Beast Wars: Symmetries

Homeward Bound Part I

"Report, Lieutenant Thrust."

"We gotta be so formal?"

"Not really, but standard protocol calls for it, dear," the yellow and black colored femme-bot answered through the shadows.

"Do as she says, Thrust," encouraged a large menacing Cybertronian with a hefty red visor covering his optics. "We may have all graduated from the same academy together, but that doesn't give us reason to skirt our duties."

"Screw you, Tankorr."

The femme-bot sighed. "Just give me the report, Thrust."

"Very well, Lieutenant Tankorr… Captain Shiva," Thrust began. "The crew of the Axalon have been traced to this place."

"Their chase of the Predacon rogues must have led them here," Shiva finished with a smile. "Now it seems that they're locked in a deadly embrace with their opponents."

"Can you imagine that?" Tankorr shook his massive head. "Stranded on some primitive mudhole?"

"Don't be so hasty, Tankorr," Shiva reprimanded. "Their battle has dragged on possibly longer than we can imagine."

"Sure," Thrust agreed reluctantly.

"Remember our orders from the Maximal Elders?" Shiva reminded.

"Oh yeah," Tankorr's visor gleamed maliciously.


"My heightened stress level has not been alleviated," Megatron groaned. "Nooooo…."

At the very top of Mt. Oberon, the day had not progressed as Megatron had originally hoped. Scorponok and Terrorsaur had gotten into two fights already. At the moment, Tarantulas was yelling at Waspinator to insert the correct circuitry. Blackarachnia, on the other hand, was sitting on the sidelines as aloof as ever.

"Can't any of you perform basic menial tasks?" Megatron asked aloud in frustration.

"Waspinator do better job if Spider-Bot will stop yelling at him!" the overworked Predacon scout buzzed.

"I am above such chores, Megatron," Tarantulas replied. "I merely supply the blueprints to your plans. It is up to your more baser followers to complete the tasks."

"Hey!" Terrorsaur cried out. "Who you calling baser?"

"Don't shift to the left, Terrorsaur!" Scorponok growled. "You'll drop the support beam!"

As mentioned by Scorponok, the two of them were indeed holding on to a large support beam that would be used for their satellite. Originally, Megatron had intended for the satellite to emit low-level frequencies designed to brainwash the entire city through their neural interfaces. Now, unfortunately, his invention appeared to be little more than a failed attempt at installing cable.

Megatron grunted angrily. "Can any of you even complete this project?"

He received no answer.

"We're at the top of the highest peak in all these surrounding areas!" he raged. "You should have minimal distractions! Why is it that you still persist in dithering?"

"Maybe it's because we don't like you, Grape Face," Blackarachnia muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Megatron demanded as he glared towards her direction.

"Uh, what I said was that we could probably use a break right about now," she responded quickly.

"Hmm, an excellent suggestion," Megatron, to everyone's surprise, agreed.

Terrorsaur and Waspinator looked at each other cautiously before sitting down, unsure as to whether or not Megatron meant what he said. Tarantulas merely transformed to beast mode and scurried next to Blackarachnia's side.

"Now then," Megatron said conversationally. "I've come to the realization that we, as a team, are not properly functioning. Have you wondered why?"

Terrorsaur was the only one who looked like he had something to say. A few seconds later, however, he decided to keep his mouth shut. Not surprisingly, he was afraid that Megatron would beat him senseless for saying anything at all.

"We lack coordination," Megatron explained. "We also lack solidarity and camaraderie as a team."

"Your point is?" Tarantulas asked.

Megatron made a mental note to himself to scrap Tarantulas ten times over when the day arrived that he would no longer need to rely on the scientist's abilities.

"My point is that we have two options," Megatron finished. "We can either steal all the Maximal stasis pods to triple our numbers… or we can work together cohesively as one team under my command."

"Um…"

"Yes, Scorponok?" Megatron looked over.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Megatron," Scorponok told his leader nervously. "But I don't even like my teammates… outside of you, that is!"

"It's good to see that your honesty has not been curtailed under pressure, Scorponok," Megatron commented. "However, we need more practice. Yessss…"

"Then it looks like practice has arrived," Blackarachnia pointed the sky.

In the distance, Optimus Primal was flying through the air towards their direction.

"Hold your fire," Megatron ordered. "I wish to converse with our Maximal guest first."

