When we entered Ghostbusters HQ, a particularly ugly ghost took out the stairs. \u201cWe should try the basement,\u201d figured Gandalf. \u201cThat is a potential source of the ghosts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChange that from potential source to actual source,\u201d corrected Emmanuel as ghosts came up from the basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGreat, the stairs going down there are blocked,\u201d I hissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAllow me,\u201d called Wyldstyle. She built a laser cutter and cut a hole into the floor. \u201cAway we go!\u201d she cheered. We jumped into the basement and found the containment unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe undead seem to be flowing from this red tomb,\u201d mused Gandalf. \u201cIt is ruptured, perhaps it could be sealed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see a chroma disc,\u201d I called. It was the blue one and an elderly ghost was floating at a bookshelf near the stairs her spectral kin were flying up towards. She had no legs and wore an old librarian\u2019s dress, her hair in a stern bun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHer again?\u201d whispered Arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe old Librarian?\u201d asked Seeker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho is it?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the first ghost we see in the first movie,\u201d replied Seeker. \u201cThis was way before Winston joined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, what do we do?\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to succeed where Peter and the others failed,\u201d answered Arch, \u201cand make contact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d muttered Batman. \u201cSomeone needs to speak with her.\u201d We then turned to Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026NO!\u201d she whispered harshly. \u201cI refuse!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut this may get you over your fear!\u201d I countered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a realm called the Haunted Forest where I\u2019m from,\u201d argued Wyldstyle. \u201cWhenever I go there, something happens that makes me change my underpants!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, maybe this is the one that won\u2019t do so,\u201d I guessed. \u201cGo on, maybe you\u2019ll get a new name!\u201d Wyldstyle looked at us, then sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust so you know,\u201d she hissed, \u201cif I do have to change my underpants, you owe me fresh ones.\u201d She got up and got to talking distance. \u201cHello!\u201d she called. \u201cI\u2019m Wyldstyle.\u201d The Librarian didn\u2019t respond. \u201cWhere were you from, originally?\u201d The Librarian shushed her! Wyldstyle slowly closed her eyes. \u201cDoes\u2026anyone else have a bright idea?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have one,\u201d whispered Ghost. \u201cStay close, everyone. This needs timing!\u201d He got low as if he were about to pounce. \u201cReady? 3! 2! 1! GET HER!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNO!\u201d shouted Seeker. Too late. The Librarian morphed into a scary version and roared. We all screamed as she flew around the bookshelf and set it on fire before joining the other ghosts. As we recovered, I started laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGet her?!\u201d I then snapped as I slammed my fist onto Ghost\u2019s head. \u201cThat was your brilliant idea?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGive me a break!\u201d protested Ghost as he massaged his head. \u201cI punched ghosts in my day. I didn\u2019t talk to them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, you better put that fire out!\u201d I snapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat was the ghost\u2019s fault!\u201d argued Ghost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut YOU provoked her!\u201d I countered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can supply Ghost with the tools needed,\u201d called Gandalf. \u201cElemental Keystone, activate! Element of water, Ghost!\u201d Ghost was surrounded in a blue aura. He formed a water stream in his hands. While he put out the fire, Ichig\u014d led me to a vent system that I could fix as a giant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScale Keystone, activate!\u201d he announced. \u201cEnlarge scale of Royal!\u201d I then put my right fist into the air while putting my left fist at my hip. I then grew. I patched up the vent. \u201cLessen scale of Royal!\u201d said Hongo. I shrunk and crawled into the vent. I tried climbing, but to no avail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDang it!\u201d I hissed. \u201cIf only I could crawl like Spider-Man!\u201d Then, I realized I was still in my Ghostfreak armor. \u201c\u2026Megumi, you can be an utter idiot sometimes,\u201d I said. I flew to the end of the vent to find a bunch of wires and circuitry. \u201cWell, as long as I have the i.d tag,\u201d I mused. I then activated the icon ring and selected another form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBen 10 Grey Matter Steel!\u201d announced Vortoranii. My suit changed to have a grey helmet and green armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGREY MATTER!!\u201d I shouted. The natural intelligence of the Galvan species then flowed into my head. \u201cSo, we just connect this wire here to stabilize the Isolated Ecto-grid, swap out that circuit with this one to bypass the redundant Spectrum Differentializers, and link the new circuit with this wire to expose the Spectragrasmic generators to a small 1.2 ectojam dose of Ectoplasm.