Scorpion - champion of the Elder Gods, he is the secret weapon that allowed the realms to survive & resist Shao Kahn's ascension after the defeat of Blaze when they hid a portion of their power within him, allowing him to capture all the souls slain. Scorpion is the flame from which the hope of defeating Shao Kahn is kindled. Scorpion, however, is still PISSED at the perceived betrayal of the Elder Gods in their bargain with him. He agrees to help stop Shao ONLY on one condition...that they bind their power to him such that when Shao is defeated, Scorpion is able to banish the Elder Gods from direct interference with the realms ever again. Facing utter annihilation or exile, the Elder Gods acquiesce to Hanzo's demands and strike the bargain. Scorpion is the stake that must be driven through Shao Kahn's heart. With his direct connection to the Netherrealm and his empowerment by the Elder Gods, he is the only one that can actually send Shao Kahn's now godly soul directly to hell...otherwise Shao will remain unconquerable. The revenant Shirai Ryu, having already been dead prior to Armageddon, are to be the army that can be used to combat Shao's own forces, utilizing guile & skill against the incredible might of the Kahn's armies.
Ermac - When the souls of those slain within Armageddon were captured by Scorpion, they had to go somewhere...and Ermac was the perfect container for the Elder Gods. Reconstituted and resurrected by the soul infusion, Ermac was once again MANY...but the strength of will of the warrior souls was too much for the binding magic that kept Ermac's mind unified and it unraveled. Only a few chosen souls from the realms were able to be taken from the newly-massively-powerful-but-insane Ermac before he resisted and escaped into the realms. These souls became the selectable characters. Now Ermac wanders the realms in his madness, his memories utterly confused and different personalities wrestling for control in his head. He will have to be brought to heel so that the incredible soul power within him can be properly utilized...but stopping him might be nearly as difficult as facing Shao.
Reptile - The resurrected Reptile has memories of tasting the power of Onaga that inhabited his form...and much of it still lingers. Reptile is stronger than he was before but, more importantly, he has knowledge lingering in his mind that belonged to the Dragon King. Knowledge of ancient magic and secrets. Reptile feigns interest in taking down Shao for the good of the realms, and plays up the 'loyal assassin' routine for the Elder God's forces, aiding Kitana and her allies but his primary goal is actually to use the power of Blaze as part of a magical ritual that will return the souls of the Zaterrans to the mortal realm. He WILL have his race back, even if that means betraying the Elder God's forces and making a deal with Shao from the shadows. Unfortunately, neither Reptile, Shao nor anyone else is aware that it is not Onaga's
memories that reside within Reptile's mind...but Onaga's soul. The Dragon King's soul was brought back with Reptile and he is scheming to return fully to life to wrestle Blaze's power from Shao. The ritual will not bring back the Zaterran's...it will bring back the first lord of Outworld.
Noob Saibot - Bi-Han's soul is unconquerable. When he was slain and his jet black soul was collected and others were resurrected by the Elder Gods, Bi-Han's evil clung to their souls like sludge on a boot. Without anyone realizing it, the wraith reformed himself from oblivion, as hidden as black ice on a night road. Or, at least, so he thought...for one quite familiar with Bi-Han felt that darkness since he had sensed it before. Raiden was fully aware of Bi-Han's return and once more moves to make a bargain with the warrior he had known as a mortal. Raiden points out that, though fiercely independent, Bi-Han keeps finding himself shackled to masters. The Lin Kuei Grandmaster, Shinnok, Shao Kahn...now Raiden offers him a deal: if Noob assists him as a partner, Raiden will cede the Netherrealm itself to Noob so that Noob may rule the entire realm as Shinnok once had. Bi-Han accepts because, to him, it truly is better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.
