25- One Shall Rise (part 2).
Optimus was completely surrounded by avatars of Unicron.
"Optimus, have you uncovered any further sign of Unicron's emergence?" Ratchet asked through the com-link.
"Unicron is power incarnated. And you, the last of the Primes, shall perish." All the Unicron clones said at the same time, which was also heard at base.
"I take that as a yes. We are on our way."
"Negative. Unicron cannot be defeated by sheer force. He wants me, Elita." Optimus said as he pulled out his weapons. "This fight must be mine alone."
And with his battle mask ready, the manifestations started to attack, jumping from the high cliffs. Optimus shot down almost all of them, a few tried to hit him but he managed to hold them. He jumped to another platform, where he shot another clone down and disposed of another with his sword. He jumped to other platforms, taking down all the clones that got in his way. But after a while, two clones tackled him against a wall on another platform. Two more tried to grab him from the wall they were emerging, but fortunately they were stopped by a pair of Sandslash by using Fury Cutter on their heads. There was also a Golem which was using Rollout to smash through the bodies of Unicron's avatars. Optimus nodded them in appreciation as he continued battling the avatars of Unicron, but even with the help of those pokémon there was too many manifestations of Unicron to handle: some of them tried to handle the pokémon while the majority continued focused on Prime. One started to hit Optimus, but he eliminated it and got back to his feet. However, the number of clones continued to come until there was too many for Optimus. At the end, they managed to overwhelm him: as two hold his arms, others were getting ready to finish him. But then, some shots distracted them, coming right from the other Autobots, who bridged there and were heading to support their leader. Elita One changed to vehicle form and jumped above the clones, kicking one on the face while Arcee and Moonracer eliminated the near ones with their wrist blades. They eliminated all the clones which were holding Optimus. He kicked the nearest one as he went back to his feet before grabbing another one and throwing it away before being obliterated by Warpath's cannon, who next continued firing at the others. Hot Rod and Bumblebee fired at other before Sideswipe finished it with a kick on its head, but two more appeared very near, almost crushing them. But Wheeljack disposed of them with his swords.
"Why did you not relay my command, Elita? Return to base."
"No Optimus. I cannot let you face a menace like this on your own."
"Reinforcements will not prevent your destruction, Disciple of Primus."
"She's right, Optimus, you're Unicron's target. Maybe you should consider returning to base." Hot Rod proposed.
"These manifestations of Unicron can locate me anywhere on Earth. Even our base's shielding will only cloak my position for so long. I will not put others at risk."
"How about hiding you in a place he cannot sense you, like the Reverse World?" Sideswipe suggested.
"There is no time for that." Moonracer answered.
"Then fall back and let us take the lead. Just this once." Warpath offered.
Another group of manifestations charged against them, but before they could reach them, they were hit by a combination of fire, water and electric attacks. They looked above and saw some of their human friends' pokémon standing ready for combat: both Pikachu and Sparky used Iron Tail and Volt Tackle to immobilize and take down the avatars, the same as Piplup and Dawn's Quilava, who used Ice Beam and Flame Wheel; Ash's Greninja used Water Shuriken to hit the distant foes and Cut to face them personally, Zippo did it as well, with Dragon Claw and Flamethrower; Tracey's Scyther hit them with a combination of Quick Attack and X-Scissor; Misty's Staryu battled them with Bubble Beam and Rapid Spin; May's Blaziken simply engaged them in close combat using both Sky Uppercut and Blaze Kick, while Clemont's Chespin and Serena's Pancham simply used Pin Missile and Dark Pulse to attack them from the distance.
"See? Even the children want to help: they allowed their pokémon to come to assist you." Wheeljack showed.
"Please, listen to reason. If you don't survive, Optimus, I fear neither will this planet." Ratchet proclaimed.
"Very well." Optimus gave in as the rest of the Autobots formed around him.
"Girls, you in front!" Elita commanded.
"Got it, commander." Moonracer nodded.
"Let's move!" Arcee yelled.
The group started to move across the canyon's walls, eliminating all the clones that tried to stay in their way, jumping above the platforms, while the flying pokémon carried the others while the fastest ones jumped through the canyons' walls with the Autobots. A clone emerged on their way, only to be cut in pieces by Zippo with Steel Wing. Once at the top of the canyon, the Autobots changed to vehicle form and speeded up, smashing at the clones that got on their way while Blaziken and Greninja jumped on top of them and covered them with their attacks. It looked like they managed to left them behind, but suddenly, a near mountain started to break as another Unicron clone appeared from the rubble like the others, except this one was huge, like a titan. The Autobots changed form again as it stood in front of them.
