| Shang Tsung |
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ABOUT SHANG TSUNG Shang Tsung is a Video Game Character in the '' Mortal Kombat '' Fighting Game series. He first appeared in the original ''Mortal Kombat'', in which he was the tournament holder and the game's end Boss . Shang Tsung is a is Liu Kang , but throughout his unnatural lifespan, he has earned the hatred of many people. STORYLINE Contrary to popular perception, Shang Tsung was not born on , he was enlisted by Outworld's Emperor Shao Kahn many millennia ago. There, he became leader of the cult of Shadow Priests . It was Shang Tsung who was instrumental in Kahn's plan to have his dead queen Sindel reborn on Earth so he could claim both her and that realm, and it was also he who supervised the Mortal Kombat tournaments on Earth. Through his superior powers, he quickly overcame all competition. He incurred his first defeat, however, (due to Tsung becoming both arrogant and overconfidant) at the hands of the Great Kung Lao , who was in turn defeated later by Tsung's student the Shokan prince Goro . Shang Tsung consumed his soul in retaliation for his earlier defeat, and learned of the location of Shinnok's amulet. He traded this knowledge to Quan Chi in exchange for assistance in reviving Queen Sindel at a later date. At this time his body had aged quite considerably. Tsung then presided over the tournament for the next 500 years, watching Goro rack up a winning streak that would eventually unbalance the furies and allow his lord Shao Kahn to invade Earthrealm. Near the end of this time period, Tsung learned of the swordsman Kenshi . Realizing that Kenshi's pride could easily be exploited, Tsung disguised himself as an old man named Song. He praised Kenshi for his ability, telling him that he deserved a sword worthy of his skill. He then led Kenshi through an ancient underground labyrinth, and stopped before a deep well, covered by a large stone. Tsung informed Kenshi the sword lay within. Once Kenshi removed the lid, the souls of the swordsman's warrior king ancestors were released, blinding Kenshi. Tsung revealed his true self, proceeded to consume the souls, and left Kenshi to die, not knowing the swordsman would survive to become a bitter enemy. During the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, the final victory that would enable Kahn to conquer Earth, Liu Kang , a Shaolin Monk, defeated Goro, breaking the streak. Shang Tsung challenged Liu Kang to perserve the chance of dominating earthrealm. Liu Kang prevailed, and Shang Tsung went back to Outworld. Dragged before Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung begged for his life. He told the tyrant that if they challenged Earthrealm to ''Mortal Kombat'' in Outworld, they would have to accept or forfeit. Kahn agreed to this plan, and restored Tsung's youth, gambling that the Elder Gods would not recognize him after so long. After Shao Kahn's defeat at the hands of Liu Kang, Shang Tsung contacted Quan Chi and called in the favor. To perform the task, Shang Tsung was made more powerful by Shao Kahn and he began the process. When Queen Sindel was revived in Earthrealm, Shao Kahn could reach across the realms and reclaim her, forcefully merging Earthrealm with Outworld. Shang Tsung led one of Kahn's extermination squads to hunt down the fighters that Lord Raiden had protected. Upon Kahn's defeat, Shang Tsung retreated with him back to Outworld proper, when the merger was reversed. Tsung would then be imprisoned for his failure to help his master merge Earthrealm into Outworld. He was periodically released to do Kahn's bidding, but was released after regaining Kahn's favour. A few years later, Shang Tsung found Quan Chi in his palace courtyard, fighting by means of his ability to transplant souls, he would open a " Soulnado " to the Heavens, giving him an endless supply of souls. Tsung accepted, and together, they formed the Deadly Alliance . In order to carry out their scheme however, they first needed to remove the two largest obstacles in their way: Shao Kahn and Liu Kang. Shang Tsung introduced Quan Chi to Shao Kahn, vouched for his loyalty, and then they attacked him. After killing him and accepting Kano 's offer to serve them, they travelled through a portal known only to sorcerers and deities to Earthrealm, and headed to the Wu Shi Academy. There, Shang Tsung disguised himself as Kung Lao and approached Liu Kang. As Liu practiced his Kata , Shang revealed his true face and attacked. Although Liu had the upper hand, Quan Chi struck from behind, giving Shang the opportunity to finally take his revenge on Liu Kang by breaking his neck and taking his soul. Shang Tsung did not fully trust Quan Chi, so upon returning to Outworld, he gave the Oni Drahmin and Moloch , who had escaped from the Netherealm, an offer: after Tsung performed his part in the plan, Quan Chi, who the two despised for abandoning them in the infernal pits after promising to free them, would be theirs to do with as they wished. The Deadly Alliance soon commanded Kano's troops to force a small Outworld village to construct a new palace around the tomb to house the Soulnado. When one of the citizens, Li Mei , attacked Kano, they offered to free her village if she could win a tournament hey would hold. About the same time, they approached Mavado , offering him a deal as well; he could earn the right to fight and kill Kano, in exchange for eliminating Kenshi , who had been spying on Tsung. Mavado accomplished his mission, and the Alliance granted him his wish. Li Mei, having won the local tournament, demanded her reward, but her soul instead began to be transferred to a mummified soldier of Onaga's army. It was at this time that the forces of Earthrealm, led by Raiden, attacked. Li Mei was rescued by Bo' Rai Cho , who escaped with her, but the remainder of the warriors assaulted the Alliance. .]] The two defeated Earthrealm's champions, and finally, Raiden. Their victory, however, would not be savored. Shang's lust for power and Quan Chi's suspicion finally came to light. The two fought, and Quan Chi emerged the victor. But immediately after defeating Tsung, he was confronted by a reborn Onaga, who seemed to shrug off his most powerful blasts with ease. Tsung regained consciousness, and recognizing the Dragon King to be an immediate threat, assisted Quan Chi in attacking him. Bare moments later, the thunder god did as well, but their combined efforts could not stop the former Outworld ruler, who had come to reclaim Quan Chi's amulet and his ancient army. In Raiden's ensuing last-ditch attempt at victory through a self-sacrificial blast, Shang Tsung was caught in the blast, apparently killing him and releasing the soul of Liu Kang. How he survived will be explained in Mortal Kombat Armageddon. Possible future While no explanation for his seeming resurrection has been given at the current time, he is scheduled to return in the upcoming . He can be seen in the trailer, in his Deadly Alliance attire, and with youthful looks as well. MEMORABLE MOVES
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OTHER FINISHERS
MOVIE AND TV APPEARANCES In the first ''''. He is played by Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa . In the '''' TV series, Shang Tsung (played by Bruce Locke) was portrayed as a sorceror eager to take revenge on the Great Kung Lao , who had defeated him in Mortal Kombat. For most of the series, he is confined to the Cobalt mines of Shao Kahn for his failure in the Mortal Kombat tournament, although he occasionally escapes (his powers unaffected by the cobalt in the mines, thanks to his human heritage). TRIVIA
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