On Shang Tsung's island. Shang Tsung, Sindel, Fujin, Zaveer, the Manados and Nightwolf all walk through the passage leading to the main courtyard.

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. Shang Tsung looks on them with an expression of, for a change, genuine, remorse.

"They couldn't go on. I am... touched by their devotion." Shang Tsung says.

One the rotted monk's eyes falls from its head and lands on the floor. Sindel walks on, unimpressed. Shang Tsung follows her, still upset, while Nightwolf looks doubtful. Fujin, Zaveer and the Manados remain impassive.

"I question their judgment." Nightwolf says.

"Have neither of you any compassion?" Shang Tsung asks.

"Not for fools who follow you." Fujin says.

"Are we not following him now? At least we do not follow that fool Raiden. Then we would surely die." Sindel says.

Shang Tsung smiles at the remark. Nightwolf and Fujin exchange glances of suspicion at her words, as do Zaveer and the Manados.

As they walk out into the courtyard, a purple blur of light speeds around them all, moving in a circle to box them in. After a moment, Fujin shoots out a wind blast in front of him, catching the blur and shoving it back. The revenant, now identifiable as Kabal, slides to a kneeling halt. He picks himself up and approaches them.

"You may run like the wind, Kabal, but I command it. You should have devised a better plan." Fujin points out.

"There's more to come." Revenant Kabal says.

From behind a wall, the revenant Jade emerges. She approaches the seven of them and slams her staff into the ground. She picks it up and twirls it over her head, generating green energy 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 five others from the surrounding area, approach Fujin, Nightwolf, Shang Tsung, Zaveer, Sindel and the Manados, growling at them with vocal cords long rotted away and surround them in a semi-circle. Jade also walks up to them, pointing her staff in their direction.

"You will be returned to the void. Not even she can help you." Revenant Jade says.

The Shaolin monks roar and charge. Nightwolf parries one's strikes and kicks, while Shang Tsung blocks swipes from Jade's staff with the metal braces on his forearm. Zaveer counters a double palm strike from a zombie and throws the zombie towards Younger Manado, who performs an ax kick, tearing the zombie in half. Older Manado then summons his magic and rips the head off of three other zombies. Fujin shoots a zombie through the head at point blank range with his miniature crossbow, killing it, and follows with three more shots at Kabal. The Black Dragon deftly avoids them with his super speed and gets into fighting range.

"Too slow! I expected better, Fujin." Revenant Kabal says.

They then fight. With a speed enhanced by magic and a troublesome weapon in the hook swords he wields, Kabal would be a frightening encounter against an ordinary human. But Fujin is a god, and is as fast as the wind he commands. His millennia of fighting experience is brought to the fray and he succeeds in bringing Kabal down in the end.

"Now do I meet your expectations?" Fujin asks.

Over on the other side of the courtyard, Shang Tsung sends Jade flying with a jumping spin kick to her chest. Nightwolf, Zaveer, Sindel and the Manados have successfully destroyed all of the zombies attacking them as they all regroup.

"Cetrion must be on her way." Shang Tsung points out.

"Sindel, Zaveer, younger Manado and I will occupy her. You three get the crown." Nightwolf says.

Later in an underground cave, lit up by torch lights, Fujin, Older Manado and Shang Tsung walk through quickly, giving only token checks for any ambushes.

"I must ask, sorcerer; How long before you betray us?" Fujin asks.

Shang Tsung chuckles at the question.

"I find your lack of faith amusing." Shang Tsung says.

Fujin and Older Manado then stops to look at him directly.

"WHEN it happens, we will be ready." Fujin says.

"We can promise you that, sorcerer." Older Manado says.

Shang Tsung only replies with his sardonic smirk and half-bow. As Fujin and Manado walk on, he drops the smirk to glare at them menacingly. The three of them continue on into Goro's Lair. Eventually they come face to face with what appears to be a swirling tornado made up of soul energy, hovering over a large well. At the center of this soulnado is Kronika's crown.

Fujin walks right up to it and starts to pry it out, but a voice from behind catches their attention.

"Do me a favour, Fujin, and take one giant step back." The voice suggests.

The speaker is masked in the shadows, but we can see that he is smoking a cigar. Another figure of pure darkness stands behind him. He steps forward, showing it to be the elder Jackson Briggs, alongside Noob Saibot.

"You too, sorcerer." Jax says.

"You've got to be kidding me." Older Manado mumbles to himself.

Jax stops to look at Noob for a moment, then continues speaking.

"Makes sense we meet again down here. Where you caged me, beat me within an inch of my life." Jax says.