Sub-Zero - As Scorpion is too vital to the defeat of Shao Kahn, he cannot risk being at the forefront of any offensive and, instead, must stay to the shadows as the ultimate knife to drive into the tyrant's heart at an opportune moment. As such, the revenant Shirai-Ryu is without a commander. Hanzo swallows his pride and makes a shocking offer to Kuai Liang: He should be commander of the Shirai Ryu in the offensive against Shao. Having grown to become Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and with far more exprience as a leader of shadow warriors, Kuai is the superior choice. The
only logical choice...but it will mean the Shirai-Ryu must follow a man that wears the colors that were long believed to be responsible for their deaths. With humility and determination, Sub-Zero accepts this position as commander. Fire & Ice. Sub-Zero, leader of the Shirai-Ryu, in the battle to save the realms.
Fujin - With Raiden determined to fully take matters into his own hands away from the machinations of the Elder Gods, Fujin steps in to once more act as a voice of guidance for the heroes of Earthrealm, forming a quartet that he believes to represent a powerful martial formation: four Shaolin Guardians just like the Four Winds of the cardinal directions. Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Kai and, shockingly, Shang Tsung, must work together with Fujin to face the 'Road of the Furies'. The four must undertake this arduous test to rebalance the Furies to cut off Shao from much of his power over the realms so that they can confront him. This is the greatest task Fujin has ever undertaken as a god and he knows accomplishing it may be all but impossible as it requires travel to the Netherrealm, the Heavens, and the realms of Chaos and Order...but he has faith in his four warriors. Or at least 3 of them... Either way, this is a task that can only be accomplished by the Shaolin Monks.
Kai - A troubled young Shaolin warrior, he thought the monks could help him find inner peace but comes to realize their training was just the first step in a long path. Slain in Armageddon, he is returned to life and put alongside the legendary Liu Kang & Kung Lao as well as the infamous Shang Tsung. Feeling that he is an ill-fit compared to such figures of reknown, Kai is reassured by Fujin that Kai may very well be the future of the Shaolin and the Order of Light if he can manage to have faith in himself. Kai says he has a hard time with that...so Fujin tells him that if that is the case then Kai should have faith in
him and his judgment. Kai will go on to act as one of the Four Guardians with Shang constantly in his ear attempting to get him onto his side and will develop a rivalry against Kobra which will hold up a mirror to Kai regarding how far he's come since traveling to join the Shaolin, bolstering his confidence and resolve. In the Netherrealm, Kai will have to face the literal specters of his past and lay them to rest before facing off against Shao Kahn's forces
Kung Lao - With Liu Kang returned to life, Kung Lao still has concerns about Raiden...but he has to put those aside to work with Fujin and the other three Guardians he has chosen to rebalance the Furies. Initially he has no desire to do anything with Shang Tsung except slay him but he is swayed by Fujin and Liu Kang to trust that he is necessary. Kung Lao reminds Shang that he was FULLY prepared to put down the ruthless Raiden and his zombie Liu Kang if necessary...and they were two people he respected deeply...so he would have NO problem removing Shang's head from his shoulders if he senses even a whiff of betrayal. The journey will see Kung Lao suspect Shang several times but Shang's innocence and good-intent will be reinforced in the matters each time, staying Kung Lao's hand. Kung Lao meets his own ancestor the Great Kung Lao when the Four reach the Heavens (where Shao now reigns) and fights alongside him to balance the last Fury.
Liu Kang - Dead for years, Liu Kang is returned to life and carries sorrow in his heart for what happened with his zombified body because of his friend Raiden. Instead of anger at Raiden, however, Liu Kang realizes that this has all been at least partially because Earthrealm has long relied on gods like Raiden to protect and guide them through Mortal Kombat and dealings with the other realms. Liu accepts Fujin's offer to work to heal the realms by rebalancing the Furies so that Shao can be defeated...but states that, if they are to do this, it will not be as god and men...but as equals in the protection of Earthrealm. Fujin finds this very agreeable and states that, though he will be advisor to the four, it is Liu Kang that shall lead them...not as champion of Mortal Kombat...but as champion of the Earth. In the realm of Law, Liu Kang will help strike a balance between Law & Chaos so that he can find a path to freedom for Earthrealm. Afterwards, Liu Kang will once again have to face the forces of Shao Kahn. Interestingly, instead of anger towards Shang Tsung, Liu will show his cunning side in dealing with him, having considerable familiarity with the sorcerer now...and reminding him that he is mortal, no longer cursed and with a new chance at life. A life that could have genuine fulfilment and peace that Shang rejected when he betrayed the Order of Light so many years ago. After all, Shang has spent CENTURIES now with his goals & ambitions unfulfilled while he's been miserable. It is a long time to be wrong...but that doesn't mean he can't finally do what is right. Finding Liu's endless nobility & optimism detestable, Shang still admits that he has no argument against Liu's words...after all, his schemes left him just another casualty of Armageddon...a loss that has left Shang broken.