"(Is that the real Unicron?)"
"No, not Unicron himself, but another of his manifestations." Optimus clarified.
"If we can't beat Unicron and we can't outrun him, what exactly are we supposed to do?" Sideswipe asked.
"All we can do: neutralize his vessels as they appear, until we find a way to destroy him, without destroying the very Earth upon which we walk." Optimus answered pulling out his cannons.
The giant avatar walked at them, while Optimus and Elita fired at him and Warpath, Bumblebee, Hot Rod, Wheeljack and Sideswipe changed to vehicle form and drove until they were behind Unicron. Once there, they returned to robot form and fired their weapons, except Warpath, who remained in his tank form and fired his cannon. Unicron used his club to whack them away. Arcee, Elita and Moonracer were firing at him from another side, and changed to vehicle form to speed up and become harder targets, as they circled around his feet. But he managed to whack them with his scimitar. Unicron noticed something moving on him, and saw both Blaziken and Greninja jumping between the parts of his body, until they reached his head and hit him form both sides with Aerial Ace and Blaze Kick, but it simply caused him to lose some pieces from his helmet. At the same time, Charizard, who was carrying Pikachu, Quilava, Chespin and Sparky, and Scyther, who carried Piplup, Pancham and Staryu, flew to an optimal distance and fired a combined attack made of electric, fire, ice, wind, and water beams at Unicron's head. They waited until the smoke cleared, but when it happened, they saw the attacks simply damaged one side of his face.
"Annoying pests."
Unicron raised his scimitar and hit the ground in front of them with it, causing a huge powerful shock wave that sent them flying some distance, leaving them unable to continue battling. Optimus saw that, and reacted by continuing firing Unicron in the front.
"Fool."
Unicron hit the ground with his club, launching a lot of rocks at Optimus. He jumped aside to dodge them, but the last one caught him. The other Autobots recovered, and seeing that Unicron was going for Optimus they fired at him again, but Unicron did not cared about that. Optimus tried to get free himself from the rocks, as he saw Unicron over him, with his foot ready to stomp on him.
"I am this world's past and its future. And as on this moment…"
"NOOOOO!" Elita shouted.
"All Primes are simply past."
Suddenly, a storm of lasers hit Unicron's head, making the rock titan to fell to the ground and shattered in pieces. The Autobots gathered as they went to check how their pokémon allies were.
"That was a lucky shot." Moonracer admitted.
"(Who did that?)"
"Wasn't me." Arcee answered.
"Me neither." Warpath said.
"Don't look at me." Sideswipe said.
"I am good, but not that much." Wheeljack admitted.
"Those were blaster shots, it couldn't have been the pokémon." Hot Rod pointed.
"Pika pi." Pikachu nodded a little painful.
"Ratchet." Elita called.
"What is it? What happened?"
"I happened!"
Everyone saw at the top of the rubble, revealing that the responsible one was no other else that the leader of the Decepticons, who jumped down right in front of them as another great entrance.
"Galvatron." Warpath said.
"The leader of the Cons is there too?" Bonnie asked surprised.
"He has aligned himself with Unicron." Ratchet deduced.
"Don't be so sure. Galvatron just saved Optimus's tailpipe." Arcee revealed, shocking everyone at base.
Optimus was free of the rubble when Galvatron stood in front of him. He pulled out and aimed his fusion cannon at his eternal nemesis, making the Autobots to aim their guns at him and some of the pokémon tried to be ready for battle despite their injuries, but instead of firing, he offered him his hand. Optimus took it, allowing Galvatron to help him up.
"It is rather ironic, considering our last encounter. If memory serves, you were desperately attempting to extinguish my spark." Galvatron reminded.
"That option remains very much in play." Optimus told to Galvatron, face-to-face.
"I would expect nothing less. However, I have a proposal. Join me in defeating our shared enemy: Unicron, the Chaos Bringer."
That left the Autobots surprised.
"Ha! Absurd! Unicron is evil incarnated. If Galvatron was to take any side, why would it be ours?" Ratchet demanded.
"Because Galvatron's pride would never allow anyone other than himself to rule this planet."
"You know me all too well, Optimus."
"You lead an army of Cons. Why come to us?" Sideswipe asked.
"Because this particular endeavor requires something beyond the realm of my command: the power of a Prime."
"Heh, then I guess we don't need you." Wheeljack said.
"On the contrary. Optimus may be the only one who can defeat Unicron, but I remain the only one who can guide you to him. Unicron's lifeblood 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."
Ratchet hit the terminal angered. "The past always matters!"
"A truce between Autobot and Decepticon. How long do you expect us to believe that will last?" Optimus questioned.
"Only as long as it is mutually beneficial." Galvatron answered.
"And when our proposed shared mission is completed?" Elita asked walking next to Optimus.
"I will conquer this Earth. My way."
"Brutal honesty from a Decepticon?" Moonracer asked.
"Aligning with the lesser of two evils is still siding with evil." Ratchet retorted.
"Do you think you've witnessed the full power of Unicron? Those foot soldiers were nothing more than a taste. Unicron is yet to fully awaken. With each passing moment, the Bringer of Chaos evolves, mutating Earth from the inside out. What we've witness until now is but a prelude of the utter devastation his rising will wreak upon your world." Galvatron revealed, making everyone in base to remain quiet.
"Like your quest for power destroyed Cybertron?" Hot Rod pointed.
"Make no mistake. This time there will be a planet left for me to rule."
"Even if we agree, Unicron is all the way down at the center of the Earth. How are we supposed to get there, drive?" Warpath asked.
"There is only one way." Optimus answered.
"Absolutely not!" Ratchet shouted, knowing what Optimus was referring to. "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 built up an immunity like Galvatron has."
"Yet another strong argument for soliciting my guidance." Galvatron remarked.
"You can provide Unicron's exact coordinates?" Elita asked.
"If you transport us to this planet's core, I can lead you directly into Unicron's spark. The very heart of his darkness."
"Optimus, even if we survive the jump, how are we supposed to stop Unicron?" Arcee asked.
Optimus looked at Galvatron, who slightly nodded his head.
"With the Matrix of Leadership."
"What is that?" Ranger Lunick asked.
"A vessel of pure energy. The collective wisdom of the Primes." Ratchet answered.
"Do we have time for a scavenger hunt? I mean, where's Optimus supposed to find this matrix?"
"There is no need for that, Misty. Optimus already have it." Ash immediately said.
"It was devoted to him by his mentor when he assumed the Autobots leadership." Serena added as she pointed to her chest.
"It was the combined power of the Primes that defeated Unicron so long ago. The very reason he now seeks to destroy you." Galvatron said.
"Optimus, do you think it could work?" Elita asked him.
"It would follow that unleashing the power of the matrix directly into Unicron's spark would return him to stasis."
"Hold on. If everything goes right, Unicron is gonna stay down there?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah. Can't we siphon him out somehow?" Max supported.
"He's not in the Earth's core, guys, he is the Earth's core."
"Clemont is correct. Tampering with your core could affect the magnetic pull; trigger the very cataclysmic events we are attempting to remediate. Tragically, Unicron is your planet very seed. Always has been and always must be." Ratchet explained.
Suddenly, Pikachu sensed something, and pointed a lot of rocks moving on the same direction, just where another titan Unicron avatar was starting to raise.
"We got another one." Wheeljack warned.
"Ratchet, send the ground bridge." Optimus called.
The portal appeared right behind the Autobots.
"Wait. We're opening up a direct path into our base with Galvatron standing right there?" Arcee asked in disbelief.
"And seriously he's gonna risk his own spark to save us?" Sideswipe added.
Galvatron laughed. "Hardly my nature. Consider my offer, I shall keep him busy."
Galvatron changed to his vehicle form and flew around Unicron, firing his weapons and dodging his attacks as the Autobots and pokémon went through the portal. Meanwhile, inside the Nemesis, which was on Earth's orbit…
"No word yet from lord Galvatron?" Airachnid asked to Soundblaster, who didn't respond. "It appears our leader has abandoned us while this world erupts in chaos. I believe we must consider the possibility of a future without Galvatron."
Airachnid smiled, this could be her great chance, but Soundblaster looked at her suspicious. Back at the base…
"I know that desperate times call for desperate measures, but bringing Galvatron here?!" Ratchet repeated in disbelief.
"I don't think we have any other choice, knowing exactly what are we dealing against." Elita admitted.
"How can you even think about letting that monster near these children after what he did to Max?" Delia asked mad.
"He will be closely monitored and only allowed to linger long enough to send us on our journey. Not one moment more." Optimus swore.
"What's gonna stop the Cons from calling in an air strike if he knows where you live?" Ranger Solana asked.
"By ground bridging Galvatron here, he will be unable to get a fix on our coordinates." Elita explained.
"Optimus, what's gonna happen to you when all your matrix 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?" Tracey asked.
"Autobots, if Earth, humankind and all the pokémon are to be saved, I have no choice but to proceed. But you do."
