Chapter 09: Tales Of Transforming Knights
LOCATION: UNITED KINGDOM
10 Downing Street
Over the United Kingdom, there was a building that was the center focus. There, a strange senile old man in a black suit, white shirt & blue/black spotted tie with very little gray hair & emerald color eyes. was apparently getting up from having sat down as another man with bodyguards address him as Prime Minister, were quickly making their way. The old man was about to take his leave to, until something broke through from the ceiling wall. It was a large bulky red armor with some yellow design lines & black-gray boot layer, inner leg, waist, under shoulder region, and fingers, & it's helmet is a dome shape with a tough expression on the front. It's very appearance makes it look in use for heavy & deep duty fighting, even dangerous to boot.
"Sorry to drop in, I'll pay for the roofing cost afterwards." The voice of Armor Stark was heard, as his head was seen within the mecha suit of armor.
"Oh my, isn't that a bit of an extreme entrance into the house of the Prime Minister?" The old man exclaimed in seeing how Armor Stark makes such grand entrances.
"This coming from a guy who came into headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom, & was warning us of a great threat arriving & to be prepared in where the target threat will occur. Isn't that a bit much from you…Edmund Burton, the 12th Earl Of Folgan." Armor Stark spoke off to say all of this while also addressing who the old man was.
"Well now, it is an honor that the famous Armor Stark, knows my name." The revealed old man stated in a calm motion in having see he has been found out.
"Sir, I'm detecting a hidden presence nearby? It appears to give off a metal signature of Cybertronian." JARVIS spoke from within the suit of armor in detecting a Transformer signature.
"A Transformer, great, must be in disguise to look like an electric appliance?" Armor Stark rolled his eyes in looking around, trying to determine what appliance a Decepticon might be disguise as.
"Oh no mister Stark, allow me to ease your worries." Edmund Burton spoke in trying to ease the tension. "You may come out now Fila." He spoke in calling someone in the room, to appear.
Then entering from the hidden passageway of where Sir Edmund Burton came in, was another figure. A young lady with tan white grey/emerald color with darker grey/emerald spots covering parts of her body which seem…metallic? Her hair was with a mix color of tan dark lavender & tan light gray outward curls in the front & a curling ponytail behind her head. Her eyes were the red color as dark & bright as can be to see. She wore accessories on her feet, knees, waist, chest, wrist & elbows that had a darker emerald grey color metal frame in providing excessive wardrobe for the female that almost appeared human, yet at the same time, wasn't...
"JARVIS, what am I exactly looking at?" Armor Stark asked in what he was looking at, a mix of a Transformer age female human.
"Scan instruments & signatures can determine Transformium, but bio signatures suggest what is a mix of techno-organic flesh." JARVIS explained the basic scans on this Fila character, & what was learn was a real shock.
"Say what?" Armor Stark responded surprise in what he heard.
"Ah, your instruments are quite sharp to get all the facts." Edmund Burton commented on how right Armor Stark's AI was to detect such a thing. "Allow me to introduce her, this is Fila. Someone who's father & grandfather worked within my family long ago. But of course, a recent accident had occurred."
"An accident?" Armor Stark raised an eyebrow from within his suit to hear this.
"Correct, as you are aware, dangerous objects known as…The Seed, became a weapon that destroyed organic life & turn anything & everything alive into living metal we call: Transformium." Edmund Burton explained the part that filled in about the accident which involved the weapon to turn living organics into metal.
"We inhaled the substance, & slowly, our flesh were dying out. Mr. Folgan & Codman were kind enough to help, but the toxin was killing us, & both my father & grandfather would turn into come metal." Fila explained this tragic tale of how such a thing effected her family, & took those she loved.
"So….how are you alive?" Armor Stark asked in how Fila escaped such a fate.
"Apparently we found an answer when half her original organs were replace with cybernetic limbs. Using the Transformium, it restricted her components to adjust to the living metal alright inside her. Thus, the two had themselves implanted to save the child." Edmund Burton explained this important matter of what enable Fila to survive because half her body had cybernetic components which the living metal adapted to it following the rest of the organic tissue.
