\u201cYou run out of things to hide behind yet?\u201d asked Batman to Vortech. \u201cLet\u2019s settle this mano a Bat-mano!\u201d Lord Vortech chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs you wish!\u201d he said. He raised his staff into the sky and started raising walls from the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe walls!\u201d gulped Wyldstyle. \u201cThey look like the ones in the Gateway room!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m beginning to suspect,\u201d mused Gandalf, \u201cthat the foes we\u2019ve met thus far have been mere pawns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou said it, old man!\u201d confirmed Vortech. \u201cBecause I\u2019m not even on the chessboard! I\u2019m the hand controlling every single piece!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold on, are you Vortech?\u201d asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLORD Vortech, if you please,\u201d answered Vortech as his disguise disappeared. Batman, Wyldstyle, Gandalf, and Ichig\u014d turned to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the enemy?!\u201d yelled Ichig\u014d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe wasn\u2019t your concern,\u201d I replied. \u201cHe\u2019s the F.N.S\u2019 priority, and ours alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConsidering our homes are in danger because of him,\u201d countered Wyldstyle, \u201cI think keeping that kind of info from us is a grave error!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnough talk!\u201d called Sword Form Den-O. \u201cLet\u2019s do this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEverybody,\u201d shouted Den-O, Liner Form, \u201cpile on!\u201d The Imagin cheered, turned into balls of light, and entered Liner Form. He then took off the cell phone and pressed buttons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMomo! Ura! Kin! Ryu! Sieg!\u201d it announced. He put the cell phone back on and swiped the pass over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClimax Form!\u201d called the belt. The face mask changed to Sword Form\u2019s peach-like shape, but the outer shell split away, revealing an orangish-yellow underside. Rod Form\u2019s visor attached itself to the right shoulder. Ax Form\u2019s visor attached to the left shoulder. Gun Form\u2019s visor attached itself to the chest. Wings popped out of the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOre-tachi\u2026sanjou!\u201d (dynamic way of saying \u201cWe have arrived!\u201d) said Den-O in Momotaros\u2019 voice. Rogue started laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s with the wings?!\u201d he managed to get out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t laugh so hard,\u201d answered Den-O in Sieg\u2019s voice. It changed to Momotaros\u2019 voice quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNO ONE ASKED YOU!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat just happened?\u201d I asked Sengoku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Imagin can possess Ry\u014dtar\u014d to make Den-O\u2019s different forms,\u201d he explained, \u201cor they can all pile on in and make the Climax Form.\u201d Vortech decided to tip the scales in his favor and grew giant size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUh-oh,\u201d gulped Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou may have bitten off more than we can chew, Den-O,\u201d observed Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo chance,\u201d assured Batman. \u201cI\u2019m hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour mistake!\u201d proclaimed Rogue. \u201cTurretorg! Discornia! Your master summons you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShocker Nova! Fall in!\u201d ordered Talon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVortexons, if you please!\u201d called Vortech. The enemy forces came through portals that opened everywhere. We were swarmed, as usual, and fought back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTime to use this in a fight,\u201d I decided. I then went through the motions for Proto-Vortex \u201cSUPER CHARGE!\u201d I announced. I then bulked up and grabbed my new sword, charging the ranks of the enemy. After the goons were dispatched, Vortech spoke again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSee my powers and quake!\u201d He changed shape into a knight\u2019s upper torso, complete with sword and shield. Judging from where the sword was, I\u2019d say he was left-handed. He swung it in a circular motion, intending to bisect us through the waist, but we jumped out of the way. He then made a downward slash at us, nearly hitting Rogue and Talon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGIVE US SOME WARNING, WILL YOU?!\u201d roared Rogue. Just then, an explosion in the sky occurred again, heralding the arrival of the DeLorean with a different driver. It was a teenage boy wearing an orange, 80\u2019s down vest over a jean jacket. It was the main protagonist of the Back to The Future trilogy, Marty McFly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhoa!\u201d he called as he saw the battle below. \u201cThis is heavy!\u201d The DeLorean collided with Vortech and knocked a Keystone transmitter out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou kept a transmitter on you?!\u201d shouted Rogue. \u201cYOU DUNCE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLocate Keystone, activate!\u201d I announced. \u201cInitiate rift detection!\u201d I found a rift crack near Vortech\u2019s left, dodging his sword all the while. \u201cIdentify source of rift!\u201d I pulled the crack open and found the source. \u201cLocate help from D-C-C-0-M-1-C-5!\u201d I exclaimed. The rift opened to reveal a plane with a bat motif. I don\u2019t think I need to guess who designed and owned that plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBatplane, fire on the giant!