Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

(3C) DC UNIVERSE INTRO --

[The scene opens with a birds-eye view of Metropolis.]

SUPERMAN (Narrating): Metropolis. A shining example of human achievement. This is where we made our final stand against Darkseid and his army of para-demons, born in the fire pits of a distant world called Apokolips.

[The birds-eye view shifts to show Metropolis skyscrapers ravaged by battle. Flames lick out of many a charred building.]

SUPERMAN (Narrating): But what seemed like victory was only the beginning...

[The skyshot zooms into two figures hovering in mid-air. Superman is holding the considerably larger Darkseid by the throat.]

SUPERMAN: It's over, Darkseid.

DARKSEID: Don't be so sure, Kryptonian.

[Superman punches Darkseid, who falls back to the ground. He lands in an abandoned war-torn road, tearing a gigantic hole in the middle of it with a large explosion. Seemingly satisfied that Darkseid is out for the count, Superman glides back down to earth. As he lands next to the hole, a bald man in a business suit - Lex Luthor - walks to the other side.]

LEX LUTHOR: Took you long enough.

SUPERMAN: Luthor...

[Superman glides over the hole as he continues speaking, landing next to Luthor.]

SUPERMAN: You threatened the safety of Earth for your own personal gain. You allied yourself with Darkseid.

LEX LUTHOR: I was only trying to ensure humanity's survival in the event that you and the other so-called heroes failed.

[A purple flash interrupts their argument. Both Superman and Luthor turn to see Darkseid struggling out of the hole in the road, a boom tube opening up before him.]

LEX LUTHOR: Darkseid's activated another dimensional boom tube. He's going to escape!

DARKSEID: This isn't over, Superman.

SUPERMAN: Don't be so sure.

[Superman blasts Darkseid with his heat-vision ray. As Darkseid yells out in pain, the boom tube becomes visibly distorted as well.

DARKSEID: Insolent fool! You're destabilising the boom tube!

[A red-yellow outline surrounds the purple boom tube as Superman finally lets up on his heat ray. Darkseid, caught in the destablising boom tube and unable to escape, is consumed by yellow light. With one final scream, he disappears along with the tube, which implodes into itself and then disperses in a gigantic yellow flash. The resultant shockwave sends a battered car tumbling along the street which narrowly misses crushing Luthor, who dives to the ground. Superman continues to look at where the boom tube disappeared while Lex picks himself up.

LEX LUTHOR: I'm amazed you didn't kill us.

SUPERMAN: Save it, Luthor. You're going to jail, but this time you'll be someplace much more secure than Stryker's island.

[Superman takes a hold of Lex by his arm.]

LEX LUTHOR: What?

[Superman flies off with Lex in tow.]

SUPERMAN: Don't worry. I'll make sure your cell has a nice view of Earth.

(3D) MORTAL KOMBAT INTRO

[The scene opens with nothing but a black screen.]

RAIDEN (Narrating): The realms are in constant flux. They change and shift like an endless dream.

[The scene slowly fades into a graveyard, where an inter-realm portal has just opened. Out from it comes the Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn.]

RAIDEN (Narrrating): Shao Kahn's defeat should have marked our victory against the threatened merge of Earthrealm and Outworld.

[Shao Kahn falls to his knees, exhausted. Behind him, another figure enters from the portal - the sorcerer Quan Chi.]

RAIDEN (Narrating): Instead it heralded a new struggle for independence...

[The portal closes behind Quan Chi as he addresses Shao Kahn.]

QUAN CHI: Shinnok will be displeased by your inability to take Earthrealm.

[Kahn roars in anger and slams his war hammer into the ground.]

SHAO KAHN: Hold your tongue, sorcerer!

[Quan Chi smiles as Raiden appears before the two of them in a flash of lightning. Kahn struggles to his feet.]

SHAO KAHN: Raiden...

[Raiden blasts Kahn with a bolt of lightning, sending the Emperor sprawling.]

RAIDEN: Your invasion of Earthrealm violated the rules of Mortal Kombat, Shao Kahn. Your Tarkatan horde has been routed by the Forces of Light. Even now your allies desert you.

[Kahn turns around. Quan Chi has opened a portal and is walking toward it.]

SHAO KAHN: Quan Chi! Traitor!

[Quan Chi turns around to see Shao Kahn running full pelt towards him. Kahn knocks the sorcerer aside with a single swing of his hammer. Raiden takes the opportunity to blast Kahn with a lightning ball, knocking him into the portal. Strangely, Kahn does not disappear into the portal, but instead sticks to it.]

SHAO KAHN: What have you done?!

[A thin white outline appears on the rapidly destabilising portal and Shao Kahn is bathed in yellow light. The portal then suddenly implodes into itself and disperses in a gigantic yellow flash. Once the shockwave has passed over him, Raiden looks toward where the portal was for a moment, but then turns to Quan Chi.]

RAIDEN: Earthrealm will never succumb to the Forces of Darkness, Quan Chi. Now you will face the judgment of the Elder Gods.

[Raiden takes a hold of Quan Chi's arm and the two of them teleport away in a flash of lightning.]

- (3E) CHAPTER 1: THE FLASH ---

[The scene zooms into a wrecked Metropolis corner-shop. A television next to one of the shop windows, while on it's side and flickering, still works. It shows a Metropolis news report.]

REPORTER: Reports are coming in that Darkseid has been defeated by Superman. Though the invasion is in fact over, the looting continues.

[A looter passes by the shop. He walks out of frame, and only his shadow cast on a nearby wall is seen. Another shadow drops from above and lands in front of him.]

LOOTER: Deathstroke! How's it going? Yea...it's been a while, I got all the money for you--

[Deathstroke unsheathes his sword.]

LOOTER: No, no, no, please! I got the money! Waaagh!

[Deathstroke decapitates the looter with one swing of his sword. As his body drops to the floor, the shot pans round to show Deathstroke standing over the headless corpse.]

DEATHSTROKE: You should have paid up sooner - you'd still have a head.

[Deathstroke sheaths his sword and walks round the corner, through the devastated streets of Metropolis. He stops as a red blur flashes by him and immediately brings his sword to bear. The same blur zooms by him twice more.]

DEATHSTROKE: Metropolis isn't your turf.

[The blur shoots by Deathstroke again. He lashes out with his sword but is far too slow to hit anything.]

DEATHSTROKE: I suggest you run back to Keystone City before something bad happens.

[The blur heads straight for Deathstroke this time, bowling him over. It stops, showing that it is indeed the Flash.]

THE FLASH: Don't bother getting up, Deathstroke. You're going to jail.

[Deathstroke gets up anyway.]

DEATHSTROKE: Not without a fight!

[They fight. Even with his enhanced abilities, Deathstroke cannot keep up with the lightning speed of the Flash and is knocked unconscious. With his opponent down, Flash radios in to the Justice League.]

THE FLASH: Flash to Wonder Woman. I just went three rounds with Deathstroke.

WONDER WOMAN: I'll contact Metropolis PD. I need you in Gotham.

THE FLASH: No problem. I'll--

[Flash stops in mid-sentence and brings his hands to his head as if in pain. His eyes briefly glow a bright yellow.]

WONDER WOMAN: Flash! Are you OK?

[The pain stops as soon as it starts. Flash brings his hands down and shakes it off.]

THE FLASH: I'm alright. Just dizzy.

WONDER WOMAN: You've been running from city to city for hours. Forget about Gotham, I'll ask Martian Manhunter.

THE FLASH: I'm fine, Diana. I just felt strange for a moment. I'm on my way to Gotham now.

[Flash speeds off, leaving Deathstroke to pick himself off the ground.]

[Gotham City. The Bat-signal is prominent over the night sky. It is observed from a rooftop by Catwoman.]

CATWOMAN: Busy night for the Bat, and even he can't be everywhere at once.

[She sits down, pawing a valuable antique.]

CATWOMAN: What he doesn't know won't hurt him.

THE FLASH: No...

[Flash takes this moment to zoom in front of her.]

THE FLASH: ...but it might end up hurting you in the long run. Hand it over, Catwoman.

[Catwoman sits up as Flash extends his arm.]

CATWOMAN: Sorry Red, no can do. I'm protecting it.

[Catwoman backflips off where she was standing, landing on a lower roof partition. Flash watches with amusement, then zooms to obstruct her path in the blink of an eye.]

THE FLASH: I can never figure you out. One minute you're a hero, the next you're a criminal.

CATWOMAN: I'm a complicated woman.

THE FLASH: You know, I don't feel like chasing you anymore.

CATWOMAN: And I don't have time to explain myself.

THE FLASH: We don't have to fight.

CATWOMAN: Oh, but I want to.

[They fight, spilling out onto Gotham City's streets in the process. Catwoman is little trouble for the Flash and soon she's on the floor. The antique rolls off her person.]

CATWOMAN: This is why I don't play nice with you hero types.

[An unfamiliar looking Australian with a cybernetic eye steps into the fray and picks up the antique.]

KANO: This oughta fetch a tidy sum.

THE FLASH: Alright, what's your deal?

[As he asks this question, Flash's eyes shine the same bright yellow as earlier and he grabs his head in pain. Kano watches with amusement.]

KANO: Heh...you don't look so good, mate.

CATWOMAN: I'll take that...

[Sneaking up behind Kano, Catwoman swipes the antique from him and runs off.]

KANO: Hey!

[Before he can chase her, a portal opens up before Catwoman. Taken by surprise, she is unable to slow her momentum and ends up running straight into it.]

CATWOMAN: Ahh! What the--

[As Catwoman disappears, the portal closes behind her. The Flash has now recovered, although his voice sounds distorted.]

THE FLASH: Hand over the gem!

KANO: Back off, freak! She took it!

THE FLASH: So you helped her escape!

KANO: I don't like your attitude. You need to be taught some manners!

[Kano takes a fighting stance and shoots a laser beam from his cybernetic eye. Flash dodges it before it even touches him. Kano tries three times more, each with the same result.]

KANO: Eh, you give Kabal a run for his money!

THE FLASH: My turn!

[They fight. With a newfound rage inside him, Flash beats Kano unconscious. He picks Kano up by his throat, his eyes yellow with fury, but before he can do anything another figure drops from the sky and lands next to them - Batman.]

BATMAN: Who is that man? What're you doing in Gotham?

THE FLASH: Batman! This freak tried--

[Flash's voice is still distorted and his eyes still yellow with rage, but he sounds like he's trying to fight whatever has possessed him. The fight soon dissipates as his mood angers.]

THE FLASH: --tried to kill me, and now I'm going to return the favour!

BATMAN: No, you're not. It's clear something's wrong with you. The Flash I know doesn't kill.

THE FLASH: Heh...he does now.

[Flash throws Kano aside and roars in rage before attacking Batman. They fight, and the Flash's speed manages to overcome Batman's fighting skill, with Flash knocking him to the ground. Not beaten yet, Batman struggles to his feet as Flash advances towards him.]

THE FLASH: I thought you were a master of hand-to-hand combat.

[Batman whips around, stunning Flash with a tazer. Flash is out before he even hits the concrete.]

BATMAN: I am.

(3F) CHAPTER 1: LIU KANG

[The shot opens on the Wu Shi Academy. Liu Kang is meditating in the Academy's arena. He breathes deeply and opens his eyes, seemingly unaware of the female assassin in a fighting stance behind him. She charges him and leaps into a flying kick, and Liu Kang grabs her foot and throws her aside without even getting off the floor. The assassin rolls across the arena and sits up, bemused, while Kang gets to his feet. It is now clear the "assassin" is in fact the Princess of Edenia, Kitana.]

KITANA: Nice move, Liu Kang.

LIU KANG: It was really your move. I merely redirected your own power against you.

[Kang helps Kitana to her feet.]

LIU KANG: And I could sense your chi. I knew you were there.

KITANA: I should never underestimate the combat skill of the White Lotus.

LIU KANG: I am surprised to see you so soon after Shao Kahn's defeat.

KITANA: I've taken leave from the Edenian resistance to solve a troubling puzzle; many of our forces have disappeared, vanished without a trace. We cannot sustain these losses and hope to reclaim Edenia.

LIU KANG: Many White Lotus have also disappeared.

KITANA: By the gods...

LIU KANG: Who do you think is responsible?

KITANA: Shao Kahn was defeated, Quan Chi is rumoured to be imprisoned by the Elder Gods - only two factions remain that are bold enough to fill the void left behind.

LIU KANG: The Lin Kuei and the Black Dragon.

KITANA: Precisely. We need to know for certain that they're responsible. They're from your realm, which is why I need your help.

LIU KANG: You'll need more than just my help. Contact Sonya Blade; she has a better understanding of the Black Dragon than I. I will search for Sub-Zero.

[A graveyard. There is a light snowstorm in the air and Liu Kang is searching around the graves.]

LIU KANG: Snow...out of place this time of year. If my hunch is correct...

[Liu Kang takes a golden medallion with the MK Dragon logo out of his pocket. It is in fact a communicator of sorts. A purple swirl of magic begins to protrude out of it and a magical image of Kitana appears.]

LIU KANG: Kitana, have you contacted Sonya Blade?

KITANA: Yes. It seems she has been on Kano's trail for the past week.

LIU KANG: Hmm...I'm not surprised.

