As we tumbled through the vortex, the enemy was showing his displeasure for failure. \u201cI GAVE YOU A SIMPLE JOB!\u201d roared Lord Vortech as he swung his staff at Hiro. Hiro flew to the other end of the rapidly finishing fortress of Foundation Prime. As he flew, Vortech\u2019s minions, the Vortexons, featureless humanoids that were made of the same stuff as their master, looked on. \u201cI told you to get the Keystone located in that absurd little dimension and you let a green skinned woman get it! Don\u2019t forget that I can easily destroy you for failure, Hiro!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something you\u2019re forgetting, Vortech!\u201d Hiro roared as he charged at his employer and decked him. \u201cIf it weren\u2019t for me, you wouldn\u2019t be able to get Ichimonji\u2019s typhoon! If I recall, that\u2019s one of the Foundation Elements. If I didn\u2019t discover the Rogue Driver and reverse engineered it to make a transformation belt for my colleagues in Shocker, my native dimension would very well be a null dimension and it would pass your notice!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if I recall, I was the original genius behind the Rogue Driver\u2019s construction!\u201d snarled Vortech. He threw a punch, which Hiro caught. He then raised his staff and was about to bring it down when he felt the barrel of one of the Rogue Driver\u2019s guns at his belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been so long since you built me,\u201d boasted the Rogue Driver, \u201cthat you forgot that I know your weakness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not afraid to cheat to win,\u201d exclaimed Hiro. Vortech considered what was said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPoint\u2026taken,\u201d He lowered his staff and backed off. \u201cPerhaps I overreacted. A Foundation Element is on its way, so a Keystone isn\u2019t a big loss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA wise decision,\u201d praised Hiro as he holstered the gun. A portal opened to deposit Dorothy and her friends in front of the throne that just finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh,\u201d mused Vortech. \u201cGood guys?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI might be a villain!\u201d called the Scarecrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIgnore him,\u201d hissed the Tin man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, to the left, please,\u201d responded Vortech as he sat on the throne. The Vortexons grabbed the group at their master\u2019s mental command. \u201cOh, and you won\u2019t be needing those lovely ruby slippers anymore, my dear!\u201d A Vortexon took the slippers off. Dorothy and her friends were place in separate cages near Robin, Frodo, MetalBeard, and our parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave you got any idea where we are or what\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Robin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry,\u201d replied Fred, Richard and Emily\u2019s dad, as he spoke for all our parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA nightmare, maybe?\u201d asked my adopted mom, Haruna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMight as well be,\u201d mused Ichimonji as he wore a different belt without a fan inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know it\u2019s not Kansas,\u201d observed Dorothy. \u201cThey took my slippers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey took the One Ring, too,\u201d recalled Frodo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the Kryptonite I was holding,\u201d exclaimed Robin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd my treasure chest of ill-gotten booty,\u201d sighed MetalBeard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd my belt, the Typhoon,\u201d reported Ichimonji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey did not steal anything from us,\u201d observed Sergei, Mikhail and Irina\u2019s dad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe we\u2019re not important,\u201d mused Amanda, Fred\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy treasure\u2026\u201d moaned MetalBeard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, MetalBeard,\u201d assured Robin, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back.\u201d MetalBeard brightened at this. \u201cAnd then I WILL have to return it to the rightful owners.\u201d The grin faded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Frodo Baggins, madam,\u201d said Frodo. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDorothy Gale,\u201d introduced Dorothy. \u201cThis is the Scarecrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScarecrow?!\u201d yelped Robin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot Jonathan Crane,\u201d assured Angela, Xiomara\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh,\u201d Robin sighed with relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd this is the Tin Man,\u201d continued Dorothy. \u201cAnd that\u2019s the Cowardly Lion.\u201d Said talking animal was muttering \u201cI DO believe in spooks!\u201d over and over. While introductions were made, the Vortexon with the slippers approached his master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcellent!\u201d cheered Vortech. \u201cPlace them with the other elements.