Tag: three realms

Brendan sat in the apartment he lived in. He was thinking over how the student body was immortal and those that were dead like he was are dead no longer, meaning the halo on his forehead was now a tattoo. His family and friends had gone to Heaven or Hell a long time ago, so he had no one to talk to. He heard a knock on the door and went to open it. Jandro was at the entrance with a grin on his face. “Guess who’s in House Lacey?” he asked as he held up a purple ascot.

“You’ve been accepted?!” cheered Brendan. “Congratulations! Let me make something to celebrate!” He dashed to the kitchen, only stopping when he heard Jandro clear his throat. Brendan saw that Jandro was pointing to the doorway. “…Oh, yeah!” remembered Brendan. “Please, come in.” Jandro entered the apartment and sat at the table near the kitchen. “You know, I’m surprised you still wanted to be an After Academy student,” mused Brendan as he got out a teapot. “You and I both heard what this universe was originally and what Vortoranii did.”

“I know,” replied Jandro as he readjusted his stole, “but I wanted to continue learning and After Academy offers a whole eternity of learning. Immortality’s nothing without learning something new every chance you get and this school offers HEAPS of chances. Besides, I wanted to put a Vampire’s obsession with counting into another area besides money. Counting code lines is something most Vampires don’t do back home. Vampire programmers are very rare, unlike our bankers.”

“Obsession with counting?” asked Brendan.

“Yes, we’re always compelled to count things for some odd reason,” explained Jandro. “Many scientists and mages of various fields have theories, but none have found the answer. In any case, we have since used it to our advantage in various number-related fields.”

“Are there other downsides?” inquired Brendan.

“Well, long ago, we used to burn to ashes when we stepped into the sun,” recalled Jandro. “When the First Age of Unity started, we gained the ability to walk in the sun again, but now we get a wicked sunburn. We can’t see ourselves in silver-backed mirrors, just our clothes. We need blood to survive, thankfully, the animal blood we get from butchers is a lot more healthy than human blood. We have to be careful that our fangs don’t cut our lips.”

“What about turning others into Vampires?” quizzed Brendan as he served the tea and cakes. “Can Vampires in your world do that?”

“Yes, but the biter needs permission from the other person to change them,” answered Jandro. “…Brendan, where is this going?”

“I want to be a Vampire like you,” explained Brendan. Jandro nearly choked on his tea.

“WHY?!” he asked when he recovered.

“Because, if we’re going to be living together for eternity,” replied Brendan, “I want us to be equals.”

“But…but this is…I mean, you DID pay attention to what I’m weak to, right?” spluttered Jandro.

“I still want to be a Vampire,” insisted Brendan. “I know I can’t be a member of the Grelnak Clan, but I don’t want you to be alone.” Jandro smiled.

“I think we can make the Grelnak Clan greater than it was,” he declared. “Just bare your neck and allow me to do the rest.” Brendan let himself be wrapped in Jandro’s arms as he exposed his neck. Jandro inched closer to his neck and lightly touched the skin with his fangs before he sunk them into the neck. Brendan gasped in slight pain, then let the fangs pump in genetic altering liquid. It felt warm and teased its way through his body. Soon, he felt Jandro’s fangs stop pumping the “Vampire Venom”, as it’s called in Jandro’s home, and slowly exit the neck. The fang wounds in the neck closed quickly and he felt his canines grow longer and sharper. He then drifted into a sleep right in Jandro’s arms. Jandro led Brendan to the couch and laid him so his head rested in Jandro’s lap, “When you wake,” he whispered, “I will belong to you and you will belong to me. We shall make a new Grelnak Clan. Sleep well, my love.”

---

“Your husband’s wearing a dress?!” giggled Scorpainia as she and Megumi ate at one of the cafés on Vorton.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing,” muttered Megumi. “He’s putting aside a man’s fragile ego to prove dresses don’t make a man any less of one.”

“I’m just surprised he agreed to that bet!” laughed Scorpainia.

“It’s really nothing new,” remarked Megumi. “I now have three men that wear dresses. I mean, I don’t see how it could bruise Richard’s ego that…Scorpainia?”

“Sorry,” apologized Scorpainia. “It’s just that I wasn’t expecting to see Agus’ girlfriend here on Vorton.”

“What?!” yelped Megumi as she looked where Scorpainia was looking. Walking by the café was Agus Atmadja and a female Mobian Komodo Dragon holding his arm and laughing with him as she regaled him with a story.

“I think the best course of action is to say hello,” mused Scorpainia.

“Good idea,” agreed Megumi. They both left the café and approached the two Mobians. “Excuse me!” called Megumi. Agus and the new Komodo Dragon turned.

“Ah, my ladies!” greeted Agus. “Apa kabar?” (How are you?)

“A little confused,” replied Scorpainia. “I don’t recall you having a girlfriend.”

“Ah, this jewel holding my arm?” asked Agus. “You met her once or twice.”

“We did?” quizzed Megumi. She examined the new lady hard. She didn’t recall seeing her before. The long, curly black hair looked familiar, though. As did the black flower in said hair with a tiny skull in the center, and the black lipstick, and the black eyes, and the dress…Megumi then put two and two together. “…LACEY?!” she yelped.

“Hello!” replied the new Komodo Dragon in Lacey’s voice.

“Bu…but whe…I mean…WHAT?!” spluttered Megumi.

“How long have you been dating him?!” inquired Scorpainia.

“Since the preliminary round,” replied Lacey as she shifted back into her human form.

“But he’s…!” protested Megumi.

“I’m a Horseman of the Apocalypse,” interrupted Lacey, correctly guessing Megumi’s statement. “I can date whoever I damn please without breaking social taboos.”

“Shape-shifting DOES tend to help in that regard,” supplied Agus. “I just wish I could learn that so I can walk with her as a human.”

“Stick with me and you will,” promised Lacey. She then turned back to Megumi. “Besides, Amelia’s is on her third date with Wilson and Sophie’s been asked out by Henry. Being heralds of us Horsemen, they’re shape-shifters too, so they’re pursuing their heart’s desire.”

“Wait, Sophie?” asked Megumi. “I thought she had a boyfriend already.”

“What happened to Bobby?” quizzed Scorpainia.

“…She asked me not to tell anyone,” answered Lacey as she winced. “She’d prefer to tell you herself.”

“Tell them what?” asked Sophie’s voice. Sophie was currently a snub-nosed monkey like Henry and was letting his tail wrap around her waist. She was small for a Mobian-sized life-form.

“Sophie, what happened to the guy you were dating?” asked Megumi.

“Er, Bobby?” stumbled Sophie. “Well, he…he dumped me.”

“What?! Why?! When?!” yelped Scorpainia.

“Because of my duties as a Herald,” sighed Sophie.

“That’s just cruel,” muttered Megumi. Just then, her attention was grabbed by shouting.

“RAGE-RUM! NOW!” roared a hulking man’s voice.

“I told you before, kitty,” hissed Joshua’s voice, “we don’t carry it.”

“That’s not a good sound,” gulped Megumi. “Excuse me.” She dashed off in the direction of the voices and found Joshua getting yelled at by an Appoplexian.

“LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, JOSHUA WILLIAMS, SNIPER OF THE FEUDAL NERD SOCIETY! WHEN GENERAL ANGARR OF THE 39TH APPOPLEXIAN CONQUEST ARMY DEMANDS RAGE-RUM, YOU GIVE IT TO GENERAL ANGARR OF THE 39TH APPOPLEXIAN CONQUEST ARMY!” roared the Appoplexian. Joshua remained stone-faced.

“You are Angarr, son of Ire,” called Megumi. Angarr growled before turning to her.

“YEAH, I’M IRE’S SON! WHAT’S YOUR POINT?!” roared Angarr.

“I am Megumi, daughter of Haruna,” Megumi introduced herself. She turned into Tora-Onna and slashed at Angarr’s face with her claws unsheathed. Angarr yelped in pain and noticed blood trickling down his face.

“You…you slashed my face!” whispered Angarr. He then roared in the Appoplexian’s usual anger and punched Tora-Onna. “LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, MEGUMI HISHIKAWA, QUEEN OF THE FEUDAL NERD SOCIETY AND DEFEATER OF VORTECH! YOU CAN HURT ME! YOU CAN HURT THE THINGS I STAND FOR! YOU CAN EVEN HURT MY FEELINGS, IF I HAD ANY! BUT NO ONE, AND I MEAN NO ONE, HURTS THE FACE!” Tora-Onna grabbed the next punch and tossed him over her shoulder. “Ooh, karate!” cheered Angarr. He then picked himself up. “I’m gonna call you Karate-cub, Karate-cub!”

“Your mistake, Wide-Load,” taunted Tora-Onna.

“GENERAL ANGARR OF THE 39TH APPOPLEXIAN CONQUEST ARMY IS JUST BIG-BONED!” roared Angarr. He swung wildly, leaving Tora-Onna various opportunities to get a hit in. She grabbed an arm on the backswing, put her fingers around the claw on the back of his hand, and tore it out! The pain caused him to open his mouth, but he didn’t scream until Tora-Onna released him. He then roared in pain as he clutched the area where the claw once belonged. His soldiers readied their own claws, but Tora-Onna flashed hers and roared, daring them to approach her. None of them were feeling that brave, so they tended to their general.

“Let me tell you something, soldiers of Queen Phury,” snarled Tora-Onna, “if Angarr wants his claw back, Phury’s going to have to pick it up herself. Here, the number of my room here on Vorton.” She let a piece of paper fall to the floor and, with a pivot on the heel, she turned and left them, turning back into Megumi.

---

Megumi had just finished touching up her make-up the next day when she heard a knock on the door. Correction, a pounding on the door. “Come in,” she bid. Phury then stormed in.

“You took one of my general’s claws!” she snarled. “Hand it over or I’m taking it by force!”

“Now that you’re here,” replied Megumi as she retrieved the claw, “I have no more need of it.” She then placed it in Phury’s outstretched hand.

“…You rob Angarr of his honor just to get my attention?!” hissed Phury.

“You can’t take away what someone doesn’t have,” answered Megumi.

“You’re saying Angarr is without honor?” quizzed Phury.

“I’m saying Angarr is a coward and a liar,” clarified Megumi.

“What of his Queen?!” demanded Phury.

“That remains to be seen,” dismissed Megumi.

“…Tell me, what did I do to earn this disrespect?” growled Phury.

“The deeds outlined in your dossier speak for themselves!” shouted Megumi as she threw Phury’s dossier down to emphasize her point. “Enslaving the Teslavorr Nebula! Detaining and searching Galvan ships in neutral space without warning OR provocation! And you! Executing your daughter when she refused to kill your universe’s Omnitrix bearer, Gwen Tennyson!”

“Whatever I did,” snarled Phury, “was to protect my people from the threat of the Cybertronian Civil War!”

“You must think me a fool to make your lies so transparent!” accused Megumi.

“I don’t wish to quarrel with you!” warned Phury.

“Well, we don’t have that choice, do we?” asked Megumi. “I trust you’re amenable to fighting in the ring? My mutant-cyborg form against an Appoplexian?”

“As a matter of fact, yes!” declared Phury. “Where will this fight be held?”

“There’s a fighting ring in After Academy’s gym,” answered Megumi. “First one to send their opponent out of the ring is the winner.”

“Very well,” agreed Phury. “It will make it easier for you to run to your husband’s arms and weep when I win.”

“The challenge has been set, the terms have been agreed upon, and the chance of victory is agreeable for both sides,” declared Rojenthi’s voice. “Amavorte, the yellow-green princess of Chizara and the earth leader, will be judging. In two days’ time, your fight begins! Prepare and make ready! Good luck!”

“I will see you when the time comes!” growled Phury. “But, know this, the Master Wand will ensure the safety of my universe! Interfere, and you doom an entire universe to burn in the Cybertronians’ fires of war!” She vanished in yellow-green light.

“We’ll see,” hissed Megumi.

---

Richard approached Optimus and Arsha as Megumi spoke with Phury. “How’s it going?” he asked.

“Awful,” sighed Optimus. “We can’t figure out a fight where we both have a reasonable chance to win.”

“Optimus, while he may be a full-fledged wizard in his universe,” supplied Arsha, “is still new to the magic game. I’m unfamiliar with any of the children’s card games he plays. We’re stuck.”

“Wait, Prime, you play children’s card games?” quizzed Richard.

“I’m a three time Yu-Gi-Oh champion, thanks to Blackarachnia coaching me,” replied Optimus, “but that’s not the point! We need help!”

“…Target shooting, maybe?” asked Richard.

“…MAGIC target shooting!” cheered Arsha.

“Huh?” asked Richard.

“Even wand users need to brush up on their target shooting when firing spells,” explained Arsha. “Prime and I both practice on a daily basis, I say we have a magic target shooting competition…no, my record will leave him in the dust.”

“Excuse me, MY record will leave you in the dust!” argued Optimus.

“Oh yeah?!” laughed Arsha. “So you want to go through with a magic target shooting contest?”

“Yeah, let’s do it!” declared Optimus.

“All right, where shall we hold this bout?” quizzed Arsha.

“There’s a shooting range at G.U.N HQ that both organics and Autobots use,” revealed Optimus. “We’ll use that. How shall we decide who the victor is?”

“We each fire ten shots, one after another,” answered Arsha. “Whoever fires the shot closest to the center is the winner!”

“Perfect!” affirmed Optimus.

“The challenge has been set, the terms have been agreed upon, and the chance of victory is agreeable for both sides,” declared Azuliterii’s voice. “Blancalmarem, the white princess of Chizara and the life leader, will be judging. In two days’ time, your fight begins! Prepare and make ready! Good luck!”

“Let’s do it!” cheered Arsha.

The Starwalker successfully dropped Megatron’s alliance off to the fallback universe near Vorton and was returned to After Academy’s new shipyards. Megumi, Haruna, and Richard were in Haruna’s new clothes shop at After Academy. Haruna measured Richard and did some calculations for the dress he was going to wear. “And that’s all!” cheered Haruna. “You’ll have your dress after the 3V2R is over.”

“Thanks,” muttered Richard.

“I assure you, it will look flattering on you,” insisted Haruna. Just then, Megumi’s phone rang.

“Er, is there a private place I could take this?” she asked.

“My supply room,” replied Haruna as she pointed to a door.

“Arigato,” thanked Megumi. She entered the supply room to see all sorts of fabrics, threads, yarn, and other various clothing supplies. “Dang, she’s got a supply!” breathed Megumi before she recalled her still-ringing phone. She answered it. “Moshi moshi,” she greeted.

“Surrender Megatron, Dr. Borg, and Hiro to me at once!” demanded War’s voice.

“We’ve checked them out,” replied Megumi. “They’re NOT under Caan’s influence. You were wrong and this is NOT a good way to get back into the F.N.S!”

“I’m not interested in rejoining your group!” snarled War. “Whether or not Caan has them under his sway makes no difference now! All that matters is that the multiverse will be safer without them! Now, surrender them or I will have no choice but to take them by force!”

“And risk war with me?” warned Megumi.

“If a war starts between us,” hissed War, “the blame will be placed on your head!”

“I doubt history will agree,” answered Megumi.

“History is written by the victors!” declared War. “I know you hear that speech every time you enter one of Death’s classes each semester!” She then hung up. Megumi sighed as she looked to the sky in frustration. She left the supply room and Richard followed her out.

“Everything all right, sweetie?” he asked.

“War’s still sore about what happened,” sighed Megumi.

“Did you tell her we confirmed they weren’t working with Caan?” inquired Richard.

“She didn’t care,” replied Megumi. “She’s only interested in ridding the multiverse of them.”

“That’s really not her place,” muttered Richard. Their conversation was interrupted by the sounds of fighting. “Who in the…?” asked Richard.

“Over there!” called Megumi. The source of the noises came from Batman, Ichigō, Gandalf, and Wyldstyle fighting Hiro as Tora-Otoko (Tiger Man)! Megumi fastened her Vortex Driver to her waist and inserted her i.d. tag.

“Henshin!” she called, attracting Tora-Otoko’s attention. Tora-Otoko then grabbed her head once her transformation into Royal was complete and ran to the fountain at the entrance. Once there, he shoved Royal back and slammed a metal disc to the ground, creating an energy dome that kept them in and everyone else out. The fountain was inside the dome as well. “What is this?!” demanded Royal. “I recall saving your…!”

“No more!” roared Tora-Otoko. “I’ve had it with you! Always smiling when life is just a tragedy! Always winning despite the odds being stacked against you! Always having friends while my empire crumbles! Always changing while my belt was lost to War! Always standing with your husband while I have no one! No wife! No children! No true allies! No empire! No real future! No belt! Well, I’m going to get satisfaction one way or another, and if killing you is the only way I’ll ever get it, so be it! No more friends interrupting! No more backing out! No more pretense of mercy! The only way that dome vanishes is if one of us is finished! Megumi Hishikawa, Kamen Rider Royal, my greatest failure, you will die at my hands!” He extended his claws and slashed at Royal. Royal retreated towards the dome.

“I’m not fighting you, Tora-Otoko!” she proclaimed. “End this now!”

