An underground complex can be seen, bloodied humanoids with limbs apparently stitched to their body chained up on the walls and even in the ceiling. Blood drips onto the floor which is drained out through a storm drain. The sound of banging is heard as Baraka is seen locked in a cell, trying to break out but is unsuccessful. Behind him sits Kenshi in the corner of the cell, clearly still in pain from the eyes being stabbed. He then speaks but his voice is barely more than a pained whisper.

"You've been at that for hours." Kenshi says.

"It you could see, you'd know why." Baraka replies as he continues trying to break the cell bars.

"That's not happening is it?" Kenshi asks.

Kenshi's head lays low, blood staining where his eyes once were.

"Keep talking will you? To keep my mind off this. Tell me about life before you got sick." Kenshi requests.

"I was doing well, trading goods up and down the Fartakh coast. My family was comfortable, happy." Baraka says.

Baraka lets out a dejected sigh as memories rise back up in his mind.

"Then Tarkat came. It took my wife, then my children. Cruelly, it lets me live for now. I think it enjoys ravaging my body more slowly." Baraka explains.

A groan is heard and Baraka turns to Johnny waking up, his hand on his head due to a headache.

"Ugh. This hangover." Johnny says.

Johnny turns and sees Kenshi. He rushes to his side.

"Kenshi! Goddammit. How bad's the pain?" Johnny asks.

"Excruciating." Kenshi replies.

"You saved me. I won't forget that." Johnny says.

"But you may just regret it." Baraka points out.

"What're you..." Johnny says before looking outside the cell through the bars.

He sees some twisted form of a laboratory. Test tubes scattered throughout. Blood staining the floors. Prisoners chained and restrained on tables and stands. Johnny looks on at the sight in shock,

"What in the... When did we take the left turn into survival horror?" Johnny asks.

"This is Shang Tsung's real laboratory." Baraka replies.

"We're beneath where we were before. That was a false front." Kenshi explains.

Kung Lao is then seen having awakened as well and standing beside Johnny.

"Reminds me of this cheap-ass film I did in my early days. The Flesh Pits. God that was trash." Johnny says.

The door to the lab then opens and a man in green attire walks inside.

"Who's that." Johnny asks.

"Our jailor." Baraka replies.

The man walks past their cell and towards a barrel full of flesh and bones. He takes a piece and throws it a cell. The prisoner inside immediately crawls it it and devours into it. The man turns and walks across the room and towards a table that sits on the other side. Baraka, Johnny, and Kung Lao see Manado strapped to the table with vials and tubes attached to the table.

"Is it Manado? What is he doing here?" Kung Lao asks.

"Beats me. But he's certainly seen better days." Johnny replies, pointing out the burns on Manado's head.

The man then turns to their cell and addresses them.

"How is he?" The man asks, referring to Kenshi.

"His eyes are gouged out. Guess." Johnny replies.

The man then takes a container from a stand next to the cell and hands it to Johnny.

"That will dull the pain." The man says.

Johnny takes the container and kneels down in front of Kenshi.

"Your vile to be part of this." Baraka says.

"You are Shang Tsung's prisoner. I am his slave. He had my family. He'll kill them if I don't obey." The man explains.

Johnny opens the container, revealing some form of brownish orange substance. Johnny then takes a piece of red fabric and rubs some of the substance onto it. Johnny then takes the fabric and wraps it around Kenshi's head like a bandana or a blindfold. Kenshi sighs in relief, feeling the pain subside. Baraka is seen still conversing with the man.

"Why did he pick you?" Baraka asks.

"So he could learn how I shapeshift." The man replies.

"He learned that from you? We saw him do that. It was unreal?" Kung Lao says.

"So how does it work? You just shapeshift into anything you want?" Johnny asks.

"I can shift only between this and my natural form." The man replies.

The man then shifts into a more reptilian form, complete with a long tail and sharp teeth.

"Whoa." Johnny exasperates.

"Your Zaterran. Your race can shape shift?" Baraka asks.

"None can except me." The Zaterran says, the voice more deep and growls in his reptilian form.

The man shifts back to his human form and turns to see Shang Tsung's teleport into the laboratory from a flash of white light. Shang Tsung addresses the man.

"Are they ready? It's time." Shang Tsung says.

