Mortal Kombat
Reptile faithfully served as Shang Tsung's protector in the first tournament. Being a master of stealth, he stayed hidden and constantly watched over Shang Tsung, staying true to his duty. He rarely fought, but was a very skilled fighter. He utilized many special abilities, which added to his fighting skills to make him a force to be reckoned with.
Mortal Kombat II
He protected his master from harm, and then went on to receive special missions from Shao Kahn himself, who had promised to release the remaining members of his race from slavery if he would unquestioningly do his bidding.
Mortal Kombat 3
Such an opportunity arose when Kitana had escaped into the unknown regions of Earthrealm during Kahn's invasion of that world. Reptile was sent by Shao Kahn, who promised Reptile to resurrect his race if he succeeded, with Jade to find and, if necessary, kill Kitana. He did not succeed as Jade betrayed him to help Kitana.
After the war was over, with Kahn defeated and both Earth and Edenia free, Reptile was brought back as a prisoner to Edenia, and tried there for genocide, a bitter irony since his own race once was the victim of the very same act. Reptile was then exiled to the Netherrealm.
Mortal Kombat 4
When the fallen Elder God Shinnok invaded Edenia, Reptile grasped the opportunity to join Shinnok's Army of Darkness as a commander, hoping to convince Shinnok to revive his near extinct race. After being on the losing side once more, he escaped into Outworld again and rejoined his old masters, in spite of the fact that neither had ever kept their promises towards him.
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Because of his state of separation from the other members of his race, and especially his matriarch, Reptile had begun to show signs of devolution. Where he used to mask his appearance by posing as a human, this proved to be no longer possible. Reptile had nearly gone insane and had a significantly changed in appearance, including bare feet and a tail.
With the armies of Edenia and Outworld locked in combat, Shao Kahn requested the services of the sorcerer Shang Tsung. Reptile was sent to tell Tsung of the emperor's request but upon reaching Shang Tsung’s new place of residence since being released from prison, Reptile overheard Tsung and Quan Chi forming their alliance and plotting to kill Shao Kahn. On his way back to inform his master, he was distracted by Nitara, who revealed to him knowledge of his lost civilization. She gave him the Kirehashi blade, which was an artifact of the Zaterran civilization, as proof and revealed to Reptile the location of Kitana’s forces. Reptile knowing how this knowledge would greatly aid his master in the war with Edenia raced back to tell the emperor, but he was too late; Shao Kahn lay slain on the floor.
Mortal Kombat: Deception
The desperate and purposeless Reptile wandered Outworld aimlessly until he came across Nitara yet again. Desperate for a new master Reptile declared his loyalties to Nitara, but unknown to Reptile, he had always been merely a pawn in Nitara's plan to free her people's realm from the Outworld. The first step had been to distract Reptile long enough for the Deadly Alliance to kill Shao Kahn unhindered; next, she manipulated Reptile and the cyber-ninja Cyrax into battle. Reptile damaged Cyrax, ensuring the cyber-ninja would later help Nitara in her quest for the Portal Sphere. Eventually, Reptile came to realize that Nitara had fooled him, and that her plan had lead to the death of his master Shao Kahn. Enraged, Reptile tracked the vampire and Cyrax to the Lava Shrine, but he was too late. The portal sphere had been destroyed, and of Nitara and Cyrax there was no sign. All that remained was the almost fully incubated dragon egg of Onaga the Dragon King. The egg hatched, a beam of light struck Reptile and Reptile's body became the vessel for the reincarnated Onaga (It is unknown if the egg still became another dragon after that but it is unlikely).
It is described in an unlockable photo of Reptile's home realm Zaterra that members of his race can lose their humanoid appearance when separated for long periods of time from their monarchical leader; given the fact that this authority figure - like most of his people - were most likely wiped out centuries ago by Shao Kahn, the fact that Reptile did not start to 'devolve' until after he assumed his master was killed at the end of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, and his race's natural camouflage ability to look like normal humans, it's more likely that Reptile's 'devolution' was a result of his increasingly maddening state overriding what mental capacity was required to maintain his human guise instead of a physical metamorphosis into a prior state of evolution.
