I KNOW IT'S BEEN A WHILE, BUT A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE (WHO'S NAME HE'D PREFER THAT I DON'T SAY) MESSAGED ME AND SAID THAT HE WANTED TO WRITE CHAPTER 12, AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU, HERE IT IS (WITH THE ADDITION OF SOMETHING I WROTE TOWARDS THE END). OH, AND AS ALWAYS, TRANSFORMERS IS OWNED BY HASBRO AND AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER IS OWNED BY NICKELODEON.
Transformers: Avatar Chronicles
Chapter 8: All across the world
The Fire Nation royal family silently entered the war room, which was now filled with mightiest generals the country had to offer. It had been a long time since Zuko had been inside this chamber and a part him was uneasy setting foot in here after what had happened all those years ago. He glanced over to his sister who had Ravage at her side who was currently was growling and snapping at the old men as they walked by them.
"This war council is now in session." Ozai began as he and his children sat in front the table surrounded by the military leaders.
The generals sat down in their seats once their leader and his children had done so and prepared to discuss the new tactics and weapons to use in what they considered the final days in the war, however before anyone could say a word, a voice cut in.
"Farther, may I suggest we wait for Megatron to arrive before we begin?" Azula began as she gently petted her robotic guardian's head "Since the Decepticons are our allies, perhaps it would be in our best interest to let them in on our battle plans."
"With all due respect princess Azula," one of the generals spoke up "This a Fire Nation matter, not a-"
"I believe I was speaking to my father General Cho, not you!" the princess venomously cut off while Ravage snarled at the man.
Zuko glared at his sibling, but stayed silent. He knew that most of the officers in the military secretly did not approve of the alliance with the Decepticons for various reasons. Some thought that the Fire Lord was depending too much on the aliens weapons and soldiers rather than his own officers while others (as well as Zuko) had the sneaking suspicion that these machines from another world had ulterior motives for the working with the Fire Nation. As much as he wanted to speak out against the Decepticons, he couldn't forget what happened the last time he did that.
"My daughter is right general, we will wait for Megatron," Ozai added.
"Then you will wait no longer," a low voice spoke.
The Fire Nation officials collectively turned to see the leader of Decepticons enter the war room with Starscream and Soundwave at each of his sides. The generals all glared at the robots, but bowed to their unwanted allies in respect.
"Now we can begin," Ozai said "What do you have to report Megatron?"
"We preparing to send Knock Out and a platoon of Vechicons to Ba Sing Se via Ground Bridge in order to start construction on the energon mines," Megatron replied.
"I still don't understand why we need to pour large sums of money into a little scavenger hunt for glowing rocks," General Cho harshly commented "It's a pointless waste of-"
His words were again cut short, only this time he became quiet when the former gladiator of Kaon aimed him fusion cannon directly in his face.
"I find your lack of faith disturbing General," the tyrant growled menacingly, making both Azula and Starscream snicker at the terrified expression on the old man's face.
"Do you have anything else to add?" Ozai inquired, ignoring the generals predicament.
"Just one more thing," Megatron responded as he turned his attention back to the Fire Lord.
With that, he and his two warriors stepped aside to allow a fourth Decepticon to enter the war room. This newcomer was a large, heavily armored solider with a dark purple coloring on his body with a single unblinking eye that took up his entire his head and his entire right arm was a cannon. The very sight of him made even Ozai and Azula feel a chill run down their backs.
"Allow me to introduce Shockwave," the leader of the Decepticons said to the slightly scared humans in the room.
*QUE TRANSFORMERS PRIME OPENING THEME*
Everyone in the room was still in fear and awe of the metal warrior that stood before them, that was until the cold-blooded princess decided to speak to the Cybertronian cyclops.
"Who exactly are you?" Azula questioned.
"I am the head of the Decepticon science division," Shockwave answered in a cold emotionless tone "I am in charge of all scientific advancements for Decepticon warfare, whether they be technological or biological."
"And what advancements could you give to the Fire Nation?" the Fire Lord added on.
"Lord Megatron has informed me of your species ability to control the four basic elements," Shockwave replied "I believe I can enhance your soldiers 'fire bending' as you call it to a higher level."
Upon hearing that, Ozai and his daughter were intrigued while his son and war council were apprehensive by what Shockwave was suggesting.
"I will require test subjects for these experiments and an area where I can work in private," the science officer continued.
"Would it matter where your test subjects come from?" Azula asked.
"My only requirement is that the test subjects be benders," Shockwave explained "I do not care where they come from."
"But where can we find a large amount of people for these tests?" Ozai thought aloud before turning to his son "What do you think Zuko?"
