Optimus, Woz, and the Kamen Riders returned to the Autobot base. \u201cNot more strays!\u201d protested Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRelax, I won\u2019t stay long,\u201d assured Woz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd who are you calling strays?!\u201d asked Nimbus hotly as he and Terra canceled their transformations and returned to Swalmu and Twaldar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, as I usually say, IWAE!\u201d called Woz. \u201cYou have two new saviors!\u201d A purple portal then opened. \u201cWith that, I must say farewell. See you later or earlier!\u201d Woz then vanished into the portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Who was that?\u201d asked Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat was Kamen Rider Zi-O\u2019s servant, Woz,\u201d explained Guard as he canceled his transformation. \u201cHe gave Swalmu and Twaldar Chronicle Drivers, the type of belt Liam wears. As of now, Swalmu is Kamen Rider Nimbus and Twaldar is Kamen Rider Terra. Together, they helped us beat back the Nazg\u00fbl until Sauron collected them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSauron was here again?!\u201d yelped Teletraan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe took the Nazg\u00fbl back with him,\u201d assured Optimus. \u201cWe\u2019re good. How goes the sensor sweep on Holaska?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot a slagging peep of any indication of a Temporal Stop,\u201d grumbled Ratchet as he led everyone to the med bay. He checked everyone over as Hanako helped make up the necessary painkillers for a Zephyr and an Elf. Ratchet gave Optimus and Richard their painkillers and cleared them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeletraan, locate Ironhide,\u201d called Optimus. \u201cI want to get some firearm advice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not ask Ratchet?\u201d snarked Teletraan. Optimus turned to Ratchet with a quizzed look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe fool tried fighting the Battle of Seattle in the holo-suite with the safety protocols turned off,\u201d explained Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith his vision going?!\u201d yelped Optimus. \u201cIs he ready for visitors? I\u2019m thinking of snapping at him! Unless you haven\u2019t done so already?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlready did so,\u201d replied Ratchet as he handed Optimus a pad detailing Ironhide\u2019s injuries with illustrations to help Optimus understand the damage. \u201cHe\u2019s in ward 2 and is eagerly awaiting visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d replied Optimus as he headed to ward 2 and opened the door to see Ironhide on a repair berth. His expression was a happy one when he saw the mech he raised as his own son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a sight for an old mech\u2019s eyes,\u201d he drawled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, well, my words won\u2019t be pleasant for your ears, Sergeant!\u201d snapped Optimus. \u201cApparently, after turning off the safety protocols during a simulation of the Battle of Seattle, the enemy hologram stabbed you in the shoulder! Another three centimeters up, then you would have leaked all of your Energon onto the holo-suite\u2019s floor and lost your Spark!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou wizards and your fascination for what COULD have happened!\u201d grumbled Ironhide. \u201cThat particular Energon line ain\u2019t damaged and I ain\u2019t offline!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell then, forgive me for boring you and being concerned as a mech would be when their father figure does something like this!\u201d hissed Optimus. \u201cI\u2019ll get to the point: you\u2019re acting like a fool!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour concern for me is noted,\u201d replied Ironhide, \u201cbut having a few days of inaction has dulled this old mech\u2019s reflexes. This is only proof I need further training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTurning off the safety protocols during a battle simulation,\u201d continued Optimus, \u201cis, at best, dubious. For someone of your age and current visual acuity, it\u2019s idiotic! Now, if you would consider corrective ocular lenses\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI DON\u2019T WANT GLASSES, OPTIMUS PRIME!\u201d shouted Ironhide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen,\u201d lectured Optimus, \u201cyou must accept the fact that you have a disability that will compromise you in\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou may be my Prime,\u201d snarled Ironhide, \u201cbut there are limits as to how far I will indulge even you!\u201d At that moment, Ratchet came into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJudging by your shouting,\u201d he snarked, \u201cIronhide, you\u2019re cleared for duty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks, Doc,\u201d bid Ironhide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy name is NOT \u2018Doc\u2019,\u201d snapped Ratchet, \u201cand, if you REALLY want to thank me, don\u2019t come into my med-bay dripping Energon! It takes days for me and whatever poor sap Optimus assigns to help me get it all up off the floor!\u201d Ironhide glanced at the floor, then returned a glare to Ratchet who glared right back at him as he left. The instant the door closed; Ratchet turned to Optimus. \u201cDid you REALLY suggest glasses to him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConsidering that the need for glasses runs in my family, I would figure he would understand,\u201d sighed Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t bother,\u201d muttered Ratchet. \u201cLet me give you a little advice; us rust-buckets don\u2019t like being reminded of our weaknesses. I certainly don\u2019t like it when I\u2019m reminded of my back pains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNoted,\u201d replied Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swalmu was outside, his dress now looking more irregular and cloud-like as he hovered above the ground. He took a deep breath and sighed as he closed his eyes and looked towards the sun. \u201cUm, excuse me,\u201d called a timid voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMs. Flora Nightly, correct?