Sub-Zero

NOTE: Not to be confused with the original, the elder brother, Bi-Han, who became Noob Saibot. This is about his younger brother, Kuai Liang!
Kuai Liang (奎良), better known as Sub-Zero (絶対零度, "Absolute Zero"), Grandmaster (of the Lin Kuei), and formerly known as Tundra and briefly as the cyborg LK-52O, is the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei assassin clan in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.
Kuai Liang made his playable debut in Mortal Kombat II as the younger brother of Bi-Han, who was the original Sub-Zero in the first Mortal Kombat game. He takes the mantle of Sub-Zero in his later appearances in the series but reappears under his original alias of Tundra in Mortal Kombat (2011) before again going under the mantle of Sub-Zero. 
Kuai Liang would become a frequent supporting character after his debut. He would later end the long-standing rivalry between the Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu after becoming Grandmaster and making peace with his rival Scorpion.
== About Sub-Zero ==
There are two incarnations of Sub-Zero, both of whom are siblings: older brother Bi-Han, and younger brother Kuai Liang. Both are blue garbed warriors who, at different times, have used the codename "Sub-Zero", and both are members of the Lin Kuei. They are descended from Cryomancers, an exiled Edenian race possessing the ability to generate and control ice. However, they were born in Earthrealm and only the younger Sub-Zero would discover his heritage (in the original timeline). 
Kuai Liang bears a scar on his right eye. In the original timeline, he received it sometime prior to the events of Mortal Kombat 3. However, as seen in Deception, the scar eventually faded away, possibly as a result of the Dragon Medallion's power. In the second timeline, revealed in the Mortal Kombat X comic series, it was Kano who created the scar.
Bi-Han and Kuai Liang were born to a Cryomancer father and a Chinese American human mother. Their father was a secret operative for the Lin Kuei in the United States, eventually taking both sons back with him to China, against their mother's wishes. The brothers would then be trained as Lin Kuei assassins. However, in Sub-Zero's trailer for Mortal Kombat 2011, the siblings' background stories are retconned that both brothers were kidnapped by the Lin Kuei when they were still children.
Bi-Han appeared as Sub-Zero in the first Mortal Kombat tournament, while Kuai Liang went by the codename "Tundra". After Bi-Han was killed by Scorpion, Kuai Liang swore to avenge him and took his brother's former codename "Sub-Zero" as a means of honoring his brother. He entered the second Mortal Kombat with only one goal in mind: hunting down his brother's killer.
Kuai Liang would bear the name Sub-Zero in all future games, whereas Bi-Han would be resurrected as a wraith by Quan Chi and given the name Noob Saibot.
Although both share traits in common, the two brothers differ significantly in many ways. Kuai Liang comes off as a menacing, stern, distant, and cold man who prefers to remain in the shadows, not unlike his elder brother. However, Kuai Liang is more serious, disciplined, humane, and honorable than Bi-Han ever was. In contrast to his older brother, who eventually succumbed to darkness, the younger Sub-Zero remained firmly on the side of justice. This vast disparity caused the two siblings to disown one another, stating "we share blood, we are not brothers".
Kuai Liang's strong moral principles have also brought him into conflict with his own clan. Horrified by the Lin Kuei's cyberization initiative, Kuai Liang openly rebelled and eventually left the clan altogether in horror and disgust, thereby breaking the sacred codes of honor. In response, his former clan marked him for death, programming Cyrax, Sektor, and his former friend Smoke to hunt down and terminate him. Kuai Liang subsequently joined Liu Kang, Raiden, and Earthrealm's other defenders in the struggle against Shao Kahn.
In both timelines, the younger Sub-Zero defeated and killed Sektor, becoming the new Lin Kuei Grandmaster in the process. Under his stewardship, the Lin Kuei would be reformed and rebuilt into a force for good.
Like most of the MK cast, Kuai Liang follows a character archetype. In his case, he is the enigmatic hero who shows up to aid the protagonists when needed.
== About Cyber Sub-Zero ==
Cyber Sub-Zero replace Smoke, as a Cyborg, in the Second Timeline: Smoke was saved by Raiden from the Cyber Lin Kuei, but Sub-Zero was turned into a Cyborg against his will instead. He regained his soul almost right after automation, when he engaged Kabal in kombat, and helped the Earthrealm Warriors. He was later killed by Sindel, with his soul afterwards being one of the many claimed by Quan Chi, who later restored him to his human form after deeming technology unreliable. Unlike the other Cyborgs, Cyber Sub-Zero's blood is blue instead of black; there is no in-game explanation for why that is, but the assumption can be made that it is likely some kind of refrigerant.
Kuai Liang, who has taken the role of grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, invites Hanzo Hasashi at the Lin Kuei temple to make amends. Hanzo thinks it is a ruse to completely exterminate the Shirai Ryu from existence, because for the longest time, he thought the Lin Kuei was responsible for the extinction of his clan. Kuai Liang explains that the Lin Kuei's honor was already blemished even before the Cyber Initiative. All of a sudden, Frost appears to attack the former Scorpion, making Hanzo believe Kuai Liang did want to kill him and fights him.
