The journey to Mt. Doom continued as the group abandoned their disguises. Their rations were gone and they were tired. The heat of Mt. Doom and the choking air made it hard for everyone to continue. Sauron\u2019s gaze became fixed on the Black Gate as everyone struggled on. Frodo finally collapsed as Sam crawled towards him. He then lifted Frodo off the ground. \u201cDo you remember the Shire, Mister Frodo?\u201d asked Sam. \u201cIt will be Spring soon and the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thickets.\u201d Tears then streamed down his dirty face. \u201cAnd they will be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields and eating the first of the strawberries and cream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStrawberries,\u201d sighed Megumi. \u201cI can still see a package of them in our house, Richard. You brought them home to try and cheer me up during my funk. I can see myself whipping cream and then we retire to the porch and look at the natural forest near our backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe would always be more at ease at seeing nature,\u201d chuckled Richard as he remembered their house on the outskirts of Beyond City. \u201cJust like the romantic poets of old. We then kiss, the taste of strawberries lingering in our mouths.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you remember the taste of strawberries?\u201d Sam asked Frodo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…No, Sam,\u201d wheezed Frodo. \u201cI can\u2019t recall the taste of food, nor the sound of water or the touch of grass. I\u2019m naked in the dark! There\u2019s… there\u2019s nothing! No veil between me and the wheel of fire!\u201d Panic then set into the Hobbit. \u201cI can see him with my waking eyes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen let us be rid of it once and for all!\u201d roared Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s right!\u201d agreed Curly. \u201cI\u2019m sick of being afraid of that ring!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMe too!\u201d affirmed Larry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMe three! Let\u2019s finish it!\u201d declared Moe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re right, we have a mission to complete,\u201d proclaimed Prowl. \u201cFor ALL of our loved ones, let\u2019s finish it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s do it to it!\u201d cheered Sonic. \u201c…Never thought I\u2019d say that again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI may be a creature of darkness,\u201d hissed Jandro, \u201cbut my darkness is acknowledged, not controlled! I\u2019ll be damned if I bow to a freak of nature like Sauron and undo the three Ages of mastery of my darkness!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been fighting evil since the 80\u2019s,\u201d declared Usagi I, \u201cI\u2019m not stopping now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to live in fear of a scrap of jewelry!\u201d snarled Batman. \u201cI don\u2019t care how much power it has, let\u2019s end it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMinna-san, I\u2019ve always done everything in my power to accomplish a goal,\u201d pronounced Megumi, \u201cI\u2019ll not let myself falter now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on Mister Frodo, I can\u2019t carry it for you, but I can carry you!\u201d declared Sam as he hoisted Frodo onto his shoulders. \u201cCOME ON!\u201d he called to everyone as he led the charge up Mt. Doom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStill can\u2019t pierce the ash cloud,\u201d reported Amelia on the Virginia<\/em>. Emily winced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWould really like to know that they\u2019ve won!\u201d she muttered. \u201cAnd they need to hurry up! Prime\u2019s not gonna last much longer!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan\u2019t Ratchet do anything?!\u201d protested Joshua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not equipped for that kind of poison,\u201d muttered Emily. \u201cHe can only slow down the spread. If he tries to repair Optimus, the repair trauma will extinguish his Spark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we need to move it!\u201d urged Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSparks can\u2019t exist outside a living body,\u201d replied Emily. \u201cWe\u2019d need a safe vessel for it to rest in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLike what?!\u201d argued Joshua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight now, we need to make sure Megumi makes it to Mt. Doom,\u201d answered Emily. \u201cKeep trying to break through the ash cloud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmily,\u201d called Moon-Kyung, \u201cThe Battle of the Black Gate is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood, they have time now,\u201d muttered Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook Mister Frodo, a doorway!\u201d cheered Sam as everyone climbed boulders that looked like steps. \u201cWe\u2019re almost there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPraise every god in the multiverse, we\u2019re home free!\u201d cheered Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot so free yet!\u201d rasped a voice. It then made a horrible swallowing noise that sounded like \u201cGollum! Gollum! Gollum!