Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

    Several kios away from Voya Nui, on an island not far from the continent it had once been part of, the first Toa in all of existence was troubled.

    Her day had started out well: an agent of her's had returned from a scouting mission to Metru Nui, which the Order of Mata Nui had been preparing to send its forces to. This proved to be unnecessary, for Makuta Teridax had been overthrown by the Toa, and the Matoran were setting about repairing the damage done to the City of Legends.

    However, the so-called Empire of Makuta was still a threat. Shortly after the first report, another followed saying that a fleet of Makuta ships had begun to form a blockade around the Northern Continent. Even with Teridax seemingly indisposed, the Makuta were unrelenting in their conquest.

    As she stood in her chamber, contemplating on how to handle the present situation, Toa Helryx heard the door creak open and turned to see a nine-feet-tall Tirivon, clad in silver, red, and blue armor. A pair of horns jutted out from behind his crimson mask.

    "Trinuma," the Toa of Water murmured. "What is it?"

    "Johmak and Orkosan have returned from the Southern Continent," Trinuma said. "They found the stolen tablets and had Botar deal with the Ba-Matoran crook who had procured them."

    Helryx nodded before saying, "And? I know there's more to the story, Trinuma. Why else would you be here?"

    The Tirivon's express became grim. "Johmak went to deliver a warning to Axonn and Brutaka about the Makuta's building empire. The region they were stationed at was not there. All she found was a giant waterfall."

    Helryx frowned. "That is not good."

    "I had come to that conclusion myself."

    Ignoring her agent's sarcasm, Helryx said, "Tell Viraka to prepare a ship for four. I shall be going to the Southern Continent."

    Trinuma seemed to be taken aback by this statement. "You? But... you hardly ever leave Daxia."

    "It's good to get out every once in a while. Besides, you say there's a giant waterfall. Sounds like my area of expertise."

    Trinuma grimaced. "But if something happens to you--"

    "Do you not have faith in the skills of your comrades? Your leader?"

    The Tirivon sighed. This was an argument even his Mask of Charisma could not help him with.

    "I will give Viraka the message."

*  *  *

    Axonn groggily awoke to find himself lying crumpled on a stone floor. Rising, he shielded his eyes from powerful rays of light shining through a massive window. In an instant, he knew where he was.

    Castle Artakha.

    He grimaced as bitter memories returned to him. His experiences here, with the Hand of Artakha, were not the best he had. The organization had changed him for the worst, and it was only when he joined the Order of Mata Nui did he feel purpose again.

    But what put him fully at unease about being here was the fact that Castle Artakha had been destroyed. How was it still standing here?

    As he took in his surroundings, Axonn realized that he was not alone. Gazing up at him was a Matoran in red and yellow armor; most likely a Matoran of Fire. His proportions were rather unusual and his Kanohi Huna did not seem like the best fit.

    Staring at the great warrior in wonder, the Ta-Matoran said, "Who are you?"

    The Ankorian veteran sighed quietly. It wasn't much use maintaining a code of secrecy any longer at this point. "My name is Axonn," he said.

    "I'm Balta," the Matoran replied. "Have you always been on Voya Nui? I don't recall ever seeing you."

    "I dwell in the mountains, towards the west," Axonn said. "I hardly ever leave there, and I rarely see Matoran venture into that region."

    "I see," Balta said. "You seemed to recognize those two beings we were with."

    "Only the Sanok-wearer," Axonn said bitterly. "His name is Fortaan. We... have a long history, none of it pleasant."

    Thankfully, Balta did not press the matter. Instead, he said, "Do you know how to get out of here?"

    "I do, since I've been here before. However...." He looked forlorn at his hands. "It would be easier if I had my axe."

    Balta rested his chin in his hand, contemplating. At that moment, three other Matoran came into view behind him, two of them Axonn remembered seeing with the Ta-Matoran and Fortaan.

    "Who... is that, Balta?" an Onu-Matoran asked, staring at the Ankorian skeptically.

    "This is Axonn," Balta replied, before saying to Axonn himself, "These are my friends Garan, Dalu, and Piruk."

    "Um, how do you do?" the Le-Matoran Piruk said tentatively.

    "Pleasantries can wait," Axonn said curtly. "We need to get out of here."

    The Ga-Matoran Dalu rolled her eyes. "That's an understatement. How do we do that?"

    Axonn turned towards the door to their cell, which was heavily locked. Scrutinizing it for a moment, he then took a deep breath. 

    "I want you all to stand back," he said to the Matoran. Once they had done so, Axonn gathered his strength and charged towards the door. Upon collision, both the door and the entire wall crumbled to dust.

    All four of the Matoran looked awed by this feat. They broke off from their stupor when Axonn beckoned them to follow him out into an corridor.

    "There should be a staircase down here," the Ankorian said. "It leads to the front gates. Let's--"

    Before he could finish, a bolt of energy hit him square in the back. Dazed but hardly weakened, he spun around to see a lithe Vortixx in jet black armor, lazily carrying a Catcher Claw in one hand.

    "Leaving so soon, Axonn?" she said in a snake-like voice. "Don't you want to stay for the return?"

    Axonn scowled at the Vortixx, whom he recognized as a former comrade. "I never had any desire to be here in the first place, Drandora."

    The Vortixx's violet eyes twinkled dangerously. "But the time is drawing so near. It's a shame Helryx, Hydraxon, and the rest can't be here to witness it. You should count yourself lucky."

    "I don't even know what you're talking about." Energy began to glow in Axonn's hands. "Let us go--"

    Another bolt from Drandora's claws sent Axonn's mask flying off his face, weakening the powerful warrior.

    "Why, it's Mallake, of course," the Vortixx hissed. "He's coming home."

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

    Dawn was beginning to break when they heard the cry. All of the Matoran villagers rushed out of their huts to see Tahkon on the ground, withering in agony. He was murmuring to himself; the only words anyone could make out were "Mallake," "Red Star," and "Artakha."

    The village's local healer, a Vo-Matoran named Elrisa, rushed over to him but could find no physical wound. She looked up at Dasan with a frown.

    "I don't know what's ailing him. He seems to be healthy...."

    "Physically, perhaps. But not mentally." Emerging from the gathered crowd was an old Matoran of Psionics known as Zaedra. She knelt down next to Tahkon and touched his forehead. "He's been mentally assaulted. By what, I do not know."

    Dasan walked over to the strange Matoran and bent down beside him, carefully turning the crazed prophet's head. Tahkon's eyes were wide and glazed with terror.

    "Can you tell us what happened?" the De-Matoran asked softly.

    Tahkon did not speak for a long time. When he finally did, he spoke so quietly that only Dasan's acute hearing could pick up his words.

    "I saw him...."

