The Transformers

The Instrument of Revenge

Chapter Nine – One Shall Stand…

The Autobot known as Kup noticed Galvatron battling the Protectobot Commander off in the distance. He hesitated only slightly before he transformed into his old fashioned Cybertronian pickup form and moved to the scene. Kup was one the Autobots oldest and seasoned warriors, having been from one end of the galaxy to the other and essentially claiming to have "seen it all". Like the other Autobots, what the Decepticons had done to this world angered the Autobot veteran tremendously and Kup wanted nothing more than to make Galvatron pay.

Protectobot Commander Hot Spot, a Transformer who could look eye to eye with Galvatron and could easily slug it out with him, was doing just that. The two traded several strong fists before Kup returned to robot form and confronted the two. "Please Hot Spot, let me do this…" claimed the old warrior as he clenched his aged fists.

Kup's robot form was a medium grey in color, his arms and legs were rounded and his weathered face was clear proof that he was one of the older Autobots as it was covered with small dents and cracks as a result from his age. Hot Spot looked to Kup and realized he was serious about battling Galvatron. Although he had his doubts, the Protectobot Commander complied and backed off. As Galvatron watched on, a smile developed upon his face. "You really want a piece of me old timer?" he asked.

Kup stepped closer. "I've wanted a piece of you for a long time now Galvatron, but you always seem to be somewhere else. Hiding perhaps?" Kup was not smiling and a serious expression crossed his old face.

Galvatron raised his fist but before he could swing, the experienced Autobot caught him with a head-but that sent him back several steps. Not far above the two warriors were Scourge and the Sweeps and they were looking for their own Autobots with whom to do combat. Galvatron, trying to shake the dizziness from the head butt off, took notice of their proximity and looked to them to issue an order. Again, the Decepticon Commander smiled.

"Scourge, remove this Autobot from my presence. I have to conserve my energy for more worthy opponents…"

Galvatron turned away as Kup looked up and noticed the descending Decepticons. He raised his weapon and began to fire. He caught one of the Sweeps with a direct and fatal hit resulting in a small explosion, but the others continued towards him. Led by Scourge, the Sweeps unleashed their firepower and blast after blast hit hard against Kup's body, until the brave Autobot could take no more. He dropped his weapon and slowly fell to his back against the Symconian ground.

Hot Rod was in sports car mode blasting away at the Decepticon sub-group known as the Terrorcons when he caught a glimpse of what had happened. He changed direction and moved to his fallen friend and mentor. "No!" he screamed as he shifted to a higher gear passing by battling Autobots and Decepticons across the Symconian landscape at a speed he had never before attained. Hot Rod didn't stop to transform and changed to robot form to land on his feet.

He bent down beside Kup and noticed his friend was near death. If Hot Rod would have had a heart, it would have been completely crushed. "Kup…" he said as he grabbed the old Autobot's hand. Kup forced opened his eyes and looked up to Hot Rod who was kneeling over him. "Hot Rod?" he asked.

"Yes Kup, I'm here…"

Kup's voice had become even raspier than before. "Listen, lad, it's OK…" Hot Rod was shaking his head no. He did not want to believe what he knew was surely coming. "Don't speak Kup, I'll get you some help!" Hot Rod looked around. "Where is First Aid?" he asked himself quietly but could not find him. "I've lived a long time lad, more time than most of my friends… We all have to accept our fate…"

Again, Hot Rod looked around for the Autobot medic, but he could not be found amongst the fighting and confusion. Kup continued. "Listen to me. When Prime passes you the matrix, and that time will come again, you be ready for it and have no doubt that you are the chosen one. You've already proved it to all of us and never believe anything but the fact you are destined to lead the Autobots…"

Hot Rod finally took notice of First Aid but he was merged with the other Protectobots in the form of Defensor and they were battling the Predacon giant Predaking. First Aid could not come and Hot Rod knew Kup was going to die. "You've been my closest friend as long as I can remember Kup and anything I am and anything I become I owe it all to you…"

Kup smiled and his grip in Hot Rod's hand grew weak. "Now go, help Prime and the others. They need you…" The light in Kup's eyes slowly dimmed as his spark slipped away. Seconds later Kup was dead.

Hot Rod took a moment to grieve, but then realized he had a duty to perform. He had responsibility and the first thing that required his attention was Galvatron. He returned to his sports car mode and again built up speed. He could see the Decepticon Commander moving off in the distance and he made him a target. If Hot Rod had his way, Galvatron was not going to know what hit him.

Hot Rod built up even more momentum, jumped a ledge and smashed hard into Galvatron's back sending the Decepticon Commander to the ground with a tremendous force. Hot Rod quickly transformed to robot form, but Galvatron swung his arm around and threw him off of his back. Galvatron then rose to his feet.

"You're not Rodimus Prime anymore boy… There is much you can no longer do…" He tackled Hot Rod to the ground, placed a knee to his back and shoved his face to the dirt with his massive hand. "Not much of a match for me anymore, are you fool?" he asked. Before Hot Rod could respond, Galvatron was forcibly removed from his back. Someone grabbed the Decepticon Commander by his shoulders and threw him hard to the Symconian surface.

Galvatron shook the dizziness from his head and took notice of who had challenged him. He looked up to see Optimus Prime waiting for him. "Oh, you don't know how long I waited for this my old friend…" Galvatron proclaimed as he quickly returned to his feet. He pointed his cannon at Optimus but before he could get a shot off the Autobot Commander grabbed hold of the weapon, torn if from Galvatron's arm, threw it to the side and connected with two hard punches to Galvatron's head.

Galvatron fell to his back only to notice Prime standing over him. "This ends today Galvatron. It all ends. Our battles, our war and if need be, our existence. No more suffering, no more pain…"