The Cyber Lin Kuei factory can be seen, dozens of Cyber Lin Kuei standing in front of the entrances, guarding the building. Inside, Frost is standing in the main assembly room, observing the construction of more Cyber Lin Kuei, but it's clear that Frost is not in a good mood.

"Stupid Black Dragon. Blowing up Sektor and leaving us with no choice but to reactivate this place." Frost says.

She then turns to one particular Cyber Lin Kuei soldier.

"LK 4D4, when do we expect for completion of the Cyber Lin Kuei army?" Frost asks.

It is then revealed that she is speaking to Cyrax, who is monitoring various Cyber Lin Kuei being assembled.

"We should reach full army capacity within the hour." Cyrax informs.

"Excellent. At this rate, the Cyber Lin Kuei's place in the new era is assured." Frost says.

The factory's generator room is then shown as a bright light, red in color, flashes within the room. A set of footsteps is then heard walking through the room. Although the person responsible for them can't be seen, it's shadow indicates a person of tall stature. Black mist can also be seen flowing through the room. The person then approaches a set of wires, it's black misty hands growing claws as they rise into the air. The hands then strike in a downward fashion and shreds the wires, causing a reaction and the power begins to fail, the lights flickering on and off.

The same happens in the assembly and Frost takes notice.

"Something's wrong with the power grid, one of you investigate what is causing the problem." Frost says.

A small group of Cyber Lin Kuei then leave the room to check on the grid. As Frost looks around the room, a blur of red rushes through the room. Frost notices the blur, but it was too fast to see what exactly it was.

"Something's here. Lin Kuei! Fighting Formation!" Frost orders.

Cyrax and four other Cyber Lin Kuei soldiers stand around Frost, all of them in fighting stances, ready to strike if anything gets close. All of them quickly look around the assembly room, hoping to find the red blur again. One Cyber Lin Kuei turns and as the light flickers on, a black misty figure floats behind the soldier. The light quickly flashes off and on, and the figure, along with the soldier, disappear. Frost turns to find the soldier missing, only for the figure to appear behind her, holding another soldier by the head, the light flashes again, and the two disappear. Frost now has become even more weary.

"Coward! Face me!" Frost yells.

No response is made. At this point, the two remaining soldiers, Frost, and Cyrax are standing back to back. A wire suddenly emerges from the ceiling and wraps around one of the soldier's neck. The soldier is quickly pulled up away from the remaining three, who quickly notice. They then notice the lifeless body of the soldier that was pulled up to the ceiling swinging towards them, tied to the wire and is now missing its head. Frost and Cyrax manage to avoid being hit, but the last soldier isn't so lucky and is struck, being sent flying backwards and hitting the wall behind it, short circuiting as a result. At this point, Frost is starting to be irritated.

"Show Yourself! Where are you?" Frost asks.

"Here." A deep voice says from behind her.

Frost quickly turns around but finds herself being grabbed by the neck and hoisted into the air. She looks to see that the culprit is a being made of black mist with a pair of glowing red eyes giving her a stare that would make any man shiver in terror. Frost however isn't so shaken up and send a blast of ice magic from the power core on her chest and freezes the being in place. She then rips herself from the being's grasp just as the power is restored. Cyrax aids her in getting her back to her feet as she looks on at the frozen figure, it's eyes still seen, and almost like they were glaring at her in anger. Even as a cyborg, the glare still sent shivers down Frost's mechanical spine. She then notices blast mist emerging from the figure's feet. At this point, Frost realizes what the figure was doing as she noticed the red eyes dissipating as the mist continued to grow. Eventually, the mist took a humanoid shape and the red eyes emerged again, and the figure stood before Frost, as if he had never been frozen to begin with.

"What are you, creature?" Frost asks.

"I go by many names. But you can call me... Nightmare." Nightmare says.

At this point, the group of Cyber Lin Kuei soldiers from earlier enter the room and stand in front of Frost and Cyrax, all in fighting stances.

"All of this... just for me? You shouldn't have." Nightmare says, chuckling afterwards.

"How dare you interfere with Lin Kuei business?" Frost asks.

