We had landed in the pits below. I got a bit of a snake-like labyrinth vibe down below. I felt something beneath me. \u201cAll right, who\u2019s under my dress this time?\u201d I muttered, a little annoyed that this happened twice. I counted noses. In all honesty, I wish it was one of my friends, but they were all accounted for. \u201cThen, who\u2026?\u201d I gulped, a little worried. I got up and moved forward. I turned, slowly, and saw that I was sitting on the skeletal remains of one of the previous tenants of those pits! I shrieked in horror and leapt into Richard\u2019s arms. We both tumbled down, with me on top of him. He wrapped his arms around me. \u201cEr, Richard, what are you doing?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForgive me, my lady,\u201d replied Richard in a teasing tone, \u201cbut for a lady to topple her rescuer is hardly proper. Thus, I must hold you here until you apologize.\u201d I arched an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been waiting for a chance to do this ever since I did the same on Vorton, haven\u2019t you?\u201d I guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe,\u201d said Richard coyly. I sighed. Since he was using my own trick against me, I may as well follow through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood Sir Knight,\u201d I murmured, \u201cyour princess would like to apologize for making you fall (despite it being beyond our control). Can you forgive me?\u201d He released me. \u201cJust wait until you leap into my arms!\u201d I warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we get out of here,\u201d muttered Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will,\u201d I assured him. \u201cWe just need to find Chen.\u201d The person we were looking for laughed after I said that. We looked around but couldn\u2019t see him. There were four paths branching off in a square pattern from the room we were in, all obscured by greenish smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll never find me!\u201d boasted Chen\u2019s voice. \u201cNo one has ever gotten through my maze of tunnels! You\u2019ll rot down here! Forever running in circles, never knowing where to turn!\u201d He finished with a laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s disconcerting,\u201d gulped Sheela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on,\u201d called Wyldstyle, \u201cI can see the way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow?!\u201d I said incredulously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSee these panels?\u201d asked Wyldstyle. I saw the panels and recognized the shapes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI get it!\u201d I realized. \u201cWe use them as a compass!\u201d Then a thought struck me. \u201cEr\u2026how?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith the good old fashioned Chroma Keystone,\u201d explained Wyldstyle as she pointed out the Chroma discs. I said no more as I took out my i.d tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHenshin!\u201d I announced. I swapped my i.d tag for Wyldstyle\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWyldstyle Steel!\u201d called my belt. With the armor changed, Wyldstyle and I set to work, making a clock like device with the hands holding the L-shapes at 4 and 8 and the circle in the center. The 8 o\u2019 clock hand was red, the circle was yellow, and the 4 o\u2019 clock hand was blue. Thank goodness, we found a Keystone transmitter down here. I got out of my Kamen Rider Royal persona and twirled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Wyldstyle. The discs formed the paint blobs. \u201cChroma lock, reveal!\u201d The design in white lines reappeared. \u201cLet\u2019s see, Chroma! Batman! Red!\u201d Batman jumped into the red paint and landed on the left L-shape in the lock design. \u201cChroma! Emmanuel! Blue!\u201d Emmanuel leapt into the air, passed through the blue paint, and then landed on the right L-shape in the lock design, spinning on his feet for five seconds until he stopped bowed. \u201cChroma! Yellow! Xiomara!\u201d Xiomara just ran through the yellow paint and stopped on the circle in the lock design. The light streams then moved toward the clock design as the hands spun and pointed at 3 o\u2019 clock. The paint vanished off the users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMerci,\u201d called Oren and Emmanuel to the compass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, are you lost?\u201d asked Chen. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019m SURE you\u2019ll get out eventually!\u201d We picked up the transmitter, went down the tunnel indicated by the hands, and arrived at a new room. \u201cOh hey!\u201d continued Chen. \u201cI\u2019ve sent some of my men to help you get out. They can be a bit heavy handed, but just let them take care of you!\u201d His cackling was interrupted by Luthor\u2019s roar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCHEN!\u201d he shouted. \u201cI WILL FIND YOU!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you really think you went the right way just then?!