Mortal Kombat Conquest
Episode 05
The Essence
Written by: Sean Catherine Derek
Directed by: Jim Johnston
Transcribed by: Octavia
Kung Lao: Paolo Montalban
Siro: Daniel Bernhardt
Taja: Kristanna Loken
Shang Tsung: Bruce Locke
Vorpax: Tracy Douglas
Raiden: Jeffrey Meek
Kitana: Dara Tomanovich
Qali: Roshumba Williams
Daahraan: Hank Stone
Servant Woman: Maria Arce
Shadow Priest: Lee E. Stevens
Mei Lyn: Tiffany Phillips
We open with an establish shot of the Emperor�s Castle in Outworld. As the camera zooms closer to the castle, we hear a girl sobbing.
Mya: (voice over) Please�
Cut to the Emperor�s Throne Room.
We see a large tray of hot coals and a shadow priest holding a branding iron in the shape of a skull. He dips it into the coals to heat it up. It catches fire and he lifts it up to his face, smelling the smoke and then walks towards MYA, a servant girl who is imprisoned in the Emperor�s throne room. Chains bind her hands above her head to the ceiling and she is sobbing hysterically.
Mya: Please, I�m begging you, no more, no more!
The shadow priest places the branding iron to her side and she screams. He walks around her slowly, still holding the burning skull. She sobs.
Shadow priest: Confess the truth!
He grabs her roughly to keep her standing.
Shadow priest: And the pain will cease!
The shadow priest holds the branding iron up to her face.
Mya: I�ve told you everything! The Essence, it was taken to Earth Realm.
Shadow priest: Where in the Earth Realm?
He trails the branding iron down her body, the flame just inches away from her skin.
Mya: To a man�I heard the name Daahraan.
The shadow priest walks to her other side and makes the flame go out from the iron but it is still white hot. He holds it up to her face. She sobs.
Shadow priest: Did this Princess Kitana take the Essence to this Daahraan?
Mya: I don�t know, I swear, I swear, I don�t know!
SHAO KAHN comes up behind them.
Shao Kahn: She is lying.
Mya: (crying) No! Emperor, I swear, I don�t know who took the Essence!
Shao Kahn holds his hand up and she falls silent. He turns to face the guards.
Shao Kahn: Bring the other forth!
Two guards forcibly bring QALI, a young female fighter, in. She shakes them off.
Mya: Qali! Mistress, please help me, make them stop!
Shao Kahn holds up his hand again and she stifles her sobs. The shadow priest continues to walk round her holding the iron in the background as the focus switches to the confrontation between Shao Kahn and Qali.
Qali: Why are you doing this to a poor servant?
Shao Kahn waves his hand idly.
Shao Kahn: Servants�hear things, know things about their master.
Qali: But why am I here? She serves Kitana.
Shao Kahn slowly walks down the steps to face Qali.
Shao Kahn: Yes, loyal to the Princess. As so many still are. Watch the shadow priest carefully, Qali. You may be his next victim.
He turns to go back to the Shadow priest and the servant girl. Qali glares at him.
Qali: I don�t need to watch! I saw my brother die at your hand. Beheaded in front of *your* army.
Shao Kahn pauses and turns around.
Shao Kahn: I allowed him a noble death! He fought well for his doomed cause. Great fighters run in your family, Qali. There�s clearly fight left in you still.
Qali: Fight? Against you? No, Shao Kahn. I am faithful to Outworld and to my Emperor.
Shao Kahn: Ah? And perhaps to a life of friendship.
He walks round Qali.
Shao Kahn: You grew up with Kitana, you trained together as young girls. I doubt my stepdaughter�s loyalty, why not yours?
Qali: Because there is no reason.
Shao Kahn: NO REASON!
Qali bites her lip, knowing she has angered him. In the background, we can still hear Mya crying. Shao Kahn lowers his voice.
Shao Kahn: No reason? Your family dead at my hand, I murdered your king, I crushed you realm. I assume treachery. Loyalty, I question.
Qali: Do you question that I acknowledge you the greatest power of all realms?
Shao Kahn looks surprised.
Qali: I bow to that power.
He holds her chin.
Shao Kahn: While dreaming of rebellion?
Qali glares at him.
Shao Kahn: You are either a loyal servant, Qali or a half way decent liar. Just remember, (he removes his hand from her face and gestures behind him) that is the price of treachery.
In the shadows, a hooded figure watches the scene hidden. It is KITANA.
Shadow priest: Emperor, I�m convinced the servant is telling the truth.
Shao Kahn keeps his eyes on Qali, watching her intently. He waves his hands idily.
Shao Kahn: Shut her up.
Qali looks down. Shao Kahn watches her. Behind them, the shadow priest takes out a large dagger.
Mya: Please, I�m begging you-
The shadow priest raises the dagger and slashes it down on her. Her scream is heard briefly and then all is silent.
Qali closes her eyes and then opens them to see Shao Kahn staring at her.
Shao Kahn: If Kitana is the traitor, you would be wise to be the one to tell me.
He places a finger on her lips.
Shao Kahn: (whispers) Otherwise�there will be no release from your pain.
Qali stares back at him, trying to hide her fear.
Opening credits.
Zhu Zin.
Kung Lao and Taja sit in a small private sauna room in a spa. Siro is over by the coal fire, shifting the coals. More steam rises from them. He walks back and sit down. All have towels round their waists except for Taja who has a long one down her whole body. They recline back against the walls.
Kung Lao: You�re spoiling us, Taja.
Taja: Well, I thought we could all use a little pampering after the beatings our bodies have taken lately.
Siro: Tell me about it. I�ve been in more fights in the last couple of weeks that a battalion in the army.
Taja: Thanks to Kung Lao here.
Kung Lao: Hey, I told you there would be danger.
Taja: Danger�s one thing. Ninjas falling from the ceiling are another.
Siro: The sort of guys who have fanged creatures flying out of their little hands!
