QiRanger Episode 4: The Seventh Seal
***
Six days have passed since the QiRangers secured their first victory in the battle to reclaim the planet Earth. Their strength and commitment to the cause enabled mankind to set foot on its home one more time. The week since the destruction of Kor'digh and the sealing of the Earth Mystic Door saw many changes.
The vast desert area surround the door was no more. Seeking to move quickly, the remaining Earth governments merged with LEO, Luna, and the L-5 Space Station, forming the Earth Alliance. Utilizing weapons brought back by the Istanor and transport ships docked at the Low Earth Orbiting Station, the new combined government dispatched a security force to hold onto its one chance at redemption.
A contingent of LEO Security Officers stands under a tented tarp erected next to the Mystic Door. Sweat pours down their face, as none of them had ever been in the desert. If it hadn't have been for LEO's rotational forces, they wouldn't even be here, the Earth's gravity crushing them. The dozen troops traded in their dark uniforms for khaki versions and they all carry pulse rifles.
Two tables are positioned underneath the tarp. The troopers gather around them, eagerly drinking the cooled water dispensed from the canisters sitting on the surface. A sigh of relief cascades over their faces as the cold liquid travels down their throats.
"How much longer do you figure we're going to have be stationed here?" one Trooper asks another.
His partner crushes his water cup and shrugs his shoulders. "Don't know. I never figured I'd ever set foot on this rock again. In any case, I suspect it's gonna be a long haul."
Two loud booms were heard above. The group's Sergeant called their attention, "Look alive. Get the LZ ready."
The Troopers scurried around, clearing materials from the designated landing area. The familiar clunking engine of a Voytefsky Class 8 Freighter continued to grow louder as it descended from space. These old "rust buckets," as the newer Freighter Captains called them, were the last of the long haul workhorses of the Merchant Space Association. Each craft could easily make the trek from Earth, to LEO, and onto the main Luna Colony on one charge.
Voytefsky Class 8 Freighters are quite large - about the size of a medium sized house. A small cockpit is situated on top of the nosecone - just barely big enough to fit the ship's captain and two others. The ship is fairly long, with most of the vessel dedicated to the ventral cargo hold. Aft engines provide the ships main thrust. On the ship's dorsal aspect are two atmospheric wings that sweep outwards during Earth flight. Positioned at the wingtips are a pair of bidirectional thrusters that provide extra lift when the ship is traveling on Earth.
The Troopers pull their goggles out and strap them onto their faces. Sand begins stirring as the freighter makes its final approach. The graying craft lives up to its name, as the main fuselage is riddled with rusting bolts and fading paint. One Trooper thinks to herself, "How is that thing even flying?"
Landing struts unfold the ship's belly as the ventral thrusters ignite. The freighter slowly lowers and touches down in a whirlwind of sand. Once on the ground the engines power down and hydraulics lower the rear loading ramp.
The metal ramp eases into the sand. The Sergeant taps two Troopers, "Come with me." The men walk to the base of the ramp and stare up at two figures standing in the cargo bay.
"Sergeant," Robert Dwyer says over the sound of winding down engines, "I've got your toys." Robert taps the cargo bay's control panel, three large hover platforms slide out of the bay and down the ramp. The first two platforms come off the ramp and stop. Atop each device is an environmental cooler to provide relief to those providing security.
It was the last platform that brought smiles to the three men standing on the sand. Two HERCs came from the darkness of the bay and entered the sunlight. These massive mechanical suits were designed to be piloted by one trooper and increase their firepower tenfold.
While the men from LEO gazed at their new weapons, Gary Staal leaned over and whispered into Robert's ear. "Do you think that will really make a difference?"
Robert looked at his friend and shrugged. "Every little bit will help. As soon as the next batch is ready from L-5, we'll send them here. We need all the help we can get."
The two Troopers below climbed into the HERCs and piloted them off the platforms.
"Now you two," the Sergeant yelled, "don't move from your secured zones. You get me?"
Through the HERCs' speakers they replied, "Sir, yes sir." They then began stomping away in their humanoid weapons.
"Unload these coolers," the Sergeant yelled again and several others came to position them around the Earth Mystic Door.
Robert looked down from the rear of the cargo bay and tapped the controls once more. The ramp began to rise. He activated the Comm-link and a soft click was heard. "Let's hit the next stop."
The ship's pilot responded, "Yes, sir," and the Voytefsky engines began to roar once more.
Inside the cargo bay Robert and Gary hung onto straps as the ship flew to its next LZ. "You get any word yet on their condition?" Robert asked.
Gary held the strap tightly as the craft banked port on its way to deliver the next contingent of coolers and HERCs.
Gary shakes his head. "No. They're still unconscious. Mike was to contact me if anything changed."
"Six days," Robert said, "I can't believe they've been out for six days. If we weren't there to see it, I wouldn't have believed it."
"I've seen a lot of shit in my time, Rob, but I never saw anything like that." Gary's mind floats back the events just under a week ago.
***
The QiRangers kneeled in the hot sun watching the Earth Mystic Door seal. The six team members struggled to put air into their lungs as the effects from the battle began to take their toll.
Master Li pushed hard into the sand and lifted his weary body up. Looking around the eldest of the QiRangers surveyed the area. Robert and Gary attended to the others as Master Li walked forward to the door. His attention was completely focused on what happened.
"How could it be?" he thought. "There must be some explanation." He continued to study the door and replay the events in his head. Seconds passed into minutes. He entered into a meditative state, focusing only on the door. It wasn't until Robert's hand hit his shoulder that he returned to the present.
"Come quick," Robert spoke hurriedly, concern in his voice. "Something's wrong with them."
Master Li and Robert raced back to Gary and the QiRangers. The five warriors convulsed wildly as their eyes rolled in the back of their heads. Gary tried his best to comfort them, but there was little he could do.
"What's going on?" Dr. Staal asked.
Master Li looked down at his new friends and closed his eyes. "I was afraid this might happen."
***
Master Li looked at his comrades and a sinking feeling came over him. "I knew it would be too much. But there was no other way," he thought.
Gary looked up at Master Li, hoping to get some sort of explanation. "Is there anything you can do to snap them out of it?" he asked.
Master Li shook his head. "This is something they must each do individually, but we can give them some relief. Help me join their hands."
Gary looked at Master Li oddly, but decided to accept the elder's suggestion based on his lack of knowledge in this realm. Dr. Staal joined the hands of Leslie and Luís and almost instantly the two seemed calmer. He continued down the chain with Master Li and Robert making sure that each of the QiRangers touched one another.
"Please explain to me what's going on," Robert asked.
Master Li turned to the NASO Operatives, "When we joined to combat Kor'digh, it was more than a physical melding. Our minds and souls became one."
Looks of disbelief cascaded over Robert's and Gary's faces.
"They're training," Master Li continued, "is incomplete. As we separated, their minds initially accepted the change in state, but as you see, it didn't last. Each of them needs to come to terms with no longer sharing one conscious." Li knelt besides his teammates and extended his hand. Soft glowing energy slowly emanated from his fingertips and fell onto the bodies of his friends.
As Master Li continued to tend to the others, Robert's Comm-link chirped. He activated the unit and a small image of Captain Lehet appeared. "Go ahead."
Through the link, Lehet responded, "What happened down there, Rob? It looked like quantum bomb went off."
He took a deep sigh, "Yeah, something like that. Can you get a lock on us?"
"Yes. What ever you did, the whole grid came up. There's still a residual energy field extending out for a hundred miles, but communications and targeting sensors can penetrate," Lehet informed.
"Good," Rob answered. "Master Li, what do you want to do?"
The Asian looked up. "Take them back to the Infirmary. Drs. Staal and Chen should keep an eye on them."
Gary nodded.
"Please let me know if there's any change. I've got to stay here and try to determine what happened here."
Robert nodded and turned his attention to his Comm-link, "Li's staying behind to secure the Door."
"Understood. Standby for teleportation."
Robert closed the connection and stood next to Master Li. "Is there anything you need?"
Master Li looked at his colleague, "Unfortunately, it is they who need your help. If I can determine how the Door closed, we may be able to seal them all and banish Bruch'oda one more."
Robert tapped Master Li on the shoulder, letting him know he understood.
The Istanor's teleportation field grew around the QiRangers and NASO Operatives and slowly retrieved them. In just a few short seconds, Master Li was alone in the desert.
"I hope they can come out of it," he thought. "We had years of training before we even thought about melding. I must remember that they are too young for this. I can't push them as I would the others."
"You underestimate them," a voice called out from behind.
"They will serve humanity well. Just give them time," said another.
Master Li turned around and saw five transparent figures standing before him. Li bowed before the ghosts, relieved that his friends had returned to assist him. As he stood, a smile graced his face. For too long he had wished to spend time with his friends. The time spent in the Vault passed by too quickly. Now he would be able to call upon their expertise once more.
"My friends, I need your help," Li said.
The five Masters nodded and coalesced into energy balls resembling each of their elements. Master Jo embodied Fire, Master Yee took the form of Earth, Master Tanaka shone brightly as white Metal, Master Kahn became Wood, and Master Woo transformed into Water. The spheres surrounded Master Li and then entered his body.
Instantly the memories and experiences of their lives returned to him. The satisfying feeling of melding with his friends overcame Li. The extra power quickly healed his wounds and allowed his body to glow with intense radiation.
The QiRanger walked towards the Mystic Door, knowing that if he could not determine what happened now, he never would.
***
The five QiRangers laid next to one another in the LEO Station's Medical Sector. Since they were transferred from the Istanor just under a week ago, little has changed. Initially, they had to be in physical contact with one another, but now they simply needed to in proximity. They were taken from the triage center and placed into individual rooms, in hopes that the increased distance and bulkheads would aid in their separation process.
Leslie Chen rested in her bed. The lights were dimmed and the speakers from the SmartBed muted. Her vital signs were normal, but the display for her brain waves was highly erratic. The same was for each of the QiRangers. The waves approached normal, and were greatly improved since they arrived, but more time was needed.
Leslie started becoming restless, rolling in her bed. Her head shifted from side to side while mumbling inaudible words. Her mind was not hers alone, she shared it with others.
***
Swirling black masses of gas surrounded Leslie. "Where am I?" she thought. Things just didn't make sense. No matter how hard she tried, no matter where she walked, she always found herself in the same state of limbo. Sure there were periodic instances of clarity, but they all seemed vaguely familiar and the memories didn't sit well with her.
There was just something strange about it. Leslie continued to walk in the sea of darkness. A moment later, cool gusts of wind fell upon her. Her hair began to wrap around her face as it became colder. The darkness faded and was replaced by the bright light of day.
"What?" she thought to herself as she looked around. The bright sun shone down on her revealing a crystal blue sky highlighted by puffy white clouds. "I know this place, but I've never been to Nepal."
Thankful to be out of the darkness Leslie walked down a weathered path towards a small village, deciding it was better to see what was around her than to be in total darkness.
It didn't take long to get down the hillside and make her way into the village. Several older women were busy sweeping the porches of the main lodge. As Leslie entered the fringes of town, a group of young children instantly came running to her. The kids' faces lit up with glee as they began tugging on her.
Kneeling down, she was able to greet each with warm embraces. "I know each of them," she thought. "But how?"
A shy girl finally made her way to the front of the pack and looked at Leslie with big, warm eyes. "Nyssa," she thought to herself and the words effortlessly came out.
The girl giggles and came running towards Leslie, arms wide. The two embraced tightly. An overwhelming feeling of joy washed over Leslie as she picked up Nyssa and spun her around. She held the young child close to her bosom and laughed with her. The other children quickly wanted their turns and began tugging at Leslie's legs.
"Okay, okay. You'll each get a turn," she said gleefully - forgetting everything that had happened recently. The only thing she dared to think about was making the children happy. She puts Nyssa down and another child jumps into her arms. As she spins, she realizes that someone is about to talk to her. Looking around, she sees one of the village elders approaching.
"Sorry if they're bothering you," he says, light gleaming from his face.
"No, not at all," she replied putting down the child.
The Elder wrapped his arms around Leslie and gave her a big hug. "It's so good to see you again, old friend."
Puzzled, Leslie ended the hug and took a step back. "What?"
The Elder tilted his head, bewildered at the response he received. "Seth, are you all right?"
***
Leslie's eyes flashed open in her room. She quickly looked around. "This is different," she thought, "But more normal." Scanning the SmartBed display, she quickly realized she was in some sort of hospital, but was it her life or someone else's?
The room's lights came on and after the momentary blindness from the stark change, she got her answer. Michael stood in the doorway smiling. She had returned.
"Glad to have you back," Mike said as he sat down on her bed.
"What about the others?"
"They're coming around. What ever you guys went through it's over," he said hugging his sister tightly. "That's twice I've thought I've lost you in just under a week."
"A week?" Leslie asked.
"You've been under for six days."
"But it was just a moment ago that we were fighting."
"No," Master Li said from the doorway, "It's several days. Get some rest and we will talk soon. I must check on the others." He stepped away as Mike held onto his sister tighter.
"Don't ever do that again."
Leslie smiled and returned the embrace.
***
Bruch'oda sat atop his throne waiting for the final report to be given for the day. In the past week he had made many changes to his battle plan. With the sealing of the Earth Mystic Door, his forces could no longer control the Earth as they did before. Nor could they reach out into space and strike down the last human defenders of the planet. The only reprieve he had was that the QiRangers hadn't been seen, allowing him to regroup and prepare for their next assault.
Dra'isod, now fully recovered from his wounds, entered the main chamber. The only evidence that he was in a deadly fight were two new scars on his neck, compliments of Master Li. The massive warrior strode in with confidence and complete reverence for his Master. "Sir, it is done," he said, kneeling before Bruch'oda.
The Evil Lord smiled and looked down. Thrusting out his hands, he summoned four viewing spheres. Within each depicted one of the remaining Mystic Doors he controlled. No more were there only a few Shadow Warriors and Copy Bots standing guard. Dra'isod saw to it that battalions of his army were now stationed at each.
"Excellent," Bruch'oda said letting a smile creep in. "Where is our weakest front?"
Dra'isod stood, "The Fire Door. The space inside the mountain limits what we can post. I have my most courageous warriors standing guard.
"I want you there when they attack."
"Yes my Lord," Dra'isod humbly answered. "Why do you suppose they've waited this long?"
"I don't know. That's what is troubling me. Li's planning something, I know it."
***
The past week allowed Qual'och to heal as well. Xantia tended to his wounds by hauling the healing waters from the Cavern to Qual'och and by treating him with sacred herbs.
Inside Qual'och's sanctum, he and Xantia sit facing one another in full lotus positions. Soft blankets line the floor and they rest on cushioned pillows. The gemstones have been dimmed and candles lit to cast extra light. The pair sat in silence in concentrated meditation.
Qual'och and Xantia reach out their arms in unison, creating an energy field between them. Strands of lightening bounced between their hands and crackle with intense power.
"Mu vash Ru'dth Bx'Thak Dor'Agha," the Wizard chanted followed by Xantia. As they alternated repeating the phrase, the electrical energy between them grew. Flashes of light grew in their intensity until a bright light appeared between them. The light overpowered the gemstones and candles, sending their shadows against the back wall.
Thunder began ringing throughout the chamber, but they just raised their voices, "Mu vash Ru'dth Bx'Thak Dor'Agha."
A small sphere of energy manifested between them. Xantia could feel its presence and opened her eyes. The blinding light from the energy exchange didn't affect her. She looked on at the Ru'dth as it appeared. The medallion floated between them, spinning in the sea of energy.
Their chants continued to grow louder and louder until they were screaming at the top of their lungs, "Mu vash Ru'dth Bx'Thak Dor'Agha."
Then all was calm - no electricity, no thunder, no light - only darkness. The gemstones went dark and the candles extinguished. A cool chill sent shivers down Xantia's spine as she sensed a new presence in the room. "Did it work?" she asked herself, knowing better not to speak at this critical juncture.
The cold feeling grew closer, as if it were a being of flesh, but she knew better. What they were doing was forbidden, and for good reason, but it was the only way for Qual'och to get on her father's good graces again. He'd almost killed him once for failing and he'd make sure he'd finish the job if given the chance.
"Vor Ud Dor'Agha," Qual'och uttered into the darkness, unaffected by the chilling feeling surrounding them.
There was no response initially, but then a cold, lifeless voice responded, "Dor'Agha jib PoR'wyin."
A warm glow appeared from Qual'och and took the shape of three vertical lines surrounded by a circle. The image traveled from his hands to a position three meters to her right. The sphere with the Triple Fire Symbol cast light on a dark figure clad in overflowing robes that spoke a deep voice that elicited fear in Xantia.
"Dor'Agha jib PoR'wyin."
As quickly as the dark figure appear it vanished.
The gemstones returned to their previous illumination levels and Xantia looked at her lover, wanting to ask the obvious, but waited for his confirmation.
"It is done," Qual'och said.
"And the Ru'dth?"
"When Dor'Agha eliminates its prey, we will have it once more."
***
A few days passed since the QiRangers awoke from their comas before Drs. Staal and Chen allowed them to leave. Each of the physicians was nervous that there may be a relapse, something that Earth could not afford in light of recent events.
Without the full team of QiRangers, Earth Alliance forces were too weak to mount any kind of offensive against Bruch'oda's increased patrols and guards. The one attempt lead by Robert Dwyer to liberate survivors of a death camp in the Congo resulted in numerous casualties and no one rescued. Many of the recruits for the Earth Alliance Forces were quickly slaughtered due to their lack of experience and fear. Only Dwyer, Staal, and Li managed to make any significant contribution to the mission. As a result, the Council of Governments reluctantly agreed to postpone further missions until the QiRangers could seal the reaming Mystic Doors.
In the interim, Master Li retreated to his quarters aboard the LEO station and continued to meditate with the shared knowledge of the original Masters. The increased power and wisdom oozed from his pores illuminating his room with a golden hue. No furniture was present, as he needed nothing. With his mind focused, he allowed the shared Qi to course through his veins and permeates every cell in his body.
The focused power allowed the ancient Master to rise from the floor plating and hovered mid-air. The aged eyes were tightly sealed as he traveled through the Astral Plane. The swirling masses of energy surrounded Li's envisioned body.
"You know the answer, old friend," Master Woo said in a whispery voice, seemingly coming from every direction.
"Yes, but how?" Li responded letting his voice echo throughout the expanse.
"Qi that was divided became one," Kahn added.
"Pure energy has many properties we do not fully understand," Master Tanaka said.
"I agree, but can this continue to work to seal the remaining doors and banish Bruch'oda once more?" Li asked his friends.
There was a long period of silence. The only thing heard was the whipping around of energy past the last remaining QiRanger. "As the doors were opened, so shall they be closed," the collective voices of the Master shouted in unison.
Master Li closed his eyes and felt his friends slip away one-by-one. The feeling of closeness he cherished and the shared thoughts were no more. There would be little time for him to call upon them again as he readied his new team for a series of missions that would ultimately determine the fate of the Earth.
"I should have known," she said to himself. "If only I would have pieced it together sooner, maybe things would be different. Maybe the Earth would still be whole."
"You cannot change the past. What happened was meant to be. Nothing can be gained by revisiting the past and saying 'What if?' you must look at the past to build a better present. This you know," a woman's voice said.
Li turned around, searching for the source, but found none. The inflection in her voice was familiar, but one that he was unsure about. Memories flashed back of an old ally, but could it really be her?
"Is it you?" he asked.
"Search your heart and you will find your answer," she said coyly.
A warm feeling cascaded over Master Li filling his soul with joy for the first time since Bruch'oda returned. His mind drifted back to the last time they had met - the joys they shared, the passion, and the love.
"I thought we would never meet again."
There was no answer.
"Can you help us?" he asked.
Still there was no answer. Master Li became puzzled. "This isn't like her. Something must be wrong."
Li began searching the Astral Plane for answers and quickly found them. A dark cloud swept in and encompassed the QiRanger. No longer was he able to emit golden light and be warmed by his inner Qi. The sea of darkness completely surrounded him, chilling him to the bone.
"No," he thought, trying to push back the darkness.
"It is almost time," a lifeless voice said, surrounding him in darkness.
Li spun around; trying to locate its source, but everything went black.
"There is no resistance. I will find you," it said again.
"Never!" Li vowed, summoning his Fire Qi to break free of the darkness.
The surge of energy thrust Master Li back into his body and slammed himself onto the floor of his quarters. For thousands of years, Li had battled evil with unfaltering bravery. Now, for the first time, fear crept into his body. His eyes shook and his pulse raced as he realized the voice was right - there was no escape.
***
Leslie Chen sat in the LEO Station Situation room with the other QiRangers, Robert Dwyer, Dr. Gary Staal, and Captain Lehet. The oval room was off the main corridor inside LEO Security operations. In the center of the room was an oblong table, in which the QiRangers and others sat around. The walls were lined with large plasma displays and the table's center housed three holographic units. Mario Tarazi stood at the head of the table flanked by Robert.
"As you can see," Tarazi spoke and pointed to the holographic representation floating above the table, "enemy forces have doubled in the past twelve hours. This makes further operations more costly and dangerous." The image shifted to a close-up of the Wood Mystic Door. Man'uL'o could be seen stomping through the area, coordinating defensive arrangements for his troops.
Jayde felt her stomach drop as she laid eyes on her attacker once more. It seemed like only moments ago that she suffered a beating at the hands of that. that... "Monster," Leslie telepathically said, still aware of the link between each of the QiRangers.
Jayde turned away from the display and looked at Leslie. "Yes," she thought. "But this time will be different; I'll be ready for him." Resolved to ensure her victory, Jayde quickly returned her attention to the briefing at hand, trying to study in great detail the terrain and forces they would be meeting soon.
Leslie smiled but still largely ignored what the Security Chief was saying. Her gaze seemed to pass through the images of alien forces occupying Earth and his words never reached her ears. It was true that she was cleared to leave the medical facility, but her mind still drifted. The shared thoughts of her teammates filled her head. Leslie was deeply moved by the experience and committed to learning all she could about her new friends.
Leslie knew that she should be paying closer attention to the briefing, but she knew in her heart that it really didn't matter. She knew that Bruch'oda knew that they would be coming. As soon as they set foot on the Earth, the element of surprise would be lost. She could even sense from Master Li that he appreciated the attention to detail LEO and NASO were offering in terms of the briefing, but in actuality, they were overanalyzing things. This battle was pure and simple - good versus evil.
Tarazi's words continued to drone on and Leslie couldn't help but to ignore them. "Enough," she thought and could sense the sentiment was the same among her peers. They each wanted to stop lying around and do the job they were chosen to perform.
Her focus shifted more away from the present and into the past and the psychic link between her and the other QiRangers. Trying to pass off her distraction as interest, she leaned forward and brought her right hand to her neck. She felt her fingers slide across her skin and come into contact with the transdermal communication patch implanted earlier. "Amazing," she thought, "how far we've come, but the most effective communicator is not this, but our own mind." She continued to gently trace the edges of the device and thought back to her vision of Nepal.
"It was like I was there," she thought to herself.
"I know," Seth responded telepathically.
Leslie sat up in her chair and looked over at Seth. The Water QiRanger nodded back to her and spoke into her mind, "I spent many years visiting the village. Nyssa meant a lot to me. She was my daughter."
"I had no idea," Leslie spoke aloud, interrupting Tarazi. The sudden vocalization stopped the briefing and called all eyes to be focused on her.
"You had no idea of what, Ms. Chen?" Tarazi asked.
Caught unaware and unsure what was covered previously, Leslie stammered, trying to respond. "Damn," Leslie thought to herself, realizing that she knew nothing of what was going on. She darted her eyes around trying to find something to say.
"Focus," a voice said in her mind. She looked at Tarazi and shrugged and began panning around the room, trying to find the source of the familiar voice that had changed in some way.
"Concentrate. Do not let the feeling draw you in," the voice said.
Leslie continued to look around, studying the faces of each of the QiRangers.
"Ms. Chen, do you have something to add?" Tarazi asked.
"No, I'm sorry for the disruption," she responded. "Please continue."