He then approaches the smirking Shang Tsung as Noob walks toward Fujin and Older Manado.

"The hell if I ain't gonna return the favour." Jax says.

"Always so generous." Shang Tsung says.

Jax then takes a smoke from the cigar and then flicks it at Shang's face. In what feels like slow motion, Shang Tsung dodges it, but as his eyes follow the projectile Jax rushes forward. Time then resumes to what feels like its normal flow just in time for Jax to clobber Shang Tsung with a powerful haymaker across his cheek.

Shang Tsung manages to block a multitude of blows from Jax and kicks him backward, but Jax recovers and throws a combination of punches and a knee strike. Shang Tsung blocks them all and counters with a palm strike to Jax's face, following it with a roundhouse kick.

Fujin meanwhile ducks under a roundhouse from Noob Saibot and leaps over a leg sweep attempt. He blocks two sidekicks, ducks another roundhouse kick and blocks several more punches and a high kick, countering with an elbow strike / palm thrust combo that sends the former Bi-Han sprawling backward.

Older Manado then charges in, but Noob Saibot summons a shadow clone and it lunges towards him, forcing Older Manado to jump back to avoid the attack. Noob Saibot then summons around a couple dozen more clones who then charge towards Older Manado. Older Manado then summons his magic and a small army of Abaddons emerge and charge towards the shadow clones. A few of them however manage to pass through the Abaddons and attack Manado, forcing him to backpedal.

Noob Saibot then turns his attention towards Fujin who then leaps into the air with a superman punch, but Noob Saibot counters with a blast of dark magic, sending Fujin flying backwards. Noob Saibot kips up and summons a portal as Fujin lands. The portal is powerful enough to suck in all the surrounding air, and with it, Fujin as well. As Fujin desperately tries to keep a hold on the ground, one of Noob's shadow clones emerges from the portal and grabs him, dragging him in.

Satisfied he is gone, Noob Saibot closes the portal, but turns his back before it is fully closed. He completely misses the gust of wind that emerges from it, and Fujin leaps out shortly thereafter, performing a corkscrew pirouette through the air that ends with him landing in a three point stance directly in front of Saibot. He stands quickly.

"A new trick, Bi-Han? Amusing, but insufficient." Fujin says.

"You lost to me at your temple, Fujin. Now, Kronika has made me even stronger." Noob Saibot points out.

"You did not win that fight. You ran away." Fujin says.

They then fight. Bi-Han may have gained the powers of shadow following his death, but these powers prove to have little effect over the God of Wind. Unable to use the freezing powers he possessed in life, Bi-Han is eventually overwhelmed by Fujin and defeated.

"You should have fled this fight too." Fujin says.

As that fight draws to a close, Jax blocks a chopping strike from Shang Tsung, ducks under another chop and dodges a roundhouse kick. He fights back with a superman punch but Shang Tsung catches his wrist, hits a palm strike to his chin and a straight punch to his chest, following that with a right hook that knocks Jax back.

Shang Tsung then hits a jump spinning sidekick that catches Jax in the abdomen and staggers him. With some distance created, Shang Tsung summons his fire powers and creates a fiery portal beneath Jax. Out of the portal emerges a fiery looking snake tail that wraps itself around him, constricting him tightly.

From another generated portal, the snake's head emerges, turning to face Jax. It flickers its tongue menacingly but Jackson remains defiant. It roars and opens its maw, shooting out a beam of soul energy. Jax is powerless as the snake begins to suck his soul dry.

However, Fujin summons the wind and blasts Shang Tsung in the back, knocking him down and causing the snake to dissipate into thin air. Fujin walks towards the recovering Jax, who pulls himself to his feet.

"Kronika's promises cannot be trusted, Jackson. Bi-Han, Kano, Shao Kahn! Look at the scoundrels she employs!" Fujin says.

"That's a card you can't play, Fujin. Not when you're buddied up with Shang Tsung." Jax says.

They then fight. Thanks to the upgrades provided by Kronika, Jax ends up being a challenge for even the Wind God, even if Fujin is reluctant to battle him. The ensuing fight lasts longer than expected, but Fujin manages to take advantage of the fact Jax was weakened by Shang Tsung earlier, and soon Fujin is able to best him.

"Kronika will not heal your wounds, Jackson." Fujin says.

He then walks over to Jax and offers him a hand up. Jax looks rather insulted by the offer.

"Dammit, Fujin, you know what I've suffered. Kronika's my one chance to prevent all that." Jax says.

He then sits down on the ground.

