Back at the Wu Shi Academy, Liu Kang has gathered Johnny Cage, Kenshi, and Kung Lao together to discuss about Shang Tsung. All three are seen wearing battle armor as Kenshi holds a drawing of Shang Tsung.

"So we find him in Outworld and bringing him to questioning?" Kenshi asks.

"Yes, If what I fear has happened, he is a grave threat to the realms." Liu Kang replies.

"Anything else?" Kenshi asks.

"Shang Tsung is a master of deceit. Do no trust a word he utters." Liu Kang warns.

"Sounds a lot like my first agent." Johnny says.

"It's a tricky mission. I'd rather Raiden go along than this one." Kenshi points out, looking towards Johnny as he said that last part.

"Hey! "This one" is up for this job." Johnny exasperates.

"This mission must be done quietly. I am breaking my word with Empress Sindel by sending you into Outworld without her knowledge. Due to the tournament, Raiden is now a familiar face there. Sending him will only increase risk of being discovered." Liu Kang explains.

Liu Kang then gives Kenshi a glowing red talisman.

"This talisman is attuned to Shang Tsung's chi. Follow it to him. And be careful. May the Elder Gods protect you." Liu Kang says.

Some time later, Johnny, Kenshi, and Kung Lao are seen hiking through a desert in Outworld, flashlights in hand as the sun sets over the horizon.

"Ugh! Are we there yet?" Johnny asks, complaining about how far they've been traveling.

"Again? How old are you, five?" Kenshi asks, clearly annoyed.

"What can I say? These boots weren't made for walking." Johnny points out.

"If that is the most pain you feel today, consider yourself lucky." Kung Lao says.

Johnny Chuckles

"Oh, I'm already lucky. I've got Sento strapped to my back." Johnny replies.

"I will reclaim it, Cage." Kenshi promises.

"Got three million? It's yours." Johnny says.

"You know I don't have it." Kenshi points out.

"I bet your Yakuza pals could come up with it. Oh that's right. You blew them off. If there's one lesson Hollywood's taught me, it's never burn bridges. You never know who can help." Johnny explains.

Kenshi ceases his movement and quickly turns towards him, glaring at him as he shines his flashlight in Johnny's face.

"The Yakuza are leeches, bleeding out those too weak to resist. I grew up in that life and I never understood it. Why my gain required others' pain. I got out. I need my clan out, too. We can't be part of their crimes any longer." Kenshi explains.

Kenshi looks to see the talisman in his hand glowing brighter. Kenshi looks to Johnny before walking off. Kung Lao passes by Johnny, shining his flashlight in his face briefly before walking off to follow Kenshi. Johnny merely groans before following them.

Later, they find themselves standing on a cliffside, looking down at a makeshift camp with bones of animals scattered around. At the camp stands soldiers pushing groups of people back with spears. The people don't look normal with large, sharpened teeth and claws as well as spikes coming out of their arms. Johnny records the scene with his phone.

"What's your precious say?" Johnny asks.

Kenshi looks at his talisman, seeing it glow even brighter.

"That Shang Tsung is among those... things." Kenshi replies.

"Oh, my fans are gonna go nuts cosplaying them at Cage Con." Johnny says.

Two soldiers then are seen forcing another disfigured man into a clearing. The disfigured man tries to resist, but is unsuccessful due to their grip on him as well as his hands tied up with rope. A man follows behind, syringe in hand. The man is shown to be Shang Tsung.

"Hold him still. If he squirms, I cannot extract marrow." Shang Tsung orders.

Johnny, Kenshi, Kung Lao see him where they stand.

"That's Shang Tsung." Kung Lao says.

"Let's jump him after he's done. In "Fists of Iron" we did this thing where like... " Johnny suggests before being cut off..

"We're not basing strategy on your movies, Cage." Kenshi says.

Back at the camp, the disfigured man continues to struggles against the soldier's grip on him.

"Let me go! You can't do this!" The man yells.

One of the soldiers then kick him in the leg, forcing the man down to his knees. The man continues to struggle as Shang Tsung readies his syringe.

