MORTAL KOMBAT Written by Kevin Droney Second Draft April 25, 1994 Producer Larry Kasanoff MORTAL KOMBAT FADE IN: 1 EXT. LIU KANG’S VILLAGE – DAY In a disjointed DREAM SEQUENCE a young Asian man, LIU KANG, wanders through his native Chinese village as the inhabitants go about their daily affairs, seemingly oblivious to his presence. Liu is dressed in modern American clothing and carries a small carry on bag, as if he has just arrived. An ancient temple nestles in a hillside at the far end of the village. Liu smiles at the familiar scene and turns to look out over a verdant rice paddy – the ripe stalks of rice waving in a gentle breeze under a sunny sky. Then, a dark cloud covers the sun, and the wind turns cold. Liu looks to a nearby hill. Two figures fight, silhouetted against the sky, circling around an ancient altar of stone. A raven calls high overhead. Liu looks up at the bird, which soars and circles. When Liu looks back at the hilltop, one of the figures is staggering back as the other attacks. Because this is a dream, Liu can suddenly see the face of his brother, CHAN. Chan falls back before the attack of his opponent, clad in black silk, whose face he cannot see. Chan, strangely, seems to look right at Liu, and in a frightened, despairing voice, cries out.... CHAN Liu! The second fighter lands a deadly blow, and Chan crumples to the hard stones. The second fighter stands over his inert form a moment, and then turns to gaze impassively down on Liu. Again, in the dream, Liu can clearly see the features of SHANG TSUNG. Shang now turns and looks straight at Liu. He thrusts his hand skyward in a talon-like gesture. It summons a flock of shadow birds that burst into the sky, devouring all light in their path, bringing Darkness, which spreads from the hill, toward the village. The Darkness reaches out to envelope everything... a surging Void which flutters, pulsates, swarms over the dreamer, WIPING THE FRAME. In dream time it is later. The rice paddy is now muddy and foul; the raven circles in a leaden sky above the deserted village. An evil wind moans through the mysteriously empty houses. The raven croaks its odd staccato call, like someone rapping with a staff on a hollow wood chime. Chan’s body is now laid out on the stone altar. LIU (SCREAMS) Chan! END THE DREAM SEQUENCE. 2 INT. LIU KANG’S APARTMENT – AMERICAN CITY – DAWN Liu awakens in a tangle of sheets, calling his brother’s name. NOT FOR DUPLICATION________ LIU Chan! Liu blinks at the familiar surroundings of his room, simple but modern furnishings, a stereo... and nearly smiles at the reassurance the familiar things give him after the dream. A nearly packed suitcase reminds him of something. His eyes fix on the crumples telegram on the night table next to his bed, and another nightmare floods over him.... Only this one will not go away. Liu switches on the lamp, picks up the telegram and rereads it. But the message has not changed...he hasn’t dreamed it. LIU (grieving) Chan. Liu throws the telegram down and goes into the bathroom to start his shower. ZOOM IN ON The telegram which reads, simply: BROTHER DEAD. RETURN HOME. GRANDFATHER. 3 INT. POWER PLANT – AMERICAN CITY – DAY Establishing. Rain pours down outside – and inside through gaping holes in the roof – as a young American man, JOHNNY CAGE, dressed like a very hip cop with a turtleneck sweater wearing an Italian sports coat, fights six very tough looking thugs armed with, clubs, brass knuckles, and lengths of pipe. But, in an incredible display of grace and martial arts skill, Johnny takes down one tough guy after another, until there remains only one huge dude with the lead pipe. Johnny drops to one knee, punching the thug very low. The big dude stands over Johnny, frozen, confused. JOHNNY This is where you fall down. Enlightened, the big dude dramatically keels over. Johnny shakes his head, rises and turns away, throwing his arms up in despair. JOHNNY Where do you get these guys! DIRECTOR Cut! And the rain immediately stops! NEW ANGLE We now see the camera and lights and rain towers. Johnny and the others have been acting a scene from an action film. The DIRECTOR approaches, apologetic. The stunt men climb to their feet. DIRECTOR Sorry, Johnny. JOHNNY You’ll be sorrier when they pull you off my next picture, Paul. The FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR now bellows into his headset. FIRST ASSISTANT All right, everybody. Reset! We go again in fifteen minutes! JOHNNY (stalking off) I’m not doing it, again. Johnny heads for his star trailer. DIRECTOR Johnny, it’s the last shot of the picture. We’re losing our light here. But Johnny continues to his star trailer where his agent, NANCY, intercepts him. NANCY Johnny, there’s someone in your trailer, Who wants to talk to you.... JOHNNY It better not be a reporter, Nancy. 4 INT. JOHNNY’S TRAILER – ON TABLOID The Tabloid headline reads: JOHNNY CAGE A PHONY!... with a picture of Johnny yelling at a paparazzi underneath. A man sits casually in the trailer, reading the inside story as Johnny storms in. WIDER LIU Hey, I don’t give interviews without.... The man reading the paper, BILL BOYD, lowers it, smiling. Johnny’s expression turns from anger to one of awe and respect. BOYD Hi, Johnny. JOHNNY Master Boyd! Sorry, I didn’t.... Johnny has lost his arrogance. He bows and eagerly shakes the older man’s hand. BOYD (nods to paper) I see the press is still giving you a hard time. JOHNNY They think I’m a big fake. BOYD I know you’re not. JOHNNY (new thought) Sensai, you were my idol, growing up. It means a lot, you saying that. BOYD Johnny, you’re one of the best martial artists in the world. And I know a way you can prove it. JOHNNY Prove it? How? BOYD A tournament. The Tournament. Held once a generation. Boyd takes a small scroll with ebony handles out of a pocket and hands it to Johnny. THE SCROLL When unrolled, is inscribed with Chinese characters and the Mortal Kombat logo in the center. JOHNNY I’ve gotta brush up on my Chinese. BOYD It’s the most ancient tournament in the world.... Held on an island in the South China Sea. JOHNNY I’ve never heard of it. BOYD All the participants are sworn to secrecy. JOHNNY How can a secret tournament get me better press? BOYD The best fighters in the world are invited. If you win The Tournament, you’ll win their respect. They’ll tell the enter world you’re the real goods. JOHNNY I... I’m supposed to be prepping for my next film as soon as this one raps tonight. I just don’t see.... Boyd stares silently at him, then reaches for the scroll. BOYD Of course. If your reputation isn’t as important as the box office, then.... JOHNNY No! I mean... I’ll work around it. I’m honored. BOYD (smiles) I’ve got a lot of faith in you. JOHNNY How do I, uh...? BOYD There’s a boat, The Dragon’s Wing, docked at pier forty in Hong Kong, tomorrow night. Be on it. Off Johnny’s thoughtful reaction: 5 INT. POWER PLANT – MOVIE LOCATION – DAY Boyd steps from the trailer, shakes hands with Johnny. JOHNNY Thanks for everything. BOYD See you in the movies. Johnny goes back into his trailer as Boyd walks away. Boyd walks past the electricians and grips, and, once out of sight, we hear, very faintly, the cacophonous sound of many voices crying out in anguish... a dissonant music we will hear again... as "Boyd" morphs slowly into the features of Shang Tsung, the Sorcerer. 6 EXT. HONG KONG PANORAMA – DAY Establishing. Superimpose: HONG KONG. 7 EXT. HONG KONG WAREHOUSE DISTRICT ON VAN - DAY The van is parked discretely between two buildings. 