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| “ | Now you will feel death's cold embrace! | „ |
| ~ Sub-Zero. |
| “ | Kuai Liang: Bi-Han!! How could you?! Father would turn in his grave if he saw this! Bi-Han: He was a doddering old fool! He did us a favor, having that accident. And I was right to let him die. Kuai Liang: Let him die?! You said you tried to save him! Bi-Han: A lie. Because you couldn't, and still can't, face the truth. Father had doomed the Lin Kuei to mediocrity. Now we will achieve greatness. |
„ |
| ~ Sub-Zero betrays Scorpion and Smoke |
Bi-Han, better known as Sub-Zero and later Noob Saibot, is a major antagonist in the 2023 video game Mortal Kombat 1, the first installment of the "New Era" in the Mortal Kombat franchise.
He is a powerful cryomancer who is the Lin Kuei Grandmaster in Liu Kang's New Era, as well as the older brother of Kuai Liang, aka Scorpion, and the adoptive older brother of Tomas Vrbada, aka Smoke. Originally tasked with protecting Earthrealm by Liu Kang, he would be tempted over to the dark side by Shang Tsung, turning against his brothers and his master.
He is voiced by Kaiji Tang, who also voiced Archer in Fate/stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, Santana in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency, Lee Chaolan in Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Armored Gorilla in One-Punch Man.
Biography[]
Bi-Han without his mask
Bi-Han and his brother Kuai Liang are the sons of the previous Lin Kuei Grandmaster. Both were gifted with supernatural abilities - Bi-Han becoming a Cryomancer called Sub-Zero, and Kuai Liang a pyromancer called Scorpion. They would soon gain a sworn adopted brother in Tomas Vrbada (later to be codenamed Smoke), who had been orphaned due his family accidentally trespassing onto Lin Kuei grounds. Together, the three would participate in the defense of Earthrealm as their clan had done for many centuries. However, Bi-Han's ambition to be greater than what they were would begin to consume him, so much so that when their father died, Bi-Han did nothing to help him, a fact he deliberately hid from the softer Kuai Liang.
With their father's death, Bi-Han took his place as Grandmaster, which Kuai Liang took pride in. Yet, with Earthrealm continuing to thrive in peace, Bi-Han grew restless, yearning to truly be a leader and bring glory to the Lin Kuei. To Bi-Han, working with Earthrealm's protector Liu Kang felt more subservient than necessary. His ambitious attitude and desire for greatness began to clash with Kuai Liang and Tomas, who were determined to uphold Lin Kuei tradition.
Sub-Zero is first introduced in the story along with his fellow ninjas when they test Raiden and Kung Lao at Madame Bo's teahouse under Liu Kang's orders. Standing on the roof of the building, he launches a powerful chunk of ice at the farmers, which they narrowly evade in time. While Scorpion fights Kung Lao, Sub-Zero tackles Raiden and quickly begins outmatching him in Kombat. Raiden retreats to the top floor by climbing a pillar, and Sub-Zero pursues by kicking a table into the shape of a ramp and using it as a springboard to follow. He continues to outmatch Raiden, using his power over ice to lock Raiden's arms to a table, but before he can continue attacking, Kung Lao whacks him in the head by throwing his straw hat, irritating the Cryomancer. He is then forced to actually dodge the subsequent chakram Kung Lao launches at him, grazing his arm. Declaring that Kung Lao stands no chance against a Grandmaster, Sub-Zero turns his full attention to Kung Lao and battles him, but loses. The test is concluded when Liu Kang arrives to congratulate Raiden and Kung Lao, introducing them to the Lin Kuei as well as the concepts of Earthrealm and Outworld and telling them they must prepare for training. Kung Lao exclaims that they had already beaten the ninja, but Madame Bo reveals that they had been pulling their punches and Sub-Zero scoffs, claiming the farmers would not have survived if they hadn't.
Sub-Zero is next seen alongside Scorpion, accompanying Liu Kang to Johnny Cage's mansion in order to help recruit both Johnny and Kenshi, the latter having failed to best Johnny and reclaim Sento. Sub-Zero moves to untie him under Liu Kang's orders, but quickly turns aggressive when Johnny attempts to stop him and sends him flying into his "one-of-a-kind Hichuli", which shatters on top of him. When Scorpion asks his brother if the blow was necessary, Sub-Zero retorts that Johnny had to be put in his place. Angered by their nonsense, Johnny recovers and makes short work of both brothers, but Liu Kang intervenes before more kombat can occur (inadvertently setting off Johnny's fire alarm) and begins to explain everything to Johnny and Kenshi.
Kung Lao mentions that he will have to thank Sub-Zero for inspiring his newly-crafted chakram-like hat.
Sub-Zero and his brothers are later seen in a room waiting for Liu Kang to finish deciphering the mystery of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi's benefactor with Geras. Growing impatient, Sub-Zero has a short argument with Kuai Liang and Tomas about the merits of their late father's principles. While Sub-Zero is fine allowing his father's teachings to guide them, he does not plan to be shackled by them. Tomas tells him that they can't just abandon tradition, but Sub-Zero snaps at him, reminding him that he is not truly their brother and for him to mind his place. The tension is dispelled by Raiden and Kung Lao's arrival, who inform the ninja that Liu Kang is available, much to Sub-Zero's annoyed relief. Liu Kang instructs the Lin Kuei to strike Shang Tsung's hideout at the ruins of Ying Fortress by capturing the sorcerer and destroying his soul stealers.
The three ninja arrive at the fortress, surveying it from a nearby cliff. Smoke observes that their only way in is going over the fortress walls, so they decide to find a less-guarded section to ascend. Sub-Zero is excited at the prospect of proving the power of his clan to worthy opponents in kombat, though Scorpion and Smoke are decidedly less so, reminding their brother that they fight for duty, as their father instructed. Sub-Zero rebukes them, retorting that he will not settle for simply defending Earthrealm, and that he plans to lead the Lin Kuei towards a different, more glorious future.
