Shaio Kahn
Backstory:
Long ago, Shao Kahn once served as the adviser to Onaga when the latter ruled Outworld as the Dragon King. Onaga's Empire had become the most powerful among all of the realms, and so he began searching for a way to become immortal. Before this goal could be realized, Shao Kahn made his move by poisoning Onaga and taking his kingdom. Upon assuming the emperor's throne, Shao Khan began to drain the vegetation energies of Outworld and turned it into a barren wasteland. From then on, Shao Kahn continued many of the former emperor's plans to conquer all. He continued to add lesser realms to Outworld, either through direct conquest or through Mortal Kombat.
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Martial Arts (Despite being known as a brutish fighter, Shao Kahn seems to have some form of footwork while fighting with his hammer, implying that he has a degree of fighting skills. Also uses wrestling techniques),
Weapon Mastery (Skilled in wielding his hammer and spear),
Acrobatics (Can leap forward for several meters),
Magic (Implied to have great knowledge on sorcery, including Skarlet's blood magik, but he isn't seen using them as he usually prefers hand-to-hand combat),
Longevity (Outworlders have naturally long lifespans),
Regeneration (Low-Mid over time. Healed from Liu Kang's fist going through his chest but needed Quan Chi to accelerate his recovery),
Energy Manipulation (Most of his attacks possess a green colored aura, which is the magic that he uses to boost the speed of his attacks [and in turn increase their impact]. He can also shoot scorching, energy beams from his hands),
Soul Manipulation (Shao Kahn is an unparalleled master of soul magic, even the likes of Shang Tsung hoped to surpass his emperor's magic with his own. Besides draining and consuming many souls at once while receiving their benefits (bonus strength, memories/knowledge, health replenishment, etc.), he can fuse the souls of others to create a singular being that's under his control),
Weapon Creation (Can create energy spears out of thin air),
Weapon Control (Can summon the Wrath Hammer out of thin air. As of MK11, he summons his spear [which is now a physical weapon] rather than creating it),
Telekinesis (Likely a side effect of him gaining so much souls, Shao Kahn has the ability to manipulate opponents and objects from a short distance),
Resistance to Soul Manipulation and Mind Manipulation (Trapped inside him are the many souls that he has consumed, likely numbering in the millions or billions. Ermac, who has a larger amount of souls in him, was able to resist Takeda's attempts to read his mind due to the latter being unable to telepathically read all of them at once, so Shao Kahn should scale to this feat)
Weaknesses: Shao Kahn is prone to bragging, humiliating and mocking his opponents, but sometimes he may simply set these aside to kill them personally.
Gargos
Backstory:
There is another dimension; the Astral Plane. It is ruled by the evil tyrant Gargos. Long ago the other Astral beings resisted this Shadow Lord, but he slew them all and stole their powers. Good creatures known as Guardians fled from Gargos and his minions, escaping to other dimensions, and they sealed the Astral Plane behind them so that the corruption of Gargos could never taint another world until the sorcerer Kan-Ra re-opened that door, manipulated by Gargos' powerful mind control. Now Gargos is invading the Earth with his army of duplicate fighters called Mimics. This twisted demigod must be stopped, or he will enslave the human race forever...
