AN: This here is another Beast Wars story featuring a toy-original Predacon who is to be released in the War for Cybertron: Kingdom toyline. The Predacon in this story is Ractonite, who transforms into a fossil of a Styracosaurus. Another notable trait about him (at least I'm assuming Ractonite is a male character) is that he's a fossilizer, like Paleotrex. I had just learned about the character when I was working on my previous Beast Wars story "The Fossils Walk Again," and I would've tried to find a way to include him in that one, but I decided not to, as I was just about halfway through with writing the story. So, I decided to instead consider writing about him in a later story, and I eventually came up with this one, which is based on the plot for a story I had previously considered that featured Paleotrex. Anywho, with that out of the way, let's start the story.
One day on prehistoric Earth, Optimus Primal and Dinobot had gone out to retrieve a Maximal stasis pod that had fallen from Earth's orbit, but Blackarachnia and Vertebreak had made it to the pod first, and the two Maximals and two Predacons were battling one another to determine who would walk away with the pod.
"Blackarachnia, terrorize", Blackarachnia said.
Blackarachnia transformed from black widow spider mode to robot mode and fired on Optimus, but the Maximal leader dodged her shots using his jetpack.
"You'll have to try harder than that, Blackarachnia", Optimus said.
As Blackarachnia and Optimus continued their battle, Dinobot and Vertebreak were engaged in a swordfight.
"Well, well", Dinobot said, "I see you've gotten better since our last encounter."
"I've been practicing", Vertebreak said.
"Perhaps you've gotten to where you're skillful enough to defeat me", Dinobot said, "but let's be honest, that's not likely."
Dinobot and Vertebreak continued their duel, and Optimus continued to dodge Blackarachnia's shots, until he began firing at her with his arm-mounted blasters, prompting her to dodge his shots, and eventually, he landed on the ground.
"Give it up, Blackarachnia", Optimus said, "you and Vertebreak won't be walking away with that stasis pod."
"Oh, how wrong you are", Blackarachnia said, "Paleotrex, now!"
To Optimus' surprise, Paleotrex jumped out of a bush.
"Paleotrex, fossilize", Paleotrex said.
Paleotrex split his body apart and weaponized Blackarachnia, and she proceeded to try and attack Optimus with the axe fashioned from Paleotrex's tail, and although the Maximal leader managed to dodge her swings, she eventually hit him, knocking him into a tree.
"There we go", Blackarachnia said, "now to deal with Dinobot."
Near the stasis pod, Dinobot and Vertebreak were still engaged in their duel, where Dinobot had the upper hand, and he managed to knock Vertebreak's sword out of her hand.
"I have triumphed against you", Dinobot said, "but I am perfectly willing to give you the chance to yield."
"Okay, you got me", Vertebreak said.
"Excellent", Dinobot said, "I was hoping you'd make the wise decision."
"I'll just let Blackarachnia take care of you", Vertebreak said.
"What", Dinobot asked.
Dinobot turned around, and before he could react, Blackarachnia knocked him aside with the axe, sending him flying through the jungle.
"Thanks, spider lady", Vertebreak said.
"You're welcome", Blackarachnia said, "now grab the stasis pod and let's go."
Blackarachnia and Vertebreak began making their way back to the Predacon base with the stasis pod, and as Optimus regained consciousness, Dinobot walked over to him.
"Some leader you are", Dinobot said, "while you were lying down during a battle, the Predacons made off with the stasis pod."
"What", Optimus asked.
Optimus stood up, looked around, and saw that Dinobot's words were true.
"Well, that's just prime", Optimus said.
At Predacon headquarters, Blackarachnia, Paleotrex, and Vertebreak were reporting their success to Megatron.
"Well done, Blackarachnia", Megatron said, "you managed to bring the stasis pod to me intact."
"It was no trouble, Megatron", Blackarachnia said, "ever since Paleotrex joined our ranks, we've been able to stand up against the Maximals better than we could before."
"Indeed", Megatron said, "the F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology has certainly tipped the scale in our favor, yesss."
"Whenever Paleotrex bonds with me, I feel like an ancient power is flowing through my circuits", Blackarachnia said, "I might even go as far as to say it makes me feel like a Prime."
