Wolf And Beetle

Part 1

It was an ordinary day at Darksyde. Then, Scorponok address his leader

" M-Megatron ! Emergency situation ! " - nervous Predacon said

" What is it ? " - gang leader of bunch of renegades turned around in his rotating captain chair to face his second-in-command, traces of annoyance in his voice

" Stasis Pods ! " - Scorponok started quickly explaining - " Two of them ! Heading to the surface, fast ! Impact in 45 cycles ! "

" Excellent " - Megatron grinned wickedly, then cooled his voice - " Have you managed to determine their falling coordinates ? "

" Yeah. Of course " - Scorponok reported with satisfaction, looking at the digital screen, but mumblingly added later - " B-but, t-there problem, boss. One of Pods will land within Maximal turf "

" Blast ! " - spit Megatron, clenching his first, also glancing at the flow of data. Although, with a roar of frustration he delivered order with confident determination - " No matter. You ! Go with Inferno and secure the Pod that will land into our ground ! "

" As you command, Megatron ! " - Scorponok eagerly saluted with his huge claw and drove his floater away out main room

Now, alone, Megatron pressed some buttons located on his wrist and said another order into the comm-link - " Terrorsaur ! Waspinator ! I want you to converge on coordinates that I send you right now, immediately. Keep this Stasis Pod out of Maximal hands and reprogram it into Predacon. Destroy everyone who stands in your way ! "

" Orders that I will happily oblige, Your Majesty " - mocking, garbled by the static voice of Terrorsaur come out of wrist - " Flyers out ! "

Megatron turned off com-link and began quietly monologue to himself - " Promising development, yees. Two new warriors lay ready to enter our little game. With their powers I will be able to acquire a good advantage over these persistent Maximals. Who knows, maybe…I will finally be able to CRUSH THEM !!! ". With tremendous punch against chair handle, Megatron indulge himself into healthy dose of laugh

He regretted only one thing : the necessity to remain at base, not be in the field in person. But, after all, someone must keep an eye on Tarantulas and Blackarachnia. He will not allow these sleazy spiders to meddle with his plans again, no. Definitely, no…

Part 2

At Axalon, serious and patient Rhinox carried out monitor duty. Suddenly, red warning screen interrupted him

" Optimus ! " - he called his commander in calm, but at same time, urgent voice

" What's going on, Rhinox ? " - Optimus Primal crossed the room to his subordinate's post

" Two Stasis Pods incoming " - Maximal scientific officer simply reported - " Landing zone : Grid Pyro. Vector : 0-5-1 "

" More buddy-bots ?! " - energetic Cheetor chimes in - " Alright !! "

Rhinox gave him stern look - " Bad news : one of them got into Preds' grounds "

" Giga-bummer " - Cheetor's head fell to his chest, but momentarily, he was eager again - " So, what're we waiting for ?! Let's get in gear and save our pals. Come on ! "

Optimus put a heavy hand on Cheetor's shoulder, as the hot-blooded youngster almost walked off with a quasar pistol in fist - " Stop, Cheetor ! "

" But, Big Bot ! Our own guys–"

" We need a plan. Strategy. Rushing into the trouble would be foolish " - as Cheetor cooled off enough to listen, Optimus continued and addressed others Maximals in the control room - " Firstly, we need to predict what Megatron is gonna do. He wants both Pods, of course. So, he will send two teams to deal with it. And we too. Main focus would be on Pod which is on our territory, so, Dinobot, you will meet with Tigatron and Airazor and fend off Predacons away from it. Understood ? "

" Grrr…consider it done…hrr " - Predacon answered in usual ghastly voice and took off outside

" Meanwhile…" - Optimus continued again after the pause - " They would be sure that snatching Pod on their own turf is more safe. Well, we are about to make them think twice. I will lead an aerial strike, but I would require additional firepower with me. So, one of you will go with me "

" I wonder who this sucker would be " - Rattrap snickered under his breath

Optimus turned all his attention on him - " I'm afraid, this sucker is you "

" Whaaa ?! Oh maan, boss-monkey !! " - Rattrap loudly protested - " Why me ? I'm too young, too good-lookin' ta be slagged inta our warm 'n' fuzzy neighborhood "

" In my flight mode I'm not able to carry anyone with more weight than you, have you forgotten ? And you got skills and firepower. So, be quiet rat and shut up "

" Hehe " - Rattrap gave a nervous, but sincere giggle - " Thank you for complimentin' my weight, ape brain. Whatever ! " - he theatrically threw his hands in the air - " Y'know, I've always wanted ta die ! "

