1 hour ago:

In an elaborate looking bedroom somewhere in Outworld, Sindel is seated on a comfortable looking armchair and is using some kind of talisman to generate what could be described as the magical equivalent of a hologram, and that hologram shows Shang Tsung is who she is speaking to.

"We will rendezvous at the Isle of Kronika. The fools believe victory is at hand. Their misplaced confidence will be their demise." Shang Tsung says.

"Such a pity my daughter embraces their sentimental values." Sindel says.

"Having second thoughts, Sindel?" Shang Tsung asks.

"Hardly. Kitana courts a peasant and obeys the Thunder God. She couldn't be a bigger disappointment." Sindel says.

"One can only imagine. The Isle... do not be late. An eternal empire awaits you." Shang Tsung says as he then waves a hand and the hologram disperses.

Sindel smiles wickedly to herself, but promptly changes her expression to a regal indifference when she hears a knock on her door.

"Enter." Sindel says.

Kitana opens the door and walks into the room. Sindel immediately gets off her armchair and bows to her.

"Kitana." Sindel greets.

"Oh, don't be so formal, mother." Katana says.

"You are the sister of the Kahn, Kitana. Command the awe of your subjects... even me." Sindel says.

Her expression then changes to a (seemingly) warm smile.

"Ah, I shall never tire of greeting you." Sindel says.

"Nor will I tire of calling on you." Katana says.

Kitana's smile is genuine, which seems to amuse Sindel.

"Our battalion is leaving for the Sea of Blood. Queen Sheeva and the Shokan will follow as rear guard." Kitana informs.

Sindel then walks up to a dressing table and drops her talisman in a drawer, away from Kitana's eyes. As she closes the drawer, Sindel calculates her next move.

"May I request something?" Sindel asks

"Mother, you don't have to–" Kitana says before Sindel looks over to her daughter, silently reminding Kitana of her earlier words.

Kitana takes the hint, replying in a more formal tone.

"Make your request." Katana says.

"Sheeva... Queen Sheeva risked everything to restore me. Honor demands that I accompany her into battle." Sindel says.

"Yes, it does. And that display of loyalty is sure to rally the Shokan's spirits." Kitana says.

Sindel then walks up to Kitana and performs another bow, this time going down onto one knee before her.

"Thank you, Kitana." Sindel says.

Kitana then reaches out her hand. Sindel takes it and gracefully gets back to her feet. Her daughter throws her arms around her in a loving embrace... but Sindel's face, now it is no longer visible by Kitana, shows nothing but cold contempt.

Later in the underground dungeons of the Outworld Koliseum. Two Shokan walk into the prison room of a large, severely beaten and bloodied, but still monstrous looking humanoid with draconic arms. It is then shown that this monster is in fact the former Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn.

He holds out a hand in front of him, as if trying to find his bearings. His eyes are dripping with blood and are blackened. Clearly, the injuries caused by Kitana's fans in their climatic battle have left him blind.

Sindel approaches the prison cell as the two Shokan begin beating up Shao Kahn. He struggles to stand, but they continue to rain down heavy punches on him.

"Hah! Doesn't know when to quit. Let's finish him." Shokan 1 says.

The Shokan then pulls out four knives from his belt, brandishing one in each of his arms. Before he can do anything else, a banshee scream echoes out from behind him, instantly flaying the skin off both him and his companion. As the guards fall over, killed instantly from the shock, Sindel walks into the cell. Shao Kahn looks up and reaches out a hand in front of him.

"Wife. It's you." Shah Kahn realizes.

"Hush, husband. I'm here." Sindel assures.

She then walks to him, kneels down and embraces him.

"The Soul Chamber will heal your wounds. Then we'll discipline Kitana and take back our throne from that clone." Sindel says.

"Empress?" A voice asks.

Sindel then looks around in shock. Sheeva approaches the prison cell from behind her.

"Tell me I misheard. Tell me you would not betray your daughters." Sheeva asks.

Sindel then stands up and turns to face Sheeva, walking out of the cell.

"Kitana takes after her father, Sheeva. Jerrod was a weak king, Kitana is a weaker daughter as Mileena is a weaker kahn." Sindel says.

"Weak?! They defeated Shao Kahn!" Sheeva points out.

They then begin to circle one another.

"Yet they lacked the resolve to kill him! Now they will learn; enemies must be crushed, lest they rise again." Sindel says.

"That was true once. But now there is a better way to lead." Sheeva says.

They then fight. Although Sheeva is both strong, fast and skilled enough in kombat to face Sindel, she ends up being conflicted in facing the woman she dedicated her life to. With no such qualms of her own to battle with, Sindel ruthlessly presses the advantage, managing to overwhelm the Shokan queen and beat her unconscious.

"Elder Gods tremble before me, Sheeva. What hope did you have?" Sindel asks.

