History Heartwarming / MortalKombat11

-->'''Shao Kahn:''' ''[[ThisIsUnforgivable You killed Mileena!?]]'' If this is true, '''[[PrepareToDie you will DIE!!!]]'''

-->'''Old!Johnny Cage:''' Take it from me, you didn't miss much. ''[Points to Sonya]'' That woman over there? She's the real deal.

-->'''Past Jax''': ''(gently pushing Jacqui aside)'' Hang back, kid. I know I wouldn't wanna fight my dad. ''(to Present Jax)'' How 'bout we keep this between me, myself and I? Never thought I'd stoop so low...\\

-->'''Jax:''' [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone What have I done?]] I'm a fool!\\

-->'''Hanzo:''' The new Shirai Ryu are worthy. It's heart, not blood, that makes them warriors.

-->'''Raiden:''' I have conquered the darkness within me. You must do the same.\\

-->'''Liu Kang''': Whatever happens, [[ItHasBeenAnHonor I am honored to fight at your side]].\\

-->'''Liu Kang''': Are you ready?\\

'''Liu Kang:''' Then I will not say goodbye.

-->'''Present Jax:''' Dammit, Fujin. You know what I've suffered. Kronika's my one chance to prevent all that. Not just for me, but for Jacqui. For Vera! Shit, you're a god. Ain't no way you get how this feels.\\

-->'''Shao Kahn:''' Wife, I have missed you. If Quan Chi were here, I'd hoist him up by the ankles and split him through for all the time he stole from us...\\

-->'''Sub-Zero:''' How did you escape Scorpion?\\

--> '''Cassie Cage''': I promise, he gets better with age.\\

-->'''Jacqui:''' What's this about a blood ceremony?\\

--> '''Scorpion:''' Shirai Ryu family bonds are sacred.\\

-->'''Frost:''' You should have been Grandmaster.\\

-->'''Liu Kang''': There is still honor in you, Frost.\\

-->'''Baraka''': I will flay you for Kotal.\\

-->'''Kotal Kahn''': Surrender and death will be painless.\\

-->'''[=RoboCop=]:''' How can I help you, Cage?\\

-->'''Scorpion:''' Did you avenge your murder?\\

* Jaqui's tower ending is a mix of this with TearJerker. After seeing how much his father has suffered, she uses the Hourglass to make the group win the battle with Sindel in [=MK9=], so Jax never died and never became a revenant. However, Jax met his wife during recovery and thus, Jaqui was never born, but she says it's okay because "That's what a Briggs does". She gives him a last "I love you dad" before she's RetGone.

*** Raiden and Liu Kang's parting words to each other in the Good Ending after the hell both characters went through from ''VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception'' to this game, giving both characters closure to their character arc:

*** Speaking of Mileena, her own friendship has her holding a tea party with teddy bears she dressed up like herself, Kitana and Jade. This seems to imply Mileena, for all her bloodlust and psychopathy, still desires for the Edenians to accept her.

* ''Chapter 13: Time's Arrow'' (Nightwolf)
* ''Chapter 14: Guardian for Life'' (Sheeva)

* ''Chapter 17: Checkmate'' (Shang Tsung)

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Endings]]
* Jade's ending, she is torn from whether to help Kitana, her best friend, or Kotal Kahn, her long lost lover. As she continued to decide which to help, Jade hears Kotal's voice speak ''"[[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy Follow your heart, Jade.]]"'' To Kotal, as long as she was happy, he was fine with the decision.
* Both Johnny and Cassie's tower endings see them content to leave the timeline as is, except for one difference: preventing Sonya's death as she destroys Revenant Liu Kang's castle.
* Sonya's tower ending involves her becoming a god with the people she cares about the most. Cassie, Jax, Jacqui and even Johnny.
-->'''Sonya:''' But only because Cassie insisted. [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther And maybe I missed him a little]]. Just don't let him know that.
* Jax's tower ending has him choose to use Kronika's hourglass not only for his own benefit, but to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong in regard to the treatment of black people in the USA, turning the nation (and possibly the whole world) into a {{utopia}} free of discrimination and bigotry. All that, and he does it in a way that still allows him to meet Vera and become Jacqui's father.
* Jaqui's tower ending is a mix of this with TearJerker. After seeing how much his father has suffered, she uses the Hourglass to make the group win the battle with Sindel in [=MK9=], so Jax never died and never became a revenant. However, Jax met his wife during recovery and thus, Jaqui was never born, but she says it's okay because "That's what a Briggs does". She gives him a last "I love you dad" before she's RetGone.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other]]
* In the Krypt, ''Shang Tsung'' gets a heartwarming moment in that he genuinely considered his champions friends, including Goro - who he outright says in a somber tone that he misses him the most. Even the worst of Outworld can show affection to one another after all.
** He also seems happy to resurrect the Wanderer whenever he's killed by any hazard in his island.
* While Johnny's announcer voice option gives most of the kharacters a funny or insulting nickname, Sonya and Cassie get a different treatment. He calls Cassie "DaddysGirl" in an endearing tone of voice, and he warmly calls Sonya "[[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther My Better Half]]".
* Looking closely at Johnny's win pose with the action figure of himself reveals it is Cassie's toy as signified by her name written on its foot ''Franchise/ToyStory'' [[https://twitter.com/unCAGEDgamez/status/1102615861062447104 style.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Unsorted]]

* Sub-Zero's tower ending has him intending to use Kronika's hourglass to restore the Lin Kuei, but realizes before he can redeem the Lin Kuei he will have to redeem Bi-Han first. While his corruption goes back even further than being resurrected as Noob Saibot (As far as being tempted to corruption by Sektor), after a few tries, he finally sets him on the right path as both Sub-Zeroes become co-Grandmasters of the Lin Kuei. Even after disowning his brother, Kuai Liang still wishes to have him by his side.