Leslie continued scanning for the source and when her eyes fell upon Master Li, she finally was able to recognize the voice as his. But something was different. She couldn't place it, but his tone had changed. It was colder, more distant. When they had formed the Ultimate QiWarrior, she knew his warm honey-like thoughts and vast wisdom. None of that was present now.
Leslie cocked her head to once side and stared at Master Li as Tarazi resumed his briefing. "As you can see, Dragon Riders are located here and here. The Istanor will drop into high altitude and try to engage. With any luck, we'll be able to draw them away and eliminate that threat. You'll be teleported here, on the flank of the Shadow Warriors and gUmaN'JOs."
Mario Tarazi tapped the conference table, canceling the holographic projections. He stared at each of the QiRangers, hoping to see some sign that they understood the tactical plan that he laid out before him. He knew they were valiant warriors, but largely inexperienced. "I only hope it's enough," he thought.
"Thank you, Mr. Tarazi," Master Li said as he rose from the table. "Your insight and intelligence will make this operation far easier to execute."
The other QiRangers rose and stood by the table.
"Yes, thank you," Leslie said as she looked at Master Li.
"You're welcome."
Captain Lehet rose, "The Istanor will be ready to get underway shortly. I'll see you on board."
Lehet quickly made his exit, leaving the rest to filter out of the room. Dwyer and Staal stayed behind to discuss options with Tarazi, as they were not part of the initial wave of this attack. The pair would lead Alliance Forces in a second wave, if needed to distract the enemy if needed.
The QiRangers slowly made their way out of the Situation Room. Leslie made sure she stayed near the back of the group and tried to get closer to Master Li. As she walked closer to him, she could sense there was something on his mind, but it was closed to her. "Is everything all right?" she asked.
Master Li turned to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "No, but we must focus on the task at hand."
The response troubled Leslie. "Is there anything that I. that we can do?"
"Unfortunately, this is something I must face alone." Master Li stopped in the corridor and spoke in his familiar tone, "I will join you aboard the ship. There is something I must tend to."
The elder QiRanger bowed to Leslie and then turned away. The walked quickly down the corridor towards one of the many LEO Train Junctions. Unsure what to do, Leslie decided to talk things over with the others. She barely was able to turn the next corner before she smacked into Abeu and saw that the others were waiting for her.
"Were you able to get anything out of him?" asked Luís.
"No. What ever it is, he isn't ready to tell us."
Abeu peeked around the corner, making sure no one was around. "I don't have a good feeling about this."
***
"Standby for de-orbit burn," announced Captain Lehet over the ship's Comm- link.
The QiRangers stood in the T-Bay ready to be teleported to the surface, once the Istanor succeeded in drawing the Dragon Riders patrolling the airspace around the Wood Mystic Door.
The T-Bay had no viewing portals, but each of the five QiRangers could feel the deck plating beginning to cavitate as the ship entered the upper atmosphere. Luís turned to look around at his friends. "Isn't anyone going to say anything?" he wondered.
The others just looked around.
Abeu stared at his feet.
"No," Leslie said into their minds. "He will let us know. We need to focus on the job at hand. No distractions."
Luís knew she was right, but something was terribly wrong with Li. He knew it. Hell they all could feel it. Ever since the meld the bond between each of them had grown stronger, to the point where they could not only communicate telepathically, but understood the inner souls of one another. The only one who had put up barriers was Li and no one would confront him as to why. "Can he still be trusted," he thought.
While he didn't speak the words, the thought traveled quickly to the minds of his fellow QiRangers and was instantly met with resentment.
Leslie walked over to Luís and stared him in the eyes. Gritting her teeth, she coldly spoke, "With your life."
Luís backed away from the Fire QiRanger, knowing he was out of line - but it was something they all were feeling. Since they were recruited for this quest days ago, the one constant had been Master Li. Now that had been taken away from them and they knew not why.
"Listen," Leslie said into each of their minds. "Whatever is happening, we need to trust him. He's the only one that can guide us to complete this mission."
Master Li could hear them in his mind as he stood outside the T-Bay. He knew he was wrong to keep the details secret. But how would they react? They were each so young and inexperienced. Regardless of what was to come to pass, Master Li realized that he needed to tell them something, so that they could get pass this mistrust.
"You're right," Li said as he entered the T-Bay. "I have been keeping something from you." He motioned for the technician to seal the bay and prepare for activation.
The other QiRangers were startled and tried to scuttle any thoughts they had of dissention, but in their hearts, they knew Master Li could sense their inner feelings and thoughts.
"It's only because we care about you. Can you please tell us what's going on?" Leslie asked.
Master Li quietly stood in the center of the T-Bay and faced his fellow QiRangers. "When we arrive on the planet, we will meet incredible resistance. They will try to separate us, but it imperative that we each stay focused and make our way towards the Door. Once we do this, we can unite to seal it and clear away Bruch'oda's forces."
"We know all of that," Seth said. "What aren't you telling us?"
"An unspeakable evil awaits us. It came to me in a vision and I can feel its presence. This will be our most difficult battle yet. We must succeed or the Earth will fall for ever."
The QiRangers stood around Master Li and took the words to heart. Each could feel that they were true, but that something wasn't being told. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell them; it was that Master Li didn't want them to worry.
In their inner minds, the QiRangers saw the vision Master Li had experienced before. It sent chills to their bones as they understood what was about to happen.
Master Li felt the insurgence of love and respect as each of the QiRangers vowed to do everything in their power to alter the course of fate. They vowed that they would not lose.
***
The Istanor completed its de-orbit burn and contrails streaked from the ship's engines across the sky. The mirrored hull moved seamlessly under the starry sky, only reflecting the full moon and the twinkling points of light. Its edges blurred so that the only evidence of its existence was the contrails it left behind. The hull of the Istanor was long and shaped like thin wafer of a plane. Two sweptback wings extended from the primary hull and provided lift for the craft when in Earth's atmosphere. Auxiliary engine pods were mounded at the tips to provide extra thrust.
Captain Lehet leaned forward in his chair, his eyes focused on the tactical display below the main portal. The information showed the position of the Istanor with respect to the Wood Mystic Door. As each second ticked by, the blue triangular dot inched closer to its target.
"Time to intercept," he asked.
In front and to his left, the Navigator, Lt. Alicia Bauer replied, "Two minutes, four seconds, Captain." The young woman turned her head to side so she could see the Captain out of her periphery. "Everything's five by five."
Jayce Lehet nodded, "Acknowledged."
Lt. Bauer returned for focus to her terminal and readied the next phase of their descent.
"Captain," McCulley began, "targeting sensors are tracking the first group of Dragon Riders."
Lehet spun his chair to the right to look at his Tactical Officer. "Arm plasma torpedoes."
The bald headed officers turned to his console and entered the commands, "Aye, Captain."
***
Four Dragon Riders flew patrol under the Amazon night's sky. The beasts' large wings beat downwards, propelling each of the red armored riders forward. Each Dragon flew roughly a thousand feet above the jungle canopy, just high enough to see movement from the horizon. It was not, however, a vantage point to see the fast approaching Istanor.
The ship dove down, taking a bearing on their path and unleashed its furry. Two red balls of fire shot out from its forward batteries and streaked through the night's sky. The superheated plasma fused the Oxygen in the surrounding air, creating Ozone, a scent easily detected at a distance by the Dragons.
The four beasts reeled back midair causing their Riders to lurch forward. While they were momentarily distracted by their steeds' sudden movement, the telepathic links between each pair quickly alerted the armored riders to the approaching danger.
The Lead Dragon Rider quickly looked up and saw the approaching mass of pure plasma. Ordering his beast to peel off, the Dragon dropped its left wing and began a spiral dive towards the treetops below. His second was less successful. The first torpedo exploded upon contact with the Dragon.
The thin membrane housing the plasma ruptured sending it radiating in all directions. In a fraction of a second, it consumed the Dragon and Rider in a ball of fire, vaporizing them. The intense fireball illuminated the treetops, casting shadows on the remaining two Dragons as the second plasma weapon hit.
The torpedo caught the neck of the Dragon and ruptured, sending the plasma through the air onto the other Dragon's hind quarter. The superheated matter bore through the scaly skin, dissolving the beast into two. The dragon howled as its body eroded into ashes and plummeted to the Earth.
Spatters of plasma flung into the Rider's armor and quickly propelled through his chest. The searing heat caught his attention, not to mention the putrid smell of his own flesh melting away. Through his darkened visor, he looked down and saw the plasma spreading. He tried to scream, but it was too late, the plasma had destroyed his lungs.
***
"Direct hits," McCulley said.
Lehet smiled as he reviewed the images before him on the main display. Standing, he walked behind the Helmsman. "Take us down."
***
The Istanor pitched over to its portside and dove closer to the canopy under the control of Ensign Moore. The NASO vessel vastly overshadowed any living creature in the area, which was just the point.
Its roaring engines bore down on the remaining Dragon Riders, scattering them as the Istanor came to a halt. With its positional thrusters firing, the large ship hovered, angling on the remaining Dragon Riders.
The Lead Rider recovered from the flyby and commanded his steed to streak upwards, behind the ship's aft hull. The Dragon gracefully soared over the ship and arced over, trying to ascertain the tactical strength of the vessel. The Rider had never seen such a craft before, but did not fear it. He commanded his Dragon to build up its inner fire and send a blast at the ship's main engines.
The fiery ball of molten Dark Qi burst from the Dragon's mouth and streamed toward the Istanor.
The blast seared the directional cone of the starboard engine, causing the ship to lurch.
Not wasting anytime, the Lead Rider and his remaining cohort began circling the mirrored ship letting their Dragons fire at will. Each blast contacted the Istanor's hull and slowly began eating away at the structural supports. Every blast shook the vessel more, but it failed to respond to the attack.
The Lead Rider grew suspicious at this fact and wondered what this metallic contraption was capable of. He soon found out, as particle beams shot out from the dorsal weapons array, piercing the Dragon's wing.
Wounded, but not fatally, the Lead Rider moved in closer. Each flap of the Dragon's wing fueled it with anger, with rage, and with the thought of vengeance. Extending its claws, the large beast sunk its claws into the hull of the Istanor, pulling apart the metal skin under its strength.
The Dragon Rider smiled beneath its helmet as he commanded his beast to begin destroying the ship. After the death of its brothers and the wound it sustained, the Dragon was happy to comply. Its molten blast melted away the protective armor lining of the ship and breached the hull. Not wavering from his attack, the Dragon Rider yelled for his compatriot to do the same.
The second Dragon landed toward the nose section and began systematically eradicating the hull.
***
Alarm klaxon boomed as amber lights flashed on the Bridge. With each blast, the Istanor buckled.
"Integrity down to 89%," McCulley yelled.
"Good enough," Lehet said. "They've taken the bait." He hit is chair console and activated the internal Comm-link. "McGruff, deposit your package."
A few seconds passed before a reply was heard through the ship's internal system. The grating voice of the T-Bay operator came back, "Deployed."
"Good. Rock and roll, Ms. Moore," Lehet ordered.
***
The Istanor's main engines fired, sending the ship forward with a sudden burst of speed. The quick movement caught the Dragons and their Riders off guard, as the rug was essentially pulled out from under them. It made no difference though. The sheer strength in the Dragons' talons peeled back the hull exterior like a ripe banana.
The Two Riders commanded their Dragons to pursue and the Lead sent telepathic messages to the second patrol to close on their position. "It will only be a matter of time," he thought. That flying machine will be destroyed."
***
Jayde Yee looked up through her visor and saw the Dragons make chase after the Istanor. "It never ceases to amaze me," she thought, "that people can be so consumed with a single thought."
"Lack of vision," Master Li added to her thought, his voice echoing in her mind, "is often the sign of the undisciplined."
The Wood QiRanger tilted her head down and looked to her right. Even in the low light and dense foliage, she could not only see her mentor, but sense his presence and see his inner fire. She smiled and glanced down at the patrol of Shadow Warriors walking beneath them, realizing that Li's statement also applied to her. "I can't let what happened last time get in the way."
With her green armor, Jayde was able to blend into the wooded area easily. The Shadow Warriors had no idea she was there. The Wood QiRanger dropped from her perch, summoning her Qi Saber in a flash of green light. The finely sharpened blade shimmered in the moonlight passing through the upper canopy, reflecting its beams into the eyes of the pair of Shadows walking towards her.
The momentary blindness induced from the reflected light was all that Jayde needed. The QiRanger moved with lightening quick speed over the convoluted jungle floor, dodging tree roots and vines. Jayde quickly covered the short distance between them. Her arm retracted the blade to a position over her right shoulder and pointed the blade directly at the first of her two adversaries.
As she neared them, Jayde planted her right foot into the moist soil and snapped her body around. The blinding speed at which her attack took place completely surprised the two Shadows. They each tried to draw their swords from their scabbards, but it was too late. The perfect blade of the Qi Saber swung around as Jayde rotated her body clockwise. It found the vulnerable junction between the head and shoulder armor segments of the first Shadow Warrior and cleanly cut through his flesh and bone. The dead warrior's head toppled to the ground, coming to rest at Jayde's feet.
The second Shadow managed to take one step away and draw the hilt of his blade past the lip of its container. Jayde continued her spinning motion and severed the head off this foe as well.
The headless bodies managed to stay standing for a few seconds before they collapsed on one another. The lifeless corpses slumped against one another on the floor as Jayde dissolved her Qi Saber. "Clear," she thought, sending her status to each of the other QiRangers.
***
Master Li made his way carefully through the dense brush. His eyes darted back and forth, making sure that he wasn't seen. The oldest of the QiRangers paused behind the large trunk he stood next to. Letting his fingers press into the bark's ridges, he allowed his body to merge to the tree's shape, becoming invisible to view. Four gUmaN'JO warriors walked past him, their mounts nowhere to be seen.
Li fanned his fingers allowing four Flaming Shurricans to materialize in the openings. He slipped his grip around the fiery weapons and readied his arm to hurl them at his unsuspecting prey, but that would never happen.
A swirling cloud of black mass dropped from the heavens and enveloped the QiRanger. Li quickly stepped away from the tree and summoned additional Flaming Shurricans in his other hand as he took a defensive stance. Rarely did Master Li let fear enter his body, but he recognized what was happening and was bound and determined to not let it happen.
Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he quickly let his eyes scan the darkness. No longer was the moon's light helpful in illuminating his surroundings. In fact, nothing could be seen or felt. Gone were the scents of the jungle and his friends - the only thing that he could feel was his pulse racing. Each beat of his heart pounded in his chest, creating a thumping in his ears.
"Where are you?" he demanded, calling out into the darkness, but there was no response.
Li took a step forward, hoping that a change in his position would somehow create light in this dark vacuum. He was wrong. The darkness seemed to continue on forever and Li knew that every moment he spent in the envelope; his chances for escaping were greatly minimized.
Master Li concentrated and focus his inner Qi on finding that which was not of the Earth - that which was not alive, but what was nonexistent. He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to clear. The void around him was great, but behind him sensed a presence unlike any other. The stories he remembered from his youth rushed back into his mind.
Tales of the Dor'Agha, or Shadow Reapers, came to him. How they were neutrals in the battle between good and evil, but nonetheless took the lives and souls of those on both sides. Li knew the stories to be true, for he saw one once as a child.
As Master Li turned around to confront the intelligence behind him, the mental image of the Dor'Agha from his youth was reconfirmed by the figure standing before him. Clad in a dark robe, the being stood three meters in height with a hood covering its face. The robe was decorated in ornate patterns of black hieroglyphics and concealed the creature's arms and legs.
Master Li let a nervous smile curl his lips upward as he readied for battle. The last time he saw one of these creatures, their attacks came swiftly and without mercy. In a matter of seconds it was able to bypass his father's Master and rip the Qi from his body. Li was determined not to give in without a fight and quickly flung all eight Flaming Shurricans at the Shadow Reaper.
The shining points of light quickly found their target, but merely passed through the Dor'Agha and into the darkness behind him. "You cannot escape me," it said. "You will be mine."
***
The Fire QiRanger was the last to arrive at the rendezvous point. When Leslie saw that Master Li wasn't present, her fear was quickly shared with the others.
"We've got to find him," the Metal QiRanger said.
"Yes, but we can't compromise the mission," Jayde added.
"Agreed," Leslie added. "Seth, Luís, and Abeu continue the sweep. Jayde and I will make a quick sweep at his last location and then catch up."
The five QiRangers nodded and split apart.
***
Master Li carefully stepped backwards, trying to put more distance between him and the Shadow Reaper. He couldn't believe that his Fire Shurricans passed through the mystic warrior of the dead without inflicting any wounds. For once in Master Li's life, he was at a loss of what to do.
Li crossed each step, concentrating on his defenses to ensure that any sudden movements made by the Shadow Reaper could be countered - or at least the attempt made. He searched his mind for some sort of alternative to fighting the Dor'Agha head-to-head, but nothing came to him.
Every second seemed to be an eternity and a reminder of how finite life was.
"I've got to think of something," he told himself, "They aren't ready yet to be on their own."
"It's useless to try and run, Li," Dor'Agha said.
The words rang in Li's head and he stopped dead in his tracks, for he knew Dor'Agha spoke the truth. These creatures were granted a single ability - to seek out their target and strike it down. Nothing could stop them from succeeding. The only saving grace was that each Dor'Agha was allowed to take one soul. Any others it came upon would be ignored, which brought some relief to Master Li.
"At least they will be safe."
The dark creature began sliding towards him, not walking or flying, but moving effortlessly through the black abyss. "Come Li. It is time."
The cold voice of the Dor'Agha tore through his armor knocking the breath from his lungs. Master Li gasped for air as he flew backwards in the darkness. He finally came to rest on the hard surface of the abyss. The black mass felt slimy and cool to his touch as the matrix slipped through his fingers, creeping into his skin.
"No!" he shouted trying to push himself up, but the black void began wrapping itself around his arms and legs. No matter how hard Li struggled, the darkness' hold only grew stronger.
"Try as you wish, Li, there is nothing you can do," Dor'Agha's unnatural voice echoed. The dark one stopped a few feet before Master Li and hovered above the eldest QiRanger. Dark energy crept from beneath the billowing robes of the Shadow Reaper as Master Li looked up at the bringer of death. "This ends here."
Dor'Agha extended both its arms and its sleeves rode up exposing twin bleached bones attached to hands made of the same. Beneath Dor'Agha's hood, red light began to shine illuminating a bony skull. Devoid of all flesh, the Shadow Reaper existed in this realm as only a skeleton.
The twin ruby lights not only cast light out of their sockets, but filled the inner cavities of the cranium. The lights grew with intensity and highlighted the inner sutures of the creature's skull. White electrical strikes began crackling from its fingertips as Dor'Agha started to laugh.
The Shadow Reaper darted its arms towards Li and the lightening jumped from Dor'Agha's hands. The bolts of white energy struck Li's body with a loud clap of thunder.
The intense heat of the blast began smoldering his armor and burning his flesh due to the conductive nature of his protective plating. Li screamed in agony as his nose was filled with the stench of his melted flesh. Pain like no other raged through his body. He desperately tried to fill his lungs with air, if only to allow them to scream in pain.
Dor'Agha increased the strength of his energy tendrils, picking up the QiRanger and hanging him in the air like a doll.
Li's body convulsed as Dor'Agha moved closer. Even though its face possessed no muscles or flesh, the Shadow Reaper's jaw pulled apart at the midline suture, creating an eerie grin.
The white-hot energy from the Dor'Agha continued to lash into Master Li. With each beating, his armor chipped away and caused more internal damage. His organs were slowly succumbing to the pressure and heat brought about buy the constant attacks. He didn't know how much longer he could take this.
"But I'm not going away silently," he thought as he tried to stare his attack in the eye, but the erratic nature of his body's contractions made it impossible for him to do little more than writhe in extreme pain.
Blood began seeping from the corner of Li's left eye and right ear, signaling that the end was near.
***
Leslie and Jayde jumped from treetop to treetop under the night sky. Their armor enabled the duo to leap several hundred meters in the air and utilize their heightened strength and agility to grasp branches and vines, ensuring their quick movement high above the patrols on the jungle floor below.
Neither knew where Master Li was. It had been some time since he vanished, but what troubled the Fire QiRanger more, was that she and the others could no longer sense their mentor.
Leslie paused straddling a branch overlooking a clearing. Even though her armor's visor was as black as night, it allowed her to see everything as if it were midday. Her eyes scoured the landscape, hoping to see some sign of him, but there was nothing.
***
Jayde Yee landed in a small thicket of trees. She quickly looked around, making sure she was clear of any immediate danger. Calling upon the Wood Qi within her and the Amazon, she asked the trees in the forest for assistance in their quest to find Master Li.
***
The Metal, Water, and Earth QiRangers continued onward, strategically eliminating Shadow Warriors, gUmaN'JOs, and Copy Bots as they made their way to the Wood Mystic Door. Each of the men tried to focus on the mission, but frequently fell back and searched their soul in hopes of finding their lost one.
***
Leslie jumped to the next branch when her Transdermal Comm-link activated. "Leslie, why have you split from the others?" asked the familiar voice.
She concentrated, extending her hands to grasp the fast approaching vine. With her fingers securely around the ropy structure, the Fire QiRanger responded, "Li's been separated from us. Jayde and I are sweeping backwards to try and find him."
"Nothing shows on our scans," Robert Dwyer said through the link.
"And we can't sense him."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Just then, a torrent of mental energy came rushing into Leslie's and the others' minds, causing them all to fall to the ground and scream themselves.
"Leslie, are you all right?" Robert yelled through the Comm-link.
Leslie couldn't respond, for the force of the mind link was the equivalent of listening to a rocket's engine roar while standing next to the nozzle. Leslie rolled on the Amazon floor clutching her helmet between her hands.
"Such pain and agony," Leslie thought, not realizing at first what it was she experienced.
However, all the QiRangers simultaneously understood that it was Master Li's final cry for help. Each knew time was short. If they couldn't find him soon, he would be dead.
***
The Shadow Reaper continued to let its energy tendrils lash at Master Li, who could do nothing more than scream in pain. The beating he was taking was taking its toll, not only on his body, but his mind as well. No longer could he see a way to avoid the inevitable and began looking forward to the cessation of the torture.
Blood poured from the wounds he received and from his eyes, ears, and nose. Each breath spat up blood contained in his lungs. Barely conscious, Master Li longed for the eternal sleep.
Dor'Agha stopped the attack, sending the QiRanger falling downwards. Li's body pounded into the black matrix and sent shockwaves through his battered body. Using his aching arms, he pushed himself up as blood oozed from his lips.
Master Li saw the Dor'Agha hover closer to him, pulling back its hook to expose the throbbing red skull. The jaw bones began to move as the Shadow Reaper's eerie voice echoed in the abyss, "Ironic isn't it? How you first feared and strove to avoid that which you now long to come. I shall not disappoint you. Your life now comes to an end."
Li felt an increase in heat from the Shadow Reaper as the Dor'Agha's body began glowing red. Crackling strands of pure energy connected with its body from the black matrix of the abyss. The increased power tore the Shadow Reaper's cloak to shreds, exposing the creature's boney body. The influx of power caused every bone in its body to throb with power and shine blood red.
The QiRanger's face squinted as the light shining from the Dor'Agha became too bright. He knew the end was here and no longer wanted to fight. Master Li was ready to die.
***
"We've got to help them," Luís pleaded with his teammates.
The three male QiRangers huddle together under a young tree, out of view of a Shadow Warrior patrol fifty meters away.
"He's right," Abeu said from underneath his Metal QiRanger helmet.
Seth looked through his visor at each of his friends and nodded. "You're right. If we loose Li, we're done for."
The three QiRangers looked at one another and nodded. Bringing their palms together, they harnessed their inner Qi. Bands of white, blue, and yellow energy wrapped around their bodies whisking them away.
***
An energy orb casts light in a darkened room deep within the catacombs of Bruch'oda's Palace. Watching the events taking place in the abyss are Qual'och and Xantia. The lovers press their bodies close to one another as they witness Master Li's final moments on Earth.
