Mortal Kombat Conquest
Episode 02
Warrior Eternal Part Two
Written by: Juan Carlos Goto
Directed by: Oley Sassone
Transcribed by: Octavia
Kung Lao: Paolo Montalban
Siro: Daniel Bernhardt
Taja: Kristanna Loken
Shang Tsung: Bruce Locke
Vorpax: Tracey Douglas
Raiden: Jeffrey Meek
Jenevere Reyland: Jennifer Renton
Baron Reyland: John Reilly
Scorpion: Chris Casamassa
Voice: Previously on Mortal Kombat Conquest�
Cut to establishing shot of Outworld. Cut to shot of Kung Lao practising patterns.
Raiden: (voice over) It was a dark hour�the final defence of Earth Realm fell on the shoulders of one man: Kung Lao.
Cut to excerpts from Kung Lao�s fight with Shang Tsung.
Raiden: (voice over) His opponent was the Emperor�s sorcerer/warrior Shang Tsung.
We see Kung Lao on the ground with Shang Tsung trying to suck his soul out.
Shang: Earth will make a fine addition to Outworld�
Kung Lao kicks Shang Tsung in the face and then delivers the final uppercut.
Raiden: (voice over) By defeating Shang Tsung, Kung Lao saved his realm.
Cut to shot of Kung Lao praying in the temple.
Raiden: (voice over) His choice now is to train future fighters for Mortal Kombat�
Cut to shot of Jen from Kung Lao�s previous vision. Kung Lao and Jen kiss.
Raiden: (voice over) Or to lead a normal life with his beloved Jen.
Cut to Kung Lao talking with the Baron.
Raiden: (voice over) Kung Lao pleaded for Jen�s hand to her father - a wealthy merchant in the city of Zhu Zin.
Kung Lao: I can�t accept that answer, Jen will be my wife!
Baron: Jen is my property!
Cut to shot of Siro fighting the thieves.
Raiden: (voice over) But even the intervention of Jen�s own bodyguard and friend, the noble Siro, was not enough. Kung Lao�s request was denied.
Cut to shot of Kung Lao being held by Takeda.
Baron: Take him out and have him punished.
Cut to the Cobalt Mines. Vorpax leads Shang Tsung to the cave.
Raiden: (voice over) For his failure, Shang Tsung was banished by the Emperor to the Cobalt Mines of Outworld. There, with the help of Vorpax, he was shown a deadly warrior trapped in the body of a scorpion.
Cut to Shang Tsung nearly being stung by the scorpion. He grabs Vorpax by the throat.
Vorpax: It occurred to me that with your magic powers, you could release the warrior within.
Cut to the scorpion going through the portal to Earth Realm. It lands on Takeda.
Raiden: (voice over) The dark sorcerer unleashed it and sent in to Earth Realm into the body of Takeda, with orders to kill.
Cut to Kung Lao climbing into Jen�s room.
Raiden: (voice over) Kung Lao decided to run away with Jen, but with Takeda�s help, he was captured�
Cut to the guards and the Baron entering Jen�s room to see Takeda pinning Kung Lao.
Takeda: As you ordered, Baron.
Cut to the Baron sentencing Kung Lao.
Raiden: (voice over) �and ordered executed.
Baron: Tomorrow, you die.
Cut to Jen crying.
Raiden: (voice over) And perhaps with him, dies Earth Realm�s last hope.
Cut to Raiden teleporting in.
Raiden: (voice over) I am Raiden, god of thunder and protector of the Earth Realm.
End flashback.
Cut to Taja�s prison, in the cells of the Trading Post. TAJA lies on a thin mattress, tossing and turning as a nightmare overcomes her.
Raiden: (voice over) The fate of it all rests on the conscience of Taja, a thief held in the Baron�s service.
Taja tosses and turns. Suddenly we see flashbacks of Siro beating her up and of Kung Lao stopping him killing her. Then of her offering food to the Baron and of him overpowering and trying to kiss her. The flashback ends when a voice is heard from the darkness.
We see RAIDEN, in a filthy beggar disguise, on the other side of the bars, watching her.
Raiden: No place for a woman. (Taja sits up in shock) Jailed in this pit, slaved to a ruthless man like the Baron.
He sighs. Taja looks at him.
Taja: Who are you?
Raiden: Oh, me? I�m just a lowly thief like yourself, caught taking what wasn�t mine from the Baron.
Taja stands up.
Taja: I am not lowly.
Raiden: Oh.
Taja: How did you get on the other side of that grate?
Raiden: When they were moving the "Temple-warrior-guy" into my cell earlier tonight, I snuck out.
Taja: Temple warrior? You mean Kung Lao?
Raiden nods.
Raiden: You know he�s going to be executed tomorrow morning.
He mimes his throat being cut off and makes a squishy noise. Taja winces.
Raiden: Some say, with him dies the future of all man kind.
Taja: Oh, you mean all that stuff in those old legends.
Raiden: Yeah, you�re right, who cares?
He gets up to leave.
Taja: Wait! (Raiden turns round) Going to get me out of here?
Raiden: Me? I�m no use to you. It would take two strong *young* bodies to move this grate. You�and maybe a warrior?
Taja smiles and rolls her eyes.
Taja: I see. You want me to save Kung Lao.
Raiden: Oh, for heavens no! It would be suicide, helping him escape. Besides, wasn�t it his fault that you were caught in the first place?
