Quan Chi has everyone's souls. I'm sure they'll all be back, just evil.

Which is stupid. One thing I don't get it. Scorpion and Noob Saibot are NOT under brainwashing and yet these guys ARE?! God, this is stupid.

I wish they would have picked a less generic duo, a chick that looks like a super model and a Movie star.

I really wish it was Stryker and Kabal.

The only thing I like about it is the possibility of seeing them as BoS warriors.

Because they're both there of their own will. EDIT: Haha, I just realized that I used all three forms of "there."

Sonya and Johnny are the game's quintessential second-stringers; the epitome of the supporting cast. And more than perhaps anybody else, every time they show up in a game, it's to 'help fight the bad guys' while other guys like Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Liu Kang steal the show (even if Liu's usually predictable as a brick). Hell, Ermac pops up once for the first time in ten years and he gets a complete character makeover and is instrumental in restoring the good guys to their souls in MKD. You can sum up J and S's statuses as background fighters along for the ride in almost every single game they're in. A very common complaint for a long time now was that they're just cookie-cutter good guys.

I think they've heard that, and this game's starting to address it. As WTF as Sonya's bio and ending may have seemed, they're trying to imbue her with even more of a backstory and make her more than just 'strong soldier chick sidekick'. They're doing the same for Johnny (though I hate how they've gone about it) with his lineage. Even if they're non-canon, Sonya's finding a purpose outside of duty, and Cage is learning discipline. Cage in particular got a very good showing in Story.

They're setting them up now for bigger parts later. Ten to one next time through we'll see Johnny and Sony as the duo with a plan - and awesome, awesome chemistry - to help Raiden pick up the pieces and defend against Shinnok. They might just take charge.


(And...yeah, no to Kai. Not even Kai knows what to do with Kai. His answer to Raiden in his MK4 ending when asked what his future held was pretty much "dunno, lol". His MKA ending had him seeing no future for himself. I don't hate the character, but he's just kind of...there.)

Yea he Transfered his soul into Sonya and then Got up and played it cool LOL. That would be great. Honestly I hope none of them died by sindel and that it was an illusion from a malfuntioned Cyber Subzeros Dream. It did happen after Cyber subs chapter right? Where he malfunctioned.


Either way, I liked the ending where Raiden owns kang. I wanna see Kang a bad guy for once and I wanna see Kano and Sonya team up for once as weird as that sounds.

Raiden could be Neutral next game and Kang Neutral/evil.

Liu Kang wouldn't be evil if he goes against Raiden after the events of this game. We would know why he would fight against Raiden. But if he were to actually side with an evil character, then yes, we can easily say that Liu could be evil for the next game.

I would greatly, greatly, greatly, greatly, greatly appreciate it if they kill Raiden in the next game... That or he retires his status and gives it to either Kai or Fujin... or to anyone else that deserves to protect the realm of Earthrealm.

Which I find kind of funny since this Raiden is totally opposite to what he was in Deception with the realm. The bastard!

Oh lord.

Romance needs to stay out of Mortal Kombat. It has its place in backstories (Sindel/Jerrod/Kahn, etc.), but now that they're going with a more cinematic storytelling approach, it needs to stay away. Especially between main characters.

I get the feeling they're going to try and build on this "cult" backstory for Cage... it feels really out of place. Not every character needs to be so mystical. He's an actor, a regular guy. That's his appeal.

I don't think either of them should become the main protagonist. That role needs to go to Kai, or potentially Sub-Zero. Kenshi would even work better if they wanted an anti-hero type. Johnny Cage and Sonya are supporting characters.

I'm not getting into romance.

I've said it before, I consider Sonya as the true 'LEADER' of the Earthrealm Warriors. Liu Kang and Kung Lao are star players, but in the end, Sonya is usually the one who has kept people together.

Who recruited Kenshi? Sonya. Who converted Cyrax? Sonya. Who knew Tanya and Frost were bad news? Sonya.

Sonya has a good head on her shoulders, and Johnny is the most charismatic member of the team.


If I have faith in ANYONE gathering new heroes and/or saving the old heroes, I have faith in those two. I have more faith in them than Raiden.



And ultimately, who is the most likely person to betray Quan Chi? Scorpion.

Also, I don't recall any mention of Noob NOT being brainwashed. I thought he WAS brainwashed.



BoS?

BoS = Brotherhood of Shadow.

