These bios were released by Threshold Entertainment for the Mortal Kombat cartoons (Defenders of the Realm) and only distributed with the DVD releases sold in the U.K. I can't find any information on these on Google, as apparently no one's ever put them online before. So read what may be for the first time ever the incredibly rare bios written about the MK characters for MK: DOTR! If there's enough interest I'll post scans of these.

THE GOOD GUYS

Rayden:

Rayden is the God of thunder and lightning and protector of Earth’s realm. With control of thunder and lightning, he has the ability to throw electrical energy at will. He is a seasoned fighter and has, in the past, battled amongst the heavens to protect the Earth. Later though, through rules set forth by the Elder Gods, Rayden was unable to fight in Mortal Kombat [the tournament only allowed mortals to compete]. Yet, Rayden’s affinity towards the Earth realm and its inhabitants made his intervention inevitable. He became a mentor to our heroes and provides them with the wisdom they sometimes need to overcome challenges. However, while Rayden is an authoritative figure, he is not always correct; and as the group’s leader, he remains cool under the most extreme conditions. Rayden is angst-ridden from a burden he carries from a secret in his past. Rayden put the original team together and he is essential in helping them monitor the Outworlders and other invading aliens. He is not your typical Obi Wan Kenobe.


Nigthwolf:

Nightwolf is a highly intelligent Native American who ironically prefers modern technology to his ancient rituals. He is a complete technophile, always excited about his newest inventions and gadgets. However, he still uses his knowledge and the magic of his shaman to protect his tribe’s sacred land, making it impenetrable by any outside force. That’s why this sacred land is also the location of the team’s headquarters and Nightwolf remains there to act as a guardian of their covert operation while monitoring rips in the Earth’s dimensional fabric. Nightwolf also passes on his native teachings to help our heroes find their inner strengths and develop “special moves” that are necessary for overcoming their adversaries. If he does leave the fortress, Nightwolf can call upon his tribal gods to help protect him, giving him a mystical bow, which fires deadly energy bolts, and a powerful hatchet. Nightwolf is also an environmentalist, and he is deeply troubled by what is happening to “his” planet. Always at his side is a sleek, black wolf named Kiva, with whom he can merge to become a more powerful being.


Liu Kang:

Liu Kang is a handsome Asian who was training to be a master of Mortal Kombat. However, he didn’t believe in what he was being taught, so he left The Order of Light to seek life in America. After Liu’s departure, his brother began training for the tournament in place of Liu. But he was killed by the demon sorcerer Shang Tsung. Liu struggled with his brother’s death as he thought it was his fault. Liu finally accepted his destiny and went to compete in Mortal Kombat. There, he came to terms with the death of his brother and defeated Shang Tsung. He is now reigning champion of Mortal Kombat, and therefore will not age until the next tournament, if there ever is one. Liu still has moments of self-doubt as he the responsibility for saving the Earth has once again fallen on his shoulders. Through Nightwolf’s teachings, Liu has learned to channel his internal strength or “chi” into a burst of energy that he can throw like a ball of fire while fighting. As he tries to be a man of the 21st Century, he struggles with computers and current technology. He has yet to master the Dragonjet. There is a strong bond and major heat between Liu and Kitana.


Sonya Blade:

Sonya Blade is a lieutenant in the U.S. Special Forces. She is trained in the most advanced military equipment and tactics available. She can operate anything from a mo-ped to a Stealth Bomber. Unfortunately her last two partners have been eliminated, so she’s become completely unrestrained and volatile, a la Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon. She tends to be wild and impulsive. She acts before thinking. Deep inside she has tucked away feelings of guilt and intense sadness about her past partners. Although she is searching for the ability to get close to people, she will not allow herself to open up. She has built a wall around herself to protect herself from getting hurt again, and feels the guilt and pain of watching those around her perish. Like Liu Kang, Nightwolf has taught Sonya to channel her negative energy into a series of powerful “rings” that when tossed from her hands can completely stun an opponent. Her strength and skill aside, Sonya is blonde and beautiful—a deadly combination.