He curls his finger to mimic Scorpion�s demonic fanged serpent. Taja laughs.
Taja: Or ones that shoot ice at you!
Siro: I can�t believe I�m saying this, none of that can happen.
Kung Lao rubs his neck.
Kung Lao: Check your bruises, it happened.
Siro: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Taja, this is great. But can we afford it?
Taja: I made a deal with Mei-Lyn. I bartered some old stuff in the Trading Post to rent this place. It belongs to one of her uncles.
Siro: Where did you meet this Mei-Lyn?
Taja: In the bazaar. We were admiring the same outfit. Neither one of us could afford it but we do have the same taste. We sort of talked a bit and kind of hit it off.
Kung Lao: So you made a new friend, huh?
Taja: (she smiles) Yeah, yeah, I guess I did. Feels kind of good, you know. I haven�t really had the chance to make friends.
Siro: I guess you don�t get too close to people when you�re robbing them�
Taja: Hey! I grew up alone on the streets! I was just a kid. Yeah, I stole - to survive! Maybe you don�t know what it�s like to sleep under bridges and never know where your next meal is coming from but I do!
Siro: Hey, it was a joke.
Kung Lao and Taja look at him.
Siro: A bad joke, ok? I�m sorry.
Taja: It�s OK. It was what it was.
There is an uncomfortable silence which is broken by MEI-LYN opening the door and entering.
Mei-Lyn: Can I bring you anything? Tea? Water?
Siro: (flirtatiously) Oh, you can bring me anything.
Taja slaps Siro.
Taja: Thanks, Mei-Lyn. We�re fine.
Mei-Lyn: Well, I�m happy you�re pleased. Relax and enjoy.
She smiles at Siro and leaves.
Taja: She�s nice, isn�t she?
Siro: Extremely!
Taja: I like her, she�s very easy going.
Siro goes up and looks through the small bars on their door. He sees Mei-Lyn going through their clothes and taking money bags.
Siro: And resourceful. She�s stealing our money!
Kung Lao & Taja: What?!
They get up and dash to the door. Siro tries to open it.
Siro: Locked!
Mei-Lyn hears them trying to open the door and dashes out, having taken their money.
Siro: Step back!
He lifts his left leg to kick the door down.
Cut to the Emperor�s Castle, Outworld. Qali walks through the passageways after her encounter with Shao Kahn. Suddenly she is grabbed by someone and pulled into a corner.
Qali: Kitana! If the Emperor finds out, we�re finished!
Kitana: He won�t. Tell me.
Qali: Mya is dead.
Kitana: I�ve known her my whole life� It�s just like Kahn to attack the weak, the defenceless. What did the poor woman say?
Qali: She told him the Essence was taken to Earth Realm, to someone called Daahraan.
Kitana: Did she say how?
Qali: No, but he suspects you.
Kitana: Speculation proves nothing.
Qali: Which is why you�re still alive.
Kitana: I must leave for Earth Realm as soon as possible.
Qali: You can�t, Kitana! Shao Kahn will kill you if he finds you gone.
Kitana: The Essence is worth my life.
Qali: And what about mine? Kahn is convinced that if you�re a traitor, I must be too.
Kitana: Then remain in Outworld. You�ll be safe.
Qali: I can�t let you do this alone.
Kitana: Then meet me in one hour.
Qali: I�ll be waiting.
Kitana: I�ve always been able to count on you, Qali.
Cut to the Cobalt Mines.
A black hooded figure walks up to Shang Tsung.
Shang: What did you learn?
The figure removes her hood to show a smiling Vorpax.
Vorpax: How best to use a branding iron for torture.
He walks around her.
Shang: Get to it. Or I�ll teach you even more about torture.
Vorpax sighs.
Vorpax: One of the shadow priests made a servant woman confess that something called the Essence was taken to Earth Realm.
Shang: The Essence of Edenia�
Vorpax: I thought Edenia was destroyed when Kahn invaded.
Shang: True, but not its soul. As long as the Essence still exists, Edenians still have hope. That is what Shao Kahn must crush.
Vorpax: I think Kahn suspects that Kitana may go after the Essence. But if he catches her, she�s dead.
Shang Tsung paces up and down.
Shang: She will go. And you will follow her, straight to the Essence.
Vorpax: If the Emperor finds out I�m gone, he�ll kill me !
Shang Tsung stops to consider this. He looks behind her at a water bearer.
Shang: You, water!
The water carrier walks up to them and bends down to place the water on the ground. Shang Tsung grabs his neck and cleanly breaks it. Vorpax smiles.
Vorpax: Nicely executed�but why kill a water bearer?
Shang: He�s a spy for Shao Kahn. They�re everywhere down here. They listen and watch�and I hunt them. It�s me Shao Kahn is watching. That is why you�ll be able to follow Kitana to the Essence. For the time being, I will stay here. I can cover your absence.
Vorpax: I will go. But what is it? What am I looking for?
Shang: Only Kitana knows what form it has taken. But it is a mystical living force, that can bring life back to their dead realm.
Vorpax: But what good is that to you?
Shang Tsung looks around him.
Shang: It will buy my freedom from this blue hell.
Vorpax smiles.
Vorpax: (flirtatiously) And since I�ll be risking my life to do this for you, I assume it�ll buy my freedom too?
Shang Tsung smiles back.
Shang: And here I thought you were helping because you cared�(his expression hardens) to stay alive.
Vorpax glares at him.
Shang: Now go.
Vorpax: On..my�way.
She turns and leaves.
Cut to the Emperor�s throne room.
Shao Kahn takes a sip of water from a tall mug that has a skull on. (he�s started his own merchandising line) He looks up to see Kitana climbing the steps to his throne. Sounds of other warriors being tortured in antechambers echo through the hall. Kitana glares at him.
Kitana: Why have you brought me to this terrible place?
Shao Kahn looks at her in silence.
Kitana: Is this why I�m here? So that you can stare at me?
