Chapter 10. Ashimus Prime
"Did the car just talk to me?" Ash asked himself as he was sped along the metallic surface of this new world.
"Does that surprise you?" the car responded.
"In retrospect, not really. I've seen some pretty strange things recently."
"Good. It's lucky that I was able to find you so fast. Optimus said you were coming, but he did not no where."
"Optimus?"
"You'll meet him soon enough. Others have already made it here."
"Others?"
After a trip that took nearly an hour, the car screeched to a halt in front of a large, metal tower. Ash exited the vehicle and watched in amazement as it transformed into a fifteen foot tall, humanoid robot.
"Hey, Hot Rod. How do we get in." The robot pushed a button on his chest and a large panel began to open on the structure.
"This way Ash."
"A built in garage door opener. Does that come standard.?" The two entered the building and began down a long hallway. The sound of Hot Rod's footsteps echoed off the metal walls that surrounded them. Eventually they made it to another door that slid open. When they entered, five figures inside looked their direction. Ash studied all of them. There was another robot taller than Hot Rod, an extremely hot woman wearing a full, black, revealing leather outfit, a man, also in black attire that resembled a speed skater's suit. Next to him on a table, was a cone shaped metallic object. On the other side of the room, the final two beings stood next to each other. The one on the left was an imposing figure who wore a brown armor and held under his arm what appeared to be a helmet, while the other, was of shorter stature that had a worm for a head. The robot approached Ash.
"I am Optimus Prime. Leader of the Autobots. Welcome to Cybertron, Ash."
"How do you know who I am?"
"There are a select few beings in the universe that are able to communicate with one another. Each representing their sections of the vastness of space. King Mickey recently contacted me."
"Well that explains that. But, how did you now I was coming here? I mean, my destinations have been awfully random." Ash was trying to pay attention, but the blue eyes of the lady leaning against the wall were gaining most of his attention.
"We were able to gather enough Energon cubes to attract both you and the book. Fortunately, it was a success." When Prime finished speaking, the hulking mass of humanity approached Ash. He bent over and stared him in the face.
"Don't look like much of a savior to me."
"My, aren't you a big fella."
"The name's Juggernaut small fry. Don't forget it."
"I have a feeling that'll be hard to do." Juggernaut stood back upright and put on his helmet.
"When do we get to the smashing? This little vacation is boring me to death."
"Soon enough, Juggernaut." Prime replied.
"Kurt Hectic." the man said as he reached out his hand. Ash shook it with his robotic appendage.
"What's the deal with your snow-cone maker over their?" Ash gestured to the black, cone sitting on the table.
"That's my Chain Gun." Kurt replied. "I'm sure you'll be impressed."
"We'll see." Ash turned to the worm headed figure. "I hope we're not battling mutant crows."
"Jim. Earthworm Jim." he said crossing his arms. Ash had little time to pay attention as the woman approached him.
"My name is Selene." Ash began to turn on the charm.
"And, what can you do?" She reached up and grabbed him by the shirt. Ash was lifted off of the ground effortlessly. He looked down at her and she smiled.
"Impressed?"
"Very." Ash pulled his eyes away from her cleavage to see fangs in her mouth. "You're not a vampire are you?"
"Of course."
"I bet that's not all you can do with your mouth." She released her grip and Ash fell to the ground. Juggernaut erupted with laughter.
"That's enough everyone." Prime said.
"I don't have to take orders from a tin can." Juggernaut replied.
"Need I remind you." Prime pointed to a large dent in the metal wall in the rough outline of Juggy. "Now that we are all here," Prime continued. "We can begin the briefing."
"I'd prefer de-briefing." Ash said as he looked at Selene as several holographic images flickered into view in the center of the table.
"This," Prime said as he gestured toward the image. "Is Megatron. Leader of the Decepticons. The book has transported him elsewhere. His location has not been discovered. In his stead, a being known as Starscream is ruling in his place."
"Why don't we just take him down?" Ash asked.
"It's not that simple. Starscream is a formidable warrior and his shady tactics have been a thorn in my side for longer than you could know."
