View Full Version : The Return
Last year, I started writing a short fan-fic that quickly turned into something quite grander than I had originally intended it to be. As such, some of the story telling was hap-hazard and needed improvement. I've decided to re-edit the original piece of work and present it in its new form. I hope if you missed it the first time you'll take the oppportunity to give it a chance and if you read it before that you'll stay to see what changes have been made. -- QiRanger
Defenders of the Realm
Chapter One: The Return
*** FORWARD ***
The year is 2154. Since the last millennium began, the world has been in a constant state of change. Making gains in one area while receding in another. Trumpeted as a great unification of the major powers of the day, The Global War of Terror the West sought to fight was far more destructive than originally thought. The damage wasn’t caused by radicals bent on destroying Western Ideals, but by the politicians in the participating countries trying to protect the countries they claimed to love so dearly. Seeking greater and greater powers to control the flow of information and reign in on perceived threats, those that aligned themselves with the willing, soon found themselves isolated and abandoned on the world stage.
What the terrorists in 2001 failed to achieve, the United States and its allies accomplished in only a decade: complete and utter destruction of inherent freedoms and commerce. Beginning in 2012, a great depression swallowed the once grand country and flung its people needlessly by the side as the Superpower was humbled even greater than in 1927. Seeing what could happen to a nation as bold as the United States, the European Union took immediate action to ensure that the economic impacts would not soften their economy. What rose out of these initiatives was the first of the multi-national states.
Seeing the benefit of centralizing large governments, smaller nations quickly followed suit. The former Soviet block countries reunited, as did much of Asia and the Pacific Rim. Arab countries quickly joined, forming one cohesive force. These previously partisan countries moved with renewed vision and by 2043 secured the disbandment of Israel and the formation of a new region they called Palestine. By the time the United States recovered from the depression in 2052, it was the last of the single nations. In 2054, the United States became no more as it was inducted into the North American Union and stood along with Canada and Greenland.
One other change that occurred simultaneously in the early years of the millennium was the destruction of the United Nations. After the United States repeatedly stepped out on their own and ignored UN resolutions, the body steadily became weaker and weaker, until not even the member representatives wished to take place in mindless debates and votes. Therefore, like its predecessors, the United Nations passed into the annals of history. Formal diplomatic envoys continued to send messages to one another and negotiate treaties, but without the world venue, progress in some areas remained stalled. In 2103, the Counsel of Governments was formed. Designed to serve the world as an open forum, each of the dozen member nation-states held equal power.
Once the economic downturn of the first century passed, the world again focused on rebuilding its knowledge base and addressing spiraling population explosions. In the next fifty years the world saw things never even imagined by the average citizen and only dreamed by science fiction writers. By 2150, enormous cities had been built to house men, women, and children in numbers so staggering, that in many cases their sizes were far greater than the total populations of countries a hundred years ago. To expand man’s reach, off-world colonies were settled and embraced new advances in flight and optical data transfer.
While the inventions were incredible and the enormous size and reach of those living on Earth was vast, these events had been foretold. In fact, in every era there has been a major power brought to its knees by either war, collapse of commerce, or in this case, both. In every case, its people rebounded and came back stronger with new ideals and inventions to prevent it from ever happening again. What many failed to realize, is that the cycle was unbreakable – prosperity cannot exist without poverty, light without darkness. For five thousand years, light shined on the Earth, but that was about to come to an end.
Five millennia ago, this blue pearl of a planet was the site of the greatest battle between good and evil. Warriors from each side clashed in desperate attacks to ensure the victory of their respective sides. Many suffered and even more perished as the conflict ravaged every corner of the globe. The blood of those responsible, as well as the innocent, ran like water in the ocean. Finally the defenders of this realm succeeded in banishing the evil demon warlord Bruch’oda and his minions to the Shadow Realm. While many hoped they would never return, those that understood the nature of the universe knew better.
Years past and the heroic stories of those that saved the world were taught to all. But like with many tales of years gone by, they drifted into oblivion and were slowly forgotten. With each generation that passed, the details of these warriors were put aside and the lessons learned drifted away from the world’s consciousness until they became nothing more than rare and eclectic bedtime stories for children. Still, some historians held the belief that the five Mystic Doors used to once seal Bruch’oda, could be found and lavish the one who opened the door with untold power and riches.
Glory and fame were never sought by those who saved the Earth all those years ago. Each lived quietly until it was their time to pass into the next life. After five thousand years, only one of the original heroes remained. He lived a quiet and unassuming life watching and protecting the world should the evil one day return.
Today is that day.
wildranger
08-11-2004, 10:26 PM
not bad
Kali_WolfChilde
08-11-2004, 10:58 PM
COOL! i've been waiting for a continuation of that fic!
not bad
Thanks. I should have Part one up soon.
COOL! i've been waiting for a continuation of that fic!
Well, not so much as a continuation... more like the Special Edition. Once this is complete, then the next process would be to trim things down for a treatment and screenplay. I am, however, in the process of developing the stroylines for the sequel.
Kali_WolfChilde
08-12-2004, 12:04 AM
continuation, Special Edition, WHICHEVER! i can't wait. can't say as i'll always have time to reply, but will DEFINITELY read!
packfan6
08-12-2004, 07:13 PM
WOW, just wow! (sry it took so long for my reply)
WOW, just wow! (sry it took so long for my reply)
Thanks packfan6...
Kali post when you can. I hope to have the first section finished soon. My laptop crapped out of power at the office today, or else I would have finished it this evening... oh well, I guess that's what Friday's are for.
Qi
bjlovel
08-13-2004, 12:10 PM
Awesome
Part One
The new moon casts no light on this cloudy night. In the absence of civilization and heavenly glow from above, the rippling sea of the Pacific Ocean cannot be discerned from the sky above. Miles from any other human vessel, a sea transport glides above the dark sea, skimming across each wave as its hover engines lift it gently from the surface. No signs of life can be seen aboard and the indigenous marine creatures that normally follow such crafts scattered hours ago when a large, hulking machine was cast overboard and drifted to the sea bottom.
Unlike other submersibles, this craft housed no pilots, no crew, not one living being. Operated by telepresence, its commands were transmitted through the global optical data network, known as the C-Net. The transmission originated from a villa in the French countryside, where the machine’s process was carefully monitored and tracked. The robotic device wasn’t bulky or ship-like, but rather humanoid in form. Its torso was broad and well armored. Atop its chest was a simple scanning device, allowing the robot to record and transmit its data to the villa. Within this housing also was stored the robot’s sensors that aided in the search for its target. At the ends of the machine’s legs were twin thrusters, propelling the mechanized creature through the sea bottom, while its arms trail motionless behind.
Giving a wide birth the robot as it glides near the murky bottom, the sea creatures stay well enough away from the mechanized creation, sensing its strange power. As the robot passes over a ridge, an unsuspecting eel slithered out from its hole and brushed against the smooth skin of the robot’s body. Without even turning its sensors to target, the robot fired a blast of electricity at the eel. The arcing lightening strike illuminated the deep sea and ravaged the eel. Convulsing as enormous power shot through its body, the eel fell lifeless after only a few seconds of tasting a fraction of the machine’s power. Now, left on its own, the robot continued its trek.
Thousands of miles away, Gerard LaFleur laid comfortably in a recliner as he took in the information from his robotic operative. The thirty-five year-old kept his eyes closed as he took in the steady stream of information that was being passed over the C-Net from the robot directly into his brain. Like many other criminals of the era, Gerard had become a Jacker. These talented hackers had infused their minds with data ports so they could instantly gain access to the world wide network. Now, with the intense scans coming in from halfway around the globe, he was becoming more and more intent of finding the object of his desire.
“I know it’s here,” he muttered aloud, knowing that there wasn’t a soul around. It was a habit he picked up early in his career as a criminal, talking aloud as he pilfered through secure systems. He learned quickly after his first pinch that he needed to be in a well insulated room to talk out his actions and avoid being overheard by those that would turn him in. Curling his fingers over the edge of the chair’s arms, he mumbled to himself again, “Where is it?”
Gerard continued to concentrate on his search, letting everything else pass into oblivion. His mind was so far engaged in operating the robot that he completely failed to hear the mechanized grinding of his robotic servant as it rolled up next to him. One of several in the villa, Jeffery is Gerard’s head service robot. Designed with simplicity in mind, Jeffery had a round body and a pair of twin-jointed serving arms. The creation maneuvered by rolling on its tri-axles that could easily spin in all directions and navigate simple stairs.
“Sir,” the robot said with an English accent, “it’s been seven hours. As you requested, I am to remind you to stop and take a break.” Signaling to other robotic servants, Jeffery instructed his entourage to place a folding table next to Gerard. Another of the robots set down a silver platter with a small sandwich, chips, and beverage.
“Not now!” Gerard fired back. “I’m close. I can feel it.”
The intense reaction was not all that unexpected to Jeffery, as the robot had served his master for a number of years and was used to his fixation on the task at hand. Transmitting orders to his brethren, Jeffery quickly instructed them to leave the study.
“You can leave too,” Gerard said through gritted teeth, but Jeffery remained as a safety precaution that Gerard had programmed him with.
“As you know, I cannot,” the robot servant responded. “You gave me explicit programming never to leave your side if you’ve jacked in for over seven hours. Your health is my primary concern, which is why you’ve authorized me to dissolve the link if necessary.”
“Don’t remind me,” Gerard muttered as a tiny bead of sweat pierced through the skin of his forehead.
Another hour passed before another word was spoken. “There!” Gerard yelled, his voice rising up into the loft above the study and startling the pigeons near the window.
Jeffery spun around and gazed at his master, “You’ve found it?”
Bridging the internal link in his mind with his household systems, Gerard activated a holographic lamp in the study. Red, green, and blue lights converged directly in front of him and presented the murky image from the robot in the ocean. “See for yourself,” he said, pointing to the display.
“I don’t see anything sir,” Jeffery calmly stated.
“You will,” Gerard assured his metal servant. Slowly objects started coming into view. As the silt settled from the robot’s thrusters, Jeffery was finally able to see what had gotten his master so excited - several broken columns covered in dirt and sea weed.
“Are you sure,” the servant asked.
“Most undoubtedly,” Gerard responded as the image zoomed in on the truss of an ancient ruin breaking through the old sea’s crust. Preserved in the dark and cold, the ruins of the abyss looked as if only a fraction of time passed since they were lost. “Just like I thought it would be,” Gerard gloated.
Gerard commanded his robotic avatar to slowly maneuver closer to the ruins. Nearing the large crevasse the robot slowed so as not to disturb the visual image. Rolling left, the metallic beast attempted to enter the ruin, but its body was too bulky and collided with the structure. Crumbling under the incredible power of the robot, the ruin’s wall gave way flooding the area with silt and occluding the visual scanners. “Damn!” Gerard yelled. Making a quick switch, Gerard changes the scanning mode to electromagnetic imaging. “Ah, much better,” he said as the image became crystal clear showing the dense materials and ignoring the water and silt.
***
Located along the Pacific Northwest was the small mountain town of Griffin. Relatively small in size, its citizens were unassuming and enjoyed the clean mountain air and hometown-feel that had long ago been cast away in the surrounding larger cities. Nestled on a bluff overlooking the Pacific was a small house. It wasn’t a lavish or as ornate as the others in town and its owner was rumored to be nothing more than a recluse who had little need for people. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While the interior was space and no electric devices could be found, this residence abandoned all the technological advances of the present era and relished in days of old. There were no lights, no computers, no walls – only rice mats and screen dividers.
Basking in the flickering flame of candles and incense, a single figure knelt before a wooden altar. Dressed in traditional white robes, the bald man let the flickering flames cast their light on him. He lived a secluded life and was seldom seen by the inhabitants of Griffin. A conscious decision he made to hide his true age. For while those around him thought he was just over eighty, in fact he was many, many years older. Master Li focused on his meditation, as he did daily. Channeling qi from deep within his tan tien, Master Li pushed it through his meridians and then sent is core energy out into the universe. He endlessly searched the cosmos to ensure that all was well – a task he and the others before him perform ritualistically since the day Bruch’oda was banished. However, unlike his meditations in days past, a strange sensation was cast over his body as his mind traveled the astral plane.
It had been years since he had experienced something of this nature. The feeling was completely out of place, yet familiar. Holding still so as not to interrupt the flow of consciousness, Master Li embraced the knowledge he was receiving. Delving deeper into the trance, he began to question his thoughts, “What is this?” he wondered. But before Master Li could finish his thought, the realization of what was occurring flashed before his eyes– someone has found one of the Mystic Doors.
“No,” he told himself, not wanting to believe that the time had come again for his service. Gathering his mental strength, Master Li began searching for the intruder.
***
Miles away, under the cover of darkness, Gerard’s robot had finally cleared the dirt and debris from the ruin’s main entrance. It was a meticulous task that the Frenchman hated, but he knew that failing to do so would jeopardize his mission and possibly end it prematurely. Once the area had been secured, he piloted the robot avatar into the opening. This time he made sure he didn’t repeat his earlier mistake and hit the walls of the catacombs – for the slightest bump could bring the walls tumbling down and put an end to his quest.
The fine silt that marked the ruin’s entrance also lined the hallways of the catacombs. Small alcoves every hundred feet or so held algae covered bronze racks where torches probably once lit the way. Because of the tight quarters, even the snail-like speed at which the robot was traveling stirred the fine layer of silt below. Even though he was able to navigate using the electromagnetic imagining sensors, the dirt flew up and occluded the normal spectrum scanners, thus distorting the historic beauty of his journey. “This is going to take forever,” he said not attempting to hide his disdain for the events at hand.
Thousands of miles away from the robotic avatar, Gerard issued the command for the beast to stop. Almost instantly, the large robot halted its presence and hovered in the center of the corridor. “Maybe there’s another approach,” Gerard said aloud, almost hoping there was someone who could give some advice rather than just his robot servants. “Let’s look at this another way,” he told his invisible audience and commanded the viewer to revert back to visual scanning.
Gerard announced, “And now for a little light.” A split second later twin spotlights shown from the upper torso of the robot. The beams illuminated the darkened corridor as if it were basking beneath the midday sun at the equator. What was once dark and dreary was now clearly visible. Gerard panned his camera to each side and took careful notice of the intricate drawings depicting ancient battles that have been carved into the stone structure.
“Yes!” he exclaimed to himself. Throughout his research, he had found similar drawings depicting the final days of the great battle. While it was a remote chance, Gerard had hoped that the architects of this temple had done what so many cultures did before – write everything down as a tribute to the Gods. Grinning, he turned to Jeffery and spoke to the only one who would listen, “Maybe this won’t be as bad as I thought.”
An hour passed with Gerard piloting the metal beast deeper and deeper into the ancient ruin -all the while deciphering the runes on the catacomb walls. While the exact story was to difficult to figure out while piloting his creation, the sentiment was clear – those that built this place were giving thanks to the men who saved the world from great evil. Each carving was intricately drawn to reflect the courage and power these men had used when banishing evil from the Earth so long ago.
Finally, Gerard saw something in one of the drawings that made his heart skip a beat – a great door blocking his progress. It wasn’t any door either. This stone tablet stood tall and formed an arch at the end of the corridor. Carved into the center of the stone covering were three wavy lines, the ancient symbol for water. “This is it!” Gerard yelled. With beads of perspiration forming on his forehead and his heart racing, he shifted his focus from exploration to breaching the last obstacle in his quest for power.
Gerard took a deep breath and swallowed hard for good measure and he brought his robot to a vertical stance and extended its arms. The twin claws opened and a loud hum echoed in the watery chamber. Gritting his teeth, Gerard knew this was the moment of truth- what all his years of research and planning had come to. Activating the electrical systems in his robot, Gerard commanded his avatar to launch twin bolts of pure energy. Compounded by the bright spotlights, the increased energy nearly fried the visual scanner as the electricity arced towards the Water Mystic Door.
The ancient artifact readily accepted the energy and instantly began siphoning more power from the robot. What had once appeared as a haphazard arcing pattern of lightening was steadily gaining shape, as blue light filled the chamber and the water symbol. Gerard could hardly contain his excitement and began babbling to himself, “Is this it? I mean is this really it? Come on, hurry up and open!”
After what seemed like an eternity to Gerard, but in reality was just over a minute, the robot’s power levels reached critical and its automatic safety measures kicked in, discontinuing the electric beam. Now, almost completely void of power, the robot floated helplessly before the Mystic door without even-so-much power as to keep its lights on. “Damn!” Gerard shouted as he slammed his hand on the armchair.
But before self pity could take root, Gerard heard a crackling sound. Looking up at the faint image on the screen it was all he could do to mutter, “What?”
The symbol which had originally been a pale blue light against the mighty electrical beams had grown in intensity and now cast light over the entire corridor. What had once been stagnant and dormant was now roaring with power as a loud buzz of energy began radiating from the Mystic Door’s center. Wave after wave shot out from the illuminated symbol, cascading over the temple’s walls and Gerard’s robot. With each passing, the blue symbol got brighter and brighter until the light completely engulfed the robot. Within seconds, the energy from the water symbol had completely taken over the door. An energy vortex appeared where the stone tablet had once stood and pulsed with incredible power, drawing in everything in front of the door.
“Shit!” Gerard proclaimed as he tried to reroute power in his robot and activate his sensors. But it was all for not. There was nothing he could do that would prevent his creation from being drawn into the energy vortex. It would only be a matter of seconds before his machine would be drawn into the Mystic Door. Slowly, as the vortex increased its spin, the robot began creeping towards its fate. With the robot directly in front of the door, the vortex sent out a series of three blue pulses before absorbing the robot.
***
Opening his eyes after a long and extensive journey, Master Li quietly uttered one word, “Water.” He closed his eyes again and prayed to all those that passed before him, “Please give me the strength to complete this final mission. We knew this day would come. Please let the forces of good prevail once more as they did so many years ago.” Master Li Bows his head to the floor and with a subtle palm strike extinguishes the candles before him on the altar. Taking a deep breath to charge his tan tien, Master Li slowly rose to his feet. Exiting the meditation room, the sage walked into his study. Traveling effortlessly over the rice mats, there were no footprints and no noise heard from his journey.
Master Li entered his study, a large area lined with books from nearly every period of human history. His extensive collection was an Anthropologist and Historian’s dream, as it included original works by the greats thought lost millennia ago. Besides the endless bookshelves the only other object present was an antique desk. Worn with age, the old piece of furniture was remarkable strong considering it too was nearly five thousand years in age. As with all things in Master Li’s life, there was a precise order to the room. Each bookcase housed documents from different eras and his desk had a specific purpose. Li lowered his body into a hand-carved chair behind that was nestled behind the desk. With careful precision, he opened the top drawer on his left. As the drawer slipped past the desk’s house, it rubbed against the wood and made a warbling sound.
