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


"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."


 * Affably Evil
 * Actually a Doombot: Baraka's non-canon ending in Gold.
 * Badass Baritone: Don't even deny it.
 * Bald of Evil
 * 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
 * Evil Overlord
 * Evil Sorcerer
 * Evil Sounds Deep
 * Expy: Looks like a modern day Kratos.
 * Heel Face Turn: In DC Universe.
 * Facial Markings
 * 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.
 * 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 & 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 MK4.
 * He does it again with Scorpion and the elder Sub-Zero during MK9. In the process,, and he has also secured as his servant..
 * Necromancer: As seen in the opening to Armageddon, 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
 * 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.
 * 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


"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."


 * Aborted Arc: Word of God dropped a few hints that she had a connection to Reiko, but nothing came of it. All that's known is that they both were once members of the Brotherhood of Shadows.
 * Amazon Brigade: Was once part of one along with Kia and Jataaka.
 * Ascended Extra
 * The Atoner
 * Bare Your Midriff
 * Big Damn Heroes: If you let her live, she pops out during the battle with Quan Chi in Mythologies to deliver the coup de grace. After Deception, she also prevents Noob and Smoke from getting the jump on Sub-Zero.
 * Bishoujo Line: Averted, as it's implied that her true demon form is vastly stronger, but Sareena hates her demonic lineage and will lose control of her actions if she stays in the form for an extended period of time. Sareena assumes human guise out of preference, making this something of an Invoked Trope Power Limiter.
 * Informed Ability: That being said, besides the mention of her demon form in her Armageddon bio, it's never been seen in action (possibly Justified Trope due to the above), and from what's been discerned, her true form is most likely not a Cute Monster Girl or even an attractive Beastess. Also, while likely, it's unknown if Jataaka and Kia have similar demon forms.
 * Combat Stilettos
 * Dark Action Girl --> Action Girl
 * Dark Is Not Evil: Despite her dark appearance and insistence on continuing to wear the garb of the Brotherhood of Shadows, Sareena has proven herself to be a valuable ally of the heroes and a force for good. In a Break the Cutie moment at the hands of Quan Chi, Sareena is manipulated into believing otherwise, as seen in the quote above.
 * The Dragon: Arguably one to Quan Chi in Mythologies; she's the only one of the trio seen reporting to him.
 * Early-Bird Cameo: Before appearing in Tournament Edition and Armageddon.
 * Facial Markings
 * Femme Fatale: Subverted. She looks like one but never acts as one.
 * Gorgeous Gorgon: At least her human form is. We've yet to see her true appearance as a demon.
 * Hell-Bent for Leather
 * High Heel Face Turn
 * Hooks and Crooks: During her time with the Brotherhood of Shadow, Sareena brandished twin hookswords.
 * I Am a Monster: Loathes her demon form and is briefly manipulated into believing that she can't be good because of her status as such. Younger Sub-Zero doesn't seem to agree.
 * Knife Nut: Her main projectile in Armageddon.
 * Mercy Rewarded: See "Big Damn Heroes" above.
 * Mid Boss: In Mythologies.
 * Mini Boss: In Armageddon.
 * Noble Demon: Though she really isn't very demonic.
 * Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: More or less.
 * Redemption Equals Death:
 * She's Got Legs
 * Shiny Midnight Black
 * Ship Tease: With the Elder Sub-Zero in Mythologies. With the Younger in Armageddon.
 * Battle Couple: Seems to be played up as the female half of one with the Sub-Zero bros. Not much happens with the elder one, as she only gets to deliver the finishing blow to Quan Chi before Shinnok "kills" her, but she comes to the younger Sub-Zero's defense to help him force Noob-Smoke to flee and in her Armageddon ending,
 * Interspecies Romance: She's a demoness, and the Sub-Zero brothers are mostly human, partially Cyromancer.
 * Loving a Shadow: Her semi-sorta there relationship with Sub-Zero the Younger could possibly be seen in this light in lieu of her previous interaction with his brother in Mythologies.
 * Rescue Romance: A variation. Part of the reason for her High Heel Face Turn was Sub-Zero sparing her life. She then comes to his aid against Quan Chi, and then requests that Sub-Zero take her with him back to Earthrealm. The younger Sub-Zero also grants her asylum with the Lin Kuei and Sareena pledges eternal loyalty to the clan.
 * Skunk Stripe
 * Stripperiffic
 * Tall, Dark and Bishoujo
 * Voluntary Shapeshifting: Her "human" form is a disguise that she prefers to appear as, although she's lost control of this on at least one occasion. Possibly crosses over with Shapeshifting Squick and Improbable Species Compatibility, seeing as she's Sub-Zero's Implied Love Interest and she's a demon...
 * Woman in Black: Strangely, in such a dark setting where black is particularly prominent for guys, she is about the only female to don a black outfit.
 * Yank the Dog's Chain: Her efforts to be freed from her demonic side are often met with failure.
 * Throw the Dog a Bone: Her time with (the younger) Sub-Zero seems to be a complete 180 from the rest of her life, though.

Fujin


"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."


