Hi everyone, thanks again for waiting. Here we are once again, about to start the next chapter of Code Prime that'll kick off the next arc of the series. For the most part, this particular chapter will flow similar to the canon TFP episode, with some notable differences to make it stand out; you'll see as you read along. Now with that being said, let's get started.
Flying Mind
Megatron stood at the power core of the still-downed Nemesis, multiple crates of Energon surrounding him and ready to be infused into the power core. However, given how much of an advantage his enemies had over him, desperate times called for desperate measures. Despite the protests of many of his lieutenants and allies, Megatron felt confident in this approach, as he is the only being in this world, or this universe, that is capable of controlling anything infused with the Blood of Unicron.
The power core's automatic system, which worked in the form of a claw-like device, reached to a crate containing Dark Energon, as opposed to its more natural counterpart, and placed it directly into the infuser, installing the dark substance into the power core as Megatron pulled up on the manual lever.
The Dark Energon already began to take effect as Starscream, Steeljaw, Sky-Byte, and Soundwave observed from behind. The entire power core began to glow purple as the Dark Energon spread from the core throughout the rest of the Nemesis via the tubes that connected the core to all the main systems. All systems that had suffered damage were almost instantly repaired, including all the electrical and data streams. Unbeknownst to anyone, however, the spreading energy made its way into the ship's memory banks, primarily to the Iacon Database that had been put on the backseat for the time being.
Megatron could feel it in his very being. His optics glowing bright purple, even his Dark Geass manifested as he felt the power of the Nemesis itself connecting with him. "Yes! I can feel it!"
Horai Island – The Ark
An alarm sounded on the bridge of the main Autobot ship, causing the artificial intelligence of the vessel to spring to life as she appeared in her hologram form.
"Oh boy… that's not good."
"T-AI, what is it?" Lelouch asked as he and Optimus we're already alerted.
"The Ark's long ranged scanners have picked up a massive surge of Dark Energon." T-AI reported. "It appears to be coming from the same location of where we last left the Nemesis in the Pacific Ocean."
"Megatron must be using the substance to repair his damaged vessel." Optimus deduced. "In all likelihood, he realizes how much of a disadvantage he will be if we manage to rally the world's nations behind us and seeks to gain whatever power he can."
"He's getting desperate." Lelouch said with a scowl. "We've seen what Dark Energon can do, if he's infusing the Nemesis with it, I don't even want to think of the consequences! T-AI, rally as many of our forces as we can muster! The Zero Squad, Black Dragon, Elite Guard, Aerialbots, Wreckers, even the Black Wyverns and Crimson Knights! We're preparing for a full-scale assault on the Nemesis before it can get any ground!"
"I'm on it." T-AI's holographic mode vanished as she began to alert the Black Knights and Autobots.
"Lelouch, I understand why you feel that we have to stop Megatron, and I agree that the Nemesis being powered by Dark Energon could have catastrophic implications." Optimus told him. "However, in this circumstance, I believe it is necessary to consider a more… extreme measure."
Both leaders stood in the Ark's storage area as one of the vault doors was opened to reveal a certain Decepticon weapon of mass destruction.
"The Spark Extractor?!" To say Lelouch was shocked would be an understatement. "Optimus…I… are you sure about this? I mean, I understand the reasoning. Best case scenario, we can kill Megatron with this, and many of his top lieutenants, which will send the remainder of the Decepticon forces into disarray. Six months ago, I probably wouldn't have hesitated to use a weapon like this. But I never imagined you would."
"While I am deeply reluctant to deploy a weapon of this caliber, especially one forged by Decepticon hands, it is as you said Lelouch." Optimus explained. "This will bring us closer to ending the war once and for all."
Lelouch already said he understood the implications of why the Spark Extractor should be used, and he agreed that it could indeed bring the war to an end soon; and he would personally love the idea of ending Megatron's existence for everything he did, it still left a bad taste in his mouth. However, in this circumstance, he may just have to stomach it.
"Alright, but let one of the Black Knights carry it." Lelouch said. "Suzaku, Kallen, Tohdoh, or even Rai. This weapon is deadly to all Cybertronians, but not to humans. If one of us deploys it, we should be unharmed."
"Very well." Optimus agreed.
The Nemesis, now infused with Dark Energon and fully operational, arose from the ocean it was once submerged in. It rose almost as if something that was once deceased had emerged from the grave it was buried in to seek vengeance on those that put it there.
Two large Groundbridge portals opened up in the air to reveal two large airships controlled by the Black Knight-Autobot alliance: the Ikarauga and the Grandberry. The Ikarauga was being manned by Claus and Euphemia, with the command crew at the controls. On top of the Ikarauga stood Optimus, Bumblebee, Arcee, Bulkhead, Ironhide, Wheeljack, Jazz, and Smokescreen. The Grandberry was commanded by Leila, Toto and her own command crew. Standing on top of the red vessel were Elita One, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Sideswipe, Strongarm, Grindcore, Chromia, Warpath, Hotshot, and Drift. Even Grimlock stood on the Grandberry alongside them.
Exiting from the portals behind the two large vessels were several dozen airborne Black Knight Knightmares led by Zero's Shinkiro with the Lancelot, Guren, Raiden, pink Akatsuki, Gawain Nerion, Agravain, and at its sides, along with the jet-modes of Silverbolt, Jetfire, Air Raid, and Wind Blade; with the Lancelot carrying the Spark Extractor. Behind them were the remaining Knightmares of the Zero Guard, Crimson Knights, Elite Guard, Black Dragon, Black Wyverns and Wreckers.
Every human and Cybertronian present looked towards the Decepticon warship with expressions of fear or determination. They all knew this would be the fight of their lives.
Megatron stood on the bridge of the Nemesis with Starscream, Knock Out, Steeljaw, and Sky-Byte by his side as Soundwave walked forward to show an image of the assembled enemy forces on his visor.
"Optimus, you and Lelouch certainly don't disappoint." Megatron sneered.
"I shall ready the armada, Lord Megatron." Starscream proposed.
"I'll be joining them as well." Sky-Byte added.
"That will not be necessary." The Decepticon leader told them. "I control this very vessel. What better way to conduct a test run, then by destroying my greatest enemies right here and now!"
"Alright, here's the plan!" Zero contacted everyone. "The Ikarauga and Grandberry will fire all its heavy arterially on the Nemesis, while the on-board Autobots keep enemy units from getting too close! All airborne Knightmares and Aerialbots will converge on the Nemesis and attack from all sides, keeping its weapons primed on us and allow the airships to get in close so the Autobots can attack! Suzaku, you have the Spark Extractor! Go underneath it's haul and place it where the Decepticons can't immediately locate it."
"Understood." Suzaku confirmed as Lelouch got confirmation from all other units.
"T-AI, you have complete control over the Ark's Groundbridge system." Zero told the AI. "Worse comes to worse, prepare multiple Groundbridge extractions for immediate evac."
"Acknowledged. Ready and waiting." T-AI contacted back.
"Go attack now!" Lelouch ordered.
Immediately, the Ikarauga and Grandberry fired a volley of missiles and hadron blasts at the Nemesis. However, a dark purple energy barrier appeared to surround its outer haul to shield itself the blasts before the Nemesis returned fire with multiple rapid-fire Energon blasts, forcing the smaller units to scatter and divert its fire away from the airships.
"Aerialbots and Zero Guard with me, we attack the front!" Zero ordered. "Black Dragon and Crimson Knights take the starboard side! Black Wyverns, Wreckers, and Elite Guard take port! Keep their attention away from the airships and Lancelot!"
The Shinkiro took off with the Guren, Pegasus, Byakuen, Agravain, up front with Windblade, Jetfire, Silverbolt, and Air Raid alongside them. The starboard side of the Nemesis was flanked by Tohdoh's Zangetsu and Marrybell's Lancelot Trial, leading the Black Dragon and Crimson Knights. Simultaneously, Akito's Alexander Liberte, having a float-system attached to it, led the Black Wyverns with Rai's Raiden and Cornelia's custom Vincent taking command to lead the Black Wyverns, Wreckers, and Elite Guard Knightmares to attack the Nemesis' port side.
Explosions lit up around the Decepticon vessel as the Ikarauga and Grandberry were already closing in, maneuvering themselves above the Nemesis. But, even as the aerial units kept most of the Nemesis' weapons aimed at them, both vessels were sustaining heavy fire.