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Incorporeality (In his true form),
Immortality (Type 1; Time is meaningless to him),
Hand-to-Hand Combat,
Acrobatics,
Bodily Weaponry (Sharp claws, horns and wings. His third body has long blades on the forearms),
Flight and Spaceflight,
Shadow Energy Manipulation,
Damage Boost (Can use Shadow Energy to enhance the properties of his special attacks),
Corruption (Non-physically),
Empowerment,
Portal Creation,
Dimensional Travel,
BFR,
Summoning,
Absorption,
Subjective Reality and Creation,
Duplication (Can create Mimics),
Reactive Evolution,
Power Nullification (Is the only one who can bypass Tusk's invulnerability and kill him),
possibly Invulnerability (Stole the same powers that made Tusk invulnerable and only few weapons, such as Warg-gram, are able to actually damage him),
Electricity Manipulation and Matter Manipulation (His lightnings alter matter and corrupt it, by breaking down its molecular structure),
Mind Manipulation and Telepathy (Used his telepathic abilities to control Kan-Ra),
Soul Manipulation and Non-Physical Interaction (Could capture Eyedol's soul),
Telekinesis (Choked Jago without touching him),
Empathic Manipulation (His power was pushing Jago towards deep violent tendencies),
Astral Projection (Visited Jago in the guise of the Tiger Spirit. Projected his emblem over the sky),
Extrasensory Perception (Sensed the Guardians upon their arrival in the Astral Plane),
Sealing (Sealed the Guardians inside a flesh construct, severing the bond with their owners. Imprisoned Aganos within the Eye of the Ancients),
Necromancy (His corruption causes spirits to become restless),
Energy Projection (Via Insolence),
Body Control,
Damage Reduction and self-Statistics Reduction (Via Stoneskin),
Resistance to Heat (Wasn't burned by Jago's Endokuken)
Likely all the powers of the beings they copy, Immortality (Ageless), limited Reactive Power Level, Extrasensory Perception, Power Nullification, Teleportation, Petrification, Immunity to Soul Manipulation,
Precognition,
Healing,
Statistics Amplification,
Weaknesses: His true form may be unable to interact with physical beings in a conventional way, and it might be impossible for him to either maintain an incorporeal form in the Mundane Plane or enter it at all. Warg-gram is one of the only weapons capable of causing him mortal damage.
Song: Mortal Instinct
The fearsome ruler of Outworld, Shao Kahn, sat on his throne, his eyes glinting with sadistic delight as he observed the unfolding carnage within the tournament grounds. His demonic visage exuded power and menace, his presence casting a dark shadow over the arena of bloodshed.
The abrupt arrival of a dark portal shattered the tension as it materialized within the arena, interrupting the tournament in progress. Two diminutive figures emerged from the portal: Izzik wielded its trident with lethal intent, swiftly incapacitating one fighter, while Dretch dashed toward the other, brutally beating them to death. Shao Kahn's eyes flashed with irritation as he rose from his throne, his patience tested by the sudden intrusion into his tournament. The towering and fearsome Ichorien demon, Gargos, emerged from the portal, his presence commanding respect and fear. With a wicked laugh that echoed through the arena, he declared,
"Begin the invasion! Kneel before your god!" He commanded his army to storm Outworld, their formidable forces launching a coordinated assault upon the realm.
As the invasion escalated, most individuals scurried to safety or met their demise within the chaos of the onslaught. Shao Kahn, with a fierce resolve, summoned a powerful hammer into his grasp, effortlessly dispatching any demons within proximity. With anger and indignation coursing through his veins, he roared,
"Who dares invade my domain?!"
The demon warlord Gargos, unfazed by the challenge, chuckled menacingly.
"Your domain will soon be mine. Your throne, your subjects, everything will be under my command. Accept your fate, mortal. Opposing me is futile."
Shao Kahn's eyes gleamed with a mix of fury and determination.
"You will rue the day you dared to challenge me. Your arrogance blinds you to the futility of your endeavor."
Gargos surged forward with a reckless charge, aiming to overpower Shao Kahn. However, the Outworld ruler was swift and precise in his countermeasures. With a series of well-executed moves, Kahn halted Gargos' advance. A swift kick to the stomach, followed by a stomp on the demon's foot, continued with a powerful shoulder ram to the chest, culminating in an airborne uppercut that sent Gargos soaring. Finally, the mighty Wrath Hammer delivered a final crushing blow, driving the Ichorien backward with tremendous force.
Gargos, his wings stabilizing him mid-air, unleashed a primal roar, propelling himself back towards Shao Kahn. He retaliated with a clawed uppercut that sent the Outworld ruler soaring into the air. Gargos followed up with a powerful stomp, driving him forcefully back to the ground. A forceful kick launched the Kahn into the direction of his throne, completely shattering it. The demon warlord reveled in his momentary triumph, a guttural laugh escaping his lips.
Despite the initial impact, Shao Kahn stood his ground, his resilience unbroken. With a swift recovery, he rolled his head to alleviate any stiffness, readying himself for further confrontation. Undeterred by the earlier assault, he defiantly taunted Gargos, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Is that your best?"
Shao Kahn challenged, his grip tightening around the mighty Wrath Hammer. With a sinister chuckle, Gargos responded in a mocking tone,
"Not impressed? How about this?"
