I'd sign up for this, but there aren't enough ^^s in the title. Sorry.

Sign up for what? You don't have to sign up, just read the series Mr.Smarty.

OMG! I love TAO FENG. Pale Lotus Sect and the Black Mantis Sect. <3

We won't get a Sequal. El Gigante Studio's went out of business sadly. I love what you're doing here bro. But I'm not replying to enter or join. Please don't be mad. I support this thread!

mm why do everybody think you have to join? Your jobs are just to read,lol

Hey guys, have begun to write the first few eps, lookin good

Okay. . .Interesting. When's the first episode coming up?

soon, give me a few more days.

I'M SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!! , guys, you are gonna love when i introduce Jade Dragon, anyway, character pics and bios up soon, 1 st ep should be up, give me a while, i might have to edit somethings.

First of all, learn how to use the EDIT button, instead of multi posting.

It is aestheticaly ugly to multi post.

but they were DAYS apart. I don't mind if someone double posts if its DAYS apart.

We do mind.

official plot: Like it's neighbor the United States, New China is a land founded and forged by explorers, immigrants, and ne'er-do-wells. Occupying much of what we consider the American West, the powerful democratic nation has thrived since its inception in the mid 19th century. Around 1820, Chinese laborers arrived in droves on the shores of this new world, seeking everything from work, to escape, to adventure. Seeing the threat posed by the equally expansionistic Americans to the east, the Chinese hastened to ally themselves with the Mexicans to their south. The united strength of the industrious immigrants and their Mexican comrades proved more than enough to keep the Americans from attempting to expand their borders all the way to the pacific. Though rapidly forming a national identity all their own, the Cantonese-speaking New Chinese remained a colony of Mandarin-centric China, dependant on the mother land for financial, diplomatic, and if need be military aid. It wasn't until the 1840's, and the all-important discovery of gold in the New Chinese hillsides and creek beds, that the prospect of revolution became more than the idle fancy of daydreamers. No longer reliant on the scraps offered by it's former keepers, New China declared it's independence in 1851, in an almost entirely bloodless revolution. The Manchurian Dynasty, beset by far more immediate threats from various foreign powers, found itself incapable of fighting a war in the Americas and could do little but watch the colony slip from it's grasp. Now a distinguished world power, New China enjoys warm diplomatic relations with it's continental neighbors. The American in particular have proven long-time allies. With their shared railway systems, shared ports and extensive trade networks, it's no wonder that English, as well as Spanish, can be commonly heard on the streets of New China's capital, Dai Fou, or as it's more commonly called, "Metro-China." Of all it's old adversaries, only the People's Republic of China remains a threat. Even after a century and a half, the communist nation's leaders refuse to acknowledge New China's sovereignty, instead categorizing the country as a "rogue state." While tensions have remained high across the years, neither country has been foolish enough to start what would be a long, bloody war. Nevertheless, the PRC has consistently resorted to all manner of covert ops to undermine their former subject's experiment in freedom. The History of the Pale Lotus and Black Mantis Sects The Pale Lotus, a centuries-old group of Taoist monks, have spent their existence in pursuit of lofty goals. Guided by a series of enigmatic leaders, each sharing the name Master Sage, they seek to better the world around them by defending the helpless and promoting justice through their considerable fighting prowess. Members of the Pale Lotus also strive to perfect their inner selves. Practitioners of "neidan", or inner alchemy, they seek immortality and transcendence through the perfection of their spirit energy, or "Chi." The Pale Lotus quest for immortality is mirrored by the ambitions of their longtime foes, the Black Mantis sect. Also striving for immortality, the Black Lotus practice "waidan," or outside alchemy, which teaches that the inner demon of death can only be defeated by outside sources, such as magical elixirs or potions. Leading this power-hungry band is the warlord known as Wulong Goth, who via dark sorceries shares the abilities and memories of his predecessors, the previous Wulong Goths. He also shares, along with the rest of the Black Mantis sect, a burning hatred of the Pale Lotus. The Conflicts Where the Pale Lotus strove to help the common folk whenever they could, the Black Mantis viewed laymen as nothing but tools to their own diabolical ends. Naturally, the two clans have clashed on countless occasions. Slowly, the Black Mantis found themselves gaining a significant numerical advantage, as skilled fighters rejected the ascetic lifestyle of the Pale Lotus in favor of the easy, corrupt life of the Black Mantis sect. In the 1800's, a century of chaos and strife thanks to the meddling of European powers in Chinese affairs, the Black Mantis launched a major offensive against their rivals. While the Pale Lotus were valiantly fighting against the