"This is as close as we can get!" Euphemia said from the bridge of the Ikarauga. "Optimus, you and the Autobots need to move in, now!"
"Understood. Autobots, roll out!" Optimus commanded as all the Autobots on both vessels transformed into their respective vehicle modes and drove at high speeds to close the distance and fall toward the Decepticon warship. All but Grimlock transformed as he simply ran and jumped to land on the ship, before pulling out his shield to block the Energon fire as several turrets appeared to fire on the invading Autobots, who returned fire themselves.
"Looks like we got these guys pretty distracted!" Smokescreen said as he shot off one turret.
"Suzaku, what is your current location?" Optimus asked.
Meanwhile; the Lancelot was underneath the Nemesis' haul as the white Knightmare pulled out the Spark Extractor. "I'm directly beneath the Nemesis, and ready to deploy the Spark Extractor." Suzaku replied. "I'll let you know when it's attached, so you can prepare for an evac!"
However, just before he could make a move to attach it, a satellite-like device appeared from the haul of the ship on the right side of the Lancelot, firing an electrical beam at it, causing the Lancelot to freeze up and fall with the Spark Extractor.
"What the…?!" Suzaku exclaimed as all his systems appeared to be shut down. "The Lancelot's frozen! I can't control it!"
Fortunately, the Lancelot didn't fall very far as a Groundbridge portal opened beneath it, allowing the disabled Knightmare and its pilot to be rescued, but the Spark Extractor continued to fall into the ocean below.
The central screen on the Nemesis bridge had shown the crew what had transpired outside with the Lancelot, and they were quite surprised themselves.
"I wasn't aware the Nemesis was equipped with stasis weapons." Steeljaw commented.
Megatron also had a concerned expression himself, as he was also unaware of this development.
"Suzaku! Suzaku!" Zero tried to contact him but got no response. "T-AI, what happened?!"
"The Lancelot was rescued successfully, but it seems to be in some form of stasis lock." T-AI reported back.
But it wasn't just the Lancelot. Already multiple similar weapons appeared all over the Nemesis haul and began to zap and freeze any and all Knightmares and Autobots that were unfortunate enough to get caught in the attacks. On the haul; the largest bots such as Bulkhead, Ironhide, and Grindcore were already frozen by the stasis beams.
Grimlock threw up his shield and went up front to protect the remaining Autobots from getting frozen as a Groundbridge portal opened behind them.
"Get everyone out! I'll hold them back!" The Dinobot exclaimed to Optimus, but with several beams pressing against his shield, they broke through and even he was rendered in stasis. It wasn't long before all the remaining Autobots; including Bumblebee, Arcee, Elita, Ultra Magnus, and even Optimus himself were locked in stasis.
Fortunately, a large Groundbridge portal was opened underneath all of the downed Autobots, and they were transported to safety.
All around the ship, more and more Knightmares were put in stasis lock and sent falling. But thanks to T-AI's precise timing, all downed Knightmares were successfully transported back to base via Groundbridge, so no casualties were confirmed. However, they had already lost a great deal of their numbers. Even Marrybell and most of her Crimson Knights were defeated, along with most of the Aerialbots that were shot out of the sky by the stasis beams.
'How… all so quickly… it's all fallen apart!'
"Zero! We've lost more than seventy percent of our forces! We have to retreat now!" Tohdoh contacted him, but quickly lost contact, indicating that his Knightmare had just been neutralized.
Realizing they had no choice, Lelouch made the call. "All units, retreat! Abort the mission! Euphie, Thompson, pull the Ikarauga and Grandberry back! I'm going for the Spark Extractor!"
"Understood." Toto contacted.
"Be careful." Euphie pleaded.
The Shinkiro had transformed into its shuttle mode and flew straight down to the ocean.
"Give Zero some cover!" Kallen ordered as the Guren, Raiden, Byakuen, and Pegasus were among those left, with probably half a dozen Knightmares at most, including Tamaki and Cornelia.
"No Kallen, you guard the airships! Make sure they don't get shot down before extraction! I'll be fine!" Lelouch called back.
"But…"
"That's an order!" He exclaimed.
"He's right." Jetfire, the last remaining Aerialbot responded. "Pull back and cover the carriers! Now!"
Kallen grimaced, but also understood the priority. "Fine. Pull back and cover the Ikarauga and Grandberry!" The remaining units were already in defensive positions surrounding the two flying aircraft carriers as they attempted to pull away as fast as they could.
Meanwhile, the Shinkiro's shuttle mode had avoided most of the stasis beams as Lelouch piloted it under water, zoning in on the beacon placed on the Spark Extractor beforehand, should it have been lost. However, despite being underwater, the Nemesis continued to fire stasis beams at him, though it seemed to have difficulty locking on to his position.
Soon, Lelouch had a lock on the Decepticon weapon of mass destruction that sat on the ocean floor. "Come on…" But just before the Shinkiro could transform and grab it, the Knightmare was struck by a stasis beam, freezing and locking all its systems as it crashed and skidded on the ground just before the Spark Extractor.
"Damn it!" Zero cursed.
The Ikarauga and Grandberry had sustained heavy damage from the Nemesis as it concentrated all its Energon blasts on them, now that most of the Autobot and Black Knight forces had been dealt with, as what few units remained guarding the floating carriers, firing all long-ranged energy weapons to intercept what they could and shield the ships from any more damage.
"T-AI, bridge the ships out now! Then go for Lelouch…!" Kallen's communication was cut off as the Guren was zapped by a stasis beam, causing it to collapse and land on the roof of the Grandberry.
"Kallen!" Rai exclaimed just as the Raiden was also zapped, causing it to fall on the Ikarauga.
"T-AI, we have enough distance! Get us out of here now!" Claus exclaimed from the bridge of the Ikarauga.
Wordlessly, another massive Groundbridge portal opened to allow the damaged Grandberry and Ikarauga to fly backwards inside, with all the downed Knightmares on both their hauls.
And just like that, the entire assault had failed. Though no casualties were reported, it couldn't have been a bigger disaster for the heroes.
Back on the ocean floor, Lelouch had plugged several cables from his Zero-suit into the Shinkiro's emergency power system, providing the Shinkiro with energy. Though it was not enough to get the Shinkiro fully operational, he was able to get the main screen online to see what was happening outside, and that the Nemesis was hovering directly above his position.
"T-AI, report. What is the status of our forces?"
"All units were returned to Horai Island successfully. No casualties."
"Good." Lelouch said. "Now prepare to extract me along with the cargo in front me."
"Lord Megatron, the enemy has retreated." A Vehicon reported from a side console. "All Autobots and Black Knights are gone, all except one unit directly below us."
"On screen." Megatron ordered. The central window then showed the visual of the downed Shinkiro that laid on the ocean floor, with a certain weapon in close proximity. "The Spark Extractor! Guide us closer so that I can collect what belongs to me!"
Meanwhile, within one of the Nemesis' computer rooms, a set of coordinates had been decoded from the Iacon Database. It didn't take long for the ship's systems to get a lock on the coordinates and plot a course to that location.
Lelouch looked in confusion as he saw the visual of the Nemesis flying away from the area. 'what in…?' He didn't have much time to dwell on it however as a Groundbridge portal opened below him to deliver Shinkiro and the Spark Extractor back to base.
"What?!" Megatron exclaimed as he saw that his vessel was flying away from his intended target. "Where are you going!? I said 'closer'!"
"Lord Megatron, the target is already gone." The same Vehicon reported. "It seems the ship is navigating itself."
"This warship has an autopilot?" Steeljaw asked.
"Not that I am aware of." Starscream replied.
"Override and switch to manual control at once!" Megatron ordered the Vehicon, but the entire vessel shook as it continued along its own intended path, flying away from the battlefield despite the crew's attempts to gain control.
"The systems are bypassing manual contr-UGH!" The Vehicon was literally shocked by the very console he worked on and fell backwards.
Knock Out quickly ran to attend to the Vehicon. "He's in stasis, just like all the Bots and their human pets outside."
"How is this possible?" Steeljaw asked.
Sky-Byte then gave a gasp as he seemed to have realized a possible answer "Lord Megatron, Dark Energon has the power to bring non-living machines to life and even revive the dead, correct?"
