Authors note: Hey everyone. I know that it's probably been a while since I last posed a chapter for this story. Sorry. I got sidetracked by a few personal things key among them was that two months ago my oldest sister gave birth to my second nephew, and you probably know the feeling. After that I just completely forgot about it and was working on other stories I plan to post in the future. Then I just got bored one day and said to myself 'Ah what the heck, see where I go from there.' Well here's another chapter to help make up for the time gone, and from me to you Happy New Year!
Chapter 25: Prime Pt 2
Ben and Samus took the first door they saw on the right and upon entering they were instantly attacked by two large insect-like creatures called 'Beetles'. Samus quickly shot at one beetle while Ben quickly changed into Heatblast and shot a fireball at the other beetle killing it instantly. With that out of the way the two continued on seeing many different creatures such as 'Zoomers' and 'Greemers'. After dispatching them and two Beetles who tried to get the jump on them, they moved through another corridor which led to an elevator. The Hunter and Pyronite stepped on and they began to ascend upwards. When it stopped, they stepped off continued through the next corridor leading to a small room, open to the sky, with a sandy floor containing several broken pillars.
"Whoa! What is this place? It looks like something out of ancient Egypt." Heatblast said as he looked at one of the pillars.
"This is the entrance to the Chozo Ruins." Samus said.
As soon as they stepped forward the ground suddenly shook, causing two Beetles to emerge from the sand and attacked them. Samus and Heatblast were able to repel the Beetles and pressed on towards the entrance. Before they could walk inside the Pyronite stopped when he spotted a large plaque with hieroglyphics above the entryway.
"Hey Samus, recognize the writing?" Heatblast asked as he changed back to Ben.
The Hunter looked above and saw what he was talking about.
"Mmm. Appears to be Chozo logs that describe the area." She said reading over the log.
"Ok, I'll admit my Chozo is a little rusty, so could you translate it?" Ben asked.
Samus scanned the plaque and all the information translated itself into her visor and the message played through their helmets.
"At the highest point of our city lies the fountain, a wellspring of pure water that flows throughout our civilization. It is the jewel of the Chozo, the life-giver, and yet its waters speak of a clouded future. As we come to understand the paths of time and space more clearly, we have begun to glimpse rough tatters of past and future, glittering behind reality like soft lights behind a curtain. We have seen the fountain in these glimpses, pouring darkness instead of water, and we cannot guess what the visions mean." Samus translated.
"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that this is practically a warning for the future." Ben said, letting this information sink in.
"Sounds like it." Samus agreed.
She then locked on to her map and it revealed that a new area was revealed due to the seismic activity. The two then entered the ruin entrance and Ben could clearly see what Samus meant when she said that the Chozo used the environment. These ruins are relatively simple in structure, consisting primarily of stone buildings. The majority of its buildings are hewn from simple, brown stone, with bridges and platforms built around the trees.
"Whoa." Was all Ben could say as he marveled at the sight of this lost civilization.
The two took a few steps inside before they were ambushed by five Beetles. Samus blasted two while Ben changed into Diamondhead and impaled three with crystal shards. With the Beetles disposed of the two walked around the area before entering one of the buildings. After walking through a corridor where they encountered creatures called 'Scarab' and then another corridor full of 'Eyon'. Seeing that the path was too narrow Diamondhead tapped the Omnitrix and changed into Goop. The two moved through with Samus blasting the Eyons until they reached the end revealing a large room.
"Nice tree. Fruits are a little ripe though." The Polymorph said, noticing the tree.
"Mmmm." Was all Samus said as she scanned the tree and when she was done, she discovered something that was very alarming.
"Ben, this tree was poisoned." Samus said shocking Goop.
"Poisoned, but how?" The Polymorph asked.
"Scans indicate a poisoned water source within four meters of the tree base." Samus explained.
"So that means that something or someone had poisoned the city's fountain and its water supply." Goop said in realization.
Samus and Goop looked towards one of the walls and spotted another large plaque with hieroglyphics.
"Do you think?" Goop asked.
Samus's only response was to scan the plaque and translated the texts.
"We Chozo are departing now, after so many years in peaceful seclusion here on Tallon IV. When we came, this place was a refuge for our spirits, a civilization built from native materials, bereft of the trappings of our technology. We were linked to the land here, kindred to the plants and animals, far away from the machines we had become so dependent on. And so we leave it now, pristine, a testament to the mortal forms we no longer need. We have drawn the veils of time and space aside, and are withdrawing beyond the illusion. But we will never forget this, the most sacred of our homes. And we will remain ever watchful." She read.
