Transformers Robots in Disguise (RID): Devil Z's Revenge
Written by: Marik7410
Chapter 9
Human
Location: Warehouse
Andréa shortly arrived at the warehouse to stop Devil Z and his attack. But to Andréa's surprise, he created an android and uploaded Empress' OS into the body. Bent on getting rid of Andréa, Empress was pleased to take on the task. Andréa charged straight for Empress. Empress smiled and waited until the last minute to retaliate. Their fists collide in the middle, releasing a big shockwave. "Oh look, we're even," Empress smiled. "Just give up, we are the same but you want to be like me."
"You're right," Andréa said.
"Ah, so you agree."
"We are the same but I'll never be like you!" Andréa added more power and pushed Empress back. Empress was heading straight for the wall at full speed. Andréa replaced her fist with a boot to the face. Empress smacked into the wall hard making a large indentation. "Easy with that, this is a rental," Devil Z said. "I want to make sure that I can get back my security deposit."
Empress fired an energy beam. Andréa moved her head and the beam zoomed pass her and destroy the wall. "There goes my deposit," Devil Z sighed. "I can't have anything nice."
A handgun materialized in Andréa's hand and fired it at Empress. Empress released an energy wave to counter the bullets. The collision left a cloud of smoke. Empress jumped over the smoke. Andréa looked up and saw Empress in the air. So she jumped in met her in mid-flight. Empress dove and smacked into Andréa and slammed her to the ground. Empress stood up and dealt a hard kick, sending Andréa soaring to the wall. Empress charged in and landed a hard blow to Andréa's stomach. The blow made Andréa cough up blood. "Oops, can't have kids no more," Empress teased. "But it doesn't matter because you'll be dead by then." Empress landed another blow to her stomach and Andréa coughed up more blood. Empress grabbed Andréa by her neck and slammed her head against the wall. "You're pathetic," Empress grinned. "How you, a human, can defeat an android like me? The only one who can entertain me is none other than my no-good mother T-Ai."
Andréa had a death grip on Empress' arm. Empress looked at Andréa and saw her eyes were glowing. "Funny. If T-Ai is your mother then that makes you my cousin or in this reality, my grandmother," Andréa smiled.
"Me, related to a flesh bag?" Empress said.
"Like we humans like to say, shit happens." Andréa placed her feet on the wall and pushed off. She went over Empress' head and Empress lost her grip on Andréa's neck. Andréa spun around and faked a backhand but laid a powerful jab to Empress' face.
Location: Rocky Mountain
The Autobots arrived at the mountain in hope to rescue Andréa. They were about to waltz right in but Max thought otherwise. "Wait," he said. His eye color changed from brown to a mix of brown and purple. "This is a hot area," Max said. "I'm seeing a mass of negative energy here."
"Let me have a look," Arcee said. Max kindly stepped out. "Valkyrian transform!" she shouted. Valkyrian took form and she scanned the field. She was amazed on what she's seeing. "T-Ai, are you getting this?" Valkyrian asked.
"I am and I don't believe it," T-Ai replied. "The whole area is covered with sensors."
"What kind?" Prowl wondered.
"Security sensors," T-Ai said. "Trip one and you'll alert the owner."
"Is there enough room for everyone to walk around?" Max asked.
"According to the grid, transformers should watch their steps," T-Ai replied.
"That's good enough," Max shrugged. "I'll lead my group and you lead your team." Everyone got out and they followed Max into the field. Valkyrian knew that it was their turn but she was so nervous of screwing it up, she stood like a statue. Elita placed her hand on Valkyrian's shoulder to calm her down. "Don't worry," Elita said. "We trust you and we believe you can guide us."
Valkyrian took a deep breath and slowly made her way inside the field. Soon her team followed one-by-one.
Location: Warehouse
Andréa had hidden herself behind a large crate to recover from Empress. "Man, I don't think I can last any longer," Andréa said. "Max, where are you? You should be here by now."
Then Andréa felt the crate being lifted in the area. Andréa turned around and saw Empress holding it above her head. "If you are waiting for your brother, don't count on it," Empress said. "I sent him on a wild goose chase."
Andréa saw an opportunity and clipped Empress. Empress fell and the crate landed on top of her. Inside the crate were explosives. So Andréa gave herself distance and fired an energy ball at the explosive. The ball touched the explosives and blew.