\u201d taunted Chen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIgnore him,\u201d I suggested as I set the transmitter down. To my surprise, I only saw one circle, a yellow one. \u201cErm, where are the others?\u201d I asked. Gandalf lit up a dark area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe I found one,\u201d he answered as he pointed out the red circle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think I can find the blue one,\u201d mused Batman. \u201cSheela, mind helping me out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure,\u201d obliged Sheela as she took out her i.d tag. \u201cHenshin!\u201d She then swapped out her i.d tag for the Batman one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBatman Steel!\u201d announced her belt. Kamen Rider Claw then fired the grapple gun, along with Batman and they pulled down a snake statue. As they pulled, Lex Luthor mentioned something about \u201cthis infernal maze!\u201d Batman and Claw got the blue circle out of the snake statue\u2019s mouth. Claw deactivated her suit and returned to being Sheela. Wyldstyle\u2019s gauntlet buzzed. We set up another compass. The left hand was red, the right hand was yellow, and the circle was blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma Keystone, activate!\u201d called Wyldstyle. \u201cChroma lock, reveal! Chroma! Yellow! Sheela! Chroma! Red! Batman! Chroma! Blue! Megumi!\u201d We all jumped into the paint blobs assigned and landed on the respective shapes in the lock designs. The hands moved to 12 o\u2019 clock. We grabbed the transmitter, headed into the tunnel indicated, and found a compass pointing at 3 o\u2019 clock already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWunderbar!\u201d (Wonderful!) cheered Lukas. We went down that tunnel and entered the room. We looked around to see if there could be something to make a compass. Wyldstyle\u2019s Master Builder senses were tingling and so she constructed one out of a snake statue, a pair of lanterns, and some sort of altar. Once finished, the hands were made so that left, was yellow, right was red, and the circle was blue. Chroma discs were already set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Wyldstyle. \u201cChroma lock, reveal! Chroma! Yellow! Tanisha! Chroma! Red! Gandalf! Chroma! Blue! Livia!\u201d They jumped into the paint blobs assigned while Lex Luthor screamed he would find Chen again. The painted ones landed on the respective shapes in the lock designs. The hands moved to 6 o\u2019clock. We headed down into the tunnel and entered a room where another compass was pointing at 9 o\u2019 clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is becoming easy,\u201d muttered Hongo with a little worry. We went down that tunnel and found another room with another compass pointing at 12 o\u2019 clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sense a trap,\u201d mused Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRecommendations?\u201d I asked. Emily smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpring the trap,\u201d she said. I agreed and led the group up the tunnel. We entered a room with a ton of skeletons and an altar with something on it. Wyldstyle smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother Keystone!\u201d she cheered. This keystone had four symbols on it. The top was a red circle with three lines protruding from the top, giving the appearance of fire. The left symbol was a small blue lightning bolt. The right one was a green circle with a line going up and a smaller diagonal line on the top line, making it look like an apple. The bottom symbol was a dark blue circle with three short lines on the bottom and separated from the circle. While Wyldstyle faced us at the altar, there was a hissing noise, like a snake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBehind you!\u201d warned Gandalf. Wyldstyle turned to see a giant, spikey, purple snake lifting its head! A portal opened above it and deposited a man in reddish robes with a staff on top of the snake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you think my master would make it so easy for you, Gandalf?\u201d asked the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSaruman the White, have you abandoned all reason?!\u201d protested Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot at all, my friend, Gandalf the Grey,\u201d replied Saruman, \u201cfor I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colors!\u201d He discarded the reddish robes and revealed new robes that shimmered and changed hue with his movements. It was dazzling to the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI liked your white robes better, Sharkey,\u201d hissed Michael as he spat the name Saruman took in the Scouring of the Shire at the end of the original book series by Tolkien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see you know some Orcish tongue, my young lad,\u201d said Saruman. \u201cWhy else would you alter the word \u2018shark\u00fb\u2019? In any case, white serves as a beginning. White cloth may be dyed! The white page can be overwritten; and the white light can be broken!