As the bubble of electricity dissipates, the one person remaining is Liu Kang, but he has drastically changed in appearance. He appears fully human, but his hair is now grey, his eyes glowing electric blue, his tattoos generating electricity and his body generating flames. Raiden's hat is on his back, and his trousers now have a blue shade on them as opposed to red. His bandanna is now metallic and he wears a necklace of beads.

Liu Kang stands to his feet, looking at his outstretched hands, in awe at his new powers. He closes them into fists and puts them back down at his side.

Scorpion, Sub Zero, Manado, Zaveer and Jax all begin to walk forward. Kung Lao teleports onto the deck from his ship and Kitana and Mileena jump over from theirs, landing next to Kharon. All of them take in the sight of the radically changed Liu Kang.

"Liu Kang?" Sub Zero asks.

"I am..." Fire God Liu Kang says.

He then stops pulsating with electricity and fire, but his eyes are now bright blue, as are his tattoos.

"...and I am not." Fire God Liu Kang finishes.

"What happened to Raiden?" Jax asks.

"He is part of me. Bound to my soul. He... made me a god. For now, at least." Fire God Liu Kang explains.

"A god? Incredible." Kitana says.

"My revenant counterpart. Raiden's dark self. I have absorbed their knowledge of the Keep, of Kronika's plan. I know where to find the hourglass. We can beat Kronika." Fire God Liu Kang explains.

"Then let's not waste anymore time. The fate of the realms is in our hands." Manado says.

Back in Kronika's Keep, both she and Cetrion look upon the chair that once bound Liu Kang. Kronika is wide eyed and more perplexed than she has ever been before.

"Out of desperation comes invention. I had not thought it possible for Raiden to surprise me." Kronika says.

She then addresses Cetrion without even looking at her.

"Our success is no longer certain. We must make haste." Kronika suggests.

They then walk back to the hourglass and begin manipulating the sands once again. As this happens, Cetrion closes her eyes.

Elsewhere, the figure from before can be seen in deep meditation. Cetrion's voice is then heard in his head.

"It is time. Come to the hourglass." Cetrion's voice says.

The figure then opens his eyes, both glowing bright red before standing. He then turns and walks away from the area before disappearing into thin air.

Back on the shoreline in the Netherrealm, Kharon's flagships have almost reached land. Waiting for them is the Netherrealm army, and the oni demons roar in anticipation and charge the shoreline. The ships continue forward, not decelerating in the slightest.

"BRACE FOR IMPACT!" Kharon yells.

The flagship touches down on the shore without issue. A boarding plank is lowered as the Netherrealm army reach the ships. Before the demons can climb up it, Sub Zero slides down, using his ice powers to freeze the ground beneath him and the demons below him. He lands on the shoreline and uses an ice axe to chop a frozen demon into shattered remains, then immediately decapitates another one.

Scorpion teleports from the ship deck in a burst of flame, coming out in the midst of the army, sending several oni into the air in flames. He punches down one oni, then rips the heart out of another.

The Cyber Lin Kuei then rush off the ship and charge towards the demon army, lead by Frost. They armies collide in kombat, Frost knocking one away with a swift kick. She then freezes another Demon's head before shattering it with her fist.

The ship contaning the Special Forces crashes into a dock, smashing it into a splintered ruin. With a loud cheer the vanguard run down the boarding plank. Three soldiers on deck chuck grenades at the army, which blow up and kill several demons in one go. More demons charge as Cassie, Jacqui and the younger Jax zipline down to the shore. The oni charging them are cut into bloodied strips by the firepower of Jax's assault rifle, Jacqui's wrist cannons and Cassie's pistols.

Another ship crashes onto the shoreline, and Kung Lao and the Shaolin monks all acrobatically leap off the ship, landing expertly on the ship's large oars on its starboard side. They run across the oars and touch down on the ground to face the Netherrealm army. Kung Lao drops an oni with a jumping spinkick, drops another with a punch and roundhouse kick, and a third with a snap kick.

The Netherrealm army also charge the last ship touching on land. On that ship, Mileena lifts a hand containing her Sai into the air. With a loud cry she points with her Sai to the army and leaps ashore, joined immediately by Kitana, Manado, Zaveer, Baraka, Sheeva, and Jade, and a second later followed by the soldiers, Tarkatan and Shokan they all command. The Outworld army pump themselves up with chants as the Netherrealm army charges toward them, and with one final cry they all run forward, joining battle.

Kitana blocks a blow from a spiked club with her blades, throwing the weapon aside and cutting into the demon who wielded it. She knocks it down with a jumping high kick as Sheeva charges two demons, grabs their heads and bashes them together, knocking them down in a spray of blood, before backhanding another charging demon aside with her two right hands. Mileena hops onto another demon and stabs it in the neck with her Sai.