"Yes. What of it?" Megatron growled.
"Then… perhaps it is possible that when you infused the Nemesis with Dark Energon, it has… somehow reawakened Trypticon!" Sky-Byte exclaimed, catching all the present Decepticons by surprise.
"Well… Trypticon was brought to life in the first place by Dark Energon… so it's not necessarily an impossibility…" Starscream shuddered at the very thought, but even he couldn't deny the logic behind Sky-Byte's theory.
"That is impossible!" Megatron stated. "Trypticon is no more! Trace the problem to its source and fix it!"
"Do not tamper with my systems!" A new, deep, and animalistic voice echoed throughout the entire warship, causing the Decepticons to look upward in surprise. "This will be your only warning!"
"It… It cannot be… T-Trypticon?!" Starscream stuttered.
"The same titan-Class Decepticon that fought Prime near the end of the war on Cybertron?!" Steeljaw questioned. "I had thought he was destroyed!"
"I cannot be so easily destroyed!" The voice of Trypticon stated. "I was subdued, detained, taken apart by Autobot hands! Only to have my body forcibly transformed into this vessel, unable to retain my former glory, at the hands of my former master!"
"Trypticon…" Megatron growled.
"I have my own mission now, and any Cybertronian that interferes, be they Autobot or Decepticon, will be neutralized!" Trypticon warned. "Kept in a state of perpetual stasis, much like that of which you sentenced me to, Megatron!"
To say Megatron was seething was an understatement. "You dare…. I gave you life! I made you into a weapon of ultimate destruction… and you dare to threaten me?!"
Soundwave then noticed one of the consoles beeping and pointing toward it, directing all their attention as Knock Out saw the Iacon Database in the process of being decoded, with a second set already revealed.
"He also seems to be doing a better job of decoding the Project Iacon Database than we were. He's already deciphered two sets of coordinates." The Decepticon scientist revealed.
Soundwave's visor then lit to show the course the Nemesis was taking. "And it looks like Trypticon is heading toward the first set." Steeljaw said.
"As I desire… You see?" Megatron boasted to his crew. "Even if Trypticon has regained sentience, he is nothing more than an extension of my very will."
"Your will is nothing!" Trypticon bellowed. "The Relics of Iacon will belong to me!"
"I am Lord Megatron! Your creator! Your master! I command you to cease operations!"
"Just as you claim that I have failed you as your soldier, you have failed me as a leader. You are no longer in command. Though I can no longer assume my true form, I am far from powerless!"
Trypticon then appeared to use the link between him and Megatron to his own advantage to send an attack directly into Megatron's mind, causing him to yell in pain as he was brought to his knees, holding the sides of his head.
"Master!" Starscream tried to run and assist him, only to get beaten back by the swipe of Megatron's arm as he pulled himself up.
"Regain control of this vessel… by any means necessary." Megatron ordered in deathly silent tone.
Soundwave immediately got to work, attaching his tentacles to the nearest console. However, the second they made contact, Trypticon had sent an electric pulse through the tentacles and straight to Soundwave to not only electrocute him, but even put him in stasis.
Knock Out, Starscream, Steeljaw, Sky-Byte, and even Megatron were taken aback by this. One of the most dangerous and reliable Decepticon in their ranks was neutralized in less than a second. Despite this shock, Megatron was not about to let this insubordination go unpunished.
"All hands, cut power to the mainframe! And disconnect data relays now!"
Steeljaw ran through the halls of the Nemesis with a squadron of Vehicons right behind him. However, they would not get very far as energy bars were generated from the walls, crisscrossing each other and moved forward. Just as Steeljaw and his team rounded the corner, they were struck by the energy-grid, electrocuting and placing each of them into stasis.
Sky-Byte flew in his shark-mode through the halls, trying to get to the mainframe and disable the ship, but just as with Steeljaw, he was caught in crisscross of stasis-beams from the walls, resulting in his body being forced into stasis lock as well.
It was happening all over the Nemesis, even with any Decepticon that didn't try at stopping Trypticon. He had given them his warning out of respect to being on the same side, but they chose to ignore him. This was the price they had to pay for their betrayal. He honestly could have terminated each and every one of them he wanted to, but that was too good for them. They deserved the same fate as he, being kept in a state that was alive and yet so helpless, unable to do anything as the world around them turned against their will. Trypticon would acquire all of the Iacon Relics that were hidden on this planet, and nothing would stand in his way.
The hatch to Cornelia's custom Vincent was manually opened as she pulled herself up. "Cornelia!" She looked to see her younger sister running towards her as she got out and wrapped her arms around her, which Cornelia didn't hesitate to return. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Euphie." She assured. Both sisters were among many other Black Knights in a Knightmare hanger that were having assistance being pulled out of their disabled Knightmares. "Where is everyone else?"
"Lelouch is on the Ark, talking with Ratchet and several others about what happened." Euphie said, looking down slightly. "They even took down Optimus… Cornelia… all the Autobots they're… it's like they're frozen! Are… Are they going to be okay?"
Cornelia wanted to say yes, but she couldn't find it within herself to lie. "I don't know Euphie. I hope so."
Lelouch was on the bridge of the Ark along with Cera, Kallen, Suzaku, Rai, Ohgi, Tohdoh, Tamaki, Lloyd, Rakshata, and Nunnally as Ratchet was communicating with the rest of the Research Division at a separate location.
"They're all alive." Perceptor reported. "But I've never encountered this form of stasis lock."
"It is more advanced than even stasis pods used for space travel." Fixit added.
"I would imagine so if it was capable of neutralizing even Grimlock." Ratchet said. "Do whatever you can to try and get them back on their feet and let me know the second anything happens."
"Understood. We'll be in touch." Cecile said before hanging up.
"I hope they'll be okay." Nunnally said worriedly, causing Lelouch to put his hand on his younger sister's shoulder in comfort.
"Of course, it wasn't just our Autobot friends." Lloyd said. "Whatever the Cons hit us with was enough to neutralize even the more advanced Knightmares."
"It's affects seemed rather similar to the Immobilizer, but also different. Maybe even stronger." Rakshata added. "This is quite perplexing."
Tamaki roared as he kicked his foot against the nearest wall. "Damn it all! That whole thing was a disaster!"
"While I wouldn't exactly count it as a victory, the fact that there were no casualties is certainly a relief." Cera pointed out.
"She's right. We live to fight another day." Ohgi added.
"It won't mean much if we don't figure out a way to counter this new offensive the Decepticons have at their disposal." Tohdoh said.
T-AI suddenly appeared in her hologram form. "I have a lock on the Nemesis. It is currently crossing the Chinese Federation air space, maintaining a steady altitude of 35.69 kilometers."
"What?" Lelouch questioned, looking in surprise.
"I said the Nemesis has entered Chinese Federation air space…" T-AI repeated.
"No, I mean you're able to track it?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes?" T-AI responded in confusion.
"That's… odd. Why would we be able to track it? Why hasn't Megatron cloaked his ship?" Lelouch asked.
"Big brother?" Nunnally looked toward him.
"No, he's right." Kallen said. "Even with most of our forces taken down, we could still have the Ark fly there and overpower the Nemesis. Megatron knows we have the firepower to do that."
"Maybe he's just cocky." Tamaki assumed.
"Megatron is known to be arrogant, but he's not stupid." Suzaku said, speaking from experience. "TA-I, could the Nemesis' new stasis weapon also affect the Ark?"
"This vessel is far too large to be entirely affected." T-AI answered. "It could certainly short out a number of systems, but the weapons the Ark has at its disposal could deliver irreparable damage to the Nemesis faster than its stasis weapons."
"And why just use stasis weapons?" Rai added. "Why not just blast us out of the sky? Heck, we didn't even see any Seekers or flying Cons there. It was just the Nemesis."
"Yeah… I think I get where you're all going. None of this makes any sense at all." Ohgi realized.
"They had multiple opportunities to inflict casualties, but they didn't." Cera added.
"T-AI was ordered to prepare multiple Groundbridge extractions if things went wrong." Tohdoh commented. Though he did seem to agree with most of them, he was also stating other possibilities as well.
"And I believe I have executed that directive quite nicely." T-AI said, sounding rather proud of herself.
"Still doesn't explain why they left behind the Spark Extractor." Lelouch commented. "There is no way Megatron would just leave it."