Taja considers this.
Taja: Not really�but, I mean, I might just kill myself if I have to stay down in this rat hole another night.
She looks around at her surroundings and then back to where the beggar was standing. Now there is no one.
Taja: Hey, where did you go?
She dashes up to the bars and peers into the darkness.
Opening credits.
Zhu Zin. The Market place. We pan across the various traders walking along selling their wares. Then we pan over to the Trading Post. The door is opened by a guard and SIRO slowly walks out. Behind him, a sobbing JEN dashes out and hugs him.
Jen: This is all my fault, I never should have let you-
Siro: Enough. It�s not your fault. I brought this on my own by not doing my job.
TAKEDA marches through the Trading Post towards them. Siro looks up and then back down to Jen.
Siro: (whisper) Please be careful, Jen. Something is not right with Takeda.
Jen: Your instincts are never wrong, Siro.
Takeda approaches them. He grabs Jen from Siro and shoves her away. As Jen falls back into the Trading Post, Takeda places a staff on Siro�s neck.
Takeda: Show yourself here again, Siro, you�ll be killed on sight.
Siro grabs the staff and shoves it away from him.
Siro: Might be worth it, just to get another shot at you, traitor!
Takeda: If I�m the traitor�
He looks away and then thrusts the staff at Siro�s midsection and then hits him over the head with it, sending Siro to his knees.
Takeda: �why are you the one being exiled?
Siro looks straight ahead. Jen sobs against the door. Slowly, Siro gets to his feet and leaves. Jen dashes after him but Takeda stops her with his staff. He leans over to her.
Takeda: Better hurry now, or you�ll miss Kung Lao�s execution.
Jen glares at him and runs back into the Trading Post. Takeda smirks.
Cut to the courtyard in the Trading Post. A large crowd of villagers and traders has gathered to watch the execution. KUNG LAO stands on the stage with his hands tied behind his back; a block lies before him. The executioner, a man with a black hood over his head, paces about. The BARON walks over to Kung Lao.
Baron: I�m within my rights to offer you nothing�but I know that you�re a spiritual man so I will grant you five minutes for prayer.
Kung Lao: (sarcastic) You�re too kind.
The Baron walks over to his chair. Kung Lao kneels down before the block and closes his eyes.
Dissolve to the Cobalt Mines. Kung Lao�s face is replaced with SHANG TSUNG, who sits deep in meditation.
Shang: Speak.
He opens his eyes and the camera pulls back to show VORPAX walking into the cave.
Vorpax: Such a lucky man, Shang Tsung, to get everything you�ve ever dreamed of. Kung Lao dies today.
Shang: How?
Vorpax: Baron Reyland has ordered him beheaded.
Shang stands up, annoyed.
Shang: I want his soul! There is none stronger on Earth Realm than Kung Lao. Without fresh souls, my powers will fade.
Vorpax: The Scorpion lives. He will be there at the moment of death to take it. Then you must free him.
Shang: I must.
Vorpax looks down.
Vorpax: If it is your will.
Shang: It is my will. Die, Kung Lao.
Vorpax smiles, her manipulation having worked.
Cut to the Trading Post Courtyard. Kung Lao kneels before the block. Suddenly Jen dashes in and is grabbed by the Baron. Kung Lao gets up but is pushed back down by another guard�s staff.
Baron: Take Jen home! Guards, take her back home!
He pushes her towards a guard. To the side of the action, Taja stands. She takes a deep breath. The Executioner lifts up the top of the block and shoves Kung Lao�s head into the dip. He then replaces the top, trapping Kung Lao�s head inside. The "audience" cheer for Kung Lao�s death. Taja watches the scene and looks about her nervously.
Taja: I must be crazy.
Kung Lao kneels with his head in the block. He closes his eyes tight.
Cut to the Cobalt Mines. His face dissolves into Shang Tsung who is meditating. Vorpax stands beside him.
Shang: I feel his suffering and it is wonderful!
The camera pans over to the empty Scorpion cage.
Cut back to the inside of the Trading Post. A guard comes in and shoves Jen into one of the adjacent rooms. As he turns to leave, Taja comes out of another door in her chains, carrying a bucket of water.
Taja: Excuse me!
The guard turns round. Taja smiles, embarrassed.
Taja: Hi. This is very embarrassing. Um, I would like to take a bath�but I can�t get my clothes off with these chains on. Could you help?
The guard is far from being unwilling. He moves towards her. Taja sets the bucket of water down. She turns her back on him and points to the right strap of her top.
Taja: Yeah? Great. Now if you could just, ah, yeah, right here.
As the guard starts to undo the knot, Taja right back kicks him in the groin. The guard howls. Taja whips round and right spinning elbows him in the face. The guard flies backwards, unconscious. Jen dashes in.
Jen: What are you doing?
Taja stops her.
Taja: If you want me to break your boyfriend free, I�m going to need your help.
Jen: I don�t understand, why would you do that for him?
Taja: Well, the other day when I tried to rob you, he saved my life. I owe him one. And nothing personal, but I�d hate to see your father get what he wants.
Jen: What can I do?
Taja holds up her chains.
Taja: Where does your father keep his keys?
They leave.
Cut to the Trading Post Couryard. Kung Lao�s head is in the block. The Executioner bends over him.
