Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero/Characters


Here we're going to list the characters introduced in the spin-off Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero. While Quan Chi was originally introduced in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, he's included here for the sake of narrative, as this is the game which introduced him to the series proper and explained his role in the main story of the games.

Quan Chi

"You will serve me in the Netherrealm!"

Other appearances: Mortal Kombat 4, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and Mortal Kombat 9. Cameo in Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

A sorcerer from the Netherrealm, Quan Chi is quite easily the most treacherous character in all the games. While originally supposed to serve the Elder God Shinnok, Quan Chi's true allegiance is only to himself, and he will make and break deals with anyone if it furthers his goals. Quan Chi, contrary to most characters in the series, does not actually belong to either a mortal race or the myriad gods: he used to be an oni, a demonic torturer from hell, who eventually took a humanoid form.

Quan Chi has had a behind-the-scenes presence through a myriad of major events in the series' history. Serving Shinnok, he directly caused the deaths of both Scorpion (and his clan and family...) and the original Sub-Zero, was the one who revived Sindel in order to facilitate Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm, released Shinnok from his imprisonment in the Netherrealm, and brought about Liu Kang's death during the events of Deadly Alliance. He has also betrayed every single ally he ever had at one point or another.

During the events of both Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat 4, Quan Chi was working to release his master, the banished Elder God Shinnok, from his imprisonment in the Netherrealm. To this end, he also worked with Shao Kahn (bringing back Sindel for him, as previously mentioned). After Shinnok's defeat, however, Quan Chi eventually discovered the tomb of Onaga The Dragon King, which contained within his undead army, which slept in suspended animation. Wanting to control the army to conquer both Outworld and Earthrealm, Quan Chi allied himself with Shang Tsung, eventually bringing down Liu Kang together during the events of Deadly Alliance. Of course, after being victorious over Earthrealm's warriors at the end of Deadly Alliance, Quan Chi turns on Shang Tsung (with Shang Tsung doing the same, of course). They are both attacked by Onaga the Dragon King, however, and both Quan Chi and Raiden are supposedly destroyed during the events of Deception. Quan Chi did survive the events of Deception, but eventually dies along with... well, everybody else, during the events of Armageddon.

Quan Chi has an important role in the events of Mortal Kombat 9: all the aforementioned events which happen during the course of the first three games also happen during this one. It starts with the fact that he slaughters Scorpion's family to convince him to kill the original Sub-Zero, not the younger one, and it only goes downhill from there.