7A INT. VAN A band of black-clad commandoes loads automatic weapons and riot guns as PAN THROUGH the van. Stop on the gloved hands of the Team Leader, moving quickly through the lock and load procedure, then PAN UP to reveal that the Team Leader is a woman, SONYA BLADE, beautiful and hard as nails. She speaks softly to the second in command, JAXX, an African American. SONYA Kano will be heading out the back door as we come in the front. Be there to cut him off. JAXX Oh, ye of little faith. Trust me. SONYA I trust one person on the planet, Jaxx, and you’re talking to her. We go in ten. Sonya adjusts a tiny headset. Jaxx does the same. She nods and the team pours from the van. 8 EXT. WAREHOUSE – CONTINUOUS The black-clad commandoes swirl around the building almost silently. The guard at the door is overwhelmed without a shot being fired. The two teams split up and Jaxx heads for the back with his men. Sonya and her team group around the door. SONYA Stun grenade. A team member takes a stun grenade from his satchel. Two other members heave a battering ram against the door, breaking it in with one blow. The stun grenade is thrown inside. The team back off and hold their ears as it goes off inside. Then they rush through the door. 9 INT. WAREHOUSE – CONTINUOUS Sonya’s strike team fan out inside, The criminals inside go down bloodlessly in hand to hand combat. SONYA Moves in a direct line through the building, knocking aside anyone who gets in her way. She is driven, kinetic, never stopping as she uses all available cover to further infiltrate the building. Shots are fired at her. She returns fire with her automatic weapon. She can hear Jaxx’s team crashing through the rear entrance with a loud stun grenade explosion. Shouts, gunfire, and more hand to hand combat all round. Sonya ignores most of the battle and keeps searching. She’s looking for someone. A ruffian surprises her. She kicks his weapon away, and slams him hard with the butt of her gun, then continues, as if he were nothing but a nuisance. 10 INT. WAREHOUSE OFFICE – DAY The office has a window to the warehouse interior. A large man with a shaved head and a patch over one eye peers out the window. This is KANO. He smiles, saunters over to a large packing crate, shoves it aside with his incredible strength, to reveal a large, heavy grate, leading down into the sewer. Shang Tsung sits across from him, watching impassively. Again using his brawn, Kano lifts the heavy grate. KANO You sure she’ll follow me down here? SHANG After what you did to her partner, she’ll follow you into hell. Just make sure she gets on that boat. KANO She’ll be there... Special Delivery. SHANG Deliver her alive. INSIDE WAREHOUSE Sonya crouches near the office, and speaks into her headset. SONYA Jaxx? Have you seen Kano? JAXX (O.S.) (over headset) Negative. SONYA I think he’s in the office. Sonya moves quickly toward the warehouse office, gun ready. JAXX (O.S.) (over headset) Sonya! Wait for backup! 11 INT. WAREHOUSE OFFICE Sonya crashes through the door, tucks, rolls, and comes up ready to blow anyone in there away. The only living thing inside is a large raven on a perch. Then Sonya sees the open grate. SONYA Damn. The raven croaks, a strange "wood chime" sound, which catches her attention. She stares at the large, impassive bird, puzzled. Then she spots a list pinned to a bulletin board on the wall behind the bird on its perch. She examines the list. INSERT – SHIPPING SCHEDULE A sailing schedule with many ships listed. One is circled in red. The Dragon’s Wing. 12 EXT. LIU KANG’S VILLAGE - DAY Liu Kang, in his leather jacket, blue jeans and work shirt, stands just outside his native village as a bush taxi – marked Hong Kong Taxi Co. Ltd. – drives off. The village looks exactly like his dream – so much so that he actually looks over the rice paddy at the neighboring hill. No one stands there, now. Liu’s GRANDFATHER, comes slowly toward him, his back bowed with grief, but his face full of joy at seeing Liu. The old man embraces his grandson. GRANDFATHER It’s good you are here. LIU I wasn’t here for Chan. GRANDFATHER (a moment) He spoke of you, daily. You were his big brother... almost a father since your parents "left us." He was so proud of you, living in America. He wanted you to be happy. Liu is pierced by pangs of guilt as they walk into the village. LIU How did he die, Grandfather? GRANDFATHER After you left he followed in your footsteps... preparing for The Tournament. Liu stops and stares. His voice rises in anger. LIU The Tournament? It wasn’t enough you filled my head with that... nonsense? The Grandfather is hurt. Liu feels even more guilty. GRANDFATHER To save the world from an... unspeakable fate is not nonsense. LIU Men fighting in a simple contest do not decide these things, Grandfather! How can you, a wise man, believe this? GRANDFATHER Chan believed in it. He trained very hard. He could never be as good as you... but he tried to be worthy to represent the Order of Light. LIU How did it happen? GRANDFATHER I don’t know for certain. I was away when... a stranger came. NEW ANGLE – THE VILLAGE In FLASHBACK as the Grandfather narrates we see the stranger enter the village, dressed in black silk, his back to us. High overhead, a raven turns in a narrowing gyre, croaking its strange "wind chime " call. The stranger continues through the village to... 13 EXT. RICE PADDY The stranger stops. Liu’s brother, CHAN, a large, genial youth of twenty, is working knee deep in the rice paddy. When he sees the stranger he is puzzled, but then offers a friendly smile. GRANDFATHER (V.O.) He sought out your brother and told him that he, too, was training for The Tournament. The two decided to train together... Chan was very naive... he mistrusted no one. REVERSE ANGLE We now see that the stranger is Shang Tsung. 13A EXT. HILLTOP – ALTAR OF LIGHT Chan now stands facing Shang atop the hill. GRANDFATHER (V.O.) When I came back that evening, Chan had not returned. (MORE) GRANDFATHER (V.O.) (cont’d) We found him on the crest of the hill, near the Altar of Light. It was strange. There were bruises... but it was more like... life had been sucked from him. At that moment, the ravel calls out loudly. END FLASHBACK. 14 EXT. VILLAGE – PRESENT Liu looks to the hill, but it is deserted. LIU (haunted) Grandfather.... it’s my fault. I dreamed his death. GRANDFATHER (puts consoling hand on Liu’s shoulder) The dreamer does not cause the thing he dreams. Liu puts his arm around the frail, and they walk toward the village. 14A INT. VILLAGE TEMPLE – LIU – DAY Liu recounts solemnly, trying to recall the details. LIU (voice echoes) I dreamt Chan was fighting on the Altar of Light. He calls my name, then he falls. And the stranger turns to look at me. In the dream, everything in the village suddenly changes. Houses are empty.... Crops... ruined. But.... something else happens after Chan’s death. Something I can never remember when I wake up. As if... it were too...evil to recall. WIDER We now see that Liu, still in his American clothes and leather jacket, has been recounting his dream to a circle of priests and elders. The priests wear simple white robes. In the center of the circle is a large, bowl-like torch, its flame fed by sticks of wood. The Grandfather sits to one side. The CHIEF PRIEST has listened. He now turns his eyes on the Grandfather. GRANDFATHER You see. Liu Kang has been given The Dream. He is the Chosen One. SECOND PRIEST (angry) No! He left our village... turned his back on The Order of Light and its teachings! GRANDFATHER For many years he was the best student among you! He was a monk, like you! SECOND PRIEST Look at him! Look at the clothes he wears. He’s no longer one of us! He’s forgotten everything he’s learned! CHIEF PRIEST (to Liu) Is this true? LIU I remember everything. I tried to forget.... But you taught me too well. (then; humbly) I want to represent The Order of Light at The Tournament. CHIEF PRIEST