Elita took one of Optimus' hands. "Dear, it may be your duty, but you don't have to do it alone. I will follow you even to the end of the world."
"Thank you, dear."
"I've made my choice. What about you?" She said looking at the Autobots.
"Well, I don't know about human and pokémon kind, but I'm willing to do it…for May." Warpath decided.
"For Ash." Hot Rod added.
"For Serena." Arcee followed.
"For Ritchie." Sideswipe said proud.
"For Dawn." Wheeljack added.
"(For Max.)" Bee said.
"For Bonnie, and everyone else, human and pokémon." Moonracer concluded.
"If it were up to me, I would do it for Clemont, but someone has to stay here and main the ground bridge in case anything happens." Ratchet admitted.
Everyone was touched for their friends' words. Meanwhile, Galvatron continued fighting the giant Unicron avatar, but this time two more joined the fight, trying to hit him. He managed to inflict great damage at the leg of one of them.
"Galvatron, we are sending transport."
"You can always be relied upon to listen to reason, Optimus."
Galvatron turned around, changed to robot form and punched very hard on one of the clones' face, breaking it. As the titan fell to pieces, Galvatron landed and walked into the ground bridge before one of the avatars could stomp on him. Meanwhile, Bonnie was being pushed out of the hall by Ratchet and dragged by Clemont.
"No fair! I've never seen him! Why do we have to hide?"
"Because I said so." Ratchet replied.
All the humans and pokémon walked out of the main hall. The reason, the ground bridge was open and the Autobots were waiting for someone unpleasant to come. Optimus stood in front of the portal when Galvatron came walking at him, while the other Autobots got their weapons ready and aiming at Galvatron.
"So, this is where the magic happens. Quaint." Galvatron observed.
The kids were looking right at the edge of the hall's entrance. Max, who was still mad for what Galvatron did to him, ended coming out from their hiding place.
"Max!" Ash called.
"Max, no!" Delia yelled.
Galvatron looked over to see him coming, with his sister and friends running up to him.
"You!" He simply said, before his sister put between him and Galvatron.
"Hear me, Buckethead. If you dare to harm my little brother again like that, I will let my pokémon to unleash all their rage on you until you're nothing more than scrap!" May threatened as she and Max were caught by the pokémon rangers.
"Ah." Galvatron recognized as Sideswipe stood between him and the children. "You're looking much better than the last time we met, little one. Humans, resilient."
"Come on, guys. He isn't worth it." Ash said as they started to return.
"And you, Ash. I never forget a face, even that of a human. If my memory banks work me well, I think I have told you that the first time we met." Galvatron reminded to him, causing Pikachu to start releasing bolts of electricity in case.
"Pika pi."
"No buddy. There is no need." Ash reassured, calming him as he simply glared at Galvatron before walking away.
"But, in case you double cross anyone, you will regret ever meeting us." Misty warned.
"We also don't forget so easily." Ritchie added before they finally left the room.
"Ratchet, obtain the destination coordinates from our guest." Optimus instructed.
"The rest of you, prepare yourselves." Elita added.
Galvatron went next to Ratchet to type the coordinates to the ground bridge as the other Autobots continued aiming their guns at him. As he was leaving with the rest on the corridor…
"Ash." Optimus called him. He looked around to be sure they were alone before he knelt down. "Will you keep something for me?"
He nodded to Pikachu to go with the rest without him. "Sure."
Optimus pulled out a small metal-like thing. It transformed until it became smaller, enough so Ash could take it.
"What is it?" Ash asked.
"It is…the key to the ground bridge power supply." Optimus answered.
"But…shouldn't Ratchet have this, or perhaps Clemont?"
"Perhaps, but I've been impressed by how much mature you were when we first met, and how you have been the same since then. As such, I feel you have earned the responsibility of safeguarding this important device, until I return."
Ash looked at it before he looked back at Optimus. "I won't let you down."
With that done, Optimus returned with the Autobots at the main hall, with the ground bridge already prepared and Galvatron waiting next to it.
"Lock and ready." Ratchet announced.
"You first." Elita said to Galvatron.
"As you wish." Galvatron responded bowing before heading to the portal.
The Autobots took a last look to their friends before entering the bridge, Optimus being the last. The portal took them to a very strange place: huge metal bridges and walls with veins glowing dark energon, they were inside of Unicron's body.
"So, how long before Unicron knows we're here?" Sideswipe asked.
"Make no mistake. He already does." Galvatron simply said.
Galvatron and the Autobots continued walking not knowing that they were being watched by Unicron's eye.
To be continued…