Inside was but one object – a golden chest the size of a shoebox. The box’s handles were lined with pearl and gold with the chest’s body a deep umber. Ancient markings surrounded the chest on all sides. He reached into the drawer and lifted it gently. Admiring the beauty of the craftsmanship for a moment, Li remembered briefly the day he received the chest as a gift. Sadly, he knew that its time had come and placed it reverently on the desktop. “I thought it would have been longer,” he said to himself. Closing his eyes, he cupped the chest’s lid with his fingertips and opened the lid.
The interior was lined in fine red velvet and contained a single object: a golden medallion measuring about two-and-one-half inches in diameter. Showing no signs of age, the closely guarded talisman had but a single marking in its center. Marked with exquisite precision were three vertical lines enclosed by a circle. It had been years since Master Li had even gazed at his treasure and seeing it again too his breath away. “It’s been so long,” he quietly said aloud while staring intently at the intricate carvings on the medallion’s face.
Slowly, almost instinctively, Master Li extended his arms and reached into the chest to take hold of the medallion. A magical feeling rushed over his body when his old skin came into contact with the golden token. That old familiar feeling once more began to surge through his veins. Closing his eyes, Li thought back to a time long forgotten, when he first held the medallion and regaled in his memory again. So many times over the eons, he had wanted to take the medallion out of its resting place and use the powers it contained to right the wrongs of the world. But he knew that was not the purpose of the talisman. It was intended only for this moment – when the battle for the survival of Earth was again at hand.
Holding the medallion high above his head, Master Li rose from his seat and rooted his feet into the flooring. Concentrating on the talisman and the emblem etched on its front, Master Li began channeling the qi stored deep within his body. The medallion sensed its master’s calling and instantly began glowing red. With each second that passed, the power transfer between the two grew until the red light shining from the medallion filled the study. Even out on the street, the red light could be seen shining through the windows.
The power continued to flow between the two, ever more growing in intensity. Shooting out from the medallion’s center, a red energy sphere materialized, surrounding Master Li. Red electricity shot in and out of the sphere as magical winds blew through the office, sending the books and papers swirling about. Thunderous claps of energy broke the once silent study and sent massive shockwaves out from Master Li as the red light became white-hot. Just before it was to explode, the sphere collapsed in on itself and in that same instant, Master Li vanished.
***
packfan6
08-19-2004, 09:01 AM
Wow, this fic if like no other at RB. Excellent beginning to the story. *Knows who one of my nominations for fic of the month will be*
Wow, this fic if like no other at RB. Excellent beginning to the story. *Knows who one of my nominations for fic of the month will be*
Thanks. I'm about halfway through the next section and should have it up by the end of the weekend.
Qi
Part Two
The cobalt blue sky was crystal clear atop the roof of the world. Only a smooth breeze disturbed the pristine nature of the cold, dry air under the intense sun that seemed only hundreds of feet away. The mountain’s steeps slopes rocketed down to a small Tibetan village nestled between two outcroppings of granite that formed a natural barrier to Earth’s most devastating forces. Jutting out from the frozen snow, a half dozen large boulders hide a cave on the southern face on Mount Everest.
Not a single human being has entered this remote region of the mountain in more than five thousand years. Hidden far behind the protective boulders and walls of icicles is a small cave mouth. The intense light from the high sun reflects off the sheets of ice and passes into the cave. Thousands of years moisture, frozen along the walls, relayed the sun’s light deeper into the cave. While not providing an extensive source of light, any journey deep into the bowels of the mountain benefited from any assistance provided from the outside.
Eons of glacial activity turned the once ragged cave walls into mirror-like surfaces that were as smooth as glass. Despite their powerful nature, one thing the glaciers were unable to remove from this sacred place were ancient hieroglyphics depicting battles between the ancient warriors of good and forces of evil. These great clashes of steel and bone, blood and sweat, life and death, went on endlessly as the cave wound its way deeper and deeper into the core of Everest.
Battle after battle was depicted in detail until the last rays of light vanished from view. The final images were of five warriors battling the forces of evil alone. While the other images on the walls have been of the Defenders fighting in unison, these last drawings were a stark contrast. Atop the cave’s wall, carved with great reverence was the image of a single man fighting amidst volcanoes. A similar picture was present on the lower left side of the cage with the Defender submerged in the ocean. Other images were carved into the walls, but one was markedly different. In the center of the five battles depicted, stood a lone figure. It stood isolated from the others and pitted against and seemingly endless army.
Above each of the Defenders was carved a small symbol. While each was different, it was apparent that they were closely tied to one another in design and purpose. One symbol was slightly different than the others and rested over the head of the central figure. Unlike the others, this drawing possessed a border around its emblem to differentiate it from the symbol directly above it. This carving too had three vertical lines and rested inside a circle.
On the opposite cave wall was carved a similar image. The singular figure remained in the center, but everything else was absent. There were no carvings depicting great battles, no images of heroes, and no villains ravaging the Earth. Just one solitary warrior surrounded by the ancient markings. Beyond this, the cavern’s wall was blank and dark. The passage continued deeper into the mountain’s heart – a sign that more was to come. The corridor finally came to an end near the heart of Everest. No light made the journey this far and not even night itself could compete with this darkness, for light itself appeared to have been sucked into oblivion.
In the void created by the absence of light, nothing could be discerned from the inanimate matter that surrounded all. Standing motionless at the end of the corridor, one figure stood in silence. Slowly, he extended his arms and pressed his palms outwards. Breathing rhythmically, he began gathering cosmic energy. Each breath steadily became more powerful than the last until the energy danced around the cave. In a flash of bight light, the energy erupted into a myriad of light and filled the cave.
Master Li briefly fluttered his eyes, allowing them to grow accustomed to the increased illumination before continuing his task. No longer wearing his meditation robes, Master Li stands comfortably in his black gi from long ago. Red stripes marked his sleeve cuffs and boot tops, while a red belt was fashioned around his waist. At the center of the buckle securing the belt sat his medallion.
Master Li continued to absorb qi from the universe and channeling it towards his tan tien. With each breath, his power increased and a low rumbling could be heard echoing in the vast tunnels of the cave. Li brought his palms to face one another. As they touched, a massive strand of lightening shot off and struck the cave wall. Each breath he took intensified the effect until there were multiple stands of lightening dancing in the cave. Focusing directly before him, Master Li summoned more power from the cosmos until wind raced with the lightening, stirring dirt and sand everywhere.
Li stood motionless in the maelstrom of power he created. The flickering beams of light he summoned began carving off the years of neglect on the stone door before him, sending shards of caked on dirt and grime aside. After a few short minutes Master Li was finally able to cast his eyes on his destination – the Great Vault. Hidden behind a massive stone tablet door, the Great Vault once served as the sanctuary of the Defenders long ago.
Six symbols were carved into the door. Three vertical lines rested at the apex representing the element of fire. To its right, half-way down the door were three “^” placed on one another, symbolizing earth. Below and to the left were three horizontal lines, the sign of metal. Directly across and to the left of the metal elemental symbol were three horizontal waving lines for water. Above and to the left (and across from the earth symbol) were three waving lines at a forty-five degree angle, slanted to the right, symbolizing wood. The sixth symbol was the same that Master Li held in his study and was engraved into the heart of his medallion.
Shifting his concentration from that of absorption, Master Li began cultivating the accumulated qi. Stepping out into a low, left bow stance, Master Li’s body began seeping gold energy from his pores. The soft golden light filled the cave with light in the absence of the raging lightening. Transferring the stored qi from his tan tien to his hands, Master Li drew his hands together into holding ball and let the qi trickle between his palms. Qi filled the holding ball until it grew to the size of about a basketball. It then changed from the soft golden light to a raging sea of fiery red energy. Master Li shifted his weight and thrust his arms forward, releasing the holding ball.
The summoned energy hurled across the short distance between Master Li and the stone tablet and exploded on impact. Rather that destroying everything in the cave, the door absorbed the energy into the central symbol. It drew in the qi Master Li cultivated and turned from its cold, vacant appearance to a vibrant red. As the second ancient symbol for fire, Master Li had complete control over its energy. The stored qi pulsated in the symbol, causing a low hum to vibrate throughout the cave. Each second allowed the qi to charge the locking mechanism of the door until it finally shot a beam of energy upwards to the fire symbol directly overhead.
The blast began charging the fire symbol in much the same manner as Master Li did his. Pulsing with red energy, the fire element lock slipped loose sending a shockwave throughout the cave and a wave of energy towards the symbol to its right. The energy trapped in the door changed to yellow and began charging the earth lock. Again, the power unleashed by Master Li allowed this ancient mechanism to glow a bright yellow and release the cylinder. A flash of bright yellow light filled the cave as energy was released towards the metal symbol below. Once full of white energy, the metal lock released and fed its energy into the water lock. The process repeated once more with the water lock unsealing itself and channeling its energy towards the wood symbol.
Once all six ancient elemental locks had been charged and pulsed with power, Master Li could feel his body shift back and forth with the rhythmic motion of their energy. Standing before their soft glow, he returned to his natural stance and raised his hands overhead. The door to the Great Vault responded to the command and slowly began to rise in the cavern. The slow action of retraction caused the cave to shake and rumble as if a powerful earthquake had struck, but Master Li stood silent and still, unmoving.
Seconds pass before the large door finally cleared the corridor. Master Li’s eyes gazed at the staircase carved into the mountain descending into the heart of Everest. He hadn’t seen the finely carved steps in ages, but knew this was the predetermined time for his arrival. Thousands of small gemstones lined the cavern’s walls emitted a dim light from the absorbed qi stored in the retracted door. Stepping forward, Master Li adjusted his eyes to their soft glowing light and began his final trek to the Great Vault.
After winding throughout the center of the greatest mountain on the surface of the planet, the staircase came to an end at the edge of the Great Vault. Dirt and dust flowed over the ruins of this ancient chamber and covered five large tombs that were arranged in the traditional five element pattern. Each of the tombs were cast in marble and engraved with their respective markings laced in gold. Master Li reverently entered the chamber and walked to the center of the tombs. With his arrival, the gemstones of the Great Vault came alive.
Master Li turned his gaze upwards and watched as a thunderous roar came crashing down. Five colored beams rocketed down from large gemstones anchored deep in the chamber’s ceiling. Each of the beams - red, yellow, white, blue, and green – showered their respective crests, causing the Great Vault to shake with power. For nearly a minute, the powerful light beams shook the chamber and transferred their qi into the five encrusted tombs. Each of the five emblems began glowing brighter and brighter as each second passed. Master Li stood quietly in the center of an ever increasing display of power.
Finally it ended, yielding five glowing tombs that resonated with incredible power. Master Li’s ears detected a new rumbling. This time it wasn’t from the air or the mountain, but from each one of the tombs themselves. Multicolored light began escaping from the tombs as their lids slid open. As their ancient seals were severed, the marble encasings came crashing onto the granite floor and shattered. Master Li took a deep breath as his eyes finally came to rest on what they came to see – from within each of the tombs, a decayed hand reached out into the crisp air.
Moving with slow determination, the five skeletal remains climbed their way out of the ancient receptacles and stood before Master Li. Each wore the remains of tattered gis similar to Master Li, only that their dominant color scheme reflected that of their respective element. Hanging low on their hips was sash linked together with a golden buckle. Just as Maser Li’s medallion rested in the buckle, the ancient Defenders’ medallions performed the same function.
The skeletons summoned the qi that flowed through the Great Vault and began glowing. One by one, the skeletons absorbed the abundant qi and manifested human form once more. A long white beard flowed from his ancient face, as Master Jo stepped out of the fire tomb and crossed the floor to Master Li. Master Yee’s youthful face acknowledged his comrade as he made his trip from the earth tomb. Like Master Li, Master Tanaka’s head was shaved clean. The venerable warrior who once possessed the power of metal walked forward to join his friends. The final two Defenders to join Master Li were Masters Woo and Kahn, ancient guardians of water and wood. As during their time on this world, they had been inseparable in the afterlife.
“Friends,” he began with distinct sorrow in his voice, “I am glad to see you once more.”
“But the time has come when evil threatens the world once more,” Master Jo uttered.
Li looked at his old friend and nodded, “Someone has opened the Water Mystic Door. The gateway to the Shadow Realm has been reached and it will only be a matter of time before Bruch’oda realizes the opportunity and sends forth his army.”
“Your vigilance shall be rewarded in the next life, my friend,” Master Woo said as he stepped forward and placed is hand on Master Li’s shoulder.
“I shall await the return of your successors and monitor the door for the invasion,” Master Li stated. Knowing this was their queue to take leave, the ancient Defenders bowed to their old friend. Master Li returned the gesture, knowing that it would be last time he would gaze upon them in this life.
The five ancient Defenders stood tall and then rose high above Master Li. Transferring their absorbed qi from their bodies and placing it into the medallions they wore, the five Masters flashed out of existence. Now devoid of power, their bones fell crashing onto the stone floor of the Great Vault and scattered. Riddled with age, the impact shattered the structures and turned their holy remains into dust. Master Li brought his hands together and bowed once more, “Hurry, my friends.”
***
Gerard LaFleur sat connected via the C-Net to his robotic avatar. After passing through the Water Mystic Door, the robot was instantly transported to the Shadow Realm. The process of crossing over once more charged his creation with power as he sat glued to every piece of data that was streamed into his brain. Jeffery, his robotic servant, stood motionless beside his master, fixated on the display before him. “Could this really be happening,” Gerard wondered to himself.
The transmissions from the Shadow Realm were a bit distorted, but it only took a matter of minutes for Gerard’s mind to create an effective filter and clear up the reception. Ordering his robotic avatar to step away from the blue, swirling energy that sent him through the Water Mystic Door, Gerard was finally able to take a good look around. He saw the ancient markings for water atop the portal, but little else. “So this is it?” he cried out. “This is the source of ultimate power?” Gerard yelled in frustration as he commanded the robot to scan the horizon for any signs of weaponry or technology.
Each scan returned the same result: the Shadow Realm was nothing more than an abomination. The Judeo-Christian descriptions of Hell would have been an improvement to the setting he now surveyed, he thought. Gerard saw nothing but endless miles of scorched, dry earth as far as the eye could see. Above, the heavens burned blood-red while electrical storms crackled and discharged in the sky. Not one structure could be seen… not one scan returned with any sign of hope.
“Master,” Jeffery pondered, “is this what you expected?
Gerard shot an angry stare at his robotic servant and with a grizzle in his voice spat out, “What do you think?” through his gritted teeth.
“This was all for not,” he thought. “I’ve wasted all this time on something,” he began, feeling completely disgusted with recent events, but a strange energy wave fell upon the robotic avatar in the Shadow Realm. The sensation traveled over the C-Net link and rocked Gerard’s brain. Shards of pain raced through his neurons and traveled through every inch of his body. As he shook violently in his chair, a magical magical force overcame the robot and transported him from the Mystic Door the seat of power within the Shadow Realm.
Once settled in the new surroundings, the pain vanished from Gerard’s body and he once more was able to gain effective control over his robotic creation. Commanding the robot to scan its new settings, he found his robot was no longer outside, but had been moved to what appeared to be a castle from the Dark Ages. The robot had in fact been teleported to the grand Throne Room of the Shadow Realm’s ruler, Bruch’oda. It was not elegant by any stretch of the imagination. Dark and cast with deep shadows, marble-like stones covered the walls and ceiling, encasing it like a tomb. Sconces posted throughout the room provided just enough to vaguely discern general shapes but not to decipher things clearly. Each sconce was flanked by a tapestry that ran from the ceiling to the floor. Each ancient piece of cloth was intricately embroidered with the ancient marking of the five elements in their respective colors. Opposite the robot was a tiered platform with several steps leading to the seat of infinite power. It was on this throne Bruch’oda sat.
“This is was I was looking for,” Gerard mouthed to Jeffery, whose artificial intelligence program failed to comprehend the events it witnessed. Gerard continued to soak in the information as it was being translated, hoping to figure out his next course of action. It wasn’t long before he noticed roughly forty identical dark figures surrounding his avatar. They wore black armor that seamlessly transitioned into darkened helmets. The only feature this army donned that wasn’t pitch-black was two red markings where their eyes should be. They remained motionless never faulting from focusing their attention on the robot. Even though he wasn’t anywhere near this strange location, he could sense their penetrating stares deep in his soul.
“This can’t be good,” Gerard muttered to himself, wondering if his metallic beast would survive the encounter.
“No, I suspect not,” Jeffery added.
Gerard turned the cameras to focus on the creature seated atop the golden throne. What could only be described as great distain, Gerard sat back deeper in his chair as he knew that such look came from great power – enough to destroy him instantly. Activating an enhanced visual scanning mode on his avatar, he was able to make out a few more details on the mighty figure that sat in judgment before him. With each second that passed, he grew more unsure of the outcome of this meeting.
He couldn’t be certain, but his gut told him the figure wasn’t human. If anything, Gerard thought, it had to be some sort of reptile. The ominous figure sat secure in his seat of power and wore intricate gold and black armor that covered every inch of his body except for his face. Bruch’oda wasn’t alone on the tiered steps either. He was flanked by a smaller, more demure half-human creature wearing snow-white armor that matched her pale skin. Her eyes showed signs of great interest and Gerard hoped he had found a way to keep his creation and dream survive.
Two more figures stood guard on steps half-way up the tiered staircase. Each was larger than the foot soldiers around the robot and infinitely more deadly. Just as Bruch’oda appeared to be of reptilian descent, these two appeared to be some sort of breed of dragon-humanoid. Their scales protruded through the red and blue armor they wore. These enforcers emanated great power and shared Bruch’oda’s look of disdain.
“Qual’och, is this the thing that came through the gate?” Bruch’oda boomed in the large hall.
“Yes, my Lord,” a high pitched voice coming from behind the robot replied.
Gerard commanded the robot to scan behind it revealing the source of the response. A lizard-like creature wearing a purple cloak with gold markings sifted his way through the sea of foot soldiers. Upon further inspection, Gerard noticed that the creature had four claw-like arms each ending in razor-sharp talons. “But it isn’t alive. It’s some sort of artificial machine,” Qual’och continued.
Bruch’oda leaned forward resting his right arm on his knee and stroked what would have been his chin, “Then how did it open the door?”
Seeing an opportunity to shine in the would-be darkness, Gerard activated his robot’s speech unit. Speaking into the microphone in his study, Gerard’s voice came through the speakers in the Shadow Realm, “It was actually quite easy to open the door.”
