In Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, Raiden and his team of defenders from Earthrealm struggled to cope with Shang Tsung when they converged on his mystical island for the titular tournament. As expected rules were broken and now, in Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, repercussions are coming. With the Elder Gods paving the way for the brawls to occur as intended, and with Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld, coming to the fore, here's what you need to know about the Thunder God's team.
Liu Kang Is Raiden's Most Important Hero
Liu Kang will return in Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, and it seems he's got more confidence. The Shaolin Monk almost got killed by Goro in the Scorpion's Revenge, but Raiden told him his real destiny is to fight the Emperor. This time, it looks like the Elder Gods will be educating him on being a child of prophecy, and it seems like the Chosen One has indeed harnessed his fire energy. In footage for Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, Liu Kang fights Shang Tsung and Jade, which might bring him closer to Kitana. However, he's also going after Shao Kahn, but with the Emperor goading him, Liu Kang may be ill-prepared and going into a trap.
Johnny Cage Is as Arrogant as Ever
In Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realm, Johnny retains his smartass persona, but he knows the stakes are as high as ever. Last time, he brought a monastery down to kill Baraka, and as we see him using his patented shadow kick, he looks like a more assured fighter in his battle against the bug queen, D'Vorah. It also remains to be seen if he'll pursue the romance with Sonya Blade, though he's cozying up to Jax a lot more to possibly help win her over. Either way, Johnny looks to be struggling, hinting his ego might finally get the best of him.
Jax Will Be Back and Better Than Ever
Jax suffered a dire injury in Scorpion's Revenge, with Goro ripping his arms off. Luckily, Raiden saved him, and now the Special Forces soldier has his famous metal arms. In footage for Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realm, we see him using them, not just as guns, but to deploy bombs as well. Thus it looks like the movie will be leveling him up. Jax will get a shot at revenge, as he rips off Kinatro's arms, showing he can play the Shokan army's game. Plus, killing a war general like this will truly add insult to injury after they lost their prince to Scorpion. It'll also help Jax show he really belongs in this brawl between men and gods.
Sonya Blade Will Take on Li Mei
Sonya was underrated by Shang Tsung, who left her to fight Reptile in the jungle in the Scorpion's Revenge. However, she proved victorious and decapitated him. This time around, Sonya's poised to take on Li Mei, who was used by Shang Tsung in the source material as an Outworld enforcer. The Special Forces general looks a lot more unforgiving, though, as we see her cracking Li Mei's skull in the video- game's X-ray style of kombat. She also snipes Tarkatan soldiers to help Johnny, indicating that they're getting closer.
Stryker
Curtis Stryker is the latest Special Forces teammate to join the fray, and he's introduced to the tournament by Johnny. Like Johnny, Stryker can't believe all of the mystical mumbo jumbo that the Mortal Kombat tournament entails. However, with his knives, guns and bombs, Stryker will be a big asset in the war. Still, footage from Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realm shows him taking on Shang Sung, which may mean he's expendable.
Raiden Will Lead His Warriors Into Battle
This time around, Raiden is entering the Mortal Kombat tournament himself, and it seems from him and Shao Kahn visiting the Elder Gods, a deal has been struck. This could be to make sure rules are obeyed, but it could result in his death on behalf of Earthrealm. In footage for Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realm, he battles Reiko and Kitana, which means Shao Kahn is sending his favorite bodyguards after the lightning-generating hero. It may be Raiden is trying to inspire Liu Kang, with flashbacks showing how he rescued and helped raise the Chosen One.
Kung Lao's Origins Are Still Mysterious
In Mortal Kombat lore, Kung Lao was the last person to defeat Goro from the White Lotus and give Earthrealm a win. This version here might be a descendant and one of Liu Kang's allies rather than an ancestor. It may even be Raiden used time-travel, like in the video games, but only time will tell. Kung Lao may become a target for Shang Tsung, who loves taking out the monks. What's for certain is Liu Kang will have a brother with him to help defend the honor of their realm.
Scorpion Will Return -- and So Will Sub-Zero
Scorpion helped Raiden's team defeat Shang Tsung in Scorpion's Revenge by killing Goro to get to Quan Chi. He murdered the necromancer and returned to his family in the afterlife. But in Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realm, Raiden will bring the wraith and show him that the realms are in danger. It's unknown why Scorpion would leave paradise for this war, but after killing Sub-Zero (Bi-Han), Scorpion has another ice ninja to worry about. Kuai Liang wants revenge and has taken up the mantle of Sub-Zero for Lin Kuei, which could disrupt Raiden's plans.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realm arrives on on Digital, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack on Aug. 31.