Power Rangers: Shaolin Force [IC][PG-13]

[Lady Celeste]

Amber raced past the others in a flash, but skidded to a stop just before reaching the staircase, nearly stumbling over it in the process; she had run from the back room all the way to the staircase in a matter of seconds. "What the -- did you just see that?!" She asked the others, but didn't dwell on it for long. First it was super-senses, and now super-speed; whatever was causing that storm outside, she was definitely ready to take it head-on!

Running at full speed over the steps and back into the Academy training studio, Amber quickly surveyed the surrounding area and clearly took notice of the shape of a hideous-looking owl perched just a few yards away from the Academy... right in the eye of the storm. "There!" She said to the others, pointing to the creature.

[RisingPhoenix]

Arely looked at Amber and smiled. She had experienced a bit of power from the statues and it was going to be a journey figuring out all they could do. Without a word, Arely followed behind Amber, heading out to stop the threat that was so close to demolishing the rest of the academy. When they emerged and Amber yelled, Arely quickly locked his eyes on the owl looking creature that was standing in the distance in the eye of the storm.

"What the heck is that?" Arely asked before taking a fighting stance.

"Ah, so the prey has emerged. Marvelous indeed," Lebori stated as he stopped the storm and glared at the teenagers, "something I love is to feast on teenagers."

Lebori roared to life and charged at Amber.

Just as he was closing in on Amber, a girl jumped in the way and Lebori collided with her, instantly knocking her unconscious.

"Foolish girl," Lebori stated skidding to a halt as he turned to look at the trampled girl, a most mischievous smirk cross his mutated face, "you're next."

Turning his attention back to Amber, he charged her once more, electricity sparking from his form as he closed in on her.



*sorry its short, I'll have more to work with when EVERYONE posts.......

[Lady Celeste]

Amber's first instinct was to run for the side as Lebori began to charge at her. She still wasn't all that used to her newly increased speed, however, and nearly ran down a passing couple as she blazed past, but she heard a grunt soon after and turned around, recognizing the downed girl immediately.

"Mandy!" Amber immediately ran back to her side, but failed to take heed of Lebori until he spoke again.

~~~~~~

"Thanks again for inviting me. I know squeezing more break days out of Braunman wasn't easy."
"My pleasure nonetheless. We really should do this again some time."

Rosalyn contently took David's hand as they left the small bistro where they had just been eating. Naturally, the two had made a point to travel in less conspicuous attire; Rosalyn had shed the formal wear and jewelry she normally wore to public events, in favor of a simple baby blue sun dress and matching open-toe heels, while David sported a basic white dress shirt and dark grey pants. But no sooner were they back on the sidewalk than something shot down the streets and only narrowly missed Rosalyn, although the gusts pushed her back nonetheless and she fell against the metal fencing surrounding the bistro's patio area.

"What was that?!" Rosalyn asked. She and David heard Amber's shout not long after that, and turned to see a girl whom they could've sworn was not there two seconds ago.

"Foolish girl. You're next."

"Look out!" David instinctively pulled Rosalyn out of the way as an electric bird-monster then barreled forward at Amber, who made a running jump over Lebori and landed less-than-gracefully on her feet, nearly falling over in the process.

"I'm nobody's prey, you overgrown chicken." Amber all but shouted at the creature before advancing herself, taking a trash can lid as she ran past it and brandishing the lid as she charged at Lebori. As soon as the little beast was within range, she then attempted to swing the lid at him.

~~~~~~

What had he done?!?

Zheng Wei could only stare at the scene in front of him. It had taken some time, and thankfully he and Detective Alston had not run into Dàyè's forces just yet, but now the abducted students were all standing right in front of him, separated only by a one-way mirror. But in their current states, the only clue Zheng found as to the students' former identities was the torn, soiled uniforms that they wore, each bearing the logo of the Five Winds Academy.

"Not these freaks again..." Kelly groaned under her breath. "Come on. We have to keep moving."

"It's them." Zheng said, fully convinced of it now. He turned only slightly to look at Kelly. "The students Dàyè kidnapped. I won't leave without them. I can't..."

He reached for the door and opened it slowly, unsure what to expect. Behind him, Kelly tensed and stayed close by, alternating glances between the door and the rest of the hallway, bracing herself for the ambush she now felt was inevitable.

[RisingPhoenix]

Lebori hooted loudly as he turned to face Amber, a scowl on his face.

“You you you will pay for that little remark,” Lebori stated as he charged towards Amber.

Amber had grabbed a trash can lid and was charging towards Lebori. It was very unsafe for her to be wielding a metal trash can lid in the midst of a thunderstorm. As the two closed in on one another, Lebori smirked as he watched Amber swing the trash can lid. It made contact with his neck, but did absolutely nothing. Instead, Amber’s hand was shocked due to the conductivity of the metal lid that allowed electricity to flow from Lebori into Amber. The girl would be knock off her feet while Lebori laughed loudly.

