Totally forgot to do a chapter preview yesterday. Oh well.
CHAPTER TWO
--Cybertron--
Metal footsteps rang down the narrow corridor, echoing against the walls. Followed closely by his two most trusted lieutenants-- Cyclonus and Scourge-- Galvatron kept his optics set on the door at the very end of the hall. Standing there was a hunched-mech with wings and orange armor plating.
Coming to a stop, Galvatron said to the mech, "How is he faring, Jhiaxus?"
The scientist chuckled. "About as usual. Hasn't said a word since we beat him into submission."
"That was about a month ago," Scourge said, stroking his metal beard. "Are you sure he's been completely silent?"
"Not a single sound. You can check with Soundwave, if you like. He's been observing his room without pause. He's like a breathing corpse."
"Show him to me," Galvatron ordered.
Bowing in compliance, Jhiaxus opened the door, revealing a small, dimly-lit chamber and its sole occupant. Gesturing for Cyclonus and Scourge to wait outside, Galvatron stepped into the room, letting the door slam shut behind him.
Megatron, the deposed leader of the Decepticons, lifted his baleful gaze to his visitor, giving Galvatron the only indication that he was still alive.
"Still sulking, I see," Galvatron said dryly, a smirk twisting on his face. "How disappointing. I was hoping you would snap by now. Seeing you in a rage can be amusing."
Megatron said nothing.
"I've always seen potential in you," Galvatron went on. "Even when I was Sentinel Prime, I was indeed shaping you to be my successor, to lead the Autobots into the new age I had planned. Trannis' corruption of you was... an unforeseen short-come, but like all great leaders, I improvised."
Megatron said nothing.
"So in the end, you became exactly what I wanted you to become, albeit for the Decepticons rather than the Autobots. But it matters not which faction is in command now, for soon, the very idea of factions will become meaningless."
Megatron said nothing.
Galvatron leaned forward menacingly. "You should be pleased with all of this, Megatron. You should be proud of yourself! We have won; Cybertron is ours, the Autobots have been driven away... why are you not rejoicing? Why do you refuse to leave this room and enjoy your victory?"
"Because you're wrong."
Galvatron was taken aback by this sudden interruption of silence, but did not show it.
"What you have achieved here is not victory," Megatron continued, glaring at Galvatron. "An empty one, perhaps. Cybertron is a desolate wasteland; hardly something I would want to make the center of my empire. All of these years of fighting for a dustball in space. A thousand years down the drain. A millennia wasted."
Galvatron allowed himself another smirk. "Ah, but this is just the dawn. Our victory, however 'empty' you may think of it, is just an appetizer. The main course has yet to arrive."
Megatron sneered. "What could you possible be hinting at? What is out there that can make all of this worthwhile?"
"Think about it, Megatron. You take your name from a myth. The being I serve is from another."
Megatron stared at him, clearly mulling over these words. Than, realization dawned over him. "Impossible."
Galvatron chuckled. "Believe it. He is coming, Megatron, and you would do well to figure out where your loyalties lie when he arrives. Because once he does, there will be no factions, no divided lines. Instead, all shall become one."
With that, he turned and headed back for the door. As soon as it opened, he heard Megatron speak again.
"You are right about one thing."
Galvatron stopped but did not turn to look at him. "About what?"
"Great leaders do improvise."
A purple light flashed behind Galvatron and he whirled around to face his prisoner. Only empty air met his eyes.
--Dead Universe--
Optimus Prime would hardly call himself a geography expert, but he was pretty sure ground was never made up face and body parts on any planet, and he knew for sure it never screamed when walked upon. And yet that was what was happening.
Regardless of wherever the Pit he was, the Autobot leader couldn't help but hate his luck. As Orion Pax, he had been converted by Megatron's virus. On Aquatron, he had briefly become Nemesis Prime. And now he was stuck in whatever chaotic realm this was.
Maybe that was what being a Prime meant: the universe was allowed to make your life miserable.
He kept on walking, for that was all he could don in a place like this. Soundwave had to have sent him here for a reason; he simply had to find it.
--Cybertron--
"All hail Megatron!"
"Shut up, ya' mudflap," Skywarp hissed as he rejoined Lugnut and the rest of the rebel cell in the ruins of Kaon, Megatron accompanying him. "Your want our little gang to be found?"
"I'm sure Galvatron and his cronies already know we're here, given that Soundwave's with them," Knock Out said. He turned to Megatron and bowed. "It's good to see you alive and well, my liege."
"Alive, yes. But I'd hardly consider myself well," Megatron said. "How were you able to locate me?"
"We haven't done much in regards to repairs," Barricade said. "Iacon is little more than a tiny settlement right now. It wasn't difficult to find where they kept prisoners."
Megatron was silent for a moment as he took the time to regard the seven Decepticons that had seceded from Galvatron's faction in favor of him: Skywarp, Thundercracker, Lugnut, Blitzwing, Knock Out, Barricade, and Blackout. All of them had served him on board the Nemesis, which was not much of a surprise; he had made sure to select the most loyal Decepticons-- save for Starscream-- when gathering his crew. It was nonetheless disheartening to see how small a group that was.
No doubt seeing the disappointment in his eyes, Barricade said, "I assure you, my liege, that there are more loyalists among the Decepticons. They simply... have yet to muster the courage to join us."
"Bah!" Lugnut snapped. "Any such Decepticons should be ashamed to call themselves such! Galvatron is nothing but a poser! Megatron is the true leader of the Decepticons! Megatron is the Decepticons!"
Skywarp glared at him. "What did I just tell you about keeping your voice down?"
Lugnut ignored him, instead falling to his knees before Megatron. "Oh, glorious leader! What is your command? How shall we fight back against the false Decepticons?"
Megatron said nothing.
Startled by the silence, Lugnut looked up at him. "My liege?"
"I need some time to think."
With that, he converted to his tank mode and drove off into the shambles of Kaon.
--Dead Universe--
Ground is still screaming. Sky is still in bizarre colors. Weird shapes are still floating around. Optimus Prime let out a loud sigh, knowing no one was around to hear it. And I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
"What you seek cannot be found with the naked eye."
Optimus froze. He knew that voice. He spun around to find the source standing before him, violet armor scarred and covered in brown rags, which flapped in the wind.
"Alpha Trion?"
Next chapter preview
"I hate it when we have to resort to Prowl."
No comments:
Post a Comment