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn which case, it is no longer white,\u201d argued Gandalf, \u201cand he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpare me your lectures, Gandalf!\u201d snarled Saruman. \u201cI have no use for them!\u201d Batman was unimpressed by Saruman\u2019s mode of transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA giant snake, is that all?\u201d taunted the Dark Knight. Gandalf, Wyldstyle and I tried, unsuccessfully, to get Batman to stop taunting Saruman. \u201cI think you\u2019ll find we\u2019re tougher than you expect!\u201d continued Batman. The snake lashed out, destroying the altar and grabbing the Keystone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen I\u2019ll make sure he chews properly,\u201d replied Saruman as he took the Keystone from the snake\u2019s mouth and fastened it to its upper jaw. Saruman then bound us in magic chains. Hongo managed to wiggle out and hurl a stone at Saruman. He lost concentration as the chains disappeared. \u201cVery well!\u201d snapped Saruman. \u201cElement of water, snake!\u201d The snake started firing ice blasts at us! I then got an idea and asked Wyldstyle to help me construct three ramps for the Batmobile to launch itself at the snake. Once I had transformed into Kamen Rider Royal and activated Wyldstyle Steel, we set to work. \u201cElement of fire, Saruman!\u201d Saruman started firing fireballs at us. I only wish they were the candy. The ramps were built as the snake stopped in front of the middle one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour mistake!\u201d called Batman. He got into the Batmobile and launched it at the snake, stunning it. Saruman tried to get it to move again while Batman saw a transmitter. He also noticed three giant snake heads with open mouths behind Saruman. \u201cBeen a while,\u201d he muttered. \u201cShift Keystone, activate! Cyan, in the mouth of the left snake head statue! Yellow, in the mouth of the middle snake head statue! Magenta, in the mouth of the right snake head statue!\u201d The portals opened. \u201cShift! Batman! Yellow!\u201d Batman went through the portal and appeared behind Saruman. The evil wizard had regained control of the snake as he got it to turn around and bite the platform Batman was on. It missed the Dark Knight, so Batman and Saruman dueled. Batman had managed to get Saruman to hit the snake, making it scream in pain and destroying the platform. I noticed that the Keystone was getting loose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeep at it!\u201d I encouraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou cannot win!\u201d shouted Saruman as he cast magic chains at us. \u201cMy master will rule all! I have seen it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSaruman, come to your senses!\u201d called Gandalf as he made a counter spell to break the chains and free us. \u201cNo victory can be had siding with evil!\u201d He mounted Shadowfax and charged up the left ramp. Shadowfax\u2019s hooves went deep into the snake\u2019s head, stunning it again. \u201cBatman, the cyan portal, if you please!\u201d said Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShift! Gandalf! Yellow!\u201d declared Batman. Gandalf landed inside the left snake head and cast a magic bolt to the snake. It turned around and sank its fangs into the platform. Saruman and Gandalf dueled for a while in close quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI implore you, stop this madness, Saruman!\u201d pleaded Gandalf. He then smacked his staff into the snake\u2019s head, causing it to reel in pain and destroy the platform. The Keystone was that much looser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll take it from here!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot a chance, little girl!\u201d countered Saruman as magic chains wrapped around me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m 5\u20195\u201d, you jerk!\u201d I shouted as I broke the chains with raw strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought average height in Japan was 5\u20192\u201d?\u201d asked Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnly among 17 year olds!\u201d I hissed. \u201cI\u2019m 19, in case you forgot!\u201d I mounted my horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElement of lightning, snake!\u201d announced Saruman. The snake fired an electric bolt at my horse. I suffered some minor electrical burns, but my horse shorted out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShadowfax,\u201d called Gandalf, \u201cassist Princess Megumi!\u201d Shadowfax ran up to me and had me mount him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know this is a quote from Gandalf\u2019s future,\u201d I whispered to the horse, \u201cbut run, Shadowfax! Show us the meaning of haste!\u201d The Lord of Horses understood that and responded by charging as fast as he could up the right ramp. He fell short, but my fist landed right on the snake\u2019s snout! Surprisingly, the blow I delivered had enough strength to stun a creature its size. Shadowfax landed on his hooves and ran back to Batman. \u201cI think there\u2019s only one portal left,\u201d I observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you could get off the horse,\u201d requested Batman. I dismounted Shadowfax. \u201cShift! Megumi! Magenta!