Been a while! But I've been busy in life, so here's the next chapter!
Somewhere in a gap in reality
Cherang hadn't tricked them.
The Victory and The Navigator drifted together in a void of dark matter, with the singular other object within this… place, looming ahead of their gargantuan ships.
Ships that were smaller than a plate of metal on the structure ahead of them.
For a time, ship A.I. and pilots alike were struck into silence.
As if the fact that Cherang had appeared before their ships and flicked open the fabric of reality, hadn't stunned them already. The god had created a swirling vortex of nothingness that neither ship's engines would have been able to resist the pull of even if they'd blasted every bit of the fuel they had on board at the same time into the reverse thrusters.
It was a space station.
Floating in nothingness, frozen in time quite literally.
There were docking bays visible, that stretched out like arms clawing at the emptiness.
Cherang appeared within the digital space they were all still floating in. "Well, go on, I wish to give you a proper tour."
Their sudden appearance made them all jump, they barely had time to react before the digital image of an alien's face was gone again.
Amer cursed. "Our systems are beyond secure… how did he manage to get in?!"
Rover provided the answer. "He's the god of change, he changed himself to be able to just, gain access… they're the key to every lock if they are motivated."
"So the whole idea of towing them in the drone ship was pointless." Solarstorm remarked with a scowl, just as a giant glowing space faring creature glided between both of their ships, massive tendrils fluctuating to propel them forwards in the darkness. "And of course the vacuum of space is incapable of stopping a God… they weren't really trapped on that planet."
"No. They wanted company." Nebularburst reminded them. "And we're who they've chosen. I doubt it is with ill intent…"
That seemed to decide it, Amer and Rover trusted the twins' judgement of character better than their own, and so, the engines engaged, and they glided behind the opalescent creature with shimmering wings that Cherang had become.
A single docking bay could easily take four of the starships, a truly processor boggling thought.
For so long, the only things bigger than their ships had been the celestial bodies they flew around.
Organics simply didn't get this big.
Cybertronians didn't need to build this big.
Cherang was waiting for them on the docking bay, and strangely, their form hadn't changed, if anything, it had solidified, a long arching neck, massive claws on all six legs.
Everything about the body the God of Change took spoke of raw power as with a swing of a massive spike lined tail, they were beckoned to follow towards an entrance decorated in statues of similar beasts, decorated in armour and holding spheres.
"This form is required to operate most of the systems within." Cherang answered the questions the duo of pairs had had bubbling away. "And don't be surprised if the shadows start to move. The species never really died out… completely."
Amer scowled. "We're going to need more information on that statement."
The shimmering body purred, a deep sound that passed right through the four of them. "Death was simply the beginning of their second life, they haunt this place, and if you can win them over, they will help you too. They have likely been bored out of their minds for a long time. They're just too stubbornly prideful to admit it."
Just as they passed the threshold, they felt it.
They were being watched, and not by just a few.
It felt like they were upon a stage far greater than Nebularburst and Solarstorm had ever stood on before. Surrounded by a silent audience.
A rumble came through the corridor they now stood in, the spot lights of their ships only lighting a short way ahead of them.
Past that, it was like there was a wall of shadow, consuming the light, denying it passage.
Cherang stepped forwards, their glowing opalescence lighting the corridor just that bit more, things were spoken, and the corridor rumbled back, as the God of Change bowed to whatever clung to the walls and air in a density that denied anything passage.
And then, like a pane of glass breaking, the wall broke apart, scattering in all directions, inky blots that rushed across every surface or flew through the air past them, swirling around the five living beings, before shooting back down the corridor that was revealed.
Cherang flashed a mouth full of wickedly sharp fangs, the front left leg lifting up, gesturing for them to follow. "We have been granted occupancy. They like how strange you look."
Rover raised an optic ridge. "Is… that a good thing?"
The God nodded. "Of course. You need only ask them and they will help however they can."
"Why?" Solarstorm asked.
"Like I said before. They are terribly bored. Little happens here at all beyond them constantly wandering… and the odd bicker between the two leaders. You'll meet them in time when they can make themselves solid enough. Maybe."
