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Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: "With great power comes great responsibility."
Spider-Man has declared that this article is still under construction. |
| “ | I wear my family name with pride! | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao |
Kung Lao is a one of the main protagonists of the Mortal Kombat: Titan trilogy, both a reboot and spin-off of the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.
Kung Lao is voiced by Jin Hyong in Mortal Kombat 9, Will Yun Lee in Mortal Kombat X, and Sunil Malhotra in Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1 alongside his New Era counterpart.
History[]
Backstory[]
Kung Lao is an ancestor of the Great Kung Lao, and shares a similar backstory to his original counterpart, such as being raised as a Shaolin monk alongside Liu Kang, and becoming a member of the White Lotus Society. He is mentioned to have been mentored by Bo' Rai Cho and Raiden along with Liu Kang. However, Kung Lao ended up losing the position of being Earthrealm's champion to Liu Kang.
Mortal Kombat[]
Kung Lao considered himself Liu Kang's equal, thus entered the tournament disguised as one of Shang Tsung's guards. He remained hidden until the introduction of Scorpion in one of the tournament matches, at that time Raiden told him off for defying orders. Determined to prove Raiden otherwise, Kung Lao discarded his disguise and challenged Scorpion. However, Kung Lao was defeated by the ninja. He was forced to watch for the remainder of the tournament and support Liu Kang. After Liu Kang's victory over Shang Tsung, who granted Earthrealm the tournament victory and freedom, Kung Lao was genuinely happy for him, and joined Sonya Blade, Jax and Johnny Cage to watch Liu Kang being awarded a medal for his victory at a ceremony held at the Wu Shi Academy.
However, the celebration would be interrupted by a revitalized Shang Tsung who led a Tarkatan horde to attack the Wu Shi Academy, forcing Earthrealm to accept a tournament in Outworld, with higher stakes. In Outworld, Kung Lao and Liu Kang met up with Raiden, Cage and Smoke. They went to the wastelands where they were informed by Jade of Kitana's pending execution and that she was being held captive in the tower of Shao Kahn's Fortress. Thus Kung Lao and Liu Kang went to the Tower to rescue Kitana, while the others take part in the tournament. After teasing Liu about the obvious romantic tension between him and the princess, Lao noted that she had most likely been relocated, and they were confronted by Sheeva and Noob Saibot, who confirmed his suspicions. Kung Lao fought and defeated Noob Saibot, noting there was something familiar about the shadowy assassin. Afterwards, he watched as Liu Kang fought Sheeva, willing to jump in if he needed help. At that moment Goro arrived, seeking revenge against Liu Kang, to which Kung Lao took his chance to challenge and defeat Goro. Afterwards he demanded Kitana's location, to which Goro answered that she was taken to the Coliseum to be executed.
The Shaolin monks went to the Coliseum, where they saw Kitana chained up. Kung Lao was chosen as the last standing champion by Raiden, who wished to change the outcome of his visions, while Liu Kang went to Kitana's aid. Kung Lao went up against the alliance of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, defeating them, then Kintaro. Proud of his victory, Kung Lao enjoyed the moment, even teasingly bowing to the booing crowd. Just as he declared that Earthrealm was now free, Shao Kahn killed him in a surprise attack, snapping his neck. This enraged Raiden and Liu Kang, the latter of whom defeats Shao Kahn to avenge his best friend's death.
Tragically, Kung Lao would go onto be revived by Quan Chi as a Revenant along with the other fallen Earthrealm warriors.
In his non canon ending, Kung Lao destroyed Shao Kahn, and reflected along with Raiden at his ancestor's grave. He began to receive visions of his ancestor's life after touching the grave, and Raiden realised that Kung Lao was a reincarnation of the Great Kung Lao who had avenged his previous death.
Mortal Kombat X[]
In this game, Kung Lao is a Revenant who serves the Netherrealm, who wishes for revenge on Raiden. That being said, the heroic version of Kung Lao is seen in a few ways.
In a flashback to right before the second tournament, Kung Lao joins Raiden and Liu Kang in going after Baraka's Tarkatans after they killed and captured many of the monks. Kung Lao is especially angered by the raid, citing the death of master Wen, but Raiden tells him that there are boundaries not meant to be crossed, even against Tarkatans. As Raiden faces Baraka and D'Vorah, Kung Lao and Liu Kang fight off the Tarkatans. Afterwards, Raiden leaves Kung Lao and Liu Kang to deal with rescuing the monks, but tells them both to join him in the tournament later.
A human "what if" version of Kung Lao is a playable character, showing him if he lived until the modern day as an older man. In his non canon ending, Kung Lao is able to return to his humanity with the help of Kung Jin, and Lao becomes an agent of vengeance against evil.
Mortal Kombat 11[]
The human version of Kung Lao is brought forward to the modern day immediately before his death as a consequence of Kronika's timequake. He aided in the battle with Shao Kahn's forces, forming an alliance with Outworld's ruler Kotal Kahn, and joined the Special Forces in Earthrealm. It was discovered that an attack by the Netherrealm was being launched at the Wu Shi Academy. Kung Lao was confident that the Academy's defences would be enough to rebel the invasion, including his and Liu Kang's older counterparts. However, Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs revealed their death and subsequent revivals as Revenants.
On their way to the Academy, Liu Kang and Kung Lao talk to each other about their futures. Kung Lao is worried about the villain he will become, a but the Chosen One assures him that they must first understand the future before they can change ir. At the Academy, they find the corpses of Shaolin monks trying to defend the Grotto, and swear revenge on the Netherrealm.
