In earthrealm, the village of Fengjian can be seen within the outskirts of a mountain range. The sound of labored breathing is heard as Raiden and Kung Lao work in a garden of sorts collecting vegetables.

"This is a good harvest, Kung Lao." Raiden says.

"Yes... It is a blessing, Raiden." Kung lao says, a hint of annoyance registered in his voice.

Raiden scoffs.

"You would rather we starve?" Raiden asks.

Kung Lao: "No. no. Of course not. But we've worked these fields since we were kids. In forty years we'll still be here, stooped and feeble like old man Wei." Kung Lao explains.

Raiden and Kung Lao look across the garden to see Wei staring back at them, having heard Kung Lao's rant. He merely spits to the side and continues his work. Kung lao nonchalantly waves at the old man as Raiden merely chuckles.

"As long as I've known you, you've dreamed of leaving Fengjian. Why can't you be happy here?" Raiden asks.

"Our ancestors fought in great wars. They died with honor and glory. Stories of our great adventures... hah... will be passed down for generations." Kung Lao says, a layer of sarcasm enveloped in the latter half.

"It may not be glorious, but what we do helps the village thrive." Raiden points out.

"I know. But is it so wrong to want some excitement?" Kung Lao asks.

"If that's what you want, may I suggest a bet? Dinner at Madam Bo's, tonight. Last to fill their cart pays." Raiden bets.

"You work faster than me? Ha! Since when? You're on, Raiden." Kung Lao says.

The two shake hands in agreement and hurry to their work. The two quickly chop vegetables out of the ground, mostly cabbage and pile them into their wheelbarrows, Kung Lao wiping his forehead with his arm during the middle of it. In short notice, the two scurry off with their harvest.

In another part of the village, at a restaurant seemingly, a waitress pours tea into two cups and scurries off with them just as Raiden and Kung Lao enter. Kung Lao takes in the smell of food in the air as he takes a deep breath.

"That. Is. Amazing." Kung Lao says.

"I'm starving. I wonder what Madam Bo is making tonight." Raiden wonders.

Just then, an elderly woman walks up the stairs in front of the two and greets them.

"For you two? Whatever you want." Madam Bo says.

Madam Bo then walks them over to their table.

"Thank you, Madam Bo. You spoil us." Kung Lao says.

"Like the sons I never had." Madam Bo replies.

Raiden and Kung Lao take their seats and sit down.

"Have you two been practicing my lessons?" Madam Bo asks.

"As we can. The harvest leaves us little time for martial arts." Kung Lao explains.

Madam Bo then lightly slaps the hat on Kung Lao's head.

"Since your first words, Kung Lao, you've mouthed nothing but excuses. If you fail to prepare..." Madam Bo says.

"...your preparations will fail you." Kung Lao finishes.

"Good. You haven't forgotten. But we'll see if I make you anything special tonight." Madam Bo says.

Madam Bo then walks away.

"I'm glad you're paying. Madam Bo might just paid the bill with her anger." Raiden says.

"I am paying? You finished work last." Kung Lao points out.

"But I delivered my cart first." Raiden says.

"Delivered? Huh?! The bet was "filled"." Kung Lao points out.

"That's not what I remember." Raiden says.

"So that's how it is, eh? What do you say we settle this man to man? Hmm?" Kung Lao asks.

The two then stand up and walk away from their table, Raiden laughing in disbelief as they do so.

"Wait. You mean fight?" Raiden asks.

"Yes. Right here. Right now. Madam Bo can watch, critique our form." Kung Lao explains.

A hooded figure with bright blue eyes sits at a nearby table, watching as Raiden and Kung Lao enter a more open area of the restaurant.

"Best two out of three?" Raiden asks.

"Fair enough." Kung Lao replies.

"We must be careful. Madam Bo will kick us out if we break something." Raiden suggests.

Kung Lao merely laughs.

