Bleach Kombat Round 11: Sub-Zero vs. Rukia Kuchiki (Ice Ice Baby!)

VS.

In the past couple days, seems like mother nature be trolling us since it's been extremely hot with very little winds to help compensate the fact that its the Summer season. The coolest place to be in would be in a room full of Ice with both our competitors making snowman, popsicles, and Icy(s). The concert would consist of Vanilla Ice, Ice Cube, & Ice-T. Shiiiiet, Penguins & Polar Bears would be up in our crib because it's so damn cold. And let's not forget our special guest appearance from Mr. Freeze himself ~ The Governator. This all wouldn't be possible if it weren't for our Iced combatants ~ Sub-Zero from MK & Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach. The Scoreboard for Bleach vs. MK is 7-3 with Bleach leading. The following will be laid down in our little Ice Rink ~ Backstory/Role in Story, Powers/Abilities, & Verdict (By Stillmattic). Let's jam with Olaf and, in the course of iceskating within an Ice Rink with penguins & polar beats, fueling from adrenaline from our Icy rap artists, and eating popsicles & drinking Icy(s) while listening to Mr. Freeze's one-liners, Let us let it go! 

Backstory/Role in Story (Rukia Kuchiki)

150 years prior to the storyline, Rukia's older sister, Hisana, were brought up together in the 78 District of Rukongai, Inuzuri. Unable to take care of her sister, Hisana abandoned her and so a majority of Rukia's life was spent alone up until she met Renji. Rukia's chance meeting Renji & his friends flourished into a dynamic relationship ~ creating a little family, but things went downhill for the two when Rukia was adopted into the Kuchiki clan by Byakuya, later found out to be Rukia's adoptive brother & Hisana's husband. Rukia enrolled in Shin'o Academy in order to become a Shinigami alongide Renji & other Lieutenants and eventually found herself in the 13th division under Captain Jushiro Ukitake (she was admitted into the 13th division without taking an entrance exam). From here on, she developed a little crush on her lieutenant and admirer, Kaien Shiba. When Kaien Shiba became under the control of a Hollow, Kaien asked Rukia to do the unthinkable - Kill him. Following his lieutenant's request, Rukia killed both Kaien & Hollow controlling him and up until the rescue arc, had to live with the idea that she was Kaien Shiba's killer. Her relationship with Kaien is much like her relationship with Ichigo - Dynamic in the sense that both encouraged one another and have gotten stronger in terms of utilizing their Zanpaktou & becoming incredibly strong Shinigami.

During her stay and commission in Karakura Town, she met with Ichigo (who could see spirits and thus kicked Rukia). Her meeting with Ichigo, as said above, is much like Kaien Shiba's. However, her stay in Karakura Town with helping out Ichigo in fighting hollows & her Gigai body, were in jeopardy as the 6th Division Captain & Lieutenant, Renji (childhood friend) & Byakuya (older brother), took her in for her stay in the Human World. It wouldn't be until later where she learned that her Gigai body that Kisuke Urahara gave her was only a shell to hide Aizen's target - The Hogyoku. Rukia was eventually saved by Ichigo & his friends and though she's grateful for life being saved, she was ready to face execution without any regrets. After Ichigo & Byakuya's intense and badass one-on-one battle, Byakuya explained to Rukia the origins of her past - him being Rukia's adoptive older brother & of Hisana's fate. Soon after, Rukia would play a pivotal role in Bleach as Ichigo's right-hand. During the Arrancar Arc, she showcases her Zanpaktou for the first time - Sode no Shirayuki against D-roy (but was no match for 6th Espada, Grimmjow) and beating the 9th Espada, Aaroniero (who utilized Kaien's Zanpaktou and kept appearance from hollow). She helped out in Hueco Mundo by fighting Rudborrn & Yammy, but later would be saved by Ichigo's friends, Byakuya, & Kenpachi. After Ichigo loses his powers, Rukia is last seen disappearing from Ichigo's sight (this indicates that Ichigo can no longer see spirits). However, it wouldn't be long before Rukia reappears once more when she restores Ichigo's power with a sword imbedded with the reiatsu of the Shinigami from the Gotei 13. She plays a more pivotal role during the bloody war between the Shinigami & Sternritter as she finally achieved Bankai (as well as being Lieutenant of the 13th Division) ~ defeating As Nodt in the process as a result of her stay with the 0 Division & training intensely to help out Ichigo & his allies. She currently, alongside other Shinigami, are fending off against various Sternritter in hopes that Ichigo will thwart Yhwach's plans. 

