Four years had passed since Morty returned to Rick's garage, desperate for help. Four years since the day Evil Morty had vanished with the crystal capable of unlocking the Nexus Point, plunging the multiverse into an age of unprecedented chaos. Now, standing at the heart of an underground command center, Morty was no longer the uncertain boy who had once sought power without fully understanding its cost. He was different—hardened by battles fought across countless dimensions, scarred by losses that weighed heavily on his conscience.
The command center was dimly lit, its walls lined with maps of various dimensions, diagrams of the multiverse's shifting tides, and tactical plans that had been painstakingly developed over the years. It wasn't much—just a small, scrappy rebellion hidden beneath the surface of an unremarkable, abandoned planet in a distant galaxy. But it was enough to make them a thorn in Evil Morty's side.
Morty stood at the center of the room, leaning over a holographic display that flickered with images of the Nexus Point. His eyes, once wide with fear and uncertainty, were now cold and calculating. The green glow from the display cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp edges of a man who had seen too much and lost too many.
Rick entered the room behind him, his footsteps heavy but steady. He had aged, though not in the traditional sense—his skin was a bit more lined, his hair more gray than before, but the fire in his eyes burned as fiercely as ever. He hadn't changed as much as Morty had, but the years of constant warfare, jumping from dimension to dimension in a desperate attempt to stop Evil Morty's rise to power, had taken their toll. Rick's flask was never far from his hand, but now the drinking wasn't just for fun—it was to dull the weight of everything they'd lost.
"You're staring at that damn map again," Rick muttered as he approached, squinting at the Nexus Point's hologram. "We've been over this a thousand times, Morty. It's not just some place we can storm in and blow up."
"I know, Rick," Morty said quietly, his voice carrying a gravitas that hadn't been there before. "But we need to figure out a way in. If we can disrupt the flow of energy at the Nexus Point, even for a moment, we might be able to sever Evil Morty's connection to it."
Rick sighed and took a long swig from his flask. "Yeah, well, good luck with that. Evil Morty's got his fingers wrapped around the Nexus Point so tight, it's like trying to pull a black hole apart with your bare hands. And even if we did manage to sever that connection, he's still got the Infinite Coil's tech and the Conclave hunting him down for good measure. He's a step ahead of everyone."
Morty straightened, rubbing his forehead as he stared at the hologram. "I know. But we can't stop. The multiverse is getting worse every day. Every reality he touches falls apart faster than the last. We need to find a way to hit him where it hurts."
The multiverse had become a battleground since Evil Morty had unlocked the Nexus Point. Dimensions were collapsing, entire timelines fracturing beyond repair as Evil Morty continued to reshape realities to suit his vision. Rick and Morty had been forced to jump from dimension to dimension, gathering allies from the ruins of what was left, trying to build something that could stand against the growing chaos.
The rebellion wasn't large, but it was determined. Rick and Morty had managed to gather a motley crew of survivors, renegade scientists, and former agents of both the Conclave and the Infinite Coil who had defected after witnessing the destruction firsthand. Together, they had fought back in small ways—sabotaging Evil Morty's operations, disrupting his control over key dimensions, and striking at his forces whenever they could. But they were constantly on the run, always one step behind, never able to land the decisive blow.
"Got some new intel," a voice interrupted from the doorway.
Summer stepped into the command center, her face hardened by years of battle but still carrying that fierce determination she had always had. She had joined them not long after they had formed the rebellion, refusing to stay behind when she learned the full extent of what they were up against. Over the years, Summer had become one of the rebellion's best fighters and strategists, helping to lead raids on Evil Morty's bases and gathering intelligence from the fragments of dimensions that had yet to fall.
"What've you got?" Morty asked, turning toward her.
"Evil Morty's forces hit another dimension near the outer rim," Summer said, pulling up a new hologram on the display. "But this time, they weren't just there to destabilize it. They were searching for something—something specific."
Rick raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to examine the map. "Specific how?"
Summer tapped the display, bringing up a detailed scan of the dimension. "They've been digging around the ruins of an old Infinite Coil facility. Whatever they're after, it's connected to the Nexus Point, but we haven't been able to pinpoint exactly what."
Morty's eyes narrowed as he studied the map. "It's gotta be another piece of tech. Something the Coil hid away before Evil Morty got his hands on the crystal. Maybe it's something that could give him even more control."
"Or," Rick interjected, "maybe it's something he needs to keep that control. The Nexus Point's unstable as hell—he might be looking for a way to stabilize it, keep it from blowing up in his face."
Morty nodded, his mind racing. This was the first real lead they'd had in months. If Evil Morty needed something from the Coil's old facilities, it meant that there was a weakness in his control over the Nexus Point. And if there was a weakness, they could exploit it.
"We need to hit that facility," Morty said, his voice sharp with determination. "If we can get there before he does, maybe we can figure out what he's after. And if we can figure that out, we can use it against him."
Summer nodded, her eyes flashing with the same fierce resolve. "I'll get the team ready. We'll need to move fast. No telling how much time we have before his forces take over."
Rick downed the rest of his flask and grumbled, "I'm in. But this better not end with us all getting erased from existence. Again."
Morty glanced at him, a flicker of the old Morty's worry shining through for just a moment. "Rick, I—"
Rick waved him off, his expression softening for the briefest second. "Don't get all sentimental on me, Morty. We're in this together, no matter how many times we screw up. Just… try not to die, alright?"
Morty nodded, grateful for the sentiment, even if Rick masked it with his usual gruffness. They had been through too much together—losing each other now wasn't an option.
The rebellion moved swiftly, mobilizing their small but skilled team. Summer coordinated with the other fighters, prepping them for the mission, while Morty and Rick focused on the tech they'd need to infiltrate the Infinite Coil facility. It was a tight operation, and they couldn't afford any mistakes. The facility was likely still heavily guarded, even if it had been abandoned by the Coil. Evil Morty's forces would be on the lookout for anyone trying to interfere.
As Morty geared up, sliding his weapons and tools into place, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. Over the last four years, he had learned more about the multiverse than he ever wanted to. He had seen things that most people couldn't even comprehend, experienced losses that still haunted him. But through it all, he had held onto one singular goal: stopping Evil Morty.
This mission—this facility—could be the key to turning the tide. Morty knew it, and so did Rick.
As they prepared to step through the portal and into the unknown, Morty glanced at Rick one last time. "Think this is it?"
Rick shrugged, but there was a glint of hope in his eyes. "Let's go find out."
The portal shimmered before them, and with a deep breath, Morty stepped through, leading the rebellion into what could be their most dangerous mission yet.
The battle to save the multiverse wasn't over—not by a long shot—but for the first time in years, Morty felt like they had a fighting chance.
And he wasn't going to let that slip away.
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