"Yes brother, what do you think?" his sister commented in almost sickeningly sweet tone.
Zuko was on put on the spot and didn't know what to say, he knew that what Shockwave was going to do to enhance Fire Nation soldiers it would leave a countless number dead and the results might be even more horrifying, but his fear of once again losing favor with his father overwhelmed him.
"If I may make a suggestion," Megatron spoke up, making Zuko feel in inward sense of relief "Why not use Fire Nation prisoners? I'm sure you have hundreds of traitors to your country locked up, surly there would be more enough for Shockwave's experiments."
"Perhaps he can use the prisoners in kept the tower outside of the capitol," Starscream mentioned to Ozai.
"That would be sufficient," the Cybertronian scientist said.
Zuko's eyes widened in shock at those words, not only was he scared for the some of the innocent that were imprisoned, but he also feared the thought his uncle being on Shockwave's list of test subjects. He had to think of something fast in order to save his uncle's life from being subjected to whatever the Decepticon had planned for him.
"No!" the young firebender objected.
"Oh? And why not prince Zuko?" his father asked sharply.
"Because..." the Fire Nation prince began not knowing where he was going with this "they don't deserve this kind honor bestowed upon them!"
"That reasoning is illogical," Shockwave coldly responded.
"No, my brother is right," Azula defended.
The princess's elder sibling was stunned by this gesture. She knew that he had been visiting uncle and could have simply exposed him right then and there before everyone.
'What is she playing at now?' he thought to himself.
"What my brother means is that those traitors in the tower are unworthy to help bring the Fire Nation to a greater glory. Whether the die in the test's or not, a death like that is to good for them."
"My children do have a point," Ozai said.
"Very well, are there other prisons I can use?" the scientist replied.
"What about the Boiling Rock?" one of the generals inquired. "It's filled with the unwanted masses and it's secluded."
"Is that acceptable?" the Fire Lord asked.
"Indeed," Shockwave said "I will begin my research once I collect the proper tools for my work."
And with that the robotic cyclops and departed from the war room without saying another word. Leaving the remaining Decepticons to give their advice on how they could improve on the general's strategies with Cybertroian power.
After the meeting, the Decepticons returned to their underground base to see off Knock Out before he and his troops left for Ba Sing Se.
"I swear I will not fail you my liege," Knock Out said to his master.
"See that you don't" Megatron warned
The medic nodded nervously in response before stepping through the Ground Bridge along with his Vechicons, after they had left the Decepticons second in command wanted to have a few words with his leader in the decisions of allowing Knockout and not him to govern over the Earth Kingdom city.
"I still don't understand why you allowed him to rule over the city instead of me my lord," the seeker questioned
"You couldn't lead androids to a picnic Starscream," Megatron replied darkly "What makes you think I'd ever allow you leadership of an entire city?"
"But-"
"Silence!" the lord of Decepticons snapped at his second in command as he smacked Starscream across the face with a strong backhand "I've worked too hard to keep this alliance going just let it fall apart by the likes of own your impotence!"
The seeker attempted to pick himself up off of the ground after being hit, only to be stomped on by his master.
"Am I clear?" the former gladiator hissed.
"Y-yes master!" Starscream wheezed out.
Megatron removed his foot from his second in commands person, allowing the silver-tongued Decepticon to pick himself up off of the ground, at that same time Azula entered the base with Ravage still at her side.
"Keeping the troops in line I see?" she said as she watched Starscream stagger off.
"Is there something on your mind princess?" Megatron asked, cutting right to the chase.
"Dreadwing still has not found the Avatar and his friends," she answered sharply "and my patience is wearing thin."
"Rest assured Deadwing will find them, he has yet to fail me," the metal tyrant assured before narrowing his eyes on a certain seeker "unlike some of my OTHER warriors."
"Very well Megatron, if you put that much trust in him I will wait a little longer," the master of the blue flame agreed.
"Our search for that child would be easier if you told your father that he was still alive," the second in command coldly snarled
"You clearly don't know my father that well Starscream," Azula responded in an equally cold tone as his "If I told my father that the Avatar was still alive then not only would I be banished, but also this alliance would end as well and you still need a lot of energon before you can return to your planet; energon, might I add, you need our workers to mine for you."
Starscream glared daggers at the child who was now giving him a sly yet victorious smile, as much as he hated to admit it, this human was right; that alliance between the Fire Nation and the Decepticons needed to last at least long enough for them to stockpile enough energon to make a return trip to Cybertron. The seeker let out an annoyed sigh before turning away from the princess and his master and walked away deeper into the base.
'If I didn't need her for my plans I'd blow that little brat into scarp!' he angrily thought.
