Fandom Power Rangers Sentinels

[marorda]

"Why yes, yes indeed," Vorkalth mumbled. They were thinking the same thing. Even Avlazor seemed to share their idea, which really said something here. And hearing Nenet's magic was strong enough... Even better! "You know what to do," Vorkalth said. The foolish mortals wouldn't see this coming anytime soon. Not a creature from an ancient, long forgotten world, but something that was right there already. Right under their noses. Something of a grin spread over the visage covered by the skull. This was going to be very interesting to watch.
---
"Been ready since you were getting dressed," Erin replied with a grin. It was true. She had basically just b waiting on her roommate to get back before she'd leave. Heading out together was more fun than going on your own, right? Given you're not running into any demons out of the blue. She burst into laughter as April suggested she and Bjorn might have been more than just friends. "No way in Hell," she laughed. "We were close, yes. But if it had even seemed like we were more than that, someone would have been jealous of him. Senna didn't like the idea of having "rivals"... Which is why we broke up. I could hardly talk to anyone for more than fifteen minutes without her butting in." Erin rather casually mentioned having had a girlfriend, so casually it had just slipped her mind entirely not everyone everywhere was as okay with the idea. She quickly shut her mouth, glancing at April to seize up her reaction. Had she just screwed up her friendship with her roommate with mentioning this? Erin hoped not. She liked April... Gosh, that didn't sound right at the moment, given what she had just admitted. Erin liked her roommate, but not like that.
Ah well... Maybe just focus on... Food? And seeing the city with the others. Or maybe she was stressing over nothing at all. Erin would figure it out soon enough. Plus, best be honest with your roommates, no? Better April heard this from Erin herself rather than from a total stranger.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Clay rubbed his stomach. "Mmm. That's what I like to hear!" he said. Food sounded...good. To put it simply. "Benji's working on some sculpture for an art contest." Clay said, answering Dylan's question. He hadn't spoken a lot about his art to the others, but apparently Benji's art is very important to him! As are the kids at the orphanage he lives in. Not technically an orphan himself, but he still cares about them all.
"Anyway, let's order up something good!" Clay said to Dylan, enthused, his stomach screaming to be filled. Despite all of the oddities going on around him and the others now, Clay's biggest thing to have a good day was to have a good meal! Part of growing up southern!

Benji quickly washed his hands of the excess clay and dried them with a rag. Just needs detail on the face. Then the Golem sculpture will be ready for entry in the contest! He'd make Derek proud, as well as the kids at the orphanage. Benji was sure he'd do well in this, he'd been working on it for a long time. Just before he returned to work, his phone starting ringing. Speak of the devil, it was his brother Derek! He eagerly picked up the phone.
"Derek? Hey!" He greeted.
"Hey lil bro, how's it going?"
"Oh, just finishing on a statue for a contest." Benji said. This sparked a whole conversation between him and Derek, allowing Benji to take a little break as he and his brother spoke. He excused himself form the studio and stepped outside into the hall way. Leaving the Golem unattended.
---
IN the underworld, this made Avlazor excited. "Now! Green Sentinel gone, Nenet can make clay thing evil!" He said, seeing the opportunity to strike while Benji was away and unable to interfere. "We send Spawners to city just in case?" He asked Vorkalth.

 

[Steel Accord]

"Of course!" Dylan directed him to his seat in a booth so the other could join them when they showed up.

"Hey there Dylan, sweetheart." Said an older early 40's waitress coming over to him. Dylan got up from his seat and gave her a warm hug. "Good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Janet." Dylan said breaking the hug. This had been the first time he had returned to this place since coming back to Ebongrove. Dylan pointed to Clay, re-taking his seat. "This is my friend, Clay. He's new in town. Some more friends of ours are showing up too."

"Well then why don't I get you guys started off with a drink while you wait?" Janet pulled out her notepad and clicked her pen.

"That would be great. Black cherry for me." Dylan said.

"Black cherry." Janet said, scrawling. "What about you, sugarcube?"

 

[Lady Insanity]

Nenet let out a mischievous laugh. Perfect. Why bother with a known force like Garm when something truly potential was right under their noses? Even better, a Sentinel made it. if only the Earthly Sentinel crated it, then maybe the connection to the clay forming the object would be mystical...oh well, Nature Boy will do.
And it's left unattended to as the green one walked away, talking into a strange device. (clearly doesn't know what a cell phone is yet) "I will do it immediately. I will open a portal if you wish to send our forces as a distraction, my lord." Nenet said to Vorkalth, working her magic and viewing the Golem through the window. "Evil spirits, gods of the underworld, hear my plea. A body from the Earth, sculpted at the hands of a human, turn this creation of a Sentinel into something wicked!" She chanted, the dark aura around her, focusing intensely on Benji's sculpture.
---
April hadn't even reacted to Erin mentioned she'd had a girlfriend before. Didn't strike her as taboo. So Erin had a girlfriend before, what's the big deal? April didn't judge, and she barely even noticed it as something to stick out. Unconditional care is what she cold offer her friends. "Hey, if someone's gonna turn everyone you talk to into a rival, they're insane. It means they have trust issues, and that's on them." She said, her own stomach rumbling.
"Ugh. Let's eat. I'm starving!" She said, hand on her stomach and leading Erin out of the dorm and to the restaurant.

 

[marorda]

Whew, it didn't seem like April was taking it as a problem she'd mentioned having had a girlfriend. "Well, technically everyone is a potential rival when you swing both ways," Erin chuckled. It was true, really. Not that she was quick to massively crush on a guy or a girl, but.. hey, the chance was there. She never knew if she'd end up with someone, and whether it would be a guy or a girl... unless she was in a place where anything other than being straight was a taboo. Then it was really quite obvious. Wouldn't want to end up getting murdered. "Still, I 'm sort of relieved she and I broke up second last time I moved. Though moving around a lot is also a downside. Surprisingly little people feel like maintaining a long distance relationship..." Erin sighed. She had net so many people in her life, and yet she had so few lasting friends. Maybe this time, with these guys, it would be different? That would be a nice change...