"Time for what, sorcerer?" Baraka asks.

"Replication experiments. They begin with your vivisection. I'll use your harvested parts to build new creations. The process is fatal, of course." Shang Tsung explains.

"Liu Kang won't let you get away with this." Johnny points out.

Shang Tsung chuckles as he steps forward towards the cell.

"That presumes he will ever learn what happened. But when I am done, there will be no trace left of you." Shang Tsung says.

Shang Tsung then walks towards the table where Manado is strapped and looks down at him with a smirk. Shang Tsung then looks towards the man.

"Begin the extraction. I shall return soon to check progress. I have other matters to which I must attend." Shang Tsung says before teleporting out of the lab.

The man turns away from the cell.

"You don't have to do this." Baraka points out.

"It's either you or my family." The Zaterran says.

The Zaterran then approaches the table and flips a switch that hangs on the wall beside the table. The extractor activates and Manado immediately awakes, gasping and groaning from the feeling of being drained. The tubes and vials begin to be filled with red energy. The Zaterran then walks towards a cell gate on the other side of the room. He pulls on a chain and the gate opens, revealing a group of Tarkatan clones.

"Put them in the chambers." The Zaterran orders.

The clones immediately rush towards the others, who's cell opens up. Baraka unsheathes his blades as Johnny and Kung Lao assume fighting stances. Johnny swings from the pulled up cell door and kicks down the first clone before punching it out cold. He then kicks two more to the ground before a third pins him against a pillar. More clones attack Barack and Kung Lao. Kung Lao grabs one clone and punches him in the face as Baraka pins another to the wall and stabs it in the chest. Kung Lao punches the clone again before another comes up from behind and grabs hold of him. Another clone runs towards Baraka who turns to see it and stabs it three times in its midsection before tossing it aside. He walks forward and stabs another and tosses it over his head. Baraka continues moving forwards and slashes another clone. He then stabs the clone in the chest and through the back as another punches him in the face, but to little effect as Baraka slashes it in the face and stabs it the face.

As the clone falls, Kenshi and Johnny are dragged through lab by more clones before being thrown into cages. Kung Lao is seen also being dragged but one of the clones is distracted by a man strapped to the wall and moves forward to consume his face. This gives Kung Lao an opportunity and he kick the other clone away from him. Another clone rushes to him and Kung Lao punches the clone several times in the head and chest, pushing it back. He then kicks another in the head twice, knocking it down. He sees another rush to him and moves to the side, avoiding being hit. He then kicks the clone back and it hits the wall before falling to the floor, unconscious. Kung Lao then sees his chakram hat sitting on a table before throwing it like a frisbee. The hat decapitates a clone followed by one who Baraka was attacking. Kung Lao joins Baraka at his side as he catches his hat in his hands. They then assume fighting stances as more approach them.

They then fight. The Tarkatan clones fight with such ferocity that would make any normal man would run away in terror from. Baraka however, his mind still intact fights with equal ferocity but with efficiency and with skill. With the aid of Kung Lao, they defeat the clones.

"There is nothing more foul." Baraka says.

Baraka and Kung Lao then see electric currents course through the cages and begin to electrocute Kenshi and Johnny Cage. They turn to see the man has flipped a switch. They turn back.

"You spoke too soon, Baraka." Kung Lao says.

A clone tries to rise again but gets its head crushed by some form of a Super Tarkatan. The super tarkatan roars at Baraka and Kung Lao before the two assume a fighting stance.

They then fight. The super tarkatan proves to be an even greater threat then the clones due to its size and even greater strength and ferocity. Baraka however is determined and refuses to die down here due to an abomination against nature. After a brutal fight, the super tarkatan is knocked to the ground.

"Enough distractions." Baraka says.

Baraka then rushes to the cages and rips the bars right off. Kung Lao help Johnny and Kenshi out as the door to the lab is kicked open. They look to see Talion rush in. She looks towards them before turning see Manado writhing on the table.

"Dad!" Talion calls out.

She rushes towards him but is stopped by three tarkatan clones. She looks at them with sheer determination.

"Get out of my way!" Talion yells.

