Sonya Blade was in an office listening to a village elder explain why a portal to Outworld had opened up with dozens of refugees pouring through. Her ex-husband and daughter had returned from their training mission. They were right outside, and she wanted to see them, or at least her daughter.
Sonya ears perked up when the elder said that they were told to come to Earthrealm by an individual whose description matched Kano. Sonya immediately figured that Kano was taking advantage of some crisis in Outworld to escape back to his criminal empire here in Earthrealm. She stood up, telling the elder not to worry, and they would help however they could. Then she went and briefed Cassie and her team about Kano's plan, and they immediately began searching for him.
As her team spread out, Sonya noticed a man in raggedy clothes trying to sneak out. Following her hunch, she apprehended the man. Her hunch was spot on. It was indeed Kano. The ensuing fight was fierce, but with a high kick to Kano's jaw, Sonya ended the fight.
Her victory was short-lived, however. As she turned to face her daughter, four individuals in matching hoodies and masks rushed up to her and stabbed her. Two in her lungs, and two in her heart. Cassie had rushed to her side. As Sonya's vision began to fade, she saw her attackers disappear into the portal to Outworld.
As everything faded, Sonya was bracing herself for what was going to happen next. But soon she found herself standing in front of a building, she checked herself for any signs of her injuries, but instead found herself in a younger version of herself. With everything going on, Sonya failed to notice that her memories of her life from the last twenty years were slowly fading from her mind.
Sonya also failed to notice that she wasn't alone. As she blankly walked towards the building, hoping for answers.
...
Nicholas was sitting there watching as Cassie and her friends were arguing about what to do. They had Kano, but the ones who just murdered Sonya Blade had escaped. Cassie, understandably wanted to go after them, Kung Jin tried to reason that they couldn't just go recklessly hunt through Outworld without violating the treaty.
Nicholas, not showing any emotion on his face, was satisfied how the Legion completed their mission. They made it look like they escaped to Outworld on top of everything else. Nicholas was satisfied mostly because there were only four individuals left for him to collect.
If he could have them all gather in Outworld, all the better. Johnny Cage, still shaken by the loss of Sonya, was reluctant to let them leave. Nicholas decided to volunteer to help. Johnny looked at Nicholas and made him swear that he would keep those "kids" safe. Nicholas agreed. It was easy, considering his final plan was in motion, and afterward, it wouldn't even matter anymore. In less than fifteen minutes, the five of them were ready to head out. Nicholas was ready to end this, especially since he had just sent Kitana and Jade away to his pocket realm. He has now dubbed Terra-Incubo. An appropriate name considering it loosely means land of nightmare. He could refer to it as inc for the shorthand.
...
Mileena was discussing her next attack with Tanya. Tanya was supporting her decisions but also advising caution. The amulet they found was indeed the perfect tool to turn the tide against those traitors, but Tanya kept saying that if they relied too heavily on it, the consequences would be devastating if they were to lose it. If anyone else had said that, and Mileena would've called them a coward and a traitor, but Tanya had proven time and time again to have Mileena's best interests at heart. Which is why they are discussing a strategy, instead of marching towards the traitor Kotal.
Tanya suddenly goes quiet. Mileena asks, "What's wrong?" Tanya answered, "I don't hear our warriors." Mileena eyes went wide as she realized Tanya was right.
Mileena and Tanya immediately left the tent. Only to find that all her soldiers slaughtered. Before Mileena could demand for what happened, she and Tanya were surrounded by some familiar faces that she hadn't seen in at least twenty years.
The memory of Goro"s fate while long ago had still left a deep impression. Which caused both Mileena and Tanya to hesitate. Suddenly, a familiar voice began to speak. Mileena frantically tried to identify where they were only to see it was coming from a bird.
The bird said, "Mileena, Tanya, it is good to see you again, and as you can guess I've learned some new tricks since last we met. And if you're wondering why I had your men slaughtered like cattle, well I'll tell you. I decided to add the both of you to my collection."
Mileena immediately interrupted and said, "And why would we even go along with such a foolish statement!" The bird just looked at her for a moment and then said, "My apologies if I made it seem like you had a choice in that regard. The reality is that I already have you." The bird used its wing to point at both Mileena and Tanya's feet.
They looked down to see their feet were already enveloped by some black fog, and were horrified to find the couldn't escape. The bird continued, "The only choice you have right now is, do you want to be a slave or a queen. Now immediately Mileena, you are quite the precious gem and one I would like to have untarnished. However, at the end if the day it's up to you. Just some food for thought."
Mileena wanted to scream, but the fog was already taking her and Tanya away. As it cleared, Mileena saw a tall building, and Tanya right next to her. If she truly had a choice, she knew what position she wanted. Mileena turned to Tanya and whispered, "We're going to need to prepare for what's ahead." Tanya nodded in agreement as they both headed towards this tall tower.
...
Cassandra or Cassie to her friends, was with her squad. They had successfully negotiated a deal with Kotal Kahn. They would deal with Mileena and her new super weapon and in exchange he would give them unrestricted access to search for her mother's killers. A bit of a unfair deal in most circumstances but she wanted to be the one who took them down.
Of course if the camp where Mileena and her rebels is covered in slaughtered Tarkatans, it makes things somewhat easier on their end. As well as confusing. After a thorough search, they were able to confirm that Mileena, Tanya, and the amulet she was using to reek havoc were nowhere to be found.
Their escort, D'vorah, was acting very agitated, she was clearly expecting something else. The sudden cry of a crow got everyone's attention. There it was, the super weapon they had come to retrieve. Firmly in the grip of the crow.
It immediately took off, and they tried to intercept it, to no avail. D'vorah got even more agitated. They followed the crow as best they could. Partially expecting the crow to drop the amulet at any moment. However, that was not the case. In fact it was almost like the bird was intentionally trying not to lose them.
They had managed to track it all the way to the old execution grounds, where Liu Kang first defeated Shao Kahn. The crow circled the arena before it dropped the amulet right into the hands of a hooded individual.
Cassie's blood froze as recognized the the guy as one of the four individuals who murdered her mother. The individual turned, and despite the fact they were wearing a full mask. Cassie could feel them looking right at her and laughing. As they casually ducked into the arena, Cassie chased after them, her squad following her lead. No matter how fast Cassie was, the hooded figure was always turning a corner at the other end of the hall.
Before she knew it, Cassie and company were in the pens. The place where prisoners and wild animals were kept while they waited for their turn in the arena. The place was poorly lit. The brightest spot was an a single beam of sun light shining on a single spot at opposite side. The amulet in clear view sitting a the base of some floating mess of twisted metal with hooks and barbed wire.
As angry as Cassie was, even she could see this was a trap. Her disbelief at the situation was briefly interrupted when she heard Nicholas say, "Well, it seem my long journey to find The Anchor is conveniently at an end." The sarcasm in his voice was on a level she never thought possible from anyone other then her parents when they were in a fight with each other back when she was a child.
Nicholas then approached the artifact, but before Cassie could tell him off, the artifact glowed and then released a wall of jagged black metal. The situation was made all the more arduous when Cassie heard, "What is the meaning if all this!" Cassie turned around to see Kotal Kahn and several of his minions, D'vorah, Ermac, and Erron Black. Before anyone could answer, music started to play.
[Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz]
Just as the music started, every killer she has ever been told about by her parents. Was suddenly had them all surrounded. As soon as words starred being sung, the fight began.