Dear Lord, the courtyard on the cliff was in utter ruin. Fire peppered once green grass patches. Purple question marks were scrawled on statues. A troll snoozed in front of the Tower of Ecthelion. The White Tree was bare. Orcs and Worms were playing games. Some kneeled mockingly at us. \u201cS\u014dji-san,\u201d I gulped, \u201cdid your grandmother say anything about destruction?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe did say this,\u201d replied S\u014dji. \u201cDestruction is evil when used incorrectly. When used correctly, something beautiful emerges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI rather think this is the former option,\u201d mused Gandalf. Wyldstyle looked at some green graffiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRiddle\u2026me\u2026this?\u201d she read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy, I\u2019m only too happy to, little lady!\u201d called the Riddler\u2019s voice. \u201cWell, I guess you DO deserve another go. So, riddle\u2026me\u2026this!\u201d He then gave his riddles again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first is cast, but not a stone. It flees from light, the dark, its home.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The second breathes, dances, and bakes, yet has no lungs, legs, or cakes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Third\u2019s deep below, veiled from sight. It dwells where dwarves find their delight.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d called Wyldstyle as she whipped out her phone. \u201cI got this. The dark, my home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFr\u00e4ulein Wyldstyle, no!\u201d wailed Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, come on, no signal?!\u201d protested Wyldstyle as her phone beeped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cServes you right!\u201d hissed Sheela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCast\u2026\u201d muttered Gandalf. \u201c\u2026Flees from light\u2026could it be a shadow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah,\u201d agreed Batman. \u201cAnd the third one sounds like a mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDwarves work in mines?\u201d asked S\u014dji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMiddle-Earth Dwarves and Snow White\u2019s Dwarves do,\u201d I replied. Lukas got an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait, could the second one be fire?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s right,\u201d muttered Sheela as she adjusted her gloves nervously. \u201cFire \u2018breathes\u2019 air and flames kind of dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShadow,\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA mine,\u201d pondered Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFire,\u201d muttered Gandalf. A horrible thought struck the wizard, then I remembered something and got the same idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWasn\u2019t there a creature in a mine that was wreathed in shadow and flame?\u201d I gulped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOoh!\u201d called a voice. Gollum then popped between Sheela and me. \u201cWe knows it! We knows it! Shut up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNobody said anything,\u201d said a confused Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWasn\u2019t talking to you!\u201d hissed Gollum. I pulled S\u014dji, Batman, Wyldstyle, and Hongo aside to explain Gollum\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll that loneliness just for a piece of jewelry?\u201d asked S\u014dji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t see the power the original owner had with said jewelry on,\u201d I muttered, remembering Sauron in Metropolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Ring really IS a device of evil,\u201d sighed Hongo, pitying Gollum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMoving on from that,\u201d muttered S\u014dji. Rude! \u201cyou and Gandalf found the answers and connected them, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf I\u2019m right,\u201d I gulped, \u201cDurin\u2019s Bane is behind those doors.\u201d Lukas and Sheela understood what I meant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA fallen Maiar spirit bound to the will of the first Dark Lord, Melkor, later called Morgoth,\u201d gulped Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot that thing!\u201d wailed Sheela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHongo-san, you met this creature after pursuing Batman,\u201d I reminded him. Hongo then remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou mean\u2026\u201d he gulped. The doors to the Tower burst open! The Troll and Gollum were sent flying! A bunny hopped out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026A bunny?\u201d asked Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, no, no!\u201d I snapped. \u201cNot the Killer Rabbit!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, Monty Python<\/em>,\u201d sighed Sheela. That\u2019s when the bunny hopped off to reveal the REAL danger. The creature burst through the doorway, destroying it. It was wreathed in shadow and flame, and the F.N.S met it before. The Riddler was sitting in a chair on its back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA Balrog of Morgoth!