Moments later, three Shokan males and two females run into the dungeons. They spot the broken body of their queen on the ground and start growling in anger, looking directly at Sindel. Sindel doesn't panic, instead pointing back at the prison cell.

"Kitana and Mileena murdered your Shokan brethren. Sheeva challenged them and suffered this punishment." Sindel says as she calmly walks around them, letting her words sink in.

"Swear your allegiance and I shall see her avenged!" Sindel falsely vows.

The Shokan consider her words. Amazingly, in spite of having no evidence to back up her audacious claim, one of the Shokan males bows to her in submission. The others follow suit soon after, leaving Sindel smiling victoriously.

Back in the present, in the Soul Chamber, Shao Kahn floats within it, letting its energies heal his body. Sindel stands watching, smiling to herself. Eventually, the former Emperor of Outworld steps out of the chamber, bending down to pick up his skull-faced helmet, which he dons once again.

Sindel walks up to Shao and throws her arms around him. He returns the gesture with surprising tenderness.

"Wife, I have missed you." Shao Kahn says.

He then caresses her hair while she brings her hand to his cheek (or rather, the side of his helmet).

"If Quan Chi were here, I'd hoist him by the ankles and split him through for all the time he stole from us." Shan Kahn says.

"Soon we will have the Hourglass. Eternity will be our empire." Sindel says.

Both of them share smiles of equal glee. Shao Kahn takes Sindel's hand on his own and places her head on his chest.

"We'll have all the time we need." Shao Kahn says.

As they embrace, Older Manado and Kitana, who remain in hiding look of shock and anger as their hands clench into fists. Older Manado then unsheathes his blade as he prepares to strike. Before he can, a tornado of sand rises in the Soul Chamber, and Geras steps out from it. He approaches the two embracers.

"Shao Kahn, Sindel. Come with me. Kronika has need of you." Geras says.

"Kronika?! Where was she when Mileena stole my throne? We'll make her choke on her empty promises." Shao Kahn says.

"Allow me the privilege, husband." Sindel asks.

"It will be mine to watch you punish him." Shao Kahn says.

Sindel then walks forward, facing Geras down.

"Your maker sends you to die, Geras." Sindel says.

"As she has done billions of times before. Each time, the perfection of her design grows closer." Geras says.

They then fight. Even Sindel, with all of her magical power, finds a challenging foe in Geras. Every time he is blasted or knocked down, the construct rises again. But in turn, Geras is unable to find an opening in Sindel's relentless barrage, and after a long battle, the Empress floors him.

"All that grows closer is her defeat, Geras." Sindel says.

She then unleashes a banshee scream that pushes Geras back, sending him rolling across the chamber. He lands hard at Shao Kahn's feet and she walks over to join him. Shao Kahn then kicks Geras in the face, sending him backwards. Geras then rises again.

"Observe, wife, as I disassemble this construct." Shao Kahn says.

"Nothing would please me more." Sindel says.

Shao Kahn then walks up to Geras, facing him down.

"Do not invoke Kronika's wrath, Shao Kahn." Geras warns.

"Fear that gold-plated relic? HA!" Shao Kahn laughs.

He then readies his warhammer.

"I'll pulp you and send you back to her in jars!" Shao Kahn says.

They then fight. Even the might of Shao Kahn proves to be evenly matched by Geras. No matter how many times he is hit and knocked down, he gets back up again. But Geras is unable to counter Shao Kahn's aggressive assault, and after a protracted fight, the Outworld despot manages to knock Geras down to the ground.

"Do you enjoy this?" Shao Kahn asks.

As Geras tries to rise, Shao Kahn picks him up, presses him over his head and throws him across the chamber. He crashes down hard, rolling to a stop at Sindel's feet. Her husband rejoins her side soon after.

Geras once again tries to rise to his feet, but Sindel walks up to him and unleashes another banshee scream, targeted directly at his head. Geras screams in pain and is blown across the room once more. Shao Kahn strides over to him, summons his warhammer and smashes Geras across the top of his skull, splitting part of it open and exposing his brain. Shao slams the hammer down on his head again, sending his helmet bouncing across the chamber.

As Sindel walks up to them, Shao Kahn smashes the hammer on Geras' head twice more, drawing large splatters of blood. We get a glimpse of Geras' face, and he looks a mess, his skull has been caved in and one of his eyes has been popped out of his head, and he holds up a hand as if to try and beg Shao Kahn to stop. But Shao Kahn hammers down on him again, scalping the top of his skull and fully exposing his brain. Shao swings his hammer over his head once last time and brings it down, and this swing utterly crushes the remnants of Geras' head, turning it into pulp, skull fragments, blood and brain matter.

Sindel then walks up to Shao Kahn and takes his arm.