KITANA: She will contact you later. I am returning to Outworld. Have you found Sub-Zero?

LIU KANG: Not yet, but I feel I'm getting...

[As Kang looks to his left, he spots Sub-Zero shooting an ice blast at him.]

LIU KANG: ...close!

[In slow motion, Kang leans back and the projectile barely misses him, impacting on a grave nearby and freezing it.]

SUB-ZERO: Closer than you think!

[They fight. Though Sub-Zero is a powerful combatant, he cannot match the fighting skill of the Mortal Kombat Champion and he is soon on his knees. As Liu Kang approaches, Sub-Zero struggles to get up.]

SUB-ZERO: Is this the way of the so-called Forces of Light? Exterminate your enemies?

LIU KANG: It was you who attacked me, ninja.

SUB-ZERO: Many of our warriors have disappeared, and now I have found their assassin.

LIU KANG: I didn't kill any Lin-Kuei.

SUB-ZERO: I heard your communication. You and your Special Forces dogs were about to--

LIU KANG: --Were investigating the disappearence of our comrades as well. It seems we have a common enemy, Sub-Zero. The question is; are you willing to work together to uncover the truth?

SUB-ZERO: How do I know I can trust you?

LIU KANG: Because I'm about to save your life.

SUB-ZERO: Huh?

[Liu Kang pushes him aside. A rope dart complete with rope shoots toward them both and Kang deflects it with the armour on his forearm. Both men get into fighting stances as they face their attacker.]

SUB-ZERO: Scorpion...

LIU KANG: Go, now! We will meet again later.

[Sub-Zero looks to Liu Kang, shows his appreciation with a quick bow and departs.]

SCORPION: You allowed Sub-Zero to escape. Now you will suffer my wrath!

[They fight. Even Scorpion, a denzein of the Netherrealm, cannot match Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat. He is soon knocked down, but tries to struggle to his feet. He suddenly begins screaming out in pain as yellow light appears around him. His eyes flash yellow and the pained screams turn into raged screams as he looks at Liu Kang, who immediately launches into his signature Flying Kick. There is a flash of yellow just before he connects and Kang flies through the air, landing on his feet. Scorpion has disappeared and in his place stands the Flash.]

THE FLASH: What happened? I feel so strange...

LIU KANG: I have seen this trick before. Your illusion does not fool me - Shang Tsung!

[They fight. Taken by surprise and disorientated from the teleport, Flash is overwhelmed by Kang's attack and is soon knocked unconscious. Liu Kang stands over his form, pondering.]

LIU KANG: Strange. If this was Shang Tsung, he would have reverted back to his normal state.

[Liu Kang holds his hand out toward the Flash. An orange mist the same colour as his fireballs extends from his outstretched hand.]

LIU KANG: His aura...it feels strange. Foreign. I must take him to my masters. They will be able to attune to his chi and discover his origin.

[Kang bends down and picks Flash up. Back at the Academy, he lays Flash down in the arena. No-one is around.]

LIU KANG: Masters? Masters! Where are they? Why don't they answer?

[Liu Kang suddenly senses the presence of another person and whips around.]

SHANG TSUNG: Because they no longer draw breath.

LIU KANG: Shang Tsung!

SHANG TSUNG: And soon, neither will you!

[They fight. Although Shang Tsung is a powerful sorcerer, he has always been outmatched against Liu Kang and this time proves no different. He is soon knocked out by the Mortal Kombat champion.]

LIU KANG: May the Elder Gods bind you in another realm for your treachery, sorcerer.

[A communicator on Liu Kang's forearm beeps. He speaks into it.]

LIU KANG: This is Liu Kang.

SONYA: Sonya here.

LIU KANG: Have you found Kano?

SONYA: I almost caught up with him but he disappeared. I did get close enough to tag him. I've been trying to initiate a techno-portal to his current location but I can't stablise it. How goes your search for Sub-Zero?

LIU KANG: The Lin Kuei are not behind this. They are suffering losses as well. I think there is a new threat. I fought a warrior, something resembling a red devil with a bolt of lightning on his chest. At first I thought it was Shang Tsung transforming his appearence. I have ruled out that possibility. This is a different warrior altogether. I clearly sense an abnormality in his chi.

SONYA: His chi?

LIU KANG: The energy that courses through all things in the universe. This aura is unlike anything I have seen before. I will try to attune to it.

[Liu Kang kneels down next to Flash and extends both of his arms above him.]

SONYA: Attune to his...? Don't do anything crazy, Liu Kang.

LIU KANG: I will be fine.

SONYA: You may be the champion of Mortal Kombat but you are not invincible.

[Liu Kang begins meditating, the orange mist appearing before his hands. Yellow light surrounds the Flash's body and Liu Kang starts screaming in pain. The ground around the two of them turns bright yellow as Kang's screams progress and the light begins to engulf him. With a final scream, he disappears.]

-- (3G) CHAPTER 2: BATMAN --

[The scene opens in the Batcave. Batman has laid the unconscious Flash on an operating bed and is running diagnostics on a nearby computer. He wakes Flash up with some smelling salts.]

THE FLASH: Unngh...

[Flash's eyes are no longer yellow and his voice is not distorted.]

THE FLASH: My head...what'd you hit me with?

[Flash sits up.]

THE FLASH: Wait a minute. Am I inside the cave?

BATMAN: Why did you attack me?

THE FLASH: Listen, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I just...felt this rage. It overwhelmed me. I couldn't stop myself.

BATMAN: What're you doing in Gotham?

THE FLASH: Wonder Woman asked me to help, and that's when Catwoman and that other guy showed up.

BATMAN: I'd like to run some tests.

THE FLASH: I told you, I'm--

[As Flash gets up, he feels something amiss.]

THE FLASH: Oh no...

[Flash screams out in pain and holds his head as his eyes turn yellow. The light protrudes from him this time.]

BATMAN: What's happening?!

THE FLASH: Get away, I can't control--

[The light surrounds Flash completely. With a final scream he disappears, and Scorpion appears in his place.]

SCORPION: What sorcery is this?

BATMAN: Interesting...

[Scorpion turns to face Batman.]

SCORPION: Sub-Zero! Coward! First you hide behind others, now you hide behind an illusion? There's no escape from Scorpion! FIGHT!

[They fight. Scorpion, disorientated by the teleport and weakened away from his native realm, is overwhelmed by the Caped Crusader's advanced weapons and fighting ability. The hellspawned warrior is beaten into unconsciousness.]

[In the next scene, Batman has laid Scorpion on the same bed that the Flash previously occupied. He has apparently finished diagnosing the ninja spectre and is in the middle of a communication with Wonder Woman over his computer.]

BATMAN: Whatever Scorpion is, Wonder Woman, it isn't human.

WONDER WOMAN: What about Flash?

BATMAN: I believe Flash and this "Scorpion" creature switched places through some sort of teleporation event.

WONDER WOMAN: Keep me informed of your progress.

BATMAN: I will. Batman out.

[As Batman closes communications, an alarm sounds on the computer.]

BATMAN: Another energy anomaly similar to that of Scorpion's frequency? In the heart of Gotham?

[Batman looks over to Scorpion as the scene fades out. It fades into one of Gotham City's many streets. The Batmobile is in full motion, and the unconscious Scorpion has come along for the ride with Batman. Diabolical laughter suddenly sounds across the Batmobile's in-built radio and a familiar looking clown doll lands on the vehicles windshield. Batman immediately brakes to a halt and the doll flies into the streets, exploding violently. In slow motion, the doll's disembodied head - still laughing - flies into the night sky.]

BATMAN: I don't have time for this nonsense.

[Batman exits the Batmobile. Across the road, the maniacal Joker walks toward him.]

THE JOKER: No, no, no, you were supposed to DIE when the clown exploded!

BATMAN: Sorry to ruin your night, Joker.

[They fight. Batman has little trouble beating the tar out of his nemesis. As he moves in for the finish, Joker backs up on the ground.]

THE JOKER: Ok, ok, I give up!

[Batman handcuffs Joker.]

BATMAN: I've heard that before.

[A loud scream attracts both men's attention. Liu Kang appears before them, the yellow light still protruding around him.]

BATMAN: This night just keeps getting better and better. Stay where you are.

[Batman walks towards Liu Kang.]

THE JOKER (sarcastically): Yea, that's gonna happen.

[Batman approaches Liu Kang just as he picks himself up.]

BATMAN: Who're you?

LIU KANG: I am...Liu Kang.

BATMAN: Are you injured? I can help you.

[As Kang looks at Batman, his eyes flash yellow and he stares in shock. The camera switches to his perspective; aside from every light source being tinged with yellow and his view slightly distored, instead of Batman before him, Liu Kang sees Shang Tsung.]

LIU KANG: I thought I defeated you, sorcerer. By the Elder Gods, I will finish you!

[They fight. Liu Kang seems to find an equal in fighting ability in Batman, and coupled with being disoreintated from the teleport, he is eventually worn down and knocked out by the Dark Knight. With Kang down, Batman looks around. Joker has fled the scene, and so has Scorpion.]

BATMAN: No Joker...and no Scorpion. Your little distraction means two deadly menaces are out on the loose. At least you're not going anywhere.

[Batman radios in to the Justice League.]

BATMAN: Green Lantern, this is Batman. I have a prisoner I need to examine in a secure location. I need an extraction to the UN orbital station.

GREEN LANTERN: I've been having problems with my ring. It may have been damaged during the battle with Darkseid, but I should still be able to transport you. Give me a minute.

[On the UN orbital station, Batman is in conversation with Green Lantern by a conference table. Liu Kang is handcuffed to a nearby chair.]

BATMAN: Something about him isn't making sense. I could buy that Scorpion came from Apokalips but this man is different.

GREEN LANTERN: According to you, Flash had the same kind of psychotic condition.

BATMAN: I'm not sure, but we may be witnessing the beginning of another invasion.

GREEN LANTERN: I'll leave the detective work to you. I'm going to look for Superman.

[As Lantern flies off, Batman walks over to a large computer.]

BATMAN: Computer, run the blood sample from Liu Kang against the known alien blood types we have in the database.

COMPUTER: No matches to blood type.

BATMAN: Hmm...I need to know if we should expect any more--

[An alarm sounds.]

BATMAN: --visitors.

[A lightning bolt flashes in the center of the room, scattering the conference table. It continues to storm, lashing out bolts and destroying various equipment. Batman rushes in and drags Liu Kang away from the storm, which finally begins to subside, leaving only a man pulsing with electricity - Raiden.]

RAIDEN: You will release Liu Kang at once!

[Raiden blasts Batman with a lightning bolt. The only effect it seems to have is that it knocks Batman off his feet. He rises without impediment.]

BATMAN: Let me guess...you're from the same place as Liu Kang and Scorpion.

RAIDEN: How is it possible?

BATMAN: Insulated armour.

RAIDEN: You will release Liu Kang.

BATMAN: First I need answers.

RAIDEN: Release Liu Kang or I will take him from you!

[They fight. While he's no match for the Thunder God, Batman's fighting ability and his protective armour keeps Raiden at bay. Raiden charges up another lightning attack, keeping Batman back. He spots Liu Kang waking up, and instead of releasing the attack, Raiden holds it at bay while slowly circling around. Batman follows his movement in the opposite direction, but it's only when Raiden reaches Liu Kang does Batman realise what he's doing. Raiden stops the attack and grasps Liu Kang by the shoulder, and the two of them teleport away in a flash of lightning. Batman is left staring at the now-empty chair, but a booming sound attracts his attention. He looks over to Earth, which has large yellow rifts of light cracking over it's surface, almost like an earthquake.]

BATMAN: It's worse than I expected. MUCH worse.

[Later in the same scene, Batman is watching a news report on one of the computers.]

REPORTER: It seems this is happening across the globe - strange structures and artifacts appearing. But the question still remains: where is Superman?

BATMAN: That's a good question. Where ARE you, Superman?

[A brief flash to the Fortress of Solitude. A strong snowstorm is prevalent over it.]

--- (3H) CHAPTER 2: SONYA BLADE ---

[The scene opens on the Special Forces Headquarters. Sonya stands next to the techno-portal and is speaking over the communication station next to it.]

SONYA: Liu Kang, come in. Liu Kang!

[No response.]

SONYA: Something must have gone wrong.

[Sonya opens another communications channel.]

SONYA: Kitana, this is Sonya Blade, please respond.

KITANA: Kitana here.

SONYA: Something happened to Liu Kang. He may need help. My techno-portals are unstable and I can't risk ending up in the middle of nowhere. Can you portal to him?

KITANA: Unfortunately, no. There is a crisis here in Outworld that requires my full attention. I do not have time to explain.

SONYA: Understood. I'll have to go there myself.

KITANA: I will join you when I can.

SONYA: Sonya out. If the portal was working properly I could get to Liu Kang immediately. But the destination is...too erratic.

[Someone can be heard walking behind Sonya.]

SONYA: I can't risk emerging in the wrong place...or worse, bringing something here.

CATWOMAN: It's a little late to be worried about that.

SONYA: Who are you?

CATWOMAN: I'm Catwoman, and I really need to be getting back to Gotham City, so if you could just maybe--

SONYA: Security breach, portal room! Initiate immediate lockdown!