\u201d called Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat thing again?\u201d hissed Batman. \u201cDidn\u2019t it fall down a big hole?\u201d That was when a metal thing tripped us up and flew into an Orc\u2019s hand. It turned out to be a metal Praying Mantis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Kiri Zecter,\u201d explained the Orc. \u201cTaken from the word Kamikiri, the Japanese word for Praying Mantis. A Zecter of Vortech\u2019s design. Now, it belongs to me, Gorshagh\u201d He then pointed the rear of his Zecter to his left. \u201cHenshin!\u201d He slid the Zecter into the belt, rear first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHenshin!\u201d repeated the Kiri Zecter. The armor that appeared had arm cannons under the forearm, a triangular helmet, and triangular shoulder pads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKamen Rider Kiri,\u201d introduced Gorshagh. \u201cCast in the name of Darkness, ye guilty. The sentence,\u201d he then slid his finger across his neck, \u201coff with your heads!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVortech won\u2019t win this one!\u201d declared Hongo as he got into his pose. We got out our i.d tags and S\u014dji\u2019s Zecter flew into his hand. \u201cRider\u2026\u201d began Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHenshin!\u201d we all announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHenshin!\u201d repeated the Kabuto Zecter.<\/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 Claw! My weapons shall turn you into ribbons!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKamen Rider Royal! Evil will ultimately bow to me!\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 \u201cObaachan ga itteita, ten no michi o iki, subete o tsukasadoru otoko. Ore no na wa\u2026Tend\u014d\u2026S\u014dji, Kamen Rider\u2026Kabuto.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I am the Riddler!\u201d called Mr. Nigma. \u201cCongratulations on solving my riddle! You\u2019ve just won-first class tickets\u2026to the afterlife!\u201d The Balrog roared. \u201cOh, I hope you like my new pet! Watch out for his fiery temper!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is no joke, Riddler!\u201d warned Batman as he dodged the Balrog\u2019s fist. \u201cThat thing is dangerous! Shift Keystone, activate! Cyan\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, you don\u2019t!\u201d yelled Kiri. He moved his Zecter\u2019s arms up, making the armor come off a little. \u201cCast Off!\u201d He extended the arms and put them to the left of his belt strap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCast Off!\u201d repeated the Kiri Zecter. The armor flew off and hit us. Kabuto shielded his visor as the armor bounced off his. When we picked ourselves up, the slimmer form was bright green, the eyes were red, there were orbs for mantis eyes, and the gun barrels were handles for reverse grip swords on his forearms. \u201cChange Mantis!\u201d announced the Kiri Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClock Up!\u201d called Kiri as he slapped the side of his belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClock Up!\u201d repeated his Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot today! Cast Off!\u201d shouted Kabuto as he swung the horn towards his right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCast Off: Change Beetle!\u201d announced the Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClock Up!\u201d called Kabuto as he slapped the side of his belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClock Up!\u201d repeated his Zecter. Both Riders vanished. I could guess what Kabuto\u2019s doing now. Batman continued without interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShift Keystone, activate!\u201d he announced again. \u201cCyan, on the leftmost roof of the tower! Magenta, on the balcony below the roof! Yellow, near the base of the tower! Shift! Gandalf! Cyan!\u201d Gandalf landed on the roof and started using his magic to throw things at the Balrog. The Balrog caught one, then another, and Gandalf was about to throw one more when\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHello, sweeties!\u201d called a high-pitched voice. It was Discornia! She was underneath Gandalf!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBatman!\u201d yelped K\u00e4mpfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShift! K\u00e4mpfer! Magenta!\u201d announced Batman. K\u00e4mpfer was taken to the balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClock Over!\u201d announced the voices of the Zecters. Kabuto and Kiri were still locked in combat. They were on the same balcony as K\u00e4mpfer and Discornia. While the two Zecter Riders were fighting, Discornia spoke to K\u00e4mpfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t hit little, helpless me, would you?