Some time after Shinnok's defeat at the hands of Cassie Cage, Raiden is seen torturing the fallen Elder God in the damaged Jinsei Chamber. The God of Thunder, now with a darker persona due to the Jinsei's corruption, announces to Shinnok that he will no longer have mercy and will destroy Earthrealm's enemies before they can attack the realm. Dark Raiden threatens him, saying that he will be the first. Shinnok reminds him that he can't kill an Elder God. Dark Raiden, preparing his thunder blade, replies by telling him, "There are fates worse than death." After this, Raiden decapitates Shinnok, and informs the severed, yet still-living, head of Shinnok that he will deliver him to Liu Kang in the Netherrealm as a warning, and teleports away.The Keeper of Time, Kronika, appears in the chamber, annoyed at Raiden for upsetting the balance of time after Mortal Kombat X’s events. She approaches and tells Shinnok that the arc of the universe bends at her will, and that it is only a matter of time.Tired of Earthrealm’s defiance, Kronika will bring order to the universe through any means necessary.
After Kronika's defeat, Fire God Liu Kang is about to restart and reshape history, with mortal Raiden's guidance. However, he is suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Shang Tsung, Fujin and Nightwolf. Before the events of the time-merger, they had been imprisoned by Kronika in the Void, unable to do anything but watch the events unfold. With Kronika's death, they were released from the Void, and have traveled through the Hourglass to stop Fire God Liu Kang from using it. Shang Tsung explains that without Kronika's crown (which was unknowingly destroyed by Fire God Liu Kang), using the Hourglass would destroy all realms. Fire God Liu Kang suggests going back in time and defeat Kronika a different way, thereby gaining the Crown, but Shang Tsung points out that plan would be too risky and would not be guaranteed. He instead suggests that he be sent back into the past to regain the Crown at his island. Mortal Raiden does not trust Shang Tsung, and although Fire God Liu Kang shares his sentiment, it is agreed to go with Shang Tsung's plan. Fujin and Nightwolf are sent along with Shang Tsung to watch over him for any signs of betrayal.
Hanzo and Kuai Liang are at Kharon's home, the Sea of Blood. They see Cetrion, along with Demons and Cyborgs, teleport away. He tells Kuai that Kharon is their best and only hope to get to Kronika's Hourglass, and instructs the Grandmaster to return to Earthrealm and tell the others that they have found him. Hanzo rescues Kharon from D'Vorah's clutches, who was torturing Kharon for refusing to assist Kronika, defeating her in combat. Scorpion later arrives to confront his present, living counterpart. He tells Hanzo that he believes Kronika can restore the Shirai Ryu to their true potential and original bloodline, viewing Hanzo's rebuilt Shirai Ryu as tainted and imperfect. The two Scorpions clash, resulting in the victory of the present Hanzo, who knows that his past self only sides with Kronika just to restore their wife Harumi, and their son Satoshi, not including other original Shirai-Ryu clansmen. Hanzo tells Scorpion that one of Kronika's goals would be to resurrect Shinnok, the very being responsible for their family and clan's demise.
Hanzo is ambushed by D'Vorah, who stabs him with her pincers, fatally injecting him with her venom. Scorpion, convinced by Hanzo's words, slices off her pincers and forces her to retreat. Scorpion's dying counterpart implores him to seek out Raiden and the others at the Shirai Ryu Fire Gardens, and tells him that the Shirai Ryu are defined by their heart, not blood, before dying in Scorpion's arms.
As per Hanzo's wishes, the past Scorpion returns in his place to Raiden's base of operations to see the Fire Gardens rebuilt, realizing that his present self was right. He is attacked by a suspicious Sub-Zero, managing to defeat the Lin Kuei Grandmaster, but is electrocuted by Raiden. Scorpion then defeats Raiden and tries to tell him that Kharon is on his way with his fleet.
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