Viper stared as the creature turned him around. Each eye moving of its accord, inspecting the shiny blue paint job and the red symbols cresting his frame. Fingers twitched, but left trapped. Unable to do anything but pray he'll either escape, or give this thing the worst case of indigestion it'll ever have. As it opened up its massive jaw, its bones detached as they cracked. Big eyes focused on the meal, as they began to drag him in. The former Cobra mech could feel the heat from the salivating gums and teeth.
The Decepticon squirmed as a tongue rose up to slither across his frame. A shiver rushed through his insides, screaming in disgust and horror at what's going on. This thing's mouth is big enough to consume him whole! Please end this embarrassment already!
He closed his optics, not wanting to watch himself melt down in this beast's digestion. Reminds him of Unicron's insides. At least there, he would've died with honor, rather than become this hideous thing's lunch.
A bright pink laser fired out from somewhere, hitting the monster's face as it spat out the Decepticon. His body hit the ground, groaning as the laserfire continued. Helm unable to turn to see what's going on. The beast screamed, tentacles slithering as some eyeballs popped. An unknown fluid pouring from the large gaping hole in its 'head'. It slithered away, continuing to cry as the sounds grew quieter, fading in an echo.
A voice chimed behind the Cobra Rattler. "You're getting too careless Viper."
"I…Impactor? What was that thing?"
"Denebian Stalker."
"A what?"
"Didn't expect one to be here. Best not to stay here, it may come back. Those monsters eat anything, Cybertronian or not."
"But you put a hole in its head!"
"I know, but these things are too stubborn to die." The former Wrecker picked up the jet. Viper tried to move, but let out a pained whine. "Stop wiggling, your frame's full of toxins that paralyze you. Can't do anything but let them ebb away. Should take a while depending on how much of it that Stalker gave you."
"I didn't expect you to find me there."
"Nightbird asked me where you were."
"She did?"
"She found the targets and wondered where you were. I lost contact with her when I entered the volcano. Wondering why I came here? I had a hunch something would happen to you on your own."
"Well…thanks for saving me at least. I'll try to keep an optic out for that thing. My repair systems are kicking in, so I'll get rid of this awful sickness soon."
"Don't stress yourself, it's a pain in the aft to deal with."
"You fought them before?"
"Denebian Stalkers are a popular black market trade. Make wonderful guards and get rid of evidence. I'd encounter them a lot during my day. Worse on some mining planets where we'd have to deal with them. Good friends made good snacks for them. I'll never forget those days, wishing to never see another one again." He took a vent. "And somehow, one of these awful things ended up on Earth."
"I'm sorry."
Impactor stopped, looking at the mech's helm. "Sorry?"
"After seeing how awful its mouth is, I'm feeling worse at knowing how they must've felt in its digestion. Never want to go through that again. I almost did with Unicron once, I do not want to do it again with that monstrosity."
"You dropped your gun. Never go anywhere without a weapon."
"Well…you have a blade for a hand and a shoulder cannon that's attached to you, you don't have to worry!"
Impactor smirked. "Primus, you sound like a new recruit who's the first to get a bullet through the optic."
Viper wiggled a bit. "I wished I could do the same to you!"
"Keep your piping down, we don't want that thing hearing us."
"Well, what will make you shut up then!?"
Impactor dropped the dark blue snake, letting him hit the ground.
"Play bait." He sat down, beginning to clean his hook.
"Are you serious?!"
"Yep, if you don't stop screaming, then it'll be quite a sight."
Viper kept struggling, before taking a deep vent. "Fine, Primus, this is embarrassing."
"I won't say anything. Now let's wait and see if this thing comes by." The former Wrecker leaned back, glancing around the various tunnels.
The dark blue mech remained still, listening to the soft shuffling of the earth beneath them. It's soothing, giving him time to think of what to say with his big mouth that got them in this predicament of pettiness.
"Hey Impactor…I'm sorry about what I did before. I'm…I'm still not used to being okay around others. Not after when everyone found out the truth of who I am. It still feels strange that…the other Decepticons still accept me as one of their own."