“NO!” roared Tora-Otoko. “NOT UNTIL YOU’RE DEAD!” Royal ran along the edge of the dome, trying to find a way out, but couldn’t find it. She turned…then felt a knife penetrate her left side. Her air was forced out of her as her eyes registered Tora-Otoko. He then backed up, leaving his knife in her side. Outside the dome. Richard and the Keystone Bearers were pounding on the dome’s exterior. Royal couldn’t hear them, only concentrating on the pain in her side as she slumped down to her knees, her hands around the knife as it rested in her side. The pain then dulled, reduced to only a mild throb. She then regained her breath and her normal breathing. Tora-Otoko was wondering why Royal wasn’t dead yet. She then…stood up! She took the knife out and the wound healed itself as the undersuit re-stitched itself. “…Bakana!” (Impossible!) breathed Tora-Otoko.

“That’s the word,” remarked Royal. She tossed the knife aside. “All right then, if you really leave me no choice, we’ll play your game!” She then charged at Tora-Otoko and they traded blows at a tremendous speed! Soon, Royal overcame Tora-Otoko’s attempts to block and delivered two solid punches to his ribs. She then thrust her palm into his chin, grabbed his head, and tossed him over her shoulder. She then spun the wheel.

“Final attack!” called the Vortex Driver as she leapt into the air.

“RIDER ROYAL KICK!” she shouted as she flew towards Tora-Otoko and kicked him right in the chest. She then landed behind him as he exploded. The fire and smoke then died down to reveal Tora-Otoko turning back into Hiro. The dome then died down and Richard and the Keystone Bearers ran to give Hiro more of a beating, stopping only when Royal held her hand up. She cancelled her transformation and knelt by Hiro, turning him over so his face was facing up. His eyes opened and he saw that the dome was gone.

“…Goddammit,” he swore, “it faded the instant I turned human again. …Well, what are you waiting for, Megumi? I invaded Vorton on numerous occasions, I enslaved my allies, I attacked your friends, I stabbed you, why not just stab me in my head and get your standing ovation?”

“Because I’m doing this by the book,” replied Megumi, “and I never wanted to kill you. Don’t you understand? I don’t want you to die! I want our relationship to be better, but we’re running out of options now. You know it, I know it, maybe it all hinges on today. Maybe this is our last chance to sort this mess out, otherwise we’re going to kill each other. I don’t want it to end like that. I believe it doesn’t need to end like that. I don’t know what caused you to join the original Shocker, but, who knows, I could have been there myself. Maybe I can help you. You don’t need to be alone. I can help you get your life back together. What do you say?” Both enemies stared at each other. For once, there was no hatred, no anger, just one stare born of a desire to help versus a stare of hopelessness.

“…No,” sighed Hiro. “I’m sorry, but, no. It’s too late for that. It’s too late for me. I’m too old and have lived too long with my hatred.” He laughed weakly. “You know, now I think I get the Joker’s joke after all.” A rift opened. “Ah, that must be my ride.” Dr. Borg then stormed out.

“Hiro, you are needed back at base!” demanded Dr. Borg. “Return at once!”

“Yes, My Lady,” sighed Hiro. They both entered the rift and it closed behind them.

“…Why mention one of the Joker’s jokes?” asked Megumi.

“He’s referring to a joke the Joker told me once,” explained Batman. “The only one that made me laugh.”

“How did it go, if you don’t mind my asking?” quizzed Megumi.

“There were two insane asylum inmates,” began Batman. “One night, they planned an escape and succeed by climbing onto the rooftops. All that’s left is one narrow gap between the buildings. One of the inmates leaps across the gap, but the second is too afraid of falling, so he doesn’t jump. The first one then calls ‘I’ve got an idea; I’ve brought a flashlight! I’ll shine it across the gap and you can walk along the beam and join me!’ But the second one says ‘What do you think I am, crazy? You’d turn it off when I was halfway across!’”

“…And, in this instance, Hiro viewed me as the inmate with the flashlight,” muttered Megumi.

“Just as the Joker viewed me,” replied Batman.

“…I’m sorry, but while I DO get the joke,” sighed Megumi, “I don’t find it funny.”

“I can’t say I’m laughing either,” mumbled Richard.

“Right now,” continued Megumi, “I want to know about how I survived that stab. I could feel the blade piercing my lung.”

“Emily and I found an answer,” declared Batman.

“Have you, now?” asked Ichigō as he reverted back into Hongo.

“The whole of the F.N.S has the healing factor,” explained Batman. “It’s because there’s something in this universe’s water. Frequent exposure to it only extends your life-span. Daily exposure over a long period of time, two years, for example, renders you unable to die of age or injury, even when you’re thrown into space.”

“…We’re…immortal?” gulped Megumi.

“Somehow, that just makes me sad,” muttered Richard.

“Wait, does that mean we’re immortal too?” asked Wyldstyle.

“No, we haven’t been in contact with the water as long as they have,” answered Batman.

“Can you determine how powerful of immortals we are?” asked Megumi.

“You’re not Chizaran levels, thank goodness,” answered Batman. Megumi released a breath. “You don’t have god-like powers, you’re just people that can’t die.”

“Wait, that doesn’t make sense,” muttered Richard. “Amelia and Brendan died before they came to After Academy and they use the same water we do.”

“They’re back to life,” replied Batman. “How do you think Emily can conduct a normal check-up on them?”

“I thought that was just part of the physical laws of this universe,” muttered Richard.

“As did the Horsemen and I,” supplied Batman.

“Wait, the Horsemen didn’t know about the water supply?!” yelped Megumi.

“No,” answered Batman. “Death had discovered that the life-timers of the students were purposefully mislabeled as mortal. She found the source of the mislabeling to be from Vortoranii.”

“…You mean…Queen Vortoranii? The Vortonian ghost that lived in Megumi’s old Vortex Driver and its iterations?” asked Gandalf.

“The same,” confirmed Batman.

“Why would she do that?!” snapped Richard.

“I want answers from her!” snarled Megumi.

“You’ll have to get in line,” answered Batman. “Death’s finding her now.”

“…How did the Chizarans cope before the 3V2R?” sighed Megumi.

---

“So that’s what’s going on now,” muttered Rosadera as she met Mirai-Megumi. “What made you think about your current immortality?”

“Richard,” answered Mirai-Megumi as she removed the perception filter and dispelled the illusion that she was an older woman. “When Mickey was discovered to be working with Caan, Richard chased him to Chima. He was then shot by Caan as he came to pick Mickey up. The second time, he was stabbed in the back and rushed to the Virginia’s sick bay so Emily could heal him. She discovered that the stab wound closed itself and the clothes repaired themselves. By now, my past should have fought Hiro and have been stabbed only to survive it and have her wound close itself as well as her Rider form’s undersuit. Batman should be telling her the results of his investigation and I’ll get the message by then. I can’t die and neither can the F.N.S. and our families. All this time, Vortoranii knew I would turn immortal when I started using After Academy’s water supply on a daily basis.”

“Well, getting her soul is easy for me,” remarked Rosadera. “Perhaps we can get answers from her.” She snapped her fingers and Vortoranii’s ghost appeared. She looked startled.

“What in the…?!” she spluttered. She then saw Rosadera. “My Goddess,” greeted Vortoranii with a smile. “We haven’t spoken in a long time.”

“No, we haven’t,” replied Rosadera. “Tell me, did you know about the immortality-laden water After Academy and Beyond City use?”

“…Yes,” answered Vortoranii.

“Batman’s giving my past,” explained Mirai-Megumi, “the results of his investigation into that and Death’s looking for you.”

“Correction: Death found her!” hissed Death’s voice. Death approached, looking incredibly angry. “I found your journal!” she snarled. “I distinctly told you that no student may claim immortality! The student body, as a rule, don’t WANT that kind of power since 67% died before they were accepted! What’s the idea?! Planning to make an immortal army?!”

“No!” answered Vortoranii. “I just…” she sighed in defeat. “I just wanted someone that wasn’t a Vortonian to have that power. It was a way to keep Vortech from taking it.”

“What do you mean?” asked Mirai-Megumi.

“Vortech was going to use that universe as a source of power,” explained Vortoranii. “If even one non-Vortonian touched it, it would have scuttled his plans. I knew you and your sister Horsemen were capable guardians and I wanted others to learn from you as a means to give asylum to those that were worthy enough to continue learning instead of moving on to Heaven. Some good people feared that Heaven is too much of a utopia, and we know such a place stifles individuality. The instant he heard about the school’s founding, he went insane and killed us all, thus prompting the search for the Foundation Elements.”

“Then you have deceived me and got away with it!” hissed Death. “You have already reached your version of Heaven, but know this, you share the blame of the Vortonian genocide!” She shoved Vortoranii into a portal leading to a paradise and closed it the instant Vortoranii went through. She breathed heavily before steadying herself.

“It wasn’t pleasant for me when I first heard about her motives from you,” sighed Mirai-Megumi. Rosadera had an uneasy look on her face. “Something wrong?”

“Looking at you now,” sighed Rosadera, “knowing what happened to you, I’m afraid you’ve turned out wrong.”

“Thanks,” grunted Mirai-Megumi.

“I can’t help it, I’m a Chizaran,” continued Rosadera. “It’s instinct for me to be immortal. You, you’re supposed to be ephemeral, a fixed point in time and space. Even the Doctor would say your current state is wrong.”

“So, what, you immortals are prejudiced?” mused Megumi.

“Perhaps,” muttered Death. “I never thought about it like that.”

“Shame on you,” joked Megumi.

“One of our earlier experiments with our power was a universe that granted immortality to its denizens,” recalled Rosadera.

“We must have found it,” guessed Death. “Maybe you could help undo it!”

“It was a botched experiment,” replied Rosadera. “That kind of immortality rendered the universe unchanging, no room to grow, no room for life. It could only expand through artificial means. I suppose we’ll have to figure out how to make it grow by itself so it can’t be overpopulated.”

“Then it all comes down to one question,” resolved Death. “Megumi, do you want your mortality back? Do you want the ability to die again?” Mirai-Megumi seemed distracted as she stroked her hair.

“…Maybe I should wear a flower in my hair more often,” she mused.

“Megumi,” urged Death.

“…I don’t know,” sighed Mirai-Megumi. “I thought I did, briefly. But, fighting in the 3V2R, seeing other universes begin and end, seeing life change and grow,” she grinned as she finished, “it tends to make you greedy for life.”

“You discovered the Chizaran secret to happiness at a faster rate than we did,” chuckled Rosadera.

“Thank you for the offer, Death, but I must decline,” declared Megumi. Death grinned.

“That’s good to know,” she praised. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must tell present-day you what I’ve learned.” She then vanished in black smoke.

“I better return as well,” mused Mirai-Megumi. “When the Semifinals are done, more explanations will be made.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” declared Rosadera. A time portal then opened for Mirai-Megumi and she went through it. It closed behind her and Rosadera sighed, her head reeling with all the new information.

The ship Megumi and her alliance had obtained was twice the size of the Ark and was designed for life-forms of all sizes to work on it. It had a cloaking device on it and was christened the Starwalker. After a round of rock-paper-scissors, Optimus won the right to be the Captain of the vessel. Megumi and Arsha were both First Officers as Death manned Tactical. Tanisha ran the helm and Shalvey was the Communications Officer. Ratchet was the CMO, as usual, and Jandro was Chief Engineer while Bashoon and Sonic were on Security Detail. The Starwalker had entered the outer fringes of Mobius’ solar system. “Activate the Cloak,” ordered Optimus.

“Cloaking device is functioning within normal parameters,” reported Tanisha.

“Set a course for the rendezvous point, all available speed,” directed Optimus.

“Course laid in,” replied Tanisha.

“Engage,” ordered Optimus. “Death, keep an eye out for War’s ships.”

“Aye, Sir,” answered Death. Arsha, Shalvey, and Bashoon looked around the vessel, feeling uneasy.

“Captain,” Bashoon whispered to Arsha, “I speak for Shalvey and Jandro when I say that cloaking devices aren’t exactly legal additions to a ship in our world.”

“You’re right,” Arsha whispered back, “but we’re not in our world. Besides, there are plenty of enemy ships between us and Megatron’s alliance and we need to make that rendezvous in one piece.”

“Well, I won’t tell Realmfleet and the Goblin Imperium if you don’t,” chuckled Bashoon. Arsha winked and grinned. They had just passed Jupiter when a reading came through on Tactical.

“I’m detecting some debris,” reported Death. “200 meters off the starboard bow.

“Tanisha, drop us to one-quarter impulse,” directed Optimus.

“Dropping to one-quarter impulse,” reported Tanisha.

“The debris appears to match that of Shocker Rift saucers,” answered Death.

“On screen,” ordered Optimus. The debris of Shocker Rift Saucers then appeared on the screen.

“Are there any survivors?” asked Ratchet.

“It’s possible,” replied Tanisha, “but it’s impossible to tell unless we decloak and use our sensors.”

“I advise against that,” urged Death. “It’s possible that War left some of her fleet to cloak and lie in wait.”

“That’s not honorable,” scoffed Arsha.

“When she’s on a campaign,” muttered Death, “nothing is more honorable to War than victory.”

“…Tanisha, keep us at one-quarter impulse,” directed Optimus, “until we clear the wreckage, then take us to warp for the rendezvous point.”

“Optimus, if there ARE survivors…!” argued Ratchet.

“I’m sorry, Ratchet, we can’t run that risk,” replied Optimus, the callousness of his necessary order stinging his Spark. “We HAVE to reach Megatron.”

---

The journey lasted for four hours as Optimus checked Main Engineering. After the hours had passed, Optimus chided himself for lurking in the shadows and, most likely, putting Jandro on edge. He returned to the bridge. “What’s our status?” he asked.

“We’re approaching the rendezvous,” reported Tanisha.

“Optimus, there’s weapons fire ahead of us!” warned Death. “Three of War’s ships are attacking the Dominus! It’s severely damaged!”

“I’m getting a transmission on all frequencies,” called Shalvey. “Audio only. It’s a distress call.”

“Put it through,” ordered Optimus. The call was garbled, but explained the Dominus’ status well enough for all to understand.

“Th…i…egatr…on board the…inus!…ip is un…vy fi…! …e ha…wea…nd…lds are…I don’t…!” The voice belonged to Megatron.

“We’re in visual range,” called Death.

“On screen,” directed Optimus. The Dominus was being fired upon at all sides by three of War’s ships.

“Orders?” asked Death.

“…Ready weapons,” decided Optimus, “drop the cloak, and raise shields. We’re going in.” The Starwalker then shimmered into view.

---

“War!” called Quake Hammer. “A vessel just decloaked off our port aft!”

“Can you identify it?” asked War.

“All I have is a message from the vessel ordering us to break off our attack,” replied Quake Hammer.

“Tell it to stick its nose elsewhere,” ordered War. “Skyfall, continue with the assault.”

“Aye, Ma’am,” replied Skyfall.

“They’re not disengaging,” reported Quake Hammer.

“Fire warning shot,” directed War. Quake Hammer obeyed. “Any luck?”

“We’re getting an audio message,” answered Quake Hammer.

“Put it through,” sighed War, annoyance creeping into her skull.

“The crew of the Dominus is under our protection!” called Optimus’ voice. “Withdraw or your vessels will be destroyed!”

“What are you doing defending them?!” demanded War. “They’re the enemy!”

“You’re pursuing a wild theory,” answered Optimus. “Withdraw at…” War ended communications.

“Fire on that ship!” she barked.

---

“I find it unlikely War’s going to…” Death was interrupted as weapons fire rocked the ship.

“I see your point,” replied Optimus. “Let’s show her what she’s up against! Attack pattern Omega! Target the ships’ engines!” The ship turned towards one of War’s ships and fired on its rear.

“The Dominus is hailing us,” reported Shalvey.

“On screen,” ordered Optimus. Megatron’s face appeared.

“Welcome to the party,” he greeted. “I trust things are going well?”

“Better than your end, evidently,” remarked Optimus. “Prepare for emergency beam-out.”

“Can your ship even take that much of a pounding?” asked Megatron.

“We’re gonna have to learn together,” replied Optimus.

“I suppose we have no choice,” sighed Megatron. “I’ll meet you on the ship. Megatron out.” The call ended.

“Prime, restricting our fire to their engines has proven ineffective!” called Death.

“They ARE drone ships, Prime,” suggested Arsha.

“If that’s the case,” declared Optimus, “destroy them.”

“Got it,” confirmed Death as she keyed in commands.

“Ratchet, prepare to receive casualties,” directed Optimus over the comms. “Have Sonic and Bashoon standing by. I want our guests to undergo mental checks.”

“Understood,” replied Ratchet.

“Mental checks?” asked Megumi.

“Just in case War was right,” explained Optimus. The ship rocked as War’s vessel fired.

“Prime, it’s going to take two minutes to evacuate the Dominus,” estimated Tanisha. “Even with our thicker hull armor, I don’t think we’ll last that long when our shields are down.”

“Speaking of,” muttered War, “shields at 30%.”

“Death, modulate a tractor beam to deflect some of War’s weapons fire,” directed Optimus.

“Taking a cue from Star Trek, are we?” muttered Death as she obeyed. To her surprise, it worked. “Well, how about that?” chuckled Death.

“Thank you, Worf,” bid Optimus to the heavens.

“Transports are underway,” reported Jandro over the comms.

“What’s our status?” asked Optimus.

