Before Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition launched, I once found this funny bug where by reverting the game to Definitive Edition, Eagle’s name would be replaced by “Salmon” which is what I use for my profile background.
Whelp, what started as a mild hiccup in the game’s coding, inspired me to forge something within said universe of the game, giving it flesh.
And that creature, is something lurking within the very depths of the ocean. Those who traveled far, were hunted, gorged, and mutilated by these ancient warriors.
One, being their leader before their mass extinction, the one called, Salmon.
(Admittedly inspired by the fabled Sea Viper design from a dedicated Fan of Killer Instinct,
being a sea monster character who was in direct reference to “C Viper” ala Street Fighter 4.
Sadly this never appeared in the final game, as their stage would’ve been Spinal’s Shipwreck Shore.")
Plus I suppose Trident from Eternal Champions was also a small part of inspiration, including his Atlantis stage and proud Warrior like demeanor.
But for this interpretation of a “Sea Monster/Black Lagoon” creature, is one of a ruthless tribe of sea
warriors beneath the ocean depths. Also known as The Heart of the Sea. A massive pit where below,
is the last remanence of a once sunken empire, Atlantis.
Salmon, being a once noble chief of his clan, The Mermen, before he witnessed their entire extinction, and was forced to fight alone til’ the end of time. For he, is the only one that survived.
However, he guarded a very sacred rune artifact from their holiest of citadels. Until UltraTech, as nefarious as they are careless, invaded the scavenged tombs. Assuming nothing lived down there upon a recent expedition. But oh how wrong they were…
Sitting under solace, Salmon saw their invasion, and began sinking their submarines, killing those who were on board, to protect what’s left of his once fallen empire. The last Merman of his kind. But, one special unit of Subs captured the holy rune, escaping just before a massive sea Kraken took hold. The submarine survived, allowing UltraTech to keep their prized possession under wraps for further examination.
Salmon, was dragged by the kraken away from the skirmish. And was swallowed whole.
Slicing the large leviathan open with his hunting knife, he broke free. Therefore his new mission, retrieve his sacred artifact from Ultratech, while Killing anyone who stands in his way on the surface world.
So is the code of Merman.
"Challengers do not cast fear,
nor we do Not cast cowardice.
For we are hunters of the deep.
We plunge and plunder the terror into the abyss,
and rise above all who oppose us ,to The Heart of the Sea!
I, am Salmon.
And We. Are. Champions!"
Ontop of dealing with UltraTech’s mishaps, now Salmon will face astral dimensional Gods, Werewolves, Velociraptors, Titan Golems, and many more… when he is victorious, will he help the aid of Earth during Gargos’ invasion? Or will he declare himself a Lord for his own underhanded motives, overruling all who destroyed Atlantis all those centuries ago… taking revenge upon the surface world for their sacrifices.
Soon, will be determined.
For character theme song inspiration, since KI 2013 had a very heavy and amped up soundtrack for all it’s characters, for reference of this monster, I decided on Surf of Syn by GWAR.
The “surfer guitar” and eerie vibe of the song, to me, fits very well with how his stage would be presented. Being casted near the empty ocean near a roaring water pit, with a ■■■■■■ off fishman ready to rip you apart.
Plus for his voice, the lyrics of the song (sung by Cardinayl Syn of Gwar’s band) fits perfectly of how I’d want Salmon to talk. Very monstrous but also vicious in how he delivers his threats, like a savage creature fighting for survival.
Almost as if Salmon himself is singing the song, but not really… He’s only shouting orders during his prime when his soldiers were still alive, the guitar just so happens to riff what he’s saying into a dramatic war theme. Having the song itself appear alive within the Killer Instinct universe, rather than just a generic theme.
Least, that’s just how I’d envision it, had it been real. Trying to add some thought to why I’d include something, you know? Instead of just being random…
Plus these lyrics in particular fit his overall character in my opinion…
“Unsheathe the sword! Call the Death Squad!”
“Unleash the dogs! Get on your knees! Make me your God!”
“Numb the Beast, Sound the Horn! Suffer the man, bring me your first born!”
And, seeing how Killer Instinct 2013’s soundtrack is interactable depending on what you do in-game, here’s how I would picture the song if it were in a Killer Kuts, of sorts.
Interactive Song In-Gameplay
- Intro (0:00 - 0:28)
- In Game Battle (0:29 - 2:04)
- Amped Up (Higher combos) (3:21 - 3:50)
- Idle State (2:05 - 3:20)
- Danger State!! (3:51 - 4:22)
Fight Intro))
- All we see is a large dead fish plop onto the stage upon entrance. A large bite was chomped from its ribs as it flops in agony and blood, there we see the large creature who dropped it. Slowly walking onto the stage, dripping with water and fishing nets, drool leaking from his ginormous gaping mouth, he says… in a deep, brutish, monstrous voice…
“So you choose to die… gooood… I’ll bury you under the abyss!!”
(((Then proceeds to get in his fighting stance. Ready to kill.)))
------------------------
Fight Outro))
- Salmon Snarls as begins to rise up from a hunched-over stance. Then with an evil expression, says…
“GrrrrrGh… Mere child’s play…”
(((After saying it, begrudgingly, he lunges at the camera ready for his next feast! Before freezeframing on the disturbing monster, mouth gaped open with sharp razor teeth exposed.)))
Stage = The Heart of the Sea))
Now for the fun part, his stage and it’s finisher. The Heart of The Sea. The entrance to his home domain. The stage itself is on a rocky terrain, a pathway-like bridge where the fighters stand. Outside on a clear sunny day, the skies slowly turns into a darken cloudy rainstorm as the fight progresses. With huge tidal waves in the background as the fight intensifies.
Behind them, nothing but the large ocean. Starring back at the players with its deep blue gaze. Outside the bridge section however, the gaping hole/waterfall pit.
But as a little easter egg, similar to Sadira’s “Lochness Monster” in Assassins Cave, the Kraken’s tentacles will rise in the background in the far distance, after a certain time of waiting passes as the fight goes on. A dreadful foreshadow to what the stage fatality offers…
However, the pit is extremely dangerous, assumed to be nearly 200 feet below the earth’s ocean. When the winner stands in a certain spot near an Ultra Combo, the winner uppercuts the loser, as they
fall down into the roaring waters below, but just as they’re falling, the Kraken’s giant Tentacle rises and SNATCHES them, wrapping them up before pulling them down into the dark hole. Assuming the worst outcome.
Somewhat inspired by MKX’s The Kove fatality.
Whelp with that said, again just a dumb rough concept of what I would imagine something named “Salmon” would be, in the current Reboot of Killer Instinct.
I suppose for his “Retro/Classic” attire, they could simplify his body type a bit, so he looks more “Creature from the Black Lagoon/Humanoid Fish Monster” like. Something you could easily see being in the original Killer Instinct arcade games ofc. Early renders and all.
Very cool!
