Star Wars Endgame: Finale, Chapter Twenty-Three

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

--Takodana--

    Maz Kanata's castle was hardly ever open at night -- there needed to be some time to clean up after the patrons -- but tonight, Maz had decided to make an exception, leaving her doors open so that others may visit and potentially be recruited into the Smuggler's Alliance.

    So far, this tactical had worked. A substantial influx of ships had arrived on the planet and were throwing in to Karrde's operations. Among them, Jast Kyjar saw some familiar faces from his smuggling career, and only one of them was one he was ecstatic about.

    "Borix Thorne!" Jast exclaimed as he patted the blue-colored Narquois on the back. "Stars, its been ages."

    "That it has," Borix chuckled, his voice hoarse from eighty years of age. "I think the last time I saw you was on... Ord Mantell, wasn't it?"

    "Ord Cantrell," Jast corrected him, grinning widely as he slapped his friend on the shoulder. "So, how's the rest of the gang?"

    Borix arched an eyebrow at him, stroking the dark blue filaments growing from his chin. "Gang?"

    "You know, the gang! Harfran, Meila...." Jast frowned. "Don't tell me your memory already gotten that bad."

    "Oh, those guys!" Borix belted out a guffaw. "Oh, they're dead, son. Very, very dead."

    Jast felt his jaw drop. "Dead?!"

    "Yup. Gunned down by Death Enforcers on Da Soocha. Happened 'bout three years ago."

    "Wow," Jast said quietly, still stunned. "How did you manage to survive?"

    "Some bounty hunter happened to be after Harfran and got a bit mad at the Death Gang. After the carnage, he was about to give me the same treatment when his partner stopped him. Apparently he knew about my exploits as an artifact collector and offered me a job on his crew." Borix spread his arms. "And so here I am."

    "Blast," Jast muttered. "I wish I had stories like that to tell my grandkids -- if or when I have any."

    Borix laughed. "I don't have any either, but it is a good one to share."

    Jast smirked. "It sure is. So where's the rest of your crew?"

    "Uh, good question." Borix raised a hand to his forehead and looked around the crowded castle. "They were just with me."

    "Well, you can introduced them to me later." Jast slung an arm around the Narquois' shoulder and led him towards the bar. "Right now, there's a bottle of urelian wine you just have to try...."

*  *  *

    The moon and stars were Kadar's only source of light as he walked through the Takodana forest. Despite having been out here for hours, he hadn't actually gotten far from the castle or his ship. He had simply been wandering in one place, unsure of what to do or where to go.

    What had he left to live for? His wife and son were gone. His daughter resented him. His people had shunned him. All he had now was a reputation of murder and a lineage seen as abhorrent. He had hoped joining Goran's revolution would bring him some form of vindication, but after hearing his daughter's venomous words, he was no longer sure anything would.

    Even if they won tomorrow, what then? Where would he go from there? Where could he go? What was left for him to do?

    "Not another move, Kadar."

    The ex-Mandalorian froze, the familiar smooth voice ringing in his ear. Well, he thought, there is that.

    "Salvan Tai," Kadar said aloud, keeping himself still. "It's been a while."

    "Yes. Too long, in fact," came the icy reply. "Credit where credit's due: in spite of all your reputation, you are incredibly difficult to track down."

    "If I wasn't, I probably wouldn't have a rep. Especially with everyone trying to kill me."

    Salvan chuckled. "Point taken. However, I'm afraid it ends here, Kadar. This is the end of the line. Oh, and don't even think about pulling something smart: I've got you surrounded."

   Kadar glanced to either side of him, seeing an armored male and a Wookiee pointing blasters at him. To give his former partner credit, Salvan was never one to come unprepared.

    "It's been a good run, Kadar," Salvan said, his blaster whirring as it charged up. "I can't say I'm sorry it had to end like this though. If you ask me, you had it coming for a long--"

    A bolt of plasma shot over Kadar's head and struck a nearby tree, sending sparks flying. Hearing Salvan turn around, Kadar jumped through the small window of opportunity presented to him and turned on his jetpack, shooting straight up into the air. The bounty hunters fired at him, but he avoided all their shots. He then dropped down and landed right behind Salvan, throwing an around the Sakiyan's neck and putting a pistol to his head. The other two mercenaries trained their guns on him but hesitated to fire.

    "What was it I always used to tell you?" Kadar hissed into Salvan's ear. "Something about saving your quips for after the job is done?"

    Snarling, Salvan roared at the other two, "Don't just stand there! Shoot him!"

    The two exchanged looks. However, before either could do anything, another blast whizzed past them and the source of the shot made itself visible. A Mirialan woman in smuggler attire emerged from the foliage and aimed her blaster at the bounty hunters.

    "I advise you don't," she said icily. "Or else your friend's brains get split."

    Kadar shot a sidelong glance at the Mirialan, recognizing her as the captain of the ship his daughter had been on. He said nothing however and returned his focus to the two hunters, who were now looking contemplative.

    "You know, we could kill 'em both," the man said to the Wookiee. "Baron Salvan Tai still got a hefty price on his head."

    The Sakiyan's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. "Remar! We're partners!"

    The Wookiee growled something, to which the man called Remar nodded. "You're right, Dax still doesn't know about Salvan being with us. He still knows him as Fefar Flashblade, the Nosaurian. Should I give him a call?"

    "Come on, guys," Salvan said weakly. "You're not seriously thinking about this. You're just... you're just stalling."

    "I don't know, pal," Remar replied. "I mean, Dax is going to find out sooner or later. It might be best we kill you now to spare you his wrath."