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Reptile's separation from Onaga was seemingly explained by Nightwolf's ending in Deception, whereupon he bound Onaga's soul to the Netherrealm and Shujinko's opening in Armageddon, where his body is seen on the floor, lifeless after the final blow delivered by Shujinko. He is encountered by Taven in Konquest mode in the lair of the Red Dragon clan. Though no explanation is offered as to why he is there, it's possible that Reptile's DNA was also being used, along with Daegon's dragon, Caro's, as a means of creating human-reptilian hybrids, since the Red Dragon Hybrids do bear some resemblance to Reptile and can also spit acid. This might have been another way, in his eyes, to get his Saurian race to be restored. Taven defeated Reptile in a fight and released Caro.
Reptile later joins the Forces of Darkness where he can be seen fighting Kai and later Kitana. He was However killed during the final battle. Mortal Kombat (2011)
Reptile fights for Outworld against Earthrealm in the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament. He battles Johnny Cage during the first match of the tournament, but is defeated. After the end of the tournament, Reptile, Baraka, and Kitana bring Shang Tsung to Shao Kahn, the Emperor of Outworld, to stand trial for his failure to merge the realms. Reptile makes another appearance during the second Mortal Kombat tournament, whispering to Shang Tsung something inaudible, which pleases the sorcerer.
Reptile is next seen in the Living Forest. While Kano and Shang Tsung prepare to make a deal over the Black Dragon firearms, Smoke interrupts. After Smoke defeats Kano, Shang Tsung morphs into the elder Sub-Zero and teams up with Reptile to face Smoke in a two-on-one fight. Smoke defeats both Reptile and Shang Tsung.
When the younger Sub-Zero demands to face Scorpion, he is instead forced into a duel with Reptile, and emerges victorious against the reptilian ninja. Reptile then appears during the Earthrealm invasion, scaling a building which police officers Kurtis Stryker and Kabal are on top of. Reptile dodges all of the bullets fired at him, and spits acid at Kabal, incapacitating him. Stryker then battles Reptile and defeats him. After losing to Stryker, he is not seen again.
Mortal Kombat X Comic
Reptile was ordered by Shao Kahn to participate in Shang Tsung's tournament in Earthrealm, the emperor expressing doubts over the sorcerer's true intentions. Reptile believed he was to only spy on Shang Tsung but Shao Kahn ordered him to do whatever he must to ensure Outworld's victory. Though Reptile intended not to compete, he dreamed of winning and possibly discovering a way to bring his people back. Unfortunately for Reptile, he lost his first match against Johnny Cage and continued to lose after.
Reptile was no longer welcome in the emperor's presence for his failures and the spy understand what that meant and began sleeping with one eye open. Reptile's concerns proved true as he sensed the presence of an assassin in his chambers one night, the Osh-Tek warrior Kotal. However, Kotal chose not to kill Reptile that night and instead left.
The next day, Reptile was invited to the throne by Shao Kahn, who introduced him to his new commander, Kotal. As the emperor expressed his reservations about Kotal's decision, Reptile knelt before his new commander, never letting on he knew his commander had very nearly killed him the night before.
Kotal would earn Reptile's genuine loyalty and respect, and when Kotal declared his coup d'etat against Mileena, Reptile was by his side and took a blow from Mileena's sai to protect his leader.
Reptile is first seen in Raiden's vision, standing close to Kotal Kahn and Ferra & Torr.
Reptile is seen again, watching Kotal give a speech to the inhabitants of Outworld, and standing by D'Vorah and Erron Black.
Reptile is still close to his emperor's side after Kotal declares to the Outworld inhabitants his father, Kotal K'etz's, mission to hunt down the traitors to the empire. Reptile accompanies K'etz and a band of warriors to the Golden Desert to face Reiko and Mileena. Reptile witnesses clouds suddenly block out the sun and is visibly surprised and he soon after witnesses the Red Dragon's slaughter of their forces and Goro's betrayal and execution of Kotal K'etz.
Reptile survives and escapes, informing Kotal Kahn of his father's death and Goro's betrayal, as well as the Red Dragon's involvement.
Reptile is revealed to have followed Kotal Kahn to the Golden Desert, using his invisibility not just to hide himself, but D'Vorah and Ferra & Torr as well, before attacking the Red Dragon mercenaries after Kotal defeats and humiliates Goro in single kombat. Later, after burning their hideout to the ground, Reptile informs Kotal of Mileena's and Reiko's escape.
