Chapter 19

A Living Nightmare

As Songbird and Predaking descended deeper and deeper into this abandoned mine the rotten stench became even more oppressive…

Not to mention that there was something else wrong with this place, namely that it was completely and utterly pitch black. There were no lights, no anything to indicate where one passageway ended and another one started. It was eerie and the smell only made things worse… Nonetheless, the tunnels were large enough that the two Predacon's could walk side-by-side in their beast forms and it didn't seem to be getting any narrower which was strange and unnerving to Songbird. As everything was not only to quiet but it struck her that they should have encountered something by now... be it Shockwave himself or the supposed monster that he had inside of this place. But as though her thoughts had been read by some malevolent entity Song stopped dead in her tracks and put her arm out to stop Predaking from advancing any further. As she was certain that she had just heard something moving directly in front of them… without thinking she growled lowly, before bolting forward crashing into something and pinning it beneath her razor sharp talons. Immediately there was an oddly familiar yelp of surprise and pain and a bright light suddenly shown into Songbirds optics and after a moment she was able to get a good look at just what, or more appropriately who, it was that she had pinned down.

"Steve?!" Songbird said disbelievingly as she looked down at the much smaller Vehicon who was now shining the headlights normally concealed on his chassis straight into her face. "Wha-What are you doing down here?!"

"Songbird?! Um... I fell through the ground when I was walking around in the town that's right above this cave system… only now I can't find my way out of here!" He explained as Songbird lifted her claws off of him, allowing the mech to stand. But it was then that his words actually registered within her processor.

"You were walking around in plain sight in a human community?!"

"Sorta… but it doesn't really matter Song 'cause-" He paused for a second and audibly gulped. "…'cause all the humans in the town were dead… every single one." This both shocked and chilled Songbird down to her very core and her optics must have shown it, for Steve continued on with his explanation. "The group I was with split up on the outskirts of the town and I was the one who actually went into it. But when I started driving down the main street I saw that there were dead humans in the road… and everywhere else too. I could see them dead in their buildings, on the sidewalks, I mean… every one of them looked like they died in terrible pain! There were globs of black oozing out of the bodies, it was so fragging creepy! I… that's when I transformed and started walking around the town…"

'Did you see anything out of the ordinary? Anything that could have caused what you are describing?' Predaking inquired, although due to the fact that he was still in his beast mode Steve could not understand anything he had just said, but Songbird quickly translated this question to the obviously unnerved little Vehicon.

"Not really…" he mumbled, but stopped just as a thought suddenly occurred to him. "Wait, now that you mention it there was something strange. Some parts the ground were disturbed; like something had burst out of it and left holes roughly the size of hubcaps. The area around these holes stank worse than it does where we are now… The whole town stank actually, I was looking at one of these holes when the ground caved in beneath my pedes and I fell into this maze. Oh Primus, I thought my vents were going to explode when that happened! I ended up running down random tunnels trying to get away from that horrible smell and that's how I came across you two."

Songbird was silent as she was momentarily lost in her thoughts. But then her head perked up as a realization dawned on her. "It must be some kind of gas!" But seeing as how both Predaking and Steve were looking at her with uncomprehending optics she elaborated further. "The rotten stink in this place, it must be some sort of gas that is fatal for organic creatures to inhale! I am breathing it in right now and I can feel it burning my vents, enough of it will probably rot the lungs right out of a human's chest!"

'That makes sense.' Predaking growled as he couldn't help but wonder just what kind of monstrosity they were going to be dealing with. Just what was Shockwave up to? 'But I suggest we keep moving and find the source of this… plague.'

"I agree." Song said with a quick nod. "Steve, follow this passage and it will lead you back outside to a safe area. Just tell Skylynx and Darksteel you're with us so that they don't bite you." But the Vehicon tensed up before he shook his head.

"I can't leave yet." I… in the depths of my spark I know that this is where Shockwave is holding Starscream, and I have to find him! I have too!" He explained while making some somewhat frantic motions with his servos. Predaking snorted loudly at his words, he didn't give a frag about what had happened to Starscream since the seeker had always treated him and Songbird so appallingly. But that aside it was clear that Steve wasn't going to be leaving so Song sighed in annoyance but begrudgingly accepted his reasoning, as she of all individuals understanding that this matter was personal to him.

"All right you can come with us. But if I tell you to leave again you will not question me, all right?" Steve nodded and decided it best not to say anything else on the topic. "Now would you mind keeping those lights on and walking ahead of us?"

