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."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XI, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

--Aquatron--

    "Breakout on Level Thirteen."

    Leading Jazz and his team down a corridor, the Curator abruptly stop upon hearing the intercom speaking. Before Jazz could inquire him what was going on, a small stout bot came rushing up to the Aquatronian leader.

    "Sir, there's been--"

    "I know," the Curator snapped, uncharacteristically stern. "Is the Admiral handling the situation?"

    The stout bot wring his hands. "Y-yes, sir. All of the Sharkticons are, sir. Shall I place a lock down on all levels?"

    "Yes, yes, do that. We needn't disrupt our guests' peace."

    As the small mech rushed to carry out his orders, the Curator flashed a smile to the Autobots, failing to be reassuring. "Sorry about that. I'm sure everything's all right."

    "What's on Level Thirteen?" Perceptor asked.

    "Nothing," the Curator hastily said. "Nothing important. Please, follow me."

    Deciding not to press the matter, the Autobots complied. However, as they went, Ironhide whispered to Jazz, "If he starts acting wacky, I'm gonna shoot him."

    Jazz said nothing to object.

*  *  *

    "I'm not picking up anything," Thundercracker said.

    Flying alongside his fellow Seekers and Lugnut in jet mode, Starscream sighed in exasperation. "Then why did the Autobots come here in the first place?"

    "It must be a ploy," Lugnut growled. "They're trying to hide Lord Megatron from us!"

    "I can't believe I'm saying this, but he might have a point," Skywarp said. "Maybe they have a system so that we can't detect anything from the surface."

    "Then he must be underwater!" Moving too fast for the others to stop him, Lugnut plunged himself into the sea, creating an eruption of water. Had he been in robot mode, Starscream would have scowled after him.

    "What an idiot."

--Earth--

    It had all erupted into carnage.

    Energon and pieces of metal flew everywhere as Thundertron and Scorponok tore each other apart. Axer had to dodge as shrapnel was thrown at him, while the other Star Seekers merely watched in anticipation.

    In his mind, he weighed his options. If Scorponok wins, he'll tear us apart. But the Star Seekers have my only means of transportation.

    Before he could make his decision, Axer saw too late that Thundertron's body was flying towards him. Unable to dodge in time, they collided and went tumbling down. As they touched ground, Axer quickly pushed Thundertron off of him, rapidly throwing out apologies to the pirate captain, only to realize something unsettling.

    Thundertron was nothing more than a head and a portion of a torso.

    Fear struck Axer's spark as he raised his gaze to the headless Scorponok, who was now looming over him. The other Star Seekers were staring in shock and awe at what had just happened. Eventually, it was Cannonball who found his voice.

    "Well, then... that took an unexpected turn. I suppose that leaves me in command."

    "And what are your first orders, 'captain?'" Scorponok asked coldly.

    Cannonball was silent again before saying ruefully, "Star Seekers, retreat."

    Needless to say, Axer was quick to get ahead of everyone else.

--Aquatron--

    "Land Shark Unit One-Five-Six is not responding."

    Tyrannicon cursed to himself. "He was right behind us not even a minute ago."

    The Sharkticon trooper's face was expressionless, though he spoke in a snide manner. "He is not responding," he said.

    Resisting the urge to execute the mocking trooper, Tyrannicon ordered his team to all turn in the opposite direction of the corridor they were headed down. All they saw was Unit 156's lifeless corpse.

    "How unfortunate," Tyrannicon muttered. "It would seem our assailant would rather play around in the shadows like a coward instead of confront us face-to-face."

    Cold laughter echoed through the corridor. "If it is your desire to die sooner, then who am I to argue?"

    Tyrannicon was barely able to turn around in time to see his men fall to the wrath of the black and gray mech. Moving like a phantom, he mowed through the Sharkticons, slaying them one by one. By the time Tyrannicon had found his voice to order them into evasive maneuvers, none of them were around to hear him.

    "Was that honestly the best you had?" the escaped captive said. "I expected better."