\u201d The Vortexon obeyed. Vortech then used his magic to lift them and place them on their images in the hole in the floor and reactivate the shield over it. He cackled once the job was done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMust you cackle?\u201d protested Hiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s therapeutic,\u201d explained Vortech. \u201cYou should try it.\u201d Another portal opened and released a clown in a purple suit and an old man in white robes and a staff. \u201cBad guys?\u201d asked Vortech. \u201cExcellent. To the right, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Saruman the White,\u201d protested the man in white. \u201cI am not a \u2018bad guy\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPfft! Please!\u201d scoffed the clown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook!\u201d cried Vortech, putting on a show of fear. \u201cSauron!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy lord!\u201d yelped Hiro, pretending to be scared. \u201cWhat brought you here?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy lord, Sauron!\u201d exclaimed Saruman as he turned and kneeled. \u201cIt is I, your faithful serv\u2026!\u201d All he saw was the fortress\u2019 interior. He realized he was played for a fool as he heard the clown laughing at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I recall,\u201d mused Hiro, \u201cSauron is a Dark Lord. Doesn\u2019t that imply evil, Saruman?\u201d Saruman was about to argue but couldn\u2019t get the words out and slumped his shoulders in defeat. \u201cAnd then there\u2019s you,\u201d said Hiro to the clown. \u201cYou call yourself the Clown Prince of Crime. Wouldn\u2019t crime be evil? Not that I complain about your work, Mr. Joker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, at least SOMEONE appreciates my work!\u201d cheered the Joker. \u201cUnlike a certain bat in my belfry and his Boy Blunder!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI heard that!\u201d called Robin. The Joker pretended not to notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo your right, you say?\u201d quizzed Saruman to Vortech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t mind,\u201d confirmed Vortech. He pointed to the weapons pile on his right. \u201cYou\u2019ll find lots of fun weapons and we can offer you some excellent opportunities to use them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell,\u201d giggled the Joker, \u201cwe\u2019d have to be crazy to refuse that offer!\u201d Vortech arched an eyebrow and hmmed in confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEr, I hate to ask this of a comedian,\u201d winced Hiro, \u201cbut can you explain the joke?\u201d The Joker twitched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat means we\u2019re in,\u201d he groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFollow me to the weapons range,\u201d called Hiro. \u201cI\u2019ll get you acquainted with our arsenal.\u201d The two bad guys from different dimensions followed him with the Joker laughing his head off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While that was going on, we arrived back at our base of operations. The gateway was still in one piece. \u201cGoodness,\u201d exclaimed Gandalf, \u201cI almost lost my staff that time!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSame here,\u201d agreed Wyldstyle, \u201cexcept with my lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, I almost threw up the apples I had,\u201d muttered Tonje.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t understand why Fili was so against apples when he got to Lake Town,\u201d said Gandalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiven that he was in a barrel that smelled of apples before he got there,\u201d replied Michael, \u201cI\u2019d have the same reaction if I were in his position.\u201d Batman took out the gateway piece and examined it. It jumped out of his hands and floated in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, nice job!\u201d called the voice from earlier. \u201cYou brought back the Shift Keystone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeystone?\u201d quizzed Wyldstyle. \u201cWhat\u2019s a keystone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m guessing it\u2019s this,\u201d mused Batman as he pointed to the Gateway piece as it attached itself to the right-most area. Batman\u2019s left hand then floated in the air and glowed purple before a purple gauntlet materialized with the Shift Keystone\u2019s symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+KEYSTONE POWERS ARE NOW IN YOUR POSSESSION+ announced my belt. +GATEWAY 20% STABILIZED+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, so that\u2019s why they\u2019re called Keystones,\u201d realized Tanisha. \u201cThey\u2019re holding the gateway together like a bridge!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, Haruto,\u201d announced the voice, \u201cI found your dimension. You can go home whenever you wish.\u201d The gateway opened a portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn that case,\u201d bid Haruto Soma, \u201cI must say farewell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was an honor to fight alongside you,\u201d praised Hongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, alongside, instead of against,\u201d Haruto pointed out. \u201cLast time we met, it was you and the other Showa riders against us Heisei riders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you proved that you\u2019re still worthy of the name Kamen Rider,\u201d praised Hongo. \u201cFarewell, Haruto-san.