It has been many years since the last Mortal Kombat. When Havik unleashed the hordes of fighters with the magic of Onaga's heart, it looked as if Armageddon was inevitable. Taven rose to the challenge and quenched the great pyramids thirst for blood, and in doing so became a god. As protector of Edenia he has kept the peace for the last decade, holding friendly tournaments to keep the remaining combatants happy, as few as they might be. But something is brewing in the realms, and a new evil is surely about to be unleashed, as is the cycle of the battered worlds.

On Earth: While the death of its many champions still pains the heart of Earthrealm, it has slowly begun to rebuild itself. Sonya and Jax have retired from the OIA, leaving its leadership to Kenshi. Sonya settled down with Johnny Cage, who himself has retired from the movie business, unable to keep up with the madness of it all in his old age. The Red and Black Dragon clans have reformed under new leadership, and while they still present a bit of a threat, they keep mostly to their own bitter feud. The Lin Kuei has also pulled itself together, after the apparent death of its beloved Grandmaster Sub-Zero. With his death, and the destruction of his dragon medallion, the curse on Frost was lifted. Saddened by her former misdeeds, she strove to purify her soul, her journey to do so ending with her becoming the grand master herself. Rumors persist of the Shirai Ryu having returned, but reports are few and far between, mostly consisting of seeing a single, female ninja. The White Lotus is again dedicating itself to Mortal Kombat, even if the current tournaments are for friendly fare. Two new students have been selected to be trained under the last remaining warrior of the Lotus, Kai, and the Protector of earth, Fujin the wind god.

As for Edenia itself, Taven has overseen a great age of prosperity. While the royal family has been wiped out by Armageddon, a new royal family has sprung up in its place, with Jade as its queen and the still young son of Kitana her prince. The Shokans have gathered under the combined banner of Sheeva and her new mate, Mazaro, working happily with the armies of Edenia, being given a respect that before they could only dream of.

In Outworld, the once great empire of the Realms, a new, more peaceful regime has taken shape. Under the great Shao Reiko, the Outworld has become a place of at least slightly subdued turbulence. Reiko often sends his generals into the fray of the friendly Mortal Kombats when they roll around. Lately though, Reiko has grown slightly troubled, and many wonder if the deadly madness that has consumed his two predecessors will take him as well.

The Netherrealm has not enjoyed the peace given unto the other realms. The influx of powerful souls had created a great rift in the Nether, and endless battle consumed it. However, upon his entrance, Shang Tsung immediately consumed the countless souls of his former enemies and took up the throne of King of the underworld. While he easily conquered the vast underworld, due to the constraints of his power he was unable to ascend to the other realms and continue his conquest. Strange shadow creatures watch from the sidelines as this unfolds, and plot parallel to Tsung on their eventual escape.

In Seido, a strange peace has also taken hold. Darrius, having overthrown the Seidan seats of power, has created a government even more corrupt and evil then what he was fighting against. The great dictator, as he is now jokingly called by all outside his realm, idly sits by as his realm fades into darkness and chaos. Dairou has formed a counter revolution, and quietly plots the demise of his former commander.

Havik, along with his cult of madness, is slowly leaking out of his own confines. He often appears ringside at the recent Mortal Kombats, as if taking note of the performance of the warriors involved. Few can truly guess at what his crazed mind is planning, if anything.

The Realms have been at peaces for ten years now, but the fragile state is about to shatter. Reiko has declared a true Mortal Kombat tournament on Edenia, and while he is honorable enough to keep to the rules of Kombat, the others who may participate in the new tournament may not be as adherent to the law. Shang Tsung has managed his way out of the Nether, bringing with him his undead minions and the Brotherhood of shadow. Dairou has erupted Seido in internal conflict yet again. Earthrealms warriors have been called in to aid Edenia, knowing that if Edenia fell, Earth would be next. A demented madman and his equally insane consort have entered the tournament, claiming to foretell an even darker future then Armageddon. What lies ahead for the realms?

Mortal Kombat: Before the Storm