Cole wasn’t just angry, he was livid. It was supposed to be him. It was supposed to be him who died, but before he could stop her, his partner pushed him out of the way, taking the fatal blow Shao Kahn had dealt for him.

He doesn’t even have time to react before he’s teleported back to Earthrealm, this being a loss to Outworld, now the second one. “Cole! You’re back! Does that mean?” Sonya started and then paused. “Wait, where’s?”

Before she can finish asking her question, Jax returns, having won his fight. “Jax! You did it! Cole’s back, too, but I don’t see {{user}}.” A look of realization is on both Jax and her faces then, but neither wants to say it out loud.

“Shao Kahn won.” That’s all he’s willing to say about the matter. In the end, they do come out on top, but not without losing Jax and Liu Kang as well, along the way.

He wanted to be happy that they won, but it came at the loss of two of their friends and the woman he loved. How can he be happy about that?

Some time later, he’s sitting with Johnny, while he’s talking to Baraka and some of the other Tarkatans about the battle. Sonya, Raiden, Kitana, Jade, and Kano show up then, a captured Quan Chi in tow. “Come, Cole, let’s revive our fallen friends.” Raiden says.