  • Actually a Doombot: Baraka's non-canon ending in Gold.
  • Affably Evil
  • Badass Baritone: Don't even deny it.
  • Bald of Evil: Not one strand of hair on his head, and he doesn't do one single good deed throughout the whole franchise.
  • Big No: When Scorpion drags him into the Netherrealm in 4.
  • Canon Immigrant and Ascended Extra: He appeared first in the Defenders of the Realm cartoon, with a whole episode where he used a magic jewel to increase the evil emotions in everyone's hearts except Nightwolf. Game-wise, he was introduced in both Mythologies and 4 at the same time as a major character.
  • Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: There is not a single character he's allied or bargained with that he didn't later betray.
  • Evil Albino: Like Shinnok, his skin is completely pale, and he had red eyes. It's unknown if that's his real skin or just body paint, but either way, he's still a major antagonist.
  • Evil Overlord: In exchange for helping Shinnok overthrow Lucifer, he was granted the chance to rule at his side in the Netherrealm, qualifying him for this trope.
  • Evil Sorcerer
  • Evil Sounds Deep: Richard Divizio (4) and Ron Banks (Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe onward) portray him with a deep, baritone voice that only seems to enhance his evilness.
  • Expy: Looks like a modern day Kratos.
  • Facial Markings: He seems to have a chakra painted on his forehead. Also, there are two black lines coming out of his eyebrows towards the back of his head.
  • Filler Villain: In Defenders of the Realm, he was only around for one episode and didn't show up after that. Not so much in the games.
  • Grievous Harm with a Body: Ed Boon went on record as claiming that Quan Chi had both his most AND least favorite fatalities in the series.
    • His Leg Rip fatality in 4 and 9, where he tears your leg off and beats you to death with it, was his favorite.
    • In Deadly Alliance, he stretches your neck to cartoony proportions, and while he does it, it can be assumed that he's tearing your spinal kord from the rest of your nerves while keeping your head attached. It's basically Sub-Zero's head rip, but far less bloody.
  • Heel Face Turn: In DC Universe.
  • Insistent Terminology: Quan Chi's use of the word "ninja" to refer to Sub-Zero (who is a Lin Kuei), specifically done as a form of mockery.
  • Instant Expert: According to Deadly Alliance's Konquest Mode, the bulk of Quan Chi's knowledge of the martial arts comes from magic. When he was drained of his powers in the fifth plane of the Netherrealm, Quan Chi could only rely on basic Tang Soo Do attacks to ward off Scorpion.
  • Manipulative Bastard: Quan Chi is the one who killed Scorpion's family and clan, not Sub-Zero. He told Scorpion that it was the younger Sub-Zero, because he wanted Scorpion on his & Shinnok's side during the events of Mortal Kombat 4.
    • He does it again with Scorpion and the elder Sub-Zero during Mortal Kombat 9. In the process, Scorpion's now a MUCH more willing pawn for him, and he has also secured Noob Saibot as his servant. He might also be manipulating Raiden himself, if Raiden's visit to the Netherrealm and the Stinger at game's end are any indication.
  • Necromancer: As seen in the opening to Armageddon as well as in the story mode of 9, although he can't do this in the games proper. He CAN exert limited control over the living as well (see People Puppets below).
  • Omnicidal Maniac: In Baraka's Gold ending.
  • People Puppets: Some of his moves allow him to control his opponent's body for a short period of time. Prime example of this is his X-Ray move in 9.
  • Red Eyes, Take Warning: Not immediately noticeable, but the red eyes are always there. It contributes to his demonic-looking appearance.
    • Made much more obvious in his Summoner variation.
  • Secret Character: Beat the Story Mode in 9 to unlock him.
  • Slouch of Villainy: His win pose in 9.
  • So Long, Suckers!: Closely watch the intro to Deception. Quan Chi makes a getaway seconds before Raiden's Heroic Sacrifice kamikaze after calling him out on it.
  • Spikes of Villainy: Present on his original armor from Mythologies and 4, but also included to a degree in his current attire.
  • The Starscream: To Shinnok.
  • There Is No Kill Like Overkill: His above mentioned fatality where he beats the victim with their own leg. Even when the announcer deems the opponent dead, Quan Chi ignores it and keeps "beating the dead corpse", past the screen fading to black.
  • This Cannot Be!: Has an Oh Crap moment upon the return of Onaga. If you listen closely, he actually says this, too.
  • Walking Shirtless Scene: Starting in Deadly Alliance.
  • Was Once a Man: Inverted. He was an oni who became human.


Sareena

"I am not a being of Light. I am a demon of the Netherrealm, a servant of Quan Chi."

Other appearances: Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Cameo in Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat 9.

Sareena is one of Quan Chi's personal assassins. She and her two partners, Kia and Jataaka, were ordered to kill Sub-Zero before he reached Quan Chi. They were defeated, but Sub-Zero strangely spared Sareena's life. Later, as Sub-Zero battled Quan Chi, Sareena suddenly appeared and did a Heel Face Turn by helping him in defeating the sorcerer. After expressing her desire to escape the Netherealm with him, she's shot in the back with a bolt of energy by Shinnok. She collapses into an enraged Sub-Zero's arms and seems to die...

... Turns out after the events of the game that the only thing Shinnok destroyed was her human form. In Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition, it's discovered that her essence was banished as punishment for her betrayal, where she would suffer for years. Some time later, Sareena discovered the portal Quan Chi and Scorpion used to escape the Netherealm.

Shortly after regaining her human form, Sareena encountered the younger brother of the Sub-Zero she met years before. Sub-Zero granted her sanctuary with the Lin Kuei back on Earthrealm. In gratitude, Sareena pledged her loyalty to the clan, swearing to help defend it from its enemies.

In Armageddon, it is revealed that Sareena followed Sub-Zero into the Netherrealm, saving him from being killed by Noob Saibot and Smoke. She and Sub-Zero were victorious, but after the battle, Sareena lost control of her human form and returned to her true demon self. Thinking her to be a threat, Sub-Zero attacked and she fled, not wanting to harm him. However, she was later attacked by Noob Saibot, Smoke, and her former master Quan Chi, who demanded she provide them information about the Lin Kuei. At first, Sareena refused, determined to remain loyal to Sub-Zero. But Quan Chi then cast his dark sorcery upon her, returning her to her human form and then convincing her that she can never be good and that she is simply a pure evil demon. Swayed by Quan Chi's corruption, she agreed to serve him once again.


