Chapter 6: Training and Choices
During Drift's stay, he learns more about the Circle of Light. They are a neutral fraction that didn't participate in the Great War. The group left Cybertron and onto other planets. As the war expands into other worlds, they knew they need a new hiding spot. The planet- called Theophany- ultimately serves this purpose. The majority that joined this group are scientists and scholars. The fraction is able to make a replica of Crystal City beneath the rocky surface of the planet.
About three Earth weeks has passed and Drift still could not defeat Wing in hand-to-hand combat. Drift tries to find a way to overpower Wing. Every time Drift thinks he got his opponent figured out, Wing would show him something new and unexpected to the battle.
"Too slow," Wing taunts as he quickly dodges out of Drift's charge. Then, Wing quickly grabs Drift and tosses him across the ring. "Come on, Drift. Where's all that Decepticon power and superiority? If you want to conquer the galaxy, you need to try harder than that."
Drift mutters something, but Wing is unable to hear it.
Wing questions, "What? Can you say that again?"
"That's not why I joined!" Drift shouts loud and clear for Wing's audios to pick up.
Drift then explains about how corrupt Cybertron was and how he was treated while he was homeless. He told Wing about Gasket and how he met Megatron. Drift told him that Megatron wants peace and equality among all bots.
Wing interrupts, "But can't you see? Look where is got us. Look what it did to Cybertron."
Drift answers," The old ways weren't working. We needed a new system. A new order."
"But not through war and killing," Wing preaches. "You say there wasn't another way, yet we found it." Wing looks above and around their surroundings. "Equality and peace all around you. This city holds everything you ever wanted." Then he puts his hand on Drift's shoulder. "Your spark might have been in the right place, but somewhere along the line you lost your way. Megatron used you. All of you. But unlike the rest, you got a second chance."
Drift accepts defeat and returns to Wing's quarters to rest. When he woke up, Drift went to the training area to find a few other Cybertronians, who also have large swords on their backs, with Wing.
Wing explains, "They are here to give you additional training."
"I didn't ask for help," Drift distastefully said. "Besides, what is the point of giving me hope if you are planning to keep me here?"
"You are my hostage until you can prove to me that you can fight without a weapon," Wing responds. "However, acquiring a different skill would not do any harm."
Wing presents a wooden training sword and gives it to Drift.
Drift stares at the sword, as he never held one before. He raised an eyebrow as he questions," What am I suppose to do with a stick?"
"It's your weapon," Wing answers. "For now on, you will start training as a samurai. You will learn how to fight with a sword and in unarmed combat. The rules for your release still apply."
Drift is still confused on the situation. "Why are you helping me?" Drift questions again, but with less aggression and more pained. "After all that happened, why-"
"Your not a 'bad' bot. Just someone who lost his way" Wing interrupts Drift's statement. " These Knights once thought Decpeticons know only war. But after I told them about what happened to you as you told me, they gained a better understanding of why you made those choices. Now they want to help you with your training."
Drift then continued his training in the way of the samurai with the other Knights. From what Drift is able to understand is that the Knight is the highest rank in the Circle of Light. The majority of there principals are based on the fabled Knights of Cybertron. They have a strict code of honor and are powerful warriors despite having no modern weapons. They also have a large stone sword on their backs as a symbol of this status.
After much time of training, Drift is given a second shorter sword to complete his daishÅ set. This officially marks Drift as a true samurai.
One day, however, Drift is summoned by Dai Atlas. As Drift, accompanied by Wing, enters the room and is greeted by the blue armored leader, Dai Atlas, and beside him is a purple armored warrior with a large axe and sword strapped to his back who is looking at an encrypted message.
"Any idea what it says, Axe?" Wing asks the axe wielding Knight.
Axe briefly answers, "None."
Dai Atlas then turns to Drift who is staring at the foreign message. "We were of the opinion you could help."
"Me, no," Drift shifts his gaze to the leader. "I've got no idea what it says."
After the meeting is over, Drift manage to evade Wing and escape the underground city. When he came to the surface, the planet is in its night cycle. Drift has to go to the concordance that the message had said to go. It is true that he lied to the others, but the message also gave the threat to destroy the hidden city.
As Drift finally arrived at the location, he is greeted by some strong brawny slavers and is faced with the nicely decorated slaver who has four arms: two main arms with silver armor and two black arms.
The lead slaver notices Drift's presence. "You look different Decepticon. Upgrades? I'm glad you felt you can trust us. I can imagine you mustn't have felt very safe after our last meeting."
Yes, you attacked me and I almost died, Drift thought as he heard the slaver's words.
The lead slaver continued as he approaches closer to Drift, "No harm will come to you. As I mentioned in the message, I have struck a lucrative deal involving your escape from this planet."
"How did you do that?" Drift asks with a stern face. "How did you use Decepticon encoding in your message?"
The slaver responds, "That? Well, it seems this little planet is becoming quite popular with your kind."
Just then a Cybertronian figure appears from the crowd of thugs. The figure has a hook for his right hand, green armor, and a Decepticon badge on its chest. Drift knew who it is and is shocked to see him.
"Lockdown!"
"Deadlock," Lockdown responds with his former name. "Megatron is- displeased."
"But first we have a deal, Lockdown," the slaver reminds the Decepticon bounty hunter. "This Decepticon will give me the exact location of his new friends or he will never leave this planet alive."
Drift has a plan to save Crystal City and the future of Cybertron's culture, but he is not sure how the others would react to what he is suggesting.
I wanted to add how Drift learns to fight with swords which the IDW comic doesn't show. Plus, I tried to have Wing caring, but not too soft on Drift. Please write a review on how it is going so far. If it is good, say so. If bad, then tell me how I can improve my writing. Don't just criticize me and tell me I'm not good.
The next chapter will determine the future of the Circle of Light, but it will not be the end of Drift's journey.