    "Saw who?"

    "Mallake." Tahkon shuddered. "I saw his mask, Dasan. I saw his mask, and... and...."

    "And what?" Dasan pressed.

    "He is coming, Dasan. He dwells down below, but... he will find a way. He will... find...."

    The Matoran fell silent. Dasan saw his heartlight go out and knew that he would not be speaking again.

    With a heavy, sorrowful sigh, the De-Matoran straightened up and said, "Dezalk, Velika, take him to the burial grounds."

    The two Matoran solemnly nodded and went to perform their morbid task. Dasan turned away in grief and looked out towards the Green Belt. Garan and the others had still yet to return. Would he ever be seeing them again? Or would there be three more names to add to the memorial plaque?

*  *  *

    Brutaka charged through the forest, his Rotating Blades held high. Up ahead were two beings he did not recognize; one was a tall Morcian like himself, clad in black and yellow, while the other was one of Axonn's species, wearing black and dark gray armor.

    Still running, he fired a bolt of raw energy from his blades, sending it towards the latter being. The Ankorian deflected the attack with two large blades before firing a bolt of his own. Brutaka attempted to dodge it, but the being's Mask of Accuracy made sure that it hit him square in the chest.

    Nonetheless, this did little to impede Brutaka's charge and reached the two strangers' position. He swung his double-edged blade at the Ankorian, who brought up his dual swords to block the attack. As their blades locked, the Ankorian kicked Brutaka in the shin, causing him to stagger back.

    Suddenly, Brutaka felt an invisible force push him down to the ground, pinning him there. Unable to move, he did not see the cause of this strange assault until the Morcian came into view, his black mask glowing.

    "Mask of Gravity," the Morcian told him, speaking in a raspy voice. "If you ever want the upper hand in a battle, you should get one. It would replace the mask we're going to take from you."

    Helpless to stop him, Brutaka could only watch as the Morcian stooped down and removed his Kanohi Olmak from his face. Then, in the blink of an eye, the two beings were gone.

*  *  *

    "Piruk? Wake up...."

    The Le-Matoran's eyes fluttered open, though he was forced to shield them from a bright ray of light shining in his face. When his bleary vision finally cleared, he found his friend Dalu standing over him.

    "Dalu?" Piruk groaned as he tried to sit up. "I had the strangest dream. There was this tall, ever-creepy being and... and all these Brakas monkeys...."

    "It wasn't a dream," Dalu said grimly.

    Confused by her words, Piruk sat up and saw that he was in a stone chamber, illuminated by rays of sunlight shining through a large window. Balta and Garan were standing nearby, next to the unconscious body of a being he didn't recognize.

    "Where are we?" he asked.

    "I don't know what they call this place, but it's home to this group called the Hand of Artakha."

    "Artakha? Karzahni's opposite? Are we... are we there?"

    Dalu shook her head. "I don't think so. Apparently we're in this invisible fortress just off the Cape of No Hope. Beyond that, I have no idea what's going on."

    Piruk got to his feet and rubbed his head. "Any chance we can get out?"

    She shrugged. "I don't know. They seem to be debating about their own secrecy and are afraid to release us in case we tell the whole island about them."

    Piruk scoffed. "Why would they be afraid of us? We're just Matoran; Matoran with lousy new bodies, to boot."

    The Ga-Matoran shrugged again. "We didn't even know they existed until an hour ago. Who knows what their deal is...."

*  *  *

    "We have returned, my King," Banteras announced as he and Fortaan materialized in the throne room. "And we have procured the Mask of Dimensional Gates."

    "My, that was fast," King Mathus' voice said, his figure still obscured by light. "I would think Helryx's folk would be better trained in combat, especially for barbarians."

    Fortaan snorted. "Or at least be better informed on mask powers."

    Banteras stepped towards the bright light and held out the gold mask. A hand emerged and took it. A moment passed before Mathus spoke again.

    "Excellent work. At last we shall be able to leave this accursed island. However, we can not do so until Mallake arrives."

    Banteras grunted. "How can you be so sure he will? The Pit holds the most dangerous of warlords. If it was that easy to break out of, the Barraki and others would be warring for control of the universe by now."

    "Perhaps they are, as we speak," Mathus said. "In which case, it would be the perfect opportunity for Mallake to lead us into the fray and take our rightful place as enforcers of the will of Mata Nui. Any who oppose us- the Makuta, Helryx's order, the Dark Hunters- shall be easily dealt with."

    "And the Matoran?"

    "They shall see us as the heroes that we are. They will recognize our authority and follow the beckoning of the Hand of Artakha. Those who don't... shall face nothing but a fist."

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

    Night was beginning to fall. Most of the villagers had returned to their huts, their work done for the night. Kazi stood outside his own home, staring out towards the Green Belt and anxiously awaiting Garan and the others' return.

    "You're worried about them, aren't you?"

    The Ko-Matoran turned to see Dasan walking up to him. The old Matoran of Sonics wore his trademark smile on his gray mask, which was cracked and worn in several places.

    Kazi shrugged. "I know I may never show it, but I do care about the others. Garan, Balta, Piruk...." He kicked himself for his next words: "Even Velika. But don't tell him I said that."

    Dasan chuckled. "Garan and Dalu are both fine warriors, and Balta is not half-bad himself. I'm sure they'll be fine."

    Kazi frowned, his voice falling into a whisper. "And Piruk? What if something's happened to him?"

    The De-Matoran's characteristic smile faded and he did not respond. 

    "The Red Star burns where it never was before," a voice suddenly said. "Is it a star, or is it a signal, beckoning us to the world we are lost from?"

    Kazi cringed as a Po-Matoran hobbled up to him and Dasan. "Velika. I thought you had gone to bed."

    The enigmatic Matoran of Stone smiled. "He who goes usually intends to return, or remain with those whom he loves in spirit if not presence."

    Kazi sighed in exasperation, struggling to comprehend his fellow Matoran's riddles. "And if they don't return? Or if they do and aren't the same person they once were?"

    Velika's smile faded as well, suddenly looking pensive. "Then they are lost."

*  *  *

    "Why have you brought us here?" Garan asked Tansari when she and Fortaan brought the Matoran to a halt. They had reached the edge of the Cape of No Hope, with nothing to see but ice and the endless ocean. "There's nothing here."

    "To the naked eye, perhaps," Tansari said. "But just because you can not see something does not mean it isn't there. Take my hand."

    Reluctantly, Garan did so while Balta and Dalu linked up with him and Fortaan took Tansari's other hand. Instantly, they were surrounded by a blinding light. It lasted for a few seconds before vanishing to reveal bright stone walls. Majestic drapes and banners drooped down them and tall, narrow windows provided a glimpse of clear blue sky.