She followed after April as she led the way to the restaurant where Clay and Dylan were already waiting on them. "Food sounds excellent!" Erin said. She didn't really have a huge appetite, but food in new places was always welcome. Might make a new delicious discovery! Speaking of delicious... Maybe she should poke her friends across the globe for a care package? So many good snacks that were unavailable here...
---
Vorkalth nodded. "Yes, send the Spawners to keep the mortals busy while Nenet grands the clay being life. The Green fool does not seem to be paying attention now. It's the perfect chance." Whatever was the mortal talking to? A spirit in a box? Another being they'd have to worry about?

(Yay! Replied on my break! )

 

[PenBlade1326]

Clay tipped his hat to Janet as he sat down to greet her. "Pleased to meet ya, Janet." He said, sitting back down and making himself comfortable in the seat. "Just a glass of water for me is fine, thank ya." Clay ordered from Janet. She had a familiar charm to her, like she wasn't just working here, but making it family-feeling. He didn't know her, but Clay already liked Janet! He'd be sure to ask for her again should he ever return to this place.
A little time had passed. Enough time for drinks to get there, as well the girls to arrive. The nice thing to do was hold off on food until they got there, no? Clay chatted a little with Dylan while waiting, holding up a decent conversation. Clay probably confused him a bit with a lot of southern lingo in the time gap. If so....oops.
Clay waved over at Erin and April as they arrived, signaling them to come over. (implying they're here now.) "Howdy, ladies." he greeted them.

At the art studio, Benji remained on the phone with Derek, telling him about life at the moment, minus everything about the Sentinels, the Legion, all that jazz. He'd wondered what it'd be like to tell someone. He knew better, lest something bad happen to said person. Still, it's a wonder he had in mind. Another wonder of his is how he hadn't checked into an asylum yet. Benji knew Fate and Novus could find someone else to fill his position, so why was he even still on this team? As he thought this, Derek could sense Benji failing to listen and just mumble something in reply to his previous statement.
"Benji, you okay?" He asked.
He straightened up and replied with, "Huh? Yeah. Just in thought is all...the sculpture's on my mind." he replied to save his skin. Whew.
---
In the underworld, Spawners were ready to unleash and distract the mortals topside. Or at least one mortal in particular. Spawners entered a portal that would lead them to Benji, distracting him from going back inside to check on the Golem while Nenet worked her magic.
---
As Benji kept pacing outside talking to Derek, the Spawners slipped through cracks of pavement and brick, that dark light shimmering through as the monsters exposed themselves. He jumped slightly, taken by surprise at the sudden Spawners, growling and snarling at him like animals. Derek could hear them on the phone. "Benji? What is that, a dog?" He asked.
Benji shook his head, growing frantic. He'd never faced these things alone before...why were they here? And why now? "Sorry bro gotta go, talk later." He said and quickly hung up on Derek. He gulped, putting his fists up, his back to the studio building wall. "Not good not good!" He said to himself, panicking at the numbers against him. A Spawner rushed him, forcing him to the wall and punching his stomach, knocking the wind from him. He huffed and pushed it off, kicking the creature back.

He tightly held on to his charm dangling from his neck. Hopefully this would work and he wasn't just hoping it would...Guys! Please help! I'm under attack, a lot of Spawners! He called out telepathically to Dylan, Erin, Clay and April...hopefully they heard his plea, and hopefully Fate or Novus could just portal them all straight to him! He needed help!

Back at the restaurant just as the girls arrived, Clay heard something in his head. It sounded like Benji's voice...calling for help? "Aye, y'all hear that?" He asked the others, rubbing his head. (if telepathy isn't a thing I will edit the post)

 

[Lady Insanity]

April grinned slightly at Erin. "I guess managing relationships is hard enough. Let alone one where both people are such a great length from each other." She commented softly. Really, long distance was a manageable thing, she'd known someone to do it before and have it work, but it isn't easy. Then again, most relationships are never easy. But those are the ones worth fighting for, right? The ones that drive you crazy in the best ways possible? Something to ponder as they walked, certainly.

The journey to the restaurant was peaceful. No monsters, threats or impending doomsday catastrophes this time. On the way, she'd pointed out a few things about Ebongrove. Really, it is a beautiful place. When it isn't under attack by demons, that is. How long had Ebongrove been home to the Legion? Since the dawn of time? Freaky to know that at her 8th birthday party when she was outside playing with friends in a pool, demons could have been lurking under their feet. Actually, scratch that thought like its a damn itch. As the girls entered the place, she spotted Clay and Dylan waving them down. "Oh, there's the guys." She said to Erin, pulling her along the way.

"Howdy back, Clay. Hey, Dylan." April greeted both of the guys with a bright and soft smile, planting herself down beside of Dylan. "It's nice out today, isn't it?" She asked everybody. It was, indeed. Plus being with friends helped. A shame Benji wasn't here.
---
Nenet channeled all of her power toward the creation of the Green fool. She let out a hymn, a dark chant of evil, focusing her might on the sculpture. As the Spawners arrived and distracted him and his strange device for talking, she'd put forth an aura of darkness around the Golem inside the studio, bringing it to life with every waking moment. Twisting it from a simple statue to an evil minion, wicked and wild like a lightning storm. "Yes, yes, it is coming smoothly!" She said mid-chant. Oh it's beautifully evil!
---
Something felt a might bit odd. In her head, she swore she could hear something...a voice...Benji's voice for that matter. Asking for help? No, pleading for help. In, danger? What happened to the whole 'staying out of each others head' thing? April looked at Clay. "I hear it...it doesn't sound good." She said. Was Benji in trouble? Maybe Fate or Novus would tell them what's going on. Could they, too, sense it?