Why? LIU The man who killed my brother will be there. I know this. The Chief Priest is disappointed. GRANDFATHER That cannot be your only reason for going! Or you will fail! The Tournament is not a quest for vengeance. There is so much more at stake.... LIU (angry; sarcastic) Oh, yes, I forgot. We’re fighting for the fate of the World! CHIEF PRIEST (shocked) He mocks our sacred teachings? He can’t fight in the Tournament. It’s impossible. The Grandfather approaches Liu and speaks solemnly. GRANDFATHER In your heart, you remember the teachings and know they are true. LIU I know you’ve poured fairy tales into my ears since I was a child! You want to know if I remember the teachings? All right. (paces; agitated) The teachings say that I am the direct descendent of Kung Lao. Five hundred years ago he returned from The Tournament victorious! But a generation later he was defeated by... (eyes glow with derision) ...Goro, the four-armed monster! (then, matter of fact) Once a generation since that time a monk of this temple has been chosen to fight in The Tournament. And for five hundred ears, they have lost. Liu’s eyes blaze as he walks around the circle, challenging the old men and the monks with his look. LIU The teachings say the last blood descendent of Kung Lao must be chosen. Listen to your own teachings. You must send me! I promise that I-- Suddenly, a voice like thunder booms into the temple, cutting Liu off. RAIDEN Promise nothing, you babbling idiot! Everyone turns to find a large figure standing in the doorway: a coolie hat keeps his face in shadow. His clothing is in rags, his feet bare; he carries only a simple wooden staff. The imposing figure approaches. RAIDEN You reject all you’ve learned, but dare to come back here...spraying pronouncements around the sacred flame like donkey spit! (mocking tone) ’I remember everything.’ Raiden moves face to face with the stunned Liu and raises his head, revealing his features at last: RAIDEN. Liu’s Grandfather is the first to recognize this. GRANDFATHER (awe; fear) The Lord Raiden. The others murmur in astonishment. As one, they throw themselves to the ground and prostrate themselves, still in a circle, around one of their principal gods. Liu is too astounded to react. He stares at the priests and elders, then back at the wizened face before him. RAIDEN You have forgotten everything of value. Liu’s Western experience takes over. LIU Grandfather. Get up! He’s just a beggar. CHIEF PRIEST (bowing, reciting from Sacred Text) Thus it is written. ’The god Raiden comes begging humbly, dressed in rags. Woe to him who turns away.’ The other monks wail and groan in unison, truly terrified. Liu is amazed. LIU Raiden? This isn’t your god of thunder and lightning. You’ve scared yourselves stupid with the stories you tell your children! GRANDATHER (desperate plea; prostrate) Spare him, my lord Raiden. American life has enfeebled his mind. Too much television...! He will learn. Raiden squints at Liu. Then he turns his back, and speaks with surprising gentleness. RAIDEN I doubt that very much, my friend. Raiden helps the Grandfather to his feet. The others are in awe, now, of the Grandfather. RAIDEN His skull is as thick as these temple stones. LIU Leave my grandfather alone. Play your con game somewhere else. A flash of anger illuminates Raiden’s face. Then he turns to Liu. RAIDEN Spoken like a great champion and defender if his people. So, you’re going to win The Tournament? Something you didn’t even believe in, yesterday? LIU (surprised; recovers) Yes. I am. Raiden nods, as if pondering this as he walks around the young man. Then, he lunges in with his staff. Liu parries the stroke, tries to counter, but Raiden moves the staff with lightning-like speed, and sweeps Liu’s feet out from under him. The younger monks laugh. The elders look grave as Liu gingerly climbs to his feet. RAIDEN (desperate plea; prostrate) The last living descendent of the great Kung Lao. You are indeed the lat of the last. Your brother at least had Kung Lao’s heart, if not his skill. LIU If you are Raiden, why did you let Chan die? Why didn’t you protect him! The temple falls utterly silent. Raiden speaks simply. RAIDEN Why didn’t you? Liu is devastated. His face flushes with guilt. LIU I should have. Raiden softens at this real show of sorrow and contrition. RAIDEN The gods do not control men’s destiny... and they cannot protect you from it. I’m not your bodyguard. Liu still thinks he’s talking to an old fraud. He looks around the temple once more, and sees he has convinced no one. LIU I’ve had enough of this... I’m going to find my brother’s killer at The Tournament... with or without your consent! Liu stalks out of the temple. The Grandfather speaks quietly to Raiden. GRANDATHER You’re right, of course, my lord: he isn’t ready. And we’ve lost so much time. But.... There is no one else. RAIDEN I know. Raiden begins to walk out of the temple, then he turns and speaks to all of them. RAIDEN You shouldn’t have tried to replace him with his brother. Whether any of you like it or not... he is The Chosen One. And, with a weary, regal tread, the beggar-like figure leaves the temple, leaving the men inside with their guilt. SCENES 15-16 OMITTED 17 EXT. VILLAGE – SUNDOWN The old bush taxi once more waits outside the village. Liu says goodbye to his Grandfather. In the distance, all the monks are on the crest of the hill, lighting an enormous bonfire, which sputters, catches, then towers high into the darkening sky and reflects off their white robes. Other villagers stand at a respectful distance from Liu and the old man, watching them silently. GRANDFATHER We light the beacon fire from the Sacred Temple flame... lit once a generation at the time of the Tournament. Keep it here... (he touches Liu’s chest) It will light the way home. Liu sees that the old man is frightened for him. LIU I remember the first time you rode me to the top of the hill on your shoulders. I thought I could see the whole world from up there.... (gently) I’ll come back. GRANDFATHER (choking up) Chan didn’t. LIU I’m not Chan. I’ll come back, Grandfather. Liu nods, moved with affection for the old man. The two men hug, then Liu gets in the battered vehice, which drives off down the winding dirt road. GRANDFATHER (alone) Raiden, give him wisdom. Watch over him. The old man fights back his tears. Out beyond the village, heat lightning dances for a second in the sky, followed by a distant rumble. Grandfather nods with a small smile and turns, along with every villager, to gaze up at the magnificent beacon of fire – brighter than the setting sun – on the hilltop overlooking the temple. 