"I see, so it sounds like…using two different Transformiums with old cybernetics, cause a reaction to mutate the celery structure of the human body, therefore instead of killing the subject; it transform them in a matter of speaking." Armor Stark replied off in following how it all went down & how Fila is now here of what she is now.
"Correct, I am the 1st human being to become a living machine, a Transformer that's half-organic with the tech." Fila nodded off to say in how her new life was made after that.
"While this is all very fascinating, I'm afraid I came here to learn what I can about what's happening." Armor Stark spoke off to say this gently about changing the subject to what he's actually here for. "And don't sugarcoat it, I know you helped Cade Yeager escape on a submarine with someone else tagging along with the Autobot: Bumblebee. And strangely, TRF is following them, yet it seems to me, you stay behind to chat without concerns of those under pursuit, what's the game Folgan?" He was cutting to the chase, knowing there was something else going on while others brave a danger.
"Well now, where to begin, since you seem to be preparing to aid against what will threaten the world, perhaps I can share you some things." Edmund Burton ponders to say this before deciding to spare some time to explain a few things. "Have you ever heard of the Order Of The Witwiccans?" He asked this in asking a basic topic now.
"Care to enlighten me? Cause I think half of it relates to the Witwicky family line while also connecting with a bunch of other people we learn in history, but never mention giant robot aliens?" Armor Stark asked in knowing only parts of such an order, but figures that those with connections to famous historic people had involvements with Transformers.
"Indeed you are correct. It relates to why the Transformers keep coming to Earth. And how they were those that knew the presence of Transformers on Earth, who work to keep their secret, & who work to aid them in assisting humanity. Basically you can say, every last person of positive historical significance was a member." Edmund Burton exclaimed with a smile to liven up one's imagination on the secret truth hidden within history.
"Okay, so you're a secret society to protect the secret history of Transformers." Armor Stark exclaimed in getting the basic rundown on what this order is about.
"Indeed. The person with Cade Yeager, is Miss. Viviana Wembly, Master of history, Oxford. Doctor of philosophy, also Oxford. And doctor of letters, again Oxford, I think. But perhaps your wondering, why she's with a wanted fugitive?" Edmund Burton spoken off to mention this much before getting around the big question about the lady with Cade Yeager that the world is targeting. "You see things began in 484 AD, roughly around 1600 years ago, when King Arthur & his wizard, Merlin, stared down & vanquished the Saxon hordes at mount badon." He stated to bring up another history that occurred in the age that was 1600 years ago.
"Alright, now your just misleading me down old myths?" Armor Stark raised an eyebrow in his suit of armor, finding this almost ridiculous to believe.
"Please, let him finish Mister Stark." Fila pleaded for the man in armor to listen closely.
"Yes, every legend, every myth, every story whispered around campfires has a logical explanation." Edmund Burton proclaimed how such things begin as truth of old events, before long believed as old tales of make believe. "I have photos of my home where it was built around the original round table." As he showed the photos, Armor Stark saw a strange metallic table of strange alien writing & symbols. "All twelve sat there. But what history never knew, was that behind them sat the 12 who came from Cybertron." As he mentioned this, this perk Armor Stark's mind quite a lot.
"Cybertron, as in Transformers that look almost like knights, hugh?" Armor Stark was curious to believe it, Cybertronian Knights, that's a new one.
"Twelve alien knights who saw in Camelot what the human race could be at its finest. A race of honor." Edmund Burton proclaimed how such a thing reflected what humanity would be at it's finest hour.
"Okay, so how is this tale related to hunting down one person?" Armor Stark asked in liking to understand the point of the story.
"Because, legend held that one last knight would someday be chosen & the struggle to save the world would begin. So it would appear, that Mr. Cade Yeager, is that last knight." Edmund Burton pointed off the major issue about how one man, was destine to help in saving the world.
"Now hold on, some Transformer Knight came across our universe, to find one person? I feel a little insulted I wasn't chosen, but…that's just me." Armor Stark sarcastically stated how that all sounded, & made a rhetorical statement on feeling disappointed that the chosen one wasn't him.