Shao Kahn: One of my greatest joys�
Kitana: Really? Have you seen enough?
Shao Kahn: Not yet.
Kitana: There�s a portait of me in my mother�s old room. Why don�t you go and enjoy yourself with it?
She turns to leave. Shao Kahn waves his hand and an invisible force stops Kitana from descending down the steps.
Kitana: I wish to leave!
Shao Kahn rolls his eyes. Kitana turns around to face him.
Kitana: Even for you , this is tedious.
Shao Kahn stands up. He caresses the left side of her face.
Shao Kahn: Such impatience, Kitana. Is there somewhere else you�d rather be?
Kitana is silent. Shao Kahn strokes a finger down her forehead.
Shao Kahn: What are you planning?
Kitana: Nothing. My plans died years ago.
Shao Kahn: With your father.
Kitana: And my mother.
Shao Kahn: She took her own life.
Kitana: She thought it better than submission to you.
Shao Kahn: But did you accept it?
Kitana is silent. Shao Kahn strokes her hand and bends down to kiss it.
Shao Kahn: You remain my daughter-
Kitana jerks her hand away.
Kitana: Daughter! Not lover.
Shao Kahn: Obedient, I hope?
Kitana: Always, Emperor.
Shao Kahn: It�s a wise choice, Kitana. So many have suffered by opposing me.
Kitana: You were a great warrior on the battle field.
Shao Kahn: And ever alert on the throne. Rebels, plotters, spies, all have failed.
Kitana: Is this my lesson for today?
Shao Kahn: (whispers) For your life!
He sits down slowly, holding Kitana�s hands.
Shao Kahn: Stay loyal, Kitana, and live forever as a princess.
Kitana moves her hands from his grip.
Kitana: Or defy you, and die.
Shao Kahn closes his eyes for a moment. She turns and goes down the steps.
Shao Kahn: It would be a great waste.
Kitana pauses for a moment and looks back at him and then continues down the steps and out of the hall. Shao Kahn watches her leave with suspicion.
Cut to a passageway in the Emperor�s Castle. Qali leans against a wall, with her arms folded, waiting. Kitana hurries into the passageway and removes a torch from the wall. Qali turns to face her.
Qali: Where were you? I was worried.
Kitana: With the Emperor.
Qali: Does he suspect?
Kitana: Of course. But I must go.
They walk down the passageway.
Qali: How are we getting to Earth Realm?
Kitana: My father taught me this secret years ago. We must first travel to a neutral realm. The gatekeeper in Zaterra knows me, he�ll open a portal. You can still stay.
Qali: No, I�m going with you, Kitana.
Kitana: But you dread this journey. I can see it. Strange in you, so fearless.
Qali: What ever happens, I�ll stay at your side.
Kitana: You are a true friend.
Qali: Yes, but you are right, I am frightened.
Kitana: It is impossible not to be.
Cut to Zhu Zin. Kung Lao, Siro and Taja walk through the bazaar on their way back to the Trading Post.
Taja: I was saving that money to buy some new clothes.
Siro: I�m surprised she didn�t steal the ones we�re wearing.
Taja: I must be slipping, buying that let�s be pals act. I should have spotted her as a pro.
Kung Lao: At least Mei-Lyn was only a thief. She could have been an assassin.
Taja: I swear, I will never trust another woman.
Kung Lao: Raiden said finding anyone to trust is going to be a challenge.
Siro: Finding Mei-Lyn isn�t. I�m going to turn this town upside down to find that smarmy little crook.
Kung Lao: I�ll help you.
Kung Lao and Siro continue into the bazaar. Taja waves them good-bye and walks towards the Trading Post.
Cut to Daahraan�s Hall, Earth Realm.
Kitana and Qali slowly creep the room which has an eerie fog around the floor. Kitana has her fans at the ready.
Kitana: The Earth Realm�
Qali: Kitana, you do know where the Essence is, don�t you?
Kitana: It�s best not to question when the answers will get you killed.
Qali: I may already be dead just for coming. I deserve to know what I�m dying for. At least tell me who this Daahraan is.
Kitana: An Edenian warrior, loyal to his realm.
They move into another part of the compound. We see DAAHRAAN, an old Edenian warrior with a staff, standing behind them.
Daahraan: At last!
Kitana whirls round. Qali goes into a guard position.
Kitana: Daahraan!
Daahraan moves towards her and they hug.
Daahraan: We must talk. (he looks at Qali) Alone.
Qali looks around her, still in a defensive position.
Qali: Are you sure, Kitana?
Kitana nods. Qali sighs and moves away from them to the end of the hall.
Daahraan: You�ve come for the Essence? Edenia�s ready to rise again?
Kitana: No, Shao Kahn has learnt that the Essence was brought to the Earth Realm. He�ll send his warriors to find it.
Daahraan: Then it must be moved at once.
Kitana: That is why we have come.
Daahraan: No, Princess. Go to a man in Zhu Zin named Kung Lao. He�s the only one you can trust.
Kitana: Kung Lao, the last victor of Mortal Kombat.
Daahraan: The same.
Kitana: I don�t understand.
Daahraan: You will. Let me tell you where I�ve hidden the Essence.
Kitana bends towards him and he whispers in her ear. Qali watches them, silently.
Kitana: If Kung Lao refuses to help�
Daahraan: You�ll persuade him. Shao Kahn knows he must destroy the Essence. And if he succeeds, he may not have a reason to keep his stepdaughter alive.
Kitana: I know. You�re in danger too. Promise me you�ll leave as soon as we�ve gone.
Daahraan: My destiny is fulfilled, there�s no reason for me to stay. Go now.
Kitana waves her fan to signal Qali back and they both leave.
Cut to Zhu Zin. It is evening. Kitana�s upper body slowly emerges from behind a wagon of corn. She places her fan on top of it. Qali pokes her head up too.
Qali: Maybe this Kung Lao can be trusted but what about the other two?
Kitana: We�ll deal with them.