--->'''Liu Kang''': There is still honor in you, Frost.
--->'''Frost''': I don't need you to tell me.
--->'''Liu Kang''': Then why do you display none?
* Considering Johnny normally likes to troll almost everyone, the interactions where he's respectful are oddly sweet.
-->'''Scorpion:''' What is different, knowing you have a child?\\
'''Johnny:''' I get the "[[RoaringRampageOfRevenge avenge my family and clan]]" thing now.\\
'''Scorpion:''' "Having" is not the same as "having lost".

--->'''Baraka''': I will flay you for Kotal.\\

--->'''Kotal Kahn''': Surrender and death will be painless.\\

* The Terminator's tower ending. No, really. After seizing control of Kronika's hourglass and realizing [[YouCantFightFate that the war between man and machine will always end in mutually assured destruction no matter how many times history is restarted]], [[ScrewDestiny he creates a new future where they coexist peacefully together]], then [[HeroicSacrifice self-terminates]] by throwing himself into the Sea of Blood, taking all knowledge of the hourglass with him.
-->'''Cassie:''' ''[narrating]'' If you could ask him about it, [[TheSpock he'd tell you he made the only logical choice]]. [[GrewBeyondTheirProgramming But in my book, that machine's a hero]].

** He apparently appreciates the nickname enough to have it be the name of his ice cream cart in his Friendship.

* There may have never been a more precious image in ''Mortal Kombat'' history than Scorpion aggressively spearing… a giant teddy bear in for a cuddle as the first revealed Friendship of the modern series. [[MythologyGag It seems that Scorpion does like teddies after all.]] What makes this more heartwarming is when one takes into consideration that Scorpion, a revenant who runs on rage and revenge, previously regained his humanity as Hanzo. It makes sense that the revenant Scorpion would hate teddies, whereas the more human Hanzo would happily snuggle with a teddy.
** Kitana's friendship more than qualifies. She throws her fans to the ground defiantly before out comes… Mileena! The two play patty cake with each other before ending with a loving hug. With how much Kitana never considered Mileena anything more than a disgusting evil clone of herself, this is absolutely precious.
*** Speaking of Mileena, her own friendship has her holding a tea party with teddy bears she dressed up like herself, Kitana and Jade. This seems to imply Mileena, for all her bloodlust and psychopathy, still desires for the Edenians to accept her.

--->'''Scorpion:''' Did you avenge your murder?
--->'''[=RoboCop=]:''' My killers are dead, Scorpion.
--->'''Scorpion:''' That is ''true'' justice.