18 EXT. PIER – HONG KONG - NIGHT A dark, ragged-looking "junk" is moored at the pier, its mast tops half in shadow. Men walk up the gang plank and go aboard, staring at the strange craft in disbelief. Men and women from many different walks of life congregate on the dock. Others already go on board. A black limousine pulls up and stops. The rear window slides down and Johnny Cage gawks at the vessel. Nancy sits beside him. JOHNNY This can’t be right. (to driver) I said Pier forty. DRIVER This Pier forty. NANCY (amused) I figured you for more of a Love Boat kind of guy, Johnny. I’m impressed. JOHNNY You can be replaced, you know. OUTSIDE THE LIMO Johnny climbs out. She joins him. Neither takes this threat seriously. NANCY Don’t be a grouch. I’m the one who should be upset. My star client is disappearing to some mysterious island for a secret tournament. (looks around, aghast) Who are these people? JOHNNY The best fighters in the world. The menagerie of fighters is growing more bizarre by the moment. NANCY If you say so. Johnny, you don’t need to prove anything. You’re a star. A gaggle of young teenage boys spot Johnny. They rush toward him, waving pens and autograph books, taking pictures and shouting Johnny’s name. JOHNNY What’s this? As they swarm around their hero, Johnny begins signing autographs. NANCY The local fan club. JOHNNY You organized this? I told you I was travelling incognito. NANCY Oh, and I was supposed to believe you? ART LEAN, a well built Black man, easily shoulders a large duffel bag. He stops to watch the fans swarming around Johnny. He looks up when Art Lean – the only adult – hands him a piece of paper. ART LEAN It’s for my nephew, Damien. He’s a big fan. JOHNNY Sure. (studies Lean) You’re Art Lean! I saw you fight in London. You were great. ART LEAN Thanks. I’ve seen a couple of your films. You can’t fake those moves.... JOHNNY Tell that to the press. Johnny signs and hands the autograph back. Art Lean grins, slaps Johnny on the arm and goes up the gang plank. The driver has unloaded the last bag and slams the trunk, looking a little disgusted. Nancy is worried in spite of her jokes as she eyes the decrepit wooden ship. She is paying several Asian dock hands to carry Johnny’s bags up the gang plank. They shoulder the big Gucci suitcases, and head onto the boat. NANCY They’ll take your bags on board. I already paid them. Last chance to change your mind. JOHNNY No. I’ll be back in a week. NANCY I tried. Take care of yourself, Johnny. She gives him a little kiss on the cheek and gets back into the limo. The Driver is already behind the wheel. NANCY Driver, take me to the nearest bar. One with lots of sailors. Johnny smiles at her last joke as the limo drives away. But now he feels alone and friendless. NEW ANGLE Liu Kang has just left his battered taxi and pays the driver. The taxi drives off. Liu stands next to one of Johnny’s suitcases, wearing more traditional Chinese shirt and slacks, now. He looks up at the junk. Johnny turns, sees him, and mistakes him for one of the dock hands. JOHNNY You missed one? LIU One what? JOHNNY The suitcase. Don’t get cute. You’ve already been paid. LIU (glares; then slyly) Oh? The suitcase? Very nice. (fake coolie accent) Oh, shuah thing, Mistah! Chop chop! And with a demonic grin, Liu takes the suitcase and shuffles with gleeful exaggeration up the gangplank. Half way up, he turns, loses the grin, and throws the heavy suitcase into the black water. It floats away. He turns to Johnny, astounded, back on the dock. LIU (mocking) So solly! And he turns and walks onto the boat. JOHNNY Hey! Heyyy! Johnny hustles after him. NEW ANGLE – VAN The same unmarked commando van is parked just off the pier. SCENE 19 OMITTED 20 INT. VAN Jaxx sits behind the wheel, Sonya next to him, peering through night vision binoculars. A half dozen team members ride in the back, weapons ready. JAXX Nothing says he’s getting on this boat. He could be miles from the waterfront by now. SONYA I know Kano. He’s in his element here... with the other wharf rats. SCENE 21 OMITTED 22 EXT. PIER – JUNK – NIGHT The gang plank is taken up, and the mooring lines are cast off. THROUGH NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS Sonya scans the deck, holding briefly on several passengers. JAXX (O.S.) Well, even if you’re right, he just missed the boat. Then she spots him. A silhouette at first, but then Kano steps into the dim light, and the night vision glasses enhance Sonya’s view of his. Almost as if he knows she is watching, he grins crookedly, and steps back into the shadows. SONYA (O.S.) He’s already on board! THE VAN door springs open and Sonya leaps out. Jaxx steps from the cab as well. JAXX Hold on. We don’t have a warrant to go on board. SONYA Paperwork was never my strong suit. Sonya fastens her web belt, and begins running toward the mooring line, just as two dock hands cast off. She grabs the line, and swings over to the hull of the junk. 23 EXT. JUNK – DECK – NIGHT Johnny Cage spots Liu Kang, unrolling a mat on deck and storms over to him. JOHNNY Hey, you! Kano has been watching Sonya. KANO Come on, baby. Come to papa. Kano turns and hurries into the central hold. Johnny confronts Liu Kang. He spins him around. JOHNNY Hey, I want to-- Just then, Sonya swings like a pirate onto the deck and crashes into Johnny, sending him flying. She tucks, rolls, and jumps to her feet, her eyes sweeping the vessel for Kano. Johnny jumps to his feet and spins her around. JOHNNY You want to play rough, asshole? He sees two things simultaneously, her pretty face... and the nine millimeter pistol she points at his chin. SONYA No. Do you? JOHNNY (movie star charm) Oh. I mean... I’m Johnny Cage. And You are...? SONYA Where did he go? JOHNNY (deflated) Who? Sonya looks around, heads for the hatchway and climbs down the ladder. Liu Kang has seen it all. LIU Just another star struck fan.... SCENE 24 OMITTED 25 INT. JUNK – BELOW DECKS – NIGHT The wooden ship creaks and objects sway as Sonya makes her way though the bowels of the ship. She sees a door at the end of the passageway and makes for it. A burly brute, the junk’s CAPTAIN, suddenly steps in her way. CAPTAIN Help you, Missy? SONYA What’s on the other side of that door? CAPTAIN Private quarters. No admittance. But I can give you a special tour of my cabin. SONYA (shows her identification) I’m looking for a murderer. He boarded this ship. CAPTAIN I’m the Captain. You got no authority on my ship, Missy. Johnny comes up behind Sonya and overhears. Liu is just behind him. JOHNNY Be nice to the lady. She’s just doing her job. SONYA (annoyed) When I want backup, I’ll radio for it, okay? Just then, two Ninja-clad figures step from the shadows behind her. The larger figure is SUB-ZERO, the smaller, wearing gloves, is SCORPION. LIU (to Sonya) You got that radio handy? She turns to see the two odd figures. Johnny faces off against Scorpion. JOHNNY Trick or treat. Sub-Zero steps in front of the door, blocking it. SONYA Move aside. Nothing. She draws her sidearm and shows her badge. SONYA Stand aside! Sub-Zero looks down at the weapon, then his hand darts out, incredibly fast, touching the gun and freezing it to frosty brittleness. Sonya stares at it. THE GUN Sub-Zero’s hand snaps off the barrel. WIDER In the blink of an eye, a brawl develops. Liu moves in and the Captain takes him on. Liu evades the charge and counters, driving him against the bulkhead. Meanwhile, Johnny fights Scorpion, and he uses a jujitsu move to get the Ninja in a wrist lock. The glove rips away, however, revealing a giant pincer claw! Johnny shouts and leaps back just as the second pincer-claw rips through Scorpion’s other glove and tries for Johnny’s throat. The Captain comes back at Liu with a boot knife forcing him back. Sonya throws several powerful kicks at Sub-Zero to no apparent effect. He moves toward her and raises a strange, blue-tinged hand, when... RAIDEN (O.S.) Enough! Everyone freezes. The hold begins to crackle with static electricity. Then AN ENORMOUS BLUE BALL of electricity streaks down the passageway, knocking the three attackers aside like bowling pins, causing them to glow in the dark for a moment, while miraculously leaving Sonya, Johnny and Liu unharmed. The two strange beings disappear into the bowels of the ship. The Captain lies groaning on the deck. The Blue Ball streaks back down the passageway, brushing past Sonya, Johnny and Liu and leaving them crackling with residual electricity which plays over their clothing. Every metallic object below decks crackles with this charge, as well. They turn to Raiden standing at the far end of the passageway, leaning on his staff like and ordinary man... except that his eyes are glowing brightly! A moment later, they return to normal as well. LIU You! RAIDEN (ignores him; thunder voice) Shang Tsung! The