\u201d In that instance, Old Gollum leapt between the group and the Cracks of Doom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGollum, we have to destroy the Ring!\u201d argued Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMustn\u2019t go that way!\u201d rasped Gollum. \u201cMustn\u2019t hurt the Precious!\u201d He leapt towards them and was intercepted by Malak. He got out of the Troll\u2019s grasp and knocked Sam down. Batman tried to pull them apart, but Gollum was too wriggly for him! Gollum then bit Batman\u2019s hand, causing him to roar in pain. Megumi then punched Gollum straight in the mouth, but Gollum then kicked her square in the gut. She was winded as Gollum clambered onto Prowl and tore into his shoulder. As it sparked, Prowl fell to the ground as everyone tried to get a shot in at Gollum. \u201cPrecious will come back to us!\u201d snarled Gollum. \u201cPrecious is ours!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Precious is evil!\u201d argued Megumi as she got her wind back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPrecious is just Precious!\u201d shouted Gollum. \u201cPrecious will…where is it?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFrodo?!\u201d called Sam. Everyone turned to see Frodo sprinting towards the Cracks of Doom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cQuick! After him!\u201d called Megumi. Everyone dashed into the volcano and were immediately assaulted by the heat of the lava.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFRODO!\u201d called Sam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m here, Sam!\u201d replied Frodo\u2019s voice. He was at the edge of the cliff overlooking the river of lava.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDestroy it!\u201d urged Bumblebee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo on! Now! Throw it in the fire!\u201d called Jandro. Frodo held the chain over the lava river, but simply stared at the Ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you waiting for?! Just let it go!!\u201d pleaded Sam. Frodo then turned slowly, his eyes blazing with madness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo!\u201d groaned Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Ring is mine!\u201d called Frodo as he took it off the chain and put it onto his finger, vanishing from sight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNO!\u201d wailed Sam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPRECIOUS!\u201d shouted Gollum as he leapt over the group and managed to land onto the invisible Frodo. Because of Frodo\u2019s invisible state, Gollum looked like he was bouncing up and down in the air, grappling with an invisible worm. He then got a hold of the invisible thing and bit down on it. He took the invisible thing and came off of the now visible Frodo as he fell to the ground, clutching his hand in pain. Half of his finger was gone! Gollum then got the Ring and held it into the air before celebrating that he got the Precious back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Gollum was celebrating, the Battle of the Black Gate was at a standstill, even with the new technology the Enemy\u2019s forces had. \u201cI thought Hiro said we\u2019d be unstoppable with these \u2018goons\u2019!\u201d snarled an Orc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s pronounced \u2018guns\u2019,\u201d shouted a Combatman, \u201cand we didn\u2019t consider that the enemy would have giant robots!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStop talking and keep fighting!\u201d shouted a third Orc. The Orc\u2019s voice belonged to Kiri. \u201cThank goodness for medics!\u201d hissed Kiri to himself as he summoned the Hyper Zecter. \u201cHyper Cast Off!\u201d He then attached the Hyper Zecter to his left hip and pressed the horn down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Cast Off!\u201d announced the Hyper Zecter as Kiri went into Hyper Form. \u201cChange: Hyper Mantis!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Clock Up!\u201d called Kiri as he slapped the Hyper Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Clock Up!\u201d repeated the Hyper Zecter. He then went at incredible speeds to continue the assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During Kiri\u2019s appearance on the battlefield, Frodo saw Gollum jumping for joy, then became possessed by a burning sensation of resolve. He ignored Megumi\u2019s protests as he got up and charged at Gollum, grappling with him for possession of the Ring. As they fought, both of them tumbled over the edge! Gollum fell as he cuddled the Ring, then held it aloft in triumph. That feeling ceased the instant he hit the lava and sank into it, the pain of the intense heat shutting every sense of feeling down. While Gollum was destroyed, the Ring stayed aloft on a small solid part of the lava as the writing appeared. Everyone looked over the edge to see Frodo holding on to the cliff! Batman worked quickly. \u201cShift Keystone, activate! Magenta, near the group! Yellow, near the cliff edge! Cyan, near the door! Shift! Frodo! Magenta!\u201d The Shift Keystone then pulled through as Frodo came through the Magenta Portal and into Sam\u2019s arms! The instant Frodo was rescued, the Ring sunk into the lava, melting as it did. Sauron then roared in utter defeat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the Black Gate, everyone turned to see where the shouting came from. Kiri then twitched as a nasty feeling welled up in his gut. His Hyper Zecter had long announced that Hyper Clock Up had wound down so he could see Barad-d\u00fbr crumble and fall as Sauron vanished. \u201cFRODO!