"You... are not the Lin Kuei. You are merely a cheap imitation of the Lin Kuei. But... that doesn't mean it can't have its uses." Nightmare says.

"What are you talking about?" Frost asks.

"I will take away your grip from the Cyber Lin Kuei and it will serve under my command." Nightmare says.

"You will not take what is mine." Frost says.

Frost then points at him and the Cyber Lin Kuei soldiers charge towards him.

"Bad choice." Nightmare says.

The soldiers then attempt to strike Nightmare down but once they made contact, they went through his body due to his misty form. The soldiers then try again but this time, Nightmare merely swipes them away like they were flies. With them down, Cyrax then approaches him.

"You will not defile the Lin Kuei. It's honor will not be stained." Cyrax says.

"No Cyrax. It's honor has been stained by its cyberization. When I'm finished, it will be clean once more." Nightmare says.

They then fight. As skilled of a fighter that Cyrax is, he stands no chance against the power of Nightmare. The battle ended in quick fashion with Cyrax down on the ground.

"You will be a slave no more." Nightmare says.

Cyrax rises again and charges but Nightmare quickly holds him in a headlock. Cyrax struggles but quickly finds himself unable to release Nightmare's grip on him. Nightmare then grabs a hold of a panel on the back of Cyrax's neck and rips out a small device. As soon as this happens, Cyrax depowers and goes limp. Nightmares releases his grip and Cyrax fall lifeless to the floor. Nightmares then drops the device as he approaches Frost.

"You are next Frost. Unless you stand down now and surrender peacefully." Nightmare warns.

"Never. I am the Lin Kuei's new grandmaster. And no one, not even the likes of you, will stand in my way." Frost says.

They then fight. Frost proved to be more of a challenge than Cyrax did, but it mattered little against the sheer power that Nightmare possessed. Although the battle took longer, the result was the same, with Nightmare as the victor.

"Your soul has been corrupted, Frost." Nightmare says.

Nightmare then kneels down at the unconscious form of Frost and summon his red magic in his hand. He then makes contact with Frost's head and it then envelops in the same red energy. A moment passes before Nightmare ceases his magic and it dissipates. Nightmare then stands back up and waits for anything to happen with Frost, but then he notices Cyrax regaining consciousness. Nightmare then approaches him and offers a hand. Cyrax nonchalantly accepts and is helped back to his feet. Cyrax then looks at his hands and is in clear distraught.

"No! I've been enslaved again!" Cyrax says.

"Not anymore Cyrax. Your free now." Nightmare says.

Cyrax then looks at Nightmare.

"I would say thank you for freeing me, but I don't understand why you would do this. I don't even know who you are." Cyrax points out.

Nightmare doesn't respond and merely takes a step back. His body then begins to warp and his red eyes disappear. Cyrax looks on in confusion as the mist then takes a more solid form and Nightmare is now Older Manado.

"I think it's time I properly introduce myself. My name is Manado Chujin." Older Manado introduces.

"Your one of the guys who were with Raiden at the tournament." Cyrax realizes.

Older Manado nods his head in confirmation.

"Of all the people who could have save me, I didn't think it'd be you." Cyrax says.

"Life can be a strange thing to comprehend." Older Manado says.

"I'm grateful that you saved me. I really am. But there's one thing I don't understand. Why did you save me." Cyrax asks.

"I came here to recruit the Lin Kuei for a mission." Older Manado says.

"What mission would have you want to come here to recruit a group that has been turned into your enemy? Especially considering the clear vast power you possess." Cyrax asks.

"This mission requires of me that I have others by my side to aid me. It will also likely be quite the battle, so I came here, to recruit the Lin Kuei. Would you like to be a part of it?" Older Manado asks.

Cyrax looks at him in surprise.

"I beg your pardon?" Cyrax asks.

"I know you have just been freed from a brainwashing, but now you can make a choice of your own free will. Cyrax, would you like to join me and be by my side in battle?" Older Manado asks.

Cyrax for awhile remains silent, deep in thought as he makes a decision. Once he does, he looks Older Manado dead in the eye.

"Manado. You saved me and so it would put me in your debt. It would be my honor to fight by your side." Cyrax says.

