I made my displeasure clear to Zod. I slammed him to the ground, threw him into the wall, and tossed him across the room. \u201cYOU UTTER FAILURE!\u201d I roared. \u201cI thought having a Kryptonian would give me an edge, but you\u2019re an utter failure! You allowed mere humans to best you! And you didn\u2019t raise a finger to take the Foundation Element from Batman!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord, this is but a temporary setback!\u201d yelped Zod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat put us back by two years!\u201d I roared. \u201cLuthor! Continue punishing him, I grow fatigued.\u201d Lex Luthor put on a pair of gloves with Kryptonite knuckles and dished out more pain onto Zod. I headed to my quarters and heard somebody being strangled. I put my ear to the door and heard Igura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou promised me that the Foundation Element would confirm the lead you had obtained and that it would be an easy heist, and what is the result?!\u201d she snarled. \u201cA lost Foundation Element! A lead lost! A Tarlaxian freed! And Megumi stronger and with more allies!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne thing\u2026\u201d choked out her hapless victim, Metalran, if my guess on the voice is right, \u201c\u2026you fail to realize\u2026is that\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cENOUGH PRATTLE!\u201d screeched Igura as I heard her toss Metalran into a wall. \u201cIf I am to find Hiro\u2019s soul, it will have to be through other means! I must deal with this matter myself!\u201d She exited the room and ran into me. \u201cLord Vortech!\u201d she gasped. \u201cI didn\u2019t\u2026how much have you heard?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnough,\u201d I replied. \u201cSo, it was Metalran that gave you the tip that Hiro\u2019s soul was back in your universe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven if that were true,\u201d she muttered, \u201cthe trail is cold. If he was there, he\u2019s long gone. I must continue the search through other means. Excuse me.\u201d She left to search again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood luck,\u201d I bid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother Foundation Element!\u201d cheered X-PO as we returned. \u201cNice work! You guys have exceeded my expectations!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, that\u2019s kind of my thing,\u201d rasped Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you guys entered the Ghostbusters<\/em> universe!\u201d muttered Mr. Saunders. \u201cThe GOOD one!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor the last time, the 2016<\/em> one wasn\u2019t bad!\u201d protested Mrs. Saunders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot this again!\u201d wailed Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s not do that garbage, okay?\u201d pleaded Richard. \u201cThat\u2019s as stupid as the Star Wars<\/em> vs. Star Trek<\/em> debate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, what do you want to do next?\u201d asked X-PO. \u201cMaybe kick back? Have a cappuccino? See what\u2019s on the DVR?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat we want to do next,\u201d interjected Gandalf, \u201cis rescue our compatriots and save the entire multiverse!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWow, this guy\u2019s more literal than I am,\u201d muttered X-PO, \u201cand I\u2019m a robot! Okay, the next Foundation Element is located within a trans-reality pocket dimension.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d asked Batman. Chell then signed what X-PO meant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt means,\u201d translated Tanisha, \u201cit will be\u2026weird.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure,\u201d murmured Wyldstyle. \u201cThat\u2019ll make a change. You see who I\u2019ve been hanging out with? Weird\u2019s not a problem for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou want weird?\u201d countered Elphaba. \u201cYou should see Mr. Saunders\u2019 nonsense!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s not nonsense!\u201d protested Mr. Saunders. \u201cWait here, I need to show you guys something!\u201d He disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMama, should I be frightened?\u201d asked Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis IS your father we\u2019re talking about,\u201d gulped Mrs. Saunders. We waited a good ten minutes before Mr. Saunders came back. Oh, lord, I wish he didn\u2019t! He was wearing a full-face mask with red compound eyes and wings behind them. The outfit consisted of his old army gear and an absurd American Flag design on the belt buckle!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am\u2026KAMEN RIDER FRED! I have new socks!\u201d announced Mr. Saunders. Cue the crickets. \u201cUh\u2026guys?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat the hell are you dressed up as?!\u201d yelped Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m Kamen Rider Fred!\u201d replied Mr. Saunders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I think I forgot to\u2026brain\u2026without a\u2026something!\u201d stammered Turretorg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy life is NOT gonna burn bright,\u201d moaned Takeru. \u201cIt\u2019s gonna fizzle out with a whimper of pain from what I\u2019m seeing right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy eyes!