{"id":561,"date":"2020-06-06T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-06T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=561"},"modified":"2020-06-10T09:49:05","modified_gmt":"2020-06-10T13:49:05","slug":"chapter-10-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/chapter-10-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 10"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I must say, the mushrooms in this universe taste HORRIBLE! We had to eat one each to recover from the crash. \u201cMario,\u201d I mumbled, \u201chow do you bear it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve-a eaten them for years,\u201d replied Mario. \u201cYou get-a used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI guess,\u201d I muttered as I finished mine off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd that\u2019s-a all the bruises gone,\u201d reported Mario as he took off his head mirror. \u201cEveryone else is-a waiting for-a you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhere did you get your medical degree?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMushroom University,\u201d answered Mario. \u201cBest educational institute in-a this world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd you\u2019re still in the plumbing business?\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWouldn\u2019t trade it for-a the world,\u201d cheered Mario. I met up with everyone outside Peach\u2019s castle. We were all healed up and had explained the original reason for coming to this universe and who the enemy was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom initial sensor reports,\u201d reported Majel from a computer terminal, \u201cthe&nbsp;<em>Tranzek<\/em>&nbsp;lost power suddenly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCan they-a recover from that?\u201d whimpered Luigi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHeather turned a science vessel into a warship, possibly in only a few hours,\u201d I replied. \u201cShe\u2019ll find a way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWell, we have our own power problems,\u201d interjected Liam as he took out his phone. \u201cWe got hit BAD!\u201d He pulled up the damage report. \u201cThe hull can survive lift-off and atmospheric egress, but we\u2019d be running on emergency batteries, meaning we won\u2019t have enough power to get back to Vorton in any less than 2 months. If we have another space battle, though, we\u2019ll be too focused on keeping all power reserved for life-support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCan we repair the engines?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe good news is, the engines CAN be fixed,\u201d reported Liam. \u201cIn fact, they can be fixed pretty easily. Whoever was the genius to make everything on the ship modular, I\u2019d like to thank.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat would be Lacey,\u201d wheezed Pestilence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd the bad news?\u201d asked Tanisha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRemember all the shooting going on up there?\u201d asked Liam. \u201cYeah, the cargo bay with all the spares was one of the areas damaged. I can try and jury-rig something with what we have, but it\u2019s gonna take some time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAll right, options, people,\u201d I directed. \u201cStart throwing out ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCouldn\u2019t you use the debris field that the Rift Loop made?\u201d asked Peach, having been filled in on what happened. \u201cI mean, if Heather could use it, so could you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSorry, Peach, dudette, but we don\u2019t have enough power to get into the rift at all,\u201d sighed R9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBesides, that\u2019s most likely where Heather will start looking,\u201d muttered Daisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t we have any other transports?\u201d asked Amelia. \u201cA means of escape?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere ARE escape pods and we have a gunship, the&nbsp;<em>Monticello<\/em>,\u201d I mused. \u201cThat IS a way out in a pinch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThen let\u2019s use them to lead Heather away,\u201d suggested Amelia. \u201cShe seems set on murdering us instead of finding the Source. We lead her away, then double back to get the Source.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s such a good idea,\u201d countered Tanisha. \u201cIf we did that, we\u2019d leave the&nbsp;<em>Virginia<\/em>&nbsp;open for Heather. I don\u2019t know about you all, but I don\u2019t want to see her get that much more powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Never mind,\u201d sighed Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou said everything on your vessel is modular, correct?\u201d asked Rosalina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAye,\u201d confirmed Liam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMay I see the list of the parts you need?\u201d requested Rosalina. Liam pulled it up on his phone and handed it to her. Rosalina looked through and seemed to get an idea. \u201cI have multiples of those,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe may intercept any teleports,\u201d I argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t say they were on the observatory,\u201d assured Rosalina. \u201cProfessor Gadd was kind enough to let me use one of his closets as parts storage. One spell and I could access it from my ship or in his workshop. It seems like the workshop is the safer option.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCan\u2019t argue that,\u201d mused Tanisha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat seems to be the best option,\u201d rumbled Mikhail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHow long will repairs be?\u201d asked Hongo to Liam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith everything as it is,\u201d guessed Liam, \u201ctwo, maybe three hours. I\u2019ll need to double-check to be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll go with Rosalina\u2019s option,\u201d I decided. \u201cFor now, we\u2019ve had a long day. Let\u2019s get some food and sleep, then we\u2019ll help Liam and R9 fix the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou realize not all of us have a clue how to fix a spaceship?