"What about the rest of the Autobots?"
"Hotrod and I are all that remains. The book has scattered us, as well as most of the Decepticons, across the universe. Who knows what kind of peril they could be in."
"Sounds like a bunch of science fiction crap." Juggernaut added.
"Optimus.?" Everyone in the room turned to look at Hotrod, who was bathed in a bright blue light before vanishing. The room was silent for a moment before Selene spoke.
"We don't have time for this, Ash has to find the book so the balance of the universe can be restored."
"She's right." Prime said. "Hotrod can take care of himself. We need to stop Starscream before he destroys Cybertron."
"Finally," Juggy said in excitement. "It's time to do some smashing."
"Let's roll out."
Moments later, Prime carried Juggernaut on the top of his trailer and Hectic on the hood with that black snow-cone maker on his right hand, while the other three sat in the cab. Ash used this time to "get to know" Selene.
"I see you have a thing for guns."
"I haven't met anyone who could out shoot me yet."
"I've never met a girl that didn't eventually succumb to my charm and charismatic wit." Earthworm Jim raised an eyebrow and looked up at the chainsaw toting hero.
"There's a fist time for everything." was all that Selene said in return. Ash took a breath to release yet another line but was cut short by Jim.
"What is this place?" Ash had been to busy trying to impress the vampiress to notice that the once shiny, metallic surroundings had been replaced by an rough, black, leathery looking surface with a bumpy texture and dripping with what looked like drool.
"Everyone keep a sharp lookout." Prime said as he continued to speed along the terrain. A few moments passed before Jim reached out and pointed swiftly toward the driver side window. Striking Ash in the jaw in the process.
"Something's moving out there."
"We may have to see if worms really do grow back after cut in half." Ash said as he cocked his gun.
"Are you two gonna talk the whole time?" Juggy asked. "I want to be able to hear the bones break when we find whatever we're looking for. Besides, I don't see anything."
"He's right," Prime said. "My sensors are picking up minute changes in air density."
"Which means?" Ash asked.
"Something is moving."
"Prime," Hectic said. "Slow down a bit." Prime obliged and let off the throttle.
"Hey, come on." Juggernaut said. "I was startin' to like the breeze through my hair." When he finished speaking, a small, pink, spider-like animal leapt onto the side of Kurt's face. Prime screeched to a halt as Hectic fell off the hood. Juggernaut jumped to the ground and grabbed a hold of the small creature. Kurt thought his neck was going to break as Juggy pulled the small creature off. The grip of it's tail around his throat was unbelievable.
"This is what we're up against." Juggernaut said as he held it between his thumb and fore finger. "I could be taking a nap right now." The tiny menace let out a loud scream as everyone else gathered around.
"We should take it back to the lab." Prime said after he finished transforming.
"I gotta better idea." Juggy squeezed, crushing the creature, a bright, neon green liquid squirted everywhere. "That tingles a little."
"It's acid." Selene said. Everyone looked at the ground where the acid had fallen on some steel. Within seconds, a hole had been burned through the floor.
"Acid for blood." Ash said. "That's a new trick."
"Heads up everyone." Prime said. "I'm picking up more movement."
"So what." Juggy replied. "These things are no big deal. I bet I can smash more than the rest of you put together."
"No, this is bigger, and there are a lot more." When Prime finished speaking, the walls around them literally came to life. A horde of black creatures with long heads, spined tails and mouths running with drool began to emerge all around them.
"Their coming out of the Goddamn walls." Hectic said as he readied his chain gun. At least a hundred of the beasts were closing in around them.
"Come get some." Ash rang out a shot into the group, dropping the first one. The others followed suit. Ash looked out of the corner of his eye and saw that the others were making him look like an amateur. Primes robotic aiming system was allowing him to fire with pinpoint accuracy. Aliens were falling by the score from the laser blast of his rifle. Jim was cutting through the attack as well before he reached up and grabbed his own head. Jim then ran at an approaching alien and used it's head for leverage, leaping into the air and wrapping his worm head around an exposed pipe. From above he was able to continue his assault. Hectic's chain gun was being swept back and forth, decimating everything in it's path. Juggernaut's tactic differed but was just as effective. He brought down both fists at a time, smashing everything in front of him. Selene's dual pistols were doing massive damage. Ash kept looking over until both of her gun's were out of ammo.