The trio make their way up the fortress walls, Sub-Zero using his ice daggers to climb, but Nitara swoops in and nearly knocks Smoke all the way back down. Nitara then tackles Sub-Zero, but the ninja recovers and swiftly defeats her, remarking that she will go hungry after failing to drain his blood. Next on his list is the approaching Ermac, who nearly tears Sub-Zero's arms off, but he breaks free and blasts him out of the air with ice. Eager to test himself against Ermac's dark magic, Sub-Zero battles and defeats him as well. After making sure Scorpion and Smoke are unharmed, he leads them further into the fortress, spotting Quan Chi heading inside. While Smoke stays back to keep watch on the soul stealers, Sub-Zero and Scorpion pursue the sorcerer.
Entering the fortress, the two ninjas are able to catch up to Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, overpowering them, but they are then subdued by a swarm of guards led by General Shao. When they come to, Shang Tsung presents them with a simple offer - betray Liu Kang and gain unrivaled power. Though Scorpion is not easily deceived, Sub-Zero becomes intrigued by the idea of breaking free from Liu Kang's leash. Shang Tsung leads the captured ninja through the fortress, revealing his access to Emperor Ying's Dragon Army and demonstrating their effectiveness. The notion of such a powerful force causes Bi-Han's loyalty to waver, and he motions for Shang Tsung to remove his cuffs as a sign of acceptance, much to Kuai Liang's dismay as he reprimands Bi-Han, wondering what their father would think of such a betrayal. Bi-Han then reveals that he allowed their father to die because of his hatred for their principles, and that he had been keeping the knowledge from his brother, knowing he couldn't bear to handle the cold truth. Bi-Han is proven correct - driven by newfound rage, Kuai Liang shakes off his captors and brutally demolishes the gathered villains in a battle with his chains alone. As his brother flees the chamber, Bi-Han manages to rise from the floor, warning the others to not let Kuai Liang escape.
Bi-Han manages to track down Kuai Liang and Tomas outside the fortress, furious that they would betray their Grandmaster, though he is rebuked by them both for going against Lin Kuei principles and letting their father die. Bi-Han fights Kuai Liang one-on-one, managing to scar him across his right eye, but extends a hand to him, hoping to recruit his little brother to their new cause, but Kuai retorts that he wants no part of Bi-Han's corruption and defeats him in kombat. Knowing that Cyrax and Sektor are fully loyal to Bi-Han and would never accept Kuai as the new Grandmaster, Kuai suggests to Smoke that they chart a new course for themselves - one that both honors their father and serves Earthrealm. Carrying the unconscious Bi-Han, they escape the fortress, watching as the soul stealers ignite.
Bi-Han is not seen again during the rest of the story, but it is mentioned that he refused to let the Lin Kuei aid the Forces of Light against Titan Shang Tsung's invasion. Afterwards, Bi-Han began plans with Sektor to create an army for the Lin Kuei inspired by the Dragon Army, made with technology rather than magic. Bi-Han vowed that the rest of Earthrealm would heed their demands, but the Lin Kuei would face opposition from the Shirai Ryu, the clan formed by his brothers to counter them.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Human/Cryomancer Physiology:
- Magic/Cryokinesis:
- Teleportation:
- Weapon Creation:
- Weather Manipulation:
- Magic/Cryokinesis:
- Superhuman Strength:
- Superhuman Durability:
- Superhuman Speed:
- Superhuman Reflexes:
- Superhuman Agility:
- Superhuman Stamina:
Abilities[]
- Master Martial Artist:
- Master Acrobat:
- Stealth Mastery:
- Weapon Mastery:
- Deception:
- Indomitable Will:
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Kuai Liang/Scorpion (younger brother)
- Smoke/Tomas Vrbada (adopted younger brother)
Allies[]
- Liu Kang (formerly)
- Lin Kuei:
- Scorpion (formerly)
- Smoke (formerly)
- Sektor
- Cyrax (formerly)
- Shang Tsung
- General Shao
- Quan Chi
- Rain (formerly)
Enemies[]
- Kuai Liang/Scorpion (arch-nemesis)
- Liu Kang
- Smoke (2nd arch-nemesis)
- Raiden
- Kung Lao
- Nitara (formerly)
- Ermac
- Shang Tsung (formerly)
- Quan Chi (formerly)
- General Shao (formerly)
- Shirai Ryu
Quotes[]
| “ | I had broken the Lin Kuei free of Liu Kang's enslavement. We were now masters of our destiny and could take our place among Earthrealm's greatest nations. But taking and holding territory would require a vast army. I needed more fighters to make our presence felt. Then I recalled Shang Tsung's dragon warriors. An army of them would be unstoppable. But trafficking in such strong magic would surely draw Liu Kang's attention. Sektor advised me that we avoid detection by building our army using science, not sorcery. We've invested much time in this endeavor, and we are beginning to see results. Once again proving the depths of Sektor's genius. When we are done, all of Earthrealm will honor our desires and heed our demands. If not, they will face the Lin Kuei's wrath. | „ |
| ~ Sub-Zero's tower ending. |
Trivia[]
- While Bi-Han is characterized as severe and stoic in Mortal Kombat 1, he does make quite a few snow themed puns, such as "Ice to beat you". That being said, Kaiji Tang has suggested that he would get offended if someone else did the same to him.
- Due to Bi-Han's treachery and his nasty personality in general, he became one of the most-hated characters in the New Era timeline. His lack of remorse for his actions only makes him more despicable.
- He is even despised by some of the villains themselves, who call him out for his actions.
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  Villains
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