Deep in the Appalachian Mountains, Optimus, Drift, Crosshairs, and Mary searched the brush and leafy greenery for the Dinobots. The Appalachians were the last known sighting area for the Dinobots, so there was a very likely chance they were there. So far, there had been no success; yet as they proceeded to near the center, a few smashed trees made their appearance.
"That's a good sign – I think," Crosshairs said, pointing towards some more broken trees. "We're growing close."
Drift shook his head. "Aerial scouting up above the mountains reveals that this is not good," he said. "Look at this." He pointed towards something metal on the ground. "I believe there was a struggle here, between a Dinobot and a Decepticon or a Dinobot and another. Look here – a broken horn lies on the ground." Using a stick, he lifted a fragment of a horn off the ground. "I think Slug might have lost this in a battle, unless this is a spike of Scorn. It's too hard to tell."
He started to stand back up; then he thought otherwise, and passed the fragment to Mary. "With some work, that could become your weapon. Either that or you can let the Yeagers have it. It's your choice, not mine."
"If a battle has occurred here, then we must hurry," Optimus said, heaving his shield off his back. "Let us arm ourselves before we tread further. We enter dangerous territory once passing by these ruined trees. Be on the alert."
One by one, cannons and swords made themselves visible in Drift's, Crosshairs', and Optimus' hands. The horn fragment, sensing the heat coming through Mary's hands, transformed into a kind of cannon meant just for humans to fire. Part shotgun, part laser, and part flamethrower, the cannon fit perfectly into her grasp.
"Okay: THAT was wicked cool," Mary said when the transformation was complete. "I don't think we'll have to worry about a flamethrower with this thing. And regarding the Yeagers and myself – I'll let them have it. I still have that Swiss Army knife."
The group chuckled as a horrifying screech blasted the air. The laughter ceased immediately. Fear took its place. The group rapidly circled up, searching for the threat.
"What... was... that?" Drift asked.
"I don't know, but whatever it was, I don't like it one bit," Crosshairs murmured, a nuance in his voice. "Please tell me that's a Dinobot."
"I hate to break it to you, Crosshairs, but that was no Dinobot," Optimus stated. "That's something else entirely. Remain calm, everyone! We must not flip out here. Remain calm; be prepared for anything."
For several long, tense minutes they looked towards the source of the shriek, not seeing anything. Nobody dared to move as the screams grew louder, until they were right above the four.
"What the hell is making that scream?!" Crosshairs hissed. "It's starting to unnerve me more than Scorn ever did!"
"Hold your ground, Crosshairs!" Optimus ordered. "We cannot cave in to fear now!"
But they could all hear the fear in Crosshairs' voice. He may have been with Scorn and survived, but whatever this thing was, it was scaring him very badly.
Mary tapped Drift on the side of the ankle. "I see it," she hissed. "It's right up above us, using the rocks and clouds to hide."
"Try to knock it down here," Optimus advised. "It's a four-on-one fight – it against the four of us, and it'll have the disadvantage if it's at our level..."
The girl raised the cannon, steadied her aim, and fired. The laser blast poured upwards, and a moment later flames erupted as it hit the mark. A beast covered in sheets of titanium metal fell towards the four of them.
"Sidestep!" Drift yelled. "Duck and cover! Roll, roll, roll!"
"Here we go, boys!" Optimus added.
The four dived to the side, causing the beast to land awkwardly on its feet. Another shot from the cannon smacked the beast in the side; within moments, Drift had sliced open a cut on its leg, allowing a strange green liquid to spill out. Crosshairs was attempting to temporarily stun the beast, but gave up and went for the head, grabbing it and pinning it. The beast, however, broke free of both their grips with a whip of the tail and made a ferocious leap towards Optimus. The Autobot leader, raising his shield, let fly a roar of his own, and as the beast made contact with his shield he hurled it behind him. The beast crashed head first into the rocky wall, hit the ground even harder, and growled angrily. The twin set of eyes flashed a murky orange glare at them, peering out from behind crystal panels. Then – it slumped over, temporarily stunned. A black needle the size of a tree stuck out from the neck.
"Went for a stunner charge," Crosshairs panted, hauling the needle out of the neck. "Good shooting, kid."
"That's some good shooting yourself," Mary responded. She too was panting, having dodged the blows being traded. "Holy mackerel, what a beast!"
Drift, meanwhile, was examining the beast. "This is – oh, this is another one of KSI's attempts to become one of us!" he groaned, peering at the cut. "Brono must not have realized it, and sent this guy to annihilate us from existence. Don't know why he went for us first, unless it was human programming."
"I reckon he wanted to take me out first," Optimus said. "Only explanation."
"Why would he want to do that?" Mary asked, wiping her brow.
"Think about it," Crosshairs explained. "If you want to take out the enemy, take out the leader of your enemy. The enemy will then surrender because they have nobody to lead them. It's the most logical explanation I can think of."
The beast began to stir, its eye color now crimson red. It shook its head from side to side, as if it were trying to wake up; upon seeing the Autobots and human it let out a kind of purr. Its mouth opened, revealing dagger-like shards of metal for teeth, and – spoke!
"Thank you – I did not want to work for Powertron, but I was forced to do his bidding," it said. Its voice was crystallic and vibrating, and it rung in the air – which was exceptionally strange.
"Who are you?" Drift asked.
"My name is Crystillex," the beast responded. "I am merely a minion of yours. I am only alive because I was brought back from the dead."
Slowly the beast stood up. "I leave you now to find a set of resting grounds." It began to walk away, but stopped and added, "The Newborn Sparks can be found with the help of 2301, taken out Ada's village, in the heart of the beast."
With that, it was gone just as quickly as it had come. Drift opened his mouth to shout something about KSI, but was quickly stopped by Optimus, who shook his head and mouthed 'Not now. Another time.'
"Come on. Let's keep going; it'll be growing dark soon, and we still have a mission to accomplish," Crosshairs said, the cannon folding up.
So they set off once more, a few weapons out, ready for a fight if they had another. They probed even closer to the heart of those mountains, searching for any disturbance. The only signs of Dinobot activity were broken trees and scorch marks... and soon, claw marks and burnt trees as well.
"Does this place seem scary or is it just me?" Mary asked, hustling to keep up with them.
"It's not just you," Drift said. "Believe me, it's not just you, kid! The first time I was here I had goosebumps galore!"