Raiden - Earthrealm's warriors had failed him. The Elder God's had failed him. His bargain with Shao had failed him. Even another timeline had failed him. Raiden becomes tired of relying on others. Now it is time for Raiden to walk a path entirely his own. Unleashing his full might after being resurrected as one of the lder God's chosen ones, he refuses to take part in their plan to depose Shao Kahn, having no faith in them to set things right. When he is threatened by them, Raiden threatens that he has tasted the power of an Elder God since he was one before and that that experience will allow him to resist them and, perhaps, hurt them enough that they will have no hope against Shao. The Elder God's, now VERY wary of their own fallibility, dismiss Raiden, allowing him to do as he pleases, believing that it can only help against Shao anyway. Raiden recruits Noob Saibot as part of a daring plan that involves plunging into the lowest depths of the Netherrealm beneath the work Shinnok did to reshape it to his liking. There, Raiden seeks out the power of the former ruler of the realm, a being like himself and Shao Kahn deposed by Shinnok and imprisoned...Lucifer.
Mileena - Resurrected after Armageddon by Shao Kahn himself, Mileena serves at the right hand of the now-deified Emperor and, most importantly, has been given control of the restored Edenia to rule. In his mercy, Shao also used his new power to make Mileena as beautiful as her sister...but any showing of defiance from Mileena causes him to revert her visage to her hideous, fanged maw...something Mileena can no longer endure now that she's had a taste of having her own 'true face'. She is no beloved daughter to Shao and is merely a vassal that he will torment without hesitation to keep her in line. In turn, Mileena is a vicious ruler of her realm, indulging in her own vanity and comforts, proving no better (and perhaps even worse) than Shao Kahn was when he ruled Outworld. When Kitana is resurrected, Shao commands Mileena to see to her defeat...and, until that is accomplished, strips Mileena of her beauty. Mileena goes nearly entirely mad with rage, believing that Kitana is back to life only to take everything away from Mileena "as she has always done". Mileena slaughters her court in her madness and has her forces sent afar to seek out Kitana and all of her allies, wanting to feast on their very flesh. From replacement-princess to mad queen, Mileena works with her forces to hunt Kitana and her allies across the realm.
Skarlet - Created from the blood of the greatest warriors slain by Shao Kahn, she is one of the only servants he truly trusts and sees her as a beautiful, living embodiment of his countless victories on battlefields. As one of his chosen, Skarlet acts as Shao's tracker, hunting out anyone that could threaten his fledgling reign over all the realms. She is as close to a daughter as the Emperor could ever have...but only because she is a testament to his own greatness crafted from his might. Further empowered by the blood spilled on the pyramid of Argus, Skarlet is sent by Shao to harry and slay the Elder God's chosen. Shao, however, did not count on the affect of Argus' pyramid on the blood absorbed by Skarlet. The pyramid housed Blaze and Blaze was, above all else, a creation of Delia empowered by her magic. This proves to be a massive misstep by Shao as Delia's magic, lingering in the blood spilled on Blaze's pyramid, begins unraveling the dark magic of Shao that binds Skarlet to his will...slowly allowing a personality of her own to emerge...
