Well I believe Edenia is one of the first worlds Kahn went after anyway. I mean, 10,000 years is such a long damn time ago. It's like the third oldest known event in the MK timeline. The first being the Elder Gods killing the One Being and creating the universe, and the second being Kahn killing Onaga and taking over Outworld in the first place.

Even Shinnok and Raiden's war for Earth happened after Kahn conquered Edenia, since Taven, who was put to sleep near the end of Edenia's war with Kahn, didn't know Shinnok had gone bad and been banished to Hell when he woke up. (which proves the Raptors were conquered well after the Edenians, BTW, since they didn't even move to Zaterra until the Raiden/Shinnok war)

But I digress, that's not necessarily important to the matter of Ermac anyway, as I always considered Ermac a "recent" creation of Kahn's, that MK1 might even be his first real assignment, and the introduction Shang gives him during MK9 story mode seems to confirm that.

And like I said, anything in 9 that doesn't contradict the old timeline is canon in "the Razorverse".

I m curious wether you stuck with the MK4 version of Quan Chi or not: I don't think that a control freak like Quan Chi (Mk4 Baraka ending) would let Scorp go loose with added powerwithout making sure that he couldn't turn on him, especially if he is responsible for his motivation for the first place. Thus his target also.

To be honest, I've never played Armageddon, and was unaware of this element. The main reason I look at the Shinnok/Raiden war as being a long time ago was basically because Shinnok himself says in his MK4 ending that, "for millions of years, [he] suffered in the bowels of the Netherrealm" and holds Raiden responsible. Also, since Reptile's ancestors were dinosaurs, it goes straight to common logic that the God War had to have happened before Shao Kahn went after Edenia. But whatever, if the newly established canon says that dinosaurs evolved to become Raptors on Earth until 8 000 BC alongside humans like the goddamn Flintstones, then alright. It's not the first time MK contradicts itself and makes up stupidities...

Even if he is a recent creation, and it's now been established that Kahn's been facing the Edenian rebels for good couple of thousand years, and that Zaterra's more recently conquered than Edenia, then there has to be traces of Raptor in Ermac, maybe more so than Edenian, since by the time we get to Reptile's story, his race is basically extinct.
Anyway, all I'm trying to say is that Jerrod being one of the souls in Ermac isn't obvious, because heck, there were never any clues to this until they flat-out say "JERROD'S IN HERE!" By that logic, we may as well have assumed that Onaga's soul was consumed by Shao Kahn after his murder, but obviously, that didn't happen.

I wouldn't say that there's anything Flintstones about it, there weren't any actual dinosaurs anymore, but Mythologies made it clear that the Raptors and Humans shared Earth at the same time. During the Raiden/Shinnok war, they didn't just chase all the Raptors away to Zaterra, Raiden also had human allies who formed the Shaolin Order of Light and built the temple the amulet was hidden in afterward.

And I still say Ermac having Jerrod in there seems obvious in hindsight TO ME, because like I said, I always assumed there were Edenians in him. But I suppose that's enough about that, there's nothing left to say on the matter.
As for your question, Chrome...I'm not going to have him come out and admit to Scorpion's face for no reason "Hey, now that Sub-Zero is ALMOST dead, I'm totally gonna tell you it was me, not him", but he gave Scorpion a power he can't control because he has too much confidence in his ability to manipulate people with words.

Until MKvsDCU and MK9, Quan Chi was never depicted as the "mind control spell" type, he was always the "I will talk you into doing what I want, or hang some sort of blackmail over your head" type, as shown by the way he treated not just Scorpion, but Sareena too. Sareena turned on him too, as did Ashrah, and neither of them were powerful like Scorpion is, after all. I picture Quan as the sort of guy who likes letting his victims keep their free will specifically so he can try to break that will, to crush it slowly over time until they willingly kneel to him.
I'm not sure a spirit who's motivated by and literally gets his power from intense emotion can BE mind controlled and still be powerful enough to kill Sub-Zeroes anyway. Anything that deadens one's willpower and mental faculties would deaden one's emotions and thus make Scorpion a dull weapon.

