The Ancient Rivalry Feeding the Cycle of Vengeance

The Mortal Kombat franchise has captivated audiences for decades with its intense battles, iconic characters, and intriguing storylines. One of the most enigmatic characters is Scorpion, whose tragic past fuels his relentless quest for revenge. At the heart of Scorpion’s origin story lies the brutal murder of his family, orchestrated by none other than the ice-cold killer, Sub-Zero. In this article, we delve into the motivations behind this heinous act and explore the deep-rooted rivalry between two powerful clans, the Shirai Ryu and the Lin Kuei.

In the Mortal Kombat X video game and its subsequent adaptation in the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, the Lin Kuei clan, led by the merciless Sub-Zero, sought to neutralize their long-standing rivals, the Shirai Ryu. To accomplish this, Sub-Zero devised a diabolical plan involving the annihilation of Hanzo Hasashi’s entire clan, including his wife and son.

Sub-Zero, a master of sorcery and deception, understood that Hanzo Hasashi, known as Scorpion, possessed an uncontrollable rage and a burning desire for revenge. By eliminating his loved ones, Sub-Zero aimed to push Scorpion to the brink, provoking him into becoming a formidable weapon in his quest for dominance within the Mortal Kombat tournament.

The brutal murder of Hanzo’s family was not a random act of violence but a calculated move by Sub-Zero to ensure Scorpion’s allegiance. By eliminating the only things that mattered to him, Sub-Zero hoped to manipulate Scorpion’s emotions, leaving him vulnerable and desperate for vengeance. This act of cruelty would ensure that Scorpion would willingly serve as Sub-Zero’s pawn in the fight against Earthrealm’s champions.

The rivalry between the Shirai Ryu and the Lin Kuei dates back centuries, rooted in a bitter struggle for power and dominance. These two warrior clans have clashed repeatedly, their battles fueled by personal vendettas and a desire to prove their worthiness in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Sub-Zero’s calculated act of annihilating Hanzo’s family was a continuation of this age-old conflict, further deepening the animosity between the clans.

The murder of Scorpion’s family at the hands of Sub-Zero is a pivotal event in the character’s tragic backstory. By eliminating Hanzo Hasashi’s loved ones, Sub-Zero sought to manipulate Scorpion’s emotions and harness his uncontrollable rage for his own nefarious purposes. This act of unspeakable cruelty not only solidified the enmity between the two clans but also set the stage for Scorpion’s transformation into one of the most iconic and vengeful characters in the Mortal Kombat universe.

Note: This article is based on the events depicted in the Mortal Kombat X video game and the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie.

Why Sub-Zero Killed Scorpion’s Family?

In the movie, it is revealed that the character Quan Chi, a powerful sorcerer, orchestrated a series of events to manipulate Scorpion, also known as Hanzo Hasashi, into becoming his champion. Quan Chi impersonated the original Sub-Zero, a member of the Lin Kuei clan, using his sorcery to deceive both Scorpion and the Lin Kuei.

Quan Chi convinced the Lin Kuei clan that the Shirai Ryu, the clan to which Scorpion belonged, posed a threat to their existence. As a result, the Lin Kuei launched an assault on the Shirai Ryu, leading to a violent confrontation between the two clans. During this conflict, Quan Chi, disguised as Sub-Zero, confronted Scorpion and killed his wife and son.

The purpose behind this heinous act was to provoke Scorpion’s anger and grief, knowing that it would make him vulnerable and easily manipulated. Quan Chi sought to exploit Scorpion’s desire for revenge and use him as a pawn in his own sinister plans.

By eliminating Scorpion’s loved ones, Quan Chi hoped to fuel Scorpion’s rage and ensure his loyalty as a warrior under his control. This manipulation ultimately led to Scorpion embracing his new identity as the vengeful specter, seeking vengeance against those responsible for his family’s death.

Quan Chi, using his sorcery, impersonated Sub-Zero, convinced the Lin Kuei to attack the Shirai Ryu, and killed Scorpion’s wife and son to manipulate him into becoming his champion. The motive behind these actions was to exploit Scorpion’s grief and anger for his own nefarious purposes.