Black Female Ninja
Kitana - Returned to life, Kitana is shocked to find that her father Jerrod has been restored as well. Initially she attempts to defer to her father but Jerrod tells her that, by right, she is now Queen and that his time as king has long past. He trusts in his daughter enough to follow her. Knowing that her monstrous adopted father Shao Kahn must be stopped, Kitana works alongside her best friend Jade, her father Jerrod, Reptile and the brutal but noble Kotal. They must search the reshaped Edenia to find the remains of the pyramid of Argus for its contains magic that can contain the power of Blaze now burning inside Shao. Their journey, however, will not be easy as they are pursued by all the forces of Kitana's mad 'sister' Mileena, forcing the group to face the Edenians that Kitana and Jerrod once ruled.
Jade - With Jerrod and Kitana alongside her, Jade vows to fulfill her obligations to the Edenian crown by restoring the realms, defeating Shao Kahn and returning Queen Sindel to life as well to fully restore the royal family so that Edenia can be returned to what it was before Shao despoiled it, no matter the cost. Unfortunately, her respect for the crown sees Jade reflexively deferring to the returned King, creating friction between her and Kitana especially as Kitana's focus is entirely on stopping Shao when Jade believes this is an opportunity to accomplish even more. Distrustful of Reptile, Kitana asks Jade to keep an eye on the Zaterran...just in case.
Jax - Jax alongside other Earthrealm warriors undertakes the task of hunting down Ermac across the realms, using the Eye of Chitian that had been in the possession of the Outworld Investigation Agency to allow them to pursue him quickly. In addition, the Eye would be able to help them subdue the countless souls within Ermac. Acting as the voice of experience on the team, Jax's time on countless battlefields help them adapt to the varied realms they have to cross in their Ermac-hunt.
Sonya - Working alongside her longtime friend Jax, Sonya endeavors to hunt down Ermac to harness the power of the collected souls within him as a weapon against Shao Kahn so that the realms might be properly restored. She is initially furious with Johnny Cage for knocking her off the Pyramid during Armageddon...but then is confused by him telling her he did it to try and keep her from dying in the battle. Not willing to fully trust him and thinking him every bit the arrogant, ignorant fame-seeker she met in the tournament on Shang's island, she comes to see him in a new light over the course of their mission, fully realizing that Johnny's exterior hides a heroes heart. During one jaunt across a realm, she also comes across a lock of her own hair seemingly left for her to find...the same lock Kano had previously taken from her as a trophy, leading her to believe that Kano is still alive and observing them, perhaps even working against them. Sonya struggles with her feelings towards Johnny, desire to hunt down Kano, suspicion of their reluctant ally Kobra, and the weight of their duty to the realms.
Johnny Cage - Having moved past the Hollywood lifestyle during the events of Deadly Alliance, Johnny has continued to find in himself the will of a hero. Now, alongside several other Earthrealmers in a mission for the fate of all of reality, Johnny is feeling the weight of his responsibility as a warrior and feeling the pang of guilt for his misspent youth as a self-indulgent celebrity. He also finds reason to want to help guide the young fighter Kobra who is a martial arts prodigy with too little regard for others...much like Johnny had been in the past. Kobra, however, might be much more of a bad seed than Johnny ever was...but Johnny can't bring himself to just give up on someone when a God like Raiden and a hero like Liu Kang saw the potential for nobility in Johnny. So much so that he's willing to stand up for Kobra when Jax would prefer the Black Dragon punk be left behind. And, once this is all over, Johnny wants to use his celebrity to finally do something good...
Kenshi - A perpetual lone wolf, Kenshi finds himself working on a team to hunt down Ermac, he's haunted by the belief that if he had listened to Johnny Cage's initial invitation to help during Armageddon that he could have averted it entirely while also having his confidence undermined by his loss to Quan Chi on the steps of the Pyramid of Argus. When he is told that they will be hunting Ermac, however, Kenshi's penchant for vendetta overcomes him as he desires to confront Ermac. In the past, Kenshi had acted out of compassion to free Ermac from the control Shao Kahn had over him...and then Ermac had killed him during Armageddon. Kenshi is key to this plan since his sword Sento is capable of harming and even containing souls. Later, however, Jax reveals that he saw Ermac turn into Shang Tsung after killing Kenshi, revealing that it had been the sorcerer disguised and not Ermac himself. When questioned why he kept this secret, Jax reveals that in working with Kenshi as part of the O.I.A., he'd seen that Kenshi's motivations were almost always self-serving in his pursuit of revenge against those that had wronged him...and that he didn't believe Kenshi would give the mission his all if he didn't believe there were personal stakes in it for him. Reflecting on this, Kenshi is shamed to find that Jax is probably right...and vows on his ancestors to wield Sento to once again free Ermac and save the realms. Not for himself...but for everyone else.