    "Ha ha ha! You're hilarious!" Salvan clenched his teeth, beads of sweat covering his black forehead. "Now how about dropping the act and shooting these two? Sharbrook can handle the woman while you can--"

    "Kill you and Kadar? Yeah." Remar raised his rifle and aimed it at Salvan's head. "You've read my mind."

    Salvan opened his mouth as Remar pulled the trigger, but no sound came out. Instead, the Sakiyan suddenly vanished from the view and the plasma bolt grazed past Kadar's shoulder.

    "After him!"

    Kadar looked to see Remar and Sharbrook chasing after a small critter, which he supposed Salvan had morphed into. He was about to follow them when the Mirialan stopped him.

    "Don't," she said. "Unless you have a personal vendetta against him as well, it's not worth it."

    "Right," Kadar muttered, before looking at the green-skinned woman. "How long have you been out here?"

    "Pretty much since we arrived," she replied, looking around the forest. "I've been waiting on the ship while the rest of my crew went into the castle. I got bored waiting so I decided to go for a walk."

    "You didn't want to go in yourself?"

    "I'm not on the friendliest of terms with the proprietor. I felt it would be best I not let my presence spoil the mood." She then returned his gaze to Kadar, her blue eyes searching him. "You're probably wondering why I saved you."

    "So you could collect the bounty yourself?"

    She shook her head. "So I wouldn't have to live with the guilt of letting you die when your daughter is part of my crew."

    Kadar snorted. "She wouldn't miss me."

    "Right," she said with a humorless chuckle. "We always tell ourselves that. Just like I convinced myself that I wouldn't miss my brother when he went off with the Lok Revenants. Then I found out how wrong I was when he died.

    "We can fight and argue and even hate the people we love, but like it or not, they're just as much a part of you as your skin. We might think we can do without them some days, but truth is, we can't. Because they are more important to our lives than we realize."

    Kadar looked at her, head cocked to one side. "I never had you pegged as a philosopher."

    She laughed as she started to walk away. "That always used to be one of my dreams as a little girl: to be that or a poet or some rubbish. That was before I knew what kind of galaxy we lived in."

    "A cruel and unfair one?"

    "No," she said, looking over her shoulder to smile at him. "A free one."

Star Wars Endgame: Finale, Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

--The Revenger--

    A muggy smell greeted Sharr Latt's senses as he came to. All feeling in his arms and legs had abandoned him and he could only move his head side to side. A dim light hung over him, as did a humanoid shape he could barely make out through his bleary eyes.

    "You're awake," a low, cold voice spoke. "Did you enjoy you're nap?"

    Sharr coughed as he struggled to concentrate on the figure, trying to make it out. "Who... are you?"

    "Depends on who you ask. Most on this ship call me Giganis, which is indeed my birth name. But for the past three years I've been going by a different name. Hang on; I think I've still got my holodocs."

    The being known as Giganis reached him and produced a small holoprojector, from which he displayed his identification info.

    "Wegar Janlor from Tralus. Graduate from the Vondar School of Medicine and Healing. Served as a field medic under Colonel Garbek during the Glorian War. Sole survivor of his regiment. Better known as 'Doc.'"

    Sharr scowled as everything came back to him and he realized whom he was speaking with. Glaring up at the Glorian who had once been his teammate, he said through gritted teeth, "Colonel Garbek died at the Battle of Vandyne."

    "I know. I'm the one who killed him -- along with the rest of the 113th Regiment. I made something of a name for myself on that day. General Benag was certainly impressed with me."

    "So you infiltrated the Alliance posing as one of us," Sharr muttered. "To what end?"

    "Initially it was the start of an attempt to topple the Alliance from within. Benag had little faith in the Emperor and General Starka's plan and wanted to do things his own way. Then the war ended and, well, plans changed.

    "For a while I had lost contact with Benag and I had presumed him dead. I was just about ready to settle into a new life as Wegar Janlor when, two years after Coruscant, I got the call."

    "What call?" Sharr asked.

    "The call of revenge," Giganis said darkly. "General Benag has gathered all of the remaining Glorians to enact our vengeance on the rest of the galaxy."

    Sharr scoffed. "Better get in line. We can only deal with one galactic threat at a time."

    Giganis chuckled, a guttural sound that made Sharr cringe. "Oh, we are very well aware of the competition at hand. After all, I've been feeding everything to Benag ever since Odryn. Everything Wraith Squadron uncovered, I informed Benag on."

    "Why stop now though? Why lure us into your Glorian friends' hands now?"

    "Because I knew once we got to D'Qar, I wouldn't have a chance to contact or return to Benag. This was my only other option." Giganis then glanced down at his wrist before stepping away from Sharr. "I hate to end our conversation here, but we are nearly at our destination."

    "What destination?"

    "None of your concern." The Glorian turned on his heel to leave the room. "It's been a good run, Sharr. I will look back on my days as a Wraith with fondness." Halfway out the door, he looked over his shoulder at Sharr with a mirthless grin. "Tell Bhindi I said hi."

    With that, the door closed and Sharr was introduced to a world of pain.

--Coruscant--

    "How is he?"

    Drikall Bessarah looked up from the unconscious forms of Atha Prime and Xemer to see Wallen Nix standing in the doorway. "Which one?" the Devaronian medic asked.

    "Xemer," Wallen clarified.

    Drikall looked at the Kel Dor. "He should be fine. I didn't find any broken bones or anything."

    "He's actually a Shi'ido, so he wouldn't have any bones...."

