Chapter 6: The Gathering
The Tooth, Gathering Hall
The hall was crowded as Scourge entered. Motley masses of scraggly beasts lay about the stands. All fell silent as their leader entered.
"Scourge. Your people would have words with you," said a triceratops in the center of the room.
"What is this Knockdown?"
"We have put our faith in you for stellar cycles. But the Predarchy still stands. We are hungry – starving – and we fear for our future."
Scourge snorted. He looked wounded. "You speak of fear? Ever since I pledged myself to this tribe Magmatron has not dared step foot in this swamp. His blockades hurt, I admit. But you will never again be slaves while I sit in the tooth."
"Yes, well…" A gecko named Bulge crawled down from the wall. "That's one of the reasons we called this meeting. It has been suggested… that we find a new champion"
Scourge stomped towards Bulge, towering over the small lizard. The Abomnicons rushed over to try to defuse the situation.
"Scourge, stay calm, let him finish!" Hun-Gurr said nervously. Scourge only regarded him coldly.
"Tell me… who is this replacement you speak of? It wouldn't be one of my trusted lieutenants, by any chance. Or perhaps a tiny gecko who forgets his place?"
"Um, no sir! I would never-"
"Who is this new champion, who will lead the Abomi to glory in my stead? WHO?"
"My audio receptors are burning."
Everyone on the gathering hall floor turned to find the source of the voice. A fuzor sauntered down the stairs to where Scourge and Bulge stood. He wore a grin, wide and malicious.
"You can't be serious," Scourge turned to Knockdown. "You'd follow Shudderfly?"
"He has some good ideas," Rippersnapper offered. "Plus he says he has a secret weapon."
"Really now?" Scourge glowered at Rippersnapper. "What secret weapon?"
The fuzor waved his arms in the air. "Bombs, my scaly friend. Specifically, bombs we're going to sneak into the Savage City. Incite a little panic, cause a bit of mayhem. They'll be too busy hunting the perpetrators to reinforce their boarders."
"And when they find out that the Abomi are the ones doing the bombing? They'll send the full force of the Predacon army down on your homes and slaughter you wholesale!"
"I never said it was a clean plan. We'll need to be sneaky. But I know a thing or two about being sneaky."
"This is insanity..."
"And it's time this town embraced it! That's why we're putting it up it to a vote. Next full moon. No trials by combat, muscles. Just a simple heads or tails vote. If I win, you're out, and we stop fighting like soldiers and start fighting like the Abomi we are!"
Some in the crowd applauded. Others looked at Scourge nervously.
"I don't know what to say," the dragon bot rumbled.
"Say whatever you want. But you can't do anything until the full moon," Shudderfly grinned.
Hun-Gurr put himself between the two bots. "He extended a challenge and defined the terms. The Law of the Jungle requires you meet them."
"Damn the Law. You have your vote. But you had best watch yourself when you lose."
"You really think I'm going to lose after everything we've been through? Have a nice month Scourge."
Shudderfly transformed and flew out through the ceiling.