By the time Optimus had flown close enough, Megatron's troops lowered their weapons completely.

"Greetings, Optimus Primal!" Megatron exclaimed. "Have you finally come to your senses and realized that groveling before me would be in your best interests?"

"Hardy, Megatron," Optimus replied. "I just wanted to check out your science project."

"I assure you," Megatron smiled. "This satellite is merely being built for the purposes of research."

"Is that so?" Optimus cocked his eye up.

"Absolutely!" Megatron replied. "Today is such a beautiful day, is it not? Would you really be willing to spoil it through another skirmish?"

"You of all people should know that I prefer fighting as a last resort," Optimus gazed into the optics of the Predacon leader. "I'm just here with a message."

"Oh?"

With the Predacons' attentions being concentrated almost completely on Optimus, none of them, save the Maximal commander, noticed the small shadowy figure creeping towards the satellite. Silently and covertly, Rattrap attached a small explosive charge beneath it before slipping away without a sound.

"You've made your intentions on conquering Earth clear on more than several occasions," Optimus warned. "Just know that whatever you have planned, Megatron… we will be there to stop you."

Immediately at hearing that, Megatron burst out laughing. Soon, the rest of his troops followed suit and cackled wildly.

"This is what you flew all the way here to tell me?" Megatron sputtered loudly with laughter. "You really do need work on your speeches, Primal!"

"Nevertheless," Optimus said, unconcerned with his audience reaction. "My warning still stays."

"Yes, very well, Optimus," Megatron chuckled sarcastically. "You have my word that I won't harm your precious fleshy-bots, or so Waspinator likes to call them."

"Ooh, Megatron now adopt Waspinator's trademark!" the Predacon wasp beamed. "Waspinator may even get promotion!"

"Don't flatter yourself, antenna boy," Terrorsaur smirked. "He was only saying it to make fun of Optimus."

"Yeah," Scorponok chimed. "Besides, I'm second in command! No way is Megatron gonna promote you!"

Waspinator's shoulders slumped in defeat as he sighed. And they almost got his hopes up too.

"I believe you were leaving, Optimus?" Megatron winked.

"Figure I was," Optimus replied before blasting off into the sky.

"Now!" Megatron turned his attention back to the Predacons. "Break time is over! Return to your posts!"

Several collective groans could be heard from the reluctant Predacons. Having to go back to work was not something they were anticipating.

"Hey, Megatron…" Scorponok announced nervously.

"Hmm?"

"When did this show up?"

Sure enough, as Megatron stared down at the anchor of the satellite, a small explosive charge carefully implanted there was winding down to the number zero.

"5…"

"4…"

"3…"

"ALL UNITS… SCATTER!" Megatron bellowed.

"2…1…"


"You should've heard it!" Rattrap laughed. "Ol' Megsy's bellow echoed for miles!"

"Sentinel," Rhinox asked. "How long do you think it'll take for Megatron to regain his strength?"

"Unfortunately, this latest incident has incurred Megatron's wrath far more than I could have calculated," the supercomputer replied. "I predict that his actions shall become more… irrational."

"I suppose this means we'll have to call in Airazor and Tigatron," Optimus nodded.

"It is a suggestion that I concede to," Sentinel agreed. "With Units Tigatron and Airazor, you have a greater chance of success."

"Besides," Cheetor added. "It would be nice having Big Cat and Bird Lady around base more often."

"My sentiments exactly," Rattrap nodded. "Pickin' on you and the Boss Monkey gets old after a while. I gotta have a new audience to play to."

"I'll go call them in," Optimus agreed. "Hopefully they should be able to make it."


"Megatron?" Scorponok inquired carefully. "Are you okay?"

"Of course I'm not fine, imbecile," Megatron replied harshly. "An entire week's planning is gone thanks to that fool Primal."

"Anything Waspinator can do to make things better?"

"Heaven forbid that you do," Megatron retorted angrily. "You're the most useless of all!"

Waspinator's shoulders slumped yet again. "Waspinator only trying to help…"

"Why didn't we just blast Optimus?" said Terrorsaur. "He was right there."

Megatron looked down at Terrorsaur disdainfully. "Yes, why didn't we just 'blast' him, Terrorsaur?"