So doing as he was told without question the small Vehicon proceeded to walk directly in front of pair of massive Predacon's, lighting the way for them. There must have been fifty or more passageways that that branched off of the main tunnel. Several even looked to be more promising, but Songbird was insistent on following that rancid scent… Her instincts telling her that the stronger the stench became the closer they were to their target. Sure enough, after some time a dull light began to shine from just beyond another bend in their path and when they had rounded it they all stared into a massive cavern lined with multiple computers, chains of various lengths hung from the ceiling and walls and there were also dozens of empty cloning tanks.

It would appear that they had just found Shockwaves lab…

That in and of itself was unnerving, but what was immediately far more disturbing was that scattered throughout this area were remnants of other Predacons… pieces of them… maybe there was a single bloody claw still shackled to the ground, or perhaps portions of a head and neck hanging from one of the chains on the wall, but there was one particularly disturbing carcass that lay in the center of this room. This Predacon had clearly been a very large dragon with a similar build to Predaking. It still had its head and the right shoulder and wing, but trailing behind it was nothing but a mess of its own carnage. It was like the chains that had been binding this creature had done their job too well and when something had grabbed onto it and in its attempts to drag it away the poor beast had been slowly and painfully pulled apart. But by what exactly Predaking didn't want to even begin to imagine…

A weak, pain filled moan shifted the attention of the newcomers towards a certain section of the cavern wall… where a limp and bleeding figure hung from chains. Steve's tanks suddenly did a horrified flip as he realized just what, or more appropriately who, this unfortunate individual was.

"Commander Starscream?!" Yes, after all this time there was Starscream. Steve's instincts had indeed been correct about his suspicion that Starscream was down here, and he wasted no time in rushing over to his side. But he stopped when he was directly in front of the Air Commander, his optics slowly widening in horror behind his visor as he inspected the atrocious state of the Seeker's frame.

To say that Starscream had been mutilated might have very well been an understatement; the Decepticon Second in Command had clearly been tortured brutally. His arms and servos were shackled above his head but judging by their awkward positioning it was clear that his arms had been broken at the elbow joints, popped out in the direction that they weren't supposed to go. While the same thing had been done to his knees. His chassis was adorned with surgically precise incisions that offered a grim view to his internals in some sections, whilst in other parts it looked as though part of his armor was burned so badly that it had essentially melted into his other wounds. His wings were ruined, reduced to jagged stubs that were barely managing to stay connected to his body. Only holding on by thin, strained wires that looked like they could break off at any second. But the worst part was when Steve cautiously touched the side of his face which had been looking downwards, only to have his head snap up revealing that his optics had been savagely torn from his face and he opened his mouth and whimpered showing that his tongue had been ripped out as well! He weakly tried to struggle away from whoever was touching him but no sooner had he attempted this did he have to stop as he desperately tried to vent, but it became sickeningly obvious that he could not when his weak and barely functioning cooling fans tried to click on… Offering a sickening glimpse of the torture he had endured and just how damaged his body really was. Songbird felt the horrible urge to purge her tank just at the sight of this and what she had foreseen in the tarot cards suddenly made more sense…

For indeed the Seeker was trapped in darkness and in silence…

Steve stared horrified for only a few more seconds before he snapped back to reality and immediately began trying to break the chains holding Starscream, although with quite a bit of difficulty due to the fact that he was shaking so badly. Getting over his own shock at the situation, Predaking quickly transformed and began trying to help Steve break the chains… for although he despised Starscream with every circuit and wire in his frame, even he thought that the Seeker didn't deserve this… unfortunately the chains holding Starscream were specifically designed to hold Predacons, so even with both Steve and Predaking tearing at them the chains refused to break. It was only when Songbird also transformed and all three tore at the chains together did they finally crack and break apart, causing Starscream to fall to the ground in a crumpled and whimpering heap.

"Commander Starscream! I am Vehicon ST3V3, I'm here to help you! To get you out of here!" Steve explained as he attempted to pick up Starscream, only after he first touched the battered body he quickly pulled his servos back with a yelp of pain as his frame was scalding hot to the touch.

"His vents are severely damaged, I'm just going to guess that he has been exposed to that gas on a massive scale. Probably melted his cooling fans at the same time." Song grimly observed as she listened to the tortured being desperately try to pull in any air into his undoubtedly ruined vents. While Cybertronians had no need to 'breathe' per say, venting helped prevent their internals from overheating and damaging their other systems. Should the vents and cooling fans become damaged the temperature of the individuals systems would become so hot that they would inevitably overheat and begin to fail one by one. It was a painful and agonizing way to off-line… Songbird flexed her claws as she prepared to use her healing ability on Starscream; but just before she could do so, there was the subtle sound of someone approaching which caused her head to snap in that direction.