Jax:

Jax or Major Jackson Briggs, is also a member of the U.S. Special Forces. An African American, he is Sonya’s new partner and has taken it upon himself to watch over her erratic behavior. Outfitted with bionic arm implants, Jax is probably the strongest man in the world, and probably the most sarcastic. On the surface, it appears as if Jax doesn’t take anything seriously; everything to him is a joke. Although he kids about sending others into a fight first, he’s usually there before anyone else, kicking butt. Unfortunately, his jokes are a cover up for his insecurity. Deep down, Jax feels that he may not actually be as capable as the others, because he’s relatively new to the Mortal Kombat force and not particularly spiritual. And although he’s modest with others, he is continually trying to prove to himself that he’s still the toughest man alive. His superhuman strength and power allow him to literally shake the ground under his opponents by smashing his fist down.


Stryker:

Stryker is a buttoned down military machine. He was a big-city riot cop before Shao Khan’s attack. In his precinct, he was considered the cop who did everything by-the-book. He is well disciplined, focused and logical; he’s also a survivor. Give him a problem and he’ll solve it, give him a plan and he’ll execute it; he’s all guts and innate know-how. However, his rigid, disciplined ways are habitual at times. He is the kind of guy who would have a bed you could bounce a quarter on, complete with hospital corners. Still, you wouldn’t want to mess with him because he is trained in the most advanced military gadgetry available today. Beyond his mission and his duty, he is obsessed with his health to the point of being a hypochondriac, which is often the source of much teasing from the other combatants.


Sub-Zero:

Sub-Zero was once a member of the Lin Kuei, a legendary band of Chinese ninja. He has since left the Lin Kuei after their decision to automate the ninjas. He is despised by his own clan for breaking the sacred code of honor. He has chosen a new life, but refused to join the Mortal Kombat team at first. However, when he learns his eternal enemy, Scorpion, plans to attack the realm of Earth, he is forced to turn to the team for assistance. He must overcome his past and forgive Liu for killing his brother. Although Sub-Zero knows his brother was innately evil and had to be stopped, he was still flesh and blood.

When he joins our heroes, he must deal with the tension and suspicion from the other members. Sub-Zero has the special ability to pull moisture from the air, freeze it, and then shower his opponents with it, causing them to freeze as well. Trained as a ninja, he is a supremely skilled warrior, but he is troubled by the conflicts that rage within him.


Kitana:

Kitana is rightful heir to the throne of Outworld and she is extremely gorgeous despite her age—ten thousand years old. Kitana has joined the group in hopes of defeating Shao Khan and claiming her place as leader of the Outworld. She is exotic and mysterious. In Outworld, she was trained to defend herself with a pair of sharp tipped fans, making her deadly as well. She is a very guarded person allowing her past to remain a mystery. She is just now learning to trust and open up to mortals. There is a strong physical attraction between Kitana and Liu. She is protective of Liu and suspicious of Sub-Zero at the beginning.


Kiva:

Kiva is a large black wolf. Although he looks totally ominous, when he’s along with Nightwolf, Kiva is a puppy dog. One of Kiva’s greatest pleasures is tormenting Stryker, who not only dislikes the wild canine, but actually fears him.



THE BAD GUYS


Shao Kahn:

Shao Kahn is an evil warlord who overthrew the once peaceful realm of Edenia, stripping it of all its life. He murdered Edenia’s King, took the Queen Sindel as his bride, adopted Kitana as his daughter, and transformed Edenia into the desolate realm known as the Outworld. Eager for more power, he sought out other worlds to conquer and enslave. Earth was his next target, but it was protected by the rules of Mortal Kombat. Initially Khan tried to take the young realm through the great tournament, but became infuriated by his failed attempts. The treacherous emperor of Outworld has now resorted to cheating in order to gain entrance to Earth. A thorn in his side has been his brother who has beat him at every turn. He will use anyone or anything to gain ultimate power.


