A fighting game truly benefits from having a compelling storyline to establish its identity. It's not just about the characters, but also the world in which they exist. We need to understand who these characters are and why they engage in combat. What drives them to fight repeatedly, over and over again?
In many cases, these narratives lead to entertaining B-movie plots that can sustain a game or two. Occasionally, sequels might rehash the same storyline repeatedly, as seen in games like Soul Calibur and King of Fighters. However, Mortal Kombat has managed to remain relevant for over 30 years by embracing its eccentric mythology and continually finding ways to introduce freshness, even when revisiting earlier plotlines.
There's a clear rationale behind why the Mortal Kombat story has been adapted into various forms. It encompasses 11 fighting games, along with their respective upgrades, which are considered part of the game's official canon. Additionally, there are a few non-canon side games, such as Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Injustice: Gods Among Us, and the beloved Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. As video game technology has advanced, so too has the storytelling. In the past, we were content with just profile texts, ending narratives, and a few images. Now, we're treated to full-fledged cinematic story modes.
Before delving into the canonical story of Mortal Kombat, let's first explore the unique fabric of this fictional reality:
Diving into the Realms of Mortal Kombat
In the Mortal Kombat multiverse, different realms exist, akin to separate planets linked by portals. Earthrealm is similar to our world. Edenia is a magical, beautiful, fairy tale-like realm. Outworld is a barbaric land teeming with violence and monsters. Netherrealm is essentially Hell, while Seido is a realm of extreme order, verging on fascism. On the flip side, Chaosrealm thrives on anarchy. Various other realms include those of reptile people, vampires, bug people, and more.These realms are overseen by gods, including regular gods who occasionally meddle in human affairs to some extent, and Elder Gods, who wield greater power but rarely intervene, even when they probably should. Titans, hidden in the shadows, hold even greater importance and power.
Realms can conquer and merge with one another, creating a complex landscape. To maintain order, the Elder Gods established a rulebook. Conquest and merger can only occur through Mortal Kombat, a fighting tournament held every generation. The champion doesn't age until the next tournament. If an invading realm wins ten tournaments consecutively, they gain the right to take over.
Speaking of aging, denizens of most realms enjoy incredibly long lifespans, living for thousands of years.
Eons Past...
In Earthrealm, the Elder God Shinnok became power-hungry and aimed to be the sole deity worshipped by its inhabitants. Raiden, a lower-ranking god, managed to defeat and seal Shinnok in the Netherrealm. Shinnok joined forces with the sorcerer Quan Chi, overthrew the Netherrealm, and patiently awaited his chance for revenge.In Edenia, the god Argus and his wife Delia received visions of an impending Armageddon. They devised a plan to put their sons, Taven and Daegon, in hibernation. The sons would awaken, gather special weapons, and neutralize the abilities of warriors in the looming battle. The victor would become Edenia's protector.
Outworld was once ruled by Onaga the Dragon King, who possessed unmatched power and an invincible army. Shao Kahn, his advisor, poisoned and seized power. Onaga's army mummified themselves in anticipation of his resurrection.
Shao Kahn conquered multiple realms, including Edenia, where he claimed King Jerrod's throne and raised Queen Sindel's daughter, Kitana, as his own. The true story revealed Sindel's love for Kahn and her role in Jerrod's demise, leading to her death orchestrated by Quan Chi, who worked for Kahn at the time. Kahn trained Kitana to be his ultimate assassin.
Many (But Not AS MANY) Years Ago…
During Shao Kahn's tyrannical rule, he subjugated the warrior Osh-Tekk people. King Kotal K’etz, though surrendering to Kahn, sent his son to explore Earthrealm secretly. There, Kotal's son became a god to the Mayans, known as "Buluc," the God of War and Sacrifice. After his people died out, he returned to Outworld.To resist Outworld's takeover of Earthrealm, Raiden founded the White Lotus Society, a group of Shaolin monks trained to defend Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat. The most prominent member, the Great Kung Lao, defeated Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn's sorcerer. However, Goro, the four-armed half-dragon, eventually ended Kung Lao's championship reign.
