This was originally going to be a short story like Expedition of Exiles, but seeing as the outline/synopsis took me literally an entire day to write... yeah, it's gonna be quite a bit longer than EoE. Anyway, this takes place immediately after the Roleplay's recent Tribal Summit, but you don't need to know what's happening currently in the RP to understand this story (past events that are important to this story will be recapped within it).
The Last Reincarnations
Chapter 1
Scorponok saw nothing but infinite darkness. This wasn't anything new, ever since he was blinded, but this time it was different. This time, he didn't have his other senses. There was just... nothingness. "Am I dead?" He thought momentarily. No, that couldn't be it; the phoenix "chi ghost" that Bliston had summoned before his capture by the Gorillas confirmed that one would retain a physical form in the afterlife. "Am I frozen?" Scorponok thought. Perhaps this is what it had been like for Scorpix and all the other people who'd been frozen by the Ice Hunters. This was probably the case, the scorpion decided. Scorponok never did hear another person's voice ever since Lycor had blinded him, meaning that he hadn't returned to civilization from the Wastelands. He'd tried to make it back south on foot, but in his current state, that was nigh impossible. He'd probably wandered into the Arctic, and was frozen by the below zero temperature. He had no fire chi on him, after all. "Boy, you really like to over-analyze things, don't you?" Scorponok almost screamed in shock. The voice sounded like it was coming from inside his head. "Although I don't blame you for being confused." The voice continued. "That's how it was for me, back when I first 'woke up' in that state." "Who are you?!" Scorponok yelled out. "Why are you in my head?!" "Funny, I remember asking you that when our roles were reversed," the voice snarled, its patronizing tone turning to one of anger, "but of course you couldn't hear me! Well, how do YOU like it, Mr. Accidental Life?! How do YOU like being trapped in that state, that I was trapped in for all these years?!" Scorponok realized suddenly how similar this voice sounded to his own...
"That's right, Scorponok," the gloating voice continued, "now you know how it feels to be trapped inside of your own body while someone else controls it. Well, actually, this is my body." "What are you talking about?!" Scorponok demanded. "This body is mine alone!" "For a time it was yours," the voice growled, "but it was never supposed to be. And now you've gone and gotten me blinded! Thanks a lot for that, idiot!" Scorponok heard another voice, but this one sounded like it was coming from outside, not within his head; at least his sense of hearing had returned. "Let's go." The deep and commanding voice echoed, sounding like multiple voices talking at once. "I've already arranged the rendezvous." The being with the echoing voice picked up the scorpion and flew away, as Scorponok himself was forced to simply listen from this point forward, in an effort to find out what in Chima was going on.
In the Lion City, Lion Field Marshal Lycor and Leopard King Leodus met with Mammoth Prince Malgus II. They'd just returned from the Tribal Summit, a meeting between the leaders of Chima's tribes that the mysterious masked man claiming to be the Eagle King Erdrik had invited them too. Suffice it to say, the Tribal Summit didn't go as these three men had expected; two declarations of war had been made, both of which had startling ramifications. "So King Erdrik wants as many tribes as possible to unite against this Manta Ray Empire," the Mammoth Prince recapped, scratching his partially skeletal trunk, "which we know is a real thing thanks to the Bats." "Yet while the Bats seemed to be focusing on defending against a possible invasion from the Rays," Leodus continued, "the way Erdrik talked about the foreign tribe made it sound like he wants to take a war to their shores, which is most certainly not a good course of action, especially during these times." Leodus crossed his arms. "I should hope not to stir up more controversy by saying this," he started hesitantly, "but perhaps the reason the Bats never told the other tribes of the Rays... was to prevent people like Erdrik from finding out about them."