    "What... is this place?" Balta asked.

    Before Tansari could answer, a booming voice spoke up from up ahead, though the glare of the sun from a high-placed window obscured the unknown speaker.

    "Tansari, Fortaan. I see that you have returned... with four guests. Care to explain."

    "Yes, King Mathus," Tansari said as she and Fortaan bowed. "These three Matoran were in search of a fellow villager. I presumed Banteras had something to do with his disappearance."

    "And the fourth?"

    "You should recognize him, King," Fortaan said, dropping the unconscious Axonn unceremoniously to the ground. "He was one of us."

    "Ah, yes. Was." Disdain tinted King Mathus' voice. "At least until he went and joined Helryx's inferior reincarnation of our order."

    Dalu cleared her throat to get the strange beings' attention. "So, uh, does anyone mind telling us what this is all about."

    "You don't deserve to know," a raspy voice spoke. All eyes turned to a tall being clad in black and yellow armor, walking with a limp due to a mutilated leg. "Unless you don't mind spending the rest of your lives down in the dungeons."

    "That's enough, Banteras," King Mathus said sternly. "We are not like Helryx's band of barbarians. We do not take innocent lives simply because of what they know."

    Banteras glared in the direction of Mathus' voice. "If we were to tell them what we are and then release them, then our knowledge is no longer sacred."

    "Just because they would know of our existence does not mean anyone would find us. Like the great Artakha whom we honor, we would become a myth spread around--"

    "Forget it," Banteras growled. "I've heard your spiel a hundred times already."

    Mustering his courage, Garan stepped up to the tall being, looking him straight in the eye. "Where's Piruk? Give us back our friend."

    Banteras' face betrayed no emotion. "Piruk. Should I know that name?"

    "He's a Le-Matoran. This is his mask." Garan held up Piruk's discarded Kanohi mask.

    "Oh. Him." Banteras waved a careless hand. "I was forced to... handle him when he saw me working in the forest."

    "What were you doing in the forest?" Tansari asked, her voice cold.

    "It doesn't concern you," Banteras said sharply.

    "But it does concern me," King Mathus boomed. "Tell us, Banteras."

    The black and yellow being was silent for a long moment. When he spoke, his raspy voice was as soft as grass. "I was searching for Brutaka."

    The name hung in the air. Finally, Mathus said quietly, "I know that name. Was he not a lieutenant of the Makuta?"

    "Was, yes. From my understanding, he now works for Helryx's organization."

    "Why would you wish to seek him out then?" Mathus' voice was suddenly bitter.

    "Because he carries one of only two Kanohi Olmak in the universe. With that mask, we could transport our castle to anywhere in the universe, instead of being stranded out here in the middle of nowhere."

    The King was silent for a moment, as if he was contemplating this. Finally, he said, "Yes, that would be useful. Fortaan, go help Banteras find this Brutaka and procure this mask."

    Fortaan bowed and went to link arms with Banteras. In an instant, they were gone.

    "Tansari, go take these Matoran to their friend."

    Tansari bowed as well and beckoned the trio to follow her while dragging Axonn's unconscious form behind her. As they entered an adjacent hallway, Balta said quietly to her, "So, who are you guys, exactly?"

    "We," she said, "are the Hand of Artakha."

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

    Balta, Dalu, and Garan carefully trekked the great forest known as the Green Belt, the latter taking up the lead. Numerous Rahi eyes watched as they went, and Balta could swear he heard the slithering of a venomous Bog Snake trailing him. A bolt of energy from Garan's tools made short work of that particular problem.

    As they continued on, Balta kept an eye out for more dangerous Rahi. Occupied with this as he was, he did not notice a metal sticking out in the grass he tripped over it and fell mask-first to the ground. While Dalu helped him back up, Garan went out and picked up the object.

    "It's Piruk's mask," the Onu-Matoran said grimly.

    Dalu gasped. "No... you don't think he's--"

    Garan cut her off with the shake of the head. "I won't believe it until there's proof. Let's keep going."

    Before the Matoran could resume their trek however, they heard the snapping of twigs. They all spun around to see a large being armored in black and dark gray. He stood frozen in place, flickering his gaze from them to the twigs he had stepped on. He then gave a lopsided smirk.

    "Oops. Should have brought a Mask of Stealth with me."

    "Shut up, you idiot," muttered a second being. Tall and lean in contrast to her partner's stout and bulky build, she aimed a blade at the three Matoran.

    "State your business in these parts, Matoran," she hissed. "If I don't like the answer you give me, then your fellow villagers won't be hearing much from you again."

    Garan slowly stepped forward. "We're searching for our friend. He's a Le-Matoran named Piruk. We found his mask just now." He held up the green Kanohi Mahiki for the two strangers to see.

    The female warrior frowned. "Banteras' work, no doubt. The first thing he always does when he captures someone is remove their mask, if they have one on...."

    "You mean Piruk's been captured?" Balta asked. "Why?"

    "Banteras always manages to come up with a reason." She sighed as she sheathed her blade. "Come with us; we'll take you to him."

    Her partner gave her a disapproving look. "Is that wise, Tansari? Letting these Matoran know about--"

    "Relax, Fortaan," the female warrior replied. "We're just going to return their friend back... as long as Banteras doesn't act like a stubborn Brakas monkey."

    The one called Fortaan suddenly chuckled, losing his serious demeanor. "Heh, good one, because--"

    "Yes, I know, I said it on purpose." Tansari then beckoned to the Matoran. "Come."

    With that, the two beings vanished into the forest. The three Matoran glanced at each other before, with great reluctance, following them.

*  *  *

    The mountains of Voya Nui, located near the westernmost edge of the island, provided Axonn with a decent hiding place. Matoran rarely ventured to them and from the caves formed within them, he could oversee most of the island and be able to detect certain dangers.

    Such as the strange movement he was seeing down below in the Green Belt.

    Gripping his trusted axe, Axonn carefully climbed down the slope of the mountain, being careful to not be seen by who or whatever was moving through the forest. Quietly touching ground, he crouched down and peered through the bushes. 

    Walking through the forest were five beings. Three of them were Matoran, moving cautiously and looking like they did not trust the two others they were following. The tallest of the other two was a female clad in green and black armor, while the other was a male in black and dark gray.

    Axonn frowned as he looked at the latter. Something about him struck him as familiar. He shifted slightly to get a better look at the being's face- or mask, rather. The burly stranger was wearing a Kanohi Sanok, the Great Mask of Accuracy.

    Seeing it brought up a name from Axonn's memories; a name he never thought he would ever hear again: Fortaan.

    Axonn took in a sharp intake of breath. How can this be possible? How can he still be alive?

