Beast Machines: The Retelling
Chapter 2: Master of the House
several days after arriving on Cybertron, The Maximals were able to
find a somewhat caved in area of the Catacombs that they could using
for both a temporary base and Training grounds. Optimus Primal sat in
the middle of a platform in front of Rhinox, SilverBolt, and Rattrap
as he had been trying to transform ever since they had arrived.
"Free your minds, let go of old thinking and focus on the
transformation within" Optimus said to his allies as Rhinox was in his
Zen position (Dark paths) Silverbolt was listening intently to
Optimus, and Rattrap was just trying to force his "transformation"
"What's with all the hocus pocus?" Rattrap asked losing his patience
"Just give us the command codes so we can transform already."
"It's not that easy anymore Rattrap" Optimus asserted "The Oracle had
melded us into a balance between both machine and living tissue.
Command codes and onboard computers are a thing of the past." he
explained
"So, what are we robots or animals?" Silverbolt asked. "Both...and
neither" Optimus replied. "Well that sure clears things up." Rattrap
complained.
"The key is finding the balance inside of yourself" Optimus said as
he slowly rose "then and only then can you truly say...I Am
Transformed" As Optimus fully stood up his body was enveloped to a
familiar blue light as he transformed from Beast mode to Robot mode.
As Silverbolt closed his eyes he could literally feel an energy from
within as he said "I Am Transformed" as a yellow light enveloped his
body, his upper body was replaced with Samurai-esque body plating and
his wings were turned into arms with 5 yellow talons on each hand, and
his back had 6 parallel pointed feathers in the shape of bent kunai
without handles. His new face was also drastically different,
instead of the animal fuzor head, his head was modeled after a late
20's Asian man with a pointed chin and goatee to go with it, also
different was his hair which fashioned as a Samurai pony tail.
It did not take long for Rhinox to find the balance within himself as
he followed Silverbolt's example.
(A/N: just a heads up...I'm sorry)
"I Am Transformed" as Rhinox spoke a yellow light enveloped his body
and as he transformed and as he stood up he saw...he looked the same
as before. Rhinox saw that except for his brown hide now switched to
silver his body was the same? "Huh, I was expecting something
more...original" Rhinox commented. But Optimus walked towards him and
placed a hand on Rhinox's shoulder "well you know what they say old
friend, if it isn't broke don't fix it" Optimus said cheering up his
friend. "You know your right better to have my old body than something
weird and complicated" Rhinox replied now looking happy at his "old"
form.
As Silverbolt and Rhinox were checking over their forms, Rattrap was
fidgeting trying to put everything into his transformation. "I am
transformed, I...am transformed." "Rattrap calm down" Optimus spoke up
"you can't force it, just focus." Rattrap then took a breath, closed
his eyes, and clenched his fists "can you feel it?" Rhinox asked.
Suddenly the entire chamber started to shake, breaking Rattrap's
concentration "oh... I'm feeling something alrig-BOOM!
Suddenly a blue drill shaped drone burst through the wall, launching
to the other side of the room and causing Rhinox and Silverbolt to
revert to their Beast modes. A compartment on The Drill drone opened
up revealing a machine gun as it opened fire on the Maximals. But
Optimus still in his robot mode shielded his allies using his power to
absorb the Drill Drones fire.
"You lost your emotional center!" Optimus yelled to his allies.
"What's the point of transforming if we can't do it under fire!"
Silverbolt replied Optimus' only reply was angrily destroying the
Drill drone with a Power Blast (A/N: hey it needed a name) and
transforming back to beast mode but before he could say something to
Silverbolt he heard Rattrap ranting underneath shattered piece of the
wall "I am transformed, I am transformed, I am Getting really PISSED
OFF HERE!" (A/N: wanted to avoid the cheese puns)
Rattrap...let's try again later" Optimus said trying to calm him down.
