqui.

"Jacqui!" Zaveer calls out before pushing her out of the way.

He then immediately falls over as a chasm opens underneath him. He falls before Jacqui can catch him, but he grabs onto a ledge in the ground, narrowly avoiding dropping further to his doom. He is too far away for Jacqui to pull him back up though, and his grip starts to falter.

The elder Jax brings himself back to his feet as the younger Jax looks down the chasm, panic wrought on his face. Cetrion and Dark Raiden look on dispassionately. Old Jax looks at Cetrion with uncertainty for a moment, but does not try to stop her. Jacqui turns back to Cetrion.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jacqui asks in a yell.

"Give me the crown and I will spare him." Cetrion says.

"No! Don't give it to her! GO!!" Zaveer calls out.

"His life is in your hands." Cetrion points out.

Behind her, Old Jax begins to panic as much as his younger self and his daughter are, though he still refuses to act against Cetrion. He instead addresses Jacqui and his younger self.

"Nobody here wants to hurt anyone. Now, please." Jax says.

He then motions to the chasm that Zaveer is trapped in.

"Don't let this happen to him." Jax begs.

Young Jax looks down at the crown in his hands... and then down to Zaveer, who loses his grip with his right hand and is left clinging to the crevice with only his other hand. Looking at Jacqui, she only slightly nods her head down, a decision has been made.

"Dammit!" Younger Jax curses to himself.

He then throws the crown to his elder self, who catches it one handed. Old Jax then turns to Cetrion.

"Now bring Zaveer back!" Jax orders.

Cetrion raises her hand again, blue mist again enveloping it. The ground is instantly restored to its previous level, bringing Zaveer back with it. He remains on his knees for a moment, catching his breath. Jacqui rushes to his side and helps him back to his feet. Old Jax, nearly in tears at this point, looks to his daughter, who in turn looks utterly betrayed by his actions.

"Dad! How could you do this to me?!" Jacqui asks.

"I'm not doing this TO you, Jacqui. I'm doing it FOR you!" Jax says.

He then looks down, unable to even look his daughter in the eye anymore.

"I love you." Jax says to his daughter.

He then walks over to Cetrion, eyes closed in despair. Even the Elder Goddess looks somewhat saddened at the scene.

"Kronika awaits our return." Cetrion says.

She then raises her hand and a sand tornado envelops her, Raiden, and the elder Jax. They teleport away in a swirl that dissipates in an instant. Jacqui remains silent, eyes closed in despair, but Zaveer puts a hand on her shoulder.

"I can't imagine how this must feel for you. I just don't..." Zaveer says before being cut off by Jacqui embraces him in a tight hug, tears threatening to come out of her eyes.

Zaveer stays silent and only returns the hug, trying to keep her at ease, if that was even possible at this point. After a moment, the hug is released and the younger Jax rushes over to them.

"C'mon. This fight isn't over." Younger Jax points out.

Wiping away a single tear, Jacqui nods her head and all three rush back toward the waiting ship.

At Kronika's Keep. The crown, now floating just above Cetrion's outstretched hands, is offered to Kronika. The keeper of time walks over to her daughter, while the elder Jax, Dark Raiden, and revenants Kitana and Manado look on.

"This will bring us our deliverance." Kronika says.

Kronika takes the crown in her hands, turning to look not toward Cetrion but Jax instead.

"Thank you... all of you." Kronika says.

While Cetrion smiles warmly and Dark Raiden merely smirks, Jax seems conflicted at her words.

"I sense apprehension, Jackson Briggs." Kronika says.

He then looks behind him, toward the revenants.

"I'm not usually surrounded by so many friendly faces." Jax says.

"We are unlikely allies, united for a common cause. Worry not." Kronika says.

Her tone of voice changes in an instant, as she addresses the revenants, who walk over to her.

"Manado, Kitana. Are the armies assembled?" Kronika asks.

"They're en route. Kitana and I will see that they arrive as planned." Revenant Manado says.

"Excellent." Kronika replies.

She then places the crown on her head. The souls swirling around it all light up with an intense glow, but Kronika is not inhibited by the power she wields in the slightest. She remains serene as her sand powers gather around her.

"So many souls! So much time!" Kronika says.

She then levitates into the air and looks to the heavens.

"As my strength gathers, the New Era draws ever closer!" Kronika says.

At the Shirai Ryu Fire Garden. Raiden and Cassie walk across a bridge toward the central area, deep in conversation.

"The report from Jacqueline Briggs... her father's actions have compromised our situation gravely." Raiden says.

"I know. I can't–" Cassie says before sighing, looking dejected.

"I can't believe he did this." Cassie says.

"Even if we locate her Keep, Kronika's power now likely exceeds the might of our combined forces." Raiden says.

Cassie stops walking, unnoticed for a moment by Raiden.

"Maybe we should rethink using Shinnok's amulet." Cassie suggests.

These words stop Raiden in his tracks. He then turns back to face her.

"We cannot, Cassandra Cage." Raiden says.

"I've seen what you can do with it. You held off the entire Netherrealm army. You weren't even at full strength." Cassie points out.

Raiden then places his hands on the edge of the bridge, deep in contemplation.

"I dare not risk the temptations of its dark power. Even now it calls to me..." Raiden explains.

Cassie walks over to him, but says nothing. Raiden closes his eyes for a moment, lost in thought... and when he reopens them, they flash red instead of their normal blue. It only lasts a split-second, and his eyes return to glowing electric-blue as he gathers himself.

"Despite Kronika's advantages, we must attack as soon as we know the Keep's location." Raiden says.

"It's been hours since we heard from the Grandmasters. What's the plan if they don't come back?" Cassie asks.

"They must, or else hope is lost." Raiden says.