[Klaxons sound around the room and doors begin closing.]

SONYA: You aren't going anywhere.

CATWOMAN: Not tonight, honey. I have a headache.

[Sonya takes up a fighting stance.]

CATWOMAN: Alright then - no one cages this kitty!

[They fight. Sonya's Special Forces training gives her the advantage in the melee and soon Catwoman is down and out cold.]

SONYA: Security'll take care of you - I've got to get to Liu Kang.

[The Wu Shi Academy. Sonya arrives, but no one is around - not even the Flash or Shang Tsung.]

SONYA: No sign of Liu Kang - or anyone, for that matter. I've got a bad feeling about this.

[Sonya's communicator beeps. She answers.]

SONYA: Sonya here.

JAX: Sonya, it's Jax. Who's this woman in the brig?

SONYA: She calls herself Catwoman. I'll question her later - she's not a priority right now. Something's come up.

JAX: What's wrong?

SONYA: I need help locating Liu Kang. Follow my signal and rendevous with me as soon as--

[Sonya stops speaking as she spots a large Tarkatan warrior jumping into the arena.]

SONYA: Baraka?!

BARAKA: Sonya!

SONYA: Just get here as soon as you can! Sonya out!

BARAKA: Jax won't save you this time!

[Baraka draws his blades and they fight. Although taken by surprise, Sonya holds her own against the Outworld nomad and manages to defeat him.]

SONYA: I don't know what Baraka's doing in Earthrealm, but it's suspicious. If a new invasion is coming, Raiden must be informed.

[The scene opens at Raiden's sky temple. Sonya is standing at the front door, which is closed to her.]

SONYA: Raiden? Where are you? There may be another invasion of Earthrealm. Shao Kahn may be returning. Raiden, can you hear me? Raiden?

[A flash of lightning appears in front of Sonya, but the man who emerges is not Raiden - it's Captain Marvel. He holds his head as if disorientated.]

SONYA: Red...with a lightning bolt on his chest...this must be the warrior Liu Kang fought. Who are you?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: I am...Captain Marvel.

[His voice is distorted, and his eyes are flashing yellow. He appears to be trying to fight the rage affecting him.]

SONYA: Captain? Why are you here?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Uhh...confused...don't understand...the rage...THE RAGE!

[He roars and attacks Sonya. They fight, and Marvel's rage gets the better of him, leaving him open to Sonya's counterattacks. She soon has him on his knees before her.]

SONYA: Now maybe I can get some answers out of you.

[A green fist flies out of the sky and strikes Sonya from behind. Green Lantern glides into the fray.]

GREEN LANTERN: Cap, what happened? My ring's not working right but I got here as soon as I could.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Green Lantern? Beware...the rage...uhh...

[Marvel passes out.]

GREEN LANTERN: The rage? I take it he means you.

[Sonya is walking towards the two of them. The yellow light is prevalent in her eyes.]

GREEN LANTERN: What'd you do to Cap?

SONYA: The same thing I'm going to do to you!

[They fight. With Lantern's ring not operating at full capacity, he is overwhelmed by Sonya's fighting skills. After knocking him down, Sonya grabs Lantern by the throat and holds him above her head with one hand. She is about to vaporize him with a point blank energy blast, but at the last second Captain Marvel grabs her hand and absorbs the shot, and then knocks Sonya flying with a huge punch. Both men kneel next to each other, exhausted.]

GREEN LANTERN: Thanks for the save. Whoever she is, she was ready to finish me. You look bad, but whatever's going on is affecting us all. Come on, I'll take you to the UN Space Station so Batman and Wonder Woman can have a look at you.

[Lantern gets up and supports Marvel with his body. He generates a force field that surrounds the both of them with his ring and flies them off into the night sky.]

--- (3I)CHAPTER 3: WONDER WOMAN ---

[The scene opens on Themyscira. Wonder Woman is with several battle-ready Amazons when she receives a communications call from the UN Space Station.]

BATMAN: Wonder Woman, this is Batman. We need you immediately. I can't reach Superman and Earth may be in for another invasion.

WONDER WOMAN: Tell me something I don't know. The invasion has reached Themyscira.

[Before Wonder Woman stands Shang Tsung's island, the division between it and where the rest of Themyscira should be marked only by a glowing yellow line of light.]

BATMAN: Do you need help?

WONDER WOMAN: No. I'll contact you when it's over. Wonder Woman out.

[Several Tarkatan warriors, along with Shang Tsung himself, stand at the bridging light divide between Themyscira and Tsung's island. Wonder Woman approaches them.]

SHANG TSUNG: Leave this island at once or pay with your lives!

WONDER WOMAN: I am Princess Diana, emissary of Themyscira. You are not welcome here. Surrender and you will be given safe passage back to your world.

SHANG TSUNG: Arrogant fool! I am Shang Tsung, and this is my island. FIGHT!

[They fight. Though Shang Tsung is a powerful sorcerer, Wonder Woman's super-strength and fighting ability is enough to keep him at bay. She knocks him down, but Tsung springs up and motions for a flaming skull attack. Diana instinctively brings her impenetrable bracelets up to protect her face. Realising his magic won't work, Tsung cancels the attack and retreats, with the Tarkatan horde following. Wonder Woman prevents her Amazons from pursuing and radios in to the Justice League.]

WONDER WOMAN: Wonder Woman to Batman. The invaders have retreated into the jungle.

BATMAN: I have more bad news. Earth is in the process of merging with another planet.

WONDER WOMAN: By the gods...

BATMAN: Our world and the alien world occupy the same time and space as fragments separated only by large--

WONDER WOMAN: --Large yellow energy rifts. I've seen them.

BATMAN: We need Superman, but no one knows where he is.

WONDER WOMAN: I'll search Metropolis.

[Wonder Woman cuts communication as the scene fades out.]

[Metropolis. The effects of the battle between Superman and Darkseid's forces are still very present among the city's abandoned streets. Wonder Woman finds her path obstructed by a demolished road.

WONDER WOMAN: Darkseid's invasion ravaged Metropolis, it's not like Superman to--

[As Wonder Woman speaks, a portal opens up behind her. A lone woman appears from the portal and falls to her knees as Diana turns around.]

WONDER WOMAN: Great Hera! Are you alright? Let me help you.

[As the portal closes, the woman - who is in fact Princess Kitana - doesn't even register Wonder Woman's presence. She seems completely stricken by whatever she saw on the other side of the portal.]

KITANA: It can't be! We routed his invasion! He was destroyed!

WONDER WOMAN: Who? Darkseid?

KITANA: I saw him...more powerful than ever! Torn his realm asunder! Am I too late? Has he already brought the apocalypse to this world?

[Kitana looks around at the devastation around her. She still hasn't noticed Wonder Woman, who now speaks into her communicator.]

WONDER WOMAN: Wonder Woman to UN Orbital Space Station. I need a med-unit at my location. We have another victim of the invasion.

[Diana stops the communication and approaches Kitana.]

WONDER WOMAN: Please come with me, you're safe now. We--

[Wonder Woman tries to gently touch Kitana on the shoulder, but her hand is slapped away. Kitana now finally registers Diana's presence and quickly becomes hostile.]

KITANA: I have been followed! Who are you?

WONDER WOMAN: No one will hurt you. My name is Wonder Woman.

[Kitana's eyes suddenly glow yellow with rage and her voice distorts.]

KITANA: I am not so easily fooled, assassin of Outworld. Your master has sent you to finish me, but this battle will be your last! FIGHT!

[They fight. Forced to defend herself, Wonder Woman manages to subdue Kitana and knock her to the ground. As she approaches, Kitana scurries to her knees and opens a portal.]

WONDER WOMAN: Please wait!

[While the rage has worn off, Kitana is still very much afraid of everything around her. With barely a look behind her, she plunges into the portal, which closes behind her. Wonder Woman then receives another communique.]

BATMAN: Wonder Woman, this is Batman. Superman's not in Metropolis. The Fortress of Solitude has been breached.

WONDER WOMAN: That's impossible!

BATMAN: Superman may be in serious trouble.

WONDER WOMAN: And without him, so is Earth. I'm on my way.

[Wonder Woman cuts of the communication and walks away.]

[The Fortress of Solitude. The snowstorm is still prevalent outside. Inside, Wonder Woman finds the Fortress has been breached from the inside. A large hole has been shattered in a wall and stretches out to part of the alien world - recognisable as the Lin Kuei's temple. Before Wonder Woman, a mysterious ninja warrior dressed in blue is on his knees in exhaustion. Superman is next to him, but he is frozen in a block of ice.]

WONDER WOMAN: What've you done?!

SUB-ZERO: Another one! Quan Chi was right!

[The two warriors begin to circle one another.]

WONDER WOMAN: Who are you?

SUB-ZERO: I am Sub-Zero.

WONDER WOMAN: Surrender and no harm will come to you.

SUB-ZERO: The Lin Kuei do not know the meaning of surrender! FIGHT!

[They fight. Sub-Zero, exhausted from his earlier fight with Superman, is unable to match Wonder Woman's strength or resistance to his ice attacks. She soon subdues him, then ties him up with the Lasso of Truth before he can recover. Turning her attention to Superman, Diana smashes the ice-block he is trapped in with one mighty punch. Superman is freed, but he is severely weakened and drops to one knee. Wonder Woman kneels beside him.]

WONDER WOMAN: Kal, what happened? Are you all right?

SUPERMAN: Something's wrong. My powers have been fluctuating ever since the battle with Darkseid. I came back to the Fortress to try to discover what was wrong and Sub-Zero...attacked. What's happening to me? It must have a basis in magic.

WONDER WOMAN: Luckily I am not susceptible to magic, so he got what he deserved. Bruce belives he is part of an invasion force. Heroes all over the world are disappearing including the Flash. And our planet is merging with another, possibly Apokolips.

SUPERMAN: Apokalips? Then Darkseid is back? I have to get back to Metropolis. I'll rendevouz with you back at the UN Space Station.

[Before Wonder Woman can even have a chance to object, Superman has flown off. A groan from Sub-Zero attracts her attention and she turns to him.]

WONDER WOMAN: Sub-Zero, who is behind this invasion?

SUB-ZERO: You are the invaders!

[The statement surprises Wonder Woman; because Sub-Zero is bound with the Lasso of Truth, it is impossible for him to lie to her. A communication prevents her from furthur interrogation.]

GREEN LANTERN: Wonder Woman! This is Green Lantern! The UN Space Station is in chaos! Captain Marvel is in a frenzy and none of us can contain him! My ring's almost out of juice!

WONDER WOMAN: I'll be there as soon as I can.

[Wonder Woman cuts of the communication and picks up Sub-Zero.]

WONDER WOMAN: You'll be coming with me.

[The UN Space Station. Onboard, Captain Marvel is clearly enraged and the yellow light is prevailing in his eyes. Wonder Woman walks in with Sub-Zero - now handcuffed - just in time to see Marvel standing over a fallen Green Lantern.]

GREEN LANTERN: Cap! Stop!

[Marvel summons a lightning bolt. Milliseconds before impact, Lantern's ring teleports him away, but it looks like to Wonder Woman that he is obliterated by the bolt from the Captain.]

WONDER WOMAN: Hal! What've you done?!

CAPTAIN MARVEL: The rage...will consume us all!

WONDER WOMAN: Not if I can help it!

[They fight. Although powerful, Marvel is weakened from his raging, and Wonder Woman manages to subdue him and tie him up with the Lasso of Truth. The Captain seems to be trying to fight the rage, but it has a powerful hold on him.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Ugh! The rage...it burns inside me!

WONDER WOMAN: I need you to be calm. Tell me what you did to Green Lantern. Why did you attack him?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Uhhn...I don't know. The ethereal forces are all unbalanced...shifting! I reach out to the gods and don't recognise what I see! The rage...you have to help me...

[Marvel loses consciousness. Sub-Zero watches all of this with a detached bemusement.]

SUB-ZERO: You should have finished him.

WONDER WOMAN: Your world must be different than ours. Here we don't kill our friends.

[Wonder Woman opens a communique.]

WONDER WOMAN: Wonder Woman to Batman. I found Superman but we have a new problem...we've lost Green Lantern.

-- (3J) CHAPTER 3: JAX --

[Continuing directly from the events of MK Chapter 2, Jax finds Sonya recovering from the melee with Green Lantern and Captain Marvel.]

JAX: Sonya, what happened? What're you doing in Raiden's sky temple? When I lost contact with you I was about to--

SONYA: Back off!

[Her voice is distorted with the rage.]

JAX: Hey, what's wrong?

[The camera switches to Sonya's point of view. Her vision is distorted and everything is tinged with yellow, and although she initially sees Jax before her, that vision is replaced by Kano.]

SONYA: Kano?!

JAX: Kano?

[Jax looks behind him, expecting to see the criminal there.]

SONYA: I've finally found you...

[Jax turns back and realises Sonya is looking at him, not behind him.]

JAX: What're you talking about?

[From Sonya's point-of-view, although it's Jax's voice she hears, she still sees Kano and evidently puts more trust on what she sees than what she hears.]

SONYA: This time you won't get away! FIGHT!

[They fight. Although taken aback at Sonya attacking him, Jax is able to keep control of the situation and subdue her. As the melee ends, Raiden appears in a flash of lightning.]

