How Mortal Kombat 1's Sub-Zero and Scorpion Are Coming Full…

Summary

Mortal Kombat 1 introduces a rebooted universe with revamped origin stories for all characters, including Scorpion and Sub-Zero.
Scorpion and Sub-Zero, the iconic faces of Mortal Kombat, have evolved from palette swaps into unique characters over the years.
In the new Mortal Kombat 1 storyline, Scorpion's true name is revealed as Kuai Liang, and he and Sub-Zero are now brothers, creating a complete inversion of their previous rivalry.

More details about Mortal Kombat 1 have been coming along steadily leading up to its imminent release, but one of its earliest reveals has been a big topic within the series' community. Introducing a rebooted universe created by Liu Kang following the events of Mortal Kombat 11's Aftermath DLC, the new world of Mortal Kombat 1 sees revamped origin stories for its entire cast of kombatants. The series' flagship ninjas, Sub-Zero and Scorpion, have received some of the biggest alterations to their lore of all, a culmination of their rivalry throughout the entire franchise.

The undeniable faces of the series, Scorpion and Sub-Zero have been ubiquitous with the Mortal Kombat brand ever since the days of the arcade. Initially palette swaps of the same ninja design separated by differing abilities, the pair would each be developed into far more unique characters over the years. Between the classic era and modern entries, Scorpion has also become known as Hanzo Hasashi while Sub-Zero's own name is Kuai Liang. These alter egos are tied to the opposing Shirai Ryu and Lin Kuei clans the ninjas belong to, but Mortal Kombat 1 seems to have flipped this entire premise on its head.

Scorpion and Sub-Zero's Rivalry Has Defined Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat In Game Art Scorpion Versus Sub Zero

A vengeful wraith, Scorpion killed the original Sub-Zero in the very first Mortal Kombat before the Lin Kuei's younger brother then took up the mantle. The first Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, would actually go on to become Noob Saibot, but the younger Kuai Liang has made the title of Sub-Zero his own in all appearances since. Scorpion had always been an undead spirit up until 2015's Mortal Kombat 10, the beginning of experimentation with the character.

Revived into a human form, Hanzo Hasashi emerged as a human Scorpion more representative of the ninja he was prior to dying at the original Sub-Zero's hands. Rebuilding the Shirai Ryu clan during the timeskip of Mortal Kombat 10 and continuing on to face his past self in Mortal Kombat 11, Hanzo Hasashi has been the main version of Scorpion for years. As Hanzo has shown another side to Scorpion, his rivalry with Sub-Zero has dissipated as well. The two ninjas have resolved their conflict with each other ever since Kuai Liang proved it was Quan Chi that exterminated the Shirai Ryu clan, but Mortal Kombat 1 has taken their unity to a new level.

Kuai Liang's Inversion in Mortal Kombat 1

A screenshot of Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Smoke in Mortal Kombat 1.

Hanzo Hasashi has seemingly been removed from the situation completely in Liu Kang's new timeline, with Scorpion's true name instead being revealed as Kuai Liang. Bi-Han has returned as Sub-Zero once more, and the ninja rivals are now brothers. The choice to make the previous Sub-Zero into Scorpion has been controversial among fans, but the narrative of Mortal Kombat 1 seems built around it.

Returning as another Lin Kuei member, Smoke has been shown to have a close bond with the brothers. Scorpion affirms that Smoke is considered another brother to them despite not sharing their blood, an inversion of Noob Saibot's quote stating the opposite to Sub-Zero. There are far more peaceful origins for the ninjas this time around, but with the new Bi-Han set to be seeking power as the Grandmaster of the clan, there is no telling whether the Lin Kuei will remain unified or in conflict. Regardless of what happens to them in Mortal Kombat 1, Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s relationship has still come a long way from the bitter rivalry that has always defined the fighters.