"Time to rescue the damsel." He thought to himself. "My favorite part of the game." He began to make his way over to the surrounded Selene, blasting himself a path. He was nearly there when the first alien leapt at her. She effortlessly swung her foot around and kicked it hard in the side of the face. She then pulled out two metal discs and flung them into the fray. The objects sprouted razor sharp blades as they whirled through everything in their path.
"Looks like she can handle herself." Ash thought, a bit disappointed. Ash turned and was knocked to the ground with an alien on top of him. He couldn't fire his gun for fear of the acid running through the beast's veins. It slowly opened it's mouth before a second, snake-like tube thrust out. Ash was barely quick enough to grab it with his robotic hand.
"Second date rule home slice." Ash was able to wrestle the alien onto it's back and rolled on top of it. He pulled out his sword and stabbed it through the head. The beast was rendered motionless.
"Good ol' indestructible Nightblade." He said. If you weren't covered in freakin' acid I could kiss you." The green liquid lightly sizzled and popped as it tried in vain the consume the blade. Ash stood up and met eyes with Selene, who was pointing her freshly reloaded pistol directly at his face.
"Move." Ash ducked and she fired a shot that killed off the last remaining alien. The area smelled of gunpowder and the burning of all the acid as everyone regrouped.
"Anyone get burned?" Prime asked.
"Only them." Ash replied as Jim dropped back down from the ceiling.
"Speak for yourself." Everyone turned to look at Juggernaut, who was covered in green acid. "I hate lime Jell-O."
"Told you you'd be impressed." Kurt said to Ash.
"I was more impressed when you where kneckin' with that little one." Ash turned to Selene as she sauntered by him.
"Like I said, I've never met anyone that could out shoot me."
"Ouch, babe." Ash said. "Next time why don't you just kick me in the pills."
"We had better get moving." Prime said. "All of this acid has weakened the floor." Prime leapt over the still smoking floor and transformed. He was followed by Selene, who was also able to leapt the substantial distance. Hectic caught a ride on Juggernaut's shoulder as he trudged through the smoke.
"Need a lift?" Jim asked.
"If you tell anyone, I'm going fishing with your head." Ash grabbed onto Jim and the two swung across the precarious path via Jim's slimy head.
They all continued on their way, cautiously, with weapons drawn, searching their surroundings for anymore signs of the aliens that had attacked them earlier. For the past hour or so, Prime's sensors have been unable to detect any motion around them. Ash couldn't take to silence any longer.
"Am I the only one who finds this ridiculous? Instead of lurking in the shadows, shouldn't we be going after this Starscream?"
"Can't you think of anything more helpful to do than complain?" Selene said as she rolled her eyes.
"Well I guess I could just walk behind you and check out the scenery." Selene turned around and looked at Ash. "I know that look. You're falling for me, aren't you. Eventually they all bend to my will." She ignored that last statement and the group continued on their way. The leathery material that the aliens had sprung forth from had completely engulfed the corridor. No metallic surface could be seen in any direction.
"Maybe they realized that we're too much to handle." Kurt said.
"I doubt we'd be that lucky." Prime replied.
"Hey guys." Everyone heard Jim yell. "Looks like we reached a dead end." Jim had ventured further ahead of the others along with Juggernaut and the two had found the end of the trail.
"It's pretty thick." Juggy said. "But it ain't nuthin' I can't handle." He started to pound away at the black surface but to no avail. The tissue just absorbed his blows like a sponge.
"I bet that's embarrassing." Ash said with a smirk to the hulking Juggernaut.
"Maybe I just need a battering ram." He replied bringing his huge mug down to Ash's level. "How hard's your head?" Ash considered making a lewd comment, but decided to keep it to himself.
