Time passes much more quickly in Rohandor and many long and happy years have gone by since the characters retired to enjoy their respective 'happily ever afters,' their greatest foes were imprisoned in the Forever Stone, bound in an eternal sleep. Until Now.
Happily Ever Afters takes place in Rohandor, a mystical realm on another plane of existence from our own. Here our favorite Disney heroes and villains live in a world all their own; Alive, but far from well. Heroes and heroines fight to keep peace while newly freed villains seek their revenge. Come join us in an epic adventure as the characters you love clash in a struggle that will determine the fate of Rohandor!
HEA is an AU canon-only animated crossover Disney Play-By-Post Role Play with minimal word count.
HEA Staff
News and Updates
4/24/21: We've been on hiatus for a number of years now. I don't know that I'm entirely ready to return BUT I have been cleaning up the site and working to update everything since a number of movies have released. There is still A LOT of work to do but if you see this update and were an active member of the site prior to the hiatus, please send the Yen Sid account a DM to let me know you're still interested in playing and if you wish to retain your current roster. I hope you've all been doing well and staying safe!
Happily Ever Afters is a play-by-post forum role playing game based on the movies and television series of Disney and Pixar. It was created for recreational and entertainment purposes only and not intended to step on any toes, offend, or infringe. We did not create nor do we own the content from the Disney and Pixar stories and movies. None of the threads and writing on this forum is associated or affiliated with Disney/Pixar in any way. We do not make any money off of this site or its content. The icons used in the Forum Information & Statistics and those like it throughout the board as well as the BBC buttons and smileys were taken from a layout called Absolute Madness made by PookyTart from Userbar Depot. All of the other graphics used on this board were found, created, or otherwise edited by Yen Sid or Te Fiti. Please don't steal or use any graphic from this board without explicit permission. All storylines and plots used in the threads/topics were created by the staff and members of HEA and should not be copied or used on another board without permission.
The news hadn't come through the Emperor, or a royal courier delivering a scroll of briefing to her.
No, this time a peasant had stumbled into the Fa Family's courtyard, where he collapsed in a heap, exhausted and harried. Grandmother Fa and Fa Li had attended him while Mulan was summoned. Getting information from the haggard youth was difficult, but after several ladles of water drizzled between his lips, he clutched at Mulan as the warrior maiden knelt beside him. "The Sun Temple!" Mulan blinked, confused and frightened at the fervor with which this young man was suddenly pleading to her, his calloused, dirt-encrusted knuckles digging into her skirt. "There are strange monsters plundering the Sun Temple! You must hurry! Every artifact buried beneath is precious, and they will not stop until they have devoured them all!"
Whereupon, the gasping impromptu messenger passed out on the spot.
Mulan's grandma and mother were against her investigating. They said that, at the most she should alert the emperor, and at the very least she should seek out Shang and take him with her to the site of the Sun Temple. There wasn't time, however. Mulan didn't know the amount of truth behind the young man's claim, because with all of the various creatures now populating Rohandor, one thing was as likely as the next. What Mulan did know was that, regardless of origin, there was some threat against one of the Isle of the Dragon's most ancient, sacred locations, and she - as the protector of this isle - could not stand idly by and let that happen.
"What if it's a trap?" Fa Li finally called while her daughter mounted Khan and was about to take her leave. "What if it's a trap, and you're falling right into it." Mulan closed her eyes. The thought had crossed her mind, but she hadn't wanted to voice it for fear of putting unneeded worry into the two women who raised her. Mulan looked over her shoulder. "It's not a trap," she said convincingly. "And if it is? I'll think of something. I always do." Before Grandmother Fa or Fa Li could voice any more concern, Mulan gave a dig of her heels into Khan's ribs, and they were off. The moment before Khan kicked open the doors of the Fa estate, Kri-Kee jumped from the outer wall and landed on Mulan's shoulder.
While dust whirled up in the warrior's wake, Grandmother Fa placed a wizened hand on her own daughter's shoulder, and made her best attempt at an optimistic smile. "At least she has luck on her side." Fa Li clasped her own palms before her. "But will it be enough?" she asked.
Post by David Xanatos on Jul 11, 2013 11:23:30 GMT -5
The Sun Temple was pretty impressive despite the cliche of it all. A large stone building atop a hill with a long flight of stairs leading up to it. Unusually for the local the area was dotted with various shipping crates with the Xanatos Construction and Scarab Corporation logos, a circled black X and a red beetle respectively. Not to mention the transport helicopters on standby a short distance away on some flatter ground.
At the temple itself, the plundering wasn't quite the work of monsters as the peasant had claimed. He could be forgiven however for his overreaction given the few dozen men and women wearing grey and blue armour with red visors covering their eyes. The Xanatos Security force were alternating between patrolling the area around the temple or working inside. Their employer had the foresight to equip them all with various non lethal weapons so as not to avoid an international incident so soon into the revelation of the other realms. Said employer was currently inside one of the tents set up to either side of the temple entrance conversing with someone who would really put the fear of monsters into the locals.
"So. I was thinking the 2.0. Then the 3.0 when we need more dexterity." David Xanatos, billionaire industrialist was currently pouring over a series of blueprints of his Coyote robots. Across the table sat his artificial twin, or rather just his head.
"Sounds good. I was beginning to miss 2.0." Replied the head, his false skin flapping where it had been previously ripped off exposing half of a metal skull. This twisted creation was usually known as Coyote or Robot Xanatos. Usually a henchman or scapegoat when people claimed to have seen Xanatos in the middle of some criminal act. Currently sitting in his storage pad and glancing over the same blueprints. "Glad we think so much alike 'dad'."
"But only one of us has the good looks."