Backstory/Role in Story (Sub-Zero)

*The name “Sub-Zero” is a codename and in the original timeline, there were two Sub-Zeroes that were actually brothers and in the alternate timeline, there’s going to be a third incarnation of Sub-Zero for MKX considering the second Sub-Zero turned into a cyborg ninja in MK9 and died (I know it’s confusing). So for storyline purposes for this section, I’m going to go with the longest tenured Sub-Zero in terms of appearances in installments and that happens to be the younger, second incarnation of Sub-Zero.*

So this second incarnation of Sub-Zero is identified by his real name, Kuai Liang, who previously went by the codename, “Tundra”, donned the Sub-Zero codename after he found that his older brother, Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero, who would later became known as the dark, shadowy Wraith, Noob Saibot to distinct the two, failed his task to assassinate Shang Tsung and met death at the hands of the vengeful Scorpion in the first Mortal Kombat. Liang, under the Sub-Zero codename, entered Outworld, along with his Lin Kuei friend, Smoke to fulfill the task that his brother failed to do. When Scorpion found out Sub-Zero had returned, he ascended from the Netherrealm again to best his rival twice only to soon find out that this was not the same Sub-Zero that killed him and his whole Shirai Ryu clan off as he witnessed the younger brother spare his opponent’s life during the tournament. After witnessing such events, Scorpion spared the younger Sub-Zero, promising not to harm him, although it left the Lin Kuei ninja confused as to why the vengeful Wraith didn’t kill him. Unfortunately, Sub-Zero and Smoke didn’t fulfill the task to kill Shang Tsung, they did help their fellow Earthrealm forces defeat Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld. Leading up to the events of MK3, the Lin Kuei obtained greater technology to turn their warriors into vicious killing machines. The Lin Kuei volunteered four ninjas in their clan and the younger Sub-Zero was one of those volunteers along with Smoke and two other ninjas, Sektor and Cyrax. Sub-Zero and Smoke refused to volunteer and ran away, breaking the Lin Kuei code and branded traitors. Although Sub-Zero escaped, his friend Smoke was captured and was automated. The three cyborg ninjas were now tasked with a prime directive to hunt and kill Sub-Zero, while at the same time Sub-Zero received a vision from Raiden about the impending invasion Shao Kahn was about to plot. When that time happened, Sub-Zero was among the chosen warriors whose soul was spared to battle Kahn. Instead, he battled Sektor, Cyrax, and Smoke. Sub-Zero managed to help Smoke regain his human consciousness and they fought side-by-side against Sektor and Cyrax. Sektor’s fate was unknown, but Cyrax was reprogrammed by Sub-Zero to hunt down Shao Kahn, though he was never heard from again after he wandered in the Jade Desert. As for Smoke, he was captured again and imprisoned by Shao Kahn and the forces of Outworld.

