Chapter 3: Blade of the Samurai
Lair of the Fallen
"My lord, the special ops division, has been... destroyed." Shockwave stated.
"I am fully aware of that commander." The Fallen said clenching the arm rest of his throne, "Clearly we underestimated his combat abilities. Regardless, he shouldn't be a problem with that collar in place." The Fallen added.
"We should probably consider filling his position." Shockwave recommended.
"Indeed, I shall." The Fallen returned.
"Any you had in mind my lord?" Shockwave asked?
"You could say that." The Fallen answered.
Dyclonia: Inner Wall
A dark figure, sword in hand, stands perched over the roof of a castle which bares a similar style to that of the ones built in feudal Japan. Blade shining in the moon light, and dripping with fresh Energon, he gazes over the horizon.
"A land filled with weaklings," He signs, "surly there must be someone strong enough to challenge me."
A short distance away, there stood a holographic being. Beside it knelt the captain of the Diaclone Royal Guard.
"You're sure it was him Minerva, again?" said the shining construct, "Even after I informed him of our current issues, he went on another violent spree."
"What will you do?" Asked the captain, "Lady Dyclonus."
"There is only one path that can change him." Replied Dyclonus.
The warrior surveyed the streets, looking for a potential opponent.
"Your mayhem has gone on long enough Lieutenant." Called out a voice from behind him. "Lady Dyclonus has ordered that you disarm. If you do not comply, the decision will be your last."
The Lieutenant turned to face the guards that were sent to arrest him. "So, you intend to kill me?" He asked resting his blade on his shoulder, "I just slaughtered hundreds who couldn't, what makes you think you can? If it's death you seek, that's what you'll get. Just don't chicken out halfway through."
The warrior made quick work of the guards. "Why?" He asked, "No matter how many I kill, I'm never satisfied. There must be something I'm missing, but what is it?"
"Lieutenant!" A voice called out.
"Dyclonus, you came out here personally. What's the occasion?" The lieutenant said lowering his sword, "and would you mind leaving out the formalities."
"You dare speak to her lady in such a manor? How dare you!" Exclaimed Minerva pulling out her sword.
"Minerva, stand down." Dyclonus ordered.
"You're lucky she called you off Captain." The warrior stated.
"What way is that to talk to your superior?" Minerva exclaimed.
"You may have a higher rank, but you're not my superior." The warrior returned.
"That's enough!" Dyclonus exclaimed, "Bludgeon, why are you doing this?"
"I only want to become stronger my lady, stronger then any warrior that ever picked up a blade," Bludgeon stated, "and I don't care how many lives I have to take."
"I see." Dyclonus proclaimed, "So you refuse to stop this reckless violence despite my plea?"
"I told you along time ago, I'll do anything to reach my goals." Bludgeon reassured, "regardless of what stands in my way."
"Then you leave me with no other option." Dyclonus said raising her arms forming a triangle with her hands.
A space bridge opened up behind Bludgeon. Similar to that of a black whole, it began to draw him into the void.
"Wait, what are you doing I serve you!" Bludgeon demanded.
"You say you want to become stronger Bludgeon, but there is no one left in this land strong enough to challenge you, so I'm sending you away to help you improve." Dyclonus returned.
"How will banishing me help me improve?" Bludgeon staggered, "There are still plenty of people left in this land for me to kill!"
"It's my hope that by travelling to distant lands that you'll encounter stronger warriors. " Dyclonus stated, "You may train, spar or simply fight with them. As long as you're presented with a challenge. This is a journey you must to take, through it is with this that I hope you'll learn the true meaning of strength. Please take care of yourself, I'll be thinking of you."
"You'll regret this, I promise you that!" Bludgeon exclaimed as he was pulled into the void which closed behind him almost as fast as it appeared.
"Where are you sending him?" Minerva asked.
"To one far wiser than I." Dyclonus answered, "But their home world is merely the starting point, not the destination. His journey has only just begun."
Lair of the Fallen
"There." The Fallen exclaimed, "Shockwave, lock on to that signal."
"Yes my lord." Shockwave returned.
"Intercept it and have it arrive here." The Fallen ordered.
"Right here, in this very room?" Shockwave asked, "Doesn't that seem a little risky to you?" He added.
"You question my command?" The Fallen retorted.
"N-no my lord." Shockwave replied.
"Good, now redirect the bridge." The Fallen demanded.
"Yes, as you wish my lord." Shockwave said as he began to tap into the space bridge frequency.
"You were wise in setting the bridge to construct as your warrior moved through space." The Fallen said to himself, "That form of travel requires less energy and is quicker to construct. However, they can easily be manipulated to sent to a destination the bridge builder did not intend. That Dyclonus, was your mistake."
"My lord, bridge interception complete." Shockwave stated, "Resetting coordinates now."
"Excellent." The Fallen returned.