\u201d asked Swalmu. The voice gasped; it WAS Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cH\u2026how did you\u2026?\u201d gulped Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing a member of a species that came from the wind,\u201d continued Swalmu as he moved on his cloud to face Flora, \u201cit means I can read how air flows around an object. The cloud that functions as my dress enhances my abilities. Did you have a question?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just\u2026wanted to know\u2026how your people came to be,\u201d mumbled Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, there\u2019s the usual scientific explanation of us evolving along the Wind Elemental family tree,\u201d replied Swalmu, \u201cand there\u2019s the creation myth. Which would tickle your fancy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe myth, please,\u201d answered Flora, \u201cif that\u2019s okay with you.\u201d Swalmu then made a set of steps put of his cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would prefer not to shout it down to the audience,\u201d he explained. Flora tested the steps by putting her foot on one, then standing on it. She was surprised at how the step held up her weight. She then continued up the steps and joined Swalmu. \u201cWe Zephyrs,\u201d he began, \u201cused to be quite different from what we are today. We were wind spirits; small, noisy voices living in the air.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUsing the wind to see?\u201d asked Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd always jealous of the ability to see colors,\u201d continued Swalmu. \u201cOne day, one of the Divine Ones, Altrek, heard our pleas and she was so moved by how we wanted to see like other creatures, so, in secret, she made bodies in her image. She then made a few males so the new species could flourish, but her fellow Divine Ones became angry with her for daring to alter a life-form from its original form. The new Zephyrs then pleaded their case and had so moved and shamed the Divine Ones, they were told to flourish and live life to the fullest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd they had no repercussions from shaming their Gods?\u201d quizzed Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot a single bit of punishment,\u201d replied Swalmu. \u201cImagine it! My people were little more than formless wind spirits, now look at us! Look at what we\u2019ve become!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you\u2026er\u2026that is\u2026\u201d stammered Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs something else on your mind?\u201d asked Swalmu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot\u2026that I wish to\u2026I mean\u2026why dress the way you do?\u201d Flora finally asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt feels more comfortable to all Zephyrs, regardless of gender,\u201d replied Swalmu. \u201cDuring our first years, a non-Zephyr asked if there were any Zephyr men. As you can guess, there ARE. When told this, the non-Zephyr said we should dress as men do. In defiance, we all wore dresses. Now, we all dress as women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You\u2019re so pretty,\u201d whispered Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHm?\u201d asked Swalmu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cN-NOTHING!\u201d squeaked Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Very well,\u201d mused Swalmu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiro sat on the bed in his quarters. He sighed as he considered how to proceed as their military might was being built up. As he thought, he heard the door chime. \u201cEnter,\u201d he muttered. The door opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, Hiro Adachi, the man I\u2019m looking for!\u201d cheered the newcomer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEggman!\u201d yelped Hiro. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen you since you first contacted me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was just puttering round,\u201d replied Eggman. \u201cJust some poking around and\u2026well\u2026no, I shouldn\u2019t say.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShouldn\u2019t say what?\u201d asked Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s too harsh,\u201d sighed Eggman. \u201cIt concerns Ambassador Hell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTell me!\u201d growled Hiro. Eggman released one last sigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere,\u201d he mumbled as he handed Hiro an object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026What is it?\u201d asked Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat does it look like?\u201d inquired Eggman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA box,\u201d replied Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOpen it,\u201d urged Eggman. When he opened the box, Hiro noticed a lot of machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I don\u2019t know what this is,\u201d muttered Hiro. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA small nuke with the combined destructive capabilities of the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki!\u201d explained Eggman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWHAT?!\u201d yelped Hiro as he dropped it. \u201cIT\u2019S\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRelax,\u201d assured Eggman, \u201cthe radioactive material has been rendered inert. Besides, it wasn\u2019t even armed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI certainly hope not!\u201d shuddered Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, much like your organization\u2019s original home of Japan,\u201d continued Eggman, \u201csuch weapons are illegal. I found it in Ambassador Hell\u2019s quarters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll probably say it\u2019s a new mining charge for the Nonexistium mines,\u201d dismissed Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt which point,\u201d countered Eggman, \u201cyou would tell him that a mining charge is used to minimize the blast effect. This device, however, is a powerful explosive with the sole purpose to spread nuclear radiation over a wide area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat would he be wanting with that?