"I mean, it's a no-brainer," Terrorsaur spoke to Megatron almost defiantly. "We could've had the ape and you let him go!"

For his candid yet brutal honesty, Terrorsaur received a vicious backhand from the Predacon commander that knocked him clear across the room. His body slid rapidly across the floor until he slammed head first into Megatron's T-Rex jaw that sat in the corner.

"And I was hoping he'd goad me into doing that," Megatron smiled sadistically.

Waspinator and Scorponok kept silent. Neither of them dared to speak out of fear that they'd receive the same treatment as Terrorsaur. Meanwhile, Megatron slipped on his tail vise with his left arm.

"And you," Megatron glared down at Waspinator. "What have you ever contributed to this team aside from your incessant buzzing?"

"Waspinator… is good scout?"

Directly, the very tip of Megatron's tail vise jabbed Waspinator in the stomach harshly to silence him. The next thing Waspinator felt was being thrown into the nearby mirror, shattering it in the process.

"Have you anything to say, Scorponok?" Megatron's face turned around.

"Um, I…" Scorponok muttered uncertainly. "That is… we could try something new."

"I'm listening," Megatron said in a low, dangerous voice.

"We, um, could just take over the city with the drone army you commissioned over the past few months," Scorponok recommended, being as careful with his limited vocabulary as possible. "We've got enough power at this point to at least take over a country."

"A feasible suggestion," Megatron nodded.

As Scorponok breathed a sigh of relief, Megatron quickly responded with a loud, vicious smack to the face of the smaller Transformer. The Predacon leader then stepped over the unconscious body of his second in command.

"But I don't want to do it just yet," Megatron scowled.


Finally, Tarantulas was soon done with his field scan. So far, nothing had shown up on the sensors, no Maximals… or Predacons. Now was a perfect time.

Quickly, he pulled the lever to his satellite, triggering a low-key sub-harmonic wave that traveled into the night sky. After several nano-kliks had passed, Tarantulas felt satisfied enough to turn off his machine.

"Now for you, my pet," he whispered. "Your goal is to send the message to the ship."

Below him, Scorponok's Cyber Bee sat. More precisely, it was a reprogrammed Cyber Bee that Tarantulas had recently stolen from Megatron's sub-commander.

After a few more attachments were made, Tarantulas activated the drone. With a loud humming sound, it flew off into the sky.

"What're you doing up this late?" a voice behind him yawned.

Tarantulas turned around to face Blackarachnia. "It's none of your concern."

Blackarachnia feigned distress. "You weren't this way when I asked to come over and spend the night."

"Heh, that was different," Tarantulas chuckled.

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"I have no reason to, witch."

"I'll give you a reason then," Blackarachnia winked.

"And what would that be?" Tarantulas sneered.

"Come inside and I'll tell you," she purred.


"Have you received the message?" Shiva demanded.

"We got it," Thrust assured.

"So what's the deal?" Tankorr demanded. "You gonna make us get new modes or something?"

"I think not," Shiva declared. "Gaining the form of an inferior specimen on this planet is beneath us. We are strong and evolutionarily superior with our current vehicle modes."

"That's good," Thrust said. "I'd hate to lose my two-wheel drive."

"We have information on the Preds already," Tankorr looked up. "How are we gonna deal with the Axalon crew?"

"I will handle Optimus Primal," Shiva told her two companions. "Tankorr, you will engage Rhinox."

"Cool," Tankorr smiled. "So I get the heavyweight of the group, eh?"

"Precisely," Shiva replied. "Rhinox's body has been streamlined in the process of acquiring his beast mode. He is slightly faster but your strength should overwhelm him."

"I take it I'll get the cat and the rat, huh?" Thrust asked.

"Yes," nodded Shiva. "You have the speed of Cheetor and the skill of Rattrap. You alone will handle them easily."

"What're we gonna do about the other two Maximals?" Tankorr asked. "I didn't think they'd be awakened from their stasis pods yet."

"Ah, yes…" Shiva muttered thoughtfully. "Whatever they're like, we shall handle them as well."


"First time you've been here?" Airazor asked.

"Not exactly," Tigatron replied. "Although I wouldn't say I'm as familiar with this place as I am with the wild."

Soon, after their entrance, a small mechanical orb floated before them.

"Greetings, Tigatron and Airazor," it said. "I am Sentinel, primary supercomputer of the Axalon."