"Let's move out Maximals." "You've got my support Optimus It's about
time we scouted out Cybertron" SilverBolt replied eagerly. " I meant
let's move out to find a new base, if that drone can find us more will
follow" Optimus pointed out " But Optimus ever since we arrived all
we've done is run and hide" Silverbolt said "we still have no idea how
we got here or what happened to the planet, when will we find out?"
Silverbolt snapped at him. "When our training is complete" Optimus
said sternly "look Optimus I'm all for mastering robot mode" Rhinox
spoke up "but shouldn't we try to contact our allies?" "And what makes
you think we have any?" Rattrap asked despairingly. "The first order of
business is to find a new base" Optimus said "we'll split up into two
groups: Rattrap you go with Silverbolt, and Rhinox you're with me."
As the Maximals split into their respective groups, Optimus called to
Silverbolt "And Silverbolt...get your attitude checked."
(Transition)
After almost after half an hour of walking Rattrap saw something was
bothering Silverbolt so he decided to cheer him up in his usual way
"Man!" Rattrap exclaimed "I've never seen the boss monkey get onto you
like that. And I've never seen you like that." Silverbolt still looked
downcast but he decided to explain "It's my fault anyway, I don't know
why but ever since I was reformatted something's been drawing me to the
surface but I don't know what it is."
Suddenly a dim pillar of light shined on them and they could see the
shape of a man-hole lid, giving Rattrap an idea. "Well why don't we go
topside and find out what's bothering you?" he proposed. "Yes great
idea and disobey Optimus in the process" Silverbolt said. "Optimus
told us to find a new base, but he never said where" Rattrap said as
he climbed the walls up to the man-hole while Silverbolt gave him a
sour look. "Fine be a Fraidy-Bird" Rattrap taunted making Silverbolt
concede "fine just give me a second" Silverbolt said as he stretched
his wing and flew upwards alongside Rattrap.
After reaching the top and lifting the manhole lid, Rattrap hopped out
and Silverbolt was finally able to stretch his wings. Rattrap whistled
at the buildings around him "'Bolt, welcome to Cybertropolis home to
6...million...transformers." Rattrap suddenly realized the eerie
silence in the supposedly bustling city.
"But it seems that everyone has...disappeared?" Silverbolt said
curiously. "Well yeah but if did happen, wouldn't there be a distress
signal or an emergency beacon?" Rattrap responded. Silverbolt then
noticed something out of the corner of his eye that looked like a hunk
of metal sticking out of a ground with a huge button attached.
"Rattrap, what is that thing?" Silverbolt asked pointing at the object
with his foot talon. "Well I'll be, it's a Cybertron Information
Kiosk: it basically tell civilians major events happening on
Cybertron" Rattrap explained as he pushed the button activating it,
but all that showed were red glaring letters that said "DATA
INACESSABLE". "What in the name of Primus is going on here?" Rattrap
said perplexed while Silverbolt's attention was elsewhere "it seems
the entire core has been erased, why would they...HUSH!" Silverbolt
cut off Rattrap as he heard a strange whirring noise "what's got your
feathers ruffled?" Rattrap asked. As the noise got louder he looked to
the other side of the road he saw blue colored jets with a yellow trim
flying towards them. And acting on instinct yelled "AMBUSH!" and
grabbed Rattrap with his talons and flew away from the kiosk before
the Drones opened fire destroying the Kiosk.
"HEY BIRD BRAIN NEXT TIME GIVE ME A WARNING WOULD YA!" Rattrap
screamed as Silverbolt flew through the air narrowly avoiding enemy
fire. "We don't have time for this Rattrap" Silverbolt replied "we
have to either transform or hold them off." "I vote Turn Left!"
Rattrap yelled. Silver bolt then realized that they were headed
straight towards a building and turned just in the nick of time, But
the Aero drones weren't so lucky as they crashed into the building
creating a huge smoldering hole in the side of it.