\u201d wailed Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDaddy,\u201d cried Emily, \u201cyou make me want to punch a bunny!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot mine!\u201d I protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut, with my new powers of American Awesomeness,\u201d continued Mr. Saunders, \u201cI will fight crime, protect the innocent, work for world peace, and\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFRED, YOU TAKE THAT STUPID COSTUME OFF RIGHT NOW,\u201d roared Mrs. Saunders, \u201cOR, I SWEAR TO GOD, I WILL TASE YOU IN YOUR JUNK!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, come on!\u201d protested Mr. Saunders. \u201cI have a mask and belt and everything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCHANGE! NOW!\u201d everyone roared. Mr. Saunders slumped and walked off in a somber tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow that THAT\u2019S burned into my skull,\u201d I muttered. \u201cTakeru, I believe this is goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBye, everyone!\u201d bid Takeru. \u201cOh, before I forget, do you guys know these?\u201d \u201cThese\u201d were studs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s 150,000,\u201d counted Vortoranii. \u201c2,154,000 studs in total.\u201d Emily then slapped her forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI forgot to add our 358,000 studs from our excursion to Jurassic World<\/em>!\u201d she wailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on!\u201d I cried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSorry!\u201d replied Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow we\u2019re at 2,512,000 studs!\u201d muttered Vortoranii. \u201cThis is absurd!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre studs valuable?\u201d asked Takeru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey were when the Vortonians existed,\u201d replied X-PO. \u201cI would stick to your currency though. Studs probably aren\u2019t legal tender in your universe. Speaking of, your ride\u2019s here.\u201d A rift opened for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoodbye!\u201d called Takeru. He went through. Hiroki then released his breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomething you want to share with us?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to say this in front of Takeru,\u201d explained Hiroki, \u201cbut I didn\u2019t like the TV show based on his adventures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause there was so much wasted potential!\u201d ranted Hiroki. \u201cOn top of that, Takeru\u2019s allies were trying too hard to be funny! I just\u2026felt disappointed. He\u2019s the second Rider that disappointed me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho\u2019s the first?\u201d asked Okaa-san.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith all due respect, ZX (pronounce Zecross),\u201d answered Hiroki. \u201cAgain, they didn\u2019t expand on the story enough! The whole movie he starred in could have easily been an entire TV series!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI suppose so,\u201d conceded Okaa-san.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, how does a PKE meter work?\u201d I asked, changing the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen it\u2019s on,\u201d explains Richard as he turned it on, \u201cthese arms rise up and start flashing to indicate that there\u2019s some form of psychokinetic activity. It functions as a ghost radar. Once it finds something, it beeps at a certain pace until it finds or loses something. If it loses something, the arms go lower, the flashing slows down, and the beeping goes at a slower rate. Gaining something is indicated by the opposite actions.\u201d Then, it happened. The arms raised and started flashing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Seriously?!\u201d gulped Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSuits on,\u201d I recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRider\u2026\u201d began Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHenshin!\u201d we announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI heard a Henshin!\u201d called Mr. Saunders as he came back in his usual clothes. He saw us. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a ghost, Daddy,\u201d said Touch\u00e9. Mr. Saunders then dropped the lovable idiot act and assumed his army colonel persona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s our move here?\u201d he requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe find this thing,\u201d I replied. \u201cRichard, take point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn it,\u201d he confirmed. He led us around the room and stopped when the arms went higher and flashed more rapidly at the West Door. He scanned down the hall both ways. We followed him to his right. We went down it until we stopped at an armory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBetter have those that can use weapons to grab them,\u201d suggested Arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAgreed,\u201d I replied. \u201cThose that can fight, grab a weapon.\u201d The fighters did so as we left. The PKE meter went nuts as we faced the end of the hall. There was a transmat at the other end and the robot that killed Heather was at the other end, fiddling with it. The fighters then returned. \u201cStay close!\u201d I whispered. \u201cNo one move yet!