Goro dominated the tournament for centuries, but in the 1800s, Shang Tsung hired the Wild West gunslinger Erron Black to assassinate a threatening warrior. As payment, Black received the secret to immortality.
Daegon woke prematurely from his slumber and, influenced by Shinnok's deception, killed his parents. He then established the criminal organization known as the Red Dragon, which later branched into a more unruly faction called the Black Dragon.
Shujinko's Journey in Mortal Kombat: Deception's Konquest Mode
Shujinko, a young man with a dream of protecting Earthrealm from invaders, encountered Damashi, a glowing energy entity representing the Elder Gods. He embarked on a lifelong journey, spanning many realms, partaking in adventures, acquiring various fighting styles, and collecting the Kamidogu, powerful artifacts.Damashi granted Shujinko the ability to absorb the skills of other warriors, expanding his fighting repertoire. Unbeknownst to Shujinko, Damashi was actually the spirit of Onaga, deceiving him to orchestrate his own resurrection, a revelation to be unveiled much later.
Jax Confronts the Black Dragon in Mortal Kombat: Special Forces and Sub-Zero's Fateful Error in Mortal Kombat Mythologies
Kano, the leader of the Black Dragon, freed his subordinates from prison to steal the Eye of Chitian. Special Forces soldier Jax Briggs pursued them, leading to their capture in an adventure that briefly took them to Outworld.Quan Chi devised a plan to release Shinnok from the Netherrealm by obtaining his magical amulet. He hired two ninja assassin groups, the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu, to track down a map. Sub-Zero (Bi-Han) and Scorpion (Hanzo Hasashi) fought over the map, with Sub-Zero emerging victorious but choosing to kill his rival unnecessarily. In retaliation, Quan Chi had Scorpion's family and clan slain. Sub-Zero was then tasked with retrieving the amulet and succeeded, with Quan Chi taking it to the Netherrealm.
Raiden warned Sub-Zero about the impending danger to Earthrealm. Sub-Zero ventured into the Netherrealm and confronted Shinnok's forces, including monsters, a demonic Scorpion reincarnation, Quan Chi's trio of female assassins (one of whom, Sareena, sided with Sub-Zero), and Quan Chi himself. Sub-Zero reclaimed the amulet and escaped to Earthrealm before Shinnok could exact his revenge.
Sub-Zero realized that he was allowed to enter the Netherrealm due to his evil nature. Raiden offered him a chance to change and save his soul, but Sub-Zero prioritized loyalty. In his next mission, Sub-Zero was sent to participate in Mortal Kombat.
Shang Tsung's Island Tournament in Mortal Kombat
Earthrealm's last hope rested on Shang Tsung's enigmatic island, drawing fighters from all corners. Liu Kang represented the White Lotus Society, Johnny Cage aimed to prove his skills weren't just movie magic, Sonya Blade pursued Kano, Sub-Zero was on a mission to eliminate Shang Tsung, and Scorpion sought revenge on Sub-Zero under Quan Chi's guidance. The 2011 reboot introduced new characters like Nightwolf, Sektor, Cyrax, Baraka, and more, altering the original storyline.During the tournament, Scorpion exacted his vengeance on Sub-Zero, leading to Sub-Zero's rebirth as the sinister Noob Saibot in the Netherrealm, serving Quan Chi secretly.
Cyrax parted ways with the Lin Kuei due to their plan to turn ninjas into cyborgs. He escaped from Sektor's pursuit but was eventually subjected to the transformation.
Liu Kang easily fended off Kitana's attack, sparing her and promising not to disclose her failure. Kung Lao, a descendant or reincarnation of a past Mortal Kombat champion, tried to infiltrate the tournament believing he was destined to save the world.
