{"id":100,"date":"2020-06-01T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=100"},"modified":"2020-06-09T14:29:53","modified_gmt":"2020-06-09T18:29:53","slug":"chapter-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/chapter-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 10"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once he and Turretorg were retrieved, the Joker spoke to Lord Vortech back on Foundation Prime as he had an ice pack on his head. \u201cAnd then they stole this shiny thing I found!\u201d he reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cChance meetings and setbacks to your petty pilfering do not concern me,\u201d dismissed Vortech. He pulled out the nuclear rod. \u201cWe have the Foundation Element, that is all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTrust me,\u201d warned the Joker, \u201cif you underestimate the Cr\u00eaped Crusader, you\u2019ll end up getting battered!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLike yourself?\u201d snickered Hiro. The Joker growled. Hiro poured himself a glass of wine. \u201cA toast, to a successful mission,\u201d praised Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaybe the rest of us would celebrate,\u201d snarled an angry, male voice, \u201cif we didn\u2019t suffer!\u201d A Japanese man strode up in a black suit with black armor, a gold eagle for a belt buckle, a black cape with a green interior, a gold right hand and left pincer claw, and an elaborate gold and black headdress covering the head aside from the face, making him look like a pharaoh of Egypt, and gold moth antennae on top. He carried a red whip and was flanked by Shocker Combatmen. This was the current leader of Shocker, Ambassador Hell. \u201cJust look at what they\u2019ve done to us!\u201d snarled Ambassador Hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSpare us the melodramatics, Ambassador Hell,\u201d Vortech waved off. \u201cHiro\u2019s right about the mission being a success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis isn\u2019t about success or failure of a mission!\u201d protested Ambassador Hell. \u201cThe Vortexons and the Joker\u2019s minions are creating dissension among the ranks of Shocker! These savages are a threat to this whole operation! They should be confined, restrained even!\u201d He was punched in the face by Turretorg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could not produce a restraint strong enough to hold us Vortexons!\u201d it boasted. It turned to Hiro and Vortech. \u201cIn any case, my lords, Comms-Op is receiving a call from Dimension K-A-M-3-N-R-1-D-3-R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is their reason for calling us?\u201d asked Ambassador Hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow did they even get this dimension?!\u201d asked Vortech as he handed the nuclear rod to a Vortexon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUnclear, Lord Vortech,\u201d reported Turretorg. \u201cAll we can glean is that the caller will only speak to Hiro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMe?\u201d yelped Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey requested you by name, my lord,\u201d confirmed Turretorg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPatch it here,\u201d ordered Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI pledge obedience,\u201d saluted Turretorg. It fiddled with a machine which made a giant view-screen come out of the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is Hiro Adachi, Kamen Rider Rogue,\u201d demanded Hiro. \u201cState your business or face destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHiro-san, now really,\u201d purred a feminine voice, \u201cis that any way to address your lover?\u201d A Japanese woman appeared on the screen. She wore a white lab coat with a red arm band on the left arm, a woman\u2019s business suit, with pants, short, black hair, and was flanked by Shocker Combatmen. These had the skeletal motif made in raised silver and had armor on the suits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIgura!\u201d cheered Hiro as a smile appeared on his face. \u201cI heard from Ambassador Hell that you were dead!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI was,\u201d confirmed Igura, \u201cbut I had some help in coming back. Sadly, Urga and Buffal weren\u2019t so lucky.\u201d She heard a snicker and saw Ambassador Hell with a look of amusement on his face. \u201cI\u2019m glad to see that my allies\u2019 permanent death causes amusement for you,\u201d hissed Igura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh, you misjudge me,\u201d countered Ambassador Hell as he sobered up. \u201cI shall miss them deeply. They were worthy adversaries. In any case, why are you calling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCan you get the person creating portals to send one to my base?\u201d asked Igura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course, my dear,\u201d obliged Vortech. \u201cBring your minions as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThank you,\u201d said a grateful Igura as she bowed. The transmission ended as a portal opened to let the last remnant of Shocker Nova onto Foundation Prime. Igura broke into a sprint and gave Hiro a hug which he reciprocated. Ambassador Hell rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs that jealousy I detect, Ambassador?\u201d mused Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHiro,\u201d purred Igura, \u201cmy men need access to your database. Could we use it?\u201d She gave a sweet smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAbsolutely not, traitor!\u201d hissed Ambassador Hell. Igura and Hiro rolled their eyes as they broke their embrace and glared at Ambassador Hell. \u201cThat database is for Shocker use only! Traitors like you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat our old boss, Damon, meant, Igura-chan,\u201d interrupted Hiro, \u201cis that our entire database is open to Shocker Nova. Feel free to use it at your leisure, my sweet eagle.\u201d He kissed Igura\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFlatterer,\u201d complimented Igura as she walked off to a terminal with a smile on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSurely, you don\u2019t mean that?!\u201d protested Ambassador Hell. \u201cHow did you even know my real name?