Hello everyone, and welcome to the New Year of 2022! I am SuperHeroTimeFan, and I am now returning to you with a brand-new chapter of my Transformers and Ever After High story, Transformation of Ever After High! I am so glad this has gained so much popularity since I started this way back in 2020. It has been a rough time going through the years, especially when trying to update the story, but it has been worth it. I would like to thank Cloud4012, Masters123lfm, AlienTokusatsuDuelistMangaGeek, and so many of you others for the support you have given me. It all means so much. Now, I know this new chapter is overdue, but it is because the end of this will tease something special that will happen for the next chapter, which will be revealed iater on. So for now, please review, rate, and as always, please be sure to enjoy!
Chapter 16: The Dark Hunt
In a room, inside of a smithy, someone was forging a shield. When it was ready, the person looked to it, satisfied. However, before they could reveal themselves, the speakers sounded off.
"Attention, all students. Please report to the auditorium for a mandatory announcement. All students and faculty are required to attend."
At Ever After High, everyone heard this announcement and immediately dropped what they were doing to head to the auditorium.
"What's going on?" Faybelle asked Kitty.
"With Headmaster Burton being out and the teