In the twilight of the 17th century, the Hasashi clan thrived in their secluded estate, where honor and discipline guided their way of life. Hanzo Hasashi, the clan’s fiercest warrior, was a man of unmatched skill, devoted to his family and duty. But tranquility seldom lasted in the turbulent world of feudal Japan. One fateful evening, darkness fell upon the Hasashi compound as shadows crept from the trees, silent and deadly.
Bi-Han, a merciless assassin, led a cadre of warriors on a mission of annihilation. They struck without mercy, their blades cutting through men, women, and children alike. Hanzo, alerted by the agonized cries of his people, raced to his home, only to find his wife and son lifeless, their bodies growing cold in the fading sunlight. Fury overtook him, and with a warrior’s resolve, he unleashed a storm of vengeance upon the intruders, cutting them down one by one.
Yet, despite his skill, he was no match for Bi-Han’s ruthless precision. Their duel was fierce, a brutal clash of will and technique. But in the end, Hanzo fell, his life draining into the dirt, his vision darkening as he uttered his family’s names one last time. His soul was pulled into the Netherrealm, condemned to an eternity of torment.
Unbeknownst to Bi-Han, life still clung to the Hasashi bloodline. An infant girl, hidden from the carnage, was found by Raiden, the god of thunder. Taking the child into his care, he vanished, ensuring that Hanzo’s lineage would endure.
Centuries passed, and in the modern era of 2021, the fate of Earthrealm teetered on the brink of destruction. The barbaric realm of Outworld had emerged victorious in nine consecutive Mortal Kombat tournaments. One final victory would see Earthrealm fall under its dominion, enslaved and consumed by its cruel overlords. Yet, an ancient prophecy spoke of a descendant of Hanzo Hasashi, a warrior whose bloodline could rally Earthrealm’s champions and turn the tide of fate.
Shang Tsung, a powerful sorcerer and servant of Outworld’s emperor, sought to thwart destiny before it could unfold. Ignoring the sacred rules of the tournament, he sent his assassins to hunt down Earthrealm’s chosen warriors, marked by the dragon insignia that signified their right to fight. Chief among them was Bi-Han, now known as Sub-Zero, his mastery over ice rendering him a relentless harbinger of death.
Cole Young, an MMA fighter past his prime, bore the dragon mark unknowingly. A man of simple means, fighting for survival rather than glory, he was thrust into chaos when Sub-Zero came for him. A blizzard of ice and death descended upon him and his family, and salvation came in the form of Major Jackson “Jax” Briggs. Jax fought valiantly but paid a steep price, losing his arms to Sub-Zero’s cruel mastery.
Desperate for answers, Cole found himself at the doorstep of Sonya Blade, a tenacious Special Forces operative who had spent years unraveling the mysteries of Mortal Kombat. In her company was Kano, a rogue mercenary with a lethal wit and an unpredictable nature. Their search led them to Raiden’s temple, a sanctuary where Liu Kang and Kung Lao, warriors of Earthrealm, awaited those willing to rise to the challenge.
Training commenced, but Cole struggled. The fire within him refused to ignite, and Raiden, seeing no potential, dismissed him. Dejected, he returned to his family, believing himself unworthy. Meanwhile, Kano, ever the opportunist, awakened his power—a deadly laser that erupted from his eye—revealing the potential that lay dormant within each chosen warrior.
As Shang Tsung’s forces moved against the temple, Kabal, a sinister speedster, whispered poison into Kano’s ear. Promises of power and wealth shattered Kano’s fragile allegiance, and with a treacherous hand, he disabled the temple’s defenses. The invasion was swift and brutal. Jax, forced to fight with mechanical arms that felt weak and unnatural, found his true strength in the heat of battle, his arcana awakening as his arms transformed into instruments of devastation. The warriors fought valiantly, but the cost was high—Kung Lao, a stalwart defender of Earthrealm, fell to Shang Tsung, his soul consumed before his allies’ helpless eyes.
As war raged, Goro, the monstrous champion of Outworld, was sent to eliminate Cole Young. Cornered and outmatched, Cole fought desperately to protect his family. And in that moment, his bloodline answered. Fire coursed through his veins, manifesting into armor that absorbed the force of his enemy’s blows, forging him into a living weapon. With newfound strength, he struck Goro down, proving that Hanzo’s legacy endured.
With hope rekindled, Cole returned to Raiden’s sanctuary. A plan was formed—to break the enemy’s forces, they would challenge them in individual combat, ensuring their victory before facing Sub-Zero together. One by one, the champions of Earthrealm struck down their foes. Sonya Blade, in a brutal confrontation, ended Kano’s treachery and took his dragon mark, gaining the power to fire deadly energy blasts.
But the enemy was not yet defeated. Sub-Zero, cunning and ruthless, took Cole’s family hostage, luring him into a final battle. The bitter cold of their duel mirrored the one fought centuries before. Cole, despite his newfound power, faltered against the icy specter. But then, the kunai of Hanzo Hasashi, still stained with his blood, became the key to awakening a force long imprisoned. From the depths of the Netherrealm, Scorpion arose.
No longer the man he once was, Scorpion was now vengeance incarnate. Flames of hellfire burned in his wake as he confronted the demon who had taken everything from him. Their battle was fierce, a rematch spanning centuries of pain and hatred. With Cole’s aid, Scorpion at last overpowered Sub-Zero, engulfing him in fire. As his enemy lay defeated, Scorpion turned to Cole, recognizing him as his descendant, the future of the Hasashi lineage. With final words of gratitude, he vanished into the ether, his soul freed at last.
As the dust settled, Shang Tsung reappeared, seething in fury. He vowed that next time, he would bring not warriors, but armies. Raiden, unfazed, declared that Earthrealm would be ready. The battle had been won, but the war had only just begun.
With his purpose now clear, Cole Young set off on a new mission. His destination—Los Angeles. His goal—to find a warrior who could help turn the tide in the battles to come. The name on the poster? Johnny Cage.
The fight for Earthrealm was far from over.
Leave a Reply