    "Regardless, I couldn't find anything too serious. He should be waking shortly." Drikall then looked over to Atha. "As for him...."

    "Shadow told me he's been acting strange ever since Toah started operations," Wallen said. "That he's been talking to himself, muttering words."

    "Well, his helmet is practically glued to his head. For that matter, none of his armor pieces will budge. It's like they're a part of him."

    "Do you know when or if he'll wake up?"

    Drikall shrugged. "Hard to say."

    "I need an estimate, Drikall. For both of them."

    "I really don't know, Wallen. It could be anywhere from a few hours to a day." The Devaronian looked at him. "What's the rush anyway?"

    "Shadow says we'll be leaving shortly. He can't reach either the Eravana or Toah."

    "Communications could just be down. How does he plan to get us off Coruscant with security so tight?"

    "He didn't say," Wallen muttered. "I imagine he's got something in mind, otherwise he'd have said something."

    "In that case...." Drikall stood up and looked down at Atha and Xemer. "I can put them both on repulsor sleds and load them onto the ship. Provided our departure does not involve evasive maneuvers, they should be fine."

    "Good. I'll let him know." Wallen turned to leave but was stopped by Drikall.

    "Do you trust him?" the Devaronian asked.

    Wallen raised an eyebrow at him. "Who? Shadow?"

    "Yeah. I know he used to be a Glorian, but he's never said why he left. I know Xemer and Toah trust him...."

    "To be honest, that's good enough for me," Wallen said. "I've come to trust Xemer with my life, and if he trusts Shadow, then so do I."

    Drikall nodded. "Fair enough. I've come to notice the bond between you two. You and Xemer."

    Wallen grunted. "Yeah. Don't read too much into it, kid. Nothing more than a mutual trust."

    "I wasn't insinuating anything," Drikall said hastily. "Just that--"

    "Hey." Wallen raised a hand to quiet him. "It's okay. Really. Don't worry about it. I'll go get the repulsor sleds."

    With that, the detective left, leaving the Devaronian staring after him.

*  *  *

    Wran Narcassan looked over his shoulder for the nth time as he entered the alleyway, dragging two unconscious Alliance officers behind him. While he was still holding his breath, he still found it incredibly fortunate things had gone so smoothly so far.

    Then again, he shouldn't have been so surprised to find inattentive Alliance officers just waiting to be sedated. Standard had appeared to have gone down in recent years.

    He eventually reached the backdoor to the hideout. Setting one officer against the wall, he rapped his fist on the door and it slid open to reveal Shadow. The ex-Glorian looked at Wran and then at the two officers. Both were human, while one was a dark-skinned male and the other a blonde-haired female.

    Looking back at Wran, Shadow said, "That didn't take too long."

    "I came across them leaving a seedy bar," Wran explained. "They were alone and no one else was around, so I took my chances."

    "Good. Except for one thing." Shadow nodded at the female officer. "None of us are female, so who's disguising as her?"

    "Uh, you?"

    Shadow stared at him. "Pardon?"

    "You're a shape-shifter, aren't you? A Shi'ido? I thought they could take the form of any species or gender."

    "Yes, but--" Shadow stopped himself before giving a resigned sigh. "Never mind. Just bring them inside so we can get going."

    Wran nodded before dragging the two officers inside. Just as Shadow closed the door, Wallen stepped out into the hall from an adjacent room and saw them. Looking from the officers to Wran before finally fixing his gaze on Shadow, the detective sucked in his breath.

    "I'm afraid to ask."

    "What? You thought leaving Coruscant would be simple?" Shadow said dryly.

    "No, I figured you had a plan, but not...." He gestured at the knocked out officers. "This."

    "Hey, if it doesn't work, you can mock me later. Now help me get their clothes off."

    Wallen let his breath out, shaking his head. "Not a sentence I ever expected to hear today."

Star Wars Endgame: Finale, Chapter Twenty-One

PART III: THE AVENGING

----

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

--Seventeen years ago--

    "Last one there has to polish Uncle's speeder!"

    The young boy scowled as he ran after his brother, barreling through the bazaar. Denizens threw things and words at him as he bumped into them but he paid them no heed. His mind was too focused on the chase to care.

    His brother always won these little races. He was taller, leaner, and more athletic than he was, thanks to all the training Uncle had given him. Training which the younger boy never got.

    It wasn't fair. Nothing ever was.

    He soon got out of the bazaar and into a clearing. A narrow rocky pavement cut through the green field, serving as a pathway to the village several miles ahead. Down the path, he could see his brother waving mockingly at him, a wicked grin on his face.

    "Can't say I've seen someone so slow!" he jeered. "A drunk Kitonak could outrun you!"

    Gritting his teeth, the boy pressed on, even through his legs were starting to protest. As the path went on, it started to go up a steep hill, over which the village laid beyond. Despite having gone up it countless times before, he found it a very strenuous task this time, his legs feeling as if they were about to give out.

    Not paying too much attention to where he was stepping, his foot caught in one of the rocks and he lost his balance. Flailing his arms, he let out a wail as he fell backwards, landing on his back and tumbling down the hill. Since he hadn't gotten that far up, it didn't take him long to reach the bottom. All the same, his whole body ached and he found it impossible to get up.

    He called out his brother's name, hollering as loud as he could. He heard a voice -- it might have been his sibling's -- yell back, but he couldn't make out what he was saying. He waited a minute before calling out again. No response came back this time. Neither did his brother.