"No, not specifically him who's a failed inventor from the state of Texas." Edmund Burton exclaimed to point off some corrections on the matter. "No, you see what was meant were the qualities of a knight in Mr. Cade….Fila, the qualities of a knight, if you please." He pointed off that Cade Yeager had something that were qualities of a knight, which now Fila will go into.
"Qualities of a knight, purity of heart, valor, honor, virtue, integrity." Fila explained the basic steps of what it means to have qualities of a knight.
"Oh, & most importantly…is he chaste." Edmund Burton pointed off to bring up one last fact.
"Chased? What like being chased around?" Armor Stark remarked off to say this.
"Chaste…with a 't' between the 's' & 'e', mister Stark." Fila corrected the man if it sounded he got the two mix up.
"Yeah, I get it, just making a joke to lighten the mood a bit." Armor Stark waved off in trying to living up the room with some humor. "So this table, is it some kind of map?" He asked in studying the table picture that had weird marks on it, symbols & writings.
"It's a puzzle I've worked on for some time as it was from Cybertron." Edmund Burton stated on what he's done to figure out the things on the picture himself. "The glyphs are old Cybertronian. A mantra whispered through the cosmos… "Seglass ni tonday", which means "With your dying breath, protect the staff" is what it meant." He explained forth the wordings of what was written, & how it can be translated from Cybertronian to English.
"Wait, staff? Is the Ultimate Weapon…a staff?" Armor Stark asked in slowly figuring how the picture of learning everyone was after Cade for the Ultimate Weapon, could the weapon be…a staff?
"They have their name for it, we have ours. The Staff of Merlin." Fila proclaimed in having revealed the basic name of the Ultimate Weapon in question.
"Bequeathed to Merlin by an alien race. Fused with his DNA. So that only he would have the key to unlock its alien power. Or as they knew it in those days, magic." Edmund Burton explained the forces of how Merlin's Staff unlocks a great power, but it's tune by the human DNA of that very first creature's bloodline. "In his passing, the staff was buried with Merlin's body. A thousand years we've kept it hidden. If it ever fell into the wrong hands, it would mean…the imminent destruction of everything we know & love." He pointed off that if such a power fell in the wrong hands, lord knows what faith mankind were face.
"Right now, it was what allowed the Transformers known as the Knights Of Iacon to aid Merlin in the past." Fila stated in having brought up the name for those to hear.
"Right Miss. Fila. The 12 Guardian knights combined into a mighty dragon to protect it. And now it is in great danger." Edmund Burton issued forth to have mention the dangers if the staff should fall in the wrong hands.
"Let me guess, Megatron & his Decepticons are after it." Armor Stark asked in seeing what the Decepticons are after & what it holds.
"The battle is upon us. It is why the Transformers are here, why they keep coming to Earth." Edmund Burton pointed off in revealing why the Transformers have come to Earth: more then the events of the past such like the Cube, the Matrix, the Space Bridge Pillars, even the Seed, they were just other means to an end. "And we must claim the staff before it's too late." He declared how vital it was they get the staff before anyone else did.
"Exactly how will that work, even if you sent two people & a small robot with them with an Autobot as a big bodyguard, what makes you think they can do it?" Armor Stark asked in still wondering if everything will go as the old man thinks.
"Because Mister Stark, only a direct descendant of Merlin himself can wield this instrument of absolute power. And Miss Vivane, is Merlin's last descendant here on Earth, & as such, she is our last hope." Edmund Burton pointed off to mention this as a matter of knowing the only one that can save them, is a direct descendant of the one who's ancestor was Merlin.
"Wait, your saying…someone is related to the wizard Merlin? JARVIS…" Armor Stark asked in starting to sound curious, before getting his AI to help.
"Accessing sir." JARVIS responded before showing a digital old image of an old man label as Merlin, down a bunch of people before it stopped at a young woman with long brown hair & blue eyes. "Sir, it appears that dating back across the family tree, the ties reveal that a Viviane Wembly is 100 percent, a descendant to her ancestor dubbed: Merlin of King Arthur's Court." The AI confirmed that the match was 100 percent of the two being a direct related match of their family tree.