It doesn't say anything about who recruited Kenshi. He joined the OIA merely so he could get into Outworld. Cyrax's humanity was restored by both Jax and Sonya.

You could also make a point that Sonya was fooled by Hsu Hao for years.

Are you serious!??? I totally misread/missed that part of Konquest! That's pretty cool!

I always assumed their first meeting was in Tsung's island. So, in Subby's Konquest (or Frost?) it shows you that Sonya is visiting, etc? I don't remember this part. Will find the html to double check.

Thanks!



That's cool. That's what I was getting at with my posts because I didn't think you were giving them their credit as good leaders. That being said, your opinion is valid.



Me too.



You are adorable. Your glorious icon picture must have something to do with that.



Awesome post.

Hopefully you are right and they are listening. It has really helped that both Johnny and Sonya were shaped to be so enjoyable and lovable, otherwise, these could have gone bad (their surviving).

I expect them to be separated for a while. At least I hope that's how it goes. Johnny will have to travel to Order Realm and probably become "something else" while trying to master his newly discovered super powers. Sonya will most likely take charge of Earth's defenses, beside Raiden, and probably embark on a journey that will lead her to answers (and power?) concerning her family and MK.

Hopefully...

Now that I think about all of this, I'm sad to know that Jax will (most likely) not be beside her. Their dynamic relationship was so pleasant and cool in MKvsDC and MK9. I hope Jax makes it in the end. I miss him already.



LOL.

I seriously hope not (your comments on Tsung+Sonya).

Also, Kano and Sonya have teamed up twice in the past:

1) During the initial events of MK2. Both were lost and wondering the lands of Outworld (after Tsung's island collapsed) working together to survive that unknown and hostile environment. They were finally captured by Kahn's minions. A real shame this story went nowhere after that.

2) in MKvsDC. They team up ready to battle the DC warriors and you even have Sonya stopping Shang Tsung from killing Kano. One of the many "shocking" moments of the game. lol.



Besides the fact that he is not "Dark Raiden", how is he different from that Raiden? Just curious.

Also, why is Kai a likely option? I am aware of his MK4 ending, but, I mean, we really haven't seen anything of him to suggest that we can place our trust on him as the world's next great defender. If anyone, it has to be Fujin.

Kai seems so, well, random. Kind of like picking Jax, Stryker, or Kenshi. Not impossible, but, random.

Or maybe that's just me.



LOL.

Well, it's not like the game is going to sudden;y become a romantic novel and drop everything that makes it MK. Besides, that reason you stated (that the game is going with a more cinematic storytelling approach) is a very good reason why they should do it. They should take a shot at developing more complex and deep relations. Good thing about this romance is that it makes sense, its funny, and its refreshing.

They are human characters in a human world filled with emotions. As long as its not "MK: Shaolin Monks Liu + Kitana" we are good. MK can be about love, as we've seen already, so, I hope we get even more of that in the next game. As long as is deep and well done, I don't see how it doesn't fit.

After all, MK has been about love since day one. Despite the gore.



Awesome post.

Oh, okay! Yeah, I'd support that.



@Kenshi: Could have sworn it was said that Sonya rescued an injured Kenshi. Maybe that was one of the DA endings. Still, she does have her trust in the right place with Kenshi.

@Cyrax: Yeah, but Jax is also dead.

@Hso Hao: Okay, yeah. I forgot about that. Fucking Hso Hao. (No hate. I'm cool Hso.)

When was it ever stated that Sonya didn't trust Tanya? Also, I think Jax was the one who found Cyrax, not Sonya. I'm sorry, I just don't see what made them so special compared to everyone else, it's not really fair to the other characters to have to play second fiddle and be rescued for the next game, all these characters have potential and they squandered most of it by implementing that stupid Sindel scene.

Sorry about the Vogel is a hypocrite comment queve. I'm just speaking of frustration at the thought that Vogel retconned something he specifically disliked and then doing it everyone else EXCEPT Johnny just pissed me off.

And let's be honest, queve, if they were among those killed by Sindel, you'd be just as pissed as I am.

Edit: I forgot her ending in DA wasn't canon where she rescued Kenshi, so this is useless, however the ending is still cool and speaks volumes to how team oriented Sonya is and how she looks after her team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_WG9rCmAZI

She helped Jax free his soul.

In relation to the whole Hsu Hao thing, I think her being wrong sometimes makes her more human and believeable, even those with the best instincts are wrong sometimes.