Qali: The risks are too great. The longer we stay here, the more the chances are the Emperor-
Kitana: There�s no turning back for me now, Qali.
Qali: For either of us.
Kitana: Then let�s finish what we�ve begun.
Cut to an alley in Zhu Zin. Mei-Lyn walks down it. Suddenly Siro emerges from the shadow. He grabs her and pulls her to the side, covering her mouth to stop her from screaming.
Siro: Nice night, out robbing people? Or did you get enough from us today?
Kung Lao: Hold her tight while I search her pockets for the money.
Siro: She doesn�t have any pockets. (he smiles) Hey, might be better if you hold her while I search!
He puts his hand down her blouse and pulls out a bag of money.
Kung Lao: You get the next thief.
Siro: Knowing my luck, it�ll be some toothless bad guy.
Kung Lao empties the money from the bag onto his palm.
Siro: She�s been a busy girl. Shall we give ourselves a bonus?
Kung Lao: We�ll give the rest to the poor.
Mei-Lyn struggles, furious at Kung Lao�s taking of the money. Siro laughs.
Cut to the Trading Post courtyard. Taja stands next to a box on the table, going through old items that belonged to the Baron. She pulls out a necklace and admires it.
Taja: Hmm, at least the Baron had good taste.
She puts it round her neck. Suddenly Qali appears from behind her. Qali shoves a green silk scarf into Taja�s mouth, wraps it around her face and once more around her neck, choking her. She stuggles.
Qali: Another move and I tighten the noose!
Still holding the scarf tightly round Taja�s neck, she pulls it out of her mouth so that she can speak.
Taja: I�m no servant! What do you want?
Qali: Where�s the one called Kung Lao?!
Taja: He�s not here. Oh, wait a minute, I think I hear him-
Qali looks behind them and Taja seizes the opportunity to break free. Taja whirls round and shoves Qali into a pile of sacks. Qali gets up and Taja advances towards her. Taja attempts a right punch but Qali grabs her hand and pulls her down into a right front kick. Taja stumbles back and Qali right side kicks her in the stomach. The blow sends Taja falling backwards across the room. Qali chases after her and Taja climbs the two short steps onto the higher level and ducks behind the pillar to avoid Qali�s right front kick. Qali moves to the other side of the pillar and tries to right spin roundhouse kick Taja, who ducks to the other side of the pillar to avoid it. Qali dashes to the other side and tries to left right punch Taja who blocks. Taja runs away from the pillar and steps onto a small chest. She then jumps up until she is hanging from the door frame, swings and double kicks Qali in the face. Qali falls back into a pile of boxes and Taja jumps back down to the ground.
Taja runs to the wall and grabs a flaming torch. She turns around and swipes at Qali with it. Qali stops Taja�s first swing by kicking her right arm, then ducks under Taja�s clockwise circle swing, moves back to avoid her downwards swipe with the torch, ducks under another clockwise circle swing and then front kicks Taja�s face and quickly hits her again with a left spinning hooking kick. Taja stumbles back; the torch flies out of her hand. Qali left side kicks her in the stomach, spins and right side kicks her. Taja falls back into a pile of shelves. She falls to her knees and Qali uppercuts her with a left front kick. Taja shakily stands on her feet. Qali spins and left backhands Taja; she then left hook punches Taja in the face and sends her flying to the ground with left front snap kick.
Taja falls to the ground on her back. Qali leans over to punch her but Taja evades the attack, grabs Qali�s wrist and throws her off her. Taja rolls to her feet and Qali chases after her. Taja ducks under Qali�s right hooking kick and then right circle punches her. Qali recovers and right backhands her. Taja reels back and then left anticlockwise circle punches Qali and right upset punches her in the stomach. Qali left backhands her and sends Taja stumbling against a chest of drawers. Taja leans against it to catch her breath and then quickly left low side kicks Qali away and climbs onto the chest. Qali advances and tries to sweep Taja off the chest with a left roundhouse kick to the ankle but Taja aerial cartwheels off it, and a pot is smashed by Qali�s kick.
Qali high left side kicks Taja�s face twice and, without putting her foot down, brings her left leg back round in a hooking kick to Taja�s face again and then back up for two more high side kicks. Taja falls back against a pile of chests. Qali jumps and right aero roundhouse kicks Taja to her knees. Then, placing one foot on Taja�s bent back, Qali goes into a back somersault and kicks Taja in the side as she lands. Taja groans and falls onto her back.
Qali moves on top of Taja and raises her fist.
Qali: You�re finished!
Kitana enters the courtyard.
Kitana: Qali, no.
Qali stops and turns her head to look at Kitana.
Kitana: I�ve searched all the rooms, he�s not here. (to Taja) We�re not here to hurt you.
Taja: Yeah, right.
Cut to Kung Lao and Siro walking back to the Trading Post. Siro tosses the money bag into the air and catches it again.
Siro: This should put a smile on Taja�s face.
Taja: (oov)Let me go!
Cut to inside the Trading Post. They enter.
Kung Lao: Taja!
Taja: Let me go!
Kitana: Release her.
Qali moves back. Kung Lao and Siro burst through the doors and help Taja to her feet.
Siro: Are you all right?
Taja: I�ll live.
Kung Lao: Did they do this to you?
Qali: Just me.
Kung Lao: Who are you?
Kitana: If you�re Kung Lao, we need your help.
Taja: What - kicking me around some more?
Siro: What�s this all about?
Kitana: I�m Kitana and this is Qali, my friend. She misinterpreted our intent.
Taja: Oh, gee, maybe it was the noose around the neck!
Kung Lao: You said you came here for my help. Explain.
Kitana: Not in front of them. I can only tell you. We must leave at once.
Taja: Kung Lao�s not going anywhere with you.
Kung Lao: If you need my help, you�ll explain here and now.
Kitana: Daahraan said I can trust only you.
Kung Lao: (to Taja and Siro) I know him, well.
Siro: Who is he?