The yellow mech said nothing. The occasional plume of steam rose up, meaning they were still deep within this volcano. It felt quite relaxing on both their weary joints. Viper didn't speak for a while, continuing to look around. His frame began to heal itself with the slow moving limbs.
"Impactor?"
"Yeah?"
"Have there been other Cybertronians who had visions?"
"Visions?"
"I mean, you've been through the war a lot longer than I. Those who when they black out, they see visions?"
"Where did that come from? No, I don't remember anything like that before. Are you sure you're not going crazy?"
"I don't even know myself." Although a part of him wanted to leap up and smack him for that. "You see…whenever I black out, I get these visions of the past. Or, it's a made up fantasy."
"What's it about?"
"I'm trying to understand it myself, I worry I'm going crazy, but I wake up with an awful helmache at the end of them."
"You were wide awake when I saw you against that beast. Were you in Stasis Lock for a while? I was expecting to hear you screaming."
"Hey! No…my processor goes through the same pain as whenever I try to remember my past."
"Could there be a connection?"
"I doubt it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do after this is over. I know the humans are going to try to kill me for this."
"You could try fleeing to Cybertron."
"Autobots would want me for spilling human blood. I'm questioning if I should continue to live. If anyone captures me, they'd have human made parts to study. A Cybertronian to replicate for their own selfish wars. It'd be Cobra's work repeating again."
Impactor pondered, looking around. Still no sign of the thing. Fine, a few more minutes and then they're on their way. "There is one galaxy you could go to."
"Where?"
"Mirabell, it's a galaxy far from our own. It's devoted to nature, planets full of life. They're like Earth, but without the pollutants, political chaos, or wars."
"Sounds like…paradise. How did you know about it?"
"When I rescued their empress, before I ended up on this planet."
"Empress? She must be beautiful. Why did you leave her? I mean, you could've been emperor or a good guard. Rid yourself of this awful war."
The former Wrecker stopped, unsure if he should continue after opening up such a piece of his life. To remember her face at all…
"Yes, she was…She even offered me to stay by her side…I rejected, because I… I couldn't trust myself to stay in one place… I still miss her..." He lowered his helm, hearing Viper chuckle. "Eh?"
"You should go there and pay her a visit if you miss her that much."
"She's happier back home. Innocent of the war, not having to fight a day in her life. I do not want to drag her through the pain we endure." Impactor stopped again, sadness in his optics.
"Could I know her name?"
"Paladin. I still remember what she wore for the ceremony to knight me. I had to leave, because I didn't want to get attached. Whoever I am near, they risk death. I've stared at it in the faceplates all my life, Viper. Death is a numb friend, speaking to me in the voices of those who've died on my watch."
"The war numbed ya enough that there's nothing left to think of, except for those lost. You should think about that place, Impactor, what happiness it brought you. I guess I should thank you for letting me know of this."
"I will. Mirabell was my last mission before I ended up on Cybertron, and in these Earth Wars. Alright, enough time passed. Your time as bait is over." The mech went over to pick up Viper. He pondered these thoughts before an intense shock of pain hit him. Causing him to spasm out and squirm out of Impactor's grip. The yellow mech stepped back as one of Viper's servos tried to reach up to Impactor. "Viper!"
Everything's fading away into a blur of colors. Darker and darker before nothing. "No. Please don't go…"
Why is this happening to me? Can I trust Impactor to keep me alive and away from that thing? Where did that former Wrecker encounter that beast? Nope, I will never soak myself in that thing's juices.
Impactor, I'm sorry about what happened, still, why did you reject such an opportunity to be happy? I don't understand any of these guys at times. They're so strange, is that how I ended up this way? Back here again in this darkness. Did I grow too lax? Where am I right now? Oh…
The colors returned me to the memory I last saw in this strange distorted shape. Solus and Megatronus. I don't understand why it happened. It hurts, I could assume they were close to my host and the others. I watched their faces as the Fallen stood there, holding the cold frame of their beloved sister. Ancient ones, lost in the scorns of misunderstanding, or, was it something else? Their voices were a blur.
"I don't know what happened." The Fallen whispered, seeing the fear in everyone.
"What did you do!?" Prima yelled, pulling out his sword as Nobilius gripped his hold.