Executioner: Two minutes - that�s how long your brain lives without the body. Enjoy.
Kung Lao gazes firmly ahead. The Executioner raises his axe. He looks towards the Baron. The Baron sets down his goblet.
Baron: Kill him.
The Executioner holds up the axe and prepares to swing it down. Kung Lao shuts his eyes tight. As the Executioner starts to drop the axe, Taja enters and right low side kicks his ankle. The Executioner drops down and then spins and tries to chop off her head. Taja ducks under the axe�s swing and delivers a right spinning hooking kick to his face. The Executioner falls to the ground. Kung Lao looks up.
Taja: Now, Jen!
Jen enters and right side kicks a guard in the spine.
Jen: Hi-yah!
The guard falls down against the Baron.
Baron: Takeda!
However Takeda is in Outworld and does not come. Jen grabs the guard�s staff and moves to the block.
Jen: We�ve come to set you free!
Kung Lao smiles at her.
Kung Lao: So I see.
Jen attacks the lock on the staff.
Baron: What is going on?
Jen: You and Taja, you must go far away.
The Baron suddenly spots Jen trying to free Kung Lao.
Baron: Jenevere! Stop this treachery! Stop it!
Jen pries open the lock with the staff. Kung Lao stands up and tries to free his hands. Jen holds up the staff to her father. He backs away.
Jen: Don�t come any closer!
Baron: Why are you doing this to me, Jen? Could you truly love Kung Lao more than your own father?
Jen: If you really loved me, father, you would have never made me choose.
Taja unties Kung Lao�s hands for him. While still threatening her father with the staff, Jen turns round to them.
Jen: Go now!
Baron: GUARDS!!!
Kung Lao: Come with us, Jen!
The guards enter. Taja points at them.
Taja: Kung Lao!
Jen: Go, both of you, please!
Taja grabs Kung Lao and together they run off the platform.
Baron: Stop them!
[Transcriber�s Note: Guards are called A, B, and C]
Guard A grabs Taja in a bear hug and drags her back up the platform. B brandishes his sword at Kung Lao. Taja kicks off from the wall, sending her and A flying backwards. She right elbow strikes his head and, as his grip slackens on her, she right side kicks him into a pillar. B slashes his sword at Kung Lao who ducks, holds his arm down and right and then left punches him in the stomach, and then right hook punches his face. Kung Lao tries to right hook kick B but the guard back flips away from it.
Kung Lao ducks under B�s tornado kick, and tries to right punch then left punch the guard; both attacks are blocked. Kung Lao spins round and left side kicks B in the stomach, then tries a right spinning hooking kick but B back somersaults over it and back onto the platform. Kung Lao jumps onto the platform and left punches B in the face. On the other side of the level, Taja is now fighting A and C. While A reels back having been hit, C attacks Taja with a right aero roundhouse and then sends her to the ground with an aerial cartwheel to the face. He moves towards her to finish her but Taja kicks the back of his knees. C falls onto his knees and Taja lifts up her leg and drops it in an axe kick to the head, then brings it back up and kicks his face. C stumbles to his feet.
B left low front kicks Kung Lao�s leg and tries to lift it up further into a kick to the face but Kung Lao evades it and deals him a right punch to the jaw. B recovers and right punches Kung Lao�s chest, then kicks his thigh and tries a right high front kick which Kung Lao ducks under. Kung Lao right punches B in the face; B whirls round in a right spinning hooking kick and Kung Lao ducks under it. Kung Lao goes into a drop kick but B blocks both kicks. Kung Lao then tries a high right side kick which B blocks. B manages to right circle knife hand swipe his neck but then is hit by Kung Lao�s right spinning hooking kick. He stumbles back and barely manages to duck under Kung Lao�s right side kick. He comes out of the duck only to meet with a second high side kick to the face. B then jumps up in a twin flying front kick which Kung Lao blocks and counters with a right punch to the head. B reels back and Kung Lao goes into a 540 kick. B moves back to evade the 540 but is then hit by Kung Lao�s right front kick, and falls back into a draped pillar.
Taja right side kicks A and then flying roundhouses his face. A falls to the floor. She turns to meet C and his high left side kick straight in the face. Taja ducks under C�s left hooking kick, then using a table as a step up, she flying right roundhouse kicks C�s head and then left side kicks him in the stomach. C falls back but Taja is sent into one of the pillars by A�s aerial twist to the face. He grabs her hair and pulls her backwards by it. Taja tries to pull his hands off her hair, twists them until she has control, and then pulls him into her right front kick. As A doubles over, C appears behind him and Taja does a right spinning hooking kick over A�s back to meet with C�s face. She then kicks A in the face and moves back. C attacks with a right side kick to Taja�s stomach and A hits her with a right aero roundhouse, sending Taja spinning off the platform. C cartwheels down off the platform and A butterfly twists down to meet her.
Taja sweeps A to the ground, gets up and is hit by C�s right flying spinning hooking kick. She spins round in a right spinning hooking kick which C ducks under, and then a second which C doesn�t duck under. Kung Lao right side kicks B twice in the stomach and then once in the face (machine gun kicks if you want to know the technical term). He then left hook punches B�s face and tries a left spinning hooking kick which B ducks under. He moves back to block B�s right high side kick but is hit in the stomach when B drops it into a lower side kick. B then spins and hits Kung Lao�s face with a right spinning hooking kick.