“Prime, this is Megatron,” came another voice. “Hiro’s still on the Dominus! We need, at least, another minute!”

“Looks like we’re going to find out how much of a pounding this ship can take,” muttered Optimus grimly.

“War’s ships have almost closed to point blank range!” called Death. Her ships fired and made the Starwalker lurch violently.

“We’ve lost our armor!” reported Tanisha.

“Prime, we’ve got plasma leaks on decks two and five!” Jandro relayed.

“Optimus, we’re all aboard,” answered Megatron, “but War’s beamed over one of her allies!”

“I’ll get them off the ship!” declared Megumi as she brought out her i.d. tag and fastened the Vortex Driver.

“Vortex Driver!” it called. Megumi then took out her Ascendant and pressed the button.

“Ascendancy!” it announced. She then inserted the i.d. tag, then the Ascendant. She folded the Ascendant over the wheel. “All set!”

“Henshin!” she proclaimed. She pressed the button and the wheels spun, forming her armor first, then coloring it silver with gold trim.

“Full Ascendance!” called the Ascendant. When she completed the transformation to Kamen Rider Royal: Ascendant Base, she charged to Megatron’s position and met Gai Amatsu.

“I’ve read about you!” she hissed as she pulled out another i.d. tag.

“And I’ve heard about you,” chuckled Gai as he pulled out a silver buckle and set it to his waist. It formed a waist strap and fastened itself to him.

“Thousandriver!” it announced. He then pulled out a Zetsumerise Key and inserted it into the left of the buckle. “Zetsumetsu Evolution,” droned the buckle. He pulled out a Progrise key and pressed the button.

“Break Horn!” The key opened by itself.

“Henshin,” announced Gai. He then inserted the opened Progrise key into the right of the buckle.

“Perfectrise! When the five horns cross, the golden soldier, Thouser, is born. Presented by ZAIA.” A mechanical Caucasus beetle crossed its three horns with that of a mechanical version of an Arsinoitherium, a common ancestor of elephants that look like rhinos with two horns. The two mechanical animals then fused into a golden suit and armor with the horns becoming a crown for the purple-eyed helmet. With the transformation finished, Gai was now in his Rider form.

“Kamen Rider Thouser. My power is on a totally different level,” introduced Gai, Kamen Rider Thouser.

“We’ll see!” hissed Royal. “Kamen Rider Royal! Evil will ultimately bow to me!” The two Riders drew their weapons as Sonic and Bashoon led everyone else away from the fight.

---

“Royal’s engaged with War’s ally,” reported Death.

“Raise shields!” ordered Optimus. “Activate the cloak!”

“I’m not getting any response from the cloaking device!” replied Tanisha. “It’s not working!”

“Well, that’s going to make the trip more interesting!” muttered Optimus. “Set a course for the fallback universe in a way that we can shake War! Maximum speed!”

---

“They’re getting away!” hissed War.

“Gai’s on that ship,” replied Skyfall.

“Well, he’d better deliver them to me!” snarled War. “All ships, pursuit course!”

---

“They’re following this ship, if things are going according to War’s scenario,” laughed Thouser. Royal tried to get a hit on him, but was being blocked at every opportunity.

“Well, since I got it,” mused Royal. She then set an i.d. tag into the Ascendant and selected a form.

“Ascendance: Zero One MetalCluster Hopper!” called the Ascendant. The voice of the Zero One Driver then played the jingle as a silver version of Zero One appeared before turning into silver mist and becoming armor for Royal.

“Secret material: Hiden Metal! MetalCluster Hopper! It’s high quality!” Thouser laughed when the transformation finished.

“Fool!” he proclaimed. “You’ll be overwhelmed by Satellite Ark’s truth! You know humans are a malicious bunch! You’ll act according to its will!”

“You sure?” asked Royal. Thouser gasped in surprise, giving Royal the opening she needed to drive her knee into his chest. As he was winded, Royal shoved him into a pod and programmed coordinates into it. She left the pod as it shut the door and left the ship. She then headed to a comm on the wall and signaled for the bridge. The call connected. “Thouser’s gone,” she reported.

“Good to hear,” replied Optimus. “By the way, everyone’s undergone mental checks. Caan hasn’t been anywhere near their minds.”

“Good to know,” sighed Royal as she took out the Ascendant and her i.d. tag, reverting back to Megumi. “I’ll be up there straightaway. How’s the cloak working?”

“We lost it,” answered Optimus. “Jandro’s fixing it right now. Once it’s done, we’re cloaking and shaking War off our tail.

“Good to hear,” replied Megumi as she made her way to the bridge. When she entered it, Megatron and Sonic arrived as well.

“Optimus, kindly tell the blue rat,” growled Megatron, “that he doesn’t need to watch my every move! It’s making me uncomfortable!”

“Did you get that?” asked Megumi.

“Richard will have undeniable proof that you won,” replied Optimus.

“…And what does your husband have to do with this?” asked Megatron, irritated that he was missing a joke.

“Richard bet me,” explained Megumi, “that you would thank us for the rescue before you complained. He lost and he’s going to be wearing a green version of my dress for a year now, complete with hairpiece.” Megatron’s attention was then grabbed by Death’s presence.

“Much as I wish to laugh at your husband for losing his dignity like that,” he muttered, assuring her he DID pay attention, “are you aware that you have one of the Horsemen on your bridge?”

“She’s not the Horseman you should be worried about,” replied Optimus. “Switch to aft view. Maximum magnification.” War’s ships appeared in pursuit.

“…Not that I wish to tell you how to fly this ship,” mused Megatron, “I’d suggest engaging your cloak at once.”

“We lost it during the rescue,” explained Tanisha.

“Bridge, this is Jandro!” called the vampire’s voice over the comms. “Try the cloak now!” Tanisha did so and smiled at the results.

“The cloak’s working again!” she happily reported.

---

“They’re cloaking!” called Skyfall.

“Track them!” ordered War. Skyfall keyed in commands, but nothing happened.

“Cheap, stupid, so-called upgrades!” she snarled. “I can’t track them! Primitive garbage from that five-horned idiot!”

“Speak of the devil,” remarked Quake Hammer. “He’s calling us. His pod’s made it to his home, right outside the ZAIA Enterprise Japan HQ building.”

“Put him through!” growled War. Gai appeared on screen.

“War, I require a pick-up,” he requested.

“You failed to bring me a single member of the Dominus’ crew!” roared War. “Your ‘upgrades’ couldn’t track a ship while cloaked! Your arrogance cost us victory! Stay there and rot! Your technology and company has failed me! With the HumaGear army at my disposal, I can do so much more! I WILL! I won’t make any more deals with you, you primitive, 0% meat-sack!”

“Now, you see here!” snapped Gai before War severed communications.

“We can head to Vorton and…!” suggested Skyfall.

“I can’t say that’s a good idea,” interjected Quake Hammer. “We’ve lost too much fuel and our weapons and shields are recharging.” War drew in a breath, held it, then released it when she decided.

“Order all ships to break off pursuit and return home,” she muttered. “We’ve lost.”

Megumi, Richard, Scorpainia, Eelinape, Arsha and her spouses, Optimus, and Blackarachnia had gathered in the Conference Room again after various attempts to talk to War. “After Academy’s staff has also tried to get through to War,” reported Megumi. “So far, they’ve had no response. Until they do, we’ve been asked not to get involved.”

“The Autobot High Council,” supplied Optimus, “has requested that we not interfere as War is taking care of the Decepticons’ current leader.”

“And the Realmfleet Council,” finished Arsha, “is saying the same as they believe War is best suited for dealing with Dr. Borg.”

“Unfortunately,” sighed Scorpainia, “the Imperial Tarlaxian Council has made the same decision as going against War would be blasphemous, even though they’re condemning her actions.”

“So, that’s it?!” protested Gorfanth. “We’re not warning the Decepticon Moon Base?!”

“War’s still a member of After Academy’s faculty,” answered Richard. “If we warn the Moon Base, we’d risk causing a splinter within the school.”

“Besides,” supplied Blackarachnia, “what if War’s right? What if Caan really HAS gotten his hands on our main enemies?”

“If Caan wanted their cooperation,” agreed Scorpainia, “that IS how he would do it.”

“Does Caan really need Megatron? Hiro? Dr. Borg?” asked Optimus.

“The issue here is NOT whether or not Caan has tricked our enemies,” interjected Eelinape. “War has told many Tarlaxians that she feels there has been too much peace, that there must be a war in order to survive. Fear of Caan has given her an excuse to do what she does best, to fight and conquer.”

“If she’s so eager for a fight,” quizzed Arsha, “who’s to say she’ll stop with Hiro and his allies?”

“Next target could be anyone,” muttered Foresna, “even the Realms.”

“If I were still a Realmfleet Captain,” mused Malnar, “I’d have my ship help fortifying Vorton.” Everyone turned to her for clarification. “Think about it, what good will it do War to conquer Optimus’ home if she can’t control the Gateway?”

“She’s right,” agreed Richard. “If she’s going back to basics, no one is safe.”

“Then we need to make sure,” declared Megumi, “that possibility is impossible for both sides.”

“How?” asked Falnii softly. “From what I see, we have two choices, both of them bad. If we stand by and allow War to do as she pleases, we risk becoming her next target. But, if we disobey our respective governments, we may risk starting a war with her.”

“Meaning we need a third option,” muttered Lardeth. He then got an idea. “Optimus, Soundwave is the Decepticon Communications Officer, yes?”

---

Speaking of Soundwave, he was on monitor duty again. In his mind, it was the perfect job. All activities were beamed directly into his brain. He knew that information was power and monitor duty was rich in information. He flicked to a punishment chamber and heard the cries and screams of those suffering physical punishment. He felt anguish was the best way to extract information. “What did I say back in the day?” he asked himself. “Ah, yes, ‘Cries and screams are music to my ears’.” He chuckled darkly until he got a sensor blip. He focused his attention on it and identified the source as a breach in Vorton’s security! He immediately called Hiro, Dr. Borg, and Megatron. “DUUUUUDES!” he cheered. “I just got into Vorton’s systems!”

“On our way!” called Megatron. They arrived quickly and gathered around Soundwave.

“Can you patch into their cameras?!” asked Dr. Borg, giddy with excitement.

“Just a second…” replied Soundwave. “Almost…GOT IT!”

“All together,” Scorpainia’s voice began, “we’re talking about well over 600 ships in just the first wave.”

“That’s no small fleet,” remarked Optimus’ voice.

“A fleet, eh?” chuckled Hiro. He was promptly shushed by Megatron.

“Between ground forces and warships, War’s committed over half her fighting forces to this invasion,” continued Eelinape’s voice.

“Who’s he?” asked Dr. Borg.

“Quiet!” hissed Megatron.

“How long before she reaches her target?” asked Megumi’s voice.

“According to our estimates,” replied Scorpainia, “War should invade the Decepticon Moon Base within the hour and attempt to hunt Caan in that time. With Quake Hammer, Skyfall, X-PO, and Gai Amatsu helping her forces…”

“War’s invading us!” gulped Dr. Borg.

“And is accompanied by traitors, it seems,” mused Megatron as he started regretting not letting the D.J.D. kill Quake Hammer.

“Disengage! Now!” Hiro urged Soundwave.

“What? Why?!” asked Soundwave.

“Because not even Vortech was willing to fight her directly!” answered Hiro. “That means this isn’t a good time to eavesdrop!” Soundwave stopped immediately. “Why would War hunt for Caan here?”

“Perhaps she thinks we’ve been roped into his business,” guessed Dr. Borg.

“Absurd!” hissed Megatron.

“Is it?” mused Hiro.

“Hiro, we need to talk to Megumi,” suggested Megatron. “We need her to stop War. I have enough problems on my plate right now!”

“Having trouble finding this ‘Galvatron’ character?” asked Hiro.

“…How do you know about that?” hissed Megatron.

“I’m afraid, since Igura’s death,” explained Hiro, “internal security ISN’T what it used to be.”

“Yes,” muttered Megatron. “…Shame about your wife. I suppose you’ll need to find her replacement. Her scientific mind set the standard rather high.”

“We can stand here all day,” hissed Hiro, “attacking one another’s weak points and reminding ourselves how much we hate one another, but neither of us have the time! If Scorpainia’s right, War and her fleet will arrive in less than an hour. I suggest we prepare for her!”

---

“Anything unusual as of yet?” asked War.

“Nothing,” reported Quake Hammer.

“Nothing unusual here either,” supplied Skyfall from her work station.

“Excuse me,” called a voice. A Japanese man in a white suit came in. “Your upgrades are complete,” reported the man. “With them, your fleet will be at 1,000%, all according to my…OUR scenario.”

“Sure,” scoffed War. “And I’m going to bet future upgrades will be a bajillion percent, perhaps a tajillion!”

“…Those…aren’t real percentages,” remarked the man.

“I’m not the only one making up percentages!” snarled War. “I would advise you to stick to mathematically defined parameters in future! Claiming to be above 100% leads to arrogance and that WILL cost us the campaign!” Just then, an alarm sounded. War took out a pair of glasses with a device near the right ear hook. She then typed something on the computer.

“What is it?” asked Skyfall.

“An intruder alarm back at my house,” explained War. “One I had personally set up. Meaning…” Azuliterii, Rojenthi, and Amavorte appeared on the screen, sneaking around the house. “Of course!” groaned War. She turned to the Cybertronians. “Man your stations, I need your help.”

---

“I feel like a burglar,” muttered Amavorte as Azuliterii continued her work.

“Just keep any defenses at bay,” urged Azuliterii as she continued programming something into War’s computer.

“Come on,” chuckled Rojenthi, “this is War we’re talking about. Her tactical brilliance rivals mine, but her technical expertise is, at best, 0.0001% of yours. I doubt any security measures…” an alarm interrupted her boast and the sound of footsteps in a rapid march drummed in their ears. Multiple soldiers then entered the room and leveled weapons at the three. “…Then again,” muttered Rojenthi. She then touched her hair flower and it changed and grew into a suit of red armor. Amavorte touched both of hers and gained yellow-green armor. They drew swords in their respective colors and attacked the soldiers while Azuliterii continued her programming.

“Come on!” she hissed. “Just need to…NO!” War’s face appeared.

“You didn’t say the magic word,” taunted War’s voice as electricity tore through Azuliterii from the keyboard.

---

“Excellent move!” War praised Quake Hammer.

“Well, I DID get a computer science degree,” replied Quake Hammer. “Might as well put it to use.” Gai flinched at the idea of a machine getting a degree. War saw him flinch.

“Now, now,” she chided, “let’s not think racist thoughts here. Now that the intruders have been stopped, we must oust them.”

---

While War was dealing with the home invasion, the Advancement Ceremony was being broadcast with Blancalmarem, Nemengra, Julia, Ultragingana, and Elizabeth commenting on it. “I am Blancalmarem, the white princess of Chizara and the life leader,” began Blancalmarem.

“I am Nemengra, the black princess of Chizara and the death leader,” finished Nemengra.

“And we have Julia Caesar, Ultragingana, and Elizabeth helping us this time,” continued Blancalmarem, “as the Advancement Ceremony for the Quarterfinals takes place!”

“Look at them, the winners of the Quarterfinals!” cheered Nemengra.

“I must say, the betting boards didn’t think Optimus would last this far,” mused Julia.

“He obviously balances his luck with his skill,” replied Elizabeth as she twitched.

“…Something wrong?” asked Ultragingana as she noticed the Martian’s discomfort.

“No…yes,” answered Elizabeth. “It’s just…I’ve never commented on anything in a sports capacity. It’s rather…strange.”

“You’ll get used to it,” assured Blancalmarem.

“Here come the floats, dropping off the winners!” called Nemengra.

“They’re receiving their torches, ready to light the Closing Torch!” cheered Julia. Queen Phury, Optimus Prime, Arsha Royana, and Megumi Hishikawa then lit the torch.

“WHOA!” yelped Elizabeth. “That’s huge!”

“Isn’t it?!” giggled Blancalmarem.

“Here comes Rosadera, ready to give her speech!” announced Nemengra.

“Before I continue any further,” called Rosadera, “I need to address the three month period between this round and the previous one. I understand it’s unnatural and not exactly traditional, but it was necessary. All of our competitors have lives outside the 3V2R and sometimes it can hit them like a freight train.”

“A runaway, in my case,” muttered Megumi under her breath.

“Because of that, those competitors needed time to get things settled,” continued Rosadera. “Thankfully, it looks like three months was all that was needed for the competitors in this tournament. With that said, according to tradition, we have the matchups for the Semifinals all set!”

“Already?” quizzed Optimus.

“Already!” confirmed Rosadera. “Optimus, your opponent is Arsha.”

“Ah, bring the two magic users together, huh?” chuckled Arsha.

“Then that means my opponent is…” gulped Megumi as her eyes ran up and down Phury’s form.

“Me,” confirmed Phury. “I was hoping to fight you in the Finals, but I guess I can get you out of the way first. Besides, you defeated Vortech and I want to see how.”

“Then may the best fighter win,” wished Megumi as she held her hand out for a handshake. Phury looked at the hand, then took it, then squeezed as they shook.