RAIDEN: Enough! Explain yourselves.

JAX: I dunno what happened. She just attacked me.

[The fight has seemingly quelled the rage inside Sonya. She now speaks normally.]

SONYA: I...I saw you as the enemy. I thought you were a threat. I...can't explain it. I'm sorry, Jax.

JAX: It's alright. You seem to have snapped out of it.

RAIDEN: She was most likely influenced by the same forces that have affected Liu Kang.

[Liu Kang now steps into view.]

SONYA: Liu Kang! What happened to you?

LIU KANG: I was captured by the invaders. Fortunately, Raiden rescued me.

RAIDEN: He was being held aboard that vessel.

[Raiden points to the night sky. The UN Space Station is visible, like a bright star.]

SONYA: I came here to find you, Raiden. I was attacked by two warriors. They retreated to that space station.

RAIDEN: I do not know from where these invaders come or who leads them, but it is clear that Earthrealm faces a grave new challenge. Our world is merging with another. I can feel it...

LIU KANG: But Shao Kahn was destroyed! We stopped him from merging Earthrealm with Outworld!

RAIDEN: The Emperor may still live, and these new warriors may be his reinforcements.

JAX: Then let's do something about it! Sonya, let's get back to the base. We can mount a counter-attack from there.

[The Special Forces base. Sonya and Jax are walking through it towards the techno-portal.]

JAX: When I got to the Wu Shi Academy, you were already gone. I did find some guy dressed in red tights though. I had him med-evaced to the infirmary, then I followed your signal to Raiden's temple. You gotta stop running off like that, Sonya; we're a team. You can't take on the bad guys alone.

SONYA: I know...I'll work on it.

JAX: Go get yourself patched up. Meantime, I'll prep the portal for a jump to that space station. We'll take 'em by surprise.

SONYA: Sounds like a plan, but I have to warn you - the portal has been less than cooperative lately.

JAX: Nothing I can't handle.

[Sonya walks off, leaving Jax alone at the portal controls. He begins working at them.]

JAX: She's right. Logs show the portal was having a hard time focusing. Probably a side-effect of the two universes merging. The ethereal matrix seems to be more stable now. Just a few adjustments and we should be back in business.

[Jax finishes typing at the console.]

JAX: There. That's more like it.

[A figure dressed in an advanced armoured suit approaches Jax from behind.]

LEX LUTHOR: Impressive.

JAX: What the hell--

[Lex extends a hand in introduction.]

LEX LUTHOR: Allow me to introduce myself - Lex Luthor. Perhaps you've heard of me, or a little company I run called LexCorp.

JAX: This area requires top clearance, and I don't remember inviting you to the party.

[Lex walks past Jax and towards the techno-portal in admiration.]

LEX LUTHOR: My technicians at LexCorp picked up a massive signal enminating from this space, indicating highly advanced technology. I'm the hands-on managerial type, so I came to see for myself. And I must say I am impressed. A teleportation device...maybe you and I should do business.

JAX: It's a portal...and as for doing business...

[The rage begins to effect Jax.]

JAX: ...Maybe it's time I gave you a demonstration of MY impressive technology!

[The rage also appears in Luthor's eyes.]

LEX LUTHOR: I'd prefer a handshake, but if you insist...

[They fight. Jax's mechanical arms and his pound and ground fighting style manages to overwhelm Luthor's battle suit and the megalomaniac is soon knocked unconscious. The rage stops quickly, just as Sonya comes rushing into the fray.]

SONYA: What happened?

JAX: They found our base. Somehow he breached our defenses.

SONYA: Who's he?

JAX: Called himself Lex Luthor. He runs some company. Acts like he's gonna take over the world.

SONYA: Looks like you put a stop to that.

JAX: Only one way to be sure - let's take out that space station.

[The UN Space Station. Jax teleports out of the techno-portal but finds Sonya isn't with him. He opens up communications on his forearm.]

JAX: Sonya. Sonya, do you copy?

SONYA: We've apparently been sent to different locations on the station. I think the portal still needs some work.

JAX: We'll need to regroup. Stay where you are. I'll try to--

[Something off-screen catches Jax's attention.]

JAX: Hold on. Someone's coming. [Jax takes cover behind some boxes and observes a space station guard escorting Captain Marvel.]

GUARD: We've set up a temporary holding facility as requested, Wonder Woman. It should hold Captain Marvel until he's recovered.

WONDER WOMAN: My thanks. If this Earth merge continues everyone's powers may be affected. I'll be joining you shortly with our newest guest.

[Jax pumps himself up and runs out from his cover.]

GUARD: Affirmative. Are there any special security measures that--

[The guard turns round just in time to see Jax clock him in the face with a gigantic haymaker. The heavily-armoured guard is hurled across the room from the impact and instantly knocked unconscious. Jax throws a left-cross at Marvel, but it only causes him to flinch. The rage soon shows in Captain's eyes and he grows menacingly.]

JAX: Well now, this just got a whole lot more interesting.

[They fight. Through the sheer strength of his technology and weapons, Jax overwhelms Captain Marvel and beats him unconscious. He then radios in to Sonya.]

JAX: Sonya. Area's secure. What's your situation?

SONYA: I'm fine. We need to locate the main command centre to cripple this station's capabilities.

JAX: Right. Stay where you are. I'll follow your signal and come to you.

WONDER WOMAN: You're not going anywhere.

[Jax turns around at the voice and instinctively fires his uzi. Wonder Woman deflects all the bullets he shoots with her bracelets. The handcuffed Sub-Zero approaches behind her.]

JAX: Sub-Zero?!

WONDER WOMAN: I take it you two know each other.

SUB-ZERO: He is Jax - a formidable warrior, as you will soon discover.

[The ninja steps aside, noticing Wonder Woman's a bit pissed off at being shot at. The rage appearing in her eyes adds to that.]

WONDER WOMAN: Well "warrior", I don't know what your universe is doing to mine, or what you're doing to this station, but true warriors don't use guns!

[Jax throws aside the uzi.]

WONDER WOMAN: And if it's a fight you want, you'll soon be joining your friend in a cell!

[They fight. Even without his gun, Jax is more than a match for Wonder Woman. He eventually knocks her unconscious next to Captain Marvel and radios in.]

JAX: Sonya, you'll never guess who I bumped into - Sub-Zero.

SONYA: What's he doing up here?

SUB-ZERO: Obviously I am a captive. It would appear that we are now allies.

JAX: Appearences can be deceiving.

SUB-ZERO: True, but you would be a fool to refuse my help.

JAX: What do you think, Sonya? Should we trust him?

SONYA: Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

JAX: Alright then, Sub-Zero...

[Jax shatters Sub-Zero's handcuffs with one downward smash.]

JAX: ...Tell us what you know.

SUB-ZERO: Only that these warriors are unlike anything I've encountered. I don't know yet who commands them.

JAX: Any ideas?

SUB-ZERO: The most logical assumption would be that Shao Kahn has returned to finish what he started - with this new army. Now I need to find someone - a sorcerer who may have answers.

JAX: Sorcerer? I don't like the sound of that.

SUB-ZERO: Like it or not, we need him. when there is threat of invasion, he usually knows something about it.

- (3K) CHAPTER 4: GREEN LANTERN -

[Following the events of DC Chapter 3, Green Lantern finds himself teleported to the Green Lantern Corps Headquarters.]

GREEN LANTERN: Oa...

[He stands up and takes in his surroundings.]

GREEN LANTERN: The ring brought me to the homeworld of the Guardians of the Universe...but why?

[Before him, one of the Guardians begins speaking.]

GUARDIAN: Two universes are colliding. Your fellow Lanterns are elsewhere doing what they can to combat the crisis.

GREEN LANTERN: That would explain Captain Marvel's attack - whatever's happening on Earth must be affecting him more directly than the rest of us.

[Behind Lantern, the techno-portal opens up. Lex Luthor and Catwoman step out of it and it closes behind them.]

GREEN LANTERN: I have to get back to Earth.

LEX LUTHOR: Yes...you do.

GREEN LANTERN: Lex Luthor and Catwoman? How?

CATWOMAN: Lex and I were held captive in the invaders underground base. Their security was more pathetic than the Gotham City museum.

LEX LUTHOR: We escaped using their portal technology. I calibrated it to transport us to Metropolis but there was obviously a malfunction. We ended up here.

GREEN LANTERN: Now I know I need to get back to Earth. If he's involved, things can't be good.

LEX LUTHOR: Typical...

[Lex turns to the Guardians while he continues talking.]

LEX LUTHOR: You're no better than Superman. The universe is falling apart and the so-called heroes focus on the little picture. All that power in his ring...have you ever noticed how he uses it?

[The rage begins to take over Lex as he speaks.]

LEX LUTHOR: Big hammers, trains and idiotic animals...

[His eyes now glow yellow.]

CATWOMAN: What's the matter with you, Lex?

GREEN LANTERN: His eyes...just like Captain Marvel.

LEX LUTHOR: You lack imagination, Green Lantern! You always have! Someone like me should have that ring!

GREEN LANTERN: Over my dead body, Lex!

LEX LUTHOR: Just the way I like it!

[They fight. Although his ring is underpowered, Lantern manages to keep Luthor at bay through his fighting skill. He eventually knocks Luthor down and the rage wears off. While Lex picks himself up, the Guardians intervene.]

GUARDIAN: This is a foolish waste of valuable time. The merging of worlds is contaminating the galaxy, infecting your very substance with rage. For the moment we can control it here on Oa, but if unchecked, it will spread across the universes.

GREEN LANTERN: Then we'll stop it.

GUARDIAN 2: If it continues to progress at this rate, energies throughout will be redistributed and corrupted.

GUARDIAN 3: No Lantern's ring will be unaffected or remain intact.

GUARDIAN: Nor will any other being in the galaxy escape. Neither universe will survive.

LEX LUTHOR: Why is this happening?

GUARDIAN 2: We are uncertain of the cause, but we believe this anomaly originated on Earth, at the moment of Darkseid's defeat.

GREEN LANTERN: Do you know anything about that, Lex?

GUARDIAN: It is highly unlikely that Lex Luthor is capable of influencing devastation on such a cosmic scale.

[Lex seems to be somewhat insulted by this.]

GUARDIAN 2: You on Earth must work together to locate the source of disruption and destroy it before the merge is complete.

GREEN LANTERN: Looks like we have no choice.

CATWOMAN: Don't worry handsome, we won't bite...much.

GUARDIAN: Earth sector 2-8-1-4 is under your protection.

[A lantern power battery appears, suspended in mid-air.]

GUARDIAN: We cannot spare any of the Lantern Corps to help. Charge your ring and return quickly. There is not much time.

[Lantern steps forward to the battery and recharges his ring, which now glows with energy.]

GREEN LANTERN: That's more like it.

LEX LUTHOR: So what's it going to be, hero? Do we work together or do I have to save the world in spite of you?

GREEN LANTERN: Remember...I don't trust you, Luthor.

LEX LUTHOR: The feeling is mutual.

[Lantern creates an energy shield around himself, Luthor and Catwoman. They are all transported off Oa.]

[Back in Metropolis, Lantern deactivates the shield outside the smouldering remains of LexCorp. His communicator beeps.]

GREEN LANTERN: That's the UN communicator. I have to leave you here. If I were you, Catwoman, I wouldn't turn my back on him.

CATWOMAN: I can take care of myself.

[Lantern flies off into the sky.]

LEX LUTHOR: Idiot...

[Lex looks over his destroyed company building.]

LEX LUTHOR: Home sweet home...or at least it used to be before Darkseid got to it.

CATWOMAN: You brought it on yourself, Lex. From what I hear you helped Darkseid.

LEX LUTHOR: I never take sides - I chose the lesser of two evils. The worst Superman would do is hand me over to the authorities - Darkseid on the other hand would destroy everything. It wasn't much of a choice.

CATWOMAN: Seems like we don't have one now either. So what's the plan?

LEX LUTHOR: Simple...we find a way to turn this situation to our advantage.

[Back at the UN Space Station, Green Lantern radios in.]

GREEN LANTERN: Wonder Woman, this is Green Lantern. What's going on?

[He is confronted by a rage-infected Jax.]

JAX: I'll tell you what's going on, Green Lantern.

GREEN LANTERN: Who are you?

JAX: Name's Jax, and now that the introductions are out of the way, we're shutting you down!

[They fight. With his ring charged up, Green Lantern is more than a match for Jax's cybernetics and soon has his opponent unconscious on the floor. Another person comes rushing into the fray.]

SONYA: Jax?

GREEN LANTERN: You again?

SONYA: Sonya Blade to Special Forces - Jax is down.

[The rage appears in Lantern's eyes.]

GREEN LANTERN: Don't try it lady - things have changed since the last time we faced off.

SPECIAL FORCES: Message received, sending reinforcements.

[The rage spreads to Sonya.]

SONYA: Negative, negative - I can handle it myself.

GREEN LANTERN: Not this time!

[They fight. True to his word, Lantern is too much for Sonya to handle this time and she is soon out on the floor next to Jax. As Lantern ponders what to do next, he hears a familar voice.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Green Lantern! Am I glad to see you!

[Although Marvel doesn't sound like he's infected with the rage anymore, Lantern points his ring at him anyways.]