Watching as Rattrap stormed off in the direction of armament storage, Optimus said to the rest of his troops - " Cheetor, you stay here with Rhinox and defend our base. Anything can happen anytime. Understood ? "

" You got it, Big Bot " - in truth, Cheetor was not happy to stay out of actions, but he made enough mistakes already, to starts understand than caution is very good tool of warrior

" I'll brings Sentinel to maximum alert " - Rhinox turned to his screen and resumed duty

" Alright, bots, time to move ! " - shouted Optimus Primal running into corridor of the ship

Part 3

Above lush and big forest bright red pteranodon and green-and-yellow wasp cruised through air at their top speed

" Woohho, Waspinator seeks Stasis Pod. Make a new comrade of Waspinator. Megatron will reward Waspinator " - strangle, goofy voice come out of wasp

" That Pod is MINE, bug-eyes ! " - raspy, soul-crunching shreek escape pteranodon's beak - " It will be a minion of mine…" - then in a whispering tone - " Then this purple dolt will bow to me…"

" Huhmph " - offended wasp grumbled - " In Terrorsaur's dreams…"

" WHAT ?! "

" Waspinator said nothing…"

Lowing close to ground and almost at coordinates, two flyers begin to search the area with their optic sensors. Finally, the gray structure of Stasis Pod came into view. It landed into bushes and grass, parallely, broking some trees along the way

" There it is ! " - Terrorsaur was elated - " Our own pretty Stasis Pod and Protoform within…"

" Yes. And no Maxies around. Waspinator happy. So far, so goo–AAARGHH !!! "

Without warning, a powerful blast rammed into Waspinator, sending him careening into the ground. Terrorsaur barely dodged one that was intended for him and wildly searched for the attacker. Soon, sleek and curved robot mode of Airazor showed up

" Deeply sorry for ruining your party, boys " - fembot said with dry smile

" YOU !!! " - Terrorsaur filled with rage. Although, in crimson fog, he managed to catch a glimpse of Dinobot's and Tigatron's beast modes coming closer to his position. So, Maximals wants to play after all ?

" Bring it !!! " - he screamed and initiated transformation - " Terrorsaur, terrorize !!! "

Now, with blaster in his hand he jumped at his hated opponent

Part 4

" AHH, THERE IT IS ! NEW ADDITION TO THE COLONY ! " - humongous ant beast mode of Inferno crawled out of charred rock of volcanic region where Predacon base was located. Landed Stasis Pod was not far away, among pile of rubble

" Where do you think you're going, glitchhead ? " - irritated yell of Scorponok came from behind, where his scorpion beast mode scurried in rear - " I'm second-in-command ! I'm the head of the operation ! You're supposed to follow my orders ! "

" SILENCE, DRONE ! " - Inferno snapped at him, focusing all his attention on the prize - " OUR QUEEN CHOSE US TO BRING THIS FELLOW ANT TO SERVE UNDER HER. AND THIS WE WILL DO ! "

" Slagging malfunctioning idiot…" - Scorponok cursed quietly, fully ready to please Megatron first - " Ahh, blah. I'll download a shell program into the system. Stand aside ! "

As Predacons were about to move to the helpless Stasis Pod, Optimus Primal watched them from the sky. And listened to Rattrap's endless flood of complains, too

"--for the last time I'm ridin' yer monkey airlines. My servos is numb, I'm cold an', worse of all, my butt is on f–"

" You picked up a DNA sample, right ? " - asked wearly Optimus, through Rattrap's litany

" Oh, sure, I did. All the dirty jobs " - Rattrap briefly showed up small gun-like gizmo into his paw

" Good " - Optimus nodded swiftly. Without this Stasis Pod's scanning system will face trouble to find sufficient lifeform in this wasteland

He looked at Predacons down below again. " We about to give them small surprise " - Optimus began to lowering to the surface

" Oh man, oh man " - traces of panic appeared into Rattrap's voice, his grip tightened - " Yer not gonna–"

" Power dive ! " - Optimus speed up and plummeted down, accompanied by Rattrap's screams and his own guns firing

Part 5

" Dinobot, maximize ! " - with growl Dinobot transformed into robot mode, rotating sword and tail-shield battle-ready

Sickly green optic lasers scorch through sky, carefully trying to harm Terrorsaur as he was tangled with agile Airazor

Poor Waspinator jumped all over the place pathetically trying to avoid Tigatron's freezing blasts, which already disabled his left arm

" Noo ! Tiger-Bot go away ! Waspinator not in the mood to get cold ! "

Although, with busted wings, currently in process of self-repair, Waspinator proved to be quite jerky target even for Tigatron's hunter instincts

Terrorsaur wasn't having a nice time either. Soft traitor on the ground actually did not want to harm his Maximal « teammate » with his lasers badly enough. So his assault was slow and maneuverable. But, Airazor was a huge pain in his thrusters. Caught between two foes Terrorsaur went thinking

He's not going to lend Maximals this Pod. It belongs to HIM. He has plans for this Protoform. End of discussion. Previously, his plans went South really fast. Because he wasn't thinking then. Yes. That's what he should do. Think ! Think !!