Only to see Shockwave enter the main cavern from a dark tunnel directly opposite them…

"So you have finally arrived. Somewhat earlier than I had expected, but still it was only logical that you would come looking for me. To seek revenge no doubt." His tone alone conveyed absolutely no surprise at Song or Predaking's sudden presence in his lab. This earned him a rage filled growl from the dragonformer as well as Songbird, who stood up and quickly transformed into her beast mode and flared out her wings while snarling hatefully at him. Not only was this a show of aggression but it also was intended to conceal Steve and Starscream from the Cyclops's view. Predaking felt the flames of his rage beginning to build within his chest. Oh how he wanted to tear Shockwave limb from limb and Primus below he was going to do just that! He started forward preparing to lunge at his creator, but there was a sudden gust of that horrid, vent burning gas. It blew right into Predaking's face actually causing his optics to burn like crazy and it stopped him in his tracks while he furiously rubbed at them, trying to quell the painful burning sensation. But just as he opened his optics the mighty dragonformer could only stare in shock into a pair of truly massive blazing gold optics gazed at him from the blackness of the same tunnel that Shockwave had just come from. Each of these optics was roughly the same size as Predaking's head! Not truly aware of what his own body was doing, Predaking began to instinctively back up as these hellish orbs began to draw nearer and within moments whatever this… creature… was came into view.

It was beyond monstrous, the closest thing that this creature could be compared to was some kind of serpent. It seemed to slither out from the darkness and into the main room and rear up, but it was not even able to get to its maximum height since it was far taller than the cavern it was currently in but it was already sickeningly apparent that it was easily triple the length of Predaking's dragon mode. And its entire body wasn't even fully in the room! Although after a certain point it was revealed that there was some sort of ring around part of its lower torso and when this section of its body was brought to the tunnels opening some sort of machinery around the archway activated and electricity shot out from the walls and into that ring, halting it from coming any further into the room. Inwardly Songbird couldn't help but wonder how much bigger it really was and she was starting to get a sickening feeling that it was still considerably larger than what they were seeing… The beasts head was decorated with three large horns, a smaller one right in between its optics and the other two curled around on either side of its head like a ram's, while its snout was blunted and it had underbite exposing the bottom jaws lined with dozens of teeth like sharpened swords. Disturbingly there appeared to be two large, noticeable openings on either side of its long neck that were continuously pumping out billowing plumes of a thick tarry smoke-like substance… which suddenly answered the lingering question of what kind of gas had been used to torture Starscream, as well as wipe out the human town above these mine shafts. And finally from what little could be seen its color scheme, it was almost entirely black with the only exceptions being some scattered splashes of red and the faintest glow of golden bio lights. But there was one singular spot directly beneath the creature's jaw that appeared to be some sort of glowing purple cyst. But if that was what it truly was no one was certain… This thing hissed as it scanned over the still shocked forms of Predaking and Songbird, it opened its massive maw and droplets of yellow slime began to drip out. Ravenous hunger shining clearly in its optics; Shockwave didn't even bother to look over at it as he placed his servo on this creature and seemed to pet it in an almost affectionate manner.

"It is an impressive beast isn't it?" He commented, with the slightest hints of pride and arrogance resounding in his normally emotionless voice. "It took me quite some time to produce a viable specimen as the other subjects tended to outgrow the cloning tanks before they were capable of surviving. But it was only a temporary setback. While another setback came in the form of the smog this beast produces, fortunately I was able to conduct experiments on Starscream and distill a serum which prevents me from succumbing to its corrosive properties." From his position behind Songbirds wings Steve growled hatefully at the mono-optic mech. But if Shockwave had heard this he certainly didn't show it and he simply continued on with what he was saying. "That aside it would appear that now I have truly created the ultimate killing machine. A Predacon hunter that was responsible for driving your race to extinction in the Great Cataclysm; and now it will do it again. Starting with you two. Afterwards it shall move on to the Autobot's and then finally Megatron himself will fall. It is only logical that afterwards I must take control of the Decepticon forces and depart from this world. And since there will be no more use for it, I will leave this creature here and it will undoubtedly proceed to destroy all life on this planet."