* Fujin's Arcade ending. Though he grew fond of mortals through observing them, Fujin realizes that he lacks understanding of the deeper intricacies of mortal life. He uses Kronika's hourglass to live hundreds of thousands of lifetimes in various mortal incarnations, encompassing all species, genders and even faiths. With this experience, he becomes a MessianicArchetype and forges a timeline of peace between mortals with himself living among them.
* In Fujin's chapter during the ''Aftermath'' DLC, he is able to relate with Present Jax's situation as a man concerned for his loved ones and is successfully able to make him turn back to the side of good before he confronts and fights Jacqui and Past Jax.
-->'''Present Jax:''' Dammit, Fujin. You know what I've suffered. Kronika's my one chance to prevent all that. Not just for me, but for Jacqui. For Vera! Shit, you're a god. Ain't no way you get how this feels.
-->'''Fujin:''' You know the only time Raiden and I ever fought? When I left the Sky Temple to live among humans. "Do not become attached to them, Fujin. Sentiment will only impede the execution of your duty." But warriors like you and I, we are strengthened by sentiment. We do not fight to kill enemies. We fight to protect our loved ones. That is why it cuts so deeply when we fail.
-->'''Present Jax:''' Well, I'll be. Maybe you do get it.
-->'''Fujin:''' Kronika knows your pain. She manipulates you with it. Jacqueline is on her way here. Kronika expects you to fight her. Worse, even, break her heart. Is that someone who cares one whit about you or your family?
* Again from ''Aftermath'': A blinded Shao Kahn gets rescued from his imprisonment by Sindel and later, they share some [[UnholyMatrimony bizarrely sweet sentimental moments together]]. AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther at its finest, even as they go about doing lots of evil stuff together in their chapter.
-->'''Shao Kahn:''' Wife, I have missed you. If Quan Chi were here, I'd hoist him up by the ankles and split him through for all the time he stole from us…\\
'''Sindel:''' Soon, we will have the hourglass. Eternity will be our empire!\\
'''Shao Kahn:''' ''(Growls, smiles and embraces Sindel)'' We'll have all the time we need.
* When Mileena was confirmed to appear in Kombat Pack 2 to the rejoicing of fans who have been demanding her for ''Mortal Kombat 11''[='=]s lifespan, her new voice Creator/KariWahlgren did some in-character thank yous to certain members of the community on Twitter. For example, this one was given to cosplayer [[https://twitter.com/MortalKombat/status/1314272517293400065 Alicia Marie.]]
* Rambo's tower ending. After realizing he won control of the hourglass from Kronika, he initially thinks of helping right the atrocities of history, but realizes in doing so, he'd have to decide who lives and who dies. Realizing how it would make him not so different from the men who sent him to war, he [[RefusalOfTheCall chooses to simply walk away from that life]] and in doing so, [[EarnYourHappyEnding he finally gets the peaceful retirement he's longed for]].
** Speaking of Rambo, one of his intros against Sheeva deserves a mention. When she asks him what gods made him the way he is, Rambo responds that Trautman was the one who made him. Sheeva's response? "The man must be punished!" It's a response that shows Sheeva is aware of at least ''some'' of what John James Rambo has been through and that the man responsible for putting him through it ought to face consequences. On the flip side, the exchange is meant to be a reference to the first film [[BadassBoast where Trautman himself admitted it]], so John probably meant to honor his mentor by giving him the credit he felt he deserved.
** Additionally, the fact that many characters in the game either acknowledge or outright respect Rambo's skill and some even are aware of his past.
* Rain gets a villainous one in his tower ending. Using the hourglass to learn the truth of his birth, he learns his mother Amara was told by Argus that he was stillborn and left her to die of grief. Furious at what his father did to her, Rain takes his revenge by [[BestServedCold slaying Argus, Taven and Daegon]] while leaving Delia alive to grieve her family's death, all to avenge, in his own words [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes "The only person who ever loved me"]].
* Would you expect that [[AxCrazy Mileena]] manages to get one in her ending? She starts by thinking of her sister, still hoping Kitana will accept her. Sad that Kitana refuses to accept her as anything but an abomination, Mileena [[RetGone erases her from history]] [[KillAndReplace and takes her place, becoming Kahnum of Time]]. Doesn't sound so heartwarming at first, but then she reveals she left [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes Shao Kahn and Sindel alive so they could witness her successes and be proud of her]], while removing all the bad blood she had with Raiden, Jade, and Liu Kang to become a friend and superior they adore. And that's not even the most heartwarming part. Realizing that she can't rule forever, she chooses to [[BabiesEverAfter raise an heir of her own who can carry on her legacy]], and proves herself to be [[GoodParents a very good mother to the daughter she's raising]] [[LesYay alongside Tanya]], noting that her daughter doesn't see her as an abomination, but as perfection.

* Even ''[[BigBad Kronika]]'' gets a moment via a secret dialog should she defeat Cassie using a T-Rex attack. Showing that she does care for her son.
-->"You answer for Shinnok."
* Liu Kang's ending in ''Aftermath''. He chooses Kung Lao's ancestor as his champion like it was before, but this time, he is giving him much more time to prepare. He also comments how this Kung Lao is much more humble than the one he knew. He never forgot his old friends.

%%

!!Per wiki policy, Administrivia/SpoilersOff applies to Heartwarming pages. All spoilers will be unmarked.

* ''MKX''[='=]s story worked miracles in burying the hatchet between Scorpion and the younger Sub-Zero. In several pre-match dialogues, it becomes apparent they have become considerably less hostile, seeming to regard the other as less of an ArchEnemy and more of a WorthyOpponent. The story mode seals the deal, making it clear that this is now ''canon''. Hanzo Hasashi and Kuai Liang have become BashBrothers in Earthrealm's defense and have a chapter dedicated to their team-up.
-->'''Scorpion:''' I still grieve my wife and son.\\
'''Sub-Zero:''' I'm not so cold as to mock your pain.\\
'''Scorpion:''' A wise choice, Sub-Zero.

-->'''Scorpion:''' You'll lead the Lin Kuei?\\
'''Frost:''' Sub-Zero's made us weak.\\
'''Scorpion:''' He restored your clan's honor.

** One more subtle thing: in Mortal Kombat X, Sub-Zero still addressed Scorpion as Master Hasashi, but now in 11, he [[FirstNameBasis called Scorpion by his first name Hanzo]]. In Japanese culture, [[LastNameBasis it's rude to call someone outside of your family by their first name unless you are close to them.]] The fact that Scorpion now allows Kuai Liang to call him "Hanzo" and not "Hasashi" is a significant sign of their new friendship.
** More proof these two are closer than ever? Just listen to how quick Kuai is to come to Hanzo's defense in one intro with Mileena:
-->'''Sub-Zero:''' How did you escape Scorpion?\\
'''Mileena:''' Hmph! The fool ninja was all smoke and no fire.\\
'''Sub-Zero:''' (''very stern expression on his face'') You do not dare besmirch him!
* Kotal Kahn's reaction to seeing Jade after the TimeCrash begins is perhaps the single most humanizing moment for him as a character. When past Kombatants arrive Kotal begins to realize that if Baraka, Skarlet and Kitana are alive among them that Jade must be too, something she cuts him off on before he can say it himself. The quiet joy in his voice as he addresses her again is echoed by her gentle smile towards him and once they get a moment of quiet and solitude during the ensuing battle, they waste no time in sharing a kiss as both were each other's LostLenore in their respective timelines.
** They have several more tender moments throughout the story, such as Jade musing how surprised she is that no other woman has tried to become Kotal's queen, only for him to counter that many did but none were Jade and her holding his hand as they reconcile after his second fight with Shao Kahn. He'll also tell Sonya in one fight intro that no woman measures up to Jade in his eyes.