With Hanzo about to kill Kuai Liang, Frost prepares for another sneak attack, but she is intercepted by Kuai Liang, encasing her in ice. To prove his sincerity, Kuai presents Hanzo Sektor's severed head and shows him the cyborg's preserved memories. It is revealed that it was actually Quan Chi, the very person Scorpion served as a revenant, who was responsible for the murder of the Shirai Ryu, Hanzo's wife Harumi and their son Satoshi. With the truth finally revealed to him, Hanzo and Kuai Liang have since gained mutual respect as allies.
Five years later, Kuai Liang is met by Cassie Cage and her team under orders from Cassie's father Johnny. Not wanting to converse with them, he and his warriors engage them in battle. Defeating Cassie and her team, Kuai reveals that the encounter is a test set up by him and Johnny, chastising Cassie's team's lack of unity while commenting that they have great potential.
Sub-Zero eventually horrifically witnesses the corruption of Earthrealm's Jinsei. Later when Cassie Cage and her team were ambushed by Kotal Kahn and his forces, Sub-Zero appeared along with his Lin Kuei warriors and said he would drive Kotal Kahn and his forces back to Outworld. And he successfully did so.
=== Mortal Kombat 11 ===
==== Part 1: Mortal Kombat 11 ====
When the time quake caused by Kronika occurred, Sub-Zero is the only survivor of his clan’s kidnapping and cyberized by a recently reorganized Cyber Lin Kuei, and both time-displaced, yet still cyberized Sektor and Cyrax are involved as well. Fearing Sektor will lead an attack on Shirai-Ryu like the last time, Sub-Zero immediately summons Scorpion for this emergency. Just as Scorpion arrived while Sub-Zero overlook the reestablished Cyber Lin Kuei Factory, Sub-Zero found a side entrance to the east of the factory. Once inside, they find Cyrax conversing with an unknown woman, only to find out it was a cyberized Frost. Scorpion and Sub-Zero defeat the traitorous Frost and eventually Cyrax before Noob Saibot appears much to the surprise of Sub-Zero and Scorpion, just as Noob reveals to them how he got revived twice by Quan Chi’s undying creations. They then defeat Bi-Han and eventually free Cyrax from his enslavement. During their conversation with Cyrax, Sektor eventually appears and attacks the trio. Eventually, Sub-Zero and Scorpion defeat Sektor. Before Cyrax sacrifices his circuits to shut new Cyber Lin Kuei’s cyborg productions at its factory, Sub-Zero ensures to welcome him to his new Lin Kuei, no matter what form until they find a way to restore the cyborg’s human form, as long as their human souls are still intact.
Due to not only his Lin Kuei Temple already been compromised, but also Raiden’s Sky Temple and Special Force HQ by attack from Kronika's forces, Sub-Zero and the other surviving Earthrrealm heroes begin to shelter at the Shirai-Ryu’s Fire Garden as their only known base left, where they learned that Shinnok is both Kronika's son and Cetrion's brother, including Kronika’s plan for her endless warring in all timelines. Sub-Zero accompanies Scorpion to Kharon's home while scouting the numbers of Kronika’s forces led by Cetrion in the Netherrealm, and was asked by Scorpion to return to Earthrrealm.
He is later seen with time-displaced Liu Kang, and surprised that time-displaced Scorpion arrived at the Fire Garden instead of his future-self. He and Raiden suspects the time-displaced Scorpion killed his future-self and beyond redemption's for blindly murdering Bi-Han into Noob Saibot, but only Liu Kang who eventually notice that Scorpion has been redeemed by his future-self and carries his dying wish after D'Vorah killed him, with Raiden also unlocks the full patterns of his visions in every timeline caused by Kronika’s machinations, finally forgives Scorpion. After Kronika kidnaps time-displaced Liu Kang to prevent him and Raiden from combining their powers to stop her evil schemes, Sub-Zero and his allies immediately goes to Netherrealm where Kronika’s Keep is, guided by Kharon, and joined by Earthrealm’s surviving armies of the Special Forces, the Shaolin and Kitana’s reformed Outworld army.
Sub-Zero and the time-displaced Scorpion are with Raiden on guarding Kharon’s ship. During the Cyber Lin Kuei’s attack on Kharon’s ship, at the same time Raiden manages to convince the reluctant present-Jax from being remained easily manipulated by Kronika, Sub-Zero learns from Raiden that Frost was the one who had been controlling the new Cyber Lin Kuei army, not Sektor. Sub-Zero is one of the few allied warriors who witnessed the fusion between Raiden and the two iterations of Liu Kang (present-revenant and past-human) into an ultimate Fire God Liu Kang. Sub-Zero and his allies successfully raid Kronika’s Keep for Liu Kang, Kung Lao and Kitana to be able to confront Kronika and her remaining warriors, until Kronika resets time to the beginning, leaving Liu Kang alone against her, Cetrion and three recently upgraded remaining revenants Kitana, Kung Lao and Jade.
