The Essence

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The Essence was the fifth episode of the television series Mortal Kombat: Conquest, and the first to feature Princess Kitana.

While seeking "The Essence", a flower from her home realm of Edenia, Princess Kitana meets Kung Lao (Paolo Montalbán), the defender of Earthrealm. Kung Lao mistakenly blames the death of one of his mentors (Daraan) on Kitana, and they engage in one of the most acclaimed fights of the series. Kitana uses exclusively defensive moves throughout the fight, showing superior mastery to Kung Lao.

During this episode, Qali engages in a brutal fight with the thief Taja (Kristanna Loken). Qali bests Taja in their fight, using an array of Jeet Kune Do style moves to batter Taja senseless.

When Taja comes around after her near fatal fight scene, she begins to make amends with sultry assassin, Qali (mistress of the carnival of horrors). When offered some bread, a delicacy in Outworld, Qali offends Taja by insinuating that she is having a menage a trois with the show's heroes Kung Lao and Siro. Shocked and jolted by Qali's accusations, Taja responds by 'slamming down the plate and ting', to which Qali responds with her trademark cackle.

Another notable fight is the tag-team battle in which Kung Lao faces the combined forces of Qali and Vorpax, an ally and paramour of Shang Tsung. The two women successfully assault Kung Lao, working their Jeet Kune Do and Pi Qua Quan skills in harmony to repel him, although they are eventually defeated.