EXT. LOST SEA, SHORELINE - NIGHT

We dive through the clouds of the blackened night sky toward the sandy island far below, surrounded on all sides by an endless, glossy sea. During our short journey, our ears fill with the sound of rushing waves striking the shoreline with an oddly soothing violence.

The screen brings us to the center of this seemingly soulless terrain. Huddled around a gleaming bonfire is Kung Lao, Sonya, and Jax. The crimson flames shed a spotlight on each of their faces, and we see the saddened expression dominating Kung Lao's features.

Sonya and Jax exchange helpless glances.

Sonya

You're really not going to tell us what's happened to you?

Kung Lao shifts slightly, but his eyes form an unswerving line with the fire.

Kung lao

Raiden will tell you all you need to know once he arrives.

Sonya takes advantage of the fact that Kung Lao refuses to face her in order to roll her eyes.

Jax

Alright, man. We're just trying to look out for you, that's all. You don't seem too happy.

KUNG LAO

(impatience)

I'm fine.

Jax raises his eyebrows in surprise as Kung Lao shows his apathy by stroking the bonfire with a long branch.

Something off-screen catches Sonya's attention.

SONYA

(to Jax)

Look!

Sonya's pov

Out of the darkness encircling the waters of the Lost Sea, a boat composed of nothing but ice emerges. It floats closer and closer to the screen, until it reaches the shoreline and loses its low momentum.

Sonya stands and taps Jax's shoulder.

SoNYA (CONT'D)

I'll go greet him.

She walks off. Jax mutters incoherently with an unfriendly look to Kung Lao, who is clearly unaffected by the strange boat's arrival.

Sub-Zero steps out from within the boat and walks onto dry sand. Frost follows with caution, just as her "sifu" notices Sonya's presence.

Sub-zero

I trust we're not too late.

SONYA

Not at all. Raiden won't be showing up for a while.

SUB-ZERO

Good, good.

Frost treads to an intentional spot beside Sub-Zero, her light blue eyes locked on Sonya.

Sub-ZERO (CONT'D)

Ah, yes, Frost will be accompanying me in our journey. I believe you two have already met.

SONYA

Unfortunately.

Sub-Zero shakes his head and looks sideways as a gesture of clear admonition, as well as an obvious desire to remain a neutral party.

SUB-ZERO

If you two will excuse me, I think the others deserve a proper greeting as well.

He leaves in the direction of Jax and Kung Lao.

Frost attempts to follows... but Sonya's words glue her in place.

SONYA

I'm surprised someone as intelligent as your master would allow you to take part in this mission.

Frost

And what do you mean by that?

SONYA

Nothing. But you must have wanted to follow him pretty badly, otherwise you wouldn't be here right now.

FROST

I wish to learn things that only sifu is able to teach me. Any problems?

Sonya dares to step closer to Frost.

SONYA

Your "sifu" may be blinded by your little act and everyone else may not care enough about you to notice, but I see through that unpleasant face.

Frost readies her fists. Her stare is as cold as the icy aura encircling her body.

FROST

You will sink so low as to attempt to declaim me with such petty insults?

SONYA

Just know that if you lay a finger on Sub-Zero or any other one of my friends, I will beat you senseless.

FROST

(shock and fury)

Is that a threat? Listen to me: luck was on your side last time we met. I could not harm you in front of sifu.

SONYA

(sarcastically)

Yes, I'm sure that is the reason.

FROST

You ignorant weakling! I should drown you in these waters right--

Sub-ZERO (o.S.)

Frost!

Frost's words of intimidation are cut short. She looks to Sub-Zero, whose stern enunciation is clear though he stands in the distance.

FROST

(to Sonya)

This is not over. Sifu won't be around for long.

And she heeds Sub-Zero's call by hurrying to meet him, leaving Sonya to glare after her both suspiciously and murderously.

As Frost takes her place by the bonfire, Jax gapes at her with curiosity, while Kung Lao refuses to acknowledge her in any way.

Sub-Zero addresses her in a whisper.

SUB-ZERO

Frost, I brought you here so that you could put your potential to use and grow as a warrior; NOT to antagonize your allies.

FROST

Forgive me, sifu. I just find it difficult to deal with such a bothersome sense of superiority.

SUB-ZERO

She has a right to act superiorly. Your must respect how much more formally trained and able she is than you.

Frost suddenly looks as though she could deal a blow to Sub-Zero at any given second. He, in turn, weighs her down with a dominant and strict gaze.

FROST

(struggling to speak)

Of course, sifu. You are completely right.

Jax

Don't you two start arguing. We got enough negativity to go around with this guy's contagious depression over here.

He nods to Kung Lao, who faces him for the first time.

KuNG LAO

My only intention is to spare you and the others from the sadness inside me right now, for as long as I can.

JAX

Spare us? What are you talking about?

KUNG LAO

You and Sonya strongly lack the virtue of patience. It is something even the strongest of warriors must have. Just wait. Raiden will be here soon.

JAX

Whatever...

The uneasy silence that rules over the scene for a few seconds is unexpectedly broken as a mass of electricity SHOOTS DOWN from the dim sky and punishes the land.

All fighters around the bonfire jump slightly with the surprise caused by the thunderous commotion of Raiden's materialization.

The Thunder God smiles upon them all as though he had done nothing but simply walk into their eyesight.

RaiDEN

Thank you all for coming.

JAX

Damn... you give us each a heart attack, you won't be having many helpers left.

RAIDEN

I know for a fact that you are all too powerful to be brought down by an ordinary jolt of the heart.

He looks around.

RaiDEN (CONT'D)

We are missing one.

Sonya (o.S.)

I'm right here.

Sonya emerges from behind the lofty body of Raiden and comes closer.

SONYA (CONT'D)

You almost fried me, by the way.

She makes her way past Raiden (and through the icy scowl of Frost) and retakes a seat at the spot beside Jax.

RaIDEN

My sincerest apologies.

All hints of playfulness in his voice are now abruptly replaced by a grim solemnity.

RaIDEN (CONT'D)

Now I ask you all to lend me your ears. I have much to say to each and every one of you. The words I am about to speak stem from the grave danger that threatens the realms, our in particular. But in order to stress the absolute importance of the quest which you are about to undertake... I must begin by sharing with you a most distressing piece of news.