Shang Tsung:

Shang Tsung is a shape shifting demon sorcerer who has the ability to steal the souls of those he defeats in battle. His background is as mysterious as he is evil. However, it is believed that he originated from Earth, which gives him the unholy power to travel between the Earth and Outworld virtually undetected. As Shao Khan’s lead sorcerer he once fell out of favor with his emperor after failing to win the Earth through tournament battle. His plans were thwarted by Liu Kang, but the ever scheming Shang Tsung is instrumental in Khan’s conquest of Earth. He will one day return.


Motaro:

Motaro is the general of an army of Centaurian warriors from Outworld. The Centaurians are a half man, half beast race that rules the highlands of Outworld. They are also the natural enemy of the Shokan. With the absence of Shokan’s greatest warriors, the mighty Goro and his predecessor Kintaro [who was vaporized by Rayden], Motaro was granted the role of leader of Shao Khan’s armies. Known for their hunting prowess, he continues no lead his herd as they viciously hunt down humans. Now, as leader, Motaro has added an energy device to his tail, giving him the ability to target his opponents so he doesn’t have to get his hands dirty.


Kano:

Kano was left for dead in the last Mortal Kombat tournament when he was humiliated by Sonya. This defeat forever burns inside of him, and he vows to one day get his revenge on Sonya. Now as boss of the Black Dragon Organization [a crime syndicate that prides itself on selling its dastardly deeds and
services to the highest bidder], Kano has his own plans for world domination. He has also replaced one of his eyes with a bionic eye that contains a laser weapon. His endless source of dirty money has also allowed him to purchase advanced weaponry, like an energy knife that he likes to throw at his opponents.


Sheeva:

Sheeva is a member of the fierce race of half human dragons called the Shokan. Goro, who was Prince of the Shokan, was killed during the last official Mortal Kombat tournament by Johnny Cage. Sheeva’s race of Shokan are the natural enemy of Motaro’s race of Centaurions. Standing at a towering eight feet, possessing four arms and the ability to throw a blast of energy, she is a force to be reckoned with.


Scorpion:

Scorpion holds allegiance with no one. He is a wild card. His invasions are for his personal gain. He has a special harpoon spear and the ability to vanish then reappear. His clan and the Sub-Zero clan have been feuding for centuries. The older Sub-Zero succeeded in eliminating Scorpion; however, before he died, Scorpion swore that he would haunt Sub-Zero for the rest of his life. And he did. Scorpion returned as a specter, tormenting Sub-Zero up until Liu Kang eliminated Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat. After Sub-Zero’s death, Scorpion’s soul was set free, and he made a pledge to protect the younger Sub-Zero. However, the offers of unlimited power from others have swayed his decision, as he now works as a hired henchman for the highest bidder.


The Lin Kuei:

The Lin Kuei are a legendary band of Chinese ninjas. Although their past is shrouded in mystery, it is known that they train their warriors to be the most silent and deadly henchmen in the world. Obsessed with technology, the Lin Kuei eventually began to “automate” their ninjas. They had developed a process where they could eliminate one of their warriors and infuse their soul into a machine. Their goal was to create a nearly indestructible cybernetic henchman. They first tried this on the young Sub-Zero, but he refused and escaped. Sektor and Cyrax were the first prototypes of this new ninja, and their primary mission is to destroy Sub-Zero. They now make armies of these warriors, most of them going to Outworld for Shao Khan’s use. Their main rivalry is an unknown clan of ninjas that Scorpion supposedly hails from.


Sektor:

Sektor is actually the code name for unit LK-9T9; the first of three prototype ninjas built by the Lin Kuei. Sektor was once a human henchman trained by the Lin Kuei. He volunteered for automation because of his strong loyalty for the clan. He is more machine than man. He has an amazing arsenal of advanced energy devices and guided rockets.


[NOTE: The above is a partial list of opponents and bad guys. There are more.]


CHARACTER WHOSE ALLEGIANCE IS NEVER CLEAR


Smoke:

Smoke was once a friend and ally of Sub-Zero’s. When they both try to escape from being turned into machines, Smoke is captured. He finds himself turned into a cyborg henchman with a mission no find and eliminate his old partner. Even he is not sure where his alliance falls. However, Sub-Zero believes that somewhere in this machine is a human soul trying to escape.