It's nighttime in Outworld and the streets of Sun Do are filled with festivities with its citizens in costumes and live music playing that can be heard throughout the whole capital. Amongst the rooftops, Syzoth can be seen scouting the area, keeping himself hidden from the public's view, especially after seeing General Shao in the streets, keeping an eye out for any trouble. Syzoth maneuvers his way across the rooftops, transforming into his reptile form to jump across a larger gap and climb up a larger structure. Reaching the top, he changes to his human form and surveys the center of the capital where the heart of the festivities takes place, the sounds of cheering echoing throughout. Amidst the crowd, Princess Kitana and Princess Mileena can be seen waving at the crowd as they walk past, accompanied by Umgadi Tanya and Khameleon. In another area of town, Li Mei can be seen approaching General Shao.

"Who are these Earthrealmers we're looking for?" Li Mei asks.

"You have their descriptions." General Shao replies.

"You can at least tell me why they're here. What they've done. And why Manado and Talion decided to join them." Li Mei insists.

"State secrets. Not for your ears." General Shao says.

He then walks away from Li Mei, leaving her to continue with his duty. Back with Kitana and Mileena, Mileena looks towards Tanya who approaches her.

"Yes, Princess?" Tanya asks.

"Fetch us water please?" Mileena requests.

Tanya smiles before nodding her head.

"As you wish." Tanya replies.

Tanya then walks off, Mileena smiling at her as she does so. Kitana notices.

"Careful Sister. Zaveer would not like you entangling with the Umgadi. Besides, whether he betrayed us or not, Manado is still our husband." Kitana warns.

Mileena looks towards her with surprise.

"You can't be serious, sister. After what he did, you still love him? He betrayed you. He betrayed me. He betrayed our mother, my son. For Argus's sake, he turned your own daughter against us. Yet after all that, you still care for him?" Mileena asks.

"I'm not saying what he did is excusable. But you have to remember that he is still the man we loved for centuries. A bond like that is not so easily broken. And I'm sure Manado has his reasons. He never would do something like this without one." Kitana explains.

Mileena merely shakes her head.

"Unbelievable." Mileena replies.

Mileena then walks off, leaving Kitana alone with a look of defeat on her face.

In an alleyway in another part of Sun Do, Johnny Cage can seen finishing putting on a disguise on a still unconscious Quan Chi.

"Night, night, sweet Prince of Darkness." Johnny Cage quips.

He then turns to reveal that himself, Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Ashrah are in disguises.

"Oh perfect. You'll fit right in." Johnny says.

Ashrah can be seen trying to fit the large hat on her head properly but is finding it difficult.

"You couldn't steal a more functional hat?" Ashrah asks.

"What? It hides your face. And honestly... it suits you.

Ashrah can help but smile at his words.

"I still don't know about this. Carrying him around will attract unwanted attention." Kenshi points out.

Johnny then points out towards the crowd passing by.

"Look at it out there. It's like Mardi Gras. People will think he just partied too hard." Johnny replies.

Manado and Talion walk up towards them, both in disguise as well, Manado's disguise covering every inch of his body. (Note: Basically the look he had when he was the figure in the previous timeline.)

"And it looks like the dynamic duo has arrived. But don't you think you think you might be going a little overboard? I mean your looking all dark and mysterious.

"As someone who all of Outworld knows, any part of me seen would be instantly recognized, not to mention that my burns would be a well known fact as well." Manado explains.

Just then, Syzoth arrives, having jumped off the rooftop.

"What's the word?" Johnny asks.

"Go toward the stage, then right to the portal gate. But there are soldiers and constables everywhere." Syzoth informs.

"Are you sure these are enough? One person spots us and we are dead." Kung Lao points out.

"And that's why I'll create a diversion." Syzoth says.

"They're out for you too, Syzoth." Kenshi points out.

"To catch me... they must see me." Syzoth replies, turning invisible right in front of him.

Johnny looks on in shock, a wide smile plastered on his face.

"Damn. You didn't tell me you could go full predator." Johnny says.

"Alright everyone. Let's get moving." Manado says.