\u201d I heard a DING. \u201cAnd I did whatever I did!\u201d I cheered. I popped out of the vent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNormalize scale of Royal,\u201d announced Ichig\u014d. \u201cYou just exposed a chroma lock design above the leak. Ghost just put out the fire and Gandalf fixed the yellow chroma disc with a dancing toaster with slime in it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSounds as weird as what I did in there,\u201d I replied as I swapped out Ben\u2019s i.d tag for my own. \u201cBefore you ask, no, I no longer remember what I did, I couldn\u2019t begin to tell you how I did it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll that\u2019s left is the red disc,\u201d mused Ghost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see it in that box,\u201d replied Batman, \u201cbut the way to open it is closed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot while I\u2019m here,\u201d boasted Gandalf. \u201cElemental Keystone, activate! Element of Earth, Batman!\u201d Batman was surrounded in a green aura and pointed his hand to the ground near the advanced box opener. A large vine then opened the area and we pushed the box into it. The box opened, and the disc came out. Wyldstyle got a good look at the Chroma lock design I revealed to her. Yellow left L shape, red circle, and blue right L shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChroma Keystone, activate!\u201d announced Wyldstyle. \u201cChroma lock, reveal!\u201d The lock design appeared on the floor. \u201cChroma! Red! Ichig\u014d! Chroma! Yellow! Batman! Chroma! Blue! Ghost!\u201d The three people got themselves painted and they jumped into their respective places. The Chroma lock activated tech that activated some sort of vacuum cleaner for ghosts and was preparing a secondary wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat did it!\u201d reported Batman. \u201cThe ghosts are clearing out. Whatever this thing is, it certainly is impressive technology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not yours to take,\u201d I teased. \u201cNow, let\u2019s head back upstairs. We need to fix the way to the roof.\u201d We headed upstairs and were greeted to Sludgiona looking around the place. She clapped eyes on us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, the killer is here,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHiro committed suicide!\u201d I protested. \u201cHe went with a rather messy way, instead of seppuku.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s no samurai,\u201d countered Ichig\u014d. \u201cAnd I doubt anyone would want to watch or help him die quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFair point,\u201d I conceded. \u201cIn any case, our business does not concern you, Sludgiona. Leave in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot a chance!\u201d burbled Sludgiona. She then grabbed me and I felt myself getting weaker and weaker by the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s\u2026happening\u2026to\u2026?\u201d I gasped before she flung me aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe sludge that makes up my body drains a person of mana, their life energy,\u201d revealed Sludgiona. \u201cAny hit that is given to me, I simply take a bit of mana to heal myself.\u201d She then started slugging my friends. True to her word, she absorbed some mana from Arch, Xiomara, Ichig\u014d, Batman, Wyldstyle, and Gandalf. She then decked Ghost hard, then knelt down with her hand above his head. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I promise I will be quick.\u201d She then placed her hand on Ghost\u2019s head, then something crackled and she was flung back from energy discharge. She splattered against the wall and dripped down to the floor. When she reformed, she was confused. \u201cAnti-Mana discharge?\u201d she yelped. \u201cHOW?!\u201d Ghost started chuckling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou said that mana is life energy, right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, and a living being is saturated in the stuff!\u201d answered Sludgiona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot when you have a Ghost Driver on your waist,\u201d remarked Ghost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat does not negate the fact that you\u2019re alive!\u201d gurgled Sludgiona. \u201cThe only way you could generate a discharge like that is if you have no mana to absorb! That only happens when I touch a ghost!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy do you think I\u2019m called Kamen Rider Ghost?\u201d asked Ghost. \u201cMy Ghost Driver allows me to be a ghost, even though I\u2019m alive! When I\u2019m in my Rider form, I have no mana to absorb! And now, I can easily beat you!\u201d Sludgiona\u2019s hand hovered over my head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMove one single muscle against me,\u201d she warned, \u201cand I reduce her to a shriveled husk!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot an effective threat,\u201d I remarked as I knocked her aside. I then ran up to Ghost and touched him, gaining his i.d tag. I inserted it and selected his base form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGhost Steel!\u201d announced Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKAIGAN! ORE!\u201d called the Ghost Driver\u2019s voice. \u201cLet\u2019s go! Kakugo! Go, Go, Go, Ghost! Go! Go! Go! Go!\u201d My armor changed to look like Ghost. Sludgiona scoffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re alive!