“This overgrown chicken will destroy all you hold dear and there is nothing you can do to stop me,” Lebori stated as his plumage began to spark with electricity and his eyes glowed, “who’s next?”

---------------------------------------------
General Allara slowly emerged from the shadows behind Detective Alston and Zheng Wei.

“Marvelous isn’t it? The spirits of the most vicious animals is being combined with their souls. Soon they will be ready for field testing. Now what are you two caged birds doing so far from home? My orders are clear, come with me or die.”

[Ushima]

Power. He felt it. Flowing through him. It burned through his veins. He felt incredible. Then a blur shot past him, drawing his attention. Was that, Amber? She had moved so fast, Mike didn't think that was possible, but it happend. His mind racked with possibilities, but the only thing he could come to was the strange statues they had interacted with. And if that happened to Amber, he could only wonder what he was capable of. It was something he didn't have time to dwell on as soon they were running out of the training room.

"What the heck is that?"

"I have no clue." The two watched Amber charge with a trash can lid. Mike and Arely glanced at each other, both knowing what was going to follow. Metal plus electricity equals no good. Lebori was advancing on Amber, charged with electricity. Mike was moving before he realised he even had, impulse told him to move, to help.

"Who's next?"

"Me!" Mike caught Lebori off guard, landing a punch on him. After that Mike moved between Lebori and Amber. "This ought to be fun." Lightning came at him. "Aw crap forgot about that." He was hit dead center by the lightning, but strangely didn't feel anything. "What the hell?" Mike looked down at himself, at his arms. Something was different. Electricity danced across his body. And after his inspection he knew why it didn't hurt. He didn't have skin anymore, still his pinkish pigment, but his skin had changed. It was hard, no longer the soft flesh he used to have. And there was a pattern to it, all over his body. "Scales. Dragon's scales." Dragons, Mike knew, were very powerful, something like electricity obviously wouldn't hurt a dragon.

If this was just the start to his powers he could only imagine what was next. Mike didn't have to wait for long to find out. Heat rose in his throat. Mike thought it was bile, why he would throw up now was beyond him so he fought to keep it in. He couldn't for long as the heat increase, he had to let it out. Shock was evident on his face after in emerged. A large fireball was now heading toward Lebori.

[RisingPhoenix]

Lebori hooted loudly after being surprised by the punch delivered by Mike. His eyes narrowed when his lightning did absolutely nothing to the youth who was just uncovering powers the statues had bestowed. To add more surprise, the youth shot a fireball from his mouth. This made Lebori growl as he slapped the fireball to the side.

"Master Dàyè is not going to like this, not one one one bit," Lebori stated, "but won't he he he be pleased to know I took care of you you you all."

Lebori's eyes seemed to shimmer with hunger as his mutated face formed a smile.

"You three are going to have to do do do better than that."

Arely hadn't really grasped what was happening until Mike stepped in. This creature was sent by Dàyè to destroy them, that much was obvious, but these new powers that they were exhibiting was both frightening and exhilarating. Lebori had began his advance on Mike, and was closing in fast. Arely looked around. He had to find something that would offer a bit of distance from the electric owl thing. Then he saw it, his bo staff laying about a foot away. Wood wasn't a good conductor of electricity, but he had to be careful, for this creature could still deliver a nasty shock.

Grabbing his bo staff, Arely moved quickly. Lebori had swung at Mike, but Arely intercepted with the bo staff and delivered a swift kick to the owl's sternum before opening his mouth and releasing something that scared the hell out of him. It was like a scream, but it was like a million monkey's screeching. This sonic attack came to a surprise to both Lebori and Arely who tumbled off his feet and fell to the ground looking at his hands and trying to figure out what just came out of his mouth. Meanwhile Lebori had been blasted and had landed against the ground. By now the owl thing was furious with the three youths who were proving to be more than a nuisance.

"Yāomó, attack," Lebori stated as the same demon birds that had attacked the Academy earlier appeared and charged at Mike, Arely and Amber.

"You guys, I think we need to figure this thing out before we're torn apart," Arely stated as he dodged a strike from one of the birds and slapped it with the bo staff.

[Lady Celeste]

Lebori's shockwave blasted Amber backwards onto the pavement, into the path of a car that barely stopped in time to avoid running her over, only for the car to quickly turn away when the driver saw Lebori prepare to attack. Amber dusted herself off, having dropped the lid, and began to stand.

"Ugh... Forgot that part..."

Mike stepped in next, and what Amber saw then was incredible. Lebori's next attack hit Mike straight on, but it didn't seem to affect him in the least, and as the lightning danced across Mike's arms, she thought she saw something glimmering with its light, revealing several transparent reptilian scales on his skin. And then, on top of that, a fireball shot out of his mouth at the bird, yet Mike didn't seem to be harmed by it.

Arely took his staff and attacked Lebori after Mike did, before his power apparently emerged as well: a sonic screech powerful enough to knock Lebori and even Arely himself to the ground. By now the effects of the battle were beginning to spread, sending the surrounding bystanders running in all directions in search of shelter. Amber thought she saw one couple run for the Academy, and was about to follow them when Dàyè's trademark bird monsters appeared yet again and attacked.