The streets are filled with people and Johnny and Kung Lao can be seen carrying Quan Chi through the crowd, being lead by Kenshi, Ashrah, Manado, and Talion, Ashrah almost losing her hat at one point. Some people glance at them but continue walking past them. Kenshi then sees a small group of guards standing ahead of them.

"We could use that diversion." Kenshi points out.

Just then, a rocket whistle catches their attention and a strings of lanterns are set on fire by an unseen assailant. The lanterns fall, setting a building ablaze, the crowd quickly fleeing from the scene.

"Good work, Syzoth." Ashrah says.

The group quickly ventured forth, the crowd around them in a state of panic. Kitana and Tanya still stand on the stage, seeing the disturbance occur as more lanterns are set ablaze. Tanya approaches Kitana, grabbing her by the arm.

"Come, Princess." Tanya urges.

Kitana quickly bats her hand away.

"Unhand me. I'm going nowhere." Kitana says.

General Shao walks through the streets, seeing the chaos happen around him. He then looks towards his soldiers.

"Douse the fires! Find who set them!" General Shao orders.

Li Mei then approaches him.

"Stand down, General. This is my problem, not the military's." Li Mei points out.

A vocal growl emanates from General Shao as he sighs in annoyance. Li Mei then looks up from behind him.

"Look!" Li Mei says.

General Shao follows her gaze and sees a reptilian figure on the rooftop.

"Syzoth." General Shao realizes.

Li Mei looks at him.

"You know him? Who is he?" Li Mei asks.

"Unimportant. But it means the Earthrealmers are here. (Look behind him.) Reiko!" General Shao says.

Reiko quickly rushes to him. A small nod from General Shao and he and Li Mei rush through the crowd, spotting Syzoth move across the rooftops. They quickly follow, keeping a steady line of sight on him. Reiko then throws a throwing star at him and it lands a hit on Syzoth, hitting his arm and knocking him off the rooftop and onto the streets below. Syzoth gets back onto his feet, going invisible once more as he runs into the crowd. Li Mei stops momentarily, noticing a trail of green blood on the ground. She then looks towards Reiko.

"I'll get him." Li Mei says.

Li Mei runs forward once more, leaving Reiko trailing behind. The others continue moving through the crowd. Kenshi then stops and turns to see Syzoth being chased by Li Mei and Reiko.

"Syzoth!" Kenshi realizes as he then runs off after them.

Syzoth finds that he is cornered and turns towards Li Mei and Reiko, uncloaking himself as he does so.

"Green blood? Your Zaterran. How can you..." Li Mei asks before being cut off.

"There is much you don't know. Like what the General is truly up to." Syzoth replies, groaning from the pain given to him by the throwing star.

"Surrender and I'll hear you out. I can't if you resist arrest." Li Mei points out.

"You arrest me, he'll execute me. That's not how I intend to die." Syzoth says.

They then fight. Li Mei proves herself a tough opponent for Syzoth. As they fight however, Syzoth quickly learns that Li Mei is inexperienced in kombating a Zaterran, especially one that can shapeshift. This gives him an advantage which he takes. The fight takes awhile, but Syzoth in the end manages to knock Li Mei to the ground.

"Know that I am sorry for disturbing Sun Do's peace." Syzoth says.

Kitana, having witnessed the fight, sighs in fights and walks off the stage.

"Ludicrous." Kitana says.

Tanya quickly follows.

"Princess, no! You could be hurt." Tanya calls out.

Kitana ignores her warning and attacks Syzoth, who manages to avoid being struck by her bladed fans. Tanya, seeing no way to get Kitana out, jumps into the fight. She tries to strike Syzoth with her staff but is then kicked back. Kitana then rushes in, forcing Syzoth to backpedal from her bladed fans. Syzoth then blacks another strike before attempting to preform a sweep kick at Kitana, who manages to back away from the kick.

"Insurrection from a Zaterran? This is a day I never thought I'd see." Kitana says.

But this point, Kenshi arrives, standing behind Syzoth.

"You misread my intentions, Princess. Sadly, I've no time to explain them." Syzoth replies, assuming a fighting stance.

They then fight. Syzoth quickly finds himself in a tough matchup with Kitana, a warrior with ten thousand years of fighting experience giving her an advantage. Being outclassed in skill, Syzoth decides to use his superior strength and Zaterran abilities to full effect which in the end, barely gives him the victory over the Princess.