Back at the Special Forces boat, Cassie, Jacqui and Jax cut down countless demons approaching them with their gunfire, but it seems like they will soon be overwhelmed. But above them on the boat, the elder Jax stands on the edge of the bow. He leaps off, his fist charging with energy. Just as the Netherrealm army is about to swarm over them, Jax lands on the pier deck and smashes his fist into the ground. The resulting shockwave blasts the entire front ranks backward several feet, clearing the area. Jax looks back toward his daughter.

"This mean you're back?" Jacqui asks.

"This means I'm sorry, Jacqui. And hell yeah, I'm back." Jax says.

Jacqui immediately hugs her dad, to the delight of Cassie and the younger Jax. The moment is quickly broken though as the Netherrealm army finishes regrouping and charges once again. Cassie and Jacqui open fire once again, while both Jax's begin punching and kicking down every demon that steps too close to them. Even so, countless more demons make their way forward.

But all of them fail to notice a disturbance in the clouds above. The clouds swirl in toward what appears to be a red glow in the sky. The light soon becomes bright enough that both Jax's, Jacqui, Cassie and even the Netherrealm army look up to the sky in shock and wonder.

At the center of the red vortex is Liu Kang, charging up with lightning. On a balcony of Kronika's Keep, the revenants Manado, Kitana and Kung Lao also watch this spectacle, flanked by two demons. As the clouds turn and swirl around him, Liu Kang gathers their focus, bursts into flames and torpedos down into the center of the Netherrealm army guarding the gates to Kronika's Keep.

The impact he causes on landing is akin to a nuclear explosion, with the entire area surrounded by white for a few moments.

When the smoke clears, Liu Kang stands alone. The Netherrealm army in the field is simply gone, vaporized into nothingness. Only a small defensive force of Netherrealm oni survived to defend the gate, while a large number still wait within the Keep itself. Behind Liu Kang, the gathered army of heroes all cheer the display of power and charge forward toward the gate of the Keep.

With the Earthrealm / Outworld armies approaching behind him, Liu Kang strides toward the gates, his arms crackling with electricity. The remnant of demons roars in defiance and charges, to which Liu Kang responds by blasting lightning from his hand. The electricity catch one demon and then immediately chain to the others around it. Within moments, all the demons have been fatally burnt and electrocuted. Liu Kang walks up to the gates, with all the heroes following after.

"Stand back." Fire God Liu Kang.

They all wait as Liu Kang charges up his hand with fire. He strikes the gate, and the impact is so devastating that on the other side, the frontlines of the Netherrealm army are thrown into the air from the massive explosion that occurs.

The army of heroes charges toward the keep, Liu Kang now taking to the skies once more. As he flies off to deal with the defenders near the back, Kitana stabs a charging demon multiple times with her bladed fans, knocking it down with a roundhouse kick. She slashes another demon several times over, almost completely eviscerating it, then stabs a third demon four times over, finishing with a stab straight through the top of its skull.

Manado takes his daggers and stabs an oni in the neck and slashes it out, leaving the oni almost completely decapitated as blood gushed out. A second one charges at him and tries to strike him down with his weapon. Manado responds by blocking the strike with one ofhis daggers and stabs the oni in the head with the other, killing it instantly.

Kung Lao palm strikes a demon twice in the chest, then splits it in two vertically with a swipe of his bladed hat.

Zaveer then charges to another demon and pushes it back with his knee. He then uses his purple energy and renders the demon to ash. Another demon charges towards him but he sends a ball of purple energy to the demon's head, causing it to explode.

The younger Jax blocks a demon's punch and punches it twice, leaving it for his elder self to finish off. He swipes at another demon that actually manages to duck his attack and punch him back, but the elder Jax then charges in and hits two shots to the ribs that stuns the demon. Younger Jax recovers and the two Jax's both wind up their fists and punch the demon on both sides of its head, completely obliterating it. The heroes then make their way to the Keep's entrance.

Inside where the revenants Manado, Kung Lao, Kitana and Jade all run into the room where the hourglass is kept.

"Is the battle lost?" Revenant Kitana asks.

"Victory is still at hand. The hourglass is nearly ready." Kronika says.

She then turns to the revenants.

"You will prevent Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer's interference. But you will require more assistance." Kronika says.

Time energy then flows from her hands towards the revenants.

On the other side of the doorway, Liu Kang, Manado, Zaveer, Kitana and Kung Lao approach.

"Whatever happens, I am honoured to fight at your side." Fire God Liu Kang says.

"Likewise, Liu Kang." Kitana says.

Kung Lao then places a hand on his shoulder.

"Me too, brother." Kung Lao says.

"Are you ready my son?" Manado asks.

"Let's do this." Zaveer says.

"May the Elder Gods protect us." Fire God Liu Kang says.