David picked up the head and carried it to the 2.0. A massive gold painted robot body with an ape like stance. Once the android head was installed a coyote faced headguard slipped into place. The robot stomped out of the tent with David following just behind it, watching as his machine started rotating it's arms to begin clearing the dirt and earth from inside the temple. From the research teams he'd sent out Xanatos had learned of a series of Dragon Guardians in this isle. The idea of having one of his own appealed to him and why not dig up one that noone was using? Just in case though he had equipped himself with the standard protection. Hopefully he'd only have to wave his chequebook at the locals if they took offense, the same deal got him a castle and that turned out okay.
Last Edit: Jul 11, 2013 11:31:22 GMT -5 by David Xanatos
Mulan did not have to come very near to the Sun Temple before she understood what had driven the young man to seek her out at her family's home. Futuristic technology was still widely foreign to the warrior, but not nearly as much as it was to most who called the Isle of the Dragon their home. Her job as an emissary of peace and champion of the Emperor had taken Mulan to nearly every region of Rohandor. That was why she recognized some of the devices standing, ready for use if need be, around the proximity of the Sun Temple's sacred soil.
Khan was getting skittish and wary with every step, once the pair neared their destination. Ultimately, the horse's apprehension saved Mulan from being found out, because his sensitive ears picked up a group of oncoming individuals in time for both steed and rider to hide in the brush. Mulan narrowed her gaze at the strange uniforms that the three passersby wore, noting that the rigid way in which they strode likely meant that they were walking a perimeter. Which meant that the Sun Temple was not only under supposed attack, but the foreign entity that was behind it had fortified the land nearby.
Mulan's faithful companion was not content when he was to be left behind and concealed, but Khan did not openly rebel. Armed with two battle fans tucked in her belt sash, and her father's sheathed sword at her side, Mulan left Khan and slipped unseen through the terrain, closing in on the Temple. Kri-Kee sought refuge on her shoulder, doing his best to conceal himself beneath her shoulder-length hair at the same time that he was given a good view of the surroundings, antenna wiggling between tufts of Mulan's locks in his bid to stay informed, and safe.
Fa Mulan did not know who was behind this desecration of the Sun Temple, but she knew that she had to do something. Given the futuristic equipment she'd already witnessed - beyond guards, the choppers waiting in fields before the temple stair - Mulan knew that an outright fight was beyond her ability. She thought about stating herself as the rightful protector of the Isle of the Dragon, and see what became of that tactic. Most likely she would attempt that approach, at least at first, in hopes that it would soothe an otherwise hostile situation. Based on the secrecy, precision and overall sinister atmosphere that the whole ordeal had, Mulan wasn't optimistic on that front.
The maiden warrior slipped up the rocks that straddled the stair ascending to the Sun Temple, whose doors and frontward facade was perched on a broad, flat cliff partially up the mountain, without being seen. Mulan climbed up beyond the might niche in the mountain face, in fact. She and Kri-Kee peered over the boulder behind which they'd stopped. The wind that such a height created made Mulan's hair whip. She tucked a bothersome lock behind her ear, and continued to get a good view of the makeshift camp that had been erected at the temple's threshold. The more she discovered about this plot, the less she liked it.
Post by David Xanatos on Jul 13, 2013 17:10:37 GMT -5
After about an hour of digging Coyote returned to the temple entrance carrying a large stone slab. Several members of the security team assembled to relieve the machine of the load, carrying it to a tent while Coyote got back to digging. Xanatos was alerted and met the group as they laid the slab onto a table. Upon closer inspection and a quick wipe down to remove excess dust and soil a series of carvings in the slab were revealed, something Coyote with his robotic sensors must have picked up on. David and a few of the research staff had a look over it.
"Well sir. It seems this Sun Temple was built in honour of a great swordsman." A researcher started. "From the looks of this tablet a great dragon tried to bring 'eternal winter' to the land. The swordsman drove the dragon underground with 'the light and warmth of the sun in his blade'. We could be meddling with a powerful magic entity here."
"I think with the weapons we brought we can handle one dragon." The security chief Bruno cut in.
"All the same, I've come prepared." Xanatos finished the debate. "The Iron Clan are ready to deploy and Coyote has enough spare bodies for any occasion. I'm going outside for a bit. Call me if anything happens."
David stepped out of the tent and made his way towards the cliffside. Putting both hands in his pockets he stood looking over the horizon. Back home Goliath and Eliza would object to this kind of plot. His earlier plot in Egypt was similar to this one, controlling a powerful entity that some would consider godlike. That little escapade almost had dire consequences when the mercenary Jackal had bonded with the death god Anubis and almost wiped out all life on the planet as a psychotic game. Thankfully that was eventually stopped by the sacrifice of the Emir. Xanatos told himself that this venture was different, rather than interfering with the rules of life and death he just intended to gain a powerful guardian, he even intended to bargain with it if fair terms could be made. With the new realms and the powerful evil forces in the world Xanatos couldn't rely on the Manhattan Clan by themselves to help protect his family.
Maybe it would even make a good pet. He considered, trying to amuse himself after a depressing series of thoughts.
While Fa Mulan watched, some strange machine marched out of the shadowed halls of the temple, carrying in its claws a large slab of stone. The warrior scowled as the stolen relic was marched into one of the larger tents. She mulled over the thought of interfering, but didn't know how best to begin. Mulan had faith in her abilities enough to know that, if she worked quickly, and in the shadows, she could do a great deal of sabotaging to this strange group efforts. Her gaze flicked between elements of the scene, subconsciously piecing together an applicable plan of attack, if it would be needed. Her scheming was interrupted as a suited man stepped from the tent that the slab had been taken into.
