The Rohirrim army was resting at Dunharrow, their refuge. Th\u00e9oden spoke with Mikhail in private as he looked towards the other members of his team. \u201cAre you sure about them?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know about a few of them,\u201d replied Mikhail, \u201cbut I DO know that my friends are fighters par excellence. With them around, we can\u2019t help but win.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut who will protect any of their children?\u201d asked Th\u00e9oden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…You\u2019re not referring to the women in my team, are you?\u201d warned Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long have they been in combat?\u201d continued Th\u00e9oden. \u201cWho has been protecting the younger ones or their homes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey do that just fine on the battlefield!\u201d growled Mikhail. \u201cI find it best not to question a woman\u2019s physical prowess or cunning.\u201d By that, he gave the indication that he would have his way. Th\u00e9oden wisely decided to drop it and left him to check on something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot used to seeing women in battle?\u201d guessed Arsha as she approached Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never understood it,\u201d muttered Mikhail. \u201c\u00c9owyn, his niece, is a shieldmaiden!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot every woman is made for war,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cOne of my spouses\u2019 Falnii, her preferred battlefield is a negotiations table.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, but not all MEN are made for war, either!\u201d grumbled Mikhail. \u201cTh\u00e9oden\u2019s not moving his pieces right!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpeaking of moving pieces,\u201d remarked Arsha, \u201care you the one that set up a chessboard in my tent and commands the white pieces?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Nyet, why?\u201d asked Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause every time I move one of the black pieces and turn my attention away from the game, a white piece moves,\u201d explained Arsha. \u201cRight now, White moved one of its Pawns to King\u2019s Knight 3.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat were the moves so far?\u201d asked Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhite began with a Pawn to Queen\u2019s Bishop 4,\u201d recalled Arsha, \u201cthen I moved a Black Pawn to Queen 3, then White Pawn to King\u2019s Bishop 4, then Black Pawn to King\u2019s Rook 3, then White Pawn to King 3, then Black Pawn to King\u2019s Knight 4, then White Knight to King\u2019s Bishop 3, then Black Pawn to King 3, then White Knight to Queen\u2019s Rook 3, then Black Pawn to Queen\u2019s Bishop 3, then White Pawn to Queen\u2019s Knight 3, then Black Knight to King\u2019s Bishop 3, and now we\u2019re at White Pawn to King\u2019s Knight 3.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you…need any help?\u201d asked Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I think I have a move in mind,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cI just need to find out who I\u2019m playing against. It\u2019s like the game is following me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean, it started in your home?\u201d asked Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d confirmed Arsha, \u201cand it…where\u2019s he going?\u201d Arsha pointed to Aragorn as he came out of a tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf things are going according to plan,\u201d chuckled Mikhail, \u201che\u2019s just received the sword called And\u00faril, Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil, the blade that first severed the Ring from Sauron.\u201d Aragorn then began preparing Brego, his horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not leaving, is he?!\u201d yelped Arsha. \u00c9owyn then ran up to Aragorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy are you doing this?!\u201d she demanded of Aragorn. \u201cThe war lies to the east! You cannot leave on the eve of battle! You cannot abandon the men! We need you here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy have you come?\u201d asked Aragorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you not know?\u201d asked \u00c9owyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Lady, no!\u201d hissed Arsha. Aragorn and \u00c9owyn heard her as she ran up to them. \u201cI\u2019ve seen that look in your eyes before! I\u2019ve made such looks towards my lovers!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe is loved by everyone here!\u201d insisted \u00c9owyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd especially you,\u201d observed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is but a shadow and a thought that you love,\u201d Aragorn then answered to \u00c9owyn. \u201cI cannot give you what you seek.\u201d \u00c9owyn backed off, stunned and in tears at his answer. \u201cI have wished you joy since I first saw you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Okay, cruel,\u201d remarked Arsha. Aragorn then mounted Brego and headed to the entrance to the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust where do you think you\u2019re off to?\u201d asked the gruff voice of Gimli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot this time,\u201d replied Aragorn. \u201cThis time, you must stay, Gimli.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?\u201d asked Legolas as he joined Aragorn and Gimli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou might as well accept it,\u201d rumbled Gimli, \u201cwe\u2019re going with you, Laddie.\u201d Aragorn smiled as Legolas and Gimli mounted Legolas\u2019 horse. As they moved into the mountain\u2019s entrance, the Rohirrim stared in surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere he goes,\u201d mused Strongarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe leaves because there is no hope,\u201d guessed Gamling, the second-in-command of all Rohirrim forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe leaves because he must,\u201d countered Th\u00e9oden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToo few have come!\u201d protested Gamling. \u201cWe cannot defeat the armies of Mordor or their allies!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, we cannot,\u201d replied Th\u00e9oden, \u201cbut we will meet them in battle nonetheless!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho says we\u2019re gonna lose?\u201d asked Strongarm. \u201cI foresee victory! Our tenacity will win the day!