Kung Lao right upper blocks B�s left punch, waist blocks his right punch, left vertical blocks B�s right hook, and then does a right hook of his own to B�s face followed by a left hook and a left front kick to B�s groin. He then grabs B and throws him off the platform. B goes into a front somersault and lands on his feet. Kung Lao jumps down to meet him and blocks B�s right drop kick, then attacks with a right circle knife hand to the neck, which B blocks. Taja right front kicks A and then turns and right aero roundhouse kicks C to the ground. B and Kung Lao exchange two blows. B grabs Kung Lao and tries to throw him down to the ground, but Kung Lao uses his momentum to bring B down with him.
When they land, B grabs Kung Lao�s hair and pulls his head back. Kung Lao yells and then pulls away, spinning in a low right spinning hooking kick to knock B back down. He then does a flying right roundhouse kick but B jumps back onto his hands to evade it and the following right spinning hooking kick, and then kip ups back to his feet. Kung Lao blocks B�s right punch and then tries a left front kick which is waist blocked by B. He spins into a right spinning hooking kick but B back flips away from it.
Taja grabs A�s arm and pulls him into her right front kick. He falls back into a pile of baskets and boxes. She turns round and is right front kicked in the stomach by C. C grabs her arm and pulls her down, trying to twist it round her back. Taja picks up her left leg and high back kicks him in the face. Kung Lao left hook punches B�s face but is hit in his own face by B�s right front kick. He reels back and ducks under B�s spinning left circle knife hand just in time and then right front kicks B�s face. While she�s still bent over from kicking C, A grabs Taja from behind and holds her whilst A prepares to attack her. But before he can, Taja left front kicks him in the stomach and then back somersaults over C, kicking A�s face as she flips. After landing, she deals C a high right side kick to his face.
Kung Lao grabs B and lifts him over his shoulders onto the platform above. He then sweeps B to the ground with a left roundhouse kick. Taja drops to the ground and flings C over her (tomo nage) He falls into the curtains and boxes, and lies there unconscious. Kung Lao jumps onto the platform and chases B over it. B runs away and twist somersaults off the platform and over Taja, who ducks. Kung Lao runs to the edge of the level and then goes into a flying right side kick. B falls to the ground.
Kung Lao grabs Taja hand and they run out of the Trading Post. Behind them, Takeda enters. He picks up one of the fallen guard�s sword and glares after them. His eyes glow white.
Cut to the Forest. Having been exiled, Siro wanders aimlessly through it. Suddenly he stops and looks around him, having heard something.
Siro: Who�s there?
He spins around, checking every corner. Then he places his bag down and moves in a circle. Suddenly we hear a voice behind him.
Voice: All packed and ready to go!
Siro spins round and we see Raiden, in his old beggar costume, rummaging through Siro�s bag. He takes out an item and looks at it strangely.
Siro: Who are you?
Raiden shakes the item, puts it to his ear as if listening to see what is inside it, and then tosses it to the ground. Siro stares, amazed at his impudence.
Raiden: Me? I�m just a lowly beggar.
He digs his hand in deeper in Siro�s bag, smiles and pulls out an apple. He blows on it, rubs it on his cloak and then takes a big bite. He smirks at Siro.
Raiden: But one who hears things, moving about as I do.
He moves towards Siro.
Raiden: Rumour has it that the Baron�s daughter is in need of a new bodyguard. The old one quit.
Siro: Quit?! I will die for that girl! Now you tell me who�s spreading these treacherous lies about Siro�or I�ll have you *begging* for your life! Speak!
Raiden stares at him, not at all fazed .
Raiden: Your words are very impressive.
Siro glares at him angrily and goes into a left spinning right hooking kick. Raiden ducks under it causally.
Raiden: A quick word of advice, friend, don�t wear yourself out on me-
Siro lunges forward at him and Raiden effortlessly goes into a right somersault, disappearing in the air. Siro looks around him. Suddenly Raiden appears behind him.
Raiden: -if you ever hope to get your old job back.
Siro spins round and tries to right elbow him but Raiden vanishes. Siro looks all around but there is no trace of him. Suddenly he looks down and picks up a small object from the ground - an apple eaten to the core.
Cut to Zhu Zin, the servant�s quarters in the Trading Post.
Taja and Kung Lao sneak towards Taja�s cell.
Kung Lao: Are you sure this leads up to Jen�s room?
They approach the grate.
Taja: Yes, I�m sure. I just escaped, and here I am, sneaking right back in.
She takes a deep breath.
Taja: OK, push.
They shove against the grate.
Kung Lao: Harder!
They push all of their weight against the grate and eventually it collapses. They move into Taja�s old cell. Kung Lao looks around the small room.
Kung Lao: You were hardly innocent.
Taja: No, I�m a thief. Have been most of my life. Not just here, either, in many places. This is where I slept. Nice, isn�t it? Oh, I was given a choice: Down here with the rats or upstairs in the Baron�s Chamber.
Kung Lao: You chose the rats?
Taja: I may be a thief, but I do have my standards.
She points up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.
Taja: Through there is the servants� stairs. They lead to the bed chambers.
She and Kung Lao grab a chest and push it under the trapdoor.
Taja: I snuck up there once, just to see what it would be like. (she laughs) I know it sounds silly, but I, uh, even tried on one of her gowns. Raw silk, soft, luxurious. And the way it caressed my skin, it made me feel�more than just a thief. Jen�s a very lucky girl to have someone like you.
