Shinnok is one of the few characters that I believe (and kind of hope) can "fix" the timeline dilemna (in other words, restore the order of one timeline vs. the current two).

The reason I say this is Shinnok... man he could be the same Shinnok from the past timeline... he was one of two characters to survive the Battle of Armageddon (Shao Khan ultimately won; rather than compete, Shinnok sent his clone, who died in his place). Shinnok very likely witnessed Raiden sending his past self a message of warning (disturbing the natural flow of time), and may have travelled with the message, knowing what he knew.

That's really interesting to me. I am biased for Shinnok, always thought he was cool. I'd love to see him return again, and play a cool role in the story (instead of just being a head).

There is no signs pointing to dark raiden in this game nor him being a villain. The story trailer shows both timeline raiden fighting for the good side and one is just a little more aggressive Like the MK deception raiden (who was also a good guy). Shinnok can evolve here being a playable non boss for once and a returning roster member. Also combined with shang,shao Kahn , and kronika. This has alot of bosses which is cool. Just missing onaga. Its also suspious they gave him alot of cutscene time. I figured they were going to resurrect him at the end of the story and with his family ties, it makes that much more sense.

Absolutely, having Shinnok Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn in the same game, that's a good thing. But one thing though, this is another thing I am curious about: I didn't see any teaser footage that featured Dark and Light (Old timeline) Raiden together. All I've seen is Dark Raiden beheads Shinnok, and goes apeshit on the Netherrealm Oni. I saw Light Raiden speaking with the Special Forces and Outworld regime.

Light Raiden was talking to / enlisting Kotal Kahn in the coliseum (EDIT: or other Outworld location). Dark Raiden was assisting the special forces in their base.

We don't... TECHNICALLY know that Dark Raiden and Light Raiden, as we've seen them thus far, are two different Raidens. We're just assuming that based on the fact there are two of other characters running around.

They could theoretically both be present day, current timeline Raiden. Maybe after things go South in the Netherrealm, he realizes his current "Dark Raiden" tactics have a heavy cost he didn't initially consider, putting his friends at unnecessary risk, and so he asks the Elder Gods to cleanse him, or some sort of mumbo jumbo like that.

It could easily just be a "we decided we don't want to keep Dark Raiden around, lets undo this" plot point... much like the way they undid Cyber Sub-Zero very shortly into the plot of MKX.

Perhaps Raiden goes full dark in MK12 and Fujin can take front and center as the "protector" of Earthrealm.

Excellent point, I was thinking "are dark and light Raiden going to get along", didn't even think dark just goes light. Actually, that might be the best way for this story to move forward.

As much as I would love to see that, and think it should've been included in MK11's story, I don't see it happening. I think his corruption will probably be resolved in this game, as will a lot of other lose story threads (like the revenants). The plot of merging past and present is indicitive of another soft reboot.

Geras is an A.I and kronika honestly looks like one too. Are we really going back in time or is this just a big simulation?

Oh man. Matrix Kombat. Liu Kang is the original Chosen One.

Not to totally digress, but for some reason now I want Liu Kang to be champion again.

Why oh why didn't we take the blue pills?

This is sounding more and more like Saints Row IV.

Where's Johnny Gat?

Maybe the people who took the blue pills are the people complaining the MK girls aren't wearing bathing suits any more. :/

Glad I took the red pill then