\u201d The robot carried out its work. It then put down the tools it was using and hovered back a bit to admire its handiwork. \u201cATTACK!\u201d I ordered. The robot turned and saw us. It pulled a gun on us and fired. We fired back. \u201cTry not to damage its head!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat about it damaging ours?!\u201d protested Mr. Babineaux. The robot then engaged the transmat and vanished in blue light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cK\u00e4mpfer!\u201d I ordered. \u201cFind out where he went!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, what\u2019s going on down there?\u201d asked Max\u2019s voice over the comms. \u201cSomething beamed onto the Executor<\/em> and\u2026\u201d static then drowned out Max\u2019s transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMax?\u201d I tried. \u201cMr. Tennyson!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat robot must have severed communications somehow,\u201d guessed Sengoku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe with Team 10,\u201d I argued, \u201cbut Vader\u2019s up there as well.\u201d I opened a communications channel with Vader. \u201cLord Vader, have you gotten eyes on a stowaway on your ship?\u201d I was greeted with static. \u201cVader? Darth Vader! ANAKIN!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, doesn\u2019t go by that name,\u201d reminded Claw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d asked an old voice. We all tried to locate the voice\u2019s source. \u201cDown here!\u201d it called. I looked down to see some sort of tiny, grey, humanoid, frog-like creature with big eyes and dressed in green robes. It had some sort of grey extensions on its head and liver spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAzmuth!\u201d called Touch\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know him?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s the guy who created the Omnitrix,\u201d answered Guard. \u201cAlso, the smartest being, in his words, in three (possibly five) galaxies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven people from other universes can remember it?\u201d croaked Azmuth. \u201cWhy can\u2019t Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you doing here on Vorton?\u201d I asked. \u201cHow did you get here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome lady calling herself a doctor dragged me into her impossible box and brought me here,\u201d replied Azmuth. \u201cShe said she knew why I lost contact with my Omnitrix and where my Ultimatrix rig vanished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTHE Doctor,\u201d I corrected. \u201cShe\u2019s THE Doctor, a Gallifreyan, a Time-Lord, er, Lady, er\u2026whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn any case, she\u2019s onboard a warship called the Executor<\/em>,\u201d continued Azmuth. \u201cTrying to take care of the communications breakdown, no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need to get up there!\u201d I declared. \u201cThere\u2019s a killer robot on the loose!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, get us up there!\u201d insisted Climb. I was confused by her question, then remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDai Super Charge!\u201d I announced. My armor bulked, then the bulk flew off as I made a rift beneath us. We ended up on the Executor<\/em>\u2019s bridge, with Vader trying to speak to the Doctor. She was wearing a lighter coat and pants with suspenders over a black shirt with a rainbow across her front. She was using her tool-kit as well as a new Sonic Screwdriver at some sort of console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMadam, it would be wise to\u2026!\u201d protested Vader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll take it from here, Lord Vader,\u201d I announced. Vader and the Doctor looked up to see me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow did you get on board?\u201d asked the Doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEasy when you\u2019re Vortex,\u201d I replied. \u201cDid you find any intruder?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, that robot from Jurassic World<\/em>,\u201d answered the Doctor. \u201cThe one you talked about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, he DID end up here,\u201d I mused. \u201cHe\u2019s making our newest Foundation Element go haywire.\u201d Guard held up the PKE meter. It was beeping again, but steadily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat way,\u201d remarked Guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLead on,\u201d I directed. Vader, some stormtroopers, and the Doctor joined us. We headed down the corridors for a bit until the blast doors closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOpen the blast doors! OPEN THE BLAST DOORS!\u201d ordered a Stormtrooper as a trio of them tried to get the door open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, guys,\u201d called Ben\u2019s voice over the comms, \u201cwhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGhost possessing a robot,\u201d I replied. \u201cCan Gwen find out where it\u2019s going?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSadly, no,\u201d answered Gwen. \u201cIf it\u2019s a ghost, there\u2019s no mana to track.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s possessing a robot?