One clones charges but is then punched in the face before being tossed aside by Talion. She approaches another and kick it in the face before shoving it against the wall. The third charges but is then sweep kicked to the ground before Talion punches it in the back of its head. Talion moves to help her father but hears the clones charging at her again. She sighs and turns towards them, her eyes glowing blue with energy. She then summons her blue energy magic and sends a blast towards the clones. The blasts goes right through all three of them, leaving nothing but a gaping hole through their chests as they fall to the floor. Talion, seeing the threat has been taking care of, rushes to aid Manado. The other look at her, Johnny seeming impressed.

"Sheesh. Remind me not to get on her bad side." Johnny says.

Johnny and Kung Lao then have Kenshi wrap his arms over their shoulders they help him walk away from the cages to leave the lab. Baraka follows them but then stops when he hears the Zaterran approaching him.

"I'm ruined! Shang Tsung will punish me for this by torturing my family! You'll pay... for their suffering, Tarkatan!" The Zaterran exasperates.

They then fight. The Zaterran proves to be a formidable opponent for Baraka. His shape shifting proves to be a great skill in kombat, forcing Baraka to adapt. Baraka however shows more skill and determination and after a long fight, knocks the Zaterran down to the floor.

"We are leaving." Baraka says.

The Zaterran rips off his mask and looks up at Baraka.

"Then kill me. If I die, maybe he'll spare my family." The Zaterran says, his face showing anger and shame.

"No. I won't murder you." Baraka replies.

"It's mercy. Not murder. Not that what I've done deserves yours." The Zaterran says.

"You were protecting your family. I would've done the same." Baraka replies.

By this point, Talion managed to shut off the machine and is currently freeing Manado from his restraints.

"Thanks for the save. And for a second, I thought no one would come." Manado says.

"Well, I ain't going to leave my dad to die, now am I?" Talion replies.

She then rips open the restraints and helps Manado to his feet.

"Can you walk?" Talion asks.

"I'll be fine." Manado replies.

Talion then helps Manado to where Baraka is as the Zatarran stands back to his feet. The four of them then see Shang Tsung teleport into the lab, seeing the carnage that has happened and glares at the Zaterran.

"What has happened here?" Shang Tsung asks.

Johnny then takes Sento which sat on a table and join Manado, Talion and Baraka at their side. Shang Tsung sees them and glares at the Zaterran, pointing his finger at him.

"Syzoth, you fool. You've let them ruin everything!" Shang Tsung says.

"Enough talk. You've been a pain in my side for long enough, Shang Tsung. Your madness ends now!" Manado says.

He then sends his arms out to summon his magic but nothing happens. He looks at his hands in shock.

"What?" Manado asks in surprise.

Shang Tsung chuckles.

"Did your really think It'd be that easy? Your powers are gone, Manado." Shang Tsung says.

"It doesn't matter. We're going, sorcerer." Baraka says, unsheathing his blades.

"And we're taking you with us. Liu Kang would like a word." Johnny says.

Shang Tsung turns from them and steps away from them.

"I cannot be apprehended so easily." Shang Tsung points out.

Shang Tsung then says a chant and with his sorcery, summons a green cloud which begins to fill the lab. The entrance is then blocked by metal gate.

"Yeah, I got a bad feeling about this." Johnny says.

"I bid you all farewell. Cheer up Syzoth. I'm reuniting you with your family." Shang Tsung says.

Syzoth look at him with a look of horror.

"They're dead? You kill them?!" Syzoth asks.

"Many moons ago. I do hate loose ends." Shang Tsung replies, a smirk plastered on his face.

Syzoth's face goes from horror to anger and moves to grab Shang Tsung who then teleports out of the lab just before Syzoth reaches him.

"We've gotta get out of here." Johnny urges.

Syzoth rushes to the gate and tries to open it but to no avail.

"What's wrong?" Kenshi asks.

"The gate must have sealed when the gas was released." Syzoth explains.

Baraka sheathes his blades and steps forward.

"Step aside." Baraka says.

Syzoth steps to the side and with all his strength, Baraka manages to break down the gate.

"Hurry!" Baraka urges.

"This way. Follow me." Syzoth says.

Baraka follows him alongside Talion, Manado, Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Johnny.

"Leave me. I'll just slow you down." Kenshi says.

"What? Shang Tsung finds you, he'll kill you." Johnny points out.

"Look at me. I'm useless. Don't risk your lives to save mine." Kenshi says.

