Megumi had changed into her dress and put on her makeup and crown. She had brought Malnar and her parents, Team Dark, and Jazz with her to Vorton. It had…expanded. The Tarlaxians and the Horsemen had come to Megumi with a proposal to turn Vorton into a commercial port and defensive outpost due to its closeness near the stars that power it. Megumi had agreed and so helped out where she could on the newly titled \u201cVorton Expansion Scheme\u201d. The idea was to take numerous asteroids, connect them, expand the atmospheric shields to accommodate for the new size so people can walk outside, and install various shops, theaters, and conference rooms for many universe travelling species. Right now, the lower and middle rings of asteroids had been connected and various venues were set up. Docking bays had also been declared open and the construction crews were currently keeping the upper ring of asteroids in place as the supports were being built. The main area where the Vorton Gateway rested was at the center of it all with an internal ring of asteroids serving as the main Promenade. Megumi looked out at the main window of the Gateway Room and sighed happily. Nothing soothed her soul more than looking at the stars, imagining other worlds. Just then, Malnar made a questioning noise. \u201cShouldn\u2019t that have closed?\u201d she asked as she pointed to the open portal within the Gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m expecting more company,\u201d explained Megumi. The Gateway then deposited Batman, Wyldstyle with her blue hair, Gandalf in white robes, and Takeshi Hongo. \u201cGandalf?\u201d quizzed Megumi. \u201cWhat\u2019s with the white robes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter Saruman left Orthanc,\u201d explained Gandalf, \u201csomeone needed to fill the void. Given my experience with the Enemy, Sauron, I was asked to take his place, meaning I had to leave the Shire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that,\u201d sighed Megumi. \u201cI know how much the Shire means to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, my lady,\u201d bid Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, Wyldstyle…actually, is that your name now?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you want,\u201d replied Wyldstyle. \u201cI go by Lucy back home. It\u2019s the hair, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEr, yeah, actually,\u201d confirmed Megumi. \u201cYou know, I\u2019ll ask later. Right now, we have a problem. The Convergence is taking place now and a bunch of us had vanished and ended up in other universes. Those universes are having the same problems and Hiro\u2019s most likely going to capitalize on it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the plan, then?\u201d asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to find the dimensional coordinates of the target universes,\u201d declared Megumi. \u201cWe have people from the universes merging with this one. I\u2019d like you to meet King Orbak, Queen Elmpam, their daughter, Malnar, Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, E123-Omega, and First Lieutenant Jazz of the Autobot Militia. Everyone, meet Batman, Wyldstyle, Gandalf the White, and Takeshi Hongo, the first Kamen Rider.\u201d At that moment, Jazz fell over, a big, fat, goofy grin plastered on his face. \u201cEr, Jazz is a huge Kamen Rider<\/em> fan,\u201d explained Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow big?\u201d asked Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…You know, I\u2019m not sure how big of a fan he is compared to Hiroki,\u201d mused Megumi. Just then, there were rhythmic steps coming towards the group. The one making the steps looked like a mechanical man with bars coming from his head to his scalp. Jazz got up and got into a defensive stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEasy,\u201d urged Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDudes, I\u2019ve seen a few Cyberman episodes of Doctor Who <\/em>with Optimus!\u201d whispered Jazz. \u201cI know how dangerous that thing is!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot this particular Cyberman, I assure you,\u201d interjected the Cyberman. The voice wasn\u2019t the monotone Jazz had expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone new, this is Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart,\u201d introduced Megumi, \u201cour Chief of Security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA pleasure to meet you all,\u201d greeted the Brigadier. \u201cI take it the new friends are a result of the Convergence?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExactly,\u201d confirmed Megumi. \u201cTell me, how\u2019s the new PO?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s developed its own personality,\u201d reported the Brigadier, \u201cbut requires something else. It wants to talk to you, specifically, in Conference Room 4.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll be there straightaway,\u201d replied Megumi. \u201cWould you mind giving everyone a tour of the place?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course,\u201d obliged the Brigadier. \u201cIf you all will follow me, please.