Location: Outside
Everyone was walking carefully through the sensor field, making sure they don't trigger any sensor. Then there was a large explosion from the mountains. "What was that?" Elita wondered.
"That must be Andréa," Max said. "I sense her energy within that fireball."
"We're out of the field," Valkyrian said.
"And into a landmine field," T-Ai said.
"But I see a mine that's not active. Can that be an off button?" Max asked.
"After scanning the area, it can act as an off switch," T-Ai replied.
"Great, let's hit that button," Chromia said.
"One problem," Valkyrian said. "It's in the middle of the field."
"And none of us can fly," Prowl said.
"Well this sucks," Jackie said.
"I have an idea," Max said.
"What is it?" T-Ai wondered.
Location: Warehouse
Heavy smoke lingered in the warehouse. The force of the explosion opened a hole on the ceiling. Devil Z was watching the fight going on. He had a smile on his face. He was entertained for sure. Andréa was inside the cloud searching for Empress. The smoke was too thick for her to see but certain someone can. Andréa saw a fist coming at her at the last possible moment and knocked her off her feet. Andréa stumbled backward and she received a boot to the back. Andréa fell to the ground. Andréa saw a leg dropping from above and she rolled out of the way. "I have to get rid of this smoke," Andréa thought to herself.
Andréa entered a handstand and with her legs out to the sides, she spun around blowing away the smoke. Empress went in and grabbed one of Andréa's legs. Andréa's momentum enabled her to twist her body around her leg and landed a powerful kick to Empress' face. The blow made Empress fall to the ground. Andréa was still in mid-air and she dropped leg her on Empress' back.
Location: Outside
Max had told everyone his plan. "Are you nuts?" Jackie scolded. "Do you want to die twice?"
"Twice?" Moonracer wondered.
"Once from pulling this stupid stunt and twice for Andréa kicking his ass for doing this stunt," Jackie said.
"This will work," Max said.
"Can you fly?" T-Ai asked.
"No," Max replied.
"Este idiota aquí piensa que él es Superman y mierda. Andréa, ¿cómo se puede tolerar esto? Te lo juro..." (This idiot here thinks that he's Superman and shit. Andréa, how can you tolerate this? I swear ...) Jackie grumbled to herself.
"She only curses in Spanish when she's mad," Rick explained.
"I see," the Autobots said.
"Guys, we have to rescue Andréa," Mike said.
"It's against everyone we fight for," Valkyrian said.
"If Optimus was here, he'll just launch one of his fists to deactivate the mine," Elita said.
"Well, he's not here," Firestar said. "We'll just have to throw him."
Valkyrian sighed and picked up Max. "You better be right," she said. Valkyrian took a quarterback stance and threw Max. Max zipped through the air and he was approaching his target real soon. He had to dive but he was coming in too fast. He closed his eyes and braced for impact. Max felt no impact. In fact he didn't feel the ground. He opened his eyes and saw the ground below. He looked to his left and to his right and saw that his eye sight was parallel to the ground. "Hey Max, you're flying!" Jackie shouted.
Max looked around and saw that he was flying. He landed on the button and T-Ai reported that the security system was deactivated. Please with the results, the others ran across the field to rescue their friend.
Location: Warehouse
Empress was laughing at Andréa. "Is that the best you can do?" she asked. "That last hit was pathetic." Empress pushed Andréa off and stood up. Empress created an energy sword in her hand and she was ready for make her kill. Empress quickly moved in to joust Andréa's heart. Andréa did her best to dodge the blade. "You're fast but not faster than me," Empress said.
Empress thrust her arm out and Andréa held on to her arm. Then Andréa charged her fist and landed an energy punch to Empress' stomach. The punch sent Empress flying across the room. Empress released an energy wave at Andréa and she quickly stepped out of the way but to walk into another energy blade. The energy blade pushed Andréa across the room and she stopped suddenly. Devil Z's optics widened. "Wow," he said.
The warehouse doors flung open and Max was the first to enter. He looked for his sister and he found her. But what he saw was heartbreaking. "Andréa," he said softly.
Everyone walked in and looked at Max's direction. Everyone was shocked.
Blood was seeping out from Andréa's mouth. Andréa looked down and saw a blade through her chest. She touched the blade to see if it was real and it was. "Oh look, he's right on time," Empress said. "Your brother can watch you die."