Airazor. What is her weakness ? Same that turncoat Dinobot got to love. Compassion. He really cares about their soft Maximal cronies…she really cares about…

That's it !!

Grinning at realization, Terrorsaur pulled out a risky stunt and bent behind himself to select a target below. And fired. Tigatron, too focused on the almost cornered Waspinator, didn't see a pair of heat-ray eye blasts hitting him in the back. He staggered on his knees with nasty burned wound

" Tigatron !!! " - Airazor's heartbroken scream echoes across the battlefield. Terrorsaur laughed madly. Fool. She made herself vulnerable. With powerful punch in the face, Terrorsaur thrown stunned Airazor out of the sky

Dinobot prepared to engage the red Predacon as sudden shot of sting shell distracted him for few seconds

Flying to the Stasis Pod, Terrorsaur barked at Waspinator, saved by him - " Keep him busy, buzzbrain ! "

" Oohho, sure thing. Waspinator shoots Lizard-Bot again " - but before he could even able to draw his weapon up, Dinobot turned his blood-red optic at him. There was…pure murderous hatred…here. Green-and-yellow Predacon vocalized squick - " Waspinator regrets shooting Lizard-Bot…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Dinobot jumped at him, fangs and teeth bared. Quickly, Waspinator turned into mess of mech-fluids and dented parts with Dinobot atop of him

" Nooooooooo…."

Paying no attention to the screams of his comrade playing his role as bait, Terrorsaur moved even further to the Stasis Pod. Yes ! Yes !!! Pod is his. At last…

Touching ground near Stasis Pod, Terrorsaur connected the wires from his wrist with Pod's computer system and began downloading the shell program

" Scanning for compatible lifeforms " - voice of Maximal onboard computer announced - " Scan complete. Beginning replication "

" Yes !!! " - Terrorsaur triumphed

Part 6

As gunfire was laid upon them, Scorponok and Inferno starred up in the sky

" What in the Pit ?! " - Scorponok inquired, then have noticed the unmistakable figure of Optimus Primal rushing down in their position

" MAXIMALS !!! " - Inferno exploded with fury - " DESTROYERS OF OLD COLONY !!! THEY SHALL BUURRNN !! INFERNO, TERRORIZE !! "

" Stop, you moro–" - Scorponok attempted to restrain Inferno for impulsive and thoughtless actions, but it was in vain as usual. Split second after, Inferno proudly stood in his robot mode, then activated his rocket booster and turning his flamethrower at maximum range, flew into air, shouting madly and spitting fire everywhere, straight into Optimus Primal's flight path

" This got his attention, alright " - Optimus chuckled darkly - " Now, I suppose this your stop, Rattrap "

" Humh. Have yer fun dancin' with a psycho-ant, fearless leader. This rat is outta this ship !! Oh maann…" - Rattrap closed his optics and jumped off Primal's back. All according to the plan, the surface is not far away. He can survive this stunt with minimum damage and lands nearby Stasis Pod

Rattrap hit the ground really hard. For a few clicks it seems as if he tore off all his four limbs. But…opening his optics, Rattrap still sees them attached to the rightful places. With a moan and sigh of relief, he professionally started to assess his surroundings. Optimus and Inferno were high up, locked into a deadly duel of fire and blades. That keeps this Predacon loon for a while. Stasis Pod in vicinity, untouched. No sign of Scorponok. Maybe he is too occupied with looking in the sky to notice the humble rat ? Rattrap grumbled mentally. It's never going to be that easy

" Rattrap, maximize…" - he said activation code almost as whisper and transformed on two feet. Stealthy moving among the cover of charred rocks, he was closer and closer to the Stasis Pod…

…unexpected buzzing aroused his sensors and he swiftly turned his head and blaster at possible source. There was Cyber-Bee. Scorponok's little pet toy. With bad cyber-virus for him

Rattrap dodged the drone, as it flew above his head and turned around for another sweep. Elated Scorponok jumped on rock peak nearby

" Haha, just wait to see my Cyber-Bee's bite ! Hehe, it's gonna be kicks ! " - Pred laughed vulgarly, standing around, all open

