We had gathered in the Gateway room the next day. All of the Keystone Bearers were on the platform and X-PO started his Rider Chance. \u201cAnd today\u2019s riders are\u2026\u201d the arrow stopped on Sheela. \u201cSheela!\u201d announced X-PO. The next arrow stopped on Lukas. \u201cAnd Lukas!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTheek hai!\u201d (Alright!) cheered Sheela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWunderbar!\u201d (Wonderful!) called Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDestination set!\u201d reported Rusty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCHARGE!\u201d I called. We pounded through the vortex. Meanwhile, the enemy was already there with the Foundation Element in hand. The leader, a man in green with question marks was playing it like a basketball, but almost dropped it. An Orc caught it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, friend,\u201d said the leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s Lord Vortech want with this stone?\u201d asked the Orc as he handed it back to his current boss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo idea,\u201d replied the man. \u201cIt\u2019s quite the riddle!\u201d The man chuckled softly to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not fair!\u201d whined a raspy voice. \u201cSm\u00e9agol does the riddleses!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We soon arrived at our destination. It was a landmark I recognized! A friendly place if the Steward would get his head out of his butt! \u201cMinas Tirith, the White City!\u201d called Gandalf. \u201cWe are in Middle-Earth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean Middle-Zealand?\u201d asked Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026No,\u201d replied Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, it\u2019s called Minas Tirith, I see,\u201d called a voice. A Japanese man walked towards us. His hair was messy, he wore a loose shirt, and had his hands in his pockets, incredibly rude in Japan. \u201cMost people don\u2019t pop out of holes in space like that. I\u2019m guessing you guys aren\u2019t most people. Neither am I. I see that a Showa Rider\u2019s with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the second kabutomushi (rhinoceros beetle) Rider, right?\u201d asked Hongo. \u201cKamen Rider Kabuto?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s me,\u201d confirmed the man. \u201cAnd you\u2019re Takeshi Hongo, the first Kamen Rider.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Princess Megumi Hishikawa of the Feudal Nerd Society,\u201d I introduced. \u201cWhat\u2019s your civilian name?\u201d The man smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObaachan ga itteita,\u201d (Grandmother said this) he said. He then pointed to the sky. \u201cTen no michi o iki, subete o tsukasadoru otoko.\u201d (Walking the path of heaven, the man that shall rule over everything.) He then pointed toward the sun. \u201cOre no na wa\u2026Tend\u014d\u2026S\u014dji.\u201d (My name is\u2026Tend\u014d\u2026S\u014dji.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Well, I\u2019ve seen my fair share of arrogance, but that takes the cake,\u201d I muttered. \u201cYour name literally means Path of Heaven, Ruler of All.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cComes with the greatness of the Zecter,\u201d replied S\u014dji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe what?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Kabuto Zecter, my transformation device,\u201d elaborated S\u014dji. He turned to Gandalf. \u201cYou\u2019re the one most familiar with this place?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course!\u201d answered Gandalf. \u201cThis universe is my home! I have good news; we will be welcome here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not so certain,\u201d countered Batman. He pointed to the current inhabitants that bellowed at us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cORCS?!\u201d yelped Gandalf. \u201cBut how?!\u201d That\u2019s when some of the Orcs appeared to teleport. S\u014dji appeared to be ticked at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can see right through them,\u201d he hissed. \u201cSome of those Orcs are my enemies, a race of aliens that only need to look at a victim to copy their looks and memories, the Worms. They can molt their original shells and gain super speed, faster than our eyes can go. That\u2019s where the Zecter comes in.\u201d A red, metal rhino beetle flew towards S\u014dji and he caught it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBattle, it is!\u201d I remarked. We got ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRider\u2026\u201d began Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHenshin!\u201d we all announced. S\u014dji slid the beetle into his belt buckle with the horn facing his left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHenshin!\u201d repeated the beetle. S\u014dji\u2019s armor appeared in hexagons and looked bulky. It had ZECT on the left shoulder and a blue visor. He then tapped the horn forward. The armor opened a little with a hiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCast Off!\u201d called S\u014dji, Kamen Rider Kabuto. He then moved the horn to his right side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCast Off!\u201d repeated the beetle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHit the deck!\u201d warned Batman. We all fell to the ground while Kabuto\u2019s armor flew off, damaging the Orcs. The new suit had red armor and allowed a beetle horn to go up across his visor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChange Beetle!\u201d announced the beetle. An intercom then switched on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWelcome!\u201d called the speaker. Batman tensed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Riddler!