Terrorsaur could overhear their discussion from a hover platform, and thought to himself about something.
"I have yet to bond with Paleotrex", Terrorsaur thought, "and if his Fossilizer power is as powerful as Blackarachnia is describing, perhaps I've found a way to finally be rid of Megatron once and for all."
Terrorsaur looked at Paleotrex with Blackarachnia and Vertebreak.
"Unfortunately, Paleotrex has sworn his loyalty to Megatron", Terrorsaur thought, "getting him to weaponize me so that I can use his power to destroy Megatron may be a bit of a challenge."
As Terrorsaur continued to scheme, Tarantulas walked into the room.
"Ah, Tarantulas", Megatron said, "is the new Predacon ready?"
"Yes, Megatron", Tarantulas said.
"Excellent", Megatron said, "but it had better not be a spider."
"Of course not", Tarantulas said, "I present to you: Ractonite!"
A Styracosaurus skeleton walked into the room, and the Predacons in the room marveled at it.
"Ractonite, terrorize", the skeleton said.
Ractonite transformed from Styracosaurus skeleton mode to robot mode for Megatron.
"Very nice", Megatron said, "does he possess the ability to weaponize another Predacon just as Paleotrex does?"
"I believe a demonstration is in order", Tarantulas said, "Ractonite."
"Ractonite, fossilize", Ractonite said.
Ractonite's body split up into various parts, and he bonded with Tarantulas, with his hind legs attaching to his back to form armor, his beast mode head attaching to his left arm to fashion as a shield, and his ribcage and tail attaching to his right arm to form a weapon.
"As you can see, Ractonite has been enhanced with the F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology", Tarantulas said, "I was able to do this because his stasis pod was in a damaged state, just as Paleotrex and Vertebreak's were."
"Ah, yes", Megatron said, "another happy accident."
Terrorsaur was observing from his hover platform.
"Actually, Megatron, it's just an accident for you", Terrorsaur thought, "because with Ractonite's help, I shall assume leadership of the Predacons, as I so rightfully deserve."
A little later, Ractonite was walking through the Predacon base trying to familiarize himself with his new home, when he bumped into Terrorsaur.
"Well well, it's the new guy", Terrorsaur said, "fancy meeting you here."
"Who are you", Ractonite asked.
"The name's Terrorsaur", Terrorsaur said, "and there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"What is it", Ractonite asked.
"I require your assistance with an important task that I must carry out", Terrorsaur said.
"Alright", Ractonite said, "what kind of task are we talking about here?"
"Overthrowing that lizard-brained leader of ours so that I can take command of the Predacons", Terrorsaur said.
Ractonite let out a gasp.
"Overthrow Megatron", Ractonite asked.
"That's right", Terrorsaur said, "with you weaponizing me, I'll be able to dispose of him once and for all."
"You want me to help you with this insane scheme", Ractonite asked, "give me one good reason why I should go through with this."
"Because it's for the good of the Predacons", Terrorsaur said.
"How is you scrapping our leader so you can take his place for the good of the Predacons", Ractonite asked.
"Because I shall be the one to lead us to victory", Terrorsaur said, "ever since we crash landed on this planet, we've been engaged in a war with the Maximals, neither of us ever winning or losing, but once I've become leader of the Predacons, the Maximals will meet their doom!"
"I see", Ractonite said, "and what exactly is in this for me?"
"Once you've helped me vanquish Megatron, you will become my second in command", Terrorsaur said.
Ractonite thought Terrorsaur's offer sounded very interesting.
"So what do you say", Terrorsaur asked.
Terrorsaur extended his hand, and after thinking for a moment, Ractonite shook it.
"Excellent", Terrorsaur said, "with your help, Megatron will soon meet his demise."
A little later, Megatron was in the main control room going about his business, when a shot fired from a blaster hit him.
"What", Megatron asked, "who dares to fire at their leader?"
Megatron rotated his chair and saw Terrorsaur holding his smoking pistol.
"Terrorsaur", Megatron said, "I should've guessed."
"That's right, Megatron", Terrorsaur said, "after all this time of serving as one of your underlings, today is the day I finally be rid of you once and for all and assume my rightful role as leader of the Predacons!"
