Another Threat!?

The islands had once been a friendly, wonderful place. Menehune Rookery may not have been the largest nor most successful, but they had been peaceful for a time. That all changed with the waking beasts, the terrors of maddened ancients on a rampage across their beautiful island. Things had not gone well in recent memory, and several of their asotus bore the scars of previous encounters, as did many places on the island.

News of the threat traveled fast, but Momilani was worried for the three who had shown signs of being tainted by the ether. Ampere assured her that there was little to worry about with Sniffles, Creed and Strawberry, having taken to monitoring them since their brush with the touched humans. The calculating mind of Ampere recommended that those so touched be the first to respond, and that was how Momilani found them rushing to the ruins to take on this new threat.

Despite the dangers, Joules rode with them on Ghanima, believing that the police training she had would be a benefit to them all. It was possible he went along to monitor Ampere as much as she was monitoring the three tainted asotus, ensuring the sister he and Volt had built could withstand what they hoped she could. Besides, he was a skilled shot and Momilani could use his presence if they needed to stop and patch someone else up.

They quickly came into sight of the trouble, that maddened dragon an awe inspiring sight as it thrashed across the temple ruins. There were smaller threats, humans armed and moving in to attack the island defenders, as well as smaller draconic creatures that dazzled the eye. The vision before them was almost overwhelming, but Sniffles at least had been amongst those who had faced four previous monstrosities and his bark of defiance gave the others strength.

The four asotus paid little mind to the humans, who may have overlooked the small mob in turn due to the signs of ether apparent on three of them. With Sniffles in the lead, Strawberry, Creed and Ghanima rushed toward the dragon to begin their assault. Some of the quetzlcoatls noticed their intention and moved to intercede, but Ampere and Joules took shots to dissuade their approach. With their riders laying down covering fire, they made good time reaching the beast.

They had come into attacking distance of the beast's tail, but the serpentine nature of it combined with the thick, feathery cover made it difficult to snag. They had to duck under the flailing appendage, closing in on the hind legs of the towering monstrosity. Tsaagan was lithe and moved with alacritous grace, whipping around to face the four of them before any had gotten in a significant strike.

Creed lunged for the face brought down to their level, slashing out with his tusks in defiance of the fear they felt within. Following suit, Strawberry threw herself at the draconic visage with all the ferocity she could muster. Ghanima was more cautious, circling the head of the beast to find an opening to his throat, the flesh there presumably softer. Sniffles, not believing the dragon would remain in easy range, bounded up onto Tsaagan's snout to have access to his eyes.

Momilani thrust her harpoon at the monstrous face Sniffles had leapt at, letting out a shout as though that would improve her effectiveness. Ampere and Joules were charging up, pausing in shooting off their guns to gather up electricity for a combined shock, hoping the great wind-beast was not entirely immune to something as primal. Together with the asotus' assault, they worked toward making a difference early on in this fight.