Lycor looked to the Lion Temple. "Not to mention my uncle's declaration of war on the Forgotten." He said. "I don't know what Lycan is thinking. He must have some reason to do this, but what...?" As Lycor said this, the Lion Air Force, bristling with (literal) firepower and armed with bombs, soared overhead, going straight north. "I really do wish the Sabertooth Tribe had attended the Tribal Summit." Leodus lamented, knowing where those aircraft were headed. "Or that I'd been able to convince the other tribes to make peace with them." "It couldn't be helped." Malgus II replied. "The Forgotten at the Summit were absolutely disgusted at your proposition that they try to get on the new Sabertooth leader's good side. The Bat King was right; certain tribes will truly never ally with each other." "Maybe so." Said Leodus. "Then we need to focus on the Great Illumination. A permanent restoration of the Elemental Balance —in other words, the erasure of elemental powers from Chima— will at least solve some problems." "Yes, my father is on the hunt for the remaining six Fire Wing Harnesses as we speak." The Mammoth Prince replied. "Although... I am worried that he's changing because of that." "Changing?" Lycor questioned. "What do you mean?" "He's been indescribably different ever since donning that harness." Malgus II explained. "Different than the benevolent new Mammoth King who saw the bigger picture, and disassociated our tribe from the Sabertoothes to leave the war and maintain the Elemental Balance." Bits of ice fell from his bulky, translucent blue armor as the young Prince shrugged. "Ah, but maybe I'm just imagining it." Malgus II bid farewell to the other two men as he left the city with his guards, but Lycor called out to him while he got into the Ice Mammoth Stomper standing outside. "Prince Malgus, wait. I trust there's no hard feelings for when I crashed your helicopter in the Grassy Plains." Malgus II laughed. "Think nothing of it. That was an... unusual situation. And no, before you ask, I don't know of Lyrix's whereabouts. My father hasn't contacted me since abducting him. Hmm..."
Scanning the Great Forest below, Fal'qar saw the meeting spot, on the shore of a pond. The phoenix landed in front of the Forever Rock, setting down the companion he'd been carrying. The blind scorpion stayed close to the rock. "We're here, I presume?" Said the scorpion, in his simultaneously deep and raspy voice. "So, Your Highness, I see you were extremely lucky with your reincarnation this time, unlike me." "Not exactly." Fal'qar replied. "For a time, this worked out well, but the rest of the Phoenix eventually overthrew me due to my actions." The phoenix sighed. "They lack understanding." Fal'qar mumbled, his voice echoing even now. Listening to this within his body, Scorpnok shouted to the being possessing him. "Hey, you! I demand to know the truth of all this!" Scorponok's spirit, which had materialized in the void by now, crossed his arms. "You're still going to hear me, right? So you might as well tell me what's going on." "Hold on a minute." Fal'qar's companion said. "I must humor this fool sharing my body, if only to get him to shut up." "I heard that--!" Scorponok started. "I guess I haven't properly introduced myself." The voice interrupted, speaking to Scorponok through thoughts. "I am Zarak, a member of the Phoenix Triumvirate, and you, Scorponok, are the reincarnation of me." "The reincarnation?" Scorponok asked. "That doesn't sound too far-fetched after what I've heard and seen from the Phoenix, but then why do we appear to be two separate souls sharing one body?" "Oh, I'll explain why." Zarak growled. "You see, while phoenix often have very long lifespans, we aren't truly immortal, despite what Ice Hunter propaganda portraying us as otherworldly abominations will have you believe." "Of course." Scorponok said. "No one is immortal. Go on." "Well despite this fact, three of us figured out how to perpetually reincarnate with our memories intact." Zarak explained. "Not for selfish reasons, but rather, for a just purpose; to eternally prevent a complete Great Illumination." "To prevent one?" Scorponok asked. "Er, go on." "Unfortunately," Zarak continued, "this comes with a downside; we can't choose what beings we reincarnate as."