Cherang was leading them deeper into the station, past vast murals of creatures of all shapes and sizes, but following roughly the same base body layout, acting out all sorts, acts of violence, acts of passion, and as they got further in, acts of creation and craft.
The corridor opened up into something that somehow managed to steal their thoughts away.
The station was hollow.
And hung in the very middle, held in place by massive structural supports, was a sphere.
"The forge." Cherang declared proudly.
A shadow flitted across the ground, coming closer, a much quieter rumble came from it.
Cherang bowed to the shadow. "Thank you. A demonstration would be lovely."
The shadow darted back away, unheeded by any form of resistance against its motion.
The four Pilot frames watched as it vanished into a larger mass that then shot across the edge of the walkway they were on, reaching one of the support columns, exploding into hundreds once they hit the sphere of the forge.
Cherang led them to a massive console, and laid the first two paws onto two pressure plates, pressing them down, each making a distinct 'whoosh' as air was forced out from under them.
Lights came on across the console, the four of them would have to stand upon each other's shoulders just to get one of them up onto it.
Amer glanced at the God of Change, and decided there was a better option.
With a running start, she leapt up onto the bend of one of the hind legs, and clambered up and up until she could run along the Gods back and hop down onto the control panel.
Cherang flashed another toothy grin at her. "Daring little thing. I like that."
She hopped off their shoulder and landed on the console. "How does this work?"
"Simply express a desire, and the forge shall work its wonders."
"Any limitations?"
"They haven't ever found one."
"Is that a challenge?"
"If you wish to take it. What do you want to test the forge with?"
Amer thought for a time, tapping her pede to the console, looking over all of the lights and readings in a jargon language that Solarstorm would probably enjoy trying to crack.
She looked back to her and Rover's seconds, then to her mate, who was looking up to her on the console, expression riddled with concern.
Amer made her decision and looked back to the God of Change. "A place we can call home. A home that the bastards who think they can control us, can never find us."
The shadows all seemed to pause in their erratic motions all around the massive structure, their hearing evidently impeccable.
She ignored the attention of every single one, looking at the forge expectantly.
The forge did not do anything.
Cherang laughed, deep and long, and pulled their paws off the console. "It is best that you enact that request Amer. My concept of 'Home' is not sufficient."
She hummed, taking Cherang's place, standing on one of the two plates.
A moment later, a ghostly touch trailed up her frame from the plate.
It was only visible through how Amer shuddered and cursed, before a shadow bloomed from Amer's back, growing, and growing, limbs not unlike Cherang's trying to form, not quite making it to being solid as they jerked and twisted. An electric eye, the centre ringed with an orange that pulsed like the heart of a star, opened, hovering beside Amer as the rest of the body morphed into a lithe, towering form, something that looked like a streamlined ridge running from snout to far over the neck, tattered ears and the vestiges of scars raked across the form, entire chunks were taken out of them in places, one of its wings looked badly broken.
"It… shall… be done…"
The voice was garbled, layered with something akin to static, like the background radiation of the dark matter that existed in this rip in space and time.
Cherang bowed his long neck once more. "Greetings oh great one. You grace us with your presence."
The head turned, revealing the mutilated remains of the other side of their head, showing viciously curved fangs that spoke of never escaping their grip, the second eye was gone completely. "You…"
There was a heavy pause, even Cherang seemed to struggle not to twitch.
"Welcome… stay… awhile…"
"Will you permit them to reside here when they need time to rest?"
The one eye trailed over the four. "There… is more…?"
Rover nodded. "Yes. We are not the only pilot frames… we have a fleet… we can bring you things to pay you for your tolerance of us."
The shadow blinked slowly, a low thrumming rumble leaving them. "Company… and material… for Forge… it… is empty…"
Cherang managed to look embarrassed. "Oh? Is that why it didn't work? Both times?"
The shadow nodded. "Yes."
Nebularburst stepped forwards. "I'm Nebularburst, this is my twin, Solarstorm, the one on the console is Amer, and her mate is Rover."
The entity hummed, looking between them. "Name… lost… title… General."
Cherang offered a paw to the shadow. "Has it truly been so long since you were last called by your name, Ji?"
The head turned to the side, before a paw lifted and fell through Cherang's. "Name… Ji?"