" Yeah ? " - Rattrap lifted his eyebrow - " Hear me, creep, I wanna share with ya then ! "

With trained skills he waited as Cyber-Bee were close enough and dexterity snatched it in mid-air, throwing the drone into its owner across the distance

" What the–" - dumbfounded Scorponok has hardly time to react as Cyber-Bee clamped itself on his chest and he fell from peak, funny noises escaping his motor systems

Smug with his victory, Rattrap run to the Stasis Pod and began fiddling with its computer system

Finally, he pulled out a DNA sample and slammed it in. Process gets started. " Let me see ya, babe " - Rattrap smiled

Part 7

Predacon emerged from the open hatch. Initially, only light green insectoid limbs, then the entire body, coalesced into black-and-blue chitinous shell. Enormous beast mode of stag beetle adored with huge and sharp mandibles crawled out of his cradle into the world

" Ugh " - Terrorsaur grimaced and rolled his optics - " Another bug ? Whatever ! You, there ! You know who you are ? "

Stag beetle looked at him silently and wordlessly. In truth, a few seconds too long. The he speak up - " Yes "

" Good " - Terrorsaur grinned with malevolent intent - " Let's us scrap some Maxies and call it a great day ! "

Red Predacon turned on spot with gun, anticipating to finish wounded ones and kill Dinobot, busy with Waspinator. But, as he looked in that direction, his plans shattered. Blue patterns began playing up all over his frame, pain seized his joints and circuits

" Energon build-up ?! Slag ! Not now !! " - he was in robot mode too long. As pteranodon he's not have such good chances against Dinobot. Stewing with frustration, he nevertheless, begrudgingly decided to retreat

" Beast mode ! " - he reversed the transformation through clenched teeth - " You ! You can fly ? "

Instead of answering stag beetle newcomer opened hidden wings of his beast mode

" Very good. Back to base ! " - he ordered and they both took off

Waspinator laid a sorry-looking pile of spare parts in the grass. He wasn't feeling himself so well

Fortunately, a pair of pteranodon's paws grabbed his chest and carried him in the sky. " Hold in there, you walking jigsaw " - barked Terrorsaur's voice as he struggled with weight under him and evaded last of Dinobot's optic blast

Part 8

Maximal emerged from the open hatch. Initially, there was only a loud howl of some wild animal and then gray shape jumped out of his cradle into the world. Moments after, majestic wolf stood up and sniffled the air

" Geez, mate " - Rattrap jokingly poked into his ear - " Ya tried ta deafenin' me back there ? "

" Greetings, fellow Maximal ! " - wolf's voice was filled with joy and interest - " It's a pleasure to finally be with my kind "

" Very friendly, aren't we ? " - Rattrap snickered, good-natured - " But, anyway, hello an' welcome ta Good Guys Central. Phew, no stinkin' Preds are gonna ta touch any Stasis Pod at my watch "

" Yes. We have enemies here…" - wolf newcomer turned thinkful - " Not our kind. I will help to fight them with all my heart ! "

" Glad ta hear it, furball. We could use some extra strength " - Rattrap approved

Suddenly, the body of Inferno plummeted into the ground far away, all on fire. Ant-bot screamed incoherently during the fall, but hitting the ground, went unconscious in the mini-crater

Then, Optimus Primal touched the surface and disengaged flight mode. He looked at the newcomer and smiled widely - " You did it, Rattrap ! "

" Yeah, yeah, you can send me my fee later. Oh, I forgot, I don't have one ! " - Rattrap handwaved in his usual grouchy fashion

" Good job–AGH ! " - Optimus was cut mid-sentence by painful Energon build-up and reversed the transformation - " Beast mode ! "

Gorilla form of his was with burned fur and bloody marks, clearly air fight with pyromaniac berserk Inferno took his toll on him

" Well, anyway " - he focused back on the conversation and addressed the wolf-bot - " Greetings, friend ! I am Optimus Primal, commander of local Maximals "

" Leader ! " - wolf-bot was obviously excited, even his tail started to swing - " I'm all yours ! "

" That's a spirit " - chuckled Optimus and then ordered - " But let's have more talk later, we're still at enemy ground and it's going to be long walk home "

As Rattrap returned to the beast mode, too, trio of Maximals leaved the place

Part 9

" You, incompetent disgraces ! " - at Darksyde's main room Megatron was furious - " You allowed the Maximals to bested you so easily ! On our territory !! "