"Well," Selene inquired. "What do we do now."
"I'm going to try something." Prime's chest began to open up. A blinding blue light emanated from within that caused everyone to shield their eyes.
"The Matrix." The memory of Maleficent and Doom's meeting with that scary looking Thanos guy crept into Ash's head. Prime held the glowing metallic object in his hands and pointed it at the wall. The black substance seemed to writhe in agony as the brilliant light shone upon it. It the slowly began to slink away in an effort to save it's own existence. When that metal surface was once again exposed, Prime once more concealed the Matrix beneath his chest plate.
"Care to try again?" Prime said.
"With pleasure." Juggernaut charged at the wall and burst through it like it was tissue paper. The rest followed suit. Ash turned to see their exit close up once again with the alien organism.
"Well, that cuts our options short." When Ash finished speaking, a large wall of fire leapt up in front of them. Everyone made a quick step backwards and tried to see past the blaze. Jim was jumping up and down in an effort to see until he pulled out his head and held it high up in his left hand. The worm stood up erect and peered over the flames.
"That's gross." Kurt said. The flames began to die down and three figures came into view. The one on the left was obviously the culprit behind the flames as his hands were burning with fire. His skin was green and he had long pointy ears. The one in the middle also had pointed ears but his face was adorned with a huge grin the displayed an array of sharp metal teeth. The final figure was bigger than the other two, with metallic colored skin clad in a red suit, long, blonde hair and out of the palms of his hands, shiny metal tendrils hung from them, slightly moving at his side.
"Starscream said you would be coming this way." The one with flaming hands said.
"So the coward sends his lackeys to do his dirty work." Prime said in defiance.
"He has promised us immortality in exchange for our services." The center one said in a serpentine voice.
"Services, huh?" Ash said. "So does that mean you change his oil and buff his poop deck." Nobody laughed, except Juggernaut.
"Joke all you wish." the final figure said in a heavy Russian accent. "You may laugh all the way to the grave." Ash and the others readied for battle.
"In due time Omega Red." A voice erupted from the sky. Everyone looked up to see a fighter jet soar into view.
"Starscream." Prime said. His voice riddled with disgust. "It is very appropriate that you would surround yourself with such filth."
"I would watch my speech generator if I were you." The plane said as it transformed into a robot the same size as Prime. "You will be given even less mercy."
"Were's my book?" Ash demanded.
"It belongs to me now. I control it. I was able to transport my army here with but a thought."
"You mean those alien things?" Juggy said. "We've already pounded them to mush."
"Do you think so?" Starscream produced the book from his chest cavity. A brief flash of light shone and he looked behind him. Out of every shadow and every crack in the area, aliens began to pour out. Hundreds upon hundreds slunk into view behind Starscream and his other three servants.
"I will enjoy finally watching you die, Prime. Something Megatron was never able to do." Starscream transformed again and took to the sky. "Super Skrull, Baraka, Omega Red. Destroy them." The three combatants charged at the heroes, followed by the alien horde.
"This is gonna be fun." Juggernaut charged at the three while everyone else began to fire their weapons into the aliens. Green blood spraying in all directions. Juggernaut first met Super Skrull and swung his mighty fist. Skrull's body twisted and stretched out of shape and wrapped around his arm.
"Surprise." His right hand turned into an orange colored stone and he pummeled Juggy on the face. That was hardly enough to stop the unstoppable Juggernaut, but he was unable to land a punch as his opponents body continued to elude his blows. Omega Red reached out with his tendrils and grabbed two aliens in each one, throwing them at Hectic and Jim. The two easily blasted the projectiles apart and rolled out of the way of the acid. It landed on the ground, spitting as it ate away the surface. Red then grabbed the two around the neck and began to squeeze. Hectic was blasting away with his chain gun, but to no avail. The bullets simply ricochet off of his body doing no damage. Jim's skin was slimy enough to escape the bone-crushing grip of the tendrils and he landed on the ground reaching for his belt. He produced a clip that he but in his plasma blaster. The tip of his gun began to radiate with a bright yellow light and he took aim. Omega was hit in the chest with a massive dose of energy, that caused him to drop Hectic and sail backwards.