After landing and catching their breaths Silverbolt spoke up "Good
eye, Rattrap" he complimented but Rattrap's turned into one of fear
again "They've got friends!" he pointed to another squad of Aero-
Drones. "Well so do we" Silverbolt said excited. Next thing he knew
Rhinox appeared behind them while Optimus Primal jumped over Rattrap
and Silverbolt and yelled "I Am Transformed!"
As the Aero-Drones flew closer Optimus activated his Jetpack and flew
level with them (A/N: same altitude) and fired his Chest Laser (or
Shuriken you decide) destroying two of the drones. But this did not
hamper their onslaught as the rest of the Aero-Drones immediately
transformed and opened fire on Optimus. Optimus was able to use a
Power Blast to destroy another drone but as soon as that one was
destroyed, two more flew in and opened fire on the Maximals launching
them into the air.
Having had enough, the Maximals tried to transform. Rhinox and
Silverbolt tried to transform but they were still shaken from the
explosion and unable to control their emotions. As for Rattrap when he
launched into the air his tail had latched onto a metal pole spinning
him around and round until he was jammed into a nearby huge pipe.
"Don't give in to your emotions your Beast Modes will take over!"
Optimus yelled to his comrades while charging another Power Blast.
As Rhinox closed his eyes he remembered Optimus' words and let go of
his emotions and transformed into his robot mode as 2 Aero-Drones
transformed into robot mode lasers charging.
(A/N: Okay quick pause in the narrative here. For those of you who
never saw Beast Machines when they Transform for battle they never say
how they figured out their attacks they just "knew" how to do them so
just play along p.s. Rhinox's weapons are Energon enhanced Trench
Knives and an electro-punch which will be used later. And Silverbolt's
are feather bombs and some hand to hand combat. OK back to the story)
As the Drones opened fire, two silver serrated Trench Knives with
purple shining ends appeared from Rhinox's wrists (Subspace, look it
up) and landed square in his hands. Almost on instinct, Rhinox used
the knives Energon edges to deflect the Drones fire not even one shot
making contact. He then used the lasers against the drones by
deflecting 2 simultaneous shots into the drones arms throwing them
off balance, taking this advantage Rhinox jumped up to level with them
and thrust his weapons into the drone's neck joints decapitating them
and watching them fall to the ground with a smirk on his face.
Back with Silverbolt he focused on Optimus' past guidance ""Seek the
balance...Tame the beast within" as he felt the power surge within him
he transformed into a battle stance as an Aero-Drone approached and
opened fire. Before he could even think, Silverbolt jumped over the
drone's head and kicked it into the wall and instantly throwing one of
his feather blades which exploded on contact with the droid leaving
Silverbolt perplexed at his new "Feather Bombs"
After noticing Silverbolt defeated his foe Rhinox called to him
"Silverbolt! Give Rattrap a hand getting out of that pipe!" "I'm on it
Rhinox" Silverbolt replied.
Cut to Rattrap who had been able to un-jam himself from the pipe and
instead was now inside it hiding from a Lone Aero-Drone looking for
him. And as it drew closer Rattrap frantically spoke "I am
transformed" over and over until the drone found and he covered his
eyes waiting for the inevitable, but all he heard was the sound of
metal and wires bending and breaking. And when Rattrap opened his eyes
all he saw was Silverbolt holding the Aero-Drone's head and it's body
at his feet, causing Rattrap too almost faint. "Easy, friend"
Silverbolt spoke up trying to calm him down "You're never going to
transform until you calm down." "Oh I'm gonna transform all right"
Rattrap said asserting "and when I do...watch out!"
At the same time that Silverbolt saved Rattrap, Optimus had finished
off the last of the drones by crushing them with an overpass. And as
he lowered himself to the ground and he and the Maximals transformed
into beast mode, Optimus had a scowl on his face directed towards one
particular bot. "SILVERBOLT!" he yelled in anger, but before he could
do anything Rattrap jumped into his view. "Wait, Optimus" Rattrap said
defending Silverbolt "this is my fault I know I shouldn't have egged
'Bolt on but look at what we learned: the whole city's abandoned maybe
even the whole planet!"