"You're completely insane!" Songbird snapped, although she did not take her optics off of the hulking monstrosity that was continuing to hungrily watch her and Predaking. It growled in what could be speculated to be impatience, as it apparently had been trained to wait for Shockwave's signal before beginning to feed.

"Whatever arguments you have deeming me insane are illogical. Megatron is not fit to lead the Decepticons so it is only logical that he must be eliminated. Since you Predacon's have become far too much of a threat you must also be eliminated along with the Autobot's. None of this has any bearing on my sanity since my actions are entirely driven by logic. Nonetheless, it is time…" Finally turning his attention away from Song and Predaking for half a second, he deactivated the electric ring that was keeping the rest of his monstrosity's torso in the tunnel.

"Predaking…" Song whispered in a voice that was only just barely audible, she slowly lowered one of her wings and nudged Steve with her tail indicating for him to get on her back, which he hastily did all while still managing to keep a tight grip on his grievously injured Commander. The dragonformer only managed to give her half a glance before they obviously realized they were thinking the exact same thing. Especially when Shockwave addressed his beast with a single command: 'Kill.'

"…Run…"

Normally under any other circumstance Predaking would have stayed and fought, but his processor distinctly remembered what Songbird had said earlier about fighting underground and he fully agreed with it! So it only took a split second for him to turn around and change into his beast mode and faster than he had ever done so before in his life he bolt down the tunnel he and Song had originally come from. Songbird was only seconds behind him… and they were almost a few seconds to many; no sooner had Shockwaves beast heard its master's command had it launched itself at them! Narrowly missing its target and crashing into the wall didn't even slow it down, it just turned around and began barreling down the tunnel. But as it did so, it seemed that the earth began to shake with thunderous force! As this creature continued chasing after Songbird and Predaking, its terrific bulk was smashing through the tunnel walls and causing everything to start collapsing down on them! All while it continued to snarl and roar as it snapped at the Predacons tails! Finally the mines opening appeared only a little ways ahead and Predaking's optics widened when he realized that of all things, the Autobots were only just entering the tunnels and they had actually stopped in confusion when they took notice of the tremors and the echoing hellish screeches! Of course as soon as they realized exactly what was approaching them at a rapid pace, Optimus immediately ordered everyone to fallback just as Song and Predaking simultaneously burst out of the entranceway at the same moment that the structure of the mine finally failed in the entire thing collapsed in on itself and on top of Shockwave's monster.

For a moment everything was still and silent; Darksteel and Skylynx had done exactly what they said they would and remained outside of the entranceway… and chances were that they had even snapped at the Autobots somewhat when they had first arrived, but clearly their real priorities were still strictly self-preservation. In fact if what had transpired had taken even a few minutes longer they would have been long gone since they said they would wait till nightfall and the veil of darkness was only now just beginning to fall over the sky. True they had retreated quite a ways away from the mine when they first felt the ground shaking and heard the roars coming from within, but now they had cautiously returned and were examining not only the destroyed tunnel system but Songbird and Predaking as well since they had gone into that Pit and actually managed to come out alive!

It was a shame their fascination was short-lived…

Because within moments there seemed to be a terrific explosion and that hellish monstrosity erupted completely unscathed from the ground…

Songbird had been right, there was considerably more to it than what they had originally seen in the cave. As it turned out this beast truly wasn't a serpent at all, although its massive neck was indeed snake like and appeared to be disproportionate to the rest of its body. The beast's torso was massive and undoubtedly powerful but oddly it only had two front legs and its long whiplike tail branched off into two lethal blades a little ways before its tip. And just like that it seemed as though all hell broke loose! Seeming to realize that now there were even more targets to kill and devour, the creature snarled before it began advancing towards the group and snapping at them. Immediately the Autobots opened fire at the raging monstrosity but the blasts from their weapons did literally nothing. Not to mention that in spite of its great size it was surprisingly fast, it even came extremely close to snatching up Arcee several times, forcing the small femme to transform into her vehicle mode and drive as fast as they possibly could just to avoid being either eaten or crushed. But there was one thing that this creature obviously could not do, fly, and that was something that Optimus, Songbird and Predaking hoped to use to their advantage.

