\u201cThat will be 2 golds and 6 silvers,\u201d requested Mrs. Barmek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven with the Crew Discount?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeef went up drastically,\u201d explained Mrs. Barmek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yeah, the beef crisis,\u201d remembered Arsha as she handed over her cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAhem,\u201d called a voice. Arsha and Mrs. Barmek turned to see a woman in blue-violet. She had skirts that had a diameter of her height multiplied by 1.5. Her top, however, looked like it belonged to a belly dancer\u2019s outfit. \u201cI am Vioazira, the blue-violet princess of Chizara and the sea-animal leader,\u201d she introduced. \u201cArsha, the battlefield has been set and your opponent is waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, good, I\u2019ve been waiting!\u201d cheered Arsha. She turned to Mrs. Barmek. \u201cWish me luck!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo out and win!\u201d bid Mrs. Barmek. Arsha and Vioazira vanished in a flash of blue violet light. Mrs. Barmek then saw Bashoon come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, Mom, where\u2019s the Captain?\u201d asked Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOff to her fight,\u201d replied Mrs. Barmek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlready?!\u201d yelped Bashoon as she dashed to the intercom on the wall. \u201cAll hands, Captain Royana is about to start her round! I repeat, Captain Royana is about to start her round! Get some seats and snacks!\u201d The Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s crew dashed for the nearest screen to see the bout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is it!\u201d cheered Megumi as everyone crowded into the Gateway room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo shoving!\u201d snapped Emily as Tanisha bumped her. \u201cThere\u2019s plenty of room!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn screen!\u201d called Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust after this is your bout, right, Sir?\u201d asked Prowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou got it,\u201d confirmed Optimus. \u201cSo, let\u2019s see how this, er, balances out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait, is that what\u2019s going on here?!\u201d protested Bumblebee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDude, spoilers!\u201d called Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, frack! Sorry!\u201d gulped Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSH! SH! Here comes the judge!\u201d hissed Teletraan. Vioazira appeared as Arsha and Vicky climbed up the poles of the old circus tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Vioazira, the blue-violet princess of Chizara and the sea-animal leader,\u201d Vioazira introduced herself to the camera. \u201cThe combatants are ready for their first bout! Representing T-H-3-T-H-R-3-3-R-3-4-L-M-5, we have Captain Arsha Royana of the Mid-realm\u2019s capital of Largandra! Representing W-4-N-D-3-R-L-U-5-T, we have Vicky with home turf advantage! The fight will be a test of balance! Each combatant will try and stand on the rope above me while balancing a foot tall stack of books, all of equal sizes. Arsha shall balance the books on her weakest tail while Vicky will use her arm. Whoever stays on the rope longer is the winner! No other supports may be used and the combatants will NOT bounce the rope on purpose to interfere with another player\u2019s progress.\u201d Vioazira looked up at the left platform near the top of the tent where the tightrope was set up. \u201cVicky, are you ready?\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReady and waiting!\u201d cheered Vicky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha Royana, are you ready?\u201d Vioazira asked Arsha on the other platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, aye!\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen take your books!\u201d declared Vioazira. The two ladies did so. \u201cNow, onto the rope!\u201d The ladies went forward and the rope strained and bounced under the two ladies\u2019 combined weight. They did what they could to steady themselves until they went still, briefly compensating by leaning a bit to one side or the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on, Captain!\u201d called Mrs. Barmek on the Endeavor<\/em>. \u201cDon\u2019t lose it now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, PLEASE win this one!\u201d begged Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh Primus, do you see that?\u201d gulped Jazz. \u201cShe\u2019s leaning too far!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf she goes any further, she\u2019s gonna fall,\u201d muttered Prowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy fellow Cyber-Ninjas, easy,\u201d assured Optimus. \u201cLook at her foot. It\u2019s following her head, bringing the rope beneath her as she balances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can barely see anything with all her skirts!\u201d grumbled Strongarm. \u201cThere\u2019s no way she can wear that in combat! Her legs won\u2019t go high enough for a kick! Although, I will say, she\u2019s putting her other tails to good use, adjusting them so she can stay balanced.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs this some Cyber-Ninja convention?!\u201d griped Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey ARE a little more observant about bodily movements than most bots are,\u201d chuckled Ironhide. \u201cI guess that\u2019s what happens when you learn the art of assassination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, can we NOT use that word here?\u201d gulped Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, who\u2019s that on the floor?\u201d asked Bumblebee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, is that from our universe?\u201d asked Bashoon as she pointed to the mysterious figure on the circus tent\u2019s floor. The rest of her crewmates asked around, but gave no definitive answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer was definitive for the Vortex Riders. \u201cCAAN!\u201d yelped Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe gotta stop him!