Andréa slowly turned her head and saw the horror on his face. Andréa let out a small smile. "Hey Max," she said softly. "You're late."
"Too late," Empress chuckled. She sent a charge through her sword, defibrillating Andréa's heart. Empress removed her sword and let Andréa dropped to the floor. Empress backed away and regroups with her father. Max ran over to his sister and held her in his arms. "Andréa, please don't go," he pleaded.
"After everything I've done, the people I hurt, this is my fate. This is my punishment for joining the Decepticons. At least I died in honor. Now I can barely hear anyone's voice. I'm starting to feel cold. Oh wait, I forgot," Andréa thought to herself. "I'm dead," Andréa spoke.
Max can no longer feel her presence anymore. He gently placed her on the ground and closed her eyes. Enraged, he stood up and faced his sister's killer. Jackie won't accept the fact that her childhood friend is dead. "Come on, Andréa. I know you can make it. Please open your eyes. Please…" Jackie was getting tearful as tears rolled down her face. "…don't go. Don't leave us. I'm sorry."
"Z, you taken one lives too many," Max said.
"I am?" Devil Z said.
"You think this is a joke don't you," Valkyrian said.
"No, but I love to play," Devil Z said.
"Wipe that smirk off your face."
"What smirk? This is my smile of joyfulness."
Valkyrian had enough. She drew her sword and released an X-blade. The X-blade reached Devil Z and he yawned. "Daddy, was that a breeze?"Empress asked.
"No, that was a pathetic excuse of a wind," Devil Z teased.
Valkyrian's temper was really being tested. Summoning all the energy she can muster, she fired an X-canon on her own. The X struck Devil Z and he was upset. "You know that hurt," he complained.
Valkyrian was amazed. Nothing fazed him. Even her best move did nothing. "If its power you want, I'll give it to you," Devil Z said. He held out his hand and released a powerful electrical charge. The charge fired every single Autobot's circuits. Max shielded his friends from the charge. When it was over, everyone collapsed on the ground. Valkyrian retreated and Arcee's system had shut down. Devil Z rose from his chair and walked down to the Autobots. He pushed Prowl with his foot to see if he was still function but he didn't respond. "Out like a light," Devil Z chuckled.
Then he walked over to Arcee. He took out his sword and held it near her spark chamber. "One down, two more to go," Devil Z said.
"Max, he's going to kill Arcee," Jackie said. "Do something."
Max created an energy ball and threw at Devil Z. Devil Z was pissed and waved his sword. A large gust of wind blew and knocked everyone down. "This can't be happening," Rick said.
"What can we do?" Jackie wondered. Then Jackie felt Andréa's body pulsate. Mike saw Max hold his right arm. "What's wrong?" Mike asked.
"My arm," Max replied. "It burns." Max rolled up his sleeve. Mike saw that Max had a tattoo of a dragon's head on his shoulder. "Cool tattoo," Mike commented.
"It's not a tattoo, it's my birthmark," Max corrected. The mark on his shoulder was glowing and burning like crazy. "The last time it burn like this it was when…oh no. Andréa."
Andréa had a red glow surrounding her body. Devil Z drove his sword down to penetrate Arcee's spark chamber. When the sword reached Arcee's chest, it was shielded by a red glow. A bracelet appeared on Arcee's left wrist. Arcee stood up but her optics was still blank. The bracelet started to absorb Andréa. Andréa disappeared and a dark cloud started to wrap around Arcee. Arcee's optics glowed bright red as the cloud covered her from head to toe. "What kind of hocus-pocus is this?" Empress said.
"Whatever stunt this is, it's not going to work," Devil Z said. He took out a handgun and started firing at the cloud. The bullets struck the cloud but there was no impact. The cloud assumed a shape and solidifies. A dark presence appeared from the cloud. It was Valkyrian but her armor is black and red. "Valkyrian?" Elita said.
"So you merge with the human," Devil Z said. "Well it's time to merge with my daughter." Empress leaped in the air and went inside Devil Z. Devil Z's optics glowed as Empress provided him with extra power. Valkyrian lift her leg and she was got shocked right away. "Is something wrong with her?" Firestar wondered.
"Andréa is barely alive and that's making Valkyrian immobile," Max explained.
"An immobile Valkyrian, all the sweeter," Devil Z said. He started jumping around the room and to taunt Valkyrian. All Valkyrian can do is watch him move around. "Guys, her energy level is through the roof," T-Ai reported.
