Megumi, Richard, Scorpainia, Eelinape, Arsha and her spouses, Optimus, and Blackarachnia had gathered in the Conference Room again after various attempts to talk to War. \u201cAfter Academy\u2019s staff has also tried to get through to War,\u201d reported Megumi. \u201cSo far, they\u2019ve had no response. Until they do, we\u2019ve been asked not to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Autobot High Council,\u201d supplied Optimus, \u201chas requested that we not interfere as War is taking care of the Decepticons\u2019 current leader.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the Realmfleet Council,\u201d finished Arsha, \u201cis saying the same as they believe War is best suited for dealing with Dr. Borg.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnfortunately,\u201d sighed Scorpainia, \u201cthe Imperial Tarlaxian Council has made the same decision as going against War would be blasphemous, even though they\u2019re condemning her actions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, that\u2019s it?!\u201d protested Gorfanth. \u201cWe\u2019re not warning the Decepticon Moon Base?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWar\u2019s still a member of After Academy\u2019s faculty,\u201d answered Richard. \u201cIf we warn the Moon Base, we\u2019d risk causing a splinter within the school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBesides,\u201d supplied Blackarachnia, \u201cwhat if War\u2019s right? What if Caan really HAS gotten his hands on our main enemies?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf Caan wanted their cooperation,\u201d agreed Scorpainia, \u201cthat IS how he would do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes Caan really need Megatron? Hiro? Dr. Borg?\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe issue here is NOT whether or not Caan has tricked our enemies,\u201d interjected Eelinape. \u201cWar has told many Tarlaxians that she feels there has been too much peace, that there must be a war in order to survive. Fear of Caan has given her an excuse to do what she does best, to fight and conquer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf she\u2019s so eager for a fight,\u201d quizzed Arsha, \u201cwho\u2019s to say she\u2019ll stop with Hiro and his allies?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNext target could be anyone,\u201d muttered Foresna, \u201ceven the Realms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I were still a Realmfleet Captain,\u201d mused Malnar, \u201cI\u2019d have my ship help fortifying Vorton.\u201d Everyone turned to her for clarification. \u201cThink about it, what good will it do War to conquer Optimus\u2019 home if she can\u2019t control the Gateway?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Richard. \u201cIf she\u2019s going back to basics, no one is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we need to make sure,\u201d declared Megumi, \u201cthat possibility is impossible for both sides.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow?\u201d asked Falnii softly. \u201cFrom what I see, we have two choices, both of them bad. If we stand by and allow War to do as she pleases, we risk becoming her next target. But, if we disobey our respective governments, we may risk starting a war with her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMeaning we need a third option,\u201d muttered Lardeth. He then got an idea. \u201cOptimus, Soundwave is the Decepticon Communications Officer, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of Soundwave, he was on monitor duty again. In his mind, it was the perfect job. All activities were beamed directly into his brain. He knew that information was power and monitor duty was rich in information. He flicked to a punishment chamber and heard the cries and screams of those suffering physical punishment. He felt anguish was the best way to extract information. \u201cWhat did I say back in the day?\u201d he asked himself. \u201cAh, yes, \u2018Cries and screams are music to my ears\u2019.\u201d He chuckled darkly until he got a sensor blip. He focused his attention on it and identified the source as a breach in Vorton\u2019s security! He immediately called Hiro, Dr. Borg, and Megatron. \u201cDUUUUUDES!\u201d he cheered. \u201cI just got into Vorton\u2019s systems!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn our way!\u201d called Megatron. They arrived quickly and gathered around Soundwave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan you patch into their cameras?!\u201d asked Dr. Borg, giddy with excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust a second…\u201d replied Soundwave. \u201cAlmost…GOT IT!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll together,\u201d Scorpainia\u2019s voice began, \u201cwe\u2019re talking about well over 600 ships in just the first wave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s no small fleet,\u201d remarked Optimus\u2019 voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA fleet, eh?\u201d chuckled Hiro. He was promptly shushed by Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBetween ground forces and warships, War\u2019s committed over half her fighting forces to this invasion,\u201d continued Eelinape\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho\u2019s he?\u201d asked Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuiet!\u201d hissed Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long before she reaches her target?\u201d asked Megumi\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAccording to our estimates,\u201d replied Scorpainia, \u201cWar should invade the Decepticon Moon Base within the hour and attempt to hunt Caan in that time. With Quake Hammer, Skyfall, X-PO, and Gai Amatsu helping her forces…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWar\u2019s invading us!\u201d gulped Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd is accompanied by traitors, it seems,\u201d mused Megatron as he started regretting not letting the D.J.D. kill Quake Hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDisengage! Now!\u201d Hiro urged Soundwave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat? Why?!\u201d asked Soundwave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause not even Vortech was willing to fight her directly!\u201d answered Hiro. \u201cThat means this isn\u2019t a good time to eavesdrop!\u201d Soundwave stopped immediately. \u201cWhy would War hunt for Caan here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerhaps she thinks we\u2019ve been roped into his business,\u201d guessed Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbsurd!\u201d hissed Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it?\u201d mused Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHiro, we need to talk to Megumi,\u201d suggested Megatron. \u201cWe need her to stop War. I have enough problems on my plate right now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHaving trouble finding this \u2018Galvatron\u2019 character?\u201d asked Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…How do you know about that?