This monster was much more sturdy then Lee ever would have given it credit for when he had first seen it. Lesson learned. Learned too late.

Even with the great effort Lee had put in, the tailypo had kept at it. With Lloyd closing the distance and Flora seeming unable to procure more power, there was little the shinobi could do as he attempted to regain his balance. His arm's now very obvious pain was draining away the work the Gate of Openings had given him. His power was like lifeblood leaking from a torn vein.

Flora's scream broke through at last, and Lee looked up just in time to see Lloyd hit the ground. Unthinking, and drawing on the very last of his strength, Lee let out a cry as he rushed forward and threw out a kick at the tailypo's shoulder, intending to knock the beast away from their fallen comrade. He wasn't sure how much fight it had left in it, but by the way it was flailing he didn't think it could put up much of a fight against even that kind of a kick.

Then Lee slumped down to his knees beside Lloyd. He was shaking and, judging from the limpness of his right arm, his shoulder had dislocated with the elbow drop his had landed moments before. This... wasn't good.