"That last bit doesn't sound ominous now dose it?" Goop sarcastically asked.
Despite this the two decided to move on. Once they did, they were ambushed by two Beetles, which Samus quickly blasted. They then moved upwards towards a nearby door and spotted three large wasp-like creatures that Samus identified as 'War Wasps' and the two spotted a nearby nest.
Samus quickly blasted one while Goop tapped the Omnitrix and changed into Spidermonkey and shot a glob of webbing at the other two, and once they were trapped Samus blasted as well. Seeing that the area was clear the two moved on through a corridor and when they reached the other side, they were dive-bombed by six War Wasps. Samus blasted two while Spidermonkey quickly immobilized three. The last wasp attempted to gain some distance but the Arachnichimp shot a strand of webbing at it and yanked the line.
The resulting jolt pulled the wasp towards a wall before it slammed smack into it, and Samus used the opportunity to finish them off. With that the Hunter and Arachnichimp made their way across the large gap in the room they were currently in and entered the next corridor where they encountered a small bug called a 'Plazmite'. The two moved passed it before continuing on and entering a large room which was filled with a perpetual green mist and acidic water surrounding what appears to be an arena in the center.
Samus and Spidermonkey hoped from one rock to another to get across the acidic water and managed to reach the central platform. There they saw a bridge connects it to another door and they spotted something on the bridge. As they were about approach it, the bridge submerged into the water and the water suddenly began to rise submerging everything but the top of the arena, preventing Samus and Spidermonkey from escaping.
"Uhh… what's going on?" Spidermonkey asked.
His answer was revealed when the two spotted a platform from afar risen and a large mechanical structure moved down connecting to the platform.
"You recognize it?" Spidermonkey asked.
"No." Samus said as she scanned the structure.
Mechanoid: Hive Mecha
Security unit programmed to work with predatory hive dwellers.
Logbook entry
A design flaw makes the shielding on Hive Mecha weak around their access ports. These units are second-generation combat drones, able to interface with organic units at a higher level. They train, shelter, and work with hive dwelling predators. Unarmed, they rely on their hive beasts to handle any threats.
Seeing what it is Samus quickly gave Spidermonkey the rundown of what it is what it's used for.
"So, what your saying is that this thing is supposed to be some sort of security system?" The Arachnichimp asked.
"Yes." Samus said.
As soon as she answered, a beak-like part of the structure opened up and out flew four creatures that resemble War Wasps except, they appear larger and they have what appeared to be thicker exoskeletons.
"'Ram War Wasps'." Samus said seeing what they are.
"Guess the person who made this thing would be tickled pink knowing that it still works so long after they left the planet." Spidermonkey said as he prepared for a fight.
The Ram War Wasps quickly took formation and flew in a circular pattern in an attempt to disorient the two. Spidermonkey quickly tapped the Omnitrix changing into Heatblast just as the Ram War Wasps stopped flying and charged from all directions towards the Hunter and Pyronite, who quickly ducked out of the way.
"Ben, did you notice their attack pattern?" Samus asked.
Heatblast looked and that was when he saw what she meant.
"Yeah, they fly around stop and then charge forward." Heatblast said.
Seeing their action, the Hunter and Pyronite took a stance and patiently waited as the Ram War Wasps repeated their formation and attempt to disorient the two but this time, they were ready for them. Soon as they stopped did Samus and Heatblast shot at them with Samus blasting two and Heatblast completely incinerating the other two. As soon as the wasps were killed did the two suddenly hear a loud noise and they looked to see that the Hive Mecha had opened up an access port and is emanating a high frequency signal that the two had no doubt believe is used to usher in more Wasps.
Quick to act Samus fired several shots into the mecha's weak spot. With its weak spot destroyed the mecha began to rotate, before stopping and then it opens another hatch and releases a new round of wasps at a total of six. Samus and Heatblast repeated this procedure of patience and as soon as the wasps stopped flying did the duo strike. Samus blasted two while Heatblast burned two more. They quickly dodged the charge of the last two and the Pyronite shot a stream of fire at them before they could attempt to fly off. The Hive Mecha had opened its access port and Samus repeated the same action as before and it began to rotate, before stopping and then it opens another hatch and releases the last wave with a total of nine.