"Not just for me, but for Jacqui. For Vera. Shit..." Jax says.

He then looks down, disheartened. Fujin is down on one knee, trying to look him in the eye.

"You're a god. Ain't no way you get how this feels." Jax says.

At these words, Fujin looks away for a moment, thinking to himself. He looks back to Jax after a moment.

"You know the only time Raiden and I ever fought? Before Manado joined the Shaolin and when I left the Sky Temple to live among humans. " Fujin says.

He then attempts to imitate Raiden's stoic tone.

"Do not become attached to them, Fujin. Sentiment will impede the execution of your duty."" Fujin says in Raiden's tone.

He then continues to look at Jax as he reverts to his normal tone of voice.

"But warriors like you and I, we are strengthened by sentiment. We do not fight to kill enemies. We fight to protect our loved ones. That is why it cuts so deeply when we fail." Fujin explains.

"Well, I'll be. Maybe you do get it." Jax says.

Fujin then stands up and offers his hand again. This time Jax takes it and gets back to his feet.

"Kronika knows your pain. She manipulates you with it. Jacqueline is on her way here. Kronika expects you to fight her. Worse, even... break her heart. Is that someone who cares one whit about you or your family?" Fujin asks.

Older Manado then walks up next to Fujin.

"Believe me Jax, everyone shares some form of weight when it comes to fighting for the ones we love." Older Manado says.

He then turns towards Fujin.

"Raiden didn't have much sentiment before I came into the picture, Fujin" Older Manado asks.

"Yes. The time he learned sentimental value is when he found you in New York all those years ago. I'd say... that you changed his heart." Fujin says.

Just then, a loud rumbling occurs from above, and pieces of rock fall from the ceiling. Fujin, Older Manado, Jax, and the recovered Shang Tsung all try to shield themselves from the falling rocks, and a large contingent falls directly in front of the camera, obscuring the view with a metric ton of dust...

...that dispels to show Sindel lying on top of them, having been blasted through the ceiling. She writhes in pain and tries to gather her wits, but several tendrils of what appear to be red coloured vines grab her around her limbs and hoist her back through the hole in the ceiling. She is brought face to face with Cetrion, the one who is generating the vines from the clothing on her body.

"YOU were to defeat me?" Cetrion asks.

"I am not finished yet!" Sindel snaps.

She then magically manipulates her hair into two long ponytails and uses them to grapple Cetrion's vines, snapping them off. Sindel then suddenly falls back to the ground, landing hard on the unforgiving stone.

Cetrion then floats down toward her, but is blasted away by red energy. Cetrion manages to catch herself before hitting the ground, and looks in shock to see Older Manado floating in the sky above her. Slowly, he approaches her.

"Stand down Cetrion. Retreat back to the keep and no harm to bestow upon you." Older Manado says.

"How are you..." Cetrion asks before being cut off.

"I am of the future. Because Kronika was in possession of the crown, our mission was a failure. Though in the end I claimed victory, in battle... the crown was destroyed, leaving me with no other option but to return to this time to retrieve it. You walk away now, we can end this conflict peacefully. Resist, and you leave me with no choice but to oppose." Older Manado explains.

Before Cetrion could respond, a blast of red lightning strikes Older Manado in the back and he lands hard to the ground. Looking up, he sees the culprit is Dark Raiden.

"You will not condemn the realms to total destruction." Dark Raiden says.

Older Manado glares at him for a moment, before looking off in the distance.

"Now!" Older Manado yells.

Dark Raiden then is struck by red and purple energy, courtesy of Zaveer and Younger Manado. Older Manado then stands and tackles Dark Raiden out of the sky, causing both of them to fall to the ground, rolling across the ground as they do so.

As Zaveer and Younger Manado rush to aid Older Manado, Nightwolf charges in and throws his tomahawks at Cetrion. Cetrion summons a wall of fiery rocks and the tomahawks bounce harmlessly off them. In response, Nightwolf slams a fist into his chest to pump himself up and charges, shoulder barging the rock wall and breaking through, dispersing it.

Cetrion shoots out a blast of flame from her hand, but Nightwolf rolls aside and dodges it. Before he can recover, Cetrion flies in and wraps her tendrils around his neck and waist, lifting him into the air with her.

"Abide Kronika's will!" Cetrion commands.

As Nightwolf tries to pull the tendrils surrounding his neck free, he begins to speak in Lakotan.

"Tunka Sila, oun sen ce yelo, oh ma ke ya yo! [Great Spirit, have mercy, help me, please!]" Nightwolf says.