Airazor and Tigatron exchanged incredulous glances.

"Should I use that thing as target practice?" Airazor whispered.

"Hello, Tigatron… Airazor," Optimus greeted them. "I trust you'll be willing to stay here for a few days?"

"My schedule's not too tight," Airazor replied. "You can count on me, guys."

"I should be able to stay until things get cleared up," said Tigatron. "Could you brief us again, Optimus?"

"Megatron's activities have been getting more and more dangerous," Optimus explained. "We'll need the entire team together just in case he does anything big."

"Yeah, so we'll need all of ya's here!" Rattrap pointed out as he appeared behind Optimus.

"Please, Rattrap, I can handle this," Optimus insisted.

"You can give a speech like a fish outta water!" Rattrap pushed past Optimus. "I, on the other hand, have saved all of you lousy bums dozens of times with nothin' but my wits and experience!"

Optimus took Rattrap by the shoulder and led him away privately.

"Just because I appointed you my second in command doesn't mean you can start acting like you own the place."

"No offense, Optimus," Rattrap brushed his hand aside. "But you ain't got what it takes to put down a sick puppy like ol' Megs so I'm gonna give 'dis team what it needs."

Optimus sighed. "And that is?"

"PARTY!" Rattrap shouted as random confetti was thrown into the air.

"Sorry, Optimus," Rhinox said as he appeared with a party hat visible on his head. "Rattrap suckered me into it."

"Things have been so gloomy lately," Cheetor walked up on all fours. "We need a little celebration every now and then."

"I suppose you're right," Optimus smiled as dark lenses appeared over his optics. "One night of fun can't hurt."


"My brethren!" Megatron's voice thundered across the stadium. "We stand on the threshold of a new era!"

Across the football field under darkened skies with brightly lit stadium lights, over fifty cybernetic raptors watched intently as their master spoke with the skills of a fiery orator unlike any other.

"It's official," Terrorsaur whispered to Waspinator and Scorponok. "He's lost it."

"Once we have cowered before the power of Maximal tyranny," Megatron continued. "Tomorrow is when we make our stand! They will oppress us no more when we, as individuals and as Predacons, take back what is rightfully ours!"

Behind Megatron, his three lackeys displayed varying opinions over the speech.

"Wow," Terrorsaur rolled his optics. "I can see now why Megatron couldn't get many followers back on Cybertron."

"Shut up," Scorponok ordered. "I think his speech is brilliant!"

"Hmm," Waspinator buzzed skeptically. "Megatron promise many things… almost never deliver."

"He'll deliver, alright!" Scorponok growled. "You two just don't have the dedication to our cause!"

"I should be the one in charge," Terrorsaur muttered bitterly.

"Just shut your beak and do as you're told!" Scorponok told him.

"Whatever," Terrorsaur yawned. "I'm outta here. Come on, Waspinator."

Scorponok shook his head as the two fliers walked away from the stands. For all their conniving, couldn't they see that Megatron was indeed the one who'd bring the Predacon race out of Maximal bondage? Right now, he was the only one on the team who really believed in their leader..

"My fellow Predacons!" Megatron thundered. "We will triumph and take back what truly belongs to us!"

True to form, Scorponok cheered wildly.


"You've gotta be kidding me," Terrorsaur's beak gaped. "And why's he dressed like that?"

Besides him, Waspinator seemed equally hesitant. Morning had come and neither of them could really believe the sight before them. Scorponok, on the other hand, seemed to be overjoyed.

"As I saw saying," Megatron glared at his two scouts harshly. "Our game plan is relatively simple. Our energy signatures will betray our location while the Maximals rush in to stop us. Afterwards, my new pets will make short work of them."

It was not Megatron's 'game plan' that bothered Terrorsaur and Waspinator so much. It was, in fact, the ridiculous referee uniform that Megatron had adorned across his body.

"Afterwards," Megatron's eyes gleamed. "We shall prove to this world that we are its true masters!"

"You said it, Megatron!" Scorponok beamed.

Both Terrorsaur and Waspinator, on the other hand, seemed to be lost in thought. With one glance, Megatron could immediately tell that his plan hadn't exactly gone through the minds of certain Predacon minions.

"Terrorsaur, rephrase our entire plan again," Megatron ordered.

"What?" Terrorsaur stammered. "Repeat what you…?"