"Wait, what if some sort of disaster forced everyone to evacuate?"
Rhinox inquired. "But it doesn't make sense" Silverbolt spoke up
"what sort of disaster leaves entire cities standing without a scratch?"
"The Virus" Optimus said ominously. "The one that triggered our memory
glitches and froze our transforming protocols!" Rhinox exclaimed in
realization. "That's why The Oracle had to reformat us...it was the
only way to cure it!" Silverbolt added.
"But what about the flying attack dogs?" Rattrap said receding to the
ruins of one of the Aero-Drones.
"The Council Citadel" Optimus said pointing towards the structure in
the middle of Cybertropolis "if there are any answers they'll be in
there."
(Transition)
After two hours of walking (or in Silverbolt's case flying) the
Maximals had finally reached the Citadel with Rattrap rushing to the
entrance. "Rattrap wait" Optimus yelled trying to stop him "the
Council Citadel may be heavily guarded!"
Almost on cue a whole platoon of Tank drones droves through the
opening doors of the Citadel making Rattrap to whimper out "you think?" As
the Tanks primed their cannons Optimus ran up to Rattrap and threw him
back to Silverbolt and Rhinox. "Hold them off as long as you can"
Optimus commanded "I'm going in." But the drones were onto him as they
were all focused their cannons on him, but Optimus knew that the
cannons needed to charge as he ducked and swerved past the lasers and
even jumped on one of the drones and used its own cannon to spin and
vaulted through the open door. But instead of chasing after Optimus
the drones instead chased after the rest of the Maximals, leaving
Optimus thankful that his plan worked.
(Cutaway)
After a few minutes of walking in the same large corridor Optimus
finally saw the end of it, but before he could reach it six Cycle-
Drones blocked his path in a diamond formation and saw the exit to the
corridor about to close. Deciding not to waste his time Optimus reamed
through four of the cycle drones while two were simply knocked aside.
As one of the drones was able to transform, the other transformed into
Ramp mode and let the other drone drive over it to literally fly
through the air after Optimus and shooting at him. As Optimus ran
towards the closing exit he could hear the laser blasts getting
closer, seeing as there was only a little time left Optimus leaped
past the door as the Drone simply crashed into it.
As Optimus opened his eyes he could barely see two feet in front of
him, until a blinding light flashed and revealed several mechanical
platforms floating in the air. One by one the platforms began to form
a path, seeing as there was no way back he walked and walked as a new
piece joined with every step he took.
But suddenly the light that was following him showed that the
platforms had joined with the main structure. As the light flew around
the room; it revealed a hatch in the ceiling and the entire ceiling.
"What is this place?" Optimus asked not expecting an answer when
suddenly the hat he'd in the ceiling opened revealing a huge control
wire connected to something...or someone. "You might call it my throne
room, Optimus Primal" a deep ominous voiced replied as the Mech in the
control apparatus lowered himself to Optimus' level as Primal realized
who it was.
"Megatron" Optimus said venomously "what have you done to the Council
of Elders!" he demanded. "Alas, they are no longer in control;
Cybertron is now my domain" Megatron replied "you may bow before your
new lord...and master."
Optimus just stared at Megatron with malice and confusion on how he
had gotten control of Cybertron. "Surprised to see your old nemesis
Optimus Primal?" Megatron asked with malice in his voice. "I believe
we have some catching up to do, a few memory gaps to fill?" that
comment was enough to make Optimus growl threateningly at him. "Let's
start with the Beast Wars: they are over, you lost" Megatron said with
a smirk on his face "although there are a few loose ends running
about" with a wave of his hand Megatron summoned several view screens
all showing the Maximals running from the drones. "We have to draw
them away from the Council Citadel" Rhinox said over the view screens.
"What about keeping them away from us?" Rattrap asked frantically.