* Jade's ending, she is torn from whether to help Kitana, her best friend, or Kotal Kahn, her long lost lover. As she continued to decide which to help, Jade hears Kotal's voice speak ''"[[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy Follow your heart, Jade.]]"'' To Kotal, as long as she was happy, he was fine with the decision.
* '''Shao freaking Kahn''' of all people gets one. While explaining the events of the timeline he was in, D'Vorah offhandedly mentions that she killed Mileena. She probably didn't expect him to care that much given that she bothered to mention it, and the audience probably wouldn't expect it either. As it immediately turns out, this legitimately pisses Shao Kahn off and he tries to kill D'Vorah on the spot before Kronika arrives. Either Mileena's death somehow inconveniences him greatly, he considered D'Vorah as untrustworthy for this or in some sick twisted way, [[PapaWolf Shao Kahn actually cares for Mileena as a daughter]].
-->'''Shao Kahn:''' ''[[ThisIsUnforgivable You killed Mileena!?]]'' If this is true, '''[[PrepareToDie you will DIE!!!]]'''
** Shao Kahn isn't the only one: ''Shang Tsung'' also gets a heartwarming moment in that he genuinely considered his champions friends, including Goro - who he outright says in a somber tone that he misses him the most. Even the worst of Outworld can show affection to one another after all. He also seems happy to resurrect the Wanderer whenever he's killed by any hazard in his island.
** Also from [[BadBoss Shao Kahn]] of all people, when in one interaction Kano tells him he is holding Kollector for ransom, Shao tells him to return his minion or face death. And that's ''Shao Kahn'' we're talking about. It's possible that he just doesn't want to show weakness by paying the ransom instead of taking him back by force, but the fact that he values Kollector enough to fight for him rather than just write him off is still rather "nice" of him.
* When Sub-Zero restores the cyberized Cyrax's free will, he is frightened at the machine he had become. Before taking the Cyber Lin Kuei network offline, Cyrax beseeches Sub-Zero to find a way to restore his humanity. Sub-Zero, [[ASharedSuffering knowing all too well what it's like to have his humanity stolen from him]], assures Cyrax that it doesn't matter if he is man or machine: he is still a proud warrior and the Lin Kuei will always welcome him.
* Following the events of ''[=MKX=]'', the reconciliation of the Cage family appeared a distinct possibility. Come ''11'' and it turns out that it did take: Sonya has not only mended her relationship with her daughter, but has got back together with Johnny. She positively beams [[SoProudOfYou with pride]] when promoting Cassie to Commander and the smile stays on her face as Johnny comes in for a hug with their daughter. She's also not shy of public displays of affection with her husband, pulling him into a kiss to see him off. This, however, makes the PlayerPunch at the end of Chapter 1 all the more painful.
** Another instance is when both old Johnny and young Johnny are discussing about a previous crush of Johnny before meeting with Sonya.
--->'''Old!Johnny Cage:''' Take it from me, you didn't miss much. ''[Points to Sonya]'' That woman over there? She's the real deal.
*** Look at the way to two Johnnys smile at Young Sonya in that scene. Past Johnny looks smarmy and proud of himself. Present Johnny looks fond and admiring. You can see just how much present Johnny grew as a person and how much he loves Sonya.

** This also carries over into the match intros. Even when Johnny and Cassie are trading movie references, Johnny's pride in her genuinely shines through.
---> '''Johnny Cage''': No one can be as strong, or as fast, as a Cage.\\
'''Cassie Cage''': You trying to tell me I can dodge bullets?!\\
'''Johnny Cage''': That when you're ready, you won't have to.
** In one of pre-match intro, Cassie will vehemently defended her father when Past Sonya called him "cheap beer".
---> '''Cassie Cage''': I promise, he gets better with age.\\
'''Sonya Blade''': Ugh. He is cheap beer, not fine wine.\\
'''Cassie Cage''': Hey! That cheap beer's my Dad.
** While Johnny's announcer voice option gives most of the kharacters a funny or insulting nickname, Sonya and Cassie get a different treatment. He calls Cassie "DaddysGirl" in an endearing tone of voice, and he warmly calls Sonya "[[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther My Better Half]]".
* Looking closely at Johnny's win pose with the action figure of himself reveals it is Cassie's toy as signified by her name written on its foot ''Franchise/ToyStory'' [[https://twitter.com/unCAGEDgamez/status/1102615861062447104 style.]]
* While the revelation that Kronika [[EternalRecurrence has reset the timeline more times than she can count]] is horrifying, there's a bit of Heartwarming in the reveal that Raiden has discovered this before and he's ''always'' called her out and made peace with Liu Kang. Even at his worst, Raiden still wants the best for his student and friend.
* When two characters are the focus of a chapter, you're usually allowed to choose which character to use before each fight. But in Past Jax/Jacqui's chapter, when you face Present Jax, it automatically selects Past Jax, as if the game wants to spare Jacqui from having to fight her own father.
-->'''Past Jax''': ''(gently pushing Jacqui aside)'' Hang back, kid. I know I wouldn't wanna fight my dad. ''(to Present Jax)'' How 'bout we keep this between me, myself and I? Never thought I'd stoop so low…\\

