With the first arrival of the MKA bios being released, I thought it only fitting to finally get down to discussion what could really happen to each character now that we know the full story of each one. What is released in the bios could be detrimental to a character's fate (namely whether they live or die), and provide us some clues before the release of MK8, or perhaps even redone endings in the WII version (yes, wishful thinking).



The first character is certainly one of the most popular new faces around MK, Kenshi. Seen as one of the few nonhated newcomers that MKDA and MKD brought aboard, there were certainly some sad faces when the opening video was released with him dieing in it. Here's the full scoop on our man:

*~~* Story *~~*

As a born fighter, Kenshi wandered Earthrealm in search of worthy competition. He would find an opponent and defeat them just to boost his pride. One day Kenshi encountered a man named Song, who convinced Kenshi that a great warrior needed a great sword; Song then led Kenshi to the location of an ancient, powerful sword Song claimed would befit Kenshi's power. As Kenshi unsealed the well wherein the sword supposedly lay, he was overwhelmed by souls trapped within and permanently blinded. Song revealed himself to be Shang Tsung and proceeded to absorb the released souls and left Kenshi to die within the tomb. However, the sword, which actually did exist, attracted Kenshi and spoke to him, leading him from the tomb and revealing its origin. The sword originally belonged to a long line of great swordsmen from whom Kenshi descended; the well where the sword lay was also the sacred resting place of the souls of Kenshi's ancestors, souls that were stolen by Shang Tsung. Kenshi spent the next decade or so retraining his senses, all while searching for his betrayer and the defiler of his ancestry. This path led him to the U.S. Special Forces.

Kenshi's special abilities eventually caught the attention of Jax and Sonya who were looking for members with special talents to join their side and venture into Outworld; Kenshi jumped at the chance to pursue the man who had deceived him. After going through many tests and examinations, he was accepted to join the Outer World Investigation Agency.

His chance at enacting his revenge came when he was assigned to find the lost Cyrax, another agent of the Special Forces, in Outworld. In his travels across Outworld, he encountered the enigmatic Ermac, and, in a moment of pity, broke the mind control that Shao Kahn had over him. In gratitude, Ermac awakened Kenshi's latent telekinetic power, and taught him not only how to use it effectively in combat, but how to 'sense' the presence of people and objects around him. Kenshi soon discovered the Deadly Alliance and their plans, but was unable to contact the OWIA (which had been bombed by Hsu Hao). Unknown to Kenshi, the Deadly Alliance knew of his presence and sent Mavado to eliminate him. Mavado confronted Kenshi, defeated the swordsman, and left him to die.

Sub-Zero found the dying Kenshi and nursed him back to health. Because of Sub-Zero's sympathy and kindness, Kenshi forged a temporary alliance with Sub-Zero to find a portal that would take them back home, though this temporary alliance soon became a long-lasting friendship. After Shang Tsung's death upon Onaga's return, Kenshi sensed the souls of his ancestors return to his sword, indicating the end of his quest for vengeance.

With his foe presumed dead, Kenshi left the OWIA to persue a life of a lone warrior once again. Hunting the wicked, he slayed many who threatened the innocent. While fighting figures in the criminal underworld, Kenshi encrypted a message to the Red Dragon about a plan to capture the half-god Edenian Taven. Determined to hunt down his enemy Mavado's clan, he was met by Johnny Cage. He told of Shinnok's plan to resurface, and invited Kenshi to join the other forces of good. Wanting no part, Kenshi set out to find and kill Mavado. However, his sword's essence conveys to him the impending armageddon, and returns to the side of light as a leader.

In Kenshi's Mortal Kombat: Armageddon ending, he defeats Blaze, allowing him to regain his sight while his other senses are greatly increased. Unable to endure this new sensory overload, Kenshi withdraws to a remote mountain cavern when he would remain isolated in a darkened, soundless chamber.

(Source: Wikipedia - Yes, I did check to make sure the information was factual.)

*~~* My Opinion *~~*

Kenshi was immediately one of my favorite new characters in MKDA, and still is today. His mysterious and terrible past makes Kenshi a likeable character - he was humbled in an attempt to increase his pride, a sign of an epic hero. Kenshi just might become that hero in MKA, as stated at the end of his bio. He truly wants to lead the side of good into battle against the forces of evil, and I think he is the right man to do the job. Kenshi's confidence in himself and special abilities outweigh many of his contendors as a lead. Sonya saw this as well, and that's why she considered him for the OWIA.

Kenshi's roots are probably one of the most creative of all the characters. It was very clever how Shang Tsung decieved him, yet maybe it was for the better. Not only did Kenshi revert to a better atitude towards life, he also gained extrodinary powers. His connection with Ermac is a fascinating one, as they are two great characters, both alike in many ways. I'd like to have seen some more interaction between them in MKA. The souls contained within his sword are also pivotal, as Kenshi seems to deeply respect them and will do whatever it takes not to fail under their jurisdiction.

Kenshi's abandonment of the OWIA was a surpise to me. It seemed to really give him a purpose in his life, but really all along it was to hunt down Shang Tsung? I know the man blinded you, but abandoning your allies because your task is finished is very selfish. We can see Kenshi reverting back to his old ways here, even going back on his slaying spree across the Earth. The only thing good about this is that Kenshi is actually killing evil-doers this time instead of anyone and everyone. He does return to help, so I'll give him credit for that, but still I'm a bit disappointed in Kenshi.

The interaction between Kenshi and Sub-Zero was an interesting one as well. The are both loners in their ways, and taking each other up in sign of good will made them better characters in my view. I actually liked these pair, and I wouldn't mind Kenshi turning Lin-Kuei, but obviously that ain't gonna happen anymore. This was one of my favorite pairs through MK history, but they each got their seperate tasks to deal with.

Kenshi's fued with Mavado was a somewhat suprising turn of events. I thought for sure the fued would be between him and Kabal, not with Kenshi. That asshole seems to like killing everybody though, so Kenshi does have to right to get back at him, although Kabal is definitely more deserving for the act. He seems more driving to kill Mavado then even Shang Tsung, which says something, and shows how Kenshi moves on from the past. If they do meet, it would be an interesting turnout. Although I'd like to see Kenshi win, I have the feeling that Mavado would be the more likely victor. Yes, I am saying that Kenshi could be killed by someone other than Quan Chi because I consider the opening scene only partially canon, because that damn sorcerer doesn't have any right killing one of my favorites. Stick to Scorpion!

Kenshi's ending is actually pretty cool. His unfortunate turn of events is sad, yet ironic at the same time. If the theory about each contender recieving a small amount of Blaze's essence is true, Kenshi's ending should happen. One: it is a way to get rid of him as a fighter if they didn't want to bring him back; two: it is still a good way to bring him back in the future as a sensitive old master hidden deep within the mountains for some unlikely apprentice to stumble upon.

Either way, I think Kenshi has a high possibility of surviving as he is very popular, and has loads of potential still untapped that could booster any character select screen in a future MK game.

Well, there you have it, our first character. Go ahead and discuss!