well-armed forces of the western nations, the Black Mantis allied themselves with the interlopers, and eventually forced the Pale Lotus into a full retreat. From their sanctuary, The Supreme Harmony Temple, the Pale Lotus watched helplessly as China was torn apart by the various foreign interests. Disgraced and despondent, even Master Sage was unaware that Wulong Goth was plotting a final, killing strike against his ancient rivals. The Destruction of the Pale Lotus During the following period of relative tranquility, Master Sage married and sired a son, Lo Shu. The new perspective brought by this life-changing event strengthened his desire to finally bring stability to China, that his and all other children could know true peace. Hearing tales about a famous doctor turned revolutionary named Sun Yatsen, Master Sage summoned his most loyal friend, Shihao, also known as Master Flying Fist, to his side. Bidding his friend to observe strict secrecy, Master Sage requested that Shihao seek out this popular young doctor and determine whether his cause might be one worth fighting for. Shihao's mission would not prove to be a success. He had barely begun his quest when he came upon a village under siege from a pack of bandits led by one of the Black Mantis sect's most vile commanders, Iron Monk. Forgetting his mission, Shihao engaged the enemy, and a terrible battle ensued. After driving off the lesser brigands, he and Iron Monk fought. After several exhausting hours, both knew that to continue would mean death. Iron Monk disengaged, but as he fled he issued a final, chilling taunt-that Shihao was alone and would be hunted down like a wounded dog. Hearing the ring of truth in the words of his adversary, Shihao, gravely wounded, shambled back to the temple, where his worst fears were realized: launching a sneak attack, the Black Mantis had utterly wiped out the entire Pale Lotus clan. Lying amidst the ruins of the once proud temple, Shihao found the bodies of every last one of his companions. Even Master Sage lay crumpled and broken beside his beautiful young wife. In his grief, Shihao vowed vengeance against his tormentors, who he knew would be coming after him as well. Just then, Master Sage stirred. Kneeling besides the dying man, Shihao learned that there was a single survivor of the vicious attack, hidden just as the battle commenced: the infant Lo Shu. Although Shihao wanted nothing more than to find the Black Mantis and kill as many of them as he could, Master Sage had different plans. Shihao would take the baby, along with the twelve sacred objects of the Perfect Harmony Temple, and guard them all, raising the boy to be a new master Sage. With these words, Master Sage died. Shihao, putting aside his desire for revenge, swore to honor the dying man's wish. Realizing that the forces of the Black Mantis would soon be after him, he knew he would have to flee the country. With the baby on his shoulder and the sect's sacred objects on his back, he set out on a long, arduous trek to New China. New Life in New China Even in the relative safety of New China, Shihao took few chances. He and the boy traveled from town to town, earning what little money he had from performing simple manual labor. Eventually, Lo Shu reached the necessary age for his training in earnest. Settling down in Metro-China that the boy might go to school as well, Shihao began to unload his lifetime's worth of experience into his eager pupil. Lo Shu learned of the Tao, the concepts of Feng Shui, and the martial skills of the Flying Fist as well as the history of the Pale Lotus and Black Mantis sects, and his awesome responsibility to continue the fight. These formative years were made even more challenging by the need for complete secrecy, for if the Wulong Goth caught the slightest whiff of their existence before they were ready, all would be lost. Slowly the loneliness that had been the hallmark of Shihao's life since the destruction of the temple began to dissipate. As Lo Shu came into his own as a wise, powerful young man, Shihao found himself no longer the only remaining member of Pale Lotus. With Shihao's blessing, Lo Shu eventually married and had a daughter, Jian. Lo Shu found only the slightest disappointment in her disinterest in learning the ways of the Pale Lotus. Years rolled by, a pair of World Wars came and went, and Shihao became an old man. Feeling his physical prowess beginning to fade, his mind turned once more to his former brothers and sisters in Pale Lotus, and his burning need for revenge resurfaced. With Lo Shu more than able to fend for himself, Shihao left Metro-China to fulfill one last obligation. New Life in New China For many months after Shihao's sudden disappearance, not a word was heard from the great fighter. Lo Shu had nearly begun to give up hope on ever hearing from his friend again until one day, a dying monk of the friendly Eastern Sun sect appeared on his doorstep. At the behest of Shihao, this Ong Yai Zhen had traveled all the way from Old China, at great personal cost, to deliver an pair of tablets to Lo Shu. These tablets, known as Yin and Yang, were engraved with obscure riddles decipherable only to a master of Feng Shui. The solutions, said Ong Yai Zhen, would reveal the hiding places of the twelve treasures of the Pale Lotus, carefully hidden by Shihao. Unfortunately, the grievously wounded monk