“I intend to,” hissed Phury. She released Megumi’s hand and strode off, leaving Megumi to put her hand in her mouth to soothe the pain. Optimus, Arsha, and Megumi returned to Vorton and Megumi excused herself to make her way to the Infirmary. When she arrived, she found Emily treating Rojenthi, Amavorte, and Azuliterii.

“WHOA!” she yelped. “Are they okay?!”

“They survived War’s home security system,” replied Emily, “albeit, a little banged up.”

“We were trying to install a spy program into her systems,” explained Rojenthi. “Long story short, we failed and practically came to Emily in pieces.”

“War’s gotten smarter these days,” muttered Megumi.

“I DID hear a form of good news from Prowl,” continued Amavorte. “War took the Decepticon Moon Base, but she encountered greater resistance than she expected. Our enemies fought as if someone warned them.” She gave a knowing grin.

“Maybe War will think twice,” sighed Rojenthi happily.

“I don’t think so,” countered Megumi. “Now that her campaign has begun, War will settle for nothing less than victory. We need to help them somehow.” Optimus, Richard, and Arsha came in.

“We all got word from our governments,” reported Richard. “The decision to not get involved has been revoked. We’re helping them from a greater threat.”

“Soundwave evacuated everyone to Robotropolis,” continued Optimus. “There’s a universe adjacent to us so they can be safe and we can watch them. I have a safe site plotted to get everyone out of our home universe.”

“We’re also authorized to render military aid as well,” supplied Arsha.

“Then we need to contact Robotropolis,” declared Megumi.

---

“Madame, I’m a little busy at the moment,” Megatron muttered to Megumi over the comms the next day, “so, whatever you have to say, please make it brief.”

“Megatron?” quizzed Megumi. “I was trying to reach the boss of your alliance.”

 “And you have succeeded,” replied Megatron. “You are speaking to the current head of my alliance with Hiro and Dr. Borg.”

“Does this mean Hiro’s not in charge of Shocker Rift?” asked Megumi.

“It means,” elaborated Megatron, “that Hiro has other things on his mind and had to hand over command to me under duress.”

“In other words,” translated Megumi, “you took over the instant the termination implants were disabled.”

“I won’t ask how you knew about the implants, since Optimus must have told you,” rumbled Megatron, “and simply say that taking command of the alliance seemed like a good idea at the time.”

“Megatron, you’ve got to get everyone out of that universe before War reaches Robotropolis!” urged Megumi.

“I’m open to suggestions,” invited Megatron.

“The Autobots have a site for a multiversal ship to get you out of there,” answered Megumi. “Tell me, are the mines around Robotropolis disabled?”

“No, we haven’t even found them,” replied Megatron.

“Then use this code,” directed Megumi as she beamed a code over to Megatron’s computer, “to disable their replication abilities and render their explosive payloads inert. Once that’s done, try to get evacuation ships prepared and meet us at these coordinates.” She transmitted the coordinates. “The multiversal ship will then get you all to a safe universe near Vorton so we can both keep an eye on each other.”

“That is a VERY generous offer,” praised Megatron. “I must say, I’m touched. By saving us, your enemies, you are ensuring…”

“Forget the speech, Megatron,” dismissed Megumi, “just meet us at the rendezvous point.”

“And if War tries to stop us?” asked Megatron.

“Then I’ll try to reason with her,” declared Megumi. “I doubt she’d kill me.”

“I’m not so sure I share your optimism, Hishikawa-san,” mused Megatron. “Then again, I don’t have much choice, do I? We’ll meet you there.” The call ended and Megumi sighed, hoping War WILL see reason.

“So, wait, Elizabeth’s a Martian?” quizzed Richard as he, POmega, and Megumi waited for her ride to Elizabeth’s battlefield.

“Yep,” replied Megumi. “Apparently Martians look like us, just with various shades of rusty skin tones and living underground.”

“But a multiversal constant of Mars,” interjected POmega, “is that Mars’ gravity is 38% of Earth’s. How is she still doing maid duties as well as a human?”

“Apparently, Martians have a secret training program that simulates gravity and the final test is surviving one of Jupiter’s weeks ON Jupiter,” explained Megumi.

“That’s a gas giant, though!” protested Richard. “No solid ground at all!”

“Well, there IS a Martian base hovering within Jupiter’s clouds,” recalled Megumi. “Enough gravity control for keeping the base intact, but Martians still feel the effects of Jupiter’s gravity. Once they pass that, they’re considered adults.”

“What’s the idea, though?” quizzed POmega.

“It’s to prove they’re the strongest in, at least, the solar system,” explained a voice. Everyone whirled around in surprise to see Greterey standing behind them. “They know they can’t be the strongest in the universe, but they want to be able to defend their solar system.”

“Do you guys HAVE to surprise us like that?!” snapped Richard.

“No,” replied Greterey, “we just want to keep our contestants on their toes. Speaking of which, Megumi, your opponent is ready.”

“Let’s go, then!” declared Megumi. She and Greterey vanished in toner-grey light.

“Calling all inhabitants of Vorton,” POmega called over the comms, “Megumi’s bout is beginning.”

---

Megumi and Greterey arrived on a rather opulent stage. Elizabeth and her employer had just finished with all sound checks. “Ah, there you are!” cheered Elizabeth. “We’re ready to host our bout. Please, take your place on stage.” She gestures towards one of the microphones on the stage. Megumi stood behind one and grinned, planning out her method of attack. Elizabeth and her employer spoke with each other before kissing and parting so Elizabeth could take her place. A camera appeared and Greterey spoke.

“I am Greterey,” she announced, “the toner-grey princess of Chizara and the family leader! Representing her new home of 8-3-Y-0-N-D-C-1-T-Y and a permanent student of the multiverse’s leading educational institute, After Academy, we have Megumi Hishikawa! Representing M-4-R-T-1-4-N-M-4-1-D, we have Eli-zalem-barulee-thantii, Elizabeth, with home turf advantage! This fight will be determined by the Oldest Game.”

---

When Death heard that on her office computer, she spat out her drink. “WHAT?!” she shouted.

“For those of you unfamiliar with the Oldest Game, the rules are simple,” continued Greterey. Death heard enough. She grabbed her scythe and made a portal to Elizabeth’s home universe.

---

“One of the challengers will set the meter and offer itself as a certain creature or object and the opponent must counter with a creature or object that can destroy the previous one,” continued Greterey. “Then the first one must assume another shape to destroy the previous and so on and so forth. Both will continue until one loses nerve, suffers a lack of imagination, is unable to shift into a defensive shape, or hesitates. Usually, there are…” Greterey was interrupted by a scythe flying near her and embedding itself in the wall behind her. She ran her eyes along the scythe’s shaft as it wobbled from the impact. The ladies on stage turned to the audience seats to see Death in her classic appearance, a skeleton in black robes and a hood.

“The bout must change!” demanded Death.

“Death, what are you doing?!” hissed Megumi.

“Megumi, I know you know about what happens to the loser of the Oldest Game,” whispered Death. “You wrote a 10-page paper on the subject! I recall giving you a 97! The only reason it wasn’t a full 100 was because of some grammar issues! You know as well as I do what happens to the loser! Give us a summary of what happens!” Megumi sighed before she began.

“Under normal circumstances…” she started.

“Ah!” interjected Death as she raised a finger as if to indicate that the phrase Megumi chose wasn’t the correct one.

“…Under normal circumstances,” insisted Megumi, “the loser would suffer divine wrath.”

“But, these AREN’T normal circumstances,” supplied Elizabeth. “If things were different, I would invoke this game in my last round.”

“Why?!” protested Death. “You can’t make your opponent suffer like that! The Chizarans shouldn’t allow it!”

“Article 5, subsection 7 of invoking fight terms,” replied Megumi.

“…What?” asked Death.

“Article 5, subsection 7 of the invocation of fight terms for only the 590,492nd 3V2R,” began Greterey as she pulled the scythe out of the wall and repaired the damage, “if the competitor wishes to invoke the Oldest Game, they must first secure permission from the five Chizaran Princesses. Once permission is granted, the Chizaran Princesses will ensure that all proper precautions are taken so the loser does not suffer divine wrath. Once precautions are in place, the Chizaran Princesses must then inform all other princesses that an invocation of the Oldest Game is to be expected. Once it is invoked, it cannot be used again for the next 7,000 3V2R’s. Since Megumi was the one who challenged Elizabeth to the Oldest Game, if she wins, Elizabeth must plan out new fight terms for her opponent. I assure you, the only thing the loser of these ladies will suffer is as much dishonor as she feels defeat is necessary. Now, if you don’t mind,” she then threw the scythe to Death who caught it by the blade, “we have a bout to begin.”

“Megumi, when this round is over,” hissed Death, “you and I will have a nice, long talk about taking unnecessary risks!” She vanished in black smoke. Greterey released a sigh.

“With all that addressed,” she declared, “Megumi Hishikawa, are you ready?”

“Ready and waiting,” replied Megumi.

“Elizabeth, are you ready?” asked Greterey.

“Klatun paka tal!” (Readiness becomes me!) answered Elizabeth.

“Then it’s time to determine who sets the meter!” proclaimed Greterey as she pulled out a coin of white and black. “Megumi, as you set the terms, you will call.”

“Black,” called Megumi. The coin was tossed and Greterey checked it once it was on her hand.

“…Hard luck,” she answered. “Elizabeth, you may start!”

“I am a rat,” began Elizabeth, “food consuming, disease spreading.”

“I am a cat,” countered Megumi, “rat killing, claw laden.”

“I am a car,” offered Elizabeth, “metal constructed, cat crushing.”

“I am a drunk driver,” deflected Megumi, “brain-addled, car totaling.”

“I am a drunk’s alcohol,” countered Elizabeth, “liver destroying, home wrecking.”

“I am a rehab nurse,” replied Megumi, “human restoring, all life caring.”

“I am a snake,” answered Elizabeth, “nurse biting, poison toothed.”

“I am a honey badger,” invoked Megumi, “poison resistant, snake shredding.”

---

“She just wanted to do a ‘Honey Badger Don’t Care’ joke!” protested Optimus as he and the Autobots watched from the base.

“It seemed to buy her time,” remarked Strongarm.

---

“I am a hunter,” offered Elizabeth, “pelt taking, gun firing.”

“I am a scorpion,” countered Megumi, “poison-tailed, hunter stinging.”

“I am a tarantula,” supplied Elizabeth, “eight-legged, scorpion dissolving.”

“I am a tarantula hawk wasp,” deflected Megumi, “tarantula stinging, tarantula flesh eating egg laying.”

“I am a roadrunner,” countered Elizabeth, “wasp consuming, fleet footed.” Megumi saw how her opponent played, drawing on her Martian culture to overpower what Megumi could conjure as long as she stayed on the offensive.

“I am a desert,” she played, “arid land, water scarce.”

“I am an ocean,” countered Elizabeth, “land eroding, over time desert destroying.”

“I am a solar system,” deflected Megumi, “planet dancing, sun orbiting.”

“I am a galaxy,” declared Elizabeth, “chaos ridden, war laden.”

“I am life,” invoked Megumi, “challenge overcoming, all things striving.”

“I am…I am…er, I am…I am the loser here,” muttered Elizabeth. “That was good.”

“This contest is over!” called Greterey. “The winner is Megumi Hishikawa! Megumi, you will be returned home. Elizabeth, though you have suffered a defeat, know that it only brings as much dishonor as you feel necessary. Would you care for an interview with Blancalmarem and Nemengra?”

“I think I would,” replied Elizabeth.

“Then I will take you to them once Megumi is returned,” declared Greterey. She then brought the combatants to their destinations in a flash of toner-grey light. Megumi was back on Vorton and congratulated on all sides. While that was going on, Megumi noticed Death with her arms folded.

“Er, excuse me,” Megumi bid the group as she made her way through the group. Death led Megumi away from the group and into a conference room.

“…I never took you to have Deadpool levels of recklessness,” muttered Death.

“I hardly think taking precautions with the Chizarans count as any form of recklessness,” argued Megumi.

“The last time the Oldest Game was invoked,” hissed Death, “my brother, Morpheus, had to challenge a demon from Hell to get his helmet back. If he lost, he would have been Hell’s plaything!”

“And the Chizarans prevented such an outcome!” urged Megumi.

“You can’t rely on them for everything!” shouted Death. “We couldn’t when Vortech was hunting the Foundation Elements. That’s one of their limits to their power.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Megumi.

“Even immortals on the levels of gods,” explained Death, “have limits. Why do you think the 3V2R rarely lets the Oldest Game be played in a bout?” Megumi had no answer. “Because,” explained Death, “they need to combine themselves into an all-powerful woman and their combined form is taxing on their energy. What on Earth would have possessed you to even consider such a game?”

“Let’s just say,” replied Megumi, “it came to me in a dream.” Death thought about what Megumi said, then came to only one conclusion.

“…I am going to KILL the Sandman for that!” she snarled. Just then, the comms came on.

“Death, I apologize for interrupting what you’re saying to Megumi,” called Richard’s voice, “but Scorpainia’s intelligence network just reported news that she felt we ALL need to hear. War’s planning something against Optimus’ home. Scorpainia wants to give the details in person.”

“Invasion!” Megumi and Death guessed aloud.

“We’re on our way!” Megumi replied to Richard. “Call everyone! Tell them to meet in the Gateway Room!”

“Just for the record,” remarked Death, “since I know Morpheus duped you, I can at least raise your common sense grade to a C.”

“I deserve it,” replied Megumi as they headed to the Gateway Room. As everyone gathered, Scorpainia, her husband, King Emperor Eelinape, and Discornia were already there. “King Emperor Eelinape!” greeted Megumi as she bowed. “I wasn’t expecting you, my friend!”

“I wish the circumstances of my visit were more pleasant,” sighed Eelinape. “I see your Autobot friends are among us.”

“What’s going on?” asked Optimus.

“Our intelligence network,” explained Scorpainia, “reports that War’s fleet is gaining aid from ZAIA Enterprise. She’s enlisted the Japan Branch’s CEO, Gai Amatsu, and is using his technology.”

“Er, ZAIA Enterprise is…?” quizzed Megumi.

“A technology conglomerate from my home,” replied Hongo.

“Hiden Intelligence’s rival,” supplied Hiroki. “Gai Amatsu’s a Kamen Rider called Thouser and is currently trying for a Take-Over Bid for Hiden Intelligence.”

“So what does a Kamen Rider have to do with War?” asked Megumi.

“War believes,” explained Eelinape, “that Caan has recruited Hiro, Megatron, and Dr. Borg to his cause and has located their hideout at the Decepticons’ Moon Base.”

“She intends to install a universal overseer to try and find Caan,” supplied Scorpainia.

“Wait a minute, she’s planning to take over my home?!” realized Optimus. “All to confirm some conspiracy theory?!”

“There’s more news,” continued Scorpainia. “The Autobot, Skyfall, and the Decepticon, Quake Hammer, are aiding her.”

“…She’s no Autobot!” hissed Optimus, angry at Skyfall’s treason.

“Rusty, get me War!” ordered Megumi. “Tell her I demand to talk to her immediately!”

---

Blancalmarem and Nemengra started their broadcast once again. “I am Blancalmarem, the white princess of Chizara and the life leader,” began Blancalmarem.

“I am Nemengra, the black princess of Chizara and the death leader,” finished Nemengra.

“In the previous bout, audiences were honored,” continued Blancalmarem, “to see a Martian warrior compete for the first time!”

“In this particular universe,” supplied Nemengra, “the Martians had called themselves the Zocanans and their planet Eksorna.”

“When they heard about the origins of what the humans of Earth called them,” Blancalmarem went on, “they decided to adopt the Martian name and became a valuable ally to the humans in the Earth/Venus war.”

“This particular Martian, going under the human name of Elizabeth,” continued Nemengra, “works as a maid for Mr. Noah Prometheus, the President and CEO of Solardyne Tech, the solar system’s biggest tech company.”

“Mr. Prometheus and Elizabeth have long been infatuated with each other,” revealed Blancalmarem, “and allowed their relationship to enter into public knowledge.”

“While we, personally, question the decision,” remarked Nemengra, “the public seems okay with it, bar the few family members of both Elizabeth and Mr. Prometheus against such a union.”

“Elizabeth has been ranked as a Black Warrior, THE highest rank a Martian can achieve,” continued Blancalmarem.

“So, our interview was centered around why she chose being a maid as her occupation,” finished Nemengra as the screen displayed the interview.

“Let’s get the obvious question out of the way,” began Blancalmarem.

“Why is a warrior working as a maid?” guessed Elizabeth. “Mr. Prometheus saved me from Venusian assassins. I owed him a life debt that could only be repaid if I saved him in the process. I studied what maids did and took to my duties well.”

“When did you feel romantic attraction to him?” quizzed Nemengra.

“I was taken by his good looks when I first met him,” replied Elizabeth. “He then saved me from a Martian criminal and so we dated and after a while…” she then started blushing.

“…No way!” realized Blancalmarem as a grin crossed her face.

“The wedding’s in two months,” confirmed Elizabeth.

“Congratulations!” cheered Nemengra. Then a thought struck her. “Wait, won’t that mean you won’t be Mr. Prometheus’ maid anymore?”

“I’m keeping the outfit,” replied Elizabeth. “Besides, it annoys my aunt.”

“Prefers keeping with tradition,” guessed Blancalmarem.