He then charges his hand up with fire and punches the doorway. This time, the door melts away rather than blowing up. The five heroes step through to find Kronika and Cetrion still manipulating the hourglass, but they are stopped by the appearance of revenant Manado, Jade, Kung Lao and Kitana, all wearing new attire in the same white-gold of Kronika's clothing. Kronika looks over to Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer.

"Liu Kang, God of Thunder and Fire. Combining with Raiden has the benefit of novelty. But it is also too little, too late. Manado, you and your son's magic shows great power, but even then it is not enough." Kronika says.

She then turns back to the hourglass and pours her energy into it. The revenants move forward slightly, but don't attack. The sands in the hourglass begin to flow upwards as Liu Kang, Manado and Zaveer run forward to attack, but as they do so, Kung Lao and Kitana come to a frozen halt. As Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer stop and turn around, they begin to move in reverse.

"Kitana! Kung Lao!" Fire God Liu Kang calls out.

Manado grabs Kitana's hand as Liu Kang grabs Kung Lao's arm, but they are unable to stop them moving backwards. To their dismay, they can only watch as time starts to unwind, and with it, both Kitana and Kung Lao step back through the door, which unmelts and seals itself once again. Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer look back toward Kronika and the revenants, unaffected by the reversal of time.

Outside the Keep, the battle from before where the armies of Earthrealm and Outworld collided with the Netherrealm army can be seen, only now these scenes are being rewound. The Outworld army jumps back on their ship in reverse, the Shaolin monks leap backwards on the oars of their ship, the pier docks are reformed as Kharon's ships rewind and undo the crash damage they inflicted. Scorpion teleports in reverse back onto his ship, while Sub Zero undecapitates and unshatters the frozen demons from earlier, sliding backwards to his ship. Kharon's ships sail off in reverse, and the Netherrealm army runs backwards from the shoreline.

Back in Kronika's Keep, Liu Kang steels himself as does Manado and Zaveer. Kronika looks over at him.

"Raiden's gift shields you from the power of the hourglass. Manado and Zaveer too from their magic Regardless, your allies are gone, while mine remain to defend me." Kronika says.

She then motions to the revenants.

"Finish them!"

"Me and Zaveer will keep my revenant off your back." Manado says before he and Zaveer charge towards Revenant Manado.

As this happens, Jade and Kitana charge Liu Kang at the same time. He parries Jade's staff with his hands and ducks under a swipe, but walks into a roundhouse kick from Kung Lao. As Liu Kang staggers back, he manages to block an ax kick from Kitana, but takes a sidekick to the stomach from her when she counterattacks. Kung Lao immediately strikes him in the face with another roundhouse kick, then Jade hits him in the knee with her staff and twirls around to smash it into his chest.

Liu Kang remains on his feet as the revenants come in again. He catches Kitana's hand before she can swipe him with her bladed fan and blocks Jade's staff with his other arm, but this leaves him open to Kung Lao, who blasts him with a barrage of fists to his sternum. With Liu Kang stunnned, Kung Lao steps back and delivers a sidekick to the sternum that knocks Liu Kang backward, sending him crashing hard to the ground.

Back with Manado and Zaveer, they push Revenant Manado back with a series of strikes, forcing him to go on the defensive. Revenant Manado then goes on the offensive as Zaveer attempts an overhead strike, Revenant Manado sends a wave of red energy at him. It makes contact and sends Zaveer flying back. Manado then manages to land a strike to his revenant's shoulder, slightly pushing him back. Revenant Manado then attempts to strike him down but Manado blocks the strikes and both of them end in an armlock, neither of them able to overpower the other. The two glare at each other momentarily before Revenant Manado forces Manado's arms down before sending a knee to his face, pushing him back. With Manado stunned, Revenant Manado grabs hold of his shoulder before sending an uppercut to his head, sending him flying in the air and landing hard on his back beside Liu Kang and Zaveer.

For a moment, Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer writhe on the floor, but struggle to their feet. The revenants remain in fighting stances. Liu Kang closes his eyes to focus... and hears the voice of Raiden.

"Earthrealm's Jinsei flows within you. Let it fuel your fire." Raiden's voice advices.

He then opens his eyes again, and now they sparkle with electricity. He then turns towards Manado and Zaveer, now standing beside him.

"You two ready?" Fire God Liu Kang asks.

Manado and Zaveer nod their heads and follow his lead Their faces etched with fierce determination, They look up to the heavens and roar with fury. Lightning strikes Liu Kang's body and fire explodes out of it once more. The glowing red energy surges around Manado's body as glowing purple energy courses through Zaveer's body. The three shift into a fighting stance, Liu Kang dispelling the fire and electricity as the four revenants charge them again.