"This won't last long enough for that to happen. You will be down in no time." Kung Lao says as he and Raiden assume fighting stances.

They then fight. The two show great skill and experience in their kombat, both a equal match to the other. However, Kung Lao's agility gives him the upper hand and soon, Raiden is knocked down to the ground.

After the fight, the crowd cheer at the spectacle they have seen. Kung Lao merely bows to the audience as he then helps Raiden back to his feet.

"You haven't beaten me yet." Kung Lao says.

"The day is coming, Kung Lao." Raiden remarks.

Kung Lao laughs at Raiden's remark.

"Keep telling yourself that." Kung Lao says.

Later, nighttime hits the village as Raiden and Kung Lao's table is covered in empty plates and cups. Raiden looks into the check he was given by Madam Bo and takes a sigh. He then looks to the side towards Kung Lao who lazily leans against his chair.

"You were hungry." Raiden says.

Kung Lao merely burps as Raiden faces Madam Bo.

"Everything was delicious, Madam Bo." Raiden compliments.

"Thank you, Raiden. You boys are always a pleasure to cook for." Madam Bo says.

Raiden then begins counting his money to give to Madam Bo when a gust of wind takes a dollar out of his hand. Then another man with light gray hair and wearing dark gray ninja attire, grabs the dollar and addresses the elderly woman.

"Madam Bo. The Lin Kuei await your answer." Smoke says.

A group of five ninjas join Smoke at his sides. Smoke then moves away from them and approaches Madam Bo.

"I have been busy, Smoke." Madam Bo replies.

Madam Bo then walks away as Smoke follows her.

Raiden: "The Lin Kuei? Who are they?" Raiden asks.

"Don't know. But I don't like where this is going." Kung Lao says.

"What do we do?" Raiden asks.

"Stay ready." Kung Lao replies.

"Madam Bo, it is a simple choice. Pay for our protection, or risk harm to this fine establishment." Smoke says.

Madam Bo ceases her movement and turns to face Smoke.

"You'll get nothing from me." Madam Bo retorts.

"That, Madam Bo, is unfortunate." Smoke says.

Smoke turns to the other ninjas and nods his head. The ninja then proceed to trash the restaurant as the customer either run or fight the ninja. Smoke then turns back, only to be met by a punch to his head by Madam Bo. He quickly recovers and blocks several more strikes before grabbing hold of her arm and jabs her in the neck. He then grabs her head and slams it into the railing. He then throws her over his shoulder, knocking her through the railing and falling onto a table sitting below, the table splitting in two as a result.

"Madam Bo!!" Kung Lao calls out.

Raiden and Kung get up from their chairs and confront a small contingent of ninjas as Smoke throws a smoke bomb. Kung Lao knocks down a ninja with a spin kick as Raiden blocks a strike from another. A third ninja confronts Kung Lao as he then punches the ninja in the face before grabbing hold of the ninja and slapping him in the face, knocking the ninja down. Raiden then sends a kick to the ninja attacking him before throwing him to the side. At this point, the smoke has built up and as Raiden and Kung breath it in. They then begin to cough from the smoke as Smoke charges in and knocks them down. They quickly rise to their feet and turn to face Smoke.

"You too are brave. But against us... you are in over your head." Smoke says.

"We don't care who you are or who you are with! You will not menace Madam Bo!" Kung Lao says angrily.

They then fight. Smoke proves to be a worthy adversary to Kung Lao. His power over smoke makes him not only strong, but powerful. Kung Lao however, doesn't give up and through both his skill determination, manages to knock smoke into unconsciousness.

"Now who's in over his head?" Kung Lao asks smugly.

Kung Lao turns to see Raiden knock down another Lin Kuei ninja with a punch to the face. Kung Lao grabs hold of the falling ninja before nonchalantly tossing him to the ground. Kung Lao then takes notice of the other several ninja Raiden has defeated.

"This was you?" Kung Lao asks.