    Quickly shaking off his initial shock, Axonn quietly followed the five beings, doing well to not be seen by them. Judging their path, he figured out that they were headed towards the Cape of No Hope, the peninsula which jutted out from Voya Nui's northwest side.

    Except there was nothing over there but ice and wild Rahi. Why were the Matoran being taken there, or being taken at all?

    Axonn grimaced. The only way he could get the answers to any of his questions was to keep on walking....

*  *  *

    "We're being followed."

    Tansari spoke in a voice low enough that only Fortaan could hear her. The shorter being glanced at his comrade curiously.

    "How can you tell?" he asked.

    "Do you think all my training has been for nothing?" she said sharply. "To the left, three bios behind us."

    Unsheathing a large, wicked-looking blade, Fortaan spun around and fired a bolt of energy from it. His Mask of Accuracy ensured that it hit his target dead on and a large figure came crashing down, landing flat on his face.

    Fortaan chuckled as he walked over to the fallen being, who was paralyzed by the bolt. "Well, well, if it isn't my old pal, Axonn. What do you happen to be doing here?"

    Axonn stared up at him coldly. "I should be asking you the same thing. I thought you were dead."

    Fortaan smiled crookedly. "You seem disappointed about being proven wrong. Why the animosity, old friend?"

    "We were never friends," Axonn spat. "At least not after what you did."

    Fortaan let out a harsh laugh. "As if you don't have any of your own atrocities under your belt."

    He fired another bolt of energy and Axonn fell unconscious. Fortaan then lifted him up and supported him by slinging his arm over his neck.

    "Well?" he said to Tansari. "Shall we get a move on?"

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

    The ocean waves crashed against the Ring of Ice that surrounded Voya Nui. Any wandering ship that attempted to reach the island would be given a nasty surprise; it would require a miracle for it to traverse the icy coastline and still remain intact.

    Brutaka did not believe in miracles. Even if he had at some point in his life, he would have lost all faith in them by now... just like he had with the Great Spirit.

    It had all started when a great tremor shook the earth and Voya Nui was sent rocketing skyward, breaking away from the Southern Continent. When the storm had ended, Voya Nui had ended up in a vast, endless sea. The Turaga elder and a number of Matoran had died during the catastrophe. And yet, not once did Mata Nui, whom the Matoran worshiped, come to their rescue.

    Brutaka grimaced, his grip tightening around the double-edged blade that was his trusted weapon. For thousands of years had he devoted his life to serving the will of Mata Nui. Was this all the Great Spirit had to return: nothing?

    He wanted to scream towards the heavens, cursing Mata Nui's name for betraying those he had promised to watch over and protect. However, he knew that doing so would give away his presence to the Matoran. Instead, he hurled a bolt of energy from his Rotating Blades, watching it soar across the sea.

    "And just what could elicit such a gesture of frustration from you, old friend?"

    Brutaka scowled as he turned around to face a being clad in silver and red armor. Peaceful green eyes were set behind a silver Kanohi mask and they seem to study Brutaka as Axonn stared at his comrade.

    "It's nothing," Brutaka muttered as he turned back to the sea.

    "It is useless to be dishonest with me," Axonn said. "You know that my mask power can see through all deceptions. Something is troubling you, Brutaka."

    "Fine, so something is," the blue and gold being retorted. "But I don't have to tell you."

    Axonn sighed. "Brutaka, we have been friends for a long time- a very long time. We've fought against Zyglak on the coasts of Artidax and clashed with rogue Skakdi warlords on the edge of the Tren Krom Peninsula." He walked over to his comrade and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I would think we'd have a mutual trust by now, enough so that we could tell the other what bothered us."

    Brutaka was silent for a while. Though he almost hated to admit it, Axonn was right. With a sigh, he said, "It's Mata Nui."

    "What about him?"

    "Where has he gone? Why hasn't he fixed the damages done by that... that cataclysm?" Brutaka gestured widely to the sky. "Has he died? Has he abandoned us to our fate?"

    "Don't say that," Axonn said sternly. "We should never doubt the Great Spirit's will, which is to provide peace, while we maintain it."

    Brutaka scowled. "Then why isn't he giving us the peace we must maintain?"

    Axonn shrugged. "Perhaps something has happened to him. Perhaps he has fallen ill like he did during the Great Disruption." He sighed. "Unfortunately, since we are separated from the rest of the world, we are helpless to do anything about it."

    Without another word, the red titan left his life-long comrade and friend to his grim thoughts.

*  *  *

    "Mallake? Does anyone know what that means?"

    No one answered Garan's queries. Most of the Matoran had been ignoring Tahkon's ramblings and thus did not hear the mention of the name. Tahkon himself did not elaborate, instead looking pensive and acting oblivious to the world around him.

    Growing impatient, Garan threw his arms up in exasperation. "Forget it. Whatever this storm is or whenever it's coming, we'll have the shelter to brave it."

    "Right," Balta said. "So, about Piruk...."

    Garan nodded. "Dezalk, go find Dalu and tell her to meet me and Balta by the Lake of Protodermis. Kazi, tell Dasan that if I'm not back by the next dawn, he is to lead the village."

    Dezalk nodded while Kazi muttered something under his breath. As they set off, Garan turned to Balta and smiled.

    "Shall we find our spy then?"

*  *  *

    Piruk awoke to the sound of tapping. Opening his eyes, he was greeted by the green overcast of the forest. Whether it was day or night, he could not tell; the trees blocked out nearly all sunlight. 

    He sat up and heard a loud squawk. He looked over to see a Lava Hawk backing away from him. Apparently the tapping sound had been the bird tapping its beak against his mask. Piruk thought this was strange; normally Lava Hawks favored volcanic regions, given their name. What were they doing in the forest rather than near Mount Valmai, like others of its kind?

    Suddenly, he heard a rustling of bushes. The Matoran of Air jumped to his feet and slowly backed away from the moving bushes, scraping his Shredder Claws together nervously.

    Emerging from the bushes was a being unlike any he had seen before. Clad in black and yellow armor, he stood nearly eight feet tall. He walked with a limp, and Piruk noted that his right leg lacked a foot, with a cap of sorts replacing it. The Le-Matoran's eyes then drifted towards the being's left arm, which terminated with a wicked hook.

    As Piruk continued his slow retreat, the being came to a stop and looked down at him. A black mask, shaped like a double-edged axe, covered the top half of his head while a respirator of sorts covered the bottom. When he spoke, his voice came out as a soft rasp.

    "I see that you are awake."

    Piruk froze in place. For some reason, his feet refused to take him anywhere further.

    The stranger took a step forward and the Lava Hawk flew up to him, landing and resting itself on his shoulder.

    "What is the last thing you remember?" the being then asked.