As he says these words, both he and Cetrion are surrounded by a blue light shining from above them. As Sindel rises, she sees the light starting to disintegrate the both of them. She then uses her hair to grab Cetrion and throw her to the floor by her neck. This has the added side effect of breaking the spell, and Nightwolf sinks to his knees.

"Can you fight?" Sindel asks.

He struggles to his feet, the effects of the spell seemingly causing no physical damage but leaving him weakened inside.

"I'll do what I can." Nightwolf says.

Before them, Cetrion rises to her feet.

"Kronika offered the future, but instead you will have none. Blame only yourselves for this fate." Cetrion says.

They then fight. Even with Nightwolf providing backup, Cetrion ends up being the toughest fight of Sindel's life. The Elder God is almost unbeatable thanks to her powers over nature and its elements. Sindel brings her fighting strength and all of her magic power to bear, and it manages to be just enough to floor Cetrion for a moment.

"It is your fate that should concern you, Cetrion." Sindel says.

As Cetrion tries to rise, Sindel unleashes a banshee scream that knocks her back down and sends her flying back several feet. Just then, a blast of wind propells Fujin, Shang Tsung and Jax through the hole created earlier, with all of them somersaulting mid-air and landing on their feet.

As Cetrion gets to her feet, Fujin uses the wind to summon multiple jagged rocks from the nearby ground. He brings them to him and launches them at Cetrion, impaling her across the chest and waist. As she screams out in pain, Fujin lifts her into the air with a tornado and Older Manado stands ready.

"Know this Cetrion, that you brought this on yourself." Manado says.

He then levitates into the air as his hands suddenly start to glow with red energy. After a brief moment, Older Manado blasts a large ray of red energy towards the incapacitated goddess. Cetrion's expression turns from shock to fear as she is then engulfed in the red energy. A few seconds go by until the red energy dissipates and Cetrion is nowhere to be seen. Older Manado then falls to the floor onto his knees as he transforms back to normal, his energy clearly depleted. Fujin then runs up to him, and covers his body with blue energy which heals him after a moment. When the energy dissipates, he helps Older Manado up.

"Thank you, Fujin." Older Manado says.

Older Manado, Fujin and Jax then look over to Nightwolf, who is on his knees, still weakened from his earlier attempted sacrifice. Fujin spots this and walks up to him, placing a hand on his chest. Nightwolf's body is soon covered by a blue spell, but this one heals him instead of harming him. After a moment, he takes Fujin's hand and is helped back to his feet. Fujin then looks over to Shang Tsung.

"Well, Shang Tsung, your strategy proved sound after all." Fujin says.

"Of course it did." Shang Tsung says.

He smirks again, but this time he seems particularly pleased with himself. Just then, several Special Forces soldiers run into the courtyard, led by Younger Zaveer, Jacqui and the younger Jax. He immediately points his rifle in their direction while Jacqui readies her wrist-guns.

"Hands over your head, Shang Tsung!" Younger Jax orders.

He does so, and Jacqui looks at Sindel.

"You too, Sindel! That hair so much as twitches–" Jacqui warns.

The older Jax then pushes his way into their sight.

"Ease up, baby girl." Jax says.

Understandably, both Jacqui and Jax are confused to see him, but they lower their weapons regardless.

"Dad? How did you get here?" Jacqui asks.

"We're all on the same side against Kronika." Jax assures.

"Yes, and now we must bring this to Raiden." Fujin says as he holds up Kronika's crown for them to see.

"Is that a crown?" Younger Zaveer asks.

"Kronika's crown. Without it, she lacks the power to restart history." Fujin explains.

"About time we got some good news." Younger Jax says.

"(To Fujin) Now that we have this, we're in uncharted territory. We've changed this timeline for good." Nightwolf points out.

"Correct. No one can predict what happens next. Not even me." Shang Tsung says.

"I must return to Outworld, to aid Kitana." Sindel says.

"Thank you for aiding us. We will rendezvous at the Sea of Blood in six hours." Fujin says.

"Until our next battle." Sindel says.

Shang Tsung summons a portal. Sindel walks toward it, only pausing to acknowledge him.

"Sorcerer." Sindel says.

She then shoots a knowing smile at him. Shang Tsung nods back in response, and she walks into the portal. Behind them, Nightwolf speaks with Fujin.

"I'll go with the Briggs family to brief the Special Forces." Nightwolf says.

Fujin nods, shaking his hand.

"May the Great Spirit protect you." Fujin says.

"May she protect you, Fujin, when Raiden lays eyes on you with Shang Tsung." Nightwolf says.