"Wait, let me test his judgment." He soothed, getting out his blade of balance. Seeing it shine bright mesmerized me, that I would feel something pull into my chest when it was in action. I do not know why, but it gives me comfort.
The blade turned to a sinister shade of purple. It made Megatronus step back. His frame shaking as the other Primes approached, with Nobilius in front. "We can never forgive those who murder our family." He threatened, as the Primes began to attack their black armored brother. I couldn't tear my optics away from these Gods. Acting like mad out of control machines while Nobilius and who I assume to be Liege Maximo observe.
Everything blurred, but I could assume Megatronus suffered for these heinous actions. To destroy, and for what? I remembered when both he and Solus' Cores merged together meant Unicron. Is this what he meant? To awaken a dark God and try to kill everyone on Cybertron? Primus, the mouths emerging, swallowing everyone whole... Made my Energon freeze. To see everyone near death, terrified about what may be their fates.
Bismuth and I stood there, in the Archive Hall. The jeweled mech wandered, searching through the giant engravings. Sadness in those big innocent optics of his. "Solus, why did Megatronus kill her? She meant so much to me, she was one of the few who didn't see me as a walking factory machine. Now…I'm alone again, I can't go back to my creators." In his clenched servos, I could notice chunks of his namesake emerge through his fingers.
The voice distorted of my host, made me wish I could hear anything but this
assumption of saying anything proper rather than something stupid or worse.
Bismuth looked up at my host, he looked to be on the verge of crying if he could. Poor fellow, I wished I saw those memories to relate to him more.
"Why did Megatronus do that!? We're supposed to be loyal to Primus, not to kill each other…Does that mean something bad will happen to us? Each Prime rules over a part of Cybertron, and without one, where will that power go?"
He was right, I couldn't believe the truth as well.
"I'm afraid of what may happen. That from now, it's going to get worse. I don't want to fight against them, we're too close to anyone to see them die. Solus, she was nice to me. She helped guide me through things I didn't understand. I wished…I wished it was someone else…"
I watched my host's arms envelope him into a hug, meaning he's quite bigger than I expected, but it was to make sense. Both of us lost in the midst of this tension. I could assume Megatronus either died or exiled due to his actions. But, a part of me fears what may come next. I've been in war since my birth. A failed experiment for a human war. Instead, I end up in a war with the species who believed me to be one of them. Yet, after the truth came out, no one judged me as much as they used to. They still stare, but the taunting and teasing stopped. Did they notice my worth beyond the false reality? Still, killing the humans has left me far from the idea of who I am. Or why Cobra created a Cybertronian when none ended up on the planet before my birth.
Time keeps slipping, I don't know what's going on anymore. Why do these accursed memories or dreams hit me at the worst times?! I wished I could say anything, scream anything other than hear my inner thoughts. A prisoner in this shell, for no one can hear or react to my voice and my thoughts.
We were now standing somewhere that looked like a city. Not sure where, but it seemed normal to my host and his partner. Quite deserted; Bismuth tried to give me a smile, but I could tell he's in pain. I wished I could do something other than play rude remarks.
The both of us began to hear two voices that took our attention from where we are. Following it led us to a secret room in this city. Faint figures of Nobilius and Liege Maximo stood near a fountain.
"Do you realize it, Nobilius? How the Primes are beginning to fall. There's no chance we can bring peace now that we're starting to kill each other."
"What will we do then?"
"We must change. You can tell it, the Balance has shifted away from its original place."
Nobilius looked at his sword, pulling it out to inspect how there's a sinister shade to it once more. Seeing that blade would send a shiver down me.
"Yes…Primus, why are you doing this to us? We've done all you ask for." He took a soft vent. "I can trust you Liege Maximo, for now, we need to figure out how to bring balance back without Solus' part."
"The Archives of course. They have every weapon we need for such a task. Can you consider the other Primes to not turn against each other as Megatronus has?"
"No, I will not kill the others!"
"I'm not saying it like that, we need to subdue them. Make them learn their place among Primes."
"But what of my students? Bismuth is close to everyone, although - is not open to them that much. But, I worry for them."