GREEN LANTERN: Hey Cap. How ya feeling?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: I won't attack you, Green Lantern. I think I finally have the rage under control. It's all coming from this other universe trying to merge with ours. It's energy creates this terrible fury - you just wanna hit something!

GREEN LANTERN: That's what the Guardians said. How did you figure it out?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Their alien gods are creating interference with my powers and infecting me with their combat rage.

GREEN LANTERN: Great; out-of-control magical-alien-god powers. So that would make you a danger to us and yourself.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: None of us is safe from the rage until this is stopped. I have to go back to the Rock of Eternity to get closer to the gods and see how we can defeat this combat rage. There has to be a way.

GREEN LANTERN: Good luck, Cap.

(3L) CHAPTER 4: SUB-ZERO

[The scene opens at Raiden's temple. Sub-Zero is taking the ninja's way in; climbing all the way up the mountain. He reaches the top and cautiously steps across the courtyard. Raiden soon appears in front of him in a flash of lightning.]

RAIDEN: The Lin-Kuei are not welcome here.

[Sub-Zero crosses himself and bows before Raiden.]

SUB-ZERO: Raiden, I come seeking assistance.

RAIDEN: Assistance? For what end? Your kind has challenged me before.

SUB-ZERO: I am not my brother.

RAIDEN: But you are still Lin-Kuei! FIGHT!

[They fight. Although taken aback, Sub-Zero holds his own with his freezing powers and knocks the Thunder God down. Raiden struggles to his feet.]

RAIDEN: Truly you are more powerful than your sibling, but the corruption of the Lin-Kuei remains within you. And for that reason I--

SUB-ZERO: The Lin-Kuei also have reason to be concerned about this new crisis.

RAIDEN: Indeed. The Lin-Kuei act solely in their own self-interest, regardless of the impact on Earthrealm. Why then should I give you the location of Quan Chi?

[Although slightly jarred by Raiden knowing why Sub-Zero came to him without hearing it for himself, the ninja answers.]

SUB-ZERO: For the same reason you helped my brother - to protect Earthrealm.

[Raiden considers this and looks out to the view past his tower, toward a rock formation out of place with the dark mountains surrounding it.]

RAIDEN: That rock formation in the distance...it was not here before the invaders came. But through it I have gained insight.

[Raiden takes a hold of Sub-Zero and teleports them both to the rock formation. It is in fact the Rock of Eternity. Raiden places his hand on the Rock, which glows the same blue hue of his lightning bolts.]

RAIDEN: Earthrealm is merging with another world. Powers are shifting, rebalancing. I have felt the effects in Shao Kahn's defeat and they have grown ever stronger.

SUB-ZERO: Quan Chi foresaw the intrusion from the other world, and that their champion would pose a dire threat.

RAIDEN: And the Lin-Kuei sent you to eliminate this champion.

SUB-ZERO: Yes. Much like this rock formation, the warrior's fortress appeared near the Lin-Kuei temple. I wore him down and sealed him in ice.

RAIDEN: You did not wear him down. His power was siphoned away, redistributed to others.

SUB-ZERO: I must find Quan Chi to demand he reveal all that he knows.

RAIDEN: Very well, Sub-Zero - I will show you the way. Search for Scorpion and you will find Quan Chi. But be forewarned; betray my trust at your own peril.

[Sub-Zero nods in response and leaves.]

[Gotham City. Sub-Zero kneels down in a road - the same place where Batman fought Joker and Liu Kang earlier - and feels the concrete before him.]

SUB-ZERO: Scorpion was here - I can sense the nether. But he must have vanished from this spot.

[Another ninja approaches Sub-Zero from behind.]

DEATHSTROKE: Well, isn't this interesting - a masked man in Gotham. And from the look of you, I'd say you're no hero.

SUB-ZERO: You do not look so innocent yourself.

DEATHSTROKE: Name's Deathstroke.

SUB-ZERO: Sub-Zero.

DEATHSTROKE: So, who're you hunting? Or are you just looking for a fight?

SUB-ZERO: It is none of your concern.

DEATHSTROKE: Fair enough, but I've been around this world and I've never heard of a "Sub-Zero".

SUB-ZERO: I'm not from your world.

DEATHSTROKE: Then you're in enemy territory.

SUB-ZERO: And I assume you are the enemy?

DEATHSTROKE: Smart boy.

[They fight. Although the battle is intense, Sub-Zero's freezing powers give him the edge over Deathstroke, and soon the villian is KO'ed for the count. With the distraction out of the way, Sub-Zero returns to examining the roads around him.]

SUB-ZERO: Scorpion's trail is weak, but I can still track it. This way...

[Sub-Zero walks off and eventually finds himself in the Batcave.]

SUB-ZERO: This is where Scorpion first entered the mortal realm. What was he doing here? what is this place?

[The cave's owner takes this time to show up and answer Sub-Zero's question.]

BATMAN: It's the Batcave.

[Without furthur ado, Batman throws a punch at the ninja. Sub-Zero catches his fist and freezes it up to the elbow. Batman drops to one knee in shock. Sub-Zero decides that's enough to subdue him and begins to walk off, but Batman shatters the ice by punching his arm into the ground and chucks a Batarang that clips Sub-Zero in the back. He falls down and rolls back into a fighting stance. The rage soon becomes clear in Batman's eyes.]

BATMAN: Your world is invading mine, affecting everything and everyone in it. Don't think you'll take me so easily!

SUB-ZERO: Then I will do it the hard way!

[They fight. After another intense battle, Sub-Zero just about manages to beat the Caped Crusader at his own game, and leaves him on the ground unconscious. A portal then opens up behind Sub-Zero. He turns to face it and receives Scorpion's trademark spear in his chest.]

Scorpion: GET OVER HERE!

[Sub-Zero is dragged into the portal. He emerges in the Netherrealm on his knees.]

QUAN CHI: Welcome, Sub-Zero...to the Netherrealm.

[Sub-Zero looks up and jumps to his feet. Quan Chi is standing before him, chained to two towers in front of a gigantic skull filled with fire.]

SUB-ZERO: Quan Chi! There were rumours that the Elder Gods had punished you. I see the rumours were true.

QUAN CHI: I won't be bound here for long. I believe you know my enforcer...

[Scorpion walks into view and in front of Quan Chi.]

QUAN CHI: You share a violent history from what I understand.

SCORPION: You will pay for the murder of my family and clan!

SUB-ZERO: That was not me.

QUAN CHI: Who else could it be? Scorpion, finish him!

[Scorpion takes up a fighting stance.]

SUB-ZERO: FIGHT!

[They fight. The battle is truly epic, but it is clear neither ninja has the advantage over the other. The fight comes to an abrupt end however, when the skull unexpectedly shoots fire out of it's eyes. The ground beneath the two of them begins to quake and rupture, coming to a halt near Quan Chi. He is surrounded by yellow energy briefly and the towers and bonds that chain him down suddenly explode in a flash of hellfire. Quan Chi rises to the surprise of both ninjas - now free.]

QUAN CHI: Muahahahahaha! The Elder Gods underestimate me.

SUB-ZERO: You're free!

QUAN CHI: The realms have become unstable. Our world is colliding with another, the merging fueled by kombat. The intense battle between such bitter enemies caused a rift powerful enough to shatter my bonds.

SUB-ZERO: You used us!

[Quan Chi creates a portal behind Sub-Zero.]

QUAN CHI: I'm a sorcerer. The world as we know it is in peril. None will survive regardless of alligence. Return to your Thunder God. Tell him if he wishes to save his precious Earthrealm he will have to ally himself with devils.

[Quan Chi telekinetically shoves Sub-Zero through the portal and closes it before addressing Scorpion.]

QUAN CHI: Search their cities. Find the Princess. She has seen our enemy.

(3M) CHAPTER 5: SCORPION

[Gotham City. Scorpion teleports into a lone street in a flash of hellfire. He looks around, not finding anything. A voice sounds out behind him.]

THE JOKER: Great gag!

[Scorpion turns to face the Clown Prince of Crime.]

SCORPION: The Princess...where is she?

THE JOKER: Princess? Didn't I kill the last guy who called me that? He should have known I'M the only Joker around here!

[Scorpion gives Joker a blank look before walking off. Seemingly annoyed at being ignored, Joker pulls his extendable boxing glove out of his pocket and uses it to punch Scorpion in the back of his head.]

THE JOKER (sarcastically): Oops! Where did that come from?

SCORPION: You will pay for that with your life!

[They fight. Scorpion has no trouble at all beating the crap out of Joker. The ninja soon knocks him down, and then decides Joker's not worth the three seconds it would take to flame-broil him and teleports away while the clown is sitting up in a daze. Joker spots someone walking over to him and recoils in fright.]

LEX LUTHOR: Hello, Joker. Looks like you could use some help. I already have a few recruits. How'd you like to join us?

THE JOKER: Hehehehahahahahaaa!

[Themyscira. Wonder Woman is speaking with another Amazon at the place where the island is merging with Shang Tsung's island.]

AMAZON: Diana, you have returned.

WONDER WOMAN: Not for long. Batman has requested my presence. Earth is being split just as Themyscira has by forces we don't yet understand. I've returned to ready the Amazons for war.

[Scorpion teleports right next to the rift divide. The Amazon with Diana flees the scene.]

WONDER WOMAN: Great Hera! Who are you? What business do you have on Themyscira?

SCORPION: I am Scorpion. I seek the Princess.

WONDER WOMAN: I am Princess of Earth. You may speak to me, Scorpion. Batman told me of your battle.

SCORPION: You are not the Princess I seek.

[Scorpion turns to leave.]

WONDER WOMAN: You may not roam this island at will! Even though you are an invader, I promise you if you come with me you will not be harmed.

[Scorpion throws his spear at her in response. Wonder Woman deflects it off her bracelet.]

SCORPION: You cannot harm me, but I will show you the meaning of pain!

[They fight. Wonder Woman is taken aback by Scorpion's rage and subsequently is unprepared for his furious assault. She is soon knocked unconscious.]

SCORPION: Hmmph. The Princess is not here.

[He teleports away to one of Metropolis' wrecked streets. As he looks around, Superman glides down behind him.]

SCORPION: She is near...

SUPERMAN: You need some help, stranger?

SCORPION: The Princess...if you know where she is, you will deliver her to me.

[Superman's eyes glow blue. He briefly cross-examines Scorpion with his X-ray vision.]

SUPERMAN: You're not from this universe. All the same I'd encourage you to get to safety. For your own wellbeing you'd better come with me.

[Scorpion responds by kicking Superman in the chest. The blow is enhanced by hellfire, and Superman is hurtled backward into a wrecked car. The blow has managed to hurt him and the lingering fire on his chest clues him in to the reason why it did.]

SUPERMAN: Magic?

SCORPION: Sorcery. Surrender the Princess or DIE!

[They fight. While both beings are powerful, Scorpion has the advantage thanks to exploiting the Man of Steel's weakness to magic. He knocks Superman down, and as he struggles to his feet, Scorpion superkicks him into the distance. Behind him, Kitana walks into the middle of the road, clearly infected with rage.

KITANA: Scorpion!

SCORPION: Kitana, you will come with me.

KITANA: I should have known Dark Kahn would send another assassin!

SCORPION: Dark Kahn?

KITANA: I have seen your master, witnessed the destruction. I will not let him take Earthrealm as well!

[They fight. Though Kitana is fueled with rage, Scorpion manages to counter her attacks and floor her for a moment. As Kitana starts to rise, he teleports behind her and manages to restrain her.]

SCORPION: Quan Chi! I have found her!

[Quan Chi comes through a portal that instantly materialises next to them, bringing with him Shang Tsung and Baraka.]

QUAN CHI: Well done, Scorpion, but she has got too close to the enemy. Rage has all but consumed her.

[Quan Chi blasts Kitana with mythical green energy, and she falls limp in Scorpion's grip. He releases her and she stands like a muted zombie.]

QUAN CHI: I can control her - for now.

SHANG TSUNG: What will you do with her?

BARAKA: Kill her!

QUAN CHI: She may have lost her mind, but she still has her uses. I will not leave her to you yet, Baraka.

[Quan Chi looks up and notices Captain Marvel flying through Metropolis. He turns to Shang Tsung.]

QUAN CHI: One of the enemy is near. Draw him to the Netherrealm where he will be weak. Kill him.

[Quan Chi opens a portal.]

QUAN CHI: when you have finished with your prey, meet me at Raiden's sky temple. The time has come for old rivalries to be put aside.

[Quan Chi motions to Kitana and walks through the portal. Kitana obediently follows him.]

[At Raiden's sky temple, Raiden is with Liu Kang and in the middle of a fierce discussion with Sub-Zero.]

RAIDEN: Then you helped him escape?

SUB-ZERO: It was not intentional, I swear to you!

RAIDEN: You have betrayed my trust, Sub-Zero.

[Quan Chi teleports in with Kitana.]

QUAN CHI: He did you a service.

LIU KANG: Kitana!

RAIDEN: You dare to come here, sorcerer?

QUAN CHI: Not to fight, I assure you.

RAIDEN: Then for what purpose?

QUAN CHI: By now, I am sure you're aware of the merging. It's effects are far reaching; even the Netherrealm is vulnerable.