carried only the Yang tablet. The Yang had been lost in a brutal attack by a gang of thieves while Ong Yai Zhen made his way to Metro-China. While bad enough news in it's own right, the loss would take on even graver significance when, decades later, the table would fall into the hands of the Black Mantis sect. This event served to exacerbate Lo Shu's discontent. His longing to resurrect his lost sect was confounded by his unwillingness to endanger the lives of his family, which had grown even larger with the birth of his granddaughter, Aria, in the early 1990's. Finding himself without a son to follow in his footsteps, he isolated himself in his Neidan Sanctuary, methodically recording the sum of his knowledge of the Pale Lotus's history and skills. The result of this work, The Book of the Pale Lotus, he hid securely in the bowels of his sanctuary. An Old Enemy Grows Closer Despite the enormous influence wielded by the Black Mantis sect in the now-corrupt Old China, Wulong Goth's lust for power was far from sated. Determined to gain a foothold for the criminal empire in the west, he dispatched three of his most powerful agents -Vapor, Exile and the Fatalist- to begin the process of spreading the Black Mantis to New China. With their considerable mastery of dark sorcery, as well as their criminal cunning, the trio quickly overcame the comparatively weak crime organizations in the prosperous nation. Realizing the first stage of Wulong Goth's plan, they formed a front company called the Yan-Lo Corporation, and through it controlled virtually all of Metro-China's underworld. Charles Chen, husband of Lo Shu's daughter and owner of a well-respected insurance firm, felt the sting of the Black Mantis when his company was absorbed by the ever-expanding Yan-Lo. Disgusted to find that the business he'd devoted so much of his life to was being used as part of a money-laundering scam, but too terrified to inform the authorities, he brought his problems to his father-in-law. Though he recognized the symbol of the Black Mantis on the documents Chen brought to him, Lo Shu did not share his knowledge, both because of his old promise to Shihao, and for fear of endangering his family. Nevertheless, he knew he could not simply ignore the encroaching Black Mantis sect, and set about investigating the matter. Discussing the affair with his old friends, the Fengs, he was told of a young detective on the Metro-China police force who, unlike many of his fellow officers, was completely incorruptible, and passionately devoted to justice. The detective's name was Shen Zhen, the son of Ong Yai Zhen, the man who gave his life to deliver the Yang tablet to Lu Shu. For his part, Shen Zhen was amazed to hear from Lo Shu. The story of his father's demise and the fall of the Pale Lotus clan had become something of a legend in his family, and, until he saw the man with his own eyes, didn't believe that the Master Sage actually existed. Befriending both Lo Shu and the Chens, Shen diligently pursued the money-laundering ring, and eventually managed to bring it to it's knees. The victory would prove small, though, as Black Mantis simply reformed the operation with a different dummy company, and the Chens would live in constant fear of the sect's vengeance. The Struggle Begins Anew The Black Mantis, never ones to forget a defeat, soon had their vengeance. One evening, like so many before it, Lo Shu went to visit the Fengs at their waterfront office. Upon arriving, he found the building engulfed in flames. Rushing inside, Lo Shu witnessed the brutish Exile finishing off the Feng family. Young Jiao Feng was the only one still alive. In a furious rage, Lo Shu fought off the enforcer, and rushed the boy to safety. Taking guardianship of the orphan, Lo Shu found that the boy had an innate skill in the martial arts, only enhanced by his grief and anger over losing his family. In great secrecy, Lo Shu began to teach Jiao Feng the way of the Pale Lotus. Despite their attempts at concealing the boy's training, they were soon found out. Aria, Lo Shu's granddaughter, had been secretly watching their sessions in the Neidan Sanctuary, and longed to be allowed to participate. Confronting them, she gained Lo Shu's consent to join in the training. Much to Lo Shu's surprise, the waiflike girl quickly developed into a first-rate fighter, proving that though the family abilities may have skipped a generation, they were far from dead. Encouraged by this turn of events, and emboldened by his defeat of Exile, Lo Shu realized that the time for him to fulfill his destiny as Master Sage was growing near. Lo Shu began his battle against Black Mantis quietly. Stalking the streets of Metro-China in disguise, he would dispatch the odd drug runner, extortionist, or thief. Slowly, word began to spread within criminal circles of a "sorcerer vigilante" who could not be defeated. Even those on the right side of the law didn't know what to think of the new crime fighter. In many a conversation on the subject with Lo Shu, Shen Zhen remarked that while he held a great admiration for the mysterious figure, he would also have to arrest him as a vigilante if the opportunity arose. Tales of the "sorcerer" reached as far as Old China, and the ears of Wulong Goth. Despite his conviction that he'd wiped out the entire line, he couldn't help but be reminded of his old nemesis, Master