Story 500 years ago, Shang Tsung was banished to the Earth realm. With the aid of Goro he was to unbalance the furies and doom the planet to a chaotic existence. By seizing control of the Shaolin tournament he tried to tip the scales of order towards chaos. Only seven warriors survived the battles and Shang Tsung's scheme would come to a violent end at the hands of Liu Kang.
Facing execution for his failure and the apparent death of Goro, Tsung convinces Shao Kahn to grant him a second chance. Shang Tsung's new plan is to lure his enemies to compete in the Outworld where they will meet certain death by Shao Kahn himself. NOW THE KOMBAT KONTINUES...
Mortal Kombat II Comic Book This publication clarifies that if Outworld can open up a portal into another realm, they can challenge them to a separate Mortal Kombat, one they cannot refuse. This they do.
Kombatants
Liu Kang After winning the Shaolin Tournament from Shang Tsung's clutches Kang returns to his temples. He discovers his sacred home in ruins, his Shaolin brothers killed in a vicious battle with a horde of Outworld warriors. Now he travels into the dark realm to seek revenge.
Kung Lao A former Shaolin Monk and a member of the White Lotus society, he is the last descendant of the Great Kung Lao who was defeated by Goro 500 years ago. Realizing the danger of the Outworld menace he joins Liu Kang in entering Shao Kahn's contest.
Johnny Cage The world was shocked when martial arts movie star Johnny Cage disappeared from the set of his latest film. But in truth, he was following his former ally Liu Kang into the Outworld where he plans to complete in a twisted tournament in which lies the balance of Earth's existence- as well as a script for another blockbuster movie.
Jax His real name is Major Jackson Briggs, leader of a top US Special Forces unit. After receiving a distress signal from Lt. Sonya Blade, Jax embarks on a rescue mission. One that leads him into a ghastly world where he believes that Sonya is still alive.
Sub-Zero Thought to have been killed in the Shaolin Tournament, Sub-Zero mysteriously returns. It is believed he travelled into the Outworld to again attempt to assassinate Shang Tsung. To do so he must fight his way through Shao Kahn's tournament. (from ending) When Sub-Zero failed to return from the Shaolin tournament and rumor of Shang Tsung's survival reached the Lin Kuei clan, they immediately sent another assassin to complete the task. This new warrior is actually the younger brother of the original Sub-Zero.
Reptile As Shang Tsung's personal protector the elusive Reptile lurks in the shadows stopping all those who would do his master harm. His human form is believed to disguise a horrid reptilian creature whose race was thought extinct millions of years ago. (from ending) While maintaining a very low profile in the first tournament, Reptile discovered Tsung's plot to force the remaining members of his near extinct race into slavery under Shao Kahn's rule. Reptile then devises a plan of his own.
Shang Tsung After losing control of the Shaolin Tournament, Tsung promises his ruler Shao Kahn to shape events that will lure the earth warriors to compete in his own contest. Convinced of this plan, Shao Kahn restores Tsung's youth and allows him to live.
Kitana Her beauty hides her true role as personal assassin for Shao Kahn. Seen talking to an earth-realm warrior, her motives have come under suspicion by her twin sister Mileena. But only Kitana knows her own true intentions. (from ending) Through her years of working as an assassin, Kitana has learned many secrets, especially about her own past. She finds that Mileena is not her twin but a grotesque clone created by Shang Tsung. She learns that her parents were former rulers of the Outworld overthrown by Shao Kahn. Determined to take back what is rightfully hers she must defeat Shao Kahn himself. She does so by entering the tournament.
Mileena Serving as an assassin along with her twin sister Kitana, Mileena's dazzling appearance conceals her hideous intentions. At Shao Kahn's request, she is asked to watch for her twin's suspected dissension and must put a stop to it at any cost.
Baraka Baraka led the attack against Liu Kang's Shaolin temple. He belongs to a nomadic race of mutants living in the wastelands of the Outworld. His fighting skills and dreaded Blade Fury gained the attention of Shao Kahn who then recruited him into his army of destruction.
Scorpion The hell-spawned spectre rises from the pits. After learning of Sub-Zero's return, he again stalks the ninja assassin - following him into the dark realm of the Outworld where he continues his own unholy mission. (from ending) Upon learning of Sub-Zero's reappearance, Scorpion enters Shao Kahn's tournament. He witnesses Sub-Zero spare the life of an opponent and realizes that this is not the same Sub-Zero who murdered him so long ago. He lets the ninja live. Scorpion discovers a new purpose for his existence. He becomes the guardian of the new Sub-Zero to atone for murdering his older brother and in preparation for a third tournament.
Raiden Watching events unfold from high above, the thunder god realizes the grim intentions of Shao Kahn. After warning the remaining members of the Shaolin Tournament, Rayden soon disappears. He is believed to have ventured into the Outworld alone.
Hidden Characters Smoke Noob Saibot Jade
Bosses Kintaro Shao Kahn
Mortal Kombat II Comic Book The comic book shows Sub-Zero's identity is known to his fellow kombatants right away. It also shows Scorpion immediately knowing who the new Sub-Zero is, and joining the Earth kombatants on their journey to Outworld. (this material may seem to contradict their bios, but, as further bios in the series are shown to be from a particular point of view. those bios could merely be taken as from the perspective of a somewhat ignorant bystander. It also shows Smoke to be a Lin Kuei ally of Sub-Zero.
Liu Kang's ending (canonical) With his Shaolin temple in ruins, Liu Kang journeys into the Outworld, enters Shao Kahn's tournament and unleashes a fury that does not end until defeat of Shao Kahn. Liu Kang then returns to the seclusion of his Shaolin temple. He pays his respects to his lost brothers and finally realizes that the events which have taken place were all fulfilment of his destiny.
Canonical material gleaned from future games Kitana aids the heroes. She kills Mileena. The usage of the term "murder" in certain texts suggests this was outside of tournament kombat. Although his ending would seem to indicate he survived, Scorpion's MK3 bio shows that (at least at some point before that game) his soul returned to "Hell." In freeing Sonya, Jax also frees Kano. Kano then uses the chance to escape arrest. Kitana remains in Outworld and goes into hiding. All the Earthrealm warriors, including Sonya, return home safely. It appears Mileena is the only mortality in the conflict.