RAIDEN: I care not for the wasteland you call home.

[Liu Kang has realised Kitana is non-responsive.]

LIU KANG: Kitana?

QUAN CHI: You believe that you're in control? That your allies are enough to stave off the coming destruction? Think again, Thunder God.

[Quan Chi removes the zombie-spell magic from Kitana. She screams with rage.]

LIU KANG: Kitana!

KITANA: I will destroy you all!

[Liu Kang, Sub-Zero and Raiden all jump into fighting stances.]

RAIDEN: This is your doing, sorcerer!

QUAN CHI: It is no spell of mine. She is a harbinger of things to come. It will only get worse.

[Kitana yells out again and attacks. Quan Chi blasts her with another spell. Scorpion, Shang Tsung and Baraka turn up just in time to watch the light show.]

SHANG TSUNG: What is this?

[Quan Chi finally finishes his spell. Kitana falls to the ground, and Quan Chi falls to his knees in exhaustion.]

QUAN CHI: I have used the last of my power to purge her of the rage. I am at your mercy, Raiden.

RAIDEN: Why would you do this?

QUAN CHI: To win your trust.

[Raiden doesn't appear to like it, but he does seem to concede that Quan Chi's help is needed.]

RAIDEN: What is it that we face?

QUAN CHI: Perhaps she can show you.

[Kitana has gotten back to her feet, cleansed of the rage that previously afflicted her.]

KITANA: At first I thought it was the Emperor, but it is someone much more powerful...

[She produces a magical image of a rocky-skinned warrior. His body shape is unfamiliar, but his face is the unmistakable death mask of Shao Kahn.]

KITANA: ...Dark Kahn.

QUAN CHI: The portal Raiden disrupted did not destroy the Emperor - it created a monster. Dark Kahn's energy is slowly grinding the two universes together, agitating us until we become enraged and fight. Kombat releases the rage, hastening the merging.

LIU KANG: Then Dark Kahn must be stopped.

QUAN CHI: Not yet. We must first eliminate his forces, but to do so will require the unthinkable.

KITANA: Bitter rivals must fight as one to focus the rage against our enemies.

RAIDEN: So it shall be; we will seek out Dark Kahn's forces, hunt them down in pairs. Liu Kang, you must fight alongside Shang Tsung.

[Kang looks shocked at Raiden's words.]

LIU KANG: I will...do as you ask, Raiden.

SHANG TSUNG: This could prove interesting...

-- (3N) CHAPTER 5: CAPTAIN MARVEL --

[The scene opens on the Rock of Eternity. Captain Marvel is standing in front of the gigantic stone structure.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Wizard! Wizard, I need your help!

[The rage suddenly strikes Marvel, who falls to his knees in pain. Just then, Raiden teleports behind him in a flash of lightning.]

RAIDEN: There are no wizards or sorcerers here.

[Marvel is trying to fight the rage as he speaks.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: This place is not for you! Listen to me: your presence here places my world in great danger!

RAIDEN: It is you who does not belong. I am Raiden, God of Thunder.

[As thunder echoes around the valley, Raiden goes over to the Rock of Eternity and inspects it.]

RAIDEN: Ethereal power courses through this place. Yet, it is unfamiliar. Tell me, for what purpose does this place exist?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: This is a focal point between the realm of the gods and men. The gods give me their powers.

RAIDEN: Which gods?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Please...I'm losing control! You're corrupting this place! You have to leave...I will make you leave...NOW!!!

[They fight. With the rage taken him completely over, Captain Marvel overpowers Raiden and defeats him. Lifting up his unconscious form, Marvel strikes Raiden with a right hook that sends him sailing into the distance. Over the horizon, Raiden teleports away and Marvel falls to his knees. The rage has left him.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: He's gone...the disturbance is clearing...but for how long? Their gods will be drawn here. I have to--

SHAZAM: --Stop them, Billy Batson.

[Marvel turns around. The face of the wizard Shazam appears before him in a white cloud.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Wizard!

SHAZAM: This is only the beginning. You must stop Dark Kahn.

[Another vision appears in front of Captain Marvel, showing a large, rock- skinned warrior with a chest that glows the same yellow as the rage. His body structure resembles Darkseid, but his face is an unfamiliar death mask.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Is that...Darkseid?

SHAZAM: Darkseid's essence has been fused with evil magic from the other realm. This new being - Dark Kahn - is the focal point where both universes freely intermingle. His existence will turn this world into a nexus of evil.

[The vision of Dark Kahn dissipates.]

SHAZAM: If the connection between the universes is not severed and Darkseid freed, the rage will reach out and devour us all. You must gather an army of both dark and light and find a champion who has defeated Darkseid in the past.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Then we must find Superman!

[Metropolis. Captain Marvel is walking the war-torn streets of the epic city.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Superman doesn't respond to my hails. Wonder Woman says his powers have been affected as badly as mine by this alien world, if not worse. But he's the champion Earth needs--

[A portal suddenly opens behind Captain Marvel.]

SHANG TSUNG: --And now you will suffer the same fate!

[Marvel turns around and catches Scorpion's spear in the chest.]

SCORPION: GET OVER HERE!

[Marvel is dragged into the portal. It emerges in the Netherrealm.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: This place...such evil!

SHANG TSUNG: Flattery will get you nowhere.

[Before Captain Marvel stands three warriors; Shang Tsung, Baraka and Scorpion.]

SHANG TSUNG: This pathetic creature reeks of the gods. I want whatever power he possesses.

SCORPION: We are your death.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Even with your world poisoning mine, I think you'll find Captain Marvel isn't easy to kill.

SCORPION: FIGHT!

[They fight. Though the battle is fierce, Captain Marvel's superpowers manage to overcome the ninja spectre and Scorpion is knocked out for the count.]

SHANG TSUNG: Captain Marvel wins! Now FINISH HIM!

CAPTAIN MARVEL: No! I won't kill!

SHANG TSUNG: You disappoint me. Still, your mastery over the supernatural is exceptional.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: I won't let this insanity destroy my world. I defeated your champion, now return me to Metropolis!

SHANG TSUNG: Your challenge is not over. Let us see how you fare against the savage fury of Baraka's blades!

[Baraka withdraws his blades and they fight. After another round of brutal fighting, Captain Marvel still manages to prevail and beats Baraka unconscious.]

SHANG TSUNG: Impressive...you would have fared well in my tournament. But I'm afraid you could never have been champion of Mortal Kombat - in the end, you would have faced Shang Tsung!

[They fight. Not even Shang Tsung's magic powers can defeat the might of Captain Marvel, and the sorcerer is eventually knocked down. Marvel picks him up by his shirt and holds him above his head.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: I've had enough of your games, Shang Tsung! I've beaten you and your demons! Now before the combat rage overtakes me again, send me back!

SHANG TSUNG: As you wish...

[Marvel releases him. Tsung summons a portal to Metropolis and Captain Marvel disappears through it. Baraka and Scorpion have now recovered from their thrashing as well, and they now face Shang Tsung.]

SCORPION: Quan Chi said the Netherrealm would drain him, but even here we could not defeat him.

BARAKA: How can we defeat a foe such as this?

SHANG TSUNG: We must return to Quan Chi. He may have the answer.

[Back in Metropolis, Marvel appears from the portal, which disappears behind him. He falls to his knees as several figures approach him.]

LEX LUTHOR: Excellent work, Captain Marvel.

[Marvel looks up. Along with Lex stand Catwoman, Deathstroke and the Joker.]

LEX LUTHOR: Finally one of the heroes is doing something about these invaders. Did you win?

[Marvel gets up.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: What're you and your criminal buddies doing, Luthor?

LEX LUTHOR: Unlike the rest of the long underwear crowd, I'm trying to save the planet.

THE JOKER: Can we kill him now?

[Superman flies onto the scene.]

SUPERMAN: Don't even think about it, Joker.

CATWOMAN: Superman...

SUPERMAN: You're supposed to be in jail, Luthor.

LEX LUTHOR: The evidence didn't hold up - you should be used to it by now. Nice try though.

CATWOMAN: Easy boys - let's keep our eye on the prize.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Catwoman's right; I know what we're up against. Our enemy is called Dark Kahn.

THE JOKER (imitating Captain Kirk): KAAAAAAAAAAHN!!

[His scream echoes across Metropolis.]

DEATHSTROKE: Shut up or I'll gut you.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Darkseid's energy merged with energy from the other universe. Dark Kahn's mere existence is what's causing the two universes to collide.

SUPERMAN: That explains the attacks on me and the rest of you. The strange fluctuations of our powers.

LEX LUTHOR: It was you...

[Luthor begins to become affected with the rage.]

LEX LUTHOR: Your heat-vision...you blasted Darkseid's boom tube and sent him hurtling into some unknown universe! This is all your fault!

[The rage quickly spreads to Superman.]

SUPERMAN: You accuse me? You helped Darkseid invade the Earth, remember?

THE JOKER: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Both of you calm down! You're being poisoned by the combat rage!

[The mere mention of "combat rage" seems to calm - or alarm - both of them out of their anger.]

LEX LUTHOR: Poisoned by...what?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: The dark energies from the world merge. We can't fight among ourselves. We need to work together to find Dark Kahn.

CATWOMAN: I have lives to spare. How do we find this "Dark Kahn"?

SUPERMAN: If Dark Kahn is made of Darkseid's energy, there's a good chance he's on Apokalips.

LEX LUTHOR: I know where we can access one of Dark Kahn's portals. I used it when Catwoman and I escaped. If their portal can take us to Oa, it can take us to Apokalips. Deathstroke, you and Joker secure that portal. This device will lead you to the base.

[Luthor hands Deathstroke a handheld device of sorts.]

LEX LUTHOR: Report back to me when you've succeeded.

DEATHSTROKE: You want me to assault an enemy base with him?!

THE JOKER: Cummon! We'll kill things, blow things up! Oh, it'll be fun!

LEX LUTHOR: Catwoman, you're with me. Can't be too safe in this town - too many criminals. Superman and Captain Marvel, you gather your hero allies and wait for my word.

SUPERMAN: Alright Lex, I'll trust you - for now. You get to the portals. I'll go to the Fortress of Solitude and pull up everything I know about Darkseid. NO killing. If one of you steps out of line, believe me, I'll know.

- (3O) CHAPTER 6: THE JOKER -

[The scene fades in to the graveyard in the MK Universe seem earlier in the story. The Joker and Deathstroke are walking through it.]

DEATHSTROKE: This is the location, but there's no base...

THE JOKER: And here I was looking so forward to murdering someone!

[Deathstroke looks around, ignoring him.]

THE JOKER: You don't like me much, do you?

DEATHSTROKE: Does anyone?

SONYA: Over there!

[Deathstroke and Joker turn around to see Sonya and Kano standing at the graveyard's entrance.]

SONYA: They must be the source of the transmission.

KANO: Then let's get down to business, sweetie.

DEATHSTROKE: Alright Joker, here's your chance to kill something...if you can.

[Joker frowns at Deathstroke before walking toward the approaching Sonya and Kano. He removes a flower from his shirt pocket and motions toward Sonya with it.]

THE JOKER: Pretty flower for the pretty lady?

SONYA: Get the hell away from me, you--

[Joker squirts the flower, which is filled with acid. Sonya gets her arm up just in time and instead of melting her face, the acid fries the device on her forearm. Kano grabs Joker by the neck and lifts him up as Sonya inspects the damage.]

SONYA: My wrist portal!

THE JOKER: Hmmm...I was going for the eyes.

[A swirling blue hue surrounds the four warriors and transports them to Oa. The Guardians of the Universe are not present for some reason.]

THE JOKER: Thanks for bringing us to your headquarters. We're interested in some technology.

[Kano lets him drop to the floor.]

KANO: Is this some kind of trick?

SONYA: He damaged the teleporter. I have no idea where we are. We'll figure it out later. You take the ninja, I'll take the clown.

THE JOKER: What can I say? The ladies dig me.

[Sonya punches Joker in the face, knocking him down.]

THE JOKER: Now...you don't hit like a girl...

[He gets back up.]

THE JOKER: Can't we talk about this?!

[They fight. During the melee, Joker finds himself fighting with renowed skill and with magical powers he never possessed before. These newfound discoveries give him the advantage over Sonya and he knocks her unconscious.]

THE JOKER: I beat her? I won? I WON! I mean, of course I won!

[Deathstroke and Kano are still fighting in the background. They pause briefly to take in what Joker's saying.]

DEATHSTROKE: Since when can you fight?!

KANO: She's easy - it's ME you gotta worry about!

[They continue fighting, and Deathstroke lands a couple of hits while blocking Kano's counterattacks.]

DEATHSTROKE: I never worry.

[Joker examines his fingers in boredom. Deathstroke blocks a few more of Kano's strikes and grabs his hands.]

DEATHSTROKE: You're good, but you lack discipline.

[Kano kicks him away.]

THE JOKER: Allow me to discipline him.

[Joker shoves Deathstroke down with ease.]

DEATHSTROKE: Joker, what the hell--

THE JOKER: Step aside, Deathjoke...

[The rage begins to affect Joker, and he rubs his hands while approaching Kano.]

THE JOKER: I hope you put up more of a fight than Blondie did, because this Joker is WILD!

