2: TITANS IN THE SKY
--Eukaris, present--
"Do you see that?"
"Indeed I do, Airazor," the white-furred tiger replied, frowning at the odd shape hovering in the sky. "Any idea what it is?"
The dark-feathered falcon narrowed its eyes. "I think -- don't quote me on this -- I think it's a Titan."
The tiger looked up at the bird in surprise. "A Titan? Like Chela?"
"Yes -- well, not exactly like Chela. Most Titans, according to legend, had a more standard shape and turned into 'flying cities.' This one looks more like that instead of what Chela is -- or was."
The tiger hummed as its eyes returned to the shape in the sky. "I think we should inform Leo Prime."
"As always, Tigatron, you are a master of understatement." Airazor spread her wings as she prepared to take off. "Race you back."
Tigatron shot her a disapproving look. "This is no time for light-heart--"
"Oh, come on, love," Airazor chirped, a twinkle in her eye. "For all we know, we may never get a second chance to act like the cutesy couple we are."
Tigatron stared at her for a moment before smiling. "Oh, very well. Last one there has to pick bugs off B'Boom's back."
* * *
"This had better be worth my time, Terrorsaur."
"Of course, sir," squawked the red pteranodon as it led the purple-colored Predacon general to the fortress' balcony. "I think you'll find it to be well worth your time."
The two Predacons soon reached the balcony and Terrorsaur morphed to his robot mode. Landing right next to Gnashteeth, he pointed to something hovering in the sky.
Gnashteeth frowned as he raised a hand to shield his optics from the sun. "What am I supposed to be looking at?"
"A Titan, sir," Terrorsaur replied.
Gnashteeth looked at him incredulously. "A what?"
"A Titan. Vessels of the Knights of--"
"I know what they are," Gnashteeth snapped. "You're certain that that's what it is?"
"Positive, sir. The shape is unmistakable."
Gnashteeth rubbed his chin as he turned back to the Titan above. "Hm. Most intriguing."
Terrorsaur cleared his throat. "Shall, er, shall we inform Cryotek?"
"Not yet." Upon seeing the winged Predacon's confused expression, Gnashteeth grinned. "Let's wait to see what exactly this Titan has in mind. If it is to reign havoc, then we may inform Cryotek. And if not..." He chuckled. "We'll just have to play it by ear then, won't we? Yessss...."
* * *
"Is that...?"
"Yes."
The mandrill-head bearing tiger craned its head to its bovine-faced bat companion. "So all that scrap about--"
"Yes," Noctorro replied before Bantor could finish.
"Huh. Now I kinda feel rotten for ever doubting him."
"Don't feel too bad," the elder Fuzor said. "It is natural to lose faith after so much time has passed with nothing coming of it."
"I suppose," Bantor muttered as he stared up at the sky. "Of course, this doesn't guarantee that--"
"I know."
Bantor glared at him. "Would you stop doing that?"
Noctorro only smiled.
With a sigh, the younger Fuzor rose to his feet. "So what now? Do we summon the others or wait for him to give out the call?"
"I think it is wiser to wait," Noctorro said, flexing his wings. "For now, let us return home."
"Ah, speaking of which... when do you think it'll be time to--"
"That depends entirely on him."
Bantor nodded. "Right. Of course. Sorry. Stupid question."
"Even a stupid question is worth asking, for it is through recognizing our faulty knowledge that we grow wiser."
"...Uh, I'm just going to pretend I understood that."
* * *
"A Titan?"
"Yes, sir," Airazor said, standing before a very bemused Leo Prime in the center of the Maximal fortress. Tigatron stood at her, looking like a protective guardian even though Prime was no enemy (and it wasn't like she couldn't fend for herself).
The Maximal leader fixed her with a skeptical look. "Are you certain?"
"Well, not a hundred percent," Airazor murmured, shifting her feet. "But I don't know what else it could be."
Leo Prime hummed. "Regardless, we should be on the defensive, in case this Titan -- or whatever it is -- is hostile. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
Airrazor bowed her head before leaving the chamber with Tigatron. Once they were gone, Leo Prime heard the footsteps of another Maximal as they approached him from behind.
"Do you think it's him?"
Leo Prime sighed. "You know I'm thinking that, Backstop."
"If it is... what do you think it''ll mean for us?"
"I wish I knew." Leo Prime turned on his heel to face the stocky gray and red Maximal. "In any case, keep this from the others until we know for sure what we're dealing with. In the meantime, we should concentrated efforts on the remaining Predacon domains."
"Er, about that," Backstop murmured. "Sonar's unit has returned from their mission."
Leo Prime gave him an expectant look. "And?"
"Castle Preditron has been destroyed."
The Maximal leader's optics went wide. "Wasn't that the Raptoricons' fort?"
"Indeed. No clear estimate on the casualties but Sonar's team spotted a lot of dead Dinocons. No sight of Thrashclaw and her pack however."
"And I don't suppose you can tell me who was behind it?"
"Afraid not. I doubt it was the Predacons, as they've had strong relations with the Raptoricons, and most of their numbers were from the pro-Predacon Scale Walker tribe."
Leo Prime raised a hand to his chin. "This is strange. No, more than just strange -- this is plain bizarre. Whoever was behind this had to have been great power. Even all our forces united would have been no match for the Raptoricons, even with the Dinobots on our side."
"Don't let Grimlock hear that," Backstop said wryly.
Ignoring the comment, Leo Prime said, "Fetch Sonar for me. I want to hear her full report."
"Will do." As Backtop turned to leave, he stopped and said, "You know, in case things get too--"
"I know what you're going to say, Backstop," Leo Prime said curtly. "And I stand by my previous response: we will fight this alone or die trying. I refuse to turn to the Autobots for help."
Backstop sighed. "As you wish."
* * *
"It has begun."
The red-colored feline growled under his breath as he pawed through the remains of Castle Preditron, looking for anything worth salvaging. "What is it this time?"
"Look." His ebony-colored companion raised her arms at the sky. Cataclysm followed her line of sight to see a large shape in the Eukarian sky.
"Okay?" he said. "What am I looking at?"
"Chela's brother has come home," Antagony went on in that dull, monotonous voice of her's. "The prophecy is being fulfilled."
Cataclysm rolled his eyes. "Oh, here we go...."
"When the two brothers unite, chaos and order shall be brought together. The war of beasts will be brought to a close as the prince of chaos takes his throne. All shall become one under his rule. Those who oppose his will shall perish."
"Uh-huh. What say we get back to camp? We've wasted enough time here."
"Time is but of little importance--"
"Oh, forget it," Cataclysm growled. "I swear, I don't know why I even keep you around...."
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