Without warning, the demon warlord opened a series of portals, transforming the battlefield into a chaotic symphony of surprise attacks. Quick and relentless punches came from different directions, each hit striking Shao Kahn at unpredictable moments. The Outworld emperor, caught off guard by the sudden barrage of punches, struggled to anticipate the next strike, leaving him at a momentary disadvantage. With a swift and precise maneuver, Shao Kahn grasped one of the punches coming through a portal, halting the relentless assault and trapping Gargos's arm within the portal. His frustration and irritation evident, he stated in a resolute tone,
"Nothing but annoying cheap shots!"
Seizing the opportunity, Shao Kahn began squeezing Gargos's arm, attempting to cause pain and potentially force the demon to capitulate. Gargos desperately attempted to fly away, trying to escape Shao Kahn's ironclad grip. However, the Outworld emperor was determined to end the confrontation, yanking him back through the tiny portal and forcefully striking his knee into Gargos's face. With a devastating impact, Shao Kahn's knee smashed into the Ichorien's nose, causing immediate pain and disorienting him.
With a decisive motion, Shao Kahn withdrew his wrath hammer, rearing back for a lethal strike. Swinging the massive weapon with full force, he unleashed a devastating blow that connected squarely with Gargos's face, driving the shadow lord backward with a powerful impact. Gargos crashed to the ground on his back, dazed and in disorientation. Though still conscious, the force of the attack left him nursing a severe headache and a prominent blunt injury on his head.
As Gargos lay recovering from the powerful attack, Shao Kahn could not help but chuckle, relishing in the successful strike against his adversary. However, his moment of triumph was abruptly interrupted by the unexpected and unwelcome intrusion of Izzik and Dretch. With a mischievous jab, Izzik drove its pitch fork into Kahn's back, eliciting a mix of pain and irritation. Dretch followed suit, attempting to attack the Outworld ruler, adding further minor annoyances to the fray. The relentless barrage of minor attacks resembled the persistent annoyance of being flicked hard and stabbed by splinters.
With a swift and forceful stomp, Shao Kahn brought his foot down upon Dretch, effectively reducing the small demon to a bloodied stain on the ground. A quick shift of his attention followed as he easily wrenched Izzik from his back, tearing the diminutive demon apart with an effortless motion. As the defeated assailants dissolved into shadow, Shao Kahn expressed his disdainful assessment, uttering a single word,
"Worthless."
Caught off guard by the fierce wind that sent him hurtling backward with considerable force, Shao Kahn crashed into a sturdy colosseum wall, the impact causing the robust stone structure to crack. Taking advantage of the brief distraction, Gargos managed to regain his composure, using his powerful wings to conjure a strong gust of wind. With a decisive jump, the demon warlord leaped through a portal and descended forcefully upon the disoriented ruler of Outworld, seizing the opportunity to deliver a powerful tackle.
With a swift and calculated motion, Gargos seized his opportunity, gripping Shao Kahn's body with firm resolve. In a powerful display of strength, the shadow lord hurled the emperor into the air above him, conjuring a towering geyser of shadow energy, which erupted beneath his fallen adversary. The blast sent Kahn soaring higher into the sky, caught in the relentless force of the shadowy geyser, unable to resist the overwhelming power that propelled him upward.
As the tumultuous onslaught subsided and Shao Kahn began to descend, the master of Outworld quickly seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack. Timing his strike carefully, he raised his mighty wrath hammer high and brought it crashing down upon Gargos as he fell. The devastating blow forced the Ichorien down into the sandy ground below, sending shockwaves through the arena and leaving the demon warlord momentarily reeling in pain. In a show of dominance, Shao Kahn proclaimed with authority,
"Feel the wrath of Shao Kahn!"
In a seamless display of strength and skill, Kahn picked up the injured Gargos, slamming him onto his shoulders, further damaging the demon's spine. Following this move, he dropped the demon to the ground and swiftly stomped hard on his neck, causing significant pain. The final blow came in the form of a powerful headbut, cracking the demon's skull with considerable force.
