2-1-1. Shang Tsung returned to his emperor, Shao Kahn. He faced execution for
failing to maintain control of the Mortal Kombat tournament (1-1-3), so he
begged for his life. In order to once again regain Kahn's favor, he added to
the plan he had devised for Kahn before (0-6-4): with the original tournament
no longer in their control, Shao Kahn himself would simply lure the Earth
warriors which pose the greatest threat to his forces into the Outworld itself.
There, they were to participate in a new tournament held by Kahn himself. For
this plan, which will ultimately serve as a great distraction when Shinnok
finishes the resurrection process (0-6-4), Kahn granted Shang Tsung a second
chance. Tsung then devised many ways to manipulate the Earth warriors into
journeying into the Outworld to participate in this new tournament.
2-1-1a. After defeating Goro in the Mortal Kombat tournament on Tsung's island
(1-1-3), Liu Kang returned to the Shaolin temples to celebrate his victory.
However, he found the temples in ruins, and his brothers murdered by a group of
Outworld nomads (0-1-4c) who were led by one named Baraka. Baraka had been
recruited into Shao Kahn's army due to his superior fighting skills, and will
be participating in Kahn's new tournament. Liu Kang journeyed into the
Outworld, seeking justice for his Shaolin brothers. He was joined by a new
warrior named Kung Lao, the last descendant of the original (the first) Kung
Lao, who was killed by Goro about 500 years earlier (0-6-3).
2-1-1b. Johnny Cage returned to Hollywood and filmed a movie based on his
experiences, believed by viewers to be pure fiction. He soon learned of his
friend Liu Kang's journey into the Outworld, so he followed his comrade into
the Outworld.
2-1-1c. Sonya Blade and Kano were both captured by Outworld forces after the
events of the previous tournament. Major Jackson "Jax" Briggs,
originally a member of Sonya's unit (1-1-2), traveled into the Outworld in
search of Sonya, as well as to continue their efforts in the mission to capture
Kano.
2-1-1d. Raiden soon ventured into the Outworld alone to help battle Kahn's
forces.
2-1-1e. Lin Kuei headquarters sent an assassin into the Outworld. This new
assassin was the sixth Sub-Zero, and was actually the younger brother of
'Classic Sub-Zero', who was already killed by Scorpion at the previous
tournament (1-1-2a). A close friend of this Sub-Zero, known as Smoke, followed
along but dwelled passively in the shadows for the most part.
2-1-1f. Scorpion soon learned that a warrior called Sub-Zero was headed into the
Outworld to fight in this new tournament. Believing that this Sub-Zero was
actually the same one that he had already killed (1-1-2a), and has returned to
life just as he himself had (0-6-4c), he followed the young Sub-Zero into the
Outworld to finish the job.
2-1-1g. Princess Kitana, together with Jade, continued to serve as assassins
under Shao Kahn. Aware of the likelihood that Kitana may decide to betray him
(0-4-2), Kahn ordered Shang Tsung to create a grotesque clone of the princess,
known as Mileena, in an attempt to prevent Kitana from having a chance to
attack him.
2-1-1h. Reptile continued to serve as Tsung's protector, remaining in his human
form at this point.
2-1-1i. After the defeat and disappearance of Goro, another member of the Shokan
race (0-1-4a) was assigned to lead Kahn's forces. His name was Kintaro, a
relative of Goro with tiger-striped skin.
2-1-2. The violent battles of the Outworld tournament began - the Earth forces
battled the Outworlders with great effort.
2-1-2a. Kitana managed to defeat and take the life of her clone Mileena
(2-1-1g). Kitana was then accused of treason by the high courts of the
Outworld. Mileena was reborn into the Netherealm, and became a servant of the
fallen elder god Shinnok, who ruled it at the time.
2-1-2b. Jax found Sonya and Kano chained to posts at the venue where Shao Kahn
fought his opponents, so he freed them both. Kano then escaped capture by Sonya
and Jax again.