 

[Steel Accord]

Dylan was more or less able to keep up. He didn't get some of Clay's terminology but he could piece his meaning together with context clues. He mostly just listened to Clay describing his life back home. He didn't want to butt in and mostly because he wanted to talk about Ranger stuff but he bit his lip. It was enough to simply be with a fellow Power Ranger. He did make a mention to the myth of Hercules tricking Atlas at some point in the conversation but whether Clay got it or not he wasn't quite sure. The story went that Atlas tried to weasel his way out of his job of holding up the sky when he fetched the golden apples of Zeus for Hercules' labor. Hercules was able to persuade him to take the sky back for a moment just so Herc could grab a cushion for his shoulders. Then Herc just left Atlas there as Atlas was intending to leave him. It was of some relevance to what Clay was talking about.

That's when the girls joined them. Erin sat by Clay and April sat by Dylan. . . . Which he liked, he wasn't going to lie. It had been forever since a girl sat next to him in a restaurant even though they were in mixed company.

"It's nice out today, isn't it?"

"Beautiful." Dylan agreed. Looking at April.

 

[marorda]

April was an interesting partner for conversation, and Erin was glad she didn't make much of a fuss out of the things she had mentioned on previous encounters on the romantic field. Really, it had unfortunately cost her a couple of friends when they figured out Erin didn't quite fit the "normal and standard" picture. But as interesting of a topic it might be, for now she just let it rest and enjoyed the scenery. April pointed out a few interesting spots in Ebongrove, and Erin made the mental note to remember where they were. Without the monsters and demons attacking, Ebongrove really was a nice and pretty place. Full of history, of myth, and mystery. Who knew... maybe this would be a nice place to settle once she had finished college? It would seem the more central area of the city could provide with plenty of job options. Plus, Erin just really liked the atmosphere, disregarding the demons lurking under their feet. Were they even really there? Or, like the Coven, in this weird alternate realm place between worlds? She had no idea, but it might be an interesting thing for her to ask to Fate and Novus, should they be called on again. Or maybe, if things stayed quiet and she was done hanging out, she could head over there and ask it herself? Enough options, it seemed.

She wandered into the restaurant behind April, grinning and waving back at the guys as Clay called them over. "'Ella!" she called to them. It was kind of her thing, it seemed. She sat herself down beside Clay and glanced around the restaurant. It was... cozy. That's the word that came closest to describing the place. In English, that was. In Dutch, she'd call the place "gezellig". One of those wonderful words that just didn't quite translate well into English. "It sure's a nice day," she agreed with April. "This is a really nice place if.. you know... nothing strange happens."
---
Vorkalth smirked, watching Nenet work her magic. Spawners crawled out of cracks and through portals, giving the Green Sentinel trouble while his friends were elsewher. Wonderful! Now, it was only a matter of time before his creation would come to life and turn against him. Even better! He watched and waited as patiently as an ancient being trapped for centuries could, curious to see how this new plan would work out.
---
Of course Erin had thought too quickly and jinxed the whole situation! Out of the blue, she heard Benji's voice in her head, pleading for help. Wait... they could do that? Nice! Slightly creepy, perhaps, but nice! And also... SHIT. Benji needed their help. So far a normal and quiet day without demons. Now there was Spawners at the college. As if that place isn't hellish enough without demons!

 

[PenBlade1326]

Clay didn't exactly know what Dylan was talking about when he mentioned something about Hercules. In fairness, Dylan probably understood nothing about the southern talk. It all evened out. At least they'd gotten a little guy time before the girls arrived. "About as nice as a stallion on a spring day in a stable when a jockey feeds him a sugar cube." Clay said to April. Boy, it was nice out!
Or really, it was nice out. Benji calling to them telepathically made things...complicated.

He sounded like he was in trouble. Under attack and out numbered, Spawners. At the college, no less. Hadn't that been the place they'd encountered them in the first place? Near the college area entrance? Hmm. The college was a ways away, really, might be fast if they did the magic thing and just zapped there!
Clay rubbed his forehead. "Sorry y'all, looks like a change of plans. We gotta get to Benji...anyone know how we can just teleport there?" He asked the others, wondering if they knew. Maybe Dylan knew...he knew a lot about mythos, so he tied it directly to an assumption on magic. Or maybe Erin would know how? April? Clay just knew how to hit things, really...
"Better yet, let's ask someone with a lot of know-how." Clay said, thinking really hard and focusing on the Coven. Novus? Fate? Benji needs help, what are we gonna do? He mentally communicated to them at the Coven, knowing they'd be able to help them get to Benji and help him. (Mar when you reply with them, feel free to take group lead and just have Erin lead everyone outside for a teleport)

Back at the art studio, Benji found himself against the wall. Again. He ducked, a Spawners weapon striking the wall where his head had been, Benji rolling forward as fast as his scrawny body could could. He leaped up, punching one in the face and watching it tumble back, bringing his arm back for an elbow to an attacks face from behind. That extra strength from before came in handy...not too handy though, as he found himself getting kicked in the gut, a series of Spawners ganging up on him. Oh boy. The others need to get there soon!

In the studio, Nenet's spell had done its job. The Golem started to move. A low groan escaped its imitation of a mouth, monstrous features overcoming the sculpture, turning it into a clay-made monster to be reckoned! Simply named...Golem. Golem loosened up after being stiff for so long, looking around, filled with evil and power from the Legion. He was in a strange room...full of human art and a lot of other...well, 'art' pieces. Golem let out a breath, disgusted.
"Humans call this art? My clay fanny could make better art than this!" He said. Jee, even a monster is a critic...well, he is art, so maybe he has a say in it. Out the window, he could see Benji fighting off the Spawners. As if on instinct, Golem knew where to go. Who gave him life and who bestowed him with power. The Legion...led by Vorkalth and his generals Nenet and Avlazor. So through a crevice in the room, Golem slipped through to report to his new masters.

