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Dragon of Destiny

By nightdragon0

OK, that was either the most noble or most stupid thing I've ever done in my life. Nightfire thought, glaring at the ceiling of his prison cell.

After giving his answer, he'd been brought back to the cell in practically no time at all. The guards had taken him on a longer route going there, likely to add to his disorientation of the base's layout, but they hadn't bothered on the way back.

They probably knew what was in store for him anyway.

Kirath had been taken to be given the same speech he had. At least that was what Nightfire assumed, as he closed his eyes and waited, seemingly for hours.

Finally, the door clanged open and the guards brought Kirath back in, securing his restraining platform to the wall before leaving.

"You get the same 'help me take over the universe' lecture I did?" Nightfire asked.

"Yes, and also a bit of information about you." Kirath replied. "You never told me a lot of those things."

"Yeah, well sorry. But you know, your beast form is a copy of mine, acquired when you came through that time rift…"

"If you're about to say it's your fault that I'm here with you, don't." Kirath interrupted. "I wouldn't blame you for anything like that."

"Thanks old timer." Nightfire nodded as best as he could with his head in a brace. "One thing I realized through, he has telepathic powers similar to mine. I think that was how he found me…he could sense it every time I used my powers within the fortress."

"However, this Omega fellow did seem slightly pissed off with you. What did you say to him?"

"I only told him that I wouldn't hand him a bucket of spit if he burst into flames." Nightfire grinned.

"Such a colorful insult…"

"Yeah, but he wasn't too happy about it at all." Nightfire managed a small laugh. "How about you?"

"I just gave a flat-out no."

"Great, so now that the rejection part is over, how you think they're gonna execute us?"

"That actually sounds like something Rattrap would say." Kirath commented.

"Someone call my name?"

"What?! Rattrap?!" Nightfire gasped.

"Hey people." Rattrap poked his head out of an air vent above them, allowing both to see him clearly. "I would say nice to see you all, but it looks like you're all tied up at the moment."

"Thanks for stating the obvious." Nightfire growled as Rattrap made his way down.

"Hang on, I'll get you out of those." Rattrap raised his gun.

"No, don't fire. You'll attract the guards." Kirath warned.

"Yeah, I forgot. Man, what am I supposed to do then?! I don't have anything here that could even scratch these without making a big bang." Rattrap muttered, tugging at their chains. "I admit through, I have to admire their handicraft."

"You'd better leave us and scram." Nightfire told him.

"What?!"

"He's right." Kirath agreed. "But first tell us what's been going on."

"Nothing good really." Rattrap sighed as he related his story with Cheetor and the situation of the Predacons inside the base.

Kirath in turn, passed Rattrap the information they had obtained.

"Going for the power core would be a good idea." Kirath decided. "If you could both locate it and contact our allies outside, perhaps an assault could divert their attention long enough for a chosen few to take out the core."

"Yeah, that was our plan." Rattrap nodded. "But I was searching through the files and found something about you two. They'll be putting you into some gladiator arena. And who know what's gonna to happen after that?"

"Oh wow, Rattrap, I never knew you cared." Nightfire said sarcastically.

"Hey, they can melt you down and use what's left for fossil fuel for all I care! It's the General I'm worried about."

"That's much appreciated Rattrap, but no." Kirath told him. "You'll have to carry out the plan without us. If it really is a gladiator arena as you say, then Nightfire and I will be providing some 'entertainment'. That'll divert some attention as well. You'd best make haste now, no telling when our guards may return."

"All right, if that's what you want." Rattrap climbed back into the air vent and pulled the grills shut. "Try not to get yourselves scrapped, OK?"

"That's something new from him." Nightfire muttered as the rat's footsteps faded. "Hey Kirath, there might be a chance we'll survive, right?"

"Haha, I promise to get out of this alive, just as long as you do the same." The old soldier chuckled.

"Deal?"

"Deal."

