The fighters have to climb up a large set of stairs, where they reach a temple. As they make their way through it, Liu Kang spots a woman nearby, but she says nothing to him.

Johnny tells Liu that when a woman looks at you like that, it usually means something. He, Liu and Sonya move on, as Shang Tsung appears. He knows that the woman, Princess Kitana, is a most dangerous adversary. He tells Reptile to watch her closely, and keep her away from those humans. The statue Shang is next to suddenly comes alive, and runs off.

The fighters gather into a large hall, where a banquet takes place. As the doors shut, Rayden remains outside. Shang then appears, and welcomes everyone. He reminds them that they're here to compete in Mortal Kombat, which will begin tomorrow morning. Some of them will even have the distinct honor and pleasure to face Prince Goro, their reigning champion.

He then tells them they are all witnesses to one of the greatest turning points in the history of their planet, so they should treasure these moments as if they were their last. He then decides to give them a taste of things to come, and has Scorpion and Sub-Zero send forward several warriors.

The warriors flip over the tables, causing everyone to move back. One of them prepares to fight Sub-Zero, and does several kicks.

Sub-Zero creates a ball of ice in his hand. His opponent jumps towards him, but Sub-Zero freezes him with the ice, causing him to shatter when he lands.

Shang calls that a flawless victory, and then walks away. Johnny begins to doubt that coming here was a good move for his career. He then asks Liu where he's going, and Liu says he's going after Shang Tsung. Johnny tells him not to do that, after what Rayden said earlier. Sonya appears and says Rayden didn't say anything to her, and she believes Shang knows where Kano is hiding.

Johnny says you have to admire Sonya, as once she sets her mind on something... Liu tells him it's not her mind he's admiring. Sonya follows Shang outside, but Liu and Johnny catch up with her. She says she doesn't need their help, as she can take care of herself. Johnny says they can't help it, it's a guy thing. Liu then goes after Shang, so Sonya and Johnny follow him.

Johnny suggests they forget about Shang Tsung, but Sonya wants to get to the bottom of this. The start to cross a bridge, which is over a large pit. But they then see the shadow of what appears a four armed monster! Johnny tells Sonya to go ahead and find out what that was, whilst he and Liu wait here.

Kano is enjoying a feast, and tells someone that he enjoys a fair fight: one on one, man to man, hand to hand. But what he saw out there wasn't very fair. As he continues talking, Sonya's group arrive. They see Kano, but they also see someone else there: Goro. Kano is telling Goro about how he saw Sub-Zero freeze a guy and spill his guts everywhere, it almost made him lose his lunch. Goro says it's disgusting.

Kano asks why Shang Tsung, who's supposed to be so great, has such a crummy-looking boat? He gives him the creeps. Goro gets up and says that was Shang's intention. Shang Tsung is a great sorcerer, and the wise cultivate his favor. Those who challenge his power become his slaves. Kano says he hasn't seen any of his slaves around, but Goro calls him a fool who knows nothing. Shang enslaves souls, and he learned the black arts from the emperor himself. Kano believes Goro must be some kind of royalty too.

Goro says he is the general of the armies of Outworld, and prince of the subterranean realm of Shokan. Kano asks if that means something like underground, and Goro says it's something like that. Kano tries to big himself up by saying he's kind of an underworld boss himself back home. Goro thinks how lucky it must be for them back home, but Shang then appears and tell him it's true -why else would he have chosen such as disreputable-looking cretin?

He says that Kano has no dignity or manners, but in the realm of Earth, men like him can amass great wealth, and almost god-like power. Kano wants to get back to these things as soon as possible, and asks when he's going to get paid. Shang tells him once he's fought Sonya, but reminds him she is not to be harmed, only humiliated -he has plans for her. Goro asks what they owe the honor of his visit, and Shang says he's come to warn him that Kung Lao's descendent is competing in the tournament. Goro says he saw Liu Kang in the hall, and believes he'll pose no problem. Shang says this is no time for foolish pride, as they've never been so close to absolute victory. He's come here to warn him of another danger: Princess Kitana. Goro knows Kitana is the emperor's adopted daughter, and asks why he should worry about her. Shang tells him that Kitana is 10,000 years old, and the rightful heir to the throne of Outworld. She must not be allowed to join with the forces from the realm of Earth, especially Liu Kang.

Johnny asks Liu what's so special about him, but Liu says he doesn't know. Shang says the emperor will not tolerate failure, and neither will he. Goro raises his arms, and says he doesn't fail!

Sonya's group head back out, but they get lost. Liu sees Kitana at the end of one of the tunnels, and thinks she is trying to help them. Despite Johnny warning against it, Liu follows Kitana.

Liu enters some kind of cave, but Kitana has disappeared. He hears something nearby and goes to investigate, but the thing there is Reptile, that spits something onto his face. Reptile then climbs out of the cave.

Johnny arrives and help Liu up. Liu says that whatever that thing was, he thinks it's following Princess Kitana. Johnny asks where Kitana is, but Liu says he doesn't know. The three resume trying to find a way out, but end up entering the room Kano, Goro and Shang were just in.

They don't get to look around for very long when several warriors enter the room. They have no choice but to start fighting them.

After taking down several guys each, Sonya says they were just the way she likes them: dumb and ugly. Johnny thinks that was a piece of cake, as they're standing whilst their opponents aren't, so what more could they want?

Rayden starts clapping, and says that was absolutely brilliant. So why don't they show him what they plan to do about them? Johnny and the others turn around to see a much larger group of warriors heading towards them. But the group stop when Rayden shows off some of his lightning powers.

The warriors back off, as Rayden tells Liu and the others where the way out is. They follow him outside, and he tells them that now they've seen what they'll be facing in the tournament. Liu asks if Shang Tsung will fight, and Rayden says he will, if he chooses to. Shang is a former champion, so he has the right to do so. He's also far more dangerous than Goro, and his power comes from the souls of vanquished warriors. To fight Shang Tsung is to face not one, but a legion of adversaries. He tells Liu to remember that, and says that tomorrow, the tournament begins.

The next morning, Liu's first fight is about to begin. Shang says that from this moment on, his island will be their battleground. He says to let Mortal Kombat begin, and Liu starts fighting with his opponent, a fighting monk.

The two pick up staffs and start using them, managing to hit each other once. Liu manages to hit the monk with a kick to the face, but then has his staff broken in half with a kick.

Liu then manages to hit his opponent with a drop kick, which defeats him. Shang gets up and tells the fallen monk that his soul is his.

Shang takes his soul, and says that was a fatality. Later on, the next match is about to start, and Sonya gets ready. Shang says he has something for her, something she wants very much.

Sonya's opponent steps out: Kano! He asks her if she missed him, and then pulls out a knife. He tells her that this was the knife that he used to put a big smile on her partner, ear to ear.

Kano then starts fighting, and tells Sonya to give it up. He's studied all her moves, so she tells him to study this, and hits him with a kick. She then knocks him down with a punch, causing him to drop his knife.

Kano gets back up and resumes his attack, but Sonya lands several hits on him. It's not enough though as Kano manages to knock her down, and then kick her. He asks her if it hurts.

He's about to attack again, but Sonya does a handstand and grabs his head with her legs. She slams him to the ground.

Shang seems pleased, and as Kano struggles, he tells Sonya to finish him.

Kano tells Sonya not to, and asks for her to give him a break. Sonya says okay, and snaps Kano's neck, killing him.