\u201d asked Max. \u201cWe should be able to track via the electric charge it uses to move. Ben, can you use Grey Matter to find him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEasy enough for the little guy with the mega brain,\u201d boasted Ben. I heard a sound that indicated the Omnitrix was changing Ben. \u201cUPGRADE!\u201d shouted Ben’s normal voice in a robotic undertone. \u201cOh, COME ON!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBen, what did I say about banging on my Omnitrix?\u201d snapped Azmuth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAzmuth?!\u201d called Upgrade. \u201cI didn\u2019t push down on the core THAT hard! Anyways, I can work with this. There\u2019s a computer terminal here.\u201d Ben went silent for a while, then spoke again. \u201cHe\u2019s trying to gain access to Engineering,\u201d reported Upgrade. \u201cUh oh, he found me! He\u2019s\u2026typing a message. He can\u2019t speak, so he wants me to read his message aloud. He can hear us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s hear it,\u201d I directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd, I quote, \u2018Relinquish access to Engineering or I detonate this ship like an atom bomb!\u2019\u201d relayed Upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t respond well to threats,\u201d hissed Vader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2018Your intimidation factor does not work on me, Sith Lord,\u2019\u201d replied Upgrade. \u201cEr\u2026that\u2019s the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know who spoke, thank you,\u201d dismissed Vader. \u201cIntruder, I can cause undue pain to your body from here. Cease your operations at once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2018Considering that I currently have the body of PO-Lambda 2279,\u2019\u201d relayed Upgrade, \u201c\u2018I see no reason to be afraid.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2018PO-Lambda?\u2019\u201d I asked. X-PO then came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI heard the whole thing on the way here,\u201d he answered. \u201cSo, the ghost has PO-Lambda?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat does the name mean?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, what do the letters in my name stand for?\u201d asked X-PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExperimental Portal Opera\u2026that thing\u2019s another you?!\u201d I realized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA Lambda class Portal Operator Robot,\u201d confirmed X-PO. \u201cA more advanced version of me. 2278 was the last of the class sold before Vorton went the way it is. 2279 was finished in terms of physical build, but never got on the shelves because the A.I wasn\u2019t ready yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou say that as if your type of robot was meant to be sold as if it were a TV set,\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, sold like TV antennas,\u201d corrected X-PO. \u201cThe Gateways were the TV sets. The Vortonians simply viewed other universes for entertainment and only interfered when authorized to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut, an entire species\u2026\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s more like a contract between PO Robot and Owner,\u201d replied X-PO. \u201cWe PO Robots have to go through an extensive interview process as well as our potential owners. There has to be compatibility between the two, otherwise, there\u2019s no real respect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, it\u2019s not slavery to you?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot really,\u201d replied X-PO. \u201cI mean, yes, there ARE wackos who would use a PO Robot for evil gains, Vortech is a prime example, but, for the most part, we\u2019re good judges of character.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see,\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not worried about abusing my abilities, are you?\u201d asked X-PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026That worry extends to everyone,\u201d I murmured. Everyone stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will admit,\u201d answered Claw, \u201cI did NOT expect that from calm, collected Megumi Hishikawa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSorry,\u201d I replied, \u201cit\u2019s just that I know what being taken advantage of looks like and I worry about that. I\u2019m the daughter of a creature that did that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow, stop that!\u201d snapped Okaa-san. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear you use that kind of talk. You are NOT that monster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkaa-san\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Sengoku. \u201cIf you did take advantage of anyone, the F.N.S wouldn\u2019t be here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou helped us when we needed it,\u201d reminded Guard. \u201cThat\u2019s why we said you should be Queen. We know, deep down, you\u2019ll be there for us. And, rest assured, we\u2019ll be there for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t normally make friends,\u201d rasped Batman, \u201cbut the F.N.S has helped me in more ways than you could imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis whole adventure, hell-raising though it is,\u201d assured Ichig\u014d, \u201cis exciting. I wouldn\u2019t get anywhere without you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks, everyone,\u201d I answered, smiling under my helmet. Then, the ship lurched! \u201cBen, what on Earth was that?!