Rumble-!!!
The roar of thunder drew closer, accompanied by the crash of collapsing buildings and the soldiers' startled cries and screams. Like savage war drums, it pounded against the heart of everyone in the palace's main hall. The ground trembled faintly, and dust sifted down from the ornately decorated dome.
Before the messenger guard could finish, another, brighter and thicker bolt of blue-white lightning blasted through a towering stained-glass window on one side of the hall, like a spear of punishment hurled by a god! The tough, specially made glass, reinforced with metal wire, shattered like paper before the raging thunder. Scorching air swept into the hall like a storm, mixed with electric arcs and flying fragments!
"Protect His Majesty and the princess!" Pell and Sand Fox roared almost simultaneously, taking positions to Cobra and Vivi's left and right. Pell instantly assumed his beast form and spread his wings, whipping up currents of air to scatter the fragments, while Sand Fox spun his short blades into a curtain of light, knocking away sharp shards of glass and stone. Shadow Shuriken, Heavy Axe, and Chain Sickle quickly tightened their formation as well, shielding Alabasta's king and princess in the center.
The officials descended into even greater chaos, screaming and scurrying for cover with their hands over their heads. The tension of the earlier confrontation was utterly shattered by this sudden display of heavenly might.
Vice Admiral Gion's gaze sharpened, and her hand tightened on Kompira. Sword aura flowed around her of its own accord, shredding all the blasts of air and debris flying toward her and the Marines behind her. She looked through the gaping hole blasted in the hall wall. Outside, smoke and dust billowed, lightning flickering through them. A hazy, powerfully built figure wreathed in terrifying electricity was advancing