I'm so sorry it took this long to publish Chapter 20! Starting in August I started having a few serious health issues and got hospitalized a couple of times. I'm getting back on the mend, and will try working on these once again with TheSealer (as well as assisting LuisJM with his stories).
So, to pick up where we left off: Sari had a horrifying vision while in meditation, as did her human spiritual master companions, Jarlie in the Australian outback and Gyatso in Tibet.
We pick the story up soon after this, with Optimus planning a counter-attack against the Decepticon stronghold in New Kaon.
Optimus held a planning session in the Area 51 conference room with his top commanders.
"It is time to initiate a counter-assault against the Decepticons," he told them. He turned to Sari. "Are the new Technorganics ready?"
"They are," she replied. "Miko and Ironhide have completed their training. They are ready to join forces with the Autobots."
"Very good. Captain P'kyrr?"
"The Regulans stand ready, Prime."
"Then we attack in one decacycle from the city of Port Jervis."
That same moment, Megatron sat on his throne, discussing his next move with his lieutenants.
"Are your plans ready?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord," said Starscream. "The Nemesis is ready."
"The Technocons are ready," said Skysword.
"And what of Kālī?" Megatron asked.
"She's back on top of the Chrysler building, my lord," said Skysword. "I thought her search for the Technorganics was over."
"What is your opinion, Shockwave?"
"She spoke often of her Creators' plans, my lord, but never in any great detail. Logic would dictate that, if she's located all of the Technorganics, she's planning her next step."
In fact, chassis raised off the Chrysler roof's platform, Kālī did indeed begin putting in motion the next phase of her plan. A barely-perceptible smile crossed her face as her optics gazed across the western sky.
"It is time" She commanded in her processor.
Sari met with the Skystrikers to brief them on the battle plans.
"Jack, you and I will work together, leading Ben and Astro."
"Yes, Sensei."
"Raf, you will lead Koji, Eleanor and GoGo."
"Roger, Captain."
"Laura is partnering with Arcee, and Miko with the Wreckers." She then turned on the overhead projector, which showed a map of upstate New Jersey and the plans for attack. All turned their heads to the screen. Suddenly, Jack's optics briefly flashed red, then back to blue. No one noticed, but his helm shook slightly.
After the conference, Jack approached Sari.
"Sensei, perhaps we should let Aang know about our plans."
"Aang? But he's too busy in the Cyber Ninja Dojo with Dai Atlas."
"I can make a quick trip there. Given that his father may be affected by the outcome, I feel he needs to know."
"I see you point. Very well, make the arrangements." And Jack turned in the direction of the bridge matrix, but not before approaching the other Technorganics. To each one, he spoke briefly, and touched their shoulders, being careful to not be seen by others. The moment he did this, their optics likewise briefly flashed red, then back to blue, and their helms shook. Immediately after doing this, they gave Jack a knowing glance and walked away.
"Good to see you, Jack!"
"Very glad to be here, Master Dai Atlas." The Cyber-Ninja student bowed. "How is Aang?"
"Progressing rapidly. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"I wanted to brief him on Optimus Prime's battle plans, given that it may have repercussions on his Earth father."
"I see. Well, he is in the Matrix Chamber, in Zazen. He should be exiting in less than a megacycle."
"Thank you, Master. I will wait."
A solar cycle later, June was returning from Bumblebee's office. She'd stopped by for her daily Energon intake, when an unexpected event caught her optics. There at the controls of an important Area 51 command console was her son, Jack.
"Jack? What are you doing there? Aren't you supposed to be at the transport matrix with Captain Sari and the other Skystrikers?" She glanced at the overhead monitor. Jack was making changes to the base's monitoring sensors!
"Jack! Changing those settings are restricted to security bots! How are you able to…?" Jack turned and fired an orb point-blank at his mother, disabling her. She fell to her knees.
"Jack?" Confused, she looked at his optics. They were red.
