CHAPTER ELEVEN
Planet X, Flame’s lab
Flame was in the dark — in more ways than one.
The lights in his lab had went out around the same time as the God Gun’s activation, which he had felt when the entire planet shook violently. When the shaking stopped, he tried to switch the lights back on but could not get them to do more than flicker for a few seconds. Annoyed, he had tried to leave, only to find that the door was locked and refused to accept any of his clearance codes. He then tried calling one of Liege Maximo’s “Second Generations” that staffed the facility, but static was all he got.
That was when he heard the thunder.
He had no idea what the sound could have been, but it sounded like a planet being torn to pieces. He could only assume that it was one of the five replica Cybertrons that orbited Planet X… and only one thing came to mind that could have pulled off such a stunt.
Cursing to himself, Flame carefully made his way back over to his operational table, using his high beams to navigate through the darkness. Laying on the table was someone whom he had been instructed to operate on for “future purposes.” Flame had no idea what those future purposes were or how long it would be before they became necessary. However, he couldn’t help but feel that the present took precedence over any hypothetical futures that the Grand Architect had in mind.
Even so, he knew he was going to regret this.
Within seconds of reactivating his subject, Flame instantly regretted his decision as a large purple claw found its way around his neck and hoisted him up in the air.
“WHERE AM I?” Scorponok bellowed.
“Y—you’re on… Planet X,” Flame managed to croak out, wincing as the claw tightened its grip on his neck. “Was… instructed to… rebuild you.”
“Rebuild me?” Scorponok snarled as he sat up, still holding the ex-Autobot scientist in his grasp. “For what purpose? I am no test animal.”
“Wasn’t… told. Just… following orders.” Realizing that the Decepticon’s grip still wasn’t lessening, Flame blurted out, “The Beast!”
Scorponok’s expression briefly turned into one of confusion. “The what?”
“The Beast. It’s… it’s here. It’s destroying… the God Gun.”
At this, Scorponok finally released Flame and the scientist dropped to the floor, landing on his knees. As Flame massaged his dented neck, Scorponok rose fully from the operational table and walked towards the door.
“I suppose the Grand Architect is not as ‘grand’ as he claims to be,” he muttered. “He has already failed what he had set out to do.”
Flame watched as Scorponok threw a fist into the door and punched it out of the wall. As he started to stride out, Flame scrambled to his feet and started to run after him.
“Wait! Where are you going?”
“To find a way out,” Scorponok growled. “Where else?”
“The Symbol Ships should still be outside,” Flame said, falling in step behind the large Decepticon. “I have the clearance codes for Tyrest’s ship.”
“Give them to me.”
Flame blinked. “Um, pardon?”
Scorponok turned around and grabbed Flame roughly by the shoulder, pulling him closer. “Give. Me. The codes.”
To scared to speak, Flame silently transmitted the clearance codes from his processor into Scorponok’s. Once he was done, Scorponok released him though he continued to loom over the ex-Autobot.
“Thank you, Flame,” Scorponok said, eerily calm. “You were rather useful for an Autobot.”
Flame did not pick up on the use of the past tense until Scorponok started to raise his arm. “No!” he cried, optics dilating. “I… I can still be of use to you! I know things that the Grand Architect hasn’t told you!”
It was a lie; one that Scorponok clearly was not buying.
“I no longer have an interest in the ‘Grand’ Architect and his schemes,” he growled. “Only my own.”
Just as the arm was about to come down, Flame transformed into his tank mode and fired into Scorponok’s legs. His shots barely made a dent in the Decepticon’s armor plating and Scorponok’s claw descended undeterred, smashing Flame into the floor. The ex-Autobot moved his treads in an attempt to escape but they simply screeched in protest.
The last thing he saw through his visual receptors was Scorponok raising his arm once more, a wicked grin spread across his face.
The claw came down and Flame saw no more.
* * *
“Get to the ships! They’re our only chance!”
What had once been a standoff had spiraled into chaos. Autobots, Decepticons, Star Seekers, and others were fighting their way through each other in an attempt to reach their respective ships. The Symbol Ships that had been utilized by the Grand Architect’s forces, as well as the Lost Light, laid straight ahead. However, Tyrannicon’s forces were not keen on letting them go anywhere.
“There is no escape for you!” Tyrannicon cried as his sword sliced through a Monstercon that had entered his path. “The Quintessons have called for your deaths, and die you all shall!”
Star Saber grimaced as he clashed with a pair of identical Cybertronians, his sword interlocking with their tridents. As he wrestled to free his blade, Star Saber heard a gun fire over his shoulder and hit one of the trident-wielders in the head, blowing it to smithereens. As their weapon clattered to the ground, Skids jumped in and grabbed the trident, impaling the other Cybertronian’s face with it.
“Thanks,” Star Saber said, silently acknowledging the fact that there were plenty more of those where that came from.
