Raiden’s sacrifice was in vain, for the blast had little effect on the Dragon King.

Raiden began to realize that even their combined might was not enough to defeat the Dragon King. Sworn enemies joined forces to kombat a greater threat. And so it was that a new alliance formed out of desperation. The Dragon King had indeed returned to Outworld to reclaim his army and impose his dominance. And that ruler had returned: Onaga, former emperor of Outworld, the Dragon King. But it is said that there is only one true ruler of Outworld. Quan Chi defeated Shang Tsung and revelled in his conquest. As suspicion and lust for power overcame both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, the former allies turned on each other. But the combined might of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung proved to be overwhelming even for a Thunder God. Raiden fought well against the two sorcerers, and it seemed as though victory was at hand. Defying the Elder Gods' wishes, he alone challenged Quan Chi and Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat, Earthrealm's last hope for freedom. In the end, only Raiden himself stood between Earthrealm and total destruction. Raiden's Earthrealm champions had failed to stop the Deadly Alliance from fully resurrecting the mummified army of the Dragon King. The blame falls squarely upon my shoulders for giving evil the chance it needed and therefore fulfilling an ancient prophecy.

'It was not by chance that this struggle came to be.