\u201d ordered Batman. The Batplane fired a salvo of missiles at Vortech. He shrunk down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDismiss help,\u201d I called as I readied my sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see you\u2019ve been practicing your newly found tricks!\u201d roared Vortech. Just then, he formed an ice barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElemental Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Gandalf. \u201cElement of fire, Royal!\u201d I let fire surround my blade and let off a beam of fire melt the ice barrier. Vortech then turned into a giant version of his head while minions attacked us again. Turretorg fired off a salvo of missiles while Discornia dazzled us with her light show. Vortech\u2019s head then spun around, binding us in chains. The DeLorean was still flying around, so it managed to buzz him and shatter Vortech\u2019s concentration. He then turned into a hand, grabbed everyone, and tossed us onto the top of the clock tower\u2019s scaffolding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s move things on, shall we?\u201d he asked. Lord, not more puns! After dropping us off, he turned into an eagle and flew around. Rogue took that opportunity to attack me. As we tussled, I managed to score some hits, knocking him silly. Something was off, though. Rogue wasn\u2019t fighting back as hard as he usually does. There was a transmitter there, so I used my keystone to find help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLocate Keystone, activate!\u201d I announced. \u201cInitiate rift detection!\u201d The source of the rift was near the edge of the scaffolding. \u201cIdentify source of rift!\u201d I got the info on the dimension. \u201cLocate help from N-1-N-J-A-G-0!\u201d I shouted. A mechanical dragon attacked Vortech. They smashed through the scaffolding, making us fall through to the bottom. \u201cDismiss help!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnough play,\u201d hissed Vortech. \u201cI\u2019m bored of you peasants.\u201d He then formed a fire shield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElemental Keystone, activate!\u201d called Gandalf. \u201cElement of water, Ichig\u014d!\u201d Ichig\u014d sprayed water on Vortech\u2019s shield while I fought Talon and Rogue. I managed to get them up against the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy GOD! That felt incredible!\u201d I sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh HO!\u201d chuckled Rogue. \u201cAm I sensing an iota of pride?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt seems to be a curse in your blood, Hiro-Chan,\u201d observed Talon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTrue, I am a prideful man,\u201d agreed Rogue. \u201cIt only makes sense that it would pass on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChan?\u201d I asked, hung up on the honorific Talon used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re getting married after this mess is over,\u201d explained Rogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not possible!\u201d I declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConsidering things, I\u2019d say it is,\u201d argued Rogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally?\u201d I hissed. \u201cBecause, from my vantage point, I see two dolts up against the wall!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd don\u2019t think we don\u2019t appreciate the efforts,\u201d assured Rogue. \u201cBy a wide margin, you\u2019re packing more of a wallop than when we met in my home dimension of K-A-M-3-N-R-1-D-3-R. However, you will never, EVER, defeat me with that form.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about?!\u201d I snapped. \u201cI\u2019m much stronger than you now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yes,\u201d affirmed Talon, \u201cin raw power, you\u2019re unmatched. Even Vortech over there,\u201d she pointed to Vortech as the fire shield was doused and he formed his giant head, \u201cwould be given a run for his money. But, your suit is bulky, is it not? As is your weapon. Your suit has increased in mass. Your body can\u2019t compensate, so, while we\u2019re seeing a boost in speed, the trade up is slower combat speed. Hiro-Chan, could you put what I\u2019m saying in simpler terms?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour suit is so heavy,\u201d simplified Rogue, \u201cyou can\u2019t hit us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTHEN WHAT DO YOU CALL THE SLUGFEST I GAVE YOU?!\u201d I roared, annoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Pity,\u201d sighed Rogue. That\u2019s it! No mercy! I swung my sword, the dolts dodged. Rogue then shoved me into a castle, made of Lord Vortech! His castle form had turrets! They were firing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLocate Keystone, activate!\u201d I announced. \u201cInitiate rift detection!\u201d I found it on the far side of the clock tower. \u201cIdentify source of rift!\u201d I found out where it came from. \u201cLocate help from M-1-D-D-L-3-3-A-R-T-H!\u201d Trolls came out of a rift pushing a giant metal wolf suspended by chains on a scaffolding. I offer this quote from the original books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGreat engines crawled across the field; and in the midst was a huge ram, great as a forest-tree a hundred feet in length, swinging on mighty chains. Long had it been forging in the dark smithies of Mordor, and its hideous head, founded of black steel, was shaped in the likeness of a ravening wolf; on it spells of ruin lay. Grond they named it, in memory of the Hammer of the Underworld of old. Great beasts drew it, orcs surrounded it, and behind walked mountain-trolls to wield it\u201d (Tolkien 124).