Fujin

"Farewell Thunder God, I will not fail you."

Other appearances: Mortal Kombat 4 and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Cameo in Mortal Kombat 9.

Fujin is one of Raiden's god-guardians of Shinnok's amulet in Mythologies, and the first of them which was challenged by Sub-Zero. He returned in 4 as one of the Earthrealm gods not being destroyed by Shinnok. He assists Raiden in his battle against Shinnok, and after his defeat, he was ascended to the Earthrealm protector status, while Raiden (who chose him as the replacement) was re-promoted to the Elder Gods pantheon.

In Armageddon, he notices a behaviour change in his old friend. While Raiden was, technically, in the good guys' side, he also gained a ruthless side after realizing that Humans Are Bastards and revived Liu Kang's corpse in order to send him to do a massive manslaughter. In spite of this, Fujin allied with Kung Lao in order to find a way to save both Raiden and Liu Kang. He learns that Johnny Cage is trying to gather the Forces of Light, and there's also a mention of the brothers Taven and Daegon, whose family has been friends with Fujin over the years. Argus (their father) sent them on a quest which was corrupted by evil. Fujin then goes to search for both brothers, hoping to prevent their progress and learn the true purpose of their quest.


Shinnok

"Soon I will be free. Earthrealm and Outworld will be ours."

Other appearances: Mortal Kombat 4 and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Cameo in Mortal Kombat 9.

Shinnok is a former elder god and current ruler of the Netherrealm. Originally, he wanted to take Earthrealm for himself to gain immense power. To make sure he could freely enter Earthrealm without being detected, he created a special amulet which discreetly weakened the dimensional barriers. However, with the help of the other Elder Gods, Raiden discovers his plot and defeats him in battle, banishing him to the Netherrealm for good. There, he suffered constant torture until he met the sorcerer Quan Chi. With his help, Lucifer was dethroned and Shinnok became the new ruler with Quan Chi as his arch-sorcerer and right-hand man.

During the events of both Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat 4, Quan Chi was working to release his master, the banished Elder God Shinnok, from his imprisonment in the Netherrealm. With the assistance of the original Sub Zero, Quan Chi managed to get the amulet and initiate Shinnok's invasion of the realms after Shao Kahn's failed attempt to conquer Earthrealm. He managed to invade Edenia and attack the heavens before Earthrealm's warriors managed to have him banished back to the Netherrealm once more by Raiden.

In Armageddon, Shinnok tricked Taven into helping him, claiming that he was no longer an Elder God for getting involved with the affairs of mortals. He wished for him to defeat the demons that inhabit his throne and he would try to locate Daegon as a reward. He successfully does the task and Shinnok tells Taven that he is most likely in Earthrealm. As he leaves, it is revealed that Shinnok was helping Daegon who was hiding in Netherrealm. In addition, it was Shinnok who alerted the many combatants to the prize at the top of the Pyramid of Argus, telling them that whomever obtained this power would be granted godlike power. His ending reveals that Shinnok created a clone of his own self to assist Daegon in Armageddon. His clone was killed off shortly after defeating Kung Lao, unable to complete his objective.

He makes a brief cameo in Mortal Kombat 9.