During Shinnok’s threat, Sub-Zero encountered the Shirai Ryu ninja, Scorpion was again convinced that this is the same Sub-Zero that killed his clan after Quan Chi deceived him to think that idea once again. When Scorpion was about to finish off the younger Sub-Zero, Scorpion turned his attention to Quan Chi and transported him to the Netherrealm to chase him down relentlessly after the sorcerer prematurely admitted that he was the one who killed off his clan. That put the rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero to a halt for now. When Sub-Zero returned to the Lin Kuei, he found out the Grand Master was killed by Sektor and stole the Dragon Medallion (artifact representing leadership in the Lin Kuei). Sub-Zero challenged Sektor in an intense battle and bested the cyborg ninja. With the Dragon Medallion in his hands, Sub-Zero’s cryomancer powers were enhanced and he began reforming the Lin Kuei clan to become a force for good. He held a tournament to recruit the best warriors and was intrigued by a female warrior, Frost. Sub-Zero took Frost in as his apprentice, but the relationship was short-lived as master and apprentice had conflict of philosophies and Frost seemingly butted heads with Sub-Zero’s fellow Earthrealm warriors from the Forces of Light. When the warriors were separated in Outworld, Frost seized the Dragon Medallion from Sub-Zero, but the Medallion used her own power against her, seemingly killing her. Sub-Zero then placed blame on himself for failing to teach Frost his ways and proceeded to search for a burial place for his apprentice. As he ventured into Outworld, he encountered ruins of a civilization that was able to manipulate the ice and the cold, the Cryomancers and that’s when Sub-Zero found out his true heritage. After burying Frost, he then proceeded to rendezvous with Raiden’s forces, donning a new suit that belonged to the ancient Cryomancers and with his powers enhanced. He was ambushed by a Tarkatan horde and was pursued by the Seidan, Hotaru. Sub-Zero came across a wounded Kenshi and saved his life, then Kenshi returned the favor by defeating Hotaru after Hotaru temporarily blinded Sub-Zero. When Shujinko gathered the remaining Earthrealm warriors to venture into Outworld and battle the great threat that is the Dragon King Onaga, Sub-Zero came across Sareena, a Netherrealm native who helped his brother defeat Quan Chi. The two encountered two of Sub-Zero’s known acquaintances, Smoke, his best friend, and his older brother, Noob Saibot, the original Sub-Zero. The Lin Kuei Grandmaster was overpowered by the combined might of his best friend and brother until Sareena jumped in and rescued him before returning to the depths of the Netherrealm. Upon returning to the Lin Kuei temple in Earthrealm, Sub-Zero found his subordinates killed by a conscious, instable Frost. Sub-Zero froze up Frost and locked her ice block deep within the temple. In Armageddon, Sub-Zero challenged the half-blood, Taven after finding out he bested his Lin Kuei warriors as he was searching in the temple for a gift his mother left behind. The two later became allies when Noob Saibot and Smoke arrived, but were bested in battle. Sub-Zero offered his gratitude to the half-blood and gave out the location of the Red Dragon clan, who are continuously attacking Taven for no apparent reason. He joined the forces of Light during the all-out war and battled Scorpion. In MK9, his fate was revealed that he died after being stabbed in the back by Baraka’s Tarkatan Blade while he was battling Scorpion, who was also dead. For a little bonus, Sub-Zero was captured in MK9 in place of Smoke as Raiden allowed it to alternate the timeline to prevent Shao Kahn’s victory during Armageddon. He became Cyber Sub-Zero, but ultimately he was killed when the Earthrealm warriors faltered during the battle against Sindel.

Powers/Abilities (Rukia Kuchiki)

Rukia's Zanpaktou, Sode No Shirayuki, is a ice-based Zanpaktou allows her to bring her body temperature to temperatures below zero and anything her sword comes in contact with freezes. She is able to temporarily fight in a "Dead" state due to her Zanpaktou abilities. Her Zanpaktou has a variety of attacks relating to ice called "Dances" and each has different and unique abilities such as freezing someone within her field of vision or firing ice directly at her opponents. She also has Bankai called Hakka no Togame, which allows her to reach temperatures below zero and everything around her is covered in ice (As Nodt's demise). She is also seen being proficient in Kido, Shunpo, & has gotten exceptionally stronger - going from a lower seat in the 13th Division to eventual Lieutenant. 

Powers/Abilities (Sub-Zero)