Although Predaking had never imagined himself fighting alongside the Autobot leader even he had to acknowledge that the Prime was indeed a skilled warrior, managing to inflict a few punches and kicks into the side of the beasts head. Not truly succeeding in doing much damage but it was obviously more effective than the rest of their attempts. But certainly not putting all of his faith in Optimus Prime, the dragonformer wasted no time in loosing his own hellish breath at his adversary. The fire struck it right in its neck… but it did nothing, in fact it did not even leave a burn! Or any sign that its frame was even slightly warmed by the attack! This made the Predacon King pause as a sickening realization dawned on him; if this thing supposedly hunted Predacon's back in the time of the Great Cataclysm of course their fire would have little to no effect. However his momentary surprise proved to be a dangerous mistake as the creature turned its head to face him and opened its colossal mouth almost a full 180 degrees, but fortunately he managed to reclaim his senses and get out of the way just as it unleashed column of fire so big and so hot that had he been unfortunate enough to be in its path he would have been incinerated in an instant! While it missed him, the beasts' flames proceeded to virtually destroy all of the surrounding area leaving only a scorched wasteland in its wake.

Songbird watched all of this from directly above this beast, Steve was still clinging tightly to her back as well as Starscream. Although he was currently saying something but whatever it was exactly Song didn't really care, she beat her wings once and then dove straight down onto the back of the monsters head! Immediately the creature snarled and tried to shake her off as it was unable to reach her, Song immediately began to summon a powerful blast of her lightning and she loosed it right into the back of the beasts head! It howled in pain before finally managing to fling her off, she flew over to Predaking's side and watched as the creature seemed to be temporarily dazed by her blast. Clearly her electric breath showed that it was somewhat effective, but just barely, because the damn thing was quickly recovering from its stupor. But Optimus managed to take advantage of this opportunity and blast it straight in the optic which virtually exploded showering him with energon and some traces of golden optic fluid. It's screamed in terrible agonizing pain and began to thrash about.

Its howls of agony even managed to drown out the sound of a groundbridge opening to the area…

"This isn't getting us anywhere!" Songbird snapped, as the beasts screams of rage began to die down and it started trying to destroy its airborne targets with flame blasts. One of these flames narrowly missed incinerating Optimus but it did succeed in destroying one of the wings on his jet pack causing him to fall from the sky and crash onto the ground! The Prime groaned in pain and rolled onto his back just in time to see the abomination bearing down on him, mouth wide open-

A powerful energy blast came out of nowhere and struck this monster in its other optic, blinding it! Optimus was shocked but that shop paled in comparison to seeing the familiar form of a large silver aerial diving from the sky towards the flailing monstrosity. And what came next seemed to happen in slow motion…

Megatron transformed and cleaved the monsters head off with the Dark Star Saber…

And just like that it was over… the headless body flailed for a few moments before going stiff and falling onto its side. The silver warlord only smirked as he looked between the felled beast and the now grounded form of Optimus Prime. "How convenient." He commented with a cold chuckle. "All of my enemies in one place. I guess once I finish with you, I will find Shockwave and tear him to pieces for his treachery!" He said as he hefted his blade, intending to stab Optimus straight through his spark, of course that plan was derailed as both Songbird and Predaking unleashing blast of lightning and fire at him. Angrily Megatron used the Dark Star Saber to create a blast of dark energy which cut through the Predacon's attacks and knocked them both out of the sky.

"Yep, really regretting calling for backup…" Steve grumbled and happily from his position still holding onto Songbirds back. "To be fair, I thought that the other Vehicon's would show up not him."

"Definitely not time for that right now Steve." Song hissed, at least knowing now why Lord Buckethead had chosen now of all times to show up. Still she began readying herself for a fight, rearing up and knocking Steve and Starscream off of her back. But before any further blows could come to pass something unexpected and extremely disturbing began to happen…

The headless corpse began to move…

It even shocked Megatron due to the fact that he had intimate knowledge from his times in the Pits of Kaon that when something's head is removed it doesn't get back up! But the torso began making disgusting gurgling sounds and fresh energon and various types of slime and lubricants began to pour from the wound, all were so hot that wherever droplets touched gaseous vapors would begin to rise.

…and that was when three snarling heads sprouted from the stump, every bit as disturbing and as nasty as the first…

"…hydra…" Songbird whispered as it suddenly dawned on her exactly what this creature truly was.

This monster was a fucking HYDRA!

Alright! That's it for now folks, sorry about the cliffhanger everyone but I had to end it here since I am going out of town for a bit and wouldn't be able to update until I get back. Although I promise to try and quarter have the next chapter up as soon as possible so with a little luck there will not be too much of a wait. ^^; However I do wish to apologize if there were a few things wrong with this chapter as this was really my first ever attempt at wrinting a full out massive fight scene, I hope it did not suck to badly… Alrighty then, as always please remember to Read and Review! ^_^