-last edited on Sept 13, 2020 23:23:23 GMT by The J
Post by The J on Sept 13, 2020 23:21:11 GMT
"Thus, an unforeseen event occurred the last time." Zarak went on. "I was reincarnated in the body of a primitive, non-sentient being. Because of this, I wasn't able to pick up where I left off, directly controlling the body. No, the forces of nature intervened, I suppose. I was essentially trapped in the body of said primitive being, forced to simply watch from within as the creature went about its meaningless life in the Gorge of Eternal Depth, eventually drinking chi... evolving, and forming its own personality." "I understand your animosity toward me now," Scorponok said, his spirit nodding, "but perhaps we can compromise; if we somehow share the body--" "Share?!" Zarak roared. "SHARE?!? You're an ACCIDENT, Scorponok! Your consciousness literally wasn't meant to exist! Do you know how mind-numbing it was, trapped in solitude, losing all my senses except for sight and hearing, for well over TWENTY YEARS?! I nearly lost my sanity!!!" "Yes, nearly... right." Scorponok mumbled. "Anyhow," Zarak growled, "while your... 'spirit' dominated the body, and I wasn't able to control it directly or communicate with you verbally, I was, at least, able to plant images of the Phoenix Temple into your mind after you evolved, in hopes that, if you went there, it would 'awaken' my spirit and give me control of the body. That was all I could do, and unfortunately it didn't work." "So... that's what those visions were." Scorponok said. "Well, of course." Zarak replied. "Why else do you think the other phoenix suspected you of having the "soul of a phoenix" within you, or that you were able to plug fire chi without passing the Trial, or that you could tap into lingering Illumination energy in that one instance? All those things came from my spirit's presence. Wait, you... heh-heh-heh-heh... You thought that you were special, didn't you? Eh-heh-heh-heh... That you were some sort of chosen hero destined to lead your people in the fight against the Ice Hunters?? Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-HAH-HA-HA-HAA-HA-HAAA! Oh, this is too good! You have no destiny, Scorpnok! As I said, your entire EXISTENCE is a literal accident!!" The raspy laughter roared all around him as Scorponok remained silent.
Scorponok heard Fal’qar speaking to him and Zarak. “I was finally able to break out of the Phoenix Temple dungeons when this new Empress Fiona left for the Tribal Summit.” Fal’qar explained. “It seems my usurper, Set-Ra, returned just then to the isles. I stuck around in the shadows briefly, and found that he was distraught because of Fiona’s takeover of the tribe. I took advantage of his current emotional state to... influence him into attacking the Eagle Tribe, immediately after the Tribal Summit.” ”Why the Eagles?” Zarak asked. ”Simply as a diversion for the Phoenix Tribe to prolong them from noticing my absence,” Fal’qar answered, “and also, because I’m suspicious and intrigued about the Eagles’ current king. The attack might be going well right now, it might be backfiring... it matters not to me. We need to summon that... eccentric ally of ours, and plan our next move with him, as soon as possible.” “Well, while we’re waiting for the gorilla to arrive with the chi ghost concoctions,” Zarak said, “you might as well tell me how you were overthrown.” “Very well,” Fal’qar replied, “I’ll recap you on what happened...”
Just as Lycor was bidding Leodus farewell at the gate of the Lion City, a gorilla drove up on a speedor. “Excuse me,” the gorilla said, “would you be so kind as to give me directions to the Forever Rock from here?” Lycor did so as he and Leodus walked down the stairs. “Thank you.” The gorilla said curtly, driving off as fast as he had arrived. Lycor nudged the Leopard King, gesturing with his other hand at the back of the gorilla. ”Did you see that?” Lycor asked his friend. “The contents of his bag?” ”Some kind of blue veils, yes.” Leodus said. “What about them?” ”Those are chi ghost concoctions.” Lycor said. ”I beg your pardon?” Leodus asked. ”I’ll explain what they are on the way.” Lycor replied, walking off of the staircase and into the Lion Plains. “I believe you and I should follow this gorilla at a distance. If he’s meeting someone in such a discreet location, it must be a non-gorilla who knows about chi ghosts.” Leodus agreed to go with Lycor, sending his Leopard guards north to tell Vamprah about this.
The Sabertooth Tiger-Lion War has swept across Chima like a tsunami, affecting even neutral tribes as the vengeful Sabertooth Tigers and their Mammoth allies destroy all in their way to obliterating the Lions. Fal'qar --leader of the Phoenix Triumvirate, lucky to have been reincarnated as a Phoenix Prince, who had the memories of his previous lives return upon reaching adulthood, as usual-- now the current Phoenix Emperor, announced to his tribe that they'd enact a man-made Great Illumination for the first time, since the Sabertoothes' war with the Lions could not only pose a threat to the (then grounded) Mount Cavora and the chi falls, but also cause extinction for the entire lion species.