"Yeah big bot, that's all I know so far. Rattrap ran off a while ago and hasn't come back yet." Cheetor's voice echoed down the air vent.

"That boss monkey on the line?" Rattrap asked, bursting out into the room.

"Yargh!" Startled, Cheetor pointed his weapon at him. "Don't scare me like that!"

Rattrap pushed his way past the young Maximal and walked up to the computer.

"Hey there boss, how ya doing?"

"Cut the crap Rattrap." Optimus yelled from the other side. "Cheetor told me you had some plan."

"Yep, well, Kirath's actually." Rattrap informed him. "Basically, he and his fellow scale belly are being thrown into a pit fight. That and hopefully an attack from you guys should cause enough of a distraction for us in here to find the power core, take it out, and BOOM!"

"But it's just big bot and Rhinox out there against this thing." Cheetor protested.

"True." Optimus replied. "But I think I could 'convince' Megatron to 'lend' us a hand."

"Ole Megs?!" Rattrap gasped.

"Rhinox, get out that missile we've been saving. Yes, that one!"

"Watcha plan to do? Fire it at the Pred base and hope they'll chase you all the way to this hunk of junk?!"

"Sometimes, the most insane plans are the ones that work." Optimus said. "Leave that part to me. You'd better plan out your part carefully. Good luck!"

"Yeah, yeah." Rattrap nodded, turning to Cheetor. "Sit down kid and find yourself a terminal. We gonna be really busy…and I'm about to show you how a professional hacker, spy and infiltrator works!"

"What do you mean the power core's moving?!" Muricate gasped.

"Keep your voice down!" Deathwing hissed, before turning back to the com-link. "You said you have a general location?"

"Yeah." Rattrap said over the com-link. "It's on the level above the arena at the south sector."

"Arena?" Silverbolt wondered. "The one where Kirath and Nightfire will be?"

"I'm pretty sure it is. And since that's the case, all we need to do is get near the location and hide. Once the dragons are in the spotlight, I'll contact the others outside and we'll charge in and blow the power core."

"Getting there is our problem." Muricate commented. "We're not exactly very near there, and we don't crawl through sewer holes like you."

"Hey! Why you…"

"Not now, both of you!" Silverbolt cut in.

"This is crazy." Blackarachnia muttered, peering out the door of the room they were hiding in. "Hmmm…hey how bout we hitch a ride instead?"

Everyone looked out to where she was pointing…a stack of crates being loaded onto a conveyer belt for transportation.

Considering their party had been running and sneaking around in the shadows for the last few cycles, getting a ride like that seemed like a luxury liner to them. Provided they could pull it off that was…

"This one?" Cheetor pointed.

"Yeah, but watch your head!"

BANG!

"Ow…" Cheetor moaned.

Both in beast mode, the pair was making their way through the air vents, along a route Rattrap claimed he'd carefully marked out. They had it a little easier than Deathwing's group, but Cheetor's head was getting more and more sore each bend.

"Rattrap, are we there yet?"

"Look up this one." Rattrap pointed up a diagonal tunnel. It was sloping upwards and just big enough for one.

"Ugrh…" Cheetor pulled himself up and gasped. "We're at the wall within the arena's field!"

"Haha! See, I was right!" Rattrap said proudly. "Watcha see kiddo?"

"Lots of those soldiers gathering in the stands, but no battle yet."

"Good, so can you stay here for a while and watch?"

"Why? Where are you going?" Cheetor asked.

"There's something else I've got to do." Rattrap called, disappearing into another shaft. "Be back soon!"

Nightfire and Kirath did their best to act surprised when a guard came along and told them about their upcoming battle.

Soon afterwards, they were pulled off the wall and thrown into separate cages. The cages were clear, transparent rectangles mounted to hovering boards. Their glass-like walls seemed weak at first, until Nightfire tested them by head butting them continuously.

All he got for that effort was a headache and a small laugh from Kirath.