\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease,\u201d invited the Riddler\u2019s voice, \u201ccome on in if you can! I hope you remembered to pack your brain, fail my riddles and you\u2019ll feel pain!\u201d The Orcs and disguised Worms came at us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can barricade yourself in all you like, Riddler,\u201d threatened Batman as he punched an Orc. \u201cI\u2019m coming for you!\u201d Some of the Orcs went faster. Their attacks came out of nowhere!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClock Up,\u201d announced Kabuto as he slapped the side of his belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClock Up!\u201d repeated the beetle before he disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan Sm\u00e9agol do his riddleses now?\u201d asked a voice over the intercom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGollum?!\u201d yelped K\u00e4mpfer, Claw, Gandalf, and I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUm, NO!\u201d replied the Riddler. There were some explosions in the air after we dispatched the normal Orcs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClock Over!\u201d announced the Kabuto Zecter. Kabuto then reappeared with an Orc looking Worm that was shedding its disguise. Its real form looked like an armored humanoid with three large claws on the right arm, a hood like carapace, and the face looking like the eyes were being covered by hands. Kabuto then pressed the three buttons on top of the Zecter. \u201cOne! Two! Three!\u201d counted the Zecter. He moved the horn back to his left before turning his back on the Worm as it charged at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRider Kick,\u201d announced Kabuto. He moved the horn back over to the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRider Kick!\u201d repeated the Zecter. He then did a 180\u00ba roundhouse kick, making the Worm blow up. Once the enemies were dispatched, Batman got his grapple gun ready to open an Orc Siege Tower. I got out the Batman i.d tag and swapped my usual one out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBatman Steel!\u201d announced Vortoranii. My armor changed and I got my grapple gun. We opened up the siege tower and we got some parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have literally no idea what to do with this,\u201d called Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe I can get some help from another universe,\u201d I mused. \u201cLocate Keystone, activate! Initiate rift detection!\u201d I found the rift near a pile of hastily made Orc barricade. \u201cIdentify source of rift!\u201d The information beamed into my head. \u201c\u2026Well, I\u2019m sure GLaDOS won\u2019t mind. Locate help from P-0-R-T-4-L!\u201d A giant turret in leopard print and wearing a crown came out. I heard a voice from the rift before it closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWheatley, shut up!\u201d snapped the voice. It had a Swahili accent I was familiar with!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTanisha?!\u201d I yelped. The rift closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTanisha?\u201d repeated Batman. \u201cWhat\u2019s she doing in GLaDOS\u2019 world?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe some mission with Wheatley,\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHopefully, this contraption will aid us,\u201d observed Gandalf, remembering his previous encounter with turrets. The giant turret was pointed at the gate, but not firing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll try it out,\u201d offered Kabuto. He jumped up and found controls for the turret inside the crown. He started firing on the barricade that replaced the main gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHeads up!\u201d warned Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook! From over the walls!\u201d called Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook out!\u201d yelped Wyldstyle. The enemy had started using their catapults! Kabuto got clear as an Octan ship from Wyldstyle\u2019s universe destroyed the turret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, we\u2019ll have to find another way in,\u201d muttered Kabuto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo need,\u201d answered Wyldstyle. \u201cI can rebuild it, better than it was before, and more awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all well and good,\u201d argued K\u00e4mpfer, \u201cbut it\u2019s on fire. We need to douse it. Gandalf, w\u00fcrdest du bitte?\u201d (If you please?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElemental Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Gandalf. \u201cElement of water, K\u00e4mpfer!\u201d K\u00e4mpfer doused the flames while Wyldstyle built a bigger cannon out of the turret and the Octan ship. Kabuto took the controls again and destroyed the barricade. The enemy came out and we fought our way through. Some of the Orcs were Worms, though. In fact, many. I touched Kabuto and got his i.d tag. I swapped out the Batman one for the new one. It had multiple forms, so I chose his slimmer form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKabuto Rider Steel!\u201d called Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCast Off: Change Beetle!\u201d announced the Zecter\u2019s voice. My new armor was similar to Kabuto, complete with horn. Kabuto looked at me, confused, I\u2019ll wager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClock Up!\u201d I yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClock Up!\u201d repeated the Zecter\u2019s voice. Kabuto did the same action as we dispatched the Worms. Man, super speed is awesome, but everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, slows down. \u201cClock Over!\u201d said the Zecter as we both slowed down. We all made our way in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere would the fun be in just letting you up here?