Mulan crouched slightly lower behind her cover. Cri-Kee gave a nervous chirp and slipped between her waist sash and robe. The maiden had seen powerful men enough to know how to recognize one, and this individual radiated cunning strength like a lantern. Mulan did not like him. From the moment he came into view, stepping into the daylight from under the canvas tent, she did not. There was something vile about him that did not sit right with the warrior. Mulan's frown turned into a disgruntled, pained twist as her thoughts moved on. This man, who walked to the top of the stair with hands in pockets, was obviously in charge.
There was no denying his claim to authority. Beforehand, Mulan had been going to do something drastic because she thought that, if she tried to approach any of the personnel on the site rationally, she'd just be attacked by their advanced technology. That would have been easier, she thought. Easier than what she had to do now. Mulan was a representative for the Isle of the Dragon, and more chiefly a protector of it. As her station demanded, this ordeal had to be handled very delicately, and by means that Mulan did not savor. Diplomacy was a hard pill to take in the face of someone evidently so conniving as the man in the suit.
I don't have a choice, Mulan reasoned, puckering her lips at the sour taste that thought left on her tongue. She couldn't attack. Not until the proper avenues of conduct were entertained, and she was left with no alternative. No matter how horrible this whole group of defilers were in her mind. Mulan moved before she could stop herself, used several boulders as stepping stones and launched into a large leap. She tucked into a flip and landed in a crouch before the suited man. Slowly, Mulan straightened. She widened her feet and gave her most official, cold look. "I am Fa Mulan. Defender of the Isle of the Dragon. What business do you have here?"
Post by David Xanatos on Jul 17, 2013 16:27:55 GMT -5
Naturally Xanatos had expected a hostile response at some point while he was on this isle, though he hadn't expected the response to be as young as the woman who just landed in front of him. The hard edged fans at her belt were of more concern to him than the sword she carried. Only an expert or a show off would carry such unique weapons and it was foolish to assume she was a show off until he saw her in action. She introduced herself with authority as Mulan. According to the dossier Owen had put together she was known for turning the tide against a formidable Hun Army with a single cannon shot among other feats.
"David Xanatos." He folded his hands behind his back, not bowing or offering a handshake but not showing any disrespect either. "I'm just here to relieve this part of the world of a burden you have. It seems you have a dragon under this temple and a philanthropist like myself is just here to remove it for the safety of the nearby villages."
He pulled a rolled up sealed scroll from his pocket and handed it over. Naturally before coming here David had sought out the local government for permission. An underling of the Emperors Council named Chi Fu was the easiest to work with. It was easy to sway him into granting a pass with the Imperial Seal in ink (and with his ego Chi Fu would assume it was in the best interests of the Isle of the Dragon and neglect to inform the Emperor). Clearly Mulan wouldn't want to go against the law of the land. As he handed the scroll over he noticed a pair of security guards sneaking into ambush positions, a quick discreet hand signal from David got them to keep in a ready position without escalating the situation. They hid behind a pair of rocks and readied their weapons, a pair of shell launchers that would detonate their projectiles in mid air to reveal weighted nets (developed for capturing the Manhattan Clan until their claws shredded the things).
"So I guess everything is in order?" David let the corner of his mouth turn up in a sly grin. "Sorry you had to waste your time."
ooc: Keeping those two guards from shooting in my post. Mulans choice if they fire in her post. Like if she did attack David or something XD
That thought trickled through every fiber of Mulan's being. She knew that trusting her gut wasn't a tactically sound approach, but it had yet to fail her. Quite contrarily, abolishing logic or reason in favor of morality and instinct was what had got her to this point in her life. Honestly, the way that she worked. Mulan had to tailor her knee-jerk reactions to exist within the boundaries set by the Emperor's favor, but not greatly. Because his majesty understood that to hinder Mulan's ability with restrictions and bylaws (no matter how much a certain adviser insisted that the large stack he drew up of them be implemented) would be counter-productive.
Mulan tried to place her finger on what exactly bugged her about the man in the foreign suit. When she quickly surmised that everything bugged her about him, she went on to the task of discerning why that was. There was an element about him - David Xanatos, he said he was, and Mulan had to remind herself not for the first time that in Isles other than the Dragon, surnames were secondary - that reminded her of Chi-Fu. Only in the basic sense that he resembled a snake, able to slither in and out of situations at his fancy.
This guy was a larger threat than Chi-Fu, though. The adviser simply clung to his position within the court, and tried - failing miserably, as the Emperor saw through every ploy and plot of his - to influence the Isle as best suited his arrogant ideals from within. David Xanatos was dangerous, on the other hand. Mulan just knew it. Had the large display of power, influence and resources that surrounded her not been indicative enough. Kri-Kee didn't like him either, revealed by how much he squirmed in her sash - it was getting uncomfortable.
The warrior heard everything that the man had to say, eyes narrowed so much that it could be guessed if they were open at all. Then, Xanatos produced a scroll. Mulan recognized its make and craftsmanship. The same kind came to her whenever she was given an order, assignment, or summons by the Emperor. Mulan's eyes widened. She knew his majesty would not sanction such an endeavor. This-... This sacrilegious plot went against everything that the Emperor preached since China had come to Rohandor.
Preserving their culture and ways, not allowing themselves to be diluted by the Isles' customs societal standards. This razed all of those ideals in one fell swoop. Suspicion wriggled in her stomach like an eel, almost as irritating as Kri-Kee's continued crawling in her sash. Mulan took the scroll offered her and unfurled it carefully. The warrior looked over the document with steady focus, looking at every inch to determine if there was the slightest bit of evidence that it was a forgery... Only to be left looking up at David Xanatos with disbelief plain on her face.
