Outside the temple of the Wu Shi Academy stand Lin Kuei warriors Sun Zero, Scorpion, and Smoke awaiting Liu Kang who requested them to be there. Sub Zero however, seems to be growing impatient.

"How long are we expected to linger?" Sub Zero asks.

"Patience, Bi Han. There are many demands on Liu Kang's attention." Scorpion replies.

"Were he here, Father would advise us to wait without protest." Smoke says.

"But now he is gone and I am Grandmaster." Sub Zero points out.

"His teachings did not pass with him. They should guide us." Scorpion advises.

"Guide us, yes. Shackle us, no." Sub Zero says.

"We can't abandon tradition." Smoke points out.

"Mind your place, Tomas. Father may taken you in, made you one of us... but your blood will never be Lin Kuei." Sub Zero says.

Smoke glares at Sub Zero after the remark but before the conversation can go further, Raiden and Kung Lao enter the room they are in, the two bowing to them briefly.

"Lord Liu Kang can see you now." Raiden informs.

"It is about time." Sun Zero replies.

Raiden and Kung Lao lead the Liu Kuei warriors into the temple and when they reach Liu Kang, he begins explaining the current situation to them.

"Shang Tsung is here, at the ruins of Ying Fortress. His soul stealers are already under construction. You must destroy them, and capture Shang Tsung, before either can inflict harm upon Earthrealm." Liu Kang explains.

"We will leave immediately." Sub Zero says.

"And we will join you." Raiden adds.

"You are not Lin Kuei. You would only hinder the effort." Sub Zero points out.

"Raiden and I are more than...!" Kung Lao says before being cut off.

"We're trained differently. It takes years to master our ways." Scorpion explains.

"You and Raiden have my full confidence, but you are needed elsewhere. Go to the Wu Shi. The monks must prepare you for war." Liu Kang informs.

Later, Sub Zero, Scorpion, and Smoke can be seen standing a good distance outside of the ruins of the fortress. Sub Zero looks through a binocular and sees several Outworld soldiers moving within the temple grounds.

"The only way in is over the walls." Smoke points out.

"We must find a less guarded before attempting an acsent. Finally we face a worthy foe. Victory will bring us glory." Sub Zero says.

"Glory? We fight for duty." Scorpion points out.

"Does our Father's ghost possess you? All I hear is his voice." Sub Zero says.

"We must honor his vision, Bi Han." Scorpion advises.

"Vision is what he lacked. He was blind to our superiority. We settle for defending Earthrealm when we could help lead it." Sub Zero explains.

"Our clan doesn't govern. It serves." Smoke points out.

"That is our past. It won't be our future." Sub Zero replies.

Bi Han then walks off towards the temple, Scorpion and Smoke glancing at each other with concern before following their brother and grandmaster. A short time later, Scorpion and Sub Zero manage to climb up the wall of the temple as Smoke merely levitates up from behind them with his magic. A screech catches his attention and Smoke looks up to see Nitara flying down towards him. Nitara then knocks into him, Smoke's magic dissipating and he then falls down the cliffside. Acting quickly, Smoke manages to take one of his daggers and embed it into the wall, stopping him from falling to his death.

Sub Zero and Scorpion look down at him briefly before noticing Nitara flying back down towards them. Nitara then tackles Sun Zero and the two go sliding across the ground. Nitara attempts to bite him but Sub Zero manages to kick her off of him. Sub Zero rises back to his feet as Scorpion joins him at his side.

"As a boy, I heard tales of battles agains your kind. I had thought them tall ones." Sub Zero says.

"All Earthrealmers will soon know of Vaeternus. My realm starves and it's coming here to feed." Nitara informs.

They then fight. Nitara proves to be a tough fight for Sub Zero with her vampiric magic and her wings give her an Ariel advantage. Sub Zero however quickly shows that his skills in kombat are vastly superior and in short notice, Nitara is knocked to the ground unconscious.

"You will end this day hungry." Sub Zero says.

Sub Zero then starts to walk but it's stopped when green soul magic envelops his feet, preventing him from moving,

"What is this?!" Sub Zero asks.

Sub Zero then looks up to see Ermac hovering in the air and moving towards him.

"We are charged with defending the fortress. None will escape us." Ermac says.

Ermac then envelops Sub Zero's arms with his magic, attempting to rip his arms off, but Sub Zero manages to break free and sends a blast of ice magic at Ermac, knocking him out of the sky and onto the ground.

"You are Quan Chi's creation. Liu Kang warned about you. I had hoped for the chance to battle your dark magic." Sub Zero says.

They then fight. Ermac proves to be quite the challenge for Sub Zero. Ermac's magic gives him an edge that forces Sub Zero to adapt and change tactics. The fight lasts awhile but with both sheer skill and determination, Sub Zero is victorious.

"You are not so fearsome." Sub Zero says.

Sub Zero then turns to see Scorpion and Smoke approaching him.

"You're both unharmed?" Sub Zero asks.

"We are, brother." Scorpion replies.

"Good. After our years of idleness, it pleases me to again face kombat." Sub Zero says,

"I will be pleased when we complete our mission." Scorpion points out.

The three Liu Kuei warriors begin making their way through the grounds of the Ruin, using stealth to avoid being seen. They then make their way to one of the soul stealers. Sub Zero reaches to examine it when a voice catches their attention.