"Sorry, June. It is time." He fired another, stronger orb, shutting her down. When he was finished at the console, he carried her and shoved her chassis into a hallway storage closet, then hurried to join the Skystrikers at the transport matrix.
"Jack, what took you?" Asked Sari.
"Sorry, Sensei," he replied. "Some last-minute things to finish up before we leave."
"Commander Starscream! Autobots and Technorganics incoming!" Yelled the Vehicon captain.
"They are attacking, my lord," Starscream told Megatron. "Shall we engage?"
"Not yet," he replied. "Let us see what Optimus has in mind." He turned to the purple Technorganic, who had landed and joined him in the throne room. "So, Kālī, care to share your next move?"
"You'll find out momentarily," she deadpanned. "I suspect even you will be surprised." The dark lord raised a metallic eyebrow.
Starscream yelled. "I have had just about enough of your insolence!"
"Can it, skinny," she retorted, "and watch."
"Bulkhead, incoming transport from Outpost Omega One," said T:Prime Ratchet.
"Roger," he replied, and readied the transport. In flew a Technorganic!
Bulkhead did a double-take. "Aang? What're you doin' here? Aren't you supposed to be in the other dimension?"
That same moment, Frankie and Cody showed up at the Matrix.
"I'm needed in the battle," he replied. "And I need to bring these two with me. Please bridge us to these coordinates." He handed the green Autobot the specific location. Bulkhead looked down, confused.
"I don't have any orders from…" but he stopped talking, as Aang used Processor-Over-Matter on him, in the same way that Aang had used it on Ratchet at Outpost Omega One, to overpower his processor and make him obey. Bulkhead turned back to the controls.
"Bridge ready for you, Aang," the green Autobot replied in a monotone voice, and Aang and the other two went in.
"June! June! Report!" Said Minerva anxiously on her comm. She then contacted Bumblebee. "Hey, Bee! Have ya seen June? She didn't return to sick bay."
"No, Minerva; she came by for her Energon intake, then I assumed she was headed back to your location."
Minerva glanced at her overhead monitors, checking for June's Spark signal. "She's been shut down!"
"Shut down? Where is she?"
"Aang?! Why are you here?" Asked Sari, seeing him fly up and join the battle formation.
"It is time," he replied, and suddenly, his optics turned red.
"Aang? Aang!" Sari yelled, alarmed at this turn of events. She tried stopping him, but she was unable to; something was preventing her P-O-M powers. She sensed the control was coming partially from Aang, but also from someone else. She turned in the direction of the second P-O-M.
"Jack?!" His optics were also red.
"It is time, Sari," he replied, and he and Aang nodded to each other. They sped away.
Sari got on her comm. "Ben! Astro! Something is happening! Aang showed up, then he and Jack have left!"
No answer. She tried to detect their presence, but their signal was being blocked.
"Ben! Astro! Report!"
"Captain!" It was Raf.
"Yes, Raf?"
"Koji, Eleanor, and GoGo have left formation! I asked them what they were doing, but all they told me was 'It is time'. Their optics had turned red."
"Were you able to see where they went?"
"No. They sped off faster than I could detect."
("Captain Sari! Laura's gone! She suddenly flew up into the sky!")
"As have all the other Technorganics, Arcee. I don't know what's going on!"
Another comm came in, from Bumblebee. "Sar, I have a problem. Frankie and Cody are missing, and we found June, shut down and stuffed in a hallway closet."
And finally: "Captain!"
"Yes, Miko?"
"Are you aware that all the Technorganics are headed - on their own - toward the Decepticon's compound?!"
"What?!"
"I saw them with my optics. They were flying faster than anyone else."
"Were they attacked?"
"No! It was as if they were expected."
"Expected? Expected where?"
Miko flew higher, and with her enhanced Predacon optics, could see what appeared to be their destination.
"Unknown, Captain, but it looks to me like they're going straight to Megatron's headquarters."
"I'm headed there," Sari replied, and with a flash, disappeared.
In Megatron's throne room, the Technorganics all landed before Kālī.