    In the sky above, clouds were starting to block the sun. Big clouds, dark and gray. He felt a drop of water fall on his nose. Then another. Then another.

    Before he knew it, the sky was unleashing its aqueous wrath on him. Rain pelted onto his face, soaking his head and causing him to cough. This was it. He was done for. Life truly was unfair.

    Just as he was about to reign himself to his fate, he suddenly felt himself being lifted up by a pair of strong arms, a towel being thrown over his head. At first he thought it was Uncle, or even one of Uncle's friends, who were known to hike out here.

    Then his savior spoke and he knew for sure it wasn't either of them.

    "One should not lie out here in the rain." The man's voice was deep and gruff; not an unpleasant sound, but certainly not melodious. Peeking through the towel, he could only see a black hood covering the stranger's face.

    "I... fell down the hill," the boy said, uncertain of whether he could trust this man. "I hurt myself and I couldn't get up."

    "Oh dear, we should probably get you to safety. Is your home far from here?"

    "No, it's just over the hill. My brother's probably already there." The boy frowned to himself, lowering his gaze. "He probably forgot about me."

    "Mm, yes. Siblings can be selfish sometimes. Are your parents home?"

    "We live with our uncle. Our father died a long time ago, and our mother... she left to go on a business trip and never came back."

    "I'm sorry to hear that. But your uncle cares for you?"

    "Yeah," the boy replied, unsure of why he was telling all this to a man he didn't even know. "I mean, I guess he does. He always seems to like my brother."

    "How so?" the man asked, finally starting to move uphill.

     The boy told him the rest of the way, explaining how Uncle always took his brothers fishing, swimming, hunting, but not do the same for him. Or how on his birthday he would only get a card and a piece of candy while his brother got his own Skyhopper, despite not even owning a license or being old enough to fly one.

    The more he told the man, the angrier he started to become. Angry at his uncle for neglecting him. Angry at his brother for absorbing all of the attention. Angry at his mother for not being there when he needed her the most. 

    The man had said nothing until they reached the front porch of his home. He gently put the boy on his feet and, much to the young one's surprise, his back no longer hurt. It was as if something had magically healed him.

    Draping the towel over his head, the boy looked up at the man and said, "Thanks for bringing me home. I probably would have died out here."

    "Think nothing of it. Oh, and before I go...." The man knelt down and handed the boy a cylindrical object. "For whenever your brother or uncle get on your nerves. It'll... give them a lesson."

    The boy looked at the item oddly. "What is it?"

    "You will know once you turn it on. And you will know how to use it."

    With some hesitation, the boy took the object. As the man straightened up and turned to leave, the boy then said, "Wait! I didn't get your name."

    The man looked back at him. "I didn't get yours."

    "Varon," the boy said, surprised at himself for how quickly he answered. "My name's Varon."

    The man said nothing at first, the rain molding his hood against his face. When he finally did speak, the boy could have sworn he saw a smile underneath the fabric.

    "Call me Kalon."

--Now--

    "Master?"

    Yellow eyes opened at the sound of the servant's voice. Not moving from where he laid, the master said, "What is it, Sao?"

    "The destination we have arrived. Ship landing as we talk."

    "Very good. I'll be ready shortly."

    He waited until he heard the tiny feet walk away from the door before sitting up. Getting out of bed, he dressed himself in his old attire: dark gray tunic and pants with a black robe and shoulder pads over them. He had left his armor and mask behind on the Resurgent. He would not need them here.

   Stepping out of his bunker, he made his way to the cockpit, where a pilot droid was at the controls. In the viewport, growing larger by the second, was the green agriworld he had been born on, where he had lived his life before everything changed.

    Damosus. Fourth planet of the Tralon system.

    This was where it had all begun for Varon Krul. And it would be where it all ended.

The Transformers, Issue 57: Velocitron, Chapter Eight

RACE TO THE KEY

   (On Velocitron, everyone gets ready for the final race) [About time....]

    Online: For once, I'd like a perfect race without interruptions!

    Clocker: Can't we just cancel the race and--

    Online: CANCEL THE RACE?! Of all the things you say... (Suddenly, Online gets blown up! The Decepticons are here! Hooray!)

    Megastorm: Autobots! Your destruction is at hand!

    Heavypunch: Hn. Never did want to live forever....

    (Skywatch lunges forward with his blade)

    Skywatch: I've been trained in the arts of Metallikato! And Circuit-Su!

    Turborun: Good for you.

    Skywatch: Therefore, you shall fall!

    Turborun: Really? (He shoots Bladespin, who was trying to sneak up on him) Try me.

    (Nearby, Firestorm and Icestorm gang up on Fastfix)

    Icestorm: A doctor, eh? I wonder if you can heal when you're dead.

    Fastfix: Try me. [Hey, you can't use the same witty quip twice!]

    Icestorm: I'd rather chill ya! [oh god]

    (Suddenly Fastfix vanishes! Because... he's a hologram? I dunno. Anyway, Heavypunch appears behind the two 'Cons and bashes their heads in)

    (Meanwhile, Irontread is facing off against Armorfist)

    Irontread: You're going down, Autobot! I'll rip your spark out of your che--

    (Armorfist chucks a grenade at him)

    Armorfist: BOOM BOOM!

    (But enough of that. Back in Axiom Nexus, Shockwave and Necros Prime are still standing at the Space Bridge)

    Shockwave: So who shall we send?

    Necros Prime: Send the Stunticons to Velocitron... the Combaticons to Earth... and the Terrorcons to Animatron.

    Shockwave: And if they fail?

