Backstory:
Jason Labak, a Memphis, Tennessee boy, dreamt of a life beyond the ordinary. Fueled by childhood superhero fantasies, he'd stare into the mirror, transforming his last name, "Labak," into the thrilling moniker "Kabal," his heroic alter ego. Tragedy struck when
Black Dragon terrorists murdered his parents.
Tasia, a Black Dragon member with a haunted past of her own (having lost a son that drove her to crime), took pity on the orphaned Jason. Despite
Rojack's disapproval, Tasia raised Jason like her own, teaching him the art of swordsmanship, their bond blossoming into a mother-son relationship.
Jason thrived on the streets, embracing the Black Dragon lifestyle with a moral compass. He believed in second chances, only taking lives when absolutely necessary. Loyalty wasn't blind, though. When Rojack challenged
Kano for leadership, Jason, recognizing Kano's potential for something more, intervened, saving Kano's life with a well-placed blade. This act of loyalty earned him Kano's respect and the nickname "Kabal," a nod to Tasia's revelation of Jason's superhero dreams. Kano, impressed by Kabal's swordsmanship and raw speed, began grooming him for bigger operations.
During a daring mission, Kano found himself cornered. Without hesitation, Kabal risked his own life to pull Kano from the brink of capture. The escape came at a heavy cost – a collapsing building crushed Kabal's legs. Tasia, Tremor, and Kano rushed him to "
The Doctor," a shadowy figure who repaired his shattered legs with cybernetic enhancements. Waking up to his transformed legs and newfound superspeed, Kabal, filled with gratitude, pledged himself to Kano. An unlikely friendship forged, they became rivals driven by a complex debt system – Kano owed Kabal for saving his life, while Kabal owed Kano for the cybernetic salvation. The debt soon devolved into who would beat who, who owed the other a drink or caused harm to the other.
Despite the camaraderie, Kabal yearned for a life beyond crime when Kano became more and more brutal towards Kabal. Tasia, the only one who still called him Jason and saw the good within, sensed his growing conflict. One day, after the brutal incident that cost Kano his eye, Tasia formulated a daring plan – a staged death that would allow Kabal to escape the Black Dragon's clutches. With a tearful goodbye, Kabal left the Black Dragon, faked his death and embarked on a new life in Deacon City, leaving his past behind.
He became Jason Labak once more, a dedicated police officer, partnered with the stoic
Kurtis Stryker. Due to his past, he was pressured into giving up details about the Black Dragon, which he did. The result of which ended in the loss of Kano's eye and the death of
Lt. Sanchez. By day, Jason served the law, enjoying the act of helping others. Stryker, however, noticed Jason's penchant for unneccesary brutality when apprehending criminals. Jason seemed to delight in beating down criminals, causing them pain. By night, Jason donned the mantle of Kabal, a masked vigilante wielding
Hookswords, striking fear into the hearts of criminals. Though much to his disdain, some in the media preferred to call him "
The Nomad". Kabal became a controversial figure in Deacon City– a hero to some, a brutal vigilante to others.
Their peaceful existence shattered when the Black Dragon inexplicably attacked Deacon City's bank. Jason and Stryker were part of the task force sent to apprehend them. The reunion with Kano was far from pleasant. Kano, enraged by Kabal's defection and betrayal to the "cops," revealed they'd targeted the bank to lure out the vigilante Kabal. Despite Tasia's pleas, the Black Dragon captured Jason. Kano, fueled by a twisted sense of "payback" for Kabal's betrayal and poured boiling acid over Jason's face and body, leaving him horrifically scarred and barely clinging to life.
In a cruel twist, Kano saved Jason by delivering him back to "The Doctor." Extensive cybernetic implants, including a high-tech respirator, allowed Jason to breathe again and even granted him control over gas and steam. Kano, ever the manipulator, declared himself owed a debt after saving Jason's life. He told him that Kabal will need to repay his debt to the Black Dragon and that if the debt isn't repaid, Kabal will wish for the sweet mercy of death. Jason Labak was declared dead at the scene, and the vigilante of Deacon City, Kabal was blamed for the attack. Stryker, devastated by the loss of his friend, vowed to hunt down the vigilante responsible.
Kabal, now a scarred and indebted servant of the Black Dragon, walks a dark path. He operates as a brutal vigilante, culling those he deems unworthy while offering a sliver of mercy to those he believes deserve a second chance. He stalks the shadows of Deacon City, haunted by his past, forever indebted to the Black Dragon, and forever on the run from the relentless pursuit of his former friend, Kurtis Stryker. His future remains shrouded in uncertainty, a stark contrast to the bright dreams of the young boy who once dreamt of being a hero.
Recent Events
The Earthrealm Tournament: During the events of the Earthrealm Tournament Kabal is acting as a Police Officer and a Vigilante in Deacon City
The Outworld Tournament: During the events of the Outworld Tournament Kabal is acting as a Police Officer and a Vigilante in Deacon City
The Earthrealm Invasion: Kabal joins the fight against Shao Kahn's forces and has a run in with Stryker. Together, Kabal and Stryker postpone their rivalry to take down Motaro. Kabal is killed alongside Stryker at the Church.
The Revenant Excursion:
Kabal becomes one of Quan Chi's revenants. He spends years doing awful things in the name of Quan Chi.
The Deadly Alliance: Kabal is freed from his revenancy and immediately re-joins the Black Dragon upon learning that
Mavado murdered Tasia. He takes over the Black Dragon leadership while Kano goes into hiding.
The Outworld Civil War: Kabal recruits new faces including
Kobra and
Kira aswell as the mysterious
Erron Black. They quickly take over the Wastelands and claim ownership of the area.
Quan Chi and his remaining revenants attack the wasteland because of his partnership with
Daegon. Kano returns and Kabal relinquishes control of the Black Dragon to him, Kano declares himself "King Kano". Kabal finds Mavado and slashes him from neck to torso but Mavado survives. Kabal vows to continue to hunt him until he is dead.
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