 

[Steel Accord]

"What are you looking at me for?" Dylan asked as Clay asked his question while looking in his general direction. What people understood as the concept of teleportation was a modern concept, there's very little mythological basis for it. When a god or spirit wanted to be somewhere they just were there and even then the process was often communicated in the form of very quick travel like with Hermes, the speedycomer was merely swift of foot and Apollo pulled the Sun across the sky with his chariot. Of course the gods of the nile river always took said river when they had to get anywhere, be it the overworld, Earth, or the underworld. Then there was the Aesir who traveled to entirely different worlds within Yggdrasil but once again with a kind of physical transport like Thor's goat pulled chariot or Odin's eight legged steed Sleipnir.

Anyway, oh snap! Benji is in trouble. Even Dylan had enough composure not to act like he was hearing voices in front of civilians, especially ones he knew. Still he hoped Clay was correct in contacting Novus and Fate.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Crap. Looks like their rumbling stomachs would have to wait, it seems. Their friend is in need of help and they'd have to get to him as soon as possible! April shrugged as Clay looked at her, agreeing with Dylan. "Same, what are you looking at me for? I just know how to change into the suit and use a crossbow. Not teleporting...though I'd be open to learn. Next thing ya know we'll be commanding around giant monsters from the good side of all things weird." She said. (Spoiler? xD)
Aside from fighting the occasional monsters, April was just your average waitress. No knowledge of the weird stuff in mythos or the world in general. But Benji needs help, there has to be something they can do. Surely Novus or Fate could help?
---
Nenet clapped her hands together. Her spell had worked! The Golem was alive, and coming to the Legion directly! Marvelous!

(okay short, but I didn't know what else to do lol)

 

[marorda]

"Don't look at me either!" Erin said. She might be dubbed Son of the Archon for one reason or another, and she might be one of the people most eager to throw fire around and fight demons, but that didn't mean she knew exactly what to do, or when and how to do it! "I don't know anything more than you guys do." Being eager to learn didn't make her an expert.
"Thankfully, you still have us," Novus piped in. "Just a moment... one portal coming through."
"Well, I guess that fixes things," Erin muttered. "Let's get going." She stood up and rushed out of the restaurant, glancing around once on the street. Obvious brightly shining portals with a big arrow saying "GO HERE" were nowhere to be seen. But... her Charm was acting oddly, shimmering, slightly levitating... as if it was pointing them towards the portal like a magical compass.
"Hah, now this is convenient," Erin mumbled, letting the Charm lead her to a place somewhat out of sight. And indeed, there was the portal. Made sense they'd conjure it someplace not in the middle of the road. Secret identity and everything. Plus, you don't want anyone who's not used to all the magic stuff accidentally stumbling through a portal, end up on the other end of town, and in the middle of a demon attack, now would you? Erin leaped through the portal, popping up near Benji. "You called?" she grinned at him. She quickly got to action, kicking a Spawner away from Benji. Oy, all against one... no fair. Unless it was them Sentinels against a monster.
---
"It is... odd," Fate commented in the Coven. "I sense no familiar ally of Vorkalth, yet... I do sense power there, more than from just the Spawners."
"Could it be...?" Novus opted, leaving the question hanging in the air. If it was, it wasn't good. Well... nothing was ever good when it came from Vorkalth and the Legion. This just was... extra.. non-good.
"I can't quite tell for sure yet," Fate said, focusing on the window overlooking the battle. If only she could see what had happened inside the building... "But it may be time for the Beasts to awaken."
---
Vorkalth was satisfied to see the creature come to life due to Nenet's magic and slipped through a crevice, coming to them directly.
"Aah, be welcome, Golem." Vorkalth greeted the being. A Spawner in a corner quickly got to work, scribbling down a description of the being in an ancient looking tome.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Where would they be with that shape changing delight? Clay followed Erin out of the restaurant and outside. The Charms were all acting strange, almost like a nav point had been set in them to lead them to the portal. Might come in handy in the future, as well, right? The group had been led somewhere out of sight, right to a portal. Yeehaw! "Alright. Best be gettin' our behinds through that thing." Clay said to the others behind Erin. He'd been getting used to the odd things going on in life recently. Somehow seeing a portal didn't phase him at all...it was like seeing a bird perched on a branch. Just a normal thing. He leaped through with everyone, popping in at Benji's side at the art studio on the college campus.

Benji looked up at everyone as they just...appeared out of thin air. Well, a portal. "Boy am I glad to see you." he announced to them all, clearly outnumbered and sick of it. Spawners backed off a peg at the others' arrival, yet they didn't stop the attack. What they were here for was a distraction, but now they're just left to attack.
Clay chuckled at Benji and patted him arm, a bit rough. "Ain't it weird how we outnumber a monster and it's alright, but other way around just ain't okay? Like we're just that weak or something." Clay thought aloud...came out wrong. Anyway, back to action. He shoved a Spawner back, tackling a small cluster of them to get them off Benji.
Benji let out a breath, with backup he'd he alright. He kicked into a Spawner, making short work of it and moving on to the next.
---
Golem had arrived, receiving a greeting from Vorkalth. He stood before him as the two generals, a Spawner writing something off to the side. He glanced around the place judgmentally. "Welcome indeed. But I must say, my master...this place is wretched. Who designed it, blind vermin?" He asked. Everyone's a critic...especially the walking art piece.
Avlazor snickered slightly. "Golem funny. But Golem also art-y. Legion home is not wretched! Golem is wretched!" Avlazor defended in his broken manner, defending his homes honor. He swing his ax up at Golem...cutting his arm off. But it didn't hurt him. The arm just...reattached itself. Like the clay he was crafted from was alive. Any injury just healed itself...Golem was...indestructible. Useful!