Aftermath[]
to be added
Titan Kung Lao[]
In his MK11 ending, Kung Lao is the one to defeat Kronika, and as a result becomes a Titan. He uses his newfound abilities to rewrite the fate of the Great Kung Lao, making sure he lives, leaving behind a greater legacy of peace between Realms. As for Kung Lao, he became Earthrealm's primary defender, defeating any threats that come it's way, such as Onaga the Dragon King.
Personality[]
As a revenant Kung Lao seems to be arrogant this is seem in a few of his matches with his opponents. Even though Lao wanted to fight Shao Kahn he blames Raiden for his fate. Scorpion in MK 11 points out that both revenant Lao and normal Lao have egos this ego was what led to Kung Lao's death at the hands of Shao Kahn. As a revenant Kung Lao is less passive and shows less mercy then the original Lao. After giving into his dark side while under Quan Chi's control Lao refuses to forgive Raiden's mistakes and wishes to make his former master suffer. He no longer choses to listen to the people who were once his friends and sees them as enemies.
Kung Lao has been rude to during some of his fights he also shows some overconfidence as well. Although Lao is a excellent fighter he now believes that he better then everyone and that no one can defeat him. As a revenant Kung Lao decides not to hold back on showing other fighters any mercy. Despite being a revenant Lao still likes to remind people that he was a member of the White Lotus and a member of the shaolin monks. As a revenant Lao still admires Kitana even though his manners lacking as a revenant. Kung Lao shows some jealous as a revenant.and believes that he a greater and more superior fighter then Liu Kang. Yet despite Lao thinking that he is better then Liu he still considers him as a brother. Kung Lao doesn't like how many people compare him to Liu Kang and Lao hates how others act like he isn't as great or skilled as his brother Liu Kang. Even though Lao has become a little rude he seems to be as less rude as the other revenants.
Although both regular normal Kung Lao and revenant Kung Lao are egotistical as well as arrogant and overconfident. Kung Lao as a revenant lacks the good qualities of Kung Lao such as his manners, his passive side and doesn't have his mercy. Like all the revenants he only has the bad traits of Kung Lao and none of his good traits. For example, he expresses contempt towards Past Liu Kang for fusing with Raiden as he felt he should have become a God instead.
He is a pacifist as a Buddhist monk, though a bit resentful at being in Liu Kang's shadows. Though in MK11, after learning his tragic future, he abandoned his arrogance to avoid his tragedy from a result of having himself off-guard by Shao Kahn’s neck snap on him from the back, especially calling out his future revenant-self for being ashamed of their family name for serving the likes of Kronika’s children.
Powers and Abilities[]
Kung Lao is an excellent fighter and is similar to Liu Kang in terms of strength, agility, and martial arts skills. However his preferred weapon is his razor bladed hat, which he can throw at the opponent and also uses it to deliver the finishing blows to his opponents.
Lao seems to be able to control the hat in midair, since it can move in circular patterns as opposed to straight ahead and it seems magical in nature, since it will always re-materialize back on his head after he throws it, much like a boomerang.
Kung Lao's moves include teleporting by disappearing into the ground then popping up behind his opponent, flying towards his opponent, spinning like a tornado to kick them multiple times or to knock them into air, and diving down from the air to kick his opponent. As his alternate weapon fighting style, Lao wields a dao, a Chinese broadsword.
Quotes[]
| “ | I am Liu Kang's equal! | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao to Raiden |
| “ | Watch and see. | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao |
| “ | Nevermind the Lin Kuei, now you face a Shaolin. | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao before facing Scorpion |
| “ | You have had your match with Liu Kang. Now you face me! | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao to Goro. |
| “ | I hope your girlfriend is worth Lord Raiden's anger, Liu Kang. | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao teasing Liu Kang about Kitana. |
| “ | Be thankful that I choose not to spill your tainted blood. | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao after defeating Noob Saibot. |
| “ | You see, Raiden? Earthrealm is free-- | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao's last words before being killed by Shao Kahn. |
| “ | Our future, Liu Kang. It is insane! | „ |
| ~ The past Kung Lao speaking to Liu Kang about their new future selves’s fate as wraiths/revenants. |
| “ | The thought of becoming you sickens me. But I won’t blame Raiden. | „ |
| ~ The past Kung Lao to his Revenant counterpart |
| “ | Lord Raiden makes mistakes, but he doesn't urder his followers. | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao to Revenant Jade. |
| “ | You ashamed our family name. | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao after defeating his Revenant counterpart in disgust |
| “ | Of course I defeated Kronika. And when I did, there was only one thing I wanted to do with the Hourglass. Undo the defeat of my ancestor, the Great Kung Lao. In my timeline, the Great Kung Lao is the undisputed Mortal Kombat champion. Earthrealm never loses another tournament. For generations, his example inspires millions to join the White Lotus Society and defend Earthrealm. They in turn inspire rebels to overthrow Shao Kahn in Outworld. The realms make peace. Until, inevitably, a more powerful enemy comes along... ...and finds Earthrealm backed by Kung Lao, Immortal Lord of Time and Warrior Supreme. Beat that, Liu Kang. | „ |
| ~ Kung Lao's MK11 ending. |
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- Kung Lao's characterisation is based on the spin-off game Shaolin Monks, which was the first to depict him and Liu Kang as friendly rivals.
- Whether Kung Lao truly is the reincarnation of his ancestor is unknown, as outside of MK9's ending it is only referenced in an intro dialogue between him and Shao Kahn in MK11.
- Bo' Rai Cho implies that he considers Kung Lao his favourite pupil.
- Unlike the rest of his family, Kung Lao is accepting of Kung Jin's sexuality, considering their treatment of him as "shameful".
