OK, this is just a pilot chapter. It's sorta based off my oneshot, Paper Hummingbirds. But there's isn't much interaction between characters as far as I know. I'm sorta considering it.
Please enjoy and Respond!
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers!
****HAILTOTHEDOMINUS****
Earth has fallen.
The decepticons have won. But they won without a fight from humanity after releasing a deadly disease. It was more than that though. It was a weapon made to give humans a sudden and intense pain. It boils your blood into nothing, bones turn into fire. The fire burns through your muscles, and slowly reaches your skin and pops your eyeballs. I wiped out a hundred thousand in a week. By a couple months, entire countries were wiped out.
And then strategically placed attacks were executed by the decepticons. The autobots tried – they really did – to stop them. But the 'cons were everywhere, and they were spread out too thin. They were captured. You'd think they'd be killed, but they weren't. No, they were forced to become slaves of the higher ranking officers.
The remaining humans were also taken. But instead of being murdered, they became experiments. Often times, autobots were forced to watch as humans of all ages – from infants to the elderly, from adults to teens, and from teens to young kids – were tortured. They were mere tests, to see what would happen. And they mixed their DNA with something else. Something that sometimes reacted badly. Many watched as they grew extra limbs, or their bones exploded from the inside. Not really a pretty picture, you know, seeing little kids' eye's exploded and their bones going pop and protruding out from their skins.
But something was injected into a series of humans. 6 of them, to be exact.
6 humans were injected with something (no one except Megatron and certain scientists/medics know what). And that something was a success.
And thus, a new species was born.
They weren't human or Cybertronian. They were Inferi.
There is no hope for Earth. There was no one left to hope. Hope was a myth now. Unreal…but it could've existed at one point. Or maybe something close to it. Nobody really knows anymore.
But the Inferi, they were something else. Only slightly larger than a human, say 7 feet tall (on average). Inferi had large wings on their back, the lifespan of a Cybertronian, and didn't truly age physically. They were thin, fast, and very pretty. Unlike humans, they had glowing eyes of every color. 'Course they had the regular colors like brown, hazel, blue, green, and others…but they also had neon yellow, pink, red, neon blue and green, and bright colors that glowed. The femmes had very long hair, usually 3-4 feet. The males were usually shoulder or ear length. Nobody had any shorter hair. And their ears were slightly pointed at the tips. The femmes had natural colored nails that changed color with every emotion they feel. If they were stressed, the nails would turn black, or pink if they were in love, blue if they were sad. The mechs were much, much, stronger than femmes. They also had wings of all colors and textures. Some were like sandpaper and bright blue, or like satin and light green. Some were feathery and dark brown.
Inferi were like pets, sold at certain areas (we'll get into that area later within the story). You had to have a lot of credits or know 'people' to get them.
The autobots who were enslaved were forced to spend most of their time on the ground on their knees or behind their owner. It was a very shameful and agonizing experience. They could be treated anyway – most were cruel; it was considered very strange to be nice to one.
The social class was also rebuilt.
1st class: Megatron and his cronies (Starscream, Soundwave, etc.). Mostly high ranking officers (Seekers, for one) and his advisors. The closer you were to Megatron, the more power you held. It also decreased the risk of dying.
2nd class: It may sound bad (If you lived before the massive takeover) but it was a pretty good place to be on the food chain. You might call it the higher middle class nowadays. These were made up of the rich people, the nobles, and the lords. They were usually in charge of the energon mines and/or entertainers. Medics are included in this class, as well as scientists. Both were closer to the first class under certain circumstances. For example, Megatron's medic could be in the first class; or a scientist developing assigned specifically by Megatron, for Megatron.
3rd class: The citizens. These were the people who lived within city-states. They were average, ordinary. An okay life to lead, but they were ripped off often, and not considered useful. They held jobs such as energon making/mining.
4th class: The poor. You do not wanna be them. They were treated like dirt. You'd see them a lot, though. They'd be out on the streets, begging for credits or help. How'd they become poor? They probably lost everything to Megatron. Or maybe an officer had pulled some strings to rip them off, making them go bankrupt. The 4th class sometimes held released autobots who had begged for mercy and 'saw their faults'. You didn't see them a lot though.
