Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)
There are two video game characters named Sub-Zero in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games. Both characters are blue-garbed ninjas with the ability to generate ice and freeze opponents. In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, the younger Sub-Zero's fighting styles are Shotokan and the Dragon stance seen in many different forms of martial arts. His weapon is the Kori Blade, an intricate sword made of water vapor Sub-Zero froze.
Sub-Zero the Elder
The elder Sub-Zero made his first chronological appearance in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero. In this game, the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero's ninja clan, are hired by the sorcerer Quan Chi to find an ancient amulet, and Sub-Zero is sent to find the map leading to its location. He does not know that Quan Chi has hired a Japanese ninja, Hanzo Hasashi, for the same task in case Sub-Zero fails. They encounter each other in the map room, and Sub-Zero kills him.
Much later, after Sub-Zero defeats four elemental guardians, he encounters Hanzo again, this time as a vengeful spectre in the Netherealm, called Scorpion. Sub-Zero defeats him and completes his mission, but learns from Raiden that Quan Chi will use the amulet to free Shinnok from his imprisonment. Sub-Zero steals the amulet from Shinnok and escapes the Netherealm, returns to the Lin Kuei headquarters, and learns that he has been invited to Mortal Kombat.
On the boat that takes the fighters to Shang Tsung's island, Scorpion grabs him and tells him that he will kill him in the tournament. True to his word, Scorpion kills him.
See Noob Saibot for the rest of Sub-Zero the Elder's history.
- Real Name: unknown
- Date of Birth: c. 1960
- Date of Death: 1992
- Height: 6ft 1.5in (187cm)
- Weight: 210lb (95kg)
- Hair color: black
- Eye color: brown
Sub-Zero the Younger
Following his death, Sub-Zero's brother claims the name and is among the warriors called to Outworld for another Mortal Kombat. In the tournament, Sub-Zero defeats, but does not kill one of his opponents. Scorpion had learned that Sub-Zero had returned, but when he saw this act of mercy, he grew confused. When they battled, Scorpion found out that he was the brother of his murderer. Scorpion swore that he would murder the new Sub-Zero as well.
Between games, the Lin Kuei obtained technology that could vastly improve the effectiveness of their warriors, and they chose four of their number to undergo the procedure that would turn them into cyborg assassins: Sub-Zero, Smoke, Cyrax, and Sektor. Sub-Zero and Smoke refused, and fled the Lin Kuei when they declared them anathema. Either this escape, or Sub-Zero's previous battle with Scorpion, is responsible for the scar on his face.
In Mortal Kombat 3, the armies of Shao Kahn attacked Earthrealm, and Sub-Zero was among the few mortals whose souls were spared so they could fight Kahn and his extermination squads. Sub-Zero battled Cyrax, defeated him, and changed his directive to "Destroy Shao Kahn."
When Quan Chi freed Shinnok from the Netherealm, Sub-Zero donned his brother's uniform, but fought with Scorpion, who swore to kill him for murdering his family. When Scorpion had Sub-Zero at his mercy, Quan Chi appeared and revealed that he had killed Scorpion's family and pinned it on Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero witnessed Quan Chi attempt to send Scorpion to the Netherealm, but the spectre grabbed Quan Chi before the spell was complete, and they both vanished.
Sub-Zero then battled Sektor for leadership of the Lin Kuei and won. Free from the cyborg's directive, Sub-Zero claimed the Dragon Medallion, which enhanced his ice-generating powers, and chose an apprentice, Frost. Rayden contacted the two to join Earthrealm's warriors to fight the Deadly Alliance of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. When Sub-Zero and Frost got separated from the others, Frost stole the Dragon Medallion, which caused her powers to grow out of control, and froze her in solid ice. She died before Sub-Zero could thaw her, and he took her body to find a place suitable for burial.
He found the ruins of a civilization of people who could manipulate cold, and discovered that he and Frost were descendants of this race. Burying her and forgiving her for her rashness, Sub-Zero donned an ancient suit of armour and headed for the Earthrealm portal.
On his way through the Living Forest, a band of Tarkatan warriors attacked him. Believing he would die, Sub-Zero gave the fight everything he had. Strangely, he heard his armour speak to him, and it helped him win the battle against the seemingly endless horde.
He later discovered the wounded Kenshi, helped him recover, and they set out for the portal. While on the way, they met Shujinko, who convinced them to help him fight Onaga.
- Real Name: unknown
- Height: 6ft 0.25in (184cm)
- Weight: 210lb (95kg)
- Hair color: black
- Eye color: brown