"Finding the Avatar will not be enough to win this war, we will need to eliminate Optimus Prime was well," Megatron spoke, continuing their conversation.
"Why should that matter?" Azula said, not caring for need to kill Prime "How could the likes of Prime be a threat to us?"
"You fail to see the big picture princess," the warlord explained. "Even if we kill the Avatar, Optimus can be as much of a symbol of hope to those fools as the Avatar was and can rally both the Autobots and the other nations together to overwhelm our combined forces."
"I see, then we will just have to order Dreadwing to kill them both when he finds them," the Fire Nation princess retorted.
"If I know Prime, then he is no longer traveling with the Avatar and his friends," Megatron said "He knows that it is no longer safe to travel in a large group and has probably split up with them, but not before leaving a few of his own soldiers with the children to help them,"
"Then what should our next move be?" the cold hearted girl asked.
"Prime will no doubt attempt to try to gather whatever other Autobot forces that are scattered on this planet," the Decepticon leader suggested before turning to his communications officer who was tending to the space bridge console. "Soundwave, I have a task for you."
"Is it ready Ratchet?" Optimus asked his friend.
"Almost, but I can't say if it'll really work or not considering what kind of materials I had to work with," the Autobot medic answered.
For the past few weeks, Prime and his Autobots along with Hakoda and his men, had been traveling to the now fallen Earth Kingdom via the Fire Nation ship they stole. Since that time, Ratchet had been constructing a make-shift communications relay from a combination of spare parts from the ship and Cybertrioan tools, however even though Ratchet was a skilled mechanic as well as medic, it was still hard to say a weather or not they could even send one message out the other Autobots that where now standard on this world.
"Have a little faith buddy," Seaspray happily encouraged "It'll work just fine."
"So what's this thingy gonna do exactly?" The Duke asked bluntly.
"Well this 'thingy' as you call it will send out a short wave radio signal that will allow us to contact any other Autobots that are out there," Ratchet explained "Assuming of course everything turns out ok."
"So it's kinda like big a smoke signal," Pipsqueak reason as he played with one of Ratchet's tools before he broke it on accident, much to the Autobot medic's dismay. "Oops, my bad."
"Pipsqueak, I needed that!" the medic snapped at the human.
"This is quite an impressive piece of tech Optimus," Hakoda mentioned as he and Bato inspected the relay.
"It sure beats messenger hawks by a mile," Bato added
"Thank you Chief Hakoda, but this could all be for nothing if the relay cannot function," Prime replied before turning to his old friend "Switch it on Ratchet,"
With that order, the Autobot doctor pressed a few buttons on the communication relay's console which made the machine hum to life. As the Autobots took a sigh in relief, the humans could only gaze in wonder at this amazing sight.
"It's working, but I fear we may only have enough power for one message Optimus," he explained
The leader of the Autobots knew that the next few words he would say would have to count if they were ever to reach his lost soldiers; he pressed a button on the consol and spoke.
"This is Optimus Prime and I send this message to all Autobots that are lost on this planet, if you are hearing this then be warned; the Decepticons are on this world as well and intend on making it as much of a wasteland as they did ours, and with their alliance with the human faction known as the Fire Nation, their strength has greatly increased, but there is hope. We have allied ourselves with a group of humans who share our belief in freedom, and within a few weeks' time, an opportunity will come that will allow us to not only end this worlds war, but ours as well. I am sending you all these coordinates to a rendezvous point. If you cannot make there in time, then stay where you are and I swear we will find you. Remember my fellow Autobots, you are not alone."
On that note, the last of the Primes ended his speech just as the relay shut off.
"Do you think anyone heard that message?" The Duke inquired.
"We can only hope kid," Seaspray answered. "We can only hope..."
The Northern Air Temple
"There, that should about do it professor," the Autobot engineer known as "Wheeljack" said as he put on the finishing touches to the last of the auto-gun turrets what now surrounded the temple walls.
"Thank you my friend, with this new weapon system you and your colleague Preceptor have installed, we can keep the Fire Nation out of our home," the Mechanist happily thanked.
"It's the least we could do for giving us shelter here," Preceptor replied "My fellow Autobots and I are in your debut"
For the past few weeks the four Autobots known as Wheeljack, Preceptor, Inferno and Powerglide and been traveling this unknown world, searching for others who had been caught in the Space Bridge explosion, but to no avail did they find any of their brethren. One day on one of their searches, they came across a large temple that was under siege by a group of humans who had the ability to create fire and to their horror; a group of Vechicons were aiding these humans. At first Preceptor suggested that they avoid the situation and continue on their journey, seeing as how they were outnumbered, however Powerglide refused to abounded the people inside the temple and rush head first into the fray, with his comrades behind him despite the odds. Astonishingly, the rag-tag Autobots managed to beat back the forces and rescue the temple's occupants. At first the humans that they had saved were afraid of the machines, but then a young boy named Teo approached the heroes and befriended then, along with the rest of the people. Since then, the four refugees had found a home among the humans, and had been guarding their new home as well as give their human allies advancements in their technology.