Ultimately, Liu Kang triumphed, defeating Goro and Shang Tsung, sending Outworld's forces packing, and securing victory for the heroes.
Battles Beyond Borders: The Outworld Tournament in Mortal Kombat II
Shao Kahn, furious with Shang Tsung's failure, considered invading Earthrealm and proposed a double-or-nothing deal: a mulligan tournament in Outworld. If Outworld won, it would count as the tenth consecutive victory; if Earthrealm won, Outworld could no longer challenge them in Mortal Kombat. Pleased with the idea, Kahn enhanced Shang Tsung's power and granted him a more youthful form.Baraka led an attack on the Shaolin temple to provoke Earthrealm's defenders, who accepted the challenge.
Sub-Zero's younger brother, Kuai Lang, adopted the Sub-Zero name and, along with his Lin Kuei friend Smoke, investigated his brother's death. Smoke was captured by the Lin Kuei and turned into a cyborg. Meanwhile, Scorpion, realizing that the new Sub-Zero wasn't his enemy, became his protector out of honor.
Jax encountered Ermac, a telekinetic warrior composed of thousands of souls, including King Jerrod's. During the confrontation, Ermac blew off Jax's arms, which were later replaced with cybernetic attachments.
Kitana learned the truth about her identity and her "sister" Mileena, a grotesque clone created by Shang Tsung. She sided with the heroes.
Once again, Liu Kang secured Earthrealm's victory by defeating Shang Tsung, Kintaro, and Shao Kahn, finishing the tournament by punching a hole through Shao Kahn's chest.
Chaos Unleashed: The Outworld Invasion in Mortal Kombat Trilogy
Quan Chi exploited a magical loophole to aid Shao Kahn in invading Earthrealm by resurrecting Queen Sindel and manipulating her. Kahn's forces began their rampage, prompting Raiden to gather a team of heroes, including police officer Kurtis Stryker and his partner Kabal, a former Black Dragon member who had turned his life around. During the chaos, Kintaro severely injured Kabal, who survived with the help of respirators and sorcery.Sub-Zero abandoned his ninja appearance in protest of the Lin Kuei's practices. While assisting the other heroes, he was pursued by robotic versions of Sektor, Cyrax, and Smoke. Sub-Zero managed to reach Smoke, who assisted in defeating the other cyborgs.
Kitana succeeded in bringing Sindel back to her senses, although it was likely part of a longer-term plan by Sindel. Similarly, Kitana's friend and fellow assassin, Jade, was tasked with hunting down and killing Kitana alongside Reptile but chose to protect her instead.
Though Kung Lao seemingly fell to Shao Kahn after cutting Baraka in half (with Baraka surviving through some unconventional means), this event fueled Liu Kang's determination to defeat Kahn, ultimately sending him back to his realm and saving Earthrealm once again.
The Netherrealm Invasion in Mortal Kombat Gold
With the aid of the Edenian traitor Tanya, Shinnok managed to escape the Netherrealm and, alongside Quan Chi, launched an assault on the Heavens and Earthrealm. Shinnok, however, held a fake version of his amulet, while Quan Chi possessed the real one, secretly controlling the situation.Shinnok's sinister plan involved corrupting Earthrealm's mystical life force, the Jinsei, with his malevolent magic, making it his domain.
Raiden assembled a team to thwart Shinnok, including his fellow god Fujin, Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Jax, Kung Lao (who had faked his death for undisclosed reasons), Kitana, and White Lotus member Kai. Even Cyrax, Goro, and Black Dragon member Jarek reluctantly joined the cause due to the dire threat.
Once again, Liu Kang emerged victorious, banishing Shinnok to the Netherrealm. Kitana offered him a place as ruler of Edenia, but he declined, choosing Earthrealm as his home. Kitana formed close alliances with Goro, and Kung Lao resolved the family feud with Liu Kang.
The adventure helped Cyrax regain his humanity as Jax and Sonya assisted him in breaking free from his programming, restoring his original consciousness while retaining his cyborg form.
