Evil Mortal Kombat 1 Characters Who Became Good

Key Takeaways

• MK1
  is a reboot following
  MK11’s
  events, emphasizing less evil characters & new story direction.
• Mileena is now the queen of Edenia with Tarkat infection, aiding Tarkartans & Edenia.
• Geras reimagined as Liu Kang’s friend to ensure events align, likely remaining a force for good.

Mortal Kombat 1 is the 12th mainline iteration of the series. The name is a deliberate choice, signifying its status as a reboot of the universe (albeit one directly following and influenced by the events of Mortal Kombat 11.) After gaining control of Kronika’s hourglass and becoming the God of Fire, Liu Kang crafted the fates of mortals, relinquishing his time powers to a reformed Geras shortly after. Nonetheless, Liu Kang’s influence is reflected in this new world, namely an active effort to limit the evils and animosity he knew before. To this end, virtually every character began as less evil than they once were.

However, this does not mean the Realms are without conflict. While the direction the series will take going forward is unclear, a continual theme of both evil and animosity emerging even in this timeline is noted. Nonetheless, most villains are less inherently evil than their past selves, and for the time being, some formerly classified as such seem largely, if not entirely good. Here are the most striking contrasts.

5 Mileena

Queen Of Edenia

• First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 2

Mileena is a fan-favorite antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series. She is a bloodthirsty clone of Kitana created in Shang Tsung’s flesh pits with partial Tarkartan DNA, which gives her the fangs she makes frequent use of in combat. Kitana and Mileena were raised as sisters, and tend to have an intense sibling rivalry. Mileena is a foil to Kitana, remaining a loyal subordinate to Shao Kahn, while her sister acts against him for the sake of her realm.

However, MK 1 retooled the character significantly. Mileena is now the genuine elder twin sister of Kitana, who has the rightful claim to the throne of Edenia. However, her impulsive nature is infamous enough for some to dispute her claim. Nonetheless, Mileena remains devoted to her role, whilst hiding a terrible secret. Mileena has contracted the Tarkat Infection, a disease which turns its victims into Tarkartans (a fanged flesh-eating race from previous timelines) and eventually makes them mindless cannibals. This affliction also affects this game’s version of Baraka.

A temporary remedy is shown, but any further advances in curbing the disease are unclear. Nonetheless, Mileena has since become queen of Edenia, and her infection has allowed for better treatment of the Tarkartans, who were previously shunned and murdered. Her path from here is likely tied to how treatable the Tarkat Infection is, but for the moment, despite her impulsiveness, she seems genuinely dedicated to the betterment of her realm in a manner not too different from Kitana.

4 Geras

Keeper Of Time

• First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 11

Geras was a relatively recent addition to the series, debuting as an immortal construct created by Kronika, the previous Keeper of Time. He exists as a fixed point in time, coming back from every repeated death. He also serves as a direct liaison of sorts to Kronika, communicating with both her foes and those who have agreed to serve her.

Geras carries out his orders in a cold, detached manner, and has experienced numerous timelines as a result of his continual deaths and rebirths. He is willing to take any action, no matter how heinous, to secure Kronika’s goals. His powers deal with the manipulation of time, and as such, he has a level of control over the literal sands of time.

Geras was reconstructed by Liu Kang to be his friend rather than a mere enforcer, but he still retains his previous memories. In this new iteration, his role is roughly the same, ensuring events fall in line with Liu Kang’s design, and attempting to correct them if they do not. Maintaining a genuine faith in Liu Kang’s vision, Geras serves as the Guardian of the Hourglass, so Liu Kang can focus on nurturing Earthrealm. As long as Liu Kang maintains control of him, this version of Geras will likely remain a force of good.

3 Reptile

A Humanoid Zaterran

• First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (secret boss), Mortal Kombat 2 (playable)

Reptile is an Easter Egg in the original Mortal Kombat, and one of the first-ever secret bosses in any fighting game. He would then become playable in the sequel, with a color scheme and moveset reminiscent of Scorpion and Sub-Zero. He is eventually established as Syzoth, the last of a reptilian race commonly known as the Zaterrans. He serves as a subordinate to Shang Tsung in the hopes of some form of revival for his realm and race. While working to achieve this goal, he allowed himself to become a ruthless killer, and to aid others who fit this description. Although initially presented in a human form, his design began to more closely align with his codename.

The reboot makes Syzoth one of many Zaterrans, albeit with a caveat. He has the mysterious ability to assume a humanoid appearance, which makes him a pariah among his own kind. His family was taken hostage by Shang Tsung, forcing him into servitude to the sorcerer once again. However, he eventually aids the heroes, becoming a major part of the story. Making use of his human form, he acts as an emissary to the Zaterrans. This role eventually leads Syzoth to discover that his mutation is far more common than he realized, but some form of government mandate led to every other Zaterran with the mutation being killed. Syzoth swears to make good on both finding out exactly who is behind this mandate, and subsequently stopping it.

2 Tanya

Mileena’s Secret Lover

• First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 4

Tanya is an Edenian, known as a traitor, who tends to side with powerful, evil beings. She was, in one iteration, an underling of Shinnok and a member of the Brotherhood of Shadow. She was also a previous subordinate of Mileena, implied to also be a romantic partner to the Tarkartan hybrid. However, her loyalty, even to Mileena, is highly dubious. She has expressed pride in her longevity (despite it being a common Edenian trait), attributing it to her ability to survive and make the right decisions.

The reboot reimagines her as a loyal warrior priestess, charged with protecting the Edenian royal family. Specifically, she is the leader of the Umgadi, an organization that includes Khameleon and formerly was led by Li Mei. However, her dutiful nature is marred by a mutual attraction to Mileena, notable both because of her lover’s illness, but also the Umgadi not being allowed romantic relationships. Although the Umgadi underwent some reform in Tanya’s ending, there is no confirmation the anti-romance rule was removed. This sets the stage for Tanya to make some painful decisions sometime in the future, choosing between love and duty, and potentially contracting the Tarkat Infection herself.

1 Sindel

The Former Queen of Edenia

• First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 3

Sindel was the Queen of Edenia, wife of the late king Jerrod, and mother of Kitana. She is notable for her gigantic hair, which she uses as a weapon, and her echoing shrieks, which can prove damaging or even fatal under the right circumstances. In earlier iterations, she is taken as the bride of Shao Kahn, who acts as a stepfather to Kitana. What is more inconsistent is her morality. The original Mortal Kombat timeline treats her as a victim of Shao Kahn, who is resurrected and brainwashed by him at first but later becomes firmly opposed to the tyrant once she is of sound body and mind. This made her a relative rarity as one of the first Mortal Kombat villains to turn and remain good; prior to MK 1, that is.

The old timeline seemingly kept this characterization at first, only to subvert it in Mortal Kombat 11, where it is revealed that her hatred of Kahn was a ruse to maintain her people’s loyalty. She aided in the assassination of Jerrod to maintain her privilege but was killed by Quan Chi, so he could control her. She later disowns Kitana, citing her romance with Liu Kang and support for Raiden, in addition to her daughter’s threat to her own power. This characterization received a less-than-positive reception from some fans.

Mortal Kombat 1 has brought her back to the side of good, albeit with a somewhat haughty nature. She is once again the Queen of Edenia, with Shao being a General rather than her husband, or a Kahn of any kind. She is a loving wife to her late husband Jerrod and a doting mother to her twin daughters, but she is deeply stressed by the rebellious factions plotting against her. After dying against an evil counterpart from another reality, Sindel’s soul is absorbed into Ermac, a construct of many souls of the deceased. One of said souls is Jerrod, effectively allowing the pair to be reunited within the being.