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe intruder went past the firewalls I set up!\u201d answered Upgrade. The blast doors then opened to reveal Team 10. There was a black computer terminal with green circuit lines and the Omnitrix symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan you get the Doctor, Rusty, and K\u00e4mpfer to engineering?\u201d I asked. \u201cThey may need to fix whatever damage the intruder caused.\u201d A mound of the colors that currently make up the terminal with a green circle rose up. The circle acted as the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be tricky, but I can manage,\u201d replied Upgrade. \u201cRusty\u2019s on the other end of the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRusty, this is Megumi,\u201d I called over the Comms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAwaiting commands!\u201d reported Rusty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBen\u2019s going to open a path to Engineering for you,\u201d I explained. \u201cK\u00e4mpfer and the Doctor will meet you there. You need to fix whatever damage the intruder caused.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI obey!\u201d obliged Rusty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet me go with them,\u201d suggested Azmuth. \u201cThey need a genius.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure, like they need you going on about how you\u2019re the smartest being in 12 galaxies,\u201d snapped Upgrade as the eye changed shape to show irritation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThree, arguably five, galaxies,\u201d corrected Touch\u00e9. \u201cWhy is that so difficult for you to remember?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhatever,\u201d dismissed Upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBesides, the more geniuses, the merrier,\u201d I continued. \u201cBe careful, Azmuth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course,\u201d assured Azmuth. The Doctor let Azmuth onto her shoulder and she and K\u00e4mpfer took off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVader, Brigadier, Guard, Ben, with me. We\u2019re gonna try and regain control of the ship from the bridge,\u201d I directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot a good idea,\u201d countered Upgrade as the black and green circuit color melted off, formed a puddle, and then a figure rose from the puddle made of the stuff, but had a green front with green underarms and black circuit lines. This was Upgrade in his original Galvanic Mechamorph state. The Omnitrix symbol was on his chest. \u201cThe intruder is on his way to the bridge,\u201d reported Upgrade. \u201cHe\u2019ll try and stop us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen you and Vader keep him off of me and Guard\u2019s back,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not on the main bridge,\u201d reported Vader. \u201cI can sense him going to the backup bridge. We need to get down there quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI may have a way,\u201d answered Upgrade. He slapped the Omnitrix symbol and changed shape in a green light. He looked like a stereotypical ghost with one eye on a track and chains on his neck and arms. \u201cGHOSTFREAK!\u201d he announced in a harsh whisper. \u201cI was hoping for Big Chill, but this will do. Which deck?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDeck 2, 10 floors below,\u201d answered Vader. Ghostfreak then got me, Vader, and Guard close together and phased us all through the floor. We went down 10 levels before arriving at the backup bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay, that was weird!\u201d I shuddered The intruder then arrived and Ghostfreak and Vader started fighting it. The intruder pulled out his gun and fired while Vader tried to crush its armor with the Force. It didn\u2019t go well as the intruder wiggled out of his grasp and fired on Vader\u2019s control panel. He started having trouble breathing. I went to fix it while Ghostfreak charged at the intruder, intending to knock the ghost in the machine out. The intruder wasn\u2019t having it as he dodged Ghostfreak numerous times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right, this song and dance is making me very angry!\u201d hissed Ghostfreak. \u201cIt just makes want to unleash my ever-growing\u2026\u201d he slapped the Omnitrix symbol as he changed into \u201crrrrrRRRAAAATTHHH!\u201d he said. The robot then shot Rath\u2019s wrestling shorts. They burned up as Rath ran around, slapping on the fire. It died and revealed his crotch. It was covered in fur, but Rath seemed to get madder. \u201cYou\u2026you burned up my pants!\u201d He then roared and slammed the robot onto the floor and punched it a lot. \u201cLET ME TELL YA SOMETHIN\u2019, GHOST POSSESSING A ROBOT! YOU CAN BURN ME! YOU CAN BURN MY HOUSE! YOU CAN BURN THE THINGS I STAND FOR! YOU CAN EVEN BURN MY FEELINGS, IF I HAD ANY! BUT NO ONE, AND I MEAN NO ONE, BURNS AN APPOPLEXIAN OF HIS HIGHLY ADVANCED SENSE OF SHAME!\u201d He was about to slam both fists down when the intruder caught them and tossed him aside. \u201cKARATE\u2019S GOOD!\u201d roared Rath. \u201cRATH\u2019S GONNA CALL YOU KARATE-BOT, KARATE BOT!\u201d The ship lurched again and Rath crashed onto the intruder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBackup bridge to engineering, what\u2019s going on?!