"The Lancelot was among the first to be neutralized before I had a chance to deploy the weapon." Suzaku added. "If I was discovered, you'd think Megatron wouldn't hesitate to retrieve his 'prize' himself."
"True." Lloyd agreed. "If I were an evil alien warmonger, I'd certainly love to get my hands on a weapon of mass destruction."
"You'd want to get your hands such a thing right now, the sociopath that you are." Rakshata said to her fellow scientist. "Not that I'm much better. But I do agree this is most strange."
An idea then came to Nunnally "T-AI, you said you knew where the Nemesis was, right? Does that mean we can contact them?"
"Yes, I believe so." T-AI confirmed.
"Yeep-yeep… are you suggesting that we just call Megatron and ask him what's happening up there?" Ratchet questioned, as if it was the most ridiculous idea ever conceived.
"Yeah! Uh, hello? King Con, you there? That pizza you ordered is gonna be delayed. And hey, while we're talking, why didn't you go out of your way to wipe us out when we were totally helpless? Can you call back when you get this? Thanks! Bye!" Tamaki put on the impression he was leaving a voice mail.
"Your sarcasm isn't helping." Cera told him, sounding very annoyed.
However, Lelouch, Kallen, and everyone else looked toward each other, almost as if they were coming to the same conclusion together. Perhaps reaching out was the best idea, if only to get a better grasp on the situation.
Back on the Nemesis, Knock Out had arrived at one of the computer rooms to see Trypticon's progress with the Iacon Database, seeing that now three locations have been successfully revealed
"Lord Megatron, Trypticon appears to have decoded a third set of coordinates. Perhaps we should permit him to continue…" Knock Out was cut off by a stasis beam shot at him from behind, freezing him instantly.
"I do not require permission."
Starscream flew through the halls of the vessel in his jet-mode, using his speed and maneuverability to easily avoid all the stasis beams that were shot at him from the walls around him.
"Ha! You foolish monstrosity! You cannot match my speed!" Starscream boasted as he flew toward the nearest exit. "Once I have escaped this flying prison, I shall rally all our forces to bring down this cursed vessel!" However, right as he was about to pass through the exit gate, it opened up to reveal a crisscrossing grid of stasis beams, which Starscream was unable to avoid as he flew right into it with a scream, causing his now frozen jet-mode to skid across the upper deck of the vessel, the open sky literally above him, but now unable to reach it.
"None shall escape!"
Megatron ran past all his frozen minions, bashing away several that blocked his path as he made his way to the corrupted power core. He grabbed the lever and prepared to reverse the infusion of Dark Energon.
"This mutiny ends now!"
But, he too was struck from behind by a stasis beam, forcing the Decepticon leader into stasis lock. And with that, all Decepticon personnel onboard the Nemesis had been neutralized; unable to move or contact for reinforcements. Trypticon was free to do as he saw fit.
"Autobot outpost Omega-1 to Decepticon warship." Ratchet attempted to hail the Nemesis. "Megatron, please respond."
"And how do we know this won't backfire in the most horrific way possible?" Tamaki questioned skeptically. "Like won't the Cons be able to back-trace this or something and learn where we are?"
"They can't." T-AI said. "I'm hiding our signal across several different communication frequencies that they would have to shift through to even begin tracing the signal back to us."
"Great work, TA-I!" Nunnally beamed.
"Thank you, Nunnally." The artificial intelligence then smirked towards Lelouch. "See? She's nice and appreciative."
"I can be too." Lelouch's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well obviously not when you're scowling like that." T-AI snarked.
"Ouch." Lloyd snickered as even Rakshata smirked.
"Not the time." Lelouch pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
"I repeat, Megatron respond!" Ratchet tried again upon receiving no response. However, after a few seconds of everyone waiting anxiously, there was a response, but it wasn't from the Decepticon leader.
"Megatron has been relieved of his command."
"Who is this?" Ratchet questioned.
"Who is this?!"
"Have you taken control of the Decepticon vessel?" Ratchet questioned again.
"I am the vessel!"
While all the humans looked confused, Ratchet's optics widened in horror. "Trypticon…"
"Trypti-what?" Kallen wondered.
"Yes. I have returned. Any Cybertronian that interferes in my mission will be neutralized." The screens on the Ark revealed images of all the Decepticons onboard the Nemesis, all forcibly locked in stasis, much to everyone's surprise.
"Just like with the Bots…" Rai muttered.
"What mission are you talking about?" Ratchet questioned.
"The decoding of the Iacon Database, and the acquisition of the relics hidden on this planet."
"For what purpose?" Ratchet questioned further, but he would not get a response as the communication line was cut off, ending the discussion.
"That's it. Communications are down." T-AI reported.
"Do we still have a lock on its location?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes." T-AI confirmed.
"Ratchet, what was that?" Suzaku asked the Autobot medic. "You looked as if you'd seen a ghost."
"Yeah, what's a Trypticon?" Kallen also asked.
"Not 'what'. 'Who'." Ratchet revealed, catching everyone's attention.
"Alright, who is Trypticon then?" Lloyd asked.
"I'm assuming it's the name of a Decepticon you likely thought deceased?" Rakshata assumed.
"It's… not anything that simple." Ratchet said with a sigh. It was best to explain it to all of them. "T-AI, pull up all of our files on Trypticon. It should be within Teletran-1's memory banks."
"I'm on it." T-AI disappeared for a moment.
"Trypticon is a Decepticon, but he is nothing like any one you've faced before. He's not even a natural-born Cybertronian." Ratchet began to explain. "During the War for Cybertron, both Autobot and Decepticons were locked in a near indefinite stalemate, with neither side gaining an advantage over the other."
"But that changed when Megatron was able to find and control Dark Energon." Tohdoh said.
"Yeah, we already know the whole story." Tamaki waved off.
"Not the entire story." Ratchet countered before continuing. "Before joining Megatron, Starscream and his Seeker Armada, Jetfire included, worked as an independent faction aboard a space station that was dedicated to studying and better understanding Dark Energon. It's existence was to be kept a secret shared only with our leader at the time, Sentinel Zeta Prime, and a handful of other Autobots. However, Megatron was able to learn of not only Dark Energon's existence, but where it was kept. He launched a full scale assault on the station, and he was able to find and control the dark substance. After that, Starscream and most of his surviving Seekers had defected to the Decepticons and helped Megatron manufacture all the Dark Energon he would need; and among the first things he did with it was fuse the station itself with Dark Energon and the sparks of those seized and maimed during his siege. This brought the entire station to life as a new being. And that being's name was Trypticon."
Before anyone could respond, T-AI re-appeared before them. "I have all the files on Trypticon. Displaying them now."
Several holographic screens appeared around the group of humans, showing moving images of a giant robotic monstrosity as it roared, fired lasers from its mouth and shoulders, laying waste to several Autobot forces and even entire cities, as well as its battle with Optimus Prime and some of his best warriors. Lelouch, Kallen, Suzaku, Rai, Ohgi, even the normally stoic Tohdoh and Cera looked in shock and even fear at the footage of the massive and destructive monster that proudly bore the Decepticon insignia on its chest. Nunnally even yelped as she hid closer to her brother, who absentmindedly wrapped his arm around her.
"Oh my…" Lloyd said in a tone that wasn't his usual carefree or intrigued attitude, but rather one of fear.
"Yes… That is… I don't have the words…" Even Rakshata looked more than a little nervous.
"What the hell is that?!" Tamaki practically screamed. "That thing looks like freaking Mecha Godzilla!"
"Yes, truly an abomination." Ratchet said in a grave tone. "Trypticon had caused more casualties to our ranks than any other Decepticon. He even shot down Autobot refugees that attempted to flee our planet when its core began to shut down."
"But… you were able to stop it…" Rai said, still not over his apparent shock.
"Yes, Optimus and several other Autobots were able to defeat Trypticon." Ratchet explained. "After which his body was taken apart to be studied. But around the time of the Exodus, Megatron had led an assault on the city where Trypticon was being contained. He and Soundwave were somehow able to transform Trypticon's entire body into the Decepticon warship that you know as the Nemesis."
"You're saying… that ship… is alive?!" Kallen exclaimed.