"Thanks." Hectic said to the worm as he continued blasting.
"I'll gut you." Baraka said as he approached Ash and Selene. He raised his right arm in the air. Ash watched as a three foot blade protruded from his flesh and swung down at him. Ash was barely able to catch it in his metal hand. With his other arm, Baraka produced a second blade and slashed Selene across the cheek, forcing her to a knee.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to hit girls?" Ash said as he drew his sword. He swung it around, only to have it blocked by another blade. Baraka brought his face right into his adversaries.
"It will be difficult to lecture without a tongue."
"It'll take a lot more that metal teeth and a poor complection to stop me baby." Selene made it back to her feet, her wound completely healed and she took a shot at Baraka. He was able to block it with one of his blade's, but it left him open for a blow to the jaw by Ash's metal hand.
"Thanks babe." Ash said.
"My pleasure." Selene replied with a flirtatious smile before he went back to blasting aliens.
"I knew it." Ash and Baraka continued their battle of the blades as Red forced his tendrils into the ground. They reached up and grabbed Prime by the legs. Prime was momentarily knock off balance, allowing several aliens to jump onto him causing him to drop his weapon. They slashed at him with their claws but were unable to penetrate his metal skin. Prime struggled to remove them while Juggernaut finally got a hold of Skrull. He had wrapped his body all over Juggy, who was now trying to untangle them. He managed to do so and threw his at Prime, knocking all of the attacking aliens to the surrounding metal. Prime then grabbed the tendrils and pulled. Omega Red's tendrils were ripped out of the ground. The two then began to pull as hard as they could, but Red could not compete with Prime's strength. Omega was pulled hard into to Prime who then smashed him into the ground with his robotic fist. He then picked him up and sent him sailing into the air with another huge blow. Red was hit so hard, he sailed into the aliens and they splattered on impact like bugs on a windshield. Prime reached for his gun but was entangled by Skrull who then, with one hand tried to melt him with fire with the other, rock hard fist pounded away. Juggernaut was unable to help, fore he was covered by aliens. He was smashing for all he was worth but was unable to break free. Kurt, Selene and Jim had been backed into a corner by the horde.
"I suppose this is as good a time as any to try this out." Kurt said as he reached into his belt. He produced a small object that had a bio-hazard sign on it.
"What is that?" Jim asked as he blasted another alien.
"It's the world's smallest nuclear bomb. Buy me some time."
"We'll try." Selene said. Hectic bent down and went to work. Not far away Ash had been knocked down by Baraka.
"Now," he said. "You die."
"You don't know you I am, do you?" Ash punched Baraka in the knee with his robotic fist, causing it to buckle under his weight. Ash rolled out of the way, grabbed his chainsaw and revved it up.
"The name's Ash. Housewares, bitch." He swung it around mightily. Baraka was barely able to block the blow and he got back up to his feet. Ash was on the offensive, striking with both his sword and saw, stopping only to chop a couple of aliens in half as he pursued Baraka. Sparks rained when the spinning chain came into contact with Baraka's blades. Ash put all he could muster into a death blow with his saw. Baraka blocked with his left blade, only to have it snap and the chain cut a gouge over his left eye. Blood ran from the wound as he covered his damaged eye with his left hand. Ash was poised to finish the battle when Red's metal tendrils bound his arms to his sides.
"Now," Omega said. "You die." He began to squeeze, choking the breathe from him.
"Ash!" Selene yelled as she tried to get to him. Ash looked in her direction, the color leaving his face. He could feel his life drifting away and all he did was wink.
"No." Baraka yelled. "He's mine." He slashed at Red's tendrils causing him to loose his grip. Ash fell to the ground and watched as Baraka thrust his remaining blade into Omega's stomach. Red fell to the ground, perplexed.
"Nothing has ever been able to pierce my skin." Blood ran all around him as he lay on his front, looking up at the only being ever to truly hurt him. Baraka then turned to Ash and raised a blade in the air.
