Monk in Mortal Kombat
Monk is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series who made his debut as a background character in Mortal Kombat.
While appearing through the series, the Monk makes his playable debut in Mortal Kombat Mobile.
The Monk, or rather multiple Monks, is introduced in the series as a non-playable character seen in the background of the Shang Tsung's Courtyard arena in Mortal Kombat.
Monks are also members of the White Lotus Society, who serve Raiden and train at the Wu Shi Academy. Many also live at the Sky Temple alongside Raiden and Fujin.
In Mortal Kombat Mobile, Monk became a playable character and gained more background information.
Ikran's theme song: Fabul - Orchestral Remix (Final Fantasy IV)
Appearance[]
In his first appearance, monks appeared in the background for Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, MK: Deadly Alliance, Mortal Kombat: Deception, Mortal Kombat (2011) and are more prominently featured in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks.
Many monks appear in Mortal Kombat 11, appearing in the Shaolin Trap Dungeon and on Shang Tsung's Island Ruins as zombified monks resurrected by a Revenant Jade. They later reappear in the final Chapter of the game's Story Mode during the raid on Kronika's Keep.
They also appear in the ending of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath during Liu Kang's ending, training in the Wu Shi Academy in Liu Kang's New Era.
Game information[]
The Shaolin Monks have the Wu Shi Academy and Shaolin Temple as their training grounds. They were attacked by Baraka and the Tarkata in MKII and a lot of them, were killed by Zombie Liu Kang, the enforcer of a corrupted Raiden in MKD.
They are a common enemy in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and use a variety of weapons.
Movie Appearance[]
The monks appear in two movies and one TV series, the first film, Conquest and Annihilation. They wear red.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II[]
Of course, just like to be considered as the Shaolin, the monks reside at the Wu Shi Academy. Much to Aiko's relief, they appear to be friendly to foreigners despite their rough, tense exteriors. Several of them were seen hanging large, bright flags over some burnt spots left over from the Tarkan invasion, while others welcomed Kung Lao back and greeted the young time traveler. To her surprise, they knew fluent English and according to Lao, it was thanks to Hong Kong being purchased by Britain since the days of the Opium War! Some elderly monks were seen near the Temple of Light as Lao discussed with them before they all evacuated to the Dragon Grotto upon Kahn's invasion. Before the attack, Jin told Aiko that he wishes to become one someday, and those in the Academy don't always have to be good fighters, but also agriculturalists, chefs, artisans, but always guards to the sacred Grotto. Kung Lao, Liu Kang, and his grandfather were amongst the many.
A Date and a Destiny[]
The monks were surprised that Liu Kang was leaving for America, in order to find more prestigious monks to beef up their numbers, as his and Lao's brethren lost so much since the Tarkan invasion and Kahn's conquest. They still wished him a safe journey. They soon realized that Lao and Aiko had been very close over the past few weeks, and they weren't stupid they came to the conclusion they were love interests, much like Liu and Kitana, but more closer knitted. They couldn't stop cooing and teasing Aiko just to show how pleased they were, even the sisters and wives of the Shaolin; the maids prepped her all the next day, about two hours going thru their manicures/pedicures, shopping, applying cosmetics, and trimming and stylizing her hair. One maid even said she brought honor to them all since Lao was one of the most promising monks next to the Champion!
After their romantic outing, the monks were under intense scrimmage by a mysterious elderly man. Kung Lao challenged the new warrior honorably, though he was unsuccessful; Fujin was anxious on finding Earthrealm's Champion, and each monk pleaded to be spared since Liu left for America before Lao fought him off. They simply walked away with minor injuries, but mostly with their heads hung in humiliation.
Mortal Kombat: Shinnok's Uprising[]
The Monks were curious, some alarmed, as they witnessed a meteor fall near the Bayan Har Mountains. Liu Kang and Kai, who just returned from America, decided to investigate. Later on, they were shocked the Edenian refugees were led by Kung Lao and Aiko to the Wu Shi Academy. They, at first, weren't comfortable with the foreigners from another realm. They began to warm up to them little by little before the prisoners safely returned thru a massive portal and were hopeful to see them again!
Some even attended Raiden's final farewell to Earthrealm before ascending into Elder God status.
Mortal Kombat: Vengeance[]
They attended Liu's services and mourned from him, while also beginning to erect another sacred tomb upon Raiden's request. This tradition was initially done to their ancestors, even the Great Kung Lao. Most monks were the pallbearers, including Kai.
About a week had passed, and the monks erected Liu's own Tomb within the forest clearing! Including a hearth consisting of a lone ethereal flame, with the three MK medals dangling from it, and the series of candles lit with incense. Lao added his own before he bowed and prayed for safe passage during the elongated moment of silence... Until Nightwolf came rushing in, crying that Onaga, the Dragon King, had been resurrected!