"Soon you will know the truth." Syzoth says.

Syzoth and Kenshi's then see Tanya rise back to her feet, aided by Khameleon, who rushes to her aid.

"Take the Princess and go. My fight's not with her, or you." Syzoth advises.

"It is now that you've laid your hands on her. I will take your life as punishment." Tanya replies.

They then fight. Tanya proves herself no less challenging of an opponent as Kitana was. She may not have as much experience but her skill is just as formidable. But when faced against a will to survive, few can outlast such an opponent and unfortunately, Tanya is not one of them. After a long fight, Tanya is knocked unconscious.

"My sentence is suspended, Umgadi." Syzoth says as he and Kenshi rush off to catch up with the others.

General Shao and Goro make their way through the crowd as the General notices the disguised Earthrealmers a short distance ahead.

"Found you." General Shao says.

The group continues moving but stop once they see Quan Chi begin to awaken. Johnny looks to Kung Lao and merely shrugs his shoulders before punching Quan Chi straight in the face to try and knock him out again. The two then kick him once in the chest before the two of them send a wind up punch to Quan Chi's face, sending him to the ground. They, along with Ashrah then see General Shao and Goro approach them as Quan Chi picks himself up and runs off.

"What about him?" Goro asks, gesturing to the retreating Quan Chi.

"Worry only about the Earthrealmers." General Shao replies.

Johnny looks to Kung Lao.

"This was one of my movies, we'd be saved by a plucky, comic sidekick." Johnny says.

The sound of laughter catches their attention and they see Syzoth and Kenshi swing down from a rooftop and land beside them, ready to stand against the General.

"If we die today... we die together." Syzoth says.

"Not comic, but definitely plucky." Johnny quips.

Just then he moves forward and kicks Goro square in the chest, causing him to stumble. He then sends a punch to his face and sends another, which is caught by Goro. Kung Lao, Kenshi, Ashrah, Manado, and Talion keep the soldiers at bay, batting them away when they get close. As they do so, Syzoth is facing against General Shao. He avoids a swing from his hammer before shifting into his reptile form and wraps his tail around the General's neck. He then uses his tail to throw him aside, the General rolling across the ground as a result. General Shao quickly rises back to his feet.

"It's unlike Shang Tsung to leave loose ends." General Shao says.

"Now that I'm free of him, I'll reveal your conspiracy to all of Outworld." Syzoth vows.

General Shao merely laughs.

"You'll do nothing of the kind. Dead men tell no tales." General Shao replies.

They then fight. General Shao quickly proves to be one of Syzoth's toughest opponents. His experience in kombat plus his superior strength gives him an advantage that would intimidate any lesser opponent. Syzoth however, is not intimidated by his stature and through sheer determination after a brutal fight, he stands victorious.

"You won't silence me, General." Syzoth says.

Manado then sends another soldier to the ground but then suddenly stops in his tracks. He then clings onto his head and begins to groan, his eyes shifting from normal, to red, and to blue. Talion sees this and rushes to his side.

"Dad, are you alright?" Talion asks.

"Something's wrong." Manado replies.

Manado falls to his knees as his eyes suddenly glow bright blue as green energy begins to expel out of his back, shocking Talion enough to back away. The magic disperse begins to go outwards, knocking any soldier that gets too close to the ground. After a moment, the energy begins to slowly disipate and Manado is able to stand once more. Talion walks closer to him with caution.

"What was that?" Talion asks.

"I don't know." Manado replies.

Suddenly, red energy begins to form around Manado's arms, him going wide eyed in response.

"My magic... it's returning." Manado realizes.

A determined look forms on Manado's face as he faces a group of soldiers rushing down towards him and the others. He steps forward and points a finger at them, his eyes glowing red with energy.

"Keep them busy." Manado orders.

Suddenly, several Camazotz and Abaddons emerge from his body and charge towards the soldiers and they engage in kombat. Manado looks towards the others.

"Quickly, let us move." Manado urges.