\u201d cheered Merry! \u201cFRODO!\u201d The call was taken up by everyone. Kiri decided that leaving this universe would increase his chances of survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Clock Up! Hyper Clock Up!! HYPER CLOCK UP!!!\u201d he urged as he slapped the Hyper Zecter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyper Clock Up!\u201d confirmed the Hyper Zecter. He then ran towards a small fighter craft and got in. \u201cHyper Clock Over!\u201d announced the Zecter as he went through the checks. Everything was good, so Kiri took off, summoned a dimensional rift, and escaped through it. Meanwhile, Mordor crumbled and the enemy forces that remained were swallowed by the earth. Mt. Doom then blew its top, causing the cheer to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTime to go!\u201d yelped Megumi as Prowl and Bumblebee transformed and let everyone in. Perceptor stayed in robot mode, allowed people onto his back, and used his flight jets to keep up with Prowl and Bumblebee as they escaped Mt. Doom. The lava pursued them as they continued fleeing the volcano. As they fled, the ash cloud parted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have a signal!\u201d called Amelia. \u201cThey\u2019re trying to stay ahead of the lava!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan you get a running lock on them?!\u201d Emily called to Rusty and the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have one on them now!\u201d reported Rusty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet them up here! Into the cargo hold! NOW!\u201d ordered Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Megumi…Neesan…\u201d (Sister) whispered Sengoku as he dropped to his knees and his transformation cancelled. Hiroki\u2019s eyes were wet with tears of disbelief that his sister, Megumi, was dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHello?\u201d called Emily\u2019s voice. \u201cAny Riders receiving?\u201d Hiroki then took the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMoshi moshi,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re safe in the cargo hold,\u201d reported Emily. Hiroki\u2019s mood brightened instantly. \u201cWe\u2019re ready to beam everyone aboard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo it!\u201d cheered Hiroki. Everyone was beamed onto the Virginia<\/em> and into safety. They were in the cargo hold, same as Megumi\u2019s team. Henry was tending to Frodo\u2019s finger stump, disinfecting it, and bandaging it while Frodo got a faraway look. The surviving Fellowship Members gathered around him as Frodo smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can see the Shire,\u201d he sighed happily, relieved to see anything aside from Sauron and the Darkness. \u201cThe Brandywine River. Bag End. Gandalf\u2019s fireworks. The lights on the party tree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRosie Cotton dancing,\u201d sighed Sam. \u201cShe had ribbons in her hair. If ever I was to marry someone, it\u2019d be her. It\u2019d be her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou have that chance, Samwise the Brave,\u201d remarked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m hardly that,\u201d replied Sam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou carried an adult Hobbit up miles of burning mountain,\u201d countered Batman, \u201call while it was spewing poisonous gases. You were the one who got Frodo to the Cracks of Doom, not any of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSam, I\u2019m so glad to have someone like you as a friend,\u201d sighed Frodo. Sam had happy tears in his eyes as the two Hobbits embraced as friends do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell then,\u201d chuckled Pippen, \u201cwe\u2019ve got celebrating to do!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot quite,\u201d muttered Henry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOptimus was stabbed by something called a Morgul blade,\u201d explained Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSince Sauron fell,\u201d continued Henry, \u201cthe effects of the thing have lessened, but Ratchet\u2019s not so hopeful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Optimus?!\u201d yelped Megumi. She was led to Sick Bay and saw Optimus on a medical berth. Ratchet was looking him over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis Spark is still weak,\u201d he reported. \u201cWith the repair trauma, we\u2019ll lose it for sure!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we have to move it so he can be repaired safely!\u201d insisted Megumi as Richard came in after his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis Spark can\u2019t exist outside a living body!\u201d argued Ratchet. Megumi then looked at her Vortex Driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere IS a way,\u201d she mused, remembering Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…What, are you NUTS?!\u201d yelped Richard. \u201cThe Vortex Driver is meant to use i.d. tags, not Sparks! Besides, Prime\u2019s Spark has the Matrix with it! It\u2019s probably too powerful!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLike we have a choice?!\u201d countered Megumi. She turned to Ratchet. \u201cDuring the Vortech Wars, my old belt, the Supreme Vortex Driver, carried a living soul with it. If the current model Vortex Drivers are built around the Supreme Vortex Driver\u2019s blueprints, we can safely move Optimus\u2019 Spark into the Vortex Driver.