His tone and expression show that he still distrusts the sorcerer. Fujin accepts his skepticism without comment and they all walk off. Older Manado then approaches Zaveer and his younger self.

"You two join up with Fujin. They're gonna need your assistance." Manado says.

"What about you? Where will you be?" Younger Manado asks.

"I have one last mission to do before our final battle. Of all missions I have done, this one is probably the most important one I've ever done." Manado explains.

"Stay safe, Dad." Zaveer says.

Zaveer hugs him for a brief moment before he and Younger Manado move to catch up with Fujin and Shang Tsung. Manado then summons a portal and heads to his first destination. The Cyber Lin Kuei Factory.

At Kronika's Keep, Cetrion is on her knees, somehow still alive but is suffering from the wounds inflicted on her. Kronika floats before her, looking angry.

"Without the crown, there can be no New Era." Kronika points out.

"This failure rests on my shoulders." Cetrion says.

"No. I underestimated Shang Tsung's ingenuity. To escape the void, to return from the future..." Kronika says.

"I will face him again, Mother. This time I will succeed." Cetrion assures.

"I must go. With Shang Tsung in possession of the crown, he's become far too dangerous." Kronika points out.

She then gives Cetrion a sly look as she says her next words.

"And I doubt his new allies realize quite how dangerous he is." Kronika says.

Meanwhile in the Shirai Ryu Fire Gardens, Liu Kang, Manado and Sub Zero walk together in conversation.

"Your Shaolin masters, they're ready?" Sub Zero asks.

"They will fight until the last man." Younger Liu Kang says.

"And Outworld, Manado?" Sub Zero asks.

"All will fight until their last breath." Manado says.

"That is likely what it will take." Sub Zero says.

"There will not be a fight if Kharon does not help us. Is there any word from Grandmaster Hasashi?" Younger Liu Kang asks.

"No. If we do not hear soon, I will return to the Netherrealm." Sub Zero says.

Before them, Scorpion emerges in a flash of hellfire. Instantly, Liu Kang, Sub Zero and Manado shift to fighting stances, but Scorpion does not follow suit, instead looking around at the scenery.

"Oh no." Manado realizes.

"Wrong Scorpion. This cannot be good." Younger Liu Kang says.

"Get Raiden!" Sub Zero orders.

As Liu Kang and Manado run off, Sub Zero faces Scorpion down.

"The Fire Gardens, rebuilt? The Shirai Ryu are indeed restored." Scorpion says.

"Why are you here, Scorpion? Where is Grandmaster Hasashi?" Sub Zero asks.

"...He is dead." Scorpion replies.

"And now you have come to finish us." Sub Zero says.

"I understand your mistrust, but I am here to assist you!" Scorpion assures.

"I find that impossible to believe!" Sub Zero says.

Behind Scorpion, a portal opens, causing both of them to stare at it in confusion. That confusion turns to anger as they spot Shang Tsung emerging from it.

"What is he doing here?" Sub Zero asks.

"We are not together." Scorpion says.

"If you are here to help, prove it. Join me against the sorcerer." Sub Zero says.

"I shall." Scorpion replies.

Shang Tsung stands with his hands behind his back, patiently waiting as Fujin, Zaveer, and Younger Manado walk through the portal behind him. Fujin takes in the sight of Sub Zero and Scorpion before him, cautiously approaching them.

"Fujin?! Raiden thought you lost when the timeline was broken, but you and the Chujins stand with Shang Tsung?!" Sub Zero asks.

"We have urgent news for Raiden. Please, let us pass." Fujin asks.

"This is an important matter. We must speak with him." Younger Manado says.

"This may be the sorcerer's trick." Sub Zero says.

"The Fire Gardens will not be defiled by his presence." Scorpion says.

Both of them then get into fighting stances, with Sub Zero readying his ice powers. Fujin, Zaveer, Younger Manado and Shang Tsung reply with fighting stances of their own. Scorpion shoots out his spear attack, causing Fujin and Shang Tsung to duck to the side while Zaveer and Younger Manado roll to the other side. Sub Zero then shoots out a beam of ice that Fujin dodges by levitating into the air. He somersaults through the air and lands on his feet, then looks behind him to see Shang Tsung has been frozen solid by the ice beam.

Fujin and Sub Zero stalk each other, while Scorpion remains just behind Sub Zero, also focused on Fujin.

"Why you have joined Shang Tsung is beyond me, Fujin. What has he done to corrupt your mind?" Sub Zero asks.