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had to finagle the use of Grond with the Orc Captain and the commanding Olog-hai (more advanced Troll that can move in sunlight, like the Uruk-hai), but we reached an agreement that they would still please Sauron if Grond was used against Vortech\u2019s castle form, as Sauron wanted to rule, not be ruled. The trolls positioned the battering ram towards Vortech. They pulled it back as the Orcs chanted \u201cGrond!\u201d over and over. It smashed into Vortech\u2019s castle form, making him fall to the ground. The Orcs cheered, but Vortech was mad!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould you STOP using my own tricks against me?!\u201d he snapped. He then tossed Grond and its operators into a portal. He then formed an ice shield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElement of fire, Den-O!\u201d called Gandalf, still using his Keystone. Den-O then surrounded his own sword with fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHissatsu!\u201d (Sure Kill) announced Den-O in Momotaros\u2019 voice. \u201cOre no hissatsu waza…Cho Fire Climax version!\u201d (My Sure Kill Attack\u2026Super Fire Climax version!) He leaped into the air, made a fire circle, and got ready for his super-powered Rider Kick. The wings kept him ready and poised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER KICK!\u201d called Ichig\u014d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER PROTO-VORTEX KICK!\u201d I shouted. We all made our kicks with Den-O\u2019s fire attack and destroyed Vortech\u2019s barrier. Vortech stumbled to the ground. He saw something fly off, then got an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVortech Kick,\u201d he laughed. He turned into a giant foot and managed to make a flying kick, hitting us all. Our transformations were canceled and the Imagin fell out of Ry\u014dtar\u014d. We all tried to cover our wounds. I won\u2019t lie, we looked pitiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s\u2026too strong!\u201d gasped Batman. \u201cWe\u2026have to\u2026find\u2026another way!\u201d My Keystone powers were still going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInitiate\u2026rift\u2026detection!\u201d I gasped. I waved my hand on the ground in front of me and found a rift crack. Truth be told, I didn\u2019t think that would work. \u201cIdentify\u2026source of\u2026rift!\u201d I gasped. The information beamed into my skull. \u201cLocate\u2026help\u2026from\u2026K\u2026A\u2026M\u20263\u2026N\u2026R\u20261\u2026D\u20263\u2026R\u2026\u201d I said weakly. A rift opened and a shinkansen style train that generated its own tracks as it flew through the air came out. It came between us and Vortech\u2019s team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Den-Liner!\u201d called Hiroki. The passenger car opened to let a woman in a train\u2019s waitress uniform with a red streak in her hair be revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on!\u201d she urged. \u201cQuickly!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d declared Batman. With great pain, we entered the train. It took off into the air as a rift back to Vorton opened for us. Vortech had beaten us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stood below as the train flew into the rift. Rogue and I had canceled our transformations and laughed with Vortech. \u201cThat\u2019s it!\u201d he taunted. \u201cRun along home! It\u2019s a dangerous universe out here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Riders, my rear!\u201d I laughed, twirling in my new saloon dress. I think I\u2019m gonna keep it. \u201cLook at them run!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLeaving us to get a Foundation Element,\u201d declared Hiro as he tilted his hat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuite so,\u201d agreed Vortech as he stopped laughing. \u201cNow, let me see, if I were a Flux Capacitor, then where would I be hiding?\u201d Then, in a fireball that usually heralded the arrival of a time traveling DeLorean, a flying steam engine flew overhead and landed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ll get it,\u201d I volunteered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust be careful,\u201d warned Hiro. \u201cYou\u2019re not exactly wearing a bustle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you happen to have one,\u201d I asked. To my amazement, he did. After he helped me get it on, much to Vortech\u2019s chagrin, no romance in his soul, I\u2019d say, I headed into the main street. Doc Brown, his wife, Clara, his now 45-year-old friend, Marty McFly in cowboy gear, and his now grown, 20-year-old sons, Jules and Verne were on board. When they stepped out of the train\u2019s cab, they saw what Vortech had summoned into Hill Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that Lady Liberty?\u201d asked Clara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the Sphinx!\u201d said Jules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a pirate ship!\u201d observed Verne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGreat Scott!\u201d exclaimed Doc Brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoc, what did you do to the space-time continuum?!\u201d yelped Marty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI did nothing!\u201d protested Doc Brown hotly. He then started thinking. \u201cWhich isn\u2019t to say that I might not do it at some point after now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes that mean we\u2019re going\u2026?\u201d asked Marty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBack to the future!\u201d confirmed Doc Brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcuse me,\u201d I called, \u201ccould you tell a lady where your Flux Capacitor is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?!\u201d yelped Doc Brown. \u201cHow do you know about the Flux Capacitor?