The Wu Shi Academy (武師) is a location in Earthrealm within the Mortal Kombat video games. The lei tai center platform is suspended by five massive statues of great masters that founded the academy. The center practice area is used to evaluate tests as the teachers watch from the tower.
Overview[]
The Wu Shi Academy first appeared in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. Here, Liu Kang and the other Shaolin monks, like Kung Lao and Kai, were trained by Bo' Rai Cho. Disguised as Kung Lao, Shang Tsung infiltrated the academy and, with assistance from Quan Chi, murdered Liu Kang.
In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade escape to the Wu Shi Academy through a portal on Shang Tsung's Island. It is also used by the heroes as a haven. There they were honored by Raiden and the Shaolin monks before the academy is attacked by Tarkatan warriors. The Warrior Shrine from the original Mortal Kombat game is on the grounds of the Wu Shi Academy, and the mysterious warrior Ermac can also be fought here. The Wu Shi's Academy's lei tai platform also appeared as an arena within the versus mode, under the name of Wu Shi Arena.
The Wu Shi Academy also made an appearance in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe and Mortal Kombat (2011), after Liu Kang defeats Shang Tsung. However, the latter game does not have a playable version.
In Mortal Kombat 11, it is revealed that the Wu Shi Academy has a Dragon Grotto underneath the Academy grounds that houses Earthrealm's Jinsei energy within its bubble springs.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II[]
The Academy was the starting point in Earthrealm, and the main home for the legendary Shaolin Monks as well as the most prestigious warriors, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, and the kid, Kung Jin. With Outworld no longer a threat to Earthrealm, the heroes returned and celebrated their victory. Excepting for Lao who reunited with his long, lost nephew. A random monk ranted to him that he and Liu were suffering from the eternal curse on being MK Champions. Lao soon left the Academy after he had a pep talk with Raiden and hadn't returned for three months.
Liu Kang grew worried on Kung Lao's absence, even the monks, till he went to the secret base with the other Kombatants as Kahn was corrupting Earth's dimensional fabric. Lao eventually returned as he was introducing the older Aiko to the Academy grounds; she was so awestruck by that beautiful place, and it was established as the heart to the Order of Light.
It was soon invaded by Kahn's extermination squads, and the monks, Aiko, and Kung Jin evacuated into the Dragon Grotto. She was then involved in the war with the fellow Kombatants, and by the time Liu Kang emerged victorious over the Konquerer, the Academy had very little deaths and destruction. Soon enough, Nightwolf and Aiko became newer members of the Shaolin, even when the shaman volunteered to be the technical assistant!
A Date and a Destiny[]
The Wu Shi Academy was one warrior less as Liu Kang decided to leave the academic grounds and live a more peaceful, democratic life in America in order to look for more promising Shaolin Monks and beef up its numbers. He entrusted his second, Kung Lao, to look after the place in his stead, along with Aiko who shall look after him. It still remained tranquil, excepting from all the bustling activity as each monk noticed that Lao has prepared a date for Aiko; the monks couldn't stop teasing her over that! The maids got straight to work as they prepped Aiko from applying makeup, to fancy clothes shopping, to a manicure/pedicure, and trimming and stylizing her hair. Aiko couldn't wait to escape from all the stiff air and constant shifting, so she headed for the gentle koi pond. Raiden summarized on the past relationship with the Great Kung Lao and Jen Reyland, before they met their tragic fates at the Temple of Light, from Lao failing to protect her from Scorpion, to having his soul taken by Shang 50 years later.
Raiden wished for Aiko to make it a good date with destiny! By the time the couple returned, the Arena had the monks under an intense scrimmage with a mysterious fighter that seemed to win over them seamlessly. Lao came to their aid but was unsuccessful. He didn't wish to kill him but test his skills as the second Champion. Fujin made an ultimatum that if Kung Lao wished to know more, he must meet back with him at the Arena.
Shinnok's Uprising[]
It was briefly seen as Nightwolf was testing out his advanced gadgets in its own techy den which spotted a meteor falling near the Bayan Har Mountains. A funnel created by Fujin touched down and escorted Lao and Aiko from the Wind World as Shinnok started his invasion in the heavens.
Days later, Kung Lao and Aiko were escorting prisoners from the Edenian Palace to here. The monks were startled to witness those from other realms so suddenly! Lao assured they'll be safe for the time being, and the Edenians waited eagerly for the fall of Shinnok while the couple returned to accomplish the mission.
Soon enough, the war was won, and by the time Kung Lao and Aiko had enough strength to head back to China from the Jinsei Chamber, they headed back with Liu, Kitana, Sonya, Johnny and Kai. Liu shown Kai the rounds before the Edenians returned home; Kung Lao reunited with his nephew then snuck through the large portal into Edenia, specifically the Shokan city of Kuatan, to settle the score between him and Goro.
Mortal Kombat: Vengeance[]
The Academy was silent as ever when dawn arose, even at the technical den Nightwolf and Kiba emerged from. They admired the early morning, even Kung Lao who made a briefing, wishing to finally best his rival, Liu Kang, in kombat. Sure enough, Liu was performing his katas at the Arena when Lao spotted him outside the ring. He treaded closer slowly, until the monk noticed the towering shadow which didn't seem like Lao at all! Instead, it was his old nemesis, Shang Tsung!! He was soon assisted by Quan Chi whom Liu saw for a few seconds, and although he put up a fight, the sudden assault greatly weakened the monk, and he was at the shapeshifter's mercy until his neck was snapped!! Liu Kang was dead...
Meanwhile, Kung Lao noticed the sporadic, violent lightning storm and theorized it was only Raiden attacking the heart of the Academy! He and Aiko chased after it, while Kiba and Nightwolf ran to it first! The shaman and wolf merged once more after Kiba spotted Quan, and he and Raiden unleashed their electricity onto the Deadly Alliance before they dissipated! Lao and Aiko were the last to witness Liu's fallen body...
However, Raiden assured his soul's safe inside the dragon head he created; as an Elder God, he was inspired by Shinnok and his Amulet, thus creating his own in case the unthinkable should happen to his most promising disciple! Liu's voice emitted from it, and Raiden declared the heroes must regather and put an end to the Deadly Alliance, while also avenging Liu Kang and put his soul to rest.