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s a radiation leak!\u201d replied the Doctor\u2019s voice. \u201cOne of the engine batteries ruptured! It\u2019s contained, but we can\u2019t get in to plug up the leak!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVader, how bad is the radiation in the batteries?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s enough to kill anyone, even beings like me, in 10 minutes,\u201d explained Vader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh boy,\u201d I sighed. \u201cTry to find another way to plug up the leak and filter out the radiation, Doctor. I\u2019m still locked on trying to get the ship under control.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn it!\u201d called the Doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSir, now really,\u201d snarled the Brigadier to the intruder. \u201cCan\u2019t we just get connected?\u201d He extended a probe and jammed it into the PO Robot\u2019s head. The intruder didn\u2019t like that, so he sent electricity down the probe and shocked the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlistair!\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d assured the Brigadier, \u201cthough, I think my systems are damaged. We need more power, like, more power than Rath has!\u201d Rath got an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLET ME TELL YA SOMETHIN\u2019 SIR BRIGADIER ALISTAIR GORDON LETHBRIDGE-STEWART, FOUNDING CYBERMAN OF THE UNITED NEBULAR INTELLIGENCE TASK-FORCE, THAT\u2019S A GREAT IDEA! THERE\u2019S A TIME TO GO HERO, AND THERE\u2019S A TIME TO GO ULTIMATE!\u201d Rath turned the Ultimatrix rig key and slapped the Omnitrix symbol down. He got bigger, his fur went a darker shade of orange, he gained claws on each finger and another claw on each wrist, and his mane looked a lot like Wolverine from Marvel Comics. He had a vest that looked like it had green cat\u2019s eyes and new pants. \u201cULTIMATE RATH!\u201d he roared. He then looked himself over. \u201cCool! Wait, I\u2019m keeping a level head? That\u2019s all I ask for when I turn into Rath!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI guess Evolved Appoplexians get a cooler head in millions of years of worse case scenarios,\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNice!\u201d cheered Ultimate Rath. \u201cNow, if you\u2019ll excuse me, I need to kick a ghost in a robot\u2019s rear!\u201d Ultimate Rath then charged on all fours at the intruder. He leapt onto him and decked him. The intruder\u2019s robot body sparked and went offline. \u201cThat was for Rath\u2019s pants!\u201d roared Ultimate Rath. The Omnitrix symbol then started flashing red. \u201cAnd this is a perfect time to power down,\u201d chuckled Ultimate Rath, \u201cnow that the threat is over.\u201d The Omnitrix beeped and then Ultimate Rath shrunk down to Rath, then went back to Ben.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust so you know,\u201d I criticized, \u201cwe were shaking like Jell-O when you fought as Ultimate Rath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSorry, I never used Ultimate Rath before,\u201d answered Ben with a sheepish grin. The Comms then beeped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo ahead,\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe leak has been sealed,\u201d reported the Doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right!\u201d I cheered. \u201cHow did you guys do it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t,\u201d answered Azmuth. \u201cRusty did. Manually. In the infected zone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026But\u2026the radiation\u2026\u201d I stammered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMegumi, you need to get to Engineering, NOW!\u201d called K\u00e4mpfer. A worst case scenario entered my mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGuys, MOVE!\u201d I shouted. We ran to Engineering. When we entered, there was a transparent wall with us on one side and Rusty on the other. The Brigadier and I rushed to the wall, but Lukas and the Doctor held us back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet out of the way, Doctor!\u201d demanded the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can\u2019t go in!\u201d argued the Doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut, the radiation! He\u2019ll die!\u201d cried the Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBrigadier! Sir! ALISTAIR!\u201d snapped the Doctor. The Brigadier and I stopped struggling. \u201cHe\u2019s already too far gone.\u201d They released us, allowing us to walk over to the infected zone. Rusty wasn\u2019t twitching as much. His dome swiveled slowly as the eye was getting dimmer. He then rotated his body slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2026me\u2026see\u2026you\u2026\u201d he croaked. \u201cThe\u2026real\u2026you\u2026\u201d Rusty\u2019s casing then opened, slowly. His real self was looking a sickly brown as his eye was opened slowly. I cancelled my transformation as the Brigadier opened his helmet. \u201cDo\u2026not\u2026grieve,\u201d said Rusty weakly. \u201cI did\u2026what was\u2026needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRusty, there was a plethora of droids!\u201d I cried, tears coming down my face. \u201cThey didn\u2019t have organic components!