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe she\u2019s from the future,\u201d guessed Marty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no!\u201d wailed Doc Brown. \u201cThis is terrible! Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll get you back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just need to look at the Flux Capacitor,\u201d I assured. \u201cI have an uncanny ability to look at any machine and make one like it from scratch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImpressive!\u201d praised Jules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s over in the lamp on top of the locomotive,\u201d explained Doc Brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you!\u201d I called as I pulled a stun gun on them and fired. They fell to the ground. I went to the front of the engine, clambered up, and set to work extracting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Den-Liner dropped us back off at Vorton. The Owner, a mysterious man that has a habit of eating meals with a tiny flag in it and trying to keep it upright for as long as he can and stops eating when it falls, making a show of surprise, gave us a bag of studs for our trouble. He also gave me the Marty and Doc i.d tags. They copied over to all Vortex Riders. We left while Ry\u014dtar\u014d, the Imagin, and Hana, stayed on the train. It soon left through a rift back home. \u201cThe total number of studs in the bag is 105,000,\u201d reported Vortoranii from my belt when the Den-Liner left. \u201cWe now have 830,000 studs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d sighed Wyldstyle. \u201cI think running away was the right idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat wasn\u2019t running away!\u201d protested Batman. \u201cThat was a\u2026tactical retreat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemind me,\u201d countered Wyldstyle as Gandalf decided to examine the apparatus on the gateway, \u201cwhat\u2019s the difference?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s none,\u201d affirmed the Brigadier as he and Rusty came up, having heard our arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBatman doesn\u2019t run away!\u201d protested Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeriously?\u201d I asked. \u201cThat\u2019s the best defense for your fragile ego?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not a difference,\u201d observed Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, if you can\u2019t see the difference,\u201d hissed Batman, \u201cthen, maybe, that\u2019s your failing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou want to talk failing?\u201d asked Wyldstyle. \u201cMegumi\u2019s a shining example!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcuse me?!\u201d I snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t tell us about Vortech!\u201d explained Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Batman. \u201cYou dragged us along for the ride! You knew about Vortech and how you got your belts! Why did you withhold that kind of information?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the last person to accuse me of withholding information!\u201d I roared. \u201cYou\u2019ve kept your countermeasures for the Justice League from your friends!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re gods among men!\u201d protested Batman. \u201cWe need countermeasures!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need any for Vortech!\u201d I argued. \u201cThis was supposed to be the F.N.S\u2019 fight, not yours! Hongo decided to tag along and start us on this rift hopping insanity!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIchimonji was kidnapped right before my eyes, in case you forgot!\u201d shouted Hongo. \u201cI\u2019m not going to sit and wait while someone inexperienced in Kamen Rider matters goes off to rescue him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, if you can\u2019t just be patient in terms of rescue,\u201d I hissed, \u201cmaybe that\u2019s your failing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSays the one that used the Super Charge so recklessly after Hongo said not to!\u201d called Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, don\u2019t you start!\u201d I growled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn case you didn\u2019t notice,\u201d Emily pointed out, \u201cyour new form is as bulky as me! I\u2019m used to my body weight because I trained myself, which is why I move as fluidly as I do! You don\u2019t have any training of that kind!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI beat Hiro with it once before, remember?!\u201d I argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat was in a dream world,\u201d countered Emily, \u201cwhere anything is possible! You caught him off guard, and he prepared himself for the next encounter! He toyed with you back in Hill Valley!\u201d The argument was cut short as we heard machinery falling on itself. We whirled to see Gandalf holding the claws that usually rested at either side of the gateway ring and the apparatus with the antenna was on the main platform!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh dear,\u201d gulped Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGandalf,\u201d hissed Batman, \u201cdid you just break our only way out of here?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, well,\u201d stammered Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo!\u201d reported Rusty. \u201cGateway is still fully operational!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen what are those parts for?\u201d asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Master Builder senses are tingling!\u201d called Wyldstyle. She then took the parts, attached the claws to the apparatus, moved the antenna to a side, and put the purple disc on the top. It flashed and formed and glowed until it became a flying cube-like robot with two digited claw hands. It was the one that found Foundation Prime for Vortech and Hiro!