"Terrorsaur in big trouble," Waspinator murmured quietly.

"Three hundred push-ups!" Megatron growled. "NOW!"

"Are you serious?" Terrorsaur shouted. "I can't do that much!"

Megatron opened the massive T-Rex jaw located on his right arm to reveal the mega cannon within. After one quick glance, Terrorsaur gulped and immediately got on the floor.

"You too!" Megatron glared at Waspinator.

"Yes, Megatron," Waspinator whimpered.


"I have detected Predacon activity within the Tengu sector," Sentinel announced.

"The coordinates?" asked Optimus.

"Sector 234.65432," replied Sentinel. "Megatron and his Predacons are locatedin those coordinates along with over fifty unspecified units."

Optimus' eyes widened. "He couldn't have found all the stasis pods!"

"No," Sentinel confirmed. "The units within that area are neither Maximal nor Predacon."

"Any precautionary measures we should take?" asked Rhinox.

"It is suggested that you lead an assault with all Maximal units," Sentinel advised. "I highly recommend this measure against the six Predacons and whatever else they have in store."

"This could be our chance to shut Megatron down for good," said Rhinox. "With the Preds captured, we could go home again."

Optimus closed his optics briefly. What Rhinox had said was indeed a palatable suggestion. How long had they been on this planet again? Almost a standard human year?

Finally he made his decision.

"Alright then. Sentinel, make sure defenses are on full alert."

"I will be sure to," the supercomputer replied. "It is my function after all."

"I pray to the Matrix we can finish this as quickly as possible," Optimus said. "Megatron won't hesitate to pull out all the stops on us."


Even the rustling of leaves helped to amplify the feeling of dread that gnawed at the Maximals.

So far, there were no traces of Megatron or any of his servants. Noon was fast approaching in the forests and so far, not a single clue was given as to where the Predacons were hiding.

"I knew it was a bad idea to come out here like this," said Rattrap.

Above them, Airazor flew down and perched on top of Optimus Primal's shoulders.

"Still no sign of any Pred activity," she said.

"I sense strange properties in this area," Tigatron growled in a low voice. "It would be best not to transform to robot mode for the time being."

Rhinox gave pause. "My scanners show that the amount of raw energon in this place is off the charts… along with something else."

Tigatron looked at Optimus. "You've lost few of your Maximal features even in beast mode."

"Still got the opposable thumbs," Optimus smiled wryly.

With a deep breath, Tigatron transformed to robot mode, took out his weapon, and handed it to Optimus.

"The Predacons won't be able to transform either if they're here," Tigatron said as he switched back to beast mode before a violent surge of raw energon could overtake him.

"He's right," Rhinox added. "One advantage like this can make all the difference."

Optimus held the gun carefully. "Thanks, Tigatron. I'll keep that in mind."

"Just remember 'dem shootin' lessons I've been giving you," Rattrap smirked.

"You haven't given me any shooting lessons," Optimus frowned.

"Don't be so humble, Pop Op," Rattrap chuckled. "You've trained with 'da best and now's 'yer chance to prove it!"

Optimus rolled his optics while the rest of the Maximals laughed. Their joyous moment, however, was short-lived as broken twig was heard behind them.

Tigatron growled fiercely as the hair on his back rose.

"Relax, Tigatron," said Cheetor. "It's just a twig."

An earsplitting roar erupted as a large reptilian creature leaped out of the undergrowth, lunging at Cheetor. Immediately, Tigatron tackled it from the side and knocked away.

The creature then rose. Its feral red eyes complemented its metallic hide as razor sharp fangs gleamed through its mouth. The claws on its feet clicked in excitement, ready to tear its prey apart at a moment's notice.

"What is that thing?" Airazor exclaimed as she and the Maximals readied themselves for action.

"Maybe Megatron's Mini-Me?" Rattrap offered.

The small Maximal was indeed correct about one thing. It did resemble Megatron's beast mode in many ways. The only two notable differences on it included the long talon extended on its big toe and the sleeker body mechanics.

"I've seen this thing in some old movie before…" Cheetor examined it closely. "I think it's called a velociraptor or something."

The cybernetic raptor steadied itself as it charged with its jaws agape. Before any of the Maximals could react, Tigatron slammed into it and pinned it down forcefully before tearing out its throat mercilessly and viciously.