\u201d she spoke in a disarming tone. I beamed her name and status over to K\u00e4mpfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to,\u201d he sighed, \u201cbut I have no choice. I WILL defend myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour gentleman credentials are at stake,\u201d warned Discornia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI pray that I am forgiven for this,\u201d muttered K\u00e4mpfer. He then went on the offensive. He swung his sword, but Discornia blocked with her staff. She then swung the staff with the disco balls on either end flashing. She started laughing, but K\u00e4mpfer scored a punch to her shoulder. She started rubbing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou WOULD hit a lady!\u201d she snapped. \u201cIn all seriousness, how are you still fighting?! My staff should have blinded you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou forget that we liberated your fianc\u00e9e,\u201d reminded K\u00e4mpfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat traitor!\u201d hissed Discornia. \u201cHe told you about my staff and you updated the helmets with automatic light adjustments!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI only mentioned your future husband and you put two and two together,\u201d mused K\u00e4mpfer, \u201cyou\u2019re more clever than you let on.\u201d Discornia then started fighting with the fury of a wild lemur. K\u00e4mpfer stayed on the defensive until he saw the slave chip on her shoulder. He then used a palm strike on her chin, knocking her off balance and slashed at the chip with his sword. It exploded and knocked her out. When it was confirmed she was alive, K\u00e4mpfer knelt and clasped his hands in prayer. \u201cAlmighty God,\u201d he prayed, \u201cplease understand, I had no choice but to strike. My life was on the line. These were not normal circumstances. She was not herself and I had to get her out of the spell Vortech had used. I pray for your forgiveness even if I do not receive Discornia\u2019s.\u201d He then turned to Discornia. \u201cMadame, I apologize for striking you, but I had no choice. I pray you can forgive me.\u201d He then heard the Riddler cry out in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, that hurt! A lot!\u201d he whined as he got rubble off of the Balrog and himself. The Balrog then knocked Gandalf off the roof. Kabuto and Kiri fell, but continued their fight once they were on the ground. Gandalf used his magic to land safely, dodging the Balrog\u2019s fists on the way down. Wyldstyle then managed to see something, specifically, Chroma Discs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell,\u201d she said, grinning, \u201cwhat can you offer to beat the Balrog? Chroma Keystone, activate! Chroma Lock, reveal! Chroma! Red! Royal!\u201d I jumped into the red paint and Wyldstyle directed me to the circle. \u201cChroma! Yellow! Gandalf!\u201d A paint covered Gandalf was told to stand in the right L-shape. \u201cChroma! Blue! Ichig\u014d!\u201d Ichig\u014d stood in the left L-shape. The Chroma Lock opened a door on the right side of the tower that unleashed the troops of Minas Tirith. They swarmed the Balrog and climbed to get to the Riddler. He screamed like a little girl!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet them off, get them off of me!\u201d he shrieked. The Balrog shook the troops off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, it slowed him down,\u201d I observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see a way to slow him down a little more!\u201d called Ichig\u014d. \u201cScale Keystone, activate! Lessen scale of Batman!\u201d Batman shrunk and saw a vent for him to climb. He got in and went to the top. He then fired his grapple gun and undid the locks on some speakers. They started playing music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you\u2019re part of a team!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything is awesome when you\u2019re living out a dream!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWHAT IS THAT NOISE!?\u201d shouted Kiri. He was on the ground, writhing in pain and holding his ears. His Zecter automatically ejected and he transformed back into Gorshagh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTHIS IS TOO MUCH!\u201d wailed Wyldstyle as she covered her ears. I was dancing along. \u201cMAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!\u201d said Wyldstyle. The Balrog listened to her and smashed the speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy ears!\u201d cried the Riddler. \u201cWhat was that horrible, HORRIBLE noise!?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, I like that song!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGrandmother said this,\u201d waxed Kabuto. \u201cGood music must never be interrupted. It leads to discontent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, your grandmother wouldn\u2019t know good music if it bit her in her rear!\u201d snapped the Riddler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right, just for that,\u201d I called, \u201cI\u2019ll find something to teach you to insult a friend\u2019s family! Locate Keystone, activate! Initiate rift detection!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, you don\u2019t!\u201d roared Gorshagh. He grabbed the Kiri Zecter again and a device that had a big red button and a small lever on top. \u201cHenshin!