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhew, thanks!\u201d praised the robot. Then it hit me! He was the Gateway Guardian! He just deepened his voice when he was attached to the gateway. \u201cKind of hard to assemble yourself when your arms aren\u2019t attached in the first place,\u201d said the robot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe flying box appears to be speaking,\u201d observed Gandalf. \u201cHow\u2026odd.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis from a guy who hangs out with talking trees!\u201d countered the robot. \u201cI was worried that you guys hadn\u2019t seen my S.O.S. signal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean the video of you finding that place for Vortech?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the one,\u201d confirmed the robot. \u201cI was supposed to be like the Vortex Drivers, but I didn\u2019t want to be cramped in a belt. Kind of hard to do anything as a belt except transform your host. Dull, honestly. Although, it seems a former organic wanted to try for herself, right Vortoranii?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou haven\u2019t changed a bit, old friend!\u201d chuckled Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy name\u2019s X-PO,\u201d introduced the robot. \u201cShort for Experimental Portal Operator, and I\u2019m the voice that\u2019s been helping you find the Keystones.\u201d Hypothesis confirmed. X-PO hovered towards Batman. \u201cThat\u2019s different than the voice that tells you to dress up like a bat.\u201d Batman snarled at this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, you were the one that spied on Vortech,\u201d I guessed. \u201cHe must have figured you out, hence, banishing you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep,\u201d confirmed X-PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur thanks for guiding us,\u201d lauded Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou and your beard are welcome,\u201d replied X-PO. \u201cSo, here\u2019s the deal: now that the Keystones have been integrated into the Gateway device, you must gather the Foundation Elements immediately. It\u2019s a \u2018gotta-collect-them-all\u2019 kind of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCut to the chase, casual robot,\u201d snapped Batman. \u201cWhere\u2019s Robin and the Kryptonite?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight, Kryptonite,\u201d recalled X-PO. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the Foundation Elements identified on Foundation Prime. I believe I gave you a bit of explanation on them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou only stated what some Foundation Elements are,\u201d I reminded, \u201cand who\u2019s got them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, Lord Vortech really DOES have his grubby, Vortechy mitts on them,\u201d hissed X-PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe guy from the wild west, right?\u201d asked Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes he have our friends too?\u201d quizzed Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, if they possess Foundation Elements,\u201d guessed X-PO, \u201cand, judging by the kinds of friends you have, I bet they do, then, yes, they\u2019re on Foundation Prime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen stop talking and open a rift there!\u201d demanded Batman, wanting to rescue his son quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been there before,\u201d I observed. \u201cGet the F.N.S there and we\u2019ll deal with Vortech and the hostage situation. These people need to get home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, we need to get to Foundation Prime!\u201d protested Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t your fight!\u201d I argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yes it is,\u201d countered X-PO. \u201cYou think those rifts leading you guys to their native dimensions was coincidence?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait, you wanted Hongo to follow us through the rift?!\u201d I yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd Batman, Wyldstyle, and Gandalf,\u201d confirmed X-PO. \u201cBatman has his intelligence and gadgets, Gandalf has his magic and wisdom, Wyldstyle has her combat prowess and imaginative brain, and Hongo has his cybernetic powers. These have proven valuable to you guys. Overall, they should be thanked.\u201d I then realized what was going on. X-PO selected the people that could help us on our journey while the Vortex Drivers found hosts that could utilize their powers. Dear Lord, I made a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMinna,\u201d I mumbled, \u201cI want to apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor?\u201d asked Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor not telling you sooner about what we know about Vortech!\u201d I said, tearing up a bit. I felt so ashamed. \u201cI should have trusted you sooner!\u201d I broke down crying. Richard, Emmanuel, Lukas, Hiroki, and Emily gave me a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe we shouldn\u2019t have been so harsh,\u201d Batman muttered to Hongo, Gandalf, and Wyldstyle. They raised an eyebrow. \u201cI let my goal of rescuing Robin get in the way of my judgement. I thought Megumi didn\u2019t care about us. Boy, was I wrong. She made the same mistake I\u2019ve made of holding back info to protect your friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not really innocent in that regard,\u201d replied Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve all done it in the past,\u201d observed Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTrue,\u201d confirmed Gandalf. \u201cI kept some things from the Fellowship and it led to us facing the Balrog in Moria.