“Don’t mention it,” Skids replied, shooting down a white jet-former that had been flying towards him. “However, I don’t see how we’re gonna reach the Lost Light in time. These guys keep piling in and that… shadow monster doesn’t appear to be taking his time.”
Star Saber looked up to see that the shadow monster in question had already destroyed two more of the replica Cybertrons, leaving just two remaining in addition to the planet they were on. The path to the ships was also no clearer than it had been when this battle had started.
“Wonderful,” he muttered. “We’re just going to need to double our efforts and hope for the best.”
“I think tripling our efforts would get better results,” said Skids. Another flier in olive green lunged at him from behind only to be blasted by an over-the-shoulder shot. “Only slightly, though.”
“Feel free to put that theory to the test,” Star Saber responded as he charged head-first into the awaiting swarm.
* * *
“You know… this reminds me of the time—”
“Your stupid stories can wait, Overhaul!” Stormshot shouted as she unloaded her guns on an oncoming swarm of Sharkticons. “Can’t you see we’re all trying not to die?!”
Overhaul frowned at his comrade as pulled his claws out of a green Cybertronian flier. “I can see that,” he said calmly. “But focusing too strongly on one thing can make you lose focus on others.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Stormshot asked, keeping her optics on the Sharkticons.
Overhaul fired a blast of energy from his chest, which shot just over Stormshot’s head. She looked up just as the blast hit a drab-colored helicopter and sent it plummeting to the ground, crashing into the Sharkticons.
“Yup,” Overhaul said, smiling to himself. “Just like the Battle of Iacon.”
Stormshot sighed as she shook her head. “Was there someone like me that you lectured back then?”
“Oh, he wasn’t the one doin’ the lecturin’.”
Both Autobots turned in time to see a teal pickup truck drive towards them, barreling through a pair of Cybertronians that had been standing in its way. Transforming to robot mode, the newcomer drew a rifle and began unloading it on the enemy forces.
“You can thank me for him turnin’ out the way he has,” Kup grunted.
Overhaul let out a hearty laugh. “Ah, long time no see, old-timer! We all thought we had lost you!”
“Keep this up and you won’t have to lose me again.”
“Now that we can agree on,” Overhaul said, preparing another blast from his chest. “Just like the Battle of Delta Pavonis Five, eh?”
“Ya’ mean with the petro-rabbits? Yeah, I can see that. But you shoulda’ been with me on Beta Four; there were all of these Ick-Yaks and….”
Dear lord, Stormshot thought to herself as she drowned out the conversation. Primus made two of them.
* * *
“All units mobilize! Don’t make me repeat myself! Move, move, move!”
Hiding in the shadows of the doorway, Wheelie watched from afar as the Lunarians marched out of the facility and onto the massive battlefield outside. They had already forgotten about him and appeared to be more concerned with the giant shadow monster that was destroying planets. He supposed he couldn’t really blame them.
He looked around for any sign of Wipe-Out, but the mini-bot had apparently vanished in all of the confusion. As Wheelie considered whether or not to join in on the fight, or if he would even be of any use, he caught sight of a lone Sharkticon breaking off from Tyrannicon’s forces and running towards him. Wheelie drew his knife, bracing himself for combat—
“Friend Wheelie! It is Gnaw!”
Wheelie allowed himself to relax and smiled as he sheathed his knife. The Sharkticon finished his approach and Wheelie greeted him with a hug. “I am relieved to see you, my friend,” he said, patting the Sharkticon on the head. “I was worried that I would not see you before the end.”
“Gnaw is scared,” the Sharkticon said quietly. “Does not know what is happening.”
“Stay calm,” Wheelie whispered, trying to keep his voice steady as he witnessed the shadow monster attack one of the metal planets in the sky. “We will find a way out of this qualm.”
He could only wish that he believed his own words.
* * *
“Follow me, Decepticons! Onward to victory!”
Stockade’s cry fell on deaf audio receptors as the members of Mayhem fought their way through Tyrannicon’s army. Most of the Monstercons were following Steel Jaw’s lead, not that Stockade was surprised. The Star Seekers had already broken off and were trying to clear their own path; their seemingly endless army of Dread Pirates certainly seemed to be giving them an edge.
That only left Stockade with the Chimeracons and remaining Decepticons that made up Leo Prime’s failed movement, and even they seemed to be doing things their own way rather than heed his orders. This frustrated him more than the fight itself; had his prowess as a tactical leader truly fallen that far since his imprisonment? Had he lost his voice as a decorated military officer?
No. He refused to accept such a reality. The Decepticons would not have lasted as long as they had throughout the Great War if it were not for him. He would reclaim his command, or die trying.
“SMOLDER!” Stockade called out to a red axe-wielding Decepticon. “FALL BEHIND ME!”
“What for?” Smolder responded with a sneer as he swung his axe into an Allicon’s head.
“I am your superior,” Stockade growled. “You will do as I command — no questions asked!”