==== Part 2: Aftermath ====
The time-displaced Liu Kang and Sub-Zero are preparing their army for their assault on Kronika's Keep, only to be surprised by the time-displaced Scorpion, instead of his future self. As he prepared to fight Scorpion, they were interrupted by Shang Tsung and Fujin, which surprised him when Raiden thought he was lost when the timeline's broken. The two clashed against the sorcerer and the God of Wind, only to be defeated. After discovering the results of their tragic future, Sub-Zero and the others continue with the plan to storm Kronika's Keep, now with the knowledge of the future. Kronika would appear in the Fire Gardens herself to take the Crown back herself, freezing Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Liu Kang and Kung Lao in time while confronting Raiden, Fujin, and Shang Tsung. The trio manage to fend her off, with Fujin using the Crown, freeing Sub-Zero and the others in the process. Despite agreeing with the plan to storm the Keep, Sub-Zero is not seen on any of the fleets after.
== Theme songs ==
Official theme songs: Sub-Zero (Chinese Ninja Warrior) - The Immortals
Behold Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat: Conquest)
Master's Guidance - Sub-Zero's theme (Mortal Kombat: Deception Unchained)
Fanmade theme song: Removing - Paul Unfaces | Mortal Kombat 2 OST (2023)
Sub-Zero and Smoke (Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm) Slow Version
Sub-Zero and Smoke (Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm) RE-Recorded version
== Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II ==
Sub-Zero was with the other Kombatants as they fought off the Saurian stragglers from Outworld and was surprised to see Kung Lao and the older Aiko! He first met him and Liu back in the Wastelands as he was on the hunt for Scorpion, but much like his elder brother, they kept giving him the slip. He soon joined the team as he was hiding from the Lin Kuei, and their grandmaster, Oniro, was desperate on making him a cyborg; however, he always regretted on not saving Smoke. He was still glad to see Aiko again soon after the failed insurrection, as he remembered her referring to him and Liu as the odd couple due to using opposing elements, as well as melting the ice.
When Raiden and Stryker initiated a short respite, he decided to venture to the Lin Kuei Ninja compound, hoping to find his Brother, Smoke; recently, Nightwolf was successful on restarting Smoke's core and reunited with the ninja. But he soon disappeared. He assumed he'd be at enemy territory, but he only found Cyrax and Sektor. He was then suddenly blinded by a bright light as he heard a clap of thunder. It turned out Raiden transported him to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. He forewarned him it's suicide venturing to the compound and assured Smoke is safe, that is if Kuai would get to him first before Oniro! He went on hot pursuit, anxious to save him from being reassimilated! Unfortunately, he was unable to fend off the Grandmaster. He was in a lose-lose situation, till Kung Lao came to his aid as his cheetah Animality! It didn't last, but the monk was able to surpass the deadly assassin! With his Tornado, combined with Aiko's cardiokinesis, Oniro dropped dead! He reunited with Smoke like never before and thanked Lao greatly.
He, Lao, Nightwolf and Aiko were teleported by Smoke to the Cybers' whereabouts in New York! They spotted Sektor and assisted Kabal, though Kuai was anxious on helping Smoke who took on Ketchup first. Thru Aiko subduing his heart, Kuai froze him and ordered Smoke to take him away as he self-destructed! He feared he was caught in the blast, but luckily, he escaped. They were then attacked aloft by Shadow Priests who stunned most of the heroes, even electrifying Smoke! He desperately attempted to save him, but the Priests already took him away! He, Stryker, and Kung Lao led the salvage mission.
While the team stationed in the abandoned tunnels, he was still anxious on saving Smoke as he thought that Kahn doesn't keep his prisoners. Stryker assured that the team'll find him when the time comes, as Kahn did keep captors before such as Sonya and Kano. Still, he was glad to see the remaining quartet of Liu, Sonya, Jax, and Kitana. He replied to Jax's remark that if they die, they shall perish in battle as one.
He was then seen in his polar bear Animality as the heroes broke thru the defense lines of Kahn's extermination squads. He soon rescued Smoke just as soon as Liu Kang defeated Kahn. He escaped moments before the Fortress began to collapse, though he and Jax weren't able to save the Champion. But thanks to Raiden's last-minute attempt making a portal, he and his team reunited with the victorious monk!
He and Smoke were planning to reform the corrupt Lin Kuei with the demise of Oniro. Although he had to wait a few weeks, as Nightwolf was busy surgically removing some defective parts and restoring others over the cyborg while also technologically advancing the Wu Shi Academy, to the point in which Smoke can use both forms in one body!!
== Shinnok's Uprising ==
He still accompanied Smoke at their Lin Kuei headquarters. Even after a couple years, the organization went thru massive changes! Smoke remained as their most promising agent in both organically and metallically; however, the robotomy surgery has been falling out of favor. With Oniro and Sektor gone, the operations were optional, though word got out and was eventually frowned upon by many. He and Kuai then witnessed a falling comet 50 miles away from the Wu Shi Academy and only Kuai went to investigate.
By the time he arrived beside the meteorite, he reunited with Liu Kang, Sonya, Nightwolf, Kung Lao, Aiko and met Kai and Johnny Cage. He volunteered to head to Edenia with the team, as he felt his brother, Bi-Han, had something to do with Shinnok's escape from the Netherrealm. He, along with Lao, Aiko and Nightwolf, attained some strange familiarities of Quan Chi while he challenged the Kombatants to his new Mortal Kombat tournament in the corrupt Edenian Palace.