\u201d I jumped into the portal and landed on the last platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI shall not allow this!\u201d boomed Saruman. \u201cElement of earth, Saruman!\u201d Rocks started flying at me. Some hit me, but I managed to hurl some at the snake. It roared in pain and destroyed the statue. I fell, battered and bruised, but alive. Saruman was thrown off unceremoniously screaming \u201cNO!\u201d He landed on the floor, then was sucked up by a portal which deposited Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWizards!\u201d scoffed Hiro. \u201cCan\u2019t do anything right!\u201d The snake was still thrashing around in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMOVE!\u201d shouted Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo need to tell us twice!\u201d confirmed Oren as we all ran back a safe distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStop, you stupid beast!\u201d ordered Hiro. Not a smart thing to say in the long run as the snake bashed him and its head into a wall, making a hole and knocking the Keystone off. Batman grabbed it as we charged into the new room to see Lex Luthor\u2019s mech looming menacingly over a terrified Master Chen. Chen made a move to grab the staff, but Lex Luthor didn\u2019t let him get it. Lex then grabbed the staff himself. He then commanded his mech to raise his foot over Chen with the intent to squish him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHand the staff over, Lex!\u201d hissed Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, don\u2019t do that!\u201d called Hiro as he came running up behind us, holding his jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had no intention of doing so,\u201d replied Lex. \u201cIn fact, Batman, come and get it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith pleasure!\u201d announced Batman. All Vortex Riders then got their i.d tags, Oren got out the durian Lockseed, and Hongo struck his Henshin pose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRider\u2026\u201d called Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHENSHIN!\u201d we all shouted. Hongo leapt over Lex and formed his suit, the Vortex Riders jumped into our respective circles, and Oren opened his Lockseed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDURIAN!\u201d it announced. Oren put it into his belt, the Sengoku Driver, and closed it. \u201cLock on!\u201d After a guitar riff, he sliced the lock open. \u201cDURIAN ARMS! MISTER DANGEROUS!\u201d The metal durian landed on his head, formed the undersuit, and unfolded to reveal Kamen Rider Bravo!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCatchphrases everyone!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Outback! Better watch your backs, mates!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Claw! My weapons shall turn you into ribbons!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Swing! I\u2019ll be taking your legs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Hunt! I shall always get my prey!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Clash! A duel with me shall end in your defeat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Climb! Mountains are a warrior\u2019s best friend!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Gallop! My riding skills are unmatched!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Sengoku! You shall get a taste of Feudal Japan!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Royal! Evil will ultimately bow to me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Guard! None shall harm my friends, family, and lady!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Touch\u00e9! En Garde, thing of evil!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Zh\u00e0nsh\u00ec! Try and stop my quest!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Arch! My skills outdo Robin Hood!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider K\u00e4mpfer! Your defeat will be certain at my hands!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Seeker! It\u2019s not gold I seek, but your end!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Battle! For friends and family, I shall be victorious!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Gandalf the Grey! Prepare to see some fireworks!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Wyldstyle! Time to think outside the box!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Batman! The Dark Knight rises!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am the start of a group of warriors! I am Kamen Rider!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCatchphrases, then?\u201d quizzed Bravo. \u201cVery well. Kamen Rider Bravo! Now, let us begin\u2026the pageant of death and destruction!