[They fight. Joker's newfound powers prove to be just as effective on Kano as they were on Sonya and the Earthrealm criminal is soon down for the count. Joker boxes the air around him in celebration.]

DEATHSTROKE: I don't believe it...he should have killed you! What's going on, Joker?

THE JOKER: Don't know, don't care.

[Deathstroke bends down and examines Sonya's wrist portal.]

DEATHSTROKE: This woman's teleportation device - it's what we need to get to Apokolips. I think I can reactivate it.

[Deathstroke does so and the four of them are teleported back to the graveyard.]

DEATHSTROKE: Perfect. Let's get this to Luthor.

[The rage appears in Joker once again.]

THE JOKER: The hell with Baldy!

DEATHSTROKE: What's going on with your eyes?

THE JOKER: There's two things he forgot to tell you about me: I don't CARE what happens to the world and I don't play well with others!

[They fight. Joker's new powers prove to be too much for Deathstroke to handle, and he's soon beaten unconscious.]

THE JOKER: Some world-class assassin you turned out to be! I'm undefeated! Unstoppable! I bet I could even kill...Batman! Bahahahahahahahaaa!

[Gotham City. Batman is standing in the middle of one of it's streets.]

BATMAN: Alright Joker, you wanted me? Here I am.

[Joker walks onto the street and towards Batman.]

THE JOKER: Well, well, if it ain't Batman! Sorry about before you know, the "running-away", that was rude of me. You'll be happy to know I won't be running anymore.

BATMAN: I know you've got a trick up your sleeve.

[Joker inspects his right sleeve.]

THE JOKER: Nothing up this sleeve...let's check the other one.

[Joker inspects his left sleeve.]

THE JOKER: Nope! Nothing up my sleeves.

BATMAN: I don't have time for this.

[Batman goes to throw a knockout punch, but before he does Joker jabs him in the chin. Batman is hurled backwards several feet to the floor by the seemingly meagre punch and is understandably surprised.]

THE JOKER: Make the time, Bats! Now you're all MINE!

[They fight. The Joker and his powers are too much for even Batman to handle and the Caped Crusader is soon knocked to the ground. He lies motionless and Joker carefully tiptoes over to inspect his body.]

THE JOKER: I did it! I beat Batman! Aahahahaaa! I win! I win! I win!

BATMAN: Not...yet...Joker.

[While Joker dances around in victory, Batman gets up behind him and zaps him with his tazer. Joker screams briefly and collapses to the ground out cold.]

BATMAN: Fun time is over. You can't "rage" if you're out cold.

[Batman opens up a communicator.]

BATMAN: Luthor, this is Batman. Your strike team failed. Joker's been exposed to the planetary merger and the power went to his head. You shouldn't have trusted the clown with such an important mission.

LEX LUTHOR: Give me some credit, Batman. I used those psychotics as a diversion. Catwoman and I are still on track to take the portal.

BATMAN: You'd better be on our side for this one Luthor. If not, I'll be the first one you'll answer to.

--- (3P) CHAPTER 6: SHANG TSUNG ---

[The scene opens at the Fortress of Solitude. A portal opens up and Shang Tsung comes through it along with Liu Kang, who speaks into his communicator (presumably to Kitana).]

LIU KANG: Shang Tsung and I have just arrived at the fortress. No sign of the enemy.

SHANG TSUNG: You can chat with your woman later. We have a job to do. People to kill.

[Liu Kang looks like he's about to say something, but the two of them spot Superman gliding down with Green Lantern by his side.]

SUPERMAN: Your forces got the better of me before. My powers may not be at full force, but as you can see I have friends.

LIU KANG: The warrior Sub-Zero warned us about.

SHANG TSUNG: Let us finish what he could not! FIGHT!

[Shang Tsung faces Superman while Liu Kang pairs off against Green Lantern. The Man of Steel's vulnerability to magic is a weakness Shang Tsung mercilessly exploits, and soon Superman is knocked unconscious. Liu Kang manages to beat Green Lantern around the same time as well.]

SHANG TSUNG: At least they were more of a challenge than your masters.

[The comment seems to provoke the rage within Liu Kang.]

LIU KANG: Do not test me, Shang Tsung! I should have killed you at the Academy!

SHANG TSUNG: What stopped you?

LIU KANG: Shang Tsung, your treachery ends HERE!

[They fight. In a stark contrast to their battle earlier, it is Shang Tsung who gets the advantage in this brawl. He beats the Mortal Kombat Champion down to the ground.]

LIU KANG: Aagh...uugh...how? How can this be? You are more powerful than before.

SHANG TSUNG: I was weakened when last we fought, but energies are in constant flux as a result of the merging. Now I am revitalised, surging with power! I could finish you right now!

GREEN LANTERN: You want a finish? You got it!

[The not-quite beaten Green Lantern uppercuts Liu Kang across the fortress, knocking him out.]

SHANG TSUNG: Leave him - he is defeated. Now you face a more deadly adversary!

[They fight. With his power restrengthened, Shang Tsung proves more than a match for Green Lantern and leaves him unconscious on the floor of the fortress. Liu Kang, now back on his feet, can't quite believe what he's just seen.]

LIU KANG: You defeated him. You defended me!

SHANG TSUNG: It was not something I enjoyed.

LIU KANG: I owe you my gratitude.

SHANG TSUNG: Save your pathetic graciousness. Were it not for Dark Kahn, I would kill you now. Our objective is complete. We must return to the others.

[Back at Raiden's sky temple, Baraka, Kitana, Kano, Sonya, Scorpion, Sub- Zero and the Thunder God himself are in discussion.]

SONYA: We couldn't stop them either. They overpowered us.

RAIDEN: How can this be?

KANO: It was a skinny one, dressed in purple with green hair, stronger than ya'd think!

SCORPION: I have fought him before - a jester with a twisted face.

[Shang Tsung and Liu Kang portal in to the conversation.]

SHANG TSUNG: A clown? You were defeated by a clown?

LIU KANG: It may be as you said, Shang Tsung. Energies shifting, causing imbalances.

[The rage begins to affect Kano.]

KANO: I don't need you to make excuses for me!

[He points to Shang Tsung.]

KANO: And I don't need YOUR approval!

LIU KANG: Kano, calm down! You don't want to do this now!

KANO: You think you could have handled him? You can't even handle ME!

SHANG TSUNG: We shall see.

[They fight. Shang Tsung proves that he can indeed handle Kano and beats him down to the ground. He raises his hand to finish Kano where he lies, but Sonya rushes in and intervenes.]

SONYA: As much I would love to see you two kill each other, there are bigger issues to deal with.

SHANG TSUNG: Agreed.

[Sonya picks up a message on her communicator as Kano picks himself up.]

SONYA: Sonya here.

JAX: This is Jax. I'm at the base. I have some bad news.

[Raiden teleports away, and reappears a moment later with Jax next to him.]

JAX: They were at the base. The guy in the exo-suit dropped me. Then they used our techno-portal. I think they're headed to Outworld.

RAIDEN: Then that is where we must go. We all know what is at stake. If we fail, none of us will survive.

KITANA: Then we shall go to Outworld.

[Kitana generates a portal and everyone walks through it.]

-- (3Q) CHAPTER 7: LEX LUTHOR --

[The scene opens at the Wu Shi Academy. Lex Luthor finishes his conversation with Batman and puts away his communicator.]

LEX LUTHOR: Batman is so infuriating.

CATWOMAN: Tell me about it. By the way Lex, I'm nobody's bodyguard, certainly not yours.

LEX LUTHOR: Of course not. You know the enemy's base and how to override their defenses. Once I've taken what I need I'll rally the so-called heroes to handle Dark Kahn for me and--

[Catwoman spots something while Lex drones on about his nefarious plot.]

CATWOMAN: Lex, we've got company...

[Scorpion and Sub-Zero are on the other side of the Academy.]

SUB-ZERO: More intruders!

SCORPION: Their souls are forfeit!

[Sub-Zero shoots an ice blast that freezes Luthor and Catwoman up to their knees.]

CATWOMAN: Our soles are forfeit? Is that ninja humour? Because it's not very funny.

[The rage appears in Luthor's eyes.]

LEX LUTHOR: We don't have time for this stupidity!

[Lex smashes the ice on his knees with one punch of his exo-suit and flies over to the arena part of the Academy with his rocket boots. Sub-Zero somersaults into the arena to face him.]

SUB-ZERO: FIGHT!

[They fight. The strength and advanced technology of Lex's exo-suit provide him with the advantage over the ninja and Sub-Zero is eventually knocked out for the count.]

LEX LUTHOR: One down...

CATWOMAN: Lex! Behind you!

[Scorpion teleports in behind Luthor and attemps to sucker-punch him. Lex catches his fist in his hand and shoves the ninja spectre back several feet across the arena.]

LEX LUTHOR: You'll have to do better than that!

[They fight. Lex's suit manages to provide protection even against Scorpion's hellborn power and he manages to defeat him as well. With both ninjas down, Lex flies off the arena and toward Catwoman, raising his fist. It looks like he's going to smash the defenseless woman into the ground, but as he touches down he instead brings his punch into the ice surrounding her legs, freeing her.]

CATWOMAN: Thanks. For a moment there I wasn't sure what side you were on.

LEX LUTHOR: Story of my life. Let's go.

[The Special Forces base. Lex and Catwoman stand in front of the techno- portal.]

LEX LUTHOR: Here it is. Just imagine what I could accomplish with the ability to travel anywhere instantaneously. I'm going to download their schematics.

CATWOMAN: While you do that, I'm going to do some reconnaissance.

[Catwoman walks off while Lex fiddles with a handheld device.]

LEX LUTHOR: Amazing...it's more advanced than I thought.

[Lex radios in to his headquarters.]

LEX LUTHOR: This is Luthor. I'm transferring the portal technology to the LexCorp servers.

[The transmitter beeps in response.]

LEX LUTHOR: With this, I'll rebuild LexCorp. Nothing will stop me.

JAX: Except me.

[Spotting Jax behind him, Luthor puts away his transmitter and extends his hand.]

LEX LUTHOR: Jax...

JAX: I thought I'd locked you up. You may have escaped once but it won't happen again!

LEX LUTHOR: I've been admiring your portal technology. It's going to prove quite useful to me.

JAX: Over my dead body!

LEX LUTHOR: If you insist.

[They fight. This time, having remembered Jax's attacks from their earlier brawl, Lex gets the advantage and drops the Special Forces Commander. Lex stands over his unconscious form.]

LEX LUTHOR: Your cybernetic arms intrigue me. Fascinating muscular terramulation. Perhaps I'll take them with me.

[A zooming sound catches Luthor's attention.]

THE FLASH: Luthor!

[Lex turns to see an enraged Flash holding a motionless Catwoman.]

LEX LUTHOR: Flash...what have you done to Catwoman?

THE FLASH: Isn't it obvious? She's a criminal just like you!

[Flash releases her and she drops to the ground.]

LEX LUTHOR: You're out of the loop, Red. We're all on the same side.

THE FLASH: Shut up, Luthor! I'm taking you down!

[They fight. Consumed with the rage, Flash doesn't fight with his normal quickness, allowing Luthor to get the advantage and knock him unconscious. As he stands over Flash's beaten body, Superman and Captain Marvel fly into the base, while Green Lantern transports himself, Wonder Woman, Deathstroke, Joker and Batman in with one of his forcefields. Catwoman has picked herself off the floor and Flash begins to wake up as everyone touches down.]

SUPERMAN: Alright Luthor, we all got your hail. Let's end this now. Get us to Apokalips.

BATMAN: Here's your pet clown.

[Batman shoves Joker in front of him.]

THE JOKER: Ouch! Someone please kill him for me.

[He looks over to Deathstroke.]

DEATHSTROKE: Back off.

BATMAN: Joker and Flash are infected. We can't trust them.

SUPERMAN: We've all been infected, Batman. It's a risk we have to take.

THE FLASH: Not to worry, Batman. My fight with Luthor apparently purged me of my "combat rage" or whatever you call it.

WONDER WOMAN: Gentlemen, if you're finished wasting time, we have a job to do. Open the portal, Luthor. Take us to Apokalips.

THE JOKER: Yay, we're all going to Hell!

CATWOMAN: And if you're not a good boy, we'll leave you there.

[Everyone walks into the techno-portal.]

--- (3R) WORLDS COLLIDE ---

(Note: This scene is split between perspective and dialogue from the two different sides depending on which story mode you are playing, but for the sake of convienience I'm including it all as one big section. It carries directly on from DC Chapter 7 and MK Chapter 6.)

[The DC heroes and villians all emerge in Apokalips...or what used to be Apokalips. The merger of universes has left it as a floating cosmos of minature asteroids, which somewhat resemble the barren rock of Apokalips.]

WONDER WOMAN: Great Hera!

SUPERMAN: Something is definitely wrong here.

THE JOKER: I like it!

LEX LUTHOR: You would.

[Captain Marvel holds his head in agony.]

BATMAN: This is what's in store for Earth if we don't stop Dark Kahn. Grinding two universes together will eventually rip them both apart.

[Lex points to an asteroid above them, where the Mortal Kombat forces have portalled in.]