Several of the foot soldiers jumped back at the sudden sign of life from the machine, but such actions didn’t phase Bruch’oda, the enforcers, or anyone else. Squinting at the mechanized visitor, Bruch’oda paused. Xantia, Bruch’oda’s half-human daughter, no longer could contain her intrigue and slowly moved forward.
“Explain,” Bruch’oda ominous voice echoed.
Gerard knew this was not a mere request – it was an order and one that if not fulfilled to Bruch’oda’s satisfaction would mean instant death for his avatar. However, if it pleased the mighty ruler, it would enable him to join forces with the greatest warlord the earth had ever seen and start in motion Gerard’s plan to wreak havoc on the Earth.
“Please let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Gerard LaFleur from the planet Earth,” he started, but before he could get much more out, Bruch’oda shot out a commanding intervention.
“Don’t bore me with pleasantries. Get to the point, thing!” Bruch’oda yelled as Qual’och sauntered around the robot.
Gerard’s heart raced, sending waves of pounding force against his chest as he thought how best to present his case before Bruch’oda destroyed his robot. “This robot houses a powerful energy source based on fusion technology. Using the dischargers embedded into the unit’s arms, I was able to send an electrical wave into the door and break the lock.”
Bruch’oda looked at the robot, his eyes peering into the tin can. “Is that possible Wizard? I thought only the qi from the elements could unlock the doors.”
Qual’och paused where he stood and contemplated the robot’s response. “This energy wave you used, can you show it to me?” he asked.
“Yes. It’s really quite simple,” Gerard responded, trying to hold the excitement that was building in his voice. “Where would you like me to discharge the beam?”
Qual’och looked around the Throne Room for a suitable target. His eyes came to rest upon a weapons rack housing in the far corner. “Over there,” he pointed.
“Shadow Warriors, step aside,” Dra’isod, the double headed enforcer commanded. Heeding their master’s orders, the foot soldiers did so.
Slowly, the machine raised its arms and unleashed a short burst of energy. The energy wave quickly found its target and destroyed the rack and weapons, sending wood and metal throughout the Throne Room.
“That’s it my Lord,” Qual’och said.
“That’s what?” Bruch’oda wondered.
“The machine sent pure energy into the gate. Energy in its purest state contains each of the five elements. Given enough power, the door would have accepted the energy wave from the machine as water qi.”
“That was quick. Not bad for an ancient wizard,” Gerard thought, impressed that someone so removed from the modern world could grasp such things.
“So now that you’ve opened the door, answer me one question: Why?” Bruch’oda said, leaning back into his throne.
“Those in charge of the Earth have grown complacent and lost. No longer do they actually feel as if what they do is for the betterment of mankind. I’m tired of their inaction,” Gerard began. “I’ve always been a student of history, so I became intrigued at the legends of the Great Battle five thousand years ago. I knew if I could unearth the power, the world could be conquered and new order established. Under new rule, the Earth would move forward with one vision, one power. Anyone who doesn’t adhere to such a vision doesn’t deserve to breathe.”
The enforcers looked to Bruch’oda for a sign of judgment, but his face was expressionless. After what seemed like an eternity, Bruch’oda tilted his head to the side.
“Why?” he uttered. “Why should I help you? Sure you opened the Door, but why should we not include you in our path of destruction.”
“Because,” Gerard said confidently, “I only know the location one door. Without the others open, only one of you may cross over. You need me to open the others.”
Bruch’oda stole a quick glance at Qual’och, who confirmed what Gerard sated. “So I do,” Bruch’oda mused. “What was your name again, Earthling?”
“Gerard,” he responded.
“Well, Gerard. Your robot and one of my warriors won’t be a match for those who banished us here,” Bruch’oda thought aloud. The ancient warlord stood from his throne and took a few steps forward to the edge of the staircase.
Gerard’s heart continued racing as he sat in his chair. “This couldn’t be going any better!” he thought.
“Perhaps not, but I’ve not heard of the Defenders mentioned in the ancient texts since the time of the great battle. Could they all be dead?” Gerard asked.
Taking each step carefully as he descended towards the robot, Bruch’oda’s eyes glimmer a faint twinkle, “That I doubt. They’d be waiting for my return. Now that you’ve opened the door, it will only be a matter of time before they try to seal it.” He stopped next to Qual’och and placed his right armored glove on the wizard’s shoulder. “Since that thing is from Earth, can you make it strong enough to battle along side one of us until the other doors are open?”
“This robot is powerful enough to take on any threat,” Gerard boasted.
Disturbed that his judgment was called into question, Bruch’oda extended his arm towards the robot and unleashed a short burst of dark qi. The energy wave impaled on the robot and sent it flying across the room into the opposite wall.
“If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked,” Bruch’oda said coldly as he turned to Qual’och.
“I think I have a solution,” the wizard responded.
“Good.”
Qual’och stepped forward into the center of the Throne Room and closed his eyes. His upper hands drew across his chest while his other set of arms rose above his crown. A swirling mass of energy formed directly in front of the wizard. Sending out tentacles of power, the energy wrapped itself around the helpless robot and lifted it towards the wizard.
Gerard tried to break free of Qual’och’s control, but nothing worked. In fact, the more he struggled, the tiger the hold became. Gerard mentally sent the signals to his robot to arm the emergency countermeasures, but even these weapons had been disarmed. Resigned to the fact that there was nothing he could do, Gerard sat in his estate, helpless.
Qual’och increased his concentration, allowing the energy to coalesce into a massive swirling ball of energy. The wizard snapped his arms toward the floating robot and released the energy sphere at the same time. The powerful force took only a fraction of a second before it completely engulfed the robot.
Gerard again shook violently in his chair. The surge of power sent the Frenchman into a seizure forcing his eyes to roll back into his skull and sending his teeth down onto his tongue. As blood dripped past his lips, Gerard tried to regain control of his mind and body, but deep within his mind, he knew he was at the mercy of Qual’och.
The energy transfer lasted for roughly a minute. As time progressed, every ounce of power was absorbed into the robot. Once this had taken place, the metallic creature slowly changed form into something more menacing. The once vacant breastplate now was carved with a giant black “X” and the twin arms looked even stronger. When the energy wave finally subsided, the robot fell to the stone floor, sending a layer of dust into the air.
It was incredible. Nothing Gerard had ever experienced could even begin to come close with the rush of power that coursed through his veins. What ever Qual’och had done, had amplified the connection between his robot and himself and gave the creature more power. Gerard also noticed that every thought was relayed faster and that he no longer thought of himself and the robot, but that they were one in the same. But there was something else. Something he couldn’t quite come to terms with… something special.
Bruch’oda looked at the new robot, “And what have you done?”
Qual’och turned to face his Master, “Until the other doors are opened, your champions will need an army to command. This new warrior has the ability to make copies of itself, each as powerful as the original.”
“That’s it!” Gerard thought.
“Well done,” Bruch’oda said, smiling, the only way a lizard could as he returned to his throne. “Ready the invasion!” he yelled.
With renewed vigor, his troops erupted in a chorus of cheers, while Gerard sat at home with an enormous grin.
packfan6
08-24-2004, 10:33 AM
Another great episode Qi. I loved it.
Another great episode Qi. I loved it.
Thanks!
*** Part Three ***
The bright sun shone down on a hot day in the Pacific Ocean. Left as it was the previous night, Gerard’s sea transport hovered gently above the rolling swells in the Pacific Ocean. The sweet sounds of its twin engines created a lulling hum that drifted into nothingness in the distance. The rear gate of the transport was still open from when the robot departed the transport the previous night. The only other structure above deck was the wheelhouse located on the starboard side of the bow. Expanding from the primary hull at the deck level were twin pods housing the vessel’s propulsion units.
The vessel’s main computer chirped, signaling an incoming remote command. The aft hydraulic systems began whirring as they activated the ship’s rear diving platform. Rising from the bed of the vessel, it extended upwards before sliding out over the ocean. Once clear of the hull, secondary units lowered the unit into the see. Plunging past the surface, the twin hydraulic arms disappeared in the dark blue sea.
Seconds later, a second chirp could be heard and the system reactivated. When the platform withdrew from the Pacific, two figures stood atop the structure. One was Gerard LaFleur’s enhanced robot and the other was Kor’digh, the first of Bruch’oda’s warriors to return to Earth. The warm water trickled off the stern face of the fearless warrior as the platform secured itself with the vessel. Shaking off the last traces of the sea, Kor’digh stood tall in his midnight blue armor. A matching helmet, complete with ferocious horns, capped his skull. Twin bones crossed his breastplate and a pair of ornate scabbards hung from his belt. The sheaths for his weapons were intricately carved amber and their masters fashioned in fine leather. The blood cups were gold and curved to the side, allowing ample protection for the hand.
The mighty warrior took several steps forward, taking in his new surroundings. For all the time that had passed in the Shadow Realm, Kor’digh thought he would never again see the serine beauty of Earth. He turned to face his robot compatriot, whom he now designated “X Bot,” due to the large cross on his chest. “I hope leaving just one of you behind will be enough,” Kor’digh uttered as the robot’s eyes flashed.
The remote signal activated the transverse engines and sent the transport onward to its next location. “I’m sure it will be more than enough,” Gerard responded through his avatar’s external speakers. “I think you’re all over reacting. There are none of these Defenders you speak about still around. “They’ve got to all be dead,” he concluded.
Letting his hand graze the sovereign tip on his left, Kor’digh let his thoughts wander, “We’ll see soon enough.”
***
Master Li continued to meditate deep within the hallowed halls of the Great Vault. The low light from the gemstones enabled the sage to quickly enter his trance and monitor the Mystic Doors. It was difficult for him to focus all of his energy on the task at hand, because he knew time was of the essence for his comrades to find their successors. But it was not long before he sensed what he had feared most: a cosmic imbalance. “Can it be?” he wondered, knowing full well, what the answer truly was. He attuned his body to the sensation and increased his focus. His deep breaths allowed his mind to travel at the speed of thought until he was absolutely sure. In that instance, he flashed his eyes open and ceased his meditation.
Kicking his feet out from under his posterior, Master Li leapt onto his feet. He joined hands and wrapped his fingers around one another as he extended his index fingers outwards. Drawing more qi into his body, Master Li closed his eyes with fierce determination. After drawing in his palms into his chest, he cast his fingers upwards as a swirling mass of red qi descended from heaven and surrounded him. The massive wave of qi flowed through the ancient warrior and carried him out of the Great Vault like an extinguished flame fading in the wind.
***
Kor’digh and X Bot stood at the bow of the sea transport. In the midday sun, the crisp spray of the ocean rose up from the Pacific and sprinkled their faces in a fine mist. Their journey was in silence, as Kor’digh had little use or respect for the Frenchman or his creation. They were merely tools to be used and chucked aside at a later time. He continued to scan the horizon wondering when trouble would arrive. His search took less time than expected, when he felt a familiar presence behind him. With a smile on his face, the old warrior slowly turned.
Gerard noticed Kor’digh’s change in position and ordered his creation about face. Once X Bot had turned around, Gerard understood why Bruch’oda and Qual’och were so adamant about him taking protection to the next Mystic Door.
The pair was no longer alone as Master Li no stood in the face of the might sea breeze facing his would be opponents. His gaze was more determined than ever as he stared deep into the hearts of those he faced. The salty wind captured his gi and billowed it outwards, exposing his massive musculature and pure skin.
“What the hell?” Gerard thought.
“I was wondering who would be the first to arrive,” Kor’digh shouted over the sea, his voice carried by the wind to Master Li’s ears.
Master Li drew his body tighter, readying himself for the forthcoming confrontation. Letting a small grin pierce his lips, he responded to the challenge, “I hope I’m not a disappointment.”
“Hardly,” Kor’digh said as he and the X Bot walked closer to Master Li. “You see Gerard, his Lordship was referring to. This is one of the Defenders we fought long ago. But it appears there’s only one left. Where are your friends, Li?” Kor’digh wondered.
“Then let’s finish the task. No sense in risking our lives on this has been,” Gerard spouted.
Pleased at the eagerness at which is comrade displayed, Kor’digh stepped aside as Gerard activated the enhanced robot’s special feature. The X on the metallic beast’s chest flashed red and instantly created ten replicas. Gerard’s brain assimilated the increase data transmissions and further divided his attention between the one he left guarding the Water Mystic Door and the eleven on the ship.
“An interesting feature the wizard gave you,” Kor’digh said.
“It will come in handy,” Gerard agreed.
Now facing twelve foes, Master Li knew there was no easy way out – there would be no discourse – no peace – only battle and ultimately death. He withdrew into a fighting stance and summoned his inner qi. For eons he’d cultivated the vary nature of fire and it coursed through his body. Every cell was fueled by this ancient energy source and when he called upon its might, fire surged forth and his body erupted into a massive wall of fire.
Thousands of miles away, Gerard thrust his body back into his chair in disbelief. Never had he seen such a display of power. Regaining his composure, Gerard secretly wondered if ten of Copy Bots would be enough to handle the warrior before him. Deciding that he’d better make use of what advantage he had, Gerard ordered his minions to attack. Complying with their master’s wishes, the ten robots moved forward in unison against Master Li.
The fames slowly came to an end and Master Li emerged like a raging phoenix from their wake. No longer was he a feeble, aged man wearing a simple gi, gut rather a determined warrior covered in blood-red armor. These mystical plates were composed of solidified fire qi and shimmered with power as they snugly fit across his torso. Down his arms and legs, a series of overlapping plates protected him. As his eyes narrowed on the approaching robots, a golden flash appeared on his breastplate and his symbol became etched in place.
Cautiously, the Copy Bots surrounded Master Li. The ancient warrior held his ground not moving a single muscle, simply waiting for the storm to begin. His mind quickly assessed the situation and instinctively generated a plan of attack as a robot to his right leapt forward. Gerard was surprised that Master Li was able to avoid the machine’s advance, for these altered robots moved with the grace and speed of Olympic Athletes. As the robot approached Master Li, he sidestepped the large robot, coiled his waist, and channeled his fire qi into his left forearm. With the robot passing in front, Master Li’s arm burst into an incredible firestorm of energy and impaled the creature’s back as he untwisted his waist. The searing heat from the fire tore through the metallic skin of the Copy Bot as if was butter. As he continued his uncoiling motion, Master Li’s arm ripped the torso to shreds and left the lifeless creation to fall to the deck a useless heap of metal.
Gerard’s mouth dropped open as he witnessed this feat of power. Completely stunned, his mind faltered and each of the nine Copy Bots paused for a minute. Seeing his comrade distracted, Kor’digh quipped, “You didn’t think it was going to be easy, did you?” Shaking off the distraction, Gerard leaned forward in his chair and gripped the arm rests with renewed vigor. He smiled as he ordered the remaining nine Copy Bots to attack at once – an action his new partner was pleased to see.
As the Copy Bots converged at his position, he leapt into the air and somersaulted over them. Completing the twisting motion, he landed on the hard deck in a kneeling position. Flicking his arms outwards, he summoned four fire shurricans and sent them towards his desired targets. The flaming stars streaked across the open deck and found their targets effortlessly. These small bursts of fire qi pierced through the metallic chests of four separate Copy Bots, eradicating their power supplies. The lifeless hulks burst into flames and then harmlessly fell to the deck and to explode.
Kor’digh couldn’t help but to smile at the artful display of power Master Li showed. “It is good to know, that he has not grown weak,” he thought, “His defeat will be much more satisfying now that I know he’s kept up with his training.”
Reverence and respect were not the emotions Gerard LaFleur would have chosen to describe his battle with Master Li. Rather the Frenchman grew increasingly angered that one person could have defeated five of his robots in a matter of seconds. Even now, the five robots tried to pummel the aged man in armor, only to have each kick, jab, and punch easily avoided as if they were trying to grab an elusive snake.
Master Li quickly freed himself from the cornered position. Squeezing his right hand, the ancient warrior channeled his inner qi to manifest itself in the form of a long and nimble straight sword. Once solid, the flexible blade was bound by its master’s qi and became rigid as Master Li firmly gripped the golden hilt. Not wasting a single moment, he raced forward, charging the advancing Copy Bots. This time, Master Li made no attempt to bypass them and forced a confrontation with each head on. In a series of wrist flicks and swings, Master Li was able to quickly decapitate each of the remaining Copy Bots with his pristine blade. The strikes were so swift that before the first powerless robot fell, Master Li had time to stop and rest his foot on the head of the last severed head as it lay on the transport’s deck.
Master Li allowed himself a brief smile, as he drew up natural and relished the art of martial combat. It had been a long time since he had used his honed skills against an opponent and he was pleased that his body had not forgotten. The thought left as quickly as it entered, for a powerful blast of dark qi struck him between the shoulders and sent him flying off his feet. The ferocious energy strike left his armor blackened with fine trails of smoke rising into the air. It was only due to his quick reactions that Master Li was able to reach out and grab hold of the transport’s railing to avoid being cast overboard.
Master Li quickly rooted into the deck, pushing himself away from the railing as he turned around. “I was wondering if you were going to just sit back and watch,” he asked.
Kor’digh with drew his left sword, cradling it tenderly in his hand. His giant body rushed Master Li and the pair met in the middle of the transport bay, crossing their swords. “You’ve still got a little fire in you, old man,” Kor’digh taunted as he pushed Master Li back and double snap-kicked his torso. The blow forced the elder Defender stumbling backwards. Seeing an opportunity, Kor’digh leapt forward and jumped into the air unleashing a spinning double smash. While airborne, he slipped his left hand over the master of hi right sword and released it.
Master Li was keenly aware of his opponent’s tactics and drew his blade in front. Not only was the ancient warrior quick on his feet to avoid both kicks, but he was able to meet Kor’digh’s blade attacks head-on and stop them.
Kor’digh relished the thought of fighting someone his equal again. It had truly been too long since he had met anyone near his match. As he stood face-to-face with Master Li, pivoted his body and let the twisting torque of his twin blades throw Master Li into a spinning fall. Quickly, Kor’digh slashed downward with the furry of being trapped in the Shadow Realm for five thousand years. The twin steel blades struck Master Li’s armor and sent sparks shooting into the air as they deep into his protection. As Master Li tried to recover from the beating, the sheer force of Kor’digh’s power sent him crashing onto the deck.
Kor’digh wasted no time in gloating over Master Li and fluidly continued his attack by turning his blade downward. He stepped even closer and attempted to spear the fallen Defender, but Master Li countered by crane sweeping Kor’digh’s legs. This knocked the giant Shadow Realm warrior back enough to allow Master Li to kip-up onto his feet as if he were a man of only eighteen and began an offensive attack.