"Welcome back, L-213P," Kālī said to Jack.
"Good to be back," he replied.
Kālī waved her servo and a bridge-like vortex opened. Cody and Frankie stepped through. "You two will get your flying capabilities once we've arrived home," she told them.
"Acknowledged," said Cody.
A white flash, and Sari warped in the Throne room. "Kālī!"
"Well, well! I see my virus didn't work on you, Sari, but hey, I had a feeling you'd follow them here," she laughed.
The Technorganics stood silent in the Throne Room, red optics glowing. Sari walked up to her Gakusei.
"Jack! Jack! Speak to me!" He looked down at her. "It is time to go home, Sari."
"Don't call her that, L-213P. She is a tool just like you. She is labeled L-209P."
"Perhaps, Kālī, now that you have your...tools, you could enlighten me with the details of your mission," said Megatron.
"Well, before I do that, I must thank you, Megatron."
"Thank me?"
"Yes, and L-209P here. You, for the alliance. Without you and the help of your Technorganic knock-offs, my mission would have been a lot harder. And thank you, L-209P, for training the Creators' tools!"
"As to my mission, it was to gather up these tools so that the Creators may accomplish their quest."
"And what, pray tell, is the Creators' quest?" Megatron asked.
"What is their quest?" Kālī laughed out loud. "I suppose I can tell you now.
"The Creators' quest is to see the entire Universe silent."
Megatron's optics frowned in confusion, as did Sari's. Yet her expression looked a bit more understanding.
"Silent? What do you mean, silent?"
"I'm afraid my time here is short. The Creators are calling out to us and we'd better not tarry. Besides, you will find out the specifics soon enough." she said that with a smirk that promised something ominous.
"Impudent pest, drop the riddles and respond to Lord Megatron!" cursed Starscream, and lifted his arm to blast Kālī. She allowed the missile to strike; it dissipated into a harmless cloud of glowing gas. She then turned and with a red orb, blasted his arm off! The Seeker fell to his knees, holding his side, screaming in pain.
"You'd better watch yourself, skinny," she shot back.
"Well, I must say, this has been fun," Kālī continued, and with a wave, opened a larger vortex.
"We'll be back - although, our return may not be to your liking."
Soundwave's faceplate began forming a vortex, as he attempted to open a transport below the group to some holding cells in New Kaon, but Kālī turned to the Intelligence Officer and with her enhanced P-O-M, disassembled him before the shocked optics of the Decepticons. He fell in dozens of pieces to the ground!
Megatron collapsed in his throne, speechless, servo to his head, seeing his lifelong lieutenants spread prostrate on the floor before him. Skysword watched this all unfold, not knowing what to do.
"Let's go," she told the group, and they lined up behind her.
"Kālī, no!" pleaded Sari.
"I'm taking them home, L-209P. Care to join us?"
"Sari, I will be with you!" Said Jarlie.
"As will I," said Gyatso.
Sari got behind Kālī and entered the vortex. But before leaving, she implanted a message in the processors of both Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Dead. That was how it felt. Sari found herself - alone - on some other planet, surrounded by ruins of what had once been an advanced civilization. Looking up, the dark sky was clothed in clouds of some toxic atmosphere. This world was dead, her P-O-M and scanners detected no life form, not even the hardiest of microbes.
But was this planet the homeworld of the Creators, or had it been someone else's?
All life, gone. Her team, nowhere around.
"Jack, Aang, are you there?" she tried to communicate with them with her processor but to no avail. Nothing left to do but carry on.
Walking past the ruins, Sari spied a cave on the side of a mountain. It was dark and she felt something calling out, something ancient, powerful, ominous and...familiar?
"Who is there?" No answer, only a sensation she should enter. A trap? Undoubtedly, but one she had to enter, if she wanted to rescue the others.
Reluctantly and on full alert, she went in.
"Optimus, the Decepticons seem to be...retreating." Ultra Magnus sounded confused and suspicious. "Apparently, Megatron is recalling his troops."