Reptile is the first to come Kotal Kahn's defense after the emperor is shot by Sonya Blade. Enraged at Sonya's accusation that Kotal kidnapped her daughter, Reptile attempts to strike her with his tongue, but the organ is caught by Johnny Cage, who defuses the situation. After it's determined that Erron Black was working with the Black Dragon to kidnap Cassie, and not following Kotal's orders, the emperor orders Reptile and D'Vorah to take Sonya and Johnny to the northern trade route where Erron Black is.
Reptile accompanies the Special Forces into the Outworld jungles, following behind D'Vorah and Sonya Blade. Reptile is unamused when Johnny Cage tries to bet with him over which of the two will snap first, though the saurian is soon shocked when they discover Erron Black's bloody and beaten form tied to a tree top. Reptile is silent as Black tells what happened between the Black and Red Dragon clans as well as the kidnapped girls locations.
Reptile stands by the emperor along with the rest of his chosen warriors as Kotal Kahn reprimands Erron Black for his actions. After this, Reptile is ordered along with D'Vorah to take Black back to his prison cell.
Reptile is at Kotal Kahn's side as the emperor observes the Shokan and Oni Warlord hordes outside of Z'unkahrah's walls. After D'Vorah and Ferra and Torr depart to parlay with the Kintaro, Reptile informs his emperor that their warriors will be ready no matter the outcome and tells Kotal that the Earthrealmers are proving useful after his emperor asks.
During the final battle of the Shokan siege, Reptile saves D'Vorah's life when she is nearly attacked from behind by a Shokan, snapping its neck while invisible before losing his camouflage. He tells D'Vorah they must regroup with Ferra and Torr when the duo are knocked across the battlefield, unconscious, and Reptile and D'Vorah are confronted by a monstrous mutant Oni Warlord with two heads.
Reptile is injured by the beast before it is ultimately killed by D'Vorah and Kotal Kahn kills King Gorbak. Reptile is carried by D'Vorah over to Kotal Kahn after the Shokan retreat and the emperor orders him taken to the infirmary to be treated along with the rest of the wounded.
As Kotal Kahn observed the ruined capitol of Z'unkahrah, reminiscing of the promise he had made to the people of Outworld's empire, declaring he will die as his duty to protect them, Reptile reveals he knew Kotal was the one assigned to kill him for failing Shao Kahn so many times in the past. Reptile asks why Kotal spared him, and after Kotal tells him that his skills as a spy were too valuable to throw away in death matches, Reptile says that Kotal saw value where Shao Kahn had not.
Reptile tries to tell his emperor that his life has value even without his family, but Kotal refuses to listen. After each of Kotal's warriors relate their own tales to the Kahn, the capitol suddenly shakes fiercely and Reptile witnesses the arrival of the Black Dragon warriors.
Reptile returns when he is brought by D'Vorah to Shang Tsung's Island by D'Vorah with the Portal Stone, joining with several other Outworld warriors in confronting Havik's Blood Code enslaved fighters. Reptile battles Mileena, spitting acid at her.
Reptile soon finds himself being bitten on the neck by Mileena and overpowered, only saved from death when Havik's hold on the fighters through the Blood Code is broken. Reptile is seen with D'Vorah and Kotal Kahn afterwards, with the emperor standing close to his most loyal follower.
Mortal Kombat X
Five years before the story, Reptile seems to be the first ally to Kotal Kahn, and the two approach D'Vorah asking her to assist them in overthrowing the Empress Mileena. Moments later, Mileena, Ermac, Baraka and several Tarkartan soldiers enter the room and confront the trio, accusing them of treason and sedition. Reptile then reveals to the room that he saw how Mileena was constructed in Shang Tsung's Flesh Pits and is not actually Shao Kahn's daughter, and is therefore not the rightful heir to the throne. Outraged by Reptile's outburst, Mileena orders her men to kill the usurpers. However, Ermac soon betrays Mileena and joins the usurpers. After D'Vorah kills Baraka and the rest defeat the other Tarkartans, Kotal orders Mileena to be locked up and thus begins his reign as the new emperor of Outworld.
Reptile, along with Erron Black and Ermac, is next seen investigating the bodies left by D'Vorah after she betrayed Outworld by stealing Shinnok's amulet. Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, Takeda Takahashi, and Kung Jin escaped captivity but are quickly located by Reptile's superior smelling senses. The Earthrealmers begin an ambush, as Cassie and Jacqui fight Erron and Ermac, Takeda begins kombat with Reptile who uses his invisibility to fight him, but Takeda uses his telepathy to locate him before he strikes. Reptile and his comrades are then incapacitated by the Earthrealmers.
