Kung Lao (Alternate Timeline)

"I will not be so passive in your demise."

- Kung Lao trying to kill Raiden

Kung Lao is a hero turned villain in the Mortal Kombat series.

Original Timeline and Background
He is a member of the White Lotus Society and the Shaolin Monks. In the majority of the games he had been on the side of good. But in Mortal Kombat X, he appears as an antagonist alongside the other deceased heroes who are now revenants under Quan Chi's control.

Mortal Kombat (2011)
Kung Lao was one many warriors killed off (the first one to be killed) during Shao Kahn's attempt to conquer Earthrealm. As part of contract made between Shao Kahn and Netherrealm for the latter's allegiance to the former, his soul was resurrected by Quan Chi and ordered to attack Raiden. The thunder god defeated Lao along with the other revenants who attacked him. Although Raiden would succeed in destroying Shao Kahn and repelling Outworld invasion, Kung Lao is trapped along with other slain revenants.

Mortal Kombat X (Comics)
The revenant Kung Lao appears in the Netherrealm alongside Liu Kang after Kitana and Quan Chi execute the Oni Moloch and Drahmin for failing to recapture Scorpion aka Hanzo Hasashi. After learning of Havik's partial success in leaving Shinnok's amulet exposed, it is Kung Lao who points out that with Earthrealm and Outworld on high alert after chaos cleric's rampage, the forces of Netherrealm should rely more on subterfuge and suggests to Quan Chi they rely on Shinnok's newest acolyte: D'Vorah.

Mortal Kombat X (The Game)
Twenty-five years later, it is shown that Kung Lao is still an undead revenant serving Shinnok and Quan Chi. He, along with Liu Kang, Kitana, Sindel and Smoke are Quan Chi's primary enforcers. Although Johnny and Sonya Blade, along with Raiden managed to bring back few revenants to life, Kung Lao regrettably was not one of the lucky ones.

He is seen right after chapter six (D'Vorah stealing Shinnok's Amulet) of MKX, with the revenant versions of Liu Kang, Sindel, and Kitana escorting Quan Chi to his fortress to await for D'vorah with Shinnok's amulet. On the way, they are ambushed by the Special Forces consisting of Jax and Kenshi while being aided by Quan Chi's former servant Sareena (now working as an informant for OWIA). While Liu Kang escorts Quan Chi to his fortress, Kung Lao then faces Jax. He threatens Jax to go back, but Jax of course does not comply. The two of the them fight, with Jax emerging as the victor.

He is present at Shinnok's release from his imprisonment after more than 2 decades alongside Liu Kang, Kitana, Sindel, and Smoke. He along with the remaining revenants pledge their allegiance to Shinnok.

Kung Lao appears at the Sky Temple where Shinnok goes to corrupt the Jinsei. Raiden attempts to stop him, but is surrounded by his revenant servants. They tease him maliciously at first, but Raiden proceeds to fight them off. Raiden is temporarily overpowered by them, but manages to shock them all away, but Kung Lao escapes. Raiden orders Kung Lao to stop, but the latter tells Raiden that he now serves Shinnok and the Netherrealm, driving a big stake into Raiden's traumatized psyche. Raiden attempts to reason with his former pupil that he only serves Shinnok because of his death by Shao Kahn's hands. Kung Lao responds by saying Raiden allowed his death (nevermind that it was Kung Lao who wanted to fight Shao Kahn), and that he will not be so passive in Raiden's demise. Kung Lao proceeds to fight Raiden, only to be defeated by his former mentor.

As Cassie Cage and her team arrive at the Sky Temple, Kung Lao is seen with Smoke talking to Liu Kang. Kung Lao claims to have found Raiden's portal to the heavens, but is blocked by Raiden's protective wards. Kitana insists that the seal must break, and he with Liu Kang and Smoke go to Raiden's portal to continue trying to destroy the wards. The three of them return later only to find Kitana and Sindel attacked by Cassie's team. Jacqui and Takeda offer to stay behind to hold off the undead revenants while Cassie and Kung Jin runs to defeat Shinnok.

After Shinnok is defeated, Kung Lao along with the other revenants sensed his defeat and retreated to the Netherrealm. It is unknown as to what happened to him after, but it is likely that he continues to be a revenant.

With Quan Chi's death coupled with Raiden's eventual corruption to becoming Dark Raiden (a radicalized and militant alter-ego of Raiden) and him harshly pronouncing that he will crush any/all who dares to threaten Earthrealm, consigned all the present revenants (including Kung Lao) to their eternal condemnation and oblivion.

Kung Lao's future does not look very bright.