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTenacity alone cannot win a war,\u201d replied Gamling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d conceded Arsha, \u201cbut it\u2019s a damn good supplement to boost our chances! I don\u2019t know about you all, but I\u2019m gonna fight to win! Sauron may try and break our spirits, but I intend to show him that he needs something more than superior numbers to break me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs will I!\u201d cheered Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd me!\u201d called Strongarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Then so will we!\u201d declared Th\u00e9oden. The Rohirrim cheered as the sun came up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thundercracker looked at the Orc Army and groaned. \u201cWhat kind of soldiers are they?!\u201d he wailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuit whining!\u201d snapped Starscream. \u201cWe have the troops needed to stop the enemy\u2019s march.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we\u2019ve got three prisoners!\u201d chimed in Skywarp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat value are the prisoners to the Rohirrim?!\u201d protested Thundercracker. As the Seekers argued, the Orcs grumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m starving!\u201d growled one. \u201cWe ain\u2019t had nothing but maggoty bread for three stinking days!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah!\u201d called another. \u201cWhy can\u2019t we have some meat?!\u201d The Orc\u2019s eyes then fell on the three prisoners Skywarp was talking about. One had a Beatle\u2019s style haircut, the second had his red, curly hair lining only the back of the head, and the last was bald and fat. \u201cWhat about them?\u201d asked the second Orc. \u201cThey\u2019re fresh!\u201d The Seekers stopped arguing long enough to hear what was going on. They turned to the Orcs and stomped towards them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey! Back off!\u201d called Skywarp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo!\u201d roared Thundercracker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey are NOT for eating!\u201d snarled Starscream. A pair of Orcs got the three prisoners onto their feet as another Orc looked them over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat about their legs?\u201d asked the Orc. \u201cThey don\u2019t need those! They look tasty!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI said, back off!\u201d roared Skywarp as his blade got between the Orc and the prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe prisoners go with us alive and unspoiled!\u201d snarled Starscream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlive?\u201d asked the Orc planning to take the prisoners\u2019 legs. \u201cWhy alive? Do they give good sport?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re our hostages,\u201d explained Starscream. \u201cApparently, they\u2019re friends of the Vortex Riders. They stay alive if Rohan backs off. If not, they\u2019re yours to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust a mouthful!\u201d urged the second Orc. \u201cA bit off the fat one\u2019s flank!\u201d His head was then liberated from his neck by the Orc Commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLooks like meat\u2019s back on the menu, boys!\u201d he announced. The Orcs then feasted on their dead comrade\u2019s corpse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey! Jiggers!\u201d called one of the prisoners to his friends. He nodded his head in a direction away from the Orcs. Skywarp idly flicked the dead Orc\u2019s spleen away from his shoulder as the Orcs messily devoured it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDisgusting!\u201d shuddered Starscream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never seen organics act this way!\u201d agreed Thundercracker. \u201cHey, you three, how savage can you…WHERE\u2019D THEY GO?!\u201d The three prisoners were gone! At Thundercracker\u2019s yelp, everyone stopped whatever activities they were engaged in and saw the spot the prisoners used to be in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFIND THEM!\u201d ordered the Orc Commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBoy, that was a narrow escape!\u201d panted the black-haired prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re telling me!\u201d gasped the bald prisoner. \u201cThat guy wanted to carve me up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver there!\u201d called a voice. The three yelped and peeked over the bushes, seeing a pair of Rohirrim, Melandra, Grimlock, and Haitao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe gotta find a way out of here!\u201d gulped the red-headed prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI got it!\u201d cheered the black-haired prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope so,\u201d gulped the bald prisoner. \u201cBecause if you don\u2019t, we\u2019ll get it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuiet!\u201d hissed the black-haired prisoner as he poked the bald one\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait a minute, look!\u201d called the red-headed prisoner. He pointed to Haitao\u2019s Vortex Driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait a minute, I\u2019ve seen that before!\u201d whispered the bald one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, in the monster\u2019s home universe!\u201d cheered the black-haired one. \u201cThat\u2019s the same kind of belt Megumi\u2019s future wore!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the Vortex Riders!\u201d called the red-headed one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver here!\u201d shouted the bald one, attracting the attention of the search party. Haitao immediately recognized them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Moe, Larry, and Curly!\u201d he called to his party. \u201cHelp me untie them!\u201d The party got their knives out and cut the Stooges\u2019 bonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks, boys!\u201d bid Moe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d asked Grimlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat rat, Hiro, kidnapped us!\u201d replied Moe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe were settling in nicely as rulers of Moronica!\u201d supplied Larry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to get my hands on Hiro!\u201d snarled Curly. \u201cI\u2019ll dash his head against the wall! I\u2019ll rip both his legs off! I\u2019ll annihilate him! I\u2019ll…!\u201d someone tapped him on the shoulder. He looked around and yelped at seeing Moe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re marching to Gondor in the morning,\u201d reported Melandra. \u201cThat way seems to be the safest route.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBad idea!