 * The Archer: Used a crossbow in 4.
 * Badass Cape: In Mythologies. Gains it back as an alt. in Armageddon.
 * Blow You Away
 * Braids of Action: In Armageddon, his hair is adorned more lavishly than it was back in Mythologies and 4. And yes, this is a rare male example of this trope.
 * The Cameo: In 9, in Kratos' ending alongside Raiden.
 * Composite Character: Shinnok is the Wind God in Mortal Kombat Annihilation.
 * Early-Bird Cameo: Before appearing in 4 and Armageddon, he was a Mid Boss in Mythologies.
 * Everything's Better with Spinning
 * Spin Attack
 * Flight: In Mythologies, the player can't throw him to the void. This is how he recovers from his supposed death in that game. Also, he has a torpedo move similar to that of Raiden.
 * Hoist By His Own Tornado: How he (supposedly) dies in Mythologies.
 * Long White-Haired Pretty Boy Cool Old Guy
 * Mentors: He becomes this to Kung Lao, similar to Raiden and Liu Kang.
 * Not Quite Dead: He's shown being torn asunder by his own tornado in Mythologies, but he's perfectly fine afterward.
 * Physical God: He's the Wind God.
 * Razor Wind
 * Sole Survivor: When Shinnok broke free of his Netherrealm imprisonment, he killed the other three Elemental Gods. A wounded Fujin narrowly escaped and would've been felled himself had it not been for the intervention of Liu Kang and Kai.

Shinnok


"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,
 * Big Bad: Of 4.
 * Bigger Bad he was a former elder god and controlled the Big Bad of the entire series Shao Khan.
 * The Cameo:
 * 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. 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).
 * 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.
 * 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
 * Evil Is Hammy: FEEL MY POWER!!! FEEL THE FORCES OF DARKNESS!!!
 * Evil Laugh: MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
 * Evil Sorcerer
 * 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
 * Manipulative Bastard: Pretty much his shtick in Mythologies, although he's Out-Gambitted by . Also, see "Actually a Doombot/Fighting a Shadow" above.
 * Omnicidal Maniac: His goal is to consume all the energies of everything. Except Quan Chi.
 * Actually, Shinnok's reward for Quan Chi was the gift of his own existence. It's easy to understand Quan Chi's frustration at this development, but the guy had it coming.
 * One-Winged Angel: In Mythologies,.
 * Physical God
 * 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
 * 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.
 * With Great Power Comes Great Insanity

Lin Kuei Grandmaster

 * Authority Equals Asskicking
 * The Cameo: The games strongly implied that the Lin Kuei have a Grandmaster. So far, Mythologies is the only game where we see him. He finally makes a reappearance in Sektor's Arcade ending from 9, as he is Sektor's father.
 * Large Ham
 * Mission Control
 * : This can be applied to the Lin Kuei as a whole in Mythologies.

Earth God

 * Bad Vibrations: With every step he takes, the entire screen shakes.
 * Dishing Out Dirt
 * Golem: Raiden, Fujin, and the other two gods look distinctly human (with the Fire and Water Gods also being entirely composed of their physical element). The Earth God is the least humanoid of the five by a large margin.
 * Literally Shattered Lives
 * Mid Boss
 * Mighty Glacier: Big, strong, and slow.
 * No Name Given: Though fans gave him the name "Ohana."
 * Physical God

Water God

 * Gender Flip: He's female in Mortal Kombat Annihilation
 * Literally Shattered Lives: Each time you freeze and punch him.
 * Making a Splash
 * Mid Boss
 * No Name Given: Though fans gave him the name "Kumari."
 * Physical God
 * Teleport Spam: Has teleports similar to those of Cyber!Smoke and Raiden.
 * You Are Already Dead: How he dies.

Fire God

 * Glass Cannon and Mighty Glacier: Hard as hell to hit, strong attacks, but also slow.
 * Kill It with Fire
 * Mid Boss
 * Nice Hat
 * No Name Given: Though fans gave him the name "Hinoka."
 * Physical God: Can be described as Raiden if he was a fire elemental.
 * Playing with Fire
 * Teleport Spam: Has one similar to Raiden's.

Jataaka
"Other appearances: Cameo in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon."


 * Amazon Brigade
 * Dark Action Girl
 * Dark-Skinned Blond
 * Early-Bird Cameo: Before appearing in Armageddon's Konquest Mode.
 * Facial Markings
 * Hell-Bent for Leather
 * Killed Off for Real:
 * Mid Boss: In Mythologies.
 * Mini Boss: In Armageddon.
 * Stripperiffic
 * White-Haired Pretty Girl
 * Woman in Black

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


 * Amazon Brigade
 * Boobs of Steel: Arguably the strongest of the assassins, and the most buxom.
 * Dark Action Girl
 * Early-Bird Cameo: Before appearing in Armageddon's Konquest Mode.
 * Facial Markings
 * Hell-Bent for Leather
 * Killed Off for Real:
 * Mid Boss: In Mythologies.
 * Mini Boss: In Armageddon.
 * Raven Hair, Ivory Skin
 * Shiny Midnight Black
 * Stripperiffic
 * Woman in Black