Kung Lao: A reclusive warrior and a friend of the Order of Light. He helped me in my training, taught me moves I thought were impossible.
Taja: But how do says this guy really sent her? I say she�s lying.
Qali: How dare you speak that-!
Kitana: Qali! (to Kung Lao) Please, will you come?
Siro: There�s an easy way to settle this. Go and ask Daahraan.
Kitana: No. He�ll be gone by now.
Taja: Oh, isn�t that convenient. She obviously doesn�t want you anywhere near the guy. He�s probably never even heard of her.
Kung Lao: Either we check out your story with Daahraan or find someone else to help you.
Kitana: Then we must leave this minute and be there at first light.
Taja: I�m ready.
Kitana: No. Kung Lao.
Taja: You can�t do this, Kung Lao. I�ve seen one of them fight, two could be deadly.
Kitana: Qali will stay here with your friends, in peace.
Kung Lao: Let�s go.
They leave.
Taja: (to Siro) Come on, let�s show our guest what great hosts we are.
She grabs Qali by the shoulders and pushes her towards the next room.
Taja: You�ll move right this way!
Cut to Kung Lao and Kitana wandering into Daahraan�s place at dawn. Kitana holds her a closed fan. Low groaning is heard.
Kung Lao: Over there!
They dash over to a corner of the room. Daahraan lies there, badly beaten and tortured.
Kung Lao: Who did this to you?
Daahraan: Outworld�woman�
Kung Lao looks sadly at his old dying friend. Daahraan�s gaze switches to Kitana.
Daahraan: The Emperor�s stepdaughter, Kitana.
Kung Lao looks at Kitana in shock but at another gasp from Daahraan, focuses his attention on the dying warrior.
Kung Lao: He�s dead.
Kitana: Someone was here after us.
Kung Lao�s eyes narrow. Kitana stands up and walks to a table. She lays one of her fans on it. It catches the sunlight from a crack in the ceiling. She stands looking at it.
Behind her, Kung Lao stands up and looks at her angrily.
Kung Lao: Did you hear me? He�s dead!
Kitana: I heard you. The Emperor�s warriors must have followed me here. I was afraid that would happen. I warned him to leave�
Kung Lao: Shao Kahn�s stepdaughter? You didn�t mention that!
Kitana�s expression hardens and she whirls round to face Kung Lao.
Kitana: Would you have come if you�d know it?
Kung Lao: I would have killed you on the spot instead of waiting until now!
Kung Lao lunges towards Kitana who twist somersaults over his head. Kitana runs up a small flight of steps and Kung Lao chases after; he executes a right front kick which only just misses her and hits the wall. Kitana turns round in time to left upper block Kung Lao�s left hook punch and then somersaults over him to the ground below, in order to avoid his low left sweeping kick. Kung Lao immediately whirls round and tries to left front kick her but Kitana evades it and dashes round him and finds the other door blocked. Kung Lao chases after her and tries to right side kick her; Kitana jumps over it and dive rolls onto the ground below. She gets to her feet in time to right waist block his right front kick. Kitana twice right vertical blocks Kung Lao�s two right punches, and then ducks under his left circle knife hand swipe.
Kitana left vertical blocks Kung Lao�s left return knife hand circle swipe, and waist blocks his left front kick. She ducks under his spinning right hooking kick and left waist blocks his right front kick, twin vertical blocks his left side kick and ducks under another right spinning hooking kick. Kitana left waist blocks his right front kick, right vertical blocks his right punch and ducks under yet another right spinning hooking kick. Kitana left waist blocks his right front kick and turns so they have swapped sides.
She vertical blocks Kung Lao�s left punch and his right kick. Kitana spins and then x-blocks his left punch, trapping his hand between hers. She turns, pulling him into a roll. Kung Lao rolls to his feet and whirls round. Kitana bows to him and Kung Lao looks at her confused. Kitana turns round and front flips four times into the distance. Kung Lao chases after Kitana and tries to front kick her but she is out of his reach and soon, gone.
Kung Lao walks over to Daahraan and picks up his body to take it for burial. He walks into the middle of the room, carrying his old friend.
Kung Lao: Kitana will die for this.
Cut to the Trading Post. The door to one of the rooms opens and Taja enters. Qali, who was sitting next to a table, starts to get up as if to attack Taja.
Taja: Take it easy, Siro�s right outside. Here, something to eat.
She shoves a plate of melon and bread and pushes it down the length of the table. Qali sits back down and catches it. She starts eating ravenously, as if she hasn�t eaten in months.
Taja: A little hungry, aren�t we?
Qali: These are delicacies.
Taja: Bread and melon? Come on, you don�t have those where you come from?
Qali: Water in abundance but no more. Outworld is dark, arid wasteland.
Taja: (sceptically)Right. Any other "delicacies" I can bring you.
Qali sits back and smirks.
Qali: Perhaps you can send me the big strong Siro? Or is he yours?
Taja: Mine?
Qali: Your lover. Or is it the other one, the famous Kung Lao? (she laughs) Or maybe it�s both!
Taja: I don�t have to listen to this.
Qali bursts into laughter.
Qali: Earth Realm mortals, so easily offended!
Taja: I don�t believe any of that Outworld crap!
Qali stops laughing.
Qali: Oh, it�s real. Very real. As is the Emperor Shao Kahn.
Taja: Yeah? Well, I�ll believe it when I see it.
She exits and slams the door behind her. Qali sighs.
Qali: Pray you never do. Pray you never know those horrors.
Cut to the Cobalt Mines. The sounds of miners being tortured by guards are heard all around. Shang Tsung stands on a ledge in a cave. Vorpax walks in, dressed in her usual green outfit but with a velvet green coat over it.
Shang: Where is the Essence?
Vorpax: You were right, he couldn�t be broken. (she smiles) I tortured him until he was half dead�
Shang Tsung comes down the slope to be on the same level that she is. Vorpax sighs.
Vorpax: But the fool wouldn�t tell me anything.