\u201d called Tanisha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEasy,\u201d assured a voice. Rosadera had arrived. \u201cThey will not be in any danger from outside interference, I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome down from there!\u201d shouted Caan. \u201cI have need of you, Arsha!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a battlefield for the Verse Vs. Verse Rumble Royale!\u201d called Vioazira. \u201cLeave at once!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot until I have Arsha!\u201d snapped Caan. He then leveled his gun and fired! The shot was absorbed by some unknown shield. \u201cWhat the?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait, how is Caan surprised about the shield?\u201d asked Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, shouldn\u2019t he have seen that coming?\u201d quizzed Alesandro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhenever we interact with him,\u201d replied Rosadera, \u201cwe tend to blind him to the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s a mercy,\u201d sighed Megumi in relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caan was still firing at the rope, but the shots were still absorbed. \u201cYour attempts to interfere are futile,\u201d declared Vioazira. \u201cThe bout is still on. All we can do is see how it plays out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLower that shield, NOW!\u201d barked Caan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t think you understand who\u2019s in control right now!\u201d snarled Vioazira. \u201cThe round has not yet been declared over. Now, leave!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen Vortech returns,\u201d hissed Caan as he called a rift home, \u201cyou will come crawling to me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVortech is DEAD!\u201d snapped Vioazira as he left. \u201cInsolent Dalek!\u201d she snarled. \u201cHe just HAS to go to these extremes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s him all gone,\u201d muttered Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor now,\u201d mused Alesandro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMegumi,\u201d called the Brigadier\u2019s voice as he came up. \u201cI have news that may concern you and Hiro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll discuss this outside Hiro\u2019s cell,\u201d declared Megumi, feeling the urgency. \u201cExcuse, Minna.\u201d She got up and followed the Brigadier to Hiro\u2019s cell in the brig. Hiro was kneeling in traditional Japanese fashion with his eyes shut. She cleared her throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmily has told me,\u201d he answered, not opening his eyes, \u201cthat I\u2019ve made a remarkable physical recovery. She\u2019s just not too sure about my mental state. To be frank, I would be insulted if she thought I would get through my wife\u2019s death in any speedy fashion. Are you here to offer condolences by Flora\u2019s urging?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m here by the Brigadier\u2019s request, actually,\u201d replied Megumi. \u201cHe said he has news that may concern us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…I\u2019m sorry, I shouldn\u2019t be so suspicious,\u201d muttered Hiro. \u201cWhat does Lethbridge-Stewart want to say to us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know how the Skaro Daleks were freed,\u201d explained the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe weren\u2019t watchful enough, that\u2019s how,\u201d dismissed Hiro. \u201cNow, my wife and unborn child paid the price.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, you were very watchful of them, just not of Caan,\u201d countered the Brigadier. Hiro then gave him his full attention, as did Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy mention him?\u201d asked Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause he\u2019s the one who gave the Skaro Daleks the means to remove the explosives from their old shells,\u201d explained the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…What?\u201d whispered Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaan had surreptitiously given the Skaro Daleks the means to return to their old shells and told them about the Emperor Dalek you created and named Davros,\u201d continued the Brigadier. \u201cThey know Davros is still the same man in a wheelchair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI…Impossible!\u201d dismissed Hiro. \u201cThere\u2019s no way he could have known!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaan has another Dalek turned human on his side,\u201d countered Megumi. \u201cShe was probably a communications Dalek. She could have easily found how you lied to the original Skaro strain. …Hiro?\u201d Hiro trembled in unbridled fury. His wife and child, his future with them, his plans to rule with an Empress and Princess, all gone because of a former Dalek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCAAAAAAAN!\u201d Hiro roared with all his grief and loathing of the creature. He roared so loud that it caused his head to hurt. He passed out from losing so much air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMegumi to Emily! Medical emergency!\u201d called Megumi over the comms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha and Vicky were still staying on the rope, trying to keep their balance. \u201cThere\u2019s no shame in quitting,\u201d called Vicky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you kidding?\u201d asked Arsha. \u201cI\u2019m just getting warmed up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh really?\u201d snarked Vicky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, really!\u201d taunted Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTrying to whoa! Whoa! WHOA!\u201d Vicky had lost concentration during her attempt to taunt and lost her balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSWEET ONES!\u201d yelped Arsha as she fired a spell at Vicky to slow down her fall so she\u2019d land safely. Vicky wiped her brow and looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks!\u201d she called. She then recalled the terms of the bout. \u201cDang it!\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis contest is over!\u201d cheered Vioazira. \u201cThe winner is Arsha Royana! Arsha, you will be returned to the bridge of your ship. Vicky, though you have suffered a defeat, know that it only brings as much dishonor as you feel necessary. Would you care for an interview with Blancalmarem and Nemengra?