"By the way, where is my son?" the professor wondered.
As if on cue, Powerglide rocketed over head of the scientists with the man's son within his cockpit.
"Nevermind..." he sighed.
"Yeah, this beats gliding by a longshot!" the inventor's son cheered.
"You ain't seen nothing yet kiddo!" the aerialbot said as he suddenly did a barrel roll.
"Careful Powerglide, he's just a boy!" Inferno strongly suggested as he watched them from the ground.
"Relax, he's fi-"Powerglide attempted to say before he was interrupted by an incoming transmission. "I-I don't believe it!"
"What is it, is something wrong?" Teo asked
The aerialbot didn't answer, instead he made immediate landing, help Teo out of the cockpit and transformed into his robot mode. Perplexed by their friend's actions, the other three Autobots rushed to his side.
"What's wrong?" Wheeljack inquired.
"You guy's ain't gonna believe this," Powerglide began "But I just got a message from Optimus!"
It never once crossed the Boulder's mind that during his time as a hero, he would face death, but now as he and his friend the Hippo where now surrounded by both Fire Nathion and Vechicon troops, that thought was running through his mind, and strangely enough he chuckled at the idea of dying on this day.
'At least we got those refugee's to safety,' he thought to himself as he stood his ground.
"This is your last chance, surrender or die," the captain of the soldiers ordered "No one is coming to save you"
"The Bolder and The Hippo don't need to call for backup," the former wrestler replied with a grin. "We'll call for cleanup!"
Suddenly the roar of an engine was heard, the soldiers turned to see what was making the noise, only to see a green truck speed toward them. The Fire Nation troops managed to jump out of the way, however the Vechicon's where not as quick and were knocked to their feet, allowing the two earth benders the chance to crush their heads with massive chucks of earth. The truck then transformed into a giant Autobot, who glared down at the fire benders, who took of screaming in fear. When they were out of sight the metal giant broke into a fit of laughter.
"Oh man, that was too good!" Bulkhead laughed out before turning to his human friends,"I gotta say, you two would make great Wreckers."
"The Bolder thanks you for your words Bulkhead," the Bolder answered.
Unlike most of the other Autobots who were stranded in groups, the Wrecker known as Bulkhead was left alone. Unable to get in contact with anyone else, he began his quest to find any other Autobots that were marooned on this planet. However he came across the two fighters turned heroes The Bolder and The Hippo, who had sworn to fight for justice rather than money, and together the trio set out to protect the innocent from Fire Nation and Decepticon alike.
"Hippo think he hear more coming," the less then intelligent earth bender said.
"Bring it on! I haven't smashed anything today!" the Wrecker added, making his fist into a wrecking ball.
The sound of engines grew loud quickly as the unknown vehicles drew closer to the three freedom fighters, however when the two vehicles where closer, Bulkhead instantly recognized the newcomers by not only their paint jobs, but also their symbols.
"No way..." he gasped "Tt can't be!"
"Who are they Bulkhead?" The Bolder wondered.
"They're other Autobots!" the massive robot exclaimed with joy. "And I know exactly who they are!"
The two cars stop in front of the trio before transforming into their robot forms to revel their identities to them.
"Sideswipe and Sunstreaker!" Bulkhead cheered.
"Bulkhead, is that you?" Sideswipe asked. "Oh thank the All Spark, you're the first Autobot we've seen in weeks!"
"Are you heading to the rendezvous point too?" his twin added.
"Rendezvous point? What are you talking about?" Bulkhead questioned, confused at Sunstreaker's statement.
"Didn't you get the message? Optimus is rounding up all of the lost Autobots for something big!" Sideswipe explained.
"Well what are we waiting for?" The Bolder commented. "Let's find this Optimus and take the fight to the Fire Nation!"
"I like your new friends Bulk," Sunstreaker joked as he and his brother changed back to their vehicle modes alongside Bulkhead.
"Should we go?" Cllifjumper asked his friends. "It sounds almost too good to be true if you ask me."
"But if it is true, then Optimus Prime needs us," Mirage replied.