"Be care with what you're handling. We have no time for mistakes." The voice says.

Sub Zero, Scorpion, and Smoke quietly move to where they heard the voice and they find Quan Chi looking over a group of Outworld soldiers constructing another soul stealer.

"Continue working. I must oversee production of the remaining basins." Quan Chi orders.

Quan Chi leaves the soldiers alone to do their work and he walks into the ruined fortress. Unknown to him though, as he walks into fortress. Sub Zero, Scorpion, Smoke quickly dispose of the soldiers, Sub Zero stabbing one in the chest with his dagger.

"That's Quan Chi. The other sorcerer Liu Kang described." Smoke says.

"Kuai Liang and I will capture him. Stay here. Do not let them activate the soul stealers." Sub Zero orders.

And with that, Sub Zero and Scorpion quietly follow Quan Chi through the fortress, keeping their distance so they aren't caught. They then cease their movement and Sub Zero picks up a gold coin with a large hood inside it. He then looks within the room they walked into to find all sorts of treasure scattered across the area. They looks towards their right and see Quan Chi standing with a group of soldiers.

"There will be spoils in this war." Sub Zero realizes.

"Let us win it first, brother." Scorpion advises.

The sound of footsteps behind them catches their attention and they quickly move away from the doorway to avoid being seen. Once in their hiding place, the see Shang Tsung enter the room. He then Approaches Quan Chi.

"Will the soul stealers be complete on time, Quan Chi?" Shang Tsung asks.

"Yes. Our benefactor's guidance has proven most helpful." Quan Chi replies.

"If we break it, we'll halt their construction." Scorpion points out.

"Agreed." Sub Zero replies.

The two then charge towards the Sorcerers. Quan Chi summons a wall of skulls but Sub Zero merely bashes it away and engages in kombat with him as Scorpion fights Shang Tsung. Scorpion sends a kick followed by a series of strikes, forcing Shang Tsung to block and backpedal. Shang Tsung then tries to go on the offensive, earning him a kick to the face by Scorpion. Scorpion then jumps onto a pillar and with the momentum sends a powerful strike to Shang Tsung's head, causing him to stumble. Sun Zero tries to kick Quan Chi who manages to backpedal away from the strike. He then sends a kick of his own but Sub Zero manages to duck underneath the kick. He then blocks an overhead strike but is then punched in the abdomen but responds with a kick to Quan Chi's chest.

"Ah, the Lin Kuei. We have been expecting you." Quan Chi says.

"Were you told also to expect defeat? This ends no other way." Sub Zero replies.

They then fight. Quan Chi proves to be an opponent that even Sub Zero would have trouble with kombating. His control over sorcery combined with his skills in kombat makes him a force to be reckoned with. Sub Zero does not back down however and after a long fight. Quan Chi is knocked down.

"Your failure was inevitable." Sub Zero says.

Scorpion can be seen continuing his fight with Shang Tsung. Shang Tsung attempts to strike him but Scorpion finds an opening and punches him in the abdomen, followed by a kick to his face. Shang Tsung recovers quickly and sends a flaming skull at him. Scorpion sidesteps to avoid being hit but the skull slams into the mountain of gold coins behind. The coins give in and collapse right on top of him, burying Scorpion in coins. Sub Zero steps and fires a blast of ice magic at Shang Tsung who blocks it with a wall of fire.

"This is so unnecessary. When I can offer you, you won't decline." Shang Tsung says.

"Unless it's your surrender. I am not interested." Sub Zero replies.

They then fight. Sub Zero quickly finds that Shang Tsung may be a competent fighter, but compared to Quan Chi and Ermac, he is an easier kombatant to handle. After a short while, Shang Tsung is knocked to the floor.

"I had hoped for a worthier enemy." Sub Zero says.

Sub Zero then summons an axe made of ice and readies to slice Shang Tsung's head off, but suddenly General Shao and his hoard of Outworld soldiers comes charging in. The two Lin Kuei brothers ward them off the best they can but are quickly knocked to the ground by their overwhelming numbers. They quickly restrain the two brothers who struggle to no avail. Shang Tsung stands back to his feet and approaches the two of them.

"Perhaps now you wish to entertain my offer?" Shang Tsung asks.

"How would you know what I value? We are strangers to each other." Sub Zero points out.

"I know that you wish to break free of Liu Kang's control... to gain your clan unrivaled power. I offer the means to do both." Shang Tsung offers.

"Ignore him, brother. He promises only corruption." Scorpion warns.

"Grandmaster... I am sure you're asking yourself. Can I afford to trust a man I have never met? But, the true question you must ask is... Can I afford not to?" Shang Tsung asks.

Sub Zero looks at him with a curious look, as if he's actually considering this offer given to him.

Elsewhere, Geras can be seen at the hourglass viewing a sand hologram of when the mysterious woman aided Shang Tsung.

"And you were meant for more. To live among kings, not peasants. But since before you were born, you have been conspired against. By those who fear how formidable you could become. I am your deliver, Shang Tsung. Join me and I will put the realms at your feet." The woman's hologram speaks.

"Who are you?" Geras wonders.

He investigates furthers and finds something shocking, and his eyes grow wide.

"Impossible." Geras says.