She walks over to the door. Kung Lao follows her.
Kung Lao: You�ll find someone too, Taja. But this is not your fight. Go now, escape while you can, you�ve earned your freedom.
Kung Lao steps onto the chest to get up to the trapdoor. Taja stops him.
Taja: No, wait for night fall. And as for me, let�s just say I�m a fool for a happy ending.
Cut to the Trading Post later at night. Taja and Kung Lao emerge from the servants� stairs.
Taja: No guards at the stairs. I guess the Baron doesn�t realise how crazy you are.
Kung Lao: I�ll take that as a compliment.
They creep through the hall. Suddenly a hand is placed on Kung Lao�s shoulder. He whirls round and back elbows the person in the face. Taja turns round.
Taja: Siro!
Siro puts his hand to his face in pain.
Kung Lao: I thought you were banished.
Siro: Ow!
Taja and Kung Lao shush him. He looks at Kung Lao, amazed.
Siro: I thought you were dead! (he turns to Taja) And you , you�re supposed to be in shackles.
Taja: Unpredictable, aren�t we?
Kung Lao: Taja rescued me. We�ve come back to get Jen.
Siro: Hey, that�s why I�m here too. Some beggar dude�s got me thinking. I have a hunch Jen�s not safe here anymore.
Kung Lao smiles.
Kung Lao: Tell me about this beggar.
Siro: Oh, he was very insolent. And very nimble.
Kung Lao: Long grey hair, bright blue eyes, about (he holds his hand up to his height) this tall?
Taja: Hey, I know that guy! He escaped from here last night after he guilted me into saving you.
Kung Lao: His name�s Raiden. He�s the thunder god and protector of the Earth Realm.
Siro: Wanna run that by me again?
Taja: Yeah, you lost me at "thunder god".
Kung Lao leads them out of the hall and into another room. They creep through.
Siro: You really are nuts.
Kung Lao: It doesn�t matter if you believe me. If Raiden came to you both, then I can�t do this without you.
They climb the stairs to Jen�s room.
Siro: The last part I agree with, but what�s our plan.
Kung Lao: Very simple. Get her and get out.
They arrive at the door to Jen�s room. Kung Lao holds up his foot, ready to kick it down but Taja stops him. She opens it.
Taja: Less noise.
Siro: Something isn�t right. This door�s never unlocked.
Kung Lao: Wait here. Cover my back.
He enters. Taja and Siro stay at the door.
Cut to Jen�s room. Kung Lao enters. Jen appears to be under her blanket.
Kung Lao: (whispers) Jen!
Jen rolls over and we can see that she has been rolled up in the blanket and gagged. On the other side of the room stand the Baron, Takeda and the guards.
Baron: Take him!
Kung Lao whirls round to see them.
Baron: Takeda!
Kung Lao turns to try to run out of the door but the door opens and more guards come in holding Taja and Siro. Jen spits out her gag. Kung Lao turns round to face Takeda.
Takeda: It�s me, Kung Lao.
Kung Lao blocks Takeda�s right punch, then his left punch, and then upper right blocks Takeda�s following left punch. Takeda does a right circle knife hand strike and Kung Lao ducks under it and then right upper blocks Takeda�s right backfist then left waist blocks his left strike and does a right punch to Takeda�s face. Kung Lao spins and does a right circle knife hand strike which Takeda ducks and then counters with a right punch to Kung Lao�s chest. On the bed, Jen struggles to free herself. Takeda spins round and does a right aero roundhouse kick to Kung Lao�s head, sending him to the ground. Takeda stands over Kung Lao.
Jen: No, Takeda, please!
Baron: That�s enough, Takeda, take him away.
Takeda ignores them all.
Takeda: Your soul belongs to Shang Tsung!
He begins to suck out Kung Lao�s soul. The guards loosen their grip on Taja and Siro as everyone gazes in horror and amazement.
Baron: I said, enough!
Takeda continues. The Baron motions to one of his guards.
Baron: Stop him! Stop this sorcery!
The guard pulls Takeda off Kung Lao. In retaliation, Takeda kicks the guard away. The guard falls onto the Baron who falls onto and through the point on another guard�s shield, impaling himself through the stomach.
Jen: No!
The Baron falls to the ground. Takeda grabs Jen and, throwing her onto his shoulder, escapes into the night.
Jen: No!
Kung Lao dashes after Takeda but Siro stops him.
Siro: No, he�ll break your legs! Don�t ask me how he did it.
Kung Lao: I should have listened to Raiden! I should have killed Takeda while I had the chance! I should have killed Shang Tsung.
Taja: Kung Lao, come quick, the Baron�s dying!
Kung Lao and Siro dash to the other side of the room where the Baron is slumped against the wall. His voice is hoarse and he takes shallow ragged breaths.
Baron: Kung Lao�Kung Lao, I beg you, save my Jen, my Jenevere.
Kung Lao: Do you know where Takeda might take her?
Baron: No. But you must stop him. Kung Lao, I was wrong. Please forgive me-
He dies. Kung Lao lets him rest.
Cut to outside the Trading Post. Kung Lao, Siro and Taja dash out of the door.
Siro: So, where do we start looking?
Kung Lao: Everywhere She may have been taken to Outworld.