    Necros Prime: Then-- (He gets cut off by a shot to the head! Turns out Lightyear is hear with the cavalry!)

    Lightyear: Missed us?

    Necros Prime: You never learn... do you? (He pulls back his hood to reveal an super edgy evil face with lots of horns) I am Death. And you are my guests. (He powers his staff to kill an Autobot. To Shockwave, he says:) Go. I'll handle these pests.

    Lightyear: Wastelifter, stand back.

    Necros Prime: Fools. You are all fools. You don't know power until it hits you square in the face! So long, fool! [Stop. Saying. Fool.]

    (Without warning, Shockwave aims his gun at Necros!)

    Shockwave: I am Shockwave. It is only logical power belongs to me.

    Necros Prime: Naturally.

    (...But enough of that! We cut to Cybertron, where Invader Xim's invasion is still ongoing)

    Hawkeye: Team Hawkeye, move out! Skyburst, take your Air Fleet towards the main ship!

    Skyburst: On it!

    (On Xim's ship)

    Invader Xim: At last, I shall accomplish what Palpatine could not! I shall-- [How does...? Palpatine was...? ...Never mind]

    Pointblank: Lord. Xim. Look.

    Invader Xim: What? (He looks out the window and sees the combiner-formed Skyburst outside his ship) No fair! I never get gestalts!

    (And so Skyburst blows up the ship, the brainwashed Autobots get unbrainwashed and fall to safety, and Xim gets captured. Wow.)

    (Back on Velocitron, Megastorm is about to kill Optimus Minor...)

    Megastorm: Where. Is. The Planet Key?!

    ???: Right here, Decepticreep! 

    (Megastorm turns to see Override and the Velocitronians surrounding him. Realizing his Decepticons are out of commission, he retreats! Override gives Optimus the Planet Cup (which has the key)... only for Noisemaze to show up and take it!)

    (And that's it! That's the end of the Velocitron arc!)

    (Boy, did it suck!)

    To be continued in Volume II: Earth

FEATURED CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Armorfist, Crosshairs, Double Clutch, Eveningstar, Fastfix, Firetrap, Hawkeye, Heavypunch, Ironhide, Lightyear, Omega Prime, Optimus Minor, Pointblank, Stakeout, Skyburst, Steelshot, Sureshot, Tailwhip, Tomahawk, Turborun, Wastelifter, Wheelie, Wheeljack

    Decepticons: Bladespin, Firestorm, Icestorm, Irontread, Megastorm, Shockwave, Skywatch

    Velocitronians: Clocker, Online, Override Prime

    Others: Necros Prime, Noisemaze, Nova Prime, Xim

The Transformers, Issue 56: Velocitron, Chapter Seven

THE LOST AUTOBOTS, PART II

   (We open on Invader Xim attacking Autobot ships. And yes, I am going to be calling hims that from now on)

    Autobot ship: This is Epsilon Fleet! We're going -- arrrrgh!

    Kup: We've lost Epsilon Fleet! [No kidding?]

    Invader Xim: It's useless to resist! Cybertron shall be ours!

    (On Velocitron, the Autobots are still fighting the Stormtroopers)

    Armorfist: Boom boom.

    Heavypunch: What?

    (Armorfist pulls out a grenade)

    Heavypunch: Oh....

    (Armorfist throws the grenade, which takes out Aquablast (but doesn't kill him))

    Rage: (upon seeing the damaged Aquablast) You weakling... (to his comm) Megastorm, we are outnumbered. We're heading back to rendezvous area. Rage out. (To the Autobots) Rejoice now, Autobots, for this shall be your only victory. This, I swear. 

    (The Stormtroopers then drive off) [Boy, for all their hype, that sure was anti-climatic]

    Turborun: Yeah, you go on and run to your daddy!

    Online: That's it! We're going straight to the final race! After that, I quit! [I get the feeling this was me conveying my boredom with all the racing]

    (At Megastorm's camp, Megastorm is looking at... more stuff)

    Megastorm: Hmm... there must be another way... (pointedly to Rage) Without losers like you.

    Rage: If Megatron was in charge, he'd gather all his soldiers and attack the Autobots head on!

    Megastorm: Guess what, Rage? I'm not Megatron. (He then shoots Rage pointblank in the face, sending the Stormtrooper flying back)

    Drench: RAGE!

    Megastorm: Don't worry... nothing Hydradread can't fix. And I do believe it is time for direct action. Decepticons... move out!

    (Back on Cybertron...)

    Red Alert: This is Red Alert to all security! We need all Maximus bases online!

    Trailbreaker: Trailbreaker to Cloudburst! Get the shields up pronto!

    Cloudburst: Consider it done.

    ??? (voice-over, likely Omega Prime): Send all fleets to sector seven immediately! Now get ready! Whatever this "Xim" guy has up his sleeve... we'll be ready!

    (At the science lab, Mr. Freakazoid is back up)

    Freakazoid: This... is only the beginning. This... is the least of your worries!

    Wheeljack: (immobilizes him again) Be quiet.

    Omega Prime: (on screen) Perceptor, set up all defenses in your perimeter!

    Perceptor: On it!

    (Outside, Thunder Clash is leading Autobots out)

    Thunder Clash: Be ready for anything!

    Ironhide: Even that?

    Thunder Clash: (turns to see the three Targetmasters standing before them) Oh, Primus....

    Crosshairs: Eliminate. Them.

    (At Axiom Nexus, Lightyear is generating a shield to protect him and Wastelifter from Shockwave's Decepticons)

    Wastelifter: Too many! We doomed!