The other Predacons in the base arrived in the room either by foot or on hover platforms, and Megatron got up from his chair and walked over to Terrorsaur.
"You just never learn, do you, Terrorsaur", Megatron said, "when are you going to realize that overthrowing me just isn't worth the trouble?"
"I guess I'm just that stubborn", Terrorsaur said.
"So am I", Megatron said, "because even though putting you in your place doesn't seem to be working, it never stops me from doing it."
Megatron fired a shot from his dinosaur head, but Terrorsaur managed to jump out of the way.
"Ractonite, now", Terrorsaur said.
Ractonite came running into the area.
"Ractonite, fossilize", Ractonite said.
Ractonite split apart and bonded with Terrorsaur in the same manner he had with Tarantulas.
"Ractonite", Megatron asked, "what is the meaning of this?"
"Ractonite has had a change of spark over who to follow", Terrorsaur said, "and with his help, he's about to find out just how right a decision it was."
"Oh, how wrong you are", Megatron said.
Megatron charged towards Terrorsaur, but the treacherous Predacon used his right arm-mounted weapon made from Ractonite's ribcage and tail to swat Megatron aside, and then proceeded to continuously punch him, until finally, his optics went out.
"I-I did it", Terrorsaur said, "I finally did it!"
Terrorsaur turned to the other Predacons, who were all in shock over what had just transpired.
"I am the leader of the Predacons now", Terrorsaur asked, "is there anyone here who has a problem with that?"
The other Predacons were quick to assure him that they didn't.
"Excellent", Terrorsaur said, "now that I'm in command, it's time to rid the world of the Maximals once and for all!"
"How are we going to do that", Scorponok asked.
"I shall attack the Maximal base with Waspinator, Tarantulas, and Blackarachnia assisting me", Terrorsaur said, "the rest of you stay behind and guard the base."
Then, he looked at Megatron's seemingly lifeless body.
"And dispose of that pile of junk that once was Megatron", Terrorsaur said.
Terrorsaur left the base with Waspinator, Tarantulas, and Blackarachnia, and not long after they left, Megatron's optics came back on.
"Oh, my processor", Megatron said.
Scorponok, Inferno, Paleotrex, and Vertebreak, who had stayed behind to guard the base, witnessed Megatron come back online.
"The royalty lives", Inferno said.
Megatron stood up and began growling angrily.
"Terrorsaur", Megatron said, "that traitorous snake in the grass."
"Shall we go after him, Megatron", Paleotrex asked.
"We'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget", Vertebreak said.
"No, let him carry out his little plan", Megatron said, "I've learned that whenever Terrorsaur tries to seize leadership from me, something always goes wrong for him, yesss."
At the Maximal base, Optimus and Dinobot had returned from their failed attempt to recover Ractonite's stasis pod.
"So, another failed mission", Rhinox said.
"Yes", Optimus said, "ever since Paleotrex and Vertebreak became part of the Predacons, it's been hard to hold our own against them."
"What are we gonna do about it, Big Bot", Cheetor asked.
"I don't know", Optimus said, "but it looks like winning the Beast Wars is going to be harder than ever for us."
At that moment, a security alarm went off.
"Hey, what's going on", Cheetor asked.
Rattrap checked a monitor.
"Looks like it's the Preds", Rattrap said, "here to brag about their latest acquisition, no doubt."
"Then I guess we'd better go and greet them", Optimus said, "but be prepared in case the new Predacon's a Fossilizer."
"I sure hope it's not", Cheetor said, "as cool as it is to bond with them, those things are a nightmare."
Optimus, Rhinox, Dinobot, Cheetor, and Rattrap walked out of the base and looked around, but there were no Predacons in sight.
"Where are the Predacons", Cheetor asked.
"Right here", a voice said.
The Maximals turned around and saw Terrorsaur, who was still bonded with Ractonite, standing with Waspinator, Tarantulas, and Blackarachnia, the three of them being in their beast modes.
"Terrorsaur", Optimus asked, "where's Megatron."
"You mean the former leader of the Predacons", Terrorsaur asked, "he is no more!"
"What do you mean", Optimus asked.
