Writer's notes: First off I'd like to say thank you to the Youtuber EngineerHoist for a reading the first two paragraphs of this story. Its very much appreciated and helped me figure out how to write the rest of the story out. Also, this story is about Earth Wars and their GI Joe crossover back in late 2019.
A pure black visor stared at the acid green flames dancing higher and higher above the fallen Cobra base. His acid gun slipped down worn fingers, Viper's knees gave way to the course sand surface. Wings lowered and bullet ridden. Spent a whole day, by himself getting rid of his creators. Humans, they've done nothing but cause chaos in his life. Memories racing in his head. Torment, lobotomy, neglect. They're dead, all of them. The red symbol he detests on his wings, the first born human made Cybertronian. Meant to be a weapon against other inferior humans. He got up, taking his battered body away from the sea of acid he'd inflicted on the pitiful humans.
The pain overwhelmed him, those tanks, the copters, forced him to land into the sand once again. Tiny grains blowing against ruined true blue paint. Maybe its best to die now, he killed those who brought him to this world, to stifle his life because of a failure, yet, he danced with Decepticons. As he listened to the fire cackling from back at his 'birthplace', a shadow overtook his vision. One with yellow optics; processor trying to bring back any memories of those with yellow. It stung, its always hurt to look through memories due to the lobotomy. Got difficult to remember important things, most assumed short term memory loss that Shockwave didn't bother to look through. Maybe if he does survive this pit he'll force that lazy scientist to help. For now, this mysterious fellow seemed to be helping him out. Other colors became recognizable. Nightbird...
His processor kept repeating the same visions. A record player of rotating screams of torment. Flesh melting away into the puddles of their creation's tears. Among the fragments is of a human cowering in a corner, his face cut and green jacket torn off. Instead of fear, he scowled.
"I gave you a new life Viper! You can't do this to me when I wasn't involved with what happened! I freed you from your prison!" Luca screamed, shaking his fist up.
"You betrayed the Decepticons, for a few dollars more..." Viper replied, taking aim and letting the green flames come to life... One traitor down, never deserving to wear the silver badge on his jacket.
The agonizing screams started to grow numbing as the malfunctioning processor stopped thinking. Focused on preserving the battered soldier, for his mission is complete at last. Nightbird, the last thought on his mind, wondering why she came. Did Megatron ask the ninja to investigate? Too tired to question, gotta sleep...
Music began to play, the kind that'd be relaxing to whoever took a listen with its keyboards. Optics lit up to the sight of the bright lights meant for surgery. A figure came into vision again, this time, its one with a red visor. Dang it, more faces to identify. At least his bright green paint job helped determine which of the Constructicons this is.
"Well, I thought you wouldn't turn gray because your human made." Hook smirked, stepping back to grab a few more tools.
"How'd I get here?" Viper tried sitting up, yet pain spiked in his back, forcing him to lie down again.
"Nightbird dragged you in here and told me to get to work. Sounds like you made them all pay. Megatron will be glad to hear the details." He grabbed one of the wings and began to pluck out the bullets. Viper's servos clenched, wishing he could get up and clobber the mech. Everything's too numb, like something's in his system. It could be either that or armor is still recovering from the trauma.
"Did Megatron ask her to come along?" Optics watched as the boxy helmed mech shook from left to right. His tray piling up with small metal pieces. Other Constructicons began to assist their brother and repair the damaged armor. Hook pulled off the broken black glass, revealing two vibrant blue optics underneath.
"Nope, he didn't order anyone to see your attempts. We thought you would've died. Looks like you're made of sterner stuff." Viper didn't retort, rest, must rest and wait until he could find that canary and force the answers out of her.
It felt odd to not wear a visor anymore. His once unseen optics inspected the long hallways of the military base. A few Decepticons walked by the broken freak of a soldier. Some glanced by, but others chuckled, giddy that they aren't made by flesh creatures. Viper remained firm as he walked, wings still in pain, but will get repaired another time. Hook and others had to deal with other tarnished things. He's already broken, always been since the failure. All to think about was the silver emotionless face before his processor got torn apart. The former Cobra mech didn't notice the three fingered hand grabbing his shoulder. A great smirk embedded into one's golden face.