    Lightyear: I sent Eveningstar a megacycle ago! She should be-- (The shield then dissipates)

    Wastelifter: Uh-oh....

    Terradive: Excellent! Kill them!

    Lightyear: Well, this looks like our last stand, buddy. Let's make it count.

    (Just then, the cavalry arrives!) [OF COURSE!]

    Terradive: Eh? Oh... why me?

    Goon: Shockwave ain't gonna like-- (He dies)

    Terradive: Send in the Insecticons....

    (And so a battle breaks out between the Decepticons and the Autobot reinforcements. Meanwhile, with Shockwave and the gang...)

    Terradive: (on comm) Shockwave! This is Terradive! We're out-- (Static cuts him off)

    Shockwave: I can never leave that idiot alone for--

    Noisemaze: May I speak?

    Shockwave: What is it?

    Noisemaze: How about I go find the Planet Key for you?

    Shockwave: Hmm...

    Necros Prime: Fine.

    Nova Prime: Don'ttrusthim, don'ttrusthim, don'ttrust him

    Noisemaze: Come on! Trust me!

    Shockwave: Very well. You may go.

    Noisemaze: With pleasure.... (He then teleports away)

    (On Velocitron, at a mysterious hideout...)

    Inch-Up: Boss, visitor!

    ???: What do you want?

    Visitor: Nothing much, Starscream. I simply bare news. He's returning, Starscream. The chaos lord.

    Starscream: And why should I care?

    Visitor: So you don't care if you are devoured?

    Starscream: I'm immortal, remember?

    Visitor: Your spark is... your body is not.

    Starscream: So? I can just find another one and possess it.

    Visitor: You don't understand! [Neither do I. What the heck is going on?]

    Starscream: I guess not... Now leave...

    Visitor: Fool. (He teleports away) They'll never understand... chaos is coming.

    To be continued... [I... I have no words. What... was this?]

FEATURED CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Armorfist, Cloudburst, Crosshairs, Heavypunch, Ironhide, Kup, Lightyear, Omega Prime, Optimus Minor, Perceptor, Pointblank, Red Alert, Sureshot, Thunderclash, Trailbreaker, Turborun, Wastelifter, Wheeljack

    Decepticons: Aquablast, Drench, Firestorm, Hydradread, Megastorm, Rage, Shockwave, Terradive

    Velocitronians: Inch-Up, Online

    Others: Freakazoid, Invader Xim, Necros Prime, Noisemaze, Nova Prime, Starscream

The Transformers, Issue 55: Velocitron, Chapter Six

And now for the crossover nobody asked for (Hasbro did it first though).

THE LOST AUTOBOTS, PART I

    (Four million years ago, an Autobot ship is flying through space when the boss-bot calls them)

    Optimus Prime: This is Optimus Prime to the Valiant. Do you copy?

    Gunrunner: Gunrunner here. What is it?

    Optimus Prime: My crew is about to take off. Ultra Magnus shall be in command while I'm gone.

    Gunrunner: Understood. Gunrunner out. (He then turns to address his crew, which consists of the three 1987 Targetmasters) I want you three to go investigate this world Argai. I don't want an action like on Andegea to be repeated, understood?

    Sureshot (?): Yes....

    Gunrunner: Good. Now roll out!

    (The trio make it down to the planet and start exploring)

    Crosshairs: Man, this world is desolate.

    Sureshot: Hm. (He spots a bug thing skittering by) Maybe that fella has some answers. Hey, buddy! Mind explaining what's-- [Okay, first of all: why would a bug know anything about the planet it lives on, let alone convey it to him in any shape or form?]

    (But it doesn't matter, 'cos the bug hypnotizes the three Autobots and they start chanting "All. Hail. Xim.")

    Xim: Excellent. Now, the galaxy shall be mine once more!

    [Okay, for those who don't know, Xim is a very obscure characters from the Star Wars Expanded Universe (now Legends) who ruled the galaxy years before the founding of the Republic. He was first mentioned in the classic Han Solo novels by Brian Daley. As for why I'm using him here... I have no idea. It's been so long since I made this I feel like I'm witnessing the ideas of someone else]

    (Anyway, back in the present day on Cybertron, Wheeljack and Glyph are examining Mr. Freakazoid from last issue)

    Wheeljack: So... what is it?

    Glyph: Hm... I can't find any glyphics matching his.

    Wheeljack: This is gonna be hard.

    (Suddenly, Freakazoid wakes up!)

    Freakazoid: The seeds of the future have already been sown.... under your very feet!

    (Then he passes out again. Sheesh, what a waste of time....)

    (Back in Axiom Nexus, Shockwave and the two Primes are standing around)

    Shockwave: So this is your 'plan?'

    Necros Prime: Yes. Cyclonus and Scourge shall transfer their Unicron power into the space bridge and-- [Already that sounds dumb]

    Shockwave: Hold it. Is it really that simple? Using Unicron's essence to power up a space bridge? [Good to know I was self-aware even then]

    Necros Prime: It's not a space bridge. [YES IT IS!] It's simply a means to summon another Herald of Unicron. [BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH OF THOSE!]

    Shockwave: Do you really think we can trust a Herald, and them us?

    Necros Prime: You trust Cyclonus and Scourge, do you not?

    Shockwave: (glances at the two Decepticons) Fine.

    (On Velocitron, Turborun is speeding through the penultimate race)

    Online: Turborun's reaching the finish line and-- (Suddenly, something blasts Turborun off the road) Holy scrap!