"A thousand years, and you haven't lost a step." Shao Kahn says.

She looks up to him and smiles wickedly.

"Come, let us be on our way. The Shokan await us." Sindel says.

The two then exit the chamber and Older Manado, Kitana, Jade, Kung Lao, Older Skarlet, Kabal, Stryker, Ashrah, Sareena, Li Mei, Tanya, Skarlet, Khameleon, and Nitara move from their hiding places.

"So Sindel has been brainwashed again? This is not a good situation for us." Manado says.

"We must warn the armies of what's to come." Kitana suggests.

"If the Shokan has turned against us, does that mean..." Kung Lao says.

Older Manado then goes wide-eyed at the realization.

"Oh no." Older Manado says.

Later, the group find themselves rushing towards the underground dungeon and Older Manado finds Sheeva lying motionless on the ground. He then kneels down and his worst fears are realized.

"She's gone. Not doubt this is Sindel's doing." Older Manado says.

"Then our objective is clear. We must face Sindel and Shao Kahn head on." Kung Lao says.

"Agreed. Let us go. For Sheeva." Older Manado says.

Older Manado then summons his magic and opens a portal. The group then enter the portal, with the portal closing behind them.

Meanwhile at Kronika's Keep, Kronika floats in the air toward the Hourglass, accompanied by the revenant Liu Kang.

"Now Shao Kahn turns against us? Perhaps we should send the fleet." Revenant Liu Kang suggests.

Kronika then floats up toward the Hourglass.

"No." Kronika says as she begins to manipulate the sands within using her magic.

"Shao Kahn and Sindel have unwittingly given us back the advantage. Their army will battle Raiden's for possession of my crown, weakening them both." Kronika explains.

"Then we crush what remains of them with strength to spare." Revenant Liu Kang says.

"The crown, once again, will be mine. When it is, the New Era will begin." Kronika says.

"Which now proves to be a tougher challenge now that the others have been restored." Revenant Liu Kang says.

"Not all of them." Kronika says.

Kronika then summons two sand tornados within the keep and two figures emerge from the sands. As the sands dissipate, Revenant Liu Kang smirks evilly as it's revealed that the figures are the revenants, Sonya Blade and Hanzo Hasashi.

In the Netherrealm shores, Kharon's ships are readying to navigate the Sea of Blood. On one of those ships, Nightwolf, Zaveer, Jacqui and the younger Jax Briggs are sailing off alongside numerous soldiers from the Special Forces. Jax and Jacqui salute Cassie Cage, who is watching from the docks. As she returns the salute, some other Special Forces soldiers walk onto a ship still waiting in the docks. Another person walks up behind Cassie, easily recognisable by his open jacket and the tattoo across his chest that clearly spells out his name.

"Captain Cage, reporting for duty, sir! Uh, I mean ma'am." Younger Johnny greets as he salutes her (with an informal two fingers to his head).

Cassie looks a little surprised at the sight of the younger Johnny before her, but she smiles at him nonetheless.

"Woah there, Nineties Dad. You've already got one bullet wound too many." Cassie points out.

"I'm healed, Cassie. Raiden gave me one of his "Thunder Hands" massages." Younger Johnny says as he flexes his fingers, attempting to imitate what a massage might look like.

Cassie shakes her head in amusement.

"Speaking of, where is Mama Bear?" Younger Johnny asks.

Cassie then points along the dock.

"She's over there, waiting for Sheeva at the rendezvous. But we cast off in five. Where are they?" Cassie wonders.

"It is unlike them to be late like this." Younger Zaveer says.

Sonya can be seen standing along with a group of S-F soldiers on the beach side. A portal then opens up before them. All of them, along with Younger Zaveer, Cassie and Johnny, watch it with suspicion. That proves to be validated, as Shokan warriors suddenly pour out of the portal, charging toward the soldiers with battle cries.

"No... no!" Cassie says.

The soldiers immediately open fire with their assault rifles, cutting down a few Shokan, but one leaps into the air and smacks a female soldier down to the ground. He finishes her with a stomp that crushes her head.

Sonya then pulls out her service pistols and opens fire. The soldiers continue to concentrate their fire, downing more Shokan, but they keep charging, heedless of the bullets tearing into them. Several leap into the lines of soldiers, either outright crushing them with their jumps or finishing them by pounding them into the ground.

Sonya cuts down two Shokan females with unwavering accuracy and shoots at a male Shokan leaping at her, but he survives the barrage and lands at her feet, grabbing her wrists with two of his arms. She rolls backwards, using his momentum to leg-throw him over her head. As he rises, she shoots him once in the back and then point blank in the face, finally killing him. She immediately turns around and puts two bullets into the chest of another charging Shokan, finishing with a headshot that actually makes his head explode.