“To the point of stagnation,” answered Elizabeth.

“Yikes,” winced Nemengra.

“Well, thank you for your time,” bid Blancalmarem. “You obviously have things to plan.”

“May the red sands bless you, Eli-zalem-barulee-thantii of the Third Great Martian House of Stogem,” finished Nemengra.

“May the Spectrum embrace you, my friends,” returned Elizabeth. The screen went black and Blancalmarem and Nemengra returned to their audience.

“I wonder how many people their union will tick off?” mused Blancalmarem.

“All the traditionalists of both worlds, perhaps,” guessed Nemengra.

“We’ll return with Queen Phury and Mr. Drendar’s bout in a minute,” continued Blancalmarem.

“But first, a word from our sponsor, Trooga Soda!” finished Nemengra.

“Trooga Soda!” called the announcer. “Enjoy a nice meal with the nectar of the gods!”

Optimus waited by the Gateway for his match to begin. He drummed his fingers on his arm as he tapped his foot impatiently. A flash of warm-grey light appeared and it formed Grilcaldo. “The Weather Copter is ready,” she began. “Are you?”

“More than ready,” declared Optimus. They teleported to the mountainside behind the Autobot base. The Weather Copter was waiting in vehicle mode and Optimus noticed that there was a face on the front. “What, is Bolt Boy a fan of Thomas and Friends?” asked Optimus.

“Yes, why?” growled the Weather Copter.

“No reason!” yelped Optimus as he held his hands up in a “don’t kill me” fashion. Grilcaldo touched up her makeup and adjusted her hairpiece just as the camera appeared. When she was confident she was presentable enough, she turned to the camera.

“I am Grilcaldo,” she began, “the warm-grey princess of Chizara and the fire leader! Representing T-R-4-N-5-F-0-R-M-3-R-5-M-0-8-1-4-N-C-H-R-0-N-1-C-L-3-5, we have Optimus Prime with home-turf advantage! Representing W-3-4-T-H-3-R-5-Q-U-4-D, we have Bolt Boy’s substitute, the Weather Copter! This bout will be a test of skill! The Weather Copter must remain in vehicle mode and stay in the air for an hour. During that time, Optimus must bring it down. Both are using the full extent of their abilities and arsenals to try and achieve their respective goals. No one else may interfere and, if the Weather Copter wins for Bolt Boy, then Bolt Boy may not use the Right of Substitution again. Weather Copter, are you ready?”

“Bring it!” challenged the Weather Copter as he prepared his helicopter blades.

“Optimus Prime, are you ready?” asked Grilcaldo.

“I was constructed ready!” replied Optimus.

“The bout begins when the Weather Copter takes to the air!” declared Grilcaldo. The Weather Copter wasted no time in becoming airborne. Once it was high enough, it unleashed its gatling guns on Optimus. Optimus took cover behind a good-sized rock and fired at the Weather Copter’s rotor. The Copter dodged and continued firing.

---

“Oh boy, the Copter knew he’d aim there!” groaned Prowl.

“Something don’t sit right about it,” muttered Jazz.

“Meaning, Sir?” asked Prowl.

“Well, the Copter is clearly on our level of life,” explained Jazz, “but…I don’t know, something about that kind of life being man-made instead of the natural way like you and I…it rubs me the wrong way.”

“It’s been rubbing the other bots the wrong way too, Sir,” replied Prowl.

“Look at the Copter,” muttered Jazz. “It’s a wild card, more so than Optimus. There’s a good chance he’ll lose.” Prowl snorted. “A war wound acting up or was that a snort of genuine disbelief?” quizzed Jazz.

“Jazz, I may not have known Optimus as long as you have,” declared Prowl, “but I’ve learned that his wild-card attitude is a front for someone who plans on the fly.”

“What makes you so sure of that?” asked Jazz.

“I’ve been observing his behavior for the past five years,” explained Prowl. “I can observe 800 moving objects and compute their direction of travel in 0.5 seconds. All reliable indicators tell me that Optimus will win in at least 30 minutes.”

“…Care to make it interesting?” offered Jazz.

“I don’t make a habit of betting when my superiors are involved,” replied Prowl dryly.

“Too afraid of us?” taunted Jazz. That did it.

“How much Shanix do you want to wager?” asked Prowl.

“Not Shanix,” replied Jazz. “If Optimus is even a second over half an hour, you’re gonna be Club Dancitron’s Bouncer for a week.”

“All right,” agreed Prowl. “But, if he manages it in 30 minutes or less, you’re gonna be on patrol with me for a week and be called a rookie.”

“Done!” declared Jazz. They shook on it, then turned their attention back to the bout.

---

“Man, the Weather Copter ain’t letting up!” muttered Richard as he and Megumi snuggled on the couch in their living room.

“Is it really all of the weather, or just the extremes?” quizzed Megumi.

“It IS leaning on more of the extreme side,” agreed Richard. “Wait, where’s…was that a…a smoke bomb?! Did Optimus just ninja-vanish on the Copter?!”

“Well, his dossier DID say he’s part of the Cyber-Ninja Corps on Cybertron,” recalled Megumi.

“A ninja?! Good God, what next?!” ranted Richard. “Ninja! Wizard! Youngest Prime! Talks to the original 13! Good at video games! Every Autobot loves him! How Mary-Sue can a guy be?!”

“Says the guy with a healing factor and powers of every fictional character out there,” muttered Megumi.

“You’re one to talk, Mrs. Cyborg Tiger Lady!” argued Richard.

“Are you calling me a Mary-Sue?!” snapped Megumi. “I warn you; this means war!”

“Bring it!” challenged Richard as he grabbed a cushion from the couch. Megumi grabbed another and the feathers started flying as they hit each other repeatedly. This lasted a good few minutes while Optimus’ fight still went on. They soon panted as they ran out of energy. The war-like frowns soon softened, then turned into smiles as they laughed at how ridiculous they were being. “What were we fighting about, again?” laughed Richard.

“Your guess is as good as mine!” giggled Megumi as they both sat back down on the couch. They returned their attention to the bout and saw that the Weather Copter had a nasty look on its face. “Oh no,” gasped Megumi, “it’s got something up its sleeves!”

---

The Weather Copter activated a smaller pair of rotary running in the opposite direction and drawing in warm air while the primary blades drew in cool air. Once the Copter was satisfied it got a decent mix of warm and cool air, both blade pairs spun in the same direction, causing the air mix to form into a very violent tornado! Optimus quickly flattened himself on the ground as the winds tossed chunks of the ground into the air. “Try and bring me down now, scrap-pile!” laughed the Copter.

“…Idiot,” Optimus muttered to himself. “I just came up with a few plans to do so.” He then stood up and let himself be caught in the gusts!

---

“WHAT’S HE DOING?!” shouted Bolt Boy as he and the Weather Squad watched the fight at their base.

“Not even I make tornadoes that big!” called Tornado Girl. Snowstorm Boy activated the communicator.

“Weather Copter, stop!” he ordered. “That’s too big! You’ll bring down the mountain! …Weather Copter, come in!”

“Your attempts at interference,” called Gricaldo’s voice, “while understandable, won’t succeed.”

“The government won’t let us make tornadoes that big!” argued Bolt Boy. “They cause too much damage! Make it stop, please!”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” replied Grilcaldo. “That would be interference. If it turns out that the Copter did too much damage, then my fellow princesses and I will fix the damage. Besides, it looks like it won’t save the Weather Copter in the long run.”

---

Optimus was in a level position as he rode the tornado’s air currents, keeping his optics trained on the Copter. Unfortunately, there was too much debris for him to get a clean shot with his gun. “Come on!” groaned Optimus. Just then, he noticed something forming in the Copter’s gatling guns. “…That’ll work,” mused Optimus. The Copter then fired lightning from the guns and Optimus pointed directly at the bolt, then quickly traced a path going from his fingers to the shoulder, to the fuel pump, to the other shoulder, then to the other fingers, and channeled the lightning down that path, redirecting it at the Copter’s blades. The blades stopped moving and the tornado dissipated. Optimus activated his flight jets and dove towards the falling Weather Copter as it bounced down the mountain before skidding at the mountain’s base. Optimus blocked the skidding Copter before it hit the Autobot base, just barely touching it. Once it was confirmed no one was moving, Optimus released his breath then went to the Weather Copter’s front to see that it had a blank expression on its face and was battered from the landing. Warm-grey light then brought Grilcaldo and the Weather Squad to the battlefield and Snowstorm Boy inserted a device into the side of the Copter to get a reading.

“It’s all right,” he sighed happily. “Its programming is in a protective state until it’s fixed. …Wait, what’s this?”

“What’s what?” asked Optimus.

“…Bolt Boy, I think the Copter’s behavior can be explained,” reported Snowstorm Boy.

“How?” quizzed Bolt Boy.

“It’s got a computer virus that’s made it ruder than it allows itself to be,” explained Snowstorm Boy, “and I just discovered who programmed it. It’s a certain former 2^nd grade teacher.”

“…You don’t mean…?” asked Sunray Girl.

“OUR former 2^nd grade teacher?” finished Tornado Girl.

“Oh yes, I do mean OUR former 2^nd grade teacher!” confirmed Snowstorm Boy.

“Well then,” hissed Bolt Boy, “while the Copter’s being repaired and that virus is being deleted, I think we’ll pay Mrs. Technica a little visit!” He punched his hand and generated a small bit of lightning.

“In the meantime, this DOES satisfy the terms for the bout,” interjected Grilcaldo. “This contest is over! The winner is Optimus Prime! Bolt Boy, you and your friends will be returned home. Though you have suffered a defeat, know that it only brings as much dishonor as you feel necessary. Would you care for an interview with Blancalmarem and Nemengra?”

“No, thank you,” replied Bolt Boy. “I have business to take care of.”

“Then there’s one last thing we need to do before you are returned home,” declared Grilcaldo. She indicated the mountainside and the base. Both were ruined!

“MY HOME!” shouted Optimus. Just then, all of the princesses, from the capital P ones to the lowercase p ones, arrived and snapped their fingers. The damage then healed itself and the mountainside and base were like new.

“Congratulations on your victory, Optimus Prime,” bid Rosadera before everyone left him. A rift then opened and Megumi, Richard, Arsha, and the Autobots came through it.

“Well done, Sir!” praised Prowl. He then snapped his fingers as if he remembered something. “Jazz, 27 minutes and 3 seconds.” Jazz then groaned. “Better have your holo-form in acceptable police gear!” laughed Prowl.

“What’s that’s supposed to mean?” asked Optimus.

“Jazz bet that it would take you more than half an hour to win the fight,” explained Prowl.

“I lost,” muttered Jazz.

“…You bet against me?!” realized Optimus. “My best friend and you bet against me!” He then pouted comedically.

“Come on! You have to admit, that Copter was giving you a hard time!” protested Jazz.

“Sir, a bit of advice,” remarked Prowl, “leave the odds to those that calculate them daily.”

“All right,” grumbled Jazz.

“Optimus, quick question,” called Richard, “did you get that lightning channeling thing from Avatar: The Last Airbender?”

“Well, the movements, yes,” replied Optimus. “I’ve been learning how to do that near the end of my wizard training. Even then, generating lightning spells is not something us Cybertronian mages do often. I think you can guess whhYY!” Optimus sparked as he finished. He sparked more and more until he transformed. “I couldn’t have been in robot mode THAT long!” he protested as his holo-form appeared.

“It’s been more than half-an-hour now, Sir,” reported Prowl. At that moment, Sonic arrived, looking a little worried.

“Hey, did anyone see Eggbreath around here?” he asked.

“…No, can’t say as I have,” replied Megumi.

“I haven’t heard a peep out of him,” remarked Arsha.

“Wait, didn’t X-PO say Eggman’s working for Caan?” asked Richard.

“He did,” replied Megumi.

“From what I could ascertain when we were freeing the Master Builders,” recalled Optimus, “Eggman was discovered and Caan saved his bacon.”

“So he WAS telling the truth a while ago,” muttered Megumi. “That doesn’t put me at ease.”

“Rook takes Bishop at Queen’s Bishop 6,” mumbled Arsha.

“Pardon?” asked Megumi.

“…I think the enemy moved its piece in our combined game,” replied Arsha.

“So the white opponent of your board,” guessed Optimus, “moved their Rook to Queen’s Bishop 3 as well.”

“Mine too,” remarked Megumi. “I’d like to know my opponent before the game ends!”

---

“The Quarterfinals need only one more bout before we can make our move,” mused Caan as most everyone gathered at the late Van Statten’s Vault.

“I wish they’d hurry it up!” muttered Mickey. “I’m dying from staying separate from my friends!”

“Your vitals are uninterrupted, I assure you,” dismissed Caan.

“Just a minute,” called Eggman. “Where’s Metaltron?” Caan raised his unibrow as he noticed Metaltron’s absence.

“I DID order everyone here, right?” he quizzed. He then gasped in pain and clutched his head as the future changed. As he panted, Mickey and Eggman had come near him to help him. “…That little…!” snarled Caan. “Metaltron’s leaving us!” He grabbed his Dal Driver and charged after Metaltron. He found her near the entrance. “I can’t exactly say I’m pleased with you leaving us!” he called. Metaltron turned to reveal her now blue face with yellow eyes and sheet-white hair.

“Your pleasure does NOT concern me,” she dismissed.

“Metaltron?” quizzed Caan. “What did you…of course. You altered your genetics.”

“I won’t be a Dalek again,” she explained, “but I refuse to even LOOK human! Besides, I actually like this form more than my original, if you can believe it. I can see into the ultraviolet spectrum, my skin is now resistant to even gamma radiation, my reflexes are boosted to three times that of the average human, my mental capacity is four times that of a Scientist Dalek, and my immune system can kill viruses and harmful bacteria in an instant.”

“You would sacrifice your chance of being pure just for something your casing can do?!” roared Caan.

“The Doctor’s right, purity is overrated,” remarked Metaltron. She then made a face of disgust. “Never thought I’d agree with the Oncoming Storm.”

“I’ll have you exterminated for this!” shouted Caan as he equipped his belt.

“DAL DRIVER!” it announced. He then took out the Pure Dalek Can, rotated the top, and flipped the eyestalk before inserting it into the belt. “PURE DALEK!” He then rotated the crank and piping formed the two halves of his suit. “ARE YOU READY?!”

“Henshin!” called Caan.

“THE UNSTOPPABLE KILLER! PURE DALEK! EXTERMINATE!” called the belt as the suit halves slammed onto him and joined together.

“I’m not going to use a knock-off belt like yours,” chuckled Metaltron darkly. She pulled out a new belt with a single, bulky slot for the gimmick. She then pulled out another device that looked like two halves of an image opened like a set of double doors. She inserted it into the belt and the belt spoke.

“Armor On!” it declared. She then placed her hands on opposite sides of the slot as it played techno music.

“Henshin!” she called. She pulled little levers on each side of the belt buckle and the device in the slot swung closed to reveal the image of a Dalek’s head.

“Base Armor!” it announced as Dalek-like armor teleported itself onto her.

“Kamen Rider Ex,” she proclaimed once the sequence finished. “You may kneel to your mistress.”

“Kamen Rider Dal!” announced Caan. “You will be exterminated!” The two then clashed.

Arsha was waiting on the Endeavor’s bridge after Oak had set up a six by ten area of cards on the floor. There were various spells preventing her from peeking, so it would stay fair, and they wouldn’t wear off until the round began. Just then, neutral-grey light flashed and formed Graneutall and Buncho. Arsha goggled at this. “Didn’t you…?” she asked.

“Judge your previous battle?” asked Graneutall. “No, that was Griforina, one of my other selves. All the Grey princesses were once one, but the original split herself into four identical princesses to handle the remaining elements. Thus, we’re the Grey Princess Quartet. We have a mental link with one another so we’re in constant contact. Now, with all that said, let’s begin!” A camera appeared and Graneutall turned towards it. “I am Graneutall, the neutral-grey princess of Chizara and the time leader! Representing L-1-V-1-N-G-5-4-L-4-D-5, we have crowd favorite, Buncho! Representing T-H-3-T-H-R-3-3-R-3-4-L-M-5, we have Arsha Royana with…well…I guess it can be called partial home-turf advantage, since this battlefield came from her home yet orbits Vorton.” She shrugged as she didn’t know what else to call it. “Anyway, this fight shall be a memory battle! The competitors must both find thirty pairs of pictures. Both must strive for the least amount of errors to move on to the next round. While one competitor makes their matches, the other must not look so they may not gain an unfair advantage. I have asked around and the crew has placed various spells to prevent Arsha from gaining the upper hand. The cards will also shuffle once all thirty pairs are found. Buncho, since you were the one challenged, you shall start. Are you ready?”

I Am Always Ready.

“Arsha Royana, are you ready?” asked Graneutall.

“Ready and waiting!” declared Arsha.

“Then, Arsha, if you could wear this, please,” directed Graneutall as she handed a blindfold to Arsha. Arsha accepted it and covered her eyes while tying it behind her head. “Buncho, you may begin!” Cards then started flipping on their own. First was a rose, then a cow, meaning it wasn’t a match. Then a rose and a camera, another misstep. Then a rose and a rose, thus taking the match out of the grid. This went on and on for three minutes until the pairs were identified as a rose, camera, pencil, tutu, chair, wand, tree, candle, shoe, paper, key, book, box, sword, paintbrush, cup, pot, fire, string, glasses, brick, mirror, clock, pants, shirt, belt, bed, pillow, book, and crystal. “It looks like Buncho’s got the number to beat,” breathed Graneutall. “She’s had 42 errors during her search. All right, let’s set things up for Arsha!” The cards started shuffling themselves again.