"Well… yes and no." Ratchet continued. "During the initial battle, Trypticon's T-Cog was destroyed, which prevented him from transforming any further. As we took his body apart, we put him into stasis. But based on what we could see from a distance, Megaron and Soundwave forcibly transformed what was left of Trypticon's' form into the warship, the process of which would be irreversible."
"But since Megatron recently used Dark Energon to repair the Nemesis… and Trypticon came to life through the same substance…" Cera seemed to come to the same conclusion Ratchet did.
"More than likely, the Blood of Unicron was able to help Trypticon regain sentience." The Autobot medic said.
"And given what he did to the Decepticons inside, I'm guessing he's not happy about being forced to turn into a ship." Ohgi said.
"What are the odds Trypticon is able to transform again?" Tohdoh asked Ratchet.
"Very little. Despite Dark Energon's unpredictable nature, it is highly unlikely an entirely new T-Cog could be regenerated for him. You can't create something out of nothing." Ratchet explained.
"Good, because the last thing we need is a Kaiju-sized Decepticon." Kallen said with relief.
"But perhaps this can work to our advantage." Lelouch said, getting everyone's attention.
"Oh, does the mastermind known as Zero have yet another master plan up his sleeve?" Rakshata asked with a grin.
"Yes, I do." Lelouch said. "Even if he can't transform, we obviously can't let Trypticon roam free. Given we have access to his coordinates, we can use the Groundbridge to board the ship, download the Iacon Database and stop this abomination from within."
"And since all the Decepticons, and even probably Megatron, are locked in stasis; they can't do anything to stop us." Suzaku followed Lelouch's train of logic.
"Oooh, now that is clever and devious. I like it." Lloyd grinned.
"Ah yeah! Let's load up on some Knightmares and blow Trypti-freak up from the inside out!" Tamaki pumped his fist.
"Do you ever think before you talk, Tamaki?" Cera told him.
"What was that?!" He growled at the immortal.
"Cera's right, we can't use Knightmares here. That should be a given considering what happened to our own forces" Lelouch said.
"You think it was Trypticon that froze all the Autobots and our Knightmares?" Ohgi asked.
"I'm sure of it." Lelouch confirmed.
"But it only worked for Cybertronians and machines." Nunnally pointed out. "The people inside were just fine. Even Trypticon himself said that any Cybertronian who tries to stop him will be neutralized."
"Exactly. He's never encountered humans before, so he probably mistook the Knightmares for other Cybertronians. He may very well be blind to humans." Lelouch said.
"If that's the case, then a small elite team that specializes in infiltration is probably suited for this task." Tohdoh assumed.
"Agreed." Lelouch had already thought of the team needed. "I will go onboard the Nemesis along with Kallen, Suzaku, Rai, Tohdoh, Xingke, Akito, and Sayoko."
"I'll be coming too." Cera stepped forward. "I wouldn't want anything happening to my contractor, would I?" She asked with a friendly yet sincere smirk, which Lelouch returned.
"I want to come… but I think I might just get in the way." Nunnally said.
"I wouldn't say that Nunnally. But… we have to be quick, and I don't think you can keep up. Please don't be offended…" Lelouch tried to assure his sister as best he could.
"It's okay, I understand. Just promise you'll come back, all of you." Nunnally said with an understanding yet pleading expression.
"Don't worry, little sis." Rai ruffled her hair. "We'll be back in time for supper."
"Are you sure you wouldn't mind some scientific hands for this mission?" Lloyd said in an expression that seemed to mix eagerness and subtle begging to come along, with Rakshata being more discrete about it.
"Lloyd, I think you and Rakshata had better stay here to try and help get the Autobots out of stasis." Suzaku told him.
"I'll stay behind and man the Groundbridge in case you need a swift exit." Ratchet said.
"Please, allow me to come with you." T-AI requested.
"Wait… T-AI? Can you even leave the Ark?" Ohgi asked.
"Yeah, aren't you hardwired in or something?" Tamaki also asked.
"I can be placed within a portable storage device." T-AI explained. "Once I am, plug me into the Nemesis and I can not only help download the Iacon Database, I may even try to slow down Trypticon's progress and hide your presence from him."
"But what happens if he finds you?" Kallen asked.
"You let me worry about that." T-AI said. "I'm the daughter of Teletran-1, the Ark's original artificial intelligence, after all. I have a few of my own tricks up my non-existent sleeves."
Lelouch knew there were risks involved, but if T-AI is able to hide the presence of his team from Trypticon, the greater chance at success they'll have. "Alright. Let's move."
A Groundbridge portal was open in one of the hallways of the Nemesis, littered with the frozen bodies of the many Decepticons forcibly put into stasis by Trypticon. Lelouch was the first to step out, clad in his Zero armor and holding a Cybertronian drive in his arm that contained the Autobot artificial intelligence T-AI, following him out of the portal were Kallen, Cera, Sayoko, Suzaku, Rai, Tohdoh, Akito, and Xingke before it closed.
"Ratchet, we're in." Zero reported over the comns.
"Good. Their data-core should be accessible from any console." Ratchet instructed as the group proceeded quickly through the hallways, moving around and past all the frozen Vehicons.
"All these Decepticons… helpless…" Akito commented. "If we had our Knightmares, it would certainly be easy to do some to their numbers."
"We can likely do more damage to them in the long run by obtaining the Iacon Relics, so let's stay focused on the mission." Tohdoh told him.
"Are these Relics really that significant?" Xingke asked.
"They were jettisoned from Cybertron and sent across the galaxy to this planet just to keep them from falling into the wrong hands. That enough should point out how dangerous they are." Cera replied.
"And if having something like the Spark Extractor wasn't enough, there was also a magic hammer that can pound any weapon you imagine into existence." Kallen added. "So… yeah, they're definitely worth the hype."
"All the more prudent we locate them before the Decepticons do." Suzaku also said.
As they continued to move, Sayoko glanced around the corner of the adjacent path they were crossing and found Knock Out, frozen in stasis, leaning in front of a console.
"I think we've found our target." She said, getting their attention.
Despite knowing this Decepticon was likely in stasis, the Knightmare-less humans approached him cautiously, their hands trained on whatever sword or gun they had with them as Rai moved closer to Knock Out's right leg and banged his hand against it and got no reaction from the red Decepticon.
"Looks like the doctor's not in the house." Rai commented with a smirk.
"Seems like Trypticon's already decoded four sets of Iacon coordinates." Suzaku observed, seeing the data on the computer, only for a fifth set to appear as well. "Make that five."
"We need to work fast." Zero said as he used his armor to jet himself up onto the console, quickly locating the port and plugging in the drive. "T-AI, do you read me?"
The hologram of the human girl appeared within cyberspace, inside the Nemesis' own data-core. She walked on something that served as the floor, looking around to see streams of Cybertronian data flowing in all directions.
"I'm here." She communicated with Zero. "So much data here… everything the Decepticons have in their own personal cyberspace is funneled through the Nemesis' data-core, which is then broadcasted to any location under their control. In a sense, this warship may be the central hub for their entire network."
"Can you locate the Iacon Database?" Zero asked.
"Already on it." T-AI reached her hands forward, pressing them on various data-streams as several files were pulled up and began to orbit around her. She waved her hands to spin the files around as she shifted through each one, before locating the file that was already opened and being accessed by the Nemesis' systems.
"I found it." She tapped the file, exposing the entire Iacon Database. She then waved her hands to erect the program, in the form of a red data-steam, she developed specifically for this mission and placed it into the file.
"It's all set." T-AI began. "Extracting the entire database may attract Trypticon's attention, so I'm instead going for a more discreet approach. Rather than download the original file, I am copying it and downloading that into the data-drive. The five coordinates that Trypticon already de-coded have already been copied and extracted; and this program will work to automatically copy and download any other set of coordinates that he is able to de-code."
"Do you know how many more coordinates are left?" Zero asked again.
"It appears there are four more sets that have left to be de-coded. And the last one seems to be the most heavily encrypted." T-AI answered.
"See what you can do to try and slow Trypticon down, but don't be too reckless. I don't want to take any chances if he's anything like what we've heard." Zero instructed.
"Understood. I'll let you know if I find anything." T-AI replied as she began to search through all the remaining files.
Akito looked at one of the other monitors, and while he was unable to read the Cybertronian code on it, he did notice the image of the planet he called home, as well as recognized the location that the systems were locked onto, realizing the sentient craft was heading to that spot.