Sub-Zero recognized the face, as did Nightwolf and Aiko, and he barely recalled their first encounter with the demon sorcerer! Nevertheless, his cryokinesis was vital against the emerging Army of Darkness, specifically the tricky Shadows always quickly hiding beneath the ground and being invulnerable unless they solidified! Thanks to the ninja's skills, the battle was won easier! Unfortunately, with the scrimmage of the generals, the battle became too overwhelming! Liu Kang declared for the Kombatants to split up and divide the army in order to infiltrate on all sides, so Kuai escaped with Nightwolf!
They escaped to a gurney and the cryomancer attempted to make a huge, ice blockade, till they saw a silhouette of a beast with a blade protruding from each arm! He plowed thru every general, Oni and Shadow seamlessly, then he turned onto the heroes! Nightwolf took him on and noticed those deadly features belonged to Baraka, who fell to the likes of the strategic shaman! Sub-Zero froze the beast but they didn't kill him! Nightwolf demanded what side he was working on, to which Baraka spat out he works for no one and was sick of having his clan be dominated by overlords like Kahn. The duo wasn't buying it since Tarkans were known to be bloodthirsty maniacs, even during that time when he paid them to destroy the Wu Shi Academy; Baraka mentioned he was ordered to, but the heroes weren't convinced. Nightwolf then sensed another assailant and warned Kuai to evade him! The fiery streak melted Baraka's prison, but Scorpion was only after the Lin Kuei ninja! He lost as he didn't fight back, then Nightwolf displayed the data chip both he and Smoke analyzed from Sektor!
With the wind knocked out of him, Kuai was still able to see the recordings having a fuzzy display and the conversations between Quan Chi and Bi-Han were muffled, but the meanings were still clear. The sorcerer hired the best thief to kill Scorpion and lend the bones of Scorpion's family as payment to the former Grandmaster!! The footage then shifted to Bi-Han's defeat by Scorpion, then Quan Chi literally unveiled everything between the ninjas and was about to send Hanzo into the Netherrealm, but both maniacs disappeared before the chip went blank.
Nightwolf was able to restore Hanzo's senses and the Matokan came to the conclusion that he'd been manipulated ever since his death; Quan Chi corrupt his soul feeding him lies and letting his dark wraith consume his body and mind! Kuai didn't want to fight him since he knew the truth thanks to Smoke and Nightwolf analyzing the chip, and with a given hand, he assured Hanzo none of his actions was his fault, not even the death of his brother, but under the will of Quan Chi whom they were after. He had a flashback several years ago when he had the final conversation with Bi-Han involving on finding the Temple of Elements, but the Gods disappeared and was unguarded as they were supposed to protect a powerful amulet. Baraka returned with his clan of Tarkatans and they were ravenous on tearing apart the demonic army since their DNA was mixed with theirs, he recognized Scorpion and Mileena, and couldn't wait to tear Quan Chi and Shnnok limb from limb. Kuai and the guys were flabbergasted as they saw the mutants charge toward the Edenian Palace without a proper plan!
Sub-Zero, along with Nightwolf and Scorpion, arrived with his teammates while the Tarkatans blew the cavalry's cover. He soon noticed Hanzo latch onto a nearby tree and head to the Palace. He and the shaman followed, and the ninja was the first to breach the place, assassinating Quan Chi! The pair saw the sorcerer's body lifeless and severed from his head. He and Hanzo were then urged by Raiden to restore the Amulet inside the mythical Temple of Elements. He'd heard rumors of the place from his brother, in which he attained the artifact, only to have Quan Chi take it for himself! Raiden also informed that Quan created a duplicate and as long as Shinnok isn't reunited with it, it must remain in Earthrealm making the Elder God powerless and trapped in the Netherrealm. Knowing their clans would find peace, they partnered up thru the tricky labyrinth.
Hanzo and Kuai reached the end of the Temple, and he was pretty much the brute on disabling traps, only to have the wraith hesitate before relinquishing the Amulet, as if he'd use it to usurp it for himself... Kuai tackled him, only to have the artifact fly out of his hands and be magnetized to the end of the pillar. By the time the Amulet darkened, Shinnok's fate was sealed when his fake Amulet was disabled rendering him powerless and trapped in the Netherrealm upon his demise! At the Lin Kuei headquarters, Smoke disobeyed Kuai's orders on staying in base, as Smoke actually remembered the fight against Oniro and recalling it being at the Appalachian Mountains, he believed the deceased Grandmaster had the sacred Dragon Medallion! To his surprise, Smoke was correct, and he offered it to his surrogate brother! Kuai heard the warnings on losing control while wearing it without skill, but he was thankful he'd no longer suffer while in intense heat since Shang's lethal fissure! Later on, he made it official to move the Lin Kuei to the Northern Pole, Articka! Hanzo wished him a safe journey and in good terms, relieving Kuai of Scorpion's undead curse! He was later seen looking at the full moon waiting for Raiden's return someday...