The three go to Kotal Kahn and report that D'Vorah is gone with the amulet and they believe that she is also working with Earthrealm. Furious with this news, Kahn declares war on Earthrealm and tells his men to ready the army.
Kotal Kahn, Reptile, Ermac, Ferra/Torr, and Erron Black then lead dozens of soldiers through a portal to Earthrealm and meet up with the four Earthrealmers who happened to crash land in that area. The Earthrealmers run away from the army and ambush the Outworld Army.
Reptile quickly dodges most of the attacks and climbs the trees and pounces on Jacqui. Takeda attempts to stop him, but Reptile ends up spitting his acid in his face, temporarily blinding him. Jacqui breaks free of Reptile's grasp and defeats him. However the Earthrealmers are overrun by the superior number of the Outworld army. Kotal Kahn announces that he shall have their heads as a peace treaty for Shinnok to spare Outworld. All of a sudden, the Lin Kuei led by Sub-Zero attack the army, allowing the four teammates to escape. The fate of Reptile and the rest of his companions is unknown after this, but it is likely that they escaped back to Outworld. Mortal Kombat 1
Syzoth is unique among his Zaterrans in that he possesses a shapeshifting ability that allows him to take human form. This only served to make him an outcast to his people, so Syzoth departed the underground Zikandur province in search of a more acceptable life. Unfortunately, the warm-blooded Outworlders on the surface were no less welcoming, and Syzoth became destitute. Joining a traveling carnival to desperately alleviate his poverty, Syzoth was able to make somewhat of a living for himself, even finding a family. At some point, he would cross paths with Shang Tsung, then a simple trader. But when Shang began to learn legitimate sorcery, he asked to study Syzoth, and took his family hostage when the Zaterran refused. Becoming the sorcerer's laboratory slave quickly proved to be an even worse job, and Syzoth was forced to aid in countless, terrifying experiments. It was suggested that Shang Tsung derived his trademark shapeshifting from Syzoth's own mutation.
Syzoth is formally introduced during the Story Mode when Johnny Cage, Baraka, Kenshi and Kung Lao are all captured in a botched attempt to rescue Princess Mileena from Shang Tsung's clutches. The four are sent to Shang Tsung's real laboratory, where Syzoth is revealed to be their jailer. Offering Kenshi a special balm to dull the pain from the loss of his eyes, he reveals to the group both his Zaterran ethnicity and his reluctant participation in Shang Tsung's scheme. Despite their pleas, Syzoth tells them the choice is between them and his family, and orders a group of cloned, subservient Tarkatans to put them in separate chambers. While Baraka and Kung Lao are preoccupied fighting them, Syzoth activates a device that strikes the captured Johnny Cage and Kenshi with electricity. After defeating a Super Tarkatan, Baraka is able to free both Earthrealmers and subsequently defeat Syzoth. Syzoth begs to be killed, but Baraka spares him, noting that had he been put in the same predicament, he would have done the same to protect his family.
Shang Tsung appears and scolds Syzoth for allowing Liu Kang's champions to break free, blasting Baraka and Johnny back with a cloud of toxic gas that quickly fills the laboratory. Bidding them all farewell, he reveals to Syzoth that he had already disposed of his wife and son "many moons ago", striking the Zaterran with the knowledge that he had been pointlessly slaving away to save loved ones that had long since been murdered. Furious, Syzoth attempts to grab Shang Tsung, but the sorcerer teleports away on the spot before he can reach him. The group attempts to leave, but Syzoth realizes Shang Tsung sealed the exits upon releasing the gas. With his superhuman strength, Baraka is able to break the door down, allowing them to escape the wretched laboratory.
Once outside, the Earthrealmers are intent on reaching Sun Do to bring Kenshi back to Earthrealm. While Baraka cannot enter the city, Syzoth offers to make amends by taking them rest of the way. The group travels through the Living Forest, where Baraka reveals its nature as chock-full of souls. Syzoth mentions there are no Zaterran spirits since his people's mistreatment by Outworld's surface dwellers had them live underground in Zikandur. Kung Lao questions how he encountered Shang Tsung, so Syzoth elaborates on his previous life, explaining how his shapeshifting made him an outcast and how Shang Tsung blackmailed him into allowing him to be studied. Additionally, he confirms Shang Tsung's plotting with General Shao and Rain, though he mentions he has only heard fragments of their schemes.