The group wastes no time and flees, Johnny punching Goro unconscious as he passes by him. The then move through the portal and arrive back at Earthrealm, more specifically, the Wu Shi Academy. They then turn back towards the portal, assuming their fighting stances incase anyone passes through it. Fortunately, the portal closes, allowing them to disengage in their stance. They then turn to see Liu Kang walking towards them, flanked by four monks.

"Johnny, Kenshi, Kung Lao. You have safely returned." Liu Kang says.

Kenshi and Manado step forward, Manado having remove his hat and mask, revealing his burns. Liu Kang looks at them in shock.

"By the elder gods!" Liu Kang exasperates.

Johnny sighs.

"We had a run-in with Princess Mileena's inner demons." Johnny replies.

"Manado got burned trying to restrain her. I lost my sight. But Sento, in its own way, restored it." Kenshi explains.

"I am glad that Sento bonded with you. Though my hope was that the mean would be different this time." Liu Kang says.

Kenshi looks at him with confusion.

"This time?" Kenshi asks.

Liu Kang glances towards Manado for a second before looking back.

"Forgive me, Kenshi. I misspoke. Go. The monks will tend to your wounds." Liu Kang says.

Manado looks towards Talion.

"Remain here. Speak with Liu Kang about our situation."

Talion nods and Manado, Kenshi, Talion, and Kung Lao walk away with the monks as Johnny speaks with Liu Kang.

"We found Shang Tsung, but he got away. I can see why you're twitchy about him. He's neck deep in some serious." Johnny explains before Liu Mang raises his hand up to stop him from continuing.

"Rest. Eat. Then we will discuss." Liu Kang advises.

"Can I get a martini? Shaken, not stirred?" Johnny asks.

Liu Kang merely smirks as Johnny looks back towards Ashrah and Syzoth.

"Ahh. I'm sorry. Meet the newest members of the Earthrealm players. We wouldn't have made it back without them." Johnny introduces.

Liu Kang takes a step forward towards them.

"Ashrah and Syzoth." Liu Kang says.

"You know us?" Syzoth asks.

"As Earthrealm's protector, there is much I know." Liu Kang replies.

"Do you know of my former master, Quan Chi? He colludes with Shang Tsung." Ashrah informs.

"And the two of them have conspired to turn the royal family against us." Talion adds.

"A new deadly alliance? Come, all of you. You must tell me all you know." Liu Kang urges.

Liu Kang then walks away and Ashrah, Syzoth, and Talion quickly follow him, leaving Johnny alone as he sighs.

"Well... so much for that martini." Johnny says before following as well.

Some time later, Liu Kang and Manado can be seen by the Fireplace Liu Kang sat at previously, circling around it as they speak with Geras.

"Shang Tsung and Quan Chi again conspire against Earthrealm?" Liu Kang asks.

"Unfortunately, yes. They have manipulated my family, lied to them that me and Talion have betrayed Outworld and now the whole realm is against us." Manado explains.

"But what you, Johnny, and Kenshi report should not be possible. (Looks towards Geras.) You witnessed how we rewrote history. We have the sorcerers meaningless lives. They should not have gained power, let alone joined forces." Liu Kang points out.

"And your work was flawless. Such would their lives have been, had someone not interfered." Geras says.

This stops Liu Kang and Manado in their tracks and look towards Geras.

"Interfered? What do you mean?" Liu Kang asks.

The three approach the fireplace and Geras conjures up his time sand and shows two holograms of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, both of them with a figure standing before them.

"Both sorcerers were visited by this person. It is her intervention that bent the arcs of their lives." Geras informs.

"Who is she, Geras?" Manado asks.

"Unknown. Her identity has been obscured from the Hourglass." Geras replies.

"Who could have that power? Is it Kronika, somehow resurrected?" Liu Kang asks.

"Impossible. Titans, once destroyed, cannot be revived." Geras replies.

"Then someone else must have survived the previous timeline. Someone with a vendetta against us." Manado says.

"It is the only plausible theory." Geras says.

"You must determine its validity, Geras. The fate of the realms may depend on it." Liu Kang urges.

Manado looks on at the hologram, viewing the strange figure that Geras said helped the two sorcerers. He looks on and someone about her seemed strangely familiar. He just hopes that they can apprehend her in time.