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2026did not\u2026have\u2026the needed\u2026skill\u2026\u201d wheezed Rusty. One of his tentacles touched the glass. The Brigadier put his hand up to it. \u201cAlistair\u2026\u201d he continued, \u201cI\u2026hope\u2026this\u2026banishes\u2026any doubt\u2026you held\u2026about\u2026me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAny doubt I had was banished ages ago, old chap,\u201d mumbled the Brigadier. \u201cYou\u2019ve become more than a Dalek. You\u2019ve become my friend.\u201d There was a few seconds silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2026am in\u2026pain\u2026\u201d reported. Rusty. I moved to speak, but Rusty cut me off. \u201cThis\u2026is fine. \u2026I\u2026will die\u2026so you\u2026may live. \u2026But\u2026before\u2026I die\u2026I\u2019m glad\u2026I met\u2026you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRusty, we can help!\u201d I wailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo\u2026you\u2026cannot\u2026\u201d countered Rusty. \u201c\u2026I\u2026die\u2026for a good\u2026cause. \u2026The needs\u2026of the many\u2026outweigh\u2026the needs\u2026of the few\u2026as Spock\u2026would\u2026put it. \u2026Good\u2026bye\u2026my friends.\u201d Rusty\u2019s real eye closed, his true limbs drooped as well as his shell\u2019s limbs, and his eyestalk stopped glowing once it went down. Rusty, the friendly Dalek\u2026was dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Brigadier retrieved Rusty\u2019s last wish from a backup computer in his shell. Rusty wanted his real body to be taken out of the shell and fired into a star, to symbolize his rebirth from normal Dalek soldier to our friend. When the radiation levels were acceptable, we got Rusty out and decontaminated his body. We preserved him for a while so we could set up his funeral. It took place in the Gateway room and we all wore dark clothing. Batman had gotten out of his Bat suit and put on normal funeral clothes, putting on the persona of Bruce Wayne. He even dropped the raspy voice he uses as Batman. The Brigadier had his armor painted black. Someone knocked on my door. \u201cYes?\u201d I asked, a little shaky as Okaa-san laced me up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMegumi, dear, it\u2019s time,\u201d whispered Death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn my way,\u201d I mumbled. Okaa-san followed me, her hand on my shoulder to reassure me. Soon, we arrived. A track with a little coffin on our end and the controls behind the coffin rested. It was open casket, so we could see Rusty\u2019s real self. Two of his tentacles were resting as a corpse\u2019s hands would, clasped together, and his eye was closed. I took my place at the controls. Okaa-san was behind me as well as Hiroki. Hongo and Wyldstyle were on my left while Bruce and Gandalf were on my right. \u201cMinna-san,\u201d I began, \u201ctoday, we gather to honor the death of a friend, Rusty the Dalek. Before an encounter with his people\u2019s greatest enemy, the Doctor, Rusty\u2019s ship was attacked and destroyed. He survived, but with damage. That damage allowed him to see a star being born and see what a beautiful thing life is. During an encounter with the Doctor, he joined the humans and made a name for himself. Over time, he became friends with Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. Then, both he and the newly-christened Brigadier joined us and became our allies, helping us when needed. He gave his life so we may continue the fight against Lord Vortech. I, for one, will fight in his name, as I know you all will. I must say, out of all the souls I met in the multiverse, his was the most\u2026diverse.\u201d I nodded to Mr. Saunders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPresent\u2026ARMS!\u201d he barked. Everybody raised a weapon in salute. I then pressed a button on the controls and Rusty\u2019s coffin moved. It went slowly to allow us to say goodbye. Soon, it left the rail from Vorton and floated to one of the stars, where his body was consumed to make new fuel for that star. Rusty was returned to cosmic shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will not say \u2018do not weep\u2019,\u201d said Gandalf softly, \u201cfor not all tears are an evil.\u201d As we departed, Emily and Okaa-san joined me in my quarters. We sat on my bed. At that point, I let myself cry uncontrollably. I was embraced by Emily and sobbed as she held my trembling frame. Okaa-san held us both. We all wept for Rusty. Emily then saw something and directed me to look on my dresser. Azmuth was standing there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am\u2026sorry you\u2019re going through this,\u201d he whispered. \u201cFrom what you said, Rusty had evolved beyond the hatred that was bred into his species.\u201d I sniffed before answering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d I mumbled. \u201cPersonally, I think he would have been a worthy host of the Omnitrix.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery much so,\u201d agreed Azmuth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAzmuth,\u201d called Emily as she dried her eyes, \u201cas long you\u2019re here, I have a question.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo ahead,\u201d replied Azmuth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBen had the Omnitrix taken from him when he was in Jurassic World<\/em>,\u201d recalled Emily. \u201cAfter it got itself off the thief, I was its new host for a while. When I had it, I couldn\u2019t access my belt\u2019s powers or suit. Could the Omnitrix have blocked that somehow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d answered Azmuth. \u201cThe Omnitrix never did that before. I\u2019ll look into it when I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay,\u201d I mumbled. Azmuth departed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you need anything?