Soon after making this announcement and having the Phoenix prepare, Fal'qar walked across one of the smallest Phoenix Islands (one of the isles that was on the water, rather than floating above it) alone. I know not what the exact result of an incomplete Illumination will be, he thought, but I do know that it takes all nine Fire Wing Harnesses to perform a complete one. Hopefully an Illumination with eight harnesses will put an end to this war; all I need to do is dispose of the remaining harness. Fal'qar presently spotted the man he was supposed to meet with; a cloaked sabertooth tiger, his face (except for his snout and fangs) hidden by his hood, his arms crossed as he stood in front of the unassuming rowboat he'd come here on. It was the late night; the Great Illumination would probably occur just as the sun rises, Fal'qar thought to himself. The hooded cat grinned upon seeing the Emperor. "Took you long enough." Whispered the sabertooth. "Hurry, take it!" Fal'qar whispered, looking around for any watchers as he passed a Fire Wing Harness to his ally. "Make haste." "Yeah, yeah." The sabertooth replied, wrapping the glowing armor in cloth and jumping back into his boat with it. "You know, you were the last person I'd ever have expected to... Well, I guess my tribe has been acting up." The sabertooth's chuckle was interrupted by a call from behind Fal'qar. "Emperor? Emperor Faelin?"
Scorponok heard Fal’qar speaking to him and Zarak. “I was finally able to break out of the Phoenix Temple dungeons when this new Empress Fiona left for the Tribal Summit.” Fal’qar explained. “It seems my usurper, Set-Ra, returned just then to the isles. I stuck around in the shadows briefly, and found that he was distraught because of Fiona’s takeover of the tribe. I took advantage of his current emotional state to... influence him into attacking the Eagle Tribe, immediately after the Tribal Summit.” ”Why the Eagles?” Zarak asked. ”Simply as a diversion for the Phoenix Tribe to prolong them from noticing my absence,” Fal’qar answered, “and also, because I’m suspicious and intrigued about the Eagles’ current king. The attack might be going well right now, it might be backfiring... it matters not to me. We need to summon that... eccentric ally of ours, and plan our next move with him, as soon as possible.” “Well, while we’re waiting for the gorilla to arrive with the chi ghost concoctions,” Zarak said, “you might as well tell me how you were overthrown.” “Very well,” Fal’qar replied, “I’ll recap you on what happened...”
Just as Lycor was bidding Leodus farewell at the gate of the Lion City, a gorilla drove up on a speedor. “Excuse me,” the gorilla said, “would you be so kind as to give me directions to the Forever Rock from here?” Lycor did so as he and Leodus walked down the stairs. “Thank you.” The gorilla said curtly, driving off as fast as he had arrived. Lycor nudged the Leopard King, gesturing with his other hand at the back of the gorilla. ”Did you see that?” Lycor asked his friend. “The contents of his bag?” ”Some kind of blue veils, yes.” Leodus said. “What about them?” ”Those are chi ghost concoctions.” Lycor said. ”I beg your pardon?” Leodus asked. ”I’ll explain what they are on the way.” Lycor replied, walking off of the staircase and into the Lion Plains. “I believe you and I should follow this gorilla at a distance. If he’s meeting someone in such a discreet location, it must be a non-gorilla who knows about chi ghosts.” Leodus agreed to go with Lycor, sending his Leopard guards north to tell Vamprah about this.