Before him, battered Scorponok and Inferno stood on floaters with fallen heads

" T-this n-not…my…f-fault…M-Megatron…" - still barely recovering from the effect of his own cyber-virus, frightened Scorponok tried to defend himself - " It's…h…him ! " - he pointed at Inferno - " M-moron got a-away…not foll-loow o-orders…I was w-without back-up…I…"

" FORGIVE ME, ROYALTY !!! " - Inferno howled in despair - " I'M FAILED YOU !!! PLEASE, HAVE MERCY !!! "

" Grrr…" - Megatron growled in anger and then barked - " Get out ! Get out, you fools ! Аnd don't get in my way ! Now !! "

Sullen Scorponok and Inferno drive off their floaters in the direction of CR tanks

" Such a pathetic sight…" - Terrorsaur mused, watching them leaving - " I'm on the other hand…"

He thrown his arm in direction of new Predacon, standing on floater nearby. He was same light-green and black-blue coloration, with instectoid limbs along his arms and long mandibles pointed upward by sides of his torso

"...present to you…Insecticon ! " - Terrorsaur finished his phrase, smugness dripped from him without limit

Megatron's face lightened with glee - " Ahha, yees. Good work, Terrorsaur. You actually surpassed my expectaion of you "

" Waspinator helped to bring Insecticon, too. Waspinator is good today, too " - fresh from CR tank, hovering Waspinator chimed in - " Waspinator will get reward from Megatron ? "

" What ? " - Megatron, lost in his thougths, almost not noticed him, then said indifferently - " Yes-yes, double ration of Energon for both of you. Right now, to our new teammate. Got something to say to your comrades-in-arms, Insecticon ? Don't be shy "

Initialy, Insecticon say nothing. Only watched. With tiny red optics he watched everyone around him wordlessly. Then he speak up - " I'll look forward to work with you. All of you. I'm sure it'll be…fun ". And went silent again

Megatron mullen over this for a click, then shrugged - " Excellent. I'm sure too that you'll get your chance soon enough. Now, everyone, to your duties "

Dismissing the Predacons, Megatron turned in his captain chair to info-globe of Predacon computer and starts analysing the data flow

As he drived his floater away, Terrorsaur watched the Insecticon's back in front of him and was very satisficated with himself…

His time grows near

Part 10

" You let 'em ta slip away, ya slag-spoutin' saurian ?! " - at Axalon's control room, Rattrap was in one of his most obnoxious moods - " With our guy !!! "

Mean-spirited Dinobot was in the foul mood already, stewing at recent failure, even without Rattrap

" Oh, an' barbarian and bird-lady got seriously injured ! Where are ya been ?! " - with defiance Rattrap tapped his finger at Dinobot's scaled chest - " I ask ya, moron ! "

" Hrrr…next time, when you will be on mission with me, I'm will not be concerned about your well-being, rodent, and let your to feel my laser !! " - Dinobot roared through his words, staring directly in smaller Maximal's eyes

" Oh yeah ? Show me now ! " - Rattrap spitted and both bots began to lift up their fists

" Enough, you two ! " - Optimus ordered firmly, shoving duo away from each other with hands - " We cannot change anything. But I want to hear, Dinobot, what happened ? "

Dinobot's face turned in deep frown, he said honestly with effort - " I…let my instincts bested me. I was distracted by Waspinator. I'm…failed you, Primal ". With that, he walked away, without looking on anybody

" Dinobot ! " - Optimus called him back, but he didn't listened. Optimus released a weary sigh - " At least…this solar cycle wasn't in vain after all. How do you feel at our home, Wolfang ? "

He adressed new Maximal, light blue armor was in his design of chest, head and arms. Rest of his frame was covered in gray fur. Pair of green optics observed his comrades with great ciriuosity and living drive

" Cannot be any better, leader. This place is wonderous and so full of new faces " - he paid nods to Rhinox and Cheetor - " It'll be a honor to serve in this pack "

" Humph, ya got yer way with words " - still bitter Rattrap quiped on over-enthusiastic Wolfang

" We're may be small, but we are great team " - Optimus started his speech, adressing to Wolfang - " We have our mission. To stop these Predacons and I, as commander, responsible for every Maximals under me. Welcome to our ranks "

Optimus Primal lended a big, ape palm to Wolfang, which he gladly accepted with his own - " I swore, we'll succesed ! Together as one ! Together ! ". He dramatically lifted fist into the celling as if it was battle cry

Rattrap, watching this from sideways, put hand on his forehead and said quietly - " Oh boy, our bunch of misfits growin' 'n' growin' with every cycle "

Rhinox just put a hand on his pal's shoulder - " No matter, Predacon or Maximal. Two Sparks came online today. And there is a great joy…"