Even though he was severely wounded, Gargos mustered the strength for a defiant roar, unleashing a powerful uppercut that sent Shao Kahn soaring into the air. The demon warlord then took to the skies with a forceful beat of his wings, generating a powerful gust to drive his adversary backward and displace him across the sandy landscape.
With a casual gesture of his hands, Gargos summoned Izzik and Dretch back from the realm of the deceased, infusing them with life once more. Despite their initial defeat, they leapt back into action, determined to continue their assault on the downed Shao Kahn. Although their attacks did not inflict substantial damage, they remained a nuisance, dealing painful yet ultimately ineffective blows to the Outworld ruler. With a mix of annoyance and frustration, Shao Kahn muttered under his breath,
"Just stay dead!"
In an display of his sheer strength, he effortlessly plucked Izzik and Dretch from the ground and forcefully smashed their heads together. The impact was so fierce that it instantly crushed their skulls into a gory mess. Releasing his grip, Kahn allowed their lifeless bodies to fall limply to the sandy arena floor, dissolving into shadowy remnants. In a strategic maneuver, Gargos seized the moment of the distraction, activating his Stone Skin ability. A fortified layer of organic rock surged over his body, augmenting his defenses and bolstering his confidence with its protective covering. A deep, sinister laughter echoed through the battlefield as the demon warlord perceived the advantage now seemingly shifting in his favor.
Shao Kahn, keenly observing Gargos's fortified state, made a calculated decision. Switching his wrath hammer for a spear, he charged forward with determination, aiming to pierce through the demon's rock-like defense. However, as the spear met the Stone Skin, a resounding metallic clang echoed through the arena, followed by the sound of the spear tip breaking upon impact. A minuscule dent marked the spot where the spear had collided, while Gargos continued to chuckle confidently.
Frustrated and determined, Shao Kahn promptly materialized his wrath hammer once more, his grip firm as he swung the formidable weapon towards the side of Gargos's head. The impact landed, causing the shadow lord's head to budge from the force, and hairline fractures formed within the rocky armor. Undeterred, Gargos continued to laugh heartily, mocking the Outworld ruler with his taunting derision.
In his attempt to attack again with the wrath hammer, Kahn aimed for another strike, only to be thwarted by Gargos's stone-covered wing, which intercepted and dislodged the hammer from his grip. The Ichorien took advantage of the opportunity, thrusting his fist forward and knocking the Kahn into the air. With a swift and calculated maneuver, Gargos grabbed hold of the airborne Kahn's ankle, his grip tight. With a powerful swing, he forcefully slammed the Outworld ruler back down to the ground, the impact creating a resounding thud.
Gargos seized control of the situation, closing in and firmly gripping Shao Kahn by the neck. Without mercy, the demon delivered a powerful knee to the belly, followed by a crushing thrust of his fist into the chest, shattering the sternum with a sickening crunch. Relentlessly, Gargos continued his onslaught, slicing across Kahn's face with such force that the royal helmet was knocked off, exposing the deep lacerations now marring the Outworld ruler's visage.
With a brutal move, Gargos opened a portal, disappearing from sight before leaping through it and reemerging from another portal positioned high above. The demon warrior landed heavy onto the prone figure of Shao Kahn, the impact causing a deep imprint in the sandy ground beneath. Without hesitation, Gargos quickly detonated his Stone Skin, causing the rocky armor to explode off of him in a shower of jagged, sharp stone shards. The force of the explosion propelled Shao Kahn forcefully into the sandy arena floor, embedding numerous sharp stone fragments into the Outworld ruler's powerful physique, which started to bleed all over. With a resounding chuckle, Gargos approached the fallen and struggling Shao Kahn, his steps slow and deliberate.
"I warned you to kneel before your new god." The Ichorien exclaimed, a hint of mockery and superiority in his voice. Gargos, soaring through the air in a looping motion, prepared to deliver the final blow to his weakened adversary, only to be met with unexpected resistance. At the last moment, Shao Kahn materialized his wrath hammer and countered with a powerful backhand swing, sending the demon warlord careening away from him.With a firm and defiant tone, Kahn proclaimed,
"I kneel to no one, especially not to gods."