Nothing about that ending is canon. Sub-Zero rescued Kenshi after he was defeated by Mavado. Sonya and Jax were off being killed by the Deadly Alliance's forces.

Oh that's right...hmm oh well my bad, thanks MIme. Either way, I think it still speaks volumes to Sonya's team oriented and highly protective nature towards her allies.

Like I've said before, yes, I too would be very upset. They are my favorites, so, it would make sense to express my frustration and disappointment, specially if they would have gone down that way. I would be very upset, but, maybe not for the exact reason you seem to be? I don't know...I guess it depends on who would have been chosen instead.

Sonya and Johnny are just as deserving as some of the other main heroes, and probably more than others. Their survival was not at the expense of the others. They deserved that honor. If almost all of the heroes had to die and only two had to survive, they chose two great characters for that honor. They make sense, they are lovable, and they have potential. They are special. But, its rally not that shocking or surprising. Sure, most people would have expected Sub-Zero and Kung Lao, but, Sonya and Johnny are very likely choices as well. Considering their history, not at all questionable, imo.

Don't get me wrong, I am just as, well, annoyed at that scene as most people because of the cheapness of the heroes deaths, but, not because they actually ended up dead. Some of those had it coming for a while already. Others, yeah, they deserved a second shot at life to continue their badass portrayal.

And again, yeah, to be honest, I would be very very upset if both Sonya and Johnny were among the defeated ones. I guess I'd be ranting about how they deserved to live and how sad I am that they didn't, because, well, they are my favorites.



It does. Her two MKDA bios are pretty much about caring for her friends and intending to bring them back at any cost. I love that about Sonya. Sure, all the good guys must feel the same way about their buddies, but, there's something extra special about Sonya's loyalty and heart. They are lucky she's their friend.

Well that's always been the whole gist of Sonya's character ever since the movie: she's very slow to open up to and trust others because she's afraid of losing them, getting hurt, or being betrayed...but once she does, she's fiercely loyal of course for the same reasons, she doesn't want to experience any more loss.

So there son Kobra can be Born!!!!!

I remember people theorizing that Kobra was Sonya's brother.

I hope not *shivers*

If Kobra was their child, he'd probably be around 7 during MKD's time...

First of all, don’t let my nickname fool you. I’m not as thrilled with this ending as it might imply. I personally think there are few things dumber to do with a reboot of a classic game than retell it, butcher the story, and kill off all your heroes, turn at least one of your legendary villains, and have your hero’s leader act like a psychic who’s weed got spiked with acid. But that’s a different story for a different time.

This is dealing with why Sonya and Johnny were chosen to survive, and the ridiculous, idiotic, and outright infuriating reasons given why they should not have been chosen.

To lay down a little groundwork for you, I am a hardcore, die hard Sonya Blade fan. Have been since the first time I played her. In my humble, or not so humble, opinion, she is the best fighter in the game bar none. She’s my go to, and I kid no one when I say I’m into her story and character in general. In fact, my mantra, when it comes to Mortal Kombat is No Sonya, No Game, period. And I can honestly say the only two games I’ve ever played that didn’t have Sonya were MK Mythologies Sub-Zero and MK Mythologies Special Forces, and still want my money back on Special Forces, but again, another story.

I’m actually glad they chose to let Sonya and Johnny survive. Should they have been the only ones? No. Not even. But that being said Sonya is a strong leader, and it should be intresting to see how they evolve her story from the debacle it is in MK2011, and turn her back into that strong, loyal, and fierce leader and soldier she is by nature. Johnny makes a great comic sidekick, but he also has the ability to lead, buried just beneath all that self conscious bravado.

That being said, I’m going to address the comments that ticked me off enough to actually make an account, stop lurking, and write this mini novel. So, Sonya Blade fans, sit back, get yourself a bag of popcorn, and lets start the show, shall we?

Daryui, this one’s for you:

RE: So why only Sonya and Johnny Cage? (spoilers)

Hopefully none of those two become the main hero. They should be support characters for Kai, just as they were for Liu Kang.
I don't see anything about those two that warrants them having the spotlight Liu Kang has.


