The Brotherhood of Shadow is a faction in the Mortal Kombat video game series.
The Brotherhood of Shadow are an unholy, fanatic cult centered on the demon sorcerer Quan Chi and are worshipers of the fallen Elder God Shinnok. Its countless members are ever scheming and planning for his release from the Netherrealm. Its trademarks are stealth, secrecy and deception, and is involved with black magic and necromancy. They achieved their goal when Quan Chi was able to get hold of the sacred amulet needed to free Shinnok from his eternal prison, from where he already controlled the entire Netherrealm. Agents such as Noob Saibot and Reiko rose to prominence during the subsequent war with Princess Kitana, the people of Edenia, Raiden and his Earthrealm warriors during the events of Mortal Kombat 4.
Their joint effort ultimately failed, however, and Shinnok was defeated. In the events leading up to Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and Deception, Noob Saibot began eluding Quan Chi's control and prepared for the creation of his own armies, while Sareena and Ashrah left the Brotherhood. With Shinnok eliminated as a presence to be reckoned with and Quan Chi's own plans with the Deadly Alliance, the Brotherhood seemed to have lost its importance, or at least be on hold. It appears that for most (former) members, their time spent with the Brotherhood was merely a catalyst for more important things to come. It was later revealed in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon that Sareena is working again with the Brotherhood of Shadow, albeit under a spell from Quan Chi. This story is also revealed through her released bio from such game.
At the heart of the Brotherhood of Shadow's fanatical religion is these diabolical zealots' very desire to bring about the day when the malevolent Elder God Shinnok is finally and completely set free from the dark depths of the Netherrealm, and his will is done. They'll stop at nothing to achieve their insidious, Utopian dream of being at the right hand of their divine master and creator, and thus forever rule all creation itself.
History[]
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero[]
The first storyline appearance of the organization comes in the form of three deadly assassins: Sareena, Kia and Jataaka. Jataaka and Kia were defeated by the elder Sub-Zero, but Sareena is strangely spared by the Lin Kuei warrior. She later appears to help Sub-Zero in defeating Quan Chi. Although the duo achieved victory, it is cut short by Shinnok, who "kills" her with a bolt of energy.
Mortal Kombat II[]
Noob Saibot is the first member of the Brotherhood of Shadow to ever appear in the series, operating in the shadows under command of Shinnok, keeping track of the events of Outworld's tournament.
Mortal Kombat 3[]
Noob Saibot appears once more, apparently having set a "base of operations" in a dark lit area known as Noob's Dorfen. It is during this time he is an active member working outside the Nethrrealm, under orders of Shinnok to align himself with Shao Kahn, during the Outworld emperor's invasion of Earth, while also secretly aiding Earthrealm's warriors in defeating Shao Kahn.
Mortal Kombat 4[]
Another member of the organization, Reiko, makes his debut. Sometime before the events of the game, Tanya, a close ally of the Brotherhood of Shadow, had been enlisted into the clan as a double agent, pretending to be a close ally of the Earthrealm warriors.
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance[]
Before the events of Deadly Alliance, Noob Saibot appeared in the war between Edenia's new Shokan forces under leadership of Goro and Kitana as well as Shao Kahn's diminished army. He ambushes the weary Goro and fatally wounds him. Meanwhile, Sareena resurfaces and defects from the Brotherhood of Shadow, meeting up with the younger Sub-Zero, now Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, pledging her servitude to the newly reformed clan, indebted to the older brother's strange compassion towards her.
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon[]
While he is no longer a member of the Brotherhood of Shadow, Noob Saibot allies with Quan Chi, who is gathering fighters to the Forces of Darkness for the Battle of Armageddon. Quan Chi knows that the realms are in the brink of destruction, so he casts a deadly spell upon Orin, Taven's guardian dragon, in order to try preventing him into putting a halt to his plans. The sorcerer orders Kia, Jataaka and the controlled Sareena to kill Taven. Taven defeats Kia and Jataaka, but was unaware he freed Sareena from Quan Chi's control. The sorcerer has formed an uneasy and distrustful alliance with fellow villains Onaga, Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks[]
Minions of the Brotherhood, still under the command of Shinnok, appear here, a small group hiding in secret in the Living Forest. They are depicted as jet-black skinned humanoid demons, wearing black uniforms with their insides glowing blue or green (depending on the version of the game). They have the ability to melt into a shadowy form that makes them invulnerable to every form of attack, sans a Multality. They attack their opponents wielding sickle blades with deadly skill and agility. They are the most vulnerable when solid.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II[]
It wasn't mentioned by name in Ikran's story; however, it was implied the zealots were gathered as Shinnok rose to power in the Netherrealm, soon after Shang Tsung was banished there by Kahn. It's also possible they were involved in Aiko's dystopian future, always worshipping and aiding Shinnok and Quan Chi destroying Earthrealm and brainwashing the revenant army of former Kombatants.
Shinnok's Uprising[]
While the group wasn't featured, it was implied that Kung Lao and Aiko had temporarily become members.... Inside the Fire Well, Shinnok chained them, corrupted their hearts, feeding them dark thoughts and convincing them to convert. As Shinnok mimicked Aiko's cardiokinesis by reading and corrupting their hearts, he assured they shouldn't be afraid of their dystopian future nor their nightmares of him. Instead, to join them since their world and their comrades hadn't accepted them well. Shinnok applied the usual blood markings onto them and ordered them to defeat Liu Kang in kombat, as they shall meet him shortly... Although Raiden incapacitated them and Shinnok had the fake amulet, resulting in his defeat and releasing his thrall.
Return of the Dragon King[]
When Kung Lao was following Shujinko thru the Netherrealm in his astral form, he felt tempted as he spotted the Brotherhood of Shadow fanatics gathering and incanting inside a large structure. Hearing the enticing worshippers of Shinnok, Lao was nearly swayed as it jogged memories of him and Aiko having their hearts corrupted.
In the present, Sareena stated to Kuai and the Lin Kuei that she was once a spy belonging to the Brotherhood of Shadow and spotted Bi-Han as she felt his icy air! He was converted into a wraith by Quan Chi, after he was assassinated by Scorpion then frozen by Liu Kang! Since then, he'd been rising up the ranks to become the ruler of both the Netherrealm and Earthrealm! Sareena and Kuai eventually made it into the Netherrealm and were ambushed by Noob, till they were spared by Ashrah who was also well aware of Bi-Han's perversities.
Trivia[]
- During the Darkseid War, the Revenant Liu Kang is the head of the group. Even though Shinnok is often not present, the group still stands with him governing the Netherrealm. Instead of having Kitana by his side, it's Aiko whom Liu converted her to as he made some lacerations and thus consuming and altering her psyche. As she became mutually closer to him, they both united the group along with their undead brethren. By embracing her darker self and being accustomed to her black heart and the Makeba's customs, their mission was set to declare war onto the Elder Gods.
Gallery[]