\u201d argued Daisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThen help me make something to eat,\u201d suggested Mikhail. \u201cOr drink. Caffeine is probably a must for the repair crews.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI guess Crystal Shroom Cola\u2019s out,\u201d muttered Daisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWould you even know how to make-a Crystal Shroom Cola from-a scratch?\u201d asked Luigi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSure, I keep several bottles of it in my panniers,\u201d replied Daisy as she patted that part of her dress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAll right, let\u2019s get some food, everyone,\u201d I directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis way!\u201d called Peach as she led us to her castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cScorpainia, a word,\u201d I called. The Tarlaxian leader followed me in another direction. We stopped and I turned to face her. \u201cWhat was that up there?\u201d I demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPardon?\u201d asked Scorpainia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve never known you to freeze like that!\u201d I hissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;It\u2019s nothing,\u201d dismissed Scorpainia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s obviously something!\u201d I argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s nothing!\u201d insisted Scorpainia as she turned to leave. At that point, I grabbed her tail just beneath the stinger and tugged on it a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLady, if there\u2019s something bothering you,\u201d I snarled, \u201cyou need to tell us so it doesn\u2019t interfere with getting those Tarlaxians back!\u201d At that point, Scorpainia turned to face me, her lips curled into a snarl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t ask the F.N.S to go after those scout ships!\u201d she snapped. \u201cYou lot volunteered!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDamn straight!\u201d I replied. \u201cPeople need our help, so we\u2019re gonna help them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou put yourselves at risk unnecessarily!\u201d argued Scorpainia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, come on!\u201d I protested. \u201cWe\u2019ve faced danger before!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBelieve it or not, that\u2019s&#8230;what\u2019s the human phrase&#8230;peanuts compared to what I witnessed!\u201d shouted Scorpainia. \u201cYou never had your mind invaded by a godlike creature! You were never forced to see your people beaten on by invading potato-heads while all you could do was sit on your throne and do nothing to help them! You never had lines forced into your skull to inspire blasphemy against your gods! You never had to destroy your home just so your people could survive!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd yet, despite all of that, you froze when a lesser being made the attempt!\u201d I thundered. Scorpainia clenched her fists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Yeah,\u201d she replied. Her frown lessened, her eyebrows became less harsh, her fists unclenched, then she just collapsed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHey, are you okay?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cY&#8230;yeah, I&#8230;no, I&#8230;I mean&#8230;I thought I was,\u201d mumbled Scorpainia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPardon?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI thought I was&#8230;okay with&#8230;what happened in&#8230;my life so far,\u201d she stammered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLook, we\u2019ve had a long day, let\u2019s&#8230;\u201d I offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo, I need to say this,\u201d interjected Scorpainia. \u201cLately, I\u2019ve been thinking about my life. Hell, when the ships launched, I\u2019ve done nothing but think about my life. I was about to give a rousing speech to my husband, but then it all hit me at once; my origins as a starving peasant, my claiming the throne, Vortech controlling me, the Sontarans invading Tarlax 13&#8230;all of it. This became the straw that broke the camel\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPTSD?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo, more like&#8230;an epiphany,\u201d replied Scorpainia. \u201cIs this it? I know we\u2019re a warrior culture, but is that all Tarlaxians have to look forward to, the next fight? That\u2019s our entire history! I feel like I\u2019m just waiting to die! Like I have nothing to look forward to but struggle after struggle after struggle after struggle!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThen, what was that up in space?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen Heather was about to kill us&#8230;I was ready,\u201d answered Scorpainia. \u201cI was ready for it all to end. But then&#8230;then she didn\u2019t&#8230;and I didn\u2019t know how to feel. I\u2019m pretty sure I don\u2019t want to die! But&#8230;here we are. &#8230;Here we are, having this conversation, all because I screwed up something awful!\u201d At that point, I knelt down and placed my hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMaybe you did,\u201d I mused, \u201cbut it CAN be fixed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re all in danger,\u201d remarked Scorpainia. \u201cYou take the&nbsp;<em>Virginia<\/em>&nbsp;and get out of here once repairs are complete. I\u2019ll hold off Heather in the&nbsp;<em>Monticello<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t you dare!\u201d I snapped. \u201cLook, you DID make a mistake, but it wasn\u2019t letting us help you out. What would you do if you faced Heather alone? You\u2019d freeze up like up there and would probably be dead. We knew there was a risk, but that\u2019s par for the course for people like us. Besides, people need our help. Right now, YOU need our help. You\u2019re one of our allies. Don\u2019t patronize us like we don\u2019t know what we\u2019re doing! We\u2019re here to help and that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re going to do. Now, come on. Let\u2019s go rejoin the others and get some food.