Kung Lao attacks first with a barrage of punches, but Liu Kang parries them all, as well as some staff strikes from Jade. He then blocks a high kick from Kitana and another from Kung Lao, dodging between strikes from Kitana's fans. He grabs Kitana's hand as she tries to stab him, then steps forward and judo throws her to the floor. Before she can recover he punches her in the face, knocking her unconscious.

Manado blocks a kick from his revenant and counters by pushing the leg aside and sends a double punch to his head, followed by a kick to his chest, pushing him back.

Liu Kang then throws a roundhouse kick that counters a palm strike from Kung Lao, blocks some more punches and lands a straight punch to Lao's face, sending him reeling back. Kang turns as to his side as Jade tries to flank him, deflecting her staff attacks with his fists and feet. He jump kicks her in the face, punches Kung Lao again when he tries to charge in and blasts him in the chest with a fireball, knocking him down.

Zaveer then approaches Revenant Manado and sends a punch to his chest, pushing him back. Revenant Manado sends a blast of red energy which he counters with a blast of purple energy. Both attempt to overpower the other until Manado sends a blast of his own energy and the combined magic proves too much for the revenant as it makes contact, stunning the revenant. Manado and Zaveer take the opportunity and send another blast of energy, causing Revenant Manado to land hard onto the floor.

Jade then tries to stab Liu Kang with her staff, but Liu Kang dodges around it, punches her in the face, then takes her staff with both hands and wrenches it downward. As Jade staggers forward, Liu Kang knees her in the face, knocking off her mask. He then twirls the staff around, taking Jade with it, and forces it against her throat, while he grabs her head from behind and pushes it down against her staff.

It's not long before Jade begins to struggle for breath, and she falls to her knees. As she lets go of her staff, Liu Kang leans downward and springs back with a devastating knee strike to the back of her neck. The blow is so powerful that Jade's staff breaks in two from the impact, and the revenant assassin collapses on the floor, killed instantly from the strike.

Liu Kang throws the broken pieces of Jade's staff to the floor and assumes another fighting stance. His attention is towards Kung Lao, who has just begun to pick himself off the floor.

"Your ego knows no bounds!" Revenant Kung Lao yells.

Liu Kang then walks toward the revenant.

"I did not ask for this. It was thrust upon me." Fire God Liu Kang says.

"It should have been ME, Liu Kang, from the beginning! Thanks to Kronika, it will be." Revenant Kung Lao says.

They then fight. While Kung Lao has lost none of the speed and ability that carried him to victory many times in life, and is powered up further by Kronika's machinations, it turns out to be his ego that is too big for him. The Fire God Liu Kang takes the fight to the revenant and defeats him in short order.

"Your ego blinds you." Fire God Liu Kang says.

Back with Manado, his revenant can be seen struggling to stand, courtesy of him and Zaveer. Manado and Zaveer then see Kitana rising again.

"I handle this. Keep my revenant busy." Manado says.

Zaveer nods his head and approaches Revenant Manado. As this happens, Manado approaches Kitana and assumes a fighting stance.

"Stand down! I have no wish to harm you." Manado advices.

"Harm me?! You already KILLED me! My fate was sealed the moment I joined you at Raiden's side. It's a mistake I won't repeat in the New Era." Revenant Kitana says.

They then fight. Even with Kitana's Edenian speed and thousands of years of battle experience, Manado had bested her before. And even with the power of Kronika in her revenant form, it proves to be no match for the power that Manado wields. Taking advantage of his vast power, he quickly finishes the fight and leaves Kitana down on the ground.

"Our bond was no mistake." Manado says.

Back with Zaveer, he can be seen standing in front of Revenant Manado, who holds his hand onto his abdomen. He then braces himself and lunges towards Zaveer, but he counters by sending three punches to the head, followed by a kick to the chest. He then sends two punches to his abdomen before sending another punch to the right side of Revenant Manado's head, causing him to stagger. As this happens, Zaveer sends another punch to his head, knocking down but Revenant Manado doesn't fully hit the floor as he is able to keep himself up with his arm holding him up against the floor. Zaveer then grabs hold of him by the throat and hoists him into the air. He then gathers all his strength and sends one powerful punch straight to his face, sending him flying and landing hard onto the floor, knocking him unconscious.

With the revenants defeated, Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer turn to Kronika.

"Still, all of you are alive." Kronika says.

"Yes, Kronika. You were right to fear mine and Raiden's powers combined. Along with Manado and Zaveer's power." Fire God Liu Kang says.

"A demi-god's power cannot rival that of an Elder God. Cetrion!" Kronika says

Kronika steps aside to reveal Cetrion, who rather than the green outfit she wore earlier, is now decked out in red, with glowing eyes to match. Her new attire makes her look similar in appearance to a succubus.

"As you wish, mother." Cetrion says.