* When confronted by his past self, Scorpion, Hanzo pleads with him that vengeance isn't everything and that the Shirai Ryu is rebuilt in a better light. When Hanzo dies in the arms of Scorpion, he felt obliged to pass on Hanzo's last will and go to the Fire Garden, to which he witness it was truly rebuilt and the clan lives on, with a faint relief in his voice that it was all true.
-->'''Hanzo:''' The new Shirai Ryu are worthy. It's heart, not blood, that makes them warriors.
* Past Liu Kang's faith in Raiden. Even when told of his terrible future and Raiden's part in it, Liu Kang ''still'' chooses to believe in Raiden because that's just how much he trusts him. The only thing that makes this faith waver is when Raiden is being actively corrupted by Shinnok's amulet and seemingly proves the Revenants' claims to be true, and even ''then'' it comes right back when Raiden comes back to his senses.
** Something that helped Raiden come to his realization was an IronicEcho to ''9'' where Liu Kang says the same line he used back then, but here, their roles are practically reversed, so Liu Kang is the one trying to reason with Raiden and is only fighting him if he has to for his own good.
* Raiden reveals to present Jax that Kronika is the architect of all his suffering. When Jax berates himself for being so blind, Raiden is completely understanding and compassionate towards what Jax was going through.

* After Raiden has defeated Revenant Liu Kang he tells Liu Kang to conquer the darkness inside of him. When Revenant Liu Kang refuses and says to kill him, Raiden replies he would rather save him to end the loop Kronika has put them through by merging with Liu Kang.

* Right before storming Kronika's central chamber, Liu Kang, Kitana and Kung Lao share a FriendshipMoment.

* The good ending for Story Mode has a now mortal Raiden and the newly ascended protector of Earthrealm Liu Kang finally make peace with each other as the former vows to make the most of his now finite lifespan to help Liu Kang restore the timeline and the realms. And if Kronika is defeated the first time you fight her, Kitana will survive Kronika's [[TimeCrash temporal apocalypse]] and accompany Liu Kang on his quest to reshape a better timeline. After all the pain, suffering and death Liu Kang went through in both the original and rebooted timelines, he finally [[EarnYourHappyEnding got a break]].

** Raiden and Liu Kang's parting words to each other in the Good Ending after the hell both characters went through from ''VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception'' to this game, giving both characters closure to their character arc:

* After spending the last two games locked in a FaceHeelTurn, the sight of seeing a purely heroic Liu Kang not only remaining that way throughout the story but giving his evil future self several measures of ass-kicking is a very refreshing change of pace. Also, he didn't [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance die permanently]].

** A meta-example, but given the nightmare the animators had to go through to the point that at least one of them ''[[https://segmentnext.com/2019/05/09/mortal-kombat-11-developer-ptsd/ developed PTSD]]'', seeing that they get to make the same kind of finishers in a lighthearted goofy way is a heartwarmer.
*** This is most likely why Friendships were added into the game. While this could be seen as adding a layer of cynical damage control to the addition of Friendships, anything to see the Kombatants smile for a change is nice to see.
*** More importantly, this offers a more in-character conclusion to certain match-ups - Johnny Cage, for example, would ''never'' perform a Fatality on Cassie or Sonya. In fact, with the release of Friendships, many players have come up with a self-enforced rule to never use Fatalities or Brutalities among groups such as the Cages, the Briggses or Liu Kang and Kitana.

** Something that helped Raiden come to his realization was an IronicEcho to ''9'' where Liu Kang says the same line he used back then, but here, their roles are practically reversed, so Liu Kang the one trying to reason with Raiden and is only fighting him if he has to for his own good.

* After Raiden has defeated Revenant Liu Kang he tells Liu Kang to conquer the darkness inside of him. When Revenant Liu Kang refuses and says to kill him, Raiden replies he would rather save him to end the loop Kronika has put them through.

'''Raiden:''' It is not foolish to fight for your family's betterment.

** One more subtle thing: in Mortal Kombat X, Sub-Zero still addressed Scorpion as Master Hasashi, but now in 11, he [[FirstNameBasis called Scorpion by his first name Hanzo]]. Their relationship has surely improved a lot.
*** To clarify, in Japanese culture, [[LastNameBasis it's rude to call someone outside of your family by their first name unless you are close to them.]] The fact that Scorpion now allows Kuai Liang to call him "Hanzo" and not "Hasashi" is a significant sign of their new friendship.

** Speaking of Rambo, one of his intros against Sheeva deserves a mention. When she asks him what gods made him the way he is, Rambo responds that Trautman was the one who made him. Sheeva's response? "The man must be punished!" It's a response that shows Sheeva is aware of at least ''some'' of what John James Rambo has been through and that the man responsible for putting him through it ought to face consequences. On the flip side, the exchange is meant to be a reference to the first film [[BadassBoast where Trautman himself admitted it]], so John probably meant to honor him by giving the credit he felt the colonel deserved.