Siro: Outworld? Where�s that?
Kung Lao: It�s another realm, another dimension. It�s hard to explain.
They walk along the road.
Taja: Let me guess, Outworld is where your *thundergod* lives.
Suddenly Raiden appears in front of them.
Raiden: Don�t make me laugh. I wouldn�t be caught dead in Outworld. Fortunately, immortals can�t die.
Siro: That�s the beggar, that�s him!
Taja: Yeah,.and a liar - he told me he was a thief!
Kung Lao walks up to Raiden.
Kung Lao: Jen�s been taken, I have to know where!
Raiden: Walk with me.
Raiden leads him up the road.
Kung Lao: Raiden, I don�t have time for one of your lectures!
Raiden: If you�d listened to my last lecture, Kung Lao, you may not be in this situation now.
Kung Lao stops.
Kung Lao: I�m sorry. You�re right. But Jen�s in trouble and I think Shang Tsung�s behind this.
Raiden: If that�s true then you�re being led straight to your death.
Kung Lao: I don�t care! Tell me where she is, Raiden, I have to save her.
There is a moment of silence between the two.
Raiden: I understand�your visions, Kung Lao, what is it you saw?
Kung Lao: I saw death�my own, of those I care for, the monks.
Cut to a flashback of Kung Lao�s vision. He stands in the Temple road with the monks� bodies all around him.
Kung Lao: (voice over) The monks?
The flashback ends.
Kung Lao: The Temple. Is that it? Is that where he�s taken her?
Raiden: The Temple is also where you�re most vulnerable. Until you commit to fulfil your destiny, you cannot defeat Takeda. There�s much more at stake here, Kung Lao, than even the life of Jen.
A long silence.
Kung Lao: I understand.
He leaves. Raiden sighs.
Raiden: I need a vacation.
Cut to the Temple. A hooded figure enters a chamber. He beckons to two monks.
Figure: Kung Lao�s in trouble. I need two strong bodies�
He takes off his hood to reveal that he is Takeda wearing a ninjitsu mask. Gold energy suddenly possesses the monks.
Takeda: �to help me kill him.
Cut to the Temple gates. Kung Lao, Siro and Taja dash from the forest to the path where the two monks block their way.
Kung Lao: It�s okay, they�re with my temple.
One of the monks looks up, his eyes soulless.
Monk: Not any more!
The monks go into guard position.
Taja: Killer monks. This should be fun.
Siro: Speak for yourself.
Taja: (to Kung Lao) Go on. We�ll take care of your friends or whatever they are.
One of the monks brandishes a sword. He attempts to strike Kung Lao as he passes. Kung Lao blocks and runs up the road.
Siro: Two on two. Seems like a fair fight.
Taja: I hate a fair fight.
[Transcriber�s Note - The monks will be referred to as A and B] Taja whirls round and left circle punches Monk A in the face. Siro moves back to evade B�s 540 kick and then right roundhouse kicks him. A butterfly twists (cool! ) towards Taja, brandishing his sword. He starts jumping up and spinning towards her, slashing the sword as he turns. Taja continues to move back from it while Siro engages in combat with B. Siro left vertical blocks B�s right punch, left waist blocks his left punch, left vertical blocks another punch, waist blocks one and then does a right hook punch to B�s jaw. Siro blocks B�s spinning right circle punch and his following left and right hooks then does a left back fist to B�s face. B stumbles back and goes into a left flying spinning hooking kick which knocks Siro back. Taja dives back further to evade A�s wild slashes. Siro recovers and left side kicks B to the ground. B kip ups. Taja and Siro end up back to back as the monks circle them.
Siro: Ever been in this situation before?
Taja: Yeah, you first.
Siro: OK.
Siro ducks and Taja left side kicks Monk over him. Siro comes back up.
Siro: Your turn.
Taja ducks and Siro left side kicks her monk. Taja then comes up and uppercuts the monk. He flies back.
Cut to the Temple. Kung Lao dashes in. In the middle, by a pillar of candles, stands a terrified Jen.
Kung Lao: Jen!
Jen: Kung Lao�
Kung Lao moves towards her but then Takeda somersaults in between them. He is now in full Scorpion costume.
Kung Lao: Takeda?
Scorpion: Takeda is no more. I am Scorpion.
Kung Lao: Whoever you are, if Shang Tsung sent you, it was to kill me, not her.
Scorpion: I was sent to make you suffer. And then kill you.
The serpent protrudes out of his palm.
Scorpion: Get over here!
The serpent shoots out at him. Kung Lao backflips over it and then twist somersaults over its next thrust. Hiding behind a pillar, Kung Lao grabs an axe and prepares for its next attack. Then he leaps out and, twist front somersaulting over it, slices off the serpent�s head. Scorpion retracts what�s left of his serpent back into his palm and flexes his fingers into a fist.
Scorpion: I�m going to kill you, Kung Lao!
Kung Lao jumps up and does a flying right hooking kick which Scorpion evades and counters with a left side kick to Kung Lao�s chest. Kung Lao reels back to avoid Scorpion�s right spinning hooking kick and hits the ninja with a left hook punch. They exchange five blows, all blocked. Scorpion reaches his hand up in a downward fist blow but Kung Lao left upper blocks it. Scorpion grabs his right arm and right punches him in the stomach. They exchange five more blows. Scorpion grabs Kung Lao�s arms and knees him in the side. He then does a right circle knife hand strike which Kung Lao ducks under and then counters with a jumping right down fist blow to Scorpion�s head. Kung Lao does a front drop kick to Scorpion, hitting him with both kicks and then ducks under Scorpion�s right spinning hooking kick.