Gerard realized he could no longer just sit back and watch his comrade fight alone and activated the X Bot’s replication feature one more time. The robot once more let ten new copies materialize on the deck and Gerard couldn’t help but grin. “Let’s see him get out of this one,” he thought.
Kor’digh quickly recovered from his stumble and drew into a fighting stance to meet Li’s attack. The pair slowly rotated in the center of the cargo area, holding their swords crossed before their faces. Their muscles generated a tremendous amount of power as they pushed and shoved while each vied for an upper hand. As they struggled, their faces inched even closer. Now with their faces bushing up against each other, Master Li could smell the scent of death on Kor’digh’s breath. It was something he once knew well, but had forgotten over the years.
“Looks like you’re out numbered again,” Kor’digh hissed. Sensing a break in Master Li’s concentration as his eyes briefly left contact, Kor’digh took the opportunity and shoved him away. Now clear of his enemy, Kor’digh ordered the Copy Bots to attack. “Finish him!” he yelled.
Gerard ordered the Copy Bots to fire their energy bolts in unison. The beams moved too quickly for Master Li to dodge and detonated against his armor. The blasts hit the weakened armor time and time again. With each impact, electrical sparks shot into the air, signaling the ever weakening state of his armor. Before the last blast struck, the armor succumbed to the enormous power of the Copy Bots and shattered. The exploding force of the qi armor deconstructing sent Master Li flying against the ship’s railing once more. He struggled to remain on his feet as his body hunched over bruised and bleeding.
“Again! Again!” Kor’digh shouted as his eyes fill with passion. “Again!”
The Copy bots poised their arms for another round of energy attacks en unloaded them into the air. Their sheer force rocketed towards Master Li. Hurt, he wasn’t able to dodge the attack and the energy beams tore into his body. Blood burst from his mouth as his gi exploded and wounds erupted over his body. It took every ounce of strength to only fall to one knee and not to fall completely helpless.
“It’s over Li,” Kor’digh gloated. Motioning with his sword, Kor’digh silently let Gerard know to send another volley of energy Li’s way.
The Copy Bots fired again, but the pause gave Master Li enough time to gather enough strength and jump out of the way. While Master Li survived the blast, the ship’s reactor wasn’t as lucky. The explosion threw Master Li far into the sea and out of view.
“Damn!” Kor’digh yelled. “So close,” he groaned with his teeth grated and pounding on what was left of the ship’s railing. Kor’digh peered into the sea, hoping to find his enemy and end his life, but with the smoke and debris from the ship everywhere, the large warrior was left unfulfilled.
“We’ve got to get out of here. The ship’s going to sink,” Gerard said as the X Bot reabsorbed his copies.
Kor’digh pounded the railing once more. “Next time Li. Next time,” he growled.
As the transport’s engines finally failed and began sinking, Kor’digh brought his hands in front of him and summoned a glowing wave of yellow energy. The wave of earth qi showered over Kor’digh and the X Bot and teleported them off the ship as it finally passed beneath the Pacific’s surface. A few hundred meters away, Master Li floated unconscious just under the surface of the water.
***
Just a quick little update. Normally updates will be once a week around Friday or Saturday. Because of the the upcoming holiday and a short vacation, I'm posting this week's a bit early and Part Four will be posted around September 10th.
Qi
Part Four
Even though much of the world embraced the rapid change and expanse of technology, some areas refused the mechanical intrusion. One such place was the small mountain town of Sedona, nestled between the red rocks in northern Arizona. Much of what had been developed in the early Twenty-first Century remained unchanged to this day and served as the beacon for those coming on holy pilgrimages to the numerous energy vortexes that peppered the countryside. None of the many artists, musicians, or healers that called Sedona home could ever imagine living elsewhere and welcomed everyone into their community with open arms and friendly smile.
The midday sun crested above the mountainside as Jayde Yee completed her ascent atop Bell Rock. The twenty-four year old Asian beauty strode to the bench mark, pausing to take in the awesome beauty of Oak Creek Canyon. Taking a moment to catch her breath, Jayde wiped the sweat from her brow and turned her eyes to her surroundings. Magnificent Cottonwoods and Douglas Firs lined the banks of the river making its way through the canyon. Jayde shifted her weight onto one leg as she unscrewed the top to her canteen. Bringing the container to her lips, she embraced the cool water as it slid down her throat, quenching her thirst. Jayde had lived in Sedona most of her life, but she thought that today the red rocks of Sedona looked even more beautiful, as their special flecks danced in the summer light.
During the peak of summer, those visiting Sedona usually made their way inside. While the average temperature wasn’t too great, the higher altitude plagued those not used to being in it. Jayde was happy that this was the case, as she had Bell Rock all to herself. Her soft features and long, flowing black hair seemed at home at one of Sedona’s vortexes. Setting down the small day pack she carried up with her, Jayde flicked her hair over her shoulder and out of her face.
Jayde unzipped the main compartment and retrieved a small blanket from inside. Carefully she spread out the blanket before her in a ritualistic manner, smoothing out each wrinkle until the fabric hugged the stone beneath it like a second skin. Jayde quietly removed her sandals and sat down cross-legged on the blanket with her hands lightly folded before her. She closed her eyes and quickly entered a deep state of meditation. As every fiber in her body relaxed, Jayde appeared as if she was completely at peace as a golden hue shone outward from her soul.
***
Two hours passed before Jayde chose to open her eyes. Her years of training could have allowed her to stay in this state for several more, but something told her that it was time to end the meditation. The bright sun took a few minutes to get used to, but once they became accustomed the bright light again, Jayde took in her surroundings once more. “Absolutely beautiful. I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” she quietly spoke into the wind.
As content as Jayde had become during her meditation, she sensed that something wasn’t right. Normally after practicing Golden Light Qigong she felt refreshed and clear of mind. But today was different. Something was drawing her elsewhere. Jayde closed her eyes and listened to the faint call of the wind. “Where are you?” she thought as her mind honed in of the signal drawing her down to the creek.
After quickly packing her blanket, Jayde scaled down Bell Rock and ran down the nearby forest service road. Each step drew her closer to the source of the voice calling her away from town and into the forests of Sedona. Every second brought her closer to the source and built up the excitement in her. Jayde continued to race faster and faster, her feet pounding into the soft dirt until she came to the edge of a large meadow. Dotted with numerous wild flowers in bloom, Jayde paused, letting her breath catch up with her. “I just don’t understand some people. How can they not admire the beauty of the trees and sound of the babbling brook?” she asked in silence.
Sunlight pierced through the covering canopy, showering Jayde in soft light as she slowly walked into the meadow. She didn’t know what to expect, only that this place was calling to her. Each breath that filled her lungs sucked her deeper and deeper into the meadow as a strange new sensation began cascading over her body. Not knowing what to expect, Jayde slowed her advance. While Jayde instinctively knew she wasn’t in danger, but with everything was so foreign, she didn’t want to abandon all caution.
The feeling intensified and electrified her body. Uncontrollably Jayde’s body began shaking from the enormous streams of energy racing through it. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before and more than her body could handle. Dropping to one knee, Jayde’s smooth skin pressed into the soft flora as her hands braced her fall. Her lungs began heaving when a bright flash of light drew her eyes to an open spot in the meadow before her. Trying to calm her frightened mind, Jayde noticed the abandoned area stirring.
Focusing all her attention on the clearing, Jayde was able to put aside her feelings of fear and discomfort and clear her mind. Suddenly a small leaf broke through the soil. Its tender stem climbed upwards seeking light and warmth in the daylight. A sense of joy filled Jayde as the sensations left her body and she reached out to welcome the new sapling. Carefully she arced her tender fingers around the sapling opened her body to nature. As her qi bonded with the sapling, Jayde hoped that it would grow strong and live a long life. The sapling readily accepted the gift of life.
She thanked the tree for allowing her to be part its birth into world and prepared to make her way into town. Jayde brushed the dirt from her hands and knees and turned to exit the meadow. This had been a most memorable journey, but she needed to be getting to town. She worked at largest spa and as it was, she was going to be late, something her manager despised. As she turned around something caught her eye. A shimmering golden object reflecting the sun’s light flashed in her eyes. “What?” she asked herself as she strained her eyes trying to make out the object. Knowing that time was short, Jayde jogged over to the nearby Cottonwood and saw the source of the flickering light. Hung on a branch was a golden medallion.
Jayde’s eyes widened. She could not believe the beauty of such an amulet and that it was simply hanging here in the open. “Hello?” she yelled. “Is anyone out here? Hello?” There was no response. Jayde stepped closer to the medallion and studied it. It was solid gold with a simple chain attached to the object’s side. One face was smooth, but the other had markings Jayde never saw before - three curved lines at a forty-five degree angle rising towards the right. “It’s beautiful,” she said aloud.
Jayde stepped closer to the medallion and an image of Master Kahn appeared behind her. A smile flashed across his face as Jayde took hold of the Wood Medallion. Her elegant fingers wrapped around the golden chain and pulled it off the branches. As held the medallion, an insurgence of Green Energy swirled around about her, creating a cyclone. The trees and brush lashed about as the energy from the cyclone increased; however, in the center of the vortex all was calm and Jayde stood holding the medallion, oblivious as to what was occurring around her.
Closing her eyes, Jayde slipped the chain around her neck. The medallion came to rest over her heart and began glowing green. The golden object channeled powerful wood qi into the young Asian and as Jayde took a deep breath; her body instantly became electrified with green energy. The energy poured out from her pores and seeped into the surroundings. Jayde outstretched her arms, allowing the energy cyclone to wrap around her body and lift her into the air. Towering over the meadow, Jayde vanished in a brilliant flash of light.
***
In an alley bar on the outskirts of Mexico City was Lu*s Mendoza. The thirty-two year old Mexican National sat behind the counter of his small restaurant, which like most mid-days, was empty. As he poured himself a shot of tequila, he left his body rest against the old oak bar. Dropping one hand down to take hold of the small glass, Lu*s massaged his neck with the other. “Another slow day in paradise,” he mumbled, taking the sweet nectar of his country to his lips. Knocking the glass on the bar when he finished, Lu*s wondered what he was doing here anymore.
For months, his customers dwindled. No longer did the tourists want an authentic atmosphere when visiting his country. They merely wanted to walk among the locals and gaze at the once grand pyramids. In the past week, only a few of his regulars even made it through the open doors and today it appeared if they wouldn’t even make it. Despite Mexico City being the capitol of Latin America, Lu*s knew that there would be little in the way of salvation for his small café. Businesses were geared to the large resorts and tourist destinations – his little storefront wouldn’t see one credit from the government to help him stay afloat.
“Oh well,” Lu*s thought as he stared at the Coca-Cola clock on the wall. Even though it only read 12:32pm, he knew it might as well have read the same at night – no one would be coming in today. Sliding the bottle and glass aside, the strong Mexican banged his head against the bar. His dark skin and trimmed brown hair smashed into the countertop repeatedly until every ounce of frustration had left his body.
“Screw,” Lu*s said with distinction, “this!” and put the bottle away behind the bar. “I’m just going to close this before I end up going nuts all by myself,” he uttered walking towards the front door. He smiled as his foot passed the loose floorboard and squeaked. Taking one last look around, Lu*s slid the “OPEN” sign in the window around to announce that his establishment was now “CLOSED.” Flicking his fingers against the wall, he shut off the bar’s lights and proceeded out the door.
Lu*s dove into his pockets searching for the keys to the locks, but stopped just short of actually pulling them out. “What use would it be?” he wondered. “It’s not like anyone is ever going to come here,” he thought with a chortle. Lu*s padded his hand on the door one last time. He knew this would be his final good-bye and that he’d never set foot here again. Turing around, he effortlessly sauntered down the barren street towards home.
One of the nice things, if they could be called that, on the outer fringes of Mexico City was that many of the old barrio homes were left unclaimed. Many flocked deep within the city as it was built up, but for Lu*s Mendoza and those like him, they relished in staying in more culturally accurate homes and communities. Not many remained here, but those that did formed a close nit extended family. It also allowed Lu*s to live only a few minutes from his café.
The walk home went quickly and before he realized it, Lu*s had arrived at his modest abode. The small block house isn’t anything special and looks to be barely able to support its own weight. As Lu*s’ footsteps crossed over the threshold of his home, the trail of dust carried into the air. He never locked his home, since he was too poor to own anything of worth. His footsteps echoed against the adobe walls as he made his way through the living room. Lu*s took off his shirt and threw it on the counter in the kitchen, revealing a well defined and muscular body.
Exiting his house through the rotting back door, Lu*s stepped out onto his rear porch. A beat-up punching bag was anchored into the ceiling’s beams and hung from chrome chains. To his right was an old white refrigerator that rattled when the cooling system came on. Lu*s opened the door and took out a cold beer. The glass bottle quickly frosted over in the humidity midday weather as he popped of the top. He threw the lid into the nearby trash can and took a long swig. Sighing as he slammed the frothy bottle on top of the fridge, Lu*s readied himself for an afternoon workout.
He walked up to the bag and measured out an arm length’s distance. He drew his right leg back slightly and dropped into a fighting stance before unloading his first powerful blow against the bag. His force rose up from the dirt covered floor, through his legs and hips, into his torso, and out through his fist. The blow jolted the bag backwards and sent the fine layer of dust shooting off its surface. He quickly danced around the bag, unloading more punches. Sweat poured from his brow as he began unloading all his frustrations into the bag. With each thrust, his problems seemed to get farther and farther away – no more worries about the city, the state of the world, or the restaurant. This is where he felt at home- just the bag and he – punch – punch – jab – punch – sidestep – jab – and so it went on for hours.
***
The floor around the bag was covered in soaked sweat and dirt from Lu*s’ efforts with the bag. His arms and legs felt as if they were wobbly sticks extending from his body. It had been some time since Lu*s had worked out this hard and his body relished in the experience. He finally stopped punching the bag, grabbing on to it, using it to hoist him upright. His lungs burned for more air and he gasped each breath trying to fill his body. Lu*s’ ears thumped with his racing heartbeat and his eyes drew foggy as beads of sweat blurred his vision.
His body wound down and returned to a somewhat normal state when he began hearing muffled screams coming from the alley behind his house. Normally his neighborhood was quiet this time of day, so the noise certainly peaked his curiosity peaked. Taking one last sip from the warm beer on the fridge, she stepped out into yard to investigate. Filled with dirt and weeds, Lu*s’ yard was not something to be proud of. He reached the chain linked fence marking the edge of his property and saw nothing. He looked around the left side of the alley and then the right. “I know I’m not imagining things,” he thought, but found nothing to accompany the sounds he was hearing. As he turned around, another scream bellowed toward him from the neighbor’s yard.
Concerned, Lu*s ran across the alley and hopped the chain-linked fence surrounding the yard. As he cleared the fence, he came upon the source of the yelling and it disgusted him. Rage filled the humble man as he took off running towards three teenage boys that were holding down a school girl. The boys had pulled her skirt off and were preparing to rape the young lady when she managed to let out a final plea for help. As he neared the boys, Lu*s was glad that he listened to his inner voice and closed the café today. Who knows what would have happened if he wasn’t here.
Even though his body was fatigued by countless hours of punching the bag, Lu*s Mendoza moved with the agility of someone coming off the bench well-rested. His lightening fast feet surprised the boys, who barely managed to glance at the burly man racing towards them. The youngest of the three boys instantly shot upright and took off running. Lu*s knew he wouldn’t be able to catch him, but the other two were an entirely different story.
The boys were dumbfounded and as the hulking man flew down in fists of rage. Lu*s channeled all his failures, all his anger, and all his sense of justice into punishing the boys for harming an innocent girl. Lu*s picked up the first boy with his left hand and swung as hard as he could with his right. The impact rocked the young man’s jaw and sent two teeth and stream of blood pouring from his mouth as the force knocked him to the ground and knocked the wind out of him.
The second boy scurried to the side and picked up a 2x4 and held it like a bat. Lu*s could see the boy breathing hard, trying to put fear behind him. It was no use, for Lu*s could see the young man’s legs shaking uncontrollably. He turned to stare at the child and calmly said, “I dare you,” devoid of fear. The teen knew he was outmatched and dropped the wooden board and took off running.
The young woman looked up at Lu*s as she pulled her skirt over her bare body. Knowing that the ordeal was finally behind her, she finally broke down and started crying. Lu*s knelt down beside the young lady, but made sure to keep some distance. “Are you all right?” he asked, not know if he’d be able to get a reply through all the crying. “It’s okay little one,” he said pulling out his Com-link. “I’m going to call the police and make sure you’re all right,” he assured her.
***
An hour later, the girl’s family and the Police finally left Lu*s alone. It had been a long day, both physically and emotionally for him. The thought that someone could do that to another human being tore at Lu*s’ conscious. It was simply too appalling to contemplate and he fought the urge to vomit. From the corner of his eye, Lu*s spied the punching back and decided the only way to get rid of these feelings is to pound them out.
As he neared the bag something caught his eye. It was something he’d never seen before, a golden medallion hanging off the chrome chain. “What the…” he muttered. “I told them I didn’t want anything,” he continued, thinking that the parents of the young girl gave him a small reward. He stepped closer to the golden amulet and took it ever-so-gently in his hands. The markings on the front face were something he’d never seen before, three “^” resting on top of one another.
Lu*s brought the Earth Medallion closer to his face and a yellow energy vortex began swirling about him. Lu*s struggled to figure out what was happening as the powerful energy swarmed around him. Nothing in his life remotely prepared him for this. Without thinking, Lu*s slid the medallion over his head and let it come to rest on his chest. Master Yee looked on with approval when Lu*s’ body began glowing bright yellow. A few seconds later, Lu*s screamed as his body vanished in a bright yellow flash.
***
On the other side of the world, Leslie Chen and her brother Michael enjoyed a quiet evening in their small apartment. Located in the heart of Beiging, China, the pair had lived together most of their lives, only separated when Michael left for college. Now that each had obtained their professional degrees, they found living together a breath of fresh air after suffering through various roommates. Because of its stature on the world stage, Beiging also had limited space for its residents. Most families continued to live in the same household with few able to afford, or even locate, private domiciles.
Leslie had a petite body and bobbed haircut. Her almond complexion, dark hair, and eyes made her look more like a schoolgirl than a professor at Beiging University. In every sense of the word, Leslie was stunning. Both men and boys at the campus pursued her romantically, but she had litter interest in them. Deep down in her soul she knew that her time at the University was limited and that she would have the most fruitful years of her career elsewhere. This logic created Leslie’s intense distaste for modern dating – something her brother relished with open arms.