Return of the Dragon King[]
They weren't necessarily seen until several of them were attacked by Dark Raiden and his enforcer, Zombie Liu Kang, resurrected from the ancient black arts of the Houan! Kenshi and Aiko met up with the thinning crowd before they beheld the two doppelgangers; the blind swordsman urged the cardiokinetic to evacuate everyone to the Dragon Grotto while he dealt with them! They made it thru the traps, assisted by Ermac, and met up with the injured hero moments later. They also endured the hefty shockwave from above as the soulkinetic protected them. Fortunately, the calamity ended as Nightwolf, and soon the benevolent Raiden, assured they're in good hands!
Several skilled monks were anointed by Raiden to patrol the perimeter of the Sky Temple, as stated in other games. They observed the escort by him and Fujin as the Jinsei was treated as an infirmary for the injured Kombatants. They were also anxious on their Champions', Liu and Lao's, welfare during the spiritual cleansing and transition orchestrated by the brother gods and Nightwolf. Everyone was ecstatic once their fellow brothers were alive and well, especially when Lao was healed, and Liu returned to his pure body since before his death!
Final Kombat[]
Several monks actually were the audience for the Kombatants (Liu, Lao, Kai, Aiko, Nightwolf and Frederick) for the experimental trials of Might, Sight and Balance judged by Raiden and Fujin. They cheered for their victories and sighed with their defeats. They even threw beans at the partaking fighters as each one crossed the tricky balancing beam! They congratulated the champions of all the tests as they were ranked. Raiden and Fujin were a bit indecisive as to how they'd highlight the Battle of Armageddon to the commonfolk. Although thanks to keeping Aiko's heart gems on hand, they didn't have to; thru Aiko's own gem, they had intel from it and positivity their chosen would win.
They were later informed by Aiko herself that they're expecting to have Kung Lao, Fujin, Kai and Nightwolf return, although Liu Kang and Raiden weren't so lucky... Some of the monks grieved while others stayed with Aiko at the Yellow River catching a weakened tuna from her cardiokinesis. Then they spotted a silhouette with a rimmed-hat, hard to see from the glares of the sun, and assumed it was Lao undead. Aiko activated her powers which made the Lao's gem react as he was clutching his chest. They then noticed Lao was alive and well!
Side MK Stories[]
Every Sunday, much as Aiko's American culture on going to church, the Shaolin also worship the Gods, sometimes Raiden and others; although Aiko was irritated as their worship kept giving her triggers on the fanatical and constant Amens within the Order of Light! She wanted to give Raiden, and soon Fujin, Ashrah and Taven offerings, but in her own way; thus, gifting them theme songs and other hymns per se.
Their holidays seemed very confusing to Aiko as they celebrate Lunar New Year and their own version of Valentine's Day, as without a calendar since their days constantly change each year, she'd always be lost in the sauce! Completely contrary to the US where each holiday is on a fixed date.
There was a breaking point in which Aiko had; as she lost her way traversing thru the Academy, until she accidentally wandered outside its safe walls, when she was ambushed by a group of Chinese kid thugs! She kept using her heart to disable one of theirs and became so erratic that when a random warrior noticed the confrontation and tried to escort her back to the Academy, he received a hard backhand from her! A few more were caught in her wrath near the Yellow River as she assumed they were teasing her in Mandarin; Kung Lao broke up the quarrel and assured her that they were only complimenting on her rare cardio skills and they're too benevolent to be considered as human weapons which was one of Aiko's greatest anxieties.
During the Christmas of 1992, Aiko found out that the monks were actually Buddhists, thus no materialistic desires, much to her dismay. She figured they along with Liu and Lao weren't interested on receiving gifts, not even for their birthdays, which made her upset. Luckily, Raiden eventually consulted to her that as long as it's done from the heart, gifts can be acceptable. And in the main hall of the Academy, presents were laid out including hers next to some Bodhi trees as if Santa visited them!
The lightweight monks were prepared for Aiko's footrace; they had their doubts, and they were sort of mocking her in their Mandarin tongues. On the dirt track beside the Academy, Liu gave the instructions and signal. At first, they had an easy advantage whizzing past her due to her limited stamina despite her light speed, and they thought they'd have an easy victory, until Aiko spotted a sudden white flash from aloft and a sharp clap of thunder! Noticing a storm was brewing, or if it was just a prank from Raiden (or maybe Lord Liu Kang), Aiko was startled and used all her might dashing past all the stupefied monks and all she wanted to do was to get off that track before being struck!! She actually broke the yellow tape just seconds before the few leading monks, much to their astonishment! About an hour later, Raiden enlisted Aiko, Nightwolf and Kiba into the White Lotus and the monks welcomed them as if they were their own blood siblings!
Gallery[]