== Mortal Kombat: Vengeance ==
Sub-Zero hosted a small tournament for all his Lin Kuei warriors, a first of their kind since the clan moved to Arctika. Frost was indeed the winner, and she became his prodigy and close partner, aside from Smoke. When he and his kind observed an icy gale outside, he noticed it was none other than Raiden's brother, Fujin! He broke to him the news that the Deadly Alliance returned and killed Liu Kang, partially since Raiden made an amulet to save his soul. Kuai immediately took the call to arms and Frost volunteered. He was reluctant since Frost was still considered a rookie and is a woman, to which she felt more confident on proving herself. And she'd take the blame if she'd fail, much to Kuai's dismay, as this was a life-or-death mission. He offered Smoke to hold the fort, then reunited with Hanzo who was also willing to risk his life on stopping Quan Chi; the sorcerer who double-crossed both of their clans. He warned Sub-Zero that if he meets the enemy, he'll give into his wraith self... Hanzo was aware of this, and he was surprised Kuai never took Smoke with him. He was convinced that two of the same elementals may confuse the enemy, and that Kuai was too nervous on losing another brother since Liu Kang's death was bad enough. The quartet arrived at Shang Tsung's Island, and after an hour to introduce themselves, mostly to Frost, and making last-minute preparations, Raiden and Fujin warped everyone to the Celestial Portal where once they cross and enter Outworld, they'll be left with their own devices.
Kuai was impressed as Kung Lao took on the trial against the representation of his greatest enemy, in this case, his Revenant self! Kuai immediately came to his aid as he was suffering from fatigue and the tepid temperature from Liu Kang breaching his body. He summarized the brain is sensitive, thus adjusting the body's temperature; in this case soothing Lao's heat sickness by reducing his fever thru his cryokinesis, while Frost offered him the canister of Articka water. He even helped Lao up slowly, before Aiko restored his vitality before they left for Outworld.
He was surprised Sonya came across an arm console that she thought belonged to Cyrax, to which Kuai mentioned if he remembered the cyber initiative, the robots could still function with a limb severed as long as they don't shut down or get electrocuted; he wasn't sure of Cyrax being human, as his injuries may be sustainable. He was relieved he met up with Jax and returned to Edenia from the haunting Living Forest. He reunited with Sindel, Kitana and Jade, before Sonya and Nightwolf offered the team to leave Lao and Aiko to break the troubling news.
While fighting the Onis, Kuai and Frost worked well together, even though he mostly froze and stun his targets. He then followed a sudden aftershock, and came up to Lao, Aiko and Bo' Rai Cho! He too was disgusted on him abandoning the Shaolin and being banned from the Academy, not even no longer looking out for Lao and Liu! While the heroes assured the Orientals that they shouldn't be ashamed due to his fall from grace, Hanzo suggested to get some shuteye to clear their troubled minds, or at least meditation wouldn't hurt as suggested by Kuai.
The group arrived within the Lost Tomb, and Kuai and Hanzo were shocked to see a colossal display of Shinnok's Amulet! Hanzo was certain that the real relic was still sealed within the Temple of Elements as Kuai recalled his brother's treachery letting Quan take hold of it. He, Hanzo, Lao and Jax volunteered to shatter the sarcophaguses of Onaga's undead followers preventing them from arising again; Kuai made the job easier as he froze onto each target before they were decimated. He then watched Hanzo and Jax battle Moloch and Drahmin, only to have little to no information concerning the Deadly Alliance. He still stuck with the group as Jade dreaded they'd be traversing thru the Sarna Ruins.
Sub-Zero and Frost provided the team with frigid drinks to keep it hydrated. Thanks to the Dragon Medallion, it was no trouble for the Grandmaster, even when keeping the group cool as long as they stuck close to the icy air. He was impressed with Kung Lao's Tornado decimating the violent cyclone, even when he met Kenshi and admired his psychokinesis. He also assisted on the escape, with Frost, as they unleashed their cryomancy onto the savage Mekeba tribe while Kenshi stole the Dragonfly!
Sub-Zero was then seen sparring with Frost, before the ship landed near a dormant volcano; Sonya and Jax spotted the same golden shimmer they encountered earlier, thinking it'd be Cyrax! The cryomancers headed out and volunteered to scout the volcano for him. Through its maul, Kuai recognized the familiar digital buzzes; he came to the conclusion it belonged to the Lin Kuei cyborgs and immediately went after Cyrax to the lethal magma pools! He ordered Frost to stay put and she should escape if the heat's too intense. He even had a flashback of suffering from pyrexia courtesy of a steaming ravine conjured by Shang and his elemental orb. Nevertheless, he observed Cyrax leaping into the lava and dove in after him! They both survived as he possessed the Dragon Medallion when Cyrax found the mystical orb for Nitara! She sent him to Earthrealm via portal leaving the delirious ninja behind! Luckily, Hanzo witnessed his condition and pulled him out with his rope! Liu Kang's spirit reduced the body temperature allowing the Medallion to recuperate him! He was also surprised Baraka came to the heroes' aid!
He and Frost didn't escape the crashlanding Dragonfly, contrary to Kung Lao's Teleport; instead, they made their own ice slates and leapt off the main deck. So, they were unscathed along with Nightwolf and Kiba. It was unveiled as Hanzo warned the team arrived in Moloch's Lair that he had been chasing the escaped Onis, as he had been in Outworld several times. He was thankful Hanzo and Baraka defeated the Onis.