Scorponok heard Fal’qar speaking to him and Zarak. “I was finally able to break out of the Phoenix Temple dungeons when this new Empress Fiona left for the Tribal Summit.” Fal’qar explained. “It seems my usurper, Set-Ra, returned just then to the isles. I stuck around in the shadows briefly, and found that he was distraught because of Fiona’s takeover of the tribe. I took advantage of his current emotional state to... influence him into attacking the Eagle Tribe, immediately after the Tribal Summit.” ”Why the Eagles?” Zarak asked. ”Simply as a diversion for the Phoenix Tribe to prolong them from noticing my absence,” Fal’qar answered, “and also, because I’m suspicious and intrigued about the Eagles’ current king. The attack might be going well right now, it might be backfiring... it matters not to me. We need to summon that... eccentric ally of ours, and plan our next move with him, as soon as possible.” “Well, while we’re waiting for the gorilla to arrive with the chi ghost concoctions,” Zarak said, “you might as well tell me how you were overthrown.” “Very well,” Fal’qar replied, “I’ll recap you on what happened...”
Just as Lycor was bidding Leodus farewell at the gate of the Lion City, a gorilla drove up on a speedor. “Excuse me,” the gorilla said, “would you be so kind as to give me directions to the Forever Rock from here?” Lycor did so as he and Leodus walked down the stairs. “Thank you.” The gorilla said curtly, driving off as fast as he had arrived. Lycor nudged the Leopard King, gesturing with his other hand at the back of the gorilla. ”Did you see that?” Lycor asked his friend. “The contents of his bag?” ”Some kind of blue veils, yes.” Leodus said. “What about them?” ”Those are chi ghost concoctions.” Lycor said. ”I beg your pardon?” Leodus asked. ”I’ll explain what they are on the way.” Lycor replied, walking off of the staircase and into the Lion Plains. “I believe you and I should follow this gorilla at a distance. If he’s meeting someone in such a discreet location, it must be a non-gorilla who knows about chi ghosts.” Leodus agreed to go with Lycor, sending his Leopard guards north to tell Vamprah about this.
Great story.
Thanks! Do you mind if I use Set-Ra in the next chapter (in flashbacks)?
Fal'qar spun around to see Set-Ra, one of the nine phoenix warriors selected to don a Fire Wing Harness and initiate the Great Illumination. "Oh, this is just great..." The sabertooth muttered. "Emperor Faelin, why are you handing that to a sabertooth??" Set-Ra demanded, pointing a blaster at the feline on the rowboat. "Set-Ra... you didn't rendezvous with the other eight Destined." Fal'qar observed whilst slowly walking up the beach toward the warrior. "No, I didn't," Set-Ra replied, "because when you said you would bring the ninth Harness after we went to the meeting spot, something about that felt... off. And now I see you're handing it over to a sabertooth tiger, of all beings." "I can explain all of this." Fal'qar said carefully. "A Great Illumination will still be initiated, it just won't be a complete one with all nine Harnesses. It can't be." "You're not making any sense, Emperor!" Set-Ra said, sidestepping Fal'qar and shooting a fiery orange laser blast at the sabertooth. Fal'qar narrowly saved his feline companion from incineration, blocking the blast with his shield. "Sorry pal, but I guess this is your problem." The hooded sabertooth said, rowing his boat off the shore. "I've got my own duty to accomplish, right?" "Yes, go." Fal'qar said. "I'll hold off Set-Ra." Fal'qar continued blocking the other phoenix' shots at the feline, and battled Set-Ra in the air as he tried to pursue the rowboat. "Why are you doing this, Emperor Faelin?!" Set-Ra yelled as his sword clanged against the Emperor's. "You're like a different person!" "If I told you why I can't allow a complete Illumination to be initiated, you definitely wouldn't believe me," Fal'qar replied, shielding himself from a laser blast, "and I have no evidence to back up the claim... However, an Illumination using only eight Harnesses should still stop the war and save the Lions and Cavora. Just trust me, trust your Emperor!" "Would any emperor of mine be handing over a Harness to the warmongering species in this war?!" Set-Ra retorted, body slamming Fal'qar out of the way and flying in pursuit of the rowboat, which had now disappeared into the night.
