Note: This is a pretty violent chapter, but if you like violence, you may read on. If you don't like too much blood and gore, skip this chapter.

Chapter 18: The Tarkartan Ambush

Everyone followed Raiden over to the palace. The Soulnado seems to be getting smaller than it was the day before. It was either that Shang Tsung needed to replenish his strength by absorbing souls or he caught some strong warrior souls and placed them in a dead soldier.

When the warriors came to the entrance of the bridge, they saw Bo' Rai Cho carrying Li Mei over his shoulder. She was unconscious.

"Go on!" shouted Bo' Rai Cho. "I'll take care of Li Mei!"

Then after a few minutes, three people were coming towards the warriors. One was a blonde woman, one was a blonde man, and one was an African-American man with metal arms.

"It's Sonya, Jax, and Johnny Cage!" Kung Lao shouted.

"Finally!" yelled Kitana.

"Uh oh!" yelled Kagome. "We got company!"

Then a group of Tarkarta climbed onto the bridge. Blades came out of their arms as almost like they were weapons embedded in their skin.

"What are those things!" shouted Sango.

"They're Tarkarta," answered Maria, "born from a demon of the Netherrealm and an Outworld denizen! They're almost like half-demons!"

"Thank gods I'm from Earthrealm!" yelled Inuyasha.

"Try to get to the inside of the palace!" yelled Raiden. "Fight any Tarkarta that get in your way!"

Everyone ran across the bridge and attacked the Tarkartan hordes. Sonya Blade blew a kiss in a Tarkarta's face, which caused him to throw up. Jax (or Jackson Briggs) threw a Tarkarta to the ground and crushed his head. Johnny Cage ripped the brain out of another Tarkarta. Kagome shot a purified arrow at the chest of a Tarkarta, and he exploded. Sango threw her Hiraikotsu at a few Tarkartan soldiers and sliced them in half from the waist. Miroku used his Wind Tunnel on several Tarkarta as Kirara, in her true form, blew fire at them. Shippo used his Magic Top on a Tarkarta until the creature turned into blood, flesh, and bones. Everyone else used their weapons to get the Tarkartan warriors out of the way.

Then they all got inside the palace, but instead of seeing Shang Tsung or Quan Chi, they saw two Netherrealm oni attacking a ninja.

I told you it was violent, and sorry that it is short. The story is almost done, so R&R please!