\u201d hissed Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid, since Igura\u2019s death,\u201d explained Hiro, \u201cinternal security ISN\u2019T what it used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d muttered Megatron. \u201c…Shame about your wife. I suppose you\u2019ll need to find her replacement. Her scientific mind set the standard rather high.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can stand here all day,\u201d hissed Hiro, \u201cattacking one another\u2019s weak points and reminding ourselves how much we hate one another, but neither of us have the time! If Scorpainia\u2019s right, War and her fleet will arrive in less than an hour. I suggest we prepare for her!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnything unusual as of yet?\u201d asked War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d reported Quake Hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing unusual here either,\u201d supplied Skyfall from her work station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcuse me,\u201d called a voice. A Japanese man in a white suit came in. \u201cYour upgrades are complete,\u201d reported the man. \u201cWith them, your fleet will be at 1,000%, all according to my…OUR scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure,\u201d scoffed War. \u201cAnd I\u2019m going to bet future upgrades will be a bajillion percent, perhaps a tajillion!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Those…aren\u2019t real percentages,\u201d remarked the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not the only one making up percentages!\u201d snarled War. \u201cI would advise you to stick to mathematically defined parameters in future! Claiming to be above 100% leads to arrogance and that WILL cost us the campaign!\u201d Just then, an alarm sounded. War took out a pair of glasses with a device near the right ear hook. She then typed something on the computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Skyfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn intruder alarm back at my house,\u201d explained War. \u201cOne I had personally set up. Meaning…\u201d Azuliterii, Rojenthi, and Amavorte appeared on the screen, sneaking around the house. \u201cOf course!\u201d groaned War. She turned to the Cybertronians. \u201cMan your stations, I need your help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI feel like a burglar,\u201d muttered Amavorte as Azuliterii continued her work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust keep any defenses at bay,\u201d urged Azuliterii as she continued programming something into War\u2019s computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on,\u201d chuckled Rojenthi, \u201cthis is War we\u2019re talking about. Her tactical brilliance rivals mine, but her technical expertise is, at best, 0.0001% of yours. I doubt any security measures…\u201d an alarm interrupted her boast and the sound of footsteps in a rapid march drummed in their ears. Multiple soldiers then entered the room and leveled weapons at the three. \u201c…Then again,\u201d muttered Rojenthi. She then touched her hair flower and it changed and grew into a suit of red armor. Amavorte touched both of hers and gained yellow-green armor. They drew swords in their respective colors and attacked the soldiers while Azuliterii continued her programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on!\u201d she hissed. \u201cJust need to…NO!\u201d War\u2019s face appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t say the magic word,\u201d taunted War\u2019s voice as electricity tore through Azuliterii from the keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcellent move!\u201d War praised Quake Hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I DID get a computer science degree,\u201d replied Quake Hammer. \u201cMight as well put it to use.\u201d Gai flinched at the idea of a machine getting a degree. War saw him flinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, now,\u201d she chided, \u201clet\u2019s not think racist thoughts here. Now that the intruders have been stopped, we must oust them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While War was dealing with the home invasion, the Advancement Ceremony was being broadcast with Blancalmarem, Nemengra, Julia, Ultragingana, and Elizabeth commenting on it. \u201cI am Blancalmarem, the white princess of Chizara and the life leader,\u201d began Blancalmarem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Nemengra, the black princess of Chizara and the death leader,\u201d finished Nemengra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we have Julia Caesar, Ultragingana, and Elizabeth helping us this time,\u201d continued Blancalmarem, \u201cas the Advancement Ceremony for the Quarterfinals takes place!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook at them, the winners of the Quarterfinals!\u201d cheered Nemengra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI must say, the betting boards didn\u2019t think Optimus would last this far,\u201d mused Julia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe obviously balances his luck with his skill,\u201d replied Elizabeth as she twitched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Something wrong?\u201d asked Ultragingana as she noticed the Martian\u2019s discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo…yes,\u201d answered Elizabeth. \u201cIt\u2019s just…I\u2019ve never commented on anything in a sports capacity. It\u2019s rather…strange.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll get used to it,\u201d assured Blancalmarem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere come the floats, dropping off the winners!\u201d called Nemengra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re receiving their torches, ready to light the Closing Torch!\u201d cheered Julia. Queen Phury, Optimus Prime, Arsha Royana, and Megumi Hishikawa then lit the torch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWHOA!\u201d yelped Elizabeth. \u201cThat\u2019s huge!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t it?!\u201d giggled Blancalmarem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere comes Rosadera, ready to give her speech!\u201d announced Nemengra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore I continue any further,\u201d called Rosadera, \u201cI need to address the three month period between this round and the previous one. I understand it\u2019s unnatural and not exactly traditional, but it was necessary. All of our competitors have lives outside the 3V2R and sometimes it can hit them like a freight train.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA runaway, in my case,\u201d muttered Megumi under her breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause of that, those competitors needed time to get things settled,\u201d continued Rosadera. \u201cThankfully, it looks like three months was all that was needed for the competitors in this tournament. With that said, according to tradition, we have the matchups for the Semifinals all set!