    "Actually, to be perfectly honest with you, they weren't the best I had." At that, Tyrannicon created a whistle sound and the ground began to shake. Suddenly, the walls were torn apart by masses of tentacles. A shrill screech filled the air.

    "This, on the other hand... this is getting there."

*  *  *

    "What the spark is going on?!" Ironhide exclaimed as he and the other Autobots were thrown about by the quake.

    "Oh, dear," the Curator said, who was oddly still standing. "We appear to be experiencing a seismic quake. Nothing to worry about."

    "No offense," Seaspray said, arms flailing about, "but, between the air bubble around the city and spark signature blockers, I would think you'd have the technology to block out seismic quakes."

    "Yes, well, no one's perfect," the Curator murmured.

    "Are you sure whatever was on Level Thirteen is 'nothing?'" Perceptor asked skeptically as he attempted to straighten himself. "Because all of this doesn't seem like 'nothing.'"

    Before the Aquatronian leader could reply, the wall by them suddenly exploded. As debris blew into them, a large, violet mech stepped from the opening, followed by three winged mechs.

    "Aw, scrap," Ironhide muttered.

    Starscream smirked as he stepped in front of Lugnut. "My, what an interesting encounter."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XI, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

-Aquatron-

    "Now then," the Curator said, letting out a belch from all of the Energon he had consumed. "What was this favor you were going to ask of me?"

    Trying to hide his disgust (and failing), Jazz said, "We're in search of the AllSpark. Have you heard of it?"

    The Curator's face clouded slightly. "I might have...."

    "It's been broken into several shards and hidden on some of the Cybertronian colony worlds. Do you happen to have such a shard?"

    The Curator smiled. "Does it happen to be small and blue?"

    Jazz nearly jumped out of his seat in excitement. "Yes, exactly like that."

    "Then I might have something like that." The Curator rose from his seat. "If you would follow me."

-The Nemesis-

    "Would someone get the blasted lights back on?" Starscream snapped, trying to feel his way through the pitch-black darkness that plagued the Nemesis' bridge.

    "Well, it would help if I could find the blasted control system," came Knock Out's snarky voice. "Anyone here transform into a flashlight?"

    "Wait, doesn't Soundwave turn into a lamppost from time to time?" asked Barricade. "Can't he-?"

    Before he could finish, a wide ray of light illuminated him and a good portion of the bridge. Starscream glared at Soundwave, whom the light emitted from.

    "Took you long enough," the Air Commander muttered.

    "Now then," Knock Out murmured, moving towards his monitor. "Where could our lovely leader have possibly run off to?"

    "The Autobots must have kidnapped him," Lugnut growled, clenching his claws. "I say we attack their ship and--"

    "Now, now," Starscream said, raising a hand for silence. "Let us not jump to conclusions. The Ark was too far away to have used a tractor beam on our ship and then board us."

    "Perhaps it was the natives down on Aquatron," Thundercracker suggested. "Though why they would capture Megatron is beyond me."

    "Then let us go down and tear through the planet until we find our glorious leader!" Lugnut bellowed.

    Starscream frowned, knowing that such a plan would be futile. And it's not like I'm eager to find our "glorious" leader.

    Nonetheless, he said, "Very well. We shall send all of our fliers to peruse the sea. In the meantime, Barricade, you run things here on the bridge." The Seeker then threw Soundwave a covert glance and whispered, "Keep an optic on him, will you?"

    The spy silently nodded.

    Regarding his fellow Seekers and Lugnut, Starscream then said, "With me, then."

-Earth-

    Thundertron roared as he swung his blade at Scorponok. The rogue Decepticon covered himself with his large arms, deflecting the blow. He then lowered the tip of his stinger tail and fired. 

    Axer watched as the Star Seeker leader staggered black. Cannonball and the others had their attentions glued on the fight and not on him; if he wanted to make a getaway, now was his chance.

    But where would I run to? he wondered. Left with little choice, he continued to watch the fight.