"That was the bit you allowed me to use."
"Ji…." The shadow dragged out, tasting it almost.
The entity looked out across the swirling masses, then back to the collection of four bots. "Names… new… names… for them… that… is price."
Amer nodded. "With all twenty of us, I'm sure we can name a bunch of you… those who want new names."
It was hard to spot one shadow from another as they seemed to collectively vibrate, bouncing around for a few moments each before calming down.
All except one, that drifted closer.
A warning hiss came from Ji, the towering, lithe one rearing up onto their hind legs, they only had four legs, unlike Cherangs six.
The shadow began to form, warping and twisting into something much more heavily built, with broad curved horns and a mangled mouth and tattered neck, one that released a hiss of its own before turning to Amer and speaking. "Name." It growled.
Cherang, not so subtly, picked Amer up while nudging the other three back with the side of their tail. "Now, now your Majesty, there's no need to be demanding."
Majesty huffed, but seemed to settle, looking to Cherang. "Guests… welcome." The voice was deep, booming, and much clearer than Ji's. "Bring material… forge make… what you want. Give names, price."
The four looked to each other, the decision passing between them.
Amer chuckled softly. "You have yourself a deal. Your Majesty. We'll bring everyone and do a naming session, and material for this forge of yours."
Majesty extended a claw out to the leader of the four. "Shake."
Amer reached out, and jumped a bit when what she met was actually somewhat solid, allowing her to shake the claw.
The dark matter seemed to shift, the oppressiveness of it suddenly lifting.
With the deal made, they had been accepted.
The Matrix
The memory ended and they were helped back out of the pool with a groan. "That… was a strange one…" Wren muttered. "What was so important about that forge anyway?"
Vector smiled. "It's where you made your weapons. And where you and the other pilot frames built a respite, and, the Polaris. She was created by the forge at the request of all of the pilot frames, for a ship capable of acting as back up if there was ever a situation where one of the other ships could not give aid in time. The Polaris was forged with the 'Warp Drive', a simple name for a device built into her primary engines, capable of tearing through space time itself, allowing near instant transportation to set co-ordinates. When you were imprisoned in Iacon, you aided Shrike in reverse engineering the warp drive, into the first proto type space bridge. Though you never spoke a word of how the original was made."
They listened intently to the Prime's explanation, as the importance dawned on them. "Oh! So that's how it ties back!" Aria realised.
"And we figured out from Prowl being on Earth… that the Polaris is here, on Earth… with its warp drive…"
Vector Prime grinned. "With a few modifications, the warp drive will be the key to returning to Triage, to hunt down Unicron's spark. As you've no doubt noticed, going between realities is rather… explosive, as a result of the force needed to tear open a gap. The Polaris was built to withstand those, and so, keep you safe in your hunt."
"Wait, hold up. The bots told us ages ago, that… we… Neb and Sol, made the Polaris, in secret, in a massive chamber hidden away under Cybertron?" Wren asked, having thought back on what they'd already been told about the Polaris.
"An explanation you came up with on the fly to explain the warp crater the Polaris created when they warped a bit too close to the surface and tore a chunk out of the planet. You always were rather quick on your pedes at whipping up believable stories." Vector Prime explained, a wry smile appearing on his features for a moment.
"But… What about all of those shadows in the forge? Who were they?" Aria asked.
Solus spoke up then. "An Ancient species, their origin has been lost, but we know their kind has persisted through the reignition of the universe many times over… much like our own, it was war and stagnation that finally brought their end. Now, they remain only there, literal shadows of their former selves. Ji ended up befriending Amer in time. When you return to physicality, you may be able to call upon her for aid."
"They're still there?!"
"A few million years is but a blip to their concept of time. Cherang likely resides with them, sharing in their grief at losing you all, summoning Ji may bring Cherang back to reality too."
"But, surely, the Polaris warping to Cybertron would have made them aware that something was up?"
Solus shook her helm. "The Polaris was in orbit of a gas giant planet out on the edge of the Galaxy in a holding pattern, as per the programming, it wasn't at the forge. Those within the forge are unaware of its location changing."
That was unfortunate for certain, re-instigating contact with those in the Forge would likely end up being rather eventful and useful, if they could.
