Beast Wars and all related characters belong to Hasbro and Mainframe. The story, its original contents and ideas, and any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used or reprinted without the author's permission.
Out of the Fire
By nightdragon0
Nightfire looked up and swung his sword.
Just in time to deflect the blow and counter with a kick to his opponent's face. Deathwing stumbled backwards, barely managing to stay on his feet. Nightfire sprang to his feet, holding out his sword. Its blue energon blade seemed to pierce the darkness of the rainy night.
Nightfire barely felt the rain beating on his face as he watched Deathwing bring up his own sword in a combat stance.
"Been improving, haven't we?" Deathwing taunted.
"I was about to make that same comment!" Nightfire yelled, charging towards Deathwing, his sword held high.
The two clashed again. The impact sent Nightfire's weapon flying. With one motion, Nightfire leapt up, caught it and skillfully landed on his feet. Seeing Deathwing's back turned towards him, his weapon impaled in a nearby tree trunk, Nightfire moved in for the kill. Deathwing spun round. However, it wasn't his sword he was holding, but a gun.
Nightfire was caught off guard, taking three blasts, causing him to drop his sword as a wave of agony swept through his body. Deathwing freed his sword and snapped the gun back into place, forming the handle of his gun/sword weapon and pointing it at Nightfire.
"You loose." He sneered. And made one finial slash.
"Repair cycle complete." The computer announced.
The door of the CR chamber opened and Nightfire stepped out. Immediately, he noticed Optimus, Rhinox and Rattrap all staring angrily at him.
"Fine, start screaming at me."
"Nightfire! What did you think you were doing!" Optimus said angrily.
"None of your business."
Nightfire began to walk towards the door. Optimus immediately stepped in front of him.
"I specifically told you not to engage and you disobeyed a direct order!"
Nightfire reared up on his hind legs so he could look Optimus in the eye. For a moment, he saw the reflection of his dragon beast form on Optimus' shiny chestplate. Nightfire's body was the color of night. With his fiery-red eyes, razor-like claws and teeth, huge wingspan and long tail, he definitely looked like a ferocious creature. Nightfire transformed into his robot mode, which kept the dragon wings and tail. The beast limbs folded to reveal robotic limbs. The dragon's neck shortened and the head converted, his robot head looking very dragon-like.
(Note: If you've played FFVII or FFVIII, go take a good look at the summon/GF Bahamut. Imagine a more metallic looking version of him with a shorter neck. That's the robot mode.)
"I had an old score to settle."
"Yeah, ya did a fine job with it alright. Getting ya tail whipped kid!" Rattrap interrupted.
Nightfire swung his tail and knocked Rattrap across the room. "When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it!"
"Look, Nightfire," he turned to face Optimus, "since you're with us now, at least try to be a little more co-operative."
"Sometimes, you've just got to follow your instincts." With that, Nightfire turned and headed for the elevator. Along the way, he barged into Syndrea, a Maximal velociraptor, who was entering the room.
"Oh, sorry…" she began. But Nightfire didn't answer or even look in her direction.
Optimus sighed as he watched Nightfire leave. "I just don't know what to do with him."
Maximals, they never understand, thought Nightfire.
Back on Cybertron, he'd been an excellent Predacon assassin, spy and saboteur in spite of his young age. Many who underestimated his youth never lived to regret it.
Phantom, he was called then, the shadow none lived to speak of.
Although, he'd made quite a reputation for himself among his fellows, after countless numbers of never-ending missions, Nightfire eventually got tired of it all. He ran away, becoming an outcast, holding allegiance to neither side. Still, he was a master of disguise and was able to come up with many false identities for himself.
I was simply the best. He thought with a grin of pride.
Between all this, he came to hear of an exploration ship that would be departing soon. Seeing it as a chance to get off planet, away from the memories of his past, Nightfire eagerly signed on as a fifth crewmember, using his false identity.
Unfortunately, this exploration ship was called on to engage a fleeing Predacon vessel. All that eventually led to him ending up in a war that he never wanted to fight in.
It wasn't too bad at first, until the Maximals discovered his true identity. But even worse that an old enemy of his had been part of the Predacon crew.
Nightfire was sure that none of the Maximals really trusted him, especially because of his reputation. Optimus was probably regretting letting him join the Maximal ranks.
As for Dinobot, he's got a clear code of honor. Me? I play dirty.
Nightfire shook his dragon head and sighed.
Later, Nightfire was flying on patrol when he picked up several Predacon energy signatures from a jungle below. Naturally, he decided to investigate.
He carefully landed and crept quietly towards the location of the energy signatures. He heard a rustling sound nearby.
So, I'm being followed, he thought. Nightfire lead his follower trail him for a while then paused and suddenly pounced onto his opponent.
"Hey, wait!" the tan and black velociraptor began, "I'm…"
"A Maximal." Nightfire finished for her. "Syndrea, right? Optimus sent you to watch me."
"How did you know?"
"Optimus' tried it so many times before."
"Oh. And could you let me up now?"
