#Tomas the father figure to young Hanzo

[theartistaslisalee]

I’ve been reading some fanfics where Tomas plays the father figure to a young Hanzo Hasashi after he is rescued from starvation and brought to a new home with the newly established Shirai Ryu. I would be down for this to actually be canon in the future MK games after all in this new era anything is possible!

[cienie-isengardu]

I don't think comparing Kuai Liang in other timelines is a good comparison. For one, previous Lin Kuei were slaves of Sektor and brutalised in body and mind. They weren't Kuai's enemies willingly. Even then, Midway Kuai took years, maybe a decade to return and free them when Sektor was already weak. In NRS, he doesn't think of saving them till much later. Beating the Cyber Lin Kuei was easy because you just needed to kill Sektor.

MK1 Kuai is up against flesh and blood who chose to hurt him and his loved ones not because there was a program onto them. And he has been away for months now and only just getting some resources. He and Tomáš could do nothing. For now.

Comparing Kuai Liang to his previous incarnations, to me at least, seems like a natural thing, because to whom else should we compare him? To Hanzo, grieving the loss of his wife and son and extermination of the whole clan? After all MK1 Kuai Liang’s character arc is based on the younger Sub-Zero’s story from original and alternative timeline, just in a new way and with addition of different Scorpion vs Sub-Zero’s legacy to bear.

The Lin Kuei were raised from young age to be killers, the same as they are in new timeline, this time just under the blessing of good guys. Having no choice but continue father/family's tradition? Check. Having doubts about Lin Kuei's morals and goals and rejecting it? Check. Being hunted for leaving the clan? Check. Taking an action against "corrupted" Lin Kuei? Check.

(Also, those who hunted MK1 Kuai Liang too may not wish his death or harm, but they do as ordered, because obedience and loyalty is what they swear to Grandmaster and Kuai Liang choose on his own to not obey. Like, from their perspective, Scorpion is traitor while they are the good, loyal members and duty demands to take action against the traitor, the same as duty demanded from Kuai Liang to stand against Bi-Han. The Cyber Lin Kuei or new Lin Kuei are still just pawns in the war between Kuai Liang and the Grandmaster.)

And yes, I’m aware the new game is different, the same way an alternative timeline was to his origin, so I don’t expect a full copy of events. Especially since MK1 Kuai Liang is not a lone figure on the run against his former associates anymore. You say “he has been away for months now and only just getting some resources. He and Tomáš could do nothing. For now.”, but as the intro dialogues claim, he and Smoke aren’t hiding and doing nothing. They are active players in the war between Shirai Ryu and Lin Kuei, as they A) recruited and train their own army (clan members), B) try to hunt down Bi-Han themselves and C) promise to deal with Lin Kuei’s threat to Outworld and Earthrealm countless times. So if you say “MK1 Kuai is up against flesh and blood who chose to hurt him and his loved ones” then well, I don’t see any regret or restraint from his side either. He is ready to burn down Lin Kuei and reshape it to his liking and values, so fighting against his supposed people (blood ties?) doesn’t seem that troubling for any brother - except Tomas, who would want brothers to reconcile rather than fight to death. 

And let's not forget that Kuai Liang already assumed Cyrax and Sektor would support Bi-Han over him, but that does not explain how two warriors (so far not officially related to ruling family) could so easily “detrohizing” a legal heir. Especially, if he confronted Lin Kuei as Tomas thought he should after defeating and capturing Bi-Han in the main storyline. Kuai Liang being born Lin Kuei does not mean he must have that close and loving relationship with his people in the first place but he still has a legal claim to his homeland and father's legacy. So why there was no one to back him up besides Tomas? Though it is worth to note he blames Bi-Han for “corruption” of them more than members of Lin Kuei itself. But that is sadly one more thing not explained by NRS at all. At least for now. The same as with previous timeline, I think we could argue if Kuai Liang cares for Lin Kuei people as a whole or just for Lin Kuei as principle but I’m afraid we would need to wait for next game(s) to see how he interact with Lin Kuei beside Bi-Han (and Tomas). 