preternaturally loud voice nearly deafens the three humans. The oaken door swings open, and Shang Tsung steps calmly through it. Liu stares, struggling to remember where he’s seen him before. SHANG Lord Raiden. How good of you to grace us with your presence. RAIDEN Your sideshow freaks attacked my fighters. That is expressly forbidden before the Tournament, as the Emperor well knows. Sonya, Johnny and Liu huddle together to one side and listen. SHANG (to Raiden) My apologies. It won’t happen again. RAIDEN I shall see to that. SHANG Of course.... Until we reach the Island. Where you have no dominion. RAIDEN My dominions are well known to me, Sorcerer. Shang turns to go back inside. Sonya grabs his wrist. Shang bristles, then looks into Sonya’s pretty face. He softens. SONYA Hold on. Who says I was participating in a Tournament? SHANG (simply; as if to a child) You have been chosen, Sonya. And he goes back through the door, closing it firmly. Raiden turns and starts back down the passageway. LIU You really are... him! With a pained look of annoyance, Raiden turns his attention back to them. RAIDEN (thunder voice) Come with me! Raiden is enveloped in a blue ball of electricity and vanishes. Johnny cautiously waves his hand over the space Raiden had just occupied. JOHNNY (mutters to himself) Easy for him to say. 26 INT. SHANG’S QUARTERS – JUNK – NIGHT The quarters take up the entire stern of the boat below decks, luxuriously appointed with Chinese silk screens and elegant ebony furnishings. Shang waits calmly as the Captain slinks in. Kano sits on a chair, legs dangling over the arms, peeling a fruit with a knife, and grinning at the Captain’s terror. CAPTAIN Yes, sir? SHANG Is it so difficult, Captain, to prevent a noisesome female from disturbing me in my quarters? CAPTAIN I... she... There were three of them. SHANG I’m impressed. You can count to three. I was humiliated just now... forced to apologize to a Being I detest. Do you know how much I loathe apologizing, Captain? CAPTAIN I’m sorry, sir. It won’t ever happen again. Kano loses interest in the fruit and stares. SHANG I believe you. The Captain transforms into a huge rat! Then Shang blinks. We hear the strange clamoring of many voices in anguish, chantlike, atonal... yet strangely musical. WIDER Shang transforms into an enormous cobra, coiling and rising until the hooded head brushes along the bulkhead, moving toward the rat/Captain, who squeals and cowers in a corner, his own rodent eyes transfixed by the hypnotic gaze of the serpent/sorcerer. The cobra hovers over the rat another long moment, then lunges... KANO swallows the bite of fruit in his mouth as he watches in horrified fascination. The squeals of the rat are now muffled... then silent. WIDER Shang once more stands before him in his normal shape. Only his eyes are still those of the snake’s, yellow and menacing. He fixes Kano with that same hypnotic stare, freezing him in his tracks. Then Shang blinks, and the eyes are once again normal. The strange chorus of voices ceases. SHANG Any questions? Kano can’t think of any. 27 EXT. DECK – NIGHT Johnny, Sonya and Liu come up on deck confused. Johnny brushes at some pesky electricity which continues to cling to him. SONYA How did he disappear like that? Who is he? JOHNNY Let’s just... think this through. There’s a rational explanation for this. LIU He is Raiden. God of Lightning, and Protector of the realm of Earth. Although I didn’t believe it until this minute. JOHNNY (ironic) See, I told you there was a rational explanation. They are now in the bow of the ship away from the others. Raiden appears right behind Johnny, who senses him there without turning, and winces. RAIDEN (thunder voice) Listen!) (they cringe; he softens his tone) The time for doubt... is past! The time for your petty quarrels... is past. What you are about to face is vastly more important than... (to Johnny) ...your ego! (to Sonya) ...your enemy! (MORE) RAIDEN (cont’d) (to Liu; quieter) ...or your quest for revenge. You are embarked on a sacred mission. You have been chosen to defend the Realm of Earth in a Tournament called Mortal Kombat! SONYA Defend it from who? RAIDEN Your ’world’ is but one of many parallel realms. One of them is a forsaken land called Outworld, ruled by an Immortal who has crowned himself emperor. Now he seeks new worlds to conquer and enslave. JOHNNY If he’s so powerful, why doesn’t he just invade us? RAIDEN To enter the Realm of Earth, the Emperor’s demon Sorcerer, Shang Tsung and his warriors must win ten straight victories in Mortal Kombat... against ten generations of Earth’s best fighters. They have won nine. This will be the tenth Tournament. SONYA A handful of people on a leaky boat are going to save the world? RAIDEN That is the point... the essence of Mortal Kombat. It isn’t about death... but about mortal men and women... rising to your greatest potential and defending your world. SONYA Why are you telling us all this? What about the others? RAIDEN They are all superb fighters... but I have looked into their souls... and yours. You three will decide the outcome of the Tournament. The fate of billions of people will depend upon you three. JOHNNY I’m glad there’s no pressure, here. RAIDEN I’ve given you much to consider. You must prepare yourselves for what is to come. Raiden starts to dematerialize. LIU Wait! Raiden hovers, half apparition. LIU My ancestor defeated a great sorcerer, five centuries ago. In a dream, I saw the sorcerer return to kill my brother! (quietly; containing his rage) Tonight... I saw him again. RAIDEN His name is Shang Tsung, second only to the Emperor in power and ferocity. If you challenge him now... you will lose your life and your soul. And the Realm of Earth will be lost with you. Raiden disappears in a blue ball of light... but his voice remains as a strange fog begins to pour in over the bow. LIU He’s going to pay for my brother’s death. RAIDEN (O.S.) You are not ready! OFF THE BOW a huge, fog bank begins to engulf the ship. RAIDEN (O.S.) (ethereal near whisper) It’s begun. Sonya, Liu and Johnny stand staring at the approaching wall of fog as it rolls over the junk. IN THE RAISED STERN The sorcerer, Shang Tsung prowls, near the helmsman. He stops and raises his arms to the enveloping mist, exalting. SHANG It has begun! ON DECK Johnny, Liu, and Sonya stare up at the masts overhead. Through the fog... they begin to glow with a phosphorescent light! In a moment the boat, and everyone on it are glowing as well, staring at their hands and at each other in amazement. The boat radiates a cool light from stem to stern. 