Manado smiles at the response and the two shakes hands in agreement.

"Prepare the Lin Kuei for battle. I have one more place to go before the mission can truly begin." Older Manado says.

"Where will you be?" Cyrax asks.

Older Manado says nothing as even through the mask, it is clear that a huge smirk bestows upon his face.

Later, Older Manado can be seen walking towards the royal temple in Outworld. As he reaches the main entrance, two royal guards block his path.

"State you business." Guard 1 demands.

"I must speak with the empress. It's an urgent matter. Tell her the message is coming from a Manado Chujin." Older Manado says.

The two guards look at each other for a moment before looking back.

"Wait here." Guard 2 says.

Guard 2 then enters the temple as Guard 1 watches Older Manado who remains neutral. After awhile, Guard 2 returns.

"The empress awaits you in the throne room." Guard 2 says.

"Thank you." Older Manado says before walking into the temple.

Eventually, Older Manado finds the throne room and finds Mileena sitting on the throne, two royal guards standing on both sides of the throne. Mileena takes notice of Older Manado and stands from the throne before approaching him.

"Welcome back, Manado." Mileena says.

"It's good to be back, your majesty." Older Manado says.

The two then embrace each other in a hug before releasing a moment later.

"Did you come back just for me?" Mileena asks.

"I wish it was that simple, Mileena. But I need to speak with you and the others. It's an urgent matter." Older Manado says.

"Are you sure about this? They don't even know of you, Manado." Mileena points out.

"Yes, Mileena. It's time they knew the truth." Older Manado says.

Mileena sees the looks in his eyes and knows that he is being serious. She then leads him to a room across from the throne room and opens the door. Inside, Ashrah, Sareena, Li Mei, Tanya, Skarlet, Khameleon, and Nitara can be seen doing what can be best described as preparing for the final battle against Kronika. They then notice Mileena and Older Manado. They all approach them and bow before Mileena.

"Your majesty. What brings you here? Are we now leaving for the hourglass?" Ashrah asks.

"No. I'm here to speak of something important. Which brings us to him." Mileena explains, gesturing towards Older Manado.

"Your the one who was at the Temple of Argus." Sareena realizes.

"Yes I was, Sareena. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because it has to do with everyone here. I'm sorry I haven't come back sooner." Older Manado says as he grabs hold of his mask and hat.

"Come back sooner?" Nitara asks.

Older Manado then removes his mask and hat and reveals his disfigured face. Everyone, after a brief moment, get over the initial shock as Li Mei is the first to approach him.

"It makes me proud to see how much my pupil has grown." Older Manado says.

"Manado? Is that really you?" Li Mei asks in surprise.

Manado nods in head in response and Li Mei quickly embraces him in a hug which is gladly returns. Older Manado looks at everyone else in the room and one by one, they approach him and embrace him in a hug of their own, tears threatening to roll down from their eyes. After a long moment, they release their hug but remain close to his side.

"I don't understand. We all thought you died." Khameleon says.

"I'm sorry to say this, but I don't know what's going on." Skarlet says.

"I'll explain it, but fortunately, I am not dead, though that was the intention." Older Manado says.

The statement left them in a state of confusion.

"I think it's time you all understand the true story. Two years ago, I was on the mission to go and defeat Blaze at the Temple of Argus. When I reached the forest, I was attacked. The attacker proved to be too much and I was left burned and beaten on the forest floor. The perpetrator was none other than Kronika. She saw me as too much of a threat to her vision for the timeline and sought to rid of me permanently. After she believed the task was done, she left but I was still, albeit barely alive. And I probably would've died had I remained lying there, but I was saved by none other than Kronika's own daughter, Cetrion. She saw it unfit for me to die lying on the forest me and aided in my recovery. Being with her, I eventually learned that she knew of the flaws of Kronika's so called 'Golden Balance' and saw me as the only hope she has to stop her mother once and for all. So for the next two years, she kept me in hiding, preparing me for when the day came for me to confront her and end her tyranny for good. Now I return because it's time." Older Manado explains.

Everyone was left shocked by what Older Manado has explained. It now made so much more sense to them as to why Manado was missing for all this time. Then their shock turns to anger.