"And she can't move," Prowl said.
Valkyrian stopped searching for Devil Z and drew one of her swords. She charged the sword and threw in a dark area. The sword rang as it struck something. A dark object dropped from the ceiling as Devil Z vanished. The object stood up and it was Devil Z. "What? How can he be in two places at once?" Jackie wondered.
"He created a clone to distract me while he gets ready to make the kill," Valkyrian explained.
"I underestimate your knowledge," Devil Z said. He walked out from the darkness and revealed that the sword was jammed near his spark. "But you're too late," he chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Prowl said.
"I'm not the threat you seek," Devil Z confessed. "I wasn't even on Cybertron to begin with."
"Then who attacked Arcee?" Prowl asked.
"That would be my associate."
Prowl remembered everything that happened on Cybertron and compared it to Earth. "X is behind this, isn't he?" Prowl asked.
"That's true but his name is not X."
"What are you getting at?" Elita asked.
"I can't believe it slipped right pass me," Prowl said. "The clues were so obvious but I wanted proof but it was there all along."
"What is it?" Elita asked. "What are you talking about?"
"There's two of them," Prowl replied. "The one we sealed and the one Alexis defeated."
"The one from the alternate future?"
"Yeah. We are looking at the one we sealed. The other one is on Cybertron."
"Just give up," Valkyrian said. "The spirit world doesn't appear in this reality so why even try to finish Endgame?"
"Who said I need the spirit world to be here?" Devil Z questioned.
Valkyrian took the hint and figure out what they intend on doing. "He's after the Dimensional sword," Valkyrian said.
"Bingo," Devil Z said. He grabbed the hilt and electrified it. The current extinguish his spark, permanently. Valkyrian spent her energy, forcing her system to shut down. Prowl went in and caught her before she fell. Valkyrian's armor disappeared as Andréa slowly exited out from Valkyrian. Max went in and caught her. "We have to get to Cybertron," Elita said.
"But we don't have a ship to take you there," Rick said.
"I guess you have to wait for your rescue ship to arrive," Mike said.
"In the meantime, we have to get these two some medical attention," Max said. "Prowl, can you transform?"
"I'll try," Prowl said. He transformed into his vehicle mode and revved his engine to run a diagnostic test. "I can't shift out of four gear but I can rush her to the hospital," Prowl said.
Max walked up to Mike and presented Mike with Andréa. "Please take care of her," Max said. "She is the only family I have. She means too much for me to separate from her but I have to get Arcee online. I'm counting on you."
"She's safe with me," Mike promised. "You'll see her tomorrow." Mike took Andréa and climbed inside Prowl. Prowl blared his sirens and peeled out. "I know that was hard for you to do that," Jackie said.
"I want to be by her side but I have to learn to let go and let fate takes its course," Max sighed.
"What about the lab? We have to destroy it," Rick said. "We don't want any more Decepticons popping out from here."
"He's right," Chromia agreed. "I'll stay with him."
"So will I," Jackie volunteered.
"Be careful," Elita said. Moonracer and Firestar walked Arcee out the warehouse with Elita to the space bridge.
"First thing is first, we have to get rid of the body," Jackie said.
"What do you do with these bodies back home?" Rick asked.
"Either we scrap it or melt it to slag," Chromia replied.
"We got that handle but what about the lab?" Jackie wondered.
"Set small charges all over the building," Rick replied.
"Then place the main charge in the middle and boom, lab is gone," Chromia said.
"Then let's get started," Jackie said.
Location: Space Bridge
Prowl was flying through the bridge to Metro City general. Mike was really worried about Andréa. "Don't worry, she'll be fine," Prowl said. "I already alert the hospital of our arrival."
"I'm just thinking how my life would be without her," Mike said.
Prowl exited the space bridge and tore down the street. It was matter of second before he reached the hospital. The door flew open and Mike carried Andréa inside. There were a team of doctors with a bed waiting for them. The doctors saw Mike and immediately knew that it was them. Mike placed Andréa on the bed and the doctors rushed to the OR. With Mike alongside them, he told them the story. "We were at a party when another girl came up and talk smack to her," Mike explained. "Words were exchanged and the girl took out a knife and stabbed Andréa."
"I see," the doctor said. "She lost a lot of blood. What's her blood type?"
