Pokemon Prime
One Shall Rise Pt. 2
Grampa Canyon
Optimus was completely surrounded by the Unicron clones. Ratchet contacted him. "Optimus, have you uncovered any further signs of Unicron's emergence?"
"Unicron is power and carnage and you, the last of the Primes, shall perish." The clones said.
"I take that as a 'yes'. We are on our way."
"Negative." Optimus said. "Unicron can not be defeated by sheer force. He wants me, Ratchet." He pulled out his cannons. "This fight must be mine alone." He activated his battle mask.
Optimus shot five clones that jumped for him. Another clone grabbed for one of Prime's cannons, but got blasted by the other. Optimus jumped down to the lower level of the canyon. During his descent he gunned and sliced several clones that kept emerging from the Earth. With the help of help of wild rock-type Pokemon, Optimus trip down was easier.
Optimus didn't have time to stay and say thanks. He had to keep moving otherwise Unicron can easily destroy him. Until they finally surrounded him and one at a time the clones took a whack at him.
Two clones grabbed his arms while a third one prepared to kill him. But Energon blasts was fired at the clones. From the distance the rest of the Autobots charged in. Accompanied by the Trained biggest and strongest Pokemon. Even Pikachu and Piplup were with them. They cleared the clones off of Optimus and formed a defense circle around him.
"Did Ratchet not relay my command? Return to Base." Optimus ordered.
"Reinforcements will not prevent your destruction, disciple of Primus." The clones bellowed.
"Optimus, you're Unicron's target. Maybe you should consider returning to Base." Arcee said.
"These manifestations of Unicron can locate me anywhere on Earth. Even our Base's shielding can cloak my position for so long. I will not put others at risk."
"Then fall back and let us take the lead. Just this once." Wheeljack insisted.
Ratchet contacted them. "Please, listen to reason. If you don't survive, Optimus, I fear neither will this planet."
"Very well."
"Let's move!" Arcee sprinted and knocked a clone out of the way. Pikachu ran, jumped high in the air and used Iron Tail on another clone. He cut the clone in half right down the middle.
They ran out of the canyon and made it to the plateau. Where the Autobots transformed and drove off. Since Pikachu and Pilpup were the smallest Pokemon there, they went with Cliffjumper.
As they drove across the plateau, the Unicron clones emerged from were three times bigger than the clones in the canyon. They shifted to overdrive and got out of there. They're escaped was grinned to a halt as another clone, ten times bigger than any other clone, emerged.
They transformed and stood where they stand. *Is that Unicron?* Bumblebee asked.
"No, not Unicron himself, but another of his manifestation clones." Optimus replied.
"If we can't beat Unicron and we can't out run him, what exactly are we suppose to do?" Wheeljack asked.
"All we can do. Neutralize his vessels as they appear, until we find a way to destroy him without destroy the very Earth on which we walk upon."
Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, and Bulkhead drove around Unicron. Along with Ash's Garchomp and Pikachu, Dawn's Mamoswine and Piplup, and Max's Swampert. They all hit titan-sized Unicron with their best shots. Unicron turned around and whacked them off their feet by his club.
Arcee, Wheeljack, Brock's Steelix, Misty's Gyarados, and May's Blaziken fired at him to get his attention. Unicron whacked them away with his scimitar.
Unicron looked at Optimus. "Fool." He smashed the ground and the debris created a barrier. Preventing Optimus to escape. Everyone recovered and began to fire at Unicron again. Unicron lifted his foot to squish Optimus slowly. "I am this world's past and it's future. And as of this moment..."
"No!" Arcee shouted.
"All Primes are simple past." Unicron bellowed. Suddenly a repeated fire blast can from behind Unicron's head and shattered it. The massive clone fell to the side and crumbled into pieces of rocks.
*That was a good shot.* Bumblebee said.
"Well, it wasn't me." Arcee replied.
"Me neither." Wheeljack said.
"Pikachu. Pika-Pi."
Cliffjumper contacted Base. "Ratchet?" "What is it? What happened?"
"I happened!" Standing on the top of the rocks was Megatron!
"Megatron?" Bulkhead couldn't believe it.
Autobot Base
"He's there too?" Misty asked.
"He has aligned himself with Unicron!" Ratchet said.
"Don't be so sure." Arcee said. "Megatron just saved Optimus' tailpipe."
Grampa Canyon
Optimus managed to free himself from the rock made tomb. He looked up and saw Megatron aiming his fusion cannon at him. The other readied, but Megatron held out his hand instead. Optimus grabbed it and Megatron helped him up. "It is rather ironic, considering our last encounter. If memory serves, you were desperately attempting to extinguish my spark."