28 EXT. BAY – NEAR ISLAND – DAYBREAK Morning finds the junk anchored off a beautiful yet forbidding island, whose cliffs rise up into the mist and clouds, thousands of feet above the masts. A cleft in the cliff face is carved with a stone stairway, which winds up the fissure into the mist. On a promontory above the clouds, the ruins of an ancient temple built ito the mountain gleam in the first rays of the sun. SCENE 29 OMITTED 30 EXT. BEACH – ISLAND – DAY The junk rides at anchor in the distance. A half dozen long boats transport the remaining combatants to shore. Johnny sits pensively on his four pieces of luggage. Liu stands nearby, studying the stone staircase. Next to him, Sonya tries to raise someone on her uplink phone, a small contraption with a circular antenna. SONYA Black Hawk to Cardinal. Black Hawk calling Cardinal. Is anyone monitoring? Jaxx, this is Sonya. Do you copy? JOHNNY Order in some coffee while you’re at it. SONYA Do I look like your secretary? JOHNNY I was just.... Forget it. SONYA What’s the matter? No snappy comeback without a script? (fidgets with antenna) Come on. LIU What are you doing? SONYA That electrical disturbance last night must have blown out the transistors. LIU Your radio equipment’s fine. Look at your compass. Johnny is as curious as Sonya, who opens her wrist compass. THE COMPASS NEEDLE spins wildly, not fixing on any direction. WIDER Johnny and Sonya exchange a glance. LIU (turns) We’re not in the South China Sea. JOHNNY (realizes) We’re not even someplace with a North Pole. They fall silent. Liu peers around them. LIU (shakes head; smiles) What if... all the legends were true? A mute MONK in a black robe, acting as a sort of Beach Master for the landing, walks along the shore with a scroll, checking off names. Sonya falls in next to him, Liu and Johnny observing. SONYA Can you tell me if there’s a phone on the island? A police station? Navy base? JOHNNY Club Med? He won’t acknowledge them. She pulls out her badge. SONYA I’m Lieutenant Blade, on special assignment with-- He stops, finds her name, checks it off. She sees. SONYA Wait a minute? What’s my name doing on that list? Hey, you! She grabs the Monk’s arm. The cowl partially falls away, revealing that the monk’s lips have been sealed with old rawhide stitches, now overgrown with scar tissue. Amazed, she and the others follow him with their eyes as he continues down the beach. JOHNNY His lips are sealed. Takes on a whole new meaning. Johnny contemplates his remaining four bags, piled at his feet, then looks up at the steep, winding staircase. Many of the others have already begun the climb, appearing smaller and smaller until they disappear into the low clouds. LIU (heading for stairs) Gonna hire someone to carry those up for you? Johnny actually brightens for a beat, then realizes it’s a joke. Grimly, he gathers up his four bags. 31 EXT. TOP OF STAIRS – DAY Johnny arrives sweating from head to toe at the top of the stairs with only one small bag. Liu walks beside him. The stairs end at A STATUARY GARDEN which has several dozen statues of ancient warriors... some of them distinctly non-human. Sonya is stationed at the top of the stairs, looking like she could still run a four minute mile. The two men exchange a glance. She falls in with them and they walk among the statues. JOHNNY (refers to statues) So, who are all these guys? LIU In the legends they are the great and ancient warriors of all Mortal Kombats. The others absorb this, almost in shock. SONYA (shakes it off) I’m here nodding like any of this makes sense. Johnny nods to a statue as they pass. It is humanoid, but has a gargoyle’s head, its features worn smooth with great antiquity. JOHNNY Look at this one. LIU (wryly) Old Chinese proverb. Never fight with an ugly man. They’ve got nothing to lose. This gets a smile from Johnny as the three continue on. THE GARGOYLE STATUE suddenly opens its grey eyelids, revealing pale green eyes. The creature, REPTILE, the chameleon, turns its head to watch them a moment, scowling, then the head swivels back the other way to watch... A SILK-SHROUDED PALANQUIN carried by dark monks across the garden. The curtain sways open for a second, revealing an exotic woman of startling beauty, KITANA. As the palanquin comes abreast of Liu, Sonya and Johnny, she looks straight into Liu’s eyes, until it is carried toward the Great Hall on the other side of the garden. Liu’s gaze continues following the palanquin. JOHNNY When a woman looks at you like that, it usually means something. SONYA (mutters) It means she’s a bimbo. Liu is ashamed, remembering his mission. Be begins striding away in another direction. LIU I didn’t come here for that. Shang killed my brother. JOHNNY Sorry. They walk on, Sonya’s own thoughts darkening her face. LIU is stopped in front of an enormous statue at the far end of the garden, just before The Great Hall, which looms in front of them. He is joined by Johnny and Sonya. The three stand looking up at the statue as they stand in the shadow of a four-armed monster reaching toward him on the paving stones. REVERSE ANGLE The sun is directly behind the statue of a huge four-armed creature standing at the very entrance to the hall. LIU Prince Goro. 31A INT. HALLWAY – DAY A monk leads Liu to a door, and opens it for him. 31B INT. LIU’S QUARTERS Liu stands just inside his lodgings, startled. It is exactly like his American apartment right down to the decorations. He turns to the mute Monk who accompanies him. LIU All the comforts of home. Very thoughtful. The mute Monk studies him, then turns and leaves. Liu is uneasy among such familiar trappings from his own life. He opens a sliding door screen to reveal... A MINIATURE STONE GARDEN With a few well trimmed shrubs, rocks, and a fountain. 31C INT. OUTSIDE JOHNNY’S ROOM – DAY Johnny is escorted by another monk – mouth sealed – to his lodgings and let in. Johnny whips out a fiver to tip him, but the monk is already heading back down the corridor. JOHNNY Can I ask you something? How do you guys eat? 31A INT. JOHNNY’S ROOM – DAY The digs look exactly like the trailer on the set of his last movie. Same really cramped dimensions, same impossibly narrow bunk. The same posters of his films are on the narrow walls. JOHNNY Wait. This is like... my trailer. (moves inside, bumping into things) Great. I’m on location in hell. SCENE 32 OMITTED 33 INT. SONYA’S ROOM The room is Spartan, looking more like a personal gym than living quarters. Most of the space is taken up with weight equipment, and a suspended kick bag. A cot with army sheets and a blanket you could bounce a quarter off is tucked down tight. Alone inside, Sonya explores, finds a closet with clothes in it, most of it your basic black fatigues and turtlenecks, like the clothing she has on. She holts it up, amazed to see it is her size. Then she realizes she’s been wearing the same duds for forty-eight hours, holds up her armpit and takes a whiff... and recoils. She pokes her head into the bathroom, then peels off her other clothing, revealing black, no-nonsense underwear and a superb, athletic body. She begins pulling off her athlete’s halter top just as she steps into the bathroom and disappears from sight. We hear shower water running. SCENE 34 OMITTED SCENES 35 AND 36 OMITTED 37 INT. GREAT HALL – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT At a welcoming banquet in a long tracking shot we follow Liu, Sonya and Johnny through the great diversity of the competitors in The Tournament, whose icon (i.e. the Mortal Kombat logo) hangs on banners from balconies. The décor is largely ancient Chinese. The human contingent is a study in contrasts and cultures from around the world. Sonya sees someone who resembles Kano from the back, moves in cautiously, and sweeps him to the ground. It isn’t Kano! SONYA Sorry. They move on as the man’s friends help him to his feet. Johnny speaks above the incredible din and clatter of plates. JOHNY I noticed you apologized to him. Sonya tries to ignore him. Johnny smiles. He’s getting to her. JOHNNY Don’t you ever smile? SONYA Smiling at every stupid thing a man says is an idiotic feminine reflex. And she moves on, leaving Johnny forewarned. NEW ANGLE Even stranger are the non-human competitors – denizens of Outworld...as we shall learn. Some seem perfectly human, like a small woman, JADE. Others are hooded, like the many monks in the hall. We get glimpses of strange appendages, strange deformities, but no more. KITANA sits at a raised table, where she is served like royalty by cowled Outworld monks. Liu hesitates as he passes her table. She lets her gaze linger on him as she did earlier. Liu passes her on his way to A LONG TABLE Where he rejoins Sonya and Johnny, who straddles a bench across from Art Lean, who seems completely amazed by what they see on the other side of the hall. ART LEAN Hell of a show, eh? A frenzied thudding of oriental drums silences the hall. SHANG TSUNG appears amidst great pomp and ceremony, preceded by a cortege of black cowled monks. He steps onto a dais. He is dressed in his most elegantly embroidered silk. His eyes sweep the hall. The denizens of Outworld practically shrink from him, their heads lowered, cowed. His appearance commands silence in the hall. SHANG Welcome! You are here to compete in Mortal Kombat, the greatest of all tournaments. You should be proud! Each one of you has been chosen for your excellence, your skill, and your courage! You are the best fighters of your generation, worthy to represent the Realm of Earth... and the Realm of Outworld! The human contingent mutter among themselves, a little baffled. 