***
Dor'Agha continues approaching Master Li. The Shadow Reaper looks down through its glowing eyes at the defeated QiRanger. Gone is his strength and courage. All that remains is a shell of a man ready to be taken. Dor'Agha readied himself to take the soul of the last original QiRanger and fulfill its mission.
Raw power surrounded Dor'Agha, blowing back its tattered cloak while the skeleton brought its hands together. The Shadow Reaper created a black ball of energy between them, forming the Soul Catcher. This energy stealing orb would drain the Soul Reaper's entire target's Prenatal Qi; therefore, killing its victim instantly.
A ribbon of violet energy entered the abyss, wrapping around Master Li, picking him up. Wind blew back against his face, bringing the QiRanger back to present. As Li regained his consciousness, the ribbon extended outwards and lashed against the Shadow Reaper.
Try as it might, the Dor'Agha could not block the energy wave. Holding onto the Soul Catcher, the Shadow Reaper tried to deflect the blows with its arms. Each contact brought about micro explosions inflicting damage to Dor'Agha. Not loosing site of its mission, the Shadow Reaper focused its thoughts and released the Soul Catcher at Master Li.
The black orb of death shot out Dor'Agha's hands and towards the QiRanger.
Master Li saw death approaching and prepared to embrace the inevitable. But it did not come. The violet energy ribbon deflected the orb into the abyss as it retreated from Dor'Agha and securely wrapped around him.
Master Li searched what was left of his mind for answers and stored deep in his memory found it.
"Yes, my love," a woman's voice said in his head.
Master Li could feel her love fill his body, instantly healing his wounds and returning energy to his soul. The violet energy spun around the QiRanger sealing the cracks in his armor and strengthening his bones and muscles. The violet energy coursed though his veins, bringing clarity and focus again to his mind.
"Thank you," he said as his health was fully restored. Master Li's QiRanger armor shone brightly in the darkness with one alteration. Draped around the gold Triple Fire emblem on his breast plate was black serpent.
Ready for battle, Master Li took a defensive stance.
"It makes no matter human. You're soul is mine," boomed Dor'Agha. The Shadow Reaper extended its arms, preparing to send out energy tendrils, but Master Li was faster.
Harnessing his added power, Master Li shot a powerful violet energy wave wrapped in his own Fire Qi at the Dor'Agha.
The blast struck the mighty skeleton in the chest, blowing apart its ribcage. Dor'Agha succumbed to the explosion and flew backwards.
The added energy was all that Master Li needed to break free of the dark abyss. With Dor'Agha wounded, the beast could no longer hold Li in the alternate dimension. The eldest QiRanger reemerged into the Amazon forest.
He knew he escaped death, if only for a moment. His happiness at being joined with his lover was short lived, as her power began fading from his body. "I'm sorry I cannot do more for you," her soft voice carried in his mind.
"I know. I will see you soon, my love," he answered as the violet energy rose from his body like smoke rising into the sky. Once clear of the extra power, his chest emblem returned to normal.
Master Li turned to look around to see if there were any threats approaching, but saw only the QiRangers surrounding him.
"Are you all right," asked Leslie.
Master Li placed his hands onto the young QiRanger's shoulders, "For the moment." He stared into each of the helmets, looking past the visors, and into the eyes of his compatriots. It had been a long time since he felt this kind of attachment, this bond, this brotherhood - he was just sad that it would have to come to an end.
"We don't have much time," he said. "We've got to seal the Wood Door now."
"Then let's do it," Seth shouted.
The other QiRangers affirmed his suggestions and readied themselves. This would be the first time they tried the meld since the Earth Mystic Door was closed. Each of the QiRangers cleared their minds and focused only on the task at hand. Their mental links began growing stronger as each individual tapped into the mind of the two QiRangers standing on either side of them.
The inner elements of the six QiRangers began surging forth converting their flesh laden bodies to pure forms of Qi. Earth Qi blended with Metal, which was joined by Water and Wood. The two Fire Qis were added lasts to energy mass, creating a sea of power. The sphere created by each of the QiRangers began taking shape and in a matter of seconds, the Ultimate QiWarrior emerged.
Each of the individual thoughts now served as one mind with one focus - close the Wood Mystic Door. Drawing its massive hands together, the QiWarrior created an envelope of pure energy around him and vanished.
***
Lehet spun in his chair as the Istanor lurches port. The Captain of the only NASO ship in operation looked over to the bulkhead at the young Lieutenant stationed at the Engineering Console. "Damage report!" he yelled.
The young man gripped the console edge as Ensign Moore brought the mighty vessel back into a neutral plane. Focusing his eyes on the data displayed before him, he quickly responded, "Starboard GravPlates off-line. Main power down fifteen percent. Port main engine damaged. Numerous exterior breeches."
"Captain," McCulley yelled from his station, "They're just too fast for the arrays to lock on. Might I suggest we take things outside?"
Captain Lehet turned to face his Executive and Tactical Officer. He knew that was the best option. No matter how "simple" missions were planned, they always seemed to throw a wrench in.
He tapped the Comm-link panel on his chair's arm, "Lehet to Dwyer."
After a momentary pause the reply came back, "Go," Robert said.
"Things are getting a little messy up here and we still need to buy some time. Think you and your friends can step outside and give us some breathing room?" Lehet asked.
"We'd love to," he replied through the ship's speakers.
***
The Dragon Riders continued to push forward, circling around the massive ship. What once began as a pair of beasts and their Riders quickly grew to a pack of six, once the other group arrived. Each set of Rider and Dragon moved as one, graceful butterfly - creating an equal balance of thrust and lift to counteract gravity and drag, enabling them to soar in wide arc around the metallic craft.
With their wings unfurled, the Dragons could stay aloft for miles. Furthermore, the impressive wingspan allowed the creatures to turn in the air instantly, thwarting the targeting computer's efforts to eliminate them.
One such Dragon Rider and his steed stalled their upward progress and rolled over to face straight down. The two pairs of eyes stared directly at the reflective hull of the Istanor below them. Heating up its lungs, the dragon let loose a fiery ball of Dark Qi.
It quickly fell and slammed into the ship's hull at the junction of the starboard wing and main fuselage. As the molten remains of the fireball tore through the ship, debris was cast off in the resulting explosion revealing a gaping hole in the vessel. Smoke billowed from the rift and sparks flickered as fire erupted inside.
Beneath his helmet, the Dragon Rider smiled, allowing his scaly lips to touch the sides of his red encasement and his twin slits that he used for eyes brightened.
The moment of joy was short lived. With his concentration on the damaged area of the Istanor, the Dragon Rider failed to notice the ventral docking portal slide open. Standing on the docking platform were six individuals. Two stood in formfitting, featureless suits with flight packs affixed to their backs. One such man had no visible weapons while the other was outfitted with twin plasma gauntlets. The other four men wore silver Powersuits that had a blue V shaped strip from the shoulders to the lower abdomen with the image of a crescent moon cradling a five pointed star resting over the left breast - the symbol for the Luna Colony Police Force.
Each of the suits covered them and gave each the ability to move with great agility and possess immense power, something that is needed since they all were used to one-sixth Earth gravity. The Powersuits were largely nondescript and completely enclosed their bodies and protected the inner core with hardsuit containment diaphragms. Embedded into their wrist gauntlets were twin laser. The Officers' helmets each have a triangular visor that ends where their ears would be and extend over their noses. Covering their mouths is a slightly darker metal with horizontal lines.
Robert Dwyer took the lead position and targeted the Dragon Rider above. Locking on with his cybernetic eye, the NASO Operative raised his right arm and let the plasma beam fire from his first.
The powerful ray of energy shot into the air as the Istanor banked away from an approaching Dragon Rider. Even with the altered telemetry, Robert's aim was perfect. The plasma bolt tore through the neck of the dragon, severing its head from the lower four vertebrae. The hardened scales of the dragon, failed to slow the plasma as it plowed into the chest plate of the Dragon Rider.
The Rider felt the intense heat of the beam before it even touched him. His skin began to burn as the beam ate his body whole. There was little time to think of or experience the pain inflicted by such a weapon, which was for the better.
Dwyer steadied himself as the ship lurched again. With one of the threats gone, things, he hoped would be a bit easier. "All right, let's go!"
Each of the men deactivated the electromagnetic fields in their boots and lit the thrusters housed in their flight packs. They quickly rose off the hull of the Istanor and raced into battle.
Gary Staal flew straight ahead, ready to lock horns with one of the remaining Dragon Riders. The targeting sensors lit up inside his Stealth Armor visor. Carefully matching his speed and the trajectory of the Dragon Rider, the computer calculated the perfect position for the Doctor to fire. Edging his arm into position, Gary waited until the crosshairs switched from black to red, signaling a kill.
Once the color change occurred, Gary squeezed his fists and fired the blasters. The beams cut through the air and beat into the protective outer scales of the dragon. The mighty beast roared in pain and began a tailspin downward to the canopy. The Rider was barely able to hang onto his steed, the pain from the attack rippling through his body. Nonetheless, he managed to tighten his hold around the reigns and lock his feet in the stirrups.
Pulling hard to the right, the Rider was able to recover and bring the dragon into a neutral position. Turning his head, the Rider tried to ascertain his attacker's position, but it was too late. Gary swept down from above, using the sun as a visual shield. The NASO operative fired at point blank range and his twin beams ripped through the Rider's armor. Flesh exploded out the Rider's back as the blast threw him clear of the dragon.
With its master gone, the dragon became enraged and went rouge. The mighty beast flapped its wings and spiraled out of control. Gary tried to steer clear of the flying reptile, but its speed and agility was too great.
The wingtips of the dragon created a negative pressure field and sent Gary for a loop. Trying to regain his bearings, he lost sight of the dragon for a moment. The large beast barreled down on his position and clenched its jaws around his torso.
The protective armor buffered the bite and protected his body from harm, not that he needed it. Gary turned to peer into the eyes of the enraged dragon and saw nothing but raw energy fueling hatred and anger.
Gary tried to pry apart the jaws of the dragon, but the muscles of the beast were simply too strong.
Saliva poured from its mouth and covered Gary, who became ill at the thought of residing in the creature's mouth any longer.
"If I can't pry me loose," he thought as he armed his blasters and fired, instantaneously vaporizing the creature's head, "then I'll pry him loose."
Once fee, Gary lit his rockets and sped away while the headless dragon fell harmlessly below.
***
The combined firepower of the Istanor and the Powersuits were too much for the Dragon Riders. They were easily maneuvered into predictable firing arcs and either dispatched by laser and plasma beams from the flying humans or killed by blasts coming from one of the weapon arrays on the Istanor itself.
Robert quickly looked around to make sure the others were returning safely when he was hit by powerful energy beam. The strike damaged his flight controls and cut power to his thrusters. With his engines off-line, he dropped from the sky.
He tried to reactivate the power cells by rerouting some of his own energy to them, but the direct hit did more than simply damage the power source, in fact the only thing left of the unit was the straps on his back.
Gary raced through the air to catch his friend. He extended his arms straight out in front of him, opening the throttle all the way on his jetpack.
The black streak raced through the sky and met up with the other black armored compatriot.
Robert saw Gary approaching and opened his arms. The two collided and wrapped their arms around one another. Hardly secure, but safe enough, Gary hoisted Robert up to his shoulders.
"You all right?" he asked.
Robert looked back at the Istanor, trying to locate the source of the attack. "What hit me?"
"You're not going to like this," Gary said through the Comm-link channel he established between them, "Take a look over there," and pointed with his free hand.
Rising up from the canopy was a battalion of Copy Bots lead by a red humanoid with wings. Bruch'oda's forces were quickly making their advances and opening fire on the Istanor and the Luna Officers.
The energy beams arced through the sky and impaled on the ship's hull, causing massive explosions. Two Luna Officers were stricken by the energy blasts and had their Powersuits overloaded. The resulting system failures sent the men falling to their deaths.
Gary managed to dodge the blasts and make his way onto the ship's hull, allowing Robert to break free of him.
"Jayce, can you get us out of here?" Robert asked.
"As soon as you're teams on board, we'll break free. But make it quick, the armor plating wont hold for long against that many robots," he answered.
Robert activated his Comm-link and switched it to channel three, "Return to the ship. It's time to go."
The other men acknowledged the order one by one as Gary and Robert opened fire on the flying Copy Bots. They tried to give the others cover, but the sheer number of robots made the task difficult, if not impossible.
Only one of the Luna Officers made back safely and locked onto the hull with his electromagnetic boots. Turning around, he readied his laser and fired at the nearest Copy Bot. The ruby red beam shot through the air and exploded on impact as it met with the chest plate of the Copy Bot.
"Let's go!" Robert yelled into his Comm-link.
"I don't think so," sounded a deep booming voice.
Gary and Robert looked up and saw its source - the large flying humanoid.
With the wingspan equal to that of the dragons and red scales equally as strong, Na'RotH peered down at the men standing on the ship with his white eyes and black fangs glistening.
The mighty warrior cast out his hands and sent a powerful Dark Qi Strike at the ship. Robert and the others were just able to jump clear of the impact. The resulting explosion ripped apart the hull and sent shrapnel flying.
The Luna Officer was cut to pieces, his bloodied body slipping off the edge of the wing leaving a red trail behind him.
Robert aimed his right arm at Na'RotH, but before he could fire, the Istanor pitched downward and began rolling.
"What's happening?" Gary asked.
"I don't know. Just hang on."
The two friends knelt on the hull as the ship began to spin faster. "Jayce, what's your status?"
"That last blow ruptured the main power grid. We're going down."
***
The Ultimate QiWarrior materialized in the center of a Shadow Warrior battalion. Caught unprepared for the seven meter tall Warrior of Justice, the Shadows stood aimlessly by as the QiWarrior began dispensing revenge for the humans lost in the battle between good and evil thus far. Whipping its leg around, the massive structure caught half a dozen Shadows and sent them flying into the woods. The initial contact crushed their armor and shattered their bones. As the Shadows came to rest on the jungle floor, or plowed through the trees, their lifeless bodies remained motionless.
The moment of surprise didn't last for long. Copy Bots and gUmaN'JOs quickly became alert and started their attack.
Firing their twin energy beams at the QiWarrior, the Copy Bots hoped to distract the mighty warrior long enough for the gUmaN and their JO counterparts to move in and strike him down.
QiWarrior carefully dodged the beams and they passed harmlessly into the jungle behind him. Summoning the massive Qi Shield, QiWarrior used its collective knowledge of ancient fighting forms and the surrounding terrain to go on the offensive.
QiWarrior quickly moved across the jungle floor, blocking the oncoming energy attacks. The six minds of the QiWarrior summoned massive energy laden shurricans and quickly threw them towards the Copy Bots guarding the entrance to the tree containing the Wood Mystic Door.
QiWarrior leaps into the air, angling his attack on a gUmaN. Striking with speed and tremendous strength, the QiWarrior's leading boot crushed the JO and bent the gUmaN like a wet noodle, snapping its bones like small twigs. He threw the stars at the Copy Bots, who tried to shoot the stars down. Some succeeded and others failed.
Those that survived, continued to fire at the QiWarrior, while those impaled by the stars were no longer standing, in fact, they were no longer in one piece. The shurricans ripping through the metallic bodies like scissors through paper. The resulting explosions lit the tree on fire and sent the hulks of the Copy Bots to the jungle floor.
Sheer power against numbers is what Master Li hoped to avoid when planning the initial attack plan. While the QiWarrior was stronger than anything the QiRangers had ever faced, its main weakness was that it functioned as one unit. With the ever multiplying Copy Bots and Bruch'oda's troops, it was quite possible they could find themselves outflanked and in danger.
Eying the final destination, the QiWarrior began making its way towards the Wood Mystic Door. Copy Bots continued to fire electric beams at the massive warrior, but nothing was able to get through the Qi Shield. Any remaining Shadow Warriors simply ran for cover, as there was little they could do against such an incredibly strong opponent.
One Shadow Warrior bucked conventional wisdom and raced towards the QiWarrior while swinging on a vine. With one swat of the palm, the Shadow was flattened, all his bones turned to powder.
No matter the cost, Bruch'oda's forces were determined to hold the Wood Door. Copy Bots circled around the QiWarrior and JOs commanded their mighty steeds to on the attack.
One such beast leapt in front of the QiWarrior and spat its corrosive saliva at him. The mixture of digestive enzymes and acids adhered to the QiWarrior's shin guards, bubbling up like freshwater spring.
Alarms were sent racing through the collective consciousness of the QiWarrior, alerting all to be aware of the danger housed in each of the beasts.
However, the QiWarrior wasn't going to let a little sputum get in the way of its mission. Taking the Qi Shield, he backhanded the JO.
The striking force was too much for the weak neck musculature of the JO and his body was instantly decapitated. The rest of his body fell slumped on the back of the gUmaN who became psychotic at the loss of its counterpart.
Roaring loudly, the infectious anger caught among the other gUmaN and the JO riders as the beast leapt up and sank its jaw into the thigh armor plating of the QiWarrior.
The gUmaN's teeth weren't sufficient to piece through the protective covering, but as the beast tore at the armor it released the corrosive material and it would only be a matter of time before the armor would dissolve and leave the QiWarrior vulnerable to attack.
The QiWarrior dropped the Qi Shield and quickly grabbed a hold of the gUmaN's neck. Pushing back the body, the QiWarrior separated it from the head, as the creature's jaw locked its teeth into his armor. As the muscles and sinews tore, the gUmaN released the contents of its bladder onto the forearms of the QiWarrior. The corrosive material began spreading over arms and chest of the mighty warrior.
Distracted, the other gUmaNs moved in, leaping their muscular bodied against the QiWarrior until he was knocked down.
With several weakened points in outer armor, Copy Bots resumed their onslaught by firing electrical beams at the fallen warrior. Each blast found its mark and chipped away at the armor.
QiWarrior tried to snap back up, but gUmaNs began gnawing at the acidic areas and kept him on his back.
It only took a matter of seconds, before the initial strike made its way through the armor and began eating away at the QiWarrior's flesh. Pain echoed in their minds as they tried to focus and push past the discomfort and free themselves.
QiWarrior began lashing out his arms and legs, trying to catch the gUmaN and break free. The smaller, but powerful beasts proved too much for the QiWarrior who could do nothing more than succumb to the pin.
The moment Jayde Yee feared the most finally came. Man'uL'o flew out of nowhere wielding his scythe and landed on the QiWarrior's chest, slamming his blade into the black armor, sending sparks into the air. The twin emerald eyes of Man'uL'o looked up and stared into the darkness of the QiWarrior's helmet.
Letting its forked tongue slide past its lips Man'uL'o hissed, "I don't think so."
Jayde's need for revenge passed over the others in the meld and QiWarrior began focusing its energy and trying to escape.
Man'uL'o retrieved his blade and whirled it above him before slamming it down into the crevice he created earlier. The shining blade glowed white as it tore deeper into the armor protecting the vital organs of the QiWarrior. The amber clad warrior of evil laughed as he drew back the scythe once more and charged it with energy. "This should do it," he yelled as he struck the QiWarrior and broke open the chest plate exposing a black garment.
Man'uL'o's forked tongue slipped past his grinning teeth once more. QiWarrior knew that he needed to strike and do it now, or his life would be over.
Summoning all its strength, QiWarrior shot twin Wood Qi Strikes from its eyes. The green streams of energy disintegrated Man'uL'o's left arm and tossed him from QiWarrior's chest. The added power was also all that he needed to toss free the gUmaN keeping his legs and arms pinned to the jungle floor.
***
Na'RotH hovered, swinging his wings too and fro as he watched with glee as the Istanor plummeted towards the Earth. Each beat of his massive wings was synched perfectly with plumes of smoke billowing out of the wounded craft. Leaning forward, he vectored his wings to send him towards the craft. He wanted to make sure nothing would stop him from seeing to its destruction.
***
Gary locked his boots on to the hull and hugged the skin as best he could. The increasing force of the downward pull was making it difficult for him to stand. If he activated his nanobots, he'd be able to take a stronger form, but loose the ability to link with Robert and the crew. Furthermore, he'd have to rely on his hands and feet to stay aboard - something he wanted to avoid.
With Robert's altered body, the stress of the descent wasn't nearly as violent. His twin cybernetic legs and enhanced torso made short work of the centrifugal forces he experienced.
"Stay here and give me cover," he shouted to Gary.
"Sure," Gary said, not knowing what else to do. Since the last hit, the Copy Bots stayed back, so there was little for him to do. However, he readied his blasters and locked his targeting sensors onto a pair of Copy Bots approaching.
"Here goes," he thought and squeezed off a few rounds. The plasma bolts rocketed through the air and connected with the Copy Bots. Their bodies exploded in a cloud a black smoke. Gary grinned as he thought back to his youth and the similarity to picking these robots off to that of relic carnival shooting games.
Robert scoured over the ship's ruptured hull. Fire still leapt out from the damaged power conduits and weapon arrays. Changing his internal scanner from Normal to Electromagnetic, allowed the NASO Operative to see past the thick, black smoke and analyze the damaged area.
Jumping into the rift, he found himself quickly surrounded by white hot frames and power lines. "Don't touch," he thought to himself as he tried to navigate in the soup of fallen wires, supports, and flames.
"Jayce, I'm in Section G-14. Where's the Relay Junction?" The long pause in Captain Lehet's answer made Robert nervous. "Am I too late?" he thought. Regardless of that fact, he continued to scan, trying to find the auxiliary power relay station. He hoped if he would funnel power through it, then the ship would be able to pull out of its dive and level off.
Through a static filled transmission, Robert's reply finally came, "We've.ot..sion....ee..ers..ft."
The Comm-link went dead after that. It wasn't exactly what he had hoped for, but intensified his scans.
The shipped rolled over and Robert fell with it and is body thrown into strands of optical fibers melted together by broken power conduits. His Stealth Armor protected him from the intense heat of the power pouring out through them, but not for long. The searing heat began to destabilize the matrix of the suit and shadowing ripples traveled over his body from the point of contact as if a stone had been thrown into a calm pond.
Pulling himself up with the aid of some fiber optic cable, Robert returned to his search. He knew time was short so he pressed harder.
***
Na'RotH motioned for a wave of Copy Bots to strafe the Istanor, which they did.
Flying at high speed, a dozen or so Copy Bots flew past Gary releasing a volley of energy bolts. He was able to take two of them down with his blasters, but he couldn't keep up with them. The resulting hits further damaged the starboard engines and tail rudder. Gary was certain that the ship couldn't take much more of this.
***
Robert peered through the smoke and finally found the deactivated relay junction. The Istanor began rocking more and more as his internal altitude sensors detected how close the ship was to the jungle floor. "No time to make this pretty," he said to himself as he deactivated his Stealth Armor.
Making his way carefully to the relay, he ripped off the panel's exterior cover. Inside were three leading wires, two of which were fused. "This should be easy enough," he thought and focused his eye beam on the occlusion.
Robert fired a small, thin laser to break the fusion, but the Istanor lurched, sending the laser a few centimeters too high and severed the leading power supply conduit.
"Shit!" he yelled in frustration.
"The ground's coming awfully quick, Rob," Gary sent through the Comm-link.
Robert stared at the unit, trying to think of something.
"I hope this works," he prayed and gripped the last two relays in his palm. Rob's internal processors relented to his override and increased the fusion processing power of the millions of nanobots in his body. Like the plasma beams he could manifest, Robert channeled the power through his hand and into the power relay.
***
The bridge of the Istanor was riddled with damage. Support beams fell from the ceiling and the forward portal was shattered. The wind from the racing ship blew backwards the smoke filling the cabin from the numerous fires erupting from the computer consoles.
Ensign Moore continued to fight the forces of gravity and keep the ship aloft, but continuously failed in her battle. "There's just isn't enough power left," she yelled over the roaring wind.
"Try!" Lehet responded.
"Have you been able to open a channel to LEO?" he asked the communications officer, but she need not answer as the look on her face told him his answer.
Lehet turned to face forward and saw the hard deck before his ship. "This is it. Brace for impact!" he ordered, pushing himself back into his chair.
***
Na'RotH smiled as he saw the ship he was sent to destroy approach the treetops of the Amazon. "Good-bye," he slithered through his fangs.