\u201d Scorpainia looked at me for a while, sadness showing in her eyes, then she stood up slowly. I stood up at the same rate as her and we headed off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>We all had some food and were winding down for sleep. Thank goodness no one\u2019s heard of haggis in this universe. I\u2019m probably one of the few Scotsmen to be bold enough not to like haggis. Maybe I\u2019m going to Hell for it, but, oh well. I tossed and turned in the bed but sleep wouldn\u2019t come. R9\u2019s light was still on. \u201cR9? Are you asleep?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNot really, dude,\u201d muttered R9. \u201cBut, then again, who can sleep at a time like this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA few leap to mind,\u201d I countered as I pointed at the sleeping forms of Hongo, Luigi, and Daisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind?\u201d asked R9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;We almost died today,\u201d I recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe obviously didn\u2019t,\u201d replied R9. \u201cFocus on that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAye, we survived,\u201d I conceded. \u201cBut, we almost died and I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m okay with that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo one really is,\u201d assured R9. \u201cNo one really WANTS to die; they just want their pain to end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Do droids believe in God?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d quizzed R9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou know, God,\u201d I replied. \u201cBig, long, white beard. Lives up in the sky. Created the world in six days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Strictly speaking, organic life-forms are my god,\u201d answered R9. \u201cBut, if you mean a cosmic level creator, well, that\u2019s where \u2018Thank the Maker\u2019 comes from. Most droids believe that there\u2019s some grand creator that made organic life so they could make us. Similar vein to God or Allah or other deities like that. I\u2019m not a believer in the Maker, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAh,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;I lost someone when I was serving the Empire,\u201d explained R9. \u201cA cute pilot droid I loved. It\u2019s hard to be religious after that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Aye, it is,\u201d I agreed, remembering my own faith being shaken after I lost my grandmother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThen again,\u201d continued R9, \u201cI\u2019ve seen and done some things since the Empire left me behind and the F.N.S adopted me. I figure there\u2019s SOMETHING out there for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSomething wanting us to win?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBingo, dude,\u201d confirmed R9. \u201cMechanical or not, a life-form has to hold on to that, at least, otherwise there\u2019s nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Do you ever worry that you\u2019d let them down?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEvery day, dude,\u201d answered R9. \u201cThat\u2019s kind of why I chose the surfer dude\u2019s voice, it gives me confidence, even in the face of danger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWell then,\u201d I declared, my eyes finally starting to droop, \u201clet\u2019s make sure we don\u2019t let them down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s enough to just have them root for us,\u201d mumbled a voice. Hongo then sat up. \u201cWe have to root for each other too,\u201d he said. \u201cI once held a grudge against the Heisei Riders and that grudge almost tore us apart. I thought they only focused on their fancy gimmicks. Gaim proved me wrong, but I never forgave myself for being so blind. At this stage, I\u2019m afraid that it will blind me again and we\u2019ll all die.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Okay, let\u2019s say our worst fears are realized and something causes us to fall apart, like one of us dying,\u201d I theorized. \u201cThe&nbsp;<em>Virginia<\/em>&nbsp;has big guns on it that we can use on Heather\u2019s ugly face. I\u2019d say that\u2019s more than enough to get the ship up and running, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;You\u2019ve got the oddest way of comforting a man,\u201d remarked Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI once ran an internet show called&nbsp;<em>Up The Arse<\/em>,\u201d I explained, \u201cthat dealt with idiots that, for some odd reason, made the news, whether they stuck something up an orifice or committed a crime for purely stupid reasons. The comfort people like me offer is revenge!\u201d Hongo grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWell, with someone like you as an Engineer,\u201d he chuckled, \u201chow can we lose?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAll right, enough talking,\u201d I declared. \u201cLet\u2019s get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWon\u2019t argue there,\u201d replied R9. \u201cMy batteries are pretty low.\u201d We all shut our eyes, not fully going to sleep until after Daisy spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPersonally, I don\u2019t care if we live or die,\u201d she muttered, \u201cjust as long as we go out swinging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou know it, Lass,\u201d I replied. Sleep finally came.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>I had just connected two wires together and wrapped some duct tape around the exposed copper. The instant I did, the lights came back on. \u201cFinally!\u201d I snarled. \u201cLocate the enemy vessel and prepare a bombardment! We must make sure she\u2019s dead!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe cannot do as you say, Pure One,\u201d replied the spider monster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhy not?!\u201d I growled. \u201cWe must kill Emily! I will NOT let that sow exist a second longer!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Hell Driver is almost drained,\u201d reported the spider monster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWHAT?!