Chapter 10
Stalker of Shadows

Tigerhawk stood outside of the Maximal base, gazing over the landscape. He had overheard Optimus and several others talking heatedly about the current problem which involved a mysterious femme. Apparently Optimus was feeling guilty about Stalker's death at her hands and her conversion to the Predacons. From the description of the actions of the female, she was a danger to all of them. He had deduced that she must be working alone since the Predacons would throw the body in the recycling bin instead of dumping it in the forest. Many things he heard were disturbing, something that a sane person wouldn't do. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a black shape. He looked over, not moving his head, and saw a creature similar to his beast mode, only black. It perched on a high outcropping of rocks, watching the doors intently, tail twitching. From the description of the female, this looked like her. Why would she be at the base? Unless it was under orders from Megatron. He decided to stay there to observe the creature without her knowing that he knew that she was there.

Paraleasion sat, watching and waiting. She was out of reach from any of the smaller Transformers, but not from Optimus. That didn't worry her because she wasn't there after Optimus, but for someone else. Someone who had committed unforgivable grievances against her and Rampage. She noted that the Maximals had a new addition to their ranks. From what she could tell, he didn't know that she was there. But she knew better than to let his inattentiveness go unnoticed. She waited for what seemed an eternity before the blast doors opened, letting her quarry through. Paraleasion crouched down, eyes narrowed, ears laid back, waiting for the right moment to pounce.

Tigerhawk watched as she assumed a hunting position before turning fully around. He saw her prey and immediately took action. A fireball went whizzing over Depthcharge's head, hitting the supporting rocks beneath Paraleasion's perch. They exploded in a hail of pebbles. Paraleasion let out a startled scream, flying upwards. She snarled down at Tigerhawk. Depthcharge picked himself off the ground, throwing Tigerhawk a glare before turning his attention to his would-be attacker.

"Paraleasion, devastate." Her animal form peeled away and Tigerhawk was able to see what he was up against. In the air she looked like a fallen angel in all her glory. The sunlight glinted off her ebony wings, her black, armor-like body was easily discernable from the blue sky. Hatred twisted her face into a horrid mask, her violet eyes burning an invisible hole in Tigerhawk's body. Dark storm clouds appeared in the sky, swirling. The wind kicked up dust clouds, and made the air turbulent enough that it was hard for Paraleasion to stay aloft. She merely laughed at Tigerhawk. "Your attempts are pathetic." Depthcharge, one arm shielding his eyes, the other busily aiming his weapon at the femme.

"No. I started this, I shall finish it." Tigerhawk yelled. Depthcharge lowered his weapon slowly, carefully watching the two. A strong wind wrapped itself around Paraleasion, flinging her far across the landscape. The clouds disappeared. Tigerhawk took flight, following the retreating black figure.

Paraleasion landed somewhere in the middle of an icy embankment. Her systems were minorly rattled, and nothing was heavily damaged. She picked leaves and sticks from her wings. She heard the sound of wings, but thought nothing of it. He wouldn't possibly pursue her this far away from his base. When storm clouds started brewing, she knew how wrong she was. Paraleasion stood, weapon in hand, searching the horizons for any hint of Tigerhawk. She spotted him and waited as he came into her weapon's range. The closer he got to her, the more he climbed in altitude so that she wouldn't be able to fire on him. Frustrated, Paraleasion took to the air in pursuit of the Maximal. She aimed carefully but lightning struck the gun, rendering it inoperable. She dropped the light weapon and turned towards Tigerhawk. He had stopped. The two faced each other, unarmed.

Paraleasion rushed in first. Their hands met and locked together, they circled in the air. They snarled at one another, each refusing to let go of the other. Lightning struck again, chaining from the ground up progressively until it hit Paraleasion. She screamed, some of her circuits sizzling and popping. Suddenly she released her grip, plummeting into the snow. A metallic shriek ripped itself from her voice box. Her back bowed, hands scrabbling at the crusted snow. She felt like she was being ripped apart from the inside. Intense pain covered her body. Slashes, scorches and other wounds appeared on her body. She stopped, her chest heaving. Tigerhawk landed nearby, cautiously watching her. She felt light, empty and floaty. Paraleasion watched as the other half of Rampage's spark floated from her body. Weakly, she reached out for it with the only arm that would work. She tried to catch it, but she couldn't move very well. Her arm dropped back beside her body.

"Who's pathetic now?" Tigerhawk asked as her optics dimmed and she powered down. He took one final look at her before flying off.



~The End



Well, it didn't turn out exactly as planned, but at least it's finished. For now, eh-heh. Comments are duly appreciated, any kind. Flames will just be used to keep my heating bill down. Anyways, thanks for reading. -- Shadoe