But the Istanor's breaking thrusters fired just before impact, thrusting the craft backwards in a jarring motion. The rippling sounds of bulkheads crunching made their way to Na'RotH's ears and infuriated him as he watched the ship pull out of its dive and level off above the treetops.
Screaming in a fit of rage, he flew straight at the ship, intending to destroy it personally.
***
"I've got thruster control," Ensign Moore yelled through all the confusion
He didn't know how it happened or who to thank, but Lehet only had one though on his mind, "Get us out of here!"
"Aye sir!" she responded and programmed the ship's controls to take the craft away.
***
Gary found himself laughing beneath his helmet. "Ain't this the shit," he thought. Glad he got a momentary reprieve from death; his joyous moment was short lived.
The badly crippled Istanor was no match for speed against the insurmountable number of Copy Bots. They continued to open fire and riddle the hull with explosions, rocking it uncontrollably. Gary wondered how much longer it would even be able to generate lift. He let the thought pass and began firing at the Copy Bots, trying to take as many out as he could.
"Robert, what's your status?" he asked.
There was no reply.
"Rob, answer me!" he yelled into the Comm-link imbedded in his helmet while forcing another two Copy Bots into a fiery descent.
Gary still received no reply, which he deduced could only mean one thing. "I hope you know what you're doing," he thought and fired again.
***
"Status report," Lehet ordered, trying to determine how bad of a situation he and his crew were in at the moment. Looking at McCulley's face, he knew the ice had a better chance in hell.
"They're approaching fast from astern," McCulley started. "We only have maneuvering thrusters. It won't be long before they give out. Whatever Dwyer put into play only has a few more minutes of power remaining. Plasma arrays are shot to hell, but we do have one aft torpedo remaining."
"Find a target and use it to buy us some time. Helm, find us a soft landing zone."
The two officers nodded and turned to their duties.
***
Gary's ears rang as the final plasma torpedo rocketed from the aft launcher. The glowing orb of plasma shot into the heart of several flying Copy Bots and vaporized them. The last ditch attack brought a smile to the Doctor's face as he readied for the final battle to begin.
***
Man'uL'o slammed into the truck of a nearby tree. Glancing down at his left arm, he couldn't fathom the pain he experienced from its amputation. Assessing the wound, he was at least thankful that the intense heat of the Qi Strike sealed the blood vessels and scabbed over the wound. Now, it would be time to exact revenge.
The Ultimate QiWarrior stood before the forces of evil, ready to take them on. Tightening his fists and flexing every muscle in his body, the QiWarrior shattered his armor and sent the remnants flying like shrapnel into the gUmaNs surrounding him. The shards of metal ripped through their bodies, killing them instantly.
Standing in a simple black combat Gi, the QiWarrior's protective fabric pressed against his skin as a soft breeze crept through the clearing.
That would be the last peaceful moment experienced here.
Reaching out with his left hand, the QiWarrior called for his shield to return. It did so gladly, but not before slicing through several JOs and Shadow Warriors.
With his shield firmly in hand, the QiWarrior called forth his blazing Qi Saber. The mighty sword struck fear in the Shadow Warriors guarding the Wood Mystic Door, as well it should.
The Copy bots open fire, but their bolts were blocked by the Qi Shield. With the threat averted, QiWarrior went on the offensive, charging anything and everything in his path to the Mystic Door.
The Flaming Qi Saber passed through the bodies of Copy Bots, Shadow Warriors, and JOs like a hot knife through butter. Each extension of the blade came into contact with a body and melted under its sharp edge and heat. Only the Copy Bots failed to yield to the attack, but they fell like the others.
Leaving only a trail of blood and death behind him, the QiWarrior stopped before the Wood Mystic Door. At long last, the objective of the QiRangers' mission was in sight.
Man'uL'o pressed himself up and strode to put himself between the QiWarrior and the door. Determined not to fail, he summoned his strength and shot a Dark Qi Strike from his right hand.
The black energy was easily deflected by the Qi Shield and QiWarrior saw to it that Man'uL'o's misery was finally laid to rest.
Throwing his Qi Saber like a spear, the giant sword zoomed towards Man'uL'o.
The lizard in the amber armor attempted dodge the sword, but the speed at which it moved made it impossible.
The combined force and power of the Qi Sable carved through Man'uL'o's armor as if it weren't there. The entire blade slide through his body and when the hilt came into contact with his chest plate, the resulting impact lifted Man'uL'o off the jungle floor and carried him to the mouth of the opening of the Mystic Door.
The last traces of life dripped from his bloodied body as it hung like an ornament nailed into the wall.
QiWarrior threw down his shield and summoned all its power. Screaming like a banshee, the lone figure unleashed the Ultimate Qi Strike at the Wood Mystic Door.
The blast strikes the center of the stone edifice and is instantly absorbed. The swirling mass of Green Qi inside slowly comes to a halt and goes dormant once more. With door sealed, the transfer of energy sent out a shockwave vaporizing the bodies of Man'uL'o and all the troops that had been guarding the Door.
***
Gary looked past the Copy Bots Trailing him and saw the shockwave coming erupting from where the Mystic Door was said to be. "They did it! Holy shit, they did it!" he yelled.
The resulting force created an imbalance in the airflow around the Istanor and buffeted the ship. The Istanor wasn't the only flying thing affected by the oncoming rumbling wave of destruction.
Turning his head to see what was causing the disturbance; Na'RotH's white eyes almost escaped his eye sockets. Fearing for his life, the winged Dragon Warrior poured on the speed and tried to outrace the shockwave. He knew that if he were caught under its umbrella, he'd be vaporized instantly.
Still relentless in their attack, the Copy Bots, or what remained of them, continued firing at Gary and the Istanor.
Each second brought the wave closer and crated more problems for those in the air.
The Copy Bots were affected first.
Those on the leading edge of the umbrella were pushed forward, out of control by the change in pressure. Tumbling head over heels, they quickly lost control and crashed into one another.
Gripping strut protruding through the hull, Gary continued to try to hang on and fire at any approaching Copy Bots.
One of his tasks was quickly coming to an end as the umbrella shaped shockwave closed in the Istanor. With each meter that it encroached, it made the ship rock more and more; however, he was happy to have that side effect, for every Copy Bot the wave came into contact with was instantly vaporized.
In just a few ticks of the ticks of the clock, every single Copy Bot had been destroyed, but the wave wasn't stopping.
Fear gripped the Doctor as he saw the leading edge near the aft section of the Istanor. The rear plating began to buckle under the intense atmospheric pressure and the vessel began a flat spin.
The sheer force of the shockwave and spin tumbled the craft.
Unable to secure a lock with his electromagnetic boots, Gary was sent flying free from the Istanor as it was carried like a surfer and premiere wave.
Without a point of reference, Gary's semicircular canals confused his senses and he could no longer determine which direction was up or down. Plummeting to the Earth below, Gary prepared himself for impact.
Transforming his body into a solid mass of unbreakable diamonds, the Doctor fell like a star in the night. He shot through the canopy and formed a huge crater in the soft jungle soil. Dirt and debris was cast for several hundred meters as the shiny figure lay unconscious in the earth.
***
The Istanor and Na'RotH continued ahead of the shockwave, barely.
Desperately gasping for air, Na'RotH flew like the wind, trying to stay ahead of death. The turbulence played havoc with his sense of direction, sometimes helping him, while at other times sending him in the wrong direction. He frantically searched for an easier way to avoid death but could not find a single solution. The only way he would live would be to out fly the shockwave.
He knew it had to be reaching the end its circumference, but just how much wider would it grow?
The rumbling deafened his ears, sending ringing pain throughout his head. Louder and louder it grew until it consumed him. The ringing in his ears wasn't the only source of pain. Every muscle in his body ached for energy, but there was none. He was spent - nothing was left.
Unable to fly any more, Na'RotH's body began to fall away fro the Istanor. Caught in the wake of the vessel, was actually what the Dragon Warrior needed, as it carried him with it for a few meters - just enough to be spared from the shockwave.
Well, at least he lived.
Just before the shockwave reached the hundred mile point, Na'RotH's left wing came into contact with the umbrella. The transference of energy disintegrated the structure and flung him clear of the Istanor and into the jungle below.
***
Flying out of control, the Istanor was at the mercy of the forces of grace. Ensign Moore could no longer account for the changing pitch and roll and all power systems had dropped off the charts. The once mighty warship was now nothing more than a rock falling through the sky.
The vessel slammed into the surrounding mountains breaking apart on impact. Rolling over itself, the ship became nothing more than a could of dust and debris as it filled the air with shards from the wounded craft. Nothing was safe on the mountainside - every inch was covered in metal fragments from the Istanor. What did remain after the vessel came to rest was a grouping of three major sections of the hull and wings slid to their final resting places.
Bodies could be seen strewn out over the hillside, lying motionless and fire erupted in each of the sections.
If anyone survived, it would be a miracle.
***
The Wood Qi was contained in the sealed Mystic Door. Together, the six QiRangers had successfully sealed two of the five doors and were on their way to freeing the Earth from the grasp of Bruch'oda. Inside the great tree, the stone edifice sat quietly, no longer churning with green energy, its great seals in place once more. Immediately outside the tree's mouth stood the Ultimate QiWarrior. A sense of accomplishment and joy wove its way through the meld of QiRangers. While each knew the war was far from over, Master Li affirmed that this battle had concluded by telling the others in the link, "Finally, it is done."
Each moment that passed, the QiRangers drew more from one another and began to understand how they must work together to overthrow the evil controlling Earth. While their initial meld met with disastrous results once the link severed, the additional meditations Li provided would see that this would not occur in the future. One similar thing did occur, and that was the feeling of weakness following the releasing the ultimate Qi Strike. Driving so much Qi into door took its toll on the individual QiRangers and while they longed to remain as one, they could feel their hold on one another.
However, the bond between them was not without its benefits. Each QiRanger was able to draw upon the strength of another and heal both physical and emotional wounds across space and time. Gone were any emotional scars, senses of failure, and fears. Combined into one being, the manifestation of all Qi, allowed the magical energy to course through its veins. Absorbing the Five Elements directly nature, the QiWarrior allowed the increased energy to heal the minor wounds it suffered in battle. The abrasions on its arms and legs quickly scabbed over and retuned to their normal, fleshy state.
As the QiWarrior basked under the Amazon canopy, it noticed something. In the middle of this vast jungle, not a sound was heard. Bruch'oda's forces had systematically driven out the fauna and the shockwave had killed all but the QiWarrior. Looking around, it was hard to believe that such a beautiful and wondrous place did not have any life. But still something was still present.
Something familiar.
Something unnatural.
Something terrifying.
An icy chill ran down the QiWarrior's neck, sending a shiver into its coalesced soul. Tiny papillae drew their small muscles back, erecting the hairs on the warrior's neck and forearms. Li knew it could be only one thing, but the others weren't sure. "Surely it can't be," the lesser experienced QiRangers all thought. Puzzled, the collective thoughts of the QiRangers commanded the QiWarrior to slowly turn around. It was exactly as Li had thought and what the QiRangers thought impossible. Peering behind its mask, the QiWarrior met the cold gaze of Dor'Agha.
The Shadow Reaper had returned. Standing in the same clearing, Dor'Agha abandoned its cloak and freely showed its powerful articulated skeleton. Each bone in the Reaper's body glowed blood-red and hummed softly with power.
The QiWarrior took a small step back, surprised to see such a being. Li remembered all too well his previous encounter, but the others had never experienced or looked upon Death, itself.
Dor'Agha took one step forward. As it did so, its bones shone more brightly and let out a low pitched sound. It was clear that this time there would be no last minute saves and the Shadow Reaper was intent on taking its prey. Staring at the QiWarrior, the Shadow reaper illuminated its ruby-red eyes, allowing the light to fill its cranium.
Fear raced through the QiRangers in the link - fear of losing their mentor and friend. None had ever faced such an opponent, and while it was widely known that one could cheat Death, each QiRanger knew that no one could ever beat Death. Each of the QiRangers knew that the Shadow Reaper was sent to slay Li, something they vowed to stop. Leslie emerged through the collective fear, garnering strength in her team. "Perhaps we can be the first," she thought and told the others that while individually one could fail, if they worked together, she was certain they could defeat this threat and save Master Li.
Master Li already knew the answer to that postulation.
QiWarrior adopted a defensive stance and extended its left arm while drawing back its right. The Qi Bow materialized in his hands, charged to full power. The powerful weapon shone brightly in the shadow of the ancient trees as the arrow crackled with energy. The mighty warrior aimed it at Dor'Agha, hoping the massive strike would wound the creature. Letting his right hand open, QiWarrior let the energy arrow sail free of the bow.
Like lightening connecting heaven and earth, the arrow instantly crossed the field between the two fighters.
Dor'Agha did nothing. The Shadow Reaper remained still and let the energy pass through his body.
The arrow slammed into a tree behind the Shadow Reaper and exploded upon impact. The once tall tree fell upon itself, sending timber and bits of wood everywhere as it came crashing down.
Each of the QiRangers within the QiWarrior was shocked, with the exception of Master Li. "How could that be?" they all asked.
"It simply is," Master Li let them know. He knew this would be the outcome and readied himself for the inevitable. The last original QiRanger prepared himself for one last confrontation with Death.
"I have no quarrel with you," Dor'Agha said in its mystical voice casting both arms forward and sending an invisible blast at the QiWarrior. The resulting force tore at the very fabric that held the QiRangers together. The power the Shadow Reaper possessed was greater than any they had come across and ripped through the outer shell of flesh and bone and began tearing them apart on an energetic level. Try as they might, Dor'Agha's blow was too much and the QiRangers were cast apart.
The five QiRangers were sent flying away from where QiWarrior once stood. As each QiRanger materialized, their armors vanished. The force from the blow carried them far into the periphery, away from Master Li, who remained in the center.
Rolling when she hit the ground, Leslie quickly came to her feet. The Fire QiRanger spun around and tried to race towards the Shadow Reaper. Anger filled her eyes as she clenched her fists. The Fire QiRanger knew she had to do something and was willing to stop at nothing to see that she succeeded. But Leslie, like the others, found her self restrained by Dor'Agha's mental projection. Struggling against the invisible barrier, she cried out, "Stop!"
But her calls for cessation went unanswered.
Each of the other QiRangers similarly tried to attack Dor'Agha, but the barrier he erected was too powerful. All they could do from their vantage point it watch helplessly.
Wind swept around the Shadow Reaper filling the creature of death with intense power. Its bones increased their illumination and small white strands of energy coursed through its body. The sound of raw energy could be heard above the rustling wind as Dor'Agha formed the Soul Catcher. The impressive ball of death rested comfortably in the Shadow Reaper's hands as it stared at Li.
The eldest QiRanger stood before Dor'Agha unafraid and ready for what would come next. He readied his body to accept the Soul Catcher, opening his arms and widening his stance.
The Soul Catcher streaked across the jungle floor and slammed into Master Li, throwing him back a few feet. Li's arms reached backwards as the darkness tore away at his Qi. Black tendrils crept out from the sphere and wrapped around Li's body. Within seconds the black mass had completely enveloped Master Li.
His body began convulsing as electricity shocked him. Popping sounds could be heard by each of the QiRangers looking on helplessly as the Soul Catcher snapped at the sinews of Li's body. The power transfer continued and began sending sparks into the air, casting shadows on the QiRangers' faces. The intense power of the Soul Catcher lifted Master Li into the air and began spinning him around while stealing his life.
The power began tore away at his Gi, ripping it to shreds and casting the remains downward. The power from the Soul Catcher caused these small pieces of fabric to burst into flames as it passed through the air.
The QiRangers tried again to move against Dor'Agha, but the overpowering force the creature used was too much. None could even lift their foot or raise a hand at the Shadow Reaper.
The black electrical strands slowly began changing into white ribbons of energy, signaling the process was nearing completion. Master Li was able to look once more at his new friends and sent once final message, "Be not afraid." The white strands coalesced into a white ball and began leaving Master Li's body. The eldest QiRanger let out one last cry as the final bit of his life force was ripped from his soul.
That sound would last forever in the ears of the remaining QiRangers, as the image burned into their minds.
The white Soul Catcher dropped Li and returned to Dor'Agha.
Master Li's lifeless body fell to the jungle floor and instantly began aging. Five thousand years quickly took its toll on the QiRanger. The soft, toned skin of their mentor vanished and became withered in a blink.
Staring at Master Li's aging body, Dor'Agha accepted the Soul Catcher into its own. The white sphere melded with the Soul Reaper, infusing it with even more power. Throwing its arms back, the white tentacles enveloped the creature and passed Master Li's Prenatal Qi into its new host. Dor'Agha screamed, its shrieking voice filling the jungle. The sound was so horrifying that Leslie and the others covered their ears to escape the torment, but the sound passed by their hands and directly into their minds.
The Soul Catcher quickly dissipated and Dor'Agha stood tall before the remaining QiRangers. "It is done," the Shadow Reaper said into their minds, sending chilling thoughts of death. With its target attained, Dor'Agha released the hold on the QiRangers, who fell forward in the absence of resistance.
The five QiRangers came to their feet and summoned their armor. They moved as five, focusing all their rage and anger on Dor'Agha.
But it was useless.
The Shadow Reaper was called forth to take the life of one individual, and one alone.
That was its way.
One life.
One death.
It did not care to become involved with others, for Dor'Agha knew that the time would come when it would be summoned to take their life force. Letting the power ease away from its bones, the Shadow Reaper again took on the form of an aged skeleton, its mottled bones standing on the jungle floor.
Before the armored QiRangers could exact their revenge, Dor'Agha vanished, leaving them to witness the decomposition of Master Li.
The QiRangers skidded to a halt, gasping in disbelief as they saw the Dor'Agha disappear. "No!" Leslie cried again, sending dust into the air. She knew there was nothing more she could do, but still didn't believe that Li was gone. "What am I supposed to do now?" she thought.
In fact, none of them knew what to do.
"Look," Abeu said pointing at Li and deactivating his armor.
The others did the same and turned their gaze at his body lying before them.
The passage of time was not kind to the once might warrior. Nothing was spared. His flesh withered away revealing his bones, but it didn't stop there. As each second passed, time pulled at the very fabric surrounding his body. His Gi became tattered and eventually amounted to nothing more than ash. In less than a minute, all that was left was a pile of dust and ash. Each QiRanger stared at the heap of Master Li's remains and saw nothing that resembled the man they knew intimately. Gone was the lively man that they had fought with and vowed to save.
Death affected each of them in different ways, but one thing was for certain - emotions began boiling over as they dealt with the loss.
One by one, the QiRangers turned their gaze to Leslie, hoping she would have some answer - that she could offer some sort of guidance. But she couldn't. Her emotions were the most troubled because deep in her soul, she knew that now the others would look to her for leadership, something she did not want or know what to do with. She was still so young an inexperienced. As tears filled her eyes, she bent down to one knee and reached into Master Li's remains. It only took a few seconds, but she found what she was searching for and wrapped her hands around the object. Pulling back her hand, Leslie retrieved Li's medallion.
What remained of the former QiRanger's body was smashed into the crevices of the lines marking the gold coin. Leslie drew it close to her chest and vowed to avenge Li's death. Each of the QiRangers could sense her determination and agreed.
Bruch'oda would be stopped, no matter the cost.
***
Qual'och and Xantia rejoiced as they watched Li fade away into oblivion. Hugging one another tightly, Xantia looked into her lover's eyes, "You did it. You've defeated Father's greatest foe. The reward shall be yours and yours alone!" She pressed her lips against his and provided her own reward for succeeding where all others failed.
"Yes," the Wizard spoke, pulling back and already feeling the power of the Ru'dth returning to his body. Qual'och closed his eyes and reveled in the sensation as the power consumed him.
Thunderous claps of lightening burst down upon him from the walls and ceiling, throwing Xantia back against the bookcase. The soft dove-skinned Princess braced herself against the fixture, aware that any attempt to approach would be disastrous.
The Ru'dth's power infused the once weak cleric and charged his bones and muscles with incredible energy, forcing the meek structures to ripple and expand as white ribbons of energy flowed over his body.
Power oozed from every pore of Qual'och as he began growing into his new, more enhanced frame. This time, the power transfer would be permanent - there was no need for medallions to temporarily bring the power to him - this time his agreement with Death would seal the powers of the Ru'dth in his body for all eternity.
***
Bruch'oda angrily looked down at Dra'isod, "What do you mean 'You don't know?'" he boomed as his voice rattled the upper rafters of the Throne Room. The mighty Emperor leaned forward from his throne, hoping for some semblance of an intelligible answer.
Unsure of how the Wood Mystic Door was sealed, Dra'isod did nothing but stand silently, taking the full brunt of his Master's anger. His forces were so powerful, yet they crumbled under the might of the QiRangers, who somehow snuck past his guards.
"I'd expect this of others, but not from you!" he yelled, casting forth Dark Qi at the Dragon Warrior.
Black electricity danced around Dra'isod's armor, forcing him to the stone floor. The Dark Qi ate away at his armor and began smoldering his reptilian skin. Reeling in pain, Dra'isod fought the urge to scream and bit both its tongues to keep its mouths shut. He closed his eyes and shook violently as the dark power ripped away as his body.
"Arg!" Bruch'oda yelled out in frustration, turning his eyes away from his failed General in disgust and releasing the energy.
Dra'isod collapsed to the floor, struggling to breathe. Dra'isod's rhythmic and labored breath was heard echoing in the Throne Room and each inhalation was soured by the stench of his burned flesh.
That sound brought infinite satisfaction to Qual'och, who left the smell of Dra'isod's burnt scales quaff in his nares.
Stepping out of the main corridor and into the light, the empowered Wizard made his entrance. "Perhaps, I can shed some light on what happened," he said in a bold new voice filled with power.
Dra'isod's left head turned to see where the voice was coming from, while its right looked up at Bruch'oda. Guttural distain instantly washed over him and hatred filled his veins as he realized that Qual'och not only was responsible for what happened, but that he had once again attained the power of the Ru'dth.
Bruch'oda hid his surprise, simply sitting back further in his throne. "Explain."
"It was Li," Qual'och said, pausing to allow the information sink in. "Again. Dra'isod is a very capable warrior but cannot defeat the mystical forces that reside within him or the others. This is why he consistently fails."
The comment stung Dra'isod, not only because it directly assaulted his honor and authority as leader of all troops, but because he knew it to be true.
"You may have the strength and power to defeat armies," Qual'och said, looking directly at the kneeling warrior, "but you cannot defeat that which is more powerful."
"As I recall," Bruch'oda said with an underlying tone informing Qual'och not to press the issue too much further, "you haven't had any successes in this arena either."
Qual'och smiled. "That has changed."
The mighty wizard created an energy sphere above them. "Look," he said - no, commanded the others.
Inside the scene was too good to be true, Bruch'oda thought. He saw the QiRangers standing around, broken and sobbing. The young female held one medallion and Li was nowhere to found. He could see no sixth person, only a small pile of ash in the center of their small circle. "Could it be?" he thought, "Did he really succeed?"
"How did you accomplish this when so many have failed?" the Warlord asked.
Qual'och shifted his grin before replying, "That you need not be concerned with. The fact of the matter is that Li is gone and the others will be easily picked off."
"And what of the other humans?" Bruch'oda asked.
"That is the one thing Dra'isod did do right."
Qual'och changed the sphere to show the wreckage of the Istanor. The metallic frame cast its plating, support structures, and countless bodies over the hillside. Bruch'oda relished in the sea of destruction he viewed. "This craft possesses the ability to transport our forces off the Earth and into space. We can leave behind our worldly restraints and destroy the outlying humans once and for all."
"Of what use to it of us? There seems to be nothing left of it?"
Bruch'oda focused the sphere on the internal networking structure of the Istanor. A single computer module remained intact, deep within the craft.
"This unit holds the technological key. By interfacing it with the robot Jeffery, we will be able to recreate the device and rein terror on the orbiting platforms."
Bruch'oda smiled, letting his teeth glisten, "Excellent."