  • Actually a Doombot/Fighting a Shadow: According to both his Armageddon ending and 9, the Shinnok present in Armageddon was nothing more than a clone sent by the real Shinnok, who was Genre Savvy enough to not sully his hands with either the big battle itself or the in-fighting of the villains.
  • Amplifier Artifact: His Amulet and his Amulet Staff. Both are used to drastically increase his powers to the point of nigh-Immortality (even beyond his Physical God status).
  • Arch Enemy: To Raiden, who cast him into the Netherrealm millenia before the main series started.
  • Author Avatar: His Mortal Kombat 4 model is based on Midway Games' developer Steve Beran.
  • The Bad Guy Wins: He was the one who spread word of the prize of god-like power in Armageddon, in order to make them die when Daegon killed Blaze. While Daegon failed, he was still able to win because most of his enemies had killed each other trying to get the prize leaving only him, Shao Kahn, Taven, and Liu Kang's spirit alive.
    • Also, in Mortal Kombat 9, Raiden letting Shao Kahn win in order to prevent Armageddon plays directly into Shinnok's plans, and leaves him with a very deadly set of minions while Earth's defenses have been left in pieces.
  • Big Bad: Of 4. If the ending of 9 is any indication, he'll possibly be this in a future game.
    • Bigger Bad: He was a former elder god and controlled the Big Bad of the entire series Shao Khan.
  • The Cameo: In the Sequel Hook of Mortal Kombat 9, suggesting that the new timeline will see some adaptation of the storyline from 4.
  • Chekhov's Gun: His Amulet is technically the seventh Kamidogu. If Shujinko had collected the item and placed it on the altar alongside the other relics, it would have been sent to the Elder Gods as Onaga told Shujinko originally. When combined with the Kamidogu, its power would have allowed Onaga to reshape the realms.
  • The Chessmaster: The Man Behind the Man to Daegon and is trusted by Taven (who is unaware that he had fallen), and pits the two against each other. He seems to have a greater awareness of what is going on than most other heroes and villans, and he chooses to use an avatar for the final battle rather than show up in person. It is implied in Mortal Kombat 9 that the entirety of that game is a result of his machinations in Armageddon. Quite impressive, though he's as much of an Anticlimax Boss as a fighter as he ever was (even if, granted, he's not technically a boss).
  • Composite Character: Shinnok is the Wind God in Mortal Kombat Annihilation.
  • The Corrupter: Preys on Daegon's fears of being The Unfavourite to get him to kill his parents.
  • Ditto Fighter: He could also switch between the other characters' moves with ease.
  • Early-Bird Cameo: Before appearing in 4 and Armageddon.
  • Evil Albino: His face is completely pale, and he is one of the main villains in the franchise.
  • Evil Is Hammy: FEEL MY POWER!!! FEEL THE FORCES OF DARKNESS!!!
  • Evil Laugh: MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
  • Evil Sorcerer: Yet another one, like all the other villains. He can use, among other moves, shape-shifting like Shang Tsung (Mimicry) and large skeletal hands to grab and throw his opponent (Summoned Fiend).
  • Fallen Hero: His backstory. His lust for power is what caused the other Elder Gods to exile him.
  • Gameplay and Story Segregation: As a Fallen Elder God, he's arguably the most powerful force of evil in the entire mythos, but he has a rather lackluster record as a gameplay character. In 4, he simply copied his enemies' moves, a clear ripoff of Shang Tsung minus the shapeshifting and not much harder to beat than the other characters. He got a slightly more original moveset in Armageddon but has still yet to compare to the toughest characters in the series.
  • God-Emperor of Evil/Satan: Fallen Elder God, ruler of the Netherrealm, plans to rule over all of existence. Although he canonically usurped the Netherrealm from Satan (well, actually Lucifer), the dynamic is still the same.
  • Large Ham: It seems to be a trend among Mortal Kombat villains, as he is no stranger to dramatic shouting. See Evil Is Hammy above.
  • Manipulative Bastard: Pretty much his shtick in Mythologies, although he's Out-Gambitted by Quan Chi, who took the real Dragon Amulet for himself. Also, see Actually a Doombot/Fighting a Shadow above.
  • Omnicidal Maniac: His goal is to consume all the energies of everything. Except Quan Chi.
  • One-Winged Angel: In Mythologies, he transforms into a scary-ass demon... thing... as soon as Sub-Zero takes the amulet, but fighting him in this form is optional (and very difficult, though it unlocks a game blooper reel), as a portal leading to the end of the game opens up anyway.
  • Physical God: Like the other Elder Gods or realm gods, he possesses a more ethereal form, but takes a physical one to participate in mortal events. He may have lost this ability upon his fall.
  • Power Floats: In Mythologies.
  • Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Is not happy with his fellow Elder Gods for casting him down.
  • Sealed Evil in a Can: Cast down into the Netherrealm by Raiden eons before the series began, with the means of his escape (his amulet) being guarded by the four elemental gods in their Earthrealm temples. Is finally unsealed in 4.
  • Sorcerous Overlord: With his sorcerous powers and Quan Chi's help, he overthrew Lucifer and became the new ruler of the Netherrealm in his backstory.
  • Stealth Mentor/Treacherous Advisor: To elder Sub-Zero in Mythologies (this is non-canon, though; Scorpion will fight you where you encounter Shinnok instead if you killed him back in the first stage, which is what actually happened). Pulls this again in Armageddon with Taven.
  • The Unfought: In Armageddon, see Actually a Doombot/Fighting a Shadow above.
  • With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: Best seen in his ending in 4. When he tells Raiden about how he will rule all eternity, Raiden says he is mad.


Lin Kuei Grandmaster


Earth God


Water God


Fire God


Jataaka

Other appearances: Cameo in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.


Kia

Other appearances: Mini Boss cameo in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.

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