"Bit of a shock, isn't it? And only she knows the staff's location imparted to her by her father. And that is why, they went to the Navy Museum to board the world war 2 sub called: 'The Alliance', where the mission was in deep under waters where Miss. Viviane knows the way to the staff."
"I see, & you didn't join them because you had something to say to the Prime Minister, & threaten everyone…with a deadly watch…yeah, that about sums up one crazy story." Armor Stark lightly concluded how the story brings them to the present in what the guy was doing, & with a deadly watch that could kill any human being.
"He wanted to marshal all the resources, all military assets, because he & those in the government know the world is going to end, & Sir Edmund Burton inform them where it'll happen." Fila explained the last few things that Edmund Burton wanted to rally some military forces on where everything will go down.
"And don't forget, 'when' my dear." Edmund Burton pointed off to add in one more addition to the math.
"Well now, that little 'Fun' history fact just blew my mind in what I was taught in school, followed by how an old man in his late 70s, played everything accordingly. Course never was much into believing fantasy tales…till around recently." Armor Stark stated off in seeing how everything he once knew, was blown away about aliens having been on Earth for 1600 years to this very day & such…
"Now then Mister Stark, if I have answered all your questions, I need to catch a plane to Stonehenge." Edmund Burton stated in needing to be going, as he & Fila were making their way out.
"Just one last question before you go, & this one seems just as important?" Armor Stark spoke up to have one more thing to add before the old guy leaves. "What do you know about knights different from the Knights of Iacon, & it involves their statues which were separated…all 13 of them?" He stated to have mention this much on specific details on such things.
Hearing this caused Edmund Burton to freeze from going anywhere, even Fila became concern in seeing the old man show such concerns.
"I'm sorry, did you say…13 scattered statues of knights?" Edmund Burton asked as if trying to think he misheard, but…
"Yes, & I'm guessing they are not the same Knights Of Iacon if they were protecting Merlin's Staff?" Armor Stark stated in knowing if one information is true, that means the next part, has a different story to be heard.
"Sir, is it possible that…?" Fila whispered with worries if the gentleman was referring to what was forbidden, but…
"Before I answer, can you tell me…where did you come across such information?" Edmund Burton asked in wanting to know something first.
"Strikespell told me about someone named Nezha Ventigo was after them & he snuck in to work for TRF to use them to his advantage in finding dormant Transformer statues, any ideas what he's after?" Armor Stark stated to explain this much while awaiting his answer.
"13 knights of alien origin different from the Knights Of Iacon, is it possible he's seeking…the Royal Knights?" Edmund Burton pondered to think for a minute in what he could say that makes sense.
"I'm sorry, Royal Knight what-its?" Armor Stark raised an eyebrow as in not following this strange topic.
"In the past, it was recorded that the Wizard Merlin approached the Knights of Iacon to seek their help. Because he believed he could persuade them of reasoning." Fila explained this matter of what Merlin did to convince one group of Cybertronian knights; which earn everyone to look at her. "I'm sorry, I did a little research on them…?" She sheepishly said in seeing how everyone saw how much knowledgeable she was.
"Quote alright my dear, but those knights…are NOT to be trifle with by any man or any other." Edmund Burton issued off to have mention as a word of caution. "Merlin wrote down that the 12 knights were as strong as even the Knights of Iacon." He pointed off in having to mention another factor of much concern worries.
"Even stronger? Didn't you just say that those things can form a dragon?" Armor Stark asked in thinking he's missing something here.
"Yes, a dragon of great power is what the Knights Of Iacon bring that make them invincible, or so they say." Edmund Burton explained the basic legend that has gone down in the generations that became myth. "But the Royal Knights need not just means, for just like in the medieval days, what could slay a dragon…is a knight it's self." He pointed off in having brought up a matter that many can picture clearly.
"Wait, what knight…not any knight of Earth?" Armor Stark asked in not being sorta confused.
