

He does not take their warnings seriously, however, and instead chooses to try to ask Sonya Blade out on a date. Immediately afterward, Cage is congratulated on his victories by Raiden, who along with Liu Kang, warns him that Earthrealm is in grave danger. Cage defeats Baraka and is ordered to 'finish' him, but does not comply.

Cage wins, and Shang calls in Baraka as his next opponent. Johnny Cage, after insulting Shang Tsung behind his back, is called forward to fight Reptile. He also introduces himself as the final challenge of said tournament. Shang Tsung appears with his monks to greet the kombatants and welcome them to the Mortal Kombat tournament. He thinks nothing of it at first, as the tournament is beginning. The Raiden of the past not only senses these visions but also notices that his amulet is cracked. Raiden's message, alongside a series of mental images, travels back in time to the events of the first Mortal Kombat tournament covered in the series, held on Shang Tsung's Island. Realizing the battle is lost, Raiden gathers up the shattered pieces of his medallion and sends a cryptic message to his past self, including the words " He must win", moments before Shao Kahn delivers a killing blow on him. Kahn had his powers increased by killing Blaze, and is currently engaged in a fight with Raiden, where he easily gains the upper hand and taunts the Thunder God, destroying his medallion in the process. Only two kombatants are shown to have survived: the Thunder God, Raiden, and the Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn. The story begins with the aftermath of the Battle of Armageddon, where nearly all of the kombatants have been killed.