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFarewell, Hongo-san,\u201d called Haruto. \u201cFarewell, everyone.\u201d He jumped into the portal while we all waved goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow,\u201d I quizzed my belt after the portal closed, \u201cwhat\u2019s the idea with the studs we got from Glinda?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+THEY ARE MADE OF A VALUABLE METAL CALLED NONEXISTIUM+ explained my belt. +IT IS FOUND IN FOUR COLORS+ +A STUD IS A MEANS OF CURRENCY+ +THE NOW EXHAUSTED BLACK STUDS USED TO HAVE A VALUE OF ONE+ +THE COMMON GOLD STUDS HAVE A VALUE OF TEN+ +SLIGHTLY LESS COMMON SILVER STUDS HAVE A VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED+ +RARE BLUE STUDS HAVE A VALUE OF ONE THOUSAND+ +THE RAREST PURPLE STUDS HAVE A VALUE OF TEN THOUSAND+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGlinda gave us a cash reward!\u201d exclaimed Emmanuel. I grinned wickedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMoney!\u201d I cheered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEasy,\u201d called Batman. \u201cWhat about the gauntlet I got?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+WHEN CONNECTED TO A SPECIAL TRANSMITTER, THE KEYSTONE GAUNTLET WILL ALLOW YOU TO USE THAT SPECIFIC KEYSTONE POWER+ explained my belt. +CURRENTLY, YOU ARE BONDED TO THE SHIFT KEYSTONE THAT WE HAVE OBTAINED IN DIMENSION W-1-Z-A-R-D-0-F-0-Z+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, this thing can give me the power the Witch had when we fought her?\u201d asked Batman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+AFFIRMATIVE+ confirmed my belt. +HOWEVER, THAT GAUNTLET IS HARDWIRED TO YOUR DNA+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo one else can use it,\u201d I guessed. \u201cStill, impressive technology. Where did it come from?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+THIS DIMENSION IS THE TECHNOLOGY\u2019S DIMENSION OF ORIGIN+ boasted my belt, as much as a monotonous voice can give a boasting tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is this place anyway?\u201d asked Wyldstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+THIS IS ONE OF THE THREE REMAINING FRAGMENTS OF THE MULTIVERSAL PLANET, VORTON+ said my belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemaining fragments?\u201d asked Richard. \u201cYou mean, we\u2019re floating on a dead planet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+AFFIRMATIVE+ confirmed my belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen, how are we breathing?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
+EMERGENCY POWER KEEPS AN ATMOSPHERIC FIELD AROUND THE FRAGMENTS+ explained my belt. +WITH THE GATEWAY RESTORED AND A KEYSTONE HOLDING IT IN PLACE, THE FIELDS WILL LAST INDEFINITELY+ +FOOD DISPENSERS ARE ALSO FUNCTIONING AS WELL AS THE SHOWER ROOMS+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShower!\u201d I exclaimed. \u201cDid you guys hear that? What a wonderful word!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI suggest some food and cleaning ourselves of any filth we\u2019ve acquired,\u201d commented Richard. \u201cI haven\u2019t had a decent shower since we left Castle Nerd Skull.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn excellent idea!\u201d cheered Emily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI agree!\u201d I affirmed. We all departed for the showers and got ourselves cleaned. Our clothes were put in machines marked \u201cClothes mended and washed while you wait.\u201d Once my shower was finished, I found my dress neatly folded and my tiara sparkling like new in a basket in my changing stall. I got myself dressed and walked out while adjusting my tiara on my head. I met up with the others with clean clothes over at the cafeteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYe GODS!\u201d exclaimed Michael. \u201cI never felt so clean!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will admit,\u201d mused Batman, \u201ceven a hero like me needs a clean uniform.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd food is waiting for us!\u201d I called. My belt talked me through how to operate the replicator and soon I was greeted with something from my home country, a comfort food, really, Chazuke, or Ochazuke made with light fish stock poured over rice and topped with things like umeboshi and grilled salmon, my personal preference of toppings. This is one of my favorite rice dishes. Soon, everyone got their meals and we sat down and ate. Those from Japan, Hongo, Hiroki, and I, said \u201cItadakimasu\u201d (I gratefully receive) before we ate. We all ate our meals and had our drinks in happiness. For just that moment, we didn\u2019t care about a dimensional crisis. Hiroki said his late father would say that if the entire human race got together to eat and drink and be merry, conflict would be nonexistent. I wish I met the man. After we ate, we Japanese said \u201cGochisosama\u201d (Thank you for the meal) and we all found our bedrooms. We bid each other good night and flew off to Dream Land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back in the Merry Old Land of Oz, in the Witch\u2019s throne room, a Winkie in his old gear and green makeup examined the puddle of green liquid that was once a person. He then took a vial and put a portion of the liquid into it and pricked his finger to let blood drip in the vial. The next step was to put a drop of water into the mixture, cork it, and shake it. He turned to leave when he saw a woman in a black ball gown with a skeletal motif, a black cloak, skull makeup, and black orbs for eyes. She looked at the vial, then back at the Winkie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNardo will not appreciate that,\u201d she whispered. \u201cHe needs this freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFreedom?\u201d scoffed the Winkie. \u201cWe were starving before the Witch came. Many of us would rather have food than freedom. Now, out of my way!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven though you know my power, you still give me orders?\u201d asked the woman. \u201cTrue, it wasn\u2019t her time, but she will not rule here again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGet out of my way!\u201d snarled the Winkie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTry and move me!\u201d hissed the woman. She flicked her wrist and summoned a scythe. The woman then got into a defensive stance. The Winkie charged, with the intent to knock her down. It didn\u2019t go so well as she used the staff part of her scythe to trip him up. The vial flew out of his hands as she spun in a circle with the scythe pointing at the ground. It opened a vortex beneath her. She remained floating above it as if she were on solid ground. The vial tumbled in as the Winkie was thrown into a wall, knocking him out. She took a book from her cloak and skimmed over it until she found what she was looking for. \u201cA pity,\u201d she said. She turned to the unconscious Winkie. \u201cLooks like I\u2019ll be back for you in ten minutes. A stress induced heart attack is a rather painful way to go, but you insisted on working yourself to death. In a way, you chose to be a slave instead of living your life to the fullest. I cannot say where you\u2019ll go. Farewell. Your fate is sealed. Forget you ever met me. A freak portal took that vial out of your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy lady, hold for a moment,\u201d called a woman\u2019s voice. The woman in black turned to see a Winkie woman in her natural yellow clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWidow Netterop,\u201d whispered the woman. She smiled. \u201cGood to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, it\u2019s true?\u201d asked Widow Netterop. \u201cThe Witch had secret police?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid so,\u201d confirmed the woman. \u201cI wish it weren\u2019t true, but she feared rebellion from both the Flying Monkeys and your people. However, it DID make her vulnerable to outside influence, as I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHas the Emerald City been informed about this crisis going across the dimensions?\u201d asked Netterop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI spoke with the Wizard of Oz himself,\u201d whispered the woman. \u201cHe is preparing accordingly, with the resources available. I would suggest to your brother that he do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll tell him at once,\u201d assured Netterop. \u201cWould you like to stay for a while? My daughter is preparing Chicken Soup. She hasn\u2019t seen you in a while, good Lady Death.\u201d The woman, Death, considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see why not,\u201d she finally decided. \u201cLead the way. I\u2019ll deal with this man in ten minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t mind my asking,\u201d quizzed Netterop as she led her oldest friend out of the tower, \u201chow will he die?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStress induced heart attack,\u201d whispered Death. Netterop shut the door behind them. The click of the lock woke the Winkie. He had forgotten his encounter and realized the vial was gone. Inside the vortex, the vial cracked and shattered. The mixture then grew into a humanoid shape. It then formed a mouth and a feminine shape. It screamed from pain of the vortex winds reforming her into Elphaba Thropp, the former Wicked Witch of the West.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As we tumbled through the vortex, the enemy was showing his displeasure for failure. \u201cI GAVE YOU A SIMPLE JOB!\u201d roared Lord Vortech as he swung his staff at Hiro. Hiro flew to the other end of the rapidly finishing fortress of Foundation Prime. As he flew, Vortech\u2019s minions, the Vortexons, featureless humanoids that were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":83,"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":[14,20,16,9,17,19,12,18,15],"class_list":["post-92","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamen-rider-vortex","category-kamen-rider-vortex-chapters","tag-batman","tag-elphaba","tag-gandalf","tag-kamen-rider","tag-kamen-rider-ichigo","tag-kamen-rider-wizard","tag-megumi-hishikawa","tag-wizard-of-oz","tag-wyldstyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92","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=92"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1063,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92\/revisions\/1063"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}