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s unimportant,\u201d dismissed Hiro. \u201cWhat IS important is that I was most sincere when Igura could use our entire database at her leisure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt builds trust, you see,\u201d supplied Vortech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey don\u2019t need to know every single detail about our military operations!\u201d protested Ambassador Hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe decision has already been made,\u201d shrugged Vortech. \u201cIn fact, I\u2019ve seen how effective the Nova Combatmen have proven, so from now on, whatever decision you make about Shocker must be submitted to Igura for approval and, if approved, she will submit it to me either in person or through Hiro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat will NOT happen!\u201d declared Ambassador Hell. The tension could be cut with a knife. Vortech then used his powers to lift Ambassador Hell into the air and throw him into the wall. Hiro then walked over to the Shocker Leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI trust that was an unguarded emotional comment,\u201d he whispered, \u201cso I will convince Vortech to ignore it THIS time. Make plans to do exactly as you\u2019re told or I will have you move for practice six feet underground!\u201d Hiro stormed off to help Igura with access to the database while Ambassador Hell looked onwards. \u201cNow,\u201d said Hiro to the Joker as he moved towards the terminal, \u201cwhere\u2019s the robot? I had it modified to use the Keystone for your use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd a keystone is\u2026?\u201d ventured the Joker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPurple shield thing?\u201d explained Hiro, hoping the Joker would catch on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh, the shiny thing Batman took!\u201d exclaimed the Joker with a grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait a sec,\u201d gulped Hiro as his smile turned into a warning one, \u201cis that what really happened, or a joke?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s what happened,\u201d explained the Joker, unaware of the now dangerous position he was in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat a terrible joke,\u201d whispered Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI told you, it wasn\u2019t a\u2026\u201d the Joker was interrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou allowed the Vortex Riders to take the Chroma Keystone?!\u201d snarled Hiro. \u201cDO YOU HAVE ANY NOTION OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR BLUNDER?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait a sec,\u201d yelped the Joker, \u201cwe have the Foundation Element. I don\u2019t see why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI DON\u2019T CARE ABOUT SOME TRINKET!\u201d roared Hiro. \u201cMy daughter and her little band have a color activated Keystone, meaning any and all Chroma-locks are under their control!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDaughter?\u201d quizzed Igura. Hiro slightly relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow about I tell you what happened in my absence from Shocker,\u201d he offered as he turned and led Igura away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, we had arrived back on Vorton. Lord Business massaged his rear. \u201cThat could have gone a little more smoothly,\u201d he said. A portal opened back to his home dimension. \u201cI believe that\u2019s my ride,\u201d said Lord Business. \u201cWell, it\u2019s been fun, but I have some reconstruction to do. Oh, before I go,\u201d he handed us a bag of studs, \u201cI believe the total should be 160,000 studs. Bye bye!\u201d He stepped into the portal and it disappeared<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere it is, the Chroma Keystone!\u201d exclaimed the voice. \u201cNow we\u2019re talking!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLet\u2019s see what this one can do,\u201d mused Batman. \u201cChroma Keystone, activate!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIncorrect Keystone request,\u201d reported Batman\u2019s gauntlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?!\u201d snapped Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI guess you can only use the Shift Keystone,\u201d I guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen who\u2019s using the Chroma Keystone?\u201d asked Emily as the Keystone attached itself above the Shift Keystone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">+GATEWAY 40% STABILIZED+ reported my belt. +MINIMAL SECURITY MEASURES ONLINE+<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe won\u2019t be blindsided then,\u201d sighed Emily in relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">+ALERT+ called my belt. +UNKNOWN PRESENCE DETECTED IN CAFETERIA+<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou were saying?!\u201d I hissed as I drew my sword. We all flew down to the cafeteria. The doors were closed. \u201cOn three, we swarm the place,\u201d I directed, \u201cIchi! Ni! SAN!\u201d We burst in and spread out to give ourselves cover. What we saw just\u2026wasn\u2019t possible! There, holding a small glass of water, in all of her green skinned- black wearing, pointy hatted glory, was the Wicked Witch of the West! She saw us and gave a smirk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRed alert,\u201d she joked. She then drank the contents of the glass! My eyes widened. Surprisingly, she wasn\u2019t dissolving and squawking \u201cOh, what a world! What a world!\u201d As she finished, she licked her lips and sighed. \u201cYou know,\u201d she mused, \u201clong before I was a Wicked Witch, I used to drink this religiously. I missed that part of my past. Of course, that was negligible as I had better things to do than try and find a cure to my old water allergy, like conquering Oz.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUp to your old tricks?\u201d asked Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI haven\u2019t the vaguest notion of doing so at this point in time, Rosie\u201d dismissed the Witch, making a reference to Emily\u2019s dress, \u201cconsidering that there\u2019s something greater going on. I need to destroy it before it destroys me. But, that\u2019s rather hard for me to do. I no longer have any magic! I was hoping to go into business with your wizard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy dear lady,\u201d protested Gandalf, \u201cyou gave us magic folk a bad name! Couldn\u2019t you have toned the wickedness down a tad?