The Ram War Wasps repeated their action with some flying in the opposite direction but despite that Samus blasted three while Heatblast burned the others. Seeing the last three were attempting to charge forward the two quickly dodged and killed them. Once again, the mecha opened its port and Samus blasted it.
When it was done the water began to drain and the bridge began to rise and the mecha has risen as well, revealing the item that they saw earlier. The two then walked towards it and Samus reached out to touch it, before it instantly downloaded itself into her suits systems. Then a surge coursed through her arm cannon and it showed her what has changed.
"What was that?" Heatblast asked as he changed back to Ben.
"It's one of my suit's functions, more specifically the missile launcher. I just re-acquired it." Samus said.
"Alright!" Ben said clearly glad to hear that information.
Before they could ponder what to do next some rubble from the ceiling becomes dislodged and collapses, forming a ledge for a nearby door.
"Ok, guess that's where we need to go." Ben said.
With that the two made their way towards the edge of the bridge and used the rubble to reach the door before they entered. The two walked through a long corridor walking past another Plazmite and entered another tunnel which led to the room with the large gap in it. They were about to move on but Samus spotted a door underneath the platform.
Before they could move, they spotted what Samus described was a fungus called 'Blastcap' and she quickly explained that the slightest contact will cause them to violently explode, destroying itself and anything in the immediate vicinity and releasing a cloud of noxious gas much to Ben's shock.
Taking this information into consideration Ben thought that it would be best to steer clear from them. With that Ben activated the Omnitrix and changed into Bloxx and the Segmentasapien quickly formed a flight of stairs for Samus to walk down. When she reached the bottom, she blasted the door open with her missiles revealing a room all too familiar to the two.
"Another map room." Bloxx said.
Much like before, Samus walked towards the hologram and a panel came down. She placed her arm cannon on the panel and the map downloaded itself into her helmet. With that the two left the room and back up the second platform where they moved through the corridor that led back to the room with the tree in it. The two then entered the corridor full of Eyons with Bloxx changing into Goop and they walked through the first corridor where they finally reached outside. The two were about to move on but they were suddenly ambushed by five more Beetles.
Goop quickly changed into Swampfire and shot a stream of fire at three of the Beetles while Samus blasted two. With that out of the way the Hunter and Methanosian continued on entering another building with Samus blasting another door open with her missiles. As the two walked in they were met with more Scarabs, though they were completely incinerated by Swampfire. With that the two continued down until they entered another large room.
"Whoa. This place looks like some kind of shrine." Swampfire said.
The two then jumped down from the large platform they were on but as soon as they did, a wall had risen blocking their path and they were ambushed by a large number of Beetles. Quick to act Swampfire tapped the Omnitrix changing into Diamondhead and the Petrosapien quickly began to fire diamond shards at some of the Beetles, while Samus blasted others. The first wave was killed instantly but then more and more began to emerge from the ground. This resulted in Diamondhead to form two swords out of his arms and start hacking and slashing.
The Petrosapien looked over to Samus and saw that she was faring well, but then he saw that a Beetle was attempting to get the jump on her. Quickly he grew a long crystal shard from his back before grabbing it and throwing it like a javelin. Just as the Beetle leaped into the air the shard intercepted impaling it and the Beetle fell to the ground. Samus heard the sound the Beetle made and looked back to see the corpse and saw what had happened.
"Thanks Ben." Samus said as she blasted a Beetle.
"No problem." Diamondhead said decapitating another.
Soon the last of the Beetles were killed off and everything was calm again. The two were about to catch their breath when they suddenly they felt the ground shake except this time it was much larger, and before they knew it, emerging from the ground came what looks like a very large Beetle with a large armored head.
"Gee... that's a big one." Diamondhead said.
"It's a 'Plated Beetle'." Samus said seeing what it is.
The large Beetle's only response was to scuttle side to side a bit before suddenly charging with speed that defied its size. Taken back by this Diamondhead didn't have the time to react as he took full force of the charge. The impact was strong enough to knock him into the ground but the Petrosapien quickly recovered by doing a reverse summersault and quickly got back on his feet. Quickly Diamondhead prepared himself when the Plated Beetle charged again, and this time grabbed it by its two upper horns.
"Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!" Diamondhead growled as he attempted to overpower the larger Beetle.