Quan Chi manipulated Scorpion into believing that the younger Sub-Zero was responsible for his family's death. Scorpion confronted and defeated Sub-Zero, only for Quan Chi to reveal the truth. Sub-Zero was now marked for death, and Scorpion attempted to banish Quan Chi to the Netherrealm, but in a final act, Scorpion dragged Quan Chi with him, seeking vengeance in Hell.
Liu Kang's Demise in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Quan Chi, with the help of oni creatures Moloch and Drahmin, escaped his torment and sought out Shang Tsung. They formed an alliance to steal souls from worthy warriors and revive Onaga's mummified army to conquer reality. Their first targets were Shao Kahn and Liu Kang, who were killed in their coordinated attacks.Meanwhile, in a conflict between Edenian and Outworld forces, Goro was seemingly slain. Shao Kahn secretly revived him, revealing that the earlier Goro was a double, and they decided to observe events from the sidelines.
Sub-Zero aimed to rebuild the Lin Kuei, defeating Sektor and becoming the new Grandmaster. He obtained an enchanted medallion, restarted the clan, and trained a protégé named Frost.
Scorpion pursued Quan Chi on his own but was overwhelmed by Moloch and Drahmin, who threw him into Shang Tsung's Soulnado, seemingly destroying him.
Cyrax became stranded in Outworld during a mission and got involved in a plot with Nitara, a vampire, to liberate her realm. Reptile's accidental involvement led to him becoming a host for the reborn Onaga.
Kenshi, a telekinetic blind swordsman, was sent to rescue Cyrax and freed Ermac from Shao Kahn's control. However, he was ambushed by Mavado, a member of the Red Dragon.
Raiden formed a team to confront the sorcerers, avenge Liu Kang, and save the world. The team included Kung Lao, Johnny Cage, Sonya, Jax, Kitana, Sub-Zero, and Frost. Sub-Zero and Frost got separated, with Frost freezing herself in her attempt to steal his medallion.
The other heroes, unfortunately, met their demise in the battle against the sorcerers.
Dominance and Deception: The Reign of the Dragon King in Mortal Kombat: Deception/Unchained
In a lopsided battle, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi defeated the heroes, killing all the mortals and leaving only Raiden. However, the sorcerers turned on each other, with Quan Chi emerging victorious. Onaga arrived to reclaim his kingdom, leading the three remaining fighters—Raiden, Shang, and Quan—to unite against him. Their combined efforts had little effect on Onaga, so Raiden resorted to a desperate plan, sacrificing himself to detonate an explosion that took out all four of them, including the mummified army.Onaga, in possession of the Kamidogu relics, resurrected the slain heroes as his mind-controlled minions, intending to merge the realms and impose his vision of order.
Raiden's resurrection resulted in a red-eyed and ruthless version of himself, still dedicated to protecting Earthrealm, but by any means necessary. He began by reanimating Liu Kang's soulless corpse as a zombie. Meanwhile, Liu Kang's actual soul contacted Ermac, convincing him to help save their controlled comrades.
Scorpion, saved from the Soulnado by the Elder Gods, was appointed as the Champion of the Elder Gods with a mission to save reality from Onaga in exchange for the resurrection of his clan.
Seido and Chaosrealm played roles in the unfolding conflict, with Hotaru of Seido aligning with Onaga's vision of imposing order and failing to eliminate Sub-Zero and Kenshi. Havik, the Cleric of Chaos from Chaosrealm, aided a near-death Kabal, pushing him to rebuild the Black Dragon and recruiting Kobra and Kira.
Ermac and the spirit of Liu Kang managed to free the brainwashed heroes from Onaga's control. Onaga's eventual defeat came from Shujinko, who used his ability to absorb fighting skills to shatter every Kamidogu piece and defeat Onaga.
Following these events, the fire elemental Blaze appeared before Kitana and urged her to unite all the heroes to face the combined forces of evil, offering the potential for everlasting peace despite Kitana's frustration over seemingly endless conflict.