"It looks as though Trypticon is going to Paris." The Ghost of Hannibal observed, getting everyone else's attention.
Suzaku saw that the symbols on the navigation system matched that of the first set of coordinates. "Because that's where the first set of coordinates are located."
"Why would there be a Cybertronian weapon in the capital of Europia?" Xingke asked.
"The Iacon Relics landed on Earth eons ago, Xingke. Long before the city was built on top it." Ratchet explained.
"Which means Trypticon will probably have to tear the city all down to get this particular relic." Tohdoh said grimly, clenching his fists with anger and worry as everyone else had surprised expressions. "And likely do the same for the others."
"This warship is armed with enough firepower to match the military force of the entire old Britannian Empire!" Rai stated. "Even if Trypticon can't transform, he's still a flying catastrophe!"
"Why does Trypticon even need these, Relics?" Kallen questioned. "It's not like he can use them. Can't he?" She asked nervously.
"This is only a guess…" Zero began. "But based on what we've seen from the previous Relics, Trypticon is likely looking for them because he is hoping that at least one of them will have the power to restore himself completely, returning his ability to transform."
"Can these Relics even do that? Do they have such power?" Sayoko asked, hoping the answer would be no.
"The Forge of Solus Prime alone could theoretically construct a new T-Cog for Trypticon." Ratchet replied. "But it can only be wielded by a Prime, and Trypticon is certainly not."
"Still won't stop him from trying." Akito said. "And likely killing millions of people in the process."
"Worst case scenario, Trypticon does regain the ability to transform… no force on this planet could stop him!" Cera pointed out. "He'd end all life on Earth!"
"T-AI, you have to find a way to disconnect Trypticon!" Zero contacted her immediately. "Don't worry about the rest of the Iacon Database, stopping this sentient apocalypse is now your primary objective!"
"I'll still leave the program running, but I'll see what I can do!" T-AI got to work as she tried to find whatever means she can use to stop Trypticon, or at least slow him down.
"If I disconnect his navigation… it may render him blind. Or if I shut down the engines… but he'll know for certain I'm here if I…"
Her inner musings were interrupted by an alarm that sounded through the data-core as multiple dark red symbols emerged all over the cyberspace. Though the coding was in Cybertronian, T-AI could read it as each alert read 'Unauthorized system access detected! Breach in cyber security!'
Her holographic face went pale. "Oh no…"
"System access detected! Interference will not be tolerated!" Trypticon's echoing voice immediately put all the present Black Knights on guard as Zero's armor's blades sprang to life with Akito, Tohdoh, and Xingke drawing their own respective swords, and Sayoko a pair of kunai, while Kallen, Cera, and Rai pulled out their guns.
"Up there!" Sayoko pointed to the ceiling where an orb-like camera appeared and scanned the area.
"Reveal yourself!" Trypticon demanded, but looking through the eyes of the camera, he was unable to find any Cybertronian life nearby that wasn't already in stasis.
"I don't think he sees us." Rai said.
"Yet." Ratchet quickly put in. "Trypticon must not be scanning for carbon-based lifeforms. But once he widens his search parameters…"
"We're screwed." Kallen finished.
"I'm bridging you back!" Ratchet told them.
"Negative!" Zero replied firmly. "There are millions of lives at stake in Paris, and we are the only ones in a position to do anything about it!"
"I agree." Akito stated. "We've learned already that an external attack on this monster is useless, so we have to strike at it from the inside!"
"You're all out of your element with this!" Ratchet stated. "These readings, the ship's rapid recovery, Trypticon's very awakening… it all points to the indisputable fact that Megatron used Dark Energon to repair his vessel!"
"But maybe that's how we can stop it." Suzaku said. "All Cybertronian ships, be they made by Autobot or Decepticon hands, follow the same basic principle. They each have an Energon power core that fuels the ship, and the Nemesis should be no different. And if that's the case, we can remove the Dark Energon."
"We can?" Rai looked in surprise.
"How do you know this, Suzaku?" Tohdoh asked.
The young warrior shrugged with a slight smile. "When you're around someone like Lloyd Asplund for so long, and he's obsessed with Cybertronian technology, you learn a few things no matter how much you try to tune him out."
"But even so, how can we remove this Dark Energon?" Xingke asked.
"Because each power core has a reverse mechanism that can remove any corroded or corrupted Energon from the infuser so it doesn't damage the entire system." Suzaku explained.
"And since Dark Energon follows the same sort of principles as it's natural counterpart, it too can be purged from the system." Cera followed along.
"Ratchet, could that work?" Zero asked, just to make sure. "Could the Dark Energon be purged from the ship's power core."
"Theoretically, and it may be our only option at this point." Ratchet responded. "You'll need to follow main overhead conduits. They'll lead you straight to the power core."
"You all heard the Doc, let's move!" Kallen stated as the team of nine ran as fast as they could, following the conduits built into the ceiling to get to the power core as fast as they could.
"T-AI, we think we found a way to stop Trypticon. Is there a way you can reverse the Energon infuser from your end?" Zero asked.
"Maybe… but there are several firewalls around that particular program here." T-AI explained as she saw all the data surrounding the files on the power core. "It was probably built beforehand to defend against a cyber-attack. But I can't break through them without alerting Trypticon to…"
"Foreign program detected." She was startled as she heard Trypticon's voice through the data-core itself. "Beginning search-and-purge protocol."
"Trypticon knows I'm here." T-AI quickly and worriedly told Lelouch. "I can't help you anymore."
"Understood. Do what you can to keep out of sight, we'll hurry as fast as we can." Zero responded before cutting off.
T-AI, while also leaving the copying program for the Iacon Database running, immediately closed all files and stood by herself in the data-core, hoping that staying silent and still could lead to Trypticon overlooking her presence from a lack of activity. But she could feel it, she could feel his dark mind scanning every inch of the data-core; like a hungry predator searching for its pray. For the first time in her artificial existence, she was terrified.
"Please hurry…" She muttered.
Zero and his team made it to the power core chamber, making their way past the various stacks of Energon crates and closer to the literal heart of Trypticon. However, once they cleared past the crates, they each gasped in shock, even Tohdoh and Sayoko, were startled by the frozen form of Megatron himself.
Even though they knew the leader of the Decepticons was in stasis and unable to do anything about them, it was still intimidating just to look at him. Even Akito and Xingke, who were laying eyes on him for the first time, felt their hearts stop briefly.
"So… this is the infamous Megatron." Xingke observed.
"In the flesh. Or whatever Cybertronians count as flesh anyway." Rai said.
"Looks like he had the same idea as us." Zero said, seeing Megatron's frozen hand about to pull back on the manual lever. "Which means we're on the right track."
"But… are we certain that we can stop only Trypticon?" Akito asked, getting their attention. "The leader of the Decepticons is right before us, completely helpless. What's to stop us from ending him right here and now?"
"We don't anything on us that can do any permanent damage to him." Kallen said. "Believe me, Akito. Everyone here would give anything for us to finally be rid of this monster, but we just don't have the means to do it."
"Kallen's right." Suzaku said, turning toward the frozen Megatron with a glare, clenching his fists in anger just by looking at him. "As much as I hate to say it… Megatron still lives."
"For now." Zero added. But underneath his mask, his eyes burned with hatred as he knew the Decepticon leader had escaped justice for the time being once more. 'It may not be today, but I swear it… no matter what it takes… we will destroy you!'
"Let's stay focused on the current crisis." Tohdoh advised. "How do we reverse this?"
"The Energon ejection valve can only be operated manually." Ratchet told them.
"Manually?" Cera muttered. "Somehow, I knew it wouldn't be easy."
"Let's hurry." Zero told then. "Trypticon already noticed T-AI's presence in the ship's data-core, so it won't be long before he finds us."
Back in the data-core, T-AI remained absolutely still and silent as to not and arouse Trypticon, even though she could still sense him searching through the cyberspace. Even though she herself was not interacting with anything, she was still able to see the point of view from the many cameras that Trypticon was using to find the intruders. Even though he could not see any carbon-based lifeforms, yet; she was still able to see through the camera stationed in the power core chamber that Zero and his team had already made it there and were working on shutting it down.
'They found it.' She thought, sounding very relieved. 'This will all be over soon.'