Yet another Shokan charges her. She shoots him in the chest multiple times, but the bullets do not faze him. He grapples her but she manages to hip-throw him to one side, plugging his chest with more bullets. A fourth Shokan gets in range and tries to punch her, but she pulls out her energy pianowire and entangles one of his wrists and neck with it. She kicks him in the crotch to double him over and pulls hard on the wire, trapping his arm and wrist. Sonya then vaults over the Shokan, launching into a kick on another Shokan who she shoots at point blank range with her energy gauntlets. On the third blast she blows a hole straight through his stomach.

"Try that on me!" Shao Kahn says.

Sonya turns to see Shao Kahn leaping at her with his warhammer raised. She dodges backward just in time but is suddenly kicked in the head by Sindel, knocking her out. The two of them walk over to her unconscious form.

"What a fine trophy for my arena!" Shao Kahn says.

Younger Zaveer. Cassie and Johnny run across the beach up to them.

"We doing this by gender, or is that sexist?" Younger Johnny asks.

Cassie rolls her eyes at this remark.

"Just zip it and try not to die." Cassie suggests.

"Enough prattle, fools! You will bow and serve the Empire." Shao Kahn says.

"Make us, you authoritarian asshole!" Cassie snaps.

Sindel then points a hand at Cassie.

"I want her." Sindel says.

Johnny immediately tries to get in the way, but Shao Kahn readies his hammer and swings repeatedly, forcing him to duck and backpedal to avoid getting smashed. As Zaveer rushes to aid Younger Johnny, Sindel and Cassie circle one another.

"A fearless gladiator like you would entertain well in our arena. Until your death, of course." Sindel says.

"Mom used to say, "Death smiles at everyone, but the Blade women? We smile back."" Cassie points out.

They then fight. Though Cassie has bested Sindel before, she battled the weaker revenant version of her. Revitalized by Jinsei and at the peak of her old strength, Sindel proves to be too much for Cassie to handle. It isn't long before Sindel overpowers her and knocks her unconscious.

"Not smiling anymore, are we?" Sindel asks.

Johnny dodges a swing from Shao Kahn and hits him with a left hook, a right uppercut and a left jab, staggering him. Before he can do anything else, Sindel grabs him by the neck with her hair and throws him over her head. He lands hard and writhes on the floor for a moment. Zaveer avoids a swing from Shao Kahn's hammer and backpedals as Cassie rises to her feet again and helps Younger Johnny return to his feet. The three then face Shao Kahn and Sindel again.

"Deal with the jester and the Chujin. I'll school this unruly child." Shao Kahn says.

Sindel smiles and beckons Johnny and Zaveer to her. They immediately rush her, and while they fight, Cassie and Shao Kahn circle each other.

"You school me? Y'know I toasted Shinnok, right?" Cassie asks.

"Ha! Shinnok schemed because he was worthless in battle. That you beat him only proves that truth." Shao Kahn replies.

They then fight. Unlike in her battle against Shinnok, Cassie is unable to bring her true superpower to bear. With this limitation, she cannot match the might of Shao Kahn, who is quick to overpower and defeat her.

"Now you understand true power." Shao Kahn says.

Following this, Shao Kahn immediately charges Johnny and Zaveer and shoulder barge them, sending them skidding backward.

Johnny rests on a nearby rock. He looks over, spots both Sonya and Cassie down and out and struggles back to his feet, clearly upset.

"The poor man is heartbroken." Sindel says.

"Why waste tears on weaklings?" Shao Kahn asks.

Hearing this, Johnny gets angry.

"Those women are braver and stronger than FIFTY of you put together! Okay, bozos! (He throws off his sunglasses and readies himself.) No jokes, no gimmicks, just kombat. You wanna get nuts? Ho ho, let's get nuts!" Johnny yells.

Shao Kahn then looks towards Sindel.

"How many of his bones shall I break for you, wife?" Shao Kahn asks.

"Surprise me." Sindel says.

Shao Kahn then walks up to Johnny, facing him down.

"Twice you fought in the tournament, and twice you failed. Why Raiden thought you a contender baffles me." Shao Kahn says.

They then fight. Unlike his older counterpart, the younger Johnny has no knowledge of the hidden power within him, and is unable to bring it to the bear when fighting Shao Kahn. As a result, he is quickly overwhelmed by the strength of the Kahn and beaten into submission.

"Was that your best?" Shao Kahn asks.

As Johnny remains down on his knees, Shao Kahn holds him up by his head, and then swings with his hammer, catching Johnny across the mouth and sending him flying. He rolls to a stop by Sindel's feet, writhing in pain. Sindel laughs and applauds the display of violence. As Sindel walks towards Shao Kahn, Younger Johnny rises to his feet yet again.

"May I finish this?" Sindel asks.

"By all means." Shao Kahn replies.

He then hoists his warhammer over his shoulder as Sindel approaches Johnny.