    Despite being different in size, Thundertron and Scorponok were almost equals in combat. Whenever the pirate captain would create a gash in Scorponok's armor, the Decepticon would then retaliate with a blast from his tail or a slash with his claws. Eventually, realizing that the duel was not going anywhere, Thundertron broke off from the fight, stepping back and glaring at Scorponok.

    "For a Cybertronian, you are certainly a... worthy opponent. You would make a decent Star Seeker."

    Scorponok smirked. "A pity, then, that I have no interest in joining you. You are wasting your time in fighting me."

    Thundertron scowled. "Not if I take the satisfaction in ending your life."

    Letting out another roar, he lunged towards Scorponok, moving too fast for the Decepticon to follow. He swung his blade and Axer saw it slice cleanly through Scorponok's neck. As the Decepticon's head unceremoniously dropped to the ground, followed shortly by his body, the watching Star Seekers all broke into cheers... save for Axer.

    It was too easy. He should have seen that coming....

    A slap on the back from Nightclaw broke him from his thoughts. "What's the matter with you, Cybertronian?" the violet pirate growled. "Upset that one of yer own bit it?"

    "He didn't bite it," Axer murmured.

    "What are you-?"

    Before Nightclaw could finish, a blast of energy fired from Scorponok's tail, punching a hole through his chest and extinguishing his spark. The other Star Seekers turned to see the Decepticon's headless body rising, acting as if it had never been decapitated. 

    "You knew that I had an AllSpark shard," Scorponok muttered. "Did you think I would have not put it to use?"

    Fury raged in Thundertron's eyes. "I suppose I should be more thorough this time."

    If Scorponok's head was still attached to his body, it would have grinned. "The same to you."

-Unknown-

    "Breakout on Level Thirteen. Repeat: Breakout on Level Thirteen."

    Megatron awoke to the sound of the intercom's urgent speaking. The first thing he noticed was that he was restrained to a slab of metal standing on its end. On either side of him were two identical mechs with a body-type similar to the one whom had captured him. Said captor was pacing back and forth, barking out orders.

    "I'll lead Team One," he shouted. "Overbite, you'll lead Team Two. Gnaw, Team Three. Do I make myself clear?"

    "Yes, Admiral Tyrannicon!" came the eager response.

    "Then move out, Sharkticons!"

    As the troops moved out, Megatron feigned unconsciousness so that the two at his sides would leave. Once he was sure they were gone, Megatron grinned as he broke himself free from his restraints.

    Time to do an investigation of my own.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XI, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

-Aquatron-

    "I've been to Energon banquets before, but this is...." Bumblebee's voice trailed off as he stared at the Energon meals and oil beverages stretched out before them on a table, if stood on its end, could touch the sky.

    "Ridiculous?" Ironhide said.

    "Amazing."

    Sky-Byte chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it would be to visitors. But we have these banquets practically every week." He gestured to a few empty seats to the far end. "Our leader, the Curator, will be sitting there, so if you would like to speak to him...."

    Jazz nodded his thanks and led the others to the end of the table, passing by several Aquatronians.

    "You know," Spiral murmured. "I wouldn't mind living here. It's very peaceful."

    "Speak for yourself," Ironhide muttered. "I wouldn't be able to abide hanging out with these fish-people."

    "As if we'd think better of you land-dwellers."

    Ironhide recognized that voice. He cried out as he whipped out his arm cannons and aimed them wildly at the seated diners.

    "Show yourself, Megatron! You ain't gettin' away easily this time!"

    "Er, Ironhide?" Arcee said. "That wasn't Megatron."

    "Then who...?" Ironhide looked down and saw a turquoise and gray mech glaring up at him. "Oh."

    "The name's Nautilator, actually. Not Megatron. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

    A look of embarrassment crossed Ironhide's face as he put away his cannons. "Er, no, I'm sorry. I was just... I need to replenish my energon tanks, that's all."