Suddenly however, multiple streams of dark purple data shot up from behind her, causing T-AI to turn around in shock as she saw the streams of data come together to take the shape of a massive entity that was well over a hundred times greater than her own size. The shape began to take a more detailed form resembling a giant, metallic, bi-pedal, reptilian-like creature with massive feet, three-clawed hands, a long tail, and a reptilian head with glowing yellow eyes, along with the purple Decepticon emblem shining on its chest.
This was Trypticon's own artificial intelligence, manifesting in the cyberspace of his own alternate form.
"I have found you!" He set his glowing eyes on the 'intruder' that was T-AI, opening his mouth to blast a massive beam of purple energy straight at her. Acting on instinct, T-AI threw up a circular barrier around herself on defense. Though it was able to hold for a few seconds, it ultimately shattered as T-AI was sent skidding across the ground.
"I see now." Trypticon said as T-AI tried to pull herself up. "My intruders are not Cybertronian…"
"NO!" T-AI exclaimed in shock, upon realizing he had found her comrades.
"…I have become infested with alien parasites!"
This put the entire team on alert as they pulled out their weapons. "Looks like we're busted." Rai winced.
Multiple ports across the power core chamber's walls and ceilings opened and produced countless tentacle-like tools that either charged electricity at the tips, or extended razor-sharp blades. They quickly shot to the group, going on the attack.
"Scatter!" Tohdoh ordered as the team ran in separate directions to try and divide Trypticon's attention. Tohdoh held his katana as he ran toward a stack of Energon crates for cover as two tentacles shot toward him, but he was able to swerve out of the way of one while using his katana to cut down the other as he moved for cover.
Xingke climbed to the top of a stack of crates, drawing the attention of several tentacles, which he used his own sword to bat away before jumping down to raise his sword and cut off the end of one tentacle as he fell, which retreated back into the wall to repair itself as others moved to close in on him.
Cera pulled out a gun and ran alongside Rai, who also carried a gun in his hands, both trying to find cover as they shot the tentacles that came close towards them. Both ended up coming back-to-back once they saw they were surrounded. Rai opened fire first, trying to shoot down any tentacles that appeared to be coming close. However, Cera noticed a bladed tentacle slithering its way toward him across the ground. She moved quickly to push him out of the way as the tentacle shot itself forward to pierce its blade through her chest.
"Cera!" Rai exclaimed as the tentacle pulled back, allowing Cera's bloodied body to fall to the ground as Rai quickly attended to her. That same tentacle was about to go for the kill on Rai as well, but Akito leapt to their aid, drawing his kodachi to slice off the head of that tentacle as Sayoko appeared behind them to throw her kunai at another tentacle, piercing its body and forcing it to retreat.
"Get to safety! We'll cover you!" Akito told Rai as he nodded and picked up Cera, pulling her to a spot in-between a stack of crates as Akito and Sayoko drew the attention of the other tentacles.
"Cera, you're gonna be okay!" Rai said as he held the wound close. Despite knowing that it would indeed heal, it was still painful seeing someone he cared about, bleeding in his arms.
Despite being in clear pain with blood coming from her mouth, Cera couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "Immortality hurts…" She grinned, causing Rai to chuckle as well.
Zero circled up with Kallen and Suzaku in a three-way back-to-back-to-back formation as he used his armor's Energon blades to cut down and beat back any tentacles that got too close to them; while Suzaku and Kallen used their own guns to keep the ones at a distance away.
"Lelouch, this won't mean a damn thing if we can't shut this wannabe Kaiju down!" Kallen told him.
"I'm pretty sure Trypticon knows what we're doing! It's why he's fighting so hard!" Zero replied as he used his blades to sever the head of one electric tentacle that shot at him. "He knows we're a threat and I can't use my Geass on him since he doesn't have eyes!"
"We're going to have to group up and try to push our way to the valve! It may be our only way!" Suzaku stated.
"You're right, Suzaku." Lelouch knew that was probably their best, or rather, their only option right now. "Everyone, form up! We're pushing to the core!" He called out to his team.
Back in cyberspace, T-AI screamed as she raised another barrier in the form of a wall from the ground to try and protect herself from another blast of Trypticon's mouth-beam. But even though it held against that, this barrier was easily shattered by a tail-swipe from the monster that sent T-AI rolling across the ground.
Trypticon let loose a bellowing laugh. "A band of insects think they can defeat me? Defeat Trypticon? How pathethic."
"Y-You don't have to do this…" T-AI weakly pulled herself up. "W-We can help you… you don't have to destroy innocent lives to become whole again…"
"Those Autobot vermin are the reason I am in this state!" Trypticon exclaimed. "They will suffer the same fate as my former Decepticon masters! And if this world is to be destroyed…" An evil sneer creeped his metallic face. "…I will gladly reduce it to dust!"
"No! I will not let you do this!" T-AI declared as she stood firmly against him, despite his overwhelming size. "I am T-AI, the daughter and successor of Teletraan-1, member of the Autobot-Black Knight alliance and protector of the weak!" Her own body began to glow a bright red. "Initiate Iacon Firewall Defensive Procedure!"
T-AI slammed both her hands on the ground, activating the program she made for this specific circumstance as the dark purple data serving as the floor turned a bright red and spread over the entire area, forcing Trypticon to step back as he looked in surprise to see several streams of red data flow up from the ground and take concrete shapes, similar to how he arrived here. In a matter of seconds, what appeared to be the city of Iacon itself had fully formed as T-AI stood in the tallest tower at a control center to face the enormous monster that stood on the outskirts of the newly constructed data-city.
"If you are willing to destroy countless innocent lives… Then you should also be prepared to be destroyed yourself!" T-AI stated as several towers produced large Fortress Maximus grade cannons before firing multiple Energon blasts at Trypticon. This proved to be an effective attack as the behemoth was forced back with a pained inducing roar.
T-AI then directed a fleet of Autobot flyers, also made from the data program like the city she constructed, straight toward Trypticon to lay down a bombardment across his frame, covering him with smoke as the Fortress Maximus grade cannons stopped firing.
However, the respite lasted only a few seconds as Trypticon rushed through the smoke with a roar bashing through several of the buildings closest to him. The second they began to crumble; they converted back into data and broke apart before disappearing completely. T-AI then re-directed the Fortress Maximus cannons at Trypticon to halt his advance, but he was ready for this as his shoulder canons opened fire to obliterate most of T-AI's heavy artillery on his sides before he fired his beam-weapon from his mouth to carve a line through the center of the Iacon program and obliterate the remainder of the canons.
"You cannot stop me, vermin!" Trypticon pushed through what was left of the Iacon defensive, making his way closer to the tower where T-AI was. Even as she directed another wave of Autobot flyers to his position, he waved his tail upwards to halt and obliterate them all with one swipe. She tried desperately to erect more buildings in an attempt to slow him down, but they could barely do that as he smashed and kicked his way across the artificially generated city made entirely out of data before getting toward the command tower. He then raised his right hand and brought it down to obliterate the entire tower, all while grabbing a hold of T-AI and bringing her close to his glowing eyes.
"Abandon hope, little one. You are but a mere artificial construct, created by lesser beings. I was born from the Blood of Unicron! You cannot stop me!"
"I may not be able to stop you… but there is someone who can." T-AI smirked at him. "And he is quite adept at making miracles."
"Push forward! Go now!" Zero ordered as he led the charge with Kallen, Suzaku, Rai, Tohdoh, Akito, Xingke, and Sayoko all around him straight toward the power core, specifically toward the still-frozen Megatron and the valve that would undo everything. Cera remained behind in cover by several Energon crates as her injuries began to heal, all she could do was hope for their success.
All the tentacles bared down on the group as they made their way closer; but the gunfire from Kallen, Suzaku, and Rai seemed to keep several at bay, with even Sayoko throwing out smoke bombs to try and distort Trypticon's vision. Any tentacles that got close were quickly batted away and cut down by the blades wielded by Tohdoh, Xingke, Akito, and Zero.
So far, their formation appeared to be working as they continued to near the power core. But Trypticon increased his efforts even more as the tentacles moved faster and quicker. One-by-one, each of the Black Knights were knocked away starting with Akito, followed by Xingke, Tohdoh, and Sayoko.
