That's a good question...

Actually, a few of these old endings don't make any sense, and appear to have been grammar checked by someone who posts at GameFAQs.

What the hell is the 'Battle of the Sans'? Make Boone and Tobias answer this, even if the answer is that they hired a crappy writer.

Tobias wrote most of the storyline for the original MK games. Tobias loved Asian mythology and seems to know quite a bit about the ancient mystery teachings of certain Asian secret societies. For instance there was once a Black Dragon Society. They have since changed their name and have gone from being a warring band of assassins into a Society of peace and enlightenment.

There was a Hai San Society, but I doubt if that is what the ending refers to. I'll dig a little more and see what I can come up with. I think if gamers knew how much Tobias based the MK storline off of myth and history it would astound them. As it is usually only known to people that he was inspired by movies and comic books.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Dragon_Society

Not entirely accurate, nothing on Wikipedia ever is. But it's a great stepping stone for further research. Have a nice day!

Thanks malice,

That was a good starting place. Here is what I found: 'San' is a French word that means 'without'. There is a hint to this in MK3/UMK3 with the Kombat Kode 044-440 - Sans Power. This code makes each player start with no energy and 1 round, literally without power. The Black Dragon Society formed close contacts with Buddhist sects. Becoming a Buddha requires reaching Nirvana. Nir = without, liberated from whatever weaknesses 'vana'. So the battle of the Sans would be the battle of those that are 'without', aka a battle against the Buddhist Sects? So enlightened they are Satthadeva-Manussanam – Teacher of gods and humans. So probably a pretty serious battle.

"Battle of the Sans", in the context of "sans" meaning "without", could mean what would happen if the rules and structure of the tournament broke down.

Open war between realms, ignoring the rules of the Gods, destroying Earthrealm or something like that.

That's all fine and dandy, but why would a FRENCH word come into play?
Also, "sans" means "without" but it's not like anyone would say "battle of the without". That wouldn't even make sense in French.
It more than likely has nothing to do with a french word, SURPRISINGLY to absolutely no one.

Sans is also the Japanese word san in plural, a commonplace moniker for a fighting dojo member. The Battle of the Sans may have meant a battle of the "Apprentices" or such actually.
At the time of MK1, Kano was in fact Japanese. He is no more, and that may be the reason why such an event has never been brought up again.