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHenshin!\u201d repeated the Zecter. After the armor appeared, he moved the front legs again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCast Off!\u201d shouted Kiri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCast Off: Change Mantis!\u201d announced the Zecter as the armor flew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs that a\u2026Hyper Zecter?\u201d asked Kabuto. \u201cFunny, I have one too.\u201d He then drew out the same device and attached it to the left of his belt, with the lever pointing up. \u201cHyper Cast Off!\u201d called Kabuto. Kiri did the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Cast Off!\u201d announced Kiri. Both Riders pushed the lever down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Cast Off!\u201d repeated the Hyper Zecters. Armor appeared on both Riders, giving them a slightly bulkier appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChange Hyper Beetle!\u201d called Kabuto\u2019s Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChange Hyper Mantis!\u201d announced Kiri\u2019s Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Clock Up!\u201d shouted both Riders. They slapped the red buttons on their respective new Zecters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Clock Up!\u201d repeated both Zecters. They both vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith that out of the way,\u201d I muttered as I found the rift near the courtyard edge, \u201cIdentify source of rift!\u201d The information beamed into my head. \u201cI\u2019ve\u2026never heard of you,\u201d I mumbled. Oh well. \u201cLocate help from L-3-G-3-N-D-5-0-F-C-H-1-M-4!\u201d I said. A caterpillar treaded tank with arms and a lion motif came into this universe. The pilot poked his head out. It was a male anthropomorphic lion in armor and a blue cape. He had a crown on his head and had a red mane. The poor guy looked confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere am I?!\u201d he yelped. \u201cWho are you?!\u201d He heard the Balrog roar. He turned to see it prepare to swipe at him. \u201cOn second thought, I\u2019ll find out later. It\u2019s time for the Fire Lion to fire!\u201d A missile array launched its arsenal at the Balrog. It knelt to the ground as the \u201cFire Lion\u201d ran over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?!\u201d I asked the pilot, then mentally chided myself for being rude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLaval, prince of the Lion Tribe,\u201d introduced the lion. \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMegumi Hishikawa, Princess of the Feudal Nerd Society and leader of the Vortex Riders! Known throughout the multiverse as Kamen Rider Royal!\u201d I replied<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen I hope we meet again!\u201d called Laval as a portal opened for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere\u2019d THAT come from?!\u201d wailed the Riddler. \u201cYou\u2019re not playing fair!\u201d The Balrog then went to the cliff part of the courtyard. \u201cEnough play, it\u2019s time for a classic showdown!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet back here, Riddler!\u201d shouted Batman as we pursued the Balrog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need to douse the Balrog,\u201d I realized. \u201cGandalf, if you please?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElemental Keystone, activate!\u201d called Gandalf. \u201cElement of Water, Gandalf!\u201d Gandalf then sprayed water on the Balrog. It then turned its back on us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s hurt himself! Keep it up!\u201d encouraged Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGuys, there\u2019s an electric coil on the back of the chair!\u201d Wyldstyle pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElement of lightning, Wyldstyle!\u201d announced Gandalf. Wyldstyle made the chair overload. Apparently, that was a mind control device for the Balrog. It thrashed in pain. \u201cTake that, servant of Morgoth!\u201d said Gandalf. The Balrog then bucked the Riddler off as it fell over the cliff face and onto the buildings below. Gollum saw this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood!\u201d he hissed. Durin\u2019s Bane was picked up while the Riddler kept a black stone to his chest. We advanced on the lunatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRiddle me this,\u201d asked Batman, \u201cwhat drink hurts the most?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReally hot coffee?\u201d guessed the Riddler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnyone else?\u201d asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPunch!\u201d snarled a voice. It was Discornia. She punched the Riddler. She was free! The blow sent him near the edge and letting go of the stone. The Riddler\u2019s flailing made his loosen some dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy poor eyeses!\u201d wailed Gollum\u2019s voice. The Riddler regained his balance. Kiri and Kabuto reappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Clock Over!