"Every fight I've fought, I've fought for myself. But this one? THIS one's for my family!" Younger Johnny says.

"You poor pathetic man." Sindel replies.

They then fight. In spite of his best efforts, fighting for his family does not enable the younger Johnny to unlock his hidden power. Without it, he is unable to match Sindel's magic prowess and fighting ability. She soon manages to overpower him and leave him beaten on the ground.

"You're in luck, Johnny Cage." Sindel says.

As he struggles to get to his feet, Sindel approaches him.

"In my care, you and Sonya will breed many fine slaves." Sindel says.

She then wraps her hair around his neck and drags him across the ground, finally stopping by Shao Kahn. As she lets him loose, he falls over unconscious. Sindel then places a hand on Shao Kahn's chest.

"Shall we?" Sindel asks.

"I don't think so." Younger Zaveer says.

Sindel and Shao Kahn look to see Younger Zaveer standing once more, with his eyes glowing purple.

"It was a mistake for my mother to spare your life. I won't make the same mistake." Younger Zaveer says, summoning his purple energy.

"Shall the both of us fight him, wife?" Shao Kahn asks.

"It would by my pleasure to fight with you." Sindel says.

The two then approach Younger Zaveer.

"My 'daughter' made a mistake leaving you here with these weaklings. Now she will watch as her own son dies." Shao Kahn says.

They then fight. Beforehand, Shao Kahn had trouble fighting against Zaveer. With Sindel now fighting by his side, the fight becomes one sided. Zaveer puts up a strong fight but in the end, is knocked to the ground.

"You shame your family name." Shao Kahn says.

Back at the beach, the Shokans have managed to overpower the Special Forces and are in the process of beating and carting off the survivors and throwing the dead onto a giant bonfire. Shao Kahn points to the last of Kharon's ships.

"Seize the vessel and dump its cargo! We need speed to overtake Kharon's fleet!" Shao Kahn orders.

A large portal then opens up before him. Several Shokan drag the surviving soldiers into it. Among them are Younger Zaveer, Johnny, Cassie and Sonya.

As Sindel and Shao Kahn board the vessel, the figure can be seen standing on a nearby clearing, having observed the battle.

"Sorry Cetrion. But I must save my son first." Old Manado says as he then walks through a red portal.

Later in the outskirts of the Sea of Blood, is the flagship of Kharon's fleet containing the Outworld army. The other two flagships are nowhere in sight. On the ship deck, Kitana speaks with Even Younger Manado, Younger Liu Kang and Younger Kung Lao.

"Raiden and Fujin have gone ahead to storm the Isle, but we've lost all contact with our rear guard. Commander Cage and the Special Forces, Queen Sheeva and the Shokan... and Mother." Younger Kitana explains.

"I am just going to say what we are all thinking–" Younger Kung Lao says before being cut off.

"She did not betray us." Younger Kitana says.

Liu Kang then quickly steps in between them before they come to blows.

"Let's not jump to conclusions." Younger Liu Kang says.

Suddenly, a red glowing portal appears before them as they ready themselves for anything. Walking through the portal emerges Older Manado, Ashrah, Sareena, Li Mei, Tanya, Skarlet, Khameleon, Nitara, Older Kitana, Jade, Kung Lao, Kabal, Stryker, and Older Skarlet.

"Kitana, where's Mileena? I have come with urgent news." Older Manado says.

"What is the problem?" Younger Kitana asks.

"It's Sindel. She has..." Manado says before one of his even younger self spot something in the distance.

"Look!" Even Younger Manado says as he then walks to the port side of the ship and points out.

Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Older Manado and the others follow his gaze and spot the rearguard ships.

"Is that the Special Forces?" Younger Kung Lao asks.

Younger Kitana then looks at the ships through a spyglass.

"No..." Younger Kitana says.

She then pulls the spyglass down. Even with her face partially obscured by her battle mask, she looks absolutely livid.

"Elder Gods damn you, Mother!" Younger Kitana snaps.

"We best prepare ourselves, because now we have a fight on our hands." Older Manado suggests.

In Kronika's Keep. The Titan of Time continues to manipulate the sands in the Hourglass. As she looks into the sands, she smiles with glee.

"Kill each other." Kronika says.

In the Sea of Blood, a two pronged spear falls into the bottomless depths, followed by the corpse of a Tarkatan, then a Shokan. Just then, another dead soldier falls into the sea, followed by two Shokan. The ships are clearly at war.

On the ship deck, a Shokan throws a soldier overboard, and it is clear that an outright brawl between the Shokan, Tarkatans and Outworld loyalists is at hand. While Jade fends off a Shokan with her staff, Younger Kitana stabs a Shokan through the sternum with her bladed fans, stabs him a few more times in his side and the side of his head and then finishes him with a throat slice, kicking him away.