"Your Jew beast modes may protect you from my virus" Megatron pointed
out "but they won't save you from my Vehicons." The view screens then
switched to images of the Tank Drones chasing the Maximals up a
building. "The way of the future, Transformers without sparks no more
individual minds, just one single guiding intelligence...MINE!"
The Maximals were having no luck evading the Vehicons as they climbed
up a building trying to get ahead of their pursuers. Rhinox was the
first up as Silverbolt was carrying Rattrap on his back, and saw that
the building's ceiling was connected to three overpasses. "Quick,
split up we can take them out separately" Rhinox said taking charge.
As they ran their separate ways the Vehicons were close behind.
"I control all of Cybertron!" Megatron said with grandeur in his voice
"I am the future; I have forged this entire planet into one elegant
machine, a vision of technological purity" Megatron spoke with such
pride you could the arrogance around him. "And you four MONGRELS would
contaminate that vision with your accursed Beast Modes!" "My
memory's a little faulty Megatron, but I seem to recall you having a
Beast Mode yourself" Optimus said accusingly. This was enough to make
Megatron scream with rage "And wiped it clean from my shell, like a
virus!" He spat with venom in his voice "the same way I wiped this
planet clean, and the same way I intend to finish the job WITH YOU!"
Megatron yelled as he shot Optimus with a low energy shot from his
plasma hand causing Optimus to fall onto the main platform.
(Transition)
Silverbolt ran as fast as he could from the Tank drones but they were
close behind using their tread feet to chase after him. While at first
feeling trapped he realized he had something the tanks didn't; flight.
As the Tank drones caught up to him he simply looked and waved at them
before launching himself off of the building and transforming into
beast mode and flew off laughing to safety.
Megatron observed all of this from his command center and scowled at
the Maximals' victory. "What's wrong Megatron" Optimus taunted him "is
your single elegant machine having trouble multiple tasking?" This was
enough to cause Megatron to yell in rage and smash the view screen with
his own fist.
(Transition)
Rhinox's luck was going well for him he originally had a whole squad
of Tank Drones following climbing after him on a tall building, but he
used his new weapons to carve out chunks of the building and used them
to destroy all but one Vehicon. Reaching the top of the building he
knew he only had a few seconds to think up a plan.
From the Tank drones point of view we see that nobody is on the
ceiling, but before it can react Rhinox pops up from under the railing
and punched it square in the face causing to fall to its destruction.
Megatron once again saw the failure of his Vehicons as Optimus
continued to taunt him "frustrating isn't it, trying to focus on four
chaotic individual minds at once." "SILENCE!" Megatron yelled in
rage, but Optimus continued undaunted.
"Your still controlled by emotions, that's not very technologically
pure is it Megatron?" Optimus continued as Megatron literally glowed
red with rage. "You can feel the anger rising in you, your just about
ready TO EXPLODE!" With that final word Megatron exploded with rage
as he began to disconnect with his control apparatus piece by piece
and Vehicons all around the Citadel, especially the ones surrounding
Rattrap began to short-out and go offline.
Back with the Maximals who regrouped at Rattrap's position and noticed
all of the offline Vehicons. "What happened to them?" Silverbolt asked.
"Maybe it was my animal magnetism" Rattrap said failing to be witty.
"We have to help Optimus" Rhinox commanded "he's still in the Citadel!"
As Megatron fell from his apparatus his beast mode was revealed.
Instead of the red and purple dragon Optimus (who was now transformed)
remembered he was torn and twisted, no doubt from his twisted
experiments to get rid of his beast mode. Megatron charged towards
Optimus, but Optimus caught him in a headlock and forced Megatron to
look at himself in a view screen. "Look at yourself Megatron, see the
thing you despise the most, Cybertron will never be pure as long as
the beast exist within you...you failed." As Optimus finished his
tirade Megatron had a small smirk on his face. "No Primal, YOU have
failed!" Megatron then shot a fireball at the view screen causing it to
explode and knocking both of them apart. "You're still too late to save
your people, billions of transformers their extinguished sparks are on
YOUR hands!" Megatron said with malice in his voice.