Cetrion throws fireballs at Liu Kang which he dodges and flips over but the fireballs end up hitting Manado and Zaveer, sending them skitting backwards across the floor. They recover quickly and shoot a ball of energy of their own which Cetrion blocks. She shoots off a blast of wind that Manado cartwheels to avoid and another which Zaveer ducks under. She then throws a roundhouse kick that shoots a spark of ice, which Liu Kang blocks but sends him back several feet. Liu Kang recovers quickly and jump kicks the air, shooting a fireball from his leg that Cetrion barely ducks under. She shoots another fireball that Liu Kang ducks from, and he launches another roundhouse kick that shoots a fireball that catches her in the face, sending her onto her hands and knees. She stands again quickly.

"You all match me step for step." Cetrion says.

She then kicks the air again, sending out a fireball and an ice blast. Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer dodge both projectiles and counters with a blast of energy and lightning, that electrocutes and burns the Elder Goddess, knocking her to the floor. Behind her, Kronika stares on at Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer, eyes wide with fear as Cetrion struggles to rise, still being wracked with electricity.

"Because your heart is not in the battle, Cetrion. You fight for your mother's vision. But as a goddess of virtue you know that her desired balance is folly." Fire God Liu Kang explains.

As Cetrion stands up, Kronika walks over to her. "Heed me, Cetrion! He lacks our vision and wisdom!" Kronika says.

Cetrion turns away from her, clearly conflicted.

"Please. No virtue is served by condemning the realms to endless war." Manado points out.

Cetrion looks back at Kronika and then towards Liu Kang, Manado, and Zaveer, seemingly unable to decide. A voice then gains their attention. It is revealed to be Revenant Manado, having risen again

"If you won't choose, I'll make the choice for you." Revenant Manado says.

Manado and Zaveer assume fighting stances as Revenant Manado who charges towards them, but is suddenly when enveloped in green soul energy. Revenant Manado can only yell out in agony as he is being pulled back by the green energy. His body then dissipates into a red glowing orb of energy. The orb of energy then flies backwards and is absorbed into the hand of the figure from before. Everyone looks shocked at the events that has occurred. Manado then takes a step towards the figure.

"You're the one who was at the temple. You took Blaze's power." Manado says.

"Correct, Manado." The figure says.

"But... why are you here now?" Zaveer asks.

The figure then sighs.

"It is time you knew the truth." The figure says.

The figure then grabs hold of his mask and removes it. He then drops it to the floor before removing his hat. It is only when this happens when everyone in the room can see his true face. It is severely disfigured, with third degree burns covering his entire head. His right eyes show damage as well, due to it being completely white in color. His one good eye showing a mix of anger, guilt, and relief as he looks towards everyone in the room. Kronika then goes wide eyed.

"Impossible. Your supposed to be dead." Kronika says.

"You may possess great power Kronika, but you make for a poor assassin." The figures says.

Hearing this, Zaveer goes wide eyed himself as he approaches him.

"Is... is that you, dad?" Zaveer asks.

The Figure then looks towards him and smiles.

"It is good to see you again, my son." Older Manado says.

Zaveer then rushes towards him and embraces him in a hug, tears falling from his eyes. Older Manado doesn't hesitate and returns the hug, a loving smile seen on his face. A moment passes before the hug ends but Older Manado still has a hand on Zaveer's shoulder.

"I never thought I'd see you again." Zaveer says.

"It'll take more than a Titan to take me away from you." Older Manado says.

Liu Kang and younger Manado smile at the scene. Kronika however only grows more angry.

"It matters not. For you will perish. For good this time." Kronika says.

Older Manado merely chuckles as he picks up his hat and mask.

"I don't think so, Titan. For you see, I've had help from those closest to you." Older Manado says as he puts his hat and mask back on.

"What?" Kronika asks in confusion.

She is suddenly blasted in the back by magic energy, causing her to fall to the ground. She then looks up to see the one responsible was Cetrion herself, who now stands with Older Manado beside her.

"This is a most disturbing betrayal, Cetrion." Kronika says.

"Liu Kang is right. There is no virtue in sentencing the realms to endless war." Cetrion says.

Kronika glares at her for a moment for hovering back into the air.

"I would've exalted you in the new era, Cetrion. But now you leave me no choice to remove you forever." Kronika says.

Liu Kang, Zaveer, and younger Manado now stand beside Cetrion and Older Manado.

"No Kronika. Today marks your end." Older Manado says.

Kronika responds by sending a blast of sand towards them but everyone manages to dodge the blast. Liu Kang then sends a blast of electricity, forcing Kronika to block the attack. Older Manado then jumps into the air, sending a flying kick to Kronika's chest, pushing her back. As he falls back to the ground, Zaveer sends a ball of purple energy at Kronika, but she swats it away and sends a blast of sand at him, who backflips away to avoid the blast. Cetrion then float in the air and sends a blast of ice towards Kronika, forcing her to lift her hands up to block the attack. Liu Kang then sends a blast of electricity, followed by younger Manado and Zaveer sending their own blast of Red and purple energy. Older Manado then takes a step forward and sends a blast of bright golden energy straight at the Titan. The combined energies prove to be too much for Kronika as she then falls to the floor, writhing in pain. Cetrion then approaches her downed mother and readies to finish her, but Kronika manages to absorb some magic from the hourglass and sends a blast of time energy towards Cetrion, which hits her in the chest.

