Two years after Mortal Kombat II, Shao Kahn abandons the rules of Mortal Kombat and unleashes a 10,000-year-old plan to conquer Earthrealm. Shang Tsung and the Shadow Priests resurrect Kahn’s former queen, Sindel, in Earthrealm, allowing the emperor to breach the dimensional barrier and merge Earthrealm with Outworld, draining billions of human souls. Protected only by Raiden’s magic, a handful of warriors - including Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Sonya Blade, Jax Briggs, Sub-Zero, Kabal, Nightwolf and Stryker - form a rebellion against Kahn’s extermination squads. Liu Kang also vows to free Kitana and Edenia, while Sub-Zero battles the Lin Kuei’s new cybernetic warriors Cyrax, Sektor and Smoke, determined to save his former ally from automation. Jax and Sonya discover that Kano has survived, but their escape inadvertently frees him, sending him back into the depths of Outworld where he joins Kahn’s forces. Meanwhile, Sheeva begins questioning Kahn’s treatment of the Shokan after Motaro is appointed his general. As Shang Tsung manipulates Sindel and Kahn’s forces tighten their grip on Earth, Johnny Cage is seemingly killed by Motaro, devastating his wife Sonya and driving her deeper into the rebellion. With Earthrealm on the brink of extinction, the warriors launch one final assault against Kahn. Sindel breaks free of his control, Sheeva turns against the emperor, and Liu Kang once again faces Shao Kahn in a battle for Earthrealm’s survival. Kahn is finally defeated, the dimensional merger collapses, and the stolen souls of humanity are restored. But with Johnny presumed dead, Kano and Shang Tsung missing, and a mysterious figure watching from the shadows, the war may not truly be over.