"That option remains very much in play." Optimus replied.
"I would expect nothing less! However, I have a proposal. Join me in defeating our shared enemy, Unicron, the Chaos Bringer."
"HA! Absurd, Unicron os evil and carnage! If Megatron was to take any side, why would it be ours?" Ratchet asked.
"Because Megatron's pride would never allow anyone else other than himself to rule this planet."
"You know me all too well, Optimus."
"You lead an army of Decepticons. Why come to us?" Bulkhead asked.
"Because this particular endeavor requires something beyond the realm of my command... the power of a Prime!" Megatron gestured his arm to Optimus.
"Heh, I guess we don't need you."
"On the contrary, Optimus maybe the only one who can defeat Unicron, but I remain the only one who can guide you to him. Unicron's life blood runs through me. Only I can hear his thoughts, anticipate his movements. Optimus, our past alliances: Autobot, Decepticon no longer matter. Not while Unicron lives."
"THE PAST ALWAYS MATTERS!" Ratchet shouted.
"A truce between Autobot and Decepticon. How long do you expect us to believe that will last?" Optimus asked.
"Only as long as is mutually beneficial."
"And when our proposed shared mission is complete?"
"I will conquer this Earth... my way."
"Brutal honesty from a Decepticon?" Cliffjumper couldn't believe it.
Autobot Base
"Aligning with the lesser of two evils, is still siding with evil." Ratchet said.
"Do you think you've witnessed the full power of Unicron? Those foot solider clones were nothing more than a taste." Megatron said. "Unicron has yet to fully awaken. With each passing moment, the Chaos Bringer evolves. Mutating Earth from the inside out. What we've witness until now is but a prelude of the utter devastation, his rising will reek upon your world."
Everyone in the Base remained quiet.
Grampa Canyon
"Like your quest for power destroyed Cybertron?" Arcee asked.
"Make no mistake. This time there will be a planet left for me to rule."
"Even if we agree, Unicron's all the way down to the center of the Earth. How are we suppose to get there, drive?" Wheeljack asked.
"There is only one way." Optimus said.
"Absolutely not!" Ratchet shouted. He knew Optimus' plan. "Ground Bridging into space or on a moving train is difficult enough. But plotting a blind jump inside of a sentient being? Besides, direct exposure to that much Dark Energon will debilitate you. You haven't build up an immunity like Megatron has."
"Yet, another strong argument easily resolved... my guidance." Megatron said.
"You can provide Unicron's exact coordinates?" Optimus asked.
"If you transport us to this planet's core, I can lead you directly into Unicron's spark, the heart of his very darkness."
"Optimus, even if we survive the jump, how are we suppose to stop Unicron?" Arcee asked.
"With the Matrix of Leadership."
Autobot Base
"What is that?" Agent Jenny asked.
"A vessel of pure energy, the collective wisdom of the Primes." Ratchet replied.
"Do we have time for a scavenger hunt? I'm mean, where is Optimus suppose to find this Matrix?" Ash asked.
"Optimus does not need to find it. He carries it within him."
Grampa Canyon
"It was the combined power of the Primes that defeated Unicron so long ago. The very reason why he seeks to destroy you." Megatron said to Optimus.
"It would follow that unleashing the power of the Matrix directly into Unicron's spark, would return him to stasis." Optimus said.
Autobot Base
"Hold on. If everything 'goes right', Unicron's gonna stay down there?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah. Can't we just siphon him out or something?" Ash asked.
"He's not in the Earth's core, Ash... he is the Earth's core." Brock explained.
"Brock is correct." Ratchet said. "Tampering with your core could affect the magnetic pulls, trigger the cataclysmic event we are attempting to remediate. Tragically, Unicron is your planet's very seed. Always has been and must be."
Grampa Canyon
The plateau floor shook and three more titan-sized clones emerged. "Ratchet, send a Ground Bridge." Optimus said.
The Ground Bridge vortex opens up. "Wait. We're opening up a direct path into our Base with Megatron standing right there?" Arcee asked.
"And seriously, he's gonna risk his own spark to save us?" Wheeljack asked.
Megatron laughs with amusement. "Hardly my nature! Consider my offer. I shall keep these clones busy." He transformed and flew around the clones and began a battle frenzy on the clones.
The Autobots and the Pokemon rush though the vortex. It closed when they all went though.