"The wound will heal in time. It is a small price to pay for progress." Shang Tsung says.

Shang Tsung then stabs the man in the neck with the syringe and successfully extracts bone marrow. Angered, the disfigured man suddenly grows blades out of his arms which cuts the ropes restraining him. He then brings his arm up and stabs one of the soldiers in the head. He then does the same to the other soldier. The man then stands and turns towards Shang Tsung, who assumes a fighting stance. At this point, the group of disfigured people begin to overwhelm the soldiers as one punches a soldier down and beats him to death while another pounces on a soldier and punches the soldier twice in the head, knocking the soldier down. The disfigured man then attacks Shang Tsung who manages to block his strikes before the man sends a spin kick to the side of his head, causing him to stagger. Johnny, Kenshi, and Kung Lao look on.

"On second thought, this scene's playing fine without us. (Yawns) Yeah, I say we let them finish it." Johnny lazily suggests.

"We have to save Shang Tsung. Liu Kang needs him Alive." Kenshi says.

The three then hop down the cliffside to help aid in the fight. The disfigured man then punches Shang Tsung in the abdomen as he attempted to send a strike of his own. He then headbutts him and sends a punch to his face, knocking him down. The man then unsheathes his arm blades, ready to finish him when Kenshi grabs him into a chokehold, allowing Shang Tsung to escape. Kung Lao and Johnny rush in to help, but the man kicks them back. Shang Tsung looks on the the fight and smirks as he stands. He then shape shifts into one do the disfigured people before disappearing into the crowd who approach the earthrealmers.

"How did he do that?" Kung Lao asks.

Johnny looks at him but says nothing as they prepare to fight the group. Behind them, Kenshi is pushed off of the man and is forced to backpedal.

"I would've killed him, but for you!" The man says, clearly angered.

"I get why you'd want to, but you can't." Kenshi points out.

The man growls.

"Your one of his minions! You'll die in his place!" The man says.

They then fight. Kenshi quickly learns that the disfigured man is a formidable fighter with his savage nature as well as those blades he wields. Kenshi, with his sword manages to keep the man at bay and after a tough fight, manages to knock the man down.

"Now please. Let me explain." Kenshi says.

More disfigured people surround the earthrealmers, ready to fight.

"You go us into this. How about getting us out?" Johnny asks.

Kenshi turns towards the man, who stands back up onto his feet.

"I know what this looks like, but we don't work for Shang Tsung.

"If not, why save him?" The man asks.

"Because Liu Kang, Earthrealm's protector, wants to question him. He thinks Shang Tsung may be a threat to both our realms." Kenshi explains.

Kenshi then hold his hand out to him, the man looking surprised.

"I'm Kenshi Takahashi." Kenshi introduces.

The man doesn't shake his hand.

"Our kind do not shake hands." The man points out.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend." Kenshi says.

"Don't you know what we are?" The man asks.

"No, we don't." Kenshi replies.

"We are victims of Tarkat. The disease is not easily gotten, but you can't risk more close exposure." The man explains.

Johnny goes wide eyed and quickly dusts his hands off.

"It disfigures, then debilitates. In time, it will turn us all into bloodthirsty monsters. Death is our release." The man explains.

"So you weren't always like this?" Kung Lao asks.

I was once a rich merchant. But when I became ill, I was banished. Now I run this colony. I am Baraka." Baraka explains.

"What does Shang Tsung want with your bone marrow, Baraka?" Kenshi asks.

"I don't know. But he comes her each month to harvest it." Baraka explains.

"Release us and we'll capture Shang Tsung. And we'll find out why he's been coming here. I promise." Kenshi vows.

Baraka thinks for a moment for looking towards the rest of the colony.

"Let them go!" Baraka orders.

The others comply and step away.

"Thank you. We won't let you down." Kenshi says.

Kenshi then looks at his talisman, which broke during the fight.

"Damn. This was guiding us to Shang Tsung. Now we can't find him." Kenshi says.

"His laboratory is near. I'll take you." Baraka replies.

Later, Baraka can be seen guiding the earthrealmers through the forest when they come across a large tower standing across a stream. Johnny looks towards Baraka.