Kobra - (this has been covered here in depth here
https://testyourmight.com/threads/how-they-can-turn-mk1s-image-around-and-bring-hype-for-their-next-gsme.75630/post-2739242 Kobra is some of the work I'm happiest with)
Lillith - (
@Subby Z suggested original character, female plant elemental) Another of Shao's subordinates, she rules Chaos realm where her plants have fed on the sacred water of the realm to grow wild all over it, unleashing the chaotic might of nature itself as Chaosrealms 'new face'. She would have to be faced by the Four Guardian Shaolin to rebalance a Fury within the realm.
Kotal - Former general of Shao Kahn indebted to the Outworld Emperor by a blood debt incurred by his father, Kotal now finds hiimself having to serve not as a warrior but as a champion for the realms, something that he feels he is ill-suited for. More brutal and savage than his allies save for Reptile (who he sees as a cowardly toad), Kotal must decide if he is fated to be a simple warrior serving another...or if he could wear a crown of his own as his father once had before Kahn had defeated him. In this search he has, perhaps, a single positive influence...another who weathered serving Kahn out of obligation & duty despite her own moral struggles with such servitude: Jade. The two grow closer through their search for the Pyramid of Argus.
D’Vorah - The third of Shao's lieutenants. She rules Orderrealm which she has turned into a giant hive. All the inhabitants of Orderrealm are now drones under the control of parasitic insects on their heads (think head-crabs from Half-Life). Now all of Orderrealm has TOTAL order as an insect colony under the control of D'Vorah. The Four Guardian Shaolin will face off against her to rebalance that realms Fury.
Shang Tsung - Sorcerer, former Shaolin, former servant of Shao Kahn, former member of the Deadly Alliance. Betrayer to all. Shang Tsung is resurrected by the Elder Gods themselves and, because of this, is no longer cursed by them. Restored to his youth, Shang has a true second chance. And it starts by being pressganged into an alliance with his hated enemy Liu Kang alongside Kung Lao, the 'pup' Kai and the insufferable Fujin, brother to the even more insufferable Raiden. Liu's words to Shang, however, cut him to the core and Shang realizes that this second chance may, in fact, be his LAST chance to have a life where he can feel at all fulfilled and happy...and Shang realizes that it will take a mind for treachery and cunning to balance the Furies and overthrow Shao and, that if he does that, he may have truly achieved greatness. Shang embraces a path of redemption...while not abandoning the clever scheming that has served him so well. Now, however, it serves the forces of light instead of himself! ... ... ... or does it?
Jerrod - Returned to life, Jerrod learns of everything that has happened since his death and the pain inflicted on his family. He immediately vows to dethrone Shao from the Heavens by aiding his daughter KItana in the search for the Pyramid of Argus where Jerrod's magic skills will allow him to prepare it to capture the magic of Blaze burning in Shao at the moment of his defeat. During this search, however, they are pursued by the Edenian forces of the mad queen Mileena, clone of Jerrod's daughter. Though he has ceded authority to his daughter since she has become Queen since his death, after their first clash, Jerrod countermands her decree when she states that Mileena must die for what she's done. Instead, Jerrod makes a startling decree: that Mileena is blood of his blood just as Kitana is and that he will NOT let another member of his family suffer because of Shao Kahn. He will free Mileena from Shao's poisonous influence and extend to her the hand of a true, loving father so that the broken parts within her heart might be healed. He will not give up on his 'youngest daughter'.
Goro - The most decorated champion in the history of Mortal Kombat...what role will Goro play in the story? I am not sure yet but he has to be awesome