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks, but I gotta hit the road,\u201d replied Vicky. \u201cStill, that was a good fight! Keep on winning, Arsha.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks,\u201d bid Arsha. \u201cGood luck on future endeavors. Maybe we\u2019ll see each other again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d mused Vicky. \u201cWho knows? See ya!\u201d She left the tent. Following a few seconds after was the starting of a motorcycle engine. The motorcycle then made a noise indicating that it had sped away from the tent. Arsha was then returned to her ship, greeted by her bridge crew and Goblin Ensign, and congratulated on all sides. Just then, Shalvey got something on her console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain, the Ark<\/em> and Vorton wish to extend their congratulations to you!\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTell them I happily accept and…!\u201d directed Arsha happily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain,\u201d called Malak, \u201ca ship is approaching us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA ship?\u201d asked Arsha. \u201cCan you identify it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRunning matches,\u201d reported Malak. \u201c…Match found! It\u2019s the Nemesis<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRed alert!\u201d ordered Arsha as she removed her hairpiece. \u201cAdvise the Ark<\/em> and Vorton that an enemy is approaching us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re already raising shields and charging weapons,\u201d reported Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLock weapons onto the enemy vessel,\u201d ordered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWeapons locked on target,\u201d replied Malak. \u201c…Strange. They\u2019re not doing the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain, Megatron\u2019s hailing you,\u201d called Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMe?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou, Megumi, and Optimus, all by name,\u201d confirmed Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn screen,\u201d ordered Arsha. Megatron appeared on screen. Judging by the fact that he was on a chair styled after the Decepticon Symbol, it was easy to believe Megatron was on the Nemesis<\/em>\u2019 bridge. Optimus and Megumi appeared as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI understand your concern,\u201d assured Megatron, \u201cbut I promise I\u2019m not here to fight. I only wish to negotiate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn what, visitation rights for Vorton? Forget it!\u201d snarled Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d guess the release of Hiro,\u201d growled Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are correct,\u201d confirmed Megatron. \u201cI have a Decepticon of equal value to Hiro. I propose an exchange, the bot for the leader of Shocker Rift.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Give us until Optimus finishes his bout,\u201d answered Megumi. \u201cWe will have your answer by then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis bout?\u201d asked Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe three of us,\u201d explained Optimus, \u201care in a multiversal fighting tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…And First Place Prize is?\u201d quizzed Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot any of your concern, if the winner between the three of us is careful,\u201d answered Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery well,\u201d finished Megatron. \u201cWe\u2019ll be outside Vorton\u2019s weapons range. Tell me your decision once Optimus finishes his bout. Oh, Optimus?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes?\u201d Optimus asked in a careful tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood luck,\u201d bid Megatron. The call ended and the Nemesis<\/em> moved outside Vorton\u2019s weapons range while still remaining in visual range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll go tell Hiro about this development,\u201d declared Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep watch on the Nemesis<\/em>,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI gotta go practice with my bat\u2019leth,\u201d finished Optimus. \u201cSee you all later.\u201d The call ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMr. Nazay,\u201d called Arsha, \u201ctake up an observation position. Make sure we\u2019re facing the Nemesis<\/em>. Shalvey, Thangred, Malak, I want all sensors working correctly as we monitor the Nemesis<\/em> for any activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, Captain,\u201d confirmed Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow will we be observing Optimus\u2019 bout?\u201d asked Thangred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt will still be on the main screen,\u201d replied Arsha as she returned her hairpiece back onto its usual position, \u201cbut I need you three to give a little more attention to your jobs at this time. You may still strategically look up to see how the bout is progressing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, Captain,\u201d replied Malak. Everyone did their jobs with naval precision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cThat will be 2 golds and 6 silvers,\u201d requested Mrs. Barmek. \u201cEven with the Crew Discount?\u201d asked Arsha. \u201cBeef went up drastically,\u201d explained Mrs. Barmek. \u201cOh, yeah, the beef crisis,\u201d remembered Arsha as she handed over her cash. \u201cAhem,\u201d called a voice. Arsha and Mrs. Barmek turned to see a woman in blue-violet. She had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2404,"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-2403","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\/2403","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=2403"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2405,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403\/revisions\/2405"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2403"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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