2450: Being the Incarnation of Death had never been an easy job for
Deathstalker, even in the beginning when it was new to him. But now,
countless millennia later, it was even harder on him. Lately, he'd been
considering actually making a final decision concerning his final three
choices as his successor. It had been a chore in of itself finding
suitable beings and systematically ferreting out the undesirable. Today,
his time is up.

Pre-dawn. South America. The moist, cool rain forest was disturbed by the
harsh whine of laser fire. Once again the 'Bots and 'Cons had taken up
arms. Deathstalker stood calmly by, watching Conquest, Slaughter, and War
having the time of their lives. It made him sick. Finally, the first
causality came and he strode up to him, the 'Con focused his optics on
what he perceived to be a rotting, lumbering robotic corpse. Try as he
might, he was unable to move or cry out. The thing reached into his body,
he shivered, feeling himself loosing it. Then there was a bright flash and
he was snapped back into his body. The vision let out an unearthly scream
as is grasped at its stomach wound. It fell to the ground and moaned with
great pain. The other Incarnations stopped suddenly as the scream cut
through the din of the battle and with them the 'Bots and 'Cons, now
having no direction from them.

"The mortals have spotted him, he's their problem now. Let us
depart." War said and they dispersed.

The 'Cons shortly took leave with their wounded. The 'Bots gazed upon the
quivering form that was to them a corpse. One, however, knew who it was
and saw his true nature.

"Will someone please put him inside me, he needs immediate medical
attention." the blue form of Gynae requested, all she received was
disgusted looks, "Ironhide, Kup, you are the elders, you know who this is.
Then don't fear him for Primus' sake and help him."

Without reply the two grizzled warriors took hold of the form and walked
into Gynaes' jet mode. In moments, she landed at Metroplex and the duo
carried their burden into her lab.

"Set him down there." she said, already at work with the machinery,
"Kup, please get Depth or Shadow on the vid©screen for me." Kup was about
to ask why, but decided not to and hurried off. Ironhide stood by and
watched. Gynae remove something from the corpse, as she did its true form
emerged and what she removed came into sight, a cloak. The vid screen came
to life.

The purple, red, and white form of Shadow gave Gynae a wink and said,
"Hi ya, what's up?" He paused, seeing her company, "By the divine weld,
that's Stalker!"

"Shadow?" Deathstalker uttered.

"Don't talk." Gynae said. "Stay still." she turned to Shadow, "Tell
me how to remove his armor."

"It simple, ya just press on the creases where the armor slants and
stuff. But 'fore ya do that, I'd suggest removing your company and locking
the door. You must respect Stalkers' privacy and protect his identity."

Ironhide took the hint and left, locking the door behind him. "Let me know
how it goes Gynae." Shadow said, "Me and Stalker go way back."

"Of course." Gynae replied, the screen went blank.

Making sure she switched the vid©screen to audio only, she began to remove
his armor in the area he had been hit.

"Please, call Dreadstarr." the blue and gray form of Deathstalker
pleaded.

"I will, but first your wound." Gynae replied.

"Do it now." he insisted. She shrugged and did so, soon enough the
purple and silver form of Dreadstarr was stepping through a portal.

"Oh Deathstalker." she said, looking at the gaping wound.

"There's something I need you to do." Deathstalker stated.

He explained his wishes and she was off. Sometime later, she returned with
his three choices. He explained his intentions and told them that there
would be a test to see who would succeed him. Dreadstarr would act as an
observer and report her findings. He then went into the details of the
test, then sent them away.

Gynae worked quite a bit of time on Deathstalker. His internal mechanisms
were not of this world and it proved both challenging and difficult. He
faded in and out of consciousness. Dreadstarr returned with one of his
choices.

"Deathstalker, this one has passed the test." she reported.

"Good, then take my cloak, my powers, my immortality and begin your
job." Deathstalker instructed.

The young male did so, donned the cloak and faded out.

"How does it look?" Dreadstarr inquired of Gynae.

"As well as can be expected, being not versed in his specific
mechanics was.." Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Its Shadow, let me in." Dreadstarr opened the door.

Shadow strode over to Deathstalker and checked out the wound, "Hrm, I can remedy this."
he muttered something in his language and instantly the wound was gone. "Handy thing my key to all power. So how's it going Stalker?"

"Its Deathstalker, Shadow. Stalker died long ago." he stated.

"So I heard from Depth, your not mad at him are you?" Shadow asked.

"No, it wasn't his fault. It was stupid of me to not follow orders
and buckle up during an asteroid shower." Deathstalker replied.

"I hear you and this lady hitched up and got yerselves a whelp."
Shadow gestured to Dreadstarr.

"Charon. There's another on the way, we're hoping for a girl."
Deathstalker replied.

Gynae pulled Dreadstarr aside. "Let's leave, they'll be awhile it
seems."

"Good idea. I'd like to visit a few folks anyway." Dreadstarr smiled.

By days end Deathstalker and Dreadstarr went home and for the first time
in his life Deathstalker was actually content.