"Honestly, I'm surprised too." Raiden replies.

"Come on. Let's help Madam Bo." Kung Lao suggests.

Raiden and Kung then move to help Madam Bo when they notice another ninja, this time in blue ninja attire standing on the ceiling. The ninja then summons a ball of ice magic and throws it towards them. The ball of ice magic hits the ground in front of them, freezing the floorboards. Raiden and Kung Lao looks at the ice in shock before looking back up towards the blue ninja They then turn towards the door to find another ninja in yellow attire seemingly spinning a Kunai attached to a rope in his hands.

"Freeze where you stand!" The blue ninja commands.

The ninja then throws another ball of ice magic towards Raiden and Kung Lao. They manage to dosage the attack as it then hits the corner of the railing, covering it in ice.

"How does he do that?" Raiden asks.

"I have no idea." Kung Lao replies, worry registering in his voice.

"You interfere with Lin Kuei business. Leave, or face our wrath." The blue ninja warns.

"Abandon Madam Bo? Not happening." Kung Lao says.

The blue ninja then jumps off the roof and tackles Raiden, both of them rolling down the staircase. Kung Lao looks down at them in concern before finding the yellow ninja's kunai wrapped around his ankle. The yellow ninja then pulls on the rope, intending to trip Kung Lao but he stands strong.

"Get over here!" The yellow ninja yells.

He then pulls onto the rope with more strength, this time managing to knock Kung Lao down onto his back. He then drags Kung Lao across the floor but then Kung Lao flips back onto his feet and kicks the ninja on the head, causing him to roll onto the ground before quickly rising to his feet.

"Want more? I have plenty." Kung Lao says.

"You should have fled when you could. Prepare to regret ever crossing the Lin Kuei." The yellow ninja says before the two assume their fighting stances.

They then fight. Like Smoke, the yellow ninja proves to be tough fight for Kung Lao. But unlike Smoke, the yellow ninja has fire magic, forcing Kung Lao to think smart about the fight. In the end, he pulls through and knocks the yellow ninja down.

"It is you who will regret crossing me." Kung Lao says.

Kung Lao rushes to the railing and sees Raiden and the blue ninja continue their kombat. The blue ninja dodges a spin kick from Raiden before sending a kick himself, pushing Raiden against a column that was standing behind him. Raiden looks up towards the column and begins to climb up onto the next floor above him. The blue ninja watches him move for a short moment before knocking the legs off one side of a table. He then jumps onto the other side of the table and is sent into the air. The blue ninja then uses the momentum to kick Raiden into another man sitting on a stool at the bar, not that the man seems to care.

Raiden then grabs hold of a cleaver that was embedded in a piece of meat and swings it at the ninja several times who manages to dodge it. At the end of it, another swing knocks the cap off the beer bottle the man had. The man then grabs hold of the beer just as the cleaver becomes embedded into the bar stand where the beer once stood. As Raiden tries to get the cleaver out of the barn stand, the blue ninja freezes his hands in place. The man then takes an ice cube from Raiden's frozen hands and places it into his cup. Raiden then attempts to kick the ninja who merely dodges it.

Kung Lao, seeing his friend in danger, takes his hat and throws it at the ninja's head, which merely bounces off his head and leaves a dent in the hat. The ninja then looks down at the dented hat as Kung Lao just shrugs.

"Incompetent." The blue ninja says.

Kung Lao then takes a shuriken that was hanging on a nearby column and tosses it at the ninja. The blue ninja pulls away his arm, but not before shuriken grazes his arms, drawing blood. The shuriken then sticks itself into a nearby log.

"Ho! That works." Kung Lao says.

The blue ninja approaches Kung Lao.

"I have had enough of you." The blue ninja says.

"Then go, before I put you down like the rest of your Lin Kuei." Kung Lao warns.