-last edited on Oct 18, 2020 20:11:53 GMT by The J
Post by The J on Oct 18, 2020 20:08:27 GMT
The Last Reincarnations
Chapter 8
"No!" Fal'qar shouted desperately, plugging fire chi and soaring after Set-Ra. With his increased speed and strength, Fal'qar grabbed and twisted the other phoenix' right wing with both arms. Set-Ra roared in pain and anger as he spiraled down toward the water from around thirty feet up. However, in a move the Emperor hadn't expected, Set-Ra elbowed the other phoenix in the abdomen, rotated his body as they both fell, and quickly pulled Fal'qar's fire chi orb out of his harness, plugging it into his own. In spite of his broken wing, Set-Ra glided back to island by his other wing, all while holding a struggling Fal'qar by the shoulders. The pair of phoenix slammed down into the sand... with Set-Ra using Fal'qar to break his fall.
Set-Ra got up, seeing the Emperor laying motionless and seemingly unconscious in the sand. With the power of the fire chi combating the pain of his broken wing, the phoenix warrior looked out over the ocean, trying to spot the sabertooth's rowboat. However, even now, when the darkness was giving way to dawn, the boat could not be seen, long gone as it now was. After quickly glancing back at his downed opponent, Set-Ra took his radio out of his pocket, contacting the Tiger Tribe. "Your highness," Set-Ra said quickly to a confused King Tristram at the other end, "this is Set-Ra of the Phoenix speaking. A sabertooth tiger has just taken one of our Fire Wing Harnesses. There isn't time to explain all of it; I fear he may be trying to destroy the Harness. Please send your Tunnel Cats into the Ancient Tunnels. I suspect that's where he's going, now that the Sabertoothes know of that route." During this, however, Fal'qar, who'd feigned unconsciousness, whipped out his own radio while still laying in the sand. He called the other eight gathered Fire Wing bearers. "This is Emperor Faelin." Fal'qar whispered hurriedly. "There's been a change of plans. A sabertooth tiger just attempted to assassinate me, but Set-Ra protected me, at the cost of being severely injured. I'm whispering because I'm hiding from that dangerous sabertooth."
-last edited on Oct 18, 2020 20:57:19 GMT by The J
Post by The J on Oct 18, 2020 20:52:40 GMT
"I will go in his place as the ninth Harness bearer." Fal'qar continued. "The Sabertoothes are marching on Lion City as we speak. Fly into Cavora NOW. I'll be there in time to join you." "U-understood, Emperor!" The phoenix on the other end replied, just before Fal'qar cut the communication. "What--?" Set-Ra said, hearing the sound of Fal'qar's radio turning off just as he finished his own call to the Tigers. Fal'qar lunged forward and uppercut Set-Ra in the beak with his arm-mounted shield, knocking the phoenix warrior unconscious. "That... could've gone better, but it's done now." Fal-qar said to himself, sitting down in the sand exhaustedly. "Set-Ra... no, all of the phoenix... If only you knew what we knew about the Illumination. If only we had proof, so that you'd believe us.... I wonder where Zarak is right now. I'm guessing he hasn't reincarnated yet."
So it was, that eight of the nine selected phoenix, deceived by their Emperor, flew into the heart of Cavora, whilst the Ninth Phoenix was unconscious, his harness taken by a mysterious sabertooth. So it was, that even as the Sabertooth Tigers and Mammoths shattered the Lion City's gate that morning, the eight phoenix lit the sky in brilliant golden fire, ripping Cavora from the land, and blasting the entire Sabertooth and Mammoth tribes out of Chima and into the Arctic, at the cost of those eight phoenix' lives. So it was, that the incomplete Illumination saved the Lions and Cavora, but cursed the Saberoothes and Mammoths, freezing the former and the magic-trained members of the latter, and transforming all of them into ice zombies, given elemental power by both the Illumination energy and the will of the Elemental Balance. Some more of the excess energy was unintentionally drawn into the Leopard King Leodus due to his own status as a magic-user, subsequently granting him a single-use ability to cast the curse that had confined and transformed the Sabertoothes and Mammoths, which he would discover later...
Anyway, this takes place immediately after the Roleplay's recent Tribal Summit, but you don't need to know what's happening currently in the RP to understand this story (past events that are important to this story will be recapped within it).
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