    ("Holy scrap" is right! It's the Stormtroopers! And they actually managed to hit something)

    Aquablast: Good shot, eh, Drench?

    Drench: Meh.

    Rage: Aquablast, Drench, take out the Autobots!

    Aquablast: With pleasure!

    Online: Uh... th-that's all folks.

    (And so a firefight breaks out between the Autobots and the Stormtroopers)

    Windbreaker: Wonderful.

    Heavypunch: This reminds me of that time in Kalis and--

    Optimus Minor: Save it, old timer! Excellion, Vroom, Joyride, we need help now!

    Excellion: Hey, who made you the boss?!

    Optimus Minor: Out of all the Autobots present here, I'm the one with the highest rank.

    Clocker: He's got a point!

    Excellion: Fine...

    (And so the racers join in the fight.)

    (Back in Axiom Nexus, Axiom Prime and other natives are still chanting "All. Hail. Shockwave." like they have been since the Shattered Glass arc. An Autobot who looks a lot like WALL-E walks up to them, only to then be joined by two others who look a lot like Buzz Lightyear and EVE.)

    Lightyear: Wastelifter, come on! This way!

    (They drive/fly off to I have no idea where and find a trio of Decepticons)

    Lightyear: Great. Three guards. All right, we need a plan. Axiom is enslaved and the rest of the team is dead. We can't blast our way through... and flying is out of the question. Unless you guys wish to stay here the rest of your lives or something... it's up to you. [Um, what?]

    Wastelifter: WHA?! [Yeah, what he said]

    (And so the three surprise attack the Decepticons and take them out. I... really have no idea what's going on. Meanwhile, Shockwave and co have got a portal working in the space bridge.)

    Necros Prime: At last! He should be coming soon.

    Shockwave: Hold on... you're one of the Thirteen, one of the "sons" of Primus, correct?

    Necros Prime: Yes....

    Shockwave: Then why are you summoning a Herald of Unicron?!

    Necros Prime: It doesn't matter. Besides... we're still family.

    (Finally, a figure emerges from the space bridge, greatly resembling Cybertron Sideways....)

    Necros Prime: Ah, welcome... Noisemaze!

    (On Argai, Xim sits upon his throne)

    Crosshairs: Master. We. Have. Conquered. The. Condoon. System.

    Xim: Excellent work! You have proven yourselves worthy. Next, we shall strike the Hadeen system... and you shall rule a planet of your own! [I fail to see how that would work if you're talking. Like. This.]

    (Back on Cybertron, Omega Prime and others are walking around)

    Omega Prime: Anything, Kup?

    Kup: Cosmos said a whole fleet has entered the Hadeen system.

    Omega Prime: Red Alert?

    Red Alert: We're trying to strengthen security, but-- (He is cut off by a voice on Omega Prime's comm)

    ???: Sir?

    Omega Prime: Commander Lightyear? I thought you were serving Axiom Prime.

    Lightyear: Uh, about that. I've sent Agent Eveningstar back to your universe.

    Omega Prime: Understood. What then?

    Lightyear: Send reinforcements along with her.

    Omega Prime: Got it. Prime out. [You're... not even going to ask?]

    Kup: Uh, Prime? Bad news: they've just captured Dread... and now they're coming here!

    (We close on a shot of Xim's fleet approaching Cybertron....)

    [I guess that makes him Invader Xim, am I right?]

    To be continued.... [Come on, don't leave me hanging!]

FEATURED CHARACTERS

   Autobots: Armorfist, Botanica, Crosshairs, Eveningstar, Glyph, Gunrunner, Heavypunch, Kup, Lightyear, Omega Prime, Optimus Minor, Optimus Prime, Perceptor, Pointblank, Red Alert, Sureshot, Turborun, Wastelifter, Wheeljack, Windbreaker

   Decepticons: Aquablast, Cyclonus, Drench, Rage, Scourge, Shockwave

   Velocitronians: Clocker, Excellion

   Others: Axiom Prime, Freakazoid, Necros Prime, Noisemaze, Nova Prime, Xim

The Transformers, Issue 54: Velocitron, Chapter Five

I took a hiatus from this 'cause there was this Halloween issue I had made that was very nonsensical and difficult to recap properly. I've decided to skip it for now since it's very much "stand-alone". Might decide to place it after the end of the Velocitron arc. So, anyway...

RECKONING

    (We open on the team at the Velocitron Inn. Turborun is not in a good mood. Again.)

    Turborun: Great. A team of six Decepticons are out there, along with two newbies and five possible soon-to-bes. We are SO dead!

    Optimus Minor: *sigh* We'll handle it. Anyways, you've got three races left. [I think I'm starting to remember why I never enjoyed the Speed Planet episodes in Cybertron....] Good luck.

    Turborun: Right.

    (Later, at the race track)

    Online: Well... Diaster's gang are out... so... the other five racers are still in.... so, uh, go! [How very professional]

    (The racers take off)

    (Meanwhile, at the Speed Canyons where Megastorm's gang are)

    Bladespin: Who ya callin', boss?

    Megastorm: If you must know, Bladespin, I've sent a message to Rage.

    Bladespin: Rage? You mean, "leader of the Stormtroopers" Rage?

    Megastorm: Yes, you fool! I'd expect you to know this. [And yet apparently I expected the reader to know this as well] They should be here soon.

    (Concurrently, we see Rage and his three Stormtroopers beam down to Velocitron)

    Rage: Make yourselves at home... we're gonna be here for a while. [No kidding]

    (Back at the race, Excellion wins, much to Turborun's chagrin)

    Excellion: Beat that, Blueberry!