\u201d asked the Riddler. \u201cI thought I might toy with you a little first!\u201d There was a green energy field around a door leading up into the main courtyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis magic barrier is being channeled,\u201d mused Gandalf. \u201cWe should follow it and turn it off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d argue the magic bit, but you\u2019re right,\u201d replied Batman. Ichig\u014d then leapt into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER PUNCH!\u201d he shouted as he punched a door which had cables for the energy field sticking out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWas that necessary?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t practiced that technique!\u201d protested Ichig\u014d. We went through the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, I guess my welcome party wasn\u2019t to your liking?\u201d quizzed the Riddler. \u201cOh well. So, heroes, riddle me this: This is cast, but not a stone. It flees from light. The dark, its home.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, a riddle?\u201d asked Gandalf. \u201cBilbo would have been useful here, most definitely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBow before your Golden master!\u201d roared a voice. A black and gold four-legged spider mech came with its pilot in the same colored armor. I didn\u2019t know which dimension he came from, nor do I care. All I knew was that he made a web from golden strands and had turned part of a building gold so he could levitate it and block our path. Batman and Kabuto took care of that. Kabuto had grabbed a rope and lashed it to the rubble. Batman and Kabuto pulled it down, but the man had levitated statues to block our way to the web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAllow me,\u201d called Gandalf. He levitated the statues out of the way and saw something inside the web. There was a cable running from the web to the door. \u201cThat box seems to be the source,\u201d observed Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd the legs of the mech seem to be the source of the web,\u201d guessed Batman. \u201cShift Keystone, activate! Cyan, near the right leg of the mech! Yellow, near the left leg of the mech! Magenta, near the bottom of the web! Shift! Royal! Cyan! Shift! Batman! Yellow!\u201d Batman and I warped to our respective locations. I changed into Batman Steel and we fired our grapple guns at the mech\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you doing?!\u201d roared the pilot. The legs were loosened, so Batman and I threw a batarang at the joints, making the mech fall off the web. The pilot escaped before the mech exploded, leaving fire behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet me try the Elemental Keystone,\u201d called Kabuto. \u201cIt seems interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElemental Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Gandalf. \u201cElement of water, Kabuto!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust put your hand towards the fire,\u201d I instructed. Kabuto did so and a stream of water came out, dousing the flames. We then opened the box to reveal an on\/off switch. I set it to off and power stopped going to the energy field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOff we go!\u201d called Claw. We left that courtyard and headed to the main one. Another door was available to us, so we went through there, via Kabuto\u2019s Rider Kick. When we entered that courtyard, the Riddler came through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTime for the second part of my riddle!\u201d he challenged. \u201cWhat breathes, dances, and bakes, yet has no lungs, legs, or cakes?<\/em>\u201d We went through with no interruption, for a while, until I heard an unearthly humming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnyone else hear that?\u201d I asked. A saucer then buzzed us. It had some sort of face on the front and a four-barreled cannon. The pilot was green skinned and bald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBrainiac?!\u201d yelped Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know him?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of Superman\u2019s enemies,\u201d explained Batman. \u201cHas a habit of shrinking cities to bottle sized ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust that?\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo not be so quick to underestimate me, fleshy!\u201d warned Brainiac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDid I neglect to mention he\u2019s a robot?\u201d quipped Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA robot with the knowledge and strength of ten thousand worlds!\u201d boasted Brainiac. He then used some sort of ray to make a box grow and block our path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is worse than I could have possibly imagined,\u201d muttered Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSurrender now!\u201d demanded Brainiac as he shrunk one of the city\u2019s buildings. \u201cYou are only delaying the inevitable!\u201d He then tossed the tiny building at us. Gandalf pushed it back into Brainiac, making his saucer spark. \u201cNO!\u201d wailed Brainiac. \u201cYou dare attack Brainiac! My intelligence is brighter than anything you can dredge up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGrandmother said this,\u201d called Kabuto. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how bright a candle thinks it is, it will never outshine the sun.\u201d Wyldstyle then built a ladder to get us over the barrier. More Orcs greeted us, some going faster. Claw, K\u00e4mpfer, and I changed i.d tags to the Kabuto one and selected his Rider Form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKabuto Rider Steel!\u201d announced our belts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCast Off: Change Beetle!