Avlazor was in awe. "Ohh...Avlazor's ax not kill Golem! Golem grow back!" He said, amazed. Golem crossed his arms and 'tch'ed at him. "Of course. I'm not entirely certain as to my power, but being made of clay has advantages. I can regrow limbs and recover quickly. Perhaps the magic flowing in me has altered the clay to be self-aware."

 

[Steel Accord]

Dylan followed the group out, quickly spinning on his heel and leaving pay (with tip) for the drinks. His charm glowed and hummed as it pointed the way, turning the corner he found the portal. Erin had already jumped through and Clay was right on her heels. Dylan waited for April ( Lady Insanity ) to catch up and/or go through before at last jumping in himself. Suddenly they were at Benji's art studio. The faint whiff of oils and inks stung Dylan's nose.

A spawner tried to advance on him but Dylan heaved an easel near him and popped it open in front of him, knocking right into the spawner. He pulled it back into its folded state, lifted it so that all three legs were pointing toward the spawners, charged, catching two of them in the legs, and then palm struck the top at his end. The blow and the impromptu ram sent the Hell spawn reeling back and Dylan took his place at his friends' side.

"Ain't it weird how we outnumber a monster and it's alright, but other way around just ain't okay? Like we're just that weak or something."

"Wooooow. Tell us how you really feel there, Clay." Dylan said. Honestly. First of all, demons from Hell, so any tactics used in mutual combat can be justified since they have and will do far, far worse to helpless victims if we don't stop them. Second of all, we ganged up on Avlazor and Garm because their strength necessitated it. There was no way any of them could have taken on either of them alone and won, at least not at this stage in their powers. Third of all, we fight fair so that we remain better than our enemies, not because we expect those enemies to fight fair as well.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Is lightning an element they all have? Because they'd all moved so fast and bolted out of the restaurant that one might think so. April was at the back of the line, so to speak, of the group running to catch the handy dandy portal they'd been sent via magic. She leaped through around the time Dylan did, ending up at the art studio on campus. And there was Benji, outnumbered, overrun, and way overpowered by this things.
She'd gently placed a hand on his shoulder before resuming the fight. "Glad to see you're okay." She said to him, cautiously eyeing the demons all around them.

One of the Spawners reached for her, April catching its arm with her hands and twisting it back, bending the monsters arm and flinging it back away from her. She put some space out there so she wasn't in her friends' way, dodging incoming hits from the grunts and just waving around like she was dancing almost. She swiped her foot around, deflecting a Spawner's ax with her shoe and holding it on the ground, whipping up her leg into its face.
Clay's comment made her laugh. "Hey, maybe Clay's got a point. When we overpower them, its okay, the other way around is wrong? I don't know a lot about super hero stuff but in every movie I've seen that always seems to be the--" April started, cut off by a whack to her face. She paused, her hair flipping as she looked at the Spawner with a pure look of 'oh no you didn't'. April huffed and punched that thing square in its face, knocking off the face mask and revealing the ugly underside Erin had revealed before. "Ewwww." She said, face of disgust, shoving it back and kicking it to the side.
---
Nenet was less than impressed with Golem at first sight. He was an art critique? Made sense given his origin. But to judge the home of the Legion, the might Vorkalth and the forces of Hell itself? Inconceivable! This vile statue had ought to be taught some manners and respect for his betters.
And then....Avlazor cut the things arm off. Only it didn't stay off...it reformed and was back on Golem's body. He has regenerative abilities? Not even weapons like that ax can truly harm him? Oh this is...this is..."Oh marvelous! Self-aware clay. Something no weapon can kill. Truly a work of art! Golem may be of some use, don't you say master Vorkalth?" Nenet asked.

 

[marorda]

Erin chuckled lightly at Clays comment. "I was thinking the same, pretty much," she replied. Really, it was true. All five of them versus on de,on (though it had happ nee only once)? Fair game. A squad of Spawners all ganging up on one of them alone? Foul play and they were doing about as terrible as one monster wuls against all of them. Hmm... Maybe they needed more training in order to stand their griund a little better? what if this would happen again and there wasn't an immediate portal available? Nobody would want to find their new friends squashed by ugly demons, right!?

She eyed Benji to see if he was okay, but noticed April was already taking care of that. Not that she didn't care enough about her friend to check up on him, she certainly did, but... Well.. You know, group of demons trashing the place. Good she could focus on just that. Kicking demon ass. Specifically ass. And stomach, and other limbs. Anything but the heads. Wouldn't want to knock their masks off. Ugly, freaky, undead faces underneath and all that. In case anyone had forgotten. Not for long, since now it was audibly April who knocked one of the masks off.

Erin ducked to the ground to avoid an incoming attack, sweep kicking the legs underneath one of the Spawners away in the progress. She quickly rolled aside to get away from a Spawner creeping up on her from behind, got back to her feet and kicked another spawner, or maybe the same one she just got away from. After all, all those bastards look the same. She made her way back over to Benji. "Any idea what happened, other than college turning into even more of a hell than usual?" she asked.
---
Vorkalth huffed. So the first thing this clay creature did was showing criticism towards the Legion's prison instead of thanking them for grantig him life? Granted, the underground was a wretched place, and it was the mortals' fault they were trappe here. "I would much rather rule the mortal world, as is our rightful position, but wretched mortals trapped us in this prison they designed. It will have to do until we can reclaim our place," he said to Golem. After all, before initially being trapped, he was the court shaman, even the king himself for a while. Until those damned Sentinels came along. Yet though the being made a pojnt, Vorkalth did not appreciate being questioned. It was satisfying to see Avlazor cut the Golems arm off. And imoressive to see it grow right back on.
"Most interesting indeed," Vorkalth nodded. "A being that will render those Sentinels' weapons useless! What else can you do?"