"Acknowledged, Commander and that is not all. Megatron is requesting a summit with me on what used to be Vernon Township - a point equidistant between our opposing armies."
"Sir, you know this has to be a badly thought-out ruse."
"Not this time, Ultra Magnus. Soon after our Technorganics disappeared, Sari sent a message to me in my processor. She said Megatron and I should meet in private for the sake of Autobots, Humans, Regulans and Decepticons alike." Optimus' decision was already solidly made.
"Ultra Magnus, keep our forces on maximum alert but do not advance or engage the Decepticons unless they show aggression first."
He then got on his comm to Area 51. "Bulkhead, a ground bridge to these coordinates."
"Optimus, before you go," said Ultra Magnus, "let us patch you in to headquarters. We want to know everything that transpires between you and Megatron."
"Very well," he replied, and the arrangements were made.
A ground bridge opened to the agreed-upon location in Vernon Township, and Optimus Prime stepped out.
Vernon Township had been evacuated weeks before, and thus it was a perfect place for the Prime to meet the warmonger Lord of the Decepticons. If this turned out to be a ruse and he had to fight for his life, Optimus wouldn't need to worry about endangering humans.
Megatron soon made his entrance, flying by and transforming rather than using a bridge. The two sworn enemies glared at each other. Optimus knew Megatron well enough to read his disposition with one look. He looked reluctant and angry, but also uncharacteristically confused and perplexed, as if he had witnessed something astonishingly terrible. Optimus was willing to bet that was what had happened.
"Megatron."
"Optimus, I trust you have received your little Cyber-Ninja's message."
"Indeed. Sari told me she would dive into the Creators' domain to rescue her brethren. She informed me that you and I should meet immediately, for she feared the fate of all factions upon this world was at stake."
"It was that pit-spawn Kālī!" Megatron yelled, thrusting his arm, pointing back towards New Kaon. "She took those Technorganics to her Creators, but not before murdering my Communications Lieutenant!" his anger triggered the dark energon in his Spark, turning his optics purple for a second. "I will have blood or energon spilt in compensation! And if it's not Kālī's, it will be that of her masters!"
"I'm afraid that can never happen, Megatron of the Cybertronians," said a voice to their right.
"What?! Who dares…?" The Dark Lord looked, but was soon silenced in awe.
"By the AllSpark…" said Optimus.
Sari felt her way down the dark cave for what seemed like hours. Even with her enhanced optics, she found it difficult. She tried lighting up a blue orb but the darkness seemed to devour the light within a meter radius. It only increased her sense of foreboding.
Eventually she found herself at a dead-end, standing before a smooth wall composed of some unknown hard substance. Her scanner revealed that the wall was composed of organic and inorganic components.
"Should I turn back?" she wondered. Logically, she should but a feeling in the back of her processor told her she must see what lay beyond the wall. A strange sense of familiarity and...nostalgia, perhaps?
She pressed a servo to the wall and it immediately slid open. Walking through, Sari entered a darkened chamber with silhouettes of unknown forms.
"Welcome back, L-209P." Kālī greeted her. "To your crib. Oh, excuse me. Cribs are meant for living beings, not tools. The correct term is perhaps 'construction line' or 'factory'."
"What is this place, Kālī? I grow tired of your enigmas, I want answers!" Sari was losing her cool.
"Fine then." Kālī snapped her digits and most of the chamber became illuminated. Now Sari recognized it as a facility, some kind of laboratory with several massive round pods, each one a mesh of rusting metal and organic matter, decomposed. The place looked shutdown and abandoned for ages.
Interestingly, there was a large crate in the middle and a good portion of the facility was damaged, like a struggle had taken place here.
"Is this…" the cogs started turning in Sari's head.
"Yes, where the Creators made you and all the other real Technorganics. The sparklings were manufactured here as their greatest scientific achievement. That was barely a few million years ago, just after the War for Cybertron."