LEX LUTHOR: A portal! Dark Kahn must know we're here! He sent his forces to stop us.

GREEN LANTERN: Fine with me! Let's take 'em out!

BATMAN: Wait. They may not be aligned with Dark Kahn.

[The rage passes to Captain Marvel.]

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Who cares? They tried to kill me!

SUPERMAN: Let me talk to them.

[On that asteroid, the Mortal Kombat forces portal in. They are confronted by a vista that vaguely resembles the floating void of Outworld, but it's interconnecting asteroids look like they're from another universe.]

SHANG TSUNG: What happened?

BARAKA: This is Outworld?

KITANA: It is worse than when I left.

RAIDEN: This is what will become of the realms if we do not stop Dark Kahn.

[Kano points to a nearby asteroid.]

KANO: Over there! Dark Kahn's forces!

[They see the DC Universe forces. Superman steps forward.]

RAIDEN: Their commander approaches. I will speak with him, but be ready to fight.

[Raiden teleports onto the asteroid with the DC forces.]

SUPERMAN: I am Superman. We need to know your intentions.

RAIDEN: I am Raiden, God of Thunder. With me are the mightiest warriors in all the realms.

[The Mortal Kombat forces jump from their asteroid next to Raiden.]

RAIDEN: We have come to challenge you in Mortal Kombat. You will be defeated.

SUPERMAN: Don't be so sure, Raiden. If you want a fight you'll find my friends and I are up to the challenge.

[As everyone prepares to fight, Captain Marvel and Liu Kang grab their heads in pain.]

WONDER WOMAN: Captain Marvel, what's wrong?

KITANA: Liu Kang, what's wrong?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Out there...in the distance...I can feel it!

LIU KANG: I can sense something...something big...it's here!

[Something leaps from a distant asteroid with a large palace and lands on a minature asteroid next to the one everyone is on. The figures gigantic body leaves no second guessing as to who he is.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: It's Dark Kahn!

KITANA: Dark Kahn!

[Everyone turns turn to face Dark Kahn. As well as looking like a souped-up crossover between Darkseid and Shao Kahn, his voice sounds like the two of them as well.]

DARK KAHN: You seek to destroy me. Good...

[Everyone begins to hold their heads in pain as the rage surges through them.

DARK KAHN: Give in to your rage. Unleash your aggression. FIGHT!!!

[The two forces, with the exception of Raiden and Superman, charge at each other. Just before everyone collides, the scene cuts to darkness. It is replaced by pictures of the ensuing brawl. Liu Kang throws a flying kick at Green Lantern. Jax and Lex Luthor pound away at each other. Wonder Woman blocks a high kick from Kitana. Scorpion throws his spear as Flash dives in with his fist. Baraka and Deathstroke draw their blades. Captain Marvel summons lightning while Shang Tsung readies a soul attack. Kano grabs Joker by the throat. Sonya tries to fight off Catwoman, who has her in a bodyscissors. Batman leaps back from an ice-slide of Sub-Zero's. The voice of the Narrator (the person who also narrates the character endings) is heard over the sounds of battle.]

(Note: The Narrators first bit of speech below is what he says if you play the DC story mode. The second bit is what he says if you play the Mortal Kombat mode.)

NARRATOR: Unable to hold back the rage, Superman and his comrades hurled themselves again and again at the invading army. In the end, however, neither side had gained an advantage. The Man of Steel desperately tried to free his clouded mind as he surveyed the battleground.

NARRATOR: The rage flowing through them, Raiden and his allies battled the invaders with a diabolical elation. But as the dust settled, it was clear that neither side had won. The few comrades still standing tried to free themselves of the bloodlust.

-- (3S) CHAPTER 7: RAIDEN --

[Dark Kahn seems pleased at everyone beating each other unconscious.]

DARK KAHN: Yes...

[He flies off toward the large palace in the distance. Shang Tsung observes him taking flight.]

SHANG TSUNG: Dark Kahn is heading to that fortress. We should follow him.

[Behind him, the rage overtakes Raiden.]

RAIDEN: An obvious course of action, but having been suggested by you, Shang Tsung, I must consider that you are leading us into a trap!

SHANG TSUNG: You have good reason to doubt me. Long have I fought against you, but this time I swear we fight togther!

RAIDEN: No, you are in league with Dark Kahn! You lured us to our doom! If we are to perish, then so shall you, sorcerer!

[They fight. In his enraged fury, the God of Thunder easily overpowers Shang Tsung and beats him to the ground. He moves in to deliver a final blow of lightning.]

RAIDEN: This is the end, Shang Tsung! I will FINISH YOU!

LIU KANG: Raiden, stop! Shang Tsung is not the enemy this time!

RAIDEN: Step aside, Liu Kang!

LIU KANG: No! I will not let you kill him!

RAIDEN: Then you have turned your back on Earthrealm! Broken your vow and betrayed me! FIGHT!

[They fight. The fury of Raiden proves too much even for the champion of Mortal Kombat to handle and Liu Kang is soon down for the count. Raiden charges up another lightning attack and moves in for the kill.]

LIU KANG: Raiden...stop!

[Kang falls unconscious. Shang Tsung watches with amazement.]

SHANG TSUNG: Fatality?

[Raiden suddenly realises he's lost control. The rage fades away in an instant and he cancels the lightning attack. He steps back, unsure of himself.]

RAIDEN: What have I done?

SHANG TSUNG: You have wasted precious time. We must destroy Dark Kahn, take the battle to his fortress.

RAIDEN: You are right...but this fight is mine alone. It was my lightning blast that created Dark Kahn.

SHANG TSUNG: Do not be a fool! You heard what Quan Chi said; we must fight together!

RAIDEN: No, the rage will only turn us against each other. I will face him alone.

[Raiden teleports away as Liu Kang begins to wake up.]

(3T) CHAPTER 8: SUPERMAN

[Superman observes the carnage around him. Seemingly everyone else involved in the battle is knocked out except him and Lex Luthor, who's possessed by the combat rage.]

LEX LUTHOR: You! Alien! This is all your fault! Your stupidity created Dark Kahn! Now the Earth is doomed! And people say that I'M the villian!

SUPERMAN: You are the villian, Lex!

LEX LUTHOR: Not this time! This time you brought ruin to the world! MY world! You've ruined ALL my plans, and I'm going to make you pay!

[They fight. While Luthor's suit is an attempt to duplicate Superman's powers, it's a pale imitation of the real deal. Superman manages to beat his nemesis unconscious.]

SUPERMAN: You've caused me trouble for the last time!

[Batman suddenly jumps in front of Luthor, stopping the enraged Superman from going any furthur.]

BATMAN: Superman, stop!

SUPERMAN: Back off!

BATMAN: You're under the influence of rage! You have to fight it!

SUPERMAN: My powers are finally returning to full strength and this is where it ends, Luthor! Now I'm going to finish you once and for all!

BATMAN: If you're not going to fight it, then I'll beat it out of you!

[They fight. Try as he may, Batman is no match for Superman with his powers back at their maximum. The Dark Knight is beaten down to his knees.]

BATMAN: Superman...Clark, I know you can hear me! Look at yourself! Look at what you're doing! You're trying to kill me!

[Superman readies another punch, but Batman still struggles to his feet.]

SUPERMAN: Stay down or I'll--

BATMAN: If we lose here, if you lose to the rage...then the Earth is doomed.

[The words finally reach Superman.]

BATMAN: I'm not going to give up. I never give up and neither do you!

[Superman falls to his knees. Yellow mist begins to pour off him. He screams out in pain...and the rage leaves him.]

SUPERMAN: Bruce, I hear you. You're right. It was my mistake that created that thing. I have to stop it.

BATMAN: Not alone. Darkseid himself nearly killed you. This "Kahn" creature is much more powerful.

[Superman pats his friend on the shoulder.]

SUPERMAN: Thank you, Bruce.

[Superman flies toward the palace in the distance.]

BATMAN: Damn impulsive...good luck.

- (3U) THE FINAL BATTLE -

(Note: This scene is in both of the above previous chapters. As there is no real difference between the two perspectives, it is included in this guide as a standalone chapter.)

[Superman flies into the fortress, which is part Darkseid's, part Shao Kahn's, separated by an energy rift. At the same time, Raiden teleports in. Both are inflicted by the rage, and both of them spot Dark Kahn standing in front of them.]

SUPERMAN: Dark Kahn...it's time to correct my mistake.

RAIDEN: Dark Kahn...the time has come to correct my mistake.

[As they both walk toward Dark Kahn, he disappears, leaving Superman and Raiden to spot each other.]

SUPERMAN: You! You're not going to stop me!

RAIDEN: Superman...

SUPERMAN: Raiden...

RAIDEN: The rest of your forces were defeated.

SUPERMAN: So were yours. Nobody won here.

RAIDEN: Then it is between us now!

SUPERMAN: That's fine with me!

[They fight. The battle is an epic one, but it also becomes clear that the two of them are equally matched. As they fight one another to a standstill, yellow energy flares around them. Dark Kahn, who was watching from the sidelines, cheers them on.]

DARK KAHN: Outstanding!

[Both Superman and Raiden turn to face him, wanting to attack.]

DARK KAHN: Such ferocity! The hatred! The anger! Your kombat hastens the merging!

SUPERMAN: No, Dark Kahn! I won't let you destroy the Earth!

[To Raiden's amazement, Superman walks toward Dark Kahn.]

DARK KAHN: Enough!

[Dark Kahn blasts Superman with an energy blast similar to Darkseid's Omega beam, except it comes from his hand. He continues to hold the blast on Superman, preventing him from attacking. Raiden takes this time to shoot a lightning blast at Dark Kahn. He misses, and Dark Khan shoots him back with a blast of his own. Raiden falls to the floor, but the distraction was enough to stop the attack on Superman.]

SUPERMAN: You don't fight for him?

RAIDEN: Neither do you.

DARK KAHN: SILENCE!

SUPERMAN: Seems we have a common enemy.

RAIDEN: And a common goal.

DARK KAHN: On your feet! This battle is not yet over! You will FIGHT!

[The rage begins to effect Superman and Raiden again. They begin to instinctively face off, but struggle to overcome the rage.]

SUPERMAN: Don't give into the rage, Raiden! It can be overcome!

RAIDEN: Focus...we must focus!

DARK KAHN: What are you doing?!

RAIDEN: If we fight together, we can channel his own energy against him!

SUPERMAN: Sounds like a plan!

[The two of them turn as one to face Dark Kahn.]

DARK KAHN: Face each other, or face me, it makes no difference! YOU - WILL - FIGHT!!!

[Dark Khan roars, and they fight. Another truly epic battle ensues, but the combined power of Superman and Raiden proves to be too much to handle for the abomination that is Dark Kahn. When the final blow is at last delivered, the monster's own rage is channelled against him and proves too much to handle as his body swells up and light expells itself from him. With one final scream, he explodes.]

--- (3V) DC UNIVERSE ENDING ---

[Superman protects himself instinctively from the explosion, but he realises there is none. The fortress has turned back into Darkseid's, and the DC heroes and villans begin to come to the place of the battle.]

SUPERMAN: Raiden!

[There is no sign of Raiden, no evidence of battle - no signs of anything to show that the universes are still merging.]

SUPERMAN: He's gone.

WONDER WOMAN: The others have disappeared as well.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: The rage...it's gone!

LEX LUTHOR: What is this place?

SUPERMAN: Darkseid's throne room. The two universes must have separated. Everything's returned to--

[A loud scream attracts everyones attention.]

SUPERMAN: ...normal?

[They all walk to the edge of the balcony. Below them stands a lone tall figure, yellow light dissipating off him.]

SUPERMAN: You aren't Darkseid.

SHAO KAHN: I am Shao Kahn! And you will bow to me!

[Shao Kahn tries to throw an energy fist at Superman, but he creates nothing. His magical powers are depleted in this universe.]

SHAO KAHN: What?

[A smile appears on Superman's face as he shakes his head.]

[Several shards of crystal float above the orbit of a planet. Shao Kahn is seen in every one, screaming in fury - he has been imprisoned in the Phantom Zone.]

- (3W) MORTAL KOMBAT ENDING -

[A brief flash of light bathes over the scene and Raiden finds himself standing in Shao Kahn's fortress.]

RAIDEN: Superman!

[There is no sign of Superman, no evidence of battle - no signs of anything to show that the universes are still merging.]

RAIDEN: He's gone.

[The Forces of Light and Darkness walk into the arena where Raiden is.]

RAIDEN: Shao Kahn's throne room...the realms have been restored.

[A loud scream attracts everyone's attention. They all walk to the edge of the balcony. Below them stands a lone tall figure, yellow light dissipating off him.]

KITANA: Who are you?

DARKSEID: I am Darkseid! I am God here!

[Raiden looks unimpressed. Darkseid tries to shoot an Omega beam, but the light barely leaves his eyes before it fizzles out. His powers are depleted in this universe. Raiden teleports down to him.]

RAIDEN: If you are anything like Shao Kahn, you will find no refuge here. Your fate will be decided by the Elder Gods.

[Raiden takes hold of Darkseid and teleports him away.]

[The Netherrealm. Darkseid has been imprisoned in the same bonds that held Quan Chi previously. He screams out across the hellish landscape, but none hear or bother to help him.]