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d purred the Witch, \u201cI found good to be dumb.\u201d She then saw my expression. \u201cYou don\u2019t believe me. Do you really think I would humiliate myself like this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen it serves,\u201d replied Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s the truth!\u201d insisted the Witch. \u201cWhat you see before you is a defrocked Elphaba Thropp, condemned to live out her days as a normal person!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe question of whether or not you have magic is irrelevant,\u201d I dismissed. \u201cThe question of your return to life, however, I would like answered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs would I,\u201d replied Elphaba. \u201cLast time I saw you, I was melting away in my observatory. The next thing I knew, I woke up, screaming in the dimensional vortex. After that, I ended up here. That\u2019s all I know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour compassion,\u201d explained Elphaba. Need I describe how I felt about that? \u201cAll right,\u201d Elphaba tried again, \u201csanctuary on Vorton, dreary as it is for all parties concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGet on that broomstick of yours and get out!\u201d I demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have no powers!\u201d protested Elphaba. \u201cYou look upon Elphaba Thropp, the ordinary!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cElphaba the Tyrant!\u201d I argued. \u201cElphaba the Conqueror!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cElphaba the Miserable!\u201d Elphaba argued back. \u201cElphaba the Desperate! What must I do to convince you?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTake a swim,\u201d suggested Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh, very clever, you poor excuse of a winged monkey,\u201d snarked Elphaba. \u201cEat any good books lately?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor the last time, I\u2019m a bat!\u201d snarled Batman. \u201cNot a dog! Not a brat! And I\u2019m CERTAINLY not one of your Flying Monkeys!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou wish for compassion? Sanctuary?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes,\u201d confirmed Elphaba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHongo-san, Duke Emmanuel, Dame Emily,\u201d I directed, \u201chave the computer help put Elphaba in the brig.\u201d A grin crossed Emily\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDelighted, Your Highness,\u201d she chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can\u2019t do this to me!\u201d protested Elphaba. Emily then grabbed her by the shoulder, digging her nails into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou will walk,\u201d ordered Emily as a blue path lit up for her, \u201cor I will carry you.\u201d Emmanuel was holding the door open while Hongo directed them to leave with is hand and a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c\u2026Given the option,\u201d mused Elphaba, \u201cI\u2019ll walk.\u201d With Emily\u2019s hand still firmly on Elphaba\u2019s shoulder, the group was led to the brig. Emily picked out the cell wand led the boys back up to the cafeteria. We decided to have lunch while we pondered our options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf she can drink water,\u201d guessed Irina, \u201csplashing her in the night won\u2019t do the trick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI hate to pander to a stereotype of a manner-driven culture like most Southern states,\u201d replied Richard, \u201cbut I fail to see the honor in killing her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI fail to see the honor in letting her live,\u201d argued Lukas. \u201cShe has proven unrepentant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHer comments have demonstrated that fact,\u201d I granted, \u201cbut Mom always said that mercy is the greatest weapon of all time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe usually follows up with a warning to the effect of mercy being misused!\u201d argued Hiroki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen it comes to killing,\u201d I countered. \u201cIf we kill her, who are we being merciful to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe multiverse,\u201d replied Xiomara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToo vague,\u201d countered Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not exactly wild about her coming back,\u201d agreed Wyldstyle, \u201cbut there are other ways to deal with her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf she stays,\u201d argued Michael, \u201cwe\u2019ll probably have two messes to contend with instead of just one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI say we listen to Megumi,\u201d suggested Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou cannot be serious!\u201d protested Hiroki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf we kill her when she didn\u2019t make any threatening moves against us or the multiverse,\u201d explained Gandalf, \u201cwe would prove ourselves as low as the enemy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019ve killed people before!\u201d argued Hiroki. Probably not the brightest thing to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI gave them a chance to back off before I attacked,\u201d hissed Gandalf with a hint of anger. \u201cI never kill unless it\u2019s the last resort!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSomeone, talk some sense into him!\u201d cried Hiroki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe speaks sense,\u201d argued Mikhail. \u201cThere is no need to kill Elphaba.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cReally?!\u201d snapped Irina. \u201cMy younger brother decides to let a known threat live?