Shao Kahn and some Shadow Priests resurrect Shang Tsung. Kahn is angry that Shang failed him in the Mortal Kombat tournament, but has decided to give him another chance. He presents him with an orb, one which can control the Earthrealm's elements. He explains that the more evil the wielder, the more potent the orb's power. He wants Shang to defeat Rayden and his mortal minions, so he can then invade Earthrealm. Shang arrives on Earth, and starts causing bizarre environmental disasters which are seen by Nightwolf and the rest of the team. Rayden suddenly becomes weak. Nightwolf then finds a new dimensional rip, so most of the team head to it. Jax stays behind with Rayden, as Rayden says he is losing his powers.

The team arrive at the rip and defeat some Cybers, but are then attacked by Shang Tsung. Using the orb, Shang creates a fissure that the team fall into, trapping them. Shang demands Rayden face him, so Rayden and Jax fly to the dimensional rip. Jax asks why Rayden chose to be at this realm. Rayden says he has become connected to the very essence of this unique planet. He asks Jax why he gave up his normal life for one of constant struggle and sacrifice. Jax says he knows if they let the other realms take over, Earth will be totally thrashed, which is why he keeps fighting. They arrive at the rip, but their jet is struck by an energy bolt and crashes. Rayden starts fighting Shang, but gets blasted.

Jax tries to help the others out of the fissure, but is about to be blasted by Shang. But Rayden charges into Shang, causing him to drop the orb. With orb freed from Shang's evil influence, Rayden's powers are restored. He fights Shang in Mortal Kombat, defeating him. He decides to let Shao Kahn deal with Shang, and kicks him through a portal.

Rayden says the orb possesses far too much power. Not wanting it to fall in corrupt hands again, he throws it into the portal. This causes a large explosion, and as everyone shields their eyes, they don't see someone run up to the portal and enter it. Liu asks Rayden where he sent the orb. Rayden says into space, where it should be safe from evil.

Notes

-This episode is part of the Warrior King storyline, a character who appeared in four different cartoons that all aired around the same time. It first appeared in the episode "The Warrior King" of the Street Fighter cartoon. There, the Warrior King character is introduced, who is sent on a quest to retrieve the orb, which belongs to him. At the near end of the episode it goes through another portal and the Warrior King goes after it. He and the orb then appear in the episode "Endgame" of The Savage Dragon cartoon, where the orb once again went through another portal which the Warrior King also went through. The orb then appears in this episode of Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm -the Warrior King character is only briefly seen right at the end. He and the orb would make a final appearance in the episode "Recreation" of the Wing Commander cartoon -hence Rayden's little hint about sending the orb into space at the end of this episode.

-The difference with the Warrior King's appearance in this episode is that he is a shadowy figure, and has no dialogue -in his appearances in the other three cartoons, he speaks and can be clearly seen.

-Given that the Warrior King is completely black when seen, it confused some fans into thinking he was Noob Saibot.

Errors

-There are fingernails drawn on Jax's metal hand during this shot.
-Liu's shoes are colored white instead of black during this shot.
-When Nightwolf talks to Jax and Rayden, the background is slanted. This error gets corrected when Liu speaks to them a few seconds later.
-When Jax picks up the orb, Shang appears behind him and his mouth starts opening and closing, but he doesn't actually say anything.
-When Sonya says "that's more like it", part of her arm overlaps Rayden.