Well, there certainly is logic in "why use magic when I can do this with mere words too", I am just under the impression that Chi is one of those types who leave no bases uncovered. I personally think that at least in MK4 he did not give a rat's ass about all that. He is content with being the only sole sentient thing in the universe after his personal genocide. Imo torture for entertainment is more Kahn's forte, Chi is humourless, acerbic and immediate. Such as showing displeasure why Bi Han is not dead in MKM:SZ.

Then again, he did come out gloating in Scorpion's ending. Axe consistency.

Oh dear, I loved it so very, very much. This is how the MK1 portion should have been told in story mode, generic NPC fights and the 7 playable characters battling it out plus Reptile, Ermac and Goro. I enjoyed the Nimbus Terafaux reference and you made it make perfect sense and his role tie in well with Johnny Cage.



It really felt like the MK1 game, a really enjoyable read, easy to follow and well written, I'm very excited to see what you do with the MK 2 portion as you implied the story is to be continued.

The Razorverse is amazing

So when can we expect MK2 Script Outline,have you started on that one?

I can't guarantee it any time soon, I'm afraid. I have a few scenes done and a lot of notes for the rest, but I don't get free time a lot, I like to spend my days off from work catching up on sleep, so I tend to write in bits and pieces over months.

And MK2 is a lot harder to figure out than 1 was or 3 will be because it's a tournament like 1, but unlike 1, the roster isn't a number of people that fits the "16, 8, 4, 2, 1" sequence of a bracket, who should fight who in what order isn't obvious, and the tournament isn't as important to the plot as the fights/plots that happen outside of it, like Kitana killing Mileena or Jax trying to rescue Sonya.

F*** comics, I hope this is done in the new movie.

This is beautiful. As for Skarlet, you could make her be a competitor anyway. Since MK9 messed up the canon so horrifically badly, there's no telling what her REAL role was in the original canon, as she didn't even appear. Or alternately, make Jade the competitor (since she did appear) and give Skarlet Jade's spying role.

Actually, if you include Jade, Skarlet and Smoke, that takes the number of combatants up to 15. Add Kintaro and you have a 16 person bracket, conveniently with 8 competitors on the earthrealm side, (if you include scorpion), and 8 on outworld's.

I wanted to ask you though about one thing...

Are you going to start Baraka/Kung Lao rivalry during MK2 period,or is it gonna be during MK3,when Kung Lao almost killed the Tarkatan?
Cuz,I have suspicions,their rivalry started when Baraka and his troops were attacking Shaolin Temple,and Kung Lao was the only survivor like in MK2 Comic Book(possibly,maybe even faced Baraka right there and then),while Liu Kang was coming home.

But since Liu Kang and Kung Lao are coming home together in your universe,I can't say I am sure,that Kung Lao is gonna witness the slaughter and place Baraka on his enemy list.

I just always enjoyed this rivalry and thought it was beneficial for both of them.MK9 didn't even leave a HINT about it (though there was one of Raiden's visions when Kung Lao drops his Maksed Guard clothes and attacks Baraka,but in this timeline they didn't even interact)

Great read, you left me on a cliff hanger now I really want to know what happens next. You really held a lot of key points from the old canon together and made everything flow perfectly. I really appreciate you creating an actual tournament bracket and the idea of a montage showing off all the original 7 characters abilities and their progression through the tournament was how should I put this a "flawless victory" in story telling.

I noticed that you kept in Kung Lao's participation in the Mortal Kombat tournament. I always felt that he makes a much more powerful impact on the story when he is introduced at the beginning of MK2 after Liu Kang discovers the Shaolin Temples in ruins. However, the way you introduced him in the story towards the end of the first tournament and taking on Ermac works.