"We do not have to tell them anything, Nobilius. We can let them go somewhere for a deep rest. Then, when it's over, we can wake them up."
"If it's the best option to keep them safe, then I will. Now let's go before the others see us."
The two began to part, but something felt wrong. Bismuth looked up at my host, worry in his optics. In this silence, we heard a sound as Liege Maximo appeared in front of us.
"Hello, how nice to see the two of you here. Oh, how rude you are to listen in on our conversations."
Nobilius appeared behind him. "What are you doing here!? I ordered you to stay in the Archives!"
"Run!" Bismuth screamed, raising a wall of the material as the two gave chase. It wasn't difficult for them to get over the wall, their powers are far more than either my host or Bismuth.
My ally kept raising walls of the material, buying us more time to escape. Primus this is such a huge city. What is this place for anyways? I couldn't get a good look at the details due to how far they ran. There seemed to be 13 large towers alongside the central one, with their own designs and colors. Two of them looked decayed, must represent Solus and Megatronus. Before I could ponder further, I kept thinking about the chase. I heard more sounds, not four running, but more like twenty! The other Primes must've heard our run!
My host and I managed to find a spot to hide for the time being, staying quiet as the figures ran by. When it grew quiet, Bismuth slumped down. "That was close. What do you think Liege Maximo meant?"
I wished I knew, from what I remember, he's a master of deception, of trickery. No wonder Nobilius fell for his sweet words. What is he going to do with either of you two? I can assume it won't be beauty sleep while a massacre happens around us.
"I don't want to fight against any of them. I've only remembered bits of the surface and I fear going back will hurt me again. As they've done before."
My host reached a servo out to hold onto his own. I could not hear his voice, but I watched the other guardian's reaction to figure out what he said. A weary smile on his faceplates. "You think so? You know someone we can trust up there? But, how are we going to escape with the rest of the Primes hunting us down?"
"That's such a good question, isn't it?" We turned to find a giant mech bearing animalistic traits towering over us.
"Listen to us Amalgamous! Nobilius and Liege Maximo are planning against you!"
"They are right, something's wrong with both of you creations. Why Nobilius chose such rejections from the surface, but I will never know. Surrender or I will crush you."
I had to keep watching, even as I felt my reality falling apart. The fighting's brutal; of course the Prime had far more power than us. Although, how did he snuck up on the two? Must have slippers on those hooves that I didn't know about.
Of course, two weakened nobodies could not stand a chance against him. Made worse by the other Primes arriving to capture them. I could hear Bismuth screaming distortions of static, of what could be my host's name.
Its' dark, silence reigns here until the vision becomes clear. Suspended above in chains of a dark forgotten room. Nobilius walked past my host a few times before stopping once noticing the host coming to.
"-, I wished I never had to do this. But for the sake of protecting Cybertron. I must. The fall of Primes is coming, and I must have both of you alive. But, I will have to punish you for not bearing your rightful duty as guardian!" I could not feel pain, but a shiver went down me as the blade dragged across the mech's torso.
Nobilius kept torturing my host. Unable to fight due to the chains giving out pathetic replies of protest. Once it stopped for a moment, the Guardian of Balance stopped. "Do not worry, Bismuth and you will remain alive. But I must keep you hidden away to make sure you do not intervene." He paused before his weird servo grabbed my host's neck, making him tilt his helm to give the God a better look. "I never realized how unnatural your blue optics are."
"Ease yourself -, dim your optics and when you wake up, it'll be over." My host did so, submerging my view into darkness, except for the constant sounds of a sword hitting the armor. Thank Primus I couldn't feel anything. I swore I heard something such as that before, who pointed out my blue optics? Many did because of fearing I'm an Autobot spy. I thought about the blueprints for my construction. How there's no face underneath the visor and mouthplate. That's haunted me since I first saw it. The darkness made me black out again.
I heard two voices whisper to me. "...you sure we should be doing this?"
"I cannot forgive my brothers for harming an innocent Relic Guardian." One familiar voice whispered. He sounded to have come closer to my host, shaking them. My vision came back, seeing a mech staring at who I was hijacking "-, can you say something?" For some reason, his voice and colors were familiar, but I could not recall who in my exhausted stupor.