Considering Sub-Zero is a descendant of a Cryomancer race in Outworld like his brother, he has the ability to control and manipulate ice in many forms. Though his basic move is the Ice Blast were he freezes up his opponent for a temporary period of time, Sub-Zero has shown that he is able to utilize his ice abilities to the highest degree such as the ability to draw up an ice statue of himself as a trap for the opponents to touch it. Ever since he assumed the title of Lin Kuei Grandmaster and possessed the Dragon Medallion, his powers and abilities enhance significantly and as a Lin Kuei, ninja, he has shown great prowess as a hand-to-hand kombatant excelling in the fighting styles of Shotokan and Dragon. Again, by possessing the Dragon Medallion and later donning his ancestor’s armor in Deception, his hand-to-hand skills and powers increase even more. It is said that Sub-Zero has a mix of transforming his body into a solid state or into a liquid state (T-1000 much) and can pretty much morph it into solid ice as well. According to Raiden, Sub-Zero’s abilities has transcended a lot that he has surpassed his older brother. His weapon of choice is the Kori Blade, which is an ice sword Sub-Zero made himself by frozen water vapor. His notable fatalities? There’s a lot of them: the Snowball Grenade, where he creates a small ice ball and throws it a his opponent, causing half his body to explode after contact, the Ice Shatter, deep freezing his opponent and shattering his/her body with a devastating uppercut, the Overhead Ice Smash, where he grabs his opponent, freezing them and breaking them apart with his own hands, the Spine Rip made famous by his older brother, where he doesn’t use ice powers at all, just shear force to rip out the head and spine, Freeze and Throw, where he freezes the opponent’s whole body up, rips his/her head out and throws it back, shattering the ice stature, and Below Freezing where he freezes up the leg to torso area, sweep kicks it, shattering half of his opponent’s body then proceeding to finish him/her off with a stomp kick to the head. I won’t emphasize Cyber Sub-Zero’s abilities much, but since they’re the same character, I will acknowledge it. As Cyber Sub-Zero, he still has his trademark abilities intact, but cybernetics he is able to have greater strength hence why he is able to match not only against the cyborgs Sektor and Cyrax, but also against the stronger Shokans as he battled Goro and Kintaro at the same time and he’s able to fire ice blasts in his chest cavity.

Verdict (By Stillmattic) 

And the winner is...

In terms of powers & abilities, these two are neck-in-neck and it became rather difficult to decide who'd win in a fight. Both are 8@D@$$E$ in their own right + are pretty much a Mascot from their respective franchises. However, this came down to one element aside from powers/abilities ~ Story. What drives any character is their motivation, but we have to start from the ground up with anyone and that's the fascinating part of literature ~ the element of story is the identity of a character's moral ground. The intrinsic nature of any character's backstory is based on the idea that that person plays a pivotal role and we, as the audience, are being invested with that person as if it were a real person ~ we feel the need for connection in both fiction and nonfiction. Stories are powerful and it's no doubt that these two's backstories are compelling, intriguing, and overall deep. However, which story has more drive? Which story has more intrinsic value to the character's development? In this case, it came down to tragedy (Rukia) vs. complexity (Sub-Zero). With MK's Sub-Zero, there's both an alternative & original storyline to his character ~ diving into the idea of two brothers with the same abilities & same Sub-Zero name. With Bleach, there is no such thing as an alternative ~ only a storyline driven into a character and then developing the gravitas of that character's importance to the current storyline. The complexity of a character's storyline has much more emphasis that a character whose been through tragedy. Despite the tragedy being there, it's built from the ground up so that we may see what may come of him/her as they grow and mature and learn from their backstory. With the complexity, it's more compelling to see this vs that scenario (in this case, original vs. alternative stories of Sub-Zero), it gives the audience a different perspective and showcases the gravitas of that person's actions and decisions made in their story. As I said before, between a blank slate and a full plate ~ A full, yet complex plate could be far more interesting than a blank yet tragic slate ~ it works both ways, but in this case ~ SUB-ZERO WINS! 

So who do you think won? Sub-Below temperatures Zero from MK or Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach? Comment below and let us know. As always, look forward to Bleach Rounds every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday throughout July 4th-August 25th. This following Wednesday's verdict + Round will be handpicked by me (along with WBCR) while Friday, Monday, & Wednesday will be handpicked by MechG. Until then, you all stay classy now. Here's the current Scoreboard for BK Month:

1) Jax Briggs vs. Yasutora "Chad" Sado ~ MK (July 4th)

2) Jade vs. Yoruichi Shihoin ~ Bleach (July 7th)

3) Johnny Cage vs. Mask De Masculine ~ MK (July 9th)

4) Sonya Blade vs. Sui-Feng ~ Bleach (July 11th)

5) Kenshi vs. Byakuya Kuchiki ~ Bleach (July 14th)

6) Mileena vs. Bambietta Basterbine ~ Bleach (July 16)

7) Kung Lao vs. Uryu Ishida ~ Bleach (July 18th)

8) Reptile vs. Sajin Komamura ~ Bleach (July 21st)

9) Sektor vs. Renji Abarai ~ Bleach (July 23rd)

10) Sindel vs. Tier Harribel ~ MK (July 25th) 

11) Sub-Zero vs. Rukia Kuchiki ~ MK (July 28th)

Bleach currently leads 7-4