There’s No Shame In Giving Up.

“Not happening!” hissed Arsha.

Your Loss.

“The cards are all reshuffled!” announced Graneutall. “Arsha, you may remove your blindfold and begin!” Arsha took the blindfold off and first flipped a card with a chair on it. Her next card was a rose, so she had to flip them back over. She picked the chair card, then picked another card that was its pair! She tossed the pair over her shoulder, then picked the rose card again. She picked another card and it was the rose card’s pair, so away they went.

---

“Man, she got lucky!” breathed Optimus as he and the Autobots watched from the Ark.

“Is she…is she taking her time on this?” asked Prowl.

“She needs to make the right decisions,” replied Strongarm.

“Like the recent one? The pillow?” quizzed Jazz.

---

“What kind of luck potion did SHE drink?” asked Emily as she and Richard watched the bout onboard the Virginia with the Endeavor’s bridge crew.

“Hopefully, none,” rumbled Oak. “Like love potions, they’re a controlled substance illegal to own or sell.”

“Why are love potions illegal?” inquired Richard.

“They’ve been used by criminals to commit rape one too many times,” explained Malak.

“Ah, your world’s version of a roofie,” muttered Emily.

“A what?” asked Malak.

“A rape drug,” continued Emily. “I can explain the whole history if you want.”

“I think the words ‘rape drug’ in that order,” replied Malak, “explain all that I need.”

“She just got two!” called Shalvey as Arsha flipped a card.

---

This Is Impossible! I Committed At Least Six Mistakes When I Got Five Pairs!

“You could surrender,” remarked Arsha as she flipped over the cup card.

Never! You’ll Make A Blunder Soon!

“We’ll see,” mused Arsha as she found the cup card’s pair. She picked the glasses card next, then picked the candle card, so they had to turn over again.

---

“Come on! Win this!” wished Optimus. After 30 seconds, Arsha found the tutu cards and set the pair aside.

---

Unbeknownst to our heroes, their enemies were watching as well. Dr. Borg had steepled her fingers as she observed the bout. “Intriguing,” she muttered. “She has now obtained 13 pairs. I must say, I underestimated her ability to actively recall something.” At that moment, Jansha and Tormo came in. “What can I do for you two?” asked Dr. Borg.

“Did you give Shockwave a sample of your blood?” inquired Tormo.

“I did,” replied Dr. Borg, “but I fail to see how that’s any of your concern.”

“Mother, I must advise against working with her a second longer!” urged Jansha.

“…You feel uneasy around her?” asked Dr. Borg.

“That’s putting it mildly,” muttered Tormo.

“Why?” quizzed Dr. Borg. “She wanted to understand Fae biology and already retrieved a blood sample from a Fairy and a Pixie. She just needed a Sprite’s blood to help her research. Like myself, she’s a woman dedicated to her work.”

“Mother, she’s not dedicated, she’s obsessed!” insisted Jansha as she pulled grabbed Dr. Borg’s lab coat and pulled her closer. “She’ll turn anything and everything into a lab rat for her experiments! Can’t you see all the red flags?! I have, and I promise, they’re as red as my eye!”

“Red flags?” inquired Dr. Borg.

“Oh, I don’t know!” hissed Tormo. “How about the fact that, when I jokingly suggested she set up a lab in the basement because our base didn’t have enough rooms, she instantly agreed?!”

“How about the fact that her holo-form doesn’t open doors?” supplied Jansha. “She just phases through them!”

“Where she wants to conduct science is her business,” dismissed Dr. Borg as she made Jansha release the lab coat. “Besides, Jansha, didn’t you use the state-changer to phase through the walls and creep out Tormo in your first few days with me?”

“That’s not the point!” snapped Jansha. “Under that logical façade is a madwoman! You won’t believe me now, but you’ll see! Just you wait!”

“Jansha, I know you’ve been online for two months,” sighed Dr. Borg, “but you’re acting like a child. Now, unless you have more to say, I need to study Arsha’s memory recall skills.” Dr. Borg turned back to the screen and observed that Arsha had 20 pairs now.

---

“20 pairs and only 13 errors so far,” announced Graneutall. “Buncho, you may have underestimated her.”

I Do Not Underestimate!

“Make that 14 errors now,” muttered Arsha as she turned over the sword and pot cards she had checked. She then tried the sword again and found its pair. “Now 21 pairs.”

This Is Impossible!

“Evidently not,” remarked Graneutall.

---

“Dang, Arsha’s tearing it up!” praised Richard.

“There goes another pair!” called Marshii.

“I need to really test her memory recall,” mused Ratchet.

“After Optimus and Megumi’s bouts,” declared Emily.

---

“That’s now 17 errors and 27 pairs,” announced Graneutall.

No! She Cannot Win This!

“28 pairs now,” observed Graneutall.

“Whoops, wrong one,” remarked Arsha as she flipped over a key and a shoe. She tried again and found the key’s pair! Once discarding that pair, she flipped over the shoe cards!

“That’s all the pairs!” cheered Graneutall. “Buncho made 42 errors while Arsha only made 18! This contest is over! The winner is Arsha Royana! Buncho, you will be returned home. Though you have suffered a defeat, know that it only brings as much dishonor as you feel necessary. Would you care for an interview with Blancalmarem and Nemengra?”

…Yes. I Have An Announcement To Make.

“Then I shall bring you to them!” declared Graneutall. “Arsha, I believe you need to celebrate with your friends and crew!” She and Buncho vanished in neutral-grey light and the Endeavor’s comms came to life. Arsha opened a channel and Oak appeared onscreen.

“Captain, the Saunders siblings and their spouses want to come aboard and congratulate you personally,” he explained.

“I’ll bring you all directly to the bridge,” declared Arsha. She chanted a spell and the Endeavor’s bridge crew arrived with Richard, Emily, Megumi, and Joshua.

“Congratulations, Arsha!” cheered Megumi. The two hugged as Arsha was congratulated on all sides.

“Your Highness, that was amazing!” praised Joshua. “My memory’s not that great, how do you manage it?”

“Lots of practice with memory games and puzzles,” explained Arsha once she and Megumi broke off the embrace. “Got me a spot on the Dean’s List at Realmfleet Academy. Granted, there ARE four above me with better memory skills than me, but it looks like I didn’t need to be them today.”

“Best answer in all of creation,” rumbled Oak.

---

Blancalmarem and Nemengra were broadcasting their end-of-round interview as usual. “I am Blancalmarem, the white princess of Chizara and the life leader,” began Blancalmarem.

“I am Nemengra, the black princess of Chizara and the death leader,” finished Nemengra.

“And we’re here with another interview with Crowd-Favorite, Buncho!” cheered Blancalmarem.

“However, this interview,” winced Nemengra, “will reveal rather sad news.”

“It caught us by surprise when we found out about it,” continued Blancalmarem.

“Watch it with us and understand what we’re talking about,” offered Nemengra. The giant screen behind them displayed Buncho’s interview.

“It’s not often you’re challenged to a memory battle,” recalled Blancalmarem. “What made you so sure you were going to win?”

My People Are Recorded To Have The Best Memory Recall Abilities In The Multiverse. It Was An Easy Win On The Surface.

“If you picked the fight, what would you have done?” asked Nemengra.

Most Likely, I Would Have Picked A Levitation Battle. See Who Can Lift The Heaviest Things Without Their Bodies, Just Their Abilities.

“Do you think Arsha could have won that fight?” quizzed Blancalmarem.

The Chance Of Her Winning Would Be There. Her Magical Abilities Were Told In Great Detail In Her Dossier.

“Any advice to future participants?” asked Nemengra.

Never Underestimate Your Opponents. It Cheats You Of Victory. I Pray The Other Participants, Both New And Old, Will Heed The Advice Of One Who Is No Longer Accepting Invitations To The 3V2R.

“Wait, no longer accepting?!” yelped Blancalmarem. “You’re retiring?!”

I’ve Made Up My Mind. It’s For The Best.

“Buncho, I get that victory during your rounds was sweeter when you celebrated with your husband, Pila,” urged Nemengra, “but I’m sure he’d want you to continue doing this!”

The Last Few Times I Participated When My Husband Died Were Not The Same. No One Else In My Home Universe Believes The Prizes Are Worth Victory In The Salad Wars. It’s Time For Me To Move On.

“And do what?” asked Blancalmarem.

My Faction Needs More Techies. I Have The Skills. I’ll Serve My Faction That Way. Perhaps It Will Bring A Swift End To The War.

“Considering that the war is 75% tech battles,” remarked Nemengra, “I doubt it. Besides, what about what you taught your son, Bolo?”

Bolo Prefers To Fight On The Battlefield. He’s Happier With His Unit Than He Was With Me Or Pila.

“…Well, participation IS voluntary,” sighed Blancalmarem. “I wish you good luck in your future projects.”

“But, if you want to come back,” offered Nemengra, “we’ll be more than happy to put you back on the roster.”

I Appreciate That. Thank You For Giving Me These Opportunities To Show My Skills. Buncho then floated off of her chair and left. The screen went dark and Blancalmarem and Nemengra turned back to their audience.

“We know that Buncho is a crowd favorite,” began Blancalmarem, “but we must ask that her decision be respected.”

“We can only hope she comes back,” finished Nemengra, “but we must wish her good luck for the future.”

Bolt Boy and Optimus got their answer from Rosadera herself, so they came together with their respective teams in a large storage Bolt Boy’s secret base to figure something out. Bolt Boy’s team consisted of his sister, Tornado Girl, his best friend, Quake Boy, Tornado Girl’s best friend, Sunray Girl, and their newest addition, Snowstorm Boy. All of them were roughly eight or nine years old. “Sorry about that,” called Moradelia as she reentered the room. “One of my sons called. Had to take it. What were we talking about again?”

“We’re just talking about how much trouble Bolt Boy and Optimus are in,” giggled Tornado Girl.

“We’re NOT in trouble!” hissed Optimus. “We just need you guys to help us figure a way out of this!”

“I’ve looked over the rules twice already,” replied Prowl. “There’s nothing in here.”

“Then help us find something to make the fight more fair for both of us!” snapped Bolt Boy.

“I don’t get it,” remarked Sunray Girl. “Why can’t you guys just say that the fight isn’t going to be fair for either of you?”

“We’ve tried that already,” replied Optimus. “Rosadera thinks we each still have a ‘reasonable chance’! I, personally, don’t know where she’s getting that, but the fight’s still going on, so here we are!”

“Rosadera thinks you two need to outthink one another to win,” explained Moradelia. “You know, use some strategy.”

“What strategy?!” argued Bolt Boy. “The only option we each have is giving up the match! Look at me, then at Optimus! He’s so big that if I zap him, he’ll crush me!”

“I know I’ve mentioned the rule about there being no allowance for forfeit while all competitors are decided,” muttered Moradelia.

“Maybe you should fly up and zap him in the chest and call it a day,” mused Quake Boy.

“That would kill him, though,” argued Sunray Girl, “and the Chizarans are against fighters even thinking about threatening to kill each other.”

“Well, there IS the Synthetic Energon Tails and I have been developing,” mused Perceptor. “If Optimus uses that, his endurance will be greater against electricity.”

“Or I could make a formula to expand your muscle mass, Bolt Boy,” offered Snowstorm Boy.

“NO!” shouted Optimus and Bolt Boy.

“Perceptor, aside from the fact that the effects aren’t permanent,” explained Optimus, “the last time I tried that Synth-En brew, I spent three weeks going through explosive Energon Waste Discharge!”

“And let’s not forget what prompted our parents to find out our secret identities after the disaster that was the Speed Formula!” hissed Bolt Boy.

“It worked though!” argued Snowstorm Boy.

“For an hour!” countered Bolt Boy.

“And that hour can be spent fighting!” insisted Snowstorm Boy. “What’s the big deal?!”

“The answer is NO!” declared Bolt Boy. At that moment, Megumi and Arsha came in via dimensional rift. Megumi was in her white and gold dress with her crown instead of her new blue rift dress and hairpiece.

“How are things going?” asked Megumi.

“Badly,” replied Optimus. He then did a double-take when he saw Megumi’s outfit. “Why are you wearing your old dress?”

“Verdutha wants a promotional pic of the three of us and insisted that I wear the dress she has in her files,” explained Megumi.

“Well, we can’t exactly do that,” grumbled Optimus, “until we get this settled!”

“Wait, Sir! Bolt Boy!” interjected Prowl. “I think I found something! Check Article 7 of the General Rules of Combat!” Moradelia then smacked her forehead in embarrassment.

“The Right of Substitution! I forgot!” she chided herself.

“Huh?” asked Bolt Boy.

“Competitors can offer a reasonable associate among their ranks as a substitute to fight in the original fighter’s place,” explained Moradelia. “Bolt Boy, you could have someone else fight Optimus for you or Optimus could have someone fight for him.”

“In other words, I might not need to get squished!” realized Bolt Boy.

“Exactly,” confirmed Moradelia. “But, you can only have one substitute per tournament. If you use this now, you can’t use it again for the rest of the tournament.”

“Don’t expect me to fight him!” hissed Tornado Girl.

“None of the human members of the Weather Squad are fighting him,” declared Bolt Boy.

“…You don’t mean…?” quizzed Sunray Girl.

“Er, I don’t wish to be nosy, but…” remarked Optimus.

“We’ve taken a few vehicles and made them into our own Transformers,” explained Bolt Boy. “Right now, we have the Weather Copter, the Time Van, and the Spy Jet. I think you’ll want to fight the Weather Copter in this fight. He’s the best fighter out of them.”

“I see no problem with this,” replied Optimus. “Let me see him.” Bolt Boy pressed a button and a robot roughly Optimus’ size with helicopter parts came into the room.

“What’s up?” asked the robot.

“Copter, this is Optimus Prime,” introduced Bolt Boy. “We both don’t want to fight each other because I might end up being flattened. So, if you want, you can fight him in my place.”

“This scrawny thing?!” protested the Weather Copter.

“…You’ve got a rude way of saying ‘Hello’,” remarked Optimus.

“I’ve only been in combat for a year and I bet I could mop the floor with this guy!” continued the Weather Copter.

“Doubtful,” hissed Optimus. “I’ve been fighting for five years and I’ve been training to be a Cyber-ninja and a wizard for 100!”

“A ninja and a wizard?!” laughed the Weather Copter. “How quaint! I suppose I can take care of him for you if you’re that scared of him, Bolt Boy.”

“I’m not scared of him!” protested Bolt Boy. “I just don’t want to be accidentally squashed if he lands on top of me!”

“Weather Copter, you have been asked to fill in for Bolt Boy in this bout,” interjected Moradelia. “Do you accept?”

“Yeah, sure,” replied the Weather Copter. “I can fly circles around him in both robot and vehicle mode.”

“Oh, can you?!” snarled Optimus. “Then I know how the fight’s gonna play out! You try to stay in the air and I’ll try and get you to hit the ground at least once! We’ll both use our arsenals and powers to accomplish our goal! No one else can help us and I need to bring you down within an hour!”

“Fine by me,” declared the Weather Copter. “We can fight in your universe. You CAN’T bring me down no matter where you are!”

“As the substitute agrees to the terms and has picked the battlefield,” declared Moradelia, “all that’s left is for all of the Princesses to approve the Right of Substitution. You shall have our decision within an hour, relative to your universe’s time-scale. Autobots, I shall return you all to Vorton. Once that’s done, I’ll bring Arsha, Megumi, and Optimus to Chizara for their photo op.” She, the Autobots, Megumi, and Arsha then vanished in purple light.

“Weather Copter, that was rude!” snapped Sunray Girl.

“The kid’s all talk and no action!” replied the Weather Copter. “I’m gonna win easily!”

“Don’t come crying to us,” hissed Bolt Boy, “if you lose!”

---

“A substitute?!” protested Rosadera. “Why would Bolt Boy want a substitute?!”

“From what I’ve seen,” explained Moradelia, “Bolt Boy’s a little worried that Optimus might flatten him if the kid scores a winning shot. The Weather Copter wants to fight Optimus in Bolt Boy’s place. Optimus has to make the Weather Copter hit the ground at least once within an hour while the Copter stays in the air. No one else can help them. I see no problem with this.”

“I have to side with Moradelia on this,” interjected Verdutha. “Bolt Boy may be powerful, but he’s a kid, for crying out loud!”

“I have to say, I’m not too wild about endangering a kid,” muttered Rojenthi.

“Besides, who DOESN’T love a good giant robot slug-fest?” asked Azuliterii. Rosadera sighed.

“I would prefer Optimus and Bolt Boy go outside their comfort zone in terms of combat,” she muttered, “but it seems I’m outvoted. …Very well, the Weather Copter can fight in Bolt Boy’s place and the bout will proceed as outlined by the competitor and the substitute.”

“Excellent!” cheered Moradelia.

“I’ll tell Optimus once the photo-op is done!” declared Verdutha.