They then fight. Taking on both Sub-Zero and Scorpion at once proves to be one of the toughest challenges Fujin has faced yet. Even as the Wind God, the Lin Kuei cryomancer and the Shirai Ryu hellspawn have powers beyond that of mere mortals. But Fujin does not give up, using his speed and agility to its maximum effect. After a hard fought battle, he eventually defeats the both of them.

"Perhaps listen before you judge." Fujin says.

He then takes out his crossbow and shoots at Shang Tsung. The magically generated wind arrow shatters on contact with the ice freezing him, and after a moment the ice breaks into pieces, freeing the sorcerer.

"Thank you, Fujin." Shang Tsung says.

For a change, Shang Tsung looks genuinely thankful. Being frozen solid has evidently rattled him.

"The storm is not yet passed." Fujin points out.

He then turns to see Zaveer and Younger Manado walking towards them.

"You two alright?" Fujin asks.

"We're fine." Younger Manado assures.

"Never better." Zaveer says.

"Better prepare yourselves. This isn't over yet." Fujin says.

He then looks ahead. Raiden approaches them, flanked by Liu Kang and Manado. As is standard by this point, neither of them look too pleased to see the sorcerer.

"Shang Tsung!" Raiden calls out.

Liu Kang and Manado ready themselves, but Fujin holds out a hand in caution.

"We must speak with you, brother." Fujin says.

""We", Fujin? Since when are you friends with this filth?" Raiden asks.

"I am here to save you, Raiden." Shang Tsung says.

Raiden does not look convinced.

"We hail from your tragic future. In it, Liu Kang and Manado defeated Kronika–" Fujin says as Liu Kang and Manado exchange a glance with Raiden at these words. "--but their battle destroyed her crown. Without this–" Fujin says as he holds up the crown. "--the broken timeline couldn't be repaired." Fujin finishes.

Raiden says nothing, but looks at the crown in confusion.

"Our only hope was to return here, steal the crown, and make use of its power." Shang Tsung says.

"Now, we can change the outcome of the fight against Kronika. We can defeat her and fix time." Fujin says.

"I had never thought you gullible, brother. Shang Tsung's schemes serve only to benefit him! How could you fall for such lies?!" Raiden asks.

He then pulls out Shinnok's amulet. Shang Tsung looks appropriately worried at this.

"Be rational, Raiden!" Shang Tsung says.

"Spread your falsehoods elsewhere, sorcerer! You will not deceive us!" Raiden snaps.

Liu Kang runs to Raiden's side.

"Lord Raiden! We should listen. He may be telling the truth." Liu Kang says.

"There is only one way to find out." Raiden says.

He then blasts Shang Tsung with a burst of magic from the amulet, leaving him writhing on the ground in pain. Fujin and Zaveer runs to his side to try and help him.

"Now, Shang Tsung. The truth!" Raiden demands.

Liu Kang steps in front of Raiden.

"Raiden, stop this!" Liu Kang yells.

Raiden then shoves him to one side.

"Step aside, Liu Kang." Says.

"Put down the amulet! Its darkness is taking hold of you!"

Raiden suddenly blasts Liu Kang with the amulet. It has less of an effect then it has on Shang Tsung, but it still knocks him off his feet.

"You also betray me!" Raiden yells.

Manado then grabs Raiden's shoulder to stop him.

"Raiden, that's enough!" Manado yells.

In response, Raiden blasts Manado with a burst of energy from the amulet, sending him flying backwards into Younger Manado's arms.

Liu Kang then rises back to his feet.

"This is not the way. Shang Tsung is not the enemy this time!" Liu Kang says.

Raiden then charges up the amulet for a more damaging blast, but at the last moment Fujin shoots a burst of wind, deflecting Raiden's aim. Raiden looks at Fujin in anger.

"The realms hang in the balance and you form this unholy alliance?!" Raiden asks.

As Shang Tsung, Zaveer, and Younger Manado return to Fujin's side, Raiden looks to the heavens and growls. The amulet activates and his signature blue lightning shifts to red, as does his eyes.

"Enough of this madness. If you all must die, so be it!" Raiden yells.

Fujin holds Shang Tsung and the others back.

"My brother is my problem. I will signal if I need help." Fujin says.

Shang Tsung and the others oblige, and Fujin turns to Raiden.

"Shinnok's amulet inflames your anger and clouds your judgement. Have faith in me." Fujin says.