38 INTERCUT LIU AND RAIDEN Liu spies the humbly garbed figure of Raiden standing aloof from the others. Raiden instantly senses the gaze and turns to meet Liu’s eyes. SHANG Tomorrow morning, the great combat begins. The opponents to be chosen by lots... The winner of each combat will progress to the next.... Until only one remains! (wicked gleam in his eye) Some will even have the privilege of fighting Prince Goro, the reigning champion. (chilling smile; to human contingent) You are all witnesses to one of the great turning points in the history of the World! (slyly ironic) Treasure these moments... as if they were your last. Shang steps from the dais. Once more the drums roll, echoing through the hall. NEW ANGLE Liu is deeply troubled. He starts after Shang. Johnny and Sonya see, rise and go after him. JOHNNY Where are you going? LIU After Shang. JOHNNY You can’t. Remember what Raiden said. Frustrated, Liu hesitates. But Sonya continues past them. SONYA He didn’t say anything to me. Shang knows where Kano’s hiding. She spots the departing Shang Tsung, and heads after him. JOHNNY You gotta admire her. When she sets her Mind on something.... Both men watch her go after Shang Tsung. They exchange a silent look, and slowly followed after her. A RAISED, STONE LATTICEWORK WALL is set about ten feet off the ground, unnoticed by most in the hall. But a huge shadow stands on the other side of it, peering out. BEHIND THE LATTICEWORK WALL The figure, back to us in a long silk cloak, reveals only massive shoulders and long black hair, which fans out over the cloak to waist level. This is GORO. Golden earrings gleam in the torchlight as he watches through the latticework THROUGH LATTICEWORK – JOHNNY AND LIU who walk just below him and out of the hall. A low murmur, nearly a growl, comes from Goro’s throat. REVERSE ANGLE We see Goro’s back receding as he descends a secret stone staircase leading into a dark cavern below. Goro’s retinue of torchbearers are all lean, frightening humanoid soldiers, BARAKAS, with strange exoskeleton armor. They wear helmets of bone, hiding all their features except dull red eyes. The Barakas long wooden spears tipped with razor sharp obsidian points, scrap along the narrow tunnel roof and walls, sending down a shower of sparks as they light they way for their master with torches. 39 EXT. STATUARY GARDEN – NIGHT Shang Tsung leaves the Great Hall unescorted and makes his way across the garden, when he is accosted by Sonya. SONYA I want to talk to you. Suddenly, two shadows loom, the ninjas Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Sonya wheels to face them, but Shang waves them off. SHANG It’s all right. Leave us. Like bass sinking back into deep water, they recede into the night. Shaken, Sonya turns back to Shang, more conciliatory in tone. SONYA Do they always follow you around? SHANG That is one of their functions. SONYA Ugly job. SHANG (ignores the insult) Yes, especially since they hate each other. SONYA Why am I here? SHANG I already told you. You had to come. SONYA You shanghai’d me! SHANG You boarded the boat of your own free will. SONYA I was chasing someone. SHANG Kano, the man who murdered your partner. SONYA How could you know that? Unless you’re hiding him. SHANG Catching him is the most important thing in your life. The only thing. SONYA Where is he? SHANG Oh, he’s here... and you will meet him. In fact, you are going to fight him... provided you survive the preliminary bouts. SONYA I didn’t come here to fight in The Tournament. SHANG Then you’ll never meet Kano face to face. (almost sensuous) Tell me you haven’t dreamed of killing him. (unctuous) I know I’m not supposed to play favorites, but I sincerely hope you win. The attraction that Shang seems to feel for Sonya gives her the creeps. Shang smiles, and starts off again across the moonlit statuary garden. Johnny and Liu step from hiding. They are close enough to have heard everything. SONYA What are you doing here? JOHNNY Watching your back. SONYA In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t need protection. JOHNNY We couldn’t help ourselves. It’s a stupid masculine reflect. Liu, meanwhile, starts after Shang, who has crossed the garden and disappears as they watch. SONYA What are you doing? LIU Following him. SONYA I can shadow him better alone. LIU (coldly) Shang... is mine. Liu silently moves through the garden. Exasperated, Sonya follows. Johnny reluctantly brings up the rear. 40 EXT. ORNATE TUNNEL ENTRANCE – NIGHT Shang disappears through the portal. Moments later, Liu, Sonya and Johnny appear. Liu starts to move forward. Sonya grabs his shoulder. SONYA You can’t just follow him in. It’s bad tactics. LIU Maybe you should radio for backup. She scowls and studied the tunnel entrance. Liu peers in just as Shang disappears around a bend in a long tunnel. Liu follows him. The others reluctantly follow. 40A INT. TUNNEL – NIGHT Liu peers around the bend in the tunnel. THE TUNNEL – HIS POV gives way to naked rock. Ancient stone steps have been carved leading down into a cavernous darkness below. JOHNNY, LIU, SONYA The three peer around the corner, now. JOHNNY She’s right. In all those old black and white movies on TV, whenever the good guys went into a dark cave, bad things happened. Liu ignores them, and creeps toward the stairs. LIU We didn’t have television in my village. Sonya goes down after Liu. Johnny follows reluctantly. JOHNNY (O.S.) No television? What did everybody do at night? You know... For fun? LIU (O.S.) Human sacrifice. 41 INT. CAVERNS – NIGHT Johnny strikes a match, dimly illuminating the three faces and a stone stairwell carved in the rock, which leads down into the darkness, as well as another tunnel leading off at an angle. SONYA (whispers) Face it, we’re lost. JOHNNY I prefer ’directionally challenged.’ Ouch! The match burns his fingers. He drops it. Darkness. Far below, there is light. LIU There’s a light down there. (hears something) Listen. Johnny strikes a match as they listen. There is the rumble of male voices coming from somewhere. They creep down the stairs toward the light source. 41A INT. CAVERN – ON STAIRS Sonya, Liu and Johnny are much closer to the light source below them, and can see the topmost part the far wall of Goro’s throne room, with shadows of stalactites and stalagmites enlarged and projected on it by the flickering torchlight. Suddenly, Liu puts up an arm and stops both of them. They all look where he is staring, and their eyes register his amazement. THRONE ROOM WALL – THEIR POV Although the "throne room" is still well below them, the shadow of Goro as he crosses to his throne is immense, covering most of the far wall. Goro and the others are invisible from the vantage point of the stairs. Goro’s shadow reaches to a throne, whirls--revealing just for a moment the shadow of four arms. Then he sits. RESUME JOHNNY, LIU, SONYA The three are speechless, staring at the shadow as Goro roars again. Johnny tries to combat his own fear... whistling in the graveyard. JOHNNY (whisper) I don’t suppose there’s a little guy down there, doing... shadow puppets? LIU Come on. Liu sees a narrow ledge leading off from the stairs. They silently creep crawl onto it. Hidden behind large stalactites, they can now see down into the "throne room". 