---

“All right, hand on the hip, Optimus,” directed Vioazira. “Now, Megumi, if you could raise your left arm as if your hand is resting on something, that’s it. Arsha, if you could hold your hands up as if you had just finished a dress twirl. Oh, lovely!”

“A classic pose,” praised Verdutha.

“All right, smile!” called Vioazira. The camera flashed a few times. “All right then! That’s all! Good work!”

“Thanks,” bid Optimus.

“I don’t get it,” remarked Megumi. “You guys used my Rift Dress before when showing the competitors of a fight, why not now?”

“Some of our people,” explained Verdutha, “wanted to see your old outfit. It’s a bit of nostalgia.”

“Ah,” realized Megumi.

“Er, I don’t wish to sound pushy,” interjected Optimus, “but, about the substitute…?”

“Ah, yes,” remembered Verdutha. She then cleared her throat and began the usual announcement with a bit of a twist. “The Substitute has been approved, the challenge has been set, the terms have been agreed upon, and the chance of victory is agreeable for both sides. Grilcaldo, the warm-grey princess of Chizara and the fire leader, will be judging. Tomorrow evening, your fight begins! Prepare and make ready! Good luck!”

“Has Bolt Boy been told?” asked Arsha.

“Moradelia’s already told him,” replied Verdutha.

“All right!” cheered Optimus. “Then let’s do this!”

“Just a sec,” called Vioazira. She handed the three their copies of the photo with “3V2R” written in gold on the top-right corner.

“Now that’s just cool!” praised Arsha.

“I shall return you all to Vorton,” offered Vioazira.

“Thank you,” bid Megumi. Blue-violet light surrounded them and they returned to Vorton. Richard approached them as Vioazira left.

“How did it go?” he quizzed.

“It went well,” replied Megumi. “Optimus is fighting another giant shape-changing robot on Bolt Boy’s team instead of Bolt Boy himself.”

“And we got a pretty decent photo together,” continued Arsha. Megumi showed Richard her copy as Arsha and Optimus headed to their respective ships.

“I still don’t know why they wanted my old dress,” sighed Megumi. “I look better in that new dress, right?”

“Of course,” replied Richard. “But, you’re beautiful in whatever you wear.”

“Charmer,” chuckled Megumi.

“I’m just saying it as it is,” answered Richard.

“Still, I think I’m gonna change back to my current dress,” decided Megumi. She headed off to their room to change.

---

Rosadera sighed as she finalized the last bit of paperwork before the next fight. She was going to judge the fight between Queen Phury and an alien defense attorney called Mr. Drendar. They were going to stage a mock murder trial with Phury as the Prosecution and Drendar as the Defense. She had to be drilled in legal proceedings with Amavorte as her coach. As she sank into her chair, a time rift opened in front of her desk. The person that used it was Mirai Megumi! “Ah, Rosadera!” she called. “Good to see you again!”

“How did you get here?!” demanded Rosadera.

“I walked,” snarked Mirai Megumi. “In all seriousness, has War gained access yet?”

“No, thankfully,” replied Rosadera, “but she’s about to break through.”

“Tell Azuliterii to install this in your satellites,” directed Mirai Megumi as she handed a flash drive to her. “It will keep War busy and force her to turn her attention away from you.”

“That’s very kind of you,” bid Rosadera as she accepted the flash drive. Mirai Megumi then turned to leave, stopping only when she heard Rosadera clear her throat. She turned to see Rosadera keeping her hand outstretched.

“…What?” asked Mirai Megumi.

“I’m not an idiot,” replied Rosadera. “Chizarans can see straight through perception filters.”

“Ah,” remarked Mirai Megumi.

“You smell of a different form of immortality,” continued Rosadera. “Have you REALLY aged a day in your timeline?”

“…Not until all parties are brought together,” declared Mirai Megumi. “I promise you; I WILL explain myself soon, but not until present-day-me and her group, you Chizarans, War and her team, and Megatron and his alliance are all together.”

“…Very well,” sighed Rosadera as she lowered her hand. Mirai Megumi then summoned another time rift and left Rosadera alone.

Discornia was in the Virginia’s transporter room, ready to beam over to the Enterprise replica. Her hand hovered over the controls when she heard someone clear their throat. She turned to see Sh’Kar standing in the doorway. “You are going, then?” she asked.

“Yes,” replied Discornia. “My child is now an adult and he is currently in a stable job on his own. He no longer needs me.”

“Then I look forward to meeting you in the afterlife,” bid Sh’Kar.

“Perhaps we shall meet in Sto-vo-kor,” mused Discornia as she set a time-delay on the transporter so she could beam over automatically.

“I would like that,” chuckled Sh’Kar. Discornia then moved to the transporter pad. Sh’Kar looked to see that it was a one-minute delay and decided it was more than enough time. “Tell me,” she called before Discornia stepped onto the pad, “is there anything you wish me to convey to Turretorg?” Confusion struck Discornia and she turned only to feel a hypospray inject something into her neck. Paralysis took hold and she crumpled to the floor. “When I reach the Halls of the Hallowed Dead,” declared Sh’Kar, “I shall find your beloved and remind him that his wife is a noble warrior and that she loves no other. Good bye, my friend. Live well in Turretorg’s name.” Sh’Kar then stepped onto the transporter pad. “Long live the Federation and the Klingon Empire!” Discornia was trying to make her limbs move before Sh’Kar could go. It was too late. Sh’Kar vanished into the transporter beam and she was carried over to the Enterprise replica. She made her way to the bridge and took Sulu’s place at the helm.

---

“The Enterprise is moving off,” Optimus reported to Richard over the main viewer.

“Then she’s not coming back,” sighed Richard. Mikhail then produced a bottle of Vodka. “…On the bridge?”

“If she succeeds, then you can drink to her courage,” replied Mikhail. “If she fails, you can still drink to her courage.”

“The Enterprise is engaging the enemy pursuers,” called Arsha. “She’s fired a torpedo into their center. They’re scattering…no, now they’re regrouping. Both sides are firing on each other.”

---

“A Constitution-class starship against us,” laughed Hiro. “How desperate are they?”

“The Enterprise is suffering a warp core breach,” reported Megatron. “I detect only one life-sign.”

“Beam it over,” ordered Hiro. As the Enterprise exploded, the life-sign was beamed over.

---

“…We’ve lost contact with the Enterprise,” sighed Optimus.

“As did we,” mumbled Arsha. Richard closed his eyes.

“May you find your husband and seek eternal bliss together,” Richard wished Discornia.

“I’m afraid I was prevented from making that journey,” replied Discornia’s voice. Everyone turned to see her step onto the bridge.

“Discornia?!” spluttered Richard. “But…then, who…Sh’Kar?!”

“She surprised me in the transporter room with a hypospray,” explained Discornia. “She believed I would honor Turretorg better by living a full life in his name.”

“Her sacrifice was NOT in vain,” declared Optimus. “The enemy fleet is still distracted, searching the wreckage for survivors! We’re too far ahead of them!”

“…The Leonidas maneuver,” sighed Richard.

“The what?” asked Arsha.

“A hero of our universe,” explained Mikhail. “He was the ruler of the Ancient Greek state of Sparta. He and 300 other Spartans covered their allies’ retreat as they held off their common enemy, the Persians.”

“Giving his life to protect his people,” realized Arsha.

---

“You’re the Klingon that was part of the fake foreign dignitaries that invaded this ship,” muttered Megatron. “Well, your sacrifice was made in vain. Order all ships to pursue and fire on the other ships.” Unfortunately, as the order was relayed, the rest of the fleet turned on each other and destroyed one another.

“…WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!” shouted Hiro.

“ropwI’qoq lo’taHvIS, qar’a’?” (My sacrifice was in vain, you say?) asked Sh’Kar. “sulughbe’; reH vIjaH vIbejDI’-batlh-qor!” (You are wrong; I still go to Sto-Vo-Kor!) At that moment, Dr. Borg came in with her cybernetics fully repaired.

“Sorry it took so long,” she remarked. “The damage was extensive. Oh, by the way, DID WE JUST BLOW UP OUR OWN FLEET?!”

“The computer virus Batman programmed was given enough time!” laughed Sh’Kar. “My sacrifice was so that I could get it the few precious minutes it needed! Now, your fleet cannot pursue my friends or be enough of a match to them! Heghlu’DI’ mobbe’lu’chugh QaQpu’ Hegh wanI’!” (Death is an experience best shared!)

“Kill her and pursue the enemy!” shouted Hiro.

“Yes to killing her, no to pursuit,” declared Megatron as his holo-form ran her through with his sword.

“I give the orders around here!” shouted Hiro.

“Do you, now?” asked Megatron. Hiro then pulled out his termination implant device and pressed the button…but nothing happened. He tried again…and again and again and again, but still nothing.

“Get your implant tuned!” ordered Hiro.

“I’d love to,” snarked Megatron as his holo-form took the implant out of his vehicle mode’s front, “but there’s a tiny problem with it,” he then crushed the implant. “It’s broken!”

“As is mine, unfortunately,” mused Dr. Borg as she pulled the remains of her implant out of her pocket.

“What I say now,” declared Megatron, “I say as a member of the alliance! Hiro, your obsession with Megumi has cost us an easy victory over Caan, as per our original arrangement! You are no longer worthy of leading this alliance! I am taking over!”

“HANRAN!” (MUTINY!) roared Hiro as he keyed in the transformation code on his phone. “HENSHIN!” He became Kamen Rider Rogue and changed his guns into shōtō mode, slashing at Megatron when he got close enough. Dr. Borg then made a magic dome form around the two combatants.

“None will interfere until a victor is decided,” she declared. Megatron blocked Rogue’s swords and shoved him back.

“I WILL TEAR YOU APART!” roared Rogue. “DAI SUPER CHARGE!” His armor bulked up, then flew off to reveal Kamen Rider Rift. He brought the Rift Breaker out and swung wildly. Megatron let himself get hit a few times and was knocked to the floor, panting, yet grinning.

“That’s the spirit!” he praised. “But, I was made a champion of the Pits of Kaon not only due to my savage might,” he then pulled out a red i.d. tag, “but also my CUNNING!” He then made Rift drop the Rift Breaker and inserted the i.d. tag into it before converting it to ranged mode.

“Final Attack!” it called.

“Megatron Rift Shot,” snarked Megatron as he pulled the trigger. A large energy blast hit Rift square in the chest and he landed on the floor, his transformation cancelling automatically and revealing how bloodied he was. Megatron tossed the weapon aside as it faded and grabbed Hiro’s face, hoisting him into the air and grinning. The Combatmen and Daleks stared, hoping Hiro would still defy Megatron.

“…All…hail…Megatron, leader of the alliance,” gasped Hiro.

“That’s what I thought you would say,” smirked Megatron. As Dr. Borg lowered the dome, Megatron released Hiro and let him tumble to the floor. “Get him healed up,” he barked at one of the Combatmen. “Helm, get us out of here. We’re going to my moon base.”

“I obey!” replied the Helmsman Dalek. Megatron then knelt by Sh’Kar’s body as Hiro was taken to Sick Bay. He opened her eyes, then unleashed a roar.

“…What was that about?” asked Dr. Borg.

“I warned the afterlife that a warrior was coming,” explained Megatron. “She fought us and still achieved her goal, even if she died in the process. She deserves to be honored.” He then got up. “Put the body in a torpedo and fire it out into the rift,” he ordered a Combatman.

---

“So THAT’S the answer!” declared Megumi as she finished the math problem she had trouble with before she was relieved of command. “Both sides are zero, meaning all real numbers are solutions!” She took a picture of her work, attached it to the assignment’s answer on the computer, and submitted it on the After Academy website. She felt a lot more at ease. “…I guess I DID need this,” she muttered to herself. Her door chimed. “Come in,” she bid. Liam came in.

“I just wanted to tell you that the Ark, Virginia, and Endeavor are coming back,” he explained.

“All right!” cheered Megumi.

“You seem happier,” observed Liam.

“I needed a break from all this for a bit,” she replied. She headed to the Docking Ring door and greeted everyone. “How did it go?”

“Mission accomplished,” replied Richard. “The Master Builders are freed.”

“Thank goodness,” sighed Wyldstyle. “I was having flashbacks from Lord Business.”

“Did you guys use a different plan than the suicide run?” asked Megumi.

“A little stealth was needed,” reported Richard.

“Thank goodness,” sighed Megumi. “So everyone’s all right?” Richard, Optimus, and Arsha winced. “…What happened?” asked Megumi. Everyone searched for a way to explain it. “…Somebody say something!”

“Sh’Kar…didn’t make it back,” sighed Optimus.

“…What?” breathed Megumi.

“Originally,” explained Discornia, “I was going to use a ship the Master Builders would make to cover the retreat and buy everyone time to return to Vorton. It was certain death and I was prepared to give my life for my friends. Sh’Kar surprised me with a hypospray and took my place aboard a working replica of Kirk’s Enterprise. Through her sacrifice, we made it back.” Megumi was speechless.

“Sweetie?” asked Richard.

“Get me Starfleet and the Klingon High Council,” directed Megumi.

---

Megumi, Optimus, Richard, Discornia, Blackarachnia, Jazz, and Lukas explained the whole situation to the Federation’s President and the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. “I’m sorry to report Sh’Kar’s passing,” sighed Megumi. “She was an excellent warrior and a good friend.”

“How?” asked the Federation President, an Andorian, as her antennae twitched in confusion. “How could one woman hold off an entire fleet with only a retired type of Starfleet vessel?”

“Does it matter?” asked the Klingon Chancellor. “She was a Dahar Master. She gave her life for a glorious and victorious cause. All other matters are irrelevant.”

“Chancellor, I trust you brought a bottle of bloodwine for this occasion?” asked Richard.

“A bottle?!” scoffed the Chancellor. “I’ve brought a barrel! 2207, her favorite vintage! I will not disgrace her name by using anything less!”

“Then I have only one thing to say,” declared the Federation President. “To Sh’Kar! A Starfleet Admiral and a Dahar Master! A noble warrior of both organizations!”

“To Sh’Kar!” replied the Chancellor.

“Sh’Kar!” everyone else cheered. Optimus then started singing.

“Mi’ qul qar’a’ (See the number of fires burning clearly,)

‘ej Do’ QI’ la’” (Good fortune for the mighty Commander!)

“QI’ DO’ Sum, qarI’ Do’ QI’la’” (Great luck, I discipline my hails of fortune to you, Commander!) sang the Federation President. At that moment, everyone was singing.

“Sutem pa’ rI’ tlho’ (Hail appreciation through your silence,)

mara’ ‘e’ Sh’Kar (Our Commander Sh’Kar!)

rI’qa’ (Hail again!)

rI’qa’ (Hail again!)

rI’qa’ (Hail again!)

DaSo’ pa qareH (You always cloak it thereabouts,)

QI’ ro’qa’ (The Fist of the Commander’s hits!)

ro’ qa’ (The Fist of the Commander!)

ro’ qa’ (The Fist of the Commander!)

ro’ qa’” (The Fist of the Commander!)

---

The ceremony had been over for a day when Optimus sat in his temporary quarters on Vorton. He had a bag of Energon munchies in his hand and was slowly eating the contents when someone cleared their throat. Optimus turned and looked around the room. “Down here,” directed a young voice. Optimus cast his optics down to see a boy, roughly nine years old, in a yellow jumpsuit with a cape and a mask. The suit had a white circle with a lightning bolt symbol on it.

“Bolt Boy, right?” asked Optimus. The boy nodded. “…Wait, you’re not…?”

“I’m supposed to fight you in the next round,” replied Bolt Boy.

“…Me?” quizzed Optimus. “I’m supposed to fight a human child?! I mean, I get that you have powers, but I’m a little iffy in fighting a child of my own species, much less a human!”

“I don’t wanna fight you either,” mumbled Bolt Boy, a little scared to admit why.

“Oh?” inquired Optimus. Bolt Boy nodded.

“If I zap you, you might fall on me and…well…squish me,” explained Bolt Boy.

“We’ve got to talk to the Chizarans,” declared Optimus.

“What can I say to make them change their minds?” asked Bolt Boy.

“I think, for this problem,” mused Optimus, “I should do the talking. Not that I doubt that your words won’t have weight, but they might consider my words a little more.” Bolt Boy scowled at hearing this. “I know, you want to say what you want, but, sadly, adults respect only an adult’s word at this moment.”

“Okay,” muttered Bolt Boy.

“Maybe you can tell me what your issues with this fight are, and I can tell them?” suggested Optimus.

“Okay,” replied Bolt Boy, feeling a little better that his feelings were being addressed.

---

Richard held Megumi in his arms as he usually did. She had gotten a better psych eval and had assumed command again. “This feels nice,” sighed Megumi.

“No arguments here,” replied Richard. “…Not that I wish to bring down the mood, but, how do you want to proceed with getting an explanation out of Mickey?”

“I don’t know,” answered Megumi. “I don’t feel like thinking about War, or Caan, or even Hiro right now. …Why don’t we take it one day at a time and see what happens?”

“I’m not so sure as I like the uncertainty of that arrangement,” muttered Richard.

“One thing IS certain,” purred Megumi. “Last night was a lot more fun now that I feel less stressed.”

“Anything for my Queen,” replied Richard.