"When I get my hands on that Titan, I will make her suffer for everything she has done." Tanya says.

"You'll have to get in line. But now there is the matter of why I'm here." Older Manado says.

"Yes. I just realized now, I'd you have to returned to defeat Kronika, why are you here and not at the hourglass to battle her?" Ashrah asks.

"The reason why Ashrah, is because I am doing an important mission and I would hoping you all would join me." Older Manado says.

"What sort of mission are you referring to?" Khameleon asks.

"It's probably one of my important missions in my entire life. Im heading off to the Netherrealm... to revive the souls of all the revenants trapped there." Older Manado explains.

"The Netherrealm? But you risk facing off against the entire Netherrealm army." Ashrah points out.

"And that's a risk I'm willing to take. I've let my friends suffer through the Netherrealm's dark magics for long enough. And in succession, it will greatly reduce the threat being faced in the final battle." Older Manado explains.

"And you came here to ask for our aid?" Sareena asks

"If you wish to, yes. If not, then I completely understand. In the end though, nothing will stop me from getting my friends freed from that hellhole." Older Manado says.

"You always were the determined one, Manado." Mileena says.

"You know me more than almost anyone else. No mission remains incomplete when I'm assigned to them." Older Manado says.

"If you are willing to risk your life for the ones that have been lost with the hope that you can restore them, then I am willing to be by your side in the incoming fight." Ashrah says.

"We all will be by your side, not matter what." Sareena says, everyone else nodding their head afterwards, confirming her statement.

Older Manado smiles. He then turns towards Mileena.

"I know you also wish to join me, but as Kahn of Outworld, you must remain here to lead the armies into the battle at Kronika's isle. But I promise, once the mission is complete, we will meet you at the isle, to be by your side in the upcoming battle for the hourglass. Kronika's not getting rid of me this time." Older Manado says.

Mileena looks at Older Manado and licks the side of his face, much to everyone else's disgust.

"You don't come back, I will haunt you for eternity." Mileena warns.

Older Manado chuckles.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Older Manado says.

Mileena then turns to leave the room. As she does so, Older Manado looks towards everyone else in the room.

"Now let us be on our way. Time is running short to apprehend the Revenants." Older Manado says.

Older Manado then summons his red magic and a large red portal opens up on the other side of the room.

"Are you all ready?" Older Manado asks.

"We're ready." Ashrah, Sareena, Li Mei, Tanya, Skarlet, Khameleon, and Nitara say in unison.

One by one, they walk through the portal and once they all have done so, the portal closes behind them.

In the Netherrealm, an army of Oni and Orochi can be seen traveling through the deserted landscape. In the midst of them, a group of demon horses can be seen being ridden by the revenants, Kabal, Jade, Kung Lao, Skarlet, and Skryker. Leading the army from the front are the revenants, Kitana, and Manado. As they traverse through the landscape, on a cliff side close by, Older Manado can be seen observing them. At this point Ashrah, Sareena, Li Mei, Tanya, Skarlet, Khameleon, and Nitara approach him.

"They are heading for Kronika's keep. No sign of Liu Kang though." Older Manado says.

"Then we don't have much time. We must strike them quickly." Ashrah suggests.

"Not yet. We can't just face the army head on, too risky. So I prepared us a distraction to keep the army occupied, and give us the opportunity to apprehend the revenants." Older Manado explains.

"What form of distraction did you exactly set up?" Nitara asks.

Suddenly, about a dozen or so bombs are thrown into the army, exploding on impact and blasting away several Oni and Orochi. The blast send the demon horses in a state of panic, giving the revenants a difficult time to control them. The sound of metal is then heard and an army of Cyber Lin Kuei charges towards the army. The revenants take notice of this and send their remaining forces at attack the Cyber Lin Kuei. The two armies make contact and a battle ensues. One Cyber Lin Kuei kicks an oni back as Ann Orochi tackles another to the ground.