"The fable black knight of whom was address as Black Alpha. It was said that while the other Royal Knights could be seen as elites against the Knights of Iacon in single combat, but when they form the dragon, it seem almost even." Edmund Burton explained a topic on the strength of each of the different knights. "But Black Alpha was said to be stronger then the dragon, as it display it's power as if to show witness the difference between the Knights of Iacon & the Royal Knights & their leader." He explained how much bigger things are when viewing the whole picture of a difference in one's strength measurements.
"I see, so…are these Royal Knights also Transformers?" Armor Stark asked in pondering the big question in which Nezha used TRF to find the statue figures of the knights.
"The answer to that, is both 'Yes'…& 'No' Mister Stark." Edmund Burton stated which confused the man until he explained more. "While their size, figure, armory, states they are Transformers, but they are not Cybertronians." He proclaimed in having answered the question with a half full & half empty claim.
"It's been said that the Knights of Iacon recognize them as entities similar to 'The Great Deceiver', each one different that wields mysterious powers, & Black Alpha leads them as the strongest." Fila pointed off I nwhat she has learn about the basic legend regarding such a thing.
"Okay, well that doesn't sound too good, but tell me, who's The Great Deceiver?" Armor Stark asked another question that boggles the mind.
"That I do not know, such information was never given out to be recorded." Fila shook her head in stating they are unable to answer that one.
At this moment, Edmund Burton was silent to think about everything of not just what the prophecy foretold, but of another event also occurring at the same time. If this Nehza character was taking advantage of the sleeping 13 Royal Knights to gain control of them before they awaken, then it would be as big a disaster as two worlds colliding. While everything was already in motion, perhaps it's best to play a 'wild card' on the table…
"Fila, take Mister Stark back to the castle." Edmund Burton issued this order without warning. "When you get there, have him repair 'those' objects hidden beneath the corner in my garage." He gave some simplified instructions for the girl to perform.
"Sir, you don't mean…the pillars?" Fila slightly gasped in what the old man was suggesting.
"Wait, when she said pillars, you mean those things that tried to bring a whole planet into our space area & almost destroyed the Earth from the one called Sentinel Prime?" Armor Stark was asking in trying to recall such an event that happened long ways back.
"Yes-yes, the very same, but worry not, these things are very old, & a bit…shall we say, assembly require." Edmund Burton waved off to say while stating that the pillars must be assembled. "I trust a man of your smarts can figure out how to use them to make a, say…Ground Bridge, instead of a Space Bridge that could tear the planet in two?" He commented in knowing Armor Stark was a high IQ genius, & can utilize equipment tech to work for a better use that won't endanger them.
"And why do you want me to do that?" Armor Stark asked in finding this suspicious.
"Because if this Nezha fellow is after the 13 knights, the Autobots & much of our own military forces, won't be enough to help give us time to stop the world from ending. Even your advance technology can only do so much." Edmund Burton pointed out that time is ticking & with more enemies, they will not make it in time to stop Cybertron from colliding with their own world. "I recall hearing recently about some youngsters with special talents that some say, are magic…?" He lightly smiled in stating something that earn some attention.
"Wait, your not suggesting…" Armor Stark was about to say, but was cut off.
"Fila, lead him, & punch in the coordinates for a certain camp site, you got at least 12 hours to get there & then hurry along to meet up at the rendezvous sight." And with that, Edmund Burton took the secret passageway out of the room before anyone could stop him.
"Oh boy, something tells me we're in for a lot more complications." Armor Stark signed in feeling like this will be a long ride of more complications on one's to do list. "Well, no time to complain, Miss. Fila, show me these pillars…we got work to do, & hold on tight." He issued off to say in just giving in & deciding to just work things out somehow.
Before Fila could ask that part, Armor Stark picked her up to blast off through the open hole in the roof. As the man in the armor suit knew there was no time to waste, whatever is about to happen, they are going towards a destination. Unknown even to Armor Stark, where he may go & then where he'll end up next….are a mystery for another time to be told…