In a storyline reminiscent of Looking Glass's Thief, the Lin Kuei assassin and thief Sub-Zero is sent to steal an important document — a mission that turns out to be a test set by a mysterious figure (later revealed to be MK4's Quan Chi), who then charges him with recovering an ancient medallion of untold power. But once Sub-Zero retrieves it, Quan Chi reveals the deception: the medallion is the key to awakening the demonic Shinnok, the same villain from MK4. Now a reluctant hero, Sub-Zero must pursue Quan Chi through hell itself, hoping to reach Shinnok before he does.