 

[PenBlade1326]

Sheesh. April knocked off a mask of a Spawner...cue for totally gross factor? Just as Erin asked Benji what had happened, Clay rammed his fists into a Spawners head, Benji his foot in ones gut. At this time, the Spawners had finally started clearing out, falling back, proving to be a bit too weak against all five of them.
The Spawners slipped back through crevices to Hell, dark light emitting from every crack, as oxymoronic as that may sound.

The group was finally alone, just the five of them. Benji caught his breath and popped his back. "Well, Erin, I'm not sure. One minute I'm inside working on my sculpture, the next my brother calls me so I step outside, and then I'm under attack. Just random as it could be." He said, a little wigged out, never having face demons alone before.
Clay popped his knuckles and tipped his hat, hands on his belt as he strolled over to Benji and Erin. "Maybe that Vorkalth varmint is just tryna pick us off. Maybe we'd best be gettin' to the Coven and see what the mojo people call tell us." he said, referring to Novus and Fate. Really, mojo people?
Benji nodded in agreement. "Yeah..let's go. Before they come back." he stated. Not even thinking to go back inside to the sculpture. Totally unaware that it had been taken and turned into a monster. At that moment, Benji and Clay both mentally wished for another portal to come there way and take them to the Coven. (insert cue for out host)
---
Golem chuckled at his masters reactions. "Well, I can do much more that regenerate. I'm made of clay. I can sculpt myself into any desired form I wish. Observe." he said simply, his hands forming into clay mallets. Then to clay blades, and finally changing into clay maces. Then back to hands.
"You see? I am walking art. And you are my artists." he said to the trio. Avlazor nodded in amazement, amused. "Ohh. Clay monster really good. When we send him to fight?" He asked.
---
Time passed. Back at the Coven after getting a portal back to it, Benji took it upon himself to sit down, still in his art apron. Clay leaned against a wall, hat tipped up to show his eyes on everyone.
"Well, guys? Any idea why the Spawners just came after me so randomly?" Benji asked Novus and Fate. He glanced at everyone else. "And by the way guys, thanks again for showing up when you did..." he said to Erin, Dylan, Clay and April.

 

[Lady Insanity]

April had just shoved back another ugly undead as they'd all starting leaving through the cracks.
Watching Spawners leave was like watching an elephant slip through a pencil-thin hole in a backpack. Just weird seeing something slip through a crevice like liquid. Part of being demonic entities meant they were so creepy!
At least April and the others managed to scare those things off, however. Why'd they attack Benji out of the blue like that? So random...at least he seemed to be okay. And nobody else had seemed to get hurt, so that was good.

Clay had a point. "Hey, he may not be wrong. Haven't even met the big bad himself but already I don't like him. Then again, why would I ever like the bad guy?" April through aloud. Picking them off one by one? Good sodding luck. This might be a fresh group, but nothing would ever get between them. Especially not when one's in trouble. At least Benji's okay. Though if it had been Erin, Dylan or Clay, April still would have come running in a hurry. No matter who it is, she'd help them.
Perhaps going back to the Coven is best. April gently put her hand on Benji's arm as they left for the Coven, just checking in on him again. Total mom.
---
Nenet clapped her hands together. "Oh marvelous! Just marvelous! " She said after watching Golem's display of power. "Oh master Vorkalth I agree with Avlazor. When shall we deploy our new warrior to the surface? Nothing can hurt him. Better yet, he can find dozens of new ways to hurt someone else! Unlike Garm, Golem is a complete masterwork!"
---
In the Coven, April folded her arms slightly and stood off to the side. She looked at Benji. "No problem, Ben." She said, shortening his already shortened name to a shortened version of itself. Shortening.
"Maybe Clay's right. What if they are trying to pick us off one by one?"

 

[Steel Accord]

Dylan delivered a crescent kick to the side of the head. It knocked the mask off of the spawner. He shrugged.
"Eh, it's lost its shock. Shya-HYAAAA!" He delivered the famous one-inch punch like Bruce Lee, sending the spawner back. Dylan would like to think he could do that on his own, but he felt that rush of essencia before and during impact. Although didn't Novus say that chi was essencia or that it was a greater form of chi? Either way, a part of him did feel like he was cheating in a manner of speaking. He'd ask his friends about it later. Speaking of whom, they were kicking ass along with him.

The spawners eventually had enough and started slipping back into the Abyss they crawled from. Dylan grabbed a hard chunk of . . . well clay actually and tossed it at the remaining solid piece of the spawners liquid form.

"Go to Hell, you filth!" Redundant perhaps but it was the only thing Dylan could think to say at the moment. "Gang up on our friend?" The brick of clay cracked into the spawner and it moaned from the impact as its individual voice was drained away in the mass of raw evil that slipped back into . . . Perdition, to put it another way. Excessive? If the Devil himself was down, why not kick him in the teeth?

Clay raised a good point, that maybe Vorkalth was trying to take them apart when they weren't in a group and could work together. He agreed that they needed to get back to the Coven and convene on what exactly Vorkalth was planning.

 

[marorda]

Man, those Spawners were as ugly as they were smelly! So far all the fictions on demons being handsome and seductive men! Though it might be better for a girl's morals if it was that way. Cue weird thoughts flooding Erin's mind there. Here's to hoping those weren't thoughts shared among the rest of the group, seeing as how they could telepathically communicate. Maybe it only worked when they wanted it or thought about it? Now there was hoping it only was when they wanted to, because she couldn't stop thinking about how weird it would be. Luckily the Spawners soon decided to retreat to the darkness they had... spawned from. Weird to see a human sized thing slip through something that wasn't even as broad as a pencil. Even weirder to see those cracks disappear once they were gone. Perhaps a sign that the hell they came from was another reality, much like the Coven was? But then those cracks would point to the tears int he Veil, which also was bad news. For how, however and thankfully, the creatures were gone and everyone was safe.