"I agree with Mirage, I say we chance it," Jazz agreed before turning to his superior "What do you think Prowl, it's your call"
Ever since the Space Bridge accident, the four Autobots who went by the names of "Jazz," "Mirage," "Cliffjumper" and "Prowl" had been living in a small Earth Kingdome villag. Since that time the squad of warriors befriended the local villagers who they protected from the Fire Nation and their allies. Their closest friends were a boy named Haru and his father Tyro, both of whom were strong earth benders. Since Prime was no were to be found, the burdened of leadership fell to Prowl, who currently had no idea wheather to ignore the message they just received from Optimus in fear that maybe a trap set by the Decepticons, or risk and hopefully meet back up with their great leader.
"What if it is your leader Prowl? From the way you guys were describing how that message sounded, it sounds like he'll need everyone he can get," Haru reasoned.
The current commanding officers of the Autobots squad took in what his human friend has said and made his choice.
"Let's roll out!" he commanded to his team.
Within the vast swamp, a powerful war machine laid among the trees and vines like a sleeping titan. This machine was also a native of Cybertron, but unlike the other ones of his kind, this one chose to remain where he had landed. He had no reason or orders not to move from his spot, however today he had a reason to move once again as well as to fight. He had just received a message from his leader and was given the opportunity to destroy all who stood in his way once again. Just then, a small wooden boat gently approached the massive foot of the titanic warrior, who looked down upon the boats occupants: a trio of swamp benders.
"We'll look who decided to finally wake up," the swamp bender known as Tho said to the giant.
The massive Autobot knew of these humans. The trio had been visiting him ever since he arrived in their home. They would talk to him about what they caught for dinner or try to get him to talk to them, but he remained silent despite their prattling.
"Must've been real important to make you move," Due continued were his brother left off.
"Orders, given," the metal titan bellowed "I must go."
"Y'a mind if we tag along?" the third swamp bender known as Huu asked the giant. "You might need our help."
At first, the Autobot considered leaving them here, but then he figured that these tiny humans could get to places he could not and battle foes in tight spaces.
"Suggestion, accepted" he answered before in transformed into his jet mode and allowed the trio within him.
"Y'a know since y'er talking now, we all wanna know, what's y'er name?" Due questioned
"Designation, Omega Supreme."
Even though the scattered Autobots were preparing to gather together, not one of then knew that there were unwanted listeners who heard Prime's message as well.
"Excellent work Soundwave," Megatron told his officer. "Now we know where the Autobots are."
"I can mobilize our forces in under half an hour my lord," Starscream informed his master.
"That won't be necessary Starscream," the warlord replied "I'm allowing them to unite."
"But why master, we have their exact coordinates!" the seeker argued.
"Most of the Autobots that heard that message are already expecting that this is a trap and are prepared to fight," the Decepticon leader explained. "It would be a waste of soldiers. And besides, Azula, Shockwave and I have already planned out everything for the invasion. They will not survive what we have in store for them."
With that, Megatron let a powerful laugh as he thought all the ways he intended on crushing not only his long time enemy, but also what hope this world's people had left for good.
Later that night, Azula walked to a secluded location. Starscream had told her to meet her in these coordinates for something important he needed to discuss with her. Suddenly, the seeker emerged from the shadows.
"Alright, what is it you want Starscream?" the princess asked, wanting to cut to the chase.
"Sh! Be quiet! Soundwave could be listening to this conversation!" Starscream warned, which earned him a glare from Azula.
"Fine," Azula said bluntly, this time more quietly. "What do you want?"
"I have a proposition to make Princess," Starscream answered. "I have been Megatron's punching bag for too long! It is time for me to take action, and I have a feeling that you are just who I need to do so, and gain control of the Decepticons."
"Oh? And how exactly am I to do that?" Azula asked.
"It's simple really," the seeker answered. "During the invasion, once yours and Megatron's plan is unleashed to the enemy forces, you will lightning bend Megatron and all Decepticons close to him and put them all in a temporary stasis, except Megatron. Then, I will come in and do what I should have done millions of years ago!"
"But why should I?" Azula asked. "Megatron seems to be a fit leader, so why should I do something that would hinder our plans?"
"Because once we have crushed the Autobots and the other two nations, we shall not only hand control of this planet to the Fire Nation, but we shall leave with you some of our advanced technology, so that any who dare to oppose you shall be crushed!"
Azula took this plan into consideration for a few seconds. It is risky, but Megatron never said anything about leaving some of their technology here on this planet.
"Very well Starscream, I will assist you in your plan," Azula finally said.
Upon hearing her answer, Starscream couldn't help but grin and snicker in a sinister manner.
'Megatron, your fate has just been sealed,' the seeker thought to himself before turning his snicker into a full blown maniacal laugh.
*QUE AVATAR ENDING THEME