"Any idea what to expect?" Johnny asks.

"No. I've never been inside." Baraka replies.

"Stay here. We'll check it out." Kenshi says.

Baraka slightly nods his head as the earthrealmers make their way towards the tower. Inside, the open the doors and hear Shang Tsung speaking to someone.

"The addition of crushed Kytinn larvae proved an inspired choice. In testing, outcomes improved significantly. I have modified the formula since the last time it was administered. It uses several new ingredients. This new serum is exactly what we need. It's effects will be immediate and long-lasting." Shang Tsung explains.

Johnny, Kenshi, and Kung Lao walk a flight of stairs to find Shang Tsung alongside Tanya and Rain who all stand around a chair where Mileena lays with her arms restrained, but it's unclear if she's asleep or unconscious.

"How can you be sure?" Rain asks.

Shang Tsung looks down at the syringe in his hand which contains a strange, yellow serum inside.

"Because it is brewed from freshly extracted Tarkatan marrow. It couldn't be more potent." Shang Tsung replies.

The three earthrealmers look on in realization.

"He is infecting Mileena with Tarkat." Kung Lao says.

"And he's got two of Sindel's top dogs in on it. No wonder Liu Kang is worried about this guy." Johnny adds.

They then crounch down in their hiding spot.

"We need to stop him." Kenshi suggests.

"Save a distressed damsel? Sure thing." Johnny says.

The three then rush into the room and confront them.

"Get away from her!" Kenshi orders.

Johnny looks towards Tanya.

"You bitch!" Johnny adds.

Kung Lao looks at him in shock at what he just said and puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Excuse me?!" Kung Lao asks.

"You know, the movie; tiny girl, ginormous alien. (Speaks in high pitch) Ripley!" Johnny says.

(Note: One of my favorite films in the franchise by the way, alongside the original and the most recent one.)

He looks at Kenshi and Kung Lao who clearly don't know what he's talking about.

"No? Seriously?" Johnny asks.

Kenshi and Kung Lao merely shake their heads.

"Earthrealmers?! How did they find us..." Rain asks before being cut off.

"They've already seen too much." Tanya says.

Tanya then rushes towards Johnny and Kung Lao. Johnny blocks her attack as Kung Lao then pushes her back with a kick. Tanya quickly recovers and readies her weapon before charging again. Shang Tsung looks on in worry before Kenshi attacks him. He sends two kicks his away, knocking him against the wall and causing him to drop the syringe which shatters on the ground. Rain then walks in to confront Kenshi. Shang Tsung looks towards Rain.

"I need time. But it for me." Shang Tsung orders.

Rain silently nods as Shang Tsung rushes to the other side of the room.

"Liu Kang sent you, didn't he? Sent you to learn our secrets!" Rain says.

"He sent us here for Shang Tsung. But it looks like he's just part of the problem." Kenshi says as he grabs his sword and assumes a fighting stance.

They then fight. Rain's skill with water magic proves to be quite the challenge for Kenshi, who has not fought those with any form of magic before. He hones in to the training he does so and it proves to be enough as he manages to knock Rain unconscious.

"The High Mage is brought low." Kenshi says.

Tanya is seen continuing her fight with Kung Lao and Johnny. Tanya knocks Kung Lao with her three-section staff before charging at Johnny, who backpedals. Johnny is forced against a wall where Tanya knocks him down with his staff. Kenshi then grabs her and flips her over his head where she manages to stand back up.

"I thought Umgadi were loyal to the royal house. Yet here you are, scheming against the princess." Kenshi says.

"You trespass in Outworld, interfere with imperial matters. It is you, not I, who is the schemer here." Tanya says.

They then fight. Kenshi quickly finds Tanya to be an equally challenging opponent as Rain was in her own way with her skills with her staff and her own kind of magic. The fight proves to be tough but Kenshi pulls through in the end and knocks Tanya down.

"Your plot is over." Kenshi says.

Kenshi then approaches Shang Tsung and raises his sword at him as Johnny is helped back up by Kung Lao.