"I have disposed of him", Terrorsaur said, "thanks to the power of our newest Fossilizer: Ractonite!"
It didn't take long for the Maximals to realize that Ractonite had weaponized Terrorsaur, and they began to worry.
"Figures you'd get another Fossilizer", Rattrap said, "why do the bad guys always get the good stuff?"
"Because we Predacons are more powerful than you Maximals any day", Terrorsaur said.
"You're wrong, Terrorsaur", Optimus said, "and we're willing to prove it."
"This should be fun", Terrorsaur said, "Predacons, terrorize!"
Waspinator transformed from wasp mode to robot mode, Tarantulas transformed from tarantula mode to robot mode, and Blackarachnia transformed from black widow spider mode to robot mode.
"Attack", Terrorsaur shouted.
The Predacons readied to attack the Maximals.
"Maximals, advance", Optimus said.
The Maximals charged into battle, and soon, the fight was on, during which, Tarantulas and Blackarachnia fired at Rattrap using their leg guns.
"Aww", Blackarachnia said, "the poor little mousie has nowhere to go."
"Give it up, you vile vermin", Tarantulas said, "you can't escape us."
"Maybe", a voice said, "but there's one problem."
Tarantulas and Blackarachnia turned around and, to their horror, saw Rhinox holding his Chainguns of Doom.
"You're not the only ones here with rapid fire weapons", Rhinox said.
Rhinox opened fire on the two spider Predacons, and they decided it would be best to flee.
"Nice timing, buddy", Rattrap said.
"Thank you", Rhinox said.
Then, they heard the sound of Cheetor's blaster firing.
"Excuse me", Rhinox said.
Cheetor was trying to blast Waspinator, but the latter was more difficult to shoot than normal.
"Come on", Cheetor said, "hold still, will you?"
But try as he might, Cheetor just couldn't hit Waspinator.
"Ha ha", Waspinator said, "miss me, miss me, now you gotta..."
Before Waspinator could finish his taunt, he was shot at by Rhinox using one of his Chainguns of Doom, and fell from the sky and hit the ground hard.
"Thanks, Rhinox", Cheetor said.
"No problem", Rhinox said.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Optimus was engaged in combat with the Fossilizer-enhanced Terrorsaur, and despite being outmatched, he was barely able to hold his own.
"Tell me, Optimus Primal", Terrorsaur said, "how does it feel to have your spark extinguished by someone who isn't Megatron?"
"I wouldn't know", Optimus said, "Megatron was never able to defeat me, so what makes you so confident you can do it?"
"I'm a better leader than Megatron ever was", Terrorsaur said, "I've come so close to terminating you before, now it's finally time for me to succeed."
Terrorsaur was about to swing the weapon mounted on his right arm, when he was hit by a barrage of shots fired from Rhinox's Chainguns of Doom, until eventually, Ractonite separated from him and reverted back to robot mode.
"Good work, Rhinox", Optimus said.
Rhinox nodded and rejoined the battle, and Terrorsaur stood up.
"Looks like you've just been deprived of your power", Optimus said, "do yourself a favor and withdraw."
"Oh, this isn't over yet", Terrorsaur said, "Ractonite, attack!"
Ractonite charged towards Optimus in his (Ractonite's) skeletal Styracosaurus mode, and managed to get him against a rock, where he had him pinned against.
"And now", Ractonite said, "it's time to vanquish you, just as Terrorsaur promised would happen to you and the other Maximals under his leadership."
"What are you talking about", Optimus asked.
"Terrorsaur told me that once he became leader of the Predacons, the Maximals would be eliminated once and for all", Ractonite said, "he said getting rid of Megatron was for the good of the Predacons."
Ractonite's words made Optimus realize something.
"And it looks like his words are about to be proven true", Ractonite said, "because now, it's time for you to meet your end."
Ractonite tried to squeeze Optimus against the rock to finish him off, but the latter managed to activate his jetpack in the nick of time and fly away, and once he landed back on the ground, Ractonite transformed into robot mode.
"Ractonite, you need to listen", Optimus said, "Terrorsaur's been telling lies to you."
"What", Ractonite said.
"He's tricked you into helping him overthrow Megatron because he thinks he should lead the Predacons", Optimus said, "he's using you for your Fossilizer abilities."