As Gargos struggled to rise from the ground, Shao Kahn stood tall and clenched his free fist, causing four spears to materialized over the prone demon. With a swift downward motion, the spears shot down, impaling Gargos's hands and wings, pinning him firmly to the dirt and eliciting a pained howl of rage from the shadow lord. With confidence and resolve, Shao Kahn confidently brandished his wrath hammer, a stern expression on his face. His tone was calm yet authoritative as he declared,
"Gods are the ones to kneel. Kneel before the might of Shao Kahn!"
Swinging the mighty hammer with tremendous force, he delivered a devastating blow to the head of Gargos, driving the shockwave straight through the demon's cranium and exploding out of his lower back, spine and all. The impact sent the remains flying back several meters, a testament to the strength and might of the Outworld ruler's attack.
Shao Kahn, weary yet confident, rested the Wrath Hammer upon his shoulders, savoring his apparent victory. However, his moment of triumph was abruptly interrupted as the fallen Gargos suddenly reanimated, ripping itself free from the spears pinning it down. Gripping Kahn's neck, the shadow lord's body began to regenerate back to good as new, its wings flapping powerfully as they ascended into the air. With a mix of disbelief and indignation, Kahn exclaimed,
"Impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible for a god, mortal,"
Gargos proclaimed with arrogant confidence, as he hurled Shao Kahn forcefully towards the ground, creating a massive crater upon impact. With a wave of his hand, the demon warlord summoned lightning to crackle and thunder down upon the Outworld ruler, the bright flashes illuminating the arena and sending bolts of electricity crashing into his adversary.
As the lightning bolts struck his body, Shao Kahn could feel the alarming, uncomfortable sensation that something was seriously wrong. The electric discharges were not mere physical assaults; they were affecting him on a molecular level, causing negative and detrimental changes to his very essence. With a horrified scream, Kahn cried out
"NOO! NOOOOO!"
He writhed in agony, the corruption spreading through his body like a toxic, dark cancer.
Taking advantage of the crackling energy surrounding him, Gargos concentrated and captured a bolt of lightning in his hand, before divebombing towards the stricken Shao Kahn. Roaring with feral rage, the demon warlord unleashed a powerful punch into the Outworld ruler's chest, his fist infused with the electric force of the lighting. A loud explosion echoed throughout the arena, the deafening crack of thunder and a brilliant flash of light accompanying the impact. Shao Kahn's body was violently ripped apart, the electrical energy tearing through him like a living hurricane.
As the dust and smoke slowly began to settle, the shadow lord ascended into the air, floating high above the devastated battlefield. A sadistic chuckle escaped his lips as he gazed down upon the realm of Outworld, witnessing firsthand the slow and inevitable takeover of the realm under his rule.
Strength: In terms of pure, physical stats, Gargos was not going to win this. Shao Kahn is powerful enough to be able to overwhelm Earth's gravitational binding energy, which is 47.8 Zettatons of TNT. Gargos may be strong enough to shake the world with his lightning, but that blast only accounts for 13.4 Petatons. That's a 3.55 million times power gap in between.
Speed: Shao Kahn was definitely much faster, able to move and react at 2% the speed of light, while Gargos isn't even half that. Gargos may be fast enough to outpace Kim Wu's Mach 121 nun-chuck bullet deflecting feat, but even if we say he's 8 times faster to be around Mach 1000, that would still make Shao Kahn 17.5X faster than him.
Skill: Martial wise, Shao Kahn wins here as well, being well versed in two Chinese martial arts, while Gargos more relies on overwhelming his foes with portals and minions. Gargos may rely on (killer) instinct, but that doesn't make up for actual skill.
Experience: When it comes to longevity, this grants Gargos having dealt with things far longer than Shao Kahn's millennia long life, being so old that he was around the age of the dinosaurs.
Powers: This is Gargos's biggest advantage. Both are resistant to soul manipulation, so any of their usual tricks aside from pure brawn wasn't going to work out. And unfortunately for the conquerer, brute strength was not going to net him the win due to Gargos needing to be dealt with an enchanted weapon like Tusk's Warg-Gram to deal lethal damage, which Shao Kahn does not possess. Even if he did, the Ichorien has the ability to resurrect themselves, and could counter before or after then with his Stone Skin, matter corrupting lightning, and endless supply of portals and minions to keep Shao Kahn on his toes.
The winner is Gargos.