"Step away from the table." Kenshi warns.

"This is twice you've been a thorn in my side. You earthrealmers do have unhealthy habits." Shang Tsung says.

Johnny then points a finger at him.

"You heard him. You're not infecting her with Tarkat." Johnny says.

"I am trying to protect her, not infect her." Shang Tsung corrects.

"We've heard how you lie. Excuse us if we're skeptical. (Look towards Johnny and Kung Lao) Cover him." Kenshi says.

Johnny and Kung Lao keep an eye on Shang Tsung as Kenshi rushes to where Mileena is.

"Princess, are you alright?" Kenshi asks, placing a hand on her head.

Mileena stirs as he wakes.

"Is it over?" Mileena asks.

"Yes, your safe. We've stopped Shang Tsung." Kenshi assures.

Instead of being relieved, she looks up at him in horror.

"Stopped him. Why?" Mileena asks.

Mileena then grunts in pain as her eyes change from brown to orange. She then begins to writhe, inhuman sounds emulating from her mouth as Kenshi looks on in worry.

"Princess! Princess, what's wrong?!" Kenshi asks.

Mileena doesn't respond but merely pray hers arm free of the restraint. Johnny and Kung Lao see what's happening at look towards Shang Tsung.

"What did you do to her?!" Kung Lao asks.

"It's what you've done, fool! Let me help her, before it's too late." Shang Tsung urges.

The three of them look on as Mileena screams in pain. Her mouth then widens, her teeth growing larger and sharper. She stands from the chair and approaches Kenshi, her movement slowly but animalistic as she growls at him.

"Now do you believe, earthrealmers?" Shang Tsung asks.

Kenshi looks towards Shang Tsung.

"What do we do?" Kenshi asks.

"Keep her occupied: I need time to finish more serum." Shang Tsung says.

He then turns back towards the table and quickly begins to start working on the serum. Kenshi looks towards Johnny.

"Johnny! A hand?" Kenshi asks.

Johnny rushes to his side at aid him.

"We got pages for this? Or are we winging it?" Johnny asks.

"Whatever we do, we can't hurt her." Kenshi replies.

"Hurt her? I'm worried about us." Johnny points out.

Mileena then pounces at Johnny and slashes at him, knocking him down. She then looks towards Kenshi, ready to strike at any moment.

"Princess! We can help you." Kenshi says.

"Your blood... (sniffs) I smell it. How sweet it will be to lick off my fingers." Mileena says.

They then fight. Mileena's newfound ferocity is unlike anything Kenshi has ever seen. That combined with the fight that he's forced to hold back to not harm her also makes this difficult for him. The fight takes awhile but in the end, Kenshi manages to knock Mileena down to her knees.

"Kung Lao! Help hold her down!" Kenshi urges.

Kung Lao and Johnny rush in and grab her by the shoulder to keep her on the ground which proves tough with her struggling. Kenshi then looks towards Shang Tsung.

"It's now or never, Shang Tsung!" Kenshi calls out.

"Shang Tsung then fills another syringe with the newly made serum and turns towards the others. At this point, Mileena elbows Kung Lao in the face, pushing him back. She then grabs Johnny by the throat, ready to bite him. Kenshi grabs her by the hair and pulls her away from him. Mileena then pushes him back as a red portal opens up and Manado walks through it. He then looks on to what is happening as Mileena rushes towards the table.

"What in all the realms is..." Manado wonders before looking on in horror as Mileena grabs a pair of Sai and stabs Kenshi straight in the eyes, blood gushing out as he screams in pain.

"Kenshi!" Johnny calls out.

Mileena then rips the Sai out of his eyes and readies to stab him again when Manado pulls her back.

"Mileena! Stop this at once!" Manado yells.

Mileena the headbutts him in the face, forcing him to let go. She then grabs hold of a flaming torch of some kind and throws it straight at Manado's face, setting his head ablaze. He screams out in agony as he feels his head burning from the flames. He falls to the floor and the impact extinguishes the flames. Shang Tsung then grabs Mileena into a headlock and injecting the serum into her neck. Mileena struggles before going limp, her tarkatan features beginning to revert to normal as she passes out. By this point, Kitana walks in, accompanied by Goro and General Shao as they see what is happening.