42 EXT. GORO’S THRONE ROOM – CAVERNS – NIGHT The natural subterranean chamber is studded with stalactites and stalagmites, and illuminated by the flames from a dozen torches. Gold and silver ornaments and tableware gleam in their flickering light on a polished ebony table with high-backed chairs. An ornate oriental rug spreads out in a circle from the center of the huge, vaulted "room." Beautiful tapestries are hung behind a massive throne where Goro sits, draped in his cape, one arm holding a jewel encrusted mirror, while "the" other hand rather daintily holds a metal file, which he uses to sharpen points on several of his teeth. Four Barakas, Goro’s retainers, stand nearby. Across from him, at a table laden with food, Kano eats his fill, speaking with his mouth full, but nervously eyeing the giant across from him. KANO So then, he changes into this big snake and swallows the rat whole. Almost lost my lunch. GORO (mock horror) Disgusting. Kano misses the irony; and belches. KANO Guy gives me the creeps. ON THE LEDGE Sonya recognizes the human below her. SONYA (murmurs) Kano.... Almost unconsciously, she starts to rise. Liu and Johnny, on either side of her, reach out simultaneously and pull her back down. THRONE ROOM examines his teeth with the gold hand mirror. GORO That was his intention. Shang Tsung is a great sorcerer. The wise cultivate his favor. Those who challenge his power... become his slaves. KANO Haven’t seen any of them around. GORO He enslaves souls... (uneasy at the thought) He learned the black crafts from the Emperor himself. KANO You’re some kinda royalty, too, right? GORO (ironic) That’s very perceptive of you. (bored) I am Goro, general of the armies of Outworld and Prince of the subterranean Realm of Shokan. KANO Subterranean? That’s like... Underground? GORO (condescending) Yes, like that. KANO Yeah, well I’m kind of an underworld chief myself. You know, back home. GORO How lucky for them... "back home." Shang’s voice burst in on them, startling the four Barakas, who never heard him coming. They fall back, bowing low. SHANG (O.S.) It’s true, Prince Goro. Why else would I chose such a disreputable-looking cretin? SHANG stands at the foot of the stairway, hauty, amused. The Barakas grovel at his feet and inch away from the sorcerer. SHANG Look at him. No dignity. No manners. But in the realm of Earth, men like him can amass wealth and almost godlike power. Goro has risen. He bows formally to Shang. Shang nods back. KANO (nervous; miffed) Yeah, well, I’d like to get back to my amassing as soon as possible. When do I get paid? SHANG After you’ve fought the girl. That was our "deal." Only remember, she mustn’t be harmed... only humiliated. I have... plans... for the beautiful Sonya. KANO Well, let me at her, then. Think I like hiding down here in a cave like some kinda slimy toad? He suddenly realizes that Goro might take this the wrong way. Goro plants two big three fingered hands on the table, leans down until his huge head is on a level with Kano’s. KANO (nervous) No offense intended. Kano smiles nervously as a third massive arm suddenly appears from the lower folds of the cape and a huge hand with a gold wrist ornament reaches out toward Kano, the palm outstretched a foot from Kano’s throat. GORO (quietly menacing; over polite) None taken. And Goro lightly--almost playfully--slaps Kano on the face, like Marlon Brando conveying some subtle sense of immense power to a foot soldier in the Mafia. Kano manages a weak smile. Shang is amused. Goro sits back in his throne, and a fourth hand shoots from the other side of the cape and snaps its fingers. GORO Where is my dinner? Instantly, two more Barakas hurry into the "throne room", bearing a large, silver platter with a domed cover between them. Goro impatiently arches an eyebrow, waiting to be served. A MOTH flits around a candle in Goro’s line of vision. Almost unthinkingly, his hand shoots out with tremendous speed and snatches the insect out of the air. Kano recoils, thinking Goro is about to strike him. Goro opens his hand under Kano’s nose, revealing the moth, still alive. Kano breathes a sigh of relief. Then Goro crushes the moth. WIDER One of the Barakas cautiously approaches the huge silver cover, grasps the handle and hoists it off while the other points his spear at it. Underneath the dome is a large creature – half komodo dragon, half gila monster in appearance – who snaps at the retreating Baraka and whips him with his spiked tail. The Baraka retreats into a corner. Goro leans over to examine his meal, eyes gleaming. GORO One of my favorites. Anyone care to join me? Goro rises and throws off the cape, revealing the four massive arms. He wears only a simple loin covering, a wide, jeweled belt and golden armlets. KANO (astounded) Thanks.... I’ll pass. The lizard-dragon springs tries to scurry from the silver platter, but Goro literally pounces on it! His pointed teeth gleam as he prepares for the first bite as the lizard writhes and howls strangely. ON THE LEDGE Johnny, Liu and Sonya watch in horror and astonishment. SHANG AND KANO Even Shang can’t help register some disgust at the spectacle. A large drop of the black ooze squirts into Kano’s good eye. He wipes it away and sees what it is, appalled. GORO finishes his meal, licks his finger, then picks up a napkin and daintily dabs at his chin. A Baraka brings him his crimson silk robe, which he dons. GORO Delicious (to Shang; arrogant) To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Shang Tsung? SCENE 43 OMITTED SCENE 44 OMITTED SHANG I came to warn you that Kung Lao’s descendant is in the Tournament. You must handle hum carefully. GORO I saw this Liu Kang in the hall. He reminds me of his ancestor. He’ll pose no problem. SHANG Don’t underestimate the power and resourcefulness of these...humans! It will be your downfall. GORO You lost to Kung Lao, a village monk! I defeated him... (arrogance growing) And every human since. This time will be no different. Shang is chagrined. He glowers, then controls his emotions. SHANG This is no time for foolish pride. We have never been so close to absolute victory. GORO There was another time. You won nine victories in a row. But you lost the tenth to Kung Lao! SCENE 44A OMITTED SHANG (simmering) Yes, because I was as arrogant as you, And for that, I suffered the terrible fury of.... (catches himself) ...our merciful and benevolent Emperor. GORO (to Kano, sneering) He was banished to the cobalt mines of Shokan.... Shang is angered by this new humiliation. SHANG But I began again. I made a pact with a young, ambitious... but ignorant Shokan prince... (enjoys the barb; then) Who has since become our friend, ally... and subject. 42 INT. THE LEDGE Liu, Sonya and Johnny hear the words echoing up to them, and exchange glances. SHANG (O.S.) When the Emperor at last enters the Realm of Earth, those who have been loyal to him, will be rewarded with undreamed of power, unimaginable spoils. But, if we should fail.... GORO (O.S.) I do not fail. SCENES 46 AND 47 OMITTED 48 INT. THRONE ROOM The three almost shiver. SHANG (warning) Be ready to fight with all your skill and cunning, tomorrow. If you saw Liu Kang, you also saw the Princess Kitana, the Emperor’s ward. GORO Why is she here? SHANG (through clenched teeth) Perhaps she’s observing for our Beloved Master...? Seeing that Outworld’s champion doesn’t become careless, or lazy? (calmer) In any case, I have charged my most loyal