A burst of static was the reply, but it made the mech happy. "Good, rest, you need this. We'll take you somewhere safe. I promise you." He whispered.
Another mech appeared in my vision, kneeling down to take some cuffs off. "Not sure where Bismuth is, but at least we found one of them."
"Lifter, do you have the shuttle ready?"
"Yes, but where will we hide him?"
"I know where. Please -, rest."
My host nodded as darkness came to me once again. My processor is trying to grasp what's happening. Why are my visions becoming harder to bear? Longer without a sign of ending. I stared at the ceiling, trapped within my little world. A story in my head playing out.
Viper's servos began to twitch as his consciousness came to. A figure blurred out his vision as their colors came together.
"Ugh…are we outside?"
Nightbird nodded, helping him sit up. "Yes, you've been out for a few hours. Impactor's back at the ship getting it ready. The rader's found some other ships coming towards us. We have to leave soon. He said for us to stay here in case we're followed."
"No, we can't leave, not yet."
"I know, we're close to them. Rest for a bit longer. You worry me."
"Right, Impactor mentioned you wondering where I was."
"As I should have; you're the head of this mission. I do not want to risk at least getting something right before Megatron makes us suffer."
"Right, could be him and his cronies trying to drag us back to whatever boring mission there is to do." Viper chuckled, starting to stand up. "I'll be okay, we had some trouble in the caves."
"As Impactor did mention that thing too. Primus, what other alien creatures exist here?"
"I never want to find out." He grew quiet, listening to the palm trees and ocean.
Nightbird looked around. "How long do you think it'll take till you get your strength back?"
"Soon." Viper began to move his weak limbs, getting up. "There." He turned to her. "Where are they?'
"They live on a yacht close by, you should be able to see it from the sky. I don't suggest you transforming. The toxins are fading, but not fast enough."
Before either could move from their spot, three figures emerged from a shaded part.
Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Hound aimed their weapons at the two. Nightbird sprung to her pedes, weapons out. But the mechs did not flinch.
"What brings you here?" The ninja femme chided.
"We've been lookin for ya for sometime." Thundercracker spoke up.
"Why are you with an Autobot? Wouldn't Megatron want your helms for teaming up with one?" Viper started to move, except Skywarp rested his weapon against the dark blue mech's helm.
"Now now, don't do anything yet." He said with a smug grin.
"Skywarp, we're not here to kill him, we're here to warn you, Viper." Hound glared at the purple Seeker.
"Of what? I can't trust any of you." The dark blue mech got out his acid gun.
"Sentius Magnus, he kinda went crazy when we went to where you killed those Cobra guys." Skywarp did keep the gun pressed, but digit nowhere near the trigger.
"What do I have to do with any of it?"
"We want to figure out what you have to do with any of it." Thundercracker explained.
:: Nightbird, we have to leave. Now. :: Viper commed, which he noticed Nightbird nodding.
She summoned a hologram and let it attack Skywarp, making him paralyzed. In the distraction, she grabbed Viper's arm and bolted. Thundercracker and Hound fought to get rid of the hologram, which became a nuisance as poor Skywarp watched.
Impactor waited at the ship before noticing the two from the sand dunes. "We've got company!"
"I know! Hurry and get it started!" Nightbird entered the ship, with Viper crashing into one of the seats as the former Wrecker followed them.
He sat down at the seat and it soared back to the sky. The Cobra mech stared at a window as they escaped, clenching a servo.
Back at the beach, the hologram vanished. Hound shook his helm as he helped Skywarp up.
"Whew, there we go. You okay Skywarp?"
"Yeah, ouch, darn thing. Hey, why are you growling at me, Hound?"
"I'm not." Then they all heard the sounds. Turning to find the bleeding Denebian Stalker rushing towards them.
"Ah frag what is that thing?!" Skywarp screamed.
Thundercracker began firing at the thing. "Don't know, but it ain't friendly!"
It let out a wail of agony before chasing the three across the beach.
Viper noticed a yacht in the window. Nightbird and Impactor seemed to focus on the controls and other present Autobots. Wait, why was Skywarp and Thundercracker with Hound? Still with a dazed processor, the Rattler got up, making sure to not make a sound as he shuffled over to the back door. Those two humans, the next targets. He cannot let them escape from their punishment.