***
End of Episode 4 - The Seventh Seal
***
Six days have passed since the QiRangers secured their first victory in the battle to reclaim the planet Earth. Their strength and commitment to the cause enabled mankind to set foot on its home one more time. The week since the destruction of Kor'digh and the sealing of the Earth Mystic Door saw many changes.
The vast desert area surround the door was no more. Seeking to move quickly, the remaining Earth governments merged with LEO, Luna, and the L-5 Space Station, forming the Earth Alliance. Utilizing weapons brought back by the Istanor and transport ships docked at the Low Earth Orbiting Station, the new combined government dispatched a security force to hold onto its one chance at redemption.
A contingent of LEO Security Officers stands under a tented tarp erected next to the Mystic Door. Sweat pours down their face, as none of them had ever been in the desert. If it hadn't have been for LEO's rotational forces, they wouldn't even be here, the Earth's gravity crushing them. The dozen troops traded in their dark uniforms for khaki versions and they all carry pulse rifles.
Two tables are positioned underneath the tarp. The troopers gather around them, eagerly drinking the cooled water dispensed from the canisters sitting on the surface. A sigh of relief cascades over their faces as the cold liquid travels down their throats.
"How much longer do you figure we're going to have be stationed here?" one Trooper asks another.
His partner crushes his water cup and shrugs his shoulders. "Don't know. I never figured I'd ever set foot on this rock again. In any case, I suspect it's gonna be a long haul."
Two loud booms were heard above. The group's Sergeant called their attention, "Look alive. Get the LZ ready."
The Troopers scurried around, clearing materials from the designated landing area. The familiar clunking engine of a Voytefsky Class 8 Freighter continued to grow louder as it descended from space. These old "rust buckets," as the newer Freighter Captains called them, were the last of the long haul workhorses of the Merchant Space Association. Each craft could easily make the trek from Earth, to LEO, and onto the main Luna Colony on one charge.
Voytefsky Class 8 Freighters are quite large - about the size of a medium sized house. A small cockpit is situated on top of the nosecone - just barely big enough to fit the ship's captain and two others. The ship is fairly long, with most of the vessel dedicated to the ventral cargo hold. Aft engines provide the ships main thrust. On the ship's dorsal aspect are two atmospheric wings that sweep outwards during Earth flight. Positioned at the wingtips are a pair of bidirectional thrusters that provide extra lift when the ship is traveling on Earth.
The Troopers pull their goggles out and strap them onto their faces. Sand begins stirring as the freighter makes its final approach. The graying craft lives up to its name, as the main fuselage is riddled with rusting bolts and fading paint. One Trooper thinks to herself, "How is that thing even flying?"
Landing struts unfold the ship's belly as the ventral thrusters ignite. The freighter slowly lowers and touches down in a whirlwind of sand. Once on the ground the engines power down and hydraulics lower the rear loading ramp.
The metal ramp eases into the sand. The Sergeant taps two Troopers, "Come with me." The men walk to the base of the ramp and stare up at two figures standing in the cargo bay.
"Sergeant," Robert Dwyer says over the sound of winding down engines, "I've got your toys." Robert taps the cargo bay's control panel, three large hover platforms slide out of the bay and down the ramp. The first two platforms come off the ramp and stop. Atop each device is an environmental cooler to provide relief to those providing security.
It was the last platform that brought smiles to the three men standing on the sand. Two HERCs came from the darkness of the bay and entered the sunlight. These massive mechanical suits were designed to be piloted by one trooper and increase their firepower tenfold.
While the men from LEO gazed at their new weapons, Gary Staal leaned over and whispered into Robert's ear. "Do you think that will really make a difference?"
Robert looked at his friend and shrugged. "Every little bit will help. As soon as the next batch is ready from L-5, we'll send them here. We need all the help we can get."
The two Troopers below climbed into the HERCs and piloted them off the platforms.
"Now you two," the Sergeant yelled, "don't move from your secured zones. You get me?"
Through the HERCs' speakers they replied, "Sir, yes sir." They then began stomping away in their humanoid weapons.
"Unload these coolers," the Sergeant yelled again and several others came to position them around the Earth Mystic Door.
Robert looked down from the rear of the cargo bay and tapped the controls once more. The ramp began to rise. He activated the Comm-link and a soft click was heard. "Let's hit the next stop."
The ship's pilot responded, "Yes, sir," and the Voytefsky engines began to roar once more.
Inside the cargo bay Robert and Gary hung onto straps as the ship flew to its next LZ. "You get any word yet on their condition?" Robert asked.
Gary held the strap tightly as the craft banked port on its way to deliver the next contingent of coolers and HERCs.
Gary shakes his head. "No. They're still unconscious. Mike was to contact me if anything changed."
"Six days," Robert said, "I can't believe they've been out for six days. If we weren't there to see it, I wouldn't have believed it."
"I've seen a lot of shit in my time, Rob, but I never saw anything like that." Gary's mind floats back the events just under a week ago.
***
The QiRangers kneeled in the hot sun watching the Earth Mystic Door seal. The six team members struggled to put air into their lungs as the effects from the battle began to take their toll.
Master Li pushed hard into the sand and lifted his weary body up. Looking around the eldest of the QiRangers surveyed the area. Robert and Gary attended to the others as Master Li walked forward to the door. His attention was completely focused on what happened.
"How could it be?" he thought. "There must be some explanation." He continued to study the door and replay the events in his head. Seconds passed into minutes. He entered into a meditative state, focusing only on the door. It wasn't until Robert's hand hit his shoulder that he returned to the present.
"Come quick," Robert spoke hurriedly, concern in his voice. "Something's wrong with them."
Master Li and Robert raced back to Gary and the QiRangers. The five warriors convulsed wildly as their eyes rolled in the back of their heads. Gary tried his best to comfort them, but there was little he could do.
"What's going on?" Dr. Staal asked.
Master Li looked down at his new friends and closed his eyes. "I was afraid this might happen."
***
Master Li looked at his comrades and a sinking feeling came over him. "I knew it would be too much. But there was no other way," he thought.
Gary looked up at Master Li, hoping to get some sort of explanation. "Is there anything you can do to snap them out of it?" he asked.
Master Li shook his head. "This is something they must each do individually, but we can give them some relief. Help me join their hands."
Gary looked at Master Li oddly, but decided to accept the elder's suggestion based on his lack of knowledge in this realm. Dr. Staal joined the hands of Leslie and Luís and almost instantly the two seemed calmer. He continued down the chain with Master Li and Robert making sure that each of the QiRangers touched one another.
"Please explain to me what's going on," Robert asked.
Master Li turned to the NASO Operatives, "When we joined to combat Kor'digh, it was more than a physical melding. Our minds and souls became one."
Looks of disbelief cascaded over Robert's and Gary's faces.
"They're training," Master Li continued, "is incomplete. As we separated, their minds initially accepted the change in state, but as you see, it didn't last. Each of them needs to come to terms with no longer sharing one conscious." Li knelt besides his teammates and extended his hand. Soft glowing energy slowly emanated from his fingertips and fell onto the bodies of his friends.
As Master Li continued to tend to the others, Robert's Comm-link chirped. He activated the unit and a small image of Captain Lehet appeared. "Go ahead."
Through the link, Lehet responded, "What happened down there, Rob? It looked like quantum bomb went off."
He took a deep sigh, "Yeah, something like that. Can you get a lock on us?"
"Yes. What ever you did, the whole grid came up. There's still a residual energy field extending out for a hundred miles, but communications and targeting sensors can penetrate," Lehet informed.
"Good," Rob answered. "Master Li, what do you want to do?"
The Asian looked up. "Take them back to the Infirmary. Drs. Staal and Chen should keep an eye on them."
Gary nodded.
"Please let me know if there's any change. I've got to stay here and try to determine what happened here."
Robert nodded and turned his attention to his Comm-link, "Li's staying behind to secure the Door."
"Understood. Standby for teleportation."
Robert closed the connection and stood next to Master Li. "Is there anything you need?"
Master Li looked at his colleague, "Unfortunately, it is they who need your help. If I can determine how the Door closed, we may be able to seal them all and banish Bruch'oda one more."
Robert tapped Master Li on the shoulder, letting him know he understood.
The Istanor's teleportation field grew around the QiRangers and NASO Operatives and slowly retrieved them. In just a few short seconds, Master Li was alone in the desert.
"I hope they can come out of it," he thought. "We had years of training before we even thought about melding. I must remember that they are too young for this. I can't push them as I would the others."
"You underestimate them," a voice called out from behind.
"They will serve humanity well. Just give them time," said another.
Master Li turned around and saw five transparent figures standing before him. Li bowed before the ghosts, relieved that his friends had returned to assist him. As he stood, a smile graced his face. For too long he had wished to spend time with his friends. The time spent in the Vault passed by too quickly. Now he would be able to call upon their expertise once more.
"My friends, I need your help," Li said.
The five Masters nodded and coalesced into energy balls resembling each of their elements. Master Jo embodied Fire, Master Yee took the form of Earth, Master Tanaka shone brightly as white Metal, Master Kahn became Wood, and Master Woo transformed into Water. The spheres surrounded Master Li and then entered his body.
Instantly the memories and experiences of their lives returned to him. The satisfying feeling of melding with his friends overcame Li. The extra power quickly healed his wounds and allowed his body to glow with intense radiation.
The QiRanger walked towards the Mystic Door, knowing that if he could not determine what happened now, he never would.
***
The five QiRangers laid next to one another in the LEO Station's Medical Sector. Since they were transferred from the Istanor just under a week ago, little has changed. Initially, they had to be in physical contact with one another, but now they simply needed to in proximity. They were taken from the triage center and placed into individual rooms, in hopes that the increased distance and bulkheads would aid in their separation process.
Leslie Chen rested in her bed. The lights were dimmed and the speakers from the SmartBed muted. Her vital signs were normal, but the display for her brain waves was highly erratic. The same was for each of the QiRangers. The waves approached normal, and were greatly improved since they arrived, but more time was needed.
Leslie started becoming restless, rolling in her bed. Her head shifted from side to side while mumbling inaudible words. Her mind was not hers alone, she shared it with others.
***
Swirling black masses of gas surrounded Leslie. "Where am I?" she thought. Things just didn't make sense. No matter how hard she tried, no matter where she walked, she always found herself in the same state of limbo. Sure there were periodic instances of clarity, but they all seemed vaguely familiar and the memories didn't sit well with her.
There was just something strange about it. Leslie continued to walk in the sea of darkness. A moment later, cool gusts of wind fell upon her. Her hair began to wrap around her face as it became colder. The darkness faded and was replaced by the bright light of day.
"What?" she thought to herself as she looked around. The bright sun shone down on her revealing a crystal blue sky highlighted by puffy white clouds. "I know this place, but I've never been to Nepal."
Thankful to be out of the darkness Leslie walked down a weathered path towards a small village, deciding it was better to see what was around her than to be in total darkness.
It didn't take long to get down the hillside and make her way into the village. Several older women were busy sweeping the porches of the main lodge. As Leslie entered the fringes of town, a group of young children instantly came running to her. The kids' faces lit up with glee as they began tugging on her.
Kneeling down, she was able to greet each with warm embraces. "I know each of them," she thought. "But how?"
A shy girl finally made her way to the front of the pack and looked at Leslie with big, warm eyes. "Nyssa," she thought to herself and the words effortlessly came out.
The girl giggles and came running towards Leslie, arms wide. The two embraced tightly. An overwhelming feeling of joy washed over Leslie as she picked up Nyssa and spun her around. She held the young child close to her bosom and laughed with her. The other children quickly wanted their turns and began tugging at Leslie's legs.
"Okay, okay. You'll each get a turn," she said gleefully - forgetting everything that had happened recently. The only thing she dared to think about was making the children happy. She puts Nyssa down and another child jumps into her arms. As she spins, she realizes that someone is about to talk to her. Looking around, she sees one of the village elders approaching.
"Sorry if they're bothering you," he says, light gleaming from his face.
"No, not at all," she replied putting down the child.
The Elder wrapped his arms around Leslie and gave her a big hug. "It's so good to see you again, old friend."
Puzzled, Leslie ended the hug and took a step back. "What?"
The Elder tilted his head, bewildered at the response he received. "Seth, are you all right?"
***
Leslie's eyes flashed open in her room. She quickly looked around. "This is different," she thought, "But more normal." Scanning the SmartBed display, she quickly realized she was in some sort of hospital, but was it her life or someone else's?
The room's lights came on and after the momentary blindness from the stark change, she got her answer. Michael stood in the doorway smiling. She had returned.
"Glad to have you back," Mike said as he sat down on her bed.
"What about the others?"
"They're coming around. What ever you guys went through it's over," he said hugging his sister tightly. "That's twice I've thought I've lost you in just under a week."
"A week?" Leslie asked.
"You've been under for six days."
"But it was just a moment ago that we were fighting."
"No," Master Li said from the doorway, "It's several days. Get some rest and we will talk soon. I must check on the others." He stepped away as Mike held onto his sister tighter.
"Don't ever do that again."
Leslie smiled and returned the embrace.
***
Bruch'oda sat atop his throne waiting for the final report to be given for the day. In the past week he had made many changes to his battle plan. With the sealing of the Earth Mystic Door, his forces could no longer control the Earth as they did before. Nor could they reach out into space and strike down the last human defenders of the planet. The only reprieve he had was that the QiRangers hadn't been seen, allowing him to regroup and prepare for their next assault.
Dra'isod, now fully recovered from his wounds, entered the main chamber. The only evidence that he was in a deadly fight were two new scars on his neck, compliments of Master Li. The massive warrior strode in with confidence and complete reverence for his Master. "Sir, it is done," he said, kneeling before Bruch'oda.
The Evil Lord smiled and looked down. Thrusting out his hands, he summoned four viewing spheres. Within each depicted one of the remaining Mystic Doors he controlled. No more were there only a few Shadow Warriors and Copy Bots standing guard. Dra'isod saw to it that battalions of his army were now stationed at each.
"Excellent," Bruch'oda said letting a smile creep in. "Where is our weakest front?"
Dra'isod stood, "The Fire Door. The space inside the mountain limits what we can post. I have my most courageous warriors standing guard.
"I want you there when they attack."
"Yes my Lord," Dra'isod humbly answered. "Why do you suppose they've waited this long?"
"I don't know. That's what is troubling me. Li's planning something, I know it."
***
The past week allowed Qual'och to heal as well. Xantia tended to his wounds by hauling the healing waters from the Cavern to Qual'och and by treating him with sacred herbs.
Inside Qual'och's sanctum, he and Xantia sit facing one another in full lotus positions. Soft blankets line the floor and they rest on cushioned pillows. The gemstones have been dimmed and candles lit to cast extra light. The pair sat in silence in concentrated meditation.
Qual'och and Xantia reach out their arms in unison, creating an energy field between them. Strands of lightening bounced between their hands and crackle with intense power.
"Mu vash Ru'dth Bx'Thak Dor'Agha," the Wizard chanted followed by Xantia. As they alternated repeating the phrase, the electrical energy between them grew. Flashes of light grew in their intensity until a bright light appeared between them. The light overpowered the gemstones and candles, sending their shadows against the back wall.
Thunder began ringing throughout the chamber, but they just raised their voices, "Mu vash Ru'dth Bx'Thak Dor'Agha."
A small sphere of energy manifested between them. Xantia could feel its presence and opened her eyes. The blinding light from the energy exchange didn't affect her. She looked on at the Ru'dth as it appeared. The medallion floated between them, spinning in the sea of energy.
Their chants continued to grow louder and louder until they were screaming at the top of their lungs, "Mu vash Ru'dth Bx'Thak Dor'Agha."
Then all was calm - no electricity, no thunder, no light - only darkness. The gemstones went dark and the candles extinguished. A cool chill sent shivers down Xantia's spine as she sensed a new presence in the room. "Did it work?" she asked herself, knowing better not to speak at this critical juncture.
The cold feeling grew closer, as if it were a being of flesh, but she knew better. What they were doing was forbidden, and for good reason, but it was the only way for Qual'och to get on her father's good graces again. He'd almost killed him once for failing and he'd make sure he'd finish the job if given the chance.
"Vor Ud Dor'Agha," Qual'och uttered into the darkness, unaffected by the chilling feeling surrounding them.
There was no response initially, but then a cold, lifeless voice responded, "Dor'Agha jib PoR'wyin."
A warm glow appeared from Qual'och and took the shape of three vertical lines surrounded by a circle. The image traveled from his hands to a position three meters to her right. The sphere with the Triple Fire Symbol cast light on a dark figure clad in overflowing robes that spoke a deep voice that elicited fear in Xantia.
"Dor'Agha jib PoR'wyin."
As quickly as the dark figure appear it vanished.
The gemstones returned to their previous illumination levels and Xantia looked at her lover, wanting to ask the obvious, but waited for his confirmation.
"It is done," Qual'och said.
"And the Ru'dth?"
"When Dor'Agha eliminates its prey, we will have it once more."
***
A few days passed since the QiRangers awoke from their comas before Drs. Staal and Chen allowed them to leave. Each of the physicians was nervous that there may be a relapse, something that Earth could not afford in light of recent events.
Without the full team of QiRangers, Earth Alliance forces were too weak to mount any kind of offensive against Bruch'oda's increased patrols and guards. The one attempt lead by Robert Dwyer to liberate survivors of a death camp in the Congo resulted in numerous casualties and no one rescued. Many of the recruits for the Earth Alliance Forces were quickly slaughtered due to their lack of experience and fear. Only Dwyer, Staal, and Li managed to make any significant contribution to the mission. As a result, the Council of Governments reluctantly agreed to postpone further missions until the QiRangers could seal the reaming Mystic Doors.
In the interim, Master Li retreated to his quarters aboard the LEO station and continued to meditate with the shared knowledge of the original Masters. The increased power and wisdom oozed from his pores illuminating his room with a golden hue. No furniture was present, as he needed nothing. With his mind focused, he allowed the shared Qi to course through his veins and permeates every cell in his body.
The focused power allowed the ancient Master to rise from the floor plating and hovered mid-air. The aged eyes were tightly sealed as he traveled through the Astral Plane. The swirling masses of energy surrounded Li's envisioned body.
"You know the answer, old friend," Master Woo said in a whispery voice, seemingly coming from every direction.
"Yes, but how?" Li responded letting his voice echo throughout the expanse.
"Qi that was divided became one," Kahn added.
"Pure energy has many properties we do not fully understand," Master Tanaka said.
"I agree, but can this continue to work to seal the remaining doors and banish Bruch'oda once more?" Li asked his friends.
There was a long period of silence. The only thing heard was the whipping around of energy past the last remaining QiRanger. "As the doors were opened, so shall they be closed," the collective voices of the Master shouted in unison.
Master Li closed his eyes and felt his friends slip away one-by-one. The feeling of closeness he cherished and the shared thoughts were no more. There would be little time for him to call upon them again as he readied his new team for a series of missions that would ultimately determine the fate of the Earth.
"I should have known," she said to himself. "If only I would have pieced it together sooner, maybe things would be different. Maybe the Earth would still be whole."
"You cannot change the past. What happened was meant to be. Nothing can be gained by revisiting the past and saying 'What if?' you must look at the past to build a better present. This you know," a woman's voice said.
Li turned around, searching for the source, but found none. The inflection in her voice was familiar, but one that he was unsure about. Memories flashed back of an old ally, but could it really be her?
"Is it you?" he asked.
"Search your heart and you will find your answer," she said coyly.
A warm feeling cascaded over Master Li filling his soul with joy for the first time since Bruch'oda returned. His mind drifted back to the last time they had met - the joys they shared, the passion, and the love.
"I thought we would never meet again."
There was no answer.
"Can you help us?" he asked.
Still there was no answer. Master Li became puzzled. "This isn't like her. Something must be wrong."
Li began searching the Astral Plane for answers and quickly found them. A dark cloud swept in and encompassed the QiRanger. No longer was he able to emit golden light and be warmed by his inner Qi. The sea of darkness completely surrounded him, chilling him to the bone.
"No," he thought, trying to push back the darkness.
"It is almost time," a lifeless voice said, surrounding him in darkness.
Li spun around; trying to locate its source, but everything went black.
"There is no resistance. I will find you," it said again.
"Never!" Li vowed, summoning his Fire Qi to break free of the darkness.
The surge of energy thrust Master Li back into his body and slammed himself onto the floor of his quarters. For thousands of years, Li had battled evil with unfaltering bravery. Now, for the first time, fear crept into his body. His eyes shook and his pulse raced as he realized the voice was right - there was no escape.
***
Leslie Chen sat in the LEO Station Situation room with the other QiRangers, Robert Dwyer, Dr. Gary Staal, and Captain Lehet. The oval room was off the main corridor inside LEO Security operations. In the center of the room was an oblong table, in which the QiRangers and others sat around. The walls were lined with large plasma displays and the table's center housed three holographic units. Mario Tarazi stood at the head of the table flanked by Robert.
"As you can see," Tarazi spoke and pointed to the holographic representation floating above the table, "enemy forces have doubled in the past twelve hours. This makes further operations more costly and dangerous." The image shifted to a close-up of the Wood Mystic Door. Man'uL'o could be seen stomping through the area, coordinating defensive arrangements for his troops.
Jayde felt her stomach drop as she laid eyes on her attacker once more. It seemed like only moments ago that she suffered a beating at the hands of that. that... "Monster," Leslie telepathically said, still aware of the link between each of the QiRangers.
Jayde turned away from the display and looked at Leslie. "Yes," she thought. "But this time will be different; I'll be ready for him." Resolved to ensure her victory, Jayde quickly returned her attention to the briefing at hand, trying to study in great detail the terrain and forces they would be meeting soon.
Leslie smiled but still largely ignored what the Security Chief was saying. Her gaze seemed to pass through the images of alien forces occupying Earth and his words never reached her ears. It was true that she was cleared to leave the medical facility, but her mind still drifted. The shared thoughts of her teammates filled her head. Leslie was deeply moved by the experience and committed to learning all she could about her new friends.
Leslie knew that she should be paying closer attention to the briefing, but she knew in her heart that it really didn't matter. She knew that Bruch'oda knew that they would be coming. As soon as they set foot on the Earth, the element of surprise would be lost. She could even sense from Master Li that he appreciated the attention to detail LEO and NASO were offering in terms of the briefing, but in actuality, they were overanalyzing things. This battle was pure and simple - good versus evil.
Tarazi's words continued to drone on and Leslie couldn't help but to ignore them. "Enough," she thought and could sense the sentiment was the same among her peers. They each wanted to stop lying around and do the job they were chosen to perform.
Her focus shifted more away from the present and into the past and the psychic link between her and the other QiRangers. Trying to pass off her distraction as interest, she leaned forward and brought her right hand to her neck. She felt her fingers slide across her skin and come into contact with the transdermal communication patch implanted earlier. "Amazing," she thought, "how far we've come, but the most effective communicator is not this, but our own mind." She continued to gently trace the edges of the device and thought back to her vision of Nepal.
"It was like I was there," she thought to herself.
"I know," Seth responded telepathically.
Leslie sat up in her chair and looked over at Seth. The Water QiRanger nodded back to her and spoke into her mind, "I spent many years visiting the village. Nyssa meant a lot to me. She was my daughter."
"I had no idea," Leslie spoke aloud, interrupting Tarazi. The sudden vocalization stopped the briefing and called all eyes to be focused on her.
"You had no idea of what, Ms. Chen?" Tarazi asked.
Caught unaware and unsure what was covered previously, Leslie stammered, trying to respond. "Damn," Leslie thought to herself, realizing that she knew nothing of what was going on. She darted her eyes around trying to find something to say.
"Focus," a voice said in her mind. She looked at Tarazi and shrugged and began panning around the room, trying to find the source of the familiar voice that had changed in some way.
"Concentrate. Do not let the feeling draw you in," the voice said.
Leslie continued to look around, studying the faces of each of the QiRangers.
"Ms. Chen, do you have something to add?" Tarazi asked.
"No, I'm sorry for the disruption," she responded. "Please continue."