\u201d asked Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just need to be alone for a bit,\u201d I whimpered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay,\u201d sighed Emily. She and Okaa-san left as I laid on the bed. For the first time, I felt my own mortality, and the mortality of my friends. I laid still for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Rusty,\u201d sang a woman\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAUGH!\u201d I screamed in surprise as I tumbled off my bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAUGH!\u201d screamed the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAUGH!\u201d I screamed as I picked myself up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAUGH!\u201d screamed the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAUGH!\u201d I screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAUGH!\u201d screamed the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026AUGH!\u201d I screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAUGH!\u201d screamed the woman. \u201cWHY ARE WE SCREAMING \u2018AUGH\u2019 OVER AND OVER?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDOCTOR, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!\u201d I shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRusty never got a good tribute song!\u201d replied the Doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet the hell out of my room and let me grieve in peace!\u201d I snarled, the anger I thought I had gotten over was coming back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRusty needs a song!\u201d protested the Doctor. \u201cHe needs to be immortalized somehow!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI heard screaming!\u201d whispered a voice. It was Death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was screaming at the Doctor,\u201d I replied. \u201cDoctor, if I let you sing a tribute to Rusty, will you let me be?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course,\u201d assured the Doctor. I sat down, and the Doctor sang to the tune of Amazing Grace<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rusty, Rusty,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n How great was he,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That saved people<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Like thee?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I never thought,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I would find heart,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But, a heart, I see,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Rusty!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Doctor finished. \u201cWasn\u2019t that lovely?\u201d she asked. I just glared at her. \u201cMy work is done.\u201d The Doctor entered the TARDIS and departed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI should go, as well,\u201d whispered Death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDeath, wait,\u201d I called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHm?\u201d hummed Death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know that you and the Apocalypse Riders will see him,\u201d I began, \u201cbut, do you think we mortals will see him again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe IS dead,\u201d whispered Death, \u201cand no one can cure it, so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut, is there hope?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere never was,\u201d whispered Death, \u201cjust a fool\u2019s hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I guess,\u201d I sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll let you be,\u201d whispered Death. \u201cWe shall meet again, before the end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Bye\u2026\u201d I mumbled. Death left and I got ready for bed. We had already had dinner, so I just brushed my teeth, put on my nightgown, and got into bed. \u201c\u2026Goodbye, Rusty,\u201d I mumbled. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I made my displeasure clear to Zod. I slammed him to the ground, threw him into the wall, and tossed him across the room. \u201cYOU UTTER FAILURE!\u201d I roared. \u201cI thought having a Kryptonian would give me an edge, but you\u2019re an utter failure! You allowed mere humans to best you! And you didn\u2019t raise […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":251,"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":[14,124,26,143,16,9,17,12,144,61,15],"class_list":["post-250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-chapters","tag-batman","tag-darth-vader","tag-death","tag-funeral","tag-gandalf","tag-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-megumi-hishikawa","tag-rusty-the-dalek","tag-the-doctor","tag-wyldstyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250","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=250"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1092,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250\/revisions\/1092"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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