The Battle of Armageddon in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Every hero and villain of the Mortal Kombat series returned, and the villains, including Onaga, Shao Kahn, and the Deadly Alliance, formed a temporary alliance to eliminate the heroic characters. Scorpion rejoined the villains after the Elder Gods resurrected the Shirai Ryu as mindless ghouls.Taven finally awakened from his slumber, only to find that his intended contest against Daegon had gone awry, revealing Daegon as a power-hungry mass murderer. Taven traveled to various locations, engaging in battles with various characters, ultimately becoming a part of the Battle of Armageddon.
During the epic conflict in a desert wasteland, a colossal pyramid emerged with Blaze atop it, captivating everyone with its energies and inciting them to fight their way to the summit. It became a massive battle royal featuring every Mortal Kombat character, and the victory was meant for Taven, the story's hero.
However, Taven failed, and Shao Kahn emerged as the last person standing. After the chaos subsided and the battlefield was strewn with bodies, Kahn stood triumphantly over Blaze's lifeless form, more powerful than ever. Raiden, defeated and near death, reached for a special amulet he carried, shattered it into pieces, held them together, chanted an incantation, and proclaimed, "HE MUST WIN!"
Shang Tsung's Island Tournament in Mortal Kombat 9
Returning to the events of the first Mortal Kombat game, the younger Raiden was plagued by random visions of the future and the imperative, "HE MUST WIN!" He foresaw various events, including his own actions as a corrupted god, Sub-Zero's transformation into Noob Saibot, Smoke's conversion into a cyborg, and more.Raiden interpreted "HE MUST WIN!" as meaning that Liu Kang must defeat Shang Tsung. Consequently, the events unfolded mostly as they did in the original timeline.
Raiden attempted to convince Scorpion not to kill Sub-Zero, emphasizing that such an act would lead to an even greater evil. He proposed that if Scorpion spared Sub-Zero, he might be able to persuade the Elder Gods to resurrect the Shirai Ryu (a risky suggestion, in hindsight). Scorpion initially agreed to the terms, but the taunts of Quan Chi ultimately pushed him to murder Sub-Zero, severing his last chance to reconnect with his past.
Liu Kang indeed triumphed over Shang Tsung, but Raiden was troubled to see his amulet cracking on its own. It became apparent that he had not averted the grim future he foresaw after all.
A New Outworld Showdown: The Tournament Redux in Mortal Kombat 9
Shao Kahn's tournament during this second iteration began to reveal notable differences. Raiden intervened to prevent the Lin Kuei from capturing Smoke, but in doing so, the younger Sub-Zero fell into the hands of the Lin Kuei. In this alternate scenario, the Lin Kuei offered their allegiance to Shao Kahn instead of opposing him.Raiden, considering the imperative "HE MUST WIN!", believed that Kung Lao, with his equal skill to Liu Kang, might be the intended champion. Although this suggestion didn't sit well with Liu Kang, he chose not to question it. Kung Lao emerged victorious over Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, and Kintaro, but Shao Kahn treacherously attacked him from behind, breaking his neck.
Infuriated by the loss of his friend, Liu Kang engaged Kahn and, as before, defeated him by impaling his chest with his fist. However, Raiden's amulet continued to crack, signifying that this outcome was still not the correct path.
The Outworld Invasion Redux in Mortal Kombat 9
Once more, Shao Kahn's forces launched a full-scale invasion of Earthrealm. Kabal fought Cyber Sub-Zero, ultimately defeating him. The Earthrealm heroes managed to free Sub-Zero from his programming, allowing him to regain his free will. Tormented by the innocent lives he had taken, he agreed to act as a spy against Kahn.Quan Chi opened a Soulnado in a city cemetery to bolster Shao Kahn's power. Cyber Sub-Zero confronted his brother, Noob Saibot, while Nightwolf defeated Quan Chi. Noob Saibot was thrown into the Soulnado, leading to his destruction and the dissipation of the Soulnado. Although Raiden was pleased with this turn of events, he began to doubt the next course of action when he saw his amulet still cracking. Liu Kang's patience was wearing thin.