Kung Lao blocks Scorpion�s right punch and hits him with a right hook; they exchange more blows, all blocked or evaded quickly. Kung Lao turns round in a right spinning hooking kick which Scorpion ducks under. Scorpion goes into a flying twin front kick which Kung Lao evades, and then a right spinning hooking kick which sends Kung Lao reeling, and then a left side kick to the stomach. Kung Lao ducks under Scorpion�s right hooking kick and hits him with a left hook punch. Scorpion stumbles back. Jen inches slowly away. Scorpion hits Kung Lao with a right front kick and then ducks under Kung Lao�s right spinning hooking kick, trying to get a few blows in while he can. As Kung Lao ducks down to sweep Scorpion to the ground, Scorpion leaps up in a backwards somersault and, upon landing, does a right front kick which Kung Lao blocks.
Scorpion then tries another front kick but Kung Lao grabs his leg and forces over in a back somersault. Immediately, Scorpion hits him with a right spinning hooking kick. They exchange more quick blows. Kung Lao left vertical blocks Scorpion�s right punch and then does a right hook which Scorpion evades and counters with a four right punches to the stomach and then knees him in the gut. Kung Lao right hook punches Scorpion in the face but is caught by another right spinning hooking kick. Kung Lao tries a right punch which Scorpion blocks and counters with a right side kick to the stomach. Kung Lao does another right punch but it is blocked again and Kung Lao is hit by a right punch to the stomach. As he reels back, he hits Scorpion with a left hook. Scorpion falls to the ground but kip ups to his feet quickly and hits Kung Lao�s chest with a flying right front kick and then his side with a right front kick. Kung Lao tries a right downwards punch but Scorpion grabs his hand and, jerking Kung Lao�s upper body downwards, pulls him into three front kicks and then a backhand to the face. As Kung Lao recovers, Scorpion goes into a back somersault, uppercutting his chin with his feet as he flips over. Kung Lao flies across the room. He gets up.
Scorpion jumps forward to meet him and a right punch to the chin. Kung Lao turns round and right side kicks Scorpion in the stomach. Scorpion falls back but goes into a cartwheel and lands smoothly. He then jumps over Kung Lao in a double front somersault. They exchange more hand techniques and Kung Lao ducks under Scorpion�s right spinning hooking kick, and then hits him with a right punch. They have a few more blows, then Scorpion does another right spinning hooking kick which Kung Lao evades. More quick blows ensue and then Kung Lao grabs Scorpion�s arms. Scorpion twists until he is in control, and then grabs Kung Lao�s throat in a choke hold. Kung Lao wrenches Scorpion�s hand off his throat and falls backwards.
Jen grabs the candle holder hesitatingly and brandishes it. Scorpion leaps forward and does a flying right punch to Kung Lao, sending him to the ground. Jen dashes forward and thrusts the candle holder at Scorpion, who whirls round and shoots a fireball at her. Jen falls all the way back and knocks her head against the floor. Kung Lao turns round, terrified.
Kung Lao: Jen!
Jen lies unmoving on the ground.
Cut to the Cobalt Mines. Shang Tsung sits in meditation.
Cut to inside the Temple. Siro and Taja dash in. Jen lies on the ground with Kung Lao knelt next to her. Jen smiles at them.
Jen: Is it over? Did I kill him:
Kung Lao: Almost, Jen, almost.
Suddenly Scorpion�s voice is heard echoing through the chamber.
Scorpion: Your will is weak, Kung Lao, soon to break!
Siro: Together we can beat him, Kung Lao.
Kung Lao: No. I have to do this myself. Stay with Jen.
He lets go of Jen�s hand and moves into the centre of the room. Scorpion somersaults in.
They exchange six blows, all blocked. Scorpion does a right spinning hooking kick which Kung Lao evades and counters with a right punch, then another to Scorpion�s back and then his face. Kung Lao unleashes a barrel full of blows upon Scorpion; all are blocked until Kung Lao gets a right punch in. Scorpion reels back and is then right side kicked in the stomach by Kung Lao. He flies back into a pillar, bounces off it and lands on the ground. The pillar comes crushing down, only just missing him. Scorpion kips up, and moves in time to evade Kung Lao�s right flying hooking kick. Kung Lao blocks his side kick, ducks under his right spinning hooking kick and hits him with a right front kick. Scorpion stumbles back. Kung Lao hits Scorpion three times in the stomach, side kicks him there, and then, spinning around, left side kicks him sending Scorpion flying. Scorpion kip ups to his feet. Kung Lao spins round and round towards him, hitting him finally with a right spinning hooking kick.
Scorpion hong-kong twists to the ground and flips to his feet. As he runs towards Kung Lao, Kung Lao jumps into the air and does a vaulting axe kick - a killing blow - to his neck. Scorpion falls back down.
Suddenly the ground underneath Scorpion starts to split to reveal a fiery hell. As Taja watches with Kung Lao in amazement, the crack widens and Scorpion falls down through it, screaming. Then the gap closes.
