My favorite character of all the rest, from his conception is Raiden, then Nightwolf and Stryker, then Kabal, then Motaro-- then skip to Deadly Alliance with Shang Tsung and Raiden, then regress back to MK3 with Sonya, then forward to Deception for Raiden, Shujinko, and Ermac.

Now, I foresee Raiden as my long time favorite, as before, being taken from me as a fightable character. Stryker as well, he really serves little pupose as a representative in the game. Kabal might stay while Motaro will die and be replaced (Goro to Kintaro). Shang Tsung will die, indefinatly this time. Sonya will stay but be "altered" as a playable character. Shujinko is the new Lui Kang in my mind ( He's the new Shang Tsung, but on the side of good even though he was killed by angry Raiden) and Ermac enevadably becomes a character adobted by the Monks or Lin Kuei. So, Ermac stays.

Furthermore, the replacements for my favorites that die or bow out......

Raidens' replacement---Fujin
We already saw this in MK4

Jax or Sonya incompasses some of the attributes of Styker
Fellow law enforcement.

Motaro should have at least a race based relative (more potent) replace him. Shang Tsung is replaced by a tainted Master Bo Ri Cho because he taught Shang ( in the t.v. series).

Shujinko is the new Lui Kang and or Shang Tsung based on the journey in MKD absent the soul snatching and fire balls.

Ermac stays because he is the oposition to the old Sub Zero,-- Noob and Smoke. And he doesn't have a master to follow anymore. Monk hood or, since he's already a ninja Lin Kuei.

Just ideas cuz i know to continue Mortal Kombat, more than one favorite will die.

Do you disagree?
Tell me who you think will go.