\u201d asked Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not ask him?\u201d invited Eggman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know, I may do just that,\u201d declared Hiro. He eft his quarters, leaving Eggman alone. Eggman decided to help himself to Hiro\u2019s communicator and typed in a code. A private, untraceable communications channel opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaan, it\u2019s Eggman,\u201d he called. \u201cHiro\u2019s been made aware of Ambassador Hell\u2019s mini-nuke.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSplendid,\u201d praised Caan\u2019s voice. \u201cAnd Ambassador Hell himself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTook Combatmen loyal to him and abandoned Shocker Rift,\u201d reported Eggman. \u201cThe original Shocker is back in its home universe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs I predicted,\u201d cheered Caan. \u201cGood. Keep me posted. I\u2019ll pick you up when they find out about your duplicity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVery well,\u201d replied Eggman. \u201cEggman out.\u201d He closed the channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiro stormed to the bridge of the ship. \u201cLocate Ambassador Hell!\u201d he barked to the Communications Officer. \u201cHe\u2019s created a nuclear bomb!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHiro-sama,\u201d called the Helmsman, \u201cAmbassador Hell took the original Shocker Combatmen with him on an old ship and returned home. He left a message for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn screen!\u201d snapped Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe message is audio only,\u201d replied the Communications Officer. \u201cPlaying back now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is Ambassador Hell, the true leader of Shocker in the absence of our Great Leader,\u201d began the message. \u201cHiro, if you\u2019re hearing this, then it means my mini-nuke DIDN\u2019T explode. I must say, I\u2019m disappointed. In any event, you\u2019ve probably pieced together why I\u2019m leaving you; you are the worst leader Shocker has ever had. I was hoping you would see sense and drop your vendetta against Megumi since she was Vortech\u2019s enemy, not yours. By the way, if you\u2019ve discovered the cash pile I left you, then you\u2019ll notice that I only left you 20 million yen which, knowing you, you\u2019ve already spent on Igura\u2019s ridiculous cravings to satisfy your mutant child. All the other stuff, diamonds, gold, jewels, it\u2019s all fake! I always hated you since you joined us before the mess with Hongo and this was the perfect payback! By now, you\u2019re only functioning on studs and can\u2019t exchange them for yen! The tax people are after you and you can\u2019t admit to everyone I fooled you! If you\u2019re playing this on the bridge of your ship, then let me leave you with this: the joke\u2019s on YOU, failure! I command the one TRUE Shocker and got the last laugh!\u201d The message ended on Ambassador Hell\u2019s laughter before the Communications Officer switched it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Hiro-sama\u2026\u201d gulped the Helmsman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpeak,\u201d growled Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI speak for everyone when I say, \u2018To Hell with the fake money\u2019,\u201d continued the Helmsman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh?\u201d asked Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have no reason to go back home,\u201d continued the helmsman. \u201cWe\u2019re with you to the bitter end. Who really cares about the outdated Shocker? I prefer the upgrades and not talking in strict \u2018YEE!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOrders, Lord Hiro?\u201d asked the Shocker Rift Commander Dalek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Temporal Stops are lining up,\u201d declared Hiro. \u201cSet course for Vorton. Once we see it, cloak and hold position until it\u2019s confirmed all of our enemies are right there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Optimus massaged his temples as he returned to his office. He let himself fall into the chair and shut his optics off for a bit. When he opened them a few seconds later, he noticed a chess board set up on his desk with the black pieces on his side. A white Pawn in front of the Queen\u2019s Bishop had moved two spaces forward. Optimus blinked and looked around. His optics flickered before he moved the Pawn in front of the Black Queen one space forward. \u201c…Okay, your move, whoever you are,\u201d called Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrime!\u201d called Cliffjumper\u2019s voice over the comms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo ahead,\u201d directed Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere was a scream at Empire City!\u201d reported Cliffjumper. \u201cPeople are in a panic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can only say it SOUNDED like a scream,\u201d supplied Ratchet\u2019s voice. \u201cEveryone, even our visitors, is currently trying to find the source of the scream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn my way!\u201d declared Optimus. As he left, he failed to notice that the Pawn in front of the White King\u2019s Bishop had moved two spaces forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Optimus, Woz, and the Kamen Riders returned to the Autobot base. \u201cNot more strays!\u201d protested Ratchet. \u201cRelax, I won\u2019t stay long,\u201d assured Woz. \u201cAnd who are you calling strays?!\u201d asked Nimbus hotly as he and Terra canceled their transformations and returned to Swalmu and Twaldar. \u201cSo, as I usually say, IWAE!\u201d called Woz. \u201cYou have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2355,"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":[101,102],"tags":[9,345,337],"class_list":["post-2354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trinity-soul","category-trinity-soul-chapters","tag-kamen-rider","tag-three-realms","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2354","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=2354"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2356,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2354\/revisions\/2356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}