Leslie continued scanning for the source and when her eyes fell upon Master Li, she finally was able to recognize the voice as his. But something was different. She couldn't place it, but his tone had changed. It was colder, more distant. When they had formed the Ultimate QiWarrior, she knew his warm honey-like thoughts and vast wisdom. None of that was present now.
Leslie cocked her head to once side and stared at Master Li as Tarazi resumed his briefing. "As you can see, Dragon Riders are located here and here. The Istanor will drop into high altitude and try to engage. With any luck, we'll be able to draw them away and eliminate that threat. You'll be teleported here, on the flank of the Shadow Warriors and gUmaN'JOs."
Mario Tarazi tapped the conference table, canceling the holographic projections. He stared at each of the QiRangers, hoping to see some sign that they understood the tactical plan that he laid out before him. He knew they were valiant warriors, but largely inexperienced. "I only hope it's enough," he thought.
"Thank you, Mr. Tarazi," Master Li said as he rose from the table. "Your insight and intelligence will make this operation far easier to execute."
The other QiRangers rose and stood by the table.
"Yes, thank you," Leslie said as she looked at Master Li.
"You're welcome."
Captain Lehet rose, "The Istanor will be ready to get underway shortly. I'll see you on board."
Lehet quickly made his exit, leaving the rest to filter out of the room. Dwyer and Staal stayed behind to discuss options with Tarazi, as they were not part of the initial wave of this attack. The pair would lead Alliance Forces in a second wave, if needed to distract the enemy if needed.
The QiRangers slowly made their way out of the Situation Room. Leslie made sure she stayed near the back of the group and tried to get closer to Master Li. As she walked closer to him, she could sense there was something on his mind, but it was closed to her. "Is everything all right?" she asked.
Master Li turned to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "No, but we must focus on the task at hand."
The response troubled Leslie. "Is there anything that I. that we can do?"
"Unfortunately, this is something I must face alone." Master Li stopped in the corridor and spoke in his familiar tone, "I will join you aboard the ship. There is something I must tend to."
The elder QiRanger bowed to Leslie and then turned away. The walked quickly down the corridor towards one of the many LEO Train Junctions. Unsure what to do, Leslie decided to talk things over with the others. She barely was able to turn the next corner before she smacked into Abeu and saw that the others were waiting for her.
"Were you able to get anything out of him?" asked Luís.
"No. What ever it is, he isn't ready to tell us."
Abeu peeked around the corner, making sure no one was around. "I don't have a good feeling about this."
***
"Standby for de-orbit burn," announced Captain Lehet over the ship's Comm- link.
The QiRangers stood in the T-Bay ready to be teleported to the surface, once the Istanor succeeded in drawing the Dragon Riders patrolling the airspace around the Wood Mystic Door.
The T-Bay had no viewing portals, but each of the five QiRangers could feel the deck plating beginning to cavitate as the ship entered the upper atmosphere. Luís turned to look around at his friends. "Isn't anyone going to say anything?" he wondered.
The others just looked around.
Abeu stared at his feet.
"No," Leslie said into their minds. "He will let us know. We need to focus on the job at hand. No distractions."
Luís knew she was right, but something was terribly wrong with Li. He knew it. Hell they all could feel it. Ever since the meld the bond between each of them had grown stronger, to the point where they could not only communicate telepathically, but understood the inner souls of one another. The only one who had put up barriers was Li and no one would confront him as to why. "Can he still be trusted," he thought.
While he didn't speak the words, the thought traveled quickly to the minds of his fellow QiRangers and was instantly met with resentment.
Leslie walked over to Luís and stared him in the eyes. Gritting her teeth, she coldly spoke, "With your life."
Luís backed away from the Fire QiRanger, knowing he was out of line - but it was something they all were feeling. Since they were recruited for this quest days ago, the one constant had been Master Li. Now that had been taken away from them and they knew not why.
"Listen," Leslie said into each of their minds. "Whatever is happening, we need to trust him. He's the only one that can guide us to complete this mission."
Master Li could hear them in his mind as he stood outside the T-Bay. He knew he was wrong to keep the details secret. But how would they react? They were each so young and inexperienced. Regardless of what was to come to pass, Master Li realized that he needed to tell them something, so that they could get pass this mistrust.
"You're right," Li said as he entered the T-Bay. "I have been keeping something from you." He motioned for the technician to seal the bay and prepare for activation.
The other QiRangers were startled and tried to scuttle any thoughts they had of dissention, but in their hearts, they knew Master Li could sense their inner feelings and thoughts.
"It's only because we care about you. Can you please tell us what's going on?" Leslie asked.
Master Li quietly stood in the center of the T-Bay and faced his fellow QiRangers. "When we arrive on the planet, we will meet incredible resistance. They will try to separate us, but it imperative that we each stay focused and make our way towards the Door. Once we do this, we can unite to seal it and clear away Bruch'oda's forces."
"We know all of that," Seth said. "What aren't you telling us?"
"An unspeakable evil awaits us. It came to me in a vision and I can feel its presence. This will be our most difficult battle yet. We must succeed or the Earth will fall for ever."
The QiRangers stood around Master Li and took the words to heart. Each could feel that they were true, but that something wasn't being told. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell them; it was that Master Li didn't want them to worry.
In their inner minds, the QiRangers saw the vision Master Li had experienced before. It sent chills to their bones as they understood what was about to happen.
Master Li felt the insurgence of love and respect as each of the QiRangers vowed to do everything in their power to alter the course of fate. They vowed that they would not lose.
***
The Istanor completed its de-orbit burn and contrails streaked from the ship's engines across the sky. The mirrored hull moved seamlessly under the starry sky, only reflecting the full moon and the twinkling points of light. Its edges blurred so that the only evidence of its existence was the contrails it left behind. The hull of the Istanor was long and shaped like thin wafer of a plane. Two sweptback wings extended from the primary hull and provided lift for the craft when in Earth's atmosphere. Auxiliary engine pods were mounded at the tips to provide extra thrust.
Captain Lehet leaned forward in his chair, his eyes focused on the tactical display below the main portal. The information showed the position of the Istanor with respect to the Wood Mystic Door. As each second ticked by, the blue triangular dot inched closer to its target.
"Time to intercept," he asked.
In front and to his left, the Navigator, Lt. Alicia Bauer replied, "Two minutes, four seconds, Captain." The young woman turned her head to side so she could see the Captain out of her periphery. "Everything's five by five."
Jayce Lehet nodded, "Acknowledged."
Lt. Bauer returned for focus to her terminal and readied the next phase of their descent.
"Captain," McCulley began, "targeting sensors are tracking the first group of Dragon Riders."
Lehet spun his chair to the right to look at his Tactical Officer. "Arm plasma torpedoes."
The bald headed officers turned to his console and entered the commands, "Aye, Captain."
***
Four Dragon Riders flew patrol under the Amazon night's sky. The beasts' large wings beat downwards, propelling each of the red armored riders forward. Each Dragon flew roughly a thousand feet above the jungle canopy, just high enough to see movement from the horizon. It was not, however, a vantage point to see the fast approaching Istanor.
The ship dove down, taking a bearing on their path and unleashed its furry. Two red balls of fire shot out from its forward batteries and streaked through the night's sky. The superheated plasma fused the Oxygen in the surrounding air, creating Ozone, a scent easily detected at a distance by the Dragons.
The four beasts reeled back midair causing their Riders to lurch forward. While they were momentarily distracted by their steeds' sudden movement, the telepathic links between each pair quickly alerted the armored riders to the approaching danger.
The Lead Dragon Rider quickly looked up and saw the approaching mass of pure plasma. Ordering his beast to peel off, the Dragon dropped its left wing and began a spiral dive towards the treetops below. His second was less successful. The first torpedo exploded upon contact with the Dragon.
The thin membrane housing the plasma ruptured sending it radiating in all directions. In a fraction of a second, it consumed the Dragon and Rider in a ball of fire, vaporizing them. The intense fireball illuminated the treetops, casting shadows on the remaining two Dragons as the second plasma weapon hit.
The torpedo caught the neck of the Dragon and ruptured, sending the plasma through the air onto the other Dragon's hind quarter. The superheated matter bore through the scaly skin, dissolving the beast into two. The dragon howled as its body eroded into ashes and plummeted to the Earth.
Spatters of plasma flung into the Rider's armor and quickly propelled through his chest. The searing heat caught his attention, not to mention the putrid smell of his own flesh melting away. Through his darkened visor, he looked down and saw the plasma spreading. He tried to scream, but it was too late, the plasma had destroyed his lungs.
***
"Direct hits," McCulley said.
Lehet smiled as he reviewed the images before him on the main display. Standing, he walked behind the Helmsman. "Take us down."
***
The Istanor pitched over to its portside and dove closer to the canopy under the control of Ensign Moore. The NASO vessel vastly overshadowed any living creature in the area, which was just the point.
Its roaring engines bore down on the remaining Dragon Riders, scattering them as the Istanor came to a halt. With its positional thrusters firing, the large ship hovered, angling on the remaining Dragon Riders.
The Lead Rider recovered from the flyby and commanded his steed to streak upwards, behind the ship's aft hull. The Dragon gracefully soared over the ship and arced over, trying to ascertain the tactical strength of the vessel. The Rider had never seen such a craft before, but did not fear it. He commanded his Dragon to build up its inner fire and send a blast at the ship's main engines.
The fiery ball of molten Dark Qi burst from the Dragon's mouth and streamed toward the Istanor.
The blast seared the directional cone of the starboard engine, causing the ship to lurch.
Not wasting anytime, the Lead Rider and his remaining cohort began circling the mirrored ship letting their Dragons fire at will. Each blast contacted the Istanor's hull and slowly began eating away at the structural supports. Every blast shook the vessel more, but it failed to respond to the attack.
The Lead Rider grew suspicious at this fact and wondered what this metallic contraption was capable of. He soon found out, as particle beams shot out from the dorsal weapons array, piercing the Dragon's wing.
Wounded, but not fatally, the Lead Rider moved in closer. Each flap of the Dragon's wing fueled it with anger, with rage, and with the thought of vengeance. Extending its claws, the large beast sunk its claws into the hull of the Istanor, pulling apart the metal skin under its strength.
The Dragon Rider smiled beneath its helmet as he commanded his beast to begin destroying the ship. After the death of its brothers and the wound it sustained, the Dragon was happy to comply. Its molten blast melted away the protective armor lining of the ship and breached the hull. Not wavering from his attack, the Dragon Rider yelled for his compatriot to do the same.
The second Dragon landed toward the nose section and began systematically eradicating the hull.
***
Alarm klaxon boomed as amber lights flashed on the Bridge. With each blast, the Istanor buckled.
"Integrity down to 89%," McCulley yelled.
"Good enough," Lehet said. "They've taken the bait." He hit is chair console and activated the internal Comm-link. "McGruff, deposit your package."
A few seconds passed before a reply was heard through the ship's internal system. The grating voice of the T-Bay operator came back, "Deployed."
"Good. Rock and roll, Ms. Moore," Lehet ordered.
***
The Istanor's main engines fired, sending the ship forward with a sudden burst of speed. The quick movement caught the Dragons and their Riders off guard, as the rug was essentially pulled out from under them. It made no difference though. The sheer strength in the Dragons' talons peeled back the hull exterior like a ripe banana.
The Two Riders commanded their Dragons to pursue and the Lead sent telepathic messages to the second patrol to close on their position. "It will only be a matter of time," he thought. That flying machine will be destroyed."
***
Jayde Yee looked up through her visor and saw the Dragons make chase after the Istanor. "It never ceases to amaze me," she thought, "that people can be so consumed with a single thought."
"Lack of vision," Master Li added to her thought, his voice echoing in her mind, "is often the sign of the undisciplined."
The Wood QiRanger tilted her head down and looked to her right. Even in the low light and dense foliage, she could not only see her mentor, but sense his presence and see his inner fire. She smiled and glanced down at the patrol of Shadow Warriors walking beneath them, realizing that Li's statement also applied to her. "I can't let what happened last time get in the way."
With her green armor, Jayde was able to blend into the wooded area easily. The Shadow Warriors had no idea she was there. The Wood QiRanger dropped from her perch, summoning her Qi Saber in a flash of green light. The finely sharpened blade shimmered in the moonlight passing through the upper canopy, reflecting its beams into the eyes of the pair of Shadows walking towards her.
The momentary blindness induced from the reflected light was all that Jayde needed. The QiRanger moved with lightening quick speed over the convoluted jungle floor, dodging tree roots and vines. Jayde quickly covered the short distance between them. Her arm retracted the blade to a position over her right shoulder and pointed the blade directly at the first of her two adversaries.
As she neared them, Jayde planted her right foot into the moist soil and snapped her body around. The blinding speed at which her attack took place completely surprised the two Shadows. They each tried to draw their swords from their scabbards, but it was too late. The perfect blade of the Qi Saber swung around as Jayde rotated her body clockwise. It found the vulnerable junction between the head and shoulder armor segments of the first Shadow Warrior and cleanly cut through his flesh and bone. The dead warrior's head toppled to the ground, coming to rest at Jayde's feet.
The second Shadow managed to take one step away and draw the hilt of his blade past the lip of its container. Jayde continued her spinning motion and severed the head off this foe as well.
The headless bodies managed to stay standing for a few seconds before they collapsed on one another. The lifeless corpses slumped against one another on the floor as Jayde dissolved her Qi Saber. "Clear," she thought, sending her status to each of the other QiRangers.
***
Master Li made his way carefully through the dense brush. His eyes darted back and forth, making sure that he wasn't seen. The oldest of the QiRangers paused behind the large trunk he stood next to. Letting his fingers press into the bark's ridges, he allowed his body to merge to the tree's shape, becoming invisible to view. Four gUmaN'JO warriors walked past him, their mounts nowhere to be seen.
Li fanned his fingers allowing four Flaming Shurricans to materialize in the openings. He slipped his grip around the fiery weapons and readied his arm to hurl them at his unsuspecting prey, but that would never happen.
A swirling cloud of black mass dropped from the heavens and enveloped the QiRanger. Li quickly stepped away from the tree and summoned additional Flaming Shurricans in his other hand as he took a defensive stance. Rarely did Master Li let fear enter his body, but he recognized what was happening and was bound and determined to not let it happen.
Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he quickly let his eyes scan the darkness. No longer was the moon's light helpful in illuminating his surroundings. In fact, nothing could be seen or felt. Gone were the scents of the jungle and his friends - the only thing that he could feel was his pulse racing. Each beat of his heart pounded in his chest, creating a thumping in his ears.
"Where are you?" he demanded, calling out into the darkness, but there was no response.
Li took a step forward, hoping that a change in his position would somehow create light in this dark vacuum. He was wrong. The darkness seemed to continue on forever and Li knew that every moment he spent in the envelope; his chances for escaping were greatly minimized.
Master Li concentrated and focus his inner Qi on finding that which was not of the Earth - that which was not alive, but what was nonexistent. He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to clear. The void around him was great, but behind him sensed a presence unlike any other. The stories he remembered from his youth rushed back into his mind.
Tales of the Dor'Agha, or Shadow Reapers, came to him. How they were neutrals in the battle between good and evil, but nonetheless took the lives and souls of those on both sides. Li knew the stories to be true, for he saw one once as a child.
As Master Li turned around to confront the intelligence behind him, the mental image of the Dor'Agha from his youth was reconfirmed by the figure standing before him. Clad in a dark robe, the being stood three meters in height with a hood covering its face. The robe was decorated in ornate patterns of black hieroglyphics and concealed the creature's arms and legs.
Master Li let a nervous smile curl his lips upward as he readied for battle. The last time he saw one of these creatures, their attacks came swiftly and without mercy. In a matter of seconds it was able to bypass his father's Master and rip the Qi from his body. Li was determined not to give in without a fight and quickly flung all eight Flaming Shurricans at the Shadow Reaper.
The shining points of light quickly found their target, but merely passed through the Dor'Agha and into the darkness behind him. "You cannot escape me," it said. "You will be mine."
***
The Fire QiRanger was the last to arrive at the rendezvous point. When Leslie saw that Master Li wasn't present, her fear was quickly shared with the others.
"We've got to find him," the Metal QiRanger said.
"Yes, but we can't compromise the mission," Jayde added.
"Agreed," Leslie added. "Seth, Luís, and Abeu continue the sweep. Jayde and I will make a quick sweep at his last location and then catch up."
The five QiRangers nodded and split apart.
***
Master Li carefully stepped backwards, trying to put more distance between him and the Shadow Reaper. He couldn't believe that his Fire Shurricans passed through the mystic warrior of the dead without inflicting any wounds. For once in Master Li's life, he was at a loss of what to do.
Li crossed each step, concentrating on his defenses to ensure that any sudden movements made by the Shadow Reaper could be countered - or at least the attempt made. He searched his mind for some sort of alternative to fighting the Dor'Agha head-to-head, but nothing came to him.
Every second seemed to be an eternity and a reminder of how finite life was.
"I've got to think of something," he told himself, "They aren't ready yet to be on their own."
"It's useless to try and run, Li," Dor'Agha said.
The words rang in Li's head and he stopped dead in his tracks, for he knew Dor'Agha spoke the truth. These creatures were granted a single ability - to seek out their target and strike it down. Nothing could stop them from succeeding. The only saving grace was that each Dor'Agha was allowed to take one soul. Any others it came upon would be ignored, which brought some relief to Master Li.
"At least they will be safe."
The dark creature began sliding towards him, not walking or flying, but moving effortlessly through the black abyss. "Come Li. It is time."
The cold voice of the Dor'Agha tore through his armor knocking the breath from his lungs. Master Li gasped for air as he flew backwards in the darkness. He finally came to rest on the hard surface of the abyss. The black mass felt slimy and cool to his touch as the matrix slipped through his fingers, creeping into his skin.
"No!" he shouted trying to push himself up, but the black void began wrapping itself around his arms and legs. No matter how hard Li struggled, the darkness' hold only grew stronger.
"Try as you wish, Li, there is nothing you can do," Dor'Agha's unnatural voice echoed. The dark one stopped a few feet before Master Li and hovered above the eldest QiRanger. Dark energy crept from beneath the billowing robes of the Shadow Reaper as Master Li looked up at the bringer of death. "This ends here."
Dor'Agha extended both its arms and its sleeves rode up exposing twin bleached bones attached to hands made of the same. Beneath Dor'Agha's hood, red light began to shine illuminating a bony skull. Devoid of all flesh, the Shadow Reaper existed in this realm as only a skeleton.
The twin ruby lights not only cast light out of their sockets, but filled the inner cavities of the cranium. The lights grew with intensity and highlighted the inner sutures of the creature's skull. White electrical strikes began crackling from its fingertips as Dor'Agha started to laugh.
The Shadow Reaper darted its arms towards Li and the lightening jumped from Dor'Agha's hands. The bolts of white energy struck Li's body with a loud clap of thunder.
The intense heat of the blast began smoldering his armor and burning his flesh due to the conductive nature of his protective plating. Li screamed in agony as his nose was filled with the stench of his melted flesh. Pain like no other raged through his body. He desperately tried to fill his lungs with air, if only to allow them to scream in pain.
Dor'Agha increased the strength of his energy tendrils, picking up the QiRanger and hanging him in the air like a doll.
Li's body convulsed as Dor'Agha moved closer. Even though its face possessed no muscles or flesh, the Shadow Reaper's jaw pulled apart at the midline suture, creating an eerie grin.
The white-hot energy from the Dor'Agha continued to lash into Master Li. With each beating, his armor chipped away and caused more internal damage. His organs were slowly succumbing to the pressure and heat brought about buy the constant attacks. He didn't know how much longer he could take this.
"But I'm not going away silently," he thought as he tried to stare his attack in the eye, but the erratic nature of his body's contractions made it impossible for him to do little more than writhe in extreme pain.
Blood began seeping from the corner of Li's left eye and right ear, signaling that the end was near.
***
Leslie and Jayde jumped from treetop to treetop under the night sky. Their armor enabled the duo to leap several hundred meters in the air and utilize their heightened strength and agility to grasp branches and vines, ensuring their quick movement high above the patrols on the jungle floor below.
Neither knew where Master Li was. It had been some time since he vanished, but what troubled the Fire QiRanger more, was that she and the others could no longer sense their mentor.
Leslie paused straddling a branch overlooking a clearing. Even though her armor's visor was as black as night, it allowed her to see everything as if it were midday. Her eyes scoured the landscape, hoping to see some sign of him, but there was nothing.
***
Jayde Yee landed in a small thicket of trees. She quickly looked around, making sure she was clear of any immediate danger. Calling upon the Wood Qi within her and the Amazon, she asked the trees in the forest for assistance in their quest to find Master Li.
***
The Metal, Water, and Earth QiRangers continued onward, strategically eliminating Shadow Warriors, gUmaN'JOs, and Copy Bots as they made their way to the Wood Mystic Door. Each of the men tried to focus on the mission, but frequently fell back and searched their soul in hopes of finding their lost one.
***
Leslie jumped to the next branch when her Transdermal Comm-link activated. "Leslie, why have you split from the others?" asked the familiar voice.
She concentrated, extending her hands to grasp the fast approaching vine. With her fingers securely around the ropy structure, the Fire QiRanger responded, "Li's been separated from us. Jayde and I are sweeping backwards to try and find him."
"Nothing shows on our scans," Robert Dwyer said through the link.
"And we can't sense him."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Just then, a torrent of mental energy came rushing into Leslie's and the others' minds, causing them all to fall to the ground and scream themselves.
"Leslie, are you all right?" Robert yelled through the Comm-link.
Leslie couldn't respond, for the force of the mind link was the equivalent of listening to a rocket's engine roar while standing next to the nozzle. Leslie rolled on the Amazon floor clutching her helmet between her hands.
"Such pain and agony," Leslie thought, not realizing at first what it was she experienced.
However, all the QiRangers simultaneously understood that it was Master Li's final cry for help. Each knew time was short. If they couldn't find him soon, he would be dead.
***
The Shadow Reaper continued to let its energy tendrils lash at Master Li, who could do nothing more than scream in pain. The beating he was taking was taking its toll, not only on his body, but his mind as well. No longer could he see a way to avoid the inevitable and began looking forward to the cessation of the torture.
Blood poured from the wounds he received and from his eyes, ears, and nose. Each breath spat up blood contained in his lungs. Barely conscious, Master Li longed for the eternal sleep.
Dor'Agha stopped the attack, sending the QiRanger falling downwards. Li's body pounded into the black matrix and sent shockwaves through his battered body. Using his aching arms, he pushed himself up as blood oozed from his lips.
Master Li saw the Dor'Agha hover closer to him, pulling back its hook to expose the throbbing red skull. The jaw bones began to move as the Shadow Reaper's eerie voice echoed in the abyss, "Ironic isn't it? How you first feared and strove to avoid that which you now long to come. I shall not disappoint you. Your life now comes to an end."
Li felt an increase in heat from the Shadow Reaper as the Dor'Agha's body began glowing red. Crackling strands of pure energy connected with its body from the black matrix of the abyss. The increased power tore the Shadow Reaper's cloak to shreds, exposing the creature's boney body. The influx of power caused every bone in its body to throb with power and shine blood red.
The QiRanger's face squinted as the light shining from the Dor'Agha became too bright. He knew the end was here and no longer wanted to fight. Master Li was ready to die.
***
"We've got to help them," Luís pleaded with his teammates.
The three male QiRangers huddle together under a young tree, out of view of a Shadow Warrior patrol fifty meters away.
"He's right," Abeu said from underneath his Metal QiRanger helmet.
Seth looked through his visor at each of his friends and nodded. "You're right. If we loose Li, we're done for."
The three QiRangers looked at one another and nodded. Bringing their palms together, they harnessed their inner Qi. Bands of white, blue, and yellow energy wrapped around their bodies whisking them away.
***
An energy orb casts light in a darkened room deep within the catacombs of Bruch'oda's Palace. Watching the events taking place in the abyss are Qual'och and Xantia. The lovers press their bodies close to one another as they witness Master Li's final moments on Earth.