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlready?\u201d quizzed Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlready!\u201d confirmed Rosadera. \u201cOptimus, your opponent is Arsha.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, bring the two magic users together, huh?\u201d chuckled Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen that means my opponent is…\u201d gulped Megumi as her eyes ran up and down Phury\u2019s form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMe,\u201d confirmed Phury. \u201cI was hoping to fight you in the Finals, but I guess I can get you out of the way first. Besides, you defeated Vortech and I want to see how.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen may the best fighter win,\u201d wished Megumi as she held her hand out for a handshake. Phury looked at the hand, then took it, then squeezed as they shook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI intend to,\u201d hissed Phury. She released Megumi\u2019s hand and strode off, leaving Megumi to put her hand in her mouth to soothe the pain. Optimus, Arsha, and Megumi returned to Vorton and Megumi excused herself to make her way to the Infirmary. When she arrived, she found Emily treating Rojenthi, Amavorte, and Azuliterii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWHOA!\u201d she yelped. \u201cAre they okay?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey survived War\u2019s home security system,\u201d replied Emily, \u201calbeit, a little banged up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe were trying to install a spy program into her systems,\u201d explained Rojenthi. \u201cLong story short, we failed and practically came to Emily in pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWar\u2019s gotten smarter these days,\u201d muttered Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI DID hear a form of good news from Prowl,\u201d continued Amavorte. \u201cWar took the Decepticon Moon Base, but she encountered greater resistance than she expected. Our enemies fought as if someone warned them.\u201d She gave a knowing grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe War will think twice,\u201d sighed Rojenthi happily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d countered Megumi. \u201cNow that her campaign has begun, War will settle for nothing less than victory. We need to help them somehow.\u201d Optimus, Richard, and Arsha came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe all got word from our governments,\u201d reported Richard. \u201cThe decision to not get involved has been revoked. We\u2019re helping them from a greater threat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSoundwave evacuated everyone to Robotropolis,\u201d continued Optimus. \u201cThere\u2019s a universe adjacent to us so they can be safe and we can watch them. I have a safe site plotted to get everyone out of our home universe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also authorized to render military aid as well,\u201d supplied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we need to contact Robotropolis,\u201d declared Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMadame, I\u2019m a little busy at the moment,\u201d Megatron muttered to Megumi over the comms the next day, \u201cso, whatever you have to say, please make it brief.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMegatron?\u201d quizzed Megumi. \u201cI was trying to reach the boss of your alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you have succeeded,\u201d replied Megatron. \u201cYou are speaking to the current head of my alliance with Hiro and Dr. Borg.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes this mean Hiro\u2019s not in charge of Shocker Rift?\u201d asked Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt means,\u201d elaborated Megatron, \u201cthat Hiro has other things on his mind and had to hand over command to me under duress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn other words,\u201d translated Megumi, \u201cyou took over the instant the termination implants were disabled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI won\u2019t ask how you knew about the implants, since Optimus must have told you,\u201d rumbled Megatron, \u201cand simply say that taking command of the alliance seemed like a good idea at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMegatron, you\u2019ve got to get everyone out of that universe before War reaches Robotropolis!\u201d urged Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m open to suggestions,\u201d invited Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Autobots have a site for a multiversal ship to get you out of there,\u201d answered Megumi. \u201cTell me, are the mines around Robotropolis disabled?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, we haven\u2019t even found them,\u201d replied Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen use this code,\u201d directed Megumi as she beamed a code over to Megatron\u2019s computer, \u201cto disable their replication abilities and render their explosive payloads inert. Once that\u2019s done, try to get evacuation ships prepared and meet us at these coordinates.\u201d She transmitted the coordinates. \u201cThe multiversal ship will then get you all to a safe universe near Vorton so we can both keep an eye on each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is a VERY generous offer,\u201d praised Megatron. \u201cI must say, I\u2019m touched. By saving us, your enemies, you are ensuring…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForget the speech, Megatron,\u201d dismissed Megumi, \u201cjust meet us at the rendezvous point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if War tries to stop us?\u201d asked Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen I\u2019ll try to reason with her,\u201d declared Megumi. \u201cI doubt she\u2019d kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not so sure I share your optimism, Hishikawa-san,\u201d mused Megatron. \u201cThen again, I don\u2019t have much choice, do I? We\u2019ll meet you there.\u201d The call ended and Megumi sighed, hoping War WILL see reason.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Megumi, Richard, Scorpainia, Eelinape, Arsha and her spouses, Optimus, and Blackarachnia had gathered in the Conference Room again after various attempts to talk to War. \u201cAfter Academy\u2019s staff has also tried to get through to War,\u201d reported Megumi. \u201cSo far, they\u2019ve had no response. Until they do, we\u2019ve been asked not to get involved.\u201d \u201cThe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2488,"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-2487","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\/2487","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=2487"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2489,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2487\/revisions\/2489"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}