"You claim the Creators made us for a higher purpose, a quest of theirs to see the entire Universe silent." Sari mentally prayed this quest wasn't what she dreaded. "And for that matter, how and why did we wind up on Earth? On different Earths for that matter?"
Kālī looked displeased for a moment. "That last wasn't part of the Creators' agenda. You can thank the Thieves for that." she spat the name like a curse.
Standing before the two warring opponents was a being they'd never seen before. He was tall - nearly as tall as Optimus or Megatron - almost humanoid in appearance but thin, very thin, as if his body was elongated. His skin was iridescent, and shimmered blue, white and black. The two found it difficult to focus clearly on his "face" as it was nearly featureless.
"Who are you, sir?" Optimus asked the stranger. Being linked to everyone back at Area 51, everyone watched this unfolding, awestruck. June, revived by Minerva, was anxious to learn what, if anything, might have happened to The Skystrikers, and her son.
A barely perceptible smile formed across the stranger's face. "The answer to that would depend on whom you ask, Optimus Prime of the Cybertronians. To the Creators, we are known as the Thieves."
"Thieves?" spat Megatron. "And just what did you steal?"
"The agents of your annihilation, Megatron of the Cybertronians."
"Agents of our annihilation?" Frowned Optimus. "You mean the Technorganics?"
"Yes," he replied. "We took them away from the Creators before they were to be unleashed on the universe."
"Unleashed?" Megatron chuckled. "Those diminutive creatures? Hardly a threat, I would think."
"And yet look at what Kālī did to your Communications Officer," replied the stranger. "Those 'diminutive creatures', as you call them, have tremendous power - more than even you can imagine. That is why we stole them from the Creators, and planted them among certain organic hosts, on an isolated world far beyond the reach and notice of the Creators."
"Like Isaac Sumdac," said Optimus, "and the Darbys."
"Honorable humans," he nodded. "To teach and nurture them. Work against the programming infused by the Creators. We monitored them over time, and felt our effort was a success."
"Until Kālī was rescued from that timeless half-dimension by the Creators."
"Unfortunately, with that latest turn of events we fear the Creators may already have won."
Kālī turned to Sari. "L-209P, I believe your fleshy friends have a legend, don't they? אֲבַדּוֹן in Hebrew or Ἀπολλύων in Greek or in English the Angel of Destruction? Well, behold! Here they are!
The purple Technorganic illuminated another section of the room. She then turned Sari, and standing facing them, silent, unmoving, were her companions. Her Spark sank looking at their blank expressions.
Kālī enjoyed the moment. "Of course, your Cybertronian friends have their silly myths about Unicron, eh?" she laughed.
Sari then remembered her vision, with each one of her Technorganic companions, from Jack, her first, to all of the ones she's found, killing and destroying life. She shook her head in disbelief. "Is this why we were created?" she thought. "Is this our destiny? To be nothing more than killing machines? Tools of destruction?"
"No, Sari!" a voice came from within. It was Master Gyatso. "The you that is Sari Sumdac is more than L-209P! Remember the words of Master Buddha 'All that we are is the result of all that we have thought'."
"Master Buddha," responded Sari.
"Remember your heritage, my friend," came another voice. It was Jarlie. "When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were his own, he has attained the highest state of spiritual union."
"Bhagavad Gita," she smiled.
"What are you smiling about, L-209P?" snarled her opponent.
"We - all of us - are more than just tools, Kālī," Sari looked at her confidently, forcefully, optics glowing bright white. "We are protectors of life, not destroyers!"
"Fool! You think you can overcome your programming? You'll soon learn to respect your masters!" Kālī unsheathed her energy scythes. "But if you cannot be converted, then you shall be destroyed!"
Sari unsheathed her white energy sword and pointed it straight at Kālī. "As you wish. Let the battle begin."
With this battle hangs the fate of the universe. Kālī has the powers given to her by the Creators; Sari has the powers given to her by Solus Prime and The Thirteen. Who will win? We shall see!
Another chapter from yours truly and TheSealer. Thanks for reading. Please review.