\u201d she bubbled \u201cA simple makeover won\u2019t save you!\u201d She punched but got a discharge. \u201cNOT YOU TOO!\u201d she screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, the REAL test is if my Ectonurite armor will protect me too,\u201d I remarked as I went through the whole sequence of selecting Ghostfreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBen 10 Ghostfreak Steel!\u201d announced Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGHOSTFREAK!\u201d I shouted. When I finished, Sludgiona punched me again and got the discharge again. \u201cI knew it!\u201d I cheered. \u201cSay, Sludgiona, have you heard of this saying? \u2018Possession is nine tenths of the law!\u2019\u201d I then phased into her body and controlled her movements. \u201cYAHOO!\u201d I said through her mouth. \u201cMEGUMI IS AWESOME!\u201d I then used her arms to slap her face. \u201cStop hitting yourself! Dude, stop hitting yourself! Why are you hitting yourself?!\u201d I then made her dance. \u201cLoo dee doo, I\u2019m dancing!\u201d I sang. \u201cBecause I\u2019m Sludgiona, the mana vampire! Hey, my slave chip is making me work for Lord Vortech! It\u2019s really uncomfortable! Kick it off of me!\u201d Ghost volunteered to do that. He pulled the lever and pushed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDAI KAIGAN!\u201d (Eyes wide open!) announced the Ghost Driver. \u201cORE OMEGA DRIVE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInochi, moyasu ze!\u201d (My life is burning bright!) declared Ghost as he leapt into the air with an orange eye glyph behind him. He then stuck his feet out and flew towards Sludgiona. I got out and Ghost kicked the slave chip off. Sludgiona then collapsed into a puddle of sludge after spasming uncontrollably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd that, as they say, is that,\u201d I sighed happily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMEGUMI, YOU UTTER DUNCE!\u201d roared Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcuse me?!\u201d I hissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDestroying her slave chip was the thing the list said NOT to do!!\u201d elaborated Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?!\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSludgiona had implanted that chip so she can survive going to other universes,\u201d explained Vortoranii. \u201cShe has a rare condition called Acclimation Syndrome. For some reason, some universes are so different in their physical laws that some people may die or be assimilated into that universe. Once you do, it\u2019s a lot harder to get back to your own unless you have some sort of anchor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd that slave chip was her anchor?\u201d I realized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOriginally, it was a declamation chip, but Vortech heavily modified it,\u201d replied Vortoranii. \u201cIt was the only thing keeping her from dying or being trapped in one universe or on Vorton. The physical laws on Vorton are adaptive to each individual life-form, so you CAN\u2019T die or be acclimated. And making an anchor is hard to do, even in your home universe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd, by destroying the chip,\u201d gulped Ghost as he realized our mistake, \u201cwe just ensured she can never go home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat have we done?\u201d I murmured. \u201cI gotta do something, apologize or help her!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yeah, I\u2019m SURE she\u2019d accept an apology or help from you!\u201d snarked Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I have to do something!\u201d I protested. \u201cI\u2026\u201d Ghostbusters HQ\u2019s shaking interrupted my train of thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTable that for later,\u201d suggested Batman. \u201cWe need to get to the roof!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI better take care of this,\u201d I muttered. \u201cLocate Keystone, activate! Initiate rift detection!\u201d I found it near the stairs. \u201cIdentify source of rift!\u201d The info beamed into my head. \u201cLocate help from T-H-3-L-3-G-0-M-0-V-1-3!\u201d I called. Some weird bunk bed style couch came up in place of the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEmmet\u2019s Double-Decker Couch?\u201d muttered Wyldstyle. \u201cI didn\u2019t know he kept it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of his creations,\u201d I recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFair point,\u201d conceded Wyldstyle. We got onto the top couch and headed to the top floor, finding another set of stairs leading to the roof. Zod had fixed the ship and it was hovering above the ground. We got into a fighting stance as we saw that a Kamen Rider based on the rhino beetle was on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJ\u014c!\u201d called Ichig\u014d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShigeru J\u014d?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know him?\u201d quizzed Ichig\u014d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDeath talked about him during my reception,\u201d I explained \u201cSo, that\u2019s Kamen Rider Stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m amazed you know him,\u201d rasped a voice. \u201cBut, it takes an inferior being to know one.\u201d A humanoid creature came out of the shadows. It had large, metal, red, three-fingered claws and a grey triangular head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMetalran!\u201d snarled Vortoranii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s\u2026not showing up on the list,\u201d I observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a renegade,\u201d replied Vortoranii. \u201cHe\u2019s joined Vortech to accelerate his plans to conquer the multiverse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, dear, another evil maniac,\u201d I sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvil?\u201d hissed Metalran. \u201cManiac? No, VISIONARY! I am so much more than the others. I am SUPERIOR! The Tarlaxians are content with a provisionary Empire with a puppet like Scorpainia on the throne. They bow and scrape to lesser beings like you to get new technology and reverse-engineer what they begged like dogs for! But, we DID create the Vortex Driver and its subsequent upgraded versions, my sister, Sludgiona, specifically. Yet, she\u2019s still content with bowing to the puppet, bending and upgrading others technology!\u201d He then grabbed the cannon on Zod\u2019s ship. He started glowing as smaller versions of the cannon sprouted from his forearms and shoulders. \u201cI, on the other hand, do not upgrade other\u2019s technology! It upgrades ME! And I will upgrade myself with my sister\u2019s greatest creation!\u201d He pointed to my belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t begin to tell you how that\u2019s NOT gonna happen!\u201d I declared. \u201cSuper Charge!\u201d My armor bulked up and changed color. \u201cDai Super Charge!\u201d I announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElectro KICK!\u201d called a voice. Stronger then flew in, kicking Metalran and making him dizzy. Metalran shook his head to clear it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the?\u201d he quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe heavens call… The earth cries out… The crowds roar… All calling on me to strike back against evil,\u201d announced the attacker. \u201cNow listen up, villains! I am the warrior of justice, Kamen Rider Stronger!\u201d Stronger was ready to fight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Arch!\u201d Arch continued. \u201cMy skills outdo Robin Hood!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Seeker! It\u2019s not gold I seek, but your end!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Vortex! Evil will ultimately bow to me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Gandalf the Grey! Prepare to see some fireworks!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Wyldstyle! Time to think outside the box!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Batman! The Dark Knight rises!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKamen Rider Ghost! Inochi, moyasu ze!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am the start of a group of warriors! I am Kamen Rider!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn impressive performance,\u201d laughed Zod, \u201cfor such insignificant forms of life. However, you find yourselves between me and a glorious new Krypton. So, I\u2019m afraid that your particular species is about to become extinct!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn evil Superman, great,\u201d muttered Wyldstyle. \u201cWhat else could go wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMust you?!\u201d I protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis ship has laser cannons,\u201d reminded Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, thanks!\u201d snarked Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKneel before Zod!\u201d roared Zod. He then got into his ship and activated the guns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZod\u2019s laser is open to attack while it charges!\u201d called Batman as he pointed out a weak point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn it!\u201d I replied. Well, I WAS on it until some sort of sludge hit me from the side and pinned me to the wall. Ghost ran after Metalran and swapped his Eyecon for a yellow one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEYE!\u201d announced the Ghost Driver. \u201cBatchirimin\u0101! Batchirimin\u0101!\u201d He pulled the lever and pushed it as a new white parka with yellow trim came out. \u201cKAIGAN! EDISON!\u201d The parka Ghost was wearing vanished while the new parka landed on him and changed the face plate to a yellow lightbulb with twin electric stems. \u201cEreki! Hirameki! Hatsumei-\u014d!\u201d (Electricity! Ideas! Invention king!) Ghost then summoned a large sword and took half the blade off, reversed it, tilted the handle down, and put the blade bit back, turning it into a gun. While that was going on, the sludge formed Sludgiona\u2019s head, and a rather angry one at that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t go home, thanks to you!\u201d she roared. \u201cI can\u2019t see my queen! My friends! My husband and wife!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSludgiona!\u201d I gulped. \u201cI know about your condition! I made a mistake down there! A ghastly, horrible mistake, because I let my zeal to free your people get to me without considering the consequences. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA bit late for sorry, now!\u201d snarled Sludgiona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, I have various resources to help you!\u201d I assured. \u201cI even have a science team with an intimate understanding of rift creation technology and Tarlaxian biology! Rusty, Emily, Lukas, Sir Alistair, Elphaba, and Chell, they all can help you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA haywire Dalek,\u201d began Metalran as he shoved Ghost aside while releasing his Ghost Driver and tossing a red Eyecon in the air, \u201ca fat rose nerd, a quiet four eyes, a senile fool playing Cyborg soldier, a green-skinned witch, and a mute?!