"I know how you feel." The old soldier spoke. "Just like an animal at the zoo."

"Yeah, but at least the animals there aren't being thrown into a Roman gladiator arena." Nightfire replied. "You tried transforming?"

"I have, but to no avail." Kirath shook his head. "They must've disabled our transformation abilities. We'll be stuck in beast mode for this one."

The guards around them gave them odd glances every now and then, but remained silent as they moved the cages.

"How appropriate…" Nightfire muttered as they were brought up to a gigantic pair of reinforced titanium double doors.

Both dragons could not help but stare as they were brought into the arena.

It was a scene right out of Earth's history. The circular stadium was filled with spectators, a mixture of soldiers and technicians, those given leave from their duties at least.

"Fancy, isn't it?" Omega's voice boomed.

Kirath and Nightfire glanced around, but of course, couldn't tell where his voice was coming from.

"Such a shame that both of you had to reject my proposal." Omega continued. "However, I feel a public execution would be a little too plain for warriors such as yourselves. As such, I will allow you a warrior's death…death on the battlefield."

"You are just so fragging sympathetic!" Nightfire yelled, banging on the walls of his cage. "So forgive me for not melting into a puddle of gratitude!"

"Defiant till the end. Well, can't say I didn't expect that. So then, let the games begin!"

"Ah ha!" Rattrap pulled himself into the room. "No guards. Hmmm…the guy in charge here must be pretty wrapped up with the Dragon Show over there. Either that, or he's very confident of his security system…which of course, is no challenge for me!"

This was another storage room, but in particular, a weapons storage. After disabling the alarm from a panel on the wall, Rattrap happily helped himself to the extra ammunition clips, filling his subspace compartments full.

He had a feeling they would need those later.

In the midst of his search, Rattrap opened a locker and found a large sword inside…Nightfire's green Energon blade, intact and inside its sheath.

"Well, for dragon breath's sake, better take this too." Rattrap muttered, dragging the weapon back to the air vent. "Time to get back to the others."

The door to Kirath's cage swung open. He gave Nightfire a firm nod before stepping out into the arena. The crowd promptly went into a series of boos and jeers at his entrance.

Not much of a morale booster. The green dragon told himself.

A metal sword and shield were tossed to him from the sideline. Kirath stood on his hind legs and took the weapons in his fore claws.

The blade was poorly made and felt heavy in his claws, while the shield looked weak and flimsy.

Better than having nothing at all.

Kirath had often trained alongside Nightfire in fighting in beast mode, and hopefully that would now pay off for his efforts. Bringing his shield up and gripping his sword, Kirath nodded, indicating he was ready.

On the other side of the arena, another pair of huge double doors opened, allowing him to lay his eyes upon his opponents.

Three large cybernetic dragons, all in gray and of a nearly identical structure to his own beast mode, although much larger.

Kirath could immediately see that these were nothing more than mindless killing machines, however, they were types which also possessed a formidable threat. He briefly turned towards Nightfire, who was watching intensely.

The three cyber dragons spread out, attempting to surround Kirath.

Which one…left!

Kirath parried the claw attack from his left, swung to the side and shoved his opponent, sending him flying into one of his comrades. The remaining one charged and lashed at Kirath with his tail.

He managed to block the blow with the shield, through it left the shield badly dented. The enemy dragon attacked again and again, forcing Kirath to continue guarding. He didn't realize the dragon's tail ended in a pair of sharp blades until they pierced through his shield, stopping inches away from his face.

Making use of the distraction, Kirath twisted the shield, hence twisting the tail, and slashed. The blow both took off the dragon's tail and sent him rolling away.

By this time, the other two cyber dragons had recovered and approached as well. Having lost the shield in the previous maneuver, Kirath gripped his sword with both hands and took both opponents.

The next few seconds were vicious, ending with Kirath receiving multiple wounds and slashes. Once again, the two began to spread out, forcing Kirath to face his back towards one opponent as he parried a blow from the other.