"Cetrion!" Older Manado calls out.

Cetrion's form then disintegrates into a glowing ball of multicoloured light that flies into Kronika. The power that Cetrion wielded now flows out of Kronika, who is now hovering in the air once more in front of the hourglass.

"You have served your purpose Cetrion." Kronika says.

Liu Kang then throws a fireball, but Kronika effortlessly bats it aside. He looks at his hands in confusion for a moment, but puts it aside and charges her. Kronika blasts a storm of sand from her palms, striking Liu Kang and knocking him down. The Manados and Zaveer then charge but like Liu Kang, are also blasted back and knocked down.

"And YOU, Liu Kang and Chujins, have FAILED!" Kronika yells.

She then turns to the hourglass and uses her time powers once again. The sand continues to flow upwards, increasing in speed. Liu Kang, Zaveer, and the Manados rise to his feet and Kronika looks over at him again.

"History rewinds, giving way to the New Era!" Kronika says.

"No!" Fire God Liu Kang calls out.

Around them, Kronika's Keep suddenly fades away, as they and the hourglass are transported through time and through realms, emerging in prehistoric Earthrealm. They appear in a luscious and beautiful forest, with a dead dinosaur in the background. The area surrounding the hourglass is distorted, seemingly opening out into space. Kronika hovers above Liu Kang, Zaveer, and the Manados, slowly coming down to ground level.

"The realms as you knew them are undone. Erased. You cannot save a future that no longer exists! There is only the New Era!" Kronika says.

They then fight. The battle is truly epic, with neither Liu Kang, Zaveer, the Manados nor Kronika getting any clear advantage for the majority of it. For what seems like an age, the newly born Fire God, the powerful superbeings and the architect of the Mortal Kombat universe fight with every power they have, but eventually...

...Liu Kang, Zaveer, and the Manados prevail and knock Kronika to her knees. She struggles to her feet.

"The realms will not fight your endless wars." Fire God Liu Kang says.

"Fight me further and your friends are lost. They have no future unless I create it." Kronika points out.

"The future you offer is not worth living! It will NOT come to pass!" Fire God Liu Kang yells.

"And this time, no one will be here to save you from your fate." Older Manado says.

They then fight. Once again, the battle proves to be a meeting of four unstoppable forces. But this time...

...Kronika prevails and knocks Liu Kang, Zaveer and the Manados to the floor. She levitates back to the hourglass and manipulates it with her time powers once again. Power begins to emanate from the glass as Liu Kang, Zaveer and the Manados rise to their feet. Older Manado then leaps into the air and strikes Kronika in the side with a flying kick, knocking her to the floor. But even as they assume a fighting stance, Alongside Liu Kang, Zaveer, and Younger Manado, the realm around them turns into a glaring white light...

...and when the light clears, both them and Kronika stand on a single outcropping of rock in the middle of space, along with the Hourglass of Time.

"Welcome to the dawn of time. Here history ends and begins again. Behold the start of the New Era!" Kronika announces.

Kronika then rises into the air and motions with her hands. Asteroids powered by her magic fly in from space and down towards Liu Kang, Zaveer, and the Manados, but they break them into pieces by punching them.

"I had intended to leave your destiny intact, Liu Kang, until Raiden went and made you immortal. Now, you cannot be ignored. And you Chujins must now be erased from not only this, but from every known timeline." Kronika says.

They then fight. Once again, the battle proves to be a meeting of five unstoppable forces. But this time...

...Liu Kang, Zaveer, and the Manados get the upper hand and knock Kronika to her knees.

"With or without you, We will restore the timeline!" Fire God Liu Kang promises.

Kronika growls in anger and rises to her feet. She telekinetically hurls another two asteroids at Liu Kang, but he kicks them into pieces.

"Sculpting the Sands of Time requires great power and skill. You have neither Liu Kang or you, Chujins. You all may be gods, but I am a Titan!" Kronika says.

They then fight. Once again, the battle proves to be a meeting of four unstoppable forces. But this time...

...Liu Kang, Zaveer and the Manados overpower Kronika and knock her to her knees.

As Kronika rises, Younger Manado charges and lands a spin kicks to her face, dazing her. Older Manado then charges and land several strikes to her sternum, forcing her back. The Manados then back up as Zaveer sends a flying kick to her head, knocking her down. As Kronika rises again, Liu Kang charges up a fireball and blasts her straight in the chest. He shoots three more, each striking the helpless Kronika, before charging up a final blasts that shoots out from his hands like a flamethrower. The blast engulfs Kronika entirely, and when it ends we see that her entire body has molded into what looks like molten organic glass.