\u201d We all stared at Bravo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEr\u2026needs work,\u201d I gulped nervously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re doing catchphrases\u2026\u201d began Hiro as he loaded his guns with his i.d tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen it\u2019s only fair you give us the same courtesy,\u201d finished the Rogue Driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHenshin!\u201d announced Hiro as he fired. He ran and spun into the circle, becoming Kamen Rider Rogue. \u201cKamen Rider Rogue. Stand and deliver!\u201d Lex considered his next move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEh, why not,\u201d shrugged the head of LexCorp. \u201cI am Lex Luthor! No one can defeat my impenetrable power suit!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd so begins your downfall,\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot quite,\u201d argued Rogue. He brought out two spheres. \u201cTurretorg, Discornia! I summon you!\u201d Turretorg came back with another monster sporting a feminine build. It had some sort of slinky strapless dress done up in a disco ball fashion, a large, blonde afro, blue disco balls for eyes, large red lips, puffy sleeves done up like disco balls, and silver platform shoes. The main body was silver. I presume this was Discornia. It spoke with a high soprano voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, how cute!\u201d it squeed. I tried to get the ringing out of my ears. \u201cLook at all these little backup dancers!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerhaps, my lady,\u201d mused Turretorg, \u201cbut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy lady?!\u201d I interrupted. \u201cHold on, there\u2019s such a concept as gender among you monsters?\u201d Discornia shrieked in horror as Turretorg growled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, there is!!\u201d shouted Turretorg. \u201cI\u2019m a male!! Discornia is a female!! Can\u2019t you tell?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never make it a habit to assume gender by appearance,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, can\u2019t fault her for that,\u201d mused Discornia. \u201cNot all of us are easily identified by our appearance. Sludgiona is a good example.\u201d She brought out a black staff with a small disco ball on each end. \u201cIn any case, it\u2019s time to defeat you and do so with style! Oh, Combatmen! Come here, my treasures!\u201d Shocker Combatmen swarmed us alongside Nova Shocker Combatmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVortexons, fall in!\u201d barked Turretorg. The Vortexons came through some portals that deposited them very quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLexbots, your master needs you!\u201d ordered Lex Luthor. Green robots with a gun arm, a cylinder with a single green light for a head, a three-fingered left hand, and a pair of treads for mobility came forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSlay them!\u201d shouted Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe pledge obedience!\u201d obliged Turretorg and Discornia. Discornia twirled her staff and went on the attack. She mainly used it for keeping us at bay while dazzling us with the light show she generated. The Combatmen kept attacking us as Lex fired from the gun arm of his mech and then launched a missile strike. Rogue almost got hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGIVE A GUY SOME WARNING, WILL YOU?!\u201d he shouted. The impact of the missiles made chroma discs fall. Batman and Wyldstyle found the nearby transmitter. Batman decided to make a distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve taken you down before and I\u2019ll do it again, Lex,\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can try!\u201d taunted Lex as he continued firing. The gun arm jammed. \u201cOh, for\u2026I THOUGHT I PATCHED THAT!\u201d He banged on the gun arm to get it to work, turning his back to reveal a Chroma design with all shapes in red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma Keystone, activate! Chroma lock, reveal!\u201d called Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSTOP HER!\u201d shouted Turretorg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot a bright move!\u201d I snapped. I managed to dispatch a good chunk of the enemy forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma! Red! Bravo!\u201d called Wyldstyle. Bravo leapt into the red paint and landed on each shape in the lock design. Lex\u2019s mech started smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPardon, Monsieur Luthor,\u201d apologized Bravo, \u201cbut you\u2019ve brought this on yourself.\u201d The design on Luthor\u2019s back changed so that the L-shapes were blue and the circle was yellow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma! Yellow! Batman! Chroma! Blue! Royal!\u201d announced Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLex, this is low, even for you,\u201d called Batman as we jumped into our respective paint blobs. \u201cStop this charade!\u201d The chroma lock made Lex\u2019s mech smoke again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill someone get these twits off my back?!\u201d shouted Lex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAllow me!