    With that, he hurried past the other Autobots and took a seat at the very edge, away from the other Aquatronians. As soon as Jazz and the rest had sat down, a large pairs of doors swung open to admit a stout, slightly portly mech, colored in blue and white with a golden tint. His green optics widened cheerfully upon seeing the newcomers.

    "Ah, we have visitors! How splendid." He took his seat at the end of the table, next to the Autobots. He offered his hand to Jazz. "I am the Curator, leader of Aquatron. And you are?"

    "Jazz, and these are my fellow Autobots Ironhide, Perceptor, Seaspray, Arcee, Bumblebee, and Spiral." He shook the offered hand. "We... have a favor to ask of you."

    "Certainly! But first, let us enjoy our feast. There are fifty different types of Energon here, as well as a few organic delicacies."

    "Organic...." A disgusted look crossed Ironhide's face this time. "Oh, yeah. This planet has fun written all over it."

-Earth-

    "I've found him."

    Even in his beast mode, Thundertron managed a sneer. "How can you be so sure? I don't see him."

    "Well," Axer said, "he is charging towards us."

    Sure enough, a large purple and green Transformer came crashing through the woods, his massive claws bared and his stinger tail guns primed to fire. His red visor gleamed with fury as his mout twisted into a sadistic grin.

    "Well, you certainly are not any Decepticons I recognize," Scorponok said. "I would think that Megatron would send some formidable opponents."

    "We are not Decepticons," Thundertron snarled, transforming to robot mode with the rest. "We are Star Seekers, and it is you that we seek."

    Scorponok smirked. "Ah, yes, I've heard of you pirates. Seeking out every opportunity to wipe out every last Cybertronian. I am one such opportunity, aren't I?"

    Thundertron scowled. "As much as it pains me to admit, we are not looking to kill you. We wish to... recruit you."

    Scorponok belted out a harsh laugh. "Recruit me? Why would I join the likes of you? I already have my own plans underway here."

    The Star Seeker captain opened his mouth to retort but Cannonball stepped in front of him.

    "I'm sure we can reach a compromise," the Star Seeker first mate said. "Perhaps if you joined us, we could make ourselves home here and assist in your experiments."

    "What?!" Thundertron bellowed, storming towards Cannonball. "I refuse to reside on a pathetic organic world!"

    Ignoring him, Scorponok smirked. "A tempting offer, but one I must decline. I have no use for allies, least of all pirates I cannot trust. Besides, I already have minions here. They will be more than enough."

    Before Cannonball could respond, Thundertron shoved him aside and stormed up to Scorponok. "Enough of this. You should know why we're asking you to join us. You have a piece of it. A piece of the AllSpark."

    Scorponok smiled mirthlessly. "Correct, and I haven no plans on giving it up to anyone."

    Thundertron sneered as he unsheathed his battle sword. "Is that your final answer?"

    Scorponok merely flexed his mighty claws, the tip of his stinger tail sparking.

    "So be it."

-Unknown-

    Zero percent.

    Xeros' heart raced. He had been gone for a mere three minutes to help secure another prisoner only to return and find this. The "zero percent" could only mean two things: either the subject was dead or....

    Xeros turned around to face the secured Optimus Prime and froze. The Autobot leader's red and blue color scheme had faded away, replaced by black and gray with teal highlights. Blue-tinted windows had become a shade of scarlet and his optics flared with the color of fire.

    The very fact that the subject was awake made Xeros fear for his life.

    He backed away from the dark Optimus, holding up his tentacle arms as if it would ward him off. It did not.

    "Please," Xeros murmured. "I- I can explain this, Optimus Prime. I--"

    "There is no Optimus," the former captive snarled. "There is only me."

    Xeros' eyes darted around. No sign of the Bailiffs or Sharkticons. He looked up pleadingly at the Cybertronian now looming over him.

    "Please... the real Optimus Prime would not kill a defenseless person."

    Harsh laughter emitted from his aggressor. "That's because I am not Optimus Prime. I... am Nemesis Prime."

    A blade extruded from his left arm and Xeros soon knew nothing.