\u201d called the Zecter\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShall we?\u201d I asked Kabuto. He nodded and then slapped the side of his belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClock Up,\u201d we announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClock Up!\u201d repeated the Zecter\u2019s voice. We sped up and attacked, breaking through the forces and destroying Worms and Orcs alike. Eventually, \u201cClock Over!\u201d was the announcement of the Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou still persist?\u201d taunted Brainiac. \u201cI think you are confusing bravery with outright foolishness!\u201d He shrunk some large statues. \u201cIt is useless to resist Brainiac!\u201d Brainiac threw one at us, but Claw had changed armor again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWizard Flame Dragon Steel!\u201d called her belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFlame! Dragon!\u201d announced the WizarDriver\u2019s voice. \u201cBou. Bou! Bou, bou, BOU!\u201d (Burn) Claw\u2019s armor had a red trench coat and a pair of horns on the helmet. She then mimed flipping levers on a WizarDriver and brought out a ring. \u201cLupachi magic! Touch to go! Levitate, please!\u201d She managed to push the statue towards Brainiac. Once it crashed into his ship. Brainiac ranted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow is this possible?!\u201d he wailed. He tried to regain his dignity. \u201cSuch pitiful creatures! You are not worthy of facing Brainiac!\u201d He did the same tactic again and got the same result. \u201cWhat is this foolishness?!\u201d he snapped. \u201cIt is useless to resist Brainiac!\u201d Didn’t he say that already? Anyway, he threw a statue a third time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cInsane,\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJa, that is a classic case of insanity,\u201d agreed K\u00e4mpfer. \u201cHe\u2019s going to fail and he doesn\u2019t even realize it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Brainiac!\u201d shouted Brainiac. \u201cI am not programmed to fail!\u201d He tossed the statue. Claw yawned as she pushed the statue away one more time, destroying the ship. \u201cThis was unforeseen,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s down!\u201d called Wyldstyle. \u201cThat was one big, ugly, green alien.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, again, robot,\u201d argued Batman as we got to the box Brainiac was guarding. We opened it and shut down the generator. We made our way to the main courtyard and approached one more door. We tried to open it, but it wouldn\u2019t budge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFound the problem,\u201d reported Claw. \u201cThere\u2019s a piece of wood across the top.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll just break it down,\u201d offered Ichig\u014d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow, exactly, do you intend to do that?\u201d I asked. He then moved back. \u201cWait, let me guess.\u201d He ran forward. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me!\u201d I said. He leapt into the air. \u201cYou\u2019re going to use a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRIDER CHOP!\u201d called Ichig\u014d. He chopped the wood in half, opening the way to another courtyard. A bunch of stuff from GLaDOS\u2019 universe, like platforms, and switches, and neurotoxin generators! A portal opened, letting GLaDOS poke her head out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSurprised to see me?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you doing here?!\u201d I snapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter you left,\u201d explained GLaDOS, \u201cI decided that if you are going to run from my tests, then I\u2019m just going to have to bring my tests to you. Enjoy.\u201d She left as the portal closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re doing very well!\u201d praised the Riddler. \u201cTime for part 3 of our Riddle Special. Deep below, veiled from sight, it dwells where Dwarves find their delight!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe better get on those switches,\u201d I suggested. I jumped toward a switch on a platform while Batman grabbed a switch near the door. They triggered a platform to drop some vent sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy turn,\u201d called Ichig\u014d. \u201cScale Keystone activate! Enlarge scale of Gandalf!\u201d Gandalf brought the vent sections over to a vent that needed them. \u201cLessen scale of Gandalf!\u201d Gandalf shrunk down and climbed the vent. When he came to a statue, he tried to push it over. \u201cEnlarge scale of Gandalf,\u201d directed Ichig\u014d. Gandalf grew again and pushed a statue onto a neurotoxin generator. It was destroyed and revealed part of a box. Gandalf hopped down, making us shake, and headed to the other vent. \u201cLessen scale of Gandalf,\u201d said Ichig\u014d. Gandalf shrunk again and climbed the vent. When he appeared near the statue, \u201cEnlarge scale of Gandalf!\u201d he grew again. He pushed that statue and destroyed the last neurotoxin generator. \u201cNormalize scale of Gandalf!\u201d announced Ichig\u014d. Gandalf went back to his normal size but looked queasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t think shrinking and growing the same person is good for their stomach,\u201d he groaned. Batman took care of shutting down the energy shield generator. Once we got that done, we headed to the large courtyard. The energy shield was down. \u201cThe way forward has now opened,\u201d observed Gandalf. \u201cWho knows what lies beyond?\u201d Claw automatically canceled her transformation and returned to being Sheela as she fell to the floor, panting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re not going anywhere until we\u2019ve had a breather!