\u201d called the Zecters. Both Riders were winded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s it!\u201d snarled Kiri. He moved the lever down again. Kabuto did the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaximum Rider Power!\u201d announced the Zecters. Kabuto pressed the buttons while Kiri pressed a button on the abdomen of his Zecter three times. \u201cOne! Two! Three!\u201d counted the Zecters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Kick!\u201d called Kabuto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Crusher!\u201d roared Kiri. His blades came to his hands in a reverse grip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRider Kick!\u201d announced Kabuto\u2019s Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRider Crusher!\u201d called Kiri\u2019s Zecter. Kiri raised his blades, leaving his stomach open for Kabuto\u2019s kick. The attack went straight and true and Kiri lost his suit again. Gorshagh stumbled into the Riddler. They were near the edge, trying to keep us away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKeep back! Don\u2019t come any closer!\u201d wailed the Riddler. He then felt something on his leg. \u201cWhat the?!\u201d Gollum then pulled the Riddler off. The Riddler then grabbed Gorshagh and they all tumbled before a Fell Beast picked them up. They went through a portal. Batman punched the wall near Gandalf in frustration as Gandalf lowered the stone in his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou almost shattered the Palant\u00edr, Batman!\u201d rebuked the wizard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlmost,\u201d countered Batman as he took it and put it in his cowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGuys, our ride home is about to depart!\u201d called Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDrop the Palant\u00edr and turn around slowly!\u201d hissed a voice. I sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t have time to play, Hiro,\u201d I groaned as I turned. \u201cSo, I need you to\u2026explain that!!\u201d Hiro had taken a different form. He looked more like an anthropomorphic tiger with machinery sticking out! He had the Shocker Buckle underneath the Rogue Driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cImpressive, is it not?\u201d quizzed the Rogue Driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHiro, what did you do to yourself?!\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve obtained this form when I joined Shocker,\u201d explained Hiro. \u201cTora-otoko (Tiger-man), I\u2019m called. Unimaginative, yes, but it serves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve never fought anyone with a tiger motif,\u201d said Ichig\u014d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve never fought you or Ichimonji,\u201d replied Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, why are you here?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Palant\u00edr,\u201d hissed Hiro. \u201cHand it over!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSuppose we refuse?\u201d I asked. He then drew out his i.d tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis, I HAVE to see,\u201d mused Ichig\u014d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHenshin,\u201d announced Hiro. He then became Kamen Rider Rogue. He then entered his Super Charge sequence. \u201cSuper Charge.\u201d After that new suit formed, he started a new movement that extended his hands. \u201cDai Super Charge,\u201d he said. His bulkier armor flew off. We got out of the way to see a new suit. It was purple with black tiger stripes. My heart sank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s not\u2026\u201d I uttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou see the kind of power you could have had?!\u201d called Rogue, er, Proto-Rift, er\u2026 \u201cWhat you see before you is the combination of Shocker Cyborg and the true Rift Driver. You now look upon Kamen Rider Rift!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow does that concern me?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHave you ever wondered why I left you to the streets?\u201d quizzed the newly-christened Rift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Not as often as I should, judging by the tone,\u201d I gulped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, how do you suppose you\u2019re so strong?\u201d asked Rift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, from my parents, obviously!\u201d I declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight, and which parent DID you get that strength from?\u201d asked Rift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I don\u2019t wanna ask,\u201d I said weakly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere\u2019s the thing,\u201d continued Rift, \u201ccyborgs of my caliber are still very much fertile.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t\u2026\u201d I began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe fact is,\u201d interrupted Rift, \u201cwhen Shocker makes a cyborg, they alter everything, even the genitals. Some of the cyborgs were naturally occurring between a mother and father cyborg. Granted, they were old when you fought them, Hongo, but it still served to prove our science. The cyborg parents had nanobots that would make cybernetics once the baby was out of the mother\u2019s womb and would alter the genes to make an animal based cyborg. After that, they went through hellish training to be the strongest there was. One thing was never tested, reproduction between a cyborg and a normal human.