"You haven't a prayer against the Lin Kuei's grandmaster." The blue ninja says

They then fight. The blue ninja proves to be the toughest opponent in the Lin Kuei. His skill combined with his ice powers make him a formidable force to be reckoned with. But Kung Lao persists and manages to knock the blue ninja to the ground.

"Are you sure you're a grandmaster? Kung Lao asks.

Kung Lao then grabs hold of his hat and places it back onto his head. He then looks back towards the shuriken he threw, taking note of its effectiveness.

"Interesting." Kung Lao says, rubbing his head across his hat in a familiar fashion.

"Kung Lao, over here!" Raiden calls out, tending to the unconscious Madam Bo

"Madam Bo." Kung Lao says in worry.

"She's out cold." Raiden says.

Kung Lao: "Oh no. Is she --" Kung Lao say before Madam Bo quickly opens her eyes, a smile strangely plastered on her face.

"Dead? Not yet." Madam Bo says.

Raiden and Kung Lao back away in surprise as Madam Bo stands back up and lights up a cigarette.

"Madam Bo, how are you --" Kung Lao asks before being cut off.

"Kung Lao!" Raiden says, pointing up towards the upper floor.

The two then see the hooded figure from earlier walking towards them, Kung Lao taking a stance. The figure then removes their hood to reveal a man, seemingly of Chinese descent, wearing a blue bandana. The man then addresses Madam Bo.

L"So, Madam Bo, are they ready?" The man asks.

"A bit thick in the head, perhaps... But they are ready." Madam Bo says.

"His eyes are glowing." Raiden points out, looking towards Kung Lao.

"I am Lord Liu Kang, God of Fire and Protector of Earthrealm." Liu Kang introduces as he crosses his arms.

"God? Earthrealm?" Kung Lao asks in confusion.

"Madam Bo has been preparing you for this moment since you were boys. Today you have proven worthy of joining my champions." Liu Kang explains.

"This fight was -- a test?" Raiden asks.

"Of your ability and character, yes." Liu Kang says.

Liu Kang then turns towards the upper floor.

"Bi-Han, Kuai Liang." Liu Kang calls out.

The ninjas then nonchalantly rise back up to their feet. Smoke and the ninjas observe from the railing as Bi Han and Kuai Liang approach the four, both standing behind Liu Kang.

"So these two aren't thugs?" Kung Lao asks.

"The Lin Kuei is a centuries-old clan dedicated to Earthrealm's defense." Liu Kang explains.

"You keep saying Earthrealm. Don't you mean Earth?" Raiden asks.

"You boys have so much to learn." Madam Bo points out.

"Earth is only part of Earthrealm. Earthrealm itself is one of many realms. Together they comprise the whole of the universe." Liu Kang explains.

"The realms can be fierce, bitter rivals. That's why we need champions to defend ours." Madam Bo says.

"The time draws near for the grand martial arts tournament between Earthrealm and the realm of Outworld. Held once each century, it allows each realm to demonstrate its strength. While our realms are at peace, there are Outworlders who would prefer us to be at war. Our victory in the tournament will... temper their zeal." Liu Kang explains.

"I've taught you everything I can. You must finish your training with Lord Liu Kang." Madam Bo informs.

"More Training? These two couldn't defeat us." Kung Lao points out.

Bi Han merely scoffs as Madam Bo chuckles.

"What?" Kung Lao asks in confusion.

"They were pulling their punches." Madam Bo points out.

"Had we not held back, you would not have survived." Bi Han says.

"Come. The monks at the Wu Shi Academy await to continue your tutelage." Liu Kang says.

"I am ready, Lord Liu Kang." Kung Lao says, bowing to him.

"And you, Raiden?" Liu Kang asks.

"Leave Fengjian? I'm needed here." Raiden says in hesitance.

"Earthrealm needs you, Raiden. You'll best serve the village by being one of its champions." Madam Bo explains.

"I understand." Raiden replies.

"Excellent. I will join you soon. First, there are other champions I must gather." Liu Kang says.