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe has made no move to attack us,\u201d countered Mikhail. \u201cI say we observe her. If she makes a move against us, all bets are off and she dies. If not, she may prove valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHer magic is impressive,\u201d observed Tanisha. \u201cI agree with Mikhail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs do I,\u201d called Emily as she, Hongo, and Emmanuel reentered the cafeteria. \u201cShe had given us valuable info on operations in Oz. Once she helped us, she could only do a simple levitation spell. Her story on once being powerless checks out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd you three are just taking her word for it?!\u201d yelped Haitao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course not,\u201d replied Emmanuel. \u201cLie detectors line the cells in the brig. It proves useful for interrogation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd on a side note, her compliment on my and Emmanuel&#8217;s dresses proved sincere,\u201d supplied Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMuch as I want to rehabilitate her,\u201d argued Richard, \u201cwe\u2019ll need more proof than a compliment on your clothes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen she stays alive so we get that proof,\u201d I said with a tone of finality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNee-san, please!\u201d protested Hiroki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour princess has made her decision!\u201d I declared. \u201cKilling Elphaba in any way, shape, or form is out! Am I clear?\u201d Silence permeated the room. \u201cGood.\u201d I said. \u201cNow, let\u2019s get our meals. Bring one to Elphaba.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ll bring it to her,\u201d volunteered Emily. Elphaba\u2019s meal was a chicken breast with broccoli. As we ate, Emily eating with our prisoner, the debate ran through my mind. Throughout the journey, I was hellbent on killing Hiro. Looking back, that might be an escape for REAL justice for him and his allies. I started mulling over options on keeping him confined for life. Hongo\u2019s right, killing someone should always be a last resort. We then finished our meals, took our showers, and then headed for bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back in the Simpsons world, Death had arrived at a house. She knocked on the door to reveal a girl in stereotypical goth clothing. \u201cPardon me,\u201d whispered Death, \u201cmay I have a moment of your time, Ms. Lacey?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure,\u201d agreed the girl, Lacey. Death was let in. \u201cWhat are you doing here? Business as usual? Am I your client?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHardly,\u201d replied Death. \u201cI\u2019ve been away on a long journey and saw something\u2026peculiar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s that sword you gave Mom,\u201d guessed Lacey. \u201cThat stupid looking thing that you told her never to touch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour mother\u2019s \u2018stupid\u2019 sword?\u201d asked Death as she sat down. \u201cThe one that feels \u2018wrong\u2019 to you?\u201d She held out her hand. \u201cGive it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGive you the sword?\u201d quizzed Lacey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor a moment only,\u201d whispered Death. Lacey got the sword down from the mantelpiece. It was a broadsword in a black scabbard with a silver handle and guard. \u201cCan you see any markings on it?\u201d asked Death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo,\u201d answered Lacey. \u201cKind of plain, if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow about now?\u201d asked Death as she casually tossed the sword into the fire. Lacey gasped and rushed towards it only to be held back by her visitor. \u201cWait!\u201d hissed Death. \u201cDo you desire it so much?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c\u2026N\u2026no!\u201d stammered Lacey. \u201cBut why burn it?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause I had unwittingly given your mother a fragment of the enemy\u2019s power!\u201d explained Death as her whispering voice went up a fragment. \u201cIt will corrupt and destroy any who have it until he or she passes under the enemy\u2019s power. Named after the enemy\u2019s desire for a perfect world, this was called the Foundation Saber!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat isn\u2019t how Mom kept her appointment with you, is it?!\u201d gulped Lacey, getting frantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo, she is still safe from the enemy,\u201d assured Death, \u201cbut you are in danger!\u201d Death then picked up the sword from the fire. Much like the One Ring, the sword was unharmed. Death tossed it to Lacey, who instinctively caught it. She was surprised at the temperature. \u201cReveal part of the blade,\u201d instructed Death. Lacey blinked, but obeyed. Instead of metal, the blade seemed to be made of solid space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was metal before, I swear it!\u201d declared Lacey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh no, this is the Foundation Saber\u2019s natural state,\u201d whispered Death as she took the sword back. \u201cStay here. I must take it and seek out War, the one who was duped into making this thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBe safe,\u201d called Lacey. Death left the house with the sword, mounted her white horse, and charged off into a portal of her own design.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Once he and Turretorg were retrieved, the Joker spoke to Lord Vortech back on Foundation Prime as he had an ice pack on his head. \u201cAnd then they stole this shiny thing I found!\u201d he reported. \u201cChance meetings and setbacks to your petty pilfering do not concern me,\u201d dismissed Vortech. He pulled out the nuclear [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":83,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,8],"tags":[14,26,20,16,13,25,9,17,27,28,12,15],"class_list":["post-100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-chapters","tag-batman","tag-death","tag-elphaba","tag-gandalf","tag-hiro-adachi","tag-joker","tag-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-lacey","tag-lord-vortech","tag-megumi-hishikawa","tag-wyldstyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1064,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100\/revisions\/1064"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}