The original Mortal Kombat game, released in 1992, is centered around a martial arts tournament called "Mortal Kombat." This isn't just any tournament; it's a pivotal event with the fate of Earth on the line, embedded in centuries of tradition and mystical underpinnings. Here's the core storyline along with some background: **The Tournament's Purpose:** Mortal Kombat is a ritual combat tournament that takes place between the champions of Earthrealm (our Earth) and Outworld, a dark, oppressive realm ruled by the evil emperor Shao Kahn. It was established by the Elder Gods, who decreed that if Outworld conquered ten consecutive tournaments, Shao Kahn would be allowed to invade and conquer Earthrealm. This "rule of ten" was created to give Earthrealm a fighting chance to defend itself against otherwise inevitable subjugation by Outworld. **The Backstory:** By the time of the original game, Outworld has already won nine consecutive tournaments, courtesy of its champion, the half-human, half-dragon Goro. Earthrealm's very existence hangs by a thread, and the next tournament is the final opportunity for its warriors to defend their realm. **The Main Characters and Their Motivations:** - **Liu Kang:** The main protagonist of the game, Liu Kang is a Shaolin monk who enters the tournament to defend Earthrealm and bring honor to his temple. He believes in the purity of the martial arts and fights to protect his home from devastation. - **Johnny Cage:** A Hollywood action star who, despite his fame, seeks validation that his martial arts skills are legitimate and not just movie magic. He enters the tournament to prove himself to his skeptics. - **Sonya Blade:** A no-nonsense member of the United States Special Forces, Sonya enters the tournament on a mission to pursue and capture the criminal Kano, who is also a participant in the tournament. - **Kano:** The leader of the international crime syndicate, the Black Dragon. Kano is a ruthless mercenary who joins Mortal Kombat for personal gain and to escape his pursuit by Sonya Blade. - **Raiden:** The thunder god and protector of Earthrealm. Raiden personally involves himself in the tournament to ensure that Earth has a fighting chance against the might of Outworld. - **Sub-Zero:** A warrior from the Lin Kuei ninja clan, Sub-Zero is an assassin who enters the tournament for reasons that are shrouded in mystery. (In later games, it’s revealed that he was hired to assassinate Shang Tsung, the host of the tournament.) - **Scorpion:** A specter seeking revenge for his own death and the slaughter of his family and tribe. He mistakenly believes Sub-Zero to be the murderer and seeks to kill him during the tournament. - **Shang Tsung:** The sorcerer and main antagonist who hosts the tournament. He serves Shao Kahn and has been the key to Outworld's success in the previous tournaments through deceit and powerful dark magic. The original Mortal Kombat game's narrative is limited by the technology of the time, but it laid the groundwork for one of the most intricate and extensively developed lores in video game history, which has expanded through decades of games, movies, comics, and animated series. The motivations of the characters and the stakes of the tournament provided a fertile ground for the series to build upon, growing into the vast and detailed universe it is known for today. The theme of good versus evil, the survival of Earthrealm, and the rich backstories of the characters all contribute to the dramatic tension that has captivated fans for generations.