They then fight. Fujin finds himself in the battle of his life. Raiden is at full strength in Earthrealm and he not only has the power of thunder and lightning and thousands of years of fighting experience, but the powers granted by Shinnok's amulet as well. It takes all of Fujin's speed, agility, martial arts skill and heavenly powers of his own to even keep in the fight, but he refuses to concede and, with some help from Shang Tsung, Zaveer and Younger Manado acting in support, Fujin manages to knock the Thunder God to his knees for a moment.

"Now listen, brother. We're running out of time." Fujin says.

Liu Kang, Manado, Zaveer, Younger Manado and Shang Tsung rejoin Fujin, but he holds them back. The fight has seemingly knocked some sense back into Raiden. He picks up Shinnok's amulet from the ground when he dropped it back in the melee.

"I am a fool. I have allowed myself to become a slave to anger. I will not allow my temper to fracture our resolve further." Raiden assures.

Fujin then looks to Liu Kang and smiles. Liu Kang looks to Shang Tsung, who looks at Raiden with a calculated smile.

Some time later. Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Scorpion, Sub Zero, Fujin, Zaveer, Younger Manado, Manado and Shang Tsung stand in a semi-circle in front of the main temple, where Younger Raiden stands on its entranceway.

"Surely you jest, Lord Fujin." Liu Kang says.

"Not at all, Liu Kang. Raiden's power makes you a Fire God." Fujin says.

"Of course it does." Kung Lao says.

He sounds rather jealous. Fujin takes his disapproval in stride.

"Unfortunately, I cannot transfer my power to Liu Kang yet. First I must free his revenant from Quan Chi's curse." Younger Raiden explains.

"We will face the revenants soon enough." Fujin says.

"What else can you tell us about the final battle? We must use every advantage." Younger Raiden asks.

As he says this, a sandstorm kicks into the area, gradually freezing everyone in the vicinity of it, except Raiden, Zaveer, Fujin, the Manados and Shang Tsung, who remain unaffected. As they look around at time coming to a standstill, the tornado gathers in one location in the middle of the air... and forms into Kronika.

"Lord Fujin, Shang Tsung, Chujins." Kronika addresses.

She then floats down toward the earth but stops short, continuing to levitate above the ground.

"I trust you are enjoying your travels?" Kronika asks.

"You have already been defeated once, Kronika." Fujin points out.

"Of course, Fujin. How else could you have escaped the void?" Kronika asks.

"If you know this, accept the inevitable. Surrender." Raiden says.

"But clearly my loss was not your victory, Raiden. If your future "saviour" had gained full control of my Hourglass, we would not be here. This timeline would no longer exist." Kronika points out.

"I see no harm in confirming your suspicion." Shang Tsung says.

"Even if you defeat me, what then? Who claims the Hourglass? Surely you realise Shang Tsung will break your alliance." Kronika asks.

"We are prepared, Kronika." Fujin assures.

"Are you?" Kronika asks.

She then smiles at his words.

"Have you wondered why Shang Tsung knows so much about my crown?" Kronika asks.

"Because he did your bidding, gathering souls to fuel it." Raiden says.

"And then you banished him to the void when his task was complete." Younger Manado says.

"Shang Tsung is far too modest. The crowd is his design. No one, save me, knows more about its power." Kronika explains.

Fujin turns to Shang Tsung at these words, clearly angry. Shang Tsung looks back at him, impassive.

"Had I told you, we would still be marooned at the beginning of time bickering among ourselves." Shang Tsung explains.

"You must decide, Raiden: Who do you want to keep time for all of creation? Me, or Shang Tsung?" Kronika asks.

"Neither, Kronika. You will be beaten. And if Shang Tsung betrays us, we will finish him." Raiden says.

Shang Tsung only reacts to Raiden's declaration by slightly raising his eyebrows in amusement.

"You are a fool, Raiden. Do not condemn the realms to oblivion!" Kronika warns.

In response, Raiden charges up a lightning strike and blasts Kronika square in the chest with it. This angers her and she retaliates by blasting him with her time magic. Raiden is immediately covered in sand, slowing to a halt. Fujin, Shang Tsung, Zaveer and the Manados react by readying their own magic blasts, firing off wind and soul energy at Kronika, who holds her hands up to ward off their assault.

She finally pushes back and gains an opening, sending out a blast of sand that floors them all and starts up a tornado. The crown falls out of Fujin's grasp and clatters on the ground.

"Fujin, the crown!" Shang Tsung calls out.

He then tries to crawl to it, but the tornado of sand slows him down too much. Fujin is less affected, but all he can do is crawl slowly towards it.

"It is a mistake, challenging a Titan! Now I end your existence!" Kronika says.