Mulan cleared her throat. She had to continue the outward display of someone who knew what they were doing. Representing the Emperor, and all. There was something fishy about all of this, and she would unearth it. Even if it took going to the Imperial City and conferring with his highness. They'll just be done by the time you get there, a stubborn part of her said. "Yes, I guess it is," she said when he asked if everything was in order. Mulan handed the scroll back over, unaware that a group of security had stationed themselves cleverly at her back.
Leaving this place and allowing this group, under this sinister man, to destroy one of the Isle of the Dragon's sacred places went against her heart. What else could she do, though? What other choice did she have? Xanatos was working within all boundaries of the Emperor's law. "I'm sorry to have bothered you." She was lying through her teeth. Mulan finally couldn't stand Kri-Kee's squirming anymore, and reached towards her sash, directly by the pommel of her father's sword, to extricate the pesky cricket and spare herself of his movement.
The pair of security guards mistook the motion, however. There was a strange, technological sound, and then a rose of fiery pain bloomed with a vengeance on her shoulder. Mulan gave a strangled yelp, but instinct took over. The impact of whatever hit her thrust her forward. The maiden tucked into a roll that ended in a crouch slightly behind David Xanatos. Already a hail of compacted light - what had hit her before - was streaking towards her, sending up puffs of dirt as they missed and struck scores in the earth.
Initially Mulan had clasped her free hand over her wounded, stinging shoulder, but by the time she'd righted herself, both fans were in her hands. The warrior unfurled them, ignoring the pain in her left arm. With fluid, masterful motions, Mulan deflected any blasts that would hit her otherwise. One strong flick of her wrist sent a beam back from whence it'd come, hitting one of the guards' shoulders. Already the disturbance was drawing more attention, and Mulan knew she was drastically outnumbered. So, she used the opening created by her actions, and flipped backwards toward a pile of crates.
Mulan resorted to sprinting the last few steps, but another guard appeared before she could reach safety behind the crates. She made two decisive gestures, folding her fans and then delivering a rigid blow with one to his neck. He was down, and Mulan was moving again.
(OOC: Sorry for the delay! Would have been up last night, but a freak thunderstorm knocked out my net, so I had to save it for milder weather - haha)
Post by David Xanatos on Jul 24, 2013 13:29:49 GMT -5
Xanatos, along with many other of the less moral members of the Fortune 500, was quite familiar with the look that was crossing Mulan's face currently. The righteous fury was slowly draining away as she read over the scroll and realised that she couldn't stop the excavation or even have the satisfaction of punching him square in the face without her superiors breathing down her neck. While she was still reading he wondered how often he'd been on this side of the situation.
"Sorry Detective Maza. We'll be investigating this with our in house staff, the NYPD won't be needed. I think you'll find the paperwork in order."
"Agent Bluestone. My good friend Judge Wilcox has agreed that your investigation into 'Illuminati connections' is bordering on harassment. I've got the FBI director on the line if you'd like to bring it up with him?"
He nodded with a little sympathy as she gave the scroll back. Mulan actually seemed hurt by this. At least Elisa would tell him that 'it wasn't over' or that 'he wouldn't get away with this'. Where was the fun otherwise? Did she know Chi Fu from somewhere? A harsh boss perhaps? Suddenly she flinched in apparent discomfort, which set off the itchy trigger fingers on the guards. Bursts of stun beams blanketed the area forcing David into cover as the young warrior sprinted away.
"Stand down!" Xanatos waved his hands at the security team. A few deflected beams, hand to hand strikes and a few wounded guards courtesy of Mulan later and he decided to change tactics. "Get my suit ready. I'll handle this."
Inside the temple Coyote had just wrapped up with his digging and was getting results. A patch of dark blue scales were revealed under the dirt floor with a sword jutting out of it. The researchers stepped down to inspect the weapon.
"We've been translating more of the slab. This should be the 'blade of the sun' used to keep the dragon contained."
"Well. Let's wake him up." Coyote replied, grabbing the hilt of the sword with his massive fist he strained his gears trying to remove it.
Back outside Xanatos had retrieved his armour, the red and black exosuit resembling Goliath (naturally the clan leader made the best template). The billionare engaged the suit jets and hovered above the camp site. A quick scan with thermal vision managed to pick out Mulan as she rushed between the crates knocking aside any guard who tried to stop her. A quick radio signal instructed the team to get out of the way before Xanatos sped downwards to intercept her. He landed in front of the young warrior, folded his arms sternly and spread his wings as an intimidation tactic. It'd take more than hard edged fans to stagger him.
"Would you care to stand down? I'm afraid we can't have you running around loose and bringing the local army down on us."
A light tremor ran through the area with the temple as the source. Coyote must be making progress. Hopefully he wouldn't have to detain Mulan for much longer.
Last Edit: Jul 24, 2013 13:44:38 GMT -5 by David Xanatos
Mulan knew there was probably a logical explanation, but by the time she mounted the crates that had been her original objective, it seemed as though the entire encampment - from temple to base - was set against her. The pain in her shoulder was dissipating, slowly but surly. What had begun as a star burst of blistering pain was now a dull throb that stung in a steady ache with each swell of incessant discomfort. Mulan could ignore that for now. She had to, really. What choice did the warrior have? She surged over the crates as chaos began to spread, volleys of that futuristic energy striping the air around her. Thankfully, no others met their mark.
While the maiden launched into a running leap, Mulan mind flicked back to one of the lessons she'd had as a child. She was in midair at the present, but a vision of the distant past swam before her eyes, bending and then discarding time and space with the nonchalance of reverie. Mulan recalled a vision of the garden on the Fa Estate when she was just a little girl, kneeling on the grass before the bench that her father was perched upon, obediently listening to his teaching. Most girls were not taught even the foundations of the military arts, because they had no use for the knowledge, and having it in the first place was a social taboo.