    Piruk opened his mouth but no words came out. It was as if pure terror had completely paralyzed him.

    The stranger let out a dry chuckle. His respirator made it sound more sinister than humorous.

    "No matter. It's best you come with me; no sense in letting you tell your Matoran friends about your encounter with me."

    Behind Piruk, dozens of Brakas monkeys jumped down from the trees. They all piled onto the Le-Matoran as consciousness abandoned him. 

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter One

BIONICLE ALTERNATIVES: EMPIRE OF MAKUTA

Volume II: Land of the Lost

CHAPTER ONE

    The morning screech of a Lava Hawk awoke Balta from his slumber. He moved to get up but found that his limbs were too stiff to lift himself up. The Ta-Matoran cursed to himself; yet another failing of his "repaired" body given to him by Karzahni.

    "You going to get up by any chance?"

    He craned his head to see a Matoran of Water standing in the doorway of his hut. Hands planted firmly on her hips, a wry smirk played on her azure mask.

    "This is the third time this week, Balta," she said. "You shouldn't always strain yourself just to impress others. Sooner or later your arms are going to fall off."

    "I know, Dalu, it's just...." He sighed. "I know I'm good at making useful inventions- and I enjoy doing that, don't get me wrong. But then I see you, Garan, and the others doing the heavy-lifting and all the tough jobs and...."

    When Balta's voice trailed off, Dalu chose then to interject. "No offense, Balta, but you sound like Kazi whining about being stuck here. Here, let me help you up."

    She grabbed the Ta-Matoran's hands and pulled him out of his cot. After moving his arms and legs around to loosen them up, Balta smiled weakly at his friend. "Thanks."

    "Don't mention it. Velika is working on some project of his; he could use your help."

    Balta nodded and followed her out of his hut. Greeting them as they walked out was a humid gust of wind. Dark clouds hung over the Matoran Cliff Village as Mount Valmai groaned in the distance, lava running down towards its base.

    Balta grimaced. Voya Nui was far from an attractive place to visit, but it was the only place the Matoran could call home; they simply had to make it work.

    Walking past other Matoran as they worked on building a stronger shelter to withstand Valmai's next eruption, Balta found his Po-Matoran friend Velika tinkering with primitive machines. Balta was never sure if his friend had made the machines or found them somewhere on the island; he could never get a straight answer from him.

    "Hey, Velika," he said to the Po-Matoran. "How's it going?"

    Velika looked up at him and smiled, saying nothing. Balta looked over him and saw that it was not machines he was looking over but rather a slumbering Burnak tiger.

    "That's Piruk's pet, isn't it?" Balta asked. "What are you doing with it? Where is he?"

    "Friend of Air goes where the wind takes him," Velika said, speaking enigmatic riddles as always. "Loyal pet stays behind, though he misses the scent of his master."

    Balta frowned. "Piruk's run off? Does Garan know about this?"

    The Po-Matoran did not reply, stroking the Burnak's head as if his friend had not spoken. Concerned, Balta went to seek out Garan, the chosen leader of the Matoran on Voya Nui. He soon found the Matoran of Earth working with Kazi, Dezalk, and others on restoring huts that had been destroyed during Mount Valmai's previous eruption. Noticing Balta's approach, Garan turned to his old friend and smiled.

    "What can I do for you, Balta?" the Onu-Matoran asked.

    "Velika told me that Piruk's run off," the Ta-Matoran said. "Is he on a scouting mission or something?"

    Garan's smile became a frown. "I didn't send him on one. Did Velika say where he went?" 

    "If he did, would I still be standing here?"

    Garan sighed as he looked off towards the distance. "It's not like Piruk to run off on his own. He knows about the dangers that are out there and is frightened by the mere thought of them."

    "Should we set off to find him?" Balta asked.

    "It'll be dangerous," Kazi muttered, gesturing to the Green Belt that laid beyond the village. "Rahi are out and about, and some won't shy away from eating Matoran. Odds are they've gotten to Piruk by now."

    "I won't be able to rest until I know for sure," Balta said, a determined expression on his mask. "Whether you're with me or not, I'm going to find him."

    "Wait, Balta!" Garan reached out to stop the Matoran of Fire from leaving.

    Balta sighed. "Garan, you can't stop me--"

    "I know, and I'm not trying to." The Onu-Matoran smiled. "I just don't want you to go without some help. Dalu and I will accompany you."

    "Are you crazy?" Kazi snapped. "What if we lose you? Who will lead us then?"

    Before Garan could answer, a Matoran suddenly emerged from one of the huts, waving his arms wildly. Balta could never figure out what element he was supposed to be, being clad in green and red armor, a color scheme which was not affiliated with any element he knew. The silver Kanohi mask didn't help matters either.

    "Darkness is coming!" the strange Matoran cried. "A shadow has been cast upon us! We shall all fall in the chaos that is approaching this land!"

    "Here we go again," Dezalk muttered under his breath. "Even Velika makes more sense than this guy."

    "I beg to differ," Kazi retorted.

    Garan sighed as he approached the crazy Matoran. "What is it this time, Tahkon?"

    He was given a wide-eyed look in return. "I have read the stars," Tahkon murmured. "The red one burns bright... just like it had... when it happened."

    Balta couldn't help but grimace. He knew what event Tahkon was referring to: six months ago, a terrible earthquake shook the Southern Continent that Voya Nui had once been a part of. Before the Matoran knew it, Voya Nui had broken off from the rest of the continent and had ended up in the vast sea, far away from any other piece of land.

    He had lost many friends during that cataclysm. He shuddered at the thought of history repeating itself.

    "Do you mean another storm is coming?" Garan asked, trying to make sense of Tahkon's ramblings.

    "Worse than a storm." The crazy Matoran shuddered. "Worse than any typhoon or hurricane that Voya Nui has suffered."

    "Don't listen to him, Garan," Kazi grunted. "He's just babbling as usual."

    Garan shushed the Ice Matoran before saying to Tahkon, "Does this... storm have a name?"

    "Yes," Tahkon said quietly. "Mallake."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XI, Chapter Ten & Epilogue

CHAPTER TEN

    Optimus Prime awoke to find himself floating in a void. All around was darkness; nothing to be seen or heard... that is, until a dark copy of himself began to float towards him, red eyes sparking with ire.

    "Wonderful," Scourge said sardonically. "Apparently, even with myself rightfully in control, we are still weak and easily defeated."

    "You say that as if we shared command of this body," Optimus said coldly. "But so far, it's all been under your control."

    "As it should be," Scourge said. "I am you perfected, Optimus. I am what your brother expected you to be."

    "That means nothing to me," Optimus said sternly. "I am who I choose to be, not what the leader of the Decepticons wants me to be."