In his state, Kirath couldn't keep up the pace. He heard the 'swoosh' of the tail swing from behind, however wasn't able to avoid it as it smashed down on his left shoulder.

Kirath roared in pain. The blow had snapped what would be the equivalent of a human's collar and shoulder bones, rendering his left arm nearly immobile. It also had taken toll on his left wing, leaving that useless as well.

In his moment of distortion, Kirath began spewing flames everywhere. Unfortunately, the cyber dragons were virtually immune to the fire, and simply shielded themselves until Kirath ran out of flame.

One rushed and grabbed him from behind, holding him around his neck. The second one raised his claws, preparing to finish him off. Pushing the pain out of his mind, Kirath leaned back slightly, then suddenly swung his body forward.

This threw the one holding him over his body, right into the attacker's path. The attacker's claws neatly pierced through the unfortunate victim's back, sending an odd purple fluid spewing out as it howled madly.

Wasting no time, Kirath grabbed the spiked tail of the critically damaged dragon and impaled the standing dragon with it. Both cyber dragons went down in a fountain of mech-fluid and beast-like howls.

Exhausted, Kirath grabbed the sword and turned to face the last opponent, the tailless dragon. The two walked up to each other and went into a frenzy of blows. Finally, Kirath managed to hit the dragon in the chin with the hilt of his sword.

The cyber dragon fell backwards, but as it did, it lashed out with its claws in desperation. And the blow tore straight through Kirath's right knee.

On impulse, Kirath jerked back in pain. However, his other leg was in the worse possible position for that and he snapped his own ankle as he fell.

Even in all his agony, Kirath realized his fate had been sealed. He was on his knees, unable to fly, left arm immobilized. Neither would his legs be able to bring him anywhere.

Kirath fought on until his sword arm was sliced off at the elbow. He didn't have the strength to scream as he was pierced through his chest and lifted high up into the air.

Kirath found himself facing Nightfire, who was pounding wildly on his cage.

"I'm sorry…I can't…keep that promise…" He whispered. "I'm sorry…Nightfire…"

Grinning evilly, the cyber dragon aimed his final attack at Kirath's neck.

Nightfire's wail of anguish terrified the guards nearby, causing them to flee. He stared in horror as the cyber dragon continued to tear Kirath's body apart, as if taking his life had not been enough.

The agony soon turned into blind rage as the black dragon pounded on his cage. A sudden energy surge shot through his body, knocking him out. Apparently some mechanism of his prison.

It couldn't have been more than a few minutes, but Nightfire awoke to find himself in the middle of the arena. All signs of Kirath and his murderer were gone, save a small puddle of mech-fluid nearby.

Nightfire's roar of fury instantaneously silenced the spectators.

Damn it! Dammit all! He thought. Will there be no chance for revenge?!

There were no weapons thrown to him and Nightfire assumed he had been selected for a far more brutal death. Once again, the huge double doors swung open.

Nightfire was expecting to see a dragon of some form, but certainly not the one which met his eyes.

It was beautiful to say the least. A white scaled dragon with a golden mane sprouting from the back of its head. Its lower belly and its claws were a light blue, as were the two horns on its head. It approached him, walking on all fours with an almost graceful aura about it.

This one was no machine, Cybertronian or not. It was a living, breathing, organic dragon.

Nightfire stared, completely transfixed until it gave a loud roar. Snapping back to reality, Nightfire backed away, growling.

The white dragon was easily three times his size, certainly enough as a cause for concern. Nightfire was left in indecision about whether to fight or run. The white dragon continued snarling as it approached.

He saw too that its wings had been clipped. The poor creature would never fly again.

Listen…

Nightfire blinked. He thought he was hearing voices in his head again.

Listen…

Listen? Listen to what?! Nightfire thought.