There is also a vital contradiction between story mode and Kuai Liang’s ending, as the letter states he and Tomas were hunted down by Lin Kuei right away after defeating Titan Shang Tsung while Liu Kang claims: 

"As you know, Bi-Han and his Lin Kuei have abandoned their roles as Earthrealm's guardians. His brother Kuai Liang has agreed to build a new clan, the Shirai Ryu, to take its place. I must go aid his efforts."

which raises a question, did Liu Kang aid him and provide protection when Kuai Liang and Tomas were at the most vulnerable against Lin Kuei’s wrath or not? Because the game and intro dialogues imply Scorpion has way more allies, resources, firepower and chance to strike back at Grandmaster than original Kuai Liang had.

Ultimately, each fan has their own expectations in regard to storyline, themes and characters’ development. Personally, mine haven't been met so far but I’m sincerely happy for anyone that enjoys the changes and I hope the expanded story will please them too. After all, we can always agree to disagree while having our own interpretations of source material 🙂

[bihansthot]

Figured I'd pop in and ask you this question:

So I'm writing some lore for my oc and I was wondering if you had any sources for how Bi-Han is as a brother. The thing I'm working on is supposed to be angsty given what Bodaway's backstory is, but I'm afraid that with what little I know about Bi-Han I might accidentally make him into a complete prick. Like I want there to be some tension and distance between my oc and Bi-Han but like not to the point of Bi-Han being ooc if that makes sense?

You don't have to answer this right away, as I understand you've got a lot on your plate. I know I've already said this, but I do hope things get a bit better for you ^.^

Hello love! So, I have a couple posts I’ve made in the past about this that I’ve mentioned it before here, here, here, here and here.

I feel very strongly that at least in Midway and NRS timelines not including MK1 (2023) Bi-Han was a fiercely protective yet asshole of a brother, the type to pick on Kuai Liang himself but kick anyone else’s ass who tries to start anything with his little brother. I’ve often rambled that Bi-Han protected Kuai Liang growing up and would often confess to misdeeds Kuai Liang was actually responsible for because he didn’t want his little brother to suffer. I personally headcanon Bi-Han has a pretty scared up back from being beat with bamboo (which was a common punishment in Imperial China) so often when the brothers were growing up. I don’t think you have to worry about making him too much of a prick because short answer he is one, long answer he’s a prick but he has good reason to be one. He’s the oldest, he has all the responsibilities and burdens that come with being the oldest brother as well as the Grandmaster’s grandson (their Grandfather is Grandmaster before Sektor’s father takes over which leads me to believe in the older time lines Papa Zero is dead, it’s unclear if Bi-Han did it or not). He’s treated and raised differently than Kuai Liang is, he’s raised to be crueler and colder than Kuai Liang because he should be the next Grandmaster or at least that was the game plan until Papa Zero dies. Bi-Han most likely had to kill their Grandfather or their father or maybe both in order to become the next Sub-Zero and to do that he has to kill his emotions at a very young age but he doesn’t want Kuai Liang to be the same way. So, he makes sure he’s always the bad guy so Kuai Liang doesn’t have to be, he always takes care of things. He’s a very dedicated and hardworking individual and had to step into the role of both big brother and father figure for Kuai Liang. They’re all each other had until Tomas joins the Lin Kuei and suddenly Bi-Han finds himself with two little brothers to look out for and protect.