Anything Below: Usually dead within a few weeks, maximum. Or perhaps they were held as prisoners. Megatron liked a new toy every now and then.
Earth.
Gone forever.
All that's left are the decepticons and their pets. There is no Earth.
There is only a place. A place filled with suffering, longing, and confidence of those in power.
As long as he stands, Dominus Megatron will crush anyone and anything in his way. He will crush those who defy him painfully, and will destroy all hope and faith.
There is no such thing as hope anymore.
This is a new planet.
This is Vita Nova.
Optimus Prime followed Megatron, shoulders hunched over and head bowed. He nervously glanced up again, and then back down. They were heading towards Off's stock, where he kept hundreds of Inferi.
Optimus Prime followed Megatron, shoulders hunched over and head bowed. He nervously glanced up again, and then back down. They were head towards Off's stock. Behind them, two vertical rows of 6 followed Megatron, chest plates puffed out and armor shining. They carried spears with sharp, glowing blue tips. The bottom scraped the ground loudly, creating a steady beat they marched with. These were Megatron's guards. Megatron and Optimus didn't march, of course, but the scraping beat was loud, and was known to many as the Warning. It meant Megatron was coming. And he almost never had a good reason for leaving his palace. This time, however, he was coming to add to his collection of prisoners. The dictator was coming for an Inferi. He, as the most fearsome and most powerful person in the world, had many servants, soldiers, slaves, and everything else except for Inferi. He saw them as a reminder of Earth – and he despised what was Earth. Vita Nova was all that remains, and to Megatron, Vita Nova is his offspring, his sparkling he brought to life.
They approached Off's. Said mech came out, obviously hearing the Warning. He looked nervous, but Megatron grinned. It was a sickly grin, one not truly happy or joyful. It was Megatron showing he was practically bathing himself in Off's fear. Off was a 3rd class mech, but he was known for keeping the finest Inferi and had done plenty of illegal things and did a lot of bribing to shut a few mechs and femmes up.
He respectfully dropped to his knees and dipped his head low.
"Dominus Megatron," he greeted, looking like he was fighting the urge to start kissing him on his peds. It was probably just an act.
"What may I do for you, Dominus?"
I was having the worst day ever. Off had gotten mad at me today, and now I was stuck in the Closet. The Closet was a place hat could've been average sized to a mech, but giant to an Inferi. But not it was impossible for a mech to get in and extremely tight to an Inferi.
I was 'acting out' again, and Off had locked me in here. It was stuffy and hot, and there was junk everywhere. Not trash, but just junk. Old crap like broken datapads, old armor, empty paint cans, old energon cubes…okay, maybe there is some trash in here…but that's beside the point. The Closet is torture. Inferi are naturally claustrophobic. We need fresh air and open space to fly our wings. We can do that almost anywhere, and a tight place – do to our size – is nearly impossible. That is especially weakening to us when we are stuck in a tight spot like this. And the Closet is piled sky high with junk. I've made myself comfortable in a small pile of Magna Flos on top of a 20 foot pile of cracked datapads and small chunks of armor.
I'm lucky; I've gotten locked in here so many times as a punishment I was pretty used to it. It was still uncomfortable, but I wasn't having a full out panic attack and screaming to get out. At least Off wasn't tying my wings together – he hadn't thought of that. And I may be crazy, but I'm not crazy enough to make him consider that.
I fluttered my wings and took in a deep breath, brushing my vibrant blood red hair back. I hear the Warning outside. It's right by Off's entrance. If Dominus Megatron was coming here…perhaps to collect one of us…I hope Off will let me stay inside. Maybe he will; he'll think I might make him look bad. Oh, I kinda wanna do that now. Make Off piss himself and say something that'd make Megatron himself blush. Now that'd be a sight….Nah, Off would kill me later. Or shove me back here for the rest of eternity. Or Megatron might kill me. Or Off. Or both of us. Slowly, painfully…
Oh well. Better Off than me.
And suddenly, the door slams as far open as it could go, and Off is snatching me off from my pile of Magna Flos.
Optimus shifted his weight from his left foot to his right foot at random moments of time.
Many Inferi are in a large, beautiful room. It was like a human garden, but magnificent. There was a glass dome up above, paintings of stunning green vines of all shades of green. Magna Flos are everywhere, also different (but spectacular) colors.