    Scourge narrowed his eyes. "He is your brother."

    "Was." Optimus sighed. "Optronix died when he vanished at Straxus' domain. When he returned... he was someone else entirely."

    His dark copy was silent for a while, devoid of expression. Finally, he said, "To be honest, I am no fan of Megatron either. But can't you see that we are meant to be one entity?"

    "Yes, we are," Optimus murmured. "But with me in control. You are an anomaly... a virus."

    "I am perfection," Scourge growled.

    "No," Optimus said, offering his doppelganger his hand. "But together we can be. What do you say?"

    Scourge was silent for a long time.

*  *  *

    "What can you see, Bumblebee?"

    Standing on Ironhide's shoulders, the yellow Autobot poked his head through the hole made by the defeated Leviacon. The first things to come to his notice was  an unconscious Optimus Prime and a black a yellow mech, who was awake but too injured to move.

    He was about to report his findings to the others when he caught sight of a massive, bipedal... thing facing off against Megatron and Lugnut.

    When he said as much to the others, it was Starscream who said, "Well, we can't let our... magnificent leader handle things all by himself."

    "All I care about is rescuin' Prime," Ironhide muttered, setting Bumblebee down. "Let the 'Cons handle the scary thing."

    "And if you were in our position?" the Air Commander said snidely. "Would you be expecting us to assist you?"

    Ironhide sneered back. "Heck no. I trust you guys as far as I can throw a Titan."

    "That's enough," Jazz said sharply. "Let's just help our respective leaders and then handle things from there."

    "A sound plan from an Autobot for once," Starscream muttered as he blasted up through the ceiling.

*  *  *

    "Fall!" Megatron bellowed as he fired his fusion cannon at Hydratron. "Why won't you fall?!"

    The freakish gestalt chuckled darkly. "Hydratron is invincible. Hydratron cannot fall."

    "Then you shall be eradicated!" Lugnut lunged at Hydratron and thew his explosive punch at the combiner's waist. The blast was enough the send the combiner's right arm flying off its joint but otherwise left it unscathed.

    Just as Lugnut prepared to throw another punch, Hydratron punted him, using enough force to send him flying down the corridor, out of sight. The gestalt returned its attention to Megatron, grinning savagely. "Yours odds are looking down, 'Lord' Mega--"

    The combiner was cut off when three Cybertron fighters- which Megatron recognized as Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp- began attacking him from behind. As Hydratron began swatting at the Seekers, Megatron took the opportunity to fire his fusion cannon at the gestalt's head, scoring a direct hit on Hydratron's left optic.

    The combiner howled out in agony as it clutched its injury. Taking advantage of this distraction, the Seekers pressed on their assault. Overwhelmed by their attack, Hydratron dropped to its knees and several Sharkticons began to disengage from the gestalt. Soon, the combiner had been reduced to its core component that was the Curator.

    Whose body was now nothing but an empty shell.

    As the three Seekers transformed and landed next to him, Megatron stared at the Curator's lifeless body in incredulity before turning to the trio. "I suppose credit should be given when it is due. I am impressed on how easily you took him out."

    Skywarp blinked, befuddled by the Curator's corpse. "Wait, he's dead? I was just aiming at his joints. I didn't think it would be enough to kill him."

    "No matter," Megatron muttered. "Now then, allow me to finish off Optimus Prime and--"

    "I don't think you'll be doing that anytime soon," Starscream said. "The Autobots have already whisked him away."

    Seeing that the Air Commander was right- that Prime was nowhere to be seen- Megatron felt the urge to lash out at the Seeker boil within him. Before he could, his gaze landed on Tyrannicon, who was still down but not out.

    The Decepticon leader grinned wickedly. "Then I shall be satisfied through other means."

    As he began to approach the Sharkticon admiral, Tyrannicon looked up at him and glowered. "Are you going to slay a warrior while they are down and defenseless? Have you no honor?"

    "'Honor?'" Megatron spat. "That concept has little bearing within the Decepticon Empire. Some are free to practice it, if they so choose, but I despise it. I apologize that you will die disappointed."

    Tyrannicon laughed harshly. "Not entirely. You may leave this planet thinking you have nothing else to fear from us, but my superiors shall soon deliver their vengeance with swift and just retribution."

    Megatron sneered. "Let them try."

    With that, he fired his fusion cannon, blasting the Sharkticon's head off. He then brought his foot down on the admiral's chest, crushing his spark and ensuring his demise.

    "Retrieve Lugnut," Megatron then said to the Seekers, "and signal to Nemesis to pick us up. We are leaving this worthless planet."

EPILOGUE

--The Ark--

    Consciousness returned to Optimus Prime as he awoke to find himself in the Ark's medibay. Standing around him were Ratchet, Bumblebee, Ironhide, and Jazz... just like in the virtual reality he had been trapped in. 

    Dread filled his spark. If the tumult he had just went through was going to repeat....

    "He's coming to!" Bumblebee said excitedly. 

    "About blasted time," Ironhide muttered.

    Optimus groaned. "What... happened?"

    "A lot," Ratchet said as he checked his scanners. "You were out for most of it. Do you remember anything after Junkion?"

    "I was in this... bizarre dream world," Optimus said. 

    "Yeah, the Aquatronians were... using you for equally bizarre purposes," Jazz said. "Anything beyond that?"

    "I was possessed by Scourge," Optimus said bitterly.

    "That would explain your change in color scheme, though it started to change back when we got back to the Ark," Ratchet said.

    "That was because I was able to... tame Scourge and reconcile our differences."

    Ratchet looked at the Autobot leader with his eyebrows raised. "Are you sure he won't try to reemerge?"

    Optimus nodded. "I am sure. But right now, my processor is aching."

    "We'll let you rest," Jazz said as he and the others started to leave. "Though just to let you know, we're still down to two AllSpark shards. The Curator... never got the chance to give us his."

    "It's just as well," Optimus murmured. "I don't think there was anything for us there on that planet."

--The Nemesis--

    "The Autobots have taken off," Soundwave reported. "Shall we take pursuit?"

    Slumped in his command chair on the Nemesis' bridge, Megatron hesitated in his response. Despite his burning determination to eliminate the Autobots, he found himself almost unwilling to continue the chase. Deep down, he knew that something would prevent him from fulfilling his foals; after all, it took precedent.

    He finally made eye-contact with the ever-patient Soundwave... and gave the nod.

    Because regardless of whatever obstacles would intercept his path, he knew that the universe would not conquer itself.

--The Tidal Wave--

    It was too easy.

    That was what Axer had kept telling himself ever since the Star Seekers had left Earth. As if it had been in a blink of an eye, Thundertron was dead and Cannonball was now at the helm of the Tidal Wave. It was too easy.... 

