I Just Discovered Your Page, And I’m So Loving Your Musings And Your Vibes. I Fuck With The MK Men

The warriors 4 aren't friends

This is something that I addressed in my fanfic https://archiveofourown.org/works/62259737/chapters/159281697, but I decided to post this opinion here in hopes to make a small discussion. (This a ramble, so everything might be all over the place. Sorry.)

I don't think the warriors 4 are actual friends. (I'm only talking about the MCU versions.)

First of all, their personalities might clash. Hogun, the quiet one. Fandral the ladies man, Volstagg who eats, and Sif... is a girl? Sif is smart(?). Has black hair? Obviously, that's not their only defining traits, but it's their most memorable ones because that's how they are portrayed. I understand that a lot of friend groups are like this, but when I look at the warriors 4 I don't see that same charm of "Oh, they enjoy each other's company and get along really well". If anything, they can barely stand each other, especially when tension is high. Now I know that's a tough claim to make considering I came to that conclusion based on this deleted scene, but it would make their dynamic more interesting.

I believe/theorise that the only reason they are friends is because of Thor, and their dislike for Loki. If you take Loki out of the equation they won't really have anything else to stand on friendship wise even with the warrior thing. Being Thor's friends I'd assume they are all from high ranking families, so were kinda pushed to be together anyways. Hogun for more diplomatic reasons, and going with the Frigga being a Vanaheim war bride theory, might also have something to do with her or is connected to her. Not sure about Volstagg, Sif or Fandral, and I don't care about them as much. So much is poured into these three by the fandom that I can't be asked to think of anything.

Despite sources saying that Sif and Hogun both despise Loki the most (Hogun even more), I first interpreted them as arguably the most tolerant of Loki, Hogun especially. Hogun is the most respectful towards Loki even if his opinion of Loki is clear. Whereas Volstagg and Fandral pick and choose when they want to be allies. They have both defended Loki, but do not hesitate to go on the bandwagon of threatening him and such. Also, "Silvertongue turned to lead?" They're bullies. The fact that you can't tell whether or not they are going to be your enemy makes them more dangerous. In other words, they're both kinda fake.

In a deleted scene Loki, Hogun and Sif are in a black haired trio. You'd think that Loki would be directly next to Thor and away from the other warriors, but instead there's a big distance between the brothers. Why is Loki standing directly next to two people who clearly hate him? Is Hogun Thor's spy or something? Is that why he's so observant?

I grew up thinking Hogun was the smart one, but his friendship with Thor would sometimes blind him from his own intellect. When they end up in Jotunheim he's the one that says "We shouldn't be here." to the others. Loki was the one who made sure they would be rescued should something go wrong, so they're the only ones with a brain cell it seems. It kinda makes me wonder why Hogun hangs out with them besides the warrior thing. He isn't so jolly, or loud, or spunky, or hungry, or even too eager (blood thirsty/prideful). He's observant and is dragged along for the ride, kinda like a certain someone. I think this is the MCU's fault when it came to writing his character, but he's kind of just there.

Another insight on Hogun, I believe he's only expressive with Thor. Everyone sees Hogun as this figure that embodies silence and restraint, and maybe even lacking emotion, but I can picture Thor not having that same view on him.

LOOK AT HIM! He's avoiding eye contact! He's all shy!

(I'm going to be real with you guys, the main reason I care this much about Hogun is because he's played by Tadanobu Asano. That's Kakihara.)

My Humps Screenshots - Black Eye Peas

“Apocalypse in Pink” part 2 (see part 1 here), from the August 1983 issue of SPECTAGORIA Magazine. Sera Clairmont’s celebrated underground fashion magazine was always scratching at the bleeding edge of culture, deftly navigating the trends of the Reagan ‘80s by simultaneously coopting and corrupting its materialistic obsessions. Never was that theme on visceral display than in this controversial issue. Apocalypse in Pink found Clairmont’s “Barbie dolls” trying to keep their glamour and their plastic smiles in the flames of a Capitalist Cold War simultaneously obsessed with materialism and annihilation; an America that, Clairmont wrote, “relentlessly asks women if we’re beautiful enough, if our clothes are fancy enough, if our pursuits are ambitious enough, and at the end of every night, if we know where our children are.”

In true Spectagoria fashion, what begins as stylish playful “nuclear Barbie” iconography gradually descends into horrific flames and melting pink plastic bodies, with only the womens’ smiles in tact on their smoldering skeletons at the end of the issue.

