As sad as Mortal Kombat: Desperation can be, not all its moments count as Tearjerker:
- When Kotal Kahn offers his comrades the chance to desert, all of them, including Erron Black, declare their intentions to stay with him with Reptile stating he would rather die than abandon him, Ferra hugging him, and Ermac delivering a touching speech about his loyalty and belief in Kotal as a ruler. As for Erron, he tells Kotal not to worry about paying him. Considering how much he usually talks about money and getting paid, this is quite touching of him.
- When Raiden offers her the Dragon Medallion in exchange for joining him and betraying Sub-Zero, Frost decides not to accept his offer and remains loyal because she does not want to become the same person she was in the death match fight club.
- Sareena and Frost talking shortly before Sub-Zero awakens from his coma. The demoness comforts Frost by assuring her that she is a good person and that the grandmaster would be proud of her. They even share a good laugh together over their mutual dislike for Johnny Cage's movies.
- Just as Ferra is about to be killed by Skarlet, Torr awakens from his coma to save her. Erron Black even says it's good to see him awake.
- Erron immediately using his poncho to stop the bleeding on Li Mei's arm after Skarlet injures her.
- Reptile defends Kotal against his fellow Saurians when they insult him. Kotal later tells Reptile that he, Erron Black, Ermac, and Ferra/Torr are his family and he would do anything to protect them and vice versa. Too bad this happens right before Hotaru destroys Li Mei's village.
- Kevin tells (or rather writes a note to) Kabal that he wishes he was his father instead of Kano. Kabal shares the sentiment completely. Doubles as Tearjerker.
- Honestly, just the fact that Kevin shows no fear or horror at all when he first sees Kabal. While he was aware of Kabal's disfigurement and recognizes who he is because of it, it's still touching.
- Offscreen, Kabal leaves his and Nell's wedding bands to Kevin and making him promise to take care of them.
- The relationship between Kung Jin and Kung Lao. When Lao cuts himself to cope with his trauma and guilt, Jin intervenes and promises to stand beside him no matter what. Lao shows genuine concern for his cousin's well-being in return, and stands protectively in front of him when Raiden appears.
- Orin's talk with Delia. Despite everything that's happened, the dragon manages to remain optimistic, comforting Delia and assuring her in his belief that they will win. Taven later reflects on what an optimist his guardian is.
- Despite all the revenants have been through, they agree to stick together and work hard to redeem themselves, even if this is easier said than done.
- Kai playfully running away from Liu Kang while yelling for Kung Lao so he can ask about Liu Kang's relationship with Kitana to lighten the mood. As this happens, Kai mentally states that he will be there for his comrades because that's what friends are for.
- It's surprisingly sweet how much Shao Kahn and Mileena care for each other. For all his anger at his betrayere, Shao Kahn is especially furious at those who betrayed his successor and Mileena in turn is upset by the disloyalty, indifference, and disrespect his other former enforcers display to him. She even calls him 'daddy' and promises to free him, which restores his hope in freedom and revenge.
- Jade and Ruby comforting Kitana and reestablishing their sisterly relationship with one another.
- Ironically, the Red Dragon Clan. Despite the fact that they're criminals guilty of murders and other crimes, they are not traitors or rapists and consider each other family. Daegon is shown to care deeply for his followers, as he punches Reiko for insulting Skarlet. In return, his subordinates care for him as well, with Skarlet and Mavado in particular expressing concern for him. Mavado even calls him out for hesitating to accept help and comfort from them. Overall, they're shown to have a Family of Choice kind of relationship.
- The interactions between Kira and Sonya. Although Sonya is initially cold and hesitant to trust the former Black Dragon member, she quickly learns to trust her as Kira helps her rescue Cassie and expresses genuine sympathy for Sonya's plight. Kira manages to knock some sense into Sonya when the older woman nearly lets her desire for revenge against Kano get the better of her. Sonya later thanks Kira for this, and comforts her by assuring her she is not a monster despite her crimes. Not only that, she also offers Kira a place within Special Forces if they survive the war.
- Cassie tries to comfort Kevin after he awakens from a nightmare. After she makes him laugh, he finally speaks, telling her "Thank you."
- This becomes even better when one recalls that Jacqui told him to thank Cassie himself when he initially asked her to do it for him.
- Taven defending Rain from the Elder Gods when they insult him in response to him speaking disrespectfully of them. Rain is clearly touched by this, and offers his own form of a thank you later on. Taven also saves Rain from being killed by Tremor at the tournament and states no one will touch his brother while he is there. What makes this even better is that when the half-brothers first met, they literally came to blows and Rain later refused to accept Taven's apology for insulting Rain's mother. It just shows how far they've come in such a short time.
- Furthermore, Delia also intervenes to save them from Raiden's wrath, telling him to stay away from her family. Keep in mind Rain is the product of infidelity on Argus' part and Delia has always felt sorry for her stepson, understanding the circumstances of his birth are not his fault.
- Erron Black's concern for Li Mei after her village is destroyed by Hotaru under Raiden's orders. He is the first to offer comfort to her, hugging her and later even saving her life after she loses to Hotaru in the tournament. He spends the most amount of time with her in the infirmary and after confiding his past in her, she finally decides to accept his comfort.
- When Kira finally has enough of witnessing Nell's rape and torture at the hands of Kano, she saves Nell from being raped by Tasia and is reduced to tears after their escape. Nell, despite being understandably rude to Kira for previously refusing to help her, is so touched by her guilt and sorrow that she tells Kira that contrary to what the redhead thinks about herself, she does deserve forgiveness and redemption, and gives Kira hers and Kabal's wedding bands so she can have something to remember Kabal by.
- Stryker comforting Kira in the next chapter. Considering the fact that Kabal had to break up an argument between them several chapters ago, this is very touching. It's also implied that this conversation is what convinced Kira to accept Sonya's offer before Raiden attacks Kotal Kahn's palace.
- It's funny and sweet to read the conversation amongst Fujin, Jax, Kitana, Liu Kang, Jade/Delia, Kung Lao, and Kai about Johnny Cage. While they do still consider him a clown, they have grown to respect him.