I base a lot off this off of how desperate Kuai Liang is to find out what happened to Bi-Han in MK9 and in Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms (which isn’t really canon but it’s kharacter building so we’re gonna use it) he absolutely sobs about the loss of Bi-Han. You do not hunt down someone or sob about a loss if you don’t genuinely love and care about that person. So, that solidifies to me that Bi-Han was an excellent older brother or else Kuai Liang wouldn’t have hunted Hanzo down, he wouldn’t have been in tears fighting his brother’s killer, he wouldn’t be distraught with grief and loss and wouldn’t live on in his brother’s place if Kuai Liang didn’t love and genuinely admire Bi-Han. A bad older brother doesn’t get that, a bad older brother gets a “oh pity, did he leave a will?” I actually have another piece that touches a bit on their relationship but implies they were actually twins which you can read here. Bi-Han is an asshole yes, but he’s also a good brother, you can be both, my brothers are great examples of this. They are absolute assholes to each other and occasionally to me but still would do absolutely anything for any of us. They teased and bullied me growing up just like Bi-Han teased and bullied Kuai but they covered up for me when I got in trouble just like Bi-Han covered up for Kuai Liang.

Bi-Han is a very complicated, layered asshole, he’s not just pompous ego and bravado. If you haven’t watched it I would really recommend watching a play through of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero it gives a really good idea on Bi-Han’s attitude of asshole but reluctantly does the right thing when he needs to. The story mode for MK9 is also helpful to see his attitude as a kharacter but unfortunately there’s really nothing showing Bi-Han and Kuai Liang together. So all we have to go off of is how Kuai Liang reacts to Bi-Han’s death. Bi-Han as Noob Saibot famously tell Kuai Liang that “we share blood but we are not brothers” because Noob Saibot is Bi-Han stripped of every positive feeling and emotion. Kuai Liang parrots his back to him in MK11 so they very much have a strained relationship after Bi-Han’s death but not while he was alive, I refuse to believe that.

Basically it’s up to a lot of interpretation because we don’t see any of their childhood or them even interacting with each other but I have written a lot on my take about their relationship. Like I suggested though if you haven’t already, please watch Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle or the Realms and feel free to ask or DM me any questions you have. I’m also more than happy to give you my discord username if you’d rather chat there but I’m more than happy to chat about all things Bi-Han and Lin Kuei and discuss how their kharacter progression looks like.

That invitation is for anyone in the fandom if they have any Sub-Zero Bros or Lin Kuei questions, I’m not Boon or Papa Tobias but I have been playing the games since 1992 and have a very good grasp of the lore. I also love what if situations and extrapolating logical conclusions to those situations and think about Bi-Han basically constantly. I’d much rather you lovelies come to me than try and google things and wind up on the weird fan wiki that says Bi-Han is 36 when he’s 32 and gives Sektor and Cyrax fake names, spoilers Felix is NOT Cyrax’s name, it’s just a made up fan name used by this sketch ass wiki same with Sektor, they don’t have canon names. Bi-Han, Kuai Liang and Tomas Vbrada are the only canon names for the love of the Elder Gods stay off this cursed fanmade wiki. Please. Also, I’ve said this before too but please, please don’t make the mistake of thinking Liang is a surname, it isn’t, Kuai Liang is his full first name, just like Bi-Han is his complete first name, the Sub-Zero brothers do not have a canon last name. Only Tomas has a canon last name in the Lin Kuei.

Ok I think that maybe answers your question, hopefully I know there was some powerful rambling in there. There’s a lot of stuff to sort through so like I said if any of you lovelies have questions please feel free to ask me.

@den-kunn I’m tagging you in this because I’ve seen you use Felix for Cyrax and if that’s a personal choice than by all means go for it but I don’t want you to be mislead by that fan wiki and think it’s his canon name when it’s not. I’m just trying to look out for you if you don’t want me to though that’s totally fine just let me know. I’m not trying to police anyone or anything I just know that fan wiki is notorious for spreading the wrong information and I don’t want you lovelies getting confused or mislead by the misinformation that wiki spreads. Because there are mean people out there that will start shit over the small inaccuracies and I don’t want any of you lovelies getting chewed out because this stupid fan wiki made something up.💙

If anyone else wants to be tagged in Lin Kuei or Sub-Zero Bros lore stuff and rambling then just let me know and I’m more than happy to start a tag list. Have a good night lovelies 💙