The Petrosapien's efforts proved useful as he was able to shove the Plated Beetle aside and delivered a nasty blow to its side. This action caused the Plated Beetle to roar out as it didn't like that. Samus took notice of this, so she quickly scanned the creature to see if there were any exploitable weaknesses, and what she got was promising.
Morphology: Plated Beetle
Well-armored burrowing insect. Vulnerable only in the rear abdomen.
Logbook entry
Creature's thick cranial plating can repel frontal attacks. This gives it an advantage in combat, allowing it to make ramming attacks. Only surfacing when it detects vibrations above, it then maneuvers itself so as to always face its rival, keeping its exposed abdomen protected.
"Ben keep it distracted." Samus said as she readied her blaster.
"Got it." Diamondhead said.
The Plated Beetle repeated its action of skittering side to side signaling that it was about to charge, and this time Diamondhead was ready. As soon as it charged Diamondhead grabbed the Beetle by its horns and repeated his action of restraining it. As soon as she saw that it was unable to move Samus took aim and fired a missile at the beetle's abdomen and it exploded killing the beetle instantly.
"Ben, are you ok?" Samus said as Diamondhead changed back to Ben.
"I'm fine, but that thing packed a wallop." Ben admitted.
As soon as Ben finished his sentence the wall lowered itself and revealed a ledge and on top of it was an orb like object.
"Do you think…?" Ben asked.
This made Samus think and she then proceeded to climb the ledges steps before touching the orb and then she suddenly began to somersault at an extremely fast pace and then the orb split in two before encasing her. Then there was a flash of light and in Samus's place was a familiar orb like form.
"Samus. You got your Morph Ball back." Ben said seeing Samus's alternate form.
"This will help in the long run." Samus said as she changed back.
With that the two left the room with Samus and Ben who had changed into Ball Weevil in order for them to fit in a small opening and the two moved on climbing onto some rocks in order to get to the next area and they had to cross an old bridge and there Ball Weevil shot an explosive slime ball at a War Wasp that tried to dive-bomb him. They then entered the next building where Samus entered her Morph Ball in order to get past some tree roots that were in their way. When they entered the next room where they were met with a large room partially flooded with poisoned water.
"Hey, isn't that another Chozo hieroglyphic log?" Ball Weevil asked.
Believing that it may hold more information, Samus scanned the log and translated.
"As we struggle with the Great Poison, something stirs at the edges of our vision. It is the Hatchling Samus. We feel her, across the void, as she hunts the corrupted. Will our fates again be one? As our pride shatters, will prophecy become real? When all strength wanes from the Chozo, will it be the Hatchling who fulfills our legacy? True sight eludes us, for the Poison gnaws at all vision, leaving seers blind and filled with despair. Truth's blessing may come too late." Samus translated.
"Wow, sounds like they're putting a lot of faith in you Samus." Ball Weevil said.
"It seems that way, but what I don't understand is what exactly is this 'Great Poison' they were speaking about?" Samus said.
"Well, we do know that it had something to do with the water." Ball Weevil said.
"And we also know that whatever happened it caused the Chozo to leave the planet." Samus said.
"But what doesn't make sense is what exactly happened before and during that time. What caused the water to be poisonous? And is there a way to reverse it?" Samus asked.
"Those are some good questions Samus. But if we're gonna find the answers we're gonna have to keep looking around." Ball Weevil said as he began to crawl across the walls of the room.
With this thought in mind Samus began to jump platform to platform mind in the Plazmites that are in the room. When the reached the other side where they entered the next door where they entered another corridor. They encountered a small group of 'Shriekbats' before Ball Weevil shot several globs of slime pining them onto the walls. They continued on until Samus blasted open the next door revealing a room flooded with more poisoned water and in the center was a very mutated tree.
Seeing the platforms in the area Ball Weevil tapped the Omnitrix changing into Crashhopper and the two began jumping from platform to platform watching out for the vine like creatures called 'Reaper Vines'. They reached the other side where Samus blew the door open and they walked through a small corridor with Crashhopper changing back to Ben. When they reached the other side, they entered what looked like a gathering hall.
"Wow. Look at this place." Ben said clearly impressed by the sights.
"It's indeed impressive." Samus said.
"So, now what?" Ben asked.
"Let's take a quick break. I need some time to think." Samus said.
"All right with me." Ben said as he leaned back on a nearby rock.