    It was not like he missed Thundertron; in fact, given that the captain was now a Cybertronian himself, the rest of the crew seemed more accepting of Axer (albeit grudgingly). However, he could tell a mutiny was just waiting to happen.

    Perhaps he should have stayed behind with Scorponok. Then again, the rogue Decepticon would probably have just used him for his experiments. 

    As he walked down a corridor, Axer looked out a porthole that looked out into space. He knew that, somewhere out there, was his true destiny, rather than here. But until then, he had no choice but to seek the stars.

--Earth--

    Abraham Dante's heart quickened its pace as he entered the cave that was Scorponok's lair. He could hear and feel the giant's earth-moving steps as it moved about its abode. As the purple and green titan came into view, Scorponok turned to Abraham and he was shocked to see that the machine was missing its head.

    Before Abraham could inquire the machine, Scorponok said, "Ah, good. You're here. Now we can begin the experiment."

    Abraham gulped as he removed his hat from his head, turning it around in his hands. "Experiment, you say? What sort of experiment?"

    "It is called binary bonding," Scorponok said, "and it will require major alterations to your body."

    Abraham repressed a shudder, hoping he didn't look too fearful. "Will it, er, hurt?"

    "Given your frail structure and inferior nerve system..." If Scorponok still had a head, he would most likely smile. "A lot."

    Abraham opened his mouth to protest until a giant, metal claw seized him. 

    "Trust me," the machine said. "You will thank me in the end."

--Unknown--

    This was the meeting Inquirata had been hoping to avoid. As the former leader of Aquatron was escorted into the Grand Courtroom, his heart slammed against his chest with apprehension. He knew that his failure would deserve this sort of punishment, but he had never actually prepared himself for it.

    Entering the main chamber, Inquirata saw that its sole occupants were the prosecutor, a handful of guards, the executioner, the presiding judge, and a poolful of Sharkticons. No jury was present, for none was necessary.

    Once Inquirata had taken his place on a ledge that hung over the pool of Sharkticons, the prosecutor began speaking. "Inquirata, Chief Scientist of Quintessa and self-proclaimed Curator of Aquatron, you are charged with mismanagement and ultimate failure of your duties assigned to you by the Quintesson Pan-Galactic Co-Prosperity Sphere. How do you plead?"

    Inquirata lowered his head in shame. "Guilty."

    Smirking ever so slightly, the prosecutor turned to the presiding judge, whose five-faced, egg-shaped body hovered over its dais. "Has a verdict been reached, Your Honor?"

    The judge's five faces began to whirl rapidly, indicating contemplation. It finally ended on a teal-helmeted, grimacing face. "Indeed."

    "Guilty or innocent?"

    The "Bitterness" face was replaced by that of a scowling one, a green helmet surrounding its skull-like visage. It was the face of Death.

    "Innocent."

    Relief filled Inquirata but only for the briefest of seconds. The executioner pulled the lever and he was sent plunging into the pool. The last thing he heard was the unison laughter of all five faces.

END OF BOOK III: THE DARK AGES

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XI, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

    Megatron was sent staggering as Nemesis Prime threw a powerful uppercut. Quickly recovering, the Decepticon leader aimed his fusion cannon and fired. The blast contacted with Nemesis' chest and sent him flying into the wall.

    At that moment, Tyrannicon lunged at Megatron, thrusting his blade forward to impale his chest. Megatron dodged the maneuver and seized the Sharkticon by the back of the neck, throwing him into the same wall as Nemesis.

    "Pathetic," the Decepticon leader growled. "For an admiral, Tyrannicon, you aren't much of a fighter. Obviously you let your pets do all the dirty work for you."

    Tyrannicon glared at him as he got back to his feet. "That is because my superiors told me to hold back, so that I do not kill you."

    "Then your superiors are the pathetic ones if they are the ones restraining you. Rebel against their iron grip. Release your anger." Megatron grinned savagely. "Kill me. Destroy me."

    "I can't," Tyrannicon murmured. "My orders--"

    "Then you are a coward; a weakling. Even Prime here has at least mustered the courage to--" As he said that, Megatron froze, realizing that something was off. "Wait... where has he gone off to?"

    "Behind you."

    Megatron turned around to see Nemesis Prime swinging his axe at him. Unable to dodge in time, the blade of the axe slashed across his chest. Clutching the wound, Megatron staggered back and glared at his former brother.

    "You've changed, Orion," he growled. "Not just your appearance, bur your personality. What have they done to you?"

    "They haven't done anything," Nemesis said. "I saw a weak point in your brother's spark and... moved in."

    Megatron blinked. "'Moved in?' What-?"

    Nemesis chuckled. "Don't tell me you don't recognize me, Megatron. Then again, you might know me better as Scourge."

    "Scourge? I thought the Autobots had you destroyed."

    Nemesis laughed again, harsher this time. "And end up killing one of their own? Optimus Prime cannot survive without me... we were meant to be one."

    Megatron sneered as he readied his fusion cannon. "Then I will just have to destroy you both."

*  *  *

    "'The Leviacon hungers,' eh?" Seaspray said as he aimed his arm-mounted Hydro Launchers at the raging beast. "What does it feed on, exactly?"

    "Everything," the Curator murmured, cowering nearby. "And don't shoot it! It'll only make it angrier!"

    "How did it even get here in the first place?" Bumblebee asked, firing his own weapon. "Doesn't your dome prevent these type of things from breaking in?"

    The Curator cast his gaze to the floor. "We... captured it and tamed it."

    "Can you tame it again?" Arcee called as she plunged her blades into an attacking tentacle. "Because it's casting hungry glances at us."

    "Or would you like us to put it out of its misery?" Skywarp said with a mad grin.

    Spurred by the Seeker's threat, the Curator got up from his hiding spot and hurried up to the Leviacon, speaking to it in a strange, garbled language. As the Autobots and Decepticons watched him, Jazz looked up through the hole the creature had made in ceiling and saw three figures in combat. To his surprise, one of them was Megatron while the other appeared to be Optimus Prime, albeit in black and gray.

    "Looks like we've found our leaders," he remarked. The others followed his gaze and looked on in surprise. Lugnut even let out an exclamation of excitement.

    "Well, that is... good news," Starscream said, disappointment obvious in his voice. "He looks like he could use some assistance, but unfortunately this Leviacon is in our--"

    "No!" Lugnut cried, converting his arm into its "explosive punch" position. "I shall save you, Lord Megatron!"

    Ignoring the others' protests, he activated a pair of thrusters on the bottom of his feet and propelled himself towards the ceiling.

*  *  *

    Megatron cried out in shock and confusion as he was sent flying down the corridor by a massive explosion. Although his audio receptors were now ringing, he could barely make out the Leviacon shrieking, as well as what sounded like Lugnut calling his name.