** Speaking of Rambo, one of his intros against Sheeva deserves a mention. When she asks him what gods made him the way he is, Rambo responds that Trautman was the one who made him. Sheeva's response? "The man must be punished!" It's a response that shows Sheeva is aware of at least ''some'' of what John James Rambo has been through and that the man responsible for putting him through it ought to face consequences. On the flip side, the exchange is meant to be a reference to the first film [[BadassBoast where Trautman himself admitted it]], so John probably meant to honor him by giving the credit he felt he deserved.

** Speaking of Rambo, one of his intros against Sheeva deserves a mention. When she asks him what gods made him the way he is, Rambo responds that Trautman was the one who made him. Sheeva's response? "The man must be punished!" It's a response that shows Sheeva is aware of at least ''some'' of what John James Rambo has been through and that the man responsible for putting him through it ought to face consequences. On the flip side, the exchange is meant to be a reference to the first film [[BadassBoast where Trautman himself admitted it]], so John probably meant to honor his memory by giving him the credit he felt he deserved.

'''Frost:''' Sub-Zero made us weak.\\

** One of his intros with Cassie has her ask "Something wrong, Murphy?" Not only is it just sweet of her to ask, the fact that she calls him Murphy and [=RoboCop=] has no problem with it says a lot.

* Raiden reveals to future Jax that Kronika is the architect of all his suffering. When Jax berates himself for being so blind, Raiden is completely understanding and compassionate towards what Jax was going through.

-->'''Hanzo"''' The new Shirai Ryu are worthy. It's heart, not blood, that makes them warriors.

* Rain gets a villainous one in his tower ending. Using the hourglass to learn the truth of his birth, he learns his mother Amara was told by Argus that he was stillborn and left her to die of grief. Furious at what his father did to her, Rain takes his revenge by [[BestServedCold slaying Argus, Taven and Daegon]], while leaving Delia alive to grieve her family's death, all to avenge, in his own words [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes "The only person who ever loved me"]].

** When Sub-Zero ask [=RoboCop=] if his soul is still intact, he replies that despite OCP best efforts, it still is. Sub-Zero immediately says that he might still be worthy of the Lin Kuei. Sub-Zero knows a thing or two about being a [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 Cybernetic Warrior against with no choice]], so not only does he believe in Murphy's words, but he also believes he is worthy to be Lin-Kuei.

--->'''Scorpion:''' Have you avenged your death?
--->'''Robocop:''' My killers are dead, Scorpion.
--->'''Scorpion:''' ''That'' is ''true'' justice.
** Robo makes it clear to Geras that even though Lewis's decision to take on Boddicker's thugs instead of waiting for backup led to his death and twisted resurrection, he doesn't blame her. Rather, he blames the thugs who shot him. In most of his intros, Geras also expresses his sympathy and commonality with Robocop's situation.
** Both Jade and Kitana express their displeasure at Robo effectively being a slave of OCP, and Murphy himself takes care to warn Jax not to end up in a position of having to repay them.
* Fujin's Arcade ending. Though he grew fond of mortals through observing them, Fujin realizes that he lacks understanding of the deeper intricacies of mortal life. He uses Kronika's hourglass to live hundreds of thousands of lifetimes in various mortal incarnations, encompassing all species, genders, and even faiths. With this experience, he becomes a MessianicArchetype and forges a timeline of peace between mortals, with himself living among them.

-->'''Fujin:''' You know the only time Raiden and I ever fought? When I left the Sky Temple, to live among humans. "Do not become attached to them, Fujin. Sentiment will only impede the execution of your duty." But warriors like you and I, we are strengthened by sentiment. We do not fight to kill enemies. We fight to protect our loved ones. That is why it cuts so deeply when we fail.

* Again from ''Aftermath'': a blinded Shao Kahn gets rescued from his imprisonment by Sindel, and later they share some [[UnholyMatrimony bizarrely sweet sentimental moments together]]. AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther at its finest, even as they go about doing lots of evil stuff together in their chapter.
-->'''Shao Kahn:''' Wife, I have missed you. If Quan Chi were here, I'd hoist him up by the ankles, and split him through for all the time he stole from us...\\
'''Sindel:''' Soon we will have the hourglass. Eternity will be our empire!\\
'''Shao Kahn:''' ''[Growls, smiles, and embraces Sindel]'' We'll have all the time we need.

* Rambo's tower ending. After realizing he won control of the hourglass from Kronika, he initially thinks of helping right the atrocities of history, but realizes in doing so, he'd have to decide who lives and who dies. Realizing how it would make him not so different from the men who sent him to war, he [[RefusalOfTheCall chooses to simply walk away from that life]], and in doing so [[EarnYourHappyEnding finally get the peaceful retirement he's longed for]].
** Speaking of Rambo, one of his intros against Sheeva deserves a mention. When she asks him what gods made him the way he is, Rambo responds that Trautman was the one who made him. Sheeva's response? "The man must be punished!" It's a response that shows Sheeva is aware of at least ''some'' of what John James Rambo has been through, and that the man responsible for putting him through it ought to face consequences. On the flip side, the exchange is meant to be a reference to the first film [[BadassBoast where Trautman himself admitted it]], so John probably meant to honor his memory by giving him the credit he felt he deserved.
** Additionally, the fact that many characters in the game either acknowledge or outright respect Rambo's skill, and some even are aware of his past.
* Rain gets a villainous one in his tower ending. Using the hourglass to learn the truth of his birth, he learns his mother Amara was told by Argus that he was stillborn and left her to die of grief. Furious at what his father did to her, Rain takes his revenge by [[BestServedCold slaying Argus, Taven, and Daegon]], while leaving Delia alive to grieve her family's death, all to avenge, in his own words [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes "The one person who ever loved me"]].