\u201d yelped Larry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Orcs that had us are over that way, probably still looking for us,\u201d explained Moe. \u201cSo are those jet robots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJet robots?\u201d asked Grimlock. \u201cDo they look alike?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAside from the different colors, they\u2019re almost the same,\u201d replied Curly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA Seeker Trine!\u201d growled Grimlock. \u201cIf we can safely believe Megatron\u2019s involved, it\u2019s probably Starscream\u2019s Trine!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we need to find another way quick!\u201d declared Haitao. \u201cLet\u2019s all head back to camp and tell Th\u00e9oden about this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over in Minas Tirith, Hiroki and Gandalf came out of the throne room and into the Courtyard where the White Tree stood. Lukas and Optimus were looking around. \u201cImagine,\u201d Lukas chuckled to himself. \u201cLast time I was here, we were fighting the Riddler and the Balrog. Now, here we are, ready to fight Mordor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we can get some sense into Denethor, perhaps we can!\u201d growled Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had his cup of depresso today?\u201d snarked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIdiot\u2019s sent Faramir to Western Osgiliath with no proper preparations!\u201d explained Hiroki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow?!\u201d yelped Optimus. \u201cWe were supposed to help him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDenethor sent him in secret,\u201d reported Gandalf, \u201clong before the audience we just held with him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is NOT going to be a moment where I want to say, \u2018I told you so\u2019,\u201d sighed Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGuys, Mordor\u2019s coming!\u201d called Wyldstyle. Indeed, at the Pelennor Fields, the host from Mordor arrived. As predicted, it was augmented with Shocker Rift\u2019s technology and weapons. Laser cannons were dispersed among the ranks of Orcs. The troops were armed with laser rifles. The Nine rode on mechanical Fell Beasts controlled by their new motorcycles. Daleks flanked the Nine in the air. Leading the whole thing, in vehicle mode, was a foe Optimus could recognize over the radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMegatron!\u201d he snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord, Denethor!\u201d called a soldier, Irolas, as more carried Faramir\u2019s body up to the courtyard on a stretcher. Denethor came out of the throne room and ran to Faramir\u2019s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFaramir!\u201d he called. \u201cSay not that he has fallen!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey were outnumbered,\u201d reported Irolas. \u201cNone survived.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFear!\u201d chuckled the Orc Commander. \u201cThe city is rank with it! Let us ease their pain! Release the prisoners!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCatapults!\u201d ordered the Orc Second-in-Command. The catapults launched their ammunition into the city. The soldiers got a good look at the ammunition, the heads of the Orcs\u2019 prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy sons are spent!\u201d whimpered Denethor. \u201cMy line has ended!\u201d Pippen looked over Faramir\u2019s body as Cliffjumper activated a scanner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not over!\u201d called Cliffjumper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s alive!\u201d supplied Pippen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe House of Stewards has failed!\u201d continued Denethor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDenethor, aren\u2019t you listening?!\u201d protested Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe needs medicine, my Lord!\u201d answered Pippen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy line has ended!\u201d insisted Denethor as he stumbled to the edge of the courtyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be stupid!\u201d shouted Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRohan has deserted us!\u201d whispered Denethor as he saw the legions of Orcs and Daleks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDenethor! Can you not hear the catapults smashing into the city?!\u201d shouted Ironhide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTh\u00e9oden\u2019s betrayed me!\u201d hissed Denethor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOUR CITY IS LITERALLY CRUMBLING ALL AROUND YOU!\u201d shouted War. Denethor then leaned over the edge to shout as loud as he could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cABANDON YOUR POSTS!\u201d he ordered. \u201cFLEE! FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES!\u201d At that moment, Gandalf had enough! He whacked Denethor several times over with his staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it, then,\u201d declared Hiroki. \u201cPREPARE FOR BATTLE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAUTOBOTS, TO THE AIR!\u201d shouted Optimus. As the Autobots took off, the Riders took out their respective belts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHENSHIN!\u201d called all the Riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOpen! Turn! Imagine!\u201d called the Chronicle Drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Tail of Lash!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Morningstar of Terra!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Crossbow of Striker!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Shield of Highland!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Roller of Turf!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Keyblade of Lux!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTATAKAI!\u201d (FIGHT) shouted Hiroki, Kamen Rider Sengoku. Everyone charged to the gates to stop the combined armies of Mordor and Shocker Rift.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Rohirrim army was resting at Dunharrow, their refuge. Th\u00e9oden spoke with Mikhail in private as he looked towards the other members of his team. \u201cAre you sure about them?\u201d he asked. \u201cI don\u2019t know about a few of them,\u201d replied Mikhail, \u201cbut I DO know that my friends are fighters par excellence. With them […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2370,"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-2369","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\/2369","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=2369"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2371,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369\/revisions\/2371"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}