"When you are dead, I will eat your heart."
"I've heard that before." When Ash finished speaking. A metal disk with blades on it struck Baraka in the other eye, completely blinding him. Selene had saved his life. Ash rolled to the side and grabbed his shotgun as Baraka swung wildly and screamed in pain. A loud boom sounded and Baraka's abdomen erupted in blood. He dropped to his knees. The last thing Baraka heard was the rattling of the chainsaw.
"You will die. Starscream will see to my vengeance."
"Not very level headed, are you?" Ash buzzed his saw around, lopping off Baraka's head. "Well, at least, not any more."
"It's ready." Kurt said. "Juggernaut. Prime. We need some cover." Juggy leapt into the air and came down with an elbow drop, smashing several aliens, before he got up and charged to the others. Ash then shot Super Skrull in the back, causing him to let loose of Prime. Ash and Prime then made their way to the others as well.
"Juggernaut." Hectic said as he handed the world's smallest nuclear bomb to him. "Get this as far away from us as possible." Juggy threw it far into the distance. He and prime then tore up a large chunk of steel from the ground and placed it in front of them all. The bomb exploded and incinerated all of the remaining aliens in an instant. Ash watched as Baraka's body burned out of sight while Skrull was staining to keep up the invisible force field that he had conjured. The blast ended and they left the safety of their metal shield.
"Groovy." Ash and Jim said at the same time. Ash looked down at the worm with an inquisitive look.
"That's my word."
"This barely held." Prime said.
"It worked didn't it?" Juggy replied.
"They're all gone." Selene said as they all surveyed the damaged that the Coke can sized bomb had done.
"I'll destroy you myself." Everyone watched as Starscream came soaring into view. He swooped down and dropped several missiles from his wings that sent everyone flying.
"Welcome back." Skrull said as he grabbed hold of Ash's shirt and lifted him into the air.
"Hey pal," Ash said. "Ever had your ass kicked by a girl?" Skrull looked to see Selene slide on her back beneath Ash. She then kicked upward, landing a sharp heel into Skrull's testicles. Ash was dropped to the ground and he helped up Selene. She started to speak but Ash cut that short and thrust his mouth upon her's. After a second or two he broke away.
"Time to get back to work." He punched Skrull with his robotic hand and turned his attention back to Starscream. "How are we supposed to take him down? Last time I checked, worms can't fly."
"We don't need to." Kurt said as he attached his chain gun to his face.
"What are you gonna do?" Juggy said. "Peck his eyes out." Kurt took a knee and focused in on one of Starscream's engines. He fired. They all watch as the engine exploded and the Decepticon started to loose altitude.
"What?" He yelled in surprise before he crashed. He transformed and stood up.
"Looks like the game's over." Prime said. Juggernaut was then struck by something and sent sailing backwards. Starscream shot Prime in the right shoulder, knocking him to the ground as Hectic and Jim were also sent flying by an unseen force. Metal tendrils then wrapped around Ash and Selene, binding their arms and legs and holding them aloft.
"I still have a trick or two up my sleeves." Skrull came into view. He had made himself invisible.
"Now," Starscream continued. "You will all watch as Prime is destroyed." He pointed his weapon at the wounded Optimus. "After all these years, it will not be Megatron that destroys the almighty Optimus Prime. It will be the invincible Starscream." A blinding light then came into view. Obstructing Starscream's vision. A look of shock appeared on Ash's face when the light faded and he identified the being responsible.
"Thanos?" The mad Titan leapt at Prime and savagely pried open his chest cavity. He then reached inside and pulled out the Matrix.
"With this, the power of an entire planet is mine to command." Thanos turned and was shot in the face by Starscream. He didn't budge. The same blast the was able to topple Prime, didn't even faze him. A look of anger appeared on his face.
"Skrull. Omega Red. Stop him. The Matrix belongs to me!" Starscream unleashed a barrage of energy onto Thanos while the other two attacked. As he was being shot, Thanos turned and faced his open palm to Skrull and Omega. A huge yellow blast erupted. When it faded, there was no sign of either Skrull or Red. He had effortlessly destroyed them both. He then turned to Starscream.