“You know, the more you watch, the more brain cells you lose, Mike,” she teased her brother as he sat on the sofa, eyes glued to the holographic projector in the room. Like always, it was showing one of the many sports events taking pace on the planet. Michael had so many interests, that Leslie no longer even tried to keep up with them or who he was even rooting for. All that mattered to her was that they were sharing the same space.
Michael grinned sarcastically and turned to look at her squarely in the eyes. With a gleam that reminded Leslie of a young boy he quipped, “I don’t see you coming up with any alternatives.” As someone who was four years Leslie’s senior, Michael still behaved as if he were in his adolescence. His rugged body and vast knowledge got him far in life, but never far enough with his younger sister.
“I wish she’d just give it a rest,” he thought to himself, trying to put her out of his mind and concentrate on the game.
A moment or two passed before his conscious got the better of him and he took his right hand and tapped it on his sister’s thigh, “Sorry sis. I didn’t mean to snap at you. All these budget cuts at the hospital are starting to get to me. It’s really going to start jeopardizing patient care soon. I just need something to let me unwind.”
Leslie leaned over and curled up with her brother. “See? This is why you should come teach at the University. Better hours, less frustration, and no worries about patient care,” she said. Leslie placed her head on Mike’s shoulder. She could feel his strong body beneath his shirt and his heart beat echoed in her years. Squeezing him tightly she added, “I really wish you would. You’re working so many shifts now, it’s like you’re not even here.”
Michael leaned over and placed his head atop his sister’s, “I know. It’ll only be a few more months before this rotation’s complete. After that, I should have a better schedule.” Mike paused as the program broke for commercial and shifted his weight. “Do you want anything while I’m up?” he asked as he stood.
“No thank you,” Leslie said as her brother walked into the kitchenette. As she watched Michael walk away in his t-shirt and boxers, she saw that he’s wearing an old pair their mother gave him… the one with the hole in the right cheek. Seeing this, Leslie sat up and threw a pillow at her brother.
“I can’t believe you’re wearing that!” she yelled as the pillow hit him in the back.
“What?” Michael said innocently, shrugging his shoulders as he witnessed his cheek protruding through the shorts.
“You know what,” Leslie joked, “That’s disgusting. Mom would kill you if she saw you waking around in that.”
“Yeah,” Mike replied as he swayed his shoulders side to side, “but she’s not here.” A smile erupted on his face, pleased that, at least in this house, he could wear what he wanted.
Finished with his sister, Michael took a glass out of the cupboard and filled it with water. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?” he asked again.
From the other room, his sister confirmed, “Really. I’m fine.”
“Okay,” Mike said and returned to the couch just in time for the match to resume on the holographic display.
The pair settled into the couch to watch the display, when they head a rumbling sound outside. The noise was quickly followed by several loud screams below their apartment. Their interests peaked; the siblings rose from the couch and went to the window. Pulling back the drapes, they looked down into the alley to find the source of the chaos.
What they saw troubled them - a hover car flipped onto its side and crashed into the building on the other side of the alley. Debris was everywhere. “Call Emergency Services, I’m going down,” Michael yelled as he raced to his bedroom to put on some pants and shoes.
“I will, she said as she saw her brother ready to go. “Be careful,” Leslie warned as her brother left the apartment.
It only took a few minutes for Michael to race down the steps fro their apartment and make it out onto the street. Michael saw a woman in her early sixties screaming and rushed over to her. As he treated her, he could tell that she was pretty badly shaken up with lots of bruises, but thankfully nothing too serious – no broken bones, no bleeding wounds – she was stunned and not talking. The woman’s gaze focused on the car. Michael guided the elderly woman down against the building, hoping this would prevent her from falling and really injuring her. Once on the concrete, Mike tried to get her to talk, “Can you tell me your name?”
The woman tried to respond, but the words fail to reach freedom, it’s as if they just sat in her mouth readied to be freed, if only they could. With enormous concentration, the woman was able to raise her arm and point to the car.
“I know. You were in an accident,” he replied as he continued to assess his patient.
Running out of their building, Leslie joined her brother. “They’re on their way. It should only be a couple of minutes,” she said as the roar of the Emergency Service Vehicles from the nearby station filled the air.
“Ba…”, the woman tried to say. “Bab..,” she said again pointed to the car.
Both Michael and Leslie looked at the car and began to hear a faint cry. Sheer horror came over their faces as they realized what the woman was trying to tell them: baby.
“No!” Leslie screamed as she began running towards the car.
Her brother tried tries to restrain her, as he saw the vehicle’s fuel cells start leaking. The broken system released plasma onto the car’s frame and immediately ignited the soft metal, sending a powerful fireball high into the night’s sky. Filled with purpose and a new sense of power, Leslie broke free of her brother and raced to the car.
Leslies quickly reached the car and began searching the back seat for the child. A second later, Michael joined her. “We’ve got to get out of here, this thing’s going to blow,” he nervously said.
“I’m not leaving the baby!” Leslie screamed frantically.
They both completed their search of the car, but found nothing. “Where is the crying coming from?” Leslie wondered as she popped her head up. As each second passed the flames grew larger and covered more of the car. Bright trails of light broke through the flame retardant barriers and entered the rear passenger compartment.
“I don’t know!” Mike screamed looking around. As his eyes darted about, they finally caught something a few meters to his left – the car seat “Over there!” he shouted and pointed to his discovery. He took off running towards the car seat to make sure the baby was safe.
Leslie began to leave the car, but her attention was drawn to a shimmering golden object on the front seat. As she reached for the object, the car exploded in a horrendous firestorm. The flames rode up in the night’s sky, leaving blackened marks on the building and alley. The Emergency Service Vehicles rounded the final corner and slowly made their way through the small crowd that had gather as Michael’s eyes swelled with tears. Holding the child in his hands he cried out, “Leslie!”
***
Deep in the heart of Mt. Fuji, where its core still boiled over with molten magma stood one of the remaining Mystic Doors. In a vaulted chamber, a lone island of rock sat nested in a river of lava. Two narrow bridges lead inwards from the surrounding ledge that encompassed the fiery lake. As magma passed under the bridge, it slowly eroded the crossing so that in another few thousand years the arch will finally succumb to the heat.
A bright flash of white light filled the chamber. After it subsided, X-Bot and Kor’digh appeared and stood next to the Mystic Door. The pair walked around the small island, inspecting the ancient artifact. “The only way to travel,” Gerard said through his avatar, sure that they had arrived at the pre-determined location.
Kor’digh grunted an approval. “I should have been able to end this back there. He will cause problems for the Master,” he barked.
Gerard thought for a moment before continuing, “Any way, he’s in a bad spot. The water won’t help. He’ll have to catch a break even to make it out of that,” he said as the X-Bot stumbled walking to position directly in front of the Fire Mystic Door.
“Never underestimate them. They will surprise you,” rumbled Kor’digh.
Gerard shook his head. “Foolish thug. If these Defenders were so dangerous, then why was only one of them so easily dealt with? I may not have been able to do much. But this guy was more than a match him,” he thought.
“Shall we get to it?” the X-Bot avatar asked.
“Get on with it,” Kor’digh replied.
The X-Bot stood firm and raised its arms. Power siphoned from its main power unit and was channeled into the robot’s arms. Unleashing a powerful stream of energy at the door, the beams found the center and began energizing the fire element symbol. Within seconds, the symbol began glowing red. Flashes of light radiated outwards from the door’s center as the stone cap began cracking under the power sent forth from X-Bot. As the light filled the cavern, red energy moved outwards from the symbol and consumed the rock portal.
“I still can’t believe that it works,” Kor’digh said dumfounded.
In France, Gerard smiled widely, pushing deeper into his chair. “God, I’m glad that’s over with,” he thought.
The red energy created a massive vortex in the door, discharging bolts of electricity around both onlookers. Now fully charged, the pure energy transformed itself into the essence of fire and energized the Mystic Door, revealing a dimensional portal to the Shadow Realm. Waiting for X-Bot and Kor’digh on the other side was Qual’och. Seeing that the portal was open, the wizard cautiously stepped through the gateway. Instantaneously he’s transported to Earth. Qual’och placed his hind foot on the rocky ground beneath him and turned to look behind. “Free after all these years,” he quietly said under his breath and twisted his body forward and folded his arms behind him. “Let’s move on to the next door,” he announced.
Kor’digh bowed, signaling his readiness.
“That will have to wait,” Gerard said through the X-Bot.
The comment caught Kor’digh off guard and he jerked his head towards the robot. Not wanting to overstep his bounds, the warrior waited to take his lead from the wizard.
Anger flashed before the wizard’s face and his eyes went from dark to a powerful red glow. “Explain yourself!” he demanded.
Gerard squirmed in his seat. “Maybe I over played my hand,” he thought.
“I’ve been up for nearly too long piloting this tin can. Staying linked in and firing the energy blasts is exhausting. If I don’t get some rest I won’t be able to control the X-Bot and open the remaining three doors. I need to unplug and get some sleep,” he said matter-of-factly. While the statement couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time, it was the truth. Gerard knew that if he stayed jacked in more than he already was, his brain would be fried and his goals of conquest would be lost.
Qual’och glared at Kor’digh and telepathically implanted a message, “We will grant him this one request. We need him,” he paused, “for now. But as soon as the other doors are opened, we will remove this insignificant pool of matter from our ranks.”
Kor’digh’s eyes lit up with extreme desire as his glistening white teeth pierced through his reptilian lips.
***
The gemstones in the Great Vault had dimmed since Master Li left their presence, barely casting any light on the remains of the five sacred tombs. In this quiet place, three swirling energy vortexes materialized in front of the wood, earth, and fire caskets. Each was a unique color reflecting their origin: yellow for earth, red for fire, and green for wood. They started out small, about the size of a golf ball, but quickly grew to the size of a small tree in a matter of seconds. As they did this, each shot out tremendous streams of thundering energy bolts. The discharged energy clashed against the Great Vault’s walls, sending parks shimmering to the cavern floor.
In unison, the three spheres of energy exploded, filling the room with bright multicolored light. When the energy from the vortexes abated, Jayde Yee, Lu*s Mendoza, and Leslie Chen stood before the tombs representing their element. They no longer wore what clothes they had when they took hold of the golden medallions. Now they wore a black gi with striped at the cuff and boot tops, revealing their element’s color. Like Master Li, they also wore a golden belt around their waist with the medallion securely fastened into the buckle.
Leslie’s eyes were fixed wide with her face full of terror as she realized she no longer was in Beiging and facing an exploding car. “Michael?” she yelled, still not realizing that others were present or that she had been teleported away from home.
Lu*s stood dumbfounded, not quite sure what to make out of his experience. He slowly looked around, darting his eyes all over the Great Vault, trying not to move.
Jayde was the first of the three to step forward. Having just come out of the teleport, her footing was off, but she managed to catch herself before falling to the cavern’s floor. “I’ve never experienced anything like that,” she said aloud, her voice echoing up the chamber’s ceiling.
Lu*s groggily stepped forward. “What just happened?” he managed to get out with his hands flailing about in bouts of expression. “I mean, am I imagining all of this?” he wondered.
Leslie turned to the others and calmly stated, “No.” A new sense of confidence came over her as she looked at her new comrades. Something deep within her knew something had changed deep within her and that this was right. She knew down in her core that what just happened was for the greater good. In the back corner of her mind, she remembered a simple message imparted by Master Jo as he transferred his powers to her, “You are the warrior of Fire.”
Jayde and Lu*s recalled their own experiences with their former Masters. First Jayde, and then Lu*s, realized that they have been endowed with tremendous power to be used as they wish.
“Please tell me if I’m crazy. But do either of you remember some old dude telling you you’re now a warrior?” Lu*s questioned.
Jayde and Leslie stared at one another and then smiled at Lu*s. Jayde walked over to her new friend and put her hand on his shoulder. “Yes I do. I’m Jayde Yee, warrior of wood.”
A rush of relief flooded Lu*s and he closed his eyes and gave and audible sigh. “Thank… you… Lord!”
Leslie smiled and introduced herself, “I’m Leslie Chen, the fire warrior.”
The three newcomers shook hands. “Lu*s Mendoza,” he offered, “Earth.”
An awkward silence fell upon the group as they looked around in silence. “So what now?” Lu*s asked.
Jayde shrugged her shoulders, “Dunno.”
Leslie suddenly realized the implications of her being in the Great Vault. The last time she was with someone, they saw her engulfed in flames by an exploding care. Nothing in her life was more important that her brother. Ever since their parents died, she made a point to stay close with him. “I’ve got to tell my brother I’m all right,” Leslie fretted as she began walking towards the hallway leading out of the chamber.
“I’m sure he knows you are,” Lu*s said while running up next to Leslie. Jayde quickly followed to join her new friends.
“No he doesn’t. I took the medallion while a car was exploding. I’ve got to let him know,” Leslie asserted.
Lu*s mouthed, “Wow,” unaware of the circumstances of Leslie’s recruitment.
“Not to change the subject, or anything. But didn’t you get the impression we were going to meet a guide here?” Jayde asked before the trio left the Great Vault.
Not faltering from her goal of finding a way to call her brother, Leslie took off down the hallway leading out from the Great Vault. “Maybe he’s down here,” Leslie replied as her voice trailed down the corridor.
***
Adrift in the Pacific, Master Li slowly regained his consciousness. As he bobbed in the ocean, he tried not to swallow the salty water – a battle he was loosing and with each swell he coughed more and more. Every ounce of strength Master Li possessed was driving his arms and legs in an effort to keep him afloat and free from death. He strained looking over the horizon, hoping to get some idea of how he’d be able to survive in this weakened state. “I’ve got to get back… got to stop them. But I need to…” Before Master Li could finish his last thought, he wounds caught up with him and he drifted off into unconsciousness again.
Master Li’s limp body fell under the surface on a one way trip to the ocean bottom. It would have sunk quickly to the black abyss below if it weren’t for a pair of dolphins that came to his rescue. The pair slid up against the ancient warrior and gently nudged him towards the surface. Still unconscious, the dolphins swam with the fallen warrior on their backs.
***
Sorry for the delay. Life got in the way. I'll have the next section up later today.
Qi
Part Five
*** Part Five ***
Gerard’s fatigued body sat slumped quietly in his chair as Qual’och, X-Bot, and Kor’digh materialized in the foyer of his country estate. While they solidified, Gerard LaFleur unplugged his mind from the C-Net and rose from the position he’d been resigned to for so long. The instant his control of the X-Bot vanished, the robot became immobilized like an iron statue. Kor’digh uneasily walked around the metallic creature to join Qual’och as the pair walked to meet their host.
Exhausted, Gerard shook off the fading images from the C-Net link and let his eyes adjust to only seeing real objects. It was the first time he’d ever met true aliens in person and couldn’t help thinking to himself, “Larger than I suspected.” It took ever ounce of his remaining strength to muster the support needed to step one leg in front of the other. The extended link to the C-Net had already begun the process of disassociating his motor nerves from the rest of his consciousness, any more time in the link may have prevented him from ever returning to a normal state. “Three hours. Give me three hours and I’ll be ready to go,” his voice creaked. “I’ve got to get some rest or else I won’t be able to pilot the robot,” he pleaded, knowing that there would be no room for error with his new partners. He only hoped that his link with the X-Bot would prove useful enough to keep him around once all the doors were opened.
“As you wish,” Qual’och hissed, pressing his claws together. The wizard’s eyes narrowed and sent an uneasy message to his host, “Do not rest easy, human.”
Gerard managed to muster an uneasy smile as he turned away. “Jeffery!” he called. It wasn’t long before the distant sound of his servant’s electric motor foretold of his arrival. Once with the others, Gerard calmly put his arm around the robot and instructed it, “What ever they need, give it to them. I’ll be in my room sleeping.”
“Yes, Master,” the robot replied.
“Good,” Gerard said, patting Jeffery on the back. He then sauntered down the hall, barely able to stand.
Once Gerard was out of earshot, Kor’digh sternly said, “A nursemaid,” his attention clearly focused on Jeffery. Qual’och motioned to the robot that neither he nor his companion was in need of any assistance and for the machine to continue about its business.
Jeffery flashed a quick sign of acknowledgement and noticed that dust and debris that was still present on the newly fashioned X-Bot. Rolling over to the robot, the mechanical servant began cleaning its counterpart.
The manner in which the newest robot responded to its master’s orders caught Qual’och’s eye. The wizard silently observed the machine for a few minutes while Kor’digh stood behind him, wondering what the wizard was thinking. After twenty minutes passed, Qual’och walked to the robot.
Pausing, Jeffery turned to the wizard and asked, “Is there anyway I can assist you?”
Qual’och looked at the machine and wondered aloud, “What is your role here?”
“I serve,” Jeffery replied while folding its cleaning arms back into the main torso.
“I see,” Qual’och quietly said. “Without question?” he continued.
“Yes,” Jeffery responded.
“Good,” Qual’och sinisterly smirked while he reached out with his four arms.
***
Gerard’s bedroom wasn’t far from his lounge where he kept most of his computer equipment. Since most of his activities required him to jack into the C-Net, he wanted his bed close by for his rest periods. He reasoned that if he truly needed anything else, he could have Jeffrey or one of his other robotic servants obtain it for him. Inside the sparsely decorated room, Gerard laid sprawled out on a disheveled futon. Completely exhausted, his body was motionless as a small pool of drool poured from his mouth onto his pillow.
While he slumbered, Gerard’s bedroom door slowly open, squeaking as it opened fully. A soft electronic hum can be heard as the sudden change in ambient noise stirs the once sleeping Frenchman. With eyes half-closed, he rolled over and wiped the droll from his chin. As he tried to clear the sleep from his eyes, his mind slowly returned to the present. Unsure of what he was seeing, Gerard rubbed his eyes again.
This time the image was clearer, but still puzzling. Standing in the open doorway was the x-Bot. “No,” Gerard quietly mouthed to himself as the large robot took one step forward.
“Yes,” a familiar voice rang from the X-Bot as it continued to close the distance. It took only a second for Gerard to know that something had transferred Jeffery’s programming into the X-Bot and that he no long had any control over the robot.
The massive machine took two more steps closer to its former master and raised its twin arms. White bands of energy whisked around the power emitters as Gerard’s eyes shot wide open. “Please don’t!” he pleaded. Pushing back with his legs, Gerard pressed his body up against the bedroom wall, trying to escape. “Please!” he shouted again.