    After colliding into a wall, Megatron quickly got back to his feet and peered through his flame-filled vision. Both Nemesis and Tyrannicon were down, though only the latter was online. Emerging from the flames was Lugnut, hurriedly approaching the Decepticon leader.

    "Lord Megatron! Thank goodness I've found you! Are you injured? Allow me to carry you to--"

    "I can carry myself just fine," Megatron snapped. "Let's just get back to the Nemesis and leave this rotten planet."

    "You are not going anywhere."

    Megatron turned to Tyrannicon, thinking the voice was coming from him. He then realized it was coming from a stout, blue and white mech, his emerald eyes filled with anger.

    "I am not going to let you ruin everything I had planned," the Curator growled. "Do you have any idea on what punishment my masters will deliver to me if I fail?"

    "No, and nor do I care," Megatron said. "I will be leaving this planet, regardless if you die as a result or not."

    The Curator narrowed his eyes. "Not if I have anything to say about it."

    Suddenly, the walls on either side of him burst open and several piranha-like mechanoids swarmed in, their massive jaws snapping. They leaped towards the Curator and began connecting themselves at multiple points in his body. In short time, a giant towered over Megatron and his fanatical follower.

    "A verdict has been reached," it growled. "The sentence: death. Hydratron shall deliver it... personally."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XI, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

--Aquatron--

    Megatron stopped over the two corpses he had just created from a pair of Sharkticon guards and walked up to the large set of monitors, each one connected to a security camera on every level. Sifting through the footage, he finally found what was perhaps that which had escaped from Level Thirteen, along with the cause of the quake he had felt earlier:

    Optimus Prime, colored in black and gray, squared off against Tyrannicon and a tentacled creature just out of frame.

    A cruel smile crossed Megatron's face. Memorizing the designation of the level the scene was taking place on (Level Fourteen, specifically), he turned and transformed into his tank mode, rolling out of the room.

*  *  *

    His feet rooted to the ground, Nemesis Prime glared at Tyrannicon and the massive beast towering over both of them. 

    "If you expect me to be terrified of this abomination, then expect to be disappointed."

    Tyrannicon shrugged. "Doesn't matter. The Leviacon hungers and he shall feed when he pleases."

    At his signal, the Leviacon lunged at Nemesis, its tentacles swarming together as a mass. Behind the storm of tendrils, he could barely make out a pair of tiny eyes and a massive maw. Upon getting a clear shot of the mouth, Nemesis brought out his blaster and fired.

    Recoiling from the pain, the Leviacon reared in rage before charging again at Nemesis. The corrupted Autobot brought out his red-bladed axe and swung it in a wide arc, severing several of its tentacles. This did little to stall the beast, for it lashed out another tendril and seized Nemesis with it, restraining his arms to prevent him from using his axe again.

    "It doesn't have to be like this," Tyrannicon said. "If only you had behaved and obediently stayed in the perfect world we had created for you, you would have been greatly rewarded."

    Nemesis Prime snarled. "A cliche statement; one which I refuse to believe."

    The Sharkticon admiral gave a nonchalant shrug. "Your loss." To the Leviacon, he said, "Enjoy."

    Its eyes glittering wit hunger, the Leviacon opened its maw and prepared to devour Nemesis. Suddenly, a blast of energy fired at the tentacle restraining the corrupted Autobot, causing the creature to recoil in pain and release him. As Nemesis dropped to the ground, both he and Tyrannicon turned to see Megatron standing before them, the barrel of his fusion cannon smoking.

    "Nice color scheme, Prime," the Decepticon leader muttered. "It nicely reflects your inevitable demise."

    "I don't know how you escaped," Tyrannicon growled, unsheathing a blade from behind his back. "But I shall deal with you all the same."

    Megatron grinned. "You may try."

*  *  *

    "Starscream." Jazz glowered at the Seeker Air Commander. "You're the last face I wanted to see today."

    Starscream smirked. "Good day to you too. I hope we are not interrupting anything."

    "Of course not!" the Curator said, sounding more nervous than welcoming. "I was just taking our guests to... retrieve a souvenir."

    "Enough talk!" Lugnut bellowed, storming up to the Aquatronian leader. "Where is Lord Megatron? Where have you taken him to?"

    "I'm afraid I don't know any Megatron," the Curator said. "You could try--"

    "LIAR!" Lugnut reached out and seized him by the throat. "You know where Megatron is! TELL ME!"

    The Curator winced as Lugnut tightened his grip. "If... you would... kindly release me... I could--"

    "Wait a nanoklik," Ironhide said. "What is this about Megatron? Where could he have gotten to without his fellow 'Cons knowing?"

    "Please," the Curator said weakly. "One... question... at a time...."

    "Lugnut, release him," Starscream ordered. "Threatening to strangle the life out of him is not helping our case."

    Grudgingly, Lugnut did as told and released the blue and white mech. As the Curator rubbed his neck, he cleared his vocal chords.

    "Now then, allow me to explain. We Aquatronians are... scientists at heart, as well as pacifists and artists. We have borne witness to your war and, needless to say, we are appalled.

    "Knowing that an accord of peace between your leaders would be long off, we decided to... capture them and subject them to a virtual world, in the hopes that they would realize the errors of their ways and make peace."

    "And you expected that to work?" Arcee said incredulously. "Something's not right here...."

    "Nobody scrap me for saying this, but I have to agree with the Autobot," Thundercracker said. "There's something this guy isn't telling us."

    The Curator's green eyes darted around nervously. "I... care to elaborate?"

    "You are virtually isolated from the rest of the galaxy," Jazz said. "Between the dome and the spark signature blockers, you have nothing to fear about the war. Why would you feel the need to end it?"

    The look on the Curator's face was the exact one Jazz had been expecting; the same expression anyone would wear when they were caught red-handed. Glancing between the two faction, he smiled weakly.

    "Well, as pacifists, we are pursuers of peace--"

    Starscream silenced him by raising his null rays at him. "One last try...."

    "And I must ask," Perceptor said, "for one last time: what is on Level Thirteen?"

    A look of hesitation briefly passed over the Curator's face before saying, "Optimus Prime."

    "And the earthquakes?" Spiral asked. "What caused that?"

    "That, I cannot say."

    Starscream stepped forward menacingly. "And why is that?"

    Before the Curator could answer, the ground shook again, followed by a shrill howl of rage. Everyone looked down the corridor to see a large tentacle crash through the ceiling, followed by a massive maw.

    "Well, there's your answer right there, 'Scream," Skywarp said. "Now, what in the blazing Pit is that thing?"

    "The Leviacon," the Curator murmured. "And it hungers."