Another Shokan charges in, but the restored Kitana catches his swing, ducks under another punch and slices across its chest. Jade then knocks a Shokan back with a swipe of her staff, then charges in while he is staggered. Liu Kang then knocks down three Shokan charging him with nunchukau strikes to their heads. Even Younger Manado disarms another Shokan of his weapons before stabbing him in the brain with his blade. Behind them, a plank slams down onto the ship, allowing more Shokan to board. One immediately jumps onto a Tarkatan and starts pounding him to death, and Sindel and Shao Kahn strolls onto the ship behind him.

Sindel then punches a charging Outworld soldier and kicks him down, while Shao Kahn clubs another in the stomach with his warhammer and smashes him across the deck.

"Now... where is Kitana?"

"No doubt the little princess is hiding." Shao Kahn says.

On the other side of the ship, a Tarkatan swipes at a Shokan, who easily catches his blow and punches him. As the Tarkatan reels, in what feels like time has slowed down, a bladed hat flies over his head and straight through the neck of the Shokan, decapitating him and three more of his brethren. The hat is then caught... by Sindel. Younger Kung Lao walks toward them, ignoring the fighting occurring around him.

"Nobody is hiding, Shao Kahn. Not after your epic failure at the Koliseum." Younger Kung Lao says.

He then looks over at Sindel.

"That belongs to me, Sindel." Younger Kung Lao points out.

"Have it." Sindel says before she then throws the hat straight back at him, bladed edge first.

Kung Lao catches it, but it cuts into his hand, causing him to wince in pain. He nonetheless puts it back on his head, looking quite annoyed. He flexes his bloodied hand and continues walking toward them.

"I hope you have more than that for the heir of the Great Kung Lao." Younger Kung Lao says.

Sindel then steps toward Kung Lao.

"(To Shao Kahn) Find Kitana, husband." Sindel orders.

He then walks off, leaving them alone.

"Why am I always right? You're breaking Kitana's heart." Younger Kung Lao says.

"A eunuch monk can't hope to understand the ways of mothers and daughters." Sindel says.

"You did NOT just call me a eunuch." Younger Kung Lao says.

They then fight. As impressive of a fighter as Kung Lao is, with both speed and skill of immense proportions, his arrogance proves to be his undoing. Sindel is able to match his speed and use her magic to break through Kung Lao's defenses, eventually leaving him unconscious on the ship deck.

Sindel then lets out a bark of laughter and readies her hair into two long ponytails.

"I could call you worse." Sindel points out.

She grapples Kung Lao around the waist and torso with both ponytails, turns to one side and throws him through the air. Kung Lao then manages to use his teleportation and lands back onto the deck, ready to fight again. At this point, Shao Kahn returns.

"Kitana is proving to be difficult to find and besides, (he then points his hammer towards Kung Lao) He and I have unfinished business." Shao Kahn explains.

"I'll find Kitana." Sindel says as she walks off, leaving them alone.

"It's a pity the time merger disrupted the tournament. I was about to snap your neck." Shao Kahn says.

"Why? Because you were afraid to face me head on?" Younger Kung Lao asks.

"I fear nothing, monk." Shao Kahn says.

They then fight. Even with his speed and skill in battle, Kung Lao's arrogance gets the better of him in his fight with Shao Kahn. The former Emperor of Outworld powers through his defenses and brings his overbearing strength to bear, swiftly beating the Shaolin monk to the deck floor. With Kung Lao down, Shao Kahn de-summons his hammer and walks over to him.

"You're a disgrace to your line. Kung Lao, snapping your neck would be too easy for you." Shao Kahn says.

He then grabs him by the back of his shirt and hoists him up.

"Tell me, did your masters teach you to swim?" Shao Kahn asks.

He then heaves to one side and throws Kung Lao overboard. Kung Lao only has time for one last scream before he splashes into the Sea of Blood. Shao Kahn looks on in satisfaction until he hears Sindel's voice beckoning him.

"Come, Kitana awaits." Sindel says.

On the other side of the ship, Younger Kitana stabs a Shokan in his side, kicks him in the leg and then in the face, following through with a roundhouse kick. Behind her, Kotal slices a Shokan across the stomach with his sickle and stabs him straight through the face. He slices him twice more and shoulder barges him away. Kotal then slashes a female Shokan charging him, stabs her through the chest and then the side of her head, snapping her neck in the same motion.

Behind him, Liu Kang kicks a male Shokan away, then hits another male and a female in the face with his nunchukau, pushing them back. Another Shokan charges in but eats a nunchuk to the face, knocking him back. To the side, Younger Jade batters a female Shokan with her staff, hitting her in the leg and face, then leaping in the air to slam the staff down onto her spine and finishing with a back swipe that floors her.