Raiden and Liu Kang sought an audience with the Elder Gods, who chose to take no action, claiming that technically, Kahn had not yet committed any wrongdoing. While this conversation took place, the Earthrealm warriors had to fend off the Lin Kuei. That battle was manageable, but before the attack, Shao Kahn decided to eliminate Shang Tsung and use his life force to enhance Sindel. This empowered version of Sindel went on a rampage, killing several Earthrealm warriors. Nightwolf made a heroic sacrifice to stop her, and Kitana lay on her deathbed when Raiden and Liu returned. Liu Kang confronted Raiden about his questionable decisions.
Desperation led Raiden to propose a deal with Quan Chi in the Netherrealm. However, Quan Chi had no interest in such a deal, as he had an agreement with Shao Kahn to collect the souls of fallen warriors during the war between Earthrealm and Outworld. He unleashed undead versions of various characters to attack Raiden. Raiden left empty-handed, but Quan Chi provided him with inspiration on how to stop Kahn.
Raiden finally realized that "HE MUST WIN!" referred to Shao Kahn. If Liu Kang fought and defeated him, Kahn would be temporarily deterred but would eventually return to wreak havoc. Alternatively, if Kahn succeeded in merging the realms, it would provoke the intervention of the Elder Gods. Quan Chi had orchestrated Raiden's failure all along. Despite Liu Kang's skepticism, he went after Kahn. Raiden attempted to stop him but inadvertently killed Liu Kang. As Liu Kang lay dying, he cursed Raiden before succumbing to his wounds.
Kahn successfully merged the realms and gained even more power. The Elder Gods empowered Raiden, enabling him to defeat Kahn and ultimately shatter his soul. Shao Kahn was finally vanquished, but the victory came at a heavy price. Of the heroes, only Raiden, Johnny, and Sonya survived. As they departed, Quan Chi appeared to admire Kahn's shattered helmet. Everything was unfolding according to his sinister plan. Shinnok's escape from the Netherrealm was imminent, and there would be few remaining to oppose them this time.
The Netherrealm Invasion Redux in Mortal Kombat X
The odds were even more stacked against the heroes in this altered timeline, reduced to just Raiden, Fujin, Johnny, Sonya, and Kenshi. On the other side, the villains had a formidable force of resurrected and corrupted heroes. Despite these dire circumstances, Johnny Cage managed to defeat Shinnok. It was revealed that Johnny was part of a unique bloodline of Mediterranean warriors specifically bred and trained to combat gods. When Sonya was in danger, Johnny's genetic powers activated, allowing him to overpower Shinnok and imprison him within his own magical amulet.Quan Chi severely wounded Johnny and attempted to transform him into one of his revenant soldiers. Raiden used his magic to counteract the process, not only saving Johnny's life but also restoring the other revenant warriors in the room to their human forms. This included Jax, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang in his human form). Raiden finally found a way to redeem his fallen comrades. Unfortunately, Quan Chi managed to escape.
Following the conflict, Johnny and Sonya married and had a daughter named Cassie. However, their marriage was short-lived, primarily due to Sonya's demanding Special Forces duties. Jax, haunted by his past as a demon soldier, settled down with his psychiatrist and they also had a daughter, Jacqui. Sub-Zero eliminated Sektor and rebuilt the Lin Kuei from the ground up.
Scorpion, initially unsure of his purpose, received support from Kenshi, helping him reconnect with his humanity. Embracing his humanity once more, Scorpion decided to rebuild the Shirai Ryu and recruited those who had also suffered loss.
Raiden safeguarded Shinnok's amulet from existence by using the Kamidogu pieces, now transformed into daggers. He entrusted these daggers to various individuals to protect against evil.