"But… Ji looked like she was falling apart… Majesty too… if we do manage to summon her… wouldn't she just… die?"
Vector Prime offered them a reassuring smile. "Make sure you have Kia and the Allspark at the ready, the creation force within will work its magic to renew her. She will likely not be able to stay forever, but if you do, she will be a valuable ally in your battles."
That was definitely a promising idea.
The duo conversed internally for a time, mulling over what they had just experienced. "Alright, where to next?" Wren asked.
Solus gestured to the next pond, they were about a quarter of the way done, that was a relief.
Ruined Decepticon Base
Fernando hated the Fallen.
The mech seemed to melt in and out of the shadowy flickers at the corners of his optics, always flashing him a fang ridden smirk.
The ancient mech kept trying to grab him, tug him close by one of his wings, which he kept tucked to his side.
Starscream hadn't been his usual snarling self since the Fallen appeared, he was cowed, trying to make as little sound as possible.
Fernado wasn't sure if it was because the seeker feared the Fallen, or whatever it was that had attacked them.
Either was a perfectly valid reason to want to lay low and just try and make do with what was left of the base to be salvaged.
They couldn't stay forever, they needed to find somewhere more structurally sound.
That thought came just before a scattering of rubble clattered off his shoulder pauldron, causing him to nearly jump out of his armour.
A low, unfortunately familiar chuckle came from behind him. "Flighty, little bird?~" The Fallen purred, gliding out of a shadowy corner he should not have had any right of fitting within, not with all the jagged edges he was made of.
On instinct, Fernando flashed his denta, the razor sharp hooks not even phasing the ancient mech.
The ancient mech just grinned, grabbing Fernando's chin and yanking him closer. "None of that little bird. None of that."
Fernando tried to yank himself free, but he got no quarter from the other mech.
"So flighty indeed~ Perhaps I should just clip those wings of yours?~" The Fallen remarked, his other servo trailing down to the first joint, plucking one of the tension lines, leaving the faintest of gashes in the taught cable.
Fernando held very still.
"Good. Now, we're going to go on a walk. And you, little bird, are going to talk."
Fernando didn't argue, falling into step behind the much larger mech as they stepped out of the ruined cave and out into the starlit night.
They walked to the end of what used to be the runway, the decimated remains of it rather treacherous to cross.
Eventually they were on flat ground, far away from any of the Cons that lingered in the ruins.
The Fallen stood for a time, just staring down the bald eagle harpy, watching the subtle tells of nervousness. "You've been keeping secrets little bird."
Fernando for a moment was thankful for his visor, it hid the widening of his optics. "The fuck you talking about?"
The Fallen smirked. "Don't play coy. I know you grew up on the films. I know that before you came here… I was just a simple fantasy to you~ A fictional character, one far weaker in portrayal, than I actually am."
Fernando faltered. "How…?"
The mech just smirked for a moment. "How else? My master is the one who conducted that wonderful alternative narrative. The Autobots and Decepticons, all creations of his greatest enemy, gradually rendered low. Picking them all off one by one, meeting their ends upon his husk~ Out of the protection of their beloved Primus~ A wonderful fiction he implanted into the minds of those who could create it, distribute it, oh he enjoyed creating his own version of reality of suffering, even having myself slaughtered by the Prime." He mused. "My master truly does have a strange and macabre sense of humour, no?"
Fernando squinted up at the mech. "I… I don't get it… if it is all fictional. And doesn't effect here, what do you want from me?"
The Fallen hummed. "Not everything is fiction. The Allspark did not come here by accident. Eons passed, my great master sensed it approaching, it would have shot right by, had he not reached out, and snatched it. Snatched away one of the tools used to best him. And buried it within his crust."
"Alright… and what does that have to do with me?"
"The fiction was based upon reality. The Allspark was located by the native population and further hidden away, within the 'Hoover Dam' you recall that, surely."
He nodded, there was no point trying to deny it.
"And were you aware that your sister made contact with the Relic, and it is now secured within her spark chamber?"
He shook his helm. "No… that's news to me."