Shang: Then why have you returned? You should be out following the Princess!
Vorpax crosses her arms.
Vorpax: While I trying to get the old man to talk, she came back. Guess who she was with! Your old friend, Kung Lao.
Shang: Kung Lao�
Vorpax: The old man sent her to him. But wait, it gets better. Kung Lao thinks Kitana killed Daahraan. So now, he�s hunting her. I thought you�d like that part.
Shang Tsung laughs.
Shang: Kung Lao has no idea the kind of warrior he faces with Princess Kitana.
Vorpax: Is she good enough to kill him?
Shang: Kitana possesses unique powers. Her age alone gives her an advantage.
Vorpax: But she�s his age.
Shang: Kitana is nearly 10 000 years old.
Vorpax: I�ve got to get her skin cream.
Shang: She�s Edenian! They live many millennia but they are still mortal and can be killed.
Vorpax considers this.
Shang: You are wasting time. Get back and follow Kitana to the Essence.
He holds out his hand and creates a portal. Vorpax walks towards it and then turns around.
Vorpax: Are you coming?
Shang Tsung is silent. Vorpax puts her hood on.
Vorpax: I�ll take that as a no.
She jumps into the portal.
Cut to the Trading Post. Taja stands waiting for Siro, who is coming down the stairs.
Siro: I�ve looked everywhere, she�s gone. Probably straight back to her friend.
Taja: I can�t believe how stupid we are.
Siro: Look, we did the right thing, we locked her in.
Taja: We should have tied her up and thrown her down a well! We have to tell Kung Lao.
Siro: How? We have no idea where they took him.
Taja paces up the length of the room.
Taja: Raiden! We�ve got to call Raiden. (on Siro�s look) What, you got something better? Look, maybe he is a god and if so, he should know how to find Kung Lao. I can�t believe I�m sayng this.
They walk into the courtyard.
Siro: So how do we reach him?
Taja: Well, gods are all-knowing so let�s assume they�re all-hearing too.
A beat of silence. Siro leans against the wall. Taja sighs.
Taja: Raiden. (nothing) Raiden, we need you.
She and Siro look around. Again, nothing.
Taja: Now! Damn it, Raiden, show yourself!
Still nothing. Taja sighs. Siro smirks.
Siro: You really didn�t think that would work, did you?
Taja: No.
She heads back into the main room and holds up her hands.
Taja: Kung Lao�s on his own.
Taja goes up the stairs. Siro remains leant against the wall. He waits until Taja is out of earshot and looks around himself. The camera zooms in closer.
Siro: Raiden? Raiden? Are you out there? (whispers) Raiden?
Cut to the Forest. Kitana runs frantically through it, breathess. She looks behin dher and carries on running. The camera pulls back to show her pursuer, Kung Lao. He enters a clearing, looks around and then dashes off after her. Cut back to Kitana dashing through the trees. She looks behind her again to see if Kung Lao is still following her. Cut back to Kung Lao chasing her. He runs into another clearing and pauses. Suddenly a razor sharp fully extended fan flies over his head and embeds itself into a tree. Kung Lao whirls round to see Kitana holding the other one poised, ready to strike again.
Kitana: On your knees, Kung Lao, or the next one will be in your heart!
Kung Lao slowly gets down on his knees. Kitana approaches, holding the second fan extended.
Kitana: If I were an assassin, the first fan would have taken off your head.
Kung Lao: You wish you�d killed me.
Kitana: Perhaps. I�ll give you a chance.
She folds up the fan and hands it to him. Kung Lao leaps up and opens it, pointing it at her throat.
Kitana: But first hear what I have to say.
Kung Lao: Start talking!
Kitana: I am Princess Kitana, the true daughter of King Jerrod, the rightful ruler of Edenia. But it is also true that I am the step daughter of Shao Kahn and I had no choice in that fate.
Kung Lao: Your real father?
Kitana: Executed by the Emperor that conquered our realm.
Kung Lao lowers the fan. Kitana moves away, looking at the ground.
Kitana: When Shao Kahn�s forces invaded, my father knew we were finished. He gave me a pouch containing the essence of our once beautiful realm.
She gazes at the beautiful trees around her with admiration.
Kitana: He told me to take the Essence away for it would wither and die as nothing of beauty could survive in the Outworld. He sent me to Earth Realm where he knew the Essence would nourish and thrive there.
Kung Lao: And you gave to Daahraan.
Kitana: Yes. A loyal warrior who stayed behind to hide the Essence and guard it with his life. Until today, even I did not know where it was hidden.
Kung Lao: The secret cost him his life!
Kitana: And I regret his death as much as you do. So many have died. It was while I was away, trying to save the Essence of my home, that Shao Kahn murdered my father. Later, my mother took her own life.
Kung Lao: Where is the Essence now, Kitana?
Kitana: Daahraan said it�s hidden in a garden. Not far away from the Temple ruins.
Kung Lao: What I don�t understand is why you came to me.
Kitana looks around her.
Kitana: Shao Kahn�s assassins are obviously here. I can�t risk leading them to the Essence. They will continue to follow me like they did Daahraan. Let them come. While you move Essence of Edenia.
She starts walking and Kung Lao follows her, handing the fan back.
Kung Lao: Where will you go?
Kitana: To get Qali. We must go back to Outworld. Will you do this for me? Will you hide the Essence and carry the secret to your grave?
Kung Lao: As Daahraan did?
Kitana: He knew what I�d be asking of you. He believed in you.
Kung Lao smiles.
Kung Lao: I will do it for you.
Kitana: Thank you.
Cut to the Trading Post. Siro and Taja stand on the balcony, watching the Zhu Zin traders go by, trying to catch a glimpse of Kung Lao.
Siro: He should have been back by now.
Taja: No kidding. Why did we let him go with her? I knew it was all lies.
Kitana: I�m an Edenian princess. I do not lie.
Taja: Where�s Kung Lao?
Siro: What did you do to him?