Another thing that I looked at critically was Scorpion and his Netherealm scene. I always interpreted Scorpion as this sort of absolute character who just tears up the scene and leaves during the first Mortal Kombat tournament. Who haunts Sub-Zero at every turn, you did well in portraying that however, I feel that scene although a great nod to the Mythologies game wasn't necessarily needed as its takes away the mysteriousness of his character and his role as being a ninja spector< I feel that Scorpion is only to be seen if he WANTS you to see him. I think Sub-Zero as a character could have enough weight on his actions and reactions to Scorpion's presence to make the audience be aware and say okay, this Scorpion guy is a part of Sub-Zero's past, Sub-Zero helped in creating this spector and now he must deal with this sin from the past or else be consumed by it, which tragically as we all know does. You did an amazing job having Raiden bear witness to the death of Sub-Zero and watching Scorpion's remorseful departure from the tournament. Brilliantly done. I would suggest though that Scorpion in the first trilogy shouldn't really have much emphasis on his character and play out his "wild card" role in making the audience always on their toes. I always looked at Scorpion as a very spontaneous character that further develops Sub-Zero, Scorpion does though later on in the series circa MK4 gets that spot light and shines as an anti-hero for the series.

All I can say at this point is, I can't wait to read your MK2 portion of the story and If I could throw some suggestions I'd love to help you. You did phenomenal and I hope a developer from Netherealm studios reads this and takes notes on how good the MK story could be when given the right treatment.

On Kung Lao - I've said before in other threads that I've always felt Kung Lao's original MK2 story was weak and didn't adequately explain why he skipped the MK1 tournament.

See, people like to say it's because he was a pacifist and didn't want to fight...here's the thing about that, they're getting the timing wrong. Kung Lao PICKED UP pacifism in between MK3 and MK4, it was his reason for allowing his friends to think he was dead and becoming a hermit...but it wasn't part of his MK2 story.

In MK2, the closest thing we're given to a reason why he didn't follow his ancestor's footsteps is in the MK2 comic, he shows some animosity at Liu for "abandoning the White Lotus" to return to the Shaolin temple and represent them in the tournament.

Well that doesn't make no goddamn sense. Maybe it did in Tobias's head, because he had some idea of what the White Lotus was meant to be that we were never told. But it wasn't until after he left Midway that they finally explained what the White Lotus Society is - in Deception, to be specific. They're a club Raiden started that trains warriors to defend Earthrealm from invasions. Sort of like an offshoot of the Order of Light that'll take anyone, you don't have to become a monk.

So if the WLS is about protecting Earthrealm, why would one of their members want to skip the tournament that prevents invasions? It doesn't fit. That's why I always liked the Shaolin Monks retcon of Kung Lao's story and decided to go in that direction.

He will be able to witness the massacre and make enemies with Baraka in MK2 though. I hate to spoil stuff but it's a minor point anyway - Liu's not going to be there because I'm going to have him split off when they return home to pay another visit to Bo' Rai Cho.

On Scorpion - I don't consider him all that "mysterious" as a character. His story has always been fairly up-front. Much moreso than Sub-Zero's, in fact. But it's my belief that not knowing who characters are doesn't do them any favors, unless they're background characters who are supposed to be hidden and get a full reveal later on - which Scorpion is not. Mystery works for Quan Chi, it doesn't work for someone who's going to be participating first-hand in major events. If you aren't up-front about who your mains are and where they come from, they can't get character development because the character you want to develop hasn't even been established. (And make no mistake, Tobias's Scorpion did go through quite a bit of development from MK1 to MK3 and so will mine.)

I also believe the Quan Chi and Shinnok presence in the plot has to be telegraphed early on, to set up the creation of Noob Saibot in 2 and the resurrections of Sindel and Mileena in 3 - albeit, without going "fuck it, Quan is everywhere and does everything, no subtlety or hiding in the shadows at all" like fucking MK9 did.

Makes sense about Kung Lao. I always thought too,that the way MK Deception Konquest described White Lotus Society,no way Kung Lao could be pacifist AND be a member of them.Though I don't clearly understand why he abandoned fighting after MK3. Was it because he ALMOST died after Shao Kahn beat him and thus believing he can't be "Chosen One" like Liu Kang and find something else for him? Or maybe something else?

Plus,if he wanted to avenge his ancestor's death at the hands of Goro in MK Gold,him entering the tournament would be most logical to do that,wouldn't it?
So I agree with you Razor,that MK SM retcon of Kung Lao was a good one. Well, it seems,something good came out of MK SM story line after all,right? lol
*Then I think of Liu Kang's infamous "Are you okay?" line and get back to reality *

Great reasons on why you chose what to do with those characters. I am impressed. Can't wait to read your MK2 and MK3 outlines.