As the Shokan drops to the deck, Shao Kahn and Sindel walk up to her and Kotal. Wordlessly, Shao Kahn then points at Kotal with his warhammer, while Sindel glares at Jade and charges. Jade swipes at her with her staff but Sindel parries the blows. Kotal readies his sickles and charges Shao Kahn, swinging his weapons. Shao Kahn blocks several strikes with his hammer and then goes on the offensive, swinging wildly. Kotal blocks his swings but is forced back by the sheer power of them.

Shao Kahn swings his hammer overhead, prompting Kotal to block with both sickles. He manages it but is forced to his knees. Shao Kahn takes advantage by planting his knee into Kotal's kidney, and with Kotal stunned, Shao Kahn swings the hammer and nails Kotal directly in his spine. As Kotal reels in pain, Shao Kahn swings the hammer in a back swipe and smashes Kotal across the face, knocking the sickles from his hands and sending him to his knees.

Jade spots Kotal is in trouble and tries to intervene, but this gives Sindel the opening she needs and she wraps her hair around Jade's neck. As Shao Kahn smashes Kotal with his hammer one more time, knocking him out, Sindel lifts Jade into the air and slams her down on the deck so hard that she breaks through the decking, falling into the ship hold below.

Younger Kitana then walks up to Sindel. She has since lost her battle mask, and we can see her face is etched with pure horror.

"Please, Mother, what spell has Shao Kahn used on you this time?" younger Kitana asks.

Liu Kang, Even younger Manado, and Older Kitana walk up behind her in the midst of the conversation.

"Naive girl, your mother is not bewitched. She never has been.

"She had a husband! And a kingdom! And YOU took them away!" Kitana says.

Sindel laughs at the accusation. Shao Kahn nonchalantly punches a charging Tarkatan without even looking him, knocking him out. He turns away to beat another Tarkatan with his hammer while Sindel starts walking toward her.

"Oh, Kitana. My first husband - your father - was a fool. Jerrod believed that we were no better than commoners. He refused to assert the privileges of our throne. He traded away our powers, our diving rights. Edenia grew weak and vulnerable." Sindel explains.

The Kitanas take in these words with increasing anger. Sindel continues to stride forward while Shao Kahn flattens any attacking Tarkatan and Outworld soldier near him.

"Then Shao Kahn invaded, embracing his power, taking what was his. Here was a man unashamed to assert his privilege and who vowed to protect mine." Sindel says.

Having finished beating up everyone around him, Shao Kahn walks back to join Sindel's side, proudly slinging his hammer over his shoulder.

"I had found my true love." Sindel says.

Liu Kang and even younger Manado looks on, disgusted at her words, while Kitana seems to be entering a tranquil fury. Sindel places a hand on Shao Kahn's shoulder.

"And to consecrate our bond... I killed Jerrod for him." Sindel says.

Both Kitana's eyes widen in horror.

"You love Shao Kahn more than your own daughter?" Even Younger Manado asks.

"Let the women be, Chosen Ones." Shao Kham says.

He then points his hammer at Even Younger Manado and Liu Kang.

"You both owe me kombat." Shao Kahn says.

Shao Kahn swings his warhammer at Liu Kang and even younger Manado, forcing them to backpedal. As they fight, the Kitanas stare down their mother with contempt.

"You should have stayed dead." Younger Kitana says.

"Please, that wounds me, daughter." Sindel says.

"We are prepared to do much worse." Kitana replies.

They then fight. In spite of Sindel's magical power and skill, the two Kitanas prove to be a worthy challenge of Sindel. They fight with a ferocity unseen, using all of their speed, skill and agility to her fullest. But even this is not enough to overcome their mother. Sindel manages to weather both Kitana's assault and weaken them with her own magic, eventually bringing her own strength to bear. After a fierce battle, Sindel leaves her daughters a bloodied and broken mess on the ship deck.

"Learn or be punished, children." Sindel says.

Meanwhile With Liu Kang and even younger Manado, they are finding it difficult to strike a hit on Shao Kahn before he then strikes even younger Manado in the abdomen. With him stunned, Shao Kahn picks him up by the throat and tosses him towards Liu Kang, who manages to catch him and brings him up back to his feet.

"It is our destiny to defeat you, Shao Kahn." Younger Liu Kang says.

"Yours is to grovel before me, boy! After we kill Kronika, that will be everyone's destiny." Shao Kahn replies.

"Even for you, that is madness!" Even Younger Manado points out.

They then fight. The Shaolin monk and the Champion of Mortal Kombat prove to be the fight of Shao Kahn's life, as he has never before found opponents who can outmatch him in sheer martial ability. But for all of Manado and Liu Kang's speed and skill, the confines of the ship work against them and they are unable to escape Shao Kahn's assault. Pressing the advantage, Shao Kahn uses his pure brute force to overpower Liu Kang and Even Younger Manado, leaving them face down on the deck, beaten and broken.