Liu Kang approaches the now crystalline form of Kronika. He chops her outstretched hand, shattering her arm to the elbow, then repeats the motion with her other arm, shattering that too. Liu Kang then turns towards the Chujin and gives them a nod. Knowing what to do, Zaveer, then sends a spin kick to Kronika's head, shattering it. The two Manados then land ax kicks straight to Kronika's torso, shattering it as well. Older Manado then contemptuously pushes down what remains of her body, letting it break apart completely upon impacting with the ground.

With the Titan of Time lying dead at their feet, Liu Kang, Zaveer and the Manados close their eyes, trying to find focus again...

"Our work is finished, Liu Kang." Raiden says.

Liu Kang, Zaveer and the Manados open their eyes and look around. Behind them stands Raiden...but something is different. Raiden's attire is the same from before, but his voice no longer reverberates with power.

"Lord Raiden." Fire God Liu Kang says.

Raiden looks up at him. There is no electric blue glow in his eyes. His pupils are brown and look entirely human.

"I am merely Raiden, now. You and Manado have proven worthy to take my place as the new Protectors of Earthrealm, once it is restored." Raiden explains.

"You honour us, Raiden." Fire God Liu Kang says.

Liu Kang then clasps his hands and bows. The two Manados, as well as Zaveer then bow as well.

"The honour is mine, Lord Liu Kang and Lord Manado. The sands of time are yours to shape. It falls upon you to architect a new history." Raiden explains.

"The fate of all realms... in our hands? Raiden, me and Manado cannot do this alone." Fire God Liu Kang says.

"I shall advise you and Manado for as long as my mortality allows. But have no doubt, you both are up to the task." Raiden assures.

"Don't worry Liu Kang. We'll always be here for you." Older Manado says, now transformed back to normal.

"Agreed." Younger Manado says.

Older Manado then turns towards Zaveer.

"Worry not my son, for we will live anew in a better timeline." Older Manado assures.

Zaveer smiles at his father who smiles back.

"Then together, let us begin." Fire God Liu Kang says.

Liu Kang then turns to the hourglass and begins to work on it. As the new God of Fire and Thunder begins to motion with his hands, the sands inside the hourglass begin to shift, while turquoise time magic reverberates off both. However, that's not all that happens, the hourglass itself begins to crack across its glass surface. Liu Kang seems a little perplexed by this, but still continues to manipulate the sands within. Suddenly, a fiery portal opens to his right and a voice shouts from within.

"Cease, Liu Kang, before you doom us all!" The voice orders.

Liu Kang, Zaveer and the Manados look towards the portal. Three figures step through, concealed in shadow at first through the brightness of the portal, but as they step closer the figures become recognisable.

The leftmost is Fujin, God of Wind and brother of Raiden.

The rightmost is Nightwolf, formerly Grey Cloud, of the Makota tribe.

And the man in the center is aged, with a long flowing beard and grey hair, but he is none other than Liu Kang's old enemy and the one that tortured and experimented on Manado... Shang Tsung.

Raiden steps in front of Liu Kang, his now mortal eyes widening in shock.

"Shang Tsung?!" Raiden asks.

"Nightwolf? Fujin?! What are you–" Fire God Liu Kang asks before being cut off.

"Cease your magic, before the hourglass shatters." Shang Tsung warns.

"Even here, at the dawn of time, you spew lies and deceit. We will not hear it!" Raiden snaps.

"So I suggest you crawl back to whatever dark hole you came from, sorcerer." Older Manado says.

"In defeating Kronika, you destroyed her crown. Without it, you can't restart history. The hourglass will shatter. All realms will be lost." Shang Tsung explains.

Raiden then looks to Fujin.

"Fujin, is this true?" Raiden asks.

"Kronika's every action was taken to ensure her crown's preparation. She would not dare to restart history without it." Fujin explains.

Behind them, Liu Kang stops manipulating the sands, causing the magic to fizzle out. He then turns to the new arrivals.

"How do you know this?" Fire God Liu Kang asks.

"Kronika came to each of us. For our help, she offered places in her New Era. For refusing her, we were banished to a void beyond time." Nightwolf explains.

"We could observe the events leading up to your siege of the Keep, but we were powerless to intervene." Fujin says.

"But then you killed Kronika. The void's seal was broken open, permitting our escape via the hourglass." Shang Tsung says.

"If you know so much about the hourglass, how do you propose I reset the timeline?" Fire God Liu Kang asks.

"With the crown." Shang Tsung replies.

Liu Kang, Zaveer, the Manados and Raiden exchange looks with each other.