"No! No! The Matrix is mine!" He used up the rest of his energy for one final blast. Ash's hair was blown back with the explosion. When the smoke cleared, Thanos still stood. Laughing softly.
"I don't believe it." With his engine damaged, Starscream was unable to flee. Thanos let loose another blast that eradicated his enemy. Only a few scraps of smoking metal and the Necronomicon remained. Thanos then turned to Ash.
"Now is not the time, Ash of the cosmos. But soon, I will destroy you as well." He then disappeared the same he had come.
"You okay Prime?" Jim said.
"Yes, but the Matrix is gone. Ash, the task of retrieving it falls to you."
"Figures."
After a few quick goodbyes, Ash made his way to the book.
"Ash." Selene said.
"Don't worry 'bout me babe. It'll take a lot more than that Thanos fella or any planet he may or may not control to take me down." He bent over to grab the book and was whisked away yet again. After a few moments of silence, Juggernaut broke it.
"You robots don't have anything to eat do you?"
Ash stood up and looked around. He was in a room that was made of ancient looking brown stone. In the center was a brightly colored chest that was covered with eons of dust.
"I hope that's not what I think it is." He heard a loud rumbling sound seconds before the huge oak doors to the room were knock to the ground. When the dust settled, Apocalypse came into view. Once again Ash was unseen, but he was aware that this was not the best place in the world to be. Apocalypse approached the chest.
"The power of a God is mine." He opened the chest and their surroundings spun. When they finally stopped, Ash looked around. They were both in front of a large white marble building that had the distinct features of Roman architecture.
"Olympus." Apocalypse said. "The witch did not lie. Zeus. Hear me ruler of Olympus. I, the almighty Apocalypse challenge you to your throne."
"How dare you enter my home." A very tall, white bearded man manifested into view. "You have sealed your fate." He lashed out at the intruder with a lightning bolt. It simply was absorbed into Apocalypse's body. "What trickery is this?"
"No trickery I assure you. I hold the power of Pandora's Box. Who are helpless as long as I possess it." Apocalypse let loose from the palms of his hands two blasts of energy that brought the God of God's to his knees. He then approached him and grabbed Zeus around the throat.
"Hear me denizens of Olympus. Bow to your new God." Zeus faded away as Apocalypse absorbed his energy. With Zeus completely assimilated, Apocalypse began to destroy Olympus.
Ash was once again transported. This time he was in a place that was similar to Cybertron, but was darker and more menacing. He was up high on a ledge and when he looked down, he once again saw Doom and Maleficent. They were approaching a huge purple skinned being with a tail and metallic spines on his head and elbows.
"Cooler." Maleficent said. "I come baring a great opportunity for a mighty warrior such as yourself."
"What could you possibly offer me?" Doom stepped forward and produced an image of a large sword with a serpentine blade and what appeared to be a vampire skull fastened at the hilt.
"This," Maleficent continued. "Is known as the Soul Reaver. It is the single most powerful weapon in the world."
"How so?" Cooler asked his interest peaked.
"This blade is capable of consuming the soul of any being it vanquishes." Doom said. "The power that each soul possesses will in turn make it's wielder nearly invincible."
"Were can I find this weapon?"
"It is in the distant land known as Nosgoth." Maleficent said. "At the side of one of the most powerful beings in the universe. The vampire called Kain."
For some reason Ash could tell that this next place was his true destination. Not like the ones he had been following Maleficent to. Those ones felt just like watching T.V., while this one, felt real. He looked around to see that the sun had nearly set behind a distant town. As he approached it, he was able to see that the town was in ruins. The same could be said about the large castle that sat in the middle of the village. As he watched the sun set, he began to hear ominous moaning. Before his very eyes, he saw what appeared to be a plethora of demons and ghosts rise out of the ground and slowly make their way up the large mountain to the north of the town. As he watched them all rise, a decrepit sign came into view. The black paint was barely visible but it read, Bald Mountain.