\u201d called Discornia in her overly-cutesy voice. She spun clockwise three times, then twirled her staff over her head, and then tossed it, making the disco balls create a light show that almost dazzled us. That allowed Turretorg to give suppressing fire. The design on Lex changed once more with the left L being yellow, the circle being blue, and the right L being red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s easy!\u201d I announced. Bravo took the right L, I took the circle, and Batman took the left L. The mech was blown back into the wall, making it lose the staff and knocking Lex Luthor silly. Batman caught the staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMUST I CLEAN UP YOUR MESS?!\u201d roared Rogue to Lex. A portal opened near the mech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have failed me, Luthor!\u201d boomed Vortech\u2019s voice from the portal. Lex tried to get his mech to crawl away but was caught by Vortech\u2019s giant hand and dragged inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2026was\u2026that?!\u201d yelped Wyldstyle. The staff vibrated in Batman\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI-I-I-I-d-d-d-don\u2019t-t-t-t-kn-n-n-n-o-o-ow!\u201d he managed to get out. The staff then got out of Batman\u2019s hands, floated in the air, and managed to bond with the new Keystone. The upgraded staff then fell to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSecure the target!\u201d shouted Turretorg. We all made a mad dash for the staff, but it\u2019s original owner grabbed it first and spun around, trying to club us in the head. It managed to score a hit on Sengoku. My brother wobbled for a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNee-san!\u201d I called. \u201cDaij\u014dbu?\u201d (Are you alright?) He then said a snatch of an old Japanese nursery rhyme and fell, cancelling his transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think he has a concussion!\u201d responded Guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAllow me,\u201d called Touch\u00e9. Thank goodness, she has first aid\/CPR training. She managed to get Hiroki out of the way and stayed with him while we turned our attention to Master Chen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd now\u2026your punishment for cheating!\u201d he snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re still on about that?!\u201d called Battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI say we know who the real cheater is!\u201d supplied Bravo as he swung his swords at Chen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna use your empty skull for a bowling ball for the embarrassment you\u2019ve caused my forces!\u201d snarled Hiro. Chen jumped to a higher ledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, now,\u201d responded Chen, \u201cno need to get violent. I think we all need to COOL OFF! Element of water, Master Chen!\u201d Oh God, more puns! He managed to coat the entire room in ice, so we slipped for a bit while giant ice stalactites fell from the ceiling. Batman saw an opportunity to get near Chen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRogue! Royal! I need your help!\u201d called Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?!\u201d snapped Rogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRogue, our battle may be undecided,\u201d I said to my biological father, \u201cbut if we don\u2019t work together, no one will get the staff or the Keystone.\u201d Rogue considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d he asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan you use armor based on us like the Vortex Riders can?\u201d asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, why?\u201d quizzed Rogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you have armor based on me?\u201d asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, why?\u201d pondered Rogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to climb the stalactites and pull the end towards that wire,\u201d explained Batman as he pointed to a wire that travelled from one end of the room to Chen\u2019s position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we can hit him!\u201d finished Rogue. \u201cPerfect!\u201d He then leveled his guns at Batman and fired! Batman felt pain but didn\u2019t die. Rogue had made two red semi-circles with Batman\u2019s symbol on it, his version of the Batman i.d tag, I believe. He loaded the new i.d tag into the guns. He then pointed his guns to the side and fired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right! Batman Steel!\u201d announced the Rogue Driver. Rogue\u2019s wardrobe closed on him at both sides before dissolving. His version of Batman Steel had turned the jacket black with a bat wing design and added points to his now black hat. I just put my i.d tag into my belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBatman Steel!