There was a cool breeze in the air, and many other organic plants seemed to sway to it. Or maybe they were swaying to those walking by it…almost waving hello.
The once great Prime felt a pang of sadness, reminded of what had once been.
" – and these are the Inferi. There are some more around here, but the majority are in this room. I hope you find one that pleases you the most, Dominus."
"OFF! I wish to see where – Dominus Megatron, how much of an honor it is to see you, of course." Starscream started off screeching to Off, but catching sight of Megatron, he purred in a sickly sweet voice.
"Starscream," the Dominus responded, nodding. Starscream's own guards, 3 rows of 3 seekers followed him, and his slave – the autobot 3IC, designated Jazz – did the same. Jazz, unlike Optimus, stared out. Not looking any mech in the optics, but didn't keep his optics mainly on the ground. It made Optimus feel weak and ashamed. Megatron had broken him, but Jazz had remained strong. Although, Jazz was in a worse physical condition than him. Again, he felt ashamed of himself. He's Prime! He should be stronger than this! Jazz had many dents and scratches. He seemed to be sore, a slight limp in his step, wires poking out, the list went on and on.
Jazz stared straight at Optimus. A small smile played on his lips. And then Starscream's hand came flying out and knocked him to the ground. He grunted and somehow pulled himself up, even though he was handcuffed. Optimus had yet to figure out how to do that. Megatron would usually jerk him back up by his shoulder.
"You do not look anyone in the optics!" Starscream hissed. Jazz snorted. "Of course, Master," putting emphasis on 'master' just as Starscream did with the words 'do not' and 'anyone'. "It's as if I've finally decided I'll be a good little slave and listen to your slag. I love doing as you say." He said sarcastically. Another smack, but Jazz did not fall to the ground.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" Starscream shrieked. "You will do as I command!"
"That worked so many times on me, Starscream, and you know it."
"SHUT UP!"
"Your voice is so annoying."
BAM! Jazz was shoved up against the wall by his throat.
"One more word you say and I will lose my temper…."
"As if you hadn't lost it already."
Starscream didn't verbally respond to that. He only smirked. "And I know you absolutely love it when I lose my temper." The SIC hissed.
It was obvious there was a deeper meaning to his words, and Jazz caught it. He stared Starscream dead in the optics. And then he dropped his gaze, giving him the barest and stiffest of nods.
He was released, and kept his gaze on the floor.
"Dominus, Off," Starscream nodded with forced politeness towards the two. "It was quite the pleasure to see you both."
"Come, slave, we have much to do now. Much, much more to do…"
Jazz, with the barest of glances at Optimus, followed, briefly brushing by him.
And then Optimus was alone with Megatron, Off, and the Inferi around the area. There was a brief pause of awkward silence. No mech said anything for a few moments, until Megatron announced he was going to study the Inferi and Off quickly continued talking.
"I'm sure my slave will be fine on his own?" Megatron inquired Off with a raised optic ridge. Off quickly nodded and rambled on some more. "Yes, yes…of course, Dominus, I will…"
Optimus tuned them out and glanced at the Inferi. Megatron and Off moved away towards a crowd of Inferi. He glanced at the Inferi closest towards a door that lead to another part of the building. The femme had bright red hair, almost equivalent to the human hue of blood.
Optimus – glancing at Dominus Megatron and Off – stepped closer to the Inferi. Her wings fluttered gently, and crooked smile played on her lips.
Hello there.
A voice popped into his mind, and he recoiled as the femme smirked.
I am Ember.
***HAILTOTHEDOMINUS***
Okay, hope you enjoyed that chapter. Please REVIEW!
I used some Latin here (tell me if you spotted it). 'Vita Nova' means 'new beginning'. 'Dominus' means 'lord'. 'Magna Flor' means 'Big Flower'. I'll explain some changes to Earth in the next A/N, so please tune in for that! It's really important!
Quick questions: How do you think Inferi should dress?
And what type of pairing should there be? I'm thinking Jazz/Ember or Optimus/Ember. I'm open to any suggestions! And I'll try to PM a response to reviews! Ask your questions, PM me, and REVIEW.
Share your thoughts! :D
SweetnSour CHICKen