Scorpion is from a Japanese clan called the Shirai Ryu from Osaka. "Scorpion" was his code name, given to the greatest ninja in the clan. His father, whom used to be a member, initially forbade his son to join the clan because he didn’t want his son to live a life of a ninja, Hanzo however joined anyway in order to provide for his family. He was hired by Quan-Chi to find a map somewhere hidden in the Himalayas. Secretly, Quan Chi also hired Sub-Zero from the Lin Kuei, rivals and enemies of the Shirai Ryu.

Quan Chi thought if he hired two it would increase his chances of finding Shinnok's amilet, just in case if one of them fail. When Scorpion got to the Himalayas he encountered Sub-Zero got their at the same time, they both fight for their prize and Sub-Zero killed Scorpion.

Scorpion is fortunate however that Sub-Zero was sent to the Netherrealm by Raiden to retrieve Shinnok's amulet. They both met and fought; Sub-Zero wins again and escapes. Scorpion follows Sub-Zero back to earth and participates in Shang Tsung's tournament. The two met again on Shang Tsung's boat and Scorpion grabbed Sub-Zero by the throat and said:

"You killed me in cold blood exactly two years ago, to this day, but my demons have allowed me to avenge my death. I could kill you at this moment, but I am not a murderer. We will meet at the tournament, and then, Lin Kuei warrior, you will pay with your life."

They didn’t meet in the tournament, but they did meet in the closing of Mortal Kombat. This time they battle to the death. Scorpion won the battle and avenged his death. Then, he violently blast into flames and ash, and is sent back to the Netherrealm.

A year after that happened; Scorpion heard Sub-Zero was going to enter the second tournament. He was furious that Sub-Zero was still alive. Scorpion followed Sub-Zero to the realm of Outworld, this time Shao Kahn was the host. No body knows if they met in the tournament, but Scorpion saw Sub-Zero sparing the life of an opponent. Scorpion didn’t understand why, but Scorpion realizes that this is Sub-Zero's younger brother completing an unfinished mission. Scorpion then vowed to protect the younger Sub-Zero in retribution for killing his brother and returned to the Netherealm.

When Shao Kahn failed to take the souls from Earth's Hell during his invasion, Scorpion was released and Shao Kahn managed to convince him to fight on his side. However once Scorpion realized Sub-Zero was one of Shao Kahn's enemies, Scorpion turned on the emperor. After things returned to normal, Scorpion returned to the Netherealm.

When Shinnok prepared to attack the Heavens, Quan Chi offered Scorpion life in return for his service. Scorpion accepted. But, Quan Chi revealed grizzly news to Scorpion... that the Lin Kuei had massacred the Shirai Ryu and his family. Scorpion once again sought revenge and defeated Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero insisted of the Lin Kuei's innocence and Quan Chi appeared and confirmed this, revealing that he was the one that slaughtered his clan and family and, with the defeat of Sub-Zero, no longer had need of him and was about to return him to the Netherealm, but Scorpion grabbed Quan Chi and brought both of them to the deepest pits.

In the Netherealm, Quan Chi would be hunted, beaten and tortured by Scorpion. Quan Chi was unlikely to escape because his powers grew weaker in that realm, but Scorpion's powers grew stronger. Quan Chi made a deal with the Oni Drahmin and Moloch to protect him from Scorpion in return for helping them escape. Quan Chi eventually escaped and Scorpion followed after, but he would appear far away from Quan Chi and had to find him. He eventually snuck into Quan Chi's and Shang Tsung's fortress but was ambushed and eventually beaten by Drahmin and Moloch. Unable to eat or kill the ninja specter, they decided to throw him in the Soulnado which Quan Chi had created and the souls attempted to tear Scorpion apart.

But, Scorpion managed to escape through the void before being ripped apart. There he met the Elder Gods who he never thought existed. From there he saw Raiden's sacrifice and Onaga's rise to power. The Elder Gods knew this would happen and turned Scorpion into their champion and gave him a task: destroy Onaga. Scorpion accepted and returned to Outworld.

POWERS

He has the ability to teleport and spew flames. He also possesses a kunai attached to a rope, which he throws at opponents to kill or drag towards himself.

Blood Spear: Blasting out a rope, that has a very sharp knife at the end. Scorpion either kills the rival and strikes him in the head to get it over with. Or he could strike the rival in the chest, giving Scorpion to pull the rival over and get a free blind spot hit. This is one of Scorpion's most popular attacks,and comes with the phrase,"Come Here!" or "Get Over Here!". In other media,the blood spear can be a living,metallic creature that shoots out of slits in his hands.

Teloport Attack/HellFire Punch: Scorpion teleports in a firey teleport, he appears behind the rival and throws a mean punch.

Aerial Black Teleport Punch: Scorpion teleports in a firey teleport. He appears behind the rival and gives a flame punch, lifting the rival in the air.

Leg Takedown: Scorpion trips the rival in a scissor like formation.

Air Throw: While in the air Scorpion grabs the rival and tosses him thrustfully.

Breathe Fire: Scorpion removes his mask showing his hell flaming skull, he spits out fire on the rival. This is another of Scorpion's popular special attacks.

HellFire: Scorpion summons the flaming fire from hell above the ground and burn his rival.

BlackFlip Kick: Scorpion does a summersault kick, while his foot is flaming he kicks the rival hitting him with fire and leaving a trail of fire behind him.

Deadly Fatalities

Toasty: In this deadly move Scorpion takes off his mask, showing his hellspawned skull. Scorpion then breathes fire out of his mouth burning the rival alive, eventually making him explode in a fiery blood bath.

Spear Slice: Scorpion takes out a special knife, and slices the rival's throat, then the poor rival gets sliced in the hip in half, making the rival fall on the ground. This was changed in the game Mortal Kombat: Shoalin Monks. Scorpion carries th knife with a backhand angle and stabs, the rival in the stomach ripping it across the rival. Then Scorpion rips of the rival's body from the waist and up, and raises it high in the air for his glory in victory.

Weapons

Scorpion's Spear