"Odd how they'd just show up like that," Erin mumbled. She frowned slightly at Novus and Fate being called "mojo [people" thinking it generally sounded disrespectful. And in all honesty, the two somewhat frightened her. Ancient beings with magic they couldn't even fathom? For all they knew they'd be turned into toads when they'd piss the two off. They were good mentors, but.. especially Fate was always so no-nonense and serious. April's thought, however, made her chuckle. "Bad guys generally aren't meant to be liked, now are they? That's why they're called BAD guys." But by the old gods and the new ones, she hoped Clay and April were wrong. If Vorkalth started pickling them off one by one... they wouldn't stand a chance, and the only good thing about that was that they wouldn't be alive to see the world probably literally go to hell. Buuut.. since the entire world and those connected to it sorta depended on them, it would be bad if they'd die so they just best make sure that wouldn't happen. More training, sticking together, not running off into the fray alone or decide to be heroic and dive after the next wave of Spawners and land in hell. So yeah... going back to the Coven and asking Fate and Novus if they knew what was going on... that would be a good idea.
---
Vorkalth watched as Golem demonstrated what he could do and how strong he was. It was quite marvelous indeed. And then to think this was Avlazor's idea! Combined with Nenet's magic. Most impressive. This creature being immune to weapons and able to reshape himself on a whim? That ought to give those pesky Sentinels plenty of trouble to deal with! "Hmm..." he considered for a moment. The being was eager to prove itself, and Avlazor and Nenet both were eager to see him in action. "Send him out as soon as possible," Vorkalth said. "Nenet, ready a portal to the city's center. Golem... show those Sentinels what you're capable of. Do not disappoint us."
---
Soon everyone was back at the Coven, minus Fate, who had distanced herself from the group slightly and seemed to be in a deep trance. Whatever exactly it was she was doing, her magic could be felt by everyone. A strong energy, lively, very old. It made the already magical Coven feel even more magical, as if something else that had been slumbering for long was stirring in its sleep, slowly waking up. So really it was only Novus that could answer the questions everyone had. He scratched his chin and looked at the Rangers. He opened his mouth as if he were to say something, then closed it again and shook his head lightly while pacing up and down in front of the rest. It made Erin feel a little nervous.
"We're not sure," he said eventually. "It is strange indeed, certainly too random for Vorkalth's whims. Whenever he sends Spawners, it's carefully planned. There's always an ulterior motive. Are you sure you didn't see anything strange before or during the attack?" It may have been a distraction. Or perhaps they were right and Vorkalth was indeed trying to pick them off while they were alone. "It could be you're right. It's a relatively smart idea, but..." He shook his head, slumping down on a tree trunk.
"Hey, I'd do the same for any of you guys," Erin said to Benji as he thanked them. It was true, strangely. She knew she would. But... why? Hadn't she sworn not to be like that for a reason? She absentmindedly rubbed her left lower arm. "Maybe..."

But before she even had the chance to finish her sentence or even think of where she wanted it to go, they were interrupted by the window turning dark. And Fate's concentration breaking so suddenly it felt like an icy gust of wind passed them all. Fate rather loudly uttered a word that was undoubtedly a curse in some forgotten language. Something that made even Novus quickly turn his head, the look on his face telling she wasn't sure whether to scold her for her language or be terrified.
"We were right..." Fate muttered softly, rubbing her head. Being slung from a trance that quickly undoubtedly didn't do anyone any good. "She's done it..."
"Who's done what?" Erin asked.
Fate nodded towards the window, showing the sight of a six foot tall monster standing in the middle of the road. "Nenet created artificial life."
And that just really sounded bad, in Erin's opinion. A monster, an ally of Vorkalth, had just CREATED LIFE?! How and why and what and didn't that basically go against all rules of nature and magic? Or did that only apply to necromancy? Why did she suddenly have Frankenstein like visuals crossing her mind? "The Hell, sorry 'bout that, is that?" she asked, looking at the creature in their scrying window again.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Golem chuckled at Vorkalth's demand. "Fear not. I do not disappoint." He stated, laughing to himself. He'd wait for a portal, as well as forces to aid him. But Golem wouldn't simply act on a whim of his creators. Like any artist...he needed a muse. Hmm. Violence, destruction, meeting that boy who sculpted him and utterly vandalized him before he'd been granted life? That would do.
---
Benji shrugged to Novus. Fate looked awfully distracted and distanced from everyone, leaving him in charge of the questionnaire. Benji shook his head slightly. "I don't remember seeing anything weird. Just I was inside working on my sculpture for the contest, thinking about the kids at the orphanage I live at, got a call from my brother, stepped outside of the studio...and then I was attacked," Benji explained. Really, how odd. He stepped outside in the nice weather, talking to Derek only to be attacked so soon after working on the sculpture. Clay rubbed his chin. "Hmm. Hey now, what if--" He started.
And then Fate had an outburst that would even make a man in a wheelchair jump 10 feet in the air.

"Who's done what?" Both Benji and Clay asked in perfect unison with Erin. Benji's head tilted and his jaw dropped, Clay just pausing entirely. Vorkalth's general Nenet...created life? How? Artificial life, as well? Even weirder...didn't seem like the route of magic did it? The scrying window showed the life Nenet had created. It's a wonder how Fate knew about it...then again, she is Fate embodied.
The six foot tall creature stood in the middle of a road, menacing, Spawners coming to its aid. Gee, like they hadn't had enough of those things for the day.
Benji then immediately rose to his feet as he saw the monster. The life Nenet created. It couldn't be. It's...it's...
"Hey, that thing looks like a statue." Clay pointed out, anticlimactic.

