Shang was walking through the Avenue of Stars, which was now more empty than it had ever been. He had seen the attack of the strange creature from the other day, and began to contemplate the nature of his dream. Was it truly a dream, or was there something more to it. If it even was a vision, he could not help to understand it, there was not nearly enough to go off of. As if to interrupt this stream of thought, a hand was firmly placed on his shoulder. There was a bit of a hearty laugh let out by him, the same kind an old man would let out when he met a youngster. He turned around to see a man in his prime, smiling at him brightly. " I'm sorry to disturb you. You just...have something familiar about you...I can't put my finger on it. " The stranger spoke, he placed a finger on his chin, staring at him intently.

The man was hauling around a large chest in one arm like it was no one's business. It didn't look like a prop either. It was made with an intricate metal design, with various murals upon its sides depicting Oni of various shapes and sizes. Shang simply stared blankly, he had not seen this man anywhere in his life, and he came so out of the blue and so nonchalantly that he didn't quite know what to say. The man relented in his stare before pulling away from him, waving with his freed hand as he smiled. " Well it was nice meeting you, kid, sorry if I took you out of your train of thought. " He spoke rather candidly, proceeding to go back on his merry way, whistling a bit as he marched across the largely empty avenue.

There was a mass exodus following the attack that occurred the other day. With so many families without power, they had no choice but to move back in with their relatives abroad or to find new horizons entirely. The world was changing, and Shang silently pondered if he was going to change with it.

He walked on over to a history exhibit that was nearby, detailing various artifacts recovered from the various dynasties of China. He had always had a appreciation for the past, easily fascinated by the stories of the past. His eyes drifted towards a painting of the Red Turban Rebellion, staring at it intently as he continued to see flashes and blurs of the dream he once had, however, there was no further elaboration. The images simply repeated over and over in his head, not making any kind of sense. Shang was giving this place one last look, his mother and father were planning to get with their family in China with the lack of power in the city. This might be the only time he would be able to look at the museum for a long whole, so he decided to enjoy it, taking a leisurely stroll throughout the area.

...

Apex was brought to her knees within the throne room of the Tumad base that had been established within the Tarim Basin. It was a large complex that floated within the sky like it's own personal heaven. It was practically a city within its own right, and would later serve as a center of immigration once the planet was subjugated under the Tumad thumb.  Jugana let out a sigh as he looked at her enter the room. She had made a swift recovery ever since the battle, however, the wounds to her pride were not so easily healed. " I fear that your servant has not faired so well...failing to kill any of her five targets..."

Ayudara sat in the other end of the room, sitting upon a small throne. A square table sat in front of him, with a holographic projection of the Earth displayed upon it, behind him, slay an elongated corridor. A myriad of figures stood beside him, all members of his entourage, concealed in shadows, reduced to mere silhouettes. " While that is true, from her failure we have learned something of great value from our opponents...and she has also managed to rid Kowloon of its power...we merely need to look forwards and determine how to improve ourselves in the future. "

Apex smiled as she heard Ayudara's voice. He was filled with a charisma that made her want to work harder, however, Jugana saw something else within his response. Being a man in the military for so long, he picked up on certain cues. His defense was made purely to defend his own integrity, he could feel it, even as it was entirely concealed within his voice, expression, and demeanor. It was a horrifying tongue that Ayudara wielded, and would be something that he would have to watch out for in the future. " Master, I will not fail you again! " Apex declared proudly, a hand firmly placed upon her breast as she proclaimed her devotion to the prince.

Ayudara held out his hand, and gestured for her to leave the two alone politely, candidly smiling. " Where is your friend? Still galavanting about on Earth? He has already completed his task...are you sure that he has your best interests in mind? " He asked, his voice permeating throughout the entire room, echoing into Jugana's mind.

It was like a hot tar that was being poured all over his body, a boiling waste of doubt that he attempted to cloud his mind with. Jugana, with his level head, dismissed it though. " I never told him to remain here. He is best suited out there with how much he has grown attached to his human form..."

...

Li had traveled through the streets of the quickly deserting Kowloon, for a walled city, keeping people in was a mere dream now. Traversing the roads, he felt like Moses walking to the Promised Land, always having to deal with the bickering Israelites right behind him, or in this case, Hannah, who couldn't take a hint went it came to the situation of what was going on. " Listen, if you think you can just whisk me and my sister away to Beijing because you're some magic hot shot, you're dead wrong mister! " The blonde exclaimed angrily, only for the pupil of Vietsa to turn right back at her.