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Who Killed Scorpion’s Family In Mortal Kombat?

In Mortal Kombat, it is Sub-Zero who kills Scorpion’s family, including Hanzo and his clan. The reason for Sub-Zero’s ruthless actions can be traced back to the longstanding rivalry between the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu clans.

1. Clan Rivalry: The Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu have been bitter enemies for centuries, engaged in a fierce battle for power and control. Sub-Zero is a member of the Lin Kuei, a group of assassins who utilize ice-based powers, while Hanzo is Scorpion, a fearsome warrior from the Shirai Ryu clan with fire-based abilities.

2. Personal Vendetta: Sub-Zero harbors a personal vendetta against Hanzo and his family due to past conflicts between the two clans. This deep-seated animosity fuels Sub-Zero’s desire to eliminate Scorpion’s bloodline entirely.

3. Eliminating Future Threats: By killing Hanzo’s family, Sub-Zero ensures that there are no surviving members of the Shirai Ryu clan who could seek revenge or pose a threat to the Lin Kuei in the future.

4. Psychological Warfare: Sub-Zero’s brutal act of killing Hanzo’s family serves as a form of psychological warfare, striking fear and despair into Scorpion’s heart. It demonstrates Sub-Zero’s ruthlessness and sends a message that no one is safe from his icy grasp.

5. Storytelling Element: From a storytelling perspective, the inclusion of Hanzo’s family in the carnage adds an emotional depth to Scorpion’s character and intensifies his motivation for seeking vengeance throughout the movie.

The brutality exhibited by Sub-Zero in killing Hanzo’s family serves multiple purposes, including furthering the rivalry between the two clans, eliminating potential threats, and adding a significant emotional arc to Scorpion’s character in the Mortal Kombat movie.

Who Killed Hanzo Hasashi Family?

Hanzo Hasashi’s family was killed by Sub-Zero, a member of the rival Lin Kuei clan. The Shirai-Ryu assassin clan, to which Hanzo belonged, was targeted by Sub-Zero, resulting in the tragic demise of Hanzo’s family. Sub-Zero’s actions were driven by the longstanding rivalry between the Shirai-Ryu and Lin Kuei clans. The Lin Kuei clan, known for their icy powers, saw the Shirai-Ryu as a threat and sought to eliminate them. As a result, Hanzo’s family fell victim to Sub-Zero’s deadly assault.

Conclusion

Based on the information provided in Mortal Kombat X and the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, it is clear that Sub-Zero was responsible for the deaths of Scorpion’s family. In Mortal Kombat X, it is stated that Hanzo Hasashi’s family was killed by Sub-Zero of the Lin Kuei clan. This is further reinforced in the movie, where Sub-Zero is depicted as the one who slaughters Hanzo and his entire clan, including his family.

The reason behind Sub-Zero including Hanzo’s family in the carnage can be attributed to the manipulative tactics employed by Quan Chi. In the movie’s revelation, it is revealed that Quan Chi, a sorcerer, impersonated the original Sub-Zero and orchestrated the assault on the Shirai Ryu clan. By killing Scorpion’s wife and son, Quan Chi sought to manipulate Scorpion into seeking revenge and becoming his champion.

Therefore, the inclusion of Hanzo’s family in the massacre serves as a catalyst for Scorpion’s transformation into the vengeful warrior known as Scorpion. It not only fuels his desire for revenge but also adds a personal and emotional aspect to his quest for justice.

Sub-Zero’s involvement in the deaths of Scorpion’s family can be attributed to the manipulative actions of Quan Chi. By impersonating Sub-Zero and orchestrating the assault on the Shirai Ryu clan, Quan Chi sought to manipulate Scorpion into becoming his champion. The inclusion of Hanzo’s family in the carnage serves to ignite Scorpion’s thirst for revenge and drives the narrative of Mortal Kombat forward.

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William Armstrong

William Armstrong is a senior editor with H-O-M-E.org, where he writes on a wide variety of topics. He has also worked as a radio reporter and holds a degree from Moody College of Communication. William was born in Denton, TX and currently resides in Austin.