The Fallen hummed once more. "I see… Well myself and my master have come to the conclusion that the four of them were summoned by Primus, to reclaim the relics. The Allspark, the Matrix of Leadership, which was also left here, and the final relic, the Omega Lock. We are unsure of the Lock's location, but the keys have certainly been here for a very long time. Three relics, split between the four of them."
"What about me? How did I end up here?"
The Fallen chuckled. "Oh, it wasn't Primus who summoned you, little bird. That was the action of my master. Your master. Unicron."
Fernando baulked for a moment. "What do I have to do with all of this?!"
The Fallen smirked, taking a step closer to the mech, crowding him back. "Isn't it obvious? You know them. You know their weaknesses and quirks. So tell me little bird. Everything."
Fernando gulped. "Everything? That's a lot ah shit."
The ancient mech rolled his helm with a sickening slew of cracks. "Very well. Let's start with something simple." He snatched up the smaller harpies jaw, yanking him in close enough to have to vent in the wretched scent of the older mechs. "Where. Are. They. Hiding. Where do they reside on this wretched planet."
"You think I'd know?!"
"Humans are creatures of habit. No matter how much metal they are now made up of. Let us narrow it further. Where are the Orichiono's?"
Fernando faltered once more. "They owned a couple of different places… They could have re-bought any of them as their main haunt… the monsters…" He growled at the end.
"My, aren't you the pot calling the kettle black." The Fallen remarked with a degree of sarcastic mirth.
The smaller mech snarled and snapped his denta once at the ancient mech. "You ain't see the shit I've seen them do!"
The Fallen nodded, but his smirk grew wider, a knowing mockery in his tone. "Oh of course not~. I haven't had the pleasure of gouging their optics out just yet. But I assume they will be an interesting fight at the very least? For that fool Primus to snatch them up, they must be quite something."
Fernando felt his plating bristle. "They ain't something you can fight, you idiot!" He snapped. "They. Ain't. Mortal!"
The Fallen snorted, grabbing Fernando by the shoulder pauldrons. "Neither am I. I am creation corrupted by destruction."
"And they're Death." Fernando snapped back. "I saw it. I saw what they really are. If you go up against that, you ain't going to win, you puto!"
The claws dug in as the ancient mech snarled. "You doubt me? You doubt our master? I shall not be felled by mere party tricks! You may be scared for your simple, single, life. But I will not be so cowed by them. I slayed my brothers and sister. I have been the end of countless millions in my time as my master's devoted servant. I will not be felled now. I will never fall."
Then the Fallen paused, glaring down at Fernando as the smaller mech kept up the snarl on his features.
Something seemed to click. "Oh. Oh my~ Are you still… fond of them? Do you still care for them? Does a glimmer in that spark still call for them? How pathetic." He taunted, claws digging in deeper. "Which means. I can't trust your word on their location."
He felt his optics go wide once more as he realised the Fallen had figured him out. "The fuck you talking about?! They tried to kill me!"
"But you escaped~"
"By bashing their head in with a vase!"
"And you didn't kill them when you had a chance because…? You were still fond of them~ Worry not, my master's touch upon you may not have been quite enough to purge that pitiful sentiment." He remarked, pulling his claws free from the pauldrons so he could patter them against the damaged metal instead. "But I can surely apply my own~"
Fernando tried to yank himself free, but the Fallen moved quicker, the mechs servos latching around the smaller mechs helm, forcing the protrusions down as the claws sunk into Fernando's helm with ease.
Fernando barely had time to scream in pain before something passed from the ancient mech, directly into his helm.
The Fallen hummed to himself as the Harpy convulsed and thrashed under his grip, the screams, while enjoyable to his audios, would likely alert the other Decepticons to there being a 'problem'.
Thankfully the process was as swift as it was agonising, and he let the Harpy fall from his claws, collapsing to the ground in a tangle of strutless limbs.
He stood over the mech, noting that he had fallen into stasis.
For the best, the corruption his master had perfected, worked best when the processor and mind alike could not fight it.
By morning, his little bird would wake, and be the perfectly loyal pet he desired.
His master certainly had an interesting way of sending him gifts.
And because of that gift, by morning, he would know just where he could find Primus' chosen vessels.
He looked forward to finally tasting those pesky sparks once more.
Until next time!
Moon.