Sage. Secrets Revealed Unbeknownst to Lo Shu, Aria had been keeping a student of her own, a classmate named Isis. A gang member and troublemaker, Isis had challenged Aria to a fight and was summarily defeated. Out of pity and a desire to keep the girl from destroying herself, Aria consented to train her. Initially furious upon learning of her secret, Lo Shu, unable to deny his precious granddaughter anything, quickly relented and allowed Isis to join in their group training, where she proved to be yet another capable warrior. Besides, Lo Shu had a hidden disciple of his own. One night, Lo Shu awoke to the sounds of an intruder in his sanctuary. Fearing the work of the Black Mantis, he was relieved to find that the culprit was a mere boy intent on burglarizing the place. Easily subduing the ruffian, Lo Shu noticed an amulet around his neck. The symbol matched perfectly with the description Shihao had given him of the dastardly Iron Monk's crest. Deducing that the boy must be a descendant of Iron Monk's, he felt a swell of pity, and hoping to keep the child off the path of evil, offered the gift of his training. The boy, Damon Li, was taken aback by the kindly old man, and readily agreed. And so Lo Shu found himself with four capable students. Giving his days to Aria, Jiao and Isis and devoting his nights to Damon, neither group of children knew about the existence of the other. Pale Lotus Reborn Tired of the constant irritations posed by "the sorcerer" and Detective Zhen, Wulong Goth finally made the trip to New China, in order that hi might concoct a trap to remove these pests. He knew that he already had the perfect bait: Shihao's Yin Tablet. He knew that Shen Zhen, as the descendant of the man who lost it, would consider it a matter of honor to reclaim the object. And "the sorcerer," if he was in fact a new Master Sage, would also be irresistibly drawn to it. Allowing word of the tablet to seep through the underworld, Wulong Goth let it be known that the object would be smuggled out of the country on a certain pier. When this information made it's way separately to Lo Shu and Shen Zhen, both men set out to reclaim it, unaware of the trap that would await them. Master Sage and Shen Zhen, after much fighting with Black Mantis henchmen, managed to reach the pier, where they came face to face with each other. Shen was shocked to learn that his old friend was in fact the mysterious "Sorcerer," and Lo Shu was equally surprised at the amazing fighting abilities possessed by the detective. As the two men shook hands, Wulong Goth sprung his trap. From the shadows of the pier, four of Black Mantis's most dangerous warriors sprang at the heroes. Exile, the Fatalist, Vapor and Divinity surrounded the pair and a monumental battle ensued. In the midst of the carnage, Master Sage saw that Shen appeared to be softening his blows when they were aimed at the deadly Divinity. Nevertheless, both men managed to escape with their lives, and both swore to resume the fight in the future. That same night, Aria came across the long hidden "Book of the Pale Lotus," and had spent the night reading the contents to Jiao and Isis. Upon their return to the Sanctuary, both Lo Shu and Shen were shocked to discover that the young people had learned of the entire story of the Pale Lotus and Black Mantis clans, including the true identity of Lo Shu, and had made a fateful decision. Lo Shu found himself presented with an ultimatum: either Master Sage would accept the youngsters into the battle against Black Mantis, or Aria, Jiao and Isis would go it alone. Proud of his disciples' fighting spirit, and fully aware that they wouldn't take no for an answer, Lo Shu relented. He summoned Damon, and after introductions, welcomed them all into the sect. The first order of business was the rechristening of his charges. Aria became known as Jade Dragon, while Jiao and Isis became Fiery Phoenix and Fierce Tiger. Damon took the name of his ancestor, Iron Monkey. Although his obligations to the Eastern Sun monks prevented Shen Zhen from becoming an official member, he vowed to join them in their fight as Divine Fist. Proclaiming themselves Pale Lotus, the four students swore allegiance to Master Sage, and to the principles of justice he embodied. They would battle the Black Mantis, as well as all other evil that they found, and strive to restore harmony to Metro-China as well as anywhere else they might find themselves. The Pale Lotus was reborn. The Legend of the Immortal of the South Pole There is a myth found only in the stories of the Pale Lotus, Black Mantis and Eastern Sun sects. It tells of an eternal being, called Shou-Hsing, the Old Man of the North Pole. It is said that he can see the exact date of any man's death, and that he holds a peach that has the power to grant it's owner immortality. To reach Shou-Hsing, though, one must first battle his guardian, a being of immeasurable power known as Zhao Yen. Wulong Goth craves the peach of immortality, as do the rest of the members of the Black Mantis, who would all keep it for themselves instead of giving it to their master. Master Sage and the Pale Lotus are equally determined to acquire the treasure, that it might allow them to continue their battle for justice eternally, and also simply to the Black Mantis from gaining immortality themselves, and becoming an eternal force of evil.