Back in Earthrealm, Liu Kang is approached by Geras, who brings troubling news: an unknown force has pulled Shang Tsung out of the meaningless existence Liu Kang had set for him and returned him to his dark ways as a villainous sorcerer. Concerned, Liu Kang asks Geras to investigate further. The next day, Liu Kang sends Kung Lao, Johnny Cage, and Kenshi on a mission to infiltrate Outworld and capture Shang Tsung for questioning.
The trio journeys into the Wastes, where they discover Shang Tsung and his forces attacking a Tarkatan camp and capturing Baraka. After extracting bone marrow from Baraka’s spine, the Tarkatan breaks free and engages Shang Tsung in battle. He quickly gains the upper hand. While Johnny Cage is content to let Baraka finish off the sorcerer, Kung Lao and Kenshi intervene, as Liu Kang still needs Shang Tsung alive for questioning. They stop Baraka, but Shang Tsung manages to escape by shifting into a Tarkatan, leaving the Earthrealmers stunned.
Enraged, Baraka attacks the trio, thinking they are working for Shang Tsung. Kenshi defeats him and explains their mission. Baraka listens and, after learning the truth, refuses Kenshi’s offer of a handshake, explaining that Tarkatans, afflicted by the Tarkat disease, don’t shake hands. He tells them that he was once a merchant who lived a comfortable life before contracting the disease and being exiled to the Wastes. Baraka agrees to help, leading the Earthrealmers to Shang Tsung’s lab.
Inside the lab, the group quietly observes as Princess Mileena appears to be restrained on a table. Shang Tsung, Tanya, and Rain discuss injecting her with a serum made from pure Tarkatan essence. The Earthrealmers believe they intend to infect Mileena with the disease, so they attack. Tanya orders their deaths, but the Earthrealmers win the fight and confront Shang Tsung, accusing him of trying to harm the princess. Shang Tsung denies the accusation, claiming he was trying to help her. Kenshi attempts to free Mileena, who, confused and distraught, asks if it’s finally over. When Kenshi tells her they stopped Shang Tsung, Mileena, now starting to show signs of the Tarkat disease, demands to know why. Shang Tsung begs them to let him help her, but Mileena suddenly breaks free and attacks. In the chaos, she nearly bites Johnny Cage, but Kenshi pulls her away. She then grabs her sais and blinds Kenshi by stabbing him in both eyes before Shang Tsung finally subdues her with an injection of serum.
Just then, Kitana, General Shao, and Goro arrive. Kitana, horrified, asks what happened. Shang Tsung accuses the Earthrealmers of trying to stop the treatment in order to make Mileena’s condition public. Johnny Cage tries to argue, but he and Kung Lao are knocked out by Goro. Shao dismisses the Earthrealmers’ claims, saying he cannot stomach “Earthrealm lies.” Shao and Shang Tsung then proclaim that these events prove the truth of a prophecy. It is revealed that the sorcerer behind this prophecy is Quan Chi, who confirms that today’s events are the final confirmation of his prediction. Kitana agrees that the Empress must be informed of what happened, and she leaves to do so.
Once she’s gone, Shao turns to Shang Tsung and asks what really happened. Shang Tsung explains that the Earthrealmers came to capture him for unknown reasons. The truth comes to light: Shang Tsung, Shao, and Quan Chi are all working together with the same mysterious benefactor, who is the one who rescued them all from their previous meaningless lives.
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