\u201d Everyone followed the Brigadier as Megumi headed to a transporter pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConference Ring,\u201d she directed. She then vanished in blue light as her atoms were sent to the requested transport pad and reconstructed once they arrived. She looked herself over to see she didn\u2019t grow an extra limb or lose a bit of her dress. When all was deemed correct, she left the pad and headed to Conference Room 4. Once there, she opened the door to see a slender robot with a small hover skirt, pincer style claws, and a square head with a pair of antennae and a single red eye. \u201cYou wanted to see me?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d confirmed the robot in a monotonous female voice. \u201cI have decided on a new name. Since there are no other PO robots of my class, the Omega class, I am calling myself POmega.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFair enough,\u201d replied Megumi. \u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI require a new voice,\u201d continued the newly christened POmega. \u201cLiam and Lukas had already set up a randomizer, but Lukas was taken before they could initiate it. Could you operate it? You would just need to press the button when I tell you to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right, can do,\u201d confirmed Megumi. She pressed the button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right, let\u2019s check this one out,\u201d mused POmega. The voice sounded like Fred from Scooby Doo<\/em>. \u201cMmmm, no. Cute, but no. I don\u2019t think this is it. Try again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGot it,\u201d replied Megumi. She pressed it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTesting, testing,\u201d tried POmega. \u201c…No, I don\u2019t think Brent Spiner wants his voice used for a robot again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…We are NEVER going to get our friends back at this rate,\u201d muttered Megumi as she pressed the button once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCheck, check, check,\u201d tested POmega. \u201c…A step in the right direction. British, female, but I\u2019m not sure I want Dame Maggie Smith as my voice. Once more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere\u2019s hoping,\u201d sighed Megumi as she pressed the button one last time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHello? Hello?\u201d called POmega with an Emma Watson voice. \u201cHello! Yes, this sounds perfect! Yes, Emma Watson will do nicely!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerfect!\u201d cheered Megumi. \u201cNow, I gotta get back to the tour group.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHave you managed to take a reading on them?\u201d asked POmega. \u201cEach universe is constructed differently, with different time-scales. They could help in finding our friends if they\u2019re in those universes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood idea,\u201d replied Megumi. \u201cI\u2019ll get a reading once the tour\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery well, then. I\u2019ll just assist Dell and R9,\u201d declared POmega. \u201cThey\u2019re arguing whether or not the Flow Regulator needs replacing or the power core needs overhauling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDidn\u2019t the Flow Regulator get replaced over a dozen times?\u201d quizzed Megumi as she remembered the reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPrecisely why I\u2019m siding with Mr. Conagher in overhauling the power core,\u201d confirmed POmega. \u201cIf you\u2019ll pardon me.\u201d They left the Conference Room and headed to a wall panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cComputer, locate the Brigadier\u2019s group, Dell Conagher, and R9-D7,\u201d commanded Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Brigadier is showing off the Promenade and Dell and R9-D7 are in Engineering,\u201d replied the computer. Megumi and POmega went off in separate directions. Megumi found a transport pad and stepped on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPromenade,\u201d she ordered. She was then beamed to the Promenade as the Brigadier\u2019s group turned a corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd this is the Promenade, the main commercial hub,\u201d lectured the Brigadier. \u201cAny form of activity and the Promenade will take you there.\u201d Just then, he noticed Jazz was a little pensive about something. \u201cMr. Jazz?\u201d asked the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe more I listen about this place,\u201d mused Jazz, \u201cthe more I realize I heard of someone claiming to see Vorton, even though it\u2019s a myth where I\u2019m from.\u201d That\u2019s when Megumi got an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDoes your universe have Sonic the Hedgehog?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course, it does,\u201d growled Shadow. \u201cStupid blue faker!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDid he ever talk about someone named Vortech?\u201d continued Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe said he was running around the video games of the past with Mario,\u201d replied Shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, yeah,\u201d recalled Jazz. \u201cHe also said he met with Ex-aid and a few other Kamen Riders. Wait, were you one of them?