Kung Lao runs to Jen. Siro gets up and moves back with Taja.
Kung Lao: Jen, it�s over now! Stay with me.
He smiles at her. She smiles back.
Jen: I will always be with you, Kung Lao.
The smile fades from Kung Lao�s face. Jen drops a key into his hand.
Jen: My home is now your heart.
She gasps and then is silent.
Kung Lao: (whispers) Jen. Please don�t leave me. Please.
Jen is silent, cold and unmoving on the ground. Kung Lao closes his eyes.
Cut to the Temple, dawn. Kung Lao kneels before a shrine, lighting a candle.
Kung Lao: I ask of you, Elder Gods, only this: that this candle burn in memory of my lost love, Jenevere, until we are reunited someday, somewhere.
Raiden: (OOV) I�m sorry about Jen.
Kung Lao turns to see Raiden stepping out from a corner.
Kung Lao: There�s still so much I don�t understand. (beat) I can never forgive myself for Jen.
Raiden: You do what you must, Kung Lao. (he walks towards him) This realm of yours is the greatest prize in the universe. And now that Shang Tsung has taken Jen and Takeda, we know that he can strike out at any time, in any form, and will stop at nothing to defeat you. Beware who you trust, for evil is everywhere.
Raiden walks right up to him.
Raiden: And it is relentless.
Kung Lao sinks down. Raiden sits beside him.
Kung Lao: Where do I even start?
Raiden: The city of Zhu Zin. It�s not just the centre of your world but the cross roads of many realms. You must find a place in the heart of the city to call your own. A place where you can find and train new fighters for the next tournament.
Kung Lao realises and takes out Jen�s key.
Kung Lao: The key. Jen gave me this. She said her home was in my heart. The Trading Post. It�s vacant now. This must be the key to the gate.
Raiden: It�s what Jen would have wanted. But be warned. Warriors will come to you from all over the world. Some fugitives, some disguised as friends, some even led by a vision of their own destinies. But anyone who joins you also becomes a target for Shang Tsung�s minion.
Kung Lao: How will I know the true fighters? Where will I find them?
Raiden: Trust only your instincts, Kung Lao. For nothing and no one are always what they seem.
He smiles.
Raiden: Now go kick some butt.
Cut to the Temple road.
Taja: Kung Lao! Kung Lao!
Kung Lao turns round from his journey to Zhu Zin to see Taja.
Taja: I�ve been giving it some thought and I want to try to put my past behind me.
Kung Lao: Take it from me, it�s always there.
Taja: You�re probably right. I just want to do something useful for a change.
Kung Lao: Very admirable.
Taja: Look, I�m offering you my help, Kung Lao, on this *mission* of yours. But don�t make me beg.
Kung Lao: Since when did you become a believer, Taja?
Taja: I�m not. But I have to admit I saw some very strange stuff and if I�m going to risk my life, better to be for something worthwhile.
Kung Lao considers this.
Kung Lao: I could use your help. But I can�t be responsible for your safety.
Taja: I can�t be for yours either.
Siro approaches them.
Taja: So where are you off to now, Siro?
Siro: Hard to say. What fool would hire a consort whose last charge died before his eyes?
They are silent.
Siro: I�m sure I�ll find work in Zhu Zin - cleaning sewers, something prestigious like that. Take care, both of you.
He turns to leave.
Kung Lao: Siro. You can come with us.
Siro turns back.
Siro: Only if it means getting revenge for Jen�s death. All the other things you talk about make no sense to me.
Kung Lao: It may take a while. But Shang Tsung will be punished.
They are silent.
Kung Lao: I must warn you both. The forces of Outworld will stop at nothing to defeat us. We must beware who we trust. For evil is everywhere. And it is relentless.
Taja: Sounds better than dying alone.
They smile and head up the path.
Cut to the Cobalt Mines. Shang Tsung crushes a bit of cobalt in his hands in anger. Vorpax approaches.
Vorpax: Brooding?
Shang: Be very careful.
Vorpax: I will, Shang. With you I always will. Walk with me.
Shang: Where?
Vorpax picks up a torch.
Vorpax: Into the future.
She leads him out of the cave and through the Mines.
Vorpax: Even though you failed-
Shang Tsung stops her.
Shang: You have lived too long.
Vorpax: I was going to say that even the greatest plans made by the most powerful can sometimes fail. So there is only one thing left to do.
Shang: And what is that?
Vorpax: Make more great plans.
Vorpax puts the torch down, illuminating the vast cavern below them. They stand at a high point, looking down on the enormous level of the Mines with hundreds of thousands of workers below them.
Vorpax: You�re not the only warrior imprisoned here by Shao Kahn. Kahn�s been around for eons and over the years, he�s imprisoned hundreds of fighters just like us.
Shang: Us?
Vorpax smiles.
Vorpax: I only show so much on a first date.
Shang: We are just full of surprises, aren�t we?
Vorpax: In the Cobalt Mines, nothing is as it looks.
Shang: So I see. Hundreds of fighters all trapped down here, thus we build an army!
He puts his arm around Vorpax and they continue walking through the Mines.
Cut back to the Temple road, Earth Realm. Kung Lao, Siro, and Taja are walking down the road. Raiden watches them from a distance.
Raiden: (voice over) As always, Earth will live or die on the skills of its greatest warriors in the sacred tournament called Mortal Kombat.
End credits.