The Nemesis, Earth's orbit
"No word yet from Lord Megatron?" Airachind asked Soundwave. He didn't reply. "It appears our leader has abandoned us while this world erupts in chaos. I believe we must consider the possibility of a future without Megatron."
Autobot Base
"I know that desperate times call for desperate measures, but bringing Megatron here?" Ratchet asked.
"How could you even think of letting that monster in after what he's done to Dawn?" Delia asked.
"He will be closely monitored and only allow to linger long enough to send us on our journey. Not one moment more." Optimus replied.
"What's gonna stop him from calling in an air strike if he knows were you live?" Jenny asked.
"By Ground Bridging Megatron here, he will be unable to get a fix on our coordinates."
"Optimus, what's gonna happen to you when your Matrix's energy is released?" Ash asked.
"The power within the Matrix has not previously been utilized in this particular manner."
"But you have an idea, don't you?"
"Autobots, if the Earth is to be saved, I have no choice but to proceed. But you do."
"Well, I don't know about the Earth, but I'm willing to do it... for May." Bulkhead said.
"For Misty." Wheejack said.
"For Ash." Arcee said.
"For Dawn." Cliffjumper said.
*For Max* Bumblebee said.
"I would go for my partner Brock's safety, but I have to stay here and control this Ground Bridge." Ratchet said.
Grampa Canyon
So far Megatron was only able to destroy one clone. By blasting it's leg off. Optimus contacted him. "Megatron, we are sending transport."
"You can always be relied upon listening to reason, Optimus." Megatron accelerated, transformed and punched through another clones head. He landed on the ground and walked though the vortex. It closed.
Autobot Base
"No fair! I never seen him! Why do we have to hide?" May asked.
"Because I said so." Ratchet replied.
The humans walked down the corridor as the Ground Bridge chamber opened the vortex. Megatron emerges. He slowly walks through the chamber. The Autobot readied their weapons. Megatron examines their Base. "So this is where the magic happens. Quaint."
Dawn peeked and spotted Megatron. Still holding a grudge from what he could have done to her and her child inside her. She runs to confront him.
"Dawn, don't!" Ash shouted he chased after her. The rest follow.
Megatron hears their footsteps and saw them coming for them. "You!" Dawn yelled. She pulls out the PokeBall that contains Mamoswine. "I ought to..."
Ash grabbed her wrist. Preventing her from throwing the PokeBall. He also grabbed her by the stomach. "Dawn, not a good idea."
"Let go of me, Ash!" Dawn replied.
"Ah! You're looking much better than the last time we met, Dawn." Apparently Megatron heard them. "And you, Ash. I never forget a face, even that of a human." He examined the way Ash was holding onto Dawn. "Humans... full of weaknesses."
"Come on, Dawn. He isn't worth it." Ash said. Ignoring Megatron's comment.
"You double cross anyone, mine is the face you'll never forget! NEVER!" May shouted. Misty and Brock restrained her and pulled her back.
"Ratchet, obtain the destination coordinates from our guest." Optimus said.
Megatron went to where Ratchet stood. By the Ground Bridge coordinates. Megatron typed in the coordinates.
The humans walked back to the corridor. At the back of the group was Dawn carrying Piplup, Ash had his arm around Dawn's shoulder, and Pikachu sat on Ash's head. They hear footsteps. They turned around and it was Optimus. "Ash, I need to tell you something, alone please." Dawn nodded. Her, Piplup, and Pikachu continued on. "Will you keep something for me, Ash?"
"Sure." Ash replied. In Optimus' hand was a blue device. As he lowered his hand down, it transformed into a smaller version. Small enough for Ash to hold it. "What is it?"
"It is... the key to the to the Ground Bridge power supply." Optimus hesitated to reply.
"Okay, but shouldn't Ratchet have this?"
"Perhaps, but I've been impressed by how much you have matured since we first met. As such, I feel you have earned the responsability of safeguarding this important device, until I return."
"I won't let you down."
Optimus retuned back to others.
The chamber was activated and the vortex opened. "Locked and ready." Ratchet said.
"You first." Arcee said.
"As you wish." Megatron said. He went through the vortex.
The Autobots back one last backwards glance to their human and Pokemon friends and went through the vortex.
Earth's core
The vortex opened and the arrive to a cavernous interior with crisscrossing constructs. Unicron's spark beat echoed. "So, how long before Unicron knows we're here?" Cliffjumper asked.
"Make no mistake... he already does." Megatron replied.
They move out for Unicron's spark chamber. Unaware that Unicron's giant optic overhead, watching them.
TBC