\u201d He was crossing the line, insulting my friends. \u201cThose people couldn\u2019t make water if you stuck them in an over-iced freezer with a blow torch! Look, Dear Sister, we\u2019ve had our differences, but you cured me of MY condition. I\u2019m sure I can cure yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t promise success, but we can at least get other scientists started on a cure for your condition,\u201d I argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI CAN promise success!\u201d countered Metalran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do I know either of you is actually looking out for me?!\u201d burbled Sludgiona as Batman finally got past the ship and hit its weak spot. I then moved my hand through Sludgiona\u2019s mass and cancelled my transformation. I then took off my belt and showed it to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTake it back,\u201d I offered. \u201cUse your creation to free your people and cure you of your curse.\u201d Sludgiona looked at me, then Metalran, then me, then she released me and got whatever stains were on my dress off. She handed my belt back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can warp to your Vortex form,\u201d she explained. \u201cJust say the code you assigned. You fulfilled the power of the prophecy I was trying to obtain myself. You need it more than I do.\u201d She turned to Metalran. \u201cAs I recall, you killed our parents. I see no reason to side with you!\u201d Metalran got angry and made a warped version of the Ghost Driver appear at his waist. He opened it and inserted the Eyecon he was tossing. When he closed it, his belt spoke in a darker tone than Ghost\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEYE! Batchirimin\u0101! Batchirimin\u0101!\u201d He pulled and pushed his lever. \u201cKAIGAN! MUSASHI!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMusashi?!\u201d I gulped as I went back into Vortex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd this Musashi is\u2026?\u201d asked Arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA r\u014dnin that developed a duel-wield sword style,\u201d explained Batman as he hit the weak spot again. \u201cI studied from his works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cR\u014dnin is a samurai with no master,\u201d I elaborated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKett\u014d! Zubatto! Ch\u014d keng\u014d!\u201d (Duel! Piercing! Super Swordsman!) sang Metalran\u2019s knock-off Ghost Driver. Two versions of Ghost\u2019s sword appeared in each hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny idiot who opposes me will be destroyed!\u201d snarled Metalran. He started swinging the swords, albeit, not with the same skill as Miyamoto Musashi. Still, he held his own. Ghost got out of the way and let Sludgiona and I handle him. He held his multipurpose weapon to the Ghost Driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDAI KAIGAN!\u201d (Eyes wide open!) it announced. It then looped on \u201cGan Gan Minaa!\u201d (Watch out!) He leveled his gun at the weak point. \u201cOMEGA SHOOT!\u201d He pulled the trigger and a large electrical shot hit the ship. It then crashed into a building as Zod flew out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy ship!\u201d he roared. \u201cAre you trying to provoke me?!\u201d He surrounded himself with ghosts as he fired his heat vision. Metalran, meanwhile, was pushing me and Sludgiona back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s really strong!\u201d I gulped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not,\u201d countered Sludgiona. \u201cIt\u2019s the tech that\u2019s doing that. He can only mimic, no original thoughts in his skull.\u201d I then got an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan you distract him for a while?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy pleasure,\u201d obliged Sludgiona. She fired off several balls of her biomass, causing Metalran to swat them away, while I went to Batman and pointed out a grapple hook. Batman nodded as I changed i.d tags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBatman Steel!\u201d whispered Vortoranii. We fired our grapple guns and released the Ghostbusters. They tumbled to the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou okay?\u201d Ray asked Egon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d assured Egon. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d replied Peter. \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m all right, you?\u201d gasped Winston. The process went on for a while until I broke it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cALL RIGHT!\u201d I shouted. \u201cWe\u2019ve got ghosts surrounding that mook up there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me handle him,\u201d called Ghost as he got the Musashi Eyecon back. He went into his Ore form and spoke to Zod. \u201cI am Tenk\u016bji Takeru, Kamen Rider Ghost!\u201d he announced. \u201cI order you to leave this part of reality and return to your own universe, or a nearby one, forthwith, and make an oath never to pester this universe again!\u201d His tone was shaky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNice, Ghost-san,\u201d I muttered. \u201cHe\u2019s really shaking now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you a god?\u201d asked Zod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Well, no, but\u2026\u201d replied Ghost. Judging by the facepalming of the Ghostbusters, Seeker, and Arch, that was not something to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen, DIE, as you deserve to!