Aaaand another thing Razor...Where is Bo Rai Cho living now,in Earthrealm or Outworld? Sorry for being so into details.Cuz if I recall correctly,Shujinko was visiting him on Earthrealm,before MK1,but then Kung Lao and Kitana went to his place to train a bit while they were in Outworld to finish Deadly Alliance. Or am I missing something?

In MK1, he was living in Earthrealm because he was training Earth warriors for the tournament for the past 500+ years. Now that Liu Kang has won, he'll move back to Outworld.

Oh,ok,it makes sense,And I suppose your Liu Kang's visit to him after MK1 tournament will have some kind of farewell and last meeting between teacher and student till Liu's death?

I was always curious on the amount of time that passed between MK1 and MK2. Shaolin Monks and MK (2011) always make the story instantly pick up the MK2 plot right after the first tournament ends; this is something I was never a fan of.

I hope that in your story we can really get a sense of time that passes from the end of the first tournament. We all know Johnny Cage went off to start production on his movie interpretation of his experience at the tournament and during this time Jax started his investigation on the whereabouts of Sonya.

There is a lot of blank spaces at this point in time when everyone that survived the tournament went their separate ways. Nothing really picks up until the attack on the Wu Shi academy. We don't know the process of how Sonya and Kano ended up chained up in Kahn's Courtyard. Nor do we have any idea what Raiden did after the tournament until he just appeared in front of the Earth warriors and told them about the new tournament. There's a lot of stuff to play with at this point.

Yeah, the whole "Johnny has time to launch production on Mortal Kombat: The Movie" thing is definitely something I'm trying to work out by stretching out the amount of time it takes Liu and Kung to get back to the temple from the island.

Still, there's only so much I can do because once the place is in ruins, they're going to immediately set out to find Shang and prevent him from attacking Johnny too like they do in the comic - which will lead to all the heroes being at one spot at one time to recieve the challenge and travel to Outworld, which means at most there can only be a couple weeks between tournaments.

So you are going to repeat official MK2 comics? I don't know,I never liked that part,when they attack Johnny during his movie shooting.Not the idea itself,but the idea how everybody gathered in one place.I think there should be some fighters to appear later,to have this kind of "WOW! Who is this?" reaction. Especially Kintaro,I think he should be saved for later,as kind of surprise,because,as Boon and Tobias described him,he is badder and bigger version of Goro. So his first encounter (IF he is part of that attacking team) will cheapen his first intimidation reaction,especially since he was fighting Jax and wasn't much of A BIG challenge,just two big guys going at it.

I would advise you to just use Shang Tsung,Baraka,Reptile,Mileena and Kitana (maybe Skarlet?) and that's it. And PLEASE,don't tell me you are gonna put Scorpion there like it was in MK2 comics,because he decided to protect Kuai Liang DURING tournament,not BEFORE,but I am sure you are aware of that. I would actually NOT put Scorpion in that scene in Hollywood,I think he should appear in Outworld right away.

I am really curious what are your plans for Jade and Smoke? Are you gonna write some kind of encounter in the Living Forest between them?

And another thing about Kintaro. Are you going to use him as proposition from Gorbak to Shao Kahn to replace Goro like in MK2 comics? Or is he gonna be Shao Kahn's long-time bodyguard like in MK9? I think you should use both variants,because,Shao Kahn obviously is much smarter in your universe (I assume,because I always envision Shao Kahn like in XiahouDun84' Kitana Redemption,which is cunning,smart,arrogant and ruthless emperor,who is manipulator to some extent,but of course,not like Quan Chi) than in MK9,so him putting this big giant Shokan as bodyguard,who tore apart his Centaur opponent and then destroyed some more on the way(MK9 bio), will make sense,right? I mean,in MK2 comics it sounds like he never heard of Kintaro before,until Gorbak introduced him,which doesn't make sense to me. Such brutal warriors like him should be known even to the Emperor.