\u201d I shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYour transformation device is almost completely drained of power,\u201d repeated the spider monster, \u201cfirst by your prolonged transformation to escape Hell and commandeer this vessel, then by using it as a power source to maintain the energy demands of this upgraded vessel. I had to switch off certain systems so we could continue to have power until the belt is fully recharged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd I assume,\u201d I growled, \u201cthat, eventually, it will prove insufficient to power the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCorrect,\u201d confirmed the spider monster. \u201cA solution is available to address this problem, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cName it,\u201d I ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is a warehouse under the ownership of one Professor Elvin Gadd,\u201d answered the spider monster, \u201cthat contains parts and power sources that can maintain the energy demands more effectively than the Hell Driver. We can use them to repair the vessel and power all of its functions without the Hell Driver. You can use it to strictly transform into your Rider persona.\u201d I considered her words, then decided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLocate the warehouse and gather the necessary parts,\u201d I commanded. \u201cWe will repair the ship, then kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs you command, Pure One,\u201d confirmed the spider monster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The repairs to the&nbsp;<em>Virginia<\/em>&nbsp;were going well. Power was being restored and all damage was patched up. The ship could go into combat at a moment\u2019s notice. I helped R9, Rosalina, and Liam install a new circuit board into junction J-7. \u201cCareful,\u201d warned Rosalina. \u201cMake sure the contacts don\u2019t touch the edge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhy not?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe power will transfer to the metal of the walls,\u201d explained Rosalina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cQuickly travelling to you,\u201d helped Liam. I then realized the risk and carefully slid the circuit board in. Soon, the problem junction was fully operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnything else?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNope, should be good,\u201d reported R9. We then replaced the panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAll right, I\u2019m going to pick up Peach and get some more supplies,\u201d I suggested. I left the ship and found the Mushroom Kingdom\u2019s princess looking rather sullen. \u201cHey, Peach!\u201d I called. Peach just slowly turned her head to look at me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMore supplies?\u201d she mumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAre you okay?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;No,\u201d she muttered. \u201cBut never mind me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t do that,\u201d I said as I sat next to her on the bench. \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;I\u2019m on the sidelines again,\u201d she sighed. \u201cMy usual place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Oh,\u201d I realized. \u201cYou feel as if you\u2019re not contributing much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d she sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLook, picking up supplies isn\u2019t useless,\u201d I assured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut it\u2019s not the main source of action!\u201d snapped Peach. \u201cEvery moment of my life, I\u2019ve been kidnapped, put off to the side, talked down to, and other various means of bringing me down! I want excitement! I want adventure! I want to be strong! I\u2019ve never had a moment of personal strength!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Tell me, where are you in the Smash tourneys?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c21 in the top 30,\u201d mumbled Peach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd in races?\u201d I continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c3<sup>rd<\/sup>,\u201d replied Peach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWho stopped Bowser on Vibe Island?\u201d I quizzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI did,\u201d answered Peach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWho led the charge to the Sprixie Kingdom after Bowser conquered it?\u201d I went on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMe,\u201d confirmed Peach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWho saved the dimensions when Dimentio and Count Bleck were causing chaos?\u201d I inquired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMario, but I helped,\u201d answered Peach. Okay, not the best example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat did you do when the X-Nauts kidnapped you?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI told Mario their plans,\u201d replied Peach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd who helped guide Megumi and her team throughout the video games during the Vortech Wars? You!\u201d I declared. \u201cPeach, you\u2019re not as weak as you think. I know Bowser\u2019s kidnappings are too frequent for your liking, but that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re weak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cStill, I\u2019d like the chance to prove that,\u201d muttered Peach. Just then, Scorpainia ran up to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHeather\u2019s in the warehouse!\u201d she reported.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I must say, the mushrooms in this universe taste HORRIBLE! We had to eat one each to recover from the crash. \u201cMario,\u201d I mumbled, \u201chow do you bear it?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve-a eaten them for years,\u201d replied Mario. \u201cYou get-a used to it.\u201d \u201cI guess,\u201d I muttered as I finished mine off. \u201cAnd that\u2019s-a all the bruises [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":562,"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":[96,104],"tags":[69,9,17,255,256,257],"class_list":["post-561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-movie-chaoters","tag-emily-saunders","tag-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-mushroom-kingdom","tag-princess-peach","tag-repairs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/561","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=561"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1121,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/561\/revisions\/1121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}