“Pardon,” called a voice. The two yelped and saw a brunette woman in a maid outfit. “I apologize,” bid the maid. “I was sent here to inform you that I will be your opponent in this round. Megumi Hishikawa, correct?”

“That’s me,” replied Megumi. “And you’re Elizabeth, the Maid of Justice. Do you have fight terms in mind, or shall I lay them down?”

“You lay them down, Madame,” replied Elizabeth.

“Your mistake,” chuckled Megumi. “We’re going to play the Oldest Game. One of us will set the meter and make the first move. We will then offer ourselves as various things, the first being capable being killed by the other, and we continue until one of us loses their nerve, lacks imagination, being unable to shift into a defensive shape, or hesitates.”

“And our battlefield?” asked Elizabeth.

“You pick,” declared Megumi.

“My Master’s auditorium,” declared Elizabeth.

“Perfect,” praised Megumi. “Tell me, what do you plan to do with the Master Wand?”

“Oh, use it to help me clean the mansion, be there for my Master for eternity, get out of jams, the small stuff,” explained Elizabeth.

“The challenge has been set, the terms have been agreed upon, and the chance of victory is agreeable for both sides,” declared Rosadera’s voice. “Greterey, the toner-grey princess of Chizara and the family leader, will be judging. Tomorrow afternoon, your fight begins! Prepare and make ready! Good luck!”

“Farewell, Megumi!” called Elizabeth as she faded away.

“See you tomorrow!” replied Megumi.

---

“A pirate raid?!” yelped Arsha as she got the news on why Oak’s replacement never arrived in Glasna. “Why would pirates want to raid a shuttle?!”

“They believed,” explained Rokalla, “that the shuttle was carrying something of great value. When they discovered it was only carrying Denstra and her spouses, they simply held them as their hostages until we paid them 3,000 golds.”

“Did you?” asked Arsha.

“We were going to,” replied Rokalla, “but Denstra and her family had managed to join in on the pirate’s party and only suffered a hangover while the pirates are in cells on top of having a hangover.”

“They escaped by getting the pirates drunk?” quizzed Arsha.

“And they’re not going to attempt the journey to Glasna again,” continued Rokalla, “until your extradimensional affairs are completed.”

“I appreciate that,” replied Arsha.

“Well, all I can say now is Good Luck!” cheered Rokalla.

“Thank you, Admiral,” bid Arsha. “I’ll try to come home victorious. Arsha out.” As the call ended, a bunch of fruit then appeared. “Ah, Buncho, I presume,” greeted Arsha.

And You Must Be Arsha Royana. Arsha felt like she heard the words, but her ears somehow didn’t register that information. It was as if Buncho’s reply just teleported into her brain.

“Tell me, what do you intend to do with the Master Wand?” quizzed Arsha.

I Intend To Finally Bring My World To Order. The Veggie Army Is Too Strong And It Is Causing Chaos In The Salad Wars.

“Sorry to say, Ma’am, that I can’t let that happen,” declared Arsha. “That wand is too powerful for anyone to use. I know how to take care of you. I challenge you to a memory game. We will have to find thirty pairs of pictures hidden under cards. Whoever makes the least amount of mistakes is the winner.”

You Have Put Yourself At A Major Disadvantage. My Memory Surpasses Even The Chizarans. Where Will This Memory Game Be Held?

“My ship’s bridge,” replied Arsha.

Very Well, Arsha Royana.

“The challenge has been set, the terms have been agreed upon, and the chance of victory is agreeable for both sides,” declared Moradelia’s voice. “Graneutall, the neutral-grey princess of Chizara and the time leader, will be judging. Tomorrow afternoon, your fight begins! Prepare and make ready! Good luck!”

You Had Best Be Prepared To Lose. Buncho then vanished from Arsha’s room.

“I hope YOU’RE prepared as well,” Arsha warned.

While the chaos on the Dominus unfolded, Optimus, Ultra Magnus, Arsha, and Discornia were moving towards the main factory. Optimus and Ultra Magnus changed their alt-modes to delivery trucks of Shocker Rift design and changed their holo-forms into Combatmen. Arsha and Discornia were wearing perception filters so they would look like Combatmen as well. Optimus and Ultra Magnus drove up to the entrance of the factory. They were stopped by a pair of guards. “I don’t remember seeing you two on the manifest,” barked one of the guards. “What’s your intention here?”

“We were on a supply run,” explained Optimus. “We’re carrying a shipment of Taraxium in our trailers.”

“Hey,” the other guard whispered to the first, “Hiro-sama DID say that there’s a pair of truck out there getting Taraxium.”

“That run’s not supposed to return until 5:00 tonight,” replied the first guard. “Get a search going.”

“Sir, the Taraxium is urgently needed,” urged Optimus. “I would hate for you to explain to Hiro-sama why it was delayed.”

“Hiro-sama will understand in this instance,” hissed the first guard. “There’s chaos going on aboard the Dominus now and he needs to focus on that. Directive 12, subsection 3: any and all deliveries during a crisis will be stopped and searched so all attempts at resistance will be curtailed.” A Search Party arrived and the first guard laid out his instructions.

“This is bad,” gulped Arsha. “If they get too close, they’ll know!”

“You there!” called a voice both Autobots knew.

“And, of course, Megatron’s here,” groaned Optimus. Megatron stormed up to the guards.

“What’s going on?” Megatron demanded of the guards.

“We’re searching these vehicles,” explained the first guard. “A supposed Taraxium delivery has arrived too early. I have reason to believe it’s an attempt at resistance with all the chaos going on aboard the Dominus.”

“I’ll scan them, thank you,” barked Megatron as he took out a scanner wand and tablet. He waved the wand over the two Autobots and the tablet flashed red. Megatron examined the readings a bit, then put the scanner away. “Let them through,” he ordered. “They ARE carrying Taraxium.”

“Excuse me?!” snapped the first guard. “We’re supposed to…!”

“We cannot afford to delay the delivery, considering we’re running low on Taraxium in the first place!” countered Megatron. “All deliveries of Taraxium are given Alpha Priority, meaning nothing, not even a security check, must hinder them! Check what I said, if you must, but you are ordered to let them through! Is that clear?” The guard checked, then blanched when he realized Megatron was right. He turned to Optimus and Ultra Magnus.

“My apologies,” he bid. “I had no idea.”

“You were doing your duty,” dismissed Optimus. “Forget about it.” The guard waved Optimus and Ultra Magnus through and they headed to the loading bay. As they passed him, Megatron smirked. Optimus saw it in the rearview mirror. When they arrived, they helped unload the Taraxium and waited until the loading bay was cleared before dropping their disguises. The Autobots’ returned to their Mobian vehicle modes and Arsha and Discornia took off their perception filters. “He knew,” hissed Optimus as he and Ultra Magnus transformed to robot mode.

“You’re sure?” asked Discornia.

“Positive,” insisted Optimus. “He’s got a trap in mind.”

“Well, we can’t afford to speculate so much,” urged Ultra Magnus. “We have to free the rulers.”

“Come on,” directed Optimus. They snuck their way through the factories and found all the Master Builders toiling in chains.

“Just when I thought I wouldn’t see this kind of barbarism,” hissed Arsha.

“This universe’s Batman and Watevra Wa’Nabi must be around here somewhere,” mused Discornia. “If we free them, the Master Builders may be inspired to revolt against Shocker Rift.”

“Did you say you were going to free Batman and Watevra Wa’Nabi?” asked a voice. Everyone looked to see a dingy construction worker near them.

“Emmet, right?” asked Optimus.

“That’s me, the Special,” replied the construction worker, Emmet. “Listen, they’re being held right above us!” He pointed to the ceiling. Everyone looked to see that universe’s Batman and an amorphous blob of pink, red, orange, and yellow with a feminine face held in a cage above the workers. “On top of that, we’ve got termination implants in us! If we revolt, then we die!”

“We gotta find the counter frequency for the termination implants,” muttered Optimus.

“All I know is that any files related to that can be accessed from any console if you’ve got the right codes,” sighed Emmet.

“Then stand aside,” declared Optimus, “and let me work!” He connected to a console and began his work. It took a good while before Discornia cleared her throat.

“Well?” she asked.

“This IS taking a while!” hissed Ultra Magnus.

“Don’t rush me, guys!” whispered Optimus. “You rush a coder; you get rotten work! …Wait, I got it! …It looks like the termination implant frequencies vary from division to division. I found the frequency for you guys…and the Decepticons…and Dr. Borg and her gang? Hiro’s enslaved them?!”

“So, what do we do?” asked Ultra Magnus.

“…I got it,” declared Optimus. “That’s why Megatron wanted us to go through. He knew I could free him. Got the counter frequency for those types of implants…let’s see, first some Navajo, then a little Ig-pay Atin-lay…”

“We call that Boar Fae,” giggled Arsha.

“And now, since Megatron was an Autobot before,” continued Optimus, “a little Autobot Military…now to press send…he’s got it! Now to free everyone else!”

---

“What in the…?” muttered Megatron when he opened the message and translated the Autobot Military. “…What kind of words…? Eshklay ehdzay a-keh-di-gliniyay ehdzay esh-cheenay a-wohyay oe-ihglay o-chintlay a-emay e-ahs-jahnay o-da-ihnay ah-loszyay a-wohyay oe-ihglay e-ahs-jahnay a-wohyay oe-ihglay o-chintlay a-wohyay e-gahtsay ah-nes-tsaday ah-nahyay ehdzay a-e-donin-eetsay a-chiyay a-keh-di-gliniyay ehdzay eshklay ehdzay a-keh-di-gliniyay ah-nahyay ahtsay ah-jahyay intkay ah-tadyay e-gahtsay an-ziethay an-ziethay oe-ihglay a-khayay o-chintlay ahtsay ah-jahyay ibehday intkay al-na-as-dzoh…oh, Ig-pay Atin-Lay. Then that makes it… klesh dzeh a-keh-di-glini dzeh…Oh, Navajo…aha, the Counter Frequency! Now to apply it…7, 2, 4, 2, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 2, 1, 6…termination implant disabled! Thank you, Prime! …I can’t believe I said that.”

---

“Master Builder termination implants…disabled!” reported Optimus. “Now, to do something that will sound the alarm!”

“…Prime, no!” begged Ultra Magnus.

“PRIME, YES!” cheered Optimus as he leapt up to the cage, broke it open, got Other Batman and Watevra Wa’Nabi out, and landed in the middle of the factory floor. “MASTER BUILDERS, I HAVE SECURED FREEDOM FOR YOU!” he announced. “YOU CAN NOW ESCAPE WITH US!”

“No, they won’t!” called a Combatman. “They revolt; their termination implants kill them!”

“Try it,” challenged Optimus. “I already sent the counter frequency to their implants!” The Master Builder became a little more hopeful.

“A bluff,” scoffed the Combatman as he pressed a button. …Nothing happened. “What the?!” spluttered the Combatman. “Something’s wrong!”

“Told you!” taunted Optimus.

“Is Prime always like this?” Arsha quizzed Ultra Magnus.

“Frequently,” he sighed.

“GET THEM!” called Other Batman. The Master Builders then went on the attack! Constructing various weapons out of any object they could find, they managed to overpower the Combatmen. The enemy fled and Optimus led everyone out of the factory…at least, part of the way. He stopped everyone when he heard a voice.

“I wonder what the alarm is all about?” called the voice in mock ignorance. Optimus deployed his battle mask as the source of the voice rounded the corner. Everyone leveled their weapons at the speaker.

“You’re coming closer to being shot, Megatron,” warned Optimus.

“I wanted to make sure that nothing happened to this universe’s Batman and Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi,” replied Megatron.

“Hoping, no doubt, that your ‘concern’,” hissed Ultra Magnus, “would curry a political favor with them?” Megatron dropped the act.

“I suppose YOUR reasons for coming here,” he hissed, “are motivated STRICTLY by patriotism to your Prime?”

“I can assure you, I’m well aware of Ultra Magnus’ patriotism,” snarled Optimus, “and the sacrifices he’s made and continues to make so peace can be achieved once more! So, why don’t you go back to Hiro and…play butler?”

“Because the remaining Combatmen are deploying mechs,” replied Megatron. “You WILL need my help in getting around them. It’s only fair since you freed me from slavery. Who would have thought that all three Pax brothers would be fighting side…” he joined Optimus and Ultra Magnus and pointed his fusion cannon down the hall, the same direction as Optimus’ firearm, “…by side?”

“…Just remember,” warned Arsha, “when you fire that thing, you’re aiming it at one of the supposed mechs.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind, Your Highness,” chuckled Megatron. “For now, we must leave.” Megatron led everyone to the factory’s main outdoor yard and met with Combatmen and the mechs Megatron had warned everyone about. The battle really got heated as everyone fought.

“I must say, I find combat quite distasteful!” called Arsha as she summoned a fireball and flung it.

“I suppose you prefer the simplicity of a ball!” snarled Megatron as he ran his sword through a mech.

“I have to admit, that sounds a lot more civilized!” remarked Optimus as he fired on a few more mechs.

“Eyes upwards!” called Discornia as she pointed out multiple objects dropping from the sky.

“Missiles?” gulped Optimus.

“No, escape pods from the Dominus,” remarked Megatron. “I take it the chaos on that ship was a diversion for something?”

“You’ll find out later,” replied Optimus. “For now, we need another ship.”

“Did someone say they need a ship?!” asked a man in a blue astronaut suit.

“We do,” answered Arsha. “Got one in mind?”

“I’ve always wanted to build this particular ship!” cheered the astronaut. He then got busy using the factory and mechs to make the ship. “Spaceship! Spaceship!! SPACESHIP!!” called the astronaut. As the ship was being built, Guard and his teammates ran up to everyone.

“Need a hand?” asked Guard. He then spotted Megatron. “Prime, stand real still! I’ll get him!”

“He’s helping us get past the mechs!” yelped Optimus. “Don’t shoot him yet!”

“You DO know who that is, right?” asked Guard. “You know he’s committed a few atrocities, yes?”

“Your FACE committed a few atrocities!” hissed Optimus.

“…Wow, Prime, really?” remarked Megatron.

“Sadly, he’s still not the best at insulting his friends,” remarked Ultra Magnus.

“So sad,” sighed Megatron. He and his temporary allies then noticed the shadow that loomed over everyone and gazed upwards. “…No…not HIS ship!” Everyone turned their heads up and goggled. Optimus and Guard were grinning beneath their facial protection.

“A Constitution-class starship!” cheered Optimus.

“Look at the registry!” called Richard. “NCC-1701! No A, B, C, or D!”

“She’s magnificent!” Optimus replied in a reverent whisper.

“Why Kirk’s Enterprise?!” protested Megatron.

“17 separate temporal violations,” muttered Sh’Kar. “The biggest file the Department of Temporal Affairs has in their records. A menace to both the Federation and the Klingon Empire.”

“Again, why that ship?” asked Megatron. He was then decked in the face by Optimus and rendered unconscious.

“Ark, are all the Master Builders clear?!” called Optimus.

“All Master Builders clear,” replied Prowl’s voice.

“Then we gotta get out of here!” declared Richard. “Teletraan, can you take control of the Enterprise?”

“Already hooked up,” answered Teletraan. “The Enterprise will follow until Discornia takes control.”

“Discornia, I must ask one last time,” urged Guard, “are you ABSOLUTELY sure?”

“I am prepared to cover the retreat,” replied Discornia.

“It’s a suicide run,” warned Optimus.

“I am prepared,” insisted Discornia.

“Then we have nothing more to say,” sighed Guard. Just then, he gasped as it felt like the air was pushed out of his lungs. A Combatman had stabbed him in the back! The Combatman then yanked the knife out as Guard’s transformation was cancelled and he slumped to his knees as blood came down Richard’s back.

“VIRGINIA!” shouted Batman as he applied pressure to the wound. “MEDICAL BEAM OUT DIRECTLY TO SICK BAY!” Everyone was transported and arrived on their respective ships. Emily just entered Sick Bay and assessed the situation in a second.

“GET HIM ON THAT TABLE! FACE DOWN!” she ordered. Batman did so and Emily got her surgical instruments while preparing the scanner. “Not good! It looks like whatever stabbed him hit his lung! I have to…what the? Batman, are YOU seeing this?”

“The wound healing almost instantaneously?” asked Batman.

“Now I wish you DIDN’T see it,” muttered Emily. “I would have been assured I was going crazy right then!”

“Ow,” groaned Richard. “Is the anesthesia wearing off now?”

“Richard…I don’t know how to tell you this,” gulped Emily, “…er, you know Wolverine and Deadpool’s healing factor?”

“…What about it?” asked Richard.

“I think you’ve got it,” replied Emily.

“…Are you SURE your medical degree came from an accredited university?” asked Richard.

“Your wound just closed itself,” supplied Batman.

“That’s impossible!” argued Richard. “I felt the knife hit my back!”

“And it pierced your lung,” Emily went on, “but the lung healed, the skin healed with no scar tissue, and I didn’t even use my scalpel. It healed itself in a matter of seconds.”

“But…how…?” muttered Richard.

“I’m gonna need to ask you to stay here so I can examine you,” directed Emily. “I wanna know how you survived that.”

“No arguments from me, Doc,” replied Richard. “I wanna know myself.”