"B-negative," Mike replied.
"Good, stay in the waiting room and we'll give you updates as we go."
"Alright." Mike stopped running and watched his girlfriend wheeled away into the OR. He had never felt so helpless in his life.
Location: Autobot Base
Firestar and Moonracer arrived with Arcee and laid her down on the bed. T-Ai begins scanning for any damaged circuits. Max was waiting for instruction to repair Arcee. "No damage has been done to her OS but she suffered numerous hardware damages," T-Ai said. "Use this data to make the repairs. I'll see if Hotshot is nearby."
T-Ai print out a hard copy of the result and Max immediately went to work. Firestar and Moonracer decided to help T-Ai search for Hotshot and any other Decepticons lingering on the planet. Elita was watching Max making the repairs to Arcee. Max couldn't help but to acknowledge Elita. "Can I help you?" Max asked.
"No, just watching," Elita replied. "I'm just admiring your devotion and courage."
"Why you say that?"
"Because you humans are very interesting. You're so predictable but yet you change at the last minute and surprise everyone else. Your sister was dying in your arms and yet you still protected your friends. You trusted Mike to take care of Andréa instead of yourself. That was amazes me."
"I'm not different from you anyways," Max said. "We want what's best for everyone else. In fact, I can see how your leader, Optimus, command his team. He allows his team to make the right decision even if cost them their life. In a way, I envy your guys. We are fragile being seeking to be perfect. You're machines that can live for centuries with little threats."
"Funny, because I want to know what's it like to be a human."
"I know what it's like," Arcee spoke. Arcee's OS was online but majority of her system was still down. "You got it easy. Knowing everyday you are one step closer to death but you don't show it. Instead you live for the day and hope for tomorrow."
"So true," Max agreed.
"If that's the case, why are you here?" Arcee asked. "Why aren't you with your sister?"
Location: Metro City General
Mike was in the waiting room sitting patiently. He was too worried about Andréa to even relax. So a 6" Caucasian doctor walked into the area He has a square head and short flowing hair. "Who is here for Andréa?" he asked.
"I am," Mike announced.
"Good afternoon, I'm Dr. Steve and I have news to deliver."
"Hit me," Mike said.
"Good news is we fix the heart and she'll be fine," Dr. Steve said.
"Excellent."
"But the bad news is…"
Location: ADA's lab
Jackie and Rick worked quickly in placing the charges all over the lab. Chromia had set up the main charge and quickly left the area with Jackie and Rick. They went far away from the lab and Chromia took out the remote. "Here goes nothing," she said. She pushed the button but nothing happened. Chromia pushed the button again and nothing. She was about to go and check the main charge when the lab blew. Rick and Jackie were stunned. "Sweet," they said.
"I guess it had a delayed function set in," Chromia chuckled.
Jackie's phone rang and she looked at the caller ID. It was Andréa's number and Jackie quickly knew that it was Mike calling. "Hey Mike, how's Andréa?" Jackie asked. "That's great." Jackie had a big smile with the good news. But her smile started to fade as Mike told her the bad news.
"Is everything okay?" Rick asked.
Jackie hung up the phone and lowered her head. Rick saw that Jackie's hands were trembling. Rick walked up to Jackie and hugged her. "Tell me what's wrong," Rick said. Rick couldn't help but feel that his shirt was getting wet. "She's crying," he thought to himself.
"Andréa's dying," Jackie said.
"No way," Chromia said.
Location: Autobot Base
"Say what now!" T-Ai said.
"Mike just called Jackie and told her that Andréa's dying," Rick repeated. "They fix her heart but they believe that she's not going to make it overnight on her own. She's on life support but they gave us three options, which are not helping."
"What are they?" Moonracer asked.
"1). Perform a heart transplant but to find a heart that can take Andréa's blood is very difficult. 2). Install a pacemaker but it has to be customized and the insurance company won't pay for it."
"What about Jackie's parents?" Firestar wondered. "They're loaded."
"She'll run them dry with the payments and maintenance every month," Mike said.
"What's the third option? Elita asked.
"Pull the plug," Rick said.
The tools Max had in his hands dropped to the ground. "The hospital can only keep her for 60 hours before terminating her," Rick continued.
"You hear that Max," T-Ai said. She turned around and he disappeared. "Where did he go?"
"Don't know," Elita said.