"You guys, I think we need to figure this thing out before we're torn apart."

Amber thought back to the statues, but didn't let herself dwell on that for long as some of the creatures came for her. "There has to be something we missed. Let's get back inside and sort this out." With that, she began plowing past the birds toward the Academy instead of really focusing on attacking them directly. Behind her, a leopard was helping to keep the beasts back as well, following slightly behind Amber as she moved steadily away from the crowd of monsters.

~~~~~~

Zheng's mind went completely blank once the exile Allara spoke. Those three students were completely innocent of all of this, and it was more than clear that each had suffered greatly in the last three days. And now that this brute was praising it as a triumph of some kind, Zheng's shock blinded him to all else. Only in the corner of his mind did he register when Detective Alston muttered some curse word he couldn't make out and ran for the hallway, but Zheng did not follow her. Not even thinking of what he was doing, he lashed at Allara in an instant and aimed a punch directly for Allara's nose.

[Ushima]

"These guys again?" Mike fisted his hand, cracking his knuckles. "Fine by me." One thing he noticed about these bird creatures was that they didn't have a lot of actual skill. Their numbers were their only actual advantage. Mike took his opponents out easily enough. "I could keep this up all day!" Mike said, uppercutting another creature.

"There has to be something we missed. Let's get back inside and sort this out."

"Aw do we really have to? I was having fun." Mike ducked a strike and kicked the bird away. Part of him did want to go back inside and figure this power thing out. He wanted to know more. But another part wanted to stay and fight. In the end his desire to learn more won out and he followed Amber back inside. "Those things won't stay out there for long. We need to finish this up fast."

[RisingPhoenix]

General Allara’s face was one that showed pleasure. He watched his prey, Zheng Wei and Detective Alston, and waited for a response though one never came, instead the good detective ran down the adjacent hall while Allara noticed Zheng Wei’s face fill with shock and anger. It pleased Allara to know that Zheng Wei’s emotions were so easily controlled by his love and care for others. Such emotions were sickening and made Allara’s stomach churn. What Zheng Wei did next was most marvelous indeed. He let his shock and anger get the best of him and launched a close ranged attack on Allara. The man’s fist was caught in mid swing by Allara’s own hand, the fingernails of which were painted an odd ocean blue.

“Is that all the force you have Zheng Wei? You’ll watch as Emperor Dáyé destroys your world and reclaims it as his own,” General Allara stated before delivering a swift kick to Zheng’s abdomen sending him launching backwards barely missing Detective Alston, “do be a doll and come along quietly, I wouldn’t want to damage you.”

General Allara’s mischievous smirk made the situation that much more dire and hopeless for Zheng and Alston.

“If you come quietly, I promise not to scar those adorable faces.”
---------------------------------

Arely ducked a claw and delivered a swift blow to the head of one of the birds before hearing Amber speak.

"There has to be something we missed. Let's get back inside and sort this out."

“Fine with me,” Arely stated as he knocked a few more demon birds to the ground before running over to Mandy, dropping his bo staff and picking her up in his arms.

He carried Mandy all the way inside the Academy, running from the demon bird who were hot on his tail, but thankfully they made it in even with the demon birds banging against the now locked door. Arely looked over at Amber and Mike and placed the unconscious Mandy onto a metal table and placed a shirt under her head.

“Now what?”

[Lady Celeste]

Amber was already approaching the formerly-hidden door, even as the boys were trying to figure out their next move. She made sure not to run, however, to avoid either leaving the boys in the dust or possibly tripping and falling on the way back. "We can't just sit here and wait, that's for sure." Amber commented. Even from the stairs she could hear as the demon flock was continuing to claw and knock at the door, but then a completely different noise caught her attention.

Footsteps coming from downstairs.

Amber froze at once and concentrated on the sound, motioning quietly to the others before carefully slipping down the steps to try to see who or what had found their way to Master Wei's secret basement. But then, before she could see anything of either intruder, she could clearly make out two voices coming from somewhere close to the last room.

"Anybody here? Hello?"
"Rose, come see this! These statues are beautiful."
"Careful with that. The owner won't like it if we go through his stuff."

There was a yelp from the female voice, followed by a thud against the floor.

"You okay? ... Rose? ... Rose, are you all right?"

The female did not answer.

~~~~~~

Kelly stopped just short of a dumpster chute after realizing that Zheng was not following her, and turned around just in time to see him land against the wall.

Do be a doll and come along quietly, I wouldn’t want to damage you.

"Like hell." Kelly muttered as she opened the dumpster chute as Zheng was getting up, only for him to wordlessly push her through it, sending her swiftly down the chute and into the garbage outside.

With that done, Zheng turned his full focus onto Allara, gathering his chi much more quickly now than before. "No I won't." He said simply, before advancing toward Allara and unleashing one energy blast with each step he took toward the general. "Because the only way Dàyè or his kind will hurt anyone else, is over my dead body!"