Ractonite was surprised to hear this.
"Terrorsaur is a treacherous, lying deceiver", Optimus said, "once he finds a better source of power than you, he'll probably ditch you the first chance he gets."
Ractonite could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"So I never would've become Terrorsaur's second in command", Ractonite asked.
"No", Optimus said, "you'd be nothing more than a weapon to him, a tool."
The conversation was interrupted by Terrorsaur's voice.
"Ractonite, weaponize me", Terrorsaur said.
Ractonite looked in the direction Terrorsaur's voice came from and thought for a moment.
"Ractonite, get over here", Terrorsaur said.
Ractonite then looked at Optimus.
"Hurry, you fool", Terrorsaur said.
"Coming, Terrorsaur", Ractonite said.
Ractonite ran in the direction Terrorsaur's voice came from, and the latter saw him coming.
"About time", Terrorsaur said, "now, Fossilize so that you can..."
Terrorsaur was interrupted by Ractonite crashing into him and tackling him.
"Ractonite", Terrorsaur said, "you dare defy me?"
Ractonite proceeded to land punches on Terrorsaur's face.
"Nobody tricks me just so they can use me as a weapon for their own ends", Ractonite said.
Ractonite picked up Terrorsaur by the head and, with a mighty punch, punched him so hard that he flew away in the distance, which prompted the remaining Predacons to stop fighting the Maximals.
"Now what", Blackarachnia asked.
A very damaged Waspinator ran past her and Tarantulas.
"Run away", Waspinator said.
"What he said", Tarantulas said.
Tarantulas and Blackarachnia ran after Waspinator, and Ractonite looked into the distance.
"Today, I was led to believe falsehoods told by a power-hungry opportunist and allowed him to use me for his own gain", Ractonite said, "but never again will that happen, for I, Ractonite, will remain loyal to the Predacon cause, and I will never listen to any words spoken that may sway my views."
Ractonite transformed into his skeletal Styracosaurus mode and left the battlefield, and the Maximals went back into their base.
"Man", Rattrap said, "we sure showed those Predacons who's boss, didn't we?"
"No", Rhinox said, "it was Ractonite who taught Terrorsaur a lesson."
"Say, what brought that about, anyway", Cheetor asked.
"That would be me", Optimus said, "I told him that Terrorsaur had been manipulating him so that he could use him."
"Knowing Terrorsaur, that's just the sort of trick he would play", Dinobot said.
"Were you hoping that'd make him decide to switch sides and join the Maximals", Rattrap asked.
"Something inside me was", Optimus said, "but it looks like that's not going to happen."
"Don't feel too bad about it, Optimus", Rhinox said, "you can't save them all."
"Rhinox is right", Cheetor said, "besides, maybe we'll find a stasis pod that'll turn out to be a Fossilizer."
"Perhaps", Dinobot said, "but it may very well be a long wait before we are graced with a Maximal Fossilizer."
Meanwhile, Terrorsaur flew towards the Predacon base in his Pteranodon mode and transformed into robot mode, landing in front of the entrance to the base.
"Well, so much for having the power of the fossils at my side", Terrorsaur said, "but no matter, at least Megatron's scrap."
Then, he heard the sound of footsteps, and a fearful fell on his face as he recognized them.
"No", Terrorsaur said, "it can't be."
Then, out from the darkness of the entrance of the base, emerged a very angry Megatron, much to Terrorsaur's horror.
"Megatron", Terrorsaur said.
Terrorsaur tried to flee, but Megatron silently grabbed him by the head using his (Megatron's) dinosaur head, and proceeded to drag him into the base.
"No, Megatron, please", Terrorsaur said, "I beg of you!"
As Megatron dragged the wailing Terrorsaur away, Ractonite looked on with a smug look on his face.
AN: I thought you all might be interested to know that just like I did with the Owl House, I plan on writing a few chapter stories for Transformers. The first one I have planned is a crossover with Mario that focuses on the Autobots encountering Rosalina while traveling through space, and together, they encounter dangers such as the Decepticons and the Quintessons. I'm going to see if I can get this story started soon. Just felt the need to let you know about these plans.