"Well done Viper, I enjoy human sacrifices. They were my favorite parts of Aztec history." The one whose name would send shivers down one's Energon veins. His grin became twisted as a Cheshire Cat's. Viper glanced back, seeing the purple glowing in his vision.
"I don't care Malus, you can interpret it any way you want, but its my story, and I ended it." Viper tried moving, yet the demigod kept a firm hold.
"Where are you going? Do you believe that I am not worthy for a conversation?" His frown changed as much as a mask for the audience of an opera.
"I want some time to myself. I spent all day fighting for my freedom while you and everyone else sat back and enjoyed my suffering like a show!" Viper's wings flared, even if he's shorter than him, that fire burned in blue optics.
"Your war, not mine." Oh, if the snake had his acid gun, then there wouldn't be any trace of this rotten fruit anywhere. Who cares if he's the guardian to some shiny balls, none of his business.
"Be lucky I spent all my rage on the humans, rather than you." He stomped away as Malus scoffed.
"Toodle pip Viper." Spat out as he transformed into his spider tank alt mode and crawled away.
More faces, the same faces rewinding faster as the figures passed by. Some showing hints of concern, but hidden by their tough attitudes and looks. Viper shrugged each off, not caring if anyone was walking around this morning. Sometimes questions about the ninja, yet none replied. Until he reached up to Swindle with a fist aimed at his face.
"You're the last scumbag I'll ask today, where is Nightbird?" Viper hissed, showing the scars on broken fingers. The mech smirked, trying to cower away from the situation.
"Come on Viper, I know you had one heck of a night, but give me some credit. I didn't sell anything to Cobra," bam! A fist to the face, letting fresh pain reel in pristine faceplates.
"Say that word again, I could go for another injection of their venom into my veins." He goaded, before noticing a glimmer of yellow that vanished down the hallway.
"Hey!" The Rattler ran, leaving Swindle to cough up some Energon.
A giant hanger, of all places to hide in. Dark blue came in, broken glass trying to inspect wherever the femme could be. He noticed her shadow among the dim lights. Dancing around old machinery that'd been defunct for a long time. Human made items, Hook would use them for spare parts when needed. Swindle pawning off each piece for big bucks. A flicker of yellow again right beside him. Nightbird, what is she doing? She held up a blade against his neck.
"Sever the cables, and you will do nothing." She spoke in such stillness that wouldn't alert anyone of her presence. Viper tensed, gripping the yellow weapon and making sure it wouldn't leave its mark.
"I want answers to why you were following me!" He yelled out, flipping the femme over. Nightbird groaned, unable to get up before he pressed his arm onto her neck. His other servo gripped the blade in her hand. They stared, optics burning in the morning sunlight as it crept from tiny windows in the room. Blue and yellow, much like an electric storm.
"Didn't want to continue living?" She whispered, leaning up even when he tried pushing her down.
"My life is over, I have no reason to continue, so why bring me back?" Nightbird looked away.
"We're soldiers, and you're purpose shouldn't end in such a way." She exhaled, kicking the mech off, Viper stood back up, retaining his balance.
"Then why try killing me if I wanted to say thanks?" Blue optics observed Nightbird's own. A hint of concern behind that bright yellow often coated in anger.
A large hangar door opened, letting Soundwave come in. His armor is much more chunky on the legs and torso. A result from getting kidnapped by Cobra. Red visor caught the attention of the duo, with his cassettes tagging along.
"Viper, our lord Megatrons request to meet with you." Said in his monotone elegance.
"I'll not keep them waiting, we'll talk about this later." The Rattler strode away from the short conflict. Soundwave looked at Nightbird, seeing how upset she appeared to be.
"Is something wrong?" The femme shook her helm.
"No, how do you feel about that armor?" She tapped onto his shoulder, feeling the strong materials constructing it.
"It is an inferior version of myself, but I will adjust." He transformed and let his little minions climb aboard before driving back outside. Nightbird stared, pondering what thoughts are rushing in Viper's processor right now.