***
Dor'Agha continues approaching Master Li. The Shadow Reaper looks down through its glowing eyes at the defeated QiRanger. Gone is his strength and courage. All that remains is a shell of a man ready to be taken. Dor'Agha readied himself to take the soul of the last original QiRanger and fulfill its mission.
Raw power surrounded Dor'Agha, blowing back its tattered cloak while the skeleton brought its hands together. The Shadow Reaper created a black ball of energy between them, forming the Soul Catcher. This energy stealing orb would drain the Soul Reaper's entire target's Prenatal Qi; therefore, killing its victim instantly.
A ribbon of violet energy entered the abyss, wrapping around Master Li, picking him up. Wind blew back against his face, bringing the QiRanger back to present. As Li regained his consciousness, the ribbon extended outwards and lashed against the Shadow Reaper.
Try as it might, the Dor'Agha could not block the energy wave. Holding onto the Soul Catcher, the Shadow Reaper tried to deflect the blows with its arms. Each contact brought about micro explosions inflicting damage to Dor'Agha. Not loosing site of its mission, the Shadow Reaper focused its thoughts and released the Soul Catcher at Master Li.
The black orb of death shot out Dor'Agha's hands and towards the QiRanger.
Master Li saw death approaching and prepared to embrace the inevitable. But it did not come. The violet energy ribbon deflected the orb into the abyss as it retreated from Dor'Agha and securely wrapped around him.
Master Li searched what was left of his mind for answers and stored deep in his memory found it.
"Yes, my love," a woman's voice said in his head.
Master Li could feel her love fill his body, instantly healing his wounds and returning energy to his soul. The violet energy spun around the QiRanger sealing the cracks in his armor and strengthening his bones and muscles. The violet energy coursed though his veins, bringing clarity and focus again to his mind.
"Thank you," he said as his health was fully restored. Master Li's QiRanger armor shone brightly in the darkness with one alteration. Draped around the gold Triple Fire emblem on his breast plate was black serpent.
Ready for battle, Master Li took a defensive stance.
"It makes no matter human. You're soul is mine," boomed Dor'Agha. The Shadow Reaper extended its arms, preparing to send out energy tendrils, but Master Li was faster.
Harnessing his added power, Master Li shot a powerful violet energy wave wrapped in his own Fire Qi at the Dor'Agha.
The blast struck the mighty skeleton in the chest, blowing apart its ribcage. Dor'Agha succumbed to the explosion and flew backwards.
The added energy was all that Master Li needed to break free of the dark abyss. With Dor'Agha wounded, the beast could no longer hold Li in the alternate dimension. The eldest QiRanger reemerged into the Amazon forest.
He knew he escaped death, if only for a moment. His happiness at being joined with his lover was short lived, as her power began fading from his body. "I'm sorry I cannot do more for you," her soft voice carried in his mind.
"I know. I will see you soon, my love," he answered as the violet energy rose from his body like smoke rising into the sky. Once clear of the extra power, his chest emblem returned to normal.
Master Li turned to look around to see if there were any threats approaching, but saw only the QiRangers surrounding him.
"Are you all right," asked Leslie.
Master Li placed his hands onto the young QiRanger's shoulders, "For the moment." He stared into each of the helmets, looking past the visors, and into the eyes of his compatriots. It had been a long time since he felt this kind of attachment, this bond, this brotherhood - he was just sad that it would have to come to an end.
"We don't have much time," he said. "We've got to seal the Wood Door now."
"Then let's do it," Seth shouted.
The other QiRangers affirmed his suggestions and readied themselves. This would be the first time they tried the meld since the Earth Mystic Door was closed. Each of the QiRangers cleared their minds and focused only on the task at hand. Their mental links began growing stronger as each individual tapped into the mind of the two QiRangers standing on either side of them.
The inner elements of the six QiRangers began surging forth converting their flesh laden bodies to pure forms of Qi. Earth Qi blended with Metal, which was joined by Water and Wood. The two Fire Qis were added lasts to energy mass, creating a sea of power. The sphere created by each of the QiRangers began taking shape and in a matter of seconds, the Ultimate QiWarrior emerged.
Each of the individual thoughts now served as one mind with one focus - close the Wood Mystic Door. Drawing its massive hands together, the QiWarrior created an envelope of pure energy around him and vanished.
***
Lehet spun in his chair as the Istanor lurches port. The Captain of the only NASO ship in operation looked over to the bulkhead at the young Lieutenant stationed at the Engineering Console. "Damage report!" he yelled.
The young man gripped the console edge as Ensign Moore brought the mighty vessel back into a neutral plane. Focusing his eyes on the data displayed before him, he quickly responded, "Starboard GravPlates off-line. Main power down fifteen percent. Port main engine damaged. Numerous exterior breeches."
"Captain," McCulley yelled from his station, "They're just too fast for the arrays to lock on. Might I suggest we take things outside?"
Captain Lehet turned to face his Executive and Tactical Officer. He knew that was the best option. No matter how "simple" missions were planned, they always seemed to throw a wrench in.
He tapped the Comm-link panel on his chair's arm, "Lehet to Dwyer."
After a momentary pause the reply came back, "Go," Robert said.
"Things are getting a little messy up here and we still need to buy some time. Think you and your friends can step outside and give us some breathing room?" Lehet asked.
"We'd love to," he replied through the ship's speakers.
***
The Dragon Riders continued to push forward, circling around the massive ship. What once began as a pair of beasts and their Riders quickly grew to a pack of six, once the other group arrived. Each set of Rider and Dragon moved as one, graceful butterfly - creating an equal balance of thrust and lift to counteract gravity and drag, enabling them to soar in wide arc around the metallic craft.
With their wings unfurled, the Dragons could stay aloft for miles. Furthermore, the impressive wingspan allowed the creatures to turn in the air instantly, thwarting the targeting computer's efforts to eliminate them.
One such Dragon Rider and his steed stalled their upward progress and rolled over to face straight down. The two pairs of eyes stared directly at the reflective hull of the Istanor below them. Heating up its lungs, the dragon let loose a fiery ball of Dark Qi.
It quickly fell and slammed into the ship's hull at the junction of the starboard wing and main fuselage. As the molten remains of the fireball tore through the ship, debris was cast off in the resulting explosion revealing a gaping hole in the vessel. Smoke billowed from the rift and sparks flickered as fire erupted inside.
Beneath his helmet, the Dragon Rider smiled, allowing his scaly lips to touch the sides of his red encasement and his twin slits that he used for eyes brightened.
The moment of joy was short lived. With his concentration on the damaged area of the Istanor, the Dragon Rider failed to notice the ventral docking portal slide open. Standing on the docking platform were six individuals. Two stood in formfitting, featureless suits with flight packs affixed to their backs. One such man had no visible weapons while the other was outfitted with twin plasma gauntlets. The other four men wore silver Powersuits that had a blue V shaped strip from the shoulders to the lower abdomen with the image of a crescent moon cradling a five pointed star resting over the left breast - the symbol for the Luna Colony Police Force.
Each of the suits covered them and gave each the ability to move with great agility and possess immense power, something that is needed since they all were used to one-sixth Earth gravity. The Powersuits were largely nondescript and completely enclosed their bodies and protected the inner core with hardsuit containment diaphragms. Embedded into their wrist gauntlets were twin laser. The Officers' helmets each have a triangular visor that ends where their ears would be and extend over their noses. Covering their mouths is a slightly darker metal with horizontal lines.
Robert Dwyer took the lead position and targeted the Dragon Rider above. Locking on with his cybernetic eye, the NASO Operative raised his right arm and let the plasma beam fire from his first.
The powerful ray of energy shot into the air as the Istanor banked away from an approaching Dragon Rider. Even with the altered telemetry, Robert's aim was perfect. The plasma bolt tore through the neck of the dragon, severing its head from the lower four vertebrae. The hardened scales of the dragon, failed to slow the plasma as it plowed into the chest plate of the Dragon Rider.
The Rider felt the intense heat of the beam before it even touched him. His skin began to burn as the beam ate his body whole. There was little time to think of or experience the pain inflicted by such a weapon, which was for the better.
Dwyer steadied himself as the ship lurched again. With one of the threats gone, things, he hoped would be a bit easier. "All right, let's go!"
Each of the men deactivated the electromagnetic fields in their boots and lit the thrusters housed in their flight packs. They quickly rose off the hull of the Istanor and raced into battle.
Gary Staal flew straight ahead, ready to lock horns with one of the remaining Dragon Riders. The targeting sensors lit up inside his Stealth Armor visor. Carefully matching his speed and the trajectory of the Dragon Rider, the computer calculated the perfect position for the Doctor to fire. Edging his arm into position, Gary waited until the crosshairs switched from black to red, signaling a kill.
Once the color change occurred, Gary squeezed his fists and fired the blasters. The beams cut through the air and beat into the protective outer scales of the dragon. The mighty beast roared in pain and began a tailspin downward to the canopy. The Rider was barely able to hang onto his steed, the pain from the attack rippling through his body. Nonetheless, he managed to tighten his hold around the reigns and lock his feet in the stirrups.
Pulling hard to the right, the Rider was able to recover and bring the dragon into a neutral position. Turning his head, the Rider tried to ascertain his attacker's position, but it was too late. Gary swept down from above, using the sun as a visual shield. The NASO operative fired at point blank range and his twin beams ripped through the Rider's armor. Flesh exploded out the Rider's back as the blast threw him clear of the dragon.
With its master gone, the dragon became enraged and went rouge. The mighty beast flapped its wings and spiraled out of control. Gary tried to steer clear of the flying reptile, but its speed and agility was too great.
The wingtips of the dragon created a negative pressure field and sent Gary for a loop. Trying to regain his bearings, he lost sight of the dragon for a moment. The large beast barreled down on his position and clenched its jaws around his torso.
The protective armor buffered the bite and protected his body from harm, not that he needed it. Gary turned to peer into the eyes of the enraged dragon and saw nothing but raw energy fueling hatred and anger.
Gary tried to pry apart the jaws of the dragon, but the muscles of the beast were simply too strong.
Saliva poured from its mouth and covered Gary, who became ill at the thought of residing in the creature's mouth any longer.
"If I can't pry me loose," he thought as he armed his blasters and fired, instantaneously vaporizing the creature's head, "then I'll pry him loose."
Once fee, Gary lit his rockets and sped away while the headless dragon fell harmlessly below.
***
The combined firepower of the Istanor and the Powersuits were too much for the Dragon Riders. They were easily maneuvered into predictable firing arcs and either dispatched by laser and plasma beams from the flying humans or killed by blasts coming from one of the weapon arrays on the Istanor itself.
Robert quickly looked around to make sure the others were returning safely when he was hit by powerful energy beam. The strike damaged his flight controls and cut power to his thrusters. With his engines off-line, he dropped from the sky.
He tried to reactivate the power cells by rerouting some of his own energy to them, but the direct hit did more than simply damage the power source, in fact the only thing left of the unit was the straps on his back.
Gary raced through the air to catch his friend. He extended his arms straight out in front of him, opening the throttle all the way on his jetpack.
The black streak raced through the sky and met up with the other black armored compatriot.
Robert saw Gary approaching and opened his arms. The two collided and wrapped their arms around one another. Hardly secure, but safe enough, Gary hoisted Robert up to his shoulders.
"You all right?" he asked.
Robert looked back at the Istanor, trying to locate the source of the attack. "What hit me?"
"You're not going to like this," Gary said through the Comm-link channel he established between them, "Take a look over there," and pointed with his free hand.
Rising up from the canopy was a battalion of Copy Bots lead by a red humanoid with wings. Bruch'oda's forces were quickly making their advances and opening fire on the Istanor and the Luna Officers.
The energy beams arced through the sky and impaled on the ship's hull, causing massive explosions. Two Luna Officers were stricken by the energy blasts and had their Powersuits overloaded. The resulting system failures sent the men falling to their deaths.
Gary managed to dodge the blasts and make his way onto the ship's hull, allowing Robert to break free of him.
"Jayce, can you get us out of here?" Robert asked.
"As soon as you're teams on board, we'll break free. But make it quick, the armor plating wont hold for long against that many robots," he answered.
Robert activated his Comm-link and switched it to channel three, "Return to the ship. It's time to go."
The other men acknowledged the order one by one as Gary and Robert opened fire on the flying Copy Bots. They tried to give the others cover, but the sheer number of robots made the task difficult, if not impossible.
Only one of the Luna Officers made back safely and locked onto the hull with his electromagnetic boots. Turning around, he readied his laser and fired at the nearest Copy Bot. The ruby red beam shot through the air and exploded on impact as it met with the chest plate of the Copy Bot.
"Let's go!" Robert yelled into his Comm-link.
"I don't think so," sounded a deep booming voice.
Gary and Robert looked up and saw its source - the large flying humanoid.
With the wingspan equal to that of the dragons and red scales equally as strong, Na'RotH peered down at the men standing on the ship with his white eyes and black fangs glistening.
The mighty warrior cast out his hands and sent a powerful Dark Qi Strike at the ship. Robert and the others were just able to jump clear of the impact. The resulting explosion ripped apart the hull and sent shrapnel flying.
The Luna Officer was cut to pieces, his bloodied body slipping off the edge of the wing leaving a red trail behind him.
Robert aimed his right arm at Na'RotH, but before he could fire, the Istanor pitched downward and began rolling.
"What's happening?" Gary asked.
"I don't know. Just hang on."
The two friends knelt on the hull as the ship began to spin faster. "Jayce, what's your status?"
"That last blow ruptured the main power grid. We're going down."
***
The Ultimate QiWarrior materialized in the center of a Shadow Warrior battalion. Caught unprepared for the seven meter tall Warrior of Justice, the Shadows stood aimlessly by as the QiWarrior began dispensing revenge for the humans lost in the battle between good and evil thus far. Whipping its leg around, the massive structure caught half a dozen Shadows and sent them flying into the woods. The initial contact crushed their armor and shattered their bones. As the Shadows came to rest on the jungle floor, or plowed through the trees, their lifeless bodies remained motionless.
The moment of surprise didn't last for long. Copy Bots and gUmaN'JOs quickly became alert and started their attack.
Firing their twin energy beams at the QiWarrior, the Copy Bots hoped to distract the mighty warrior long enough for the gUmaN and their JO counterparts to move in and strike him down.
QiWarrior carefully dodged the beams and they passed harmlessly into the jungle behind him. Summoning the massive Qi Shield, QiWarrior used its collective knowledge of ancient fighting forms and the surrounding terrain to go on the offensive.
QiWarrior quickly moved across the jungle floor, blocking the oncoming energy attacks. The six minds of the QiWarrior summoned massive energy laden shurricans and quickly threw them towards the Copy Bots guarding the entrance to the tree containing the Wood Mystic Door.
QiWarrior leaps into the air, angling his attack on a gUmaN. Striking with speed and tremendous strength, the QiWarrior's leading boot crushed the JO and bent the gUmaN like a wet noodle, snapping its bones like small twigs. He threw the stars at the Copy Bots, who tried to shoot the stars down. Some succeeded and others failed.
Those that survived, continued to fire at the QiWarrior, while those impaled by the stars were no longer standing, in fact, they were no longer in one piece. The shurricans ripping through the metallic bodies like scissors through paper. The resulting explosions lit the tree on fire and sent the hulks of the Copy Bots to the jungle floor.
Sheer power against numbers is what Master Li hoped to avoid when planning the initial attack plan. While the QiWarrior was stronger than anything the QiRangers had ever faced, its main weakness was that it functioned as one unit. With the ever multiplying Copy Bots and Bruch'oda's troops, it was quite possible they could find themselves outflanked and in danger.
Eying the final destination, the QiWarrior began making its way towards the Wood Mystic Door. Copy Bots continued to fire electric beams at the massive warrior, but nothing was able to get through the Qi Shield. Any remaining Shadow Warriors simply ran for cover, as there was little they could do against such an incredibly strong opponent.
One Shadow Warrior bucked conventional wisdom and raced towards the QiWarrior while swinging on a vine. With one swat of the palm, the Shadow was flattened, all his bones turned to powder.
No matter the cost, Bruch'oda's forces were determined to hold the Wood Door. Copy Bots circled around the QiWarrior and JOs commanded their mighty steeds to on the attack.
One such beast leapt in front of the QiWarrior and spat its corrosive saliva at him. The mixture of digestive enzymes and acids adhered to the QiWarrior's shin guards, bubbling up like freshwater spring.
Alarms were sent racing through the collective consciousness of the QiWarrior, alerting all to be aware of the danger housed in each of the beasts.
However, the QiWarrior wasn't going to let a little sputum get in the way of its mission. Taking the Qi Shield, he backhanded the JO.
The striking force was too much for the weak neck musculature of the JO and his body was instantly decapitated. The rest of his body fell slumped on the back of the gUmaN who became psychotic at the loss of its counterpart.
Roaring loudly, the infectious anger caught among the other gUmaN and the JO riders as the beast leapt up and sank its jaw into the thigh armor plating of the QiWarrior.
The gUmaN's teeth weren't sufficient to piece through the protective covering, but as the beast tore at the armor it released the corrosive material and it would only be a matter of time before the armor would dissolve and leave the QiWarrior vulnerable to attack.
The QiWarrior dropped the Qi Shield and quickly grabbed a hold of the gUmaN's neck. Pushing back the body, the QiWarrior separated it from the head, as the creature's jaw locked its teeth into his armor. As the muscles and sinews tore, the gUmaN released the contents of its bladder onto the forearms of the QiWarrior. The corrosive material began spreading over arms and chest of the mighty warrior.
Distracted, the other gUmaNs moved in, leaping their muscular bodied against the QiWarrior until he was knocked down.
With several weakened points in outer armor, Copy Bots resumed their onslaught by firing electrical beams at the fallen warrior. Each blast found its mark and chipped away at the armor.
QiWarrior tried to snap back up, but gUmaNs began gnawing at the acidic areas and kept him on his back.
It only took a matter of seconds, before the initial strike made its way through the armor and began eating away at the QiWarrior's flesh. Pain echoed in their minds as they tried to focus and push past the discomfort and free themselves.
QiWarrior began lashing out his arms and legs, trying to catch the gUmaN and break free. The smaller, but powerful beasts proved too much for the QiWarrior who could do nothing more than succumb to the pin.
The moment Jayde Yee feared the most finally came. Man'uL'o flew out of nowhere wielding his scythe and landed on the QiWarrior's chest, slamming his blade into the black armor, sending sparks into the air. The twin emerald eyes of Man'uL'o looked up and stared into the darkness of the QiWarrior's helmet.
Letting its forked tongue slide past its lips Man'uL'o hissed, "I don't think so."
Jayde's need for revenge passed over the others in the meld and QiWarrior began focusing its energy and trying to escape.
Man'uL'o retrieved his blade and whirled it above him before slamming it down into the crevice he created earlier. The shining blade glowed white as it tore deeper into the armor protecting the vital organs of the QiWarrior. The amber clad warrior of evil laughed as he drew back the scythe once more and charged it with energy. "This should do it," he yelled as he struck the QiWarrior and broke open the chest plate exposing a black garment.
Man'uL'o's forked tongue slipped past his grinning teeth once more. QiWarrior knew that he needed to strike and do it now, or his life would be over.
Summoning all its strength, QiWarrior shot twin Wood Qi Strikes from its eyes. The green streams of energy disintegrated Man'uL'o's left arm and tossed him from QiWarrior's chest. The added power was also all that he needed to toss free the gUmaN keeping his legs and arms pinned to the jungle floor.
***
Na'RotH hovered, swinging his wings too and fro as he watched with glee as the Istanor plummeted towards the Earth. Each beat of his massive wings was synched perfectly with plumes of smoke billowing out of the wounded craft. Leaning forward, he vectored his wings to send him towards the craft. He wanted to make sure nothing would stop him from seeing to its destruction.
***
Gary locked his boots on to the hull and hugged the skin as best he could. The increasing force of the downward pull was making it difficult for him to stand. If he activated his nanobots, he'd be able to take a stronger form, but loose the ability to link with Robert and the crew. Furthermore, he'd have to rely on his hands and feet to stay aboard - something he wanted to avoid.
With Robert's altered body, the stress of the descent wasn't nearly as violent. His twin cybernetic legs and enhanced torso made short work of the centrifugal forces he experienced.
"Stay here and give me cover," he shouted to Gary.
"Sure," Gary said, not knowing what else to do. Since the last hit, the Copy Bots stayed back, so there was little for him to do. However, he readied his blasters and locked his targeting sensors onto a pair of Copy Bots approaching.
"Here goes," he thought and squeezed off a few rounds. The plasma bolts rocketed through the air and connected with the Copy Bots. Their bodies exploded in a cloud a black smoke. Gary grinned as he thought back to his youth and the similarity to picking these robots off to that of relic carnival shooting games.
Robert scoured over the ship's ruptured hull. Fire still leapt out from the damaged power conduits and weapon arrays. Changing his internal scanner from Normal to Electromagnetic, allowed the NASO Operative to see past the thick, black smoke and analyze the damaged area.
Jumping into the rift, he found himself quickly surrounded by white hot frames and power lines. "Don't touch," he thought to himself as he tried to navigate in the soup of fallen wires, supports, and flames.
"Jayce, I'm in Section G-14. Where's the Relay Junction?" The long pause in Captain Lehet's answer made Robert nervous. "Am I too late?" he thought. Regardless of that fact, he continued to scan, trying to find the auxiliary power relay station. He hoped if he would funnel power through it, then the ship would be able to pull out of its dive and level off.
Through a static filled transmission, Robert's reply finally came, "We've.ot..sion....ee..ers..ft."
The Comm-link went dead after that. It wasn't exactly what he had hoped for, but intensified his scans.
The shipped rolled over and Robert fell with it and is body thrown into strands of optical fibers melted together by broken power conduits. His Stealth Armor protected him from the intense heat of the power pouring out through them, but not for long. The searing heat began to destabilize the matrix of the suit and shadowing ripples traveled over his body from the point of contact as if a stone had been thrown into a calm pond.
Pulling himself up with the aid of some fiber optic cable, Robert returned to his search. He knew time was short so he pressed harder.
***
Na'RotH motioned for a wave of Copy Bots to strafe the Istanor, which they did.
Flying at high speed, a dozen or so Copy Bots flew past Gary releasing a volley of energy bolts. He was able to take two of them down with his blasters, but he couldn't keep up with them. The resulting hits further damaged the starboard engines and tail rudder. Gary was certain that the ship couldn't take much more of this.
***
Robert peered through the smoke and finally found the deactivated relay junction. The Istanor began rocking more and more as his internal altitude sensors detected how close the ship was to the jungle floor. "No time to make this pretty," he said to himself as he deactivated his Stealth Armor.
Making his way carefully to the relay, he ripped off the panel's exterior cover. Inside were three leading wires, two of which were fused. "This should be easy enough," he thought and focused his eye beam on the occlusion.
Robert fired a small, thin laser to break the fusion, but the Istanor lurched, sending the laser a few centimeters too high and severed the leading power supply conduit.
"Shit!" he yelled in frustration.
"The ground's coming awfully quick, Rob," Gary sent through the Comm-link.
Robert stared at the unit, trying to think of something.
"I hope this works," he prayed and gripped the last two relays in his palm. Rob's internal processors relented to his override and increased the fusion processing power of the millions of nanobots in his body. Like the plasma beams he could manifest, Robert channeled the power through his hand and into the power relay.
***
The bridge of the Istanor was riddled with damage. Support beams fell from the ceiling and the forward portal was shattered. The wind from the racing ship blew backwards the smoke filling the cabin from the numerous fires erupting from the computer consoles.
Ensign Moore continued to fight the forces of gravity and keep the ship aloft, but continuously failed in her battle. "There's just isn't enough power left," she yelled over the roaring wind.
"Try!" Lehet responded.
"Have you been able to open a channel to LEO?" he asked the communications officer, but she need not answer as the look on her face told him his answer.
Lehet turned to face forward and saw the hard deck before his ship. "This is it. Brace for impact!" he ordered, pushing himself back into his chair.
***
Na'RotH smiled as he saw the ship he was sent to destroy approach the treetops of the Amazon. "Good-bye," he slithered through his fangs.