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait, but\u2026\u201d I gulped, fearing the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, when I escaped the destruction of Shocker,\u201d continued Rift, \u201cI went to your universe, married a woman, I wasn\u2019t about to have a baby out of wedlock and rape was out of the question.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood to know you have SOME morals!\u201d I muttered, my fear dying off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn any case,\u201d continued Rift, \u201cafter her death, I left you in the streets so you would understand your beast side. However, you made one costly mistake! You accepted help from someone beneath you! Sadly, I couldn\u2019t just shoot you, there would have been too many questions. So, I took the legal route and contested Haruna for possession of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat went pear-shaped for you and you were tried and found guilty of murder,\u201d recalled Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow, be honest,\u201d quizzed Rift, \u201cshould you really accept the help of a lesser being?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I\u2019m going home,\u201d I said as I cancelled my transformation. I saw what he was trying to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, the wind up here is a bit loud. What did you just say?!\u201d growled Rift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m going home, back to Vorton,\u201d I elaborated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay,\u201d muttered Rift, \u201cI\u2019m confused. Vorton isn\u2019t your home universe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s got my friends, the people that make me stronger,\u201d I countered. \u201cThat\u2019s home to me. I don\u2019t wanna fight someone like you. You\u2019re a boring, sad, and bitter old man. You try to make me question my life and humanity. I still feel like a human. The fact that I\u2019m a naturally occurring cyborg hasn\u2019t changed that I\u2019m Megumi Hishikawa. These are still my friends. The fact that they\u2019re not running in terror shows that they don\u2019t care about my biology either. We\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut, we didn\u2019t fight!\u201d protested Rift. \u201cI didn\u2019t swing a punch at you yet! This isn\u2019t a proper show of power! This is\u2026I don\u2019t even know what it is!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s called robbing you of satisfaction,\u201d explained Ichig\u014d as he cancelled his transformation. K\u00e4mpfer, Kabuto, and Claw followed suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGrandmother said this,\u201d waxed S\u014dji. \u201cOne that drowns in oneself will eventually fall to darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou ARE a sad man,\u201d sighed Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI must disagree with the \u2018man\u2019 bit,\u201d argued Sheela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, that DOES sound like a man-child,\u201d replied Discornia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re going home and taking the Palant\u00edr and Discornia with us,\u201d I declared as I summoned our rides to fall into the Vortex. \u201cI\u2019m sure Turretorg will want to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou little s**t!\u201d snarled Rift. \u201cI can NOT believe that you\u2019re walking away from this! You need to know what power you\u2019ve denied yourself! SO, GET OVER HERE AND FIGHT ME!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ve lost the right to order me when you left me on the streets!\u201d I roared as I mounted my steed. \u201cVortex Riders, we\u2019re leaving!\u201d And leave with the Palant\u00edr and Discornia, we did. We drove off the cliff and fell into the vortex. I heard Rift roar in frustration when we went through.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Lord, the courtyard on the cliff was in utter ruin. Fire peppered once green grass patches. Purple question marks were scrawled on statues. A troll snoozed in front of the Tower of Ecthelion. The White Tree was bare. Orcs and Worms were playing games. Some kneeled mockingly at us. \u201cS\u014dji-san,\u201d I gulped, \u201cdid your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":172,"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":[82,14,16,9,17,79,78,12,81,80,15],"class_list":["post-171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-chapters","tag-balrog","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\/171","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=171"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":173,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171\/revisions\/173"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}