In another realm, with Shao Kahn no longer in power, his pseudo-daughter Mileena took control of Outworld. Kotal Kahn, who had previously served as Shao Kahn's underling, rallied support and forced Mileena into hiding during an unexpected uprising. Tragically, Baraka became a victim of this conflict, meeting his end at the hands of D'Vorah, a mysterious insectoid woman. Now known as Kotal Kahn, the new emperor surrounded himself with an inner circle that included D'Vorah, the mercenary Erron Black, Ermac, Reptile, and the brutal duo of Ferra and Torr.
Unveiling the Reiko Accords in the Mortal Kombat X Comic Series
Kenshi's cover as a member of the Red Dragon was eventually exposed when the organization revealed knowledge about him, including his illegitimate son, Takeda, born from his past relationship with Suchin. Although Kenshi was unable to save Suchin, he managed to protect Takeda. He entrusted Takeda's care to Scorpion, who raised the child, while Kenshi pursued a personal vendetta to destroy the Red Dragon.Havik orchestrated a plot that cursed the Kamidogu daggers and possessed specific warriors. He manipulated characters such as Reiko to work toward summoning Shinnok's amulet, which he sought to use to spread chaos throughout the realms. Havik's actions led to the deaths of several notable characters, including Mavado, Kintaro, Reiko, Goro's father, Kotal Kahn's father, and the entire Shirai Ryu clan, except for Scorpion and Takeda.
Despite the gravity of Havik's threat, even Kotal Kahn and Mileena chose to unite against him. Ultimately, Havik met his demise at the hands of Takeda and Scorpion. Scorpion decapitated Havik, transported his still-living head to the Netherrealm, and handed it over to Moloch and Drahmin for a gruesome form of punishment.
After these events, Kotal Kahn and Sonya entered into an agreement known as the Reiko Accords, forming an uneasy alliance for mutual benefit.
Next Generation Warriors: The Kombat Kids in Mortal Kombat X
In this divergent timeline, numerous events unfolded, resulting in both familiar and unique outcomes:- Reconciliation of Sub-Zero and Scorpion: Sub-Zero managed to make amends with Scorpion and revealed to him the true manipulations of Quan Chi behind their rivalry. Scorpion devoted himself to making Quan Chi pay for his actions.
- New Generation of Fighters: Johnny Cage organized a task force of younger fighters, including Takeda, Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, and Kung Jin, to train and prepare for the future, aiming to take over the roles of the older generation.
- Kano and Shinnok's Amulet: Kano obtained Shinnok's amulet and sold it to Mileena, aiding her in her quest to regain her position as empress of Outworld.
- Alliance with Outworld: Cassie's team sought assistance from Kotal Kahn in Outworld. Initially, Kotal Kahn attempted to have them killed, but after a misunderstanding was cleared up, they cooperated in their efforts to apprehend Mileena, who was subsequently executed.
- Quan Chi's Capture and D'Vorah's Betrayal: The Special Forces managed to capture Quan Chi, and Scorpion arrived to exact brutal revenge on him. D'Vorah, who had been secretly working for Quan Chi and Shinnok, gave Quan Chi Shinnok's amulet. Before dying, Quan Chi used a spell to resurrect Shinnok, after which Scorpion beheaded him.
- Shinnok's Return and Threat: Shinnok took control of the Jinsei Chamber and poisoned its energies with his evil influence, while torturing Johnny Cage. Cassie's team, aided by the Lin Kuei, battled Kotal Kahn's forces and Shinnok's revenant warriors, ultimately leading to Cassie's victory against Shinnok, saving the world.
- Raiden's Corruption: Raiden's sacrifice to purify the Jinsei Chamber led to his corruption, and he began wielding Shinnok's amulet as a weapon. He adopted a darker, more ruthless persona, determined to eliminate potential threats to Earthrealm.