***
In the foyer, Qual’och and Kor’digh stood next to the fallen hulk of a machine… a machine once called Jeffery. The pair smiled as they heard the blood curdling screams echoing from Gerard’s room. “How fitting he should die at the creation of his own hand,” Kor’digh surmised. Qual’och turned to his compatriot and nodded.
“It won’t be long now. Soon all the doors will be open and the Earth will be the Master’s once more,” the wizard asserted.
***
Master Li had no idea how much time had passed when he regained consciousness. His keen senses told him he was still in the water and that he was only being kept alive out of the generosity imparted to him from the dolphins that supported his weakened body above the water line. In this weakened state, he couldn’t muster the words of thanks due to his saviors, but he mentally sent his gratitude.
Sensing that their passenger was now awake, the dolphins stopped in the Pacific Ocean and bobbed up and down in the sea swells. Master Li’s mind raced to try and figure out what his companions were doing, but it soon became apparent. He wasn’t the only one in the ocean that knew the inner workings of energy and the way each system wove together. The ancestors of the dolphins pre-dated man and came to understand this system long before man took form.
From the corner of his eye, Master Li saw a floating mass of algae approaching. A feeling of warmth came over the elder master as the wood qi from the algae washed over him and rekindled his fire. In this energetic circle, the earth of the sea bottom, fed the minerals in the water that in turn supported the algae that enabled to Master Li to regain his health.
***
The process too hours to complete, but eventually Master Li recovered from his battle. Where the blood once flowed freely from his wounds, the lacerations were now scabbed over and starting to subside. His intense internal training allowed Master Li to enter a deep state of meditation to enhance the healing process. Nothing was going to stop him from returning to battle and save the Earth from his enemies of long ago.
As the sun sets over the distant horizon, Master Li takes a firm hand on one of the dolphin’s dorsal fin and slides into the ocean. No longer using them for support, Master Li begins treading water and takes a deep breath, “Thank you. I owe my life to you each,” he humbly said to the dolphins. Each of his watery companions piped and clicked in acknowledgement as they swam a few yards away. Taking another deep breath, Master Li fell beneath the ocean’s surface. Closing his eyes he concentrated and brought his hands together. From deep within, his fire burned and consumed his body. The explosive release of energy teleported him out of the Pacific in a blinding red flash.
***
Lu*s, Jayde, and Leslie stood outside the Great Vault on their return trip from the cavern’s entrance. “I think this is all starting to make sense,” Jayde said. “Reading the hieroglyphics makes things a whole lot clearer.” The fact she was making the comment somewhat surprised her, for if she wasn’t living the events herself, she would’ve had a hard time believing it.
The trio continued walking into the Great Vault, but stopped at its entrance. The once vacant chamber was no more. Standing in the center of the circle of tombs was Master Li. His gi torn and body battered, the ancient warrior bowed and gazed up at his new allied. Speaking softly, the sage voiced, “I’m sorry I was not here to greet you.”
The trio ran into the chamber, minds aflutter with questions that yearned for answers. As the three newest Defenders stood before him, Li thought, “So young, so innocent. It seems like a lifetime ago I was in their place looking at my Master for the first time.”
Leslie was the first to speak. “Master Li?” she said hesitantly.
“Yes,” Master Li responded. “I see that my friends have chosen well,” he added with a smile.
Lu*s was confused as ever and stepped back to reserve judgment. He wasn’t used to things moving so fast. He led a simple life and the events of today were happening too quickly for him to process. Placing his hands on his hips, the Mexican shook his head, “Can you please explain to me what’s going on? Why are we here?”
Master Li slowly walked to a stone chair. The eons had carved much of the grand etchings away, but the old sage still remembered the day he and his comrades completed its construction. Resting his bones in the seat, he motioned to the others to follow and rest on the cavern’s floor before speaking. “Five thousand years ago, myself and the others fought against an evil warlord named Bruch’oda.”
“We saw the drawings,” Jayde said pointing to the passageway above her, “on the walls,” before Master Li could finish.
Understanding that he had been gone far too long, Master Li nodded. “We succeeded in banishing the evil to the Shadow Realm, but knew that one day the doors sealing his imprisonment would be unlocked.” Master Li looked at each of the tombs and paused. “We stood watch for so many years, but as time passed, each one of my friends made their journey onto the next realm.” Master Li paused for a second to look at the children before him. “My friends have chosen each of you to be their successor and bear the mantle of responsibility as Earth’s guardians.”
Lu*s bobbed his head in disbelief, “Naw, I just can’ believe all this. For one thing, no one can live to be five thousand years old.”
“Can you come up with another explanation of how you arrived here?” Jayde asked.
Lu*s’ face went blank as he slowly came to realize what was truly happening. Turing his eyes again to Master Li, the humble man looked for guidance.
“Search your heart for the answer, Lu*s. Master Yee chose you to wield the power of Earth in the battle we now face,” Li replied.
“What do you mean?” questioned Leslie.
“Once the Mystic Doors were sealed, each of us hoped that no man would ever venture to open them. Doing so would unleash an unimaginable wave of horror over the planet and cast Earth into another battle for its very survival. Unfortunately, the day has arrived. The two Mystic Doors have been opened. I waited as long as I could for you, but when the first warrior came through, I left to try and stop him.”
“Is that how you got hurt,” Jayde asks.
“Yes,” Master Li answered, shameful at his loss, “I was unsuccessful in my effort. Bruch’oda has partnered with someone controlling many of robot warriors. There were simply too many. I fear that we have lost the upper hand and the remaining three doors will be opened before we can stop them.”
“What will happen then?” Lu*s asked through a dumbfounded look.
“Until all the doors are opened, only one person may enter this world from the Shadow Realm through each door. When all have been unlocked; Bruch’oda’s forces will be able to merge the two worlds and cross over. To stop them, we must close all the doors again.”
“Why can’t we just go and close the doors now?” Jayde wondered.
“The doors are tied to the five elements of nature and only the power of the door’s element can lock it. While you,” Li spoke while pointing to Leslie, “possess the power to seal the Fire Door, we still miss the ability to seal the Water Mystic Door.”
“Well, we’ve got fire, wood, and earth,” Lu*s said pointing to Leslie, Jayde, and himself in turn, “The way I see it we may be two people short, but I’m sure there’s something we can do.”
Li smiled at Lu*s. “It will be dangerous, but we must try to stop the final three doors from being opened.”
Leslie and Jayde looked at Lu*s and nodded in agreement. Pulling herself up to her feet, Leslie approached Master Li, “Tell us what you need us to do.”
***
Two hours have passed since Abeu started looking for the final piece of information. Linked directly into the C-Net, the young man tried to sift through lines of code in a small apartment near downtown Toronto. “I know you’re here,” the seventeen native from India thought to himself. He always liked this part of the mission the most. It was relatively easy to get the big details, well at least to him, but it was the smaller, more challenging pieces that gave him the thrill of the hunt. So engrossed in his search, he had completely forgotten about the myriad of people surrounding him.
Seth Goldman, an older man with red hair, placed a gentle hand on Abeu’s shoulder. “Time’s running out. Can you do it?” he asked.
Abeu clinched his fists and ripped out the plug tied into his data port. The quick action catches the attention of the dozen or so NASO Security Troops standing in the room. “108 East McClendon. Apartment 220,” the youngster cried out.
Seth taped Abeu on the shoulder and flashed a big smile, “Great work. Great work, Abeu.” Turning to Robert Dwyer, the task force’s commander, he gave the go order, “Robert, you’re green.”
The African American nodded a quiet, “Thanks.” Walking to the center of the room, he was joined Dr. Gary Staal. “Okay, listen up. Gary and I’ll make the first pass. Once we secure the apartment, you’ll receive the all clear signal to move in and to commence the search and remove the prisoners,” Robert ordered.
The men nodded and Sergeant Quann replied, “We’ll be there sir.”
Robert tapped Quann on the shoulder, “I know you will.” Gary and Robert looked around one last time and exited the apartment.
“Come on,” Abeu heard from Seth, who was holding up a flack jacket, “just in case they need you too.”
Abeu begrudgingly put the safety device on. “I really hate these things. You know that Rob and Gary never leave anything to pass. I’ll be okay,” he pleaded.
“Humor me,” the boy’s handler said while securing the vest on Abeu.
***
Against the night sky, Gary and Robert climbed up to the building’s rooftop and looked out over the city. The two friends had been on many missions in the past and had grown closer as comrades and friends with each confrontation with death. The mission at hand was no different. Steeping close to the lip of the building, they each took in a moment to witness the shimmering beauty of the endless rows of streetlamps that stretched on like an endless row of lanterns. “Are you ready?” Robert asked. Gary nodded in response looking at the ring residing on his right middle finger. “All right,” Robert uttered, glancing at his matching piece of jewelry.
Both Gary and Robert folded their arms on top of the other. Their left arms swung outwards, reaching a 45 degree angle, as if reaching for the sky, while their right arms drew out and then into their chests, clenching their fists while their right foots took a half-step backwards. The pair then stepped forward, moving their right fists towards their left wrists. Strapped to their left arms was a computer terminal. On the palm-side of the unit is a small hole for the activation key stored in the pair’s rings. As the rings neared the units, they yelled, “Energize!” Upon inserting the rings into the lock, the device unleashed an army of black nanobots that completely consumed the pair. With the transformation complete, Robert and Gary stood atop the roof in black armor with no visible markings.
Inside Gary’s display it read: STEALTH ARMOR ACTIVED.
The two friends looked at one another again. Without the need to share any words, Gary and Robert leapt off the building and began gliding through the air into the night.
***
Sprayed with blood, the X-Bot returned from his mission. No longer would Qual’och be derailed from his task of opening the remaining Mystic Doors and no longer would Kor’digh have to suffer the indignity of being paired with such an unworthy ally. Qual’och did have to admit to himself that he was surprised that his gamble paid off. He wasn’t sure if the artificial intelligence programs installed would succumb to his powers, but as with all things organic, there was a way. Now fully in control of the robot warrior, it was easy for him to dictate the speed and direction of the remaining tasks. The first objective had been realized with the death of the human, and now he could focus on the greater goal. Utilizing the X-Bots ability to replicate itself, Qual’och ordered several around the globe to unseal the doors.
As the mechanized warrior joined them, Qual’och cast three balls of energy into the air. Within each of the orbs appeared a window of sorts to the last remaining Mystic Doors. The Earth Door, located deep in the Sahara, had been smothered over the eons with sand. Twenty Copy bots excavated the site, attempting to unearth the hidden treasure while other robots were assigned different tasks. The middle orb depicted a dense forest. Inside one of the oldest trees resided the Wood Mystic Door. Qual’och and Kor’digh watched as a Copy Bot appeared and began sending energy to the door. “Soon, my Lord,” Qual’och reverently spoke. Inside the third orb, a Copy Bot stood in the depths of a cavern sending energy towards the Metal Mystic Door.
Turning his head to gaze at the X-Bot, Kor’digh wondered how much control the wizard actually possessed over this creation and if it could truly accomplish what they needed it to do. “How long before they come for us,” he wondered, knowing that Master Li and his Defenders would seek them out no matter the cost. A flash of white and green from the energy spheres caught his eye and his attention was again focused on the viewing orbs. The light emanated from the wood and Metal Doors and a second later, the rocks sealing the entrances had been eliminated.
“One more,” Kor’digh announced.
“Let’s join our forces in triumph,” Qual’och said lifting his arms into the air. His command sent a swirling mass of black smoke that consumed the three standing in the foyer and teleported them to the Sahara.
***
Materializing in the hot sun, the three quickly separated. X-Bot walked toward his copies to closely supervise the excavation while Qual’och and Kor’digh watched. With the heat baking down from above, Qual’och’s lips pressed into a small grin when he saw the outermost markings of the Mystic Door.
“Pull your robots back,” he yelled. Complying, the X-Bot commanded his minions to step away from the digging area. Qual’och pressed his lips together and blew towards the area, summoning a fantastic windstorm. Swirling sand began flying everywhere. Kor’digh brought his mighty arms before his face to shields his eyes from the flying debris. When Qual’och finished, the Mystic Door stood free and clear in the African sun.
“Open the Door!” Qual’och cried out to X-Bot.
“I can’t let that happen wizard,” a voice from behind the door called out.
Kor’digh reached for his sword as Qual’och became infuriated. “Who dares oppose me?”
A dark figure leapt over the Mystic Door and dropped into the sand guarding his body and rooting his stance in a defensive posture.
“Li,” Kor’digh snarled angrily. “What makes you think you can stop us this time, old man? I nearly finished you just a few hours ago.”
Three more darkened figures leapt over the door and landed beside Master Li. “This time he has help,” Leslie said confidently.
Qual’och pointed towards the humans and yelled, “Destroy them!” The Copy Bots turned to face their new enemies and began walking like a massive army in formation. Unlike the orderly advance of the robots, Kor’digh rushed over the sand. Gripping his blades, Kor’digh withdrew his swords, letting their fine steel sing past the lips of their scabbards.
Master Li looked at his new comrades and nodded.
Clenching his fists, Master Li let his internal power grow as he took off running into battle. Flames erupted around his body bringing his darkened armor as before. Li has one mission in mind- destroy the X-Bot. Summoning his Qi Saber, the valiant warrior began slashing through the Copy Bots on his way to his destination.
Leslie, Jayde, and Lu*s stood before the door. Try as they might, the battle at hand was more than what they had imagined and fear raced through their young bodies and showed their vulnerability to the world. “Okay, let’s do this. Lu*s, nothing gets past you,” Leslie ordered.
Lu*s swallowed his fear and acknowledged the plan.
The three newfound friends stood fast and clenched their fists as Master Li did. Concentrating, each lets their power grow and explode from within.
“Fire!” Leslie cried out, sending red swirling energy around her. The blinding light coursed through her heart and small intestine meridians, consuming her very being. The power of fire escaped the confines of her mortal shell and flowed around her before solidifying into a sleek, red metallic armor. Gloves and boots protected her extremities, while a red helmet formed around her head. Black bands wrapped around her wrists and boot tops and a gold belt with her medallion fashioned around her waist. On her helmet, a similar one is around her forehead above a black visor. Emblazed on her left breast in gold is the fire symbol.
“Earth!” Lu*s cried out and yellow energy flowed through him while energizing his stomach and spleen meridians. Lu*s’ emerges from the transformation wearing a yellow suit of armor with black accents. His suit also has the same golden bands and the earth symbol marked his chest.
“Wood!” Jayde yelled as the green energy fills her body. Bright lightening bolts shot through the liver and gall bladder meridians as they exploded in a brilliant flash of green light. Emerging from the explosion, Jayde stood transformed in her green armor.
“Let’s go!” Leslie shouted and the three join the fight.
***
I know this has been long overdue, but many life experiences have gotten in the way. Needless to say, this is the largest section of Chapter One - coming in at over 15 pages.. so it will make for a long ready. I hope you enjoy and sorry about the delay.
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*** Part Six ***
East McClendon was one of the nicer areas of town. Its prestigious One hundred Block housed the very upper-most crust of Toronto and normally wouldn’t be suspect in an operation of this nature. However, times being what they were, no neighborhoods were entirely safe anymore. Or even more accurate, when one reached a certain level of affluence, one paid even less attention to those around you, allowing terrorists to filter through the minute cracks of society’s gates.
Abeu tracked the source of his information trail to apartment 2-2-0, one of only two residences that occupied the second of three hundred floors in the high-rise building. Coordinating with Robert and Gary, the Tactical Team parked their lead hover truck in a small alcove around the corner. The sleek vehicles offered much more interior space than was apparent from viewing their exterior. While the cab section was relatively small and only able to hold the driver and navigator, the domed trailer had been hollowed to make room for a dozen Strike Solders and tactical monitoring equipment.
Inside the lead truck, Sergeant Quann sat at his monitoring console. Behind him twelve NASO Strike Soldiers stood ready, each wearing black body armor and holstering a blaster. “Alpha Team, we are in position,” he spoke into his Comm-Link.
Quann waited for the reply as the men in his truck became more and more anxious for action. A second later a green light flashed on the main monitor. “All right. Prepare to deploy,” he said. The comment brought joy to the men and woman in the truck as they prepared to infiltrate the suspected terrorist den.
***
Inside apartment 2-2-0 sat four men in their mid-30s. Each rested comfortably on a sofa or recliner watching the latest release from the major studios. Mikel, the group’s leader sipped a tall glass of chilled tequila. “They still keep making this crap,” he said, referring to the movie, “It’s a wonder the kids even have any brain cells left.” To his left was Rico, the man with the key to the city’s destruction. “Two more hours until we contact them. Rico, is everything set?” Mikel asked.
His partner turned to him with a sheepish grin and said, “Yeah. She’s all primed and ready to blow if they don’t pay up. All I have to do is flip the switch.”
Assured that all is ready, Mikel eased back into his chair and relaxed. “I can’t believe they aren’t going to transfer the funds. It’s a shame to waste the lives of so many innocents,” he thought. “Oh well. I never understood the mindset of these idiots.”
***
In the hallway outside Apartment 2-2-0 stood Gary Staal. With his Armor set to Stealth Mode, the nanobots refracted the surrounding light around him, creating a cloak of invisibility. Gary set his display to Thermal Imaging and peered through the walls in front of him. “I pick up six signatures,” he whispered into his Comm-Link.
“Copy that. Four in the main room and two next to the device,” his partner confirmed. “On the count of three, let’s take them. I’ve got the quartet. You take the duo,” Robert radioed.
“Roger,” Gary acknowledged. “I never thought I’d be in the thick of things like this. Just goes to show you, God has a sense of humor,” Gary mused while readying his armor to burst through the doorframe.
“Three… Two…,” Robert announced over the Comm-Link. “One!” Gary said in unison with Robert and pushed off with his legs, signaling the armor to boost his strength, sending him crashing through the apartment’s front door. As Gary passed through the metal entrance, Robert flew through the apartment’s window, sending glass shards in every direction.
The four men sitting in the room were shocked and completely caught off guard when the two sweeping black figures entered the room with the speed and agility of jungle cats. With the men stunned, the Robert and Gary separated to conquer their individual objectives.
In the main room, Mikel threw his glass onto the floor as he jumped out of his seat. Before he could even get a word out, Robert spun around and landed a spinning side thrust squarely into the man’s chest. The overpowering thrust of Robert’s boot cracked Mikel’s ribs and sent him through the air, over his seat, and into the rear wall of the apartment. The force from the blow not only broke his bones, but rendered the man unconscious.
Gary knew that his partner would be no match for the four men he confronted and wasted no time rushing down the hall to meet his two combatants. Gary stepped into the room and instantly locked his eyes onto the two men standing beside the small fusion bomb. The two men each held blasters and poised them to fire at Gary. As they pulled the triggers, Gary jumped into the air and over the bomb, landing in a crouched position between the two terrorists. Shifting his weight forward onto his hands, Gary tiger-tailed the two terrorists and sent them falling to the floor.