Hmmm, support characters for Kai, eh? A little confused, aren’t you? Kai was a character created to basically be a watered down version of Kung Lao who’s sole purpose was to support Liu Kang and Raiden during their battles with Shinnok. At least, according to his story in MK4. In fact, I don’t even think he’s in the line up for the reboot. No, he isn’t. Hmmm, you want Sonya and Johnny to be support characters for a character that is essentially lost and trying to find himself? Yeah, makes perfect sense. Same as Jax locking Kano in the SF mainframe, and not seeing any potential problems. No disrespect intended on my end, simply pointing out facts.



Sonya and Johnny Cage are two characters that I feel, are better suited to other things than attempting to lead a group whereas Liu Kang is truly capable.
Johnny is a comic relief character, who happens to be too ignorant and Sonya's very much a hot-head and will no doubt cause more trouble than it's worth.

Every character in Mortal Kombat, including your Kai, has the potential to be the leader of the group, depending on how it’s written. To call Johnny ignorant is to say the person writing his story is ignorant. And I think they actually did an OK job with him in 2011. Sonya’s too hotheaded? Excuse me? She is a Lieutenant in Special Forces. However impulsive she may be, she fully embraces her training and role and doesn’t follow like a blind sheep to the slaughter, as Liu did by following the piss poor excuse for Raiden in this game. I pose you this question, What kind of a leader blindly follows the Blunder God after clearly seeing the man/God has apparently sipped too much of his own Kool Aid?


Sonya hasn't been shown as a leader, but I doubt she'd make a good one. Let alone, a decent. Cage..is cage. I don't really find his comedy ot be that great aside from one line in the story mode. Other than that, I don't care for him.
I never found Cage or Sonya that interesting, and I still don't. But to each their own.

Again, I point back to her military background. She is, in fact, a leader by profession. I’m curious as to why you think she wouldn’t make a great leader. In my opinion, she should’ve been the leader a long time ago. And, out of curiousity, if Kai can’t even find himself, how’s he going to lead a blind man to a seeing eye dog? I can respect the fact you find their stories boring. To each their own. For instance, I think Liu’s ‘It’s my destiny’ stuff is boring to being borderline annoying. And your Kai puts me to sleep better than sominex, so I feel you. I really do. But don’t besmirch my character, and I won’t besmirch yours, K?

The only thing I can think of for leaving just those two is some lame romance...
Hopefully, that will never happen.

Oh, you mean like Liu and Kitana? *Grin* Sorry, couldn’t resist the cheap shot.

Zero symbolic
My point being without Kano, Sonya never gets involved with MK at all.

I tend to disagree with that statement simply because it wasn’t be accident she ended up on the island. If it hadn’t been Kano, it would’ve been another reason. Although, like with any story, your heros are only as good as your villains. By that same tone, Scorpion would never be involved without Sub-Zero. That’s what is so great about Mortal Kombat, and something Netherrealm Studios and Boon himself forgot. Each character has their own storyline and reason for being there, the tournament is just the backdrop for the story. But that’s just my opinon.

Daryui, again. Sorry, dude, but your comments grate my last working nerve:

Reasons why I picked Kai over Sonya and Johnny:

1. My Opinion.
2. My Opinion.
3. I feel Sonya and Johnny aren't really suited to leading, but it could work and it could give Kai a chance to show us his true potential. Sonya and Johnny will always be here, for better and worse, so we have plenty of time to develop them further. Kai is one of those characters whose relevancy fades after his debut game, but if he was given something more to work with, who knows?
4. Also, I feel Sonya and Cage should take their own paths instead of trying to become the main hero[es]...
5. Refer to reasons 1 and 2.

What true potential? Dude went walkabout and never came back. Kai was so faded, I had to look him up. Well, that’s not exactly true. I just hate MK4 more than I hate this new crapfest. To say he deserves more screen time for that reason, let’s make Mokap and Reptile the two heros of the next game. I mean, really. Because Sonya and Johnny will be in the next game anyway they shouldn’t be the heros? Really? Really? Really? Come on, dude. I respect your dedication to Kai, though. Guess who I have the sane dedication to. Bet you can’t guess.

Bottom line, I’m not thrilled with MK2011 at all, especially what they tried to do with Sonya. And as for the reason they survived, I don’t know. My guess is because Sonya’s the best female warrior in the game bar none, and Johnny’s charismatic, entertaining, and not bad to look at. It could also be because of the incredible following both characters have. Or it could be because Ed Boon baught the netherealm studio writers a quart of Patrone to celebrate, and they rewrote the debacle under the influence of drinks and mary jane.