Chapter 2: Evil Ways

Decepticon Vessel Vengeance, Somewhere in the Outlands…

"Shadowstreak is contacting us, Commander." A random Vehicon announced, looking behind him.

"Patch him through, soldier." Crossfire replied harshly as he stepped closer, folding his arms. Soon enough, the spindly visage of Crossfire's personal assassin and spy appeared via hologram. "Report." He demanded harshly.

"I discovered the small force of Vehicons you sent to Pride Rock, Commander. Or rather, what's left of them." Shadowstreak replied.

Crossfire's fists clenched. "Ambush?"

"No, this was more of a head on attack." Shadowstreak replied. "These Vehicons seem to have been unlucky enough to run straight into a patrol from Code Red."

With a frustrated yell, Crossfire smashed the console in front of him. "It's always Code Red, isn't it?" He snarled.

Shadowstreak nodded. "It would appear so. Perhaps if you had heeded my advice to make it seem like they were a mining team-"

"The result would still be the same." Crossfire growled. "You forget, Code Red is a former member of the Wreckers. Any Decepticon he comes across immediately becomes cannon fodder."

Shadowstreak scowled. "Either way, I also kept a close eye on Pride Rock, and it would appear that your suspicions regarding the female leader of the pride of lions Code Red is allied with are true. She has indeed given birth."

Crossfire let out a grunt as he looked away. It seemed that the more he learned about the biology of the creatures surrounding him, the more they seemed to disgust him. Yet at the moment, he was more concerned than angry. A newborn cub would only further inspire Code Red's efforts to safeguard the Pride Lands against the Decepticons. And an inspired Code Red was a very dangerous Code Red, a fact Crossfire had discovered at the very near cost of his life.

And unless he had the Forge of Solus Prime lying around, which had since been taken by the Autobots on Team Prime, his life could not be preserved.

"It seems you are at a crossroads, Crossfire." Said a voice to Crossfire's right, as a lioness stepped out from the shadows.

Crossfire scowled at the sight of her.

The lioness bore a tan brown pelt with orange eyes that could easily pass for red. A small portion of her right ear was missing, and her eyes glittered with little absence of malice.

She looked around somewhat before saying: "You should have followed my opinion and attacked whilst Code Red was distracted. Without reinforcements, he would have been helpless to stop you from storming Pride Rock."

Crossfire's scowl deepened. "Perhaps. But, good things come to those that wait, Zira."

The former mate of Scar scowled herself. "How else do you think I managed to trap and murder Simba's firstborn?" She demanded.

"I believe the Commander is saying that if you had waited a little longer, you might have been able to escape without being caught in the act." Shadowstreak stated.

"Next time I want your opinion, Shadowstreak, I'll ask!" Crossfire snapped. "But you are correct." Looking down at Zira, Crossfire said: "So before you commit yourself to murdering another of Simba's cubs, I suggest you wait for a better opportunity to do it."

Zira smiled sinisterly. "I have other plans regarding Simba's cubs, Crossfire." She said before she turned and left.

"Why did you decide working with her was a good idea, Commander?" Shadowstreak inquired.

"She and her allies provide us with valuable assistance, Shadowstreak." Crossfire replied. "She searches for Energon deposits here in the Outlands, allowing us to focus our efforts against Code Red."

"And in return, we're to help her take back the Pride Lands for her people because her boyfriend used to rule them." Shadowstreak said. "I don't know about you, but something tells me she's going to do away with us before we become a threat to her."

Crossfire shook his head. "Zira may be a loose cannon of sorts, but she is by no means stupid. She is well aware that she and her pride stand little chance against either us or Code Red, even if he is just one Autobot." Folding his arms, Crossfire said: "But for the time being, she is a valuable asset to our cause, and a key ally to us as we struggle to take control of the Pride Lands."

"I guess we'll see." Shadowstreak replied.

Crossfire nodded. "Regardless, return to headquarters. I have a new task that requires my best scout. I have decided that it is time we expanded our horizons."

"Yes sir." Shadowstreak replied, before his visage disappeared from the feed.

Crossfire turned and left the bridge. This plan was one he had been developing for some time, and would all but ensure victory for him and his Decepticons.

Not to mention my rightful place in Lord Megatron's inner circle, Crossfire thought. "Yes..." He muttered. It would be some time before he could put his plan into action, but he knew that when he did, Code Red would be done for.

Zira's den, half an hour later…

"Mother!" A voice called out as Zira's eldest son Nuka came rushing over. "I was about to come looking for you!"

"I sincerely doubt that." Zira replied coldly as she sauntered past Nuka. "How's Kovu?"

Nuka scoffed. "The termite?" He asked. "Haven't seen him since dinner."

Zira resisted the urge to shout at Nuka. "Even though you were supposed to be watching him?!" She snarled.

Nuka immediately jumped back, almost as if on instinct. Upon realising his mother hadn't attacked him, he stepped a little closer. "Well, like I said, he's a termite! Can't keep my eye on him all of the time."

Zira rolled her eyes. "And you wonder why your father rejected you as his heir." She muttered under her breath as she made her way inside. She had better things to do with her time than punish her only child for his negligence of the hand-picked heir of Scar. As tempted as she was to do it.

It wasn't long before she spotted her adopted daughter, Vitani, sat just a little ways from the entrance. "Have you seen your brother?" Zira asked.

"If you mean Nuka, then he's been waiting outside for you ever since you left." Vitani replied.

"I've noticed." Zira remarked, eyeing Nuka still behind her.

"As for Kovu, he wandered off not too long before you got back." Vitani added.

"Where?" Zira asked.

"Probably finding something to practice on." Vitani said. "Though part of me wishes he'd practice on Nuka, instead."

"Hah!" Nuka scoffed. "Like he'd stand a chance! I'd have him running all the way home crying out for you!"

"Is that so?" Vitani said. "Then maybe you should consider trying?"

Nuka laughed nervously before realising his sister was serious. Nodding, Nuka said: "Y-Yes. Of course." With that, he quickly sprinted out of the cave.

Zira looked at her daughter, saying: "At this rate, you'll get him killed."

"If anything, it'll be better for him." Vitani said. "Might get Nuka to grow a backbone, if anything."

"Perhaps." Zira said. "We shall see."

Sorry for the day's delay in updating. I had a part in a pantomime over the weekend, and we performed our final performance of the season last night. So naturally, I was knackered.

But, I'm far more rested now, so I can continue with this story.

But first, let's answer some reviews, shall we?

Adam Carver: Glad I could brighten your day, mate. Hoping you're better today.

Daniel's the man 98: Epic start, eh? Trust me when I say that it will be.

Jason Chandler: Yes, it is! Yay! (I'm being sarcastic, hope you aren't offended)

Jestalnaker94000: Good to hear. Hoping you enjoy it.

But yeah, figured I'd include a bit more from our villain's perspectives. Hoping I got Zira's personality right and didn't make her OOC.

But I also figured we needed a motivation for Crossfire, instead of the 'executing Autobot refugee' spiel from Autobot Down. So there you have it. He wants a place on Megatron's inner circle.

Should be easy for him, right?

Either way, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you next week with chapter three, which formally introduces us to some new characters.

T-Rock14