We know for certain the timeline has been reset, with Liu Kang applying his vision to a new era; perhaps unexpectedly, we’re seeing characters who’re former enemies share some form of kinship – is a timeline of total peace and tranquillity on the cards? Well, this is Mortal Kombat after all so odds are things go awry for Liu Kang before long.
New timeline = new era (and the tournament is off for now)
In Mortal Kombat 11, Liu Kang had the opportunity to reset the timeline to his own vision. So, in Mortal Kombat 1, it appears Liu Kang is opting for tranquillity and a big part of that is him opting for zero tournaments. It doesn’t seem he’s keen on the idea of people beating each other to bloody pulps in an effort to conquer each other’s realms anymore, he’d rather everyone got along peacefully. Of course, a resetting of the timeline gives each character chance to renew their course of history too without them resorting to violence to get what they want.
Shang Tsung’s appearance in Mortal Kombat 1’s teaser trailer makes it clear though that Liu Kang has not been successful in eradicating evil for good. If Shang Tsung exists, then presumably a host of other Mortal Kombat baddies are still floating through the aether too. Shao Kahn and Shinnok might appear, although the catastrophe they wrought on others in prior games which led to almost total domination of every realm means surely Liu Kang focused the most of ridding them from the possibility of appearing in his timeline. Onaga however, is a different story.
Onaga will be the main antagonist, and final boss
On that note, there’s a strong theory circling the web that Shang Tsung won’t be the leading antagonist in Mortal Kombat 1, but the Dragon King Onaga will fill those shoes instead. This theory materialised from players who had access to Mortal Kombat 1’s stress test. In the opening exchanges between two Liu Kang fighters, one discusses the existence of Onaga with the other, asking if Onaga exists in their timeline. The response: “Exists in it? He rules it.”
Onaga is one of the most powerful characters in the Mortal Kombat universe, so his ability to wrestle control of the Liu Kang’s new timeline does seem plausible. He’s been ruler of Outworld before, of course, but The Dragon King has taken a backseat in Mortal Kombat titles of late, with only cameo appearances to his name. The stress test strongly hints that Onaga will feature, with a lot of fans believing he’ll be the main antagonist and final boss fight in place of Shang Tsung. Onaga has been referenced in multiple Mortal Kombat titles even when he hasn’t appeared outright though but there’s a strong sense that his time is now to step back into the spotlight.
History will repeat itself
The time travelling tomfoolery at the climax of Mortal Kombat 11 appeared to bring the series’ storied lore right back to its roots before the events of the original game. The timeline is reset, with the characters having chance to re-tread their origins. Whilst this decision by NetherRealm will undoubtably throw up tons of possibilities – and perhaps even attract new fans to the series – the promise of change for some of the characters appears futile. What has happened before may indeed happen again. Jax will again lose his arms; Sindel might appear loyal, noble, and good, but she’ll turn into the evil being she’s long been known for; blind swordsman Kenshi will still lose his eyesight, only this time around fans might be along for the journey.
Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s reconciliation doesn’t last
Two of Mortal Kombat’s marquee characters of course make an appearance in Mortal Kombat 1, although this time around they appear to be buddies. Long have they been at odds with each other; fierce rivals who’ve both suffered hardship in their own life. It always seemed these two adversaries could resolve their differences to get along in a parallel universe like in Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11, and in Mortal Kombat 1 it seems that’s exactly what will happen – in the beginning at least. In Mortal Kombat 1’s teaser trailer, neither Scorpion nor Sub-Zero raise a fist to each other. Instead, they gaze upward at a solar eclipse.
In this timeline, Sub-Zero is now Bi-Han and not Kuai Liang. We know from Sub-Zero’s bio on the official Mortal Kombat website that he is a Grandmaster of Lin Kuei. Scorpion is described as a revered warrior of the Lin Kuei, confirming both are allies of the same clan. Also, in this timeline it appears Liu Kang promotes peace and stability, deciding there are no tournaments, so perhaps Scorpion and Sub-Zero are taking a backseat to act as Liu Kang’s right-hand men instead. Liu Kang states he is looking for champions though, and with Shang Tsung emerging from a portal in this teaser trailer it’s possible his presence will destabilise Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s reconciliation should a tournament commence. They’ll surely have to fight eventually, but how remains to be seen.
Kitana and Mileena become enemies again
Growing up as personal assassins to Shao Kahn did nothing to stoke the flames of tension between sisters Kitana and Mileena. Mileena, for her part, secretly harboured ill feeling toward her sister; her jealousy over Kahn favouring one sister over the other was a constant bubbling under the surface. As per Mortal Kombat 11’s character ending, Mileena has taken her place as princess to Emperor Shao Kahn and Queen Sindel. She still looks horrific from what we’ve seen in Mortal Kombat 1 though, her Tarkatan fangs looking more hellish than ever.
Now, thing is, in Mortal Kombat 1’s teaser trailer we see Kitana and Mileena sat side by side in a parade taking place in Outworld. Whilst it’s not clear if they’re truly friends at this point, what follows certainly indicates these two will become enemies again. During Summer Game Fest we were treated to footage of Mileena strapped to a table, with Kitana implying she’s undergoing some sort of operation to remove Tarkatan disease from her DNA. Whether this is done out of sisterly love in this new peaceful timeline is one possibility, for Mileena surely wouldn’t opt to undergo this procedure herself. Mileena’s prior existence as a mutated clone of Kitana does seem to be reset in this new timeline, for they’re now twins from birth with Mileena a rightful heir to Outworld’s throne. Kitana has a history of feeling disgust at her cloned sister, so maybe now they’ve shared the same womb Kitana will feel differently? Another possibility is Sindel’s evil tendencies rear their ugly head in Mortal Kombat 1, despite the chance she presents herself as good during the game’s outset, spearheading a drive to transform Mileena into the mutant tyrant we’ve known for decades.
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