The revenants then look up to see Cyrax hovering in the air. Cyrax then turns to see a group of winged Orochi flying towards him. Cyrax sends a net towards the group and it makes contact with one of the Orochi, disintegrating the demon into the air shortly afterwards. The rest of the Orochi continue their pursuit and Cyrax readies his saws and charges towards them. One Orochi attempts to strike, but Cyrax slices the demon's abdomen, followed by its head. As the demon falls, another charges, but Cyrax elbows the demon in the throat and slices it's wings off, causing the demon to fall towards it's inevitable death.

Back to the army on the ground, the ground below the armies can be seeing beginning to be cover in a small layer of ice and continues to grow. The ice eventually bursts outward, freezing several Oni in place. It is then revealed that the culprit is Frost as she sends a flurry of icicles towards a group of oni, impaling them in the chest and head, killing them on the spot.

"The Cyber Lin Kuei? That's the distraction?" Li Mei asks.

"Indeed, Li Mei. They gave us an opening. Let's get moving." Older Manado says as they move down the cliffside.

The revenants look towards the fight with irritation and confusion.

"Now the Lin Kuei betray us?" Revenant Kitana asks.

"They couldn't have. They were specifically programmed to follow Kronika." Revenant Manado says.

"They who reprogrammed them?" Revenant Stryker asks.

"I did." Older Manado says.

The revenants then turn to see Older Manado approaching them, followed closely by Ashrah, Sareena, Li Mei, Tanya, Skarlet, Khameleon, and Nitara. The revenants glare at their presence with anger.

"You dare stand against us? You now face Lord Shinnok's wrath." Revenant Kitana says.

"No Kitana, you now face the wrath of Outworld's protector." Older Manado says.

Older Manado then summons his magic and black mist envelops his body. A moment passes before a pair of glowing red eyes appear and Older Manado turns into Nightmare as he then levitates into the air.

Growling in anger, Revenant Manado leads the other revenants and all of them charge towards them. Nightmare charges as well, followed by his own group. The two sides then engage in kombat. Nitara flies in from above and grabs hold of Revenant Skryker and lifts him into the air. Revenant Jade attempts to strike Ashrah with her staff, but Ashrah blocks the strike with her Kriss and pushes forward, forcing Jade to backpedal. Revenant Kabal uses his super speed and charges towards Li Mei who brings up her Kama sword and blocks a strike from Kabal's hookswords. Li Mei then swings her Kama down but Kabals dodges the strike and uses his speed to run around her in quick fashion. He then jumps into the air to send an overhead strike with his hookswords, but Li Mei sends a kick to his chin, sending him flying backwards.

Skarlet then confronts her revenant counterpart.

"Out of everything I imagined my future to be, I never thought I'd turn out like this." Skarlet says.

"Blame your defection from Shao Kahn, it led directly to our death.

"Then so be it. I will a slave no longer." Skarlet says as the two then charge towards one another.

Nightmare can be seen blocking Kung Lao's overhead strike before pushing him back with a punch to his chest.

"How brave of you to face the greatest fighter in history alone." Revenant Kung Lao says.

"And yet you were defeated in one, quick motion. This will end in a snap." Nightmare says.

They then fight. Kung Lao proves to be a formidable kombatant, despite his never ending boasting. But fighting against Nightmare, he quickly finds himself overwhelmed and in short notice, Kung Lao is lying unconscious on the ground.

"Your pride is your own weakness." Nightmare says.

Skarlet can be seen landing a kick to her revenant's abdomen, causing her to stumble. Skarlet can charges towards her but her revenant then sends a punch to her head, followed by a sweep kick, knocking her to the ground. Skarlet then brings her arms up and grabs hold of Revenant Skarlet's wrist, with a dagger in hand. Revenant Skarlet however doesn't stop and pushes down her dagger towards Skarlet's face, leaving the two of them in a struggle. Just as the dagger almost makes contact, Skarlet kicks her revenant in the chest, pushing her back. She then summons a wave of blood towards her, knocking her backwards.

Ashrah and Li Mei can be seen engaging in a sword fight with Revenant Manado. As the two push him back, Revenant Manado then pushes the swords up and sends a double kick to their faces, knocking them back. Revenant Manado then approaches the downed Li Mei, ready to finish her, but he is blasted back by red energy, courtesy of Nightmare. He then help Li Mei back to her feet.