Fa Zhou was a war hero, though. A prodigy. He understood that, while his daughter would not use the teachings in a militant way when she was grown, that they would provide lessons in their own way to governing oneself. "One of the most ancient teachings, my daughter," he said, "is that there are only five options in any battle: fight, defend, flee, surrender, or perish." Those words echoed in Mulan's head, and as she landed behind a tent, successfully placing herself out of sight, she surveyed them, applying the five options to her current predicament.
Mulan didn't even take the time to entertain the option of fighting. There was no possible way, save a miracle, that would let her succeed in that endeavor. Not with so many against her, and armed so heavily. But, hadn't she managed the impossible before? Mulan had toppled an entire army with a single rocket, after all. And perhaps she would be driven to just as unlikely a tactic here, but only as a last resort, and only if luck were one her side which, if what had happened so far was any indicator, it wasn't. Kri-Kee aside.
She couldn't defend the temple or herself either for much the same reason. Mulan had deflected a good number of shots with her fans, dodged even more, but she would only be able to do so for so long before one, or more, got through her defenses. Mulan would not surrender, and she would not perish, which left flight. She had to make it back to the ground level, beyond the aircrafts squatting in the lawn at the bottom of the temple stair, to Khan, who awaited her in the forest.
Mulan landed on the even, risen edge that bordered the stair. Her slippered feet slid with miraculous speed, growing unpleasantly warm against her heels. Kri-Kee dislodged himself from her sash and took to riding on his shoulder again. Mulan heard shots fired, noticed distantly the bolts of compacted, fiery light, bite large chunks out of the rock of the cliff, and the maintained stone of the stair. Thankfully those guards below weren't as aware of the goings on as their elevated kin, because there was no immediate opposition waiting for her.
She flew into a leap, directing her gathered momentum to aid in the trajectory of the traveling arc, and sailed over the heads of several confused personnel, completely unnoticed by most, whose attention was locked on the temple ledge far above, from which most of the obvious commotion originated. Mulan landed in a roll that placed her in the shadow of one of the aircrafts, and moved low and swiftly toward the treeline. She had almost made it, too, when a strange growl made her bones shiver.
Something wasn't right.
Mulan was about to attempt lunging into the underbrush, but a shadow fell across her, so she had to abandon the effort halfway through preparing. She shielded her head with one sleeve as air buffeted her, then something large and imposing landed on the grass, barring her progress. Mulan peeked above her arm at the metallic figure, unsure if it were some kind of foreign creature, or a machine. Then came the modulated tones of Xanatos from the headpiece, and Mulan's look of wide-eyed alarm warped into narrow fury.
"'Stand down'?" she quoted back at the man with righteous dignity. "I was not the one to strike." Mulan grasped both fans again, still not wanting to remove sword from sheath, and opened them both with a poised flourish. Nothing more could be said, because at that moment a tremor began in the cliff above. At first it was just a low, far-away growl that didn't even register to Mulan beyond the noise that it created. Dust began sifting down the cliff, then dislodged pebbles, and at last whole boulders started to cascade.
By then Mulan was having trouble staying upright because the soil underfoot was shuddering horribly. Cries rang out as Xanatos' people clambered out of the way of small-scale rockslides, abandoning priceless equipment to be leveled beneath uprooted stone. Mulan looked with intermingled fear, fury and alarm at the strange suited man standing in front of her. "What have you done?"
Post by David Xanatos on Jul 27, 2013 19:17:13 GMT -5
"Relax kiddo. Like I told Chi Fu I'm just removing a pest from your isle. You'll thank me soon."
The tremors finished with a large cloud of dust coming from the temple entrance. A deep half chuckle half growl came from the doorway as a pair of glowing yellow eyes cut through the cloud. Slowly the creature slithered out onto the temple stairs and coiled up to look around. It was at least sixty meters long, metallic blue scales covering the top while the underside was coated in silver scales, two bull like horns topped the brow while the tail ended with a large blade like tip. The security team surrounded the snake like dragon and aimed their particle beam weapons while the heavy weapon troops set up the net launchers. Standing tall the dragon bellowed a challenge.
"Where is the Sun Warrior?" The creature spoke in an older dialect of the isles language, sounding somewhat outdated but no less impressive. "Tell him Shen Tao has escaped his prison and seeks revenge."
"Excuse me." Xanatos stepped past Mulan dismissively before activating his internal communicator. "Take it down alive."
The troops opened fire, aiming for the neck and underbelly with their stun beams as the nets entangled the snake and charged up with an electric shock. Shen Tao writhed around at the attack before drawing in a deep breath, puffing up his throat. Turning towards the closest group of soldiers he exhaled a blast of cold air, freezing them solid. With less firepower being used against him the dragon was more able to fight back against the other soldiers, swatting his tail around and sending them running. Xanatos sighed and started dialing commands into the controls on his gauntlet. If this turned out to be another battle like the one with Oberon he'd be having more than a few harsh words with Chi Fu.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head. I'm calling in the Iron Clan."
As he finished a trio of the grey robotic gargoyles shot overhead towards the battle. They opened fire with their own beam weapons. Shen responded by firing another cold blast which was easily dodged by the flying drones. Rather than waste his breath the dragon changed tactics, snapping his jaws and lashing out with his tail trying to swat them out of the air, to which the robots responded by splitting up their formation and attacking from several directions with beams and hit and run punches. The cold iron used in their alloy proved effective against magic creatures and they slowly started wearing their target down.
ooc: Help yourself to controlling the dragon Mulan. I share my toys XD
Mulan was so involved in the turmoil that was shaking the earth that she almost didn't catch David Xanatos' first rebuttal. When she did, it pierced her alarm and confusion, replacing it with wide-, then narrow-eyed fury. Chi Fu! That spineless fool! "I should have known." The muttered, scathing remark was lost, if heard at all to begin with, in the chaos that ensued. There was a sudden rush of dust that surged from the mouth of the temple. The airborne dirt hit the openness and was pressed back by the dominant winds of the altitude, cascading back in on itself and rising, until an impressive cloud obscured the entire, majestic ledge that the Sun Temple was carved into.