"Because it is a statue. It's...it's my sculpture. But they've done something to it. Made it a monster." Benji said in shock. "Artificial life...the attack...the Spawners were just a lure to get me away from my sculpture so they could bring it to life to fight for them." Benji said, angered. First this whole magic thing twisted life upside down for him, then it got decent...but now it's coming after his personal life? That's crossing a line...on so many levels for Benji.
"Your sculpture's alive? Well spank me on the butt and call me Shirley..." Clay muttered, looking through the scry at it. What were everyone else's thoughts on the matter?
---
After walking through the portal to the surface with Spawners, Golem stood in a city center, right in the road. He'd just used pavement to his advantage, cracking the road and stopping cars from coming. His own element, it would seem. "Oh, I'm going to have to completely re-design this city. So drab, so unwordly. It's dreadful!" He criticized Ebongrove...oy, what a critic.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Nenet bowed her head. "Oh at once, master Vorkalth." She agreed, conjuring the portal to the surface world for Golem and the Spawners to travel through. A self-regenerative structure leading a cluster of Hellish ghouls from the underworld? Excellent.
---
Fate's loud interruption on Erin's words startled April. It nearly took April's breath when they'd learned one of Vorkalth's goons had created artificial life. Didn't that kind of go outside the rules of nature? Artificial life? At least when magic and demons are involved in such activity?
The window showed a six foot tall monster standing in the street. It looked awful, like it was made of clay and stone. Kind of like an art project gone horribly wrong. Just as April was about to crack a wise one...Benji had said it was literally his art project gone wrong. Of course he'd said it in his own words.

April gave Benji this look of sympathy and confusion. He'd pieced it together. "Oh..it all makes sense. They attacked to get to statue from you....sorry Benji." She said softly. "Damn, it's ugly...must be something they did to it, huh?" She asked.
She then shot a glance at Clay. "I'll call ya Shirley but I'm not slabbing your behind." She stated.

 

[Steel Accord]

Upon first arriving at the Coven, Dylan was planning on putting the moves on Fate. He adjusted his hair and checked his breath. He stopped in his tracks when he spied her in a deep trance. He certainly wouldn't want someone interrupting him when he was praying or meditating. Plus, he liked the feeling of Fate's essencia hanging in the air. He could only describe it as glistening.

Fate's outburst made the room's atmosphere shatter like broken glass. The spiritual feedback gave Dylan a case of whiplash that he had to take a moment to recover from.

When that dark image appeared on the screen though, Dylan's flirtatious mood was forgotten. Now he was angry, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. If he felt some form of admiration or at least a sense of understanding, fighter to fighter, for Avlazor, he felt nothing even approaching respect for Nenet. Already she was on his shit list as a described manipulator, a trait Dylan utterly despised. He was always of the school of thought that if you considered someone your enemy, first of all, be direct and call them your enemy, second of all have the guts to face them directly. Those who hide behind shadows and smiling faces, earned nothing but the most burning contempt from Dylan. All of that though, only put Nanet in the realm of merely, "the most disliked of figures I already dislike as a whole." This act though? This put her above that. Now she was a blasphemer on top of everything else! Dylan was surprised at his own shock. She's a demon, of course, she would stop to this.

"That witch. That blasphemous she-devil! She's perverted a sacred Jewish rite!" Dylan said. Upon Benji's exclaim that the Golem was indeed his own creation. "You have my condolences, my friend. Not only is she twisting the act of creation, she wasn't even willing to put in the work of the actual creation! So you can tell her she's a hack AND a hag." Dylan nodded.

 

[marorda]

With Golem gone, Vorkalth turned his attention to the window. It was marvelous to see Nenet's magic back in action. And to immediately create a being that seemed indestructible, capable of reshaping itself into anything it wished.. that boded well for the Legion. Golem better be right and do not disappoint. Those pesky Sentinels had had too many victories already. Especially since they weren't only mere mortals, they were also so young, hardly above children. And children... children ought to know their place and learn from their superiors. He mentally scoffed. How pathetic it was the Charms had chosen children instead of more capable people.
---
Well, having scared the living shit out of everyone didn't exactly make Fate feel better on the situation. But this was a very serious matter indeed. No time for chit-chatting, delays, and goofing around. The Rangers, ready or not, would have to head out once again before the being, created by Benji, would rearrange the entire city and open a nice Hell Portal or two in the progress. If fueled by Nenet's magic, who could tell what this being was capable of? They were all going to need help, and thanks to the interruption caused by the window turning dark and the creature walking through, she might as well have to start over again. Magic required concentration and a lot of care. Who knew what could happen if she was hasty? Surely, nothing good would come from that.

"You made that thing?" Novus asked Benji, an odd look on his face. If the words weren't blunt enough, his expression said what was unsaid. Sure, Benji couldn't have known this would happen, but Novus was unamused nonetheless. Who would go and make a gigantic monstrous thing after learning magic and demons were real? There was a reason Novus stayed away from attempting to create lifelike things. Some magic might always slip through when a magic user worked on something they put all their passion in. Magic was fueled by their emotions, after all.
"Hey, leave him be!" Erin said, sticking up for her new friend. "He spend Gods know how much time working on it, and now some demon turned it into a thing we've got to destroy!" Well, that wasn't helping. Or at least it came out really wrong. It was the truth, but still... Yeah, words weren't always really her thing. Sometimes she was just way to direct/blunt with people. She then turned to Clay, casually (or so she thought) glancing at his butt. She opened her mind to crack a wise one, but changed her mind quickly. "I... I'm with April on this one," she said, though that may not exactly have been what she intended to say in the first place. "Well... I'd say we better head out there and stop the cursed - again, I"m sorry about that- thing."
"Yes, yes you should," Novus and Fate said in unison. And... as if something else in the Coven, something slumbering and unseen agreed, a rumble echoed through the Coven.

Although part of Erin wanted to ask what the rumble came from, something inside of her told her she may not want to know. Besides, the city was in danger again! So time to hop on that Pentagram again and poof to the crime scene.