Chapter 9: Ignition

~Cycle DD+190.03.089~

The Savage Palace, Courtyard

Dusk was already creeping up the sides of the Rust Mountains as the Dilong landed outside the palace. Dezaras exited, followed by Crossblades, Airstream, the Munitions Quartermaster Doublecross, the Chief Hangar Mechanic Chop Shop, 100 Vehicons, and 50 Reflectors.

All around the courtyard sat denizens of the Savage City, watching the curious sight unfold. In a private box sat the Predaknights. "This is madness," Grimstone sulked. Fera smirked at her cohort. "Oh, lighten up dear. This is going to be delicious."

"I feel like a circus animal sir," Crossblades muttered.

"Silence Crossblades," Dezaras said sharply. Crossblades was startled. He never saw his commander so intense.

Atop the balcony where the piece of the Triptych Mask hung stood Magmatron and Noctorro. Noctorro came forward. "All rise for the Law."

As one the Predacons got to their feet. For centuries, every corner of the planet had learned this creed.

"Our planet was founded on one guiding principle. Air all your grievances with words before you do so with arms. Answer any challenges or be called a coward. This is the Eukarian Way. This is the honorable way. This is the Law of the Jungle. Those that keep it will prosper. Those that break it will die."

Now Magmatron strode forward and removed the piece of the Mask from its place of honor.

"Welcome everyone, to a very special Rite of Beasthood. Tonight we welcome a delegation from the Decepticon War World Fenlong, who have agreed to offer up their very sparks to the heart of this jungle, to give themselves up to the Beast within."

"That doesn't sound like what they agreed to," Slugslinger whispered from where he and Black Shadow spectated.

"I never thought the reformatting process would be safe. Dezaras knows what he's doing."

"Behold once again the impetus for all you see around you: once this mask sat upon the face of Onyx Prime. Tonight we use its awesome power to transform the robotic into the bestial!"

And as he held the scowling face over his head, the setting sun passed through its hollow eyes, bathing the courtyard in a green light. Dezaras looked around like a bot possessed. It was finally happening.

It started in him and Crossblades. A sizzling, and then a smoking. Dezaras looked at his hands and saw them beginning to ignite. Sharp pain wracked his body, and he fell to his knees. All around him vehicons and reflectors convulsed in the green inferno. "W-w-what… is… this? Magmatron!"

"Sire?"

"Give it a moment Noctorro. I want to see where this goes."

"Commander!" Slugslinger screamed, sprinting for his leader. He had to save him from these crazed monsters.

"Get back soldier!" Black Shadow bellowed, giving chase.

"Something is wrong," murmured Razorclaw. He looked up at the sky. Clouds boiled across the mountains in the east, stained red in the failing sun and rushing for the palace.

"An ill omen. We should never have allowed this ceremony to take place!" Grimstone cried.

Fera was cackling in ecstasy. "You can feel it too! The power bubbling to the surface!"

Dezaras could hear voices. And strangely, none of them were his own scream.

Open your eyes.

He felt like he was floating, burning and floating. A sea of starter fluid. His body was gone, cinders and dry leaves before the hurricane. Only his spark remained, and the voices.

Death

One thing was certain. He was not dying here. Not after everything he had been through to get here. Thunder crashed in his ears. Was it in his mind, or in the world outside? He felt a slithering in the back of his cranium.

Open your eyes!

Yes. His eyes. His mind's eyes. This was the truth inside of Eukaryis. The Beast! He had found it at least.

Deathsaurus.

Four eyes opened inside the growing fire. A long neck raised a jagged maw skyward, and shrieked for the storm above.

What happened next was spoken of for many generations on Eukaryis. A bolt of lightning, straight and true, answered Dezaras' flame-wreathed form, striking the fire in the courtyard into a massive shockwave. At the same time, Black Shadow caught Slugslinger, but seconds too late, the right half of the soldier's body taking the blast. Rows of vehicons were emolated in the green fire, and smoke covered the courtyard. Predacons ran for cover all across the palace, save for the knights and Magmatron. Rain began to pour down on Predation Valley. And then the new Decepticon army was unveiled.

Where once there were ranks of Vehicons a wake of vultures lighted into the air. The reflectors stood at the ready with new dragonfly wings stretching from their backs. Airstream slunk away to contemplate her new arachnid form away from prying eyes. Chop Shop bore wicked mandibles on his shoulders. Doublecross stood looking at his arms, now serpents gazing back at him.

But all assembled were looking at Dezaras and Crossblades.

Noctorro gaped. "Sire, can it be?"

"By Onyx above!" Gasped Grimstone

"Who would have thought," Fera snickered.

Magmatron said nothing for a while. Then Dezaras transformed to look him in the eye.

"After all these years," the emperor shook his head. "Dragons."

Before them were not one, but two great blue drakes, Crossblades a long, serpentine creature and Dezaras having converted from a mighty wyvern, lightning coursing from its maw.

"Magmatron, emperor of the Predarchy. My name is Deathsaurus. I came to you seeking power. And power do I still seek. Teach me the ways of this body, and I will drive forth your enemies from this land!"

Magmatron smiled. "Welcome, Deathsaurus, to the jungle."

End

From afar, two pairs of blue eyes hidden in the bushes watched the spectacle unfold.

"This is bad news general. What should we do?"

"We report to my lady. Back to the village at once!"