"It's as I suspected," said Tigatron as he took out the controls that had aligned itself carefully within the creature's artificial jugular.

He batted it towards Optimus. The Maximal leader immediately picked it up.

"This creature is programmed to hunt down and kill each and every one of us," Tigatron explained. "They'll show us no mercy."

Several fearsome roars echoed throughout the mountains.

"There's more of them," Rhinox looked up.

"They truly are Megatron's hounds," Tigatron snarled. "We should be on our guard."


Though he eagerly anticipated victory, Megatron was wise enough not to gloat too loudly in front of his followers. Terrorsaur and Waspinator were preparing themselves for an aerial assault on Airazor while Scorponok, Tarantulas, and Blackarachnia steadied themselves for any underhanded tactics involving cyber-venom.

His cybernetic raptors, however, were the ones being sent in for a direct assault against the Maximal team. On top of the wide cliff, the remaining saurian drones leered down with glowing eyes like ravenous dogs of war.

Megatron, himself in beast mode, felt a small burst of pride as five of his cyber raptors ran downhill to confront the Maximals.

"To think that they're growing up and leaving the nest so soon," Megatron sniffed.

"Want us to do anything?" asked Scorponok.

"Not yet," Megatron smiled. "My pets will do our bidding for the time being."

"Master!" a breathless cyber raptor quickly ran up to the Predacon commander. "The Maximals have already destroyed Unit 03!"

Tarantulas snorted. "You're certain that relying on these cybernetic fossils is prudent?"

"You created them, Tarantulas," Megatron spoke with an edge to his voice. "You tell me."

Sensing the dangerous tone to Megatron's voice, Tarantulas decided not to say anything further.

"Not only are the Maximals outnumbered," Megatron said. "They cannot transform either thanks to the raw energon in these forests combined with the naturally occurring magnetic fields that surround this area."

"They've walked into a death trap," Terrorsaur sneered.

"Precisely!" Megatron grinned.


"I hear them," Tigatron growled. "They're closing in on us."

"I can smell 'em too," Rattrap said. "Looks like they ain't gonna let us get away 'dis easy."

The grinding footsteps could be heard several feet away from the Maximals. Though the stalkers could not be seen, their growls and snorts were more than pronounced.

Finally, an enormous raptor leaped out and slammed into Optimus from behind, knocking the gun out of his hand. Before any of the other Maximals could react, four more cyber raptors burst out and attacked.

Nimbly, Cheetor leaped out of the way as a powerful slash aimed for his head tore several chunks of bark out of a nearby tree. He spun to the side and leaped onto the back of the cyber raptor, sinking his claws into its scaly hide. Quickly, the raptor slammed his back into another tree, knocking the wind out of the young Maximal. Cheetor barely regained his senses before a tail swipe from the raptor smacked him across the face and sent him sailing through the air.

Rhinox, on the other hand, was not so fortunate as to have Cheetor's speed. Almost immediately, another cyber raptor leaped onto his back and began tearing into him.

Grunting in pain as the creature's sickle-like claws dug into his back legs, Rhinox rolled to the ground, crushing the raptor beneath him.

In the meanwhile, Optimus and Tigatron stood back to back as three raptors closed in on them. Airazor quickly grabbed Rattrap by the shoulders and flew him to safety. Suffice to say, neither of them would have been a match for the fearsome creatures in their current beast modes.

As Tigatron pounced on top of one, Optimus quickly leaped into the air, grabbing on to a branch. With one swing, he kicked the remaining two raptors, sending them crashing to the ground.


"My pets are doing a better job than I could have hoped for," Megatron said while looking through the telescope.

"Oh, can I see?" Scorponok hopped up.

Megatron handed the telescope to Scorponok. The rest of the Predacons looked hopeful, waiting for their chance to see through the battle.

From the faraway distance, Scorponok viewed the battle eagerly as Optimus struggled to hold back the two cyber raptors who were snapping at him violently.

"How long do you think they'll last?" Scorponok asked.

"Oh, Optimus and his happy band of Maximals will most undoubtedly last against the first batch," Megatron replied cheerfully. "However, once I sent the rest of my hounds, they will most assuredly fall!"

"Shall we, master?" asked one of the cyber raptors that stood nearby.