As Kronika readies herself for a bigger blast of magic, Fujin finally gets a grip on the crown. He picks it up, and standing back to his feet, places the crown on his head. He groans in pain, but also begins levitating into the air. As Kronika shoots out a blast of sand, Fujin holds up his hands and deflects it back at her, pushing her back and dispelling the tornado. Kronika remains in the air, but stunned, as Fujin brings himself into focus.

"You are vulnerable, Kronika." Fujin says.

Below him, Shang Tsung readies a portal of fire beneath Kronika. Two monsters from his flesh pits jump out and grab at her dress, pulling her down. As Kronika flails in the air, trying to keep balance, Fujin summons a tornado of wind around her, keeping her trapped. The wind affects the portal as well, summoning more flesh creatures but also dragging the flames of the portal up and around her. Zaveer and the Manados then blast their red and purple energies into the tornado, igniting the flames with even more power and enveloping Kronika, weakening her.

Some of the creatures begin to fly around the tornado, screaming at her. The distractions keep Kronika from focusing a counterattack, and two more creatures grab her arms and shoulders. While this is happening, Raiden finally frees himself and dispels the sand trapping him. He runs forward and shoots lightning directly into the tornado, all of which travels straight into Kronika, electrocuting her.

After a few more seconds, there is a massive explosion of sand right in the middle of the tornado, dispelling it. When the sand clears, there is no sign of the portal, the flesh creatures, or Kronika. Fujin falls back to the ground, clearly weakened by using the crown for too long. The crown falls from his head in what feels like slow motion.

As time resumes, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Scorpion and Sub Zero are all freed from the sand trapping them. Raiden places a hand on Fujin's back.

"Brother! Are you alright?" Raiden asks.

Fujin breathes in heavily for a few moments.

"...Yes. But, the crown..." Fujin says.

The three of them look around. Shang Tsung has picked up the crown and holds it in his hands, staring down in admiration.

"Truly, my finest work." Shang Tsung says.

Raiden walks up to him, clearly expecting the worst to happen. Shang Tsung looks him dead in the eyes... and offers him the crown.

"I will instruct you in its ways." Shang Tsung assures.

Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Scorpion and Sub Zero all run up to the two of them.

"What just happened?" Younger Liu Kang asks.

"Kronika came here to retrieve the crown. We forced her to retreat." Shang Tsung explains.

"We must strike while she is weakened. Let us join the armies massing at the Sea of Blood. Together, we will storm Kronika's Isle and take command of the Hourglass." Raiden suggests.

In an area in the middle of nowhere, we can see the figure (who we now know as the older manado but we'll still call him the figure for simplicity reasons) in deep meditation. A bright orb of light then shines in the sky above him, causing him to break his concentration. As he looks on, he notices Cetrion emerging from the light. As the light dissipates, the figure notices straight away that Cetrion has received many injuries, considering her bloodied state. Cetrion all of a sudden drops to the ground and lands on her hand and knees, making it clear that her injuries are still inflicting great pain. Noticing this, the figure rushes to her aid.

"By the gods. What happened to you?" The figure asks.

"I went to retrieve the crown from Shang Tsung's island. I was unsuccessful." Cetrion explains.

"Here. Let me help you." The figure says.

The figure then takes her hand and her body then starts to glow in a red hue. After a moment, the red hue vanished and it is shown that Cetrion's injuries have disappeared. The figure then aids her back to his feet.

"Thank you." Cetrion says.

"If I may ask Lady Cetrion, who did this to you?" The figure asks.

"The one responsible... is you from the future." Cetrion explains.

The figure is taken aback by what he has just heard.

"It can't be. If he is of the future then he should've been successful in defeating Kronika." The figure points out.

"He has stated that he had in fact defeated Kronika but in battle, the crown was destroyed, rendering him unable to use the hourglass." Cetrion explains.

"Forcing him to travel back to claim it before Kronika can." The figure realizes.

"There's also something else you should know. Manado has also partnered up with Shang Tsung." Cetrion says.

Hearing the name of the sorcerer causing the figure to clench his fists in anger.

"And I fear that he is making a big mistake in trusting him." Cetrion says.

"So what would you want me to do, Lady Cetrion?" The figures asks.

"I want to find him and warn him of the danger he has placed himself in by partnering up with Shang Tsung." Cetrion says.

"It will be done." The figure says before bowing before her.

Cetrion approaches him and places a hand on the top of his head.

"May you be protected throughout your journey." Cetrion says.

She then removes her hand from his head and floats in the air before disappearing in a bright ball of light. The figure stands up before disappearing into thin air.