Nightfire let the smaller velociraptor get up. She was not unlike Dinobot, just smaller and with a different shade of brown and with black stripes.
"So, I guess you must be looking for the Preds, huh?" She asked.
"Till you distracted me and….Shhh!" Nightfire held up a claw to his snout. Voices could be heard coming from the bottom of a hill to their left.
"Here it is!" came Scorponok's voice, "Just as Megatron said!"
"Megatron said?! I was the one who found it!" Terrorsaur's voice replied.
"Hey Syndrea," Nightfire whispered, "Stay here and don't move."
He ran off before Syndrea had a chance to protest. Sighing, she moved to a higher position to take a look. Scorponok and Terrorsaur were standing outside a small cave in robot mode arguing while Nightfire was quietly sneaking up behind them. Nightfire transformed and drew his rifle.
As usual, he's gonna blast them from behind, Syndrea thought. Just then, she noticed Tarantulas. He was sneaking up behind Nightfire. Syndrea decided she had to stop him. Transforming and drawing her gun, she ran to catch up with him.
She was almost within range when suddenly, SNAP! She stepped on a dry twig.
All the Predacons spun towards her direction.
Nightfire heard the loud snap.
Stupid girl, he thought. But he used the distraction to spring up and blast Tarantulas.
"The Maximals! Destroy them!" Scorponok yelled. Terrorsaur and him fired at Nightfire. The dragon made a fancy leap and landed in front of them.
"Do your worst!" he taunted, drawing his blue energon blade.
Both Predacons began firing wildly at him. He took a few hits, but otherwise deflected the rest of the shots back at the Predacons. As the pair ran for cover, Nightfire noticed the blue glow of energon coming from the cave and deflected one of Scorponok's missiles straight into it.
There was a huge explosion, which sent the remaining two Predacons flying off into the distance, screaming all the way.
Nightfire got up, brushing the dirt off his wings, and turned to Syndrea, still standing behind him.
"That was amazing!" she gasped.
"No thanks to you." He replied.
"Sorry, I was just trying to help."
"Next time you want to help me, do me a favor and DON'T!"
"But Tarantulas was…"
"Behind me, I knew that all along!"
"I…"
Nightfire suddenly shoved her to the floor as the spot she'd been standing on erupted in flames.
"Very impressive." A voice sneered. Nightfire turned to see Deathwing descending from the sky. This Predacon had a vulture for his beast mode. He was also the 'old enemy' of Nightfire's.
With his energon blade in hand, Nightfire lunged for his enemy. Deathwing drew his own weapon, a gunblade and the two were soon hacking away at each other.
A few feet away, Syndrea was climbing to her feet, still stunned from the blast. Deathwing saw this and decided on a new strategy and aimed his blow towards the female Maximal.
"Syndrea! Watch out!"
Nightfire did the only thing he was close enough to do. He jumped in front of her attempting to shove her out of harm's way. Instead, Deathwing's blade sliced into his back.
"Rrrroooaaaaarrr!"
Nightfire managed to turn around and fire off several shots at Deathwing. The Predacon was disarmed by the first and sent flying off by the next few.
"Once again, he saves my life." Syndrea muttered to herself, running towards the dragon, who was now panting and crouched over in pain.
"Are you alright?" she asked. Nightfire didn't answer. He first transformed into his beast mode. After which, he promptly collapsed.
"NIGHTFIRE!" Syndrea dashed over to him.
The blow must have landed deeper than I thought!
Syndrea decided that this was not a good place to stay. With some effort, she managed to drag the unconscious dragon deeper into the forest where they wouldn't be easy for the Predacons to detect them. She tried to radio for help, but got static on every channel. Syndrea looked around and suddenly realized that she didn't know how to get back to the base.
Dammit!
Syndrea was desperately wondering what to do when she heard Nightfire's voice. At least, she thought she did.
(The base. Just…to the south. )
She started and spun round. Nightfire was lying there, the same way she'd left him. And he was still unconscious.
What was that? My imagination? Or maybe just my instincts? Either way, it's my best bet, right?
"Beast mode." She said, transforming into her velociraptor form. It wasn't easy, but finally she managed to haul Nightfire's limp form onto her shoulders and began running.
"I still can't contact either of them," Rhinox told Optimus, "too much interference."
"I'm going to look for them," Optimus activated his jets and opened the roof hatch, "keep me informed if you pick up anything."
"Will do."
Optimus took off, disappearing into the sky. Rattrap looked up from his card game.
"Told ya that kid was nothing but trouble."
"Shut up, Rattrap."
Syndrea ran till she was completely out of breath. Finally, she had to stop, putting Nightfire's limp form down beside a river.
This river! I'm sure it's the one leading to the base. Now if I just…
"Predacon unit detected." Her computer warned.
"Oh carp." She could faintly hear the sound of jets. Flyers, big trouble.
Turning Nightfire's body round, she pulled out an emergency distress beacon, a small circular object that would send a signal to any Maximal unit nearby. Syndrea activated the small device and gave a cry of delight when beeped a positive signal.