He still stuck by Frost as the group were engaged with the Tarkatan army. then Kitana should give them a brief respite. He grew worried if Hanzo should cave into his wraith form if he should deal with Quan Chi. Unfortunately, his angsts had been justified as he became Scorpion once more...
He eventually heard while he was healing Kenshi's ribcage wound with Frost of Hanzo's unfortunate fate in the Soulnado. Although, after a moment of silence for Liu Kang, he announced to the Lin Kuei he was proud on having Frost as his most promising apprentice and wished for her to fight alongside him again.
Members of the clan, even Tomas, could've sworn they saw Frost's and Kuai's crystallized eyes as they gazed into each other and slowly closed in before they kissed and made a warm embrace... Kuai and Frost were officially a couple!
== Return of the Dragon King ==
Sub-Zero was at the Arctika throne room with Smoke and Frost as they heard word of someone seeking asylum; she introduced herself as Sareena, a demon defecting from the Netherrealm. He was flabbergasted she knew of his brother, Bi-Han, even finding out about his fate as Noob Saibot and joining the Brotherhood of Shadow! He was unsuccessful trying to find him and Scorpion last time, but he believed with the Dragon Medallion, he'd be able to set things right. He, Smoke and Frost decided to follow Sareena into Outworld and find the rip she left behind as she was following Quan Chi out.
It was located near the ancient runes showcasing the resurrection of Onaga and his followers. Before they intercepted, however, Tomas hesitated and stated he and Frost may not take the tepid climate of the Netherrealm, but instead assist the Edenian resistance against the Dragon King. Frost was irritable, though Kuai accepted. He even warned Sareena it's likely Noob would have immense technological skills as did the Lin Kuei in their new initiatives, so it'd be likely for Smoke to fall prey. Kuai still stuck with the demon as they ventured to the fifth plane where Noob was resurrected at, and to their surprise, it contained active gears! They were soon ambushed by the evil incarnate himself and were little to no match; even Kuai despite on confidence handling him with the Dragon Medallion! His brute, insatiable strength and umbrakinesis were too much, and Kuai was at his mercy, until...
Ashrah intervened with her holy might countering the wraith! Even Kriss impaling him did the trick as his soul was incinerated! Kuai and Sareena were recovered from Ashrah's holy energy and grabbed onto her during her ascension! The trio emerged onto a grassy null in Earthrealm, relieved to be immersed with nature! Raiden met up with them and was impressed to meet up with Ashrah and Kuai, though displeased with Sareena as a demon; Kuai came to her defense she helped them find Noob and she may be useful assisting the Edenian forces. Raiden then urged them to participate in Outworld with Frost, Smoke and Nightwolf, while Ashrah volunteered to purify Johnny's soul in the Jinsei Chamber.
After Smoke made his move firing onto the enemy battalion, Kuai unleashed his ice storms using the Dragon Medallion freezing many members. Frost and Sareena took on close combat until they noticed the revenant Special Forces. Kuai urged the women to deal with them as he stated it'd be dishonorable of him to turn on former friends, like he didn't do with Smoke. He took on the rear lines until he noticed Baraka gravely injured by his corrupt double and Havik. He was able to stall bleeding and infection by dulling the pain and freezing wounds allowing for Baraka to recover, preferably in a Tarkatan Kamp. By the time Sonya recovered, she offered Kuai a portal leading back to Earthrealm.
== Final Kombat ==
Kuai met up with Taven as his associates took him in from the blizzard. He introduced him to the Lin Kuei, Smoke, Frost and Sareena, but unfortunately, they didn't know of Delia's palace that he spoke of. As the storm cleared, Taven spotted a monolith which transported him away before they were suddenly addressed by Raiden. He wanted to regroup Kuai and company for an urgent pep talk while he'd take Sareena to meet up with Ashrah.
Sub-Zero along with Frost and Smoke were summoned by Raiden to the Dragon Grotto where they met up with the Shaolin warriors, Hanzo, Kenshi, Kitana and Frederick as he expressed his grievances involving Armageddon and Blaze. He dreaded on dealing with old nemeses, even Sektor and Oniro with the rise of the new Tekunin clan... Eventually, Raiden assembled a small group to espionage the Netherrealm.
While there, even when Lao, Aiko and Caro were recovering in the Grotto, Kuai and his allies returned to Arctika to strategize for Armageddon and Blaze. Though he wasn't expecting the return of his long-lost brother, no longer corrupted as Noob Saibot! He was hesitant to greet him, unlike Frost who was enthusiastic to show him around, even Smoke who was casual on how much the cyber-Lin Kuei was overthrown. Despite their worries of Oniro and Sektor returning, and Frost's overconfidence their combined cryomancy can extinguish Blaze, he soon accepted. Although he dreaded how Bi-Han'd feel if they should come across Hanzo again.
He was taken off guard when Bi-Han tricked him and the Lin Kuei after he stole one of their small devices to experimentally conjure portals. He soon made amends before they rode the Netherwing to the southern crater. He was caught in a lethal scrimmage with Oniro who was obsessed on reclaiming the Dragon Medallion and his status as Grandmaster! Fortunately, without the sacred relic, Kuai, Bi-Han and Frost immobilized him seamlessly! His elder brother sacked the assailant several times claiming only Kuai's the rightful leader!