* Most of Kotal Kahn and Scorpion's fight intros reveal that they are not so different, and they read like two honorable warriors ready to duke it out:

* Liu Kang's ending in ''Aftermath''. He chooses Kung Lao's descendant as his champion like it was before, but this time, he is giving him much more time to prepare. He also comments how this Kung Lao is much more humble than the one he knew. He never forgot his old friends.

* When confronted by his past self, Scorpion, Hanzo pleads with him that vengeance isn't everything, that Shirai Ryu rebuilt in a better light. When Hanzo dies in the arms of Scorpion, he felt obliged to pass on Hanzo's last will and go to the Fire Garden, to which he witness it was truly rebuilt and the clan lives on, with a faint relief in his voice that it was all true.

** Something that helped Raiden come to his realization was an IronicEcho to ''9'' where Liu Kang says the same line he used back then, but here, their roles are practically reversed, so Liu Kang the one trying to reason with Raiden, and is only fighting him if he has to for his own good.

* Right before storming Kronika's central chamber, Liu Kang, Kitana, and Kung Lao share a FriendshipMoment.

* The good ending for Story Mode has a now mortal Raiden and the newly ascended protector of Earthrealm Liu Kang finally make peace with each other as the former vows to make the most of his now finite lifespan to help Liu Kang restore the timeline and the realms. And if Kronika is defeated the first time you fight her, Kitana will survive Kronika’s [[TimeCrash temporal apocalypse]] and accompany Liu Kang on his quest to reshape a better timeline. After all the pain, suffering and death Liu Kang went through in both the original and rebooted timelines, he finally [[EarnYourHappyEnding got a break]].

* Sonya's tower ending involves her becoming a god with the people she cares about the most. Cassie, Jax, Jacqui, and even Johnny.

* Surprisingly, Johnny Cage and Hanzo Hasashi (Scorpion) do come to an understanding. In one of their intros (one that doesn't have Johnny drive Hanzo's patience up a wall), Hanzo ask him whats different knowing that he has a family now. Johnny wholeheartedly says that he finally understands his [[CrusadingWidow need for vengeance]]. While Hanzo does banter saying it's one thing to have something than to have lost it, it's pretty cool to see Johnny Cage being one of the few combatants to truly see [[PapaWolf Hanzo's]] point of view.

** And despite Kung Jin having moved onto the White Lotus Society and away from the Special Forces, [[VitriolicBestBuds and that his relationship with Cassie Cage isn't exactly the best either]], Cassie Cage does tells Kung Lao that Jin still has a home for him should he ever need it again. And likewise, when she goes up against Shang Tsung, Kung Jin texts Cassie to see if she needs air support, suggesting that even with strained relationships he still has her back.
* Sub-Zero's tower ending has him intending to use Kronika's hourglass to restore the Lin Kuei, but realizes before he can redeem the Lin Kuei he will have to redeem Bi-Han first. While his corruption goes back even further than being resurrected as Noob Saibot (As far as being tempted to corruption by Sektor), after a few tries he finally sets him on the right path as both Sub-Zeroes become co-Grandmasters of the Lin Kuei. Even after disowning his brother, Kuai Liang still wishes to have him by his side.
* Noob Saibot, ''of all characters'', gets a small one in his battle intro with Frost, [[EvenEvilHasStandards as he finds her being the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei a horrible prospect]] and states that Kuai Liang, despite he and Noob bearing a CainAndAbel dynamic between them, is better in all accounts. Repeat: ''Frost is so bad, Noob Saibot defends Sub-Zero despite all the bad blood.'' Perhaps the original Sub-Zero isn't all gone just yet...

'''Frost:''' (visibly crushed) [[BrokenPedestal You're worse than Kuai Liang]]!

* According to one of the intros, at least one Terminator was sent to protect Kitana, and another was reprogrammed by Jax to help the good guys.

* Once again, someone calls Sub-Zero "Grandmaster Blueberry Ice," this time it is Joker. Kuai Liang states that [[HypocriticalHeartwarming only Johnny Cage can get away with calling him that]], shows that despite how annoying he is to everyone else, Sub-Zero respects him enough to let him joke around.

* There may have never been a more precious image in ''Mortal Kombat'' history than Scorpion aggressively spearing... a giant teddy bear in for a cuddle as the first revealed Friendship of the modern series. [[MythologyGag It seems that Scorpion does like teddies after all.]] What makes this more heartwarming is when one takes into consideration that Scorpion, a revenant who runs on rage and revenge, previously regained his humanity as Hanzo. It makes sense that the revenant Scorpion would hate teddies, whereas the more human Hanzo would happily snuggle with a teddy.
** Kitana's friendship more than qualifies. She throws her fans to the ground defiantly before out comes... Mileena! The two play patty cake with each other before ending with a loving hug. With how much Kitana never considered Mileena anything more than a disgusting evil clone of herself, this is absolutely precious.
*** Speaking of Mileena, her own friendship has her holding a tea party with teddy bears she dressed up like herself, Kitana, and Jade. This seems to imply Mileena, for all her bloodlust and psychopathy, still desires for the Edenians to accept her.