With a shaking servo, he undid the latch and leaped out before either could notice.
Nightbird turned her helm, finding Viper vanishing from view. "No!" She scrambled over to the door, unable to catch him. Watching the weakened Rattler flying away towards the fancy boat.
Two humans stood at the front of their yacht, taking in the sunlight on their worn bodies. Two famous marine biologists with a hidden secret. Well, hidden for so long...until now. They'd notice a shadow obscuring the brightness and looked up.
It was the last sight they'd see, as a sea of acid sprayed down and melted them alive.
Relief rushed through the snake before he crashed into the water. Exhaustion wrecking him as he tried to process what happened. The toxins are still in his systems, no, not again! He floated for a while, but couldn't contact help, as he noticed Sky Lynx landing on top of Impactor's shuttle.
Bright dark blues entered into the cold sea as he transformed, unable to swim up but sink into the cold water. Primus, why does this keep happening to him? The mech kept looking up to the sunlight, reaching out for it in a pitiful hope that someone would reach up to him.
Deeper he sank, until noticing a figure in the distance, coming closer. Unable to decipher anything except for a shade of gold…
These dreams, why are they hitting me so fast? Why do I keep passing out? Yet, this time, I'm not imprisoned or in a host. I'm myself. It's a quiet scene, with me laying on the grass. Staring up at a lone tree's branches.
I sat up, looking around. Thousands of blue and purple hydrangeas are blooming around me. It's like the Japanese place where blue flowers bloom. As I observed the beauty, I noticed someone else alongside me here.
A femme I'd seen before. Yes, when I was in my host. Soft orange shades on her armor, some car parts looking like a robe. She stood among the hydrangeas, still as a statue.
I approached her, being careful as I stepped on the flowers. Did I even care about flowers? Who should when we're robots and that they don't bloom on Cybertron. In the silence, she turned to face me when we got close enough to each other.
A gentle servo cupping my cheek, missing both the visor and mouthplate. I stared up at her, with the gentle blues of the hydrangeas making her look so innocent. Bearing innocent blue purplish optics.
Neither of us spoke, but I felt at peace. A part of my helm screamed at me, trying to understand who she was. Why do I want to know her? But, I could say nothing as she graced her soft servo to my helm. That I wanted to be here and forget about everything. My revenge, Cobra, the Joes...as I sink deeper into the murky depths.
I wondered how long this would last before I'd return to the fighting. Were Nightbird and Impactor okay? I hope so, I warned them, I told them the dangers, yet they, well...Nightbird knew the risks. Before I could think more, the femme pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"I missed you." She whispered.
"I don't know you, or why I'm here. Is this a dream?"
"It could be." The femme smiled, soon taking my servo as we began to run through the endless field of flowers.
My processor gave up trying to understand what was going on, but I felt free. I already knew what I was going to do for the last victim. Could this be a glimmer at what's to come when it's' all over?
Seeing how joyous this femme was, made me think about Nightbird, how she'd always be there for me. That both her and Impactor didn't assume I am insane because of those bizarre visions. Why are they happening now? Could I always do this?
I felt myself drifting off in this vision, hallucination, or whatever the heck I can think of. Staring at her as she kept that innocent smile. Before it faded away as she let go.
Everything grew darker, the flowers shriveled up and died. Now a barren wasteland; my frame felt soaked. Looking down at myself...blood, so much of it on me. Human and Cybertronian blood, all over me like that horror movie set at prom. She screamed, as bodies lay still. Both Autobot and Decepticon, Nightbird, Impactor, Bismuth...dead. What...what's happening!?
In my fear, I screamed, falling to my knees as an immense pain filled my chest. My armor is breaking up, I'm melting much like acid to my victims.
The femme kept staring at me, as the corpses got up. Judgment in their dead optics. I continued falling apart, unable to understand why this is happening to me.
In my shame, I looked down, noticing a figure replacing my distorted reflection. Who is he? Why does he look at me with much shame like the bodies? I want this nightmare to end!
WAKE UP VIPER, WAKE UP!