"Coordinates set, target inbound." Shockwave added.
The Fallen's permanent space bridge activated. A large blob of energy shot out of the portal with immense force. It ricocheted of the ceiling and floor until coming to an uneasy halt near the centre of the room. The blob settled on the chamber floor, pealing away to reveal the unconscious Diaclone.
"Guards, wake him." The Fallen instructed gesturing to the two Vehicons standing within proximity to the Diaclone lieutenant.
"Yes my lord." Said the Vehicons as they approached Bludgeon.
"Come on, wake up." said one of the Vehicons shaking Bludgeon by the shoulder. "I get you're tired, but this is no place to be sleeping."
Bludgeon's optics switch on. He staggered to his knees and surveyed his surroundings. "Where am I?" he asked disoriented.
"Come on newbie, on your feet." Said the Vehicon that attempted to wake him.
"You would talk to me in that manner?" Bludgeon said gripping the hilt of his sword, "Do you know who I am?" He added staring through the Vehicon.
"Yeah, I know who you are." The Vehicon returned "A new recru-."
"Insolent piece of scrap." Bludgeon interrupted while running his blade through the Vehicons chest. "One five seven nine." He added removing his blade from the freshly dead Vehicon. "Wanna be next?" The lieutenant asked glaring at the other Vehicon.
"That won't be required." The Fallen stated, "Please, we're all friends here. So if you wouldn't, lower your blade."
"Fine." Bludgeon said sheathing his sword, "So, who are you anyway?"
"A fan." The Fallen returned.
"A fan?" Bludgeon asked confused.
"I've seen your work, I must say it's rather impressive." The Fallen began, "To have been at it for a short time and to have already amassed such a large head count. It is indeed something to be praised."
"It's not something I find to much pride in." Bludgeon specified, "Feels rather pointless if you ask me."
"Why is that?" The Fallen asked, "Skills such as yours should be celebrated."
"I find it boring." Bludgeon replied, "I can't remember the last time I found any enjoyment at all in fighting."
"I could assist you with that issue." The stated.
"No." Bludgeon returned, "My only concern is getting back home, you want to do me a favour, then why don't you send me back to where I came from?"
"Unfortunately that's impossible." The Fallen proclaimed, "A space bridge only goes one way, once one connecting two worlds together closes it's closed for good."
"Is that so?" Bludgeon questioned.
"I'm afraid it is." The Fallen assured.
"Surly there must some other form of transportation." Bludgeon stated.
"All of our star ships are either off world or heavily damaged in battle." The Fallen confirmed to the samurai.
"How convenient." Bludgeon pointed out. "So I'm stuck here for now."
"As it would seem." The Fallen returned, "Then again, there might be someway for you to return home."
"How?" Bludgeon asked.
"It's rather simple really." The Fallen began, "All you'd need to do is to travel to a world that hasn't been connected to this or your home world and open a bridge there, or, at the very least, use a bridge that's currently open."
"I see." Bludgeon proclaimed, "But that would be easier said than done. For you see, I have no method of create a bridge between worlds."
"Luckily for you, I do." The Fallen stated, "However it's an ability one does not simply give away. I only lend my power to those I can trust. If I were give you my power to jump through space, how do I know you won't just come back and use it against me?"
"I guess that's true." Bludgeon returned, "Wait a minute. Didn't you say a bridge only goes one way?"
"Oh, but of course." The Fallen said, "I guess that's just me being paranoid. Never the less, I still can't just give the means to return home free of charge."
"Then how do you suppose I pay for it?" Bludgeon asked.
"Why not prove that I can trust you?" The Fallen replied, "After all you did just butcher one of my guards, and scar another for life."
"Your point?" Bludgeon retorted.
"Who's to say you won't attempt to do the same to me." The Fallen returned.
Bludgeon gave the proposition a moment of thought. "Point taken," he said lowering his exterior, "where can I start?"
"I notify you if there's something that I feel requires your skills arises." The Fallen stated, "Shockwave, escort our guest to Kickback's old quarters."
"Yes my lord." Shockwave said, "This way," he added leaded Bludgeon out of the room closing the chamber door behind him.
The Fallen got up from his throne and slowly walk over to the other side of the room. He placed his hand over scanner opening a large bulkhead door to a room with Cybertronian hung from the ceiling.
"Well, it appears everything is going to plan." The Fallen stated, "Now tell me, where is Nexus?"
"It's like I said, I don't know what you're talking about, and even if I did I wouldn't tell you." The prisoner proclaimed.
"You know what I'm referring to, you fought it yourself, at your poor excuse for a fortress. Now I'll ask you one more time, where is it?" The Fallen demanded as he electrified his prisoner.
"You can do that all you want." The prisoner stated, "I'll never break."
"We'll see Ironhide." The Fallen said exiting the room closing the door behind him. "We'll see."