"Aid the others, I will finish this." Nightmare says.

As Li Mei rushes off, Nightmare confronts Revenant Manado.

"Kronika made a mistake trusting you. Just as how she made a mistake thinking she could finish me. I will make no such mistake." Nightmare says.

They then fight. Nightmare quickly finds Revenant Manado to be one of his toughest fights yet. His skill in kombat, followed by his magic being empowered by the power of the Elder Gods makes Revenant Manado a force to be reckoned with. Nightmare however has not only his power due to claiming his soul in the previous timeline, followed by absorbing Blaze's power front the Temple of Argus. All of this gives Nightmare the edge he needs and after a brutal battle, Revenant Manado is knocked to the ground.

"You are finished." Nightmare says.

Revenant Manado can be seen bloodied and beaten from his fight with Nightmare as he attempts to crawl away. Nightmare then summons his green soul energy and sends it towards Revenant Manado. The magic engulfs him as he Writhes in agony. In short notices, Revenant Manado disintegrates as Nightmares absorbs his soul, increasing his own power. He then turns to find the Oni and Orochi fleeing from the battleground and the Revenants unconscious on the ground. He then approaches his group as he changes back to Older Manado.

"I would like to thank you everyone for accompanying me in this battle." Older Manado says.

"It has been our honor to fight by your side." Khameleon says.

Older Manado then turns to see Frost and Cyrax approaching him.

"Thank you for the assistance." Older Manado says.

"After freeing us from our enslavement, we are indebted to you, Manado." Frost says.

"We must head to Kronika's isle and group up with the army ready to strike the keep." Cyrax suggests.

"Indeed. Sub Zero would be most happy to see his clan rejoin him in battle. Farewell my friends, until we meet again." Older Manado says.

Frost and Cyrax then bow their heads to Older Manado before walking off, along with the rest of the Cyber Lin Kuei. Older Manado then turns towards his group.

"Let us be on our way to the soul chamber. It's time to free our friends." Older Manado says.

He then summons his magic and opens a red portal. Everyone helps carry the revenants through the portal. Older Manado picks up Kitana bridal style and walks through the portal himself, the portal closing behind him.

Quite some time has passed and Older Manado can be seen in the soul chamber holding a vial of Jinsei energy in one hand and his soul energy summoned in another. Revenant Kitana can be seen within the chamber as Older Manado in the process of restoring her soul.

Behind him stand Ashrah, Sareena, Li Mei, Tanya, Skarlet, Khameleon, Nitara. Standing beside them are Stryker, Kabal, Jade, Kung Lao, and Older Skarlet, all of them already been freed from their revenant enslavement, meaning Kitana is the last one to be restored. Seeing that he's within the final stages, Older Manado uses all of his strength into the process and flesh begins to reform on Kitana and as it completes, Kitana suddenly open her eyes and gasps, having been restored. Kitana then floats down from the soul chamber, but finds difficulty walking as she then falls but is catched by Older Manado. Kitana looks on confused, as she surveys her surroundings.

"What happened? Am I alive once more?" Kitana asks in confusion.

"Yes Princess. You are a revenant no more." Older Manado says.

Kitana looks at Older Manado, who now has removed his mask and hat, having his burnt face on full view. Kitana goes wide eyed.

"Manado?" Kitana asks.

"It is great to see you again, Kitana." Older Manado says.

Kitana then embraces him in a hug, which he returns without hesitation. Everyone else in the room smiles at the sight, although Kung Lao has more of a smirk than a smile.

"Lucky." Kung Lao quietly says.

A moment passes before Kitana and Older Manado release their hug.

"No words can describe how much I've missed you." Older Manado says.

Kitana smiles at these and the two bring their heads closer, readying to kiss, but a sound catches their attention.

"Someone approaches." Ashrah says.

"Everyone, scatter." Older Manado says.

Everyone in the room then move to various spots within the chamber, out of sight from the entrance. Kitana and Older Manado look to see that the ones responsible for the sounds is Sindel aiding an injured Shao Kahn to the soul chamber.

"Mother?" Kitana asks in surprise.

"This situation just got a lot worse." Older Manado realizes.