Chapter 61: Airachnid:
A Random Villager's POV:
We are The Anansi Tribe. Legend says a large woman that is part spider will come and will bring us great fortune as long as we serve her, and she has come. Now, we bring her offerings... or we try, for there is only one thing she desires, and I am not sure we can get it. Something she calls... Energon.
Arashi's POV:
I'm still on this strange planet where Liger is the only Zoid. Steel keeps trying to talk me into officially joining Unit: E, but I'm still not sure. All I want is to go back to my planet.
"You still homesick, huh," asks Roadblock.
"Maybe a little."
"Look, no one's trying to force you to join," says Roadblock, "but we are saying your whole Zoid thing could be alot of help."
Then Miko showed up. "Hey guys, the Director's got another job for us. Let's go!"
"You want in," asks Roadblock.
. . .
We were at the jet and the Director told us the job. "They are called the 'Anansi Tribe', named after the mythical trickster. Legend says a giant woman that's part spider will come, and they must serve her. Rumor says that happened."
"This seems more like a S.H.I.E.L.D. thing," says Miko, "you know how much those guys like spiders."
"We'll check it out," says Jack.
"Good luck, Team," the Director says.
. . .
We arrived in Africa.
"Okay, Team," says Jack, "let's look for this 'Anansi Tribe'."
We traveled through the jungle.
"Maybe we'll meet the Lion Guard," says Spike.
"That's fie ah caaartoohhn, Spike," says Brightmore, "Dane't believe everything you see."
"You know, I always thought Kion would get together with that Fuli," says Miko.
"My money would've been on that Jasiri," says Steel.
"You guys realize they're a cheetah and a hyena, right," asks Twilight, "a more logical idea probably would've been one of Kiara's friends, until they actually made a love interest."
"What are they talking about," I asked.
"Later, I'm gonna introduce you to shipping," says Roadblock.
We then found the village and the Elder came out. "Greetings. I am Omari, Elder of the Anansi Tribe."
"I'm Jack. This is Miko, Raf, Twilight, Spike, Arashi, Brightmore, Dr. Robertson, Roadblock, and Steel."
"You're probably wondering what I am," says Steel, "well, I'm..."
"A robot. Do not worry my friend, we know something about the modern world. We're not cavemen. Come in."
. . .
We were allowed in the village. Miko notices some newspaper clippings on a wall.
"Woah, you guys seem to really like Spider-Man."
"Yes, we have admired New York's Man who walks like Spider."
"You really like spiders," says Raf.
"Spiders may scare others, but we recognize how important they are for the environment. For example, if not for them, insects would take over the world."
"Did I mention I'm kind of... part insect," asks Steel.
"Do not worry, my friend, we do not have an obsessive hatred of insects."
"Rumor says your Spider Goddess has come to town," says Jack.
"Yes, I am aware of that rumor," says the Elder, "but I assure you, it is just that, a rumor." I noticed the Elder looking away. "Come you must join us for Supper."
"Hey, where are those guys going," asks Miko.
"That... is not important."
. . .
We had dinner with them. Apparently, they even eat like spiders. It was mainly insects.
"For once, I'm glad I don't eat," says Steel.
We were all uncomfortable, well, except for Roadblock. He'd eat anything.
"You guys really need to try the wasp," says Roadblock.
"I would," says Miko, "but I'm insect intolerant."
"They expect us to eat this... stuff," asks Brightmore.
"Is this a dung beetle," asks Dr. Robertson.
"Looks like it." Roadblock then eats it while it's in Dr. Robertson's hand, getting druel on his hand.
"I am definitely not hungry."
. . .
We were back at the jet.
"They're hiding something," I said.
"We just have to follow anyone who leaves the village," says Jack, "any volunteers."
"Leave this to me," says Steel as he turns to his scarab mode.
"Yeah, I'm sure they won't notice a big bug," says Miko.
"I'll go," I said.
"I'll go with you," says Spike.
"Okay, but be careful you two," says Jack.
. . .
Some of the villagers were leaving the village. Spike and I were following them in the shadows.
"This is getting creepy," says Spike.
"Just stay close," I said.
We walked through a dark forest until we came across a cave. The Great Spider that the people worship comes out.
"Did you find it," she asks.
"Forgive me, but we still could not find this Energon."
"I am starving for it! Find me some OR ELSE!"
I took a picture.
. . .
Spike and I showed the picture to the others.
"Her name's Airachnid," says Jack, "she's as evil as they come. She was Arcee's personal nemesis."
"She sounds divine daaarling," says Brightmore.
"She said she was starving for energon," says Spike.
"That's weird," says Miko.
"We have to tell these people she's no Goddess," says Jack.
"As long as Energon goes through my veins," says Steel, "we shall!"
We didn't know it, but some villagers heard that last part.
. . .
As we were on our way to talk to the elder, we got ambushed and Steel was taken away.
"Where's Steel," asks Raf.
Steel's POV:
The villagers took me to Airachnid.
"What's this? Some kind of Minicon," asks Airachnid.
"This robot says he has energon," says the Elder, "I think it's time you tell us what Energon actually is."
"I told you, it's like Nectar of the Gods."
"But he talked about it like it was his blood!"
"Just don't worry about it, Elder."
The Elder was starting to have his doubts.
Arashi's POV:
Spike and I led the others through the dark forest towards the cave.
"If that Spiderbot does anything to Steel," begins Miko.
"STOP," says Twilight, "I just had an idea. Spike can take us there. Arashi, you go get something for us."
I then understood what she meant and ran off.
Steel's POV:
I was strapped to a rock. Airachnid approached me and stuck out a long tongue like thing, and it was coming towards me.
"Hey Lady, we just met!"
But before she could do anything...
"Miss me, Airachnid?"
Airachnid looks and sees the team.
"Jack! As a matter of fact, I did. But my aim will be better!"
"Ra-Vu, Seekah of Lightning," says Brightmore as he summons his creature. Ra-Vu and Airachnid then fought.
"Let's get you out of here," says Twilight as she and Raf unstrapped me.
"We must give our offering," says a villager.
"NO," shouts the Elder, "she is no Goddess! She is just a robotic demon! She was going to kill those poor soul! We will do no such thing for her!"
. . .
We all ran out, but Airachnid managed to defeat Ra-Vu and chased after us.
"None of you will escape with your lives!"
Then Arashi came with his Liger.
"Oh, now that's a Cybertronian!"
Airachnid jumps on Liger and tries to drain the energon, but Liger has none. Liger then catapults Airachnid out of here!
"I'LL BE BACK!"
Arashi's POV:
"What I don't get," says Miko, "is how did Airachnid become a vampire?"
"I have a feeling it might've been Starscream's fault," says Jack.
"We owe you a great apology," says the Elder.
"Don't worry," says Steel, "but maybe next time, check if the 'Goddess' has an ID."
"Will you all stay for our next feast," asks the Elder.
"We'd love to," says Jack, "but we really gotta go!"
"You sure," asks Roadblock, "'cause I really wanna try the mantis. I finally understand Tunnel Rat's weird hobbies now."
"Let's go," says Miko.
Airachnid's POV:
I was falling until I landed in Egypt. Then a man came, with Energon.
"You still hungry?"
"Who are you?"
"Jonathan Rook. I am a big fan of the Decepticons. It was really lucky that the Big Boss made up that legend all those years ago when he visited Africa. He knew that was going to come in handy. I don't know how he knew, but he did. Anyway, you can have all the energon you want if you help us out."
I was going to kill him, but I was too weak. And he turned to this monster thing that stretched his arms and took the energon further. I had no choice but to agree to his demands.
In the next chapter, the team meets Metlar's witch.