\u201d I had spent my tears at that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d I mumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think I speak for all of us when I say we all are,\u201d assured Batman. \u201cNo more secrets?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo more secrets,\u201d I promised. \u201cAnother reason I didn\u2019t tell you everything was that I was thinking more about how to save Hiroki\u2019s and my mom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe all let our loved ones blind us to the team we have,\u201d observed Emmanuel. \u201cLet\u2019s use that light to instead find the path forward instead of in our eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAgreed,\u201d I cheered. \u201cAll right, X-PO, get us to Foundation Prime!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWish I could,\u201d sighed X-PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry?\u201d I hissed. That wasn\u2019t what I wanted to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere\u2019s the catch,\u201d explained X-PO, \u201cFoundation Prime\u2019s location was wiped from my memory, along with all my important phone numbers and gluten-free recipes. It\u2019s a real pain.\u201d He eats? \u201cBut,\u201d he continued, \u201cwith enough Foundation Elements, I may be able to recalculate the location for Foundation Prime. Also, as an added bonus, getting all of the Foundation Elements will stop Lord Vortech\u2019s plan to collapse all the dimensions into one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI trust one of you knows what that last bit meant?\u201d quizzed Gandalf, the whole thing going over his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think so,\u201d muttered Wyldstyle. \u201cCollapsing all the dimensions is bad news, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d confirmed X-PO. \u201cREAL bad. To put it in a way that each of you would understand, it\u2019s like if Sauron ruled all of Middle-Earth, or your entire world got glued together, or Shocker successfully turned everyone into cyborg slaves, or everybody in Gotham found out you\u2019re actually Bruce Wayne.\u201d Batman squirmed at this. \u201cSo, obviously, you have to collect all of these Foundation Elements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, we only know of a few of them,\u201d countered Gandalf. \u201cWhat are the rest and what purpose do they serve?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re important, unique objects,\u201d answered X-PO, \u201cfound only in specific dimensions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom what the Vortex Drivers recorded from you,\u201d I recalled, \u201cthe Foundation Elements are the cornerstones of all of reality, keeping the fabric of the multiverse stable. Hence, Foundation Elements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike MetalBeard\u2019s treasure?\u201d asked Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d confirmed X-PO. \u201cLord Vortech desires them with all of his heart. When it comes to ruling the entire multiverse, the guy can be a bit of a hoarder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right, we\u2019re in!\u201d declared Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are we looking for?\u201d asked Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, I can only be so helpful,\u201d replied X-PO, \u201cbut I CAN get you started. For there is one Element that\u2019s known to all artificial intelligences, such as myself. The knowledge is buried deep in our kernel. Some consider it a myth, but I am now certain of its existence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d I asked. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA cake!\u201d answered X-PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026A cake?\u201d I asked incredulously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA cake!\u201d repeated X-PO. \u201cA delicious, moist cake!\u201d He then made an evil laugh, stopping himself soon after. \u201cWhoa, that was weird! Alright, let\u2019s get a rift open for you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot just yet!\u201d I called. \u201cAs some people have pointed out, some of us have new forms that are currently cumbersome. I don\u2019t wanna be caught with my dress down again. We need to train, and we need to do so quickly.\u201d X-PO considered this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell then,\u201d he mused, \u201cif we\u2019re going to gather Foundation Elements with bulkier super forms, we\u2019ll have to get you used to them in very little time, starting tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow will we do that?\u201d asked Irina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think I know just what we need!\u201d declared X-PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Igura changed into her usual outfit, she joined us as I laughed with the rest of our allies. \u201cYou should have seen how Igura-Chan got the Flux Capacitor!\u201d I boasted. \u201cShe was brilliant!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust a few more Foundation Elements,\u201d laughed Sauron, \u201cand we can rule like royalty!\u201d We all sighed as we dreamed of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA single universe under our command,\u201d muttered Ambassador Hell happily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTalking of your rewards?\u201d asked Vortech as he approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIndeed,\u201d confirmed Saruman. \u201cAnd of what we\u2019ll bring to the single universe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know what would spruce things up in that universe?