Sub-zero

Bio:

  • Name: Kuai Liang
  • Height: 6’2″
  • Weight : 230 lbs
  • Species: Human/cryomancer
  • Origin: Earthrealm (i think)
  • Eye Color: Pale Blue
  • Status: Grandmaster
  • Alignment: Good

Kuai Liang is Sub-Zero, a half American, half Chinese warrior who belongs to the ancient Outworld race known as the Cryomancers. He was originally known as Tundra. The original Sub-Zero was Kuai Liang’s older brother and an assassin for the Lin Kuei. He was murdered by Scorpion, and in honor of his brother, Kuai Liang took the name Sub-Zero. Kuai Liang himself is an honorable man and is one of Earthrealm’s most valuable defenders.

Mortal kombat 2

Kuai Liang was sent to Outworld by the Lin Kuei to complete his older brother’s assignment and compete in the second Mortal Kombat tournament. Scorpion saw a glimpse of this new Sub-Zero and continued to hold a grudge against him as he believed him to be the same man that had killed him a few years before. However, his belief was dispelled when he witnessed Sub-Zero spare the life of a defeated opponent during the tournament. Scorpion then came to the realization that this new Sub-Zero was the younger brother of his murderer, and unbeknownst to Sub-Zero, swore not to harm him. Though Sub-Zero never came to face Shang Tsung himself, he successfully assisted Liu Kang, Raiden, Johnny Cage, and their allies in Liu Kang’s battle with Kahn.

Mortal Kombat 3

The Lin Kuei obtained technology that could vastly improve the effectiveness of their warriors. They chose four of their own to undergo the procedure that would convert them into cyborgs; Sub-Zero, Smoke, Cyrax, and Sektor. All but Sektor refused to participate, and fled the clan. The Lin Kuei later declared them traitors. While Sub-Zero successfully managed to escape, Smoke was captured and subsequently turned into a cyborg along with Cyrax and the very willing Sektor. In leaving the clan, Sub-Zero had broken the Lin Kuei code of honor. After Smoke’s automation, the Lin Kuei programmed the three cyborg assassins to hunt and terminate Sub-Zero, who by this time had received a vision from Raiden and agreed to join the rebellion against a new threat.

The armies of Shao Kahn attacked Earthrealm, and Sub-Zero was among the few mortals whose souls were spared so they could fight Kahn and his extermination squads. These events also signaled the beginning of Sub-Zero’s transition to a greater moral consciousness. Sub-Zero eventually encountered Smoke and convinced him that he still had a soul, which then overrode Smoke’s Lin Kuei programming.

With his new ally, Smoke, Sub-Zero battled and defeated both Sektor and Cyrax. Instead of destroying Cyrax’s CPU, he reprogrammed the cyborg to hunt and terminate Shao Khan. Eventually, the Earthrealm warriors were victorious and Earth was restored to its normal state.

Mortal Kombat 4/Mortal Kombat Gold

When the banished Elder God Shinnok threatened Earthrealm, Raiden once again summoned Sub-Zero to assist in the defense of Earth. Sub-Zero donned his sibling’s uniform, and brought to the battle information passed to him which could prove essential to Raiden and his mission to stop Shinnok. In the meantime, Quan Chi had convinced Scorpion that Sub-Zero still retained some accountability for the destruction of the Shirai Ryu. This in turn gave the Hell spawn motivation to break his vow. Sub-Zero met Scorpion in Goro’s Lair and the two fought. The spectre eventually gained the upper hand and defeated Lin Kuei warrior. When it seemed that Scorpion was going to kill Sub-Zero, Kuai Liang revealed that he had no role in the murder of Scorpion’s family. Quan Chi, convinced that Sub-Zero was about to die anyway, readily admitted All he had done to Scorpion’s tribe and family. The treacherous sorcerer would then be transported to the Netherrealm and unrelentingly hunted by Scorpion.

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

Some time after the events of MK4 the cyborg ,Sektor, assassinated the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and challenged Sub-Zero to a fight for the leadership. Realizing how great an opportunity this was, as well as recognizing Sektor as a threat to Earthrealm, Sub-Zero accepted the challenge and defeated him. Sub-Zero would come into possession of the Dragon Medallion, which enhanced his freezing powers to levels he had never thought possible.

Great changes were made to the Lin Kuei after Sub-Zero’s victory. He moved his clan to a remote area in the arctic where they would not be disrupted. From there they began training as a force for good, teaching his students formidable fighting skills but with the value of life in mind. The Lin Kuei became enlightened warriors rather than mindless assassins.

Sub-Zero held a tournament at the Lin Kuei headquarters in order to recruit strong warriors. A female who surprisingly harnessed the same freezing powers as Sub-Zero emerged as the winner. Impressed by her exceptional skill, Sub-Zero made Frost his apprentice. While she was a superb fighter, Frost did not agree with Sub-Zero’s philosophies and appeared arrogant and rash. Frost’s demeanor would generate some friction between her and Sub-Zero’s allies, specifically Sonya.

After Liu Kang’s murder at the hands of the newly formed Deadly Alliance, Raiden asked Sub-Zero to join him to fight for Earthrealm’s survival. Surprised at the tragic news, Sub-Zero agreed, but mainly for personal reasons. The self appointed grandmaster wanted to prove his worth to himself, and his clan.

