Disclaimer: It's Greg's house, I'm just looking through the window, watching as more Defender episodes are created! snort Yeah, I wish . . . .
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"It has been five years since the destruction of the Megalith," Elder Priestess Ailaena said, addressing the semi-circle of Defenders around her. Professor Alnar was not present.

"Similiarly, it has been two years since the re-banishment of the Ethos. RaDos owes you much, young Defenders, and it also needs you once again."

"Trouble?" Rion asked

Ailaena nodded. "On the very edges of the Kingdoms of Maligor, in the Di-Gata Mountains. One of the warlords there has begun a push into this part of the Realm. We need you to find out why.

Seth looked up at the Elder Priestess. "Is there anything else we should know?"

Ailaena shook her head once. "Just be as careful and diplomatic as possible. We do not want war, only answers."

She raised her hands to the Defenders. "Onward, Defenders." Six voices came back to her.

"Onward."

¤

Erik closed the engine access hatch on Seth's Stormer, and stood, dusting his hands together.

"There. We should be good to go," he said.

"Good," the dark-haired leader said, pulling on his helmet. The original four Defenders mounted their bikes, Rion getting on behind Kara, Adam riding behind Mel. Together, they sped off, heading west.

¤

Ailaena and Professor Alnar watched as the Stormer grew increasingly smaller in the distance.

"And so it begins again," the Elder Priestess said quietly.

"They are more than ready," Alnar said, watching the tiny, dark specks. "They have already proved themselves several times over."

"Seth and Melosa have been getting closer," Ailaena commented. "As have Rion and Kara."

Alnar smiled, tucking his hands into the sleeves of his robe. "That's as it should be," he said. "Their parents would be proud."

¤

On the western reaches of the Di-Gata Mountains, a troop of soldiers were inthe midst of a training session. Their objective was to reach a ledge halfway up, only crawling on their stomachs.

"You think you're soldiers?" the drill sergeant yelled. "I've trained Yintos troops that had twice your guts! Now move it!"

"Not afraid to push your men to the limit, are you, Sergeant?" The man turned, saw who was addressing him, and lowered his gaze, bowing.

"No, sir. Our troops must be in peak condition in order to fulfill your plans."

The man who had addressed him was tall, standing almost six feet. His clothing was simple and a flat black. This was Rorsh, one of the most powerful warlords in Maligor.

"King Fyorn has instructed me to take RaDos with the new technology we've developed," Rorsh ground out. "Taken by surprise, RaDos will have no chance. No one, not even the Di-Gata Defenders will stop us."

"But, sir," the drill sergeant said, slightly apprehensive. "The Defenders defeated both the Megalith and the Ethos. Surely they are a force to -"

He was cut off as Rorsh's hand caught the front of his uniform, lifting him into the air.

"No one . . . not even the Di-Gata Defenders . . . will stop us," Rorsh repeated. "Do I make myself clear?"

The sergeant saluted to the best of his ability. "Sir," he choked. "Yes sir."

Rorsh dropped the man to the ground. "Excellent. Continue the troops training. If they fail me, it will be on your head."