- Confrontation with the Netherrealm: Raiden threw Shinnok's head as a warning to the rulers of the Netherrealm, revenant versions of Liu Kang and Kitana. He also attempted to provoke a war with Outworld but was deterred by Kotal Kahn, who invoked Mortal Kombat to resolve the conflict.
- Prevention of Onaga's Resurrection: Raiden tricked Cassie Cage into killing Shujinko, thereby preventing the resurrection of Onaga in this timeline.
Unleashing Kronika's Wrath in Mortal Kombat 11
Kronika, the mother of Shinnok and Cetrion, Goddess of Virtue, controlled time's sands, aiming to create an eternal conflict between good and evil. Shinnok's beheading disrupted the balance in favor of good, which frustrated her efforts. Despite manipulating countless timelines, Raiden consistently thwarted her.Raiden led the Special Forces to strike Liu Kang and Kitana's forces in the Netherrealm, resulting in Sonya's death. Kronika appeared, rewinding the castle, recruiting revenant Liu Kang and Kitana, and planning to eliminate Raiden by enhancing her powers.
Kronika opened a time rift, bringing heroes and villains from Mortal Kombat II into the present, with gods exempt from these effects. She recruited warriors with promises of a rewarding life in the new timeline.
Kotal Kahn and Jade's reunion was welcome, but Baraka and the Tarkatan race's return led to conflict. Kitana rallied Baraka and Sheeva to her side to prevent Shao Kahn's enslavement.
Several characters met their demise, and Raiden, realizing the importance of working with Liu Kang, led a siege on Kronika's keep. They defeated her, Liu Kang became a god of fire and lightning, and together they defeated Kronika.
In the end, Raiden chose to live as a mortal, while Liu Kang became the new keeper of time, with Raiden mentoring him throughout his natural life.
Shang Tsung's Betrayal in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath
A portal opened, revealing Shang Tsung, Fujin, and Nightwolf, who refused to join Kronika and were banished from time. Shang Tsung explained that he needed Kronika's crown to stabilize reality, but it was destroyed. They decided to go back in time to steal the crown. Liu Kang agreed after a private chat with Fujin.They appeared when Kitana had taken over Outworld, and their plan involved resurrecting Sindel to counter Cetrion. However, Shang and Sindel conspired, changing the course of events. Shao Kahn reclaimed his throne, and Shang absorbed Fujin, Raiden, Shao Kahn, and Sindel's souls with the crown.
Fire God Liu Kang revealed he orchestrated it all, facing Shang Tsung and winning. Liu Kang put the crown on, becoming a Titan and creating a new timeline. But he'd soon realize his victory wasn't as simple as it seemed.
New Era in Mortal Kombat 1
Lord Liu Kang reshaped reality using the hourglass, but he missed personal interactions with mortals and feared the same madness that afflicted Kronika. So, he downgraded to God of Fire and Protector of Earthrealm. Geras secretly preserved Liu Kang's lost power.In this new timeline, Liu Kang established a truce with Outworld's rulers, Jerrod and Sindel, hosting tournaments every century. The upcoming tournament was vital as General Shao threatened invasion.
Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, manipulated by Damashi, plotted against Liu Kang's vision. After a misunderstanding, war seemed imminent.
Shang Tsung and Quan Chi aimed to weaponize Onaga's mummified army, enlisting Sub-Zero (Bi-Han), Havik, Rain, and their Ermac. Liu Kang revealed the truth to Sindel, leading to a battle where Sindel was mortally wounded and Mileena ascended.
Titan Shang Tsung emerged, wanting to conquer all timelines. Liu Kang rallied Titan versions of allies, leading a battle ending in Titan Shang Tsung's demise.
In the main timeline, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Scorpion, and Smoke embarked on new paths. General Shao and Reiko tried to conquer Outworld, while Havik liberated his people with Rain's help. Liu Kang chose Geras as his successor.
Liu Kang lost his immortality, needing a successor to protect neighboring timelines. Geras assumed the role, guarding against future threats.