Kitana: Nothing. Where�s Qali?
Taja: You know damn well she left.
Kitana: Qali�s gone?
Taja: Cut the act. Where did you send her?
Kitana: Nowhere.
Siro: Well, she left soon after you did.
Kitana: There�s no time! I have to warn Kung Lao!
Taja: You mean we. Come on, Siro.
Cut to Temple Garden. The camera zooms in on a small red pouch hanging from a thread in a hollowed out part of the wall. Beautiful vines surround the it. Suddenly a hand reaches out to snatch it but is grabbed by someone else. The camera pulls back to show Kung Lao holding Qali.
Kung Lao: You! Kitana went back to get you!
Qali: I - I followed you! I came to protect you!
Kung Lao: You came here to steal! For who? Did Shao Kahn send you?
Qali: Yes! But I am loyal to Kitana. Shao Kahn destroyed Edenia and he�ll do the same to us if we disobey him! Kitana�s weakness is she is a dreamer. Edenia is finished and I�m tired of people dying for a lost cause!
Kung Lao: Wait - so you�d kill for the Emperor?
Qali is confused.
Qali: Daahraan? I did not kill him.
Vorpax: (oov) She�s right.
Kung Lao and Qali look up to see Vorpax standing on a pillar, her hands on her hips, smiling.
Vorpax: I did.
Vorpax somersaults down to face them.
Kung Lao: Who are you?
Qali: Her name�s Vorpax, she�s imprisoned with Shang Tsung!
Vorpax: He sends his best!
Vorpax jumps off the ledge in a horizontal flutter kick. Kung Lao steps back and she lands perfectly and goes into a right roundhouse kick and then a right drop kick, which Kung Lao blocks. Vorpax then right spin hook kicks Kung Lao in the face but is hit by his following right front kick. She whirls round to do another right spin hook kick but he grabs her leg, pulls her head back with her hair and then forces her into a back flip. Vorpax lands and tries to right punch Kung Lao but he grabs her hand, twists it and pulls her while pushing her neck down with his right leg. Vorpax stifles a cry of pain. Qali rushes in and using Vorpax as a stepping stone, right side kicks Kung Lao who falls back.
Kung Lao right vertical blocks Qali�s right aero side kick but gets hit by Vorpax�s right aero front kick. Vorpax whirls round and right low side kicks Kung Lao while Qali left side kicks him in the stomach. Kung Lao stumbles back. Vorpax leaps up and double-front kicks Kung Lao in the chest but he right front kicks her as she lands and she falls back. Kung Lao ducks under Qali�s right clockwise spinning circle punch, grabs her right hand with his and then left hook punches her face. Qali reels back and spins into a left side kick to Kung Lao�s chest. Kung Lao stumbles back and moves away to avoid Vorpax�s aerial cartwheel kick. Vorpax ducks down and Qali soars over her in a flying right side kick to Kung Lao.
Kung Lao falls back against a tree; Qali advances and right punches Kung Lao twice but is then left hook punched by him and she falls back. Kung Lao turns and darts up a few steps to avoid Vorpax�s spinning sweep kick. Vorpax leaps up onto the steps but is right front kicked back down them. Qali leaps up from the other side and does a right front kick which Kung Lao blocks. Kung Lao blocks her right hook punch, her left hook punch, her right punch, her left punch, grabs her right hand and then right front kicks her in the face. Qali tumbles off the platform and lands hard on the ground below. Vorpax jumps back up.
Kung Lao blocks Vorpax�s right front kick with his own leg and without putting the leg down, left side kicks her head. Vorpax spins down to the ground and Kung Lao follows her. Vorpax left waist blocks Kung Lao�s two right front kicks then jumps up and tries a flying left front kick which Kung Lao blocks. Kung Lao goes into a flying right spinning hooking kick which she ducks under and then he palm blocks her right punch. Qali stirs and starts to get up, her eyes focused on the pouch. Vorpax spins under Kung Lao�s right flying hooking kick but is hit by his right side kick to her stomach and then by his right spinning hooking kick. She falls back onto the ground, clutching her side in agony.
Kung Lao dashes away and intercepts Qali before she can reach the Essence.
Kung Lao: You�ll never get it!
He steps forward. She backs away. The sound of a portal opening is heard. Shang Tsung walks into view.
Shang: Then I�ll take it.
Kung Lao turns away from Qali and looks at Shang Tsung. Vorpax gets up and makes her way to the sorcerer�s side.
Kung Lao: No, Shang Tsung. I won�t let you have it. You know you can�t fight me, not until the next Mortal Kombat tournament.
Shang: A brave warrior, hiding behind the rules of the Elder Gods!
Shang Tsung waves his hand and the pouch begins to float towards him. Suddenly it is thrown out of the air by a flying fan and lands on the ground before them all. Shang Tsung looks up.
Shang: Kitana!
Kitana turns to Shang Tsung. Neither look best pleased to see each other.
Shang: Allied with the Emperor�s mortal enemy, how interesting.
Kitana: Remember whom you�re speaking to, sorcerer, I am a princess.
Shang Tsung rolls his eyes.
Shang: Indeed. Which makes you a royal traitor.
Kitana smiles.
Kitana: If Shao Kahn learnt you�ve left your cobalt prison, you�ll pay with you life, Shang!
Shang Tsung laughs.
Shang: The Emperor will give his thanks and my freedom when I present him with the Essence of Edenia!
Shang Tsung suddenly holds out his hand and creates a portal.
Kitana: The Essence!
Shang Tsung drops down and grabs the pouch from the ground. He jumps through the portal. Vorpax shouts after him.
Vorpax: Wait for me, you son of a-
She leaps through just in time. The portal closes. Kitana and Kung Lao whirl round to confront Qali.
Kitana: You! You led Shang to the Essence!
Qali: No, I know nothing of Shang Tsung. Shao Kahn sent me under threat of torture.
Kung Lao: Enough lies. You attacked me.