\u201d panted Sheela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo ahead and relax,\u201d called the Riddler. \u201cI\u2019ll wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour mistake, Nigma,\u201d hissed Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNigma?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEdward Nigma,\u201d answered Batman. I saw the pun in his name. \u201cHe\u2019s obsessed with riddles and mind games. He was so intelligent that he figured out my alter-ego.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe knows you?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI pointed out that if he told the world,\u201d continued Batman, \u201che would solve the riddle and there would be no point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow insane is he?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of Arkham\u2019s inmates,\u201d elaborated Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArkham?\u201d asked Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane,\u201d explained Batman. \u201cA psychiatric hospital for people who commit crimes because they\u2019re not right in the head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA place to put the crazies until they\u2019re ready to be normal citizens again,\u201d I simplified for Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see,\u201d said Gandalf, nodding in understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, how often have people escaped from Arkham?\u201d I asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSecurity\u2019s so bad,\u201d he replied, \u201cI\u2019m surprised the staff don\u2019t remind the inmates to use the sign in sheet when they return.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre they functioning on ancient security methods?\u201d I queried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo,\u201d answered Batman, \u201cthey use the most advanced security measures that they can, given their\u2026limited resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot everyone has your tech,\u201d I reminded him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I know,\u201d conceded Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat about you, S\u014dji-san?\u201d I asked. \u201cYou seem Hell-bent on destroying the Worms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was the Worms that killed my parents,\u201d explained S\u014dji. Batman seemed to understand him to a degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure I can fully support the death of an entire race because a group from said race killed your parents,\u201d he mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWasn\u2019t it a mugger that killed yours?\u201d I asked. Batman flinched but stayed on his course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat mugger had appropriate justice dealt to him,\u201d answered Batman. \u201cI saw to it myself. He\u2019s in prison for life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re content with that?\u201d observed S\u014dji. \u201cDon\u2019t you fight other criminals?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI fight so no one has to go through what I did,\u201d replied Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs do I,\u201d answered S\u014dji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI suppose if things went differently,\u201d mused Batman, \u201cI could have been exactly like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMoving on,\u201d I interjected. \u201cBatman, is there a reason the Riddler wants to place riddles around here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe answers to the riddles usually result in the answer to his master plan,\u201d explained Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA riddle within a riddle,\u201d I guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExactly,\u201d confirmed Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI best use that power against him,\u201d chuckled Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can solve it?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m an engineer,\u201d boasted Lukas. \u201cNo riddle can be locked forever, aside from paradoxes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone all rested up?\u201d I asked. They nodded. \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d I declared. My mind also poured over the riddles as well as Lukas\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is cast, but not a stone. It flees from light. The dark, its home.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What breathes, dances, and bakes, yet has no lungs, legs, or cakes?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Deep below, veiled from sight, it dwells where Dwarves find their delight!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What are the answers and how do they connect?!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We had gathered in the Gateway room the next day. All of the Keystone Bearers were on the platform and X-PO started his Rider Chance. \u201cAnd today\u2019s riders are\u2026\u201d the arrow stopped on Sheela. \u201cSheela!\u201d announced X-PO. The next arrow stopped on Lukas. \u201cAnd Lukas!\u201d \u201cTheek hai!\u201d (Alright!) cheered Sheela. \u201cWunderbar!\u201d (Wonderful!) called Lukas. \u201cDestination […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":169,"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":[14,16,9,17,79,78,12,81,80,15],"class_list":["post-168","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-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-kamen-rider-kabuto","tag-lord-of-the-rings","tag-megumi-hishikawa","tag-smeagol-gollum","tag-the-riddler","tag-wyldstyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168","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=168"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":170,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168\/revisions\/170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}