Gary sprung upright to his feet and leapt over the terrorist to his left, as his feet came down and straddled him, Gary focused all his strength into an X-Block strike to the solar plexus. The blow rocked the young man, causing his body to convulse. Extending his arms outward, Gary connected twice with the terrorist’s jaw, shattering it and rendering the man unconscious.
The other terrorist was a lot nimbler than his partner and kip-upped to his feet. Kneeling on the floor, he quickly retrieved his weapon and fired. The red beams pierced the wall behind Gary as he artfully dodged the blasts. Knowing that time was short, the second terrorist used his free hand to start the timer on the fusion bomb. Now activated, the timer slowly began ticking down from its three minute mark.
The laser blasts effectively kept Gary at bay from the remaining terrorist as they both revolved around one another. The walls of the apartment were continuously being blown apart by the missed firings, but Gary was unable to get any closer at the moment. Seeing that the bomb’s been activated, Gary activated his Comm-Link and shouted, “Get the kid up here, now!” and launched towards the terrorist standing in front of him.
***
On the street under the apartment, the three NASO hovertrucks quickly began unloading their Strike Soldiers. The armored NASO operatives raced along the pavement and quickly entered the building. Racing up the stairs, the men and women of the strike force knew that their mission had to succeed, for if it failed, the city would e destroyed. However, this thought was sitting at the back of their minds. At the forefront was the role and responsibility each had once they arrived at the combat zone.
Still seated in his armored carrier, Sergeant Quann tapped his Comm-Link to communicate with the adjacent truck, “Seth, I just got word. The bomb’s ticking. Get the genius up there straight away. He’s our only chance.”
Only a green light flashed on his monitor signaling Seth and Abeu had received the call and were on their way. Quann hated being mission coordinator and resented taking the promotion a year earlier. Everything in his body told him he needed to be with his soldiers rather than staring at a wall of monitors tracking their progress. “Screw it,” he thought, “I’m going.”
***
Robert unleashed a powerful side thrust and easily subdued another terrorist. This left just him and Rico in the front room. Robert normally liked a little sport, giving his opponents a small fighting chance, but hearing Gary’s call that the fusion bomb had been activated, he decided to make things short and sweet. Raising his right arm, Robert locked his internal targeting sensors on the terrorist ringleader and muttered into his helmet, “Good night,” and fired an electrical charge from his arm. The powerful bolt of energy struck Rico in the torso and rendered Rico unconscious as he fell to the floor.
The threats averted, Robert ran to help Gary as the NASO Strike Soldiers entered the apartment. “Secure the area,” the lead trooper shouted as they started roving through the apartment.
***
Gary stood huddled over the fusion bomb, his armor powered down, trying to analyze the device. “Damn!” he shouted, his voice full of frustration.
Robert entered and deactivated his armor. Moving next to his friend, he quickly scanned the device, “Anything?” he asked.
“No. It’s a biolink system. Only way to deactivate it is to jack in and break the cellular contacts. Anything else will fuse the proteins and set it off,” Gary responded. Robert looked at the timer: two minutes remaining. “I hope Abeu can do this,” he said under his breath as the teen raced into the room with Seth.
“Okay, concentrate,” the handler told his protégé while connecting the computer interface to Abeu’s head.
“No problem, chief,” the child responded. Double checking the connection between him and the data port on the bomb, Abeu began the link. “Starting download,” he announced and closed his eyes as his mind merged with the bomb’s system. The men in the room saw Abeu’s eyes dart back and forth as he looked for the protein codes that would deactivate the bomb.
Each second seemed like an eternity to the men in the room. Tick… Tock… seconds passed. One minute… Thirty seconds… Ten…. Nine… Eight…
Abeu opened his eyes and shouted, “Got it!” and the timer stopped.
With a sigh of relief, Seth placed his hands on Abeu’s shoulders, “Good job.”
Robert patted Abeu on the back as well. “Great job. You’re going to have a long and fruitful career. Glad to have you as part of the team,” he said with a smile. Activating his Comm-Link, Robert called into NASO HQ, “Mission complete. Request clean-up crew.”
Seth smiled down on his young charge and began to unplug the cable from Abeu’s interface. “Let’s get you to debriefing, Ace.”
***
Hours had passed and the sun rose above the horizon in the East. Seth and Abeu walked slowly away from the tall NASO Headquarters. The campus was nestled deep in heart of Toronto, yet from the looks of the facilities, one would have never suspected these humble buildings was the core of the North American Union’s security operations in the north. Beaten by the pressure he’d been under the past forty-eight hours, Abeu was ready to collapse. Seth kept his watchful eye on the youth, just incase he needed to help him up the stairs to the main parking structure.
“I still can’t we came that close to losing it all. The sims were never like that,” Abeu said wearily.
“Real life scenarios seldom are. Regardless, you’re the youngest trainee to be promoted to field service and performed like a seasoned veteran. I knew you could handle the pressure, as did Rob, but Command wasn’t sure. This last mission put all their doubts to rest,” Seth responded.
Abeu nodded. “I hope they all aren’t this hectic, but it beats driving a terminal all day.”
Seth laughed as the pair neared his car and rustled Abeu’s hair, “Let’s get you home for some shut-eye.” Pressing his palm on the door scanner, the computer checked his DNA. Approving the molecular sequences, the car’s computer unlocked the side doors. Seth and Abeu slid into the car, but noticed something different. While there’s no possible way for someone to gain access to the car, two golden medallions rested on the dashboard before them.
“A gift from Rob?” Abeu asked.
“It really isn’t his style,” Seth answered.
Seth and Abeu reached forward and took hold of the medallions. As they do, the pair became consumed in a vortex of blue and white energy.
***
Swirling energy abounded across all eternity in the Astral Plane. This union of Yin and Yang and all phases of energy was the setting where Seth and Abeu were to face their destiny. No longer in the garage, the two friends stood before Masters Tanaka and Woo, the last of the original QiRangers to select their replacements. While Seth stood stunned, Abeu eagerly took in his surroundings as if it were some new level in a video game.
“Seth Goldman,” Master Woo began, “your passion and bravery has not gone unnoticed. A higher calling awaits you as my time has passed. You are the Warrior of Water.”
“And young Abeu,” Master Tanaka said, “your soul has aged you far beyond your flesh. It is because of your skills I choose you as the Warrior of Metal.”
Their physical bodies were unsure of their surroundings and what their eyes witnessed, but Seth and Abeu knew in their hearts what they heard was true. “Go now,” the Masters spoke in unison, “the others need you.”
Master Tanaka and Woo faded out of existence, leaving the two new Defenders alone. Seth and Abeu each glanced at their medallions, clenching them tightly. Closing his eyes for a moment, Abeu calmly looked up at his mentor and nodded. He was ready.
***
An energy bolt ripped across the hot desert floor as Master Li sliced through another Copy Bot. The aged warrior caught the bolt in his peripheral vision and extended his arms behind him. Calling forth his agility, Master Li launched into a back flip, letting the energy pass under his arched back. When he returned to the sandy earth, he stood amidst several fallen torsos and legs of Copy Bots.
Three Copy Bots rushed Master Li from behind while four additional robots attacked head on. The first two Copy Bots let loose energy bolts aimed at Li, but the elder Defender cartwheeled to the left . In doing so, the energy beams bypassed him and hit an oncoming Copy Bot. The blast tore through the robot’s torso, leaving a gaping hole as the metallic creature fell into the sand.
Master Li crouched in the sand, targeting his opponents. While he cradles his Qi Saber in his right rand, four fire shurricans materialized his left. In a flurry, he released the flaming throwing stars. Glimmering in the Saharan sun, the shurricans flew quickly into three Copy Bots, igniting their bodies in firry explosions. The last Copy Bot managed to let off an energy blast, destroying the shurricans in a blinding flash of light.
Master Li shielded his eyes from the blast and moved to his right, slicing the legs of the nearest Copy Bot. The creature fell to the sand, where Master Li impaled the robot’s chest with his saber. The blade easily cut the metal like warm butter, ending its so called life.
The last three attacking Copy Bots surrounded Master Li. Taking in the situation the eldest warrior jumped onto the shoulders of the center Copy Bot. The Copy Bot to Master Li’s right fired an energy bolt from its left hand, incinerating the center Copy Bot. He continued his leap by somersaulting forward. While in the air, Master Li replaced his saber with flaming daggers in each hand. He spun the handles, sending the twin blades swirling up his arm, fiery contrails following. Master Li hit the sand kneeling and thrust the blades behind him as he arched his back. Each burning blade found its mark in chests of the final two Copy Bots. The ensuing explosion blew debris past Master Li into the sand.
***
Qual’och stood aside from the field of battle, flanked by Kor’digh and X-Bot. The wizard watched the ensuing confrontation with great displeasure. “Isn’t there anyway to stop him?” he shouted seeing that five thousand years hadn’t tarnished Master Li’s abilities.
Kor’digh stared at his nemesis, who began charging their position. Taking a deep breath, the mighty warrior freed the sword from his left scabbard. The metal blade sung past the lip of the sheathe as one of Qual’och’s arms slammed into his chest. “Wait,” the wizard said.
Kor’digh huffed with displeasure, but did as he was ordered. Cautiously, he slid the blade back into its holster while his eyes burned with fury at having to sit on the sidelines. The anger swelled with the great beast billowing up his body until fine strands of smoke filtered from his nostrils.
Qual’och looked at X-Bot, “More. Make more,” he ordered.
The X on X-Bot’s chest began glowing bright. Time after time, numerous copies of the original spawned into existence. After each new robot set foot in the sand, X-Bot sent a signal for it to attack Bruch’oda’s enemies. Step by step, the robots took off and raced towards their prey.
***
Lu*s Mendoza, Defender of Earth, fell to the ground under the pressure of three Copy Bots. He tried to push himself up, but the weight from the three robots he just slaughtered overpowered him. “A little help here!” he shouted.
Jayde looked over her shoulder towards Lu*s’ call as she dispatched another Copy Bot with her Qi Saber. Racing to hew new friend’s aid, she’s joined a moment later by Leslie at the mass covering their comrade.
“On three,” Leslie shouted as the women each took hold of the metallic rubble. “One… Two… Three!” and the two Defenders lifted the lifeless hulks off Lu*s.
“Thanks,” Lu*s sighed under his helmet, but before the trio could regroup, energy blasts rained towards them exploding all around. The fireballs threw the young Defenders into separate directions. Each landed with a loud thud, knocking the wind out of their lungs. Leslie tried to get up, but the force of the explosion was too much. As she made it to her hands and knees, she collapsed down again. “We can’t give up. We’ve got to keep going.”
The three tried to stand and fought through the pain and fatigue to barely make it to their feet. What they saw through their visors failed to yield any meaningful form of expression. Descending on their position were sixty Copy Bots where there had previously been none. Somehow Jayde managed to sum up the situation with one succinct word, “Shit.”
“Yeah,” the Lu*s added, but was thinking of a more colorful metaphor of his own.
Leslie could feel Jayde and Lu*s’ fear wash over her body as they faced the onslaught before them; however, Master Li installed within each of them the importance of this battle. She took a deep breath and was more determined than ever not to fail. “Don’t forget what we’re here for,” Leslie said. Looking directly at Lu*s, Leslie made it known that she wasn’t about to sit on the sidelines and let the robots climb over her. “Lu*s, you stay and protect the door. Jayde and I’ll try to fend off as many as we can.”
“But,” Lu*s began, but was quickly caught off by Leslie.
“We have no choice,” Leslie blurted out, “Unless Master Li can stop the X-Bot; you’re our only chance to keep the door closed.”
Realizing that she was right, he responded with an unsure, “I know.” He hadn’t know these women long, but already his feelings for them swelled and wanted to do everything in his power to protect them. But Lu*s knew that if the Copy Bots made it past them; he’d be the strongest and most able to secure the last of the Mystic Doors. Begrudgingly, Lu*s took off running at full speed for the Mystic Door while the ladies drew their Qi Sabers and dug into the sand for the next confrontation.
Incoming blasts from the Copy Bots exploded in the sand all around Lu*s as he ran for the door. Instinctively, his body shifted from side to side, allowing the powerful energy beams to impact the sand rather than his body. With the end in sight, Lu*s’ mind drifted back to his youth and the games he played. As another blast exploded in front of him, he caught himself thinking that he was a duck in a shooting gallery. He knew not how he made it to the stone edifice, but was glad that he did. Standing tall, the Earth Defender channeled his energy into his right hand and commanded his Qi Saber to materialize. Dropping his stance lower and gripping the sand between his boots, he readied his body for battle.
Several energy blasts fell short of Lu*s’ position and exploded, kicking sand into the air. The desert wind quickly took hold of the fine grains and carried them forward, obscuring his vision. As the sand blows past him, Lu*s began feeling a strange sensation- something gnawed at him deep in side. It’s as if he knew he was in danger, but with all the dust in his face, Lu*s couldn’t make anything out. “What is it?” he thought to himself – but then he realized what his heightened senses were attempting to convey. A borage of energy bolts laid into him, exploding in a skyrocketing fireball. If he hadn’t been wearing his armor, Lu*s Mendoza would have been vaporized.
The blast was so powerful it knocked the Mexican into the Mystic Door. His helmet rapped several times against the stone door as the force of the explosion kept him elevated off the ground. As the flames died down, Lu*s fell to the sand. He looked up to see the Fire and Wood Defenders battling several Copy Bots, but even more were circumnavigating their position and heading straight for him.
“This is it,” he said, knowing that he was the last line of defense. Lu*s reabsorbed his Qi Saber and called forth his inner Qi. Standing in a high bow stance, the Earth Defender extended his hands and released a yellow energy dome that encircled the Mystic Door. “I just hope I can hold this long enough.”
***
The Wood Defender wielded her sword like an expert. Despite being surrounded by immeasurable combatants, Jayde’s head was remarkably clear. Her previous qigong training allowed her the focus on the moment and let her senses guide her actions, much in the same manner the Zen Warriors known as Samurais did ages ago. Jayde effortlessly evaded a series of punches and kicks from surrounding Copy Bots as she battled back, countering with her fist and sword. In a bust of speed, the young Wood Defender managed not only to evade the attack, but was able to dismantle four Copy Bots with a single pass of her blade. Unfortunately this effort was insufficient at eliminating the immediate threat, for as she stood in the middle of the fallen warriors, a Copy Bot sent her body reeling in pain after landing a flying side thrust to her back.
Jayde landed face down in the sand. The impact forced her grip on the Qi Saber to loosen and sent the weapon flying outwards. Pain ran through her body. Never in her life has she experienced such a focused blow. All she could think was how thankful the armor and helmet held– as anything would be better than lying in the scorching sand and tasting it in her mouth.
The Copy Bot knew better than to leave the fallen warrior alone and moved in for the kill. Jayde recovered quickly from her fall, but nagging soreness lingered in her thoracic cage; however that is the least of her worries, as she saw the shining creature charging its blasters leaping at her.
Ducking below the Copy Bot, Jayde was able to use the robot’s kinetic energy against it. The Wood Defender shortened the firing distance before the Copy Bot could adjust and the energy beam hit the hot sand rather than her. As the Copy Bot passed over, she grabbed hold of the machine’s torso and added to its trajectory, sending it tumbling into the ground. Jayde slipped her right foot under her blade and flung the Qi Saber into the air, catching it. Before the Copy Bot could recover, Jayde slammed her sword into its chest causing the robot to explode.
***
The Fire Defender smiled beneath her helmet. For the first time in her life, she felt important. Leslie couldn’t believe how peaceful she was in the thick of the action. How the burden of saving the world seems so naturally comfortable on her shoulders.
Leaping into the air, Leslie began kicking Copy Bots and using them for steps in her quest for height. Each impact dented the armored plating on the two robots flanking her. As she reached their shoulders, she cast off and spun around, swinging her blade through the two metallic beasts. Her attack completed, the top halves of each machine fell to the sand.
“It’s as if this is what I was meant for,” Leslie thought to herself. “This is far more important than teaching,” she continued while preparing for the next group of Copy Bots. “This is almost fun,” ran through her mind while she took off running towards another a group of Copy Bots. As the Leslie neared them, she leapt into the air and began spinning, forming a spiral flame with her sword extended in front.
The attack completely caught the Copy Bots off guard and the flaming strike crushed them. Leslie exits the last Copy Bot and knelt in the sand, sword laid out to her side as the platoon of robots exploded over her shoulders.
***
Kor’digh grew restless standing behind the battle lines watching the robotic warriors suffering at the hands of the humans. “It should be me out there,” he thought. “These robots are no warriors. They have no skill!” Kor’digh began stepping forward, but Qual’och restrained him once more.
“Wizard, let me do my duty!” he snarled.
Qual’och calmly looked at the distinguished warrior. “Not yet. Once they’ve been worn down,” the wizard stated. “This should speed things up,” he said with an evil grin. Qual’och’s eyes showered a cold blue light in the bright sun as his arms climbed into the air. As a consequence, the Copy Bots en route to the Mystic Door took flight.
***
Lu*s stood behind the Qi shield and saw the Copy Bots ascend into the air as they began firing energy blasts at him. “You have got to be kidding,” he muttered. Each strike weakened the Qi shield and pushed Lu*s further into the sand. After four consecutive hits, Lu*s’ boot tops fell below the sand’s rolling surface and his arms began to buckle. Time and time again, the blasts lit up the sky and the Earth Defender wondered how much longer he’d be able to sustain the shield around the door. Taking a deep breath, Lu*s tried to focus his mind and enhance his concentration at holding the shield.
Leslie and Jayde saw their teammate weakening and converged on his position. As the pair raced to his aid, they were fired upon by swarms Copy Bots. Using their Qi Sabers as shields, the women were able to absorb the energy into the blades and redirect the force back at the flying robots. The ricocheted energy beams found their targets and after countless explosions it was raining robots.
Standing before Lu*s’ Qi shield, the Fire and Wood Defenders looked upon the ever increasing number of Copy Bots. Each knew what their mission was and hoped Master Li could accomplish his. The sense of urgency increased as another wave of twenty… thirty… sixty… Copy Bots began their assault. Their newfound power surged in every ounce of their bodies culminating their swords. Jayde’s Qi Saber glowed bright green and transformed into a double bladed battle axe. She smiled at her new accessory. “This will be fun,” she thought. Leslie’s power continued evolving in her sword, causing it burst into flames. The women took their new weapons and raced into battle.