Reportedly, this issue was sent to Spectagoria subscribers in a package that included a pink lighter and a note that read, “when you’re finished reading, finish the job.” When burned, the magazine was said to ignite in a dazzling show of hot pink flames that sparkled and crackled, a performance art to complete the issue’s vision. As a result, Apocalypse in Pink is one of the most rare and coveted issues of the magazine, with no complete copies known to exist.

Most who have studied Spectagoria lore conclude that the exterior of the magazine was likely coated in a chemical powder that created the fantastical pink flames. But such a magic show has been meaty fodder for those who believe the rumors of occult powers and dark witchcraft surrounding the publication…

---------

NOTE: Spectagoria is an ongoing work of fiction created by me. This alternate reality horror story is part of my NightmAIres narrative art series (visit that link for a lot more). NightmAIres are windows into other worlds and interconnected alternate histories, conceived/written by me and visualized with synthography and Photoshop.

If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon for frequent exclusive hi-res wallpaper packs, behind-the-scenes features, downloads, events, contests, and an awesome fan community. Direct fan support is what keeps me going as an independent creator, and it means the world to me.

Edenian supremacism probably comes with the Sindel retcon. They were originally allies of Earthrealm and as much victims of Shao Kahn as anyone else - Kitana and Jade were actually freedom fighters for Edenia. Why they're now apparently all soulless pieces of shit (and why the narrative turns against Kitana beginning with Aftermath, seriously listen to how Spawn just dunks on her), I think, has to do with a change in society as a whole.

As more and more previously unheard people speak up and tell their stories, more and more narratives are getting flipped, and rightly so - those we've been told to admire all our lives are turning out to be bigots at best and greedy, power-hungry butchers or heartless religious zealots at worst. Conversely, the people society whose voices society wishes it could silence - BIPOC, LGBTIA+, workers, those with disabilities (ND included), really anyone who's suffered at the hands of the powerful and privileged - are finally starting to be vindicated, to have their complaints validated, and their stories heard.

In other words, our heroes are turning out to be way worse people than our villains ever were, and fiction is starting to reflect this; The Boys would be a textbook example, nobody with superpowers in that franchise is anywhere near heroic, and honestly I'm a little disturbed that anyone would want to play Homelander in MK. The Edenians were presented as the most virtuous in the original universe, so they were the obvious choice to be the rotten bastards in MK11 (not a choice I exactly agree with, or even the Sindel retcon at all, but if I got to make every choice cheese curds would grow on trees, so)

Having made that observation, I still consider having villains more sympathetic than your heroes to be an immense failure on the part of the author. Let's be real, "princess" is part of Kitana's identity, and that implies she's up to her eyeballs in some sort of privilege. The thing is, free will exists, and privilege does not (or should not) hard-lock you into being an asshole. Even Kitana could have chosen integrity and real compassion, to do what's best for the people even when it came at expense to herself, but nope, she chose to play footsie with Kotal's buddies and attack people for not meeting her sky-high standards.

This is not the Kitana Outworld deserves, and this is not the Kitana the MK community deserves.

I'm falling asleep at my laptop rn, so good night and thank you for pointing out that Sonya is trash.

Goodnight.

Not gonna lie, I always saw Sindel as an evil character even with the whole mind control thing. If their own queen was willing to kill her own husband, an Edenian, to have a stronger one (Outworld-ian) then they shouldn't be flabbering about supremacy.

I've been meaning to vent out about Sonya but didn't know when.

"I'm a little disturbed that anyone would want to play Homelander in MK" I thought this was a joke when I first heard it, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone actually meant it.

When it comes to villainising the heroes I think it's more of a Severus Snape situation, where we the viewers find out there's more to the villains and the heroes. I think NRS figured we were tired of goody two shoes and wanted to see those goody two shoes be more humanised, if humanised means less decent. And then proceeded to butcher some beloved characters, I guess. Harry's been told his parents were good people only to find out they did terrible things. When shown that Mileena just wanted a family we can hold some kind of sympathy for her, even though it doesn't excuse the fact that she's a blood thirsty killer.

One thing to be noted is that there's a lack of consistency when it comes to the games, and not just designs, so when you're talking about "those we've been told to admire all our lives are turning out to be bigots at best and greedy, power-hungry butchers or heartless religious zealots at worst." I think it's the writers changing their minds to fit the mindset of current audiences, acknowledging that it's not just kids playing the games nowadays and it's their way of making things more realistic.

As a Johnny Cage stan, I can very much tell you that there's a lot of things wrong with him, but he's an angel in comparison to the other heroes. (even if he was sexist and mouthy in the past, he is the most relatable) He is a good example when making a flawed character in my opinion, or maybe I'm being too soft on the guy.