Qali: Yes, and I would have destroyed the Essence. To protect you, Kitana! But I failed. When Shang hands the Essence to Shao Kahn, we are both dead.
Kitana: Go back to Outworld and tell the Emperor the Essence is gone. Shang destroyed it.
Qali: But how?
Kitana: It�s doesn�t matter. Go now. Leave!
Qali turns, stung by her ex-friend�s harshness. She dashes off.
Cut to the Cobalt Mines. Shang Tsung enters a cave, holding the pouch. Vorpax emerges after him, still clutching her side with pain. Shang Tsung holds up the pouch.
Shang: The key to unlock my prison�
Vorpax: And mine! Open it, let�s see what it looks like!
Shang Tsung reaches in and pulls out a handful of squirmy maggots.
Vorpax: Maggots? The Essence is maggots?
Shang Tsung clenches his fist and turns to Vorpax. She backs away.
Vorpax: Shouldn�t you be thinking about the Emperor instead of punishing me?
Shang: The Emperor will know nothing about this, do you hear me?
Vorpax: Very clearly. I will say nothing. But what of Kitana?
Shang Tsung turns round and sighs.
Shang: She knows I cannot tell of her treachery without revealing that I escaped this hell.
Vorpax: (hisses) Stalemate!
She leaves. Shang Tsung stares into the distance, angrily realising that Vorpax is right.
Cut to the Temple Garden. Kung Lao and Kitana are walking out through the garden.
Kung Lao: Do you believe her?
Kitana: Lying or not, she can�t tell the Emperor what happened here. It would be her death sentence. And one thing I�m sure of: Qali values her life above all else. Edenia is forever lost.
Kung Lao: Or about to flourish again.
Kitana stops and turns round to face him.
Kung Lao: Before Shang Tsung burnt the vine, I took this.
Kung Lao holds out his hand. On it is a beautiful purple flower that had been on the vine surrounding the pouch. Kitana picks it up.
Kitana: You saved it!
Kung Lao: When you told me the Essence was the seed Daahraan planted, I realised it must be the strange vine.
Kitana: The Essence is in the pollen. It can be planted again.
Kung Lao: The soul of a realm in a simple flower.
Kitana smiles.
Kitana: There is nothing simple about it.
They leave.
Cut to the Trading Post. Kung Lao enters the Dining Room. Taja and Siro stand up, with Siro still stuffing himself with a chicken leg in his mouth and Taja munching something.
Taja: Where have you been, we�ve been worried sick about you!
Siro: Hey, Taja even tried calling Raiden!
Kung Lao: Really, did he show up?
Siro and Taja: No!
Taja looks round at Siro, who had answered a bit too quickly, and then back at Kung Lao.
Taja: Some god! He didn�t even hear me screaming for him.
Overhead, thunder is heard. Kung Lao smiles.
Kung Lao: I�m not so sure. (a beat) I�ve got to get some rest.
Siro: Wait-wait-wait, what happened?
Kung Lao: A lot. I�ll tell you later.
Kung Lao heads up the stairs.
Taja: Wait, at least tell us what happened to Kitana.
Kung Lao: She�s gone.
Kung Lao disappears upstairs. Siro and Taja shrug and go back to their food.
Cut to Kung Lao climbing the stairs. He opens the double doors and walks into the middle of his room and then suddenly whirls round to look in the top corner, where Kitana stands. She smiles and comes towards him.
Kitana: The instincts of a great warrior�
Kung Lao smiles.
Kung Lao: I thought you�d gone back. It�s done, the Essence is safe.
Kitana: I know. I came to thank you, Kung Lao. I may have lost an old friend today but I made a new one.
She smiles and turns towards the balcony.
Kung Lao: Will I see you again?
Kitana: It�s difficult. He�s always watching me.
Kitana walks onto the balcony and smiles. Kung Lao follows her but she has vanished. He looks all along the balcony but there is no sign of her. He sighs and rests his arms on the balcony side and looks out over at Zhu Zin.
Raiden: (oov) She�s a remarkable woman.
We see Raiden at the left side of the balcony. Kung Lao doesn�t turn around and keeps looking at the stars.
Kung Lao: You know Kitana?
Raiden: Oh yes, of course. Many years. As she sat by the side of Shao Kahn-
Kung Lao: -somehow plotting to save Edenia.
Raiden: It was a beautiful place once. Rich, vibrant, much like Earth Realm.
Kung Lao: Will it ever be again?
Raiden: Even I don�t know that.
Kung Lao: You�re right. She is a remarkable woman. I went from wanting her dead to believing in her cause completely. It�s as if there is some kind of bond between us.
Raiden: There is.
Kung Lao turns towards him.
Kung Lao: I think I understand. She doesn�t want to see what happened to Edenia happen here.
Raiden walks towards him.
Raiden: You�re both warriors, Kung Lao. You saved your realm, Kitana failed to save hers.
Kung Lao looks out at the sky, thinking about her.
Cut to the Emperor�s Throne Room, Outworld. Shouts and cries echo through the chamber. Shao Kahn sits idly, playing with his skull-mug.
A hooded figure, dressed in black, walks before him. She takes off her hood to reveal� Vorpax.
Vorpax: Shang Tsung plots for his freedom. Others too work against you. You are surrounded by treachery, Emperor.
Shao Kahn: There is nothing new in this.
Vorpax: No, but I am loyal to you. An ally like me, someone to trust! It�s true. I�ve spent years in these Mines, only waiting for you to call on me. Whatever others may do, I serve only you. And I�m willing to serve you more.
Shao Kahn: A survivor.
Vorpax smiles flirtatiously.
Vorpax: Ask anything of me, Emperor. You can use me for any number of things. Let me show you my loyalty!
Shao Kahn: You can be useful.
Vorpax: Yes, but more. So much more.
Shao Kahn: Perhaps you can be useful but it does not please me now. Go.
He signals her out . Vorpax nods.
Vorpax: Very, very useful.
She exits.
End credits.