" If you want to go. Just go. I'm not forcing anyone to stay, I took out one of those bastards by myself with a little help from Cass. I bet I only need one of you, if even that to complete my master's task. "

Hannah simply lit up further in rage as her pride was attacked. " Only I can call my sister that, and that's real big talk coming from the bitch of some crusty old monk who'll bend over backwards like a good little dog and do whatever he says "

With Li's pride under fire now, he had other choice but to retaliate, he raised his fist in the air in aggression, only to be stopped by Akeem, who promptly got in front of him. " Calm down man...she's not worth it- "

Akeem suddenly felt a burning sensation strike his back instantly, as if being stung. His eyes widened as he plummeted towards the ground, a wire swinging from an above ground power line, and an all too familiar face sitting on top. " I'm worth it, though. " Apex said, smirking as she looked at the group, now staring at her in absolute shock.

She leapt down from the tall structure, and it was immediately apparent something was different about her. In the darkness of the night, she was no longer concealed by the black fur upon her body. Much more of her pale skin began to show as it had been shed, and her ebony hues had been replaced by crimson and amethyst tones. Her tail had changed significantly as well, becoming more alien in appearance, as it now resembled a bioluminescent, third appendage with several slits opened at its tip. " In all my years of fighting...I've never had to unleash my secondary form...not even my master Ayudara knows about it. I sacrifice my ability to sink into the ground, in exchange for greater power. "

Hannah scoffed. " I'm sure you and Li get along just fine, always howling to some master! "

Li held out his hand, instantly transforming into his green armor. " Drop it. " He simply replied, forming a wooden pike from his hand and turning back at her to threaten her with it, remaining largely unimpressed by the gesture.

Li, while distracted, was immediately met by a one inch punch delivered directly to his throat, followed by a volley of kicks and punches. Cassandra rushed in to intervene like last time, however, Apex's tail crashed against her chest, sending her flying into a nearby store window and straight through it. " Do you know why we cannot allow humans to wield our technology? " She asked Li, each punch and kick echoing deeper and deeper volumes of pain into his chest.

Hannah looked on at the ensuing chaos, it pained her deeply to see her sister in such a state. The fact she felt so helpless to do anything didn't help at all. " Humans are self serving beings who only care about themselves! Look at this world, your hands and your hands alone have brought it to its knees for the sake of your own comfort...and yet, you're still so primitive regardless of the sacrifices you've made! Your race is an angry, helpless child that cannot be allowed to advance towards its final frontier! I'll cut you out like the tumors you are! " Apex exclaimed, releasing a final kick that sent the green warrior skidding down the street.

She didn't apply enough force to knock him unconscious, because Apex wanted him to be fully awake for what was coming next. The slits of her tail segmented, and the appendage began to glow vibrantly as it lit up with energy. Hannah continued to stare helplessly, she attempted to channel the supposed Qi that was resting inside of her, but like an unanswered door, it did not resonate with her at all. Cassandra had managed to get up from where she was flung, looking on at what was happening. She remembered how effortlessly Li had defended her and her sister, and quickly began to pick herself back up, her body brimming with energy as she began to make an advance out of the store, until being coated in a yellow light, which manifested itself as a protective armor. Out of pure instinct, she launched her hand into the air, unleashing a pillar of rock from the ground which knocked the trajectory of Apex's attack off into the sky, illuminating it in a massive display of light. " I won't let you hurt him or anyone else! " Cassandra shouted, running towards Apex directly.

The extraterrestrial proceeded to duck and swing her tail at her opponent, sending her crashing into the ground. She then proceeded to bring her knee down upon the novice fighter and began to pummel her helm, shattering her visor in the process. " I'll make sure that there's nothing left of you when I'm done! " She exclaimed, bringing her hand into the air as claws shot out of it, and sending it straight down towards her exposed face.

Hannah looked in horror at what was about to transpire, she could feel her Qi gathering and coalescing into one singular entity, however, it suddenly dispersed. Apex gasped for air suddenly as she fell to the ground, a wooden pike landed firmly upon her neck as she crashed onto the ground. With the opening she provided for Li, he had managed to deliver the killing blow to his enemy, sending her crashing upon the concrete. The green and yellow armors vanished as the two returned to their base forms. Li began to breathe heavily as Cassandra laughed a bit. " Let's hope...this doesn't become a habit..." She sighed, falling unconscious shortly after.