The group encounters Ashrah, a heroic demon of the Netherrealm, and after a misunderstood battle, join forces with her and change directives to finding an Outworlder named Quan Chi, as his association with Shang Tsung could possibly lead them to the sorcerer. Along the way, Syzoth eats a flying insect with earnest, much to Johnny's disgust. Meanwhile, Ashrah explains how she was set on her path to purification, and reveals both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung have an unknown common benefactor who taught them how to wield the powerful magic they are capable of.
Eventually, Syzoth and the others stumble upon Quan Chi and his cohorts and attempt to prevent the former from using one of his soul stealers. While Nitara, Darrius, Sareena and Havik hold the heroes off, Quan Chi succeeds in draining the Living Forest of its souls and amalgamating them into a single body - Ermac, who quickly begins dominating the heroes in kombat. Using his natural form, Syzoth is the only one who manages to land an attack, but is subsequently overpowered by a telekinetic blast like the others. He is able to recover and joins Ashrah in battle against Havik and Darrius, then Quan Chi, but Ermac continues to prove problematic, launching a tree trunk with telekinesis to smack Syzoth and Baraka into the dirt. Fortunately, Kenshi steps up to save them, having discovered Sento's true nature, and uses Sento to overpower Ermac with Ashrah's help. Ashrah is able to destroy the soul stealer, releasing the captured spirits, one of which grabs Quan Chi and drains him of energy, causing his skin to turn white and knocking him out. With the battle won, the group settles on returning to Earthrealm with the captured Quan Chi so Liu Kang can question him.
The group arrives in Sun Do during the nighttime festival. While the others disguise themselves (and the unconscious Quan Chi) as partygoers, Syzoth surveys the grounds from the rooftops, taking note of the large security numbers. He tells the others to go to the stage, then through the portal gate to Earthrealm to the right, while he creates a diversion. Kenshi warns him that Syzoth will also be looked out for, but Syzoth tells him that to catch him, they must see him, and reveals his invisibility on the spot, earning a "Damn!" from an impressed Johnny, who likens his technique to "going full Predator", along with Kenshi giving out a smile to show him impressed.
While the disguised group traverses the festival grounds, Syzoth activates several of the rockets, sending the public into a panic. General Shao spots him atop one of the buildings, deducing that his presence means the Earthrealmers are also nearby, and so Reiko and Li Mei chase after the Zaterran. Reiko tags him with a shuriken, causing Syzoth to fall to the floor, though he recovers and turns invisible again, leaving trails of green blood in his path. Eventually, Li Mei and Reiko catch up to Syzoth, but he resists arrests, knowing he will be executed by General Shao despite Li Mei offering to hear him out. With support from Kenshi, Syzoth regretfully defeats the pair before being attacked by Kitana, Tanya and Khameleon. Knowing he has no time to explain himself, Syzoth defeats them as well. As Johnny's group is surrounded by Generao Shao and his guards (Quan Chi escaping in the confrontation), Syzoth and Kenshi heroically swing down from a rooftop to aid them. Syzoth personally confronts Shao, threatening to reveal his conspiracy to all of Outworld, but Shao disagrees, claiming that dead men tell no tales. Despite this, Syzoth proves victorious, and he and the others make a break for the portal as Motaro and more guards close in (Johnny sucker punching Goro on the way).
Upon entering Earthrealm, they are greeted by Liu Kang, who reveals he already knows Ashrah and Syzoth's names. Ashrah then asks if Liu Kang knows Quan Chi, who has partnered with Shang Tsung. Expressing striking concern at the prospect of a new Deadly Alliance, Liu Kang urged them to come with him and recount their experiences.
Various versions and amalgamations of Syzoth/Reptile also appear in the second Battle of Armageddon at the climax of the story, including a Titan one who joins forces with Titan Shang Tsung, a female version of Reptile, a Sindel with Zaterran physiology called Lizard Queen, a combination with Geras called Klockodile, and many more. Additionally, another version of Syzoth can be selected as the final warrior who aids Liu Kang in defeating the Titans Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, before being sent back to his respective timeline.
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