I don't think Scorpion was held accountable for screwing everyone over, either. Or killing Bi Han. Poor Bi Han.

Bring It On (2000) Background cheerleaders (Part 2)

(Long post)

My take on Cyrax's gender change

I'm convinced that they only swapped Cyrax's gender to make the disposable black girl trope, or at least some variation of it. Kuai Liang was willing to kill her, with the only thing stalling him being the fact that he was seething. You'd think with their history together he'd be a little bit hesitant, but no. He was staring her down, probably contemplating if he should even bother making it quick as he grabbed the handle of his sword. He didn't sound hurt, he sounded and looked so pissed.

I'm pretty sure he was going to kill her right then and there if it weren't for Harumi.

Even though everyone knows Bi Han and Sektor lied to her, a lot of the characters still question her about her loyalties. She's regarded as untrustworthy, and while that's understandable, I feel like it's not their place to question her.

Mortal Kombat Headcanons

Frost

Frost is going through a teenage rebellion of some kind. Yes, she's a bit old for one, but hey every person in their early 20's has a right to be immature. She feels a bit confused, dismissed and disrespected.

Kuai Liang was always her father figure, so Frost internalised and took the Shirai Ryu rivalry very seriously. So when Kuai Liang started making peace with Hanzo she didn't take it very well.

Frost has a wrapped sense of justice and logic thanks to her childhood, considering she killed her own mother. Before becoming a part of the Lin Kuei she lived in a bad environment. (If her mother is truly like Sindel we can only imagine and guess what that was like).

Rain flirts with her all the time, and he is genuinely interested in her. (Can we get her a boyfriend?)

Her acting out is her way of getting everyone's attention, and she believes it's a great way of proving herself.

Mileena

Mileena is desperate for a relationship with Kitana, so she's willing to be an antagonist so long as it means having her attention, but there's still resentment. Even with that resentment Mileena is somewhat caring and protective of her, judging on how she doesn't want Kitana and Liu Kang to marry.

She wants love, and lots of it. She thinks that by having the throne she will be given that love, since Shao Kahn was given it.

Mileena and Frost can become friends.

If things were different, her and Skarlet would get along well.

(Skarlet should've been the Jade to Mileena's Kitana. Why Netherrealm Studios? Why?)

Skarlet

Even though it was Shao Kahn that introduced her to bloodmagic, it was Shang Tsung that taught her how to cope with it. (Since he created her in the flesh pits before her backstory was retconned)

Skarlet experienced racism and classism during her early stay with Shao Kahn, and she longed for Kitana and Jade's respect. Due to their shunning she holds a harsh bitterness towards them.

Based on Rain's intro she is partially Edenian, but is mostly Outworld-ian.

Mileena and Skarlet would never admit it, but they both have a bit of a sibling bond with each other. But it's one of actual rivalry thanks to their narcissistic parental figures. Her infatuation with Shao Kahn is a sign that bloodmagic is slowly and surely leading to her insanity, before she did not view him in that way.

Erron Black is the only person she's had a relationship with. Ever since Erron she hasn't been in a relationship due to the fear of being hurt again, but she has been getting a certain Shaolin's eye on her. (I think Kung Lao was genuinely flattered when he said "We hardly know each other.")

Shang Tsung

He does feel some kind of care for Mileena, but in the end she is like a dish to be proud of and served instead of growing a bond with.

He gets a bit prideful from her accomplishments, though.

"Mileena would never do that thereafter. Mileena did you do that thereafter?"

When Skarlet was much younger she used to follow him around just to see how well he would perform magic in order to improve her own skill.

Noob Saibot

Noob/Bi Han takes a lot of things people say literally. Because of this he is the least antagonistic towards Johnny Cage.

His soul is enslaved so a lot of what he does is not the actual Bi Han, but he is sometimes able to break out of it to deliver a few lines.

He has mistakenly gotten into a few debates with Shang Tsung about the use of dark magic vs soul magic.

Kitana and Jade

Very classist and a bit racist, on Jade's part.

Were mean to Skarlet during their upbringing and intentionally isolated themselves from her.

As much as Kitana doesn't want to admit it, she is much like Shao Kahn.

Kitana is 17-19 in human years. Jade is 21-23.

(I like Kitana and Jade but there's things about them that I don't like)

Thanks ai...

Kenny was my self insert, and I smiled when Mike complimented Kenny after he caught the chicken. Missed opportunity to have Mike be his new mentor figure, especially with the Terry Silver connection.

If they do end up doing a spin off of Cobra Kai somehow, hopefully they do that.