Much like Frost, he was a formidable opponent, and they were severely dehydrated during the firestorm, then rehydrated by Cetrion's tears. He too mourned for the sacrifices of Raiden and Liu Kang... And he welcomed his elder brother if he would visit the Lin Kuei temple thru his self-exile. He's still a valuable ally to the Special Forces several years later, and he even bore a child with Frost!
== Trivia ==
* While Luke Perry passed away a few years ago, Ikran's choice still remained as him. It was the only voice she can associate with her Showitious.
* The scenario in which Kuai reunited with Smoke, thanks to Nightwolf restoring his core, was based on the events in the 3-part fanfic, The Ghost in the Machine.
*It's possible Kuai, and only him, may be chosen as one of Ikran's Cryokinetics in Video Games.
== Gallery ==
File:Sub-ZeroMK2.jpg|Kuai Liang's debut (MKII)
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangMKIIVSpose.webp|Kuai Liang VS pose
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangplayerselect.webp|Kuai Liang player select
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangMK3.jpg|Kuai Liang without mask (MK3)
File:KuaiMKT.jpg|Kuai icon
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangVSposeMK3.webp|VS pose
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangMK4.webp|Kuai Liang in MK4
File:KuaiMK4.jpg|Kuai icon
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangMK4withoutmask.webp|Kuai Liang without mask
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangDA.webp|Kuai Liang Deadly Alliance
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangDAwithoutmask.webp|Kuai Liang without mask
File:KuaiMKDA.png|Kuai icon
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangDeception.webp|Kuai Liang (Deception)
File:KuaiMKDicon.jpg|Kuai icon
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangArmageddonAlt.webp|Kuai Liang (Armageddon)
File:KuaiMKAkostume.webp|Kuai Liang alt kostume
File:KuaiMKA.png|Kuai icon
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangMK9.webp|Kuai Liang (MK9)
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangMK9withoutmask.webp|MK0 unmasked
File:CyberSubZeroKuaiLiang.webp|Cyber Sub-Zero
File:CyberSubZeroKuaiLiangRetro.webp|Cyber Sub-Zero Klassic
File:Kuai kostume MK9.webp|Sub-Zero kostume
File:Sub-Zero alt kostume MK9.webp|Alt kostume
File:Sub-Zeros MK3 kostume MK9.webp|Sub-Zero's MK3 kostume
File:MK VITA SUBZERO MK2.webp|MK2 kostume (PS Vita)
File:MK VITA SUBZERO UMK3.webp|UMK3 kostume (PS Vita)
File:SubZeroiconMK9.jpg|Sub-Zero select icon
File:CyberKuaiMK9.jpg|Cyber Kuai icon
File:Kuai MK9 arcade and vs pose.webp|Kuai arcade and vs pose
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangMKX.webp|MKX Kuai Liang
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangTundraMKX.webp|Tundra Alt
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangUnmaskedMKX.webp|Kuai Liang unmasked
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangRevenant.webp|Kuai Liang Revenant Sub-Zero
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangPastandPresent.webp|Kuai Liang/Sub-Zero, past and present
File:ScorpionandSubZeropeace.webp|Scorpion and Sub-Zero make peace (MKX)
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangShaolinMonks.webp|Kuai Liang (Shaolin Monks)
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangSMPlayer2.webp|Player 2
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangAnnihilation.webp|Kuai Liang/Sub-Zero (Annihilation)
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangKidMKLegacy.webp|Young Kuai Laing (MK Legacy)
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangAdultLegacy.webp|Adult Kuai Liang/Sub-Zero (Legacy)
File:SubZeroKuaiLiangDotR.webp|Kuai Liang (DotR played by late Luke Perry)
File:TriborgSubZero.webp|Triborg Sub-Zero
File:LK-520Skull.webp|Triborg Sub-Zero mask (LK-520)
File:SubZeroMKvsDC.jpg|Sub-Zero icon (MK vs DC)
File:Sub-Zero and Frost MKDA.jpg|Sub-Zero with Frost in Deadly Alliance
File:Kenshi and Older Kuai Liang.webp|Kenshi with old Kuai Liang in Snow Blind
File:MKL-SB Sub-Zero Kuai Liang.webp|Sub-Zero solo
File:MKL-SB Kuai Liang unmasked.webp|Old Kuai unmasked
File:MKL-SB Sub-Zero past.webp|Past Kuai
File:Sub-Zero 80sFan.png|Sub-Zero (80sFan)
File:Sub-zero by 80sfansincedayone redrawn.jpg|Sub-Zero/Kuai Liang redrawn by 80sFan
File:SZ-MK1.webp|Sub-Zero (MK1)
File:Sub-Zero Kameoing for Kenshi.webp|Sub-Zero kameoing for Kenshi
File:Scorpion greets Liu Kang.jpg|Sub-Zero watches Scorpion greet Liu Kang
File:CageMansion-MK1.webp|Sub-Zero in Cage's Mansion as Liu breaks off a fight
File:Kuai Liang (Sub-Zero II) - Wasted Plotential