\u201d roared Zod as he fired his laser vision. We were tossed into the air and landed hard on the roof. As we picked ourselves up, Arch grabbed Ghost\u2019s horn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGhost, when someone asks you if you\u2019re a god, you say YES!\u201d snapped Arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThrow it!\u201d called Peter. The Ghostbuster fired on the ghosts and got them away from Zod. Zod punched the roof as he landed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPathetic!\u201d he boasted. \u201cYou puny humans cannot hope to stand in my way!\u201d He then flew over a water pipe with a valve!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGandalf!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Elemental Keystone WOULD help out here, for sure,\u201d replied Gandalf. \u201cElemental Keystone, activate! Element of lightning, Vortex!\u201d I was surrounded in a cyan aura and headed to the pipe Zod was hovering over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know, I\u2019m willing to bet that there are certain laws you can\u2019t help BUT to obey,\u201d I quipped as I turned the valve, dousing him in water. \u201cOne such law must be the one about electricity!\u201d I zapped the water, thus dousing him in electricity. He got away and recovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOuch,\u201d he said, mockingly. He then allowed himself a short laugh. \u201cIs that all you have?\u201d He hovered over a gas pipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, as Americans put it,\u201d mused Arch, \u201cif it isn\u2019t broken, don\u2019t fix it.\u201d He turned the valve and doused him in gasoline. \u201cGandalf, fire, if you please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElement of fire, Arch!\u201d announced Gandalf. Arch was surrounded in a red aura and unleashed flames on Zod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFire?\u201d laughed Zod. \u201cYou think fire, alone, can harm me?\u201d He tore out the gas pipe and threw it onto the street. He then flew over a dirt patch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, that\u2019s MY profession,\u201d called Seeker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElement of Earth, Seeker!\u201d announced Gandalf. Seeker was surrounded in a green aura as she made a large Venus Fly Trap grab him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think you are doing?!\u201d snarled Zod. We Riders then jumped into the air while Ghost pulled and pushed his lever again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDAI KAIGAN! ORE, OMEGA DRIVE\u201d called the belt. He then leapt into the air and kicked with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER KICK!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER SEEKER KICK!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER ARCH KICK!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cELECTRO KICK!\u201d announced Stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRIDER VORTEX KICK!\u201d We kicked the Fly Trap Zod was trapped in. He was tossed into his ship and surrounded by green crystals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKryptonite,\u201d observed Batman. He then strode to Zod as he lay weakened amongst the Kryptonite. \u201cI\u2019ll take that,\u201d he said as he took the PKE meter. The Ghostbusters then threw their trap and sucked all the ghosts in. Metalran saw the entire thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlast, another failed excursion,\u201d he hissed. He then sprouted wings and jet engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMetalran, help me!\u201d called Zod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re on your own,\u201d dismissed Metalran as he opened a rift. He went through as Zod glared at Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne solitary Foundation Element won\u2019t help you much when Lord Vortech comes for you!\u201d he snarled. \u201cYou are as doomed as I.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d replied Batman. A rift opened beneath Zod while another one opened behind us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood!\u201d sighed Wyldstyle. \u201cI have had ENOUGH of spooks!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey aren\u2019t all bad,\u201d mused Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have grave doubts,\u201d joked Wyldstyle. Gandalf chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNice one!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI may develop those same doubts,\u201d muttered Sludgiona. I remembered that she was trapped in this universe<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t lying,\u201d I assured her as we Riders cancelled our transformations. \u201cWith the resources we have, we\u2019ll get you back to your people, help you survive the trip, and cure your condition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we can help as well, with our knowledge of other planes of existence,\u201d supplied Peter. \u201cBesides, we could use someone like you here. You\u2019d like our pet ghost, Slimer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would you help me?\u201d asked Sludgiona. \u201cI\u2019ve caused nothing but trouble for you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I don\u2019t think of you as an enemy,\u201d I answered. \u201cI think of you as a friend. And, you don\u2019t leave friends hanging, you help them.\u201d I held out my hand for a handshake. She stared at my hand, then glared at me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not ready to call you my friend,\u201d she snarled. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t need your help if you didn\u2019t destroy my declamation chip! However, I will need your help.\u201d She then headed to the stairs. \u201cI\u2019ll be downstairs, cleaning up,\u201d she told her current landlords, the Ghostbusters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s pleasant,\u201d snarked Peter. He then turned to us. \u201cAre you guys also from another universe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I answered. \u201cI\u2019m Megumi Hishikawa, Queen of the Feudal Nerd Society.\u201d Peter and I shook hands. \u201cI apologize for dumping Sludgiona on you guys, but she has no place else to go. If she tried to go home now, she\u2019ll die.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll work on her condition here,\u201d replied Egon. \u201cAnd I\u2019d like to ask some questions of Ghost here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just Takeru,\u201d corrected Takeru. \u201cAnd I\u2019m afraid I need to get home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs do I,\u201d replied J\u014d. \u201cYuriko is worried about me. It\u2019s clear that I\u2019m not suited for this sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJ\u014d, you\u2019re a Kamen Rider,\u201d reminded Hongo. \u201cAs long as you live\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s that \u2018live\u2019 bit that I\u2019m failing at,\u201d interrupted J\u014d. \u201cSee this mark on my brow?\u201d He pointed to a yellow ring on his head. \u201cThis is my halo. I\u2019m dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Dead?\u201d asked Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was at the hands of a Black Satan remnant,\u201d replied J\u014d. \u201cThey were about to blow up Tokyo. I made the explosive detonate too early and died in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Oh,\u201d sighed Hongo, sadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I died as I lived, fighting evil wherever it was,\u201d assured J\u014d. Hongo gave a sad smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best death a Kamen Rider can ask for,\u201d he remarked. He then embraced J\u014d. \u201cI will miss you, old friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I, you,\u201d replied J\u014d. Black mist then came out of the shadows as the PKE meter in Batman\u2019s hands spiked rapidly. The mist coalesced into Death. The Ghostbusters readied their packs, but Death raised a hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never seen her before in Tobin\u2019s Spirit Guide!\u201d yelped Ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is Death,\u201d answered Emmanuel. \u201cDo not be alarmed, she is a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re friends with the Grim Reaper?!\u201d gulped Winston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I know a lot about you, especially you, Winston Zeddemore,\u201d whispered Death. \u201cAn Air Force Police Captain, before you joined the Ghostbusters.\u201d His colleagues turned to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would the Grim Reaper have an interest in you?\u201d asked Egon. Winston sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was in Vietnam, early in my career,\u201d he explained. \u201cI only told Janine that steady paycheck bit because I wanted to play it safe. I figured you had other crazies coming in for my position before me, claiming to see ghosts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you actually saw some when you were deployed?\u201d asked Ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, let\u2019s not go too much into it,\u201d stopped Peter. \u201cWe can afford to believe him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks,\u201d appreciated Winston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, J\u014d, dear, it\u2019s time to go,\u201d whispered Death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSee you later,\u201d called J\u014d to Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFarewell, old friend,\u201d replied Hongo. J\u014d faded with Death into the black mist and vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe better get going as well,\u201d I sighed. \u201cFarewell! We\u2019ll look you up if we need some ghosts busted! Take care of Sludgiona!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSee you around!\u201d bid Peter as we went into the portal. \u201cKeep in touch!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When we entered Ghostbusters HQ, a particularly ugly ghost took out the stairs. \u201cWe should try the basement,\u201d figured Gandalf. \u201cThat is a potential source of the ghosts.\u201d \u201cChange that from potential source to actual source,\u201d corrected Emmanuel as ghosts came up from the basement. \u201cGreat, the stairs going down there are blocked,\u201d I hissed. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":247,"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":[96,8],"tags":[14,16,140,139,9,138,17,142,12,15],"class_list":["post-246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-chapters","tag-batman","tag-gandalf","tag-general-zod","tag-ghostbusters","tag-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-ghost","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-kamen-rider-stronger","tag-megumi-hishikawa","tag-wyldstyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246","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=246"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":248,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions\/248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}