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was, indeed,\u201d confirmed Megumi. \u201cSo that gives us a little more room to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t follow,\u201d called Elmpam as she scratched behind one of her ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBrigadier, since you\u2019ve worked the Gateway more than I have, you can explain,\u201d directed Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith pleasure, Ma\u2019am,\u201d obliged the Brigadier. He then turned to the tour group. \u201cIs everyone familiar with the concept of atomic construction?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat we\u2019re all made of small particles with a charge,\u201d replied Malnar. \u201cThat\u2019s beginner knowledge for a schoolkid. What do atoms have to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn every universe, there is a small atomic difference for life-forms,\u201d continued the Brigadier. \u201cEach universe is unique in some way. Some have a totally different charge in their construction, some have their atomic charges flipped. The protons are negatively charged and the electrons are positively charged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAn anti-matter universe,\u201d interjected Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, yes, how did you…?\u201d asked the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne of us Autobots went to one,\u201d explained Jazz. \u201cThe only reason she didn\u2019t go boom the instant she set foot in it was because there was some sort of energy that altered her so she could exist in that universe safely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat would be the rift\u2019s doing,\u201d replied the Brigadier. \u201cIt tends to translate a life-form so it can exist in that universe. Now, we CAN get a small reading on how one was originally constructed and guess their universe, but there are also dimensional timelines to consider. Now, we still have a reading on Sonic, so if we can run that past our database on universes, we can narrow the search down. Taking a reading on you and your compatriots, Mr. Jazz, could help us narrow the search down a little more. The only way it could be helped any further is if we had a map that pinpointed your universe. As of now, we need to go the slower route.\u201d Just then, the comms system chimed. Megumi took the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo ahead,\u201d she directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is Emmanuel,\u201d came a voice with a French accent. \u201cThe Dominus<\/em> just decloaked right outside our shield perimeter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s too close for comfort,\u201d declared Megumi. \u201cRed alert. Raise shields.\u201d The Red alert siren rang throughout the station as Megumi morphed into Tora-Onna and led the group to the Gateway room, where all the action was coordinated. \u201cRusty, send a message to the Dominus<\/em>,\u201d Megumi ordered a woman in a Dalek dress. \u201cOrder them to break off their advance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMegumi, YOU are being hailed,\u201d reported the woman, Rusty the former Dalek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, by name,\u201d confirmed Rusty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn screen,\u201d ordered Megumi. Hiro then appeared on the new viewscreen with Megatron and Dr. Borg flanking him. Jazz and Malnar visibly flinched. \u201cHiro, old friend,\u201d greeted Megumi. \u201cI\u2019d say I\u2019m happy to see you, but then I\u2019d throw up from lying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome now, must we resort to being unpleasant with each other?\u201d asked Hiro. \u201cAfter all, wouldn\u2019t this be much simpler if we could reach some mutual understanding?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou want to conquer the multiverse, I want to stop you,\u201d hissed Megumi. \u201cI think we understand each other pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFine, we\u2019ll just skip the pleasantries,\u201d sighed Hiro. \u201cI wish to talk to you about Caan and his new companion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDid he abandon you?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we talk about this in private?\u201d requested Hiro. \u201cIf you wish, I can allow you to have two other companions and I will be limited to these two here.\u201d He pointed to Megatron and Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow\u2019s it hanging, Mega-skeeze?\u201d asked Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, so my optics are NOT playing tricks on me,\u201d snarked Megatron. \u201cHow are you, given the circumstances?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA little on edge,\u201d replied Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDaddy, wasn\u2019t she executed?\u201d Malnar asked as she pointed to Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was,\u201d interjected Dr. Borg. \u201cArsha made me waste a new body within the Fae Republic\u2019s Capital Tree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo YOU\u2019RE the one that made her contract Malmaho disease!\u201d snarled Malnar as she summoned a fireball in each hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEasy,\u201d urged Megumi. She turned to Emmanuel. \u201cAssign the Dominus<\/em> a flight path. I want him at Air Lock 2.