"It is genius, you pathetic fools!" Shao Kahn says.

Shao Kahn then turns to see Older Manado approaching him with Mileena standing beside him.

"I have not come this far to be defeated by the likes of you, Shao Kahn." Older Manado says.

Older Manado then charges, only to be met with Shao Kahn throwing a spear at him. The spear impales Older Manado's abdomen and sticks him to the wall of the ship.

"Manado!" Mileena calls out.

As Older Manado helplessly tries to remove the spear, Shao Kahn laughs in his face.

"All you'll get is bitter defeat, you pathetic fool!" Shao Kahn says.

Mileena then kicks Shao Kahn and assumes a fighting stance.

"You will not lay another hand on him." Mileena says.

"A pity you turned against me, 'daughter'. I would've given you great influence in my new era. Instead, you will have nothing." Shao Kahn says.

"It puts shame on me that I ever called you my father." Mileena says.

They then fight. Shao Kahn finds Mileena's skill and newfound Vampiric power to be a tough challenge. However, Shao Kahn uses his size and superior strength to overpower Mileena and after a long battle, Mileena is knocked down.

"You disappoint me." Shao Kahn says.

Shao Kahn then drags Liu Kang's beaten body over to Sindel, who is holding equally beaten Kitanas by their shoulders. Mileena and even younger Manado lay beside her. Not long afterwards, the Shokan, Tarkatan and Outworld soldiers still fighting each other gradually draw themselves to a halt. Shao Kahn steps in front of them, pointing to Mileena.

"Mileena was a false Kahn, a traitor to Outworld! She conspired with Raiden to lead you astray!" Shao Kahn announces.

"He seeks Kronika's power. Why? To destroy the Empire! All who followed Mileena are complicit in her treason. Your sentence is death." Sindel adds.

The Tarkatans and soldiers slowly take in these words. Shao Kahn then holds a finger in the air.

"But... we will grant clemency now, and riches in the New Era to all who renounce Mileena and fight under our command." Shao Kahn offers.

The Shokan then start to chant Shao's name. After a few chants, the Tarkatans and soldiers join in as well. Sindel points to the ship deck.

"Now man the oars, we have a battle to win! For the New Era!" Sindel announces.

The Outworlders all erupt in cheers. Sindel then drops the Kitanas to the deck, taking in their praise alongside Shao Kahn. Behind them, they notice Mileena has managed to crawl up to the impaled Older Manado. Mileena sits down next to Older Manado and holds a hand onto his cheek, as he then turns towards her.

"I'm sorry. I did the best I could." Manado says.

Mileena, with tears in her eyes, weakly smiles at him.

"I'm just glad to see you one last time." Mileena assures.

"Every important moment of my life revolved around you. Every action, every decision, everything I did was to ensure that I kept your promise, and I failed." Manado explains as he then coughs up more blood.

"It's ok." Mileena says.

Manado then smiles at her, who smiles in return. Suddenly, Sindel entangles Mileena with her hair and hoists her in the air.

"No!" Manado calls out as he holds his hand up towards her.

Shao Kahn then stands over him.

"You Chujins have always been a pain. Now, you are nothing but another victim of my wrath." Shao Kahn says before readying his hammer to finish Manado off.

Mileena can only watch helplessly as Sindel just laughs the whole thing off. Manado can feel his rage engulf him. He then realizes what must be done as is eyes suddenly glow with energy.

"Ages wasted in foolish resistance. I have won. And now, your life ends." Shao Kahn says before bringing his hammer swinging down towards Manado's head.

Manado quickly acts and effortlessly catches the head of the hammer with his right hand, much to the surprise and shock of everyone on the ship. Manado then grabs the spear in his abdomen and rips it out, blood spraying from the wound, although Older Manado doesn't seem to notice or care. As he stands, black smoke begins to envelop Manado's body as he glares at Shao Kahn who can only watch in shock as Manado is completely covered in the smoke. The cloud of smoke then takes a humanoid shape and a pair a glowing red eyes emerge, revealing that Older Manado has turned into Nightmare. Everyone on ship is left speechless at the sight of Nightmare. Nightmare then smirks as he then squeezes the head of the hammer he's still holding until the hammer explodes, the resulting shockwave of green energy knocking Shao Kahn back.

Shao Kahn then rises back to his feet and stares Nightmare down.

"What is the meaning of this?" Shao Kahn asks.

Nightmare looks towards Shao Kahn with a devilish grin plastered on his face.

"You have threatened the realms for long enough, Shao Kahn. Now you... will die by the power of your worst Nightmare." Nightmare says.

Shao Kahn has enough of it and charges towards Nightmare, who also charges towards Shao Kahn.