When Sub-Zero and Frost were separated from the other Earthrealm warriors on Outworld, the Grandmaster’s protégé attempted to steal the Dragon Medallion. Unable to control the medallion’s powerful energies, she was consumed by her own freezing abilities and seemingly died. Sub-Zero placed the blame squarely on his own shoulders for her death. Kuai Liang felt he had failed to dampen her pride and teach her the same philosophies of life he had.

Mortal Kombat: Deception

As he searched for a place to bury Frost, he encountered the ruins of an Outworld civilization capable of manipulating cold. After careful study and examination of this race, the Cryomancers, he came to the realization that he and Frost were descendants of this race. The grandmaster Buried and forgave her. Sub-Zero donned an ancient suit of armor found in the ruins before leaving, enhancing his powers further. Sub-zero set out for Earthrealm to report to Raiden.

On his way through Outworld, he was attacked by a group of Tarkatan warriors. Hotaru pursued Subzero after he had eliminated the warriors and found the deadly wounded swordsman Kenshi. Sub-zero managed to save his life, to which the blind swordsmen relayed grave news regarding Raiden and his forces. They decided to return to Earthrealm together, but not before Hotaru assaulted them. He temporary blinded Sub-Zero, forcing Kenshi to take action. They defeated Hotaru and continued on their way.

Sub-Zero once again ventured back into Outworld where he soon ran into Sareena. For assisting his brother in the Netherrealm many years ago, he offered her asylum at the Lin Kuei. Sareena was given a small metallic object that would guide her to the hidden Lin Kuei temple. Noob Saibot and smoke were then spotted by the two, disappearing into the Netherrealm. Sub-Zero ordered Sareena to wait for him at Lin Kuei temple before pursuing them. Noob and Smoke knew they were being followed and ambushed Sub-Zero in the Netherrealm. The Grandmaster was overpowered until Sareena jumped in and fended off Sub-Zero’s attackers. Unfortunately, Sub-Zero was left unconscious. Upon waking, Sareena had reverted back to her demonic form. The very confused Sub-Zero attacked Sareena who fled to the depths of the Netherrealm.

Mortal Kombat: Unchained

Upon returning to the Lin Kuei temple in Earthrealm, Sub-Zero discovered many of his fellow Lin Kuei slain by a highly delusional Frost. She was still very much alive when her master buried her, and had now returned seeking revenge. Sub-Zero froze the highly unstable Frost in a solid block of ice and placed her frozen body at a shrine deep in the temple.

Armageddon

Taven’s quest brings him to the Lin Kuei who are now housed in what used to be his father’s temple. Sub-Zero challenges Taven to a fight, after the latter invades the Lin Kuei Palace. Before the outcome of the battle could be decided, Sub-Zero takes notice of the dragon tattoo he had on his face. He took note that it was similar to the symbol on the vault door containing armor Taven’s mother left for him.

Taven acquires the armor as the Lin Kuei Palace is invaded once again, this time by Noob Saibot and Smoke. They begin turning the Lin Kuei warriors into cyborg demons. Sub-Zero asks Taven to choose sides and Taven helps defeat the demons. Taven defeats the two fallen Lin Kuei warriors, and Sub-Zero shows his thanks by revealing the location of the Red Dragon Clan’s stronghold. Sub-Zero then attempts to cleanse his brother’s soul, it is unknown as to whether he is successful.

He is seen in the final battle of Edenia joining the Forces of Light. During the battle, he is seen fighting his long time rival Scorpion and ends up killing him. He is later seen dead with Baraka’s blade stuck in his back. His death would later be reversed in Mortal Kombat 9.

Mortal Kombat 9

Sub-Zero returns in this altered timeline to find his brother’s killer, while being accompanied by Smoke. Sub-Zero defeats many powerful warriors along the way until finally facing off against Scorpion in Shao Kahn’s Mortal Kombat tournament. He defeats Scorpion but is abducted by the Lin Kuei cyborgs and teleported away to be transformed into a mindless robot Later on. The Earthrealm warriors find Sub-Zero but as a robot slave for the Lin Kuei. They take cybernetic cryomancer back to their safe zone and restore his mind and soul.

Sub-Zero faces more warriors in his new body including his brother who is now Noob Saibot. He defeats him in battle and returns back to the safe zone. Unfortunately, he is suddenly killed along with nearly every other protector of Earthrealm by the corrupted Queen Sindel.

Mortal Kombat X

Sub-Zero appears Mortal Kombat X as leader of the Lin Kuei, using his clan’s resources as a force for Earthrealm’s protection. He is first a corrupt version of himself following his death at the hands of Queen Sindel. Sub-zero is reverted back to his normal form thanks to Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage. He acts as a grandfather to the young Earthrealm warriors and is good friends with Johnny Cage.

Powers and Abilities

Being the descendant of the cryomancers, Sub-Zero possesses power over ice and the ability to control it in many forms. He can flash-freeze people and create an ice statue of himself to act as a scapegoat that can flash-freeze opponents. With the Dragon Medallion, Sub-Zero can form a large sword made of ice called the Kori Blade, which he uses for his alternate weapon fighting style. He also has great martial arts skills thanks to his training with the Lin Kuei and these skills are increased by the Dragon Medallion and his ancestral armor. Sub-Zero can even freeze the moisture in the air into any form, including an icy mist, indicating that he can freeze molecules.

In his ending in Deception, his Cryomancer armor was shown to speak to him and guide him in battle.