"Hey. You are not giving up. The Taira need you, remember? We are gonna get back home and figure out how to help you, got it?" Johnny asks.

Close behind them, Manado is seen still in shock.

"I can't believe he actually managed to drain my powers." Manado says.

"We'll find a way to restore them. I promise." Talion assures.

"But what if we can't? I can't be Outworld's protector if I don't have my powers." Manado points out.

"Dad, look at me. It doesn't matter whether you have your powers or not. You are who your are and that's all that matters. You are not alone in this." Talion explains.

Manado looks at his daughter and smiles.

"Thank you, daughter." Manado says.

Talion smiles at her father as they follow the others out of the laboratory. Later, they find themselves walking through a forest outside the laboratory.

"We can't linger. We'll be captured." Syzoth advises.

"We need help getting Kenshi to the portal at Sun Do." Kung Lao says.

"I can take you only to the city's gate. Tarkatans are forbidden inside." Baraka informs.

"I'll see you the rest of the way. It's the least I can do to make amends." Syzoth says.

They continue moving through the forest. Kenshi is no longer being helped with his walking but keeps a hand on Johnny's shoulder so he doesn't lose them. They then walk through a part of the forest where many of the trees seem to have faces on them.

"God, this reminds me of Wicked Planet. We had this forest in the second act." Johnny says.

"The manticore battle?" Kenshi asks.

"Yes! It was a pain to shoot, but man did it come out epic." Johnny says.

"I can picture it exactly." Kenshi replies.

Johnny smiles at him as they continue moving forward.

"Welcome to the living forest, everyone." Manado says.

"Aren't all forests living, Manado?" Kung Lao asks.

"Yes, but this forest is unique." Manado replies.

"He is right. No others have trees that house the souls of the dead." Baraka informs.

"Whoa, what a tick. We're talking ghosts?" Johnny asks.

"Good ones, not evil." Baraka replies.

"You guys know anybody in here?" Johnny asks.

"Some distant relatives." Baraka replies.

"We have relatives here too. My parents, Jerrod..." Manado informs, memories flooding his mind.

"You will find no Zaterrans." Syzoth says.

Baraka turns to him, almost in surprise.

"Why not?" Kenshi asks.

"Warm bloods don't welcome us. So we keep to ourselves, living underground in Zikandur province." Syzoth explains.

"Then how did you meet Shang Tsung?" Kung Lao asks.

"That I could take human form made me a freak among my people. I was terrorized and run out. Starving and beggared, I joined a traveling carnival. Turned out there are many who would pay good money for see my "Gift". Back then, Shang Tsung was a huckster. We crossed paths and he saw what I could do. When he began to learn real sorcery, he asked to study me. When I declined, he took my family hostage." Syzoth explains.

"Well. That's an offer you can't refuse." Johnny says.

"He is dangerous. And he has plans. He. General Shao. Rain, they are conspiring." Syzoth informs.

"To do what?" Kenshi asks.

"I can't say for certain. I've only overheard fragments." Syzoth replies.

Manado listens to his story when he turns his head and sees a tree with two distinct faces on it. He ceases his movement and turns towards it. He walks towards it and places a hand on the tree, looking on at the faces as a look of sorrow forms on his face. The others see him and approach him. Talion places a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"You recognize them?" Kung Lao asks.

"My parents. Ren and Delia. They were once the guardians of Outworld who defended the realm for millennia. I was just a child when they sadly have passed away. The father died in battle against the dragon king." Manado explains.

"Onaga? He's exists?" Baraka asks.

"Yes, he very much does. Fortunately, my father was able to chain him down and banish him. But his wounds proved too great. He never made it home. My mother died during the Tervarian War. General Shao was meant to protect her. He failed and my mother paid the price. I've held resentment towards him ever since." Manado says.

The memories prove to be taking a toll on his mind as a tear fall from his eye. Talion can only be there to comfort him. Manado then looks up at her.

"You would've loved them, Talion. They were some of the best folks you would've ever met.

"I'm sure they're very proud of you, dad." Talion says.

Manado softly smiles at her before looking back at the tree. Suddenly, a roar is heard in the distance. Everyone becomes concerned as to where it came from. Syzoth morphs into his reptile form as Baraka unsheathes his blades. Leaving the others behind, the run through the forest together to figure out the source of the roar.