\u201d called my belt. After I had changed, we went across the stalactites and fired our grapple guns to yank the ending stalactite towards us. While that was going on, Chen was firing ice blasts at us. When we got on the ending stalactite, we used our weight to tilt it towards the wire. We got on and slid down the wire. Thank goodness we had protective gloves on us. We would have suffered rope burn otherwise. We then ran towards Chen as we landed on his platform. Then the punching began! Chen managed to score some hits on us, but we barely felt them. I then punched him in the face, which prompted him to hurl us off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOw!\u201d he cried. \u201cThat one hurt! You know, you could just let me win. I mean, would it cost you the EARTH?! Element of earth, Master Chen!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot another pun!\u201d snarled Turretorg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd just when you proposed!\u201d protested Discornia. I would have commented on the fact that Turretorg intends to marry someone, but I had more pressing matters on my mind. The ice disappeared as a set of ramps of stone with vines tangling everything. Boulders were rolling down towards us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the heck!\u201d yelped Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIndy moment!\u201d I shouted. What I wouldn\u2019t give to see Dr. Jones in this situation. The snake motif everywhere and the giant snake Saruman rode on might have made him shake though. A Shocker Combatman patted the shoulder of a Shocker Nova Combatman and a Vortexon and pointed at something under the ramps. After a conversation of \u201cYee!\u201d from both Combatmen and electronic warbling from the Vortexon, they spoke to Turretorg and Rogue. Somehow, they can understand Combatmen and Vortexons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s a good plan, don\u2019t you, sir?\u201d asked Turretorg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn excellent plan, one worthy of promotion,\u201d confirmed Rogue. \u201cI\u2019ll arrange your promotions with your bosses.\u201d That got the Combatmen and Vortexon excited. Their compatriots grumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat did they say?\u201d asked Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey noticed nooks and crannies in the walls supporting the ramps,\u201d explained Turretorg. \u201cThey\u2019re big enough for one of us to fit in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey also noticed that the boulders are falling in a set time,\u201d continued Rogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI get it,\u201d realized Wyldstyle. \u201cHide in the nooks and crannies as we go up and calculate the timing of the boulders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a good idea, don\u2019t you guys?\u201d I asked. I then noticed something. \u201cWait, where\u2019s Zh\u00e0nsh\u00ec and K\u00e4mpfer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOVER THERE!\u201d called Discornia. Those two were already on the ramps, dodging the boulders on their way up! They managed to get up there and land some hits before Chen hurled them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s HEAT things up a bit, shall we?\u201d joked Chen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me guess, fire,\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElement of fire, Master Chen!\u201d announced Chen. The whole room was flooded in lava! My thoughts headed to Touch\u00e9 and Hiroki as the heat could NOT be good for a concussion. Thankfully, Touch\u00e9, who had cancelled her transformation, had gotten Hiroki to higher ground and kept him in a cool, dark place. Thank goodness. Lava\u2019s the last thing I would wish on anyone, even Rogue. Rocky platforms had appeared in the lava, giving Batman an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs the transmitter intact?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGot it right here!\u201d replied Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShift Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Batman. \u201cCyan, on the platform near us! Yellow, on the platform near Chen\u2019s right! Magenta, on the platform near Chen\u2019s left!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat have you got in mind?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to use someone to confuse Chen by going through different portals,\u201d whispered Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me do it,\u201d called Guard. I nodded that it was okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShift! Guard! Cyan!\u201d announced Batman. Guard went to the cyan portal. Chen fired some fire balls at him, but Batman shifted him to yellow. Chen retargeted Guard, but he ended up in the magenta portal. He then jumped from the platform and whacked Chen on the back of his head. Chen then hurled him back to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHa! Good hit!\u201d praised Chen. That\u2019s it, he\u2019s on the end of his rope. \u201cWell, well, this is quite a battle, eh? I would even call it ELECTRIFYING! Element of lightning, Master Chen!