It was a gut feeling he couldn't ignore. Cutting himself out from the world around, Nightfire focused hard. Then, he realized it was the white dragon talking to him.

It didn't really have a proper language, but Nightfire interpreted it as best as he could and replied in the same manner. The 'dragon tongue' came to him naturally, as if he'd known it all his life.

'You've returned…' It 'said'. 'You are different now, but it is still you.'

'Returned?' He asked.

'You were killed…but how can you be here?'

'I…'

'The day they brought us outside, you tried to escape, but…'

Suddenly, Nightfire understood the dragon's words. She thought he was her long lost mate, because that was the DNA pattern he'd gotten. Perhaps it was a combination of both animal instinct and his psychic powers, but he knew.

'I'm sorry.' Nightfire told her. 'But I'm not him. However, these are also my enemies.'

He made a brief gesture with his eyes towards the soldiers in the stands. The white dragon eyed him, then the soldiers and turned back to Nightfire again.

'A dragon's blood has been spilled.' She said, glancing down at the remaining puddle of Kirath's mech-fluid.

'Yes…' Nightfire grimaced.

'Many have tried and failed.' She spoke. 'Now, I am the last. I want so much to be free, but I have never been able to. I attack, but the unseen barrier keeps them protected from my fire.'

'I can bring the barrier down.' Nightfire growled confidently. 'Only if you will work together with me. If you are the last, than like me, you have nothing left to lose other than your life.'

'Very well.'

'Good, follow me, and try to make it look like you're chasing me.'

The crowd was growing anxious at what seemed like a snarling match between the two. Finally, Nightfire broke off into a run, with the white dragon hot on his heels. Thinking they were witnessing a chase scene, the soldiers began cheering.

Nightfire lead the white dragon to the edge of the arena and abruptly dropped himself low down.

"Now, shoot there!" He roared.

Channeling his powers, he threw them at the invisible energy shield, creating a small hole in it for several seconds. Those seconds were enough for the Great White one's huge, fiery breath to get through, detonating a large portion of the stands and with them, the unprepared soldiers.

As Nightfire had expected, once one part of the force field was disrupted, the entire thing went offline, allowing the White One to freely blast at the soldiers, her tormentors since the time of her birth.

Chaos ensured as the soldiers dashed around blindly. Being created for less independence and more obedience, they were of course far more dependant on orders. And orders were hard to give out in those hectic moments.

The White One let loose with all her fury, spraying a fiery reign of destruction in all directions.

Nightfire nearly regretted executing this plan when the soldiers began shooting back. However, since the White One was much larger than he was, all the firepower was directed towards her instead.

He stared in horror as she collapsed, never to rise again. Yet another life he was responsible for.

At least, my end will come soon. He told himself as he began fighting off the soldiers with his own breath weapons.

"Hey! Catch!" A familiar voice shouted.

Nightfire snapped up as the glint of a familiar object flashed by. Calling the Phoenix Blade to his hand, Nightfire grasped his own sword in joy. He couldn't see where Rattrap had tossed it from, but he was silently thanking his comrade nevertheless.

Simply the feel of the weapon breathed new life into his drained body.

Melding the green glow with the motion of his body, Nightfire swung it about, deflecting multiple laser bursts back towards the soldiers. One guard came at him wielding a similar Energon blade.

Nightfire rammed him down and claimed the red-bladed sword for himself. In the midst of his solo battle, Nightfire collected a third, purple Energon sword, which he gripped by wrapping his tail around, as if it were a third hand.

Somersaulting over the crowd, he landed firmly in the center of the arena.

"Get ready!" He roared raising all three swords.

With one in either hand and the third in his tail, Nightfire spun them simultaneously, forming a whirling tornado of motion, a picture of both beauty and deadliness.

No shots even came close to hitting his body. However, Nightfire had to stop after a while and found himself completely surrounded.

BOOM! An entire squad of soldiers went flying.