"The crown is destroyed." Zaveer says.

"Only in our present. Not in our past." Shang Tsung points out.

"And while I cannot restart history without the crown..." Fire God Liu Kang says.

"You can send travelers back into the current timeline." Shang Tsung finishes.

Raiden folds his arms, looking unconvinced, while Shang Tsung slowly clasps his hands together and the Manados glare at the sorcerer with hatred.

"I see... I must return to the moment before Kronika's defeat, end that battle differently, so that her crown remains intact." Fire God Liu Kang realizes.

Shang Tsung waves a hand in the air, seemingly dismissing the thought. He turns away from the group as he walks, gathering his scheming thoughts.

"That leaves too much to chance. Kronika must never possess the crown. Otherwise you cannot guarantee victory." Shang Tsung points out.

Liu Kang then walks toward Shang Tsung, facing him directly.

"What do you propose, sorcerer?" Younger Manado asks.

Shang Tsung starts to walk around the group again.

"That you send me into the past to steal the crown from my island before Kronika sends Cetrion to claim it. I'll then deliver it to Lord Raiden and together we'll defeat Kronika. With the crown and hourglass under our control, we can restart history safely." Shang Tsung explains.

Raiden snorts in contempt.

"Why are we listening to this snake?" Raiden asks.

"Because I am a snake who's toiled beside Kronika, learning her secrets. I know them. Do you?" Shang Tsung says and asks.

He ends his sentence with an arrogant smirk. Liu Kang raises a hand toward Raiden before he can do anything about it.

"He has a point, Raiden." Fire God Liu Kang points out.

Liu Kang then looks over to Fujin.

"Fujin, a word?" Fire God Liu Kang asks.

Both of them then walk away from the group, far enough that they can't be heard by the others. Raiden and Shang Tsung remain face to face, with Nightwolf, Zaveer, and the Manados looking over at Liu Kang and Fujin.

"How is it you conspire against Kronika? Did her promises of grandeur not suit you?" Raiden asks.

"She wanted me to be her pawn, not her partner. She sculpted my entire existence to serve her, to collect souls for her crown. When my purpose was served, she betrayed me, casting me into the void." Shang Tsung explains.

"Your grievance does not fool me, Shang Tsung." Raiden says.

"Then trust that we have a shared interest in breaking Kronika's stranglehold on our destinies." Shang Tsung says.

"Inevitably, our interests will diverge." Raiden points out.

"This alliance is temporary. Have no illusions otherwise." Shang Tsung assures.

"Know this, sorcerer. For I do not trust you." Older Manado says.

"From you, I expect not." Shang Tsung says.

As they speak, Liu Kang and Fujin walk back towards them, still in conversation.

"I understand your misgivings, but it is the only way." Fire God Liu Kang says.

Fujin holds his arms up in protest and stops for a moment.

"But the risk, Liu Kang–" Fujin says before being cut off.

"--will be rewarded." Fire God Liu Kang finishes.

Fujin lowers his arms and closes his eyes, seemingly conflicted.

"Say nothing to Nightwolf." Fire God Liu Kang says.

He puts a hand on Fujin's shoulder. Fujin nods in response, and they rejoin the others.

"We will proceed with your plan, Shang Tsung. I must stay behind, to operate the hourglass, but Nightwolf, Fujin, Zaveer and the Manados will go with you, to supervise." Fire God Liu Kang explains.

"I welcome the assistance." Shang Tsung says. Insincerity drips off every word he speaks.

"I will join you." Raiden says.

"No, Raiden. I need your counsel here. Have faith in your champions." Fire God Liu Kang asks.

Raiden then walks toward Fujin.

"If I have faith in anyone, it is you, brother." Raiden says.

He then places a hand on Fujin's shoulder, who returns the gesture with a smile.

Raiden then approaches Older Manado.

"My past self may not show it, but you made me proud not only as your teacher, but as a father." Raiden says.

Raiden and Older Manado then embrace each other in a hug before releasing it a moment later.

Liu Kang then walks toward the hourglass.

"I will try to send you back to the time merger." Fire God Liu Kang says.

His arms then light up with fire as his tatoos glow with blue.

"You should have enough time to claim the crown before Cetrion delivers it to Kronika." Fire God Liu Kang assures.

"Your confidence is inspiring." Nightwolf says.

Like Shang Tsung before him, his tone is laced with sarcasm. Everyone looks at him for a moment.

"As the Keeper of Time, I am still a novice, Nightwolf." Fire God Liu Kang says.

Liu Kang then looks back to the hourglass.

"May the Great Spirit protect us." Nightwolf says.

Liu Kang once again starts to magically manipulate the sands in the hourglass. A massive sandstorm rises from it and Shang Tsung, Nightwolf, Fujin, Zaveer, and the Manados are engulfed in the sand.