\u201d asked Sauron. \u201cSome Mordor landscaping, like Mount Doom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow about the industry of Isengard?\u201d quizzed Saruman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTrue, we can\u2019t do anything without industry,\u201d I agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd workers to get industry going,\u201d supplied Ambassador Hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd, of course,\u201d interjected the Joker, \u201cwe should consider a holiday of anarchy and chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd some form of police when there are people breaking the law when such a holiday isn\u2019t in effect,\u201d observed Lex Luthor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould a full week of chaos and a full week of order alternating do?\u201d asked Igura. Both Lex and the Joker grinned. \u201cI thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the reward starting money for that universe!\u201d I cheered. \u201cFifty million studs each!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFifty million?\u201d asked Two-Face. He turned to Vortech. \u201cYou said our starting money was twenty million!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd Hiro said that as well,\u201d replied Vortech hurriedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI heard him say FIFTY million!\u201d growled Sauron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought YOU said you didn\u2019t care about studs!\u201d I protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t!\u201d hissed Sauron as he gripped his mace. \u201cI just don\u2019t like to be cheated!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, everybody, calm down!\u201d yelped Igura as she tried to keep the peace while our allies advanced on us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCalm down?\u201d snapped the Joker. \u201cAre you three trying to make your cheating us of our full share into a joke?! Because I don\u2019t find it funny!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not cheating anybody!\u201d assured Vortech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen where are the other thirty million studs?!\u201d asked Sauron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere ARE no other thirty million studs!\u201d called Igura. She turned to me. \u201cAre there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEr, no!\u201d I lied. \u201cNot really!\u201d A Shocker Combatman made his usual noises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI AGREE!\u201d roared Sauron. \u201cTHEY\u2019RE LYING! THEY\u2019RE IN THIS TOGETHER!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOU\u2019RE NOT GONNA GET AWAY WITH THIS, VORTECH!\u201d shouted the Joker, no longer smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI COME HERE, RISK MY MEN\u2019S LIVES,\u201d yelled Ambassador Hell, \u201cAND FOR WHAT?!\u201d He cracked his red whip with the intent of beating Igura savagely. \u201cYOU HAD THIS COMING FOR A LONG TIME, TRAITOR!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTRY IT!\u201d taunted Igura. \u201cNOVA…HENSHIN!\u201d She transformed into Kamen Rider Talon and tackled Ambassador Hell. He shoved her off of him after she scored some punches to his face. He got up and then changed into his monster form. He was a bipedal rattlesnake monster with a snake head, a whip right arm, a five digited claw hand, and scales all over his body. This form was called Garagaranda. He swung his whip arm at Igura, who dodged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get him!\u201d I declared as I loaded my i.d tag into my guns. \u201cHenshin!\u201d As I ran through the circle, the Joker tackled me. Vortech tried to get away, but Sauron hit him with his mace. It became a brawl between the two. Eventually, after a few clashes with their weapons, Vortech ducked a side swing from Sauron. The person it hit was in armor, right behind Vortech. The person stumbled backwards, making the fighting stop. I felt the blood drain from my face. It was War of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Vortech said to avoid them at all costs, since they were training one of two Kamen Riders that could beat him!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell,\u201d grunted War, \u201csince you\u2019re hellbent on fighting, I see no reason to even give you a chance of backing out now while you can. I\u2019ll see you on the battlefield.\u201d She mounted her horse and charged off. Nobody moved. We were still as statues for a while. We then turned slowly to Sauron who, for once, had a stance that betrayed his fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou idiot!\u201d screeched Talon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cYou run out of things to hide behind yet?\u201d asked Batman to Vortech. \u201cLet\u2019s settle this mano a Bat-mano!\u201d Lord Vortech chuckled. \u201cAs you wish!\u201d he said. He raised his staff into the sky and started raising walls from the ground. \u201cThe walls!\u201d gulped Wyldstyle. \u201cThey look like the ones in the Gateway room!\u201d \u201cI\u2019m […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":133,"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":[48,14,16,46,9,49,17,28,12,15],"class_list":["post-132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-chapters","tag-back-to-the-future","tag-batman","tag-gandalf","tag-igura","tag-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-den-o","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-lord-vortech","tag-megumi-hishikawa","tag-wyldstyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132","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=132"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1076,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132\/revisions\/1076"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}