The warrior's face went lax, and a bit numb, honestly. Two yellow eyes burned through the dust cloud, and with a motion of his serpentine body, Shen Dao dispelled the obstructing particles and coiled upon the top portion of the stair. Mulan's mouth fell open as silence reigned momentarily in the wake of such a monumental development. "Ancestors help us," she whispered. What happened next did so in quick, dizzying concession. Still unused to futuristic technology, Mulan was left in stuttering despair as, with each new tactic taken by Xanatos and his guards, she tried to stop him with words, only to see them move on to another approach.
Shen Dao was furious. Not the mindless and blood-lustful, berserk rage that his foolish fire drake cousins frequented. No. Shen Dao was harboring a poisonous, frigid loathing that he had harbored over millennia trapped in the wretched temple from which he had just been loosed. A loathing tempered by his unparalleled grudge, honed by cunning and now implemented by his ancient power. Shen Dao bristled when the flying creatures that had begun assailing him started making progress against his scales. He growled, not in pain, but in annoyance. Shen Dao might have been awake in a new era, but his piercing gaze was not deceived.
"You dare make war on me with puppets?" Shen Dao's voice came as a scolding, not open anger. "Learn humility." The dragon raised his head skyward, and unleashed a roar that was strong enough it became a palpable ripple of force that radiated in a cone upward. The Iron Clan were uprooted by the impact, and struggled to right themselves, but would manage. That wasn't the result of the roar, though. The skies above, just a moment before clear and brilliant, were filled with pale, sedate clouds. At first a sprinkling of snowflakes was the only indication of change from the atmospheric phenomenon.
Then came the hail. Sharpened to talons of ice that drove like a rain of daggers towards the earth. Mulan knew what was happened when Shen Dao's roar resonated through her bones, and flung Kri-Kee from her shoulder. She knew the tales. The legends. Trying to get through to David Xanatos was a fool's errand. Mulan knew that. So, by the time the first few snowflakes were beginning to dance to the ground, she had retrieved her cricket and was at the foot of the stair. Fa Mulan sprinted with uncanny speed up twenty or so feet, then hurled herself from a bordering boulder that she used as a stepping stone. One of Xanatos' machines was floating within reach, and she grab onto its arm while it tried to recover from the force of the roar.
The contraption put on a burst of speed that got it back to the correct altitude, and Mulan dropped, praying as she went. The maiden landed atop a tent, which checked her plummet before ripping, dropping her onto a table underneath that was covered with schematics. Fa Mulan didn't have time to groan. She did that while she was already bursting from the tent in a more mundane manner than how she had entered. The first few ice daggers broke on stone or earth just when Mulan dove into the safety of the Sun Temple.
She rolled to a stop, and took her time slowly standing. Behind Mulan the lethal ice storm went into full force, but she was busy staring at what was before her. The ancient works that had made the Sun Temple so beautiful were lost behind a layer of three feet thick ice, and a dusting of snow atop that. Fa Mulan felt like she had stepped into the chamber that winter fled to when spring's replenishing rains came trundling along. Kri-Kee chirped, his normal timber distorted by his shiver.
"You're right. I don't have time to stare." Mulan ran deeper into the temple, but it was difficult at first because of how her slippered feet slid on the frost. She knew what had to be done. Shen Dao could only truly be returned to his sleeping prison by the sword of the Sun Warrior. He would only truly react to someone wielding it, too. Anything and everything else was just an obstacle. Troublesome, perhaps even painful, but momentary. David Xanatos had no idea what kind of power he'd unleashed.
Post by David Xanatos on Jul 30, 2013 18:46:20 GMT -5
"WARNING. ATMOSPHERIC ANOMALY DETECTED." The internal computer chimed in as the blizzard picked up. A small display inside Xanatos visor showed that the weather was unnaturally limited to just around the temple. It was likely to build up and spread once Shen had recovered fully. David considered the possibilities of adding weather control to his business. Great for christmas.
"Kinda figured."
Xanatos engaged his suit jets and wings to join the Iron Clan in battle. One had already been taken down by the hail and another was entangled in Shen Dao's tail, currently been beaten off the ground. A second wave was summoned as Xanatos flew up to meet the dragon face to face. Shen halted his attack for the moment, either noticing the difference between the red armour and the grey drones or sensing the human presence within. Both stared at each other, sizing their opponent up.
"You are the one who released me." Shen Dao stated rather than questioned.
"Got it in one." David replied. "So how about you show some gratitude and stand down? You're in a whole new world now and I'm willing to help you get aquainted."
"You mean servitude!" The dragon fumed. "I'll bury this world."
Shen lunged forward with his mouth wide open. Xanatos responded by swinging a powered uppercut into the roof of his mouth, knocking him backwards. Raising both arms the billionaire revealed a pair of upgraded particle beams.
"Don't say I didn't give you a chance." He fired a pair of blasts into the ground around Shen Dao, heating up the earth to the point of combustion and showering the creature in debris. Four more Iron clan drones caught up and continued the attack, picking up the slack when one of their own were stunned by a hail shard.