The group would set up camp in the area for the rest of the night, knowing that with most of them in bent up shape, they could not afford to have another encounter.

...

Ayudara held his head for a moment, letting out a sigh as he felt the connection to Apex severed. " I guess the faith you held in your servant has been shaken, no? " Jugana asked, smirking at him as he grabbed a glass containing a purple liquid within it, drinking it slowly before setting it down.

Ayudara smiled a bit. " I don't see what you're fretting about. She is replaceable, everyone here is. I can always make more people...if I had the time. "

The Prince's remark was bone chilling to Jugana. His utter disregard for his subordinate was something he had only seen from the most battle hardened individuals within the Tumad military. It was as if Apex's entire life was centered around this man, and he could not help to even acknowledge her demise. There was the sound of footsteps that could be heard entering the area, and in the first time since the base was built, Temur had returned, still holding that chest within his arm. Ayudara's eyes drifted from their calm and became much more attentive, looking at the box that alluded him, and then to Temur, who was holding something else in his free hand. " It seems your pet has brought us a gift, Jugana. How pleasant. "

Within the hand of Temur was a shirt, and wearing this shirt was an unconscious adult, female, human woman, who he promptly dropped to the ground. Jugana placed an inquisitive finger upon his chin, wondering what the meaning of all this was. " I didn't take you the one to fancy a mate...you must have outlived so many humans already..."

Temur smirked and laughed at Jugana, shaking his head. " Throughout my time on Earth, I have gained the ability to sense Qi. Your arrival here has caused the planet to react, and I've sensed several spikes in Qi upon the planet, in addition to one very large nexus of Qi. I encountered one such spike upon my scouting trip, and I have taken his mother as a hostage. I believe that is a far more impressive display than what you have managed to accomplish,
Ayudara. "

Ayudara simply smiled in response, his resolve was not broken, however, curiously he still eyed the box he carried. " I have been honest with every aspect of this operation. Yet you still seem to be very secretive when it comes to that little...chest of yours. "

The masquerading Tumad merely chuckled. " This chest is my weapon. I'll chose to use it and divulge its power when I see fit. " He replied, a shit faced grin forming on his face as two guards emerged from opposite ends of the room, taking the woman to a holding cell where she could more easily be stored away.

Ayudara grimaced a bit, seemingly Temur was the only person who managed to get a rise out of him. Jugana couldn't help but let out a soft, quite chuckle at their animosity. He grabbed his drink and took a sip, before setting it down once again. " One of my former veterans will arrive in due time, he'll be sure to cull these...Qi warriors without much of an issue. "

The captain let out a laugh as did Temur, mocking Ayudara's track record when it came to dealing with the human problem. However, the prince quickly regained his resolve, and raised a finger in the air. " But what if...we did not attack the warriors..." He began, only to receive another fit of laughter, particularly from Temur.

" Are you out of your mind? The pressures of leadership must be really getting to you now, Ayudara! "

The Tumad prince smiled giddily as he stared down Temur, so glad that he would be able to prove him wrong and make him look like a fool for once. " Since you can locate the Qi, we have no need to spare the life of Vietsa. Seeing that he is separated from his pack, we can kill him with little consequence. This new generation will quickly become lost as our knowledge grows exponentially with every encounter, until they are crushed under our heel. "

Temur's face shifted, becoming somewhat more serious in tone, he placed a finger on his chin as he began to thought. He had only seen an energy and cunning like this before, and that was when he served in the court of Kublai Khan all those centuries ago. He nodded slowly as he agreed with the plan, all the pieces were slowly falling into their favor now, all they needed was to exercise the right amount of force to push everything in the right trajectory. Jugana was rather surprised to see the two collectively agree on something. " Then this I declare to be our next move of action. Temur will use the boy's mother as a bargaining chip to sway the last Qi warrior to our side. My veteran will travel to the hospital to kill Vietsa. Ayudara will send one of his servants to deal with the rest. Even if one of our objectives fails, we still have two we are more than likely to succeed in. All in favor of this plan? "

The two Tumads collectively nodded in agreement, and their plot had now been settled, ready to be put into action at any time now...