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?!\u201d protested Emmanuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to hear him out,\u201d replied Megumi. \u201cGive him a flight path to Air Lock 2. Malnar, Jazz, and I will meet and discuss things there.\u201d Emmanuel was still stunned, then shook it off and assigned the Dominus<\/em> a flight path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the meeting, the Dominus<\/em> departed from Vorton and left the universe. Megumi was sitting alone in her old room. Her door then rang. \u201cCome in,\u201d she bid. An older Japanese woman then came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAm I interrupting something?\u201d asked the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkaa-san!\u201d (Mother!) cheered Megumi. She then hugged the woman, her adopted mother, Haruna Hishikawa. She then broke off the embrace as they took a seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI must say, Vorton\u2019s really expanded since I was last here,\u201d chuckled Haruna. She then noticed her daughter\u2019s expression. \u201cMegumi?\u201d she asked, snapping Megumi out of her thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGomen,\u201d (Sorry) apologized Megumi. \u201cI just had a chat with Hiro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh?\u201d asked Haruna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe came here with a startling proposal,\u201d explained Megumi. \u201cShocker Rift wants to enter into a truce with the Vortex Alliance until we have retrieved our wayward friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA truce? Why?\u201d asked Haruna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe says he has something on his mind and wants to focus on that for a time,\u201d replied Megumi. \u201cHe\u2019s treating this like a business deal. You\u2019re more business oriented than me or Hiroki, so any advice you have would be valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis sounds more like a matter of diplomacy,\u201d replied Haruna. \u201cNot really my department.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith respect, it IS your department,\u201d countered Megumi. \u201cDon\u2019t you need a bit of diplomacy when you conduct a deal?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerhaps, but nothing on the level of two nations,\u201d remarked Haruna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure that either of us lead a nation,\u201d mused Megumi. \u201cIn any case, you understand the predicament. If I disagree to this truce, then Hiro attacks our home, perhaps kidnaps you and uses you as a hostage against me, as he did when he worked for Vortech.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd if you agree, you risk being slowly conquered,\u201d realized Haruna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAn unhappy choice,\u201d sighed Megumi. She then got up. \u201cI\u2019ve asked Haitao for advice, since he\u2019s my main diplomat, but he doesn\u2019t know. I\u2019ve even asked our new friends what they would do. Three of them are actual royalty. Still, they\u2019re unsure. So, I need your advice. What should I do? How can I guarantee victory for me in the long run?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou rarely ask me for advice,\u201d remarked Haruna. \u201cThis must be serious.\u201d She then stood up and looked out the window. \u201cWhile I\u2019ve never been in this exact situation, I do know what helped me in my endeavors. I recommend you do the same. Stall him. Tell him you need to consult with your friends, you need to meditate on this, anything you want, but you should stall for time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTime? For what?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d answered Haruna. \u201cWhat I DO know is that the time of crisis is not now. When it arrives, you must keep your options open.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Very well,\u201d sighed Megumi. \u201cI\u2019ll see what his reaction is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next day, his reaction was a pleasant one as he told her to take all the time she needed. His ship would be hanging around, watching them. Megumi felt like there was a stalker outside her door every day. She was going to the Promenade to talk to the foreman of the construction crew when she heard footsteps. \u201cHello?\u201d she called tentatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy lady, there you are!\u201d came a Texan drawl. Megumi released her breath, it was Dell Conagher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat can I do for you, Dell?\u201d she asked as she turned to face her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think I can help you with deciding how a truce would go,\u201d explained Dell, \u201cwith a little help from Elphaba and the Brigadier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh? Go on,\u201d invited Megumi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Megumi had changed into her dress and put on her makeup and crown. She had brought Malnar and her parents, Team Dark, and Jazz with her to Vorton. It had…expanded. 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