"What have you done with them" Optimus said with his anger rising.
"Perhaps if you had won the beast wars things might be a little
different, who's to say?" Megatron then Transformed into his Control
apparatus and his connection over Cybertron began again. "TELL ME WHAT
YOU'VE DONE!" Optimus yelled losing control of his emotions and
reverting back to Beast Mode as Megatron simply sneered in triumph
"who's the beast now, Primal?"
Megatron then raised his hand and opened the door to the control room revealing dozens of revving Cycle-
Drones. But before the Cycle drones could reach the Control room,
Rhinox and Silverbolt appeared behind them and used their respective
electro-punch and feather bombs to destroy several of the drones.
Megatron yelled in anger as he had been unable to destroy them, while
Rhinox and Silverbolt were shocked to see their old enemy alive.
Megatron decided to take matters into his own hands and chased the
pathway under Optimus' feet to give away and before Optimus could
reach his allies, he fell in to the seemingly endless darkness.
Megatron laughed triumphantly and summoned another wave of Cycle-
Drones to finish off the rest of the Maximals. And just when it seemed
they were finished; Rhinox and Silverbolt saw Optimus, alive and using
his jetpack to fly out of the pit. Megatron had had enough and decided
to obliterate them himself as he flew towards the Maximals. "Optimus,
we have to leave now" Silverbolt said "we're outnumbered." "NO! This
is my fight" Optimus said as he braced himself for Megatron's attack.
Rhinox saw that Optimus wasn't going to be convinced, he used a mild
Electro-punch to incapacitate Optimus but still leave him conscious. As
Rhinox and Silverbolt used their combined strength to drag Optimus
away, Rattrap jumped from out from the shadows where he was hiding and
used his long claws to unscrew a vent opening. "Alright Optimus you've
saved my tail enough times today, now it's my turn to save yours"
Rattrap spoke under his breath as he unscrewed the last bolt on the
vent as the Vehicons and Megatron drew closer. "Let's get going while
the goings good!" Rattrap yelled to his friends as he jumped into the
vent. As the rest of the Maximals reached the vent, Optimus still put
up a little resistance before falling into the vent and yelling
"Megatrooooon!" As he heard his foe's words reverberate through the
citadel, Megatron had a victorious scowl on his face seeing his
enemy's flee in defeat.
(Transition)
After evading the patrols of Vehicons, the Maximals had finally
reached the catacombs of Cybertron. And after catching their breath,
Silverbolt asked the question that was on all of their minds. "I don't
understand Optimus, I thought we defeated Megatron how is he in
control of Cybertron?"
A Grim saddened look came over Optimus' face "I failed, I could have
prevented this nightmare...And now it's up to me to end it." Optimus
said before looking at his comrades "But I will need some help
so...what do you say" Optimus then put his hand between them
"Maximals?" "You don't even need to ask, old friend" Rhinox said as he
was the first to step forward and put his hand on Optimus'. "And I
would follow you to the end, Optimus" Silverbolt said as he stepped
forward and followed Rhinox's example. All that was left was Rattrap
as his friends looked towards them and he looked back nervous. "Come
on Rattrap if it wasn't for you we would have never had escaped the
Citadel" Rhinox said. "Oy, I just know we're all gonna die but..."
Rattrap then walked forward and placed his hands on the others' "I
wouldn't have it any other way" he said proudly. Optimus then looked
at his faithful friends and began to speak "Now that we are united, we
represent the new age for Cybertron. We are no longer simple machines
or mindless animals we are now the perfect unity of the two, we are no
longer transmetals, Fuzors, or Optimals; we are now from this moment
on...BEAST MACHINES!"
(A/N: Holy Christ I'm finally done this took forever to finish but I'm
proud of how it turned out. please please PLEASE review I need to know
what you think.)