*** More importantly, this offers a more in-character conclusion to certain match-ups - Johnny Cage, for example, would ''never'' perform a Fatality on Cassie or Sonya. In fact, with the release of Friendships, many players have come up with a self-enforced rule to never use Fatalities or Brutalities among groups such as the Cages, the Briggses, or Liu Kang and Kitana.

** One of his intros with Cassie has her ask "Something wrong, Murphy?" Not only is it just sweet of her to ask, the fact that she calls him Murphy and Robo has no problem with it says a lot.

* ''MKX''[='=]s story worked miracles in burying the hatchet between Scorpion and the younger Sub-Zero. In several pre-match dialogues, it becomes apparent they have become considerably less hostile, seeming to regard the other as less of an ArchEnemy and more of a WorthyOpponent. The story mode seals the deal, making it clear that this is now ''canon''. Hanzo and Kuai Liang have become BashBrothers in Earthrealm's defense and have a chapter dedicated to their team-up.

* Kotal Kahn's reaction to seeing Jade after the TimeCrash begins is perhaps the single most humanizing moment for him as a character. When past Kombatants arrive Kotal begins to realize that if Baraka, Skarlet and Kitana are alive among them that Jade must be too, something she cuts him off on before he can say it himself. The quiet joy in his voice as he addresses her again is echoed by her gentle smile towards him, and once they get a moment of quiet and solitude during the ensuing battle they waste no time in sharing a kiss as both were each-other's LostLenore in their respective timelines.
** They have several more tender moments throughout the story, such as Jade musing how surprised she is that no other woman has tried to become Kotal's queen, only for him to counter that many did but none were Jade, and her holding his hand as they reconcile after his second fight with Shao Kahn. He'll also tell Sonya in one fight intro that no woman measures up to Jade in his eyes.

* Jade's ending, she is torn from whether to help Kitana, her best friend, or Kotal Kahn, her long lost lover. As she continued to decide which to help, Jade here's Kotal's voice speak ''"[[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy Follow your heart, Jade.]]"'' To Kotal, as long as she was happy, he was fine with the decision.
* '''Shao freaking Kahn''' of all people gets one. While explaining the events of the timeline he was in, D'vorah offhandedly mentions that she killed Mileena. She probably didn't expect him to care that much given that she bothered to mention it, and the audience probably wouldn't expect it either. As it immediately turns out, this legitimately pisses Shao Kahn off and he tries to kill D'vorah on the spot before Kronika arrives. Either Mileena's death somehow inconveniences him greatly, he considered D'vorah as untrustworthy for this, or in some sick twisted way, [[PapaWolf Shao Kahn actually cares for Mileena as a daughter]].

** Shao Kahn isn't the only one: ''Shang Tsung'' also gets a heartwarming moment in that he genuinely considered his champions friends, including Goro - who he outright says in a somber tone that he misses him the most. Even the worst of Outworld can show affection to one another after all. He also seems happy to resurrect the Wanderer, whenever he's killed by any hazard in his island.

* When Sub-Zero restores the cyberized Cyrax's free will, he is frightened at the machine he had become. Before taking the Cyber Lin Kuei network offline, Cyrax beseeches Sub-Zero to find a way to restore his humanity. Sub-Zero, [[ASharedSuffering knowing all too well what it's like to have his humanity stolen from him]], assures Cyrax that it doesn't matter if he is man or machine: he is still a proud warrior, and the Lin Kuei will always welcome him.
* Following the events of ''[=MKX=]'', the reconciliation of the Cage family appeared a distinct possibility. Come ''11'', and it turns out that it did take: Sonya has not only mended her relationship with her daughter, but has got back together with Johnny. She positively beams [[SoProudOfYou with pride]] when promoting Cassie to Commander and the smile stays on her face as Johnny comes in for a hug with their daughter. She's also not shy of public displays of affection with her husband, pulling him into a kiss to see him off. This, however, makes the PlayerPunch at the end of Chapter 1 all the more painful.

* While the revelation that Kronika [[EternalRecurrence has reset the timeline more times than she can count]], is horrifying, there's a bit of Heartwarming in the reveal that Raiden has discovered this before, and he's ''always'' called her out and made peace with Liu Kang. Even at his worst, Raiden still wants the best for his student and friend.

-->'''Past Jax''': ''(gently pushing Jacqui aside)'' Hang back, kid. I know I wouldn't wanna fight my dad. ''(to Present Jax)'' How 'bout we keep this between me, myself, and I? Never thought I'd stoop so low...\\

** More proof these two are closer than ever? Just listen to how quick Kuai is to come to Hanzo's defense in one intro with Mileena

'''Sub-Zero:''' *Very stern expression on his face* You do not dare besmirch him!

* Surprisingly, Johnny Cage and Hanzo Hasashi (Scorpion) do come to an understanding. In one of their intros (one that doesn't have Johnny drive Hanzo's patience up a wall), Hanzo ask him whats different knowing that he has a family now. Johnny wholeheartedly says that he finally understands his [[CrusadingWidower need for vengeance]]. While Hanzo does banter saying it's one thing to have something than to have lost it, it's pretty cool to see Johnny Cage being one of the few combatants to truly see [[PapaWolf Hanzo's]] point of view.