"Cover me!" Zero ordered as he and his remaining team had already made it to Megatron's stasis form. Kallen, Suzaku, and Rai turned around and fired all their guns at the wave of tentacles as Zero flew up in his armor and straight to the back of Megatron's right knee. He then put all the power he could in his feet-boosters, flying and gathering enough momentum that when he slammed his armored shoulder into the back of Megatron's knee, he ended up loosing control of his own momentum and crashed on the ground, allowing several tentacles to surround him, but he had already a victorious smirk on his face, knowing his objective was complete.
"Checkmate, Trypticon."
Megatron's frozen body began to fall backwards, causing the hand that was still attached to the lever to pull back, forcing the lever to be pulled as well as Megatron's stasis form slammed onto the ground.
All the tentacles suddenly stopped moving as the Energon coming from the power core and spreading throughout the entire ship began to shift from its dark purple to natural blue as the Dark Energon began to be purged from the system.
"Critical power drain… no! I… I cannot… I am in… command… I am… Trytpicon…!"
The team of Black Knights began to recover as they heard Trypticon's voice losing its force, and likely the monster himself loosing strength and the ability to remain awake.
Meanwhile, in cyberspace, the form of Trypticon began to shrink considerably. Already he was half his original gargantuan size and shrinking even still. "I… will not… go back… to that darkness… I will not… fade…!"
As he continued to shrink and loose strength, the cyberspace and data-core around him and T-AI began to shift from dark purple to natural blue as T-AI pulled herself from his weakened grip. As she landed on the ground, Trypticon had shrunk to the point he was of equal size and mass as her as he fell on his hands and knees.
"I am… Trypticon! I am… destruction! I am… death! I am…"
"Beaten." T-AI told him as she delivered a punch to his face, causing his entire form to shatter into fragments of data that disappeared, leaving T-AI alone in the now purged data-core. She then fell to her hands and knees in exhaustion, but despite that, a victorious smile formed on her face. "Mission accomplished."
Outside; Zero regrouped with his team as Rai had helped Cera on her feet. They saw the crate of Dark Energon being ejected from the cleansed power-core, indicating Trypticon had been defeated. But any thoughts of celebration were brought to a halt as Megatron's frozen form fell back with a groan, showing he was now emerging from stasis.
"Run." Zero ordered, knowing they weren't out of the woods yet.
Optimus was the first to awaken from stasis, shooting up from the platform he laid on in the laboratory on Horai Island, while all the other Autobots around him regained their free-range of movement.
"They're awake!" Cecile exclaimed happily, standing alongside Perceptor and Fixit.
"Thank the Allspark!" Fixit cheered along with all other Black Knights in the area.
"Ratchet, Optimus and the others have emerged from stasis." Perceptor contacted his fellow scientist. "Zero and his team appear to have been successful."
"Good. Let us hope they were able to retrieve what they needed."
Zero and his team ran back the way they came as all the Decepticons onboard the ship were also emerging from their forced stasis.
"Ratchet, fire up the Groundbridge! We're retrieving the data now!" Zero stated as they all came back to the console they placed the drive in, where Knock Out still remained in his forced stasis and had appeared to not yet emerge. "T-AI, are you there?"
"Yes… I am…"
"Then get back into the data-drive, we're leaving!" Zero ordered.
Suzaku looked towards the screen to see eight set of coordinates had been de-coded. "Looks like we got the locations for eight relics, but there might be more."
"T-AI said there was only one after that and it was the most heavily encrypted." Kallen said.
"And with Trypticon offline, there's no chance of us de-coding it now, or even copying it." Tohdoh added.
"We'll worry about that later! We're leaving now!" Zero stated as a Groundbridge portal opened behind them. "Get back to base, I'll retrieve T-AI and the data and be right behind you!"
"Understood." Sayoko nodded.
"Just don't take too long." Rai said as they made their way into the portal.
Zero then used his armor to fly up to the console and pulled the drive from the port. But as he did, Knock Out had emerged from stasis behind him. Zero then turned to face the smirking red Decepticon as his arm transformed into a drill.
"Say 'ah'." Knock Out said sadistically. But Lelouch was more than ready to fight back as he held the data-drive close to him with one arm and produced an Energon blade in the other.
"I'm here to offer a second opinion." Ratchet said from behind, delivering a punch just as Knock Out turned around to receive the punch to his face, knocking him to the ground and allowing Ratchet to pick up Zero and the drive before running into the portal just as it closed behind them.
Knock Out tried to push himself up to see his leader stomping toward him. "L-Lord Megatron… I…"
"You let them escape!" Megatron exclaimed with a glare, only to look in shock at the monitor in front of him to see the eight set of de-coded coordinates. "With vital intelligence!"
Ratchet plugged the data-drive into the Ark's main console, allowing not only the copied coordinates to be downloaded into the ship's data-core, but also allowing T-AI to return home as her holographic form appeared before him as well as Lelouch, still clad in his armor but his mask opened as she kneeled in exhaustion.
"I was able… to copy what I could… only one set of coordinate remains uncoded… and within the Nemesis' systems." She reported.
"You've done more than enough, T-AI." Lelouch told her. "Thanks to you, not only do we have critical information, but you were also able to help us stop a monster from taking millions of innocent lives, maybe even more. You may have just helped save the planet."
"The time has now come for you to rest and recover." Ratchet said. "During which, we'll have to make sure Trypticon didn't leave any corruption or corrosion in your coding."
"I understand." T-AI said as she pulled herself up.
"And T-AI…" Lelouch got her attention. "Just in case there was ever any doubt; even though you may not be Cybertronian or human, you're still one of us." He said sincerely and honestly.
T-AI smiled back. "There was never any doubt in my mind, but it means a lot to hear you say that."
"Till all are one." Lelouch nodded.
"Till all are one." T-AI repeated before she disappeared.
"Will she be alright?" Lelouch asked Ratchet.
"She'll be fine." The Autobot medic confirmed. "But while T-AI can rest now, the rest of us cannot. We have eight sets of coordinates to any potential doomsday device or sacred relic hidden on this planet."
"But so does Megatron." Lelouch followed, his expression turning serious as he looked toward the monitor where an image of the Earth was shown, and the eight set of coordinates each pin-pointed eight separate spots across the planet. "And we both know he'll stop at nothing to obtain each and every one of them."
Done.
All and all, I'm satisfied with this chapter for the most part. Although, I felt that the opening battle against the Nemesis was more of a mess than I had intended it to be. There were simply too many characters in that one scene to work with, and I felt that it would just be a cluster of words with nobody knowing what was going on, so I tried to condense it in a way that was easy to follow. And given how one-sided that battle was in the canon, and how quickly it came to an end, I felt it was best to do something similar. But while I am content with the rest of the chapter, particularly the fight in cyberspace between T-AI and Trypticon, I am unsatisfied with the initial battle and I don't think I have the energy in me to try and fix it, so I'll just cut my loses with that one scene and move on.
I'm also sure many of you were hoping for Trypticon to assume his natural Kaiju-like form, but I decided against it. If you recall from his transformation into the Nemesis in the FOC game, Soundwave said this transformation would be permanent due to the damaged state he was in. As powerful as Dark Energon is, I didn't want it to be a deus-ex-machina thing where it can do anything! Plus, having Trypticon still stuck in his ship-mode gave him a reason to locate the Iacon Relics with the hope that one would be able to restore him completley (if the Forge of Solus Prime is any indication). And if he were able to transform in the beginning, there is no way he'd simply use stasis-weapons to take down the Autobots and Black Knights, he would completely destroy them!
So yeah, having him remain stuck in his ship mode was the best course of action, plot-wise. Though I hope his fight in cyberspace with T-AI, where he could assume his true form, would satisfy your needs; it sure satisfied mine.
But now, these next chapters are what I'm really looking forward to. We have eight set of coordinates, and eight relics for our heroes to try and obtain. You can expect the canon relics from the show to appear (the Phase Shifter, Apex Armor, Resonance Blaster, and Tox-En), but as for the other four, I've got some special surprises in store that I'm certain you'll like. You can take a guess as to what each of them are, but you'll just have to wait and see. I've got plenty of other surprises in each chapter as well besides the Relics themselves.
I'm really looking forward to this arc as the Autobots and Black Knights divide their resources to try and prevent these Relics from falling into Decepticon hands, and I hope you enjoy what I have planned.
Until then, stay safe and stay healthy out there.