"By the gods! Mileena!" Kitana calls out as she rushes to her side.

She then looks towards Manado and sees his heavily burned head.

"Manado! What's happened here, sorceror?!" Kitana asks.

"These men were sent to distrupt your sister's treatment and scandalize Outworld by revealing her illness. Manado intervened and was injured in the process." Shang Tsung explains.

"What?! That's totally fake news!" Johnny replies.

Johnny looks towards Kitana.

"Princess, we..." Johnny says before Goro punches him in the face, knocking him unconscious.

He then attacks Kung Lao who blocks the first strike before being punched in the gut followed by a punch to the face, knocking him down.

"Thank you, Goro. I've no stomach for Earthrealm lies. We should detain the earthrealmers and the Tarkatan we found outside. At least until the Empress is ready to respond to this incursion." General Shao says.

"Agreed." Kitana replies.

General Shao snaps his fingers and soldiers pick up the earthrealmers and drag them out of the room. Kitana looks down at her sister and her husband, who she gently rubs his head without agonizing the burns.

"But she must realize that this incident proves Earthrealm's bad faith. We must strike them now to protect ourselves." Shao Kahn urges.

Kitana looks up at him.

"No. They would not do this. There must be a misunderstanding." Kitana points out.

A green portal then opens and a dark skinned man walks through. The portal closes behind him and the man approaches them.

"It is no misunderstanding, Princess. It is a confirmation of my prophecy. Left unchecked, Liu Kang will conquer Outworld and that your husband, despite his newly made injuries will betray the royal family." The man explains.

Kitana looks on in thought as the man then kneels down beside her.

"I apologize for not arriving sooner, to defend your sister. I am glad she received her treatment." The man says.

"The princess is safe, but the threat from Earthrealm remains." Shang Tsung points out.

"Yes. (Looks towards the man.) Quan Chi, when do you anticipate they will strike?" General Shao asks.

"Soon. Today's events were foretold in the final quatrains of the prophecy, which means that Manado's betrayal won't be far behind." Quan Chi explains.

"Then I am right. We must act now, Princess." General Shao urges.

I will take your concerns to the Empress. It is for her to decide. (Looks towards Rain and Tanya.) Rain. Tanya. Assist me." Kitana says.

Rain the lift up Mileena with the help of Tanya and they leave the room with Kitana following them with Manado in her arms. Shang Tsung then looks towards General Shao with a smirk on his face.

"What truly happened here, sorcerer?" General Shao asks.

"That the earthrealmers interrupted the princess's treatment was happenstance. They were here to capture me for Liu Kang." Shang Tsung explains.

"You? Why?" General Shao asks.

"That I must investigate. For now, let us revel in our good fortune. The earthrealmers' serendipitous arrival has given us ample evidence to convince the Empress of the truth of Quan Chi's prophecy." Shang Tsung explains.

"Conflict with Earthrealm is now inevitable." Quan Chi says.

"Not necessarily. The Empress has never been eager for conflict." Shang Tsung points out.

"If she resists, she will be replaced. Outworld needs a steadfast leader." General Shao says.

"A leader like you, perhaps?" Shang Tsung asks.

"If my realm requires it of me." General Shao says, smiling at the thought of being emperor.

He then looks towards both Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.

"Kill the earthrealmers. They cannot report back to Liu Kang. And make sure Sindel is convinced that Manado is a threat to her and her family." General Shao orders.

He then leaves the room, leaving the two sorcerers alone, much to their satisfaction.

"Their deaths will also feed the ire between realms." Quan Chi points out,

"Two birds... one stone." Shang Tsung replies.

Quan Chi chuckles.

"Our benefactor will be pleased." Quan Chi says.

"She needs the realms at war, not at the brink of it, in order to conquer them both. Only then will we rule at her side." Shang Tsung points out.

"Before she found me, languishing in the mines, I would not have though such a thing possible. But soon... she'll have transformed us from serfs into scions" Quan Chi explains..