Deathwing stepped into the arena, reloaded his Gunblade and fired again.

"You have to show off in the most unique of ways little brother." Deathwing commented. "But here's one thing, the honor of killing you belongs to only one person. Me. And no madman bent on universal domination is going to take that from me!"

"You know, you'd make a better Maximal than me." Nightfire whistled.

"Don't pull my feathers that way Nightfire." He snarled. "It'll only make me hurt you more once I can."

"Hey!" Muricate entered as well, blasting away with her Shotgun. "You're not doing this on your own. I care enough about you to not let you go out this way!"

"Muricate…" Deathwing muttered.

There was another explosion as Silverbolt fired his wing missile before soaring onto the scene.

"For a Predacon, you have a great sense of honor." He said to Deathwing. "It is my choice to fight alongside you!"

"Oh, what sloppiness." Blackarachnia moaned from the sideline. However, she was firing as well.

The added cover fire gave Nightfire the chance to dash towards the second huge door. The cybernetic dragons had been released, but Nightfire was looking for one in particular.

The tailless one roared as Nightfire leapt upon him. The cyber dragon smashed its claws downwards, but Nightfire was quick enough to leap up, over its head and slash with all three swords.

The mechanical beast fell into more than 8 pieces.

"That was for you Kirath." He declared.

A series of explosion shook the arena and Nightfire flew for cover.

Why do I feel Rattrap had something to do with that? Well, who else would go round planting that many C4s? Then he smiled. Except me of course.

"Over here!" Deathwing waved him towards another entrance, also barred by a set of huge double doors.

Nightfire tossed the other swords away as the rolled into the entrance to find the rest of the group, together with Rattrap, Cheetor and Optimus there.

The other Beast Warriors pushed the doors close as much as they could and held the entrance position, exchanging fire with the 'clone army'.

"How the heck did you get in here?!" Nightfire gasped.

"Let's say I 'persuaded' Megatron to attack the outside of the fortress." Optimus replied. "Enough cover for me to sneak in at least."

"It's wonder he fell for that 'the aliens firing a missile at his base' story." Deathwing scowled. "In future, I've got to get myself hired to intelligent employers only."

"Excuse me, but you'll need to hurry!" Silverbolt called. "We can't hold them off forever!"

"OK, it's like this." Rattrap explained. "This whole fortress is linked to one central power core. Only thing is that the power core isn't a place…"

"It's a person." Nightfire completed his sentence. "It's Omega himself!"

"Exactly." Optimus nodded. "Courtesy of Rattrap's hacking. If we take him out, the base, and presumably the entire army goes down as well."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Nightfire asked.

"Ya see, Omega is located on the level above us." Rattrap continued. "But there's far too much Energon radiation for anyone to go in in robot mode. So…"

"You need me, because I can fight the best in my beast mode."

"It is asking a lot of you…" Optimus started.

"Don't bother with the speech." Nightfire interrupted. "I am the main character after all. So, how do I get up?"

"Right above this entranceway, there's a shaft that's been blown open by the fighting. It'll take you straight to your quarry." Optimus informed him.

"An Energon field like that would short out most energy weapons, right?" Nightfire confirmed.

"Yes, but that Energon Sword of yours will still function, seeing that it 'melds' with the Energon fields around it." Deathwing explained. "I did pay attention in that lecture, unlike you."

"That's good." Nightfire grinned, holding up his prized Phoenix Blade. "By the way, can anyone spare me another sword?"

Almost immediately, Deathwing walked up and shoved his Gunblade into Nightfire's claws.

"Don't ask." He growled.

"Thanks." Nightfire whispered.

"We'll open the doors when you're ready and you can climb to the level above." Optimus said. "Good luck, Nightfire."

Nightfire tested the Gunblade before sheathing both it and his Energon sword under the silver wings of his black dragon form. Dropping onto all fours, he roared and stared ahead at the double doors.

"Let the battle be joined!"