File:Sub-Zero's Scar - MisKonceptions
File:❄️ Top 10 Cryokinetics🥶
=== Skins ===
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Lin Kuei Grandmaster.webp|Lin Kuei Grandmaster
File:02. Black Ice.webp|Black Ice
File:03. Winter Purple.webp|Winter Purple
File:04. Honorary Shirai Ryu.webp|Honorary Shirai Ryu
File:05. Warrior's Heart.webp|Warrior's Heart
File:06. Dress Whites.webp|Dress Whites
File:07. Cherry Ice.webp|Cherry Ice
File:08. Whiteout.webp|Whiteout
File:09. Frozen Over.webp|Frozen Over
File:10. Royal Treatment.webp|Royal Treatment
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Back to Basics.webp|Back to Basics
File:12. Blue Blizzard.webp|Blue Blizzard
File:13. Icefield.webp|Icefield
File:14. Hanzo's New Friend.webp|Hanzo's New Friend
File:15. Lin Kuei Prince.webp|Lin Kuel Prince
File:16. White Stalker.webp|White Stalker
File:17. Blood Floe.webp|Blood Floe
File:18. Stay Frosty.webp|Stay Frosty
File:19. Snow Job.webp|Snow Job
File:20. Hard Pack.webp|Hard Pack
File:21. Hailstone.webp|Hailstone
File:22. Quinzhee.webp|Quinzhee
File:23. Snowfall.webp|Snowfall
File:24. Freezing Fog.webp|Freezing Fog
File:25. Long Winter.webp|Long Winter
File:26. Forest Winter.webp|Forest Winter
File:27. Arctic Blood.webp|Arctic Blood
File:28. Wind Packed.webp|Wind Packed
File:29. Glacial Freeze.webp|Glacial Freeze
File:30. Cold Front.webp|Cold Front
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Tundra.webp|Tundra
File:32. Wintry Mix.webp|Wintry Mix
File:33. Ice Wine.webp|Ice Wine
File:34. Winter Twilight.webp|Winter Twilight
File:35. Cold Fury.webp|Cold Fury
File:36. December Sunrise.webp|December Sunrise
File:37. Red Winter.webp|Red Winter
File:38. Snow Equinox.webp|Snow Equinox
File:39. Ice Veins.webp|Ice Veins
File:40. Hoarfrost.webp|Hoarfrost
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Arctika.webp|Arctika
File:42. Frozen Asset.webp|Frozen Asset
File:43. Chilled Marrow.webp|Chilled Marrow
File:44. Sastrugi.webp|Sastrugi
File:45. Flash Freeze.webp|Flash Freeze
File:46. Megadune.webp|Megadune
File:47. Sektor.webp|Sektor
File:48. Abominable Snowman.webp|Abominable Snowman
File:49. Aurora.webp|Aurora
File:50. Arctic Fox.webp|Arctic Fox
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Winter Solstice.webp|Winter Solstice
File:52. Master of Cold.webp|Master of Cold
File:53. Polar Vortex.webp|Polar Vortex
File:54. Purple Penitent.webp|Purple Penitent
File:55. Yedoma.webp|Yedoma
File:56. Midnight Sun.webp|Midnight Sun
File:57. True North.webp|True Worth
File:58. Cryosphere.webp|Cryosphere
File:59. Permafrost.webp|Permafrost
File:60. Snow Crash.webp|Snow Crash
File:Sub-Zero Skin - 93 Below.webp|93 Below
File:62. High Latitude.webp|High Latitude
File:63. Blueberry Ice.webp|Blueberry Ice
File:64. Zero Kelvin.webp|Zero Kelvin
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Breaking Ice.webp|Breaking Ice
File:66. Cold Turmit.webp|Cold Turmit
File:Dimitri Vegas as Sub-Zero 1.webp|Dimitri Vegas as Kuai
File:Dimitri Vegas as Sub-Zero 2.webp|Dimitri Vegas as Kuai 2nd skin
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Golden Ice.webp|Golden Ice
File:70. Cold Craving.webp|Cold Craving
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Furious Winter.webp|Furious Winter
File:72. Cold Finger.webp|Cold Finger
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Son of Arctika.webp|Son of Arctika
File:74. Coldest Warrior.webp|Coldest Warrior
File:75. Frozen in Time.webp|Frozen in Time
File:76. Snow Brother.webp|Snow Brother
File:77. Made of Ice.webp|Made of Ice
File:78. Glacial Winter.webp|Glacial Winter
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Cold Case.webp|Cold Case
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Thief of Winter.webp|Thief of Winter
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Blizzard King.webp|Blizzard King
File:82. Winter Ghost.webp|Winter Ghost
File:83. Dark Cryomancer.webp|Dark Cryomancer
File:84. Wizard of Chill.webp|Wizard of Chill
File:85. Ice magic.webp|Ice Magic
File:86. Frozen Sorcerer.webp|Frozen Sorcerer
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Avalanche.webp|Avalanche
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Redoubtable Lin Kuei.webp|Redoubtable Lin Kuei
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Glacial Grandmaster.webp|Glacial Grandmaster
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Antarctika.webp|Antarctika
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Winter Derecho.webp|Winter Derecho
File:Sub-Zero Skin - Knight of Winter.webp|Knight of Winter
Category:Characters
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