That meant that their friends had picked up the signal.
The roaring of jets was getting louder now. The Predacon unit was getting closer.
Syndrea transformed and pulled out Nightfire's rifle. The weapon felt awkward in her trembling hands, but she knew it packed a stronger punch that her own gun.
As Syndrea hid the dragon under some bushes, she got a very good look at his beast form. It was…majestic. That was the only word she could think of.
Imaging this creature, hunting, stalking. A sight that would simply make you stare in awe and fascination…
Syndrea shook the thoughts out of her head. Now's not the time to be daydreaming.
Gripping the rifle firmly, she ran off to face the enemy.
Nightfire awoke at the sound of footsteps. In spite of his blurred vision, he could make out Syndrea's form, holding a weapon, running off into the distance.
Syndrea! He tried to call, but nothing came out. Then the pain hit him. Every system in his body blazed with agony. He wanted to scream, but no sound left his snout.
He practically forgot it all when he heard the sounds of gunfire.
Syndrea! By the pit! Is she risking her life…for me?
Nightfire tired to struggle to his feet, but to no avail and collapsed back onto the floor. More gunshots could be heard.
If something happens to her, Optimus will never forgive me! Gotta help…
Nightfire closed his eyes.
There is something I can do…
Syndrea was not doing well.
Deathwing had been the Predacon unit she'd picked up and he was simply too fast for her to hit.
"Hahahha! Now you're finished, Maximal!" the Predacon laughed, firing a few more shots.
Syndrea barely dodged the shots. She scrambled behind a tree, panting wildly.
(Let me help. ) She heard a mysterious voice coming form nowhere.
"Who are you?" she whispered, glancing around.
(Doesn't matter. Calm yourself. Open your mind to me. )
Syndrea did that, feeling strangely at peace with this mysterious presence. Before she knew what she was doing, she sprung out of her hiding place and fired off several shots.
The carefully timed shots didn't hid Deathwing, but instead a tree as he was hovering next to it. The tree fell, knocking the stunned Predacon to the ground. She fired off another burst of shots.
These found their mark, hitting the Predacon squarely in the chest.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Predacon was hit again, but this time by several shots from Optimus Primal. Deathwing decided it was time to retreat.
"Curse you Optimus!" he yelled as the transformed and flew away.
"Thanks Optimus," Syndrea gasped, "but Nightfire's…"
"The others are taking care of him." Optimus told her, "thanks to you, he'll be alright. But I didn't know you could shoot like that."
"The truth is, neither did I…" Syndrea muttered, glancing at the rifle in her hands as if it were cursed.
Later…
Nightfire received another stern lecture from Optimus. After which, Nightfire promised he'd follow orders from now on.
After what seemed like hours, he was finally dismissed from Optimus' quarters with a stern warning. As he made his was to the exit, he ran into Syndrea in the control room. Both of these two were in beast mode. Rhinox was there too, working at his computers as usual.
"Hey big lizard," Syndrea said, "looking good."
"Yeah." He tried to walk past her. Syndrea pulled him back by his tail.
"Is that all you can say? No thanks or anything?"
"Oh I'm sorry," said Nightfire with a sarcastic tone in his voice, "were you expecting an 'Oh thank you so much for saving my life, I'm deeply in your debt'? Not from me."
"Oh you are so terrible!"
"Me? You were the one who almost got me killed."
"What??"
"You should have stayed there and kept quiet when I told you to."
"At least I was trying to help!"
Rhinox cut in, pushing the two apart and stand between them.
"You know," he smiled, "I've heard that if two bots argue a lot, it means that they actually care about each other very much."
"ME? Care about her??"
"ME? Care about him!!"
"Get real."
"Rhinox, you really have your circuits crossed."
Chuckling, Rhinox went back to his workstation.
"But," Syndrea pointed out, "you still owe me one for saving you."
"Fine," Nightfire had already thought of a way to get himself out of this mess, "I'll make you this offer."
Cheetor and Rattrap were coming into the room just as Nightfire said: "I'll take you out on a date, just once, take it or leave it."
Cheetor and Rattrap nearly fainted. Nightfire saw Syndrea thinking very hard.
Good, he thought, she's bound to say 'no' and I'll be out of this mess.
"Alright then," Syndrea smiled, "I accept."
"What! Ow!" Nightfire jumped up in surprise, extending his neck to its full length and hitting his head on a wall. "You were supposed to say 'NO'!"
"Way to go dragonman!" Cheetor and Rattrap were clapping and whistling, "someone's got himself a hot date tonight!"
Nightfire was shaking his head, glaring angrily at Syndrea.
"I hate you sometimes." He muttered, "well I guess I have to keep this promise. I'll going to check out a few places, but not anywhere near Pred territory."
"Just meet me here tonight." Syndrea smiled.
Nightfire sighed. "Yeah…"
The dragon spread his wings and flew out through the open roof hatch.
Unseen to everyone else in the room, Rhinox smiled to himself.
"These two have a bright future ahead."