    Windbreaker: What a jerk.

    Turborun: *emo sigh*

    Optimus Minor: Only two left, buddy. Only two.

    Heavypunch: Besides, the Planet Key is more important. [And yet here you are watching races...]

    Fastfix: If we only knew where to start.

    (Back at the Decepticon camp, Megastorm is looking at... something.)

    Megastorm: None of these look like a Planet Key! This is impossible!

    Gasket: Uh, boss? There is the Planet Cup. It... could be a clue.

    Megastorm: And... how could we get this... cup?

    Gasket: You'd need to enter the Speedia 5000... which they won't allow us to.

    ???: Yes, but...

    (Suddenly, the Stormtroopers show up!)

    Rage: They should allow us. [Clearly I have no knowledge on how NASCAR or literally any sport works because I'm 99.9% sure new players can't be added in the middle of a game and have a fair chance at winning it]

    (Elswhere, Necros and Nova Prime witness the failure of their Horrorcons in the Halloween special)

    Necros Prime: We need help.

    Nova Prime: Like what?

    Necros Prime: Well... if Starscream hadn't shut down all portals to Axiom Nexus, we could've--

    Nova Prime: Wait -- can't you just teleport us there? 

    Necros Prime: ... [Kind of sad when a supposedly threatening villain comes across as very dumb]

    (Meanwhile, in Axiom Nexus, Shockwave is moping while his Decepticons chat)

    Terradive: I wish Megatron was still leading us.

    Oil Pan: Yeah. He would've blasted 'Scream right where he--

    (Suddenly, an enraged Shockwave blows Oil Pan to pieces)

    Shockwave: If you love your *glorious* leader so much, why don't you go and try and bring him back?!

    (Just then, Necros and Nova arrive!)

    Necros Prime: I believe that would be useless. Megatron has served his purpose.

    Shockwave: Who are you? And... is that Nova Prime?

    Necros Prime: I am Necros Prime, and... yes. We are here to help.

    Shockwave: I've had enough help. I just need to get out of here!

    Necros Prime: And then what? What will you do then?

    Shockwave: I shall find the four Planet Keys and rule Cybertron! [This is rather OOC for ol' Shockers...]

    Necros Prime: And how will you do that?

    Shockwave: ...

    (Back on Velocitron, Optimus Minor drives up to Override's office place)

    Optimus Minor: Guards, I wish to speak with Override.

    Guard: That's Override PRIME to you. And she is currently busy.

    Optimus Minor: I wish to see her NOW. It's urgent.

    (Apparently this is enough for the guards and Optimus is allowed into Override's office)

    Override: And who are you?

    Optimus Minor: I am Optimus Minor. I'm here to talk.

    Override: What do you want from me?

    Optimus Minor: My team and I are searching for the four Planet Keys, and one of them is here on Velocitron.

    Override: I... THE Planet Keys?

    Optimus Minor: Yes.

    Override: Th-those are just a myth... aren't they?

    Optimus Minor: Not from what I've heard.

    Override: But... there's no such thing here. Now leave.

    Optimus Minor: Fine. (He transforms and drives off. How very useless)

    (Meanwhile, on Cybertron, Perceptor and others are at a landing site)

    Perceptor: Prime, this is Perceptor. We've found something.

    (Omega Prime drives up) Omega Prime: What is it?

    Perceptor: We don't know yet. We just saw this thing crash here.

    Wheeljack: Bring it up!

    Grapple: Er, Hauler, a little help?

    Hauler: Sure. Almost.... (Suddenly, a weird pod-shaped thing is pulled out) WHOA!

    Perceptor: Is that... a trans-scan pod?

    Wheeljack: Yes... and with glyphics I'v never seen before. I wonder what they--

    (Suddenly, the pod transforms into some... person!)

    Freakazoid (that's what I'm calling him): THE LORD OF CHAOS SHALL RISE AGAIN!

    Omega Prime: Wheeljack, immobilize him!

    Wheeljack: Right! (The inventor does so and Freakazoid goes into shutdown) Whew! I'll take him to the lab and... try to figure him out.

    (Meanwhile ONCE AGAIN, on Animatron....)

    Flamus Prime: What brings you here?

    Gigatron: I come in search of the Animatron Planet Key.

    Flamus Prime: I've never heard of such a thing. The only thing of power we have here is the statue of the Beast. You may leave now... in one piece. Unless you wish to have your heads severed.

    Gigatron: How did you become a beast?

    Flamus Prime: Eh?

    Gigatron: I'm intrigued. How?

    (Flamus Prime is silent at first. Then... he fires some sort of beam at the Decepticon....)

    (Back again once more on Velocitron, Override Prime has a flashback to when she and others first arrived on Velocitron. Concurrently, the second to last race begins just as the Stormtroopers arrive....)

    To be continued....

FEATURED CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Armorfist, Fastfix, Grapple, Hauler, Heavypunch, Jetfire, Omega Prime, Optimus Minor, Perceptor, Turborun, Wheeljack, Windbreaker

    Decepticons: Aquablast, Bladespin, Crumplezone, Drench, Gasket, Gigatron, Hydradread, Irontread, Megastorm, Oil Pan, Rage, Shockwave, Sky-Byte, Skywatch, Terradive

    Animatronians: Brimstone, Flamus Prime, Undermine

    Velocitronians: Brakedown, Excellion, Online, Override Prime

    Others: Freakazoid, Necros Prime, Nova Prime