But the Istanor's breaking thrusters fired just before impact, thrusting the craft backwards in a jarring motion. The rippling sounds of bulkheads crunching made their way to Na'RotH's ears and infuriated him as he watched the ship pull out of its dive and level off above the treetops.
Screaming in a fit of rage, he flew straight at the ship, intending to destroy it personally.
***
"I've got thruster control," Ensign Moore yelled through all the confusion
He didn't know how it happened or who to thank, but Lehet only had one though on his mind, "Get us out of here!"
"Aye sir!" she responded and programmed the ship's controls to take the craft away.
***
Gary found himself laughing beneath his helmet. "Ain't this the shit," he thought. Glad he got a momentary reprieve from death; his joyous moment was short lived.
The badly crippled Istanor was no match for speed against the insurmountable number of Copy Bots. They continued to open fire and riddle the hull with explosions, rocking it uncontrollably. Gary wondered how much longer it would even be able to generate lift. He let the thought pass and began firing at the Copy Bots, trying to take as many out as he could.
"Robert, what's your status?" he asked.
There was no reply.
"Rob, answer me!" he yelled into the Comm-link imbedded in his helmet while forcing another two Copy Bots into a fiery descent.
Gary still received no reply, which he deduced could only mean one thing. "I hope you know what you're doing," he thought and fired again.
***
"Status report," Lehet ordered, trying to determine how bad of a situation he and his crew were in at the moment. Looking at McCulley's face, he knew the ice had a better chance in hell.
"They're approaching fast from astern," McCulley started. "We only have maneuvering thrusters. It won't be long before they give out. Whatever Dwyer put into play only has a few more minutes of power remaining. Plasma arrays are shot to hell, but we do have one aft torpedo remaining."
"Find a target and use it to buy us some time. Helm, find us a soft landing zone."
The two officers nodded and turned to their duties.
***
Gary's ears rang as the final plasma torpedo rocketed from the aft launcher. The glowing orb of plasma shot into the heart of several flying Copy Bots and vaporized them. The last ditch attack brought a smile to the Doctor's face as he readied for the final battle to begin.
***
Man'uL'o slammed into the truck of a nearby tree. Glancing down at his left arm, he couldn't fathom the pain he experienced from its amputation. Assessing the wound, he was at least thankful that the intense heat of the Qi Strike sealed the blood vessels and scabbed over the wound. Now, it would be time to exact revenge.
The Ultimate QiWarrior stood before the forces of evil, ready to take them on. Tightening his fists and flexing every muscle in his body, the QiWarrior shattered his armor and sent the remnants flying like shrapnel into the gUmaNs surrounding him. The shards of metal ripped through their bodies, killing them instantly.
Standing in a simple black combat Gi, the QiWarrior's protective fabric pressed against his skin as a soft breeze crept through the clearing.
That would be the last peaceful moment experienced here.
Reaching out with his left hand, the QiWarrior called for his shield to return. It did so gladly, but not before slicing through several JOs and Shadow Warriors.
With his shield firmly in hand, the QiWarrior called forth his blazing Qi Saber. The mighty sword struck fear in the Shadow Warriors guarding the Wood Mystic Door, as well it should.
The Copy bots open fire, but their bolts were blocked by the Qi Shield. With the threat averted, QiWarrior went on the offensive, charging anything and everything in his path to the Mystic Door.
The Flaming Qi Saber passed through the bodies of Copy Bots, Shadow Warriors, and JOs like a hot knife through butter. Each extension of the blade came into contact with a body and melted under its sharp edge and heat. Only the Copy Bots failed to yield to the attack, but they fell like the others.
Leaving only a trail of blood and death behind him, the QiWarrior stopped before the Wood Mystic Door. At long last, the objective of the QiRangers' mission was in sight.
Man'uL'o pressed himself up and strode to put himself between the QiWarrior and the door. Determined not to fail, he summoned his strength and shot a Dark Qi Strike from his right hand.
The black energy was easily deflected by the Qi Shield and QiWarrior saw to it that Man'uL'o's misery was finally laid to rest.
Throwing his Qi Saber like a spear, the giant sword zoomed towards Man'uL'o.
The lizard in the amber armor attempted dodge the sword, but the speed at which it moved made it impossible.
The combined force and power of the Qi Sable carved through Man'uL'o's armor as if it weren't there. The entire blade slide through his body and when the hilt came into contact with his chest plate, the resulting impact lifted Man'uL'o off the jungle floor and carried him to the mouth of the opening of the Mystic Door.
The last traces of life dripped from his bloodied body as it hung like an ornament nailed into the wall.
QiWarrior threw down his shield and summoned all its power. Screaming like a banshee, the lone figure unleashed the Ultimate Qi Strike at the Wood Mystic Door.
The blast strikes the center of the stone edifice and is instantly absorbed. The swirling mass of Green Qi inside slowly comes to a halt and goes dormant once more. With door sealed, the transfer of energy sent out a shockwave vaporizing the bodies of Man'uL'o and all the troops that had been guarding the Door.
***
Gary looked past the Copy Bots Trailing him and saw the shockwave coming erupting from where the Mystic Door was said to be. "They did it! Holy shit, they did it!" he yelled.
The resulting force created an imbalance in the airflow around the Istanor and buffeted the ship. The Istanor wasn't the only flying thing affected by the oncoming rumbling wave of destruction.
Turning his head to see what was causing the disturbance; Na'RotH's white eyes almost escaped his eye sockets. Fearing for his life, the winged Dragon Warrior poured on the speed and tried to outrace the shockwave. He knew that if he were caught under its umbrella, he'd be vaporized instantly.
Still relentless in their attack, the Copy Bots, or what remained of them, continued firing at Gary and the Istanor.
Each second brought the wave closer and crated more problems for those in the air.
The Copy Bots were affected first.
Those on the leading edge of the umbrella were pushed forward, out of control by the change in pressure. Tumbling head over heels, they quickly lost control and crashed into one another.
Gripping strut protruding through the hull, Gary continued to try to hang on and fire at any approaching Copy Bots.
One of his tasks was quickly coming to an end as the umbrella shaped shockwave closed in the Istanor. With each meter that it encroached, it made the ship rock more and more; however, he was happy to have that side effect, for every Copy Bot the wave came into contact with was instantly vaporized.
In just a few ticks of the ticks of the clock, every single Copy Bot had been destroyed, but the wave wasn't stopping.
Fear gripped the Doctor as he saw the leading edge near the aft section of the Istanor. The rear plating began to buckle under the intense atmospheric pressure and the vessel began a flat spin.
The sheer force of the shockwave and spin tumbled the craft.
Unable to secure a lock with his electromagnetic boots, Gary was sent flying free from the Istanor as it was carried like a surfer and premiere wave.
Without a point of reference, Gary's semicircular canals confused his senses and he could no longer determine which direction was up or down. Plummeting to the Earth below, Gary prepared himself for impact.
Transforming his body into a solid mass of unbreakable diamonds, the Doctor fell like a star in the night. He shot through the canopy and formed a huge crater in the soft jungle soil. Dirt and debris was cast for several hundred meters as the shiny figure lay unconscious in the earth.
***
The Istanor and Na'RotH continued ahead of the shockwave, barely.
Desperately gasping for air, Na'RotH flew like the wind, trying to stay ahead of death. The turbulence played havoc with his sense of direction, sometimes helping him, while at other times sending him in the wrong direction. He frantically searched for an easier way to avoid death but could not find a single solution. The only way he would live would be to out fly the shockwave.
He knew it had to be reaching the end its circumference, but just how much wider would it grow?
The rumbling deafened his ears, sending ringing pain throughout his head. Louder and louder it grew until it consumed him. The ringing in his ears wasn't the only source of pain. Every muscle in his body ached for energy, but there was none. He was spent - nothing was left.
Unable to fly any more, Na'RotH's body began to fall away fro the Istanor. Caught in the wake of the vessel, was actually what the Dragon Warrior needed, as it carried him with it for a few meters - just enough to be spared from the shockwave.
Well, at least he lived.
Just before the shockwave reached the hundred mile point, Na'RotH's left wing came into contact with the umbrella. The transference of energy disintegrated the structure and flung him clear of the Istanor and into the jungle below.
***
Flying out of control, the Istanor was at the mercy of the forces of grace. Ensign Moore could no longer account for the changing pitch and roll and all power systems had dropped off the charts. The once mighty warship was now nothing more than a rock falling through the sky.
The vessel slammed into the surrounding mountains breaking apart on impact. Rolling over itself, the ship became nothing more than a could of dust and debris as it filled the air with shards from the wounded craft. Nothing was safe on the mountainside - every inch was covered in metal fragments from the Istanor. What did remain after the vessel came to rest was a grouping of three major sections of the hull and wings slid to their final resting places.
Bodies could be seen strewn out over the hillside, lying motionless and fire erupted in each of the sections.
If anyone survived, it would be a miracle.
***
The Wood Qi was contained in the sealed Mystic Door. Together, the six QiRangers had successfully sealed two of the five doors and were on their way to freeing the Earth from the grasp of Bruch'oda. Inside the great tree, the stone edifice sat quietly, no longer churning with green energy, its great seals in place once more. Immediately outside the tree's mouth stood the Ultimate QiWarrior. A sense of accomplishment and joy wove its way through the meld of QiRangers. While each knew the war was far from over, Master Li affirmed that this battle had concluded by telling the others in the link, "Finally, it is done."
Each moment that passed, the QiRangers drew more from one another and began to understand how they must work together to overthrow the evil controlling Earth. While their initial meld met with disastrous results once the link severed, the additional meditations Li provided would see that this would not occur in the future. One similar thing did occur, and that was the feeling of weakness following the releasing the ultimate Qi Strike. Driving so much Qi into door took its toll on the individual QiRangers and while they longed to remain as one, they could feel their hold on one another.
However, the bond between them was not without its benefits. Each QiRanger was able to draw upon the strength of another and heal both physical and emotional wounds across space and time. Gone were any emotional scars, senses of failure, and fears. Combined into one being, the manifestation of all Qi, allowed the magical energy to course through its veins. Absorbing the Five Elements directly nature, the QiWarrior allowed the increased energy to heal the minor wounds it suffered in battle. The abrasions on its arms and legs quickly scabbed over and retuned to their normal, fleshy state.
As the QiWarrior basked under the Amazon canopy, it noticed something. In the middle of this vast jungle, not a sound was heard. Bruch'oda's forces had systematically driven out the fauna and the shockwave had killed all but the QiWarrior. Looking around, it was hard to believe that such a beautiful and wondrous place did not have any life. But still something was still present.
Something familiar.
Something unnatural.
Something terrifying.
An icy chill ran down the QiWarrior's neck, sending a shiver into its coalesced soul. Tiny papillae drew their small muscles back, erecting the hairs on the warrior's neck and forearms. Li knew it could be only one thing, but the others weren't sure. "Surely it can't be," the lesser experienced QiRangers all thought. Puzzled, the collective thoughts of the QiRangers commanded the QiWarrior to slowly turn around. It was exactly as Li had thought and what the QiRangers thought impossible. Peering behind its mask, the QiWarrior met the cold gaze of Dor'Agha.
The Shadow Reaper had returned. Standing in the same clearing, Dor'Agha abandoned its cloak and freely showed its powerful articulated skeleton. Each bone in the Reaper's body glowed blood-red and hummed softly with power.
The QiWarrior took a small step back, surprised to see such a being. Li remembered all too well his previous encounter, but the others had never experienced or looked upon Death, itself.
Dor'Agha took one step forward. As it did so, its bones shone more brightly and let out a low pitched sound. It was clear that this time there would be no last minute saves and the Shadow Reaper was intent on taking its prey. Staring at the QiWarrior, the Shadow reaper illuminated its ruby-red eyes, allowing the light to fill its cranium.
Fear raced through the QiRangers in the link - fear of losing their mentor and friend. None had ever faced such an opponent, and while it was widely known that one could cheat Death, each QiRanger knew that no one could ever beat Death. Each of the QiRangers knew that the Shadow Reaper was sent to slay Li, something they vowed to stop. Leslie emerged through the collective fear, garnering strength in her team. "Perhaps we can be the first," she thought and told the others that while individually one could fail, if they worked together, she was certain they could defeat this threat and save Master Li.
Master Li already knew the answer to that postulation.
QiWarrior adopted a defensive stance and extended its left arm while drawing back its right. The Qi Bow materialized in his hands, charged to full power. The powerful weapon shone brightly in the shadow of the ancient trees as the arrow crackled with energy. The mighty warrior aimed it at Dor'Agha, hoping the massive strike would wound the creature. Letting his right hand open, QiWarrior let the energy arrow sail free of the bow.
Like lightening connecting heaven and earth, the arrow instantly crossed the field between the two fighters.
Dor'Agha did nothing. The Shadow Reaper remained still and let the energy pass through his body.
The arrow slammed into a tree behind the Shadow Reaper and exploded upon impact. The once tall tree fell upon itself, sending timber and bits of wood everywhere as it came crashing down.
Each of the QiRangers within the QiWarrior was shocked, with the exception of Master Li. "How could that be?" they all asked.
"It simply is," Master Li let them know. He knew this would be the outcome and readied himself for the inevitable. The last original QiRanger prepared himself for one last confrontation with Death.
"I have no quarrel with you," Dor'Agha said in its mystical voice casting both arms forward and sending an invisible blast at the QiWarrior. The resulting force tore at the very fabric that held the QiRangers together. The power the Shadow Reaper possessed was greater than any they had come across and ripped through the outer shell of flesh and bone and began tearing them apart on an energetic level. Try as they might, Dor'Agha's blow was too much and the QiRangers were cast apart.
The five QiRangers were sent flying away from where QiWarrior once stood. As each QiRanger materialized, their armors vanished. The force from the blow carried them far into the periphery, away from Master Li, who remained in the center.
Rolling when she hit the ground, Leslie quickly came to her feet. The Fire QiRanger spun around and tried to race towards the Shadow Reaper. Anger filled her eyes as she clenched her fists. The Fire QiRanger knew she had to do something and was willing to stop at nothing to see that she succeeded. But Leslie, like the others, found her self restrained by Dor'Agha's mental projection. Struggling against the invisible barrier, she cried out, "Stop!"
But her calls for cessation went unanswered.
Each of the other QiRangers similarly tried to attack Dor'Agha, but the barrier he erected was too powerful. All they could do from their vantage point it watch helplessly.
Wind swept around the Shadow Reaper filling the creature of death with intense power. Its bones increased their illumination and small white strands of energy coursed through its body. The sound of raw energy could be heard above the rustling wind as Dor'Agha formed the Soul Catcher. The impressive ball of death rested comfortably in the Shadow Reaper's hands as it stared at Li.
The eldest QiRanger stood before Dor'Agha unafraid and ready for what would come next. He readied his body to accept the Soul Catcher, opening his arms and widening his stance.
The Soul Catcher streaked across the jungle floor and slammed into Master Li, throwing him back a few feet. Li's arms reached backwards as the darkness tore away at his Qi. Black tendrils crept out from the sphere and wrapped around Li's body. Within seconds the black mass had completely enveloped Master Li.
His body began convulsing as electricity shocked him. Popping sounds could be heard by each of the QiRangers looking on helplessly as the Soul Catcher snapped at the sinews of Li's body. The power transfer continued and began sending sparks into the air, casting shadows on the QiRangers' faces. The intense power of the Soul Catcher lifted Master Li into the air and began spinning him around while stealing his life.
The power began tore away at his Gi, ripping it to shreds and casting the remains downward. The power from the Soul Catcher caused these small pieces of fabric to burst into flames as it passed through the air.
The QiRangers tried again to move against Dor'Agha, but the overpowering force the creature used was too much. None could even lift their foot or raise a hand at the Shadow Reaper.
The black electrical strands slowly began changing into white ribbons of energy, signaling the process was nearing completion. Master Li was able to look once more at his new friends and sent once final message, "Be not afraid." The white strands coalesced into a white ball and began leaving Master Li's body. The eldest QiRanger let out one last cry as the final bit of his life force was ripped from his soul.
That sound would last forever in the ears of the remaining QiRangers, as the image burned into their minds.
The white Soul Catcher dropped Li and returned to Dor'Agha.
Master Li's lifeless body fell to the jungle floor and instantly began aging. Five thousand years quickly took its toll on the QiRanger. The soft, toned skin of their mentor vanished and became withered in a blink.
Staring at Master Li's aging body, Dor'Agha accepted the Soul Catcher into its own. The white sphere melded with the Soul Reaper, infusing it with even more power. Throwing its arms back, the white tentacles enveloped the creature and passed Master Li's Prenatal Qi into its new host. Dor'Agha screamed, its shrieking voice filling the jungle. The sound was so horrifying that Leslie and the others covered their ears to escape the torment, but the sound passed by their hands and directly into their minds.
The Soul Catcher quickly dissipated and Dor'Agha stood tall before the remaining QiRangers. "It is done," the Shadow Reaper said into their minds, sending chilling thoughts of death. With its target attained, Dor'Agha released the hold on the QiRangers, who fell forward in the absence of resistance.
The five QiRangers came to their feet and summoned their armor. They moved as five, focusing all their rage and anger on Dor'Agha.
But it was useless.
The Shadow Reaper was called forth to take the life of one individual, and one alone.
That was its way.
One life.
One death.
It did not care to become involved with others, for Dor'Agha knew that the time would come when it would be summoned to take their life force. Letting the power ease away from its bones, the Shadow Reaper again took on the form of an aged skeleton, its mottled bones standing on the jungle floor.
Before the armored QiRangers could exact their revenge, Dor'Agha vanished, leaving them to witness the decomposition of Master Li.
The QiRangers skidded to a halt, gasping in disbelief as they saw the Dor'Agha disappear. "No!" Leslie cried again, sending dust into the air. She knew there was nothing more she could do, but still didn't believe that Li was gone. "What am I supposed to do now?" she thought.
In fact, none of them knew what to do.
"Look," Abeu said pointing at Li and deactivating his armor.
The others did the same and turned their gaze at his body lying before them.
The passage of time was not kind to the once might warrior. Nothing was spared. His flesh withered away revealing his bones, but it didn't stop there. As each second passed, time pulled at the very fabric surrounding his body. His Gi became tattered and eventually amounted to nothing more than ash. In less than a minute, all that was left was a pile of dust and ash. Each QiRanger stared at the heap of Master Li's remains and saw nothing that resembled the man they knew intimately. Gone was the lively man that they had fought with and vowed to save.
Death affected each of them in different ways, but one thing was for certain - emotions began boiling over as they dealt with the loss.
One by one, the QiRangers turned their gaze to Leslie, hoping she would have some answer - that she could offer some sort of guidance. But she couldn't. Her emotions were the most troubled because deep in her soul, she knew that now the others would look to her for leadership, something she did not want or know what to do with. She was still so young an inexperienced. As tears filled her eyes, she bent down to one knee and reached into Master Li's remains. It only took a few seconds, but she found what she was searching for and wrapped her hands around the object. Pulling back her hand, Leslie retrieved Li's medallion.
What remained of the former QiRanger's body was smashed into the crevices of the lines marking the gold coin. Leslie drew it close to her chest and vowed to avenge Li's death. Each of the QiRangers could sense her determination and agreed.
Bruch'oda would be stopped, no matter the cost.
***
Qual'och and Xantia rejoiced as they watched Li fade away into oblivion. Hugging one another tightly, Xantia looked into her lover's eyes, "You did it. You've defeated Father's greatest foe. The reward shall be yours and yours alone!" She pressed her lips against his and provided her own reward for succeeding where all others failed.
"Yes," the Wizard spoke, pulling back and already feeling the power of the Ru'dth returning to his body. Qual'och closed his eyes and reveled in the sensation as the power consumed him.
Thunderous claps of lightening burst down upon him from the walls and ceiling, throwing Xantia back against the bookcase. The soft dove-skinned Princess braced herself against the fixture, aware that any attempt to approach would be disastrous.
The Ru'dth's power infused the once weak cleric and charged his bones and muscles with incredible energy, forcing the meek structures to ripple and expand as white ribbons of energy flowed over his body.
Power oozed from every pore of Qual'och as he began growing into his new, more enhanced frame. This time, the power transfer would be permanent - there was no need for medallions to temporarily bring the power to him - this time his agreement with Death would seal the powers of the Ru'dth in his body for all eternity.
***
Bruch'oda angrily looked down at Dra'isod, "What do you mean 'You don't know?'" he boomed as his voice rattled the upper rafters of the Throne Room. The mighty Emperor leaned forward from his throne, hoping for some semblance of an intelligible answer.
Unsure of how the Wood Mystic Door was sealed, Dra'isod did nothing but stand silently, taking the full brunt of his Master's anger. His forces were so powerful, yet they crumbled under the might of the QiRangers, who somehow snuck past his guards.
"I'd expect this of others, but not from you!" he yelled, casting forth Dark Qi at the Dragon Warrior.
Black electricity danced around Dra'isod's armor, forcing him to the stone floor. The Dark Qi ate away at his armor and began smoldering his reptilian skin. Reeling in pain, Dra'isod fought the urge to scream and bit both its tongues to keep its mouths shut. He closed his eyes and shook violently as the dark power ripped away as his body.
"Arg!" Bruch'oda yelled out in frustration, turning his eyes away from his failed General in disgust and releasing the energy.
Dra'isod collapsed to the floor, struggling to breathe. Dra'isod's rhythmic and labored breath was heard echoing in the Throne Room and each inhalation was soured by the stench of his burned flesh.
That sound brought infinite satisfaction to Qual'och, who left the smell of Dra'isod's burnt scales quaff in his nares.
Stepping out of the main corridor and into the light, the empowered Wizard made his entrance. "Perhaps, I can shed some light on what happened," he said in a bold new voice filled with power.
Dra'isod's left head turned to see where the voice was coming from, while its right looked up at Bruch'oda. Guttural distain instantly washed over him and hatred filled his veins as he realized that Qual'och not only was responsible for what happened, but that he had once again attained the power of the Ru'dth.
Bruch'oda hid his surprise, simply sitting back further in his throne. "Explain."
"It was Li," Qual'och said, pausing to allow the information sink in. "Again. Dra'isod is a very capable warrior but cannot defeat the mystical forces that reside within him or the others. This is why he consistently fails."
The comment stung Dra'isod, not only because it directly assaulted his honor and authority as leader of all troops, but because he knew it to be true.
"You may have the strength and power to defeat armies," Qual'och said, looking directly at the kneeling warrior, "but you cannot defeat that which is more powerful."
"As I recall," Bruch'oda said with an underlying tone informing Qual'och not to press the issue too much further, "you haven't had any successes in this arena either."
Qual'och smiled. "That has changed."
The mighty wizard created an energy sphere above them. "Look," he said - no, commanded the others.
Inside the scene was too good to be true, Bruch'oda thought. He saw the QiRangers standing around, broken and sobbing. The young female held one medallion and Li was nowhere to found. He could see no sixth person, only a small pile of ash in the center of their small circle. "Could it be?" he thought, "Did he really succeed?"
"How did you accomplish this when so many have failed?" the Warlord asked.
Qual'och shifted his grin before replying, "That you need not be concerned with. The fact of the matter is that Li is gone and the others will be easily picked off."
"And what of the other humans?" Bruch'oda asked.
"That is the one thing Dra'isod did do right."
Qual'och changed the sphere to show the wreckage of the Istanor. The metallic frame cast its plating, support structures, and countless bodies over the hillside. Bruch'oda relished in the sea of destruction he viewed. "This craft possesses the ability to transport our forces off the Earth and into space. We can leave behind our worldly restraints and destroy the outlying humans once and for all."
"Of what use to it of us? There seems to be nothing left of it?"
Bruch'oda focused the sphere on the internal networking structure of the Istanor. A single computer module remained intact, deep within the craft.
"This unit holds the technological key. By interfacing it with the robot Jeffery, we will be able to recreate the device and rein terror on the orbiting platforms."
Bruch'oda smiled, letting his teeth glisten, "Excellent."
***
End of Episode 4 - The Seventh Seal