As the pair ascended the small hill of lifeless Copy Bot hulks, Leslie stood and looked over the top of the hill at the oncoming army of Copy Bots. The sixty Copy Bots saw the two humans standing atop their fallen brothers and received a short message messages from the X-Bot to end the battle now.
“Don’t they ever stop?” Leslie asked her partner.
The Wood Defender looked at Leslie through her visor, “Not until we that original out of the way.”
“I know. Li’s trying but he has problems of his own,” Leslie said, pointing her free hand at Master Li. “In any case, it’s time to put the hurt on.”
Jayde nodded and the two raced down the hill.
Leslie was the first to meet the forthcoming wall of metal and there was no love lost between this batch and the humans. The Fire Defender summoned her inner fire, causing her flaming sword to grow even stronger. Billowing flames streaked into the air as Leslie wielded her blade.
Four groups of Copy Bots changed their attack vector from the main assault force and headed straight for Leslie. Two moved directly for the women, while the remaining squads flanked their position and headed towards the Mystic Door. Leslie and Jayde saw the diverting groups and shifted their strategy and tried to take on two groups each.
While this tactic was the only option to them, the Copy Bots’ mission was clear: divide and conquer. Increasing their speed, the outside groups quickly circumnavigated the oncoming Defenders and slipped behind the hill of fallen Copy Bots.
“Go back and help Lu*s,” Leslie instructed, but as Jayde turned to retreat, the two groups directly ahead opened fire on them.
The resulting explosions threw the women back against the metallic hill. With the wind knocked out of them, the pair barely regained their footing before the Copy Bots surrounded them.
Jayde knew she had to get back to Lu*s, no matter the cost. Every second she could hear the endless pounding the shield he erected was taking from the energy bolts launched from the Copy Bots. She didn’t know how long he could hold it up, so she gripped her battle axe and let her fingers meld with the leather grips. Jayde pressed hard into the sand and pushed off into the air.
The Copy Bots tracked her arc and opened fire. The beams flew past her, but passed close enough to her body that she could sense their intense heat. Jayde began tumbling, tucking her body tightly, so that there was less of a target to hit. The Wood Defender focused her thoughts on her battle axe and filled it with energy. Jayde rotated her body to orient her for the attack. Gripping her battle axe with both hands, she split the weapon into two single bladed axes.
A foot off the ground, Jayde took the axes and swung her arms wide. When she made contact with the hot Saharan sand, she threw her twin axes towards the Copy Bots. Twirling through the air, in an ever increasing arc, the blades rotated quickly with green wood energy.
The blades quickly tore through the metal flesh housing the circuitry of the Copy Bots, leaving a path of destruction in the sand. Those not affected by the axes, did not hesitate to further the attack on the lone, green warrior and fired energy blasts as they crept in on her position.
Jayde sidestepped and leapt to avoid contact with the deadly energy attacks; however it was not enough. Several blasts found their target and collided with her armor. The resulting explosions forced her backwards and buried her into the sand.
Winded, she looked up and saw two Copy Bots standing over her. Before they could fire, the twin axe blades returned form their flying arc and passed through the center torso of each metallic death machine and imbedded themselves into the ground next to her.
“Lucky me,” she thought to herself. Jayde stood to see that her attack was more effective than she thought. Smoking bodies of Copy Bots littered the sand around her. Not wanting to loose the momentum she’d collected, the Jayde headed back into battle.
***
Infuriated that the attacks on the humans continued to fail, he ordered the X-Bot to make copies until otherwise noted. The endless stream of materializing robots hit the sand and then raced towards the Defenders intent on their destruction.
***
The first wave of Copy Bots reached the Qi Shield the Lu*s had erected around the Mystic Door. Rather than firing one at a time, the robots strategically positioned themselves around the structure and fired in unison. With enough power to melt a skyscraper, the attack against the shield quickly became too much for its lone defender.
Time and time again, the powerful energy beams clashed with the Earth Qi. Lu*s struggled to maintain the protective barrier. His muscles ached and seat poured off his brow inside his helmet, but the onslaught was too much. Weakened by the continuous attacks, the Earth Defender fell to one knee.
The Fire and Wood Defenders came to his aid and began to systematically destroy the Copy Bots - but they were simply too late. A final wave of energy was released from the Copy Bots. Each particle contacted the Qi Shield causing the barrier to shimmer in the sun. With every ounce of strength depleted, Lu*s fell to the ground and the Qi Shield dissipated.
“No! I must find…,” Lu*s tried to say, but was simply too weak to do so. Even the mundane task of breathing was a chore at this moment. His body seemed to weigh a thousand pounds and each breath felt as if it burned his body.
The Jayde and Leslie came to his aid. “Lu*s!” Leslie yelled while trying to pick up her partner.
“Need….. help…,” Lu*s said through gasping breaths.
Jayde and Leslie stood on either side of the Earth Defender, looking at an army of Copy Bots ready to open the last Mystic Door. “We need a miracle,” Leslies said somberly.
***
Master Li continued his battle towards Qual’och, Kor’digh, and the X-Bot, but his thoughts were drawn elsewhere. He knew that something wasn’t quite right- no, something was wrong. Peering through his peripheral vision, he saw that the Qi Shield had fallen and the army of Copy Bots were about to kill his protégés.
Master Li sliced two Copy Bots in half with his flaming daggers and raced to out flank his attackers. In pursuit were several Copy Bots, but they could not keep pace with the elder warrior.
Master Li continued to monitor the situation at the Mystic Door: Lu*s had fallen and was struggling to regain his strength so he could rejoin the fight, Leslie battled fiercely, and Jayde displayed true courage as each attempted to defend the Earth. Each blast that the Copy Bots fired connected with one of the three new warriors, driving them back towards the Mystic Door. Any moment now, Master Li realized, they will fall. From deep within his core, Master Li’s inner fire boiled over at the thought of failing.
Summoning all his fire qi, Master Li planed to end this assault now. Between his hands grew a qi ball like none other. It swarmed with molten fire as hot as the sun. First the size of a baseball, then a basketball, the ball continued to gain mass. The burning light from the fireball illuminated the sand and started melting the silicone within. “Arhhh!!!!” Master Li screamed as the qi ball approached critical mass. The scream was so loud that Lu*s, Jayde, and Leslie looked up from their impending doom. The call for power was also heard by Qual’och, Kor’digh, and X-Bot – all of whom turned and face the elderly man.
“Kizxa,” Qual’och muttered.
The display of power was so awesome; X-Bot monetarily loost control of the Copy Bots as it stared at the display.
Master Li struggled to maintain control of the car size ball of Fire, screaming louder and louder each second in agony as the ball grew.
At the Mystic Door, the three Defenders received a message from Master Li: “Move.”
The three warriors focused their attention on Master Li, who released the molten ball he’d created. Throwing it towards the army of Copy Bots, the fireball consumed each piece of metal, causing them to melt and explode.
Li fell to his knees, weakened by the task of creating such a weapon. Breathing heavily, he propped himself up with his hands and watched the powerful energy mass make its way over the desert, leaving a caramelized path of destruction in its wake.
The Earth, Fire, and Wood Defenders leapt out of the way of the qi ball with only a moment to spare. The resulting collision of the powerful energy blast and Mystic Door sent the three humans even further away as a mushroom cloud filled the sky and a thunderous roar erupted on the quiet dune.
Looking back over the path of carnage, one saw only charred molten blobs resting on a sea of glass.
Lying on the sand floor, Lu*s felt a strange sense of power rush over his body. “Somehow, the energy remnants from the blast must be recharging me,” Lu*s thought. Now fully charged, he felt ready to retake his place on the battlefield. The Earth Defender propped himself up onto one knee, but before he could lift himself up the rest of the way, Lu*s saw something he didn’t prepared for: two armored hands extending towards him, ready to help him up. While he knew that Leslie and Jayde were near, the colors of the arms in front of him were blue and white.
The Metal and Water Defenders stood with their backs to sun wearing similar armor: Abeu donning the Metal Defender battle armor and Seth in the Water.
“Come on, let us help you up,” Abeu said as he and Seth pulled Lu*s to his feet.
“Who are…” Lu*s attempted to say, but cut himself off as he realized the final two Defenders had arrived. Even though he tried, the Mexican couldn’t fight back the feeling of joy or the smile that swelled beneath his helmet.
The trio was joined by Leslie and Jayde and the five Defenders stood facing one another for the first time. “Looks like the gang’s all here,” the Jayde commented.
“Introductions will have to wait. We’ve got a job to do,” Leslie summarized.
The five Defenders nodded and in unison shouted, “Right!”
***
Qual’och’s blood boiled at the defeat he suffered. Standing in disbelief the ancient wizard did nothing but gape at the destruction before him. Both Kor’digh and X-Bot turned to their “leader” and awaited instructions. Seconds ticked by and nothing was uttered by the robe-clad sorcerer, whose gaze was still transfixed on the fading mushroom cloud.
“Enough!” Kor’digh yelled, stepping forward.
Qual’och realized that he’d lost control and succumbed to Kor’digh’s tactical leadership. The setback irritated the wizard, but at this point, he knew his mission would fail unless a new approach was taken.
“I’ve got Li. You two deal with the others. Don’t worry about killing them. Just see to it that the door is opened. Use everything at your disposal – above and below ground,” the general ordered, leaping into the air.
“Yes sir,” the X-Bot replied as he began making copies again. The new metallic warriors instantly set off towards the Mystic Door.
This time, Qual’och took Kor’digh’s suggestion to heart. Raising his arms, the charging Copy Bots split into three groups. One remained on the ground, charging through the sea of glass. The second group took to the air, while the third burrowed underground.
“Annihilate them,” Qual’och said to X-Bot.
***
Master Li looked up from his position and saw Kor’digh streaking towards him. He readied himself for battle, standing and digging his feet into the sand. Master Li gripped his Qi Saber tightly, his perspiration mixed with the weapon’s leather grips, knowing that the final battle was about to begin. He squinted in the bright African sun, tracking his target through the air. The last original Defender channeled qi into his legs and pushed off to meet Kor’digh. The master swordsman drew his saber close to his chest as he approached Kor’digh.
The Dark Warlord smiled as he approached his mortal enemy. Pulling his feet forward, Kor’digh assumed a vertical position in the air. Summoning his dark qi, Kor’digh sent two energy blasts towards Master Li.
Master Li arched his back to dodge the oncoming attack and began tumbling. The first energy wave floated floating under his legs, but the other one hit him squarely in the torso, exploding upon impact. The powerful blast sent Master Li rocketing towards the sandy floor below.
Master Li landed with a resounding thud. The blow briefly knocked the wind out of him as he let his grip fade on his Qi Saber. His mind was brought back quickly to the battle arena when he heard the familiar sound of metal slipping past the lips of a scabbard. Opening his eyes, Master Li saw Kor’digh approaching from above with his swords drawn.
Master Li rolled to his right, saving his chest from the powerful weight of Kor’digh as he landed in the sand. The Dark Warlord couldn’t compensate for Li’s movement and thrust his swords into the hot sand. Master Li regained his Qi Saber and sprung to his feet.
Seeing that Kor’digh is still hunched over trying to retrieve his swords from the sand, Master Li jumped and connected a powerful roundhouse kick to Kor’digh’s midsection. The strike tossed Kor’digh aside, sending the evil warrior into the sand.
Kor’digh rolled out of the fall and came to rest on one knee. “You’re going to have to do better than that, Li,” he taunted and rushed towards his enemy. Calling upon his dark power, Kor’digh fired two dark qi strikes at Master Li.
Master Li jumped backwards, avoiding the powerful energy blasts. In doing so, the vacancy allowed Kor’digh free access to his swords. The speeding alien managed to retrieve one sword by the time Master Li set foot on the sand once more and immediately attempted to finish him by swinging his blade at the elderly Defender.
Even in his weakened state, the venerable Defender had enough power in him to counter Kor’digh’s attack. “Likewise, you’re going to have to do a lot better than that to extinguish my flame,” Master Li responded.
Kor’digh took the opening and fell backwards, pulling taking Master Li with him. As the pair moved in unison, Kor’digh kicked Master Li off when his back hit he hot sand. Master Li spun his body around to regain his footing. Once secured, Master Li called forth three fire shurricans and threw them.
The flaming stars soared over the hot desert floor towards Kor’digh. The Dark Warrior kip-upped and slashed his mighty blade at the oncoming stars. His quick actions and skill allowed him to easily divert the fire shurricans and send them harmlessly into the sand. “This toying must come to an end,” he thought and decided to rush Master Li.
The two eternal warriors of good and evil clashed in the desert. With each thrust and parry, electrical sparks shot into the sky. No matter what he tried, Master Li couldn’t gain the upper hand in his conflict. For every attack, Kor’digh had a capable counter that deprived him of attaining his goal.
***
Atop the Earth Mystic Door, the Metal Defender stood with his Qi Bow taking aim at the flying Copy Bots. One by one he sent white energy arrows streaking towards the metallic warriors… and one by one they exploded and came crashing into the ground. “This isn’t too hard,” the young Indian thought to himself.
Just then, a blue disk streaked across his position. Abeu tracked it with his eyes and followed it through as it impacted another flying Copy Bot – one that would have gotten the better of him. The arcing disk swept down and returned to its rightful owner – the Water Defender. “Look sharp, kiddo. They’re going to be smatter than a video game,” Seth yelled over the endless amount of explosions surrounding them.
“Right!” Abeu yelled back and continued picking off Copy Bots from his perch.
Seth converted the disk into his Qi Saber and charged two Copy Bots approaching the door. He sped over the sand, crisscrossing his path to confuse the firing mechanisms on the metal beasts. Two meters in front of the oncoming attackers, Seth jumped into the air. He landed between the Copy Bots, who locked onto their target and fired. Dropping effortlessly into the splits, he avoided the twin pairs of energy blasts. The sources of those charges weren’t as fortunate and each of the Copy Bots took the full force of the energy beams and exploded.
***
Lu*s Mendoza ran over the hot sand. With each step he increased his speed towards an oncoming band of Copy Bots. The lead metallic warrior took aim and fired energy bolts from its claws and the beams took off and flew through the air towards the approaching yellow streak. Before the energy blasts could hit him, Lu*s jumped into the air. Spreading his arms like a swan, he gained altitude. The pursuing Copy Bots circled and begin firing up at Lu*s. He flipped back and began diving towards the Earth. The Copy Bots took aim again and fired several blasts at the descending warrior. Shifting his weight ever-so-slightly, he was able to glide between the oncoming beams.
Lu*s continued falling faster and faster. Drawing his earth qi to his right first, his glove glowed bright yellow. Completing his descent, the Earth Defender thrust his first into the sand, sending a thundering wave into the Earth. The impact sent sand into the air and a rippling undulation along Sahara’s surface. Each wave rolled over the Copy Bots destroying them.
He looked up to see his wave of destruction and smiled. But before he could stand to tackle another batch of robots, he heard a powerful rumbling coming from somewhere else. “It can’t still be going on, can it?” he thought. “Where is that coming from?”
Lu*s isn’t the only one wondering where the subterranean rumbles originated from. Looking around the team saw sand sifting away from the area in front of the Mystic Door. Rising from below the hot sand was an army of Copy Bots. Now the metallic warriors were positioned between the Defenders and the final Mystic Door.
“Yes!” Qual’och yelled. “Open the door!” he shouted.
“Stop them!” Leslie yelled as she took off racing towards the Mystic Door leaving a trail of dismembered Copy Bots in her wake. The others did the same, but were now faced with an army of robots in front and behind them as they made their way for the Mystic Door. While the Defenders were embroiled in battle, the remaining Copy Bots turned their attention to the Earth Mystic Door.
The lead robot energized his emitter as the Defenders met the opposing wall of Copy Bots. Struggle as they may, the Leslie and the others couldn’t get through the barrier before the robot unleashed his energy wave into the Mystic Door. Yellow energy filled the stone door, sending electrical flares from its center.
***
Master Li and Kor’digh stood atop their dune, swords crossed and looked deep into each other’s eyes. “It’s done Li. You’ve failed,” Kor’digh hissed. Master Li looked at the Mystic Door and saw what Kor’digh spoke was true. His heart sunk knowing that the Earth will now feel the wrath of Bruch’oda. With his attention distracted, Kor’digh easily shoved him aside. The oldest Defender stumbled backwards a few steps before settling his footing. “Until we meet again Li,” Kor’digh shouted and vanished in a cloud of darkness. Qual’och, X-Bot, and the Copy Bots joined him and disappeared in plumes of smoke.
The five new Defenders raced to meet Master Li in the center of the battlefield.
Out of breath and barely able to stand, Leslie was the first to speak, “We’re sorry,” she said between heaving breaths.
“It’s my fault,” Lu*s managed to get out between gasps.
Master Li extended his arm to the Earth Defender and placed it on his shoulder. “No. It was an honorable battle with an unfortunate outcome. However, the war is not lost,” he said. The six Defenders looked at the sky above. Dark luminous clouds rolled into the stratosphere, electrifying the sky with thundering bolts of lightening.
***
Sitting atop his throne, Bruch’oda absolutely beamed with joy. His eyes glowed bright red as he stood from his perch and lift his first into the air yelling, “Let chaos reign!”
***
End of Chapter One: The Return
Cuiran
12-05-2004, 04:13 PM
Great stuff, Qi! I really had a sense of the characters while reading, and you have a definite aptitude for descriptive writing -- something I'm still working on, myself. =) I enjoyed reading very much, and I'm looking forward to whatever's coming next -- although I admit that besides the main characters, I'm still waiting to see what happens to Leslie's brother. =) That's a good sign, by the way. ;D Good work!
Great stuff, Qi! I really had a sense of the characters while reading, and you have a definite aptitude for descriptive writing -- something I'm still working on, myself. =) I enjoyed reading very much, and I'm looking forward to whatever's coming next -- although I admit that besides the main characters, I'm still waiting to see what happens to Leslie's brother. =) That's a good sign, by the way. ;D Good work!
Thanks for the feedback Cuiran. Yes, Michael Chen will be back in Chapter Two (Battlecry) as well as the other characters introduced in Chapter One. I'm not sure when I'll get around to editing that chapter, but when I do I will certainly post it here.
Splush
12-05-2004, 05:13 PM
I read this when I get more time. :D
I read this when I get more time. :D
Yeah, this isn't exactly a short fic...
Cuiran
12-06-2004, 12:36 AM
It's all good -- neither is mine. ;p I prefer longer fics personally just because there's more space for character development, rather than being restricted to morph-fight-everyone laughs-roll credits. =)
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