\u201d The lava disappeared and was replaced with water. Chen dipped his currently zappy staff into the water, electrifying the whole place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny ideas?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe chroma discs are back,\u201d replied Wyldstyle. \u201cThere\u2019s also a design up there,\u201d she pointed to a chroma design held by a hanging snake statue with a red circle, a blue left L shape, and a right yellow L-shape, \u201cbut there\u2019s still the matter of the electrified water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Batmobile can handle some electricity,\u201d explained Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you sure?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Joker tried to put 1,000,000 volts into it,\u201d replied Batman. \u201cIt only served to power it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDang, that\u2019s a tough car you\u2019ve got!\u201d I complimented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Wyldstyle. \u201cChroma lock, reveal!\u201d Thank goodness Batman\u2019s driving the Batmobile because the lock design appeared in the middle of the floor. \u201cChroma! Yellow! Batman!\u201d Batman drove the Batmobile into the yellow paint and hit the right L-shape. \u201cChroma! Blue! Batman!\u201d Batman drove through the blue paint and hit the left L-shape. \u201cChroma! Red! Batman!\u201d Batman drove through the red paint and hit the circle. The lights hit the statue, making it fall and knock Chen to the ground, making him drop the staff, cancelling out the electric water. Rogue, Turretorg, and Discornia made a dash for the staff and Keystone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo!\u201d I shouted. \u201cRIDER ROYAL KICK! I kicked Rogue in the head, stunning him for a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDURIAN SQUASH!\u201d announced Bravo\u2019s Lockseed as he made a wave of energy from his crest which hit Turretorg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER KICK!\u201d called Ichig\u014d as he kicked Discornia. Batman grabbed the Keystone while Gandalf took the staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a little gaudy,\u201d muttered the wizard, \u201cbut it\u2019s always good to have a spare.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should keep them separate,\u201d suggested Batman. I nodded in agreement. Turretorg and Discornia were sparking, about ready to explode as most monsters do in Kamen Rider<\/em>, from what Hiroki told me. Speaking of which, Hiroki was coming back to us with Emily helping him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat did I miss?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou haven\u2019t missed anything,\u201d replied Rogue as he recovered from my kick. He saw the sparking monsters. \u201cTurretorg, Discornia, return!\u201d They turned back into their sphere forms and flew to Rogue\u2019s hands He put them away for later use. \u201cNow, as for\u2026\u201d He was hit on the head by Gandalf and lost consciousness, canceling his transformation. A portal opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd now you\u2019ve failed!\u201d boomed Vortech\u2019s voice as his giant hand retrieved Hiro\u2019s unconscious body. Another portal opened and sucked up Chen\u2019s body. I didn\u2019t feel a sense of dread, so it was probably ours. Chen must have been returned to his seat up top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFlying monkeys, giant robots, ninjas,\u201d mused Wyldstyle, \u201cshall we find out what\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMay I join you?\u201d asked Bravo as we canceled our transformations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo right ahead!\u201d I agreed. We mounted got on our vehicles, bar Hiroki being put on Emily\u2019s horse since she wanted to keep an eye on him. Oren had admitted that this was his first time riding a horse. We all charged through the portal with Gandalf falling off Shadowfax while trying to ride with two staffs in hand. Batman\u2019s grappling hook wrapped around the Grey Wizard as he was taken into the portal. We all made our way back to Vorton!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We had landed in the pits below. I got a bit of a snake-like labyrinth vibe down below. I felt something beneath me. \u201cAll right, who\u2019s under my dress this time?\u201d I muttered, a little annoyed that this happened twice. I counted noses. In all honesty, I wish it was one of my friends, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":107,"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":[14,16,13,9,31,17,30,12,33,15],"class_list":["post-106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-chapters","tag-batman","tag-gandalf","tag-hiro-adachi","tag-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-bravo","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-master-chen","tag-megumi-hishikawa","tag-saruman","tag-wyldstyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106","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=106"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions\/108"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}