“Get fragged. I’m trying to survive here.”
Stockade rolled his hands into fists. “If you will not obey me, then an example shall be made of you!”
Just as he started to make his way over to the disobedient Decepticon, Stockade spotted a large figure jump from the edge of the Quintesson facility and land in the middle of the battlefield, crushing a handful of Sharkticons in the process. Stockade stopped his tracks and narrowed his eyes at the new arrival.
“Leo Prime.” The general spoke the name with distaste. “Here to revel in your failure, are you?”
The former leader of the Maximals rose to his full height, a large sword drawn in his hand. “I am here to help.”
“Help?” Stockade laughed sharply. “Your ‘help’ has been useless ever since you allowed yourself to be captured by Scorponok back on Earth. Your ‘help’ will do no good here.”
“Who says I was here to help you?”
Stockade scoffed. “What, you think the Autobots will accept your help? After everything you’ve done?”
Leo Prime said nothing, turning his back to the Decepticon general to face the enemy forces.
“What, at a loss for words?” Stockade mocked. “You’re a coward, Leo Prime! Always have been! You don’t even deserve that title!”
“You’re right,” the Maximal murmured. “I don’t.”
Sheathing his sword, he transformed into his alternate mode, taking on the form of a mechanical white lion.
“But maybe after today — if I live — I will.”
With that, he charged into the sea of Sharkticons and Allicons, mowing his way through them with his claws and teeth. Stockade watched him go before returning his attention to (what barely qualified for) his forces. Once again, they were all oblivious to his very presence. It was as if he didn’t even exist in their eyes.
“Fine,” Stockade growled to himself. “Then I will treat all of you the same.”
He turned back around to face Tyrannicon’s forces… only to find Tyrannicon himself standing before him. The Sharkticon leader grinned as he raised and pointed his arm-mounted cannon at Stockade.
If anyone had bore witness to the demise of General Stockade of Tesarus, none of them would come forth when pressed.
* * *
Rodimus Prime stood on the roof of the Quintessons’ prison facility along with Vector Prime and Convoy, watching the chaotic battle that was taking place down below. Rodimus had expected to find Star Saber and the others still in their cells, making this endeavor relatively easy.
This was going to be nowhere near even the loosest definition of “easy.”
“We need to find a way to separate them,” Vector Prime said. “Otherwise, if I open a dimensional portal, a whole swarm of Sharkticons and Allicons are going to land wherever it leads to.”
“How about you open a portal onto the Lost Light?” Rodimus asked, pointing to the ship in question up ahead. “The three of us can probably fly it and pick up Star Saber and his crew.”
“It’s worth a shot,” said Convoy. “Besides, I don’t think we have much time.”
As he said this, the shadowy form of Unicron finished destroying the forth replica Cybertron, leaving only one in its path before it reached Planet X. Without needing further prompting, Vector Prime drew his sword Rhisling and was about to open a dimensional portal when Convoy suddenly grabbed his arm.
“Wait!” he cried, pointing towards the Lost Light.
Rodimus lowered a telescopic visor over his optics to get a closer look at his former ship. Standing on top of it was a large, brutish figure with a spiked club in their hands. The club glowed with energy as the figure held it high over their head.
“NO!” Rodimus’ cry came too little, too late as Bruton brought his club down onto the Lost Light.
The ensuing explosion lit up the battlefield like a rising sun.
* * *
“I know it must be maddening.”
Primus groaned as he struggled to pull himself out of the wall he had been thrown into. Lord Imperious continued to stand in front of him, his attention divided between the Grand Architect and the visual of Unicron on the viewscreen.
“To devote nearly your whole life trying to accomplish something, only to have it spat back in your face….” The Destructon leader shook his head in pity. “I almost feel sorry for you.”
Primus’ singular optic narrowed as he glared at Lord Imperious. “I’ve always had a suspicion that you and your Destructons were plotting behind my back,” he muttered. “I even told Amalgamous Prime as much.”
“Yes, and look at how much that has helped you!” Lord Imperious spread his arms, gesturing to Unicron and Amalgamous’ broken corpse. “Not one bit!”
“Has everything I’ve done been a result of your manipulations?” Primus went on, doing everything he could to ignore Lord Imperious’ taunts. “The Talisman? The Emberstone?”
“Of course they were. If I did not have a use for such items, why else would I have directed you and your agents to retrieve them?”
“But… you said the Talisman would be used to repel the Beast. If that was never your goal, then what purpose does it have?”
Lord Imperious chuckled. “Think about it for a minute. I would say that it is safe to assume that my intentions are opposite to yours.”
Primus had no response for this. His gaze drifted to the viewscreen just as Unicron’s shadowy form obliterated the last of the five replica Cybertrons, leaving Planet X for last.
“Now what?” he asked, his voice no louder than a whisper.
“Now?” Lord Imperious replied. “Now the Alignment begins.”
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