"Of course, my pet," said Megatron. "Once the Maximals have defeated your brothers, you are to engage them and render them limp enough so that I may have the satisfaction of finishing their leader!"

On cue, the reserve cyber raptors charged down the hill, running at full speed towards the site of the battle. Like hellhounds from the underworld, their roars filled the air as they prepared themselves for the ultimate kill.

"I can just taste the aromatic flavor of victory!" Megatron exclaimed.

"Um, Megatron?" Waspinator began.

"Silence, bug!" the Predacon commander growled without turning around. "I want to watch this!"

"Actually, Megatron," said Scorponok. "I think you need to take a look at this."

"What is it?" Megatron huffed after putting down his binoculars.

"What's that big ship doing hovering above us?"

"Oh my," Megatron whispered.

As the rest of the Predacons looked up in awe, the mega-blaster from the ship took aim and fired.


Against their better judgment, Rattrap and Airazor dove down from the trees to enter the melee.

Now the battle seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. Cheetor had been knocked out completely while Optimus and Tigatron were fighting by the edge of their teeth.

Rhinox charged blindly, leveling an entire tree in the process. His intended target swiftly leaped out of the way while slashing him across the side again.

Panting exhaustively, Rhinox glared at the cyber raptor. While he was indeed stronger, the mechanical reptile was undoubtedly more agile than he was. He had to think of something before the little dinosaur simply wore him down to nothingness.

"Take 'dis, Chopperface!"

A batch of mud was instantly slung into the eyes of the surprised cyber raptor. Using this momentary distraction to his advantage, Rhinox charged and impaled the raptor with his horn, throwing the lizard into the air from the force of the blow.

"Thanks, Rattrap!"

As Cheetor groaned, his vicious attacker stood poised to tear the young Maximal limb from limb. He managed to open his optics but unfortunately, his body was in too much pain to respond to his powerful assailant.

A shrill cry was heard as powerful talons raked the cyber raptor across the face. Howling in surprise, the raptor raised his head and snapped at his attacker. All he managed to bite down on was a single feather, which he immediately spit out again. Airazor shrieked and dove down for another assault.

The cyber raptor was more prepared this time, whirling around and catching her from the side with a powerful swing of his tail that knocked her against a tree.

"You fight bravely," the raptor said. "It is unfortunate that we must rend you apart like we would cattle or any other prey!"

Immediately, Rattrap leaped onto the cyber raptor's back, biting down as hard as he could. With little effort, the raptor shook him off and slammed his foot down onto the smaller Maximal.

"You dare attack me, vermin?" he hissed. "Your death will be the most delicious of all!"

"Lay off!" Optimus shouted as he bounded forward and smashed the cyber raptor across the face with a powerful roundhouse punch that snapped the creature's neck.

"Optimus!" Tigatron shouted. "Watch out!"

Optimus Primal didn't need to be told twice as he immediately rolled aside to avoid an overhead slash from the final cyber raptor. Grabbing Tigatron's gun which lay on the ground beside him, he took quick aim and fired.

Instead of the gun destroying the raptor as he expected, its blast struck the target, incasing it in several blocks of ice.

Optimus' eyes widened. "Well… that's just Prime."

"I must have accidentally set the weapon to its freeze beam," Tigatron coughed. "Still, it works charmingly."

"Please tell me we're through," Rattrap moaned.

This time, Optimus didn't blame him for complaining. The injuries they had sustained weren't mortal but just severe enough so that they wouldn't last through another major conflict. Cuts and slashes lined his body along with that of Tigatron's, Cheetor's, and Rhinox's. Primus forbid there were anymore of Megatron's pets out there.

As he hoisted the wounded Cheetor onto Rhinox's back, Optimus detected further movement through the undergrowth.

"Don't tell me there's more of 'em," Airazor groaned.

"Stay close together," Optimus told his teammates. "It may be our only chance."

As expected, several more cyber raptors appeared from the woods and surrounded the hapless Maximal team. From the looks of it, there were about thirty to forty of them.

"What do we have here?" one of raptors growled. "The Maximal team… injured and cornered!"

"We won't hesitate to pick your corpses clean," his companion snapped.

All six Maximals drew closer together as Optimus held the raptors at bay with Tigatron's gun.

Rattrap looked around and measured the odds.

"Yup," he said. "We're all gonna die."

To be continued.