A loud creaking came from further in the temple ahead of Mulan, soon giving way to a whirring of machine parts. Coyote stepped out of the shadows, missing an arm and with several parts torn off his hull, the remaining arm had the sun sword clutched in the fist. He collapsed to the ground in front of the warrior and opened his chest panel revealing the android head controlling the body. It stared up at Mulan and gave a creepy half smile.
"Hello there. I don't suppose you're the mechanic?."
The robot tried to right itself. Unfortunatly the damaged arm was little use, locked around the sword and unable to get stable on the ice. Coyote settled for a kneeling position, several error lights blinking as the repair systems tried to get things in order. The head studied Mulan up and down, raising a curious eyebrow at the cricket with her. During this display the scientists and archeology crew who had managed to hide from the frost breath rushed out past the robot and the warrior, caring more about escaping than stopping what they'd help dig up.
"You must be a local. I don't suppose you got the license of that thing that hit me on the way out?"
The sound pierced through Mulan's worry, or her attention diverted to safely navigating the ice, and event he portion of that that was listening for anything incredibly might to happen outside. She saw a small light, like the first star peeking through the evening sky, in the darkness up ahead. With minimal difficulty, Mulan slid to a stop. Kri-Kee chirped worriedly in her ear and, shivering, wrapped himself in a lock of his mistress's hair comically. Mulan took a deep breath, and unsheathed her father's sword for the first time. Bringing the blade through the air in a complicated initiative gesture, the metal sang as it met the chill air. Mulan lowered into a low crouch pulled from her Tai-Chi training, sword up above her head, free hand directed forward with two fingers erect.
The creature that wobbled into view didn't take Mulan entirely aback, given the machines she'd already witnessed outside of the temple. That is, until it collapsed onto what one would call its knees, and a panel on its forefront disengaged, showing a mangled head inside. Mulan had rose out of her stance when the creation fell, but now she winced through her look of wary awe. Her disgust was tempered by a group of people who slipped and slid from behind the robot, past her, and out into the freezing cliff that the temple mouth opened onto.
When Mulan looked back at the head suspended in the robot, she noticed that the half missing flesh was definitely metal, which likely meant that it wasn't even a human to begin with. Mulan blinked, then discarded what the robot was saying, and fell back into her previous stance. She didn't fail to see the Sun Sword in the thing's hands, and that was what mattered. Mulan knew that time was ticking, though she wasn't in as large a hurry as she would have been if Shen Dao were attacking innocents rather than... who he was.
"I'm afraid I'm going to need that sword," Mulan said seriously. Kri-Kee hid valiantly behind her shoulder, still wrapped in a lock of silky hair.
Post by David Xanatos on Aug 12, 2013 16:28:35 GMT -5
"I'm afraid not." Coyote replied. "Even if I was willing to go against Mister Xanatos orders, which I'm not, I took a bit of damage when that dragon got loose. I'm stuck holding it. Now if you'll excuse me..."
The machine reached forward with the Sun Sword and stabbed it into the ice, using it to pull itself forward slowly. If the weapon was so important then Xanatos would want to know right away, perhaps it would be useful in controlling Shen Dao. Unfortunatly given his damage and the instability of the ice Coyote was making very slow progress in leaving the temple. The sight would be comical if the isle wasn't in danger of a lethal ice storm. The robot kept his head exposed to better see what he was doing.
"This could take a while. Care to chat while you're here? Tell me about your interest in the sword or this temple? Not like you have anything better to do. ************************************************************************
"Insolent pest! Hold still!"
The battle outside on the hill could have gone either way at this point. On one hand Shen Dao had managed to cut down all but three of the drones with his attacks leaving Xanatos and the remainder to carry on. On the other hand the fighting, flailing and ice breath had kept the dragon from focusing on building his blizzard any further, keeping it contained to the temple and hill. Trying to demand a surrender had only enraged him further. The clan continued to use their beam weapons to minimal effect. A sudden lash with his tail and Shen managed to grip Xanatos, coiling around him as he opened his jaws intending to swallow his opponent.
"Now I have you. I grant you a swift demise."
"All you have is a tiger by the tail." Xanatos grinned under his helmet while gritting his teeth through the crushing pain, if he wasn't protected by his exosuit he'd be pulped by now. "Drone seven. Home in on target and self destruct."
Internal sensors in Xanatos helmet guided the drone straight into Shen Dao's open mouth, detonating on impact. The dragon roared in pain before slumping over unconcious, sending more tremors across the mountain as it hit the ground. Xanatos pulled himself out of the coiled tail and signalled the remaining two drones.
"Set your beams on low power. Start thawing everyone out and signal one of the pilots to come over. I want out friend strapped up and ready for transport." He raised his visor for a breather and gave the dragon a quick kick. "Out cold, pardon the expression. I think Chi Fu just earned his bonus for a good tip."
On the one hand, Mulan was not certain at all if this creature lumbering before her was totally alive, totally artificial, or something between those two extremes. On the other, she really needed the Sun Sword. She surveyed the entity as it slowly pulled itself across the glacial floor, trying unsuccessfully to make an executive decision. The thing certainly carried itself like a person, but that head, suspended in the front panel of the chest cavity, with its missing half face showing metal beneath let Mulan know the truth. On cue, to thrust her forward into action, there was a terrific explosion that could be heard from outside, followed a few moments later by a resounding boom that shook the entire temple.
Through a twist of astounding luck, that tremor dislodged a number of icicles from the ceiling. Mulan looked up at the low whistle of their passing, and was forced to dive to the side as one impaled itself on the ground where she had just been standing. Several likewise evasive maneuvers later, and the disruption had passed. Mulan looked up from where she crouched, and blinked twice. One of the icicles had impaled the robotic creature through the shoulder of the arm that clutched to the Sun Sword. Even more luckily (in fact, Mulan could hardly believe her eyes, because chance didn't favor her like this... ever...), the splinter of ice had sliced through a particular circuit, or some such thing, because the claw gripping the hilt of the sword was loose.