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…A risky gamble, but I\u2019m not gonna let a young one die on my table!\u201d declared Ratchet. He opened Optimus\u2019 chest and revealed the Spark. He then picked Megumi up and held her near the Spark. Megumi held up her Vortex Driver and pointed it at the Spark. Nothing happened for a bit, then the Spark fired a beam of light into it and made it crackle with energy. The energy then tore through Megumi and heaped the pain onto her before blowing her and the Vortex Driver back. The Spark had long faded and a strange device landed near the Vortex Driver as it hit the floor. Megumi didn\u2019t see the device, paying attention only to the Vortex Driver as she picked it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPrime?! Prime, can you hear me?!\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLoud and clear,\u201d replied Optimus\u2019 voice. Megumi then realized it didn\u2019t come from the Vortex Driver. \u201cOn the floor,\u201d called Optimus\u2019 voice. Megumi looked around to see the device on the floor. It was rectangular and had a tab extending from the back that looked like it could hold an i.d. tag in it. The front looked like it could fit over the wheel of the Vortex Driver. It had small arms with smaller wheels with teeth set on them that looked like they could turn the Vortex Driver\u2019s wheel. Megumi picked up the device and examined it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Prime?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s my title, don\u2019t wear it out,\u201d answered the device in Optimus\u2019 voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOptimus, how…what is this thing?!\u201d demanded Megumi as Ratchet set bodily regeneration to maximum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d replied Optimus. \u201cI think it\u2019s called an Ascendant, an extension of the Vortex Driver that needed a massive amount of energy to bring it into reality. It looks like my Spark was the energy needed. You slip the tab into the i.d. tag slot, then tilt it down until it rests over the wheel and the smaller wheels\u2019 teeth fit over the larger one\u2019s teeth, then press the blue button to activate its functions. Apparently, it can alter your armor so that you look more like the person the i.d. tag is based off of and gain their memories and skill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold on, let me make sure we heard that right,\u201d interjected Richard. \u201cThe Ascendant will turn us into the person the i.d. tag is based off of?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYep,\u201d confirmed Optimus. \u201cStrengths, weaknesses, and all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd is it designed to hold onto a Spark for very long?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, I can only be in here for a few hours,\u201d replied Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThankfully, you\u2019ll only need to be in there for half that time,\u201d reported Ratchet. \u201cYour body is regenerating nicely and is removing all traces of the Morgul blade except the scar on the shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSweet! My first battle scar!\u201d cheered Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn that case, I\u2019ll just leave you all to…\u201d began Megumi. She was intercepted by Emily as she shoved her sister-in-law onto a bed. \u201cWait a minute, I need to…!\u201d protested Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou keep arguing with your kindly family doctor,\u201d interrupted Emily, \u201cyou\u2019re gonna be laid up for two hours. If you\u2019re lucky, you\u2019ll be out in one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, if no one else needs me,\u201d mused Richard, \u201cI think I\u2019ll head for my station.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat bed\u2019s your station!\u201d snapped Emily as she pointed to another bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmily-chan, I think you\u2019re enjoying this,\u201d chuckled Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, she is,\u201d sniggered Richard as he laid down onto the bed. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen her look so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShut up!\u201d snapped Emily. Megumi opened her mouth and was promptly shushed by Emily. Sick bay then went quiet. \u201c…Well, what do you know? I finally got the last word!\u201d giggled Emily.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The journey to Mt. Doom continued as the group abandoned their disguises. Their rations were gone and they were tired. The heat of Mt. Doom and the choking air made it hard for everyone to continue. Sauron\u2019s gaze became fixed on the Black Gate as everyone struggled on. Frodo finally collapsed as Sam crawled towards […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2379,"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-2378","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\/2378","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=2378"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2380,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378\/revisions\/2380"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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