They reach a clearing within the forest and a head falls at their feet. They see a woman wielding a black sword fighting off a trio of demonic creatures. The woman slashes the first demon twice before stabbing it the chest. She rips the sword out and slashes the second two times in the midsection and the demon falls to its hands and knees. The third demon tries to attack her again but the woman notices and decapitates the demon. The first demon from before comes up from behind but is then stabbed through the eye by the woman. The second demon charges but is then stabbed in the chest. The woman kicks the demon back before stabbing the first demon in the chest as well before slashing the demon's head off. The second demon comes at her again and the woman slashes at its leg before thrusting her sword deep into its chest. The woman brings her sword up and slashes it's throat open and the demon falls. The woman assumes a stance as she notices Baraka and Syzoth.

"Quan Chi sends more demons?!" The woman asks before charging at them, sprouting white, glowing wings.

"Wait! We're not..." Baraka says before the woman kicks Syzoth in the chest, sending him to the ground.

The woman lands on her feet as Syzoth stands back up to his feet and joins Baraka at his side.

"With each of you I kill, my absolution grows nearer. Shedding your blood brings me closer to the light." The woman says before assuming a fighting stance.

They then fight. The woman proves to be one of Baraka's toughest battles, even with Syzoth's aid. Her skills with her sword in kombat shows both experience and determination. Baraka pulls through in the end and with Syzoth's help, the woman is knocked to the ground.

"Whoever you are, we are not demons." Baraka points out.

The woman rises back up to her feet, picking up her sword as she does so. She looks at them, still wary.

"If not demons, what are you?" The woman asks.

But this point, Syzoth shifts into his human form.

"He's Zaterran. I am Edenian. Or I was before my Tarkat affliction." Baraka informs.

"Outworlders?! Apologies. I'm glad I've caused neither of you permanent injury." The woman says.

Manado, Talion, Johnny, Kenshi, and Kung Lao walk into the clearing.

"(Sniffs) What is that?" Kenshi asks.

"Just keep swimming." Johnny replies.

He then looks towards the woman.

"So. Who's our femme fatale?" Johnny asks.

"I am Ashrah, demon of the Netherrealm." Ashrah introduces.

Manado's eyes go wide when he sees her.

"Demon? You look human, mostly. And what's a Netherrealm?" Johnny asks.

"The monks covered that with us. Did you sleep through every lesson?" Kenshi asks.

"That one, apparently." Johnny replies.

Kenshi sighs in annoyance.

"Netherrealm's hell, but real." Kung Lao informs.

"No shit." Johnny replies.

"I appear nearly human because I've purged most evil from my soul. When I'm done, the last vestiges of my demonic form will fade away." Ashrah explains.

"Why were the demons after you?" Kung Lao asks.

"They were sent by Quan Chi, my former master. I was part of his Sisterhood of Shadow. He wanted... still wants, dominion over the realms. I renounced him when I realized that I could not help him defile them." Ashrah explains.

"And now he wants you dead." Syzoth says.

"Precisely. I followed Quan Chi from the Netherrealm, here. He's building devices that steal souls on a mass scale. He's testing the first on the dead that reside in the forest." Ashrah explains.

"What?!" Manado and Talion asks in shock.

"Why steal souls, Ashrah?" Baraka asks.

"To harness their power. To what end, I don't know. But I do know that's it's to aid the designs of another sorcerer... Shang Tsung." Ashrah explains.

"Why am I not surprised?" Manado asks.

"Dammit. That guy's everywhere." Johnny says.

"You're sure Quan Chi is here?" Kenshi asks.

Ashrah's sword glows with a bright, angelic light.

"My kriss senses him. He's nearby." Ashrah replies.

Johnny looks towards Kenshi.

"Nope. No. We're getting you home." Johnny says.

"We have a job to do. Quan Chi could lead us to Shang Tsung." Kenshi points out.

"Your Liu Kang is right. Shang Tsung's a danger that must be dealt with. I will aid you." Baraka says.

"As will I." Syzoth vows.

Johnny sighs.

"I guess the ayes have it. Motion carries. Ashrah, lead the way." Johnny says.

Ashrah smiles, happy to have allies now to help her.