"You look a little busy," Mulan called as she sprinted through the maze of floor-lodged icicles that now peppered the room, toward her adversary, "so I'll just take this-"(she leaped precisely over the outstretched arm of the robot, and swiped the weapon during the motion)"and be on my way." The momentum Mulan gathered helped her slide with impressive speed over the icy ground while she smoothly sheathed her father's sword, and instead chose to wield the Sun Sword. She had been expecting something grand. Rays of light when she touched it, a hum to resound through her bones, but the sword looked decidedly normal.
Crafted brilliantly ages ago, but... obviously ages ago. Precious stones and metals that probably sparkled bright enough to blind a person were corroded and fogged over by time, leaving a relic in Mulan's hands. The only supernatural elements about it were that the blade - though far from polished, and encrusted with grime - was still sharp, and sang as it sliced the air. Mulan's slide took her up one icicle that had fallen sideways, onto another, more vertical fellow, creating a kind of diagonal ramp. She launched into the air, feet wheeling wildly during her arc, and landed near the door, immediately slipping onto her side, so that she shot like an arrow from the string out of the temple doors and onto the outside cliff.
Mulan was momentarily stunned by the sight of Shen Dao having fallen. But the legends of his immortality forced her to look closely, and then she saw the rise and fall of his sinuous form, each inhalation causing thousands of scales to shift, catch the pale light filtering through the wintry clouds above, and shimmer like diamonds. Mulan stopped herself short, and landed in a wide crouch, the Sun Sword held in a way that made the blade run parallel with her forearm, up toward her shoulder, behind her body, while the other hand was stretched before her, all fingers save her index and thumb curled. She shouldn't draw attention to herself, but Mulan didn't like the chances of getting to Shen Dao without being spotted.
Xanatos already had her in his sights, most likely.
That didn't mean she wouldn't try.
With a grunt, Mulan started sprinting over the barren earth, littered with broken icicles as it was from the turmoil of before. Her destination was Shen Dao's visible, vulnerable stomach, and the subtle break in scale one quarter of the way down from his head, where she knew the Sun Sword had been sheathed for centuries before Xanatos came to the Isle of the Dragon to destroy its people's heritage for a quick fortune.
Shoutbox Rules
Respect all members and guests
Don't be a know-it-all
No hot button or trigger topics including things like politics and religion
Don't be condescending
Absolutely no advertising
No adult language, cursing, sexual content, or inappropriate links
No spamming or otherwise trolling
No spoilers of any kind
Do not talk specifically about other RPs
Don't start or contribute to drama, this includes pity partying
Shoutbox
Welcome to Happily Ever Afters!
Tony Dracon: Responded to your PM, Kat/Ratigan, incidentally.
Jun 27, 2018 20:25:02 GMT -5
David Xanatos: Kat's back. Hope the vacation was fun.
Jul 21, 2018 21:00:05 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: 'Twas a good trip! I'm sad it's over, but at the same time I'm glad to be back home so I can finish up my cosplays for a con next month and hang out with my cats
Jul 26, 2018 12:34:56 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Hope the cosplay goes well. I'm putting away a little extra for a con in a few weeks. and yay cats, they're always good company. Except for that one who slaps me unprovoked XD. So what cosplays do you have in mind unless they're secret?
Jul 26, 2018 17:07:41 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I'm cosplaying Pearl from Steven Universe and Joseph Joestar from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure!
Jul 26, 2018 23:16:41 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I'm almost done both of them, I just have to finish styling Pearl's wig and fix up Joseph's gloves and wristbands
Jul 26, 2018 23:17:31 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Awesome. Had to look up Jojo because I'm not hip with the modern pop culture but I hope they turn out well.
Jul 30, 2018 15:33:15 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I only just started watching the anime last year and I haven't even touched the manga, so I'm barely hip with it lol. fortunately I have my cosplay buddy guiding me through the whole experience
Jul 30, 2018 22:29:38 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: also I finally finished the gloves! They were more of a pain to work with than I expected, but they'll hold together... I hope...
Jul 30, 2018 22:30:13 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Niceness. Hoping they hold also. Got the Dublin comic con next Saturday here. Hoping to meet Karl Urban.
Aug 1, 2018 19:05:32 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: Cool! I think he's coming to my city in the fall, if I remember correctly. Hope you enjoy the con, Daryl!
Aug 2, 2018 19:10:23 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: I spoke too soon. Karl Urban had to cancel for schedule conflicts. They got Nick Frost though, I'm gonna ask him if he'll sign my Hot Fuzz.
Aug 3, 2018 18:08:47 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: Dang! Nick Frost is great though, I love his character in Into the Badlands
Aug 4, 2018 22:54:36 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Enjoy your weekend Kat, hope the costumes came out as you wanted.
Aug 10, 2018 16:49:31 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Met Nick Frost and Michael Dorn at the weekend. Both very nice blokes.
Aug 13, 2018 15:22:59 GMT -5
Dodger: Happy 2019 everyone
Jan 1, 2019 10:54:04 GMT -5
Yen Sid: If anyone is passing by I posted a Hiatus update. Hope everyone is doing well!
Apr 18, 2021 11:31:09 GMT -5
Yen Sid: I've temporarily disabled account creation while I update the site. Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience!
May 9, 2021 18:31:45 GMT -5
Owen Burnett/Puck: Checked the site again and saw the update! Here's hoping to a revitalized 2022.
Dec 15, 2021 14:41:27 GMT -5