And I would actually do it that way. When Shao Kahn is talking to Gorbak about executing Shang Tsung for his failure and when it comes to selecting the new Shokan warrior for the tournament,make Kintaro get in there (he is Shao Kahn's bodyguard,so he is there too) and say BY HIS OWN REQUEST,not because king chose him,that he will avenge his prince's death if the Emperor will allow him to enter. Make Gorbak NOT to approve that,saying something like "Only Draco can represent great Shokan nation in this tournament! It is unacceptable to have some low class Tigrar as Goro's successor" or something like that. But Shao Kahn,knowing Kintaro and what exceptional fighter he is,decides to enter him. I think that will be important to show the superiority of Draco lineage in Shokans and treating other classes like Tigrar like it was before,like some kind of low lives and slaves. I don't know,I think it would be cool,what do you think Razor? (Apologize me if I am getting too nosy,but I really really like your take on MK universe and just suggesting ideas)

Well unlike the comic, not everyone will be there.

Jax will because he's been tailing Johnny anyway ever since he picked him up out of the ocean - he's his only lead to finding Sonya.

Liu, Kung Lao, and Raiden will show up, like I said.

But the Lin Kuei and Scorpion will be absent, I'm not doing that flying around in a jet wearing a suit and tie crap, it doesn't fit Kuai Liang's character. And the only villains who should be there are Shang, Baraka and some Tarkatans...and Kintaro.

And the reason for Kintaro coming to Earth is I want to keep the rivalry the comic tried to set up between him and Jax over which one is stronger because I'm using "That Outworld monster was stronger than me, and I'm the strongest man on Earth!" as his motive for getting the bionic arms in 3.

As for him and Gorbak, I will keep that scene in Kahn's throne room from the comic, but I'm going to reverse it a bit. Instead of Gorbak offering Kintaro's service to Kahn, Kahn will pick Outworld's best gladiator - Kintaro (the scene in Shaolin Monks where he walks in the arena and the crowd immediately starts chanting for him left a big impression on me, it was the first time Kintaro's ever been given even so much as an implied background/personality, so now I'll always see Kintaro's backstory as "famous gladiator"...and I have different plans for the "Kahn's bodyguard" position anyway), and like you suggested, Gorbak will try to protest because he doesn't want his race represented in Kahn's eyes or in the tournament by a lowly Tigrar peasant.
Smoke and Jade will definitely run into each other in the forest, and maybe in Goro's Lair somehow too, since that's where you fought them in the game, I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to work that out just yet.

Well,now Kintaro's appearence makes sense,if that is for Jax and Kintaro rivalry,then I am cool with it. But still,don't you think it would be weird for Kahn not to send his best assassins,like Kitana and Mileena instead,as you said,"favorite gladiator" to deal with them. But anyways,if it is for story concepts,then I agree.

About Gorbak,well,I am glad some of our ideas are coming together

And about Smoke and Jade. If you want them to meet in Goro's Lair, I suppose,someone suggested that idea long time ago here,where Kuai Liang came to finish Bi-Han's mission,but,as a good brother,he wants to find out what happened to Bi-Han himself,and that's why Smoke is helping him out,while Sub-Zero is participating in tournament. (Though I don't know Smoke's purpose in your mind) Smoke will go and investigate Shang's destroyed island,which is in ruins,to find Bi-Han's body. Instead,in Goro's Lair,he will see some dark warrior,who reminds him of somebody (Noob Saibot),who after some moment disappears.(I don't know how to explain Noob's appearence there,but he should be there too,don't you think?)

And there in Goro's Lair,after Noob disappeared,Jade comes out and interrogates Smoke (Jade probably saw him and Sub-Zero speak in Outworld and followed him,to see who he is and what he is up to,she was tasked by Shao Kahn to hold off any intruders from Earthrealm) Smoke doesn't like it and they engage in battle,I guess. Who wins here is up to you.(I think Smoke should win,because Jade,as she was commanded,will finish him...But I don't know if Smoke will finish her though...)

And then,in Living Forest,after Smoke tells Sub-Zero about his revelations in Goro's Lair,and when Sub-Zero leaves again for tournament,Jade appears out of trees,who engages Smoke second time. And for a change,make Jade win this time,since she learned his fighting style or something. And then,I don't know,make Raiden or somebody rescue him (MK9 nod?)

A lot of variants Razor,let me know if you like some aspects of my scenario.

When you mention "best assassins" like Kitana and Mileena to deal with the Earth fighters, I think that would play out how you expected. I think that the spot light is going to be put on Liu Kang during MK2 due to Shang Tsung's emphasis on taking him out before he can enter the tournament. This is where both Kitana and Mileena come in play and leads up to Kitana's catalytic moment in becoming a force for good when confronting Liu Kang.

Shao Kahn I feel during MK2 isn't fully aware of the strength mortals have from Earth yet and in his mind feels that their presence in Outworld is merely a diversion from his true plans of taking Earthrealm. Shao Kahn at this point is basically trying to play by the Elder God's rules but has his backup plan with his invasion of Earth scheme in his sleeve. The emperor at this point is at a win-win situation; either way he can kill what is believed to be the strongest people from Earth and if he's not successful in that he's going to take their home anyway without them even being there to protect it.

This tournament is rigged also to be entertainment for the people of Outworld to demonstrate the might of Outworld against foreign figures. Why is it that you think the tournament is staged in his courtyard? The idea that Kintaro is an established gladiator makes sense and Kahn's Courtyard is probably the place where he made his name, so his intimidating presence that you're anticipating Noobsmoke should be there simply for the fact that the likes of Jax and the rest of the Earth warriors are now on his turf with thousands of Outworld people chanting his name.

Well my logic for limiting the Earth-attack party to just Shang, Kintaro, and the Tarkatans, and not having Kahn send his assassin girls along, is that they're not coming over to assassinate the fighters, they're coming to provoke them.

"Hey, please give us a rematch but this time come to our turf and let our invincible god-king be the final challenger...oh, and let's make it winner takes all instead of ten in a row because we're too impatient to wait another 500 years to take over your planet, please?" is a TERRIBLE deal. The ONLY way the heroes ever accept it is because they're blinded by revenge. Shang and Kahn know this, that's the reason for the attack.

Shang is there because he's Kahn's "Mouth of Sauron" in Earthrealm since Kahn can't go there himself. And he wants a measure of personal revenge against Liu for beating him - and "if I hadn't let him live, this never would've happened" is central to Liu's character development through MK2 so he has to know it was Shang. Baraka and the Tarkatans are there because it's always been them behind the attack.

And Kintaro is there because he's being chosen to fill Goro's shoes. And what was Goro's rank? That's right, he was the General. Kintaro is there to direct the troops. (although with Shang there, he's more like second in command.)

I am still confused about one thing...

In MK9,Shang proposes a single tournament instead of 10 and provoke them to participate.(Raiden refusing is actually one of the smartest things he has done all game long)

However in MK2,WAS IT ESTABLISHED,that Outworld tournament is counting for 10 tournaments,because,lets say,Shao Kahn won tournament in MK2,would he have right to conquer Earth (I haven't seen any Elder Gods' blessing like in MK9)?

Or Shao Kahn just decided:"Fuck it,since the streak is gone again,I will lure all the Earth heroes here and finish them off,then invade the realm using loophole in the rules and revive my wife there" (Actually,was it established too,that MK2 tournament was a trap for MK3 events,and if yes,where?)

Another thing Razor (since you are "story guy" )...Was the Shaolin Temple both Scorpion and Sub-Zero infiltrated and had Map of Elements the same place Baraka and Tarkatans destroyed during MK2? Because,if Great Kung Lao knew of this place,he,logically,lived there,and that means,it is home to Liu Kang and Kung Lao as well.

IF that's true,I would love for Kung Lao have some kind of flashback,when he and other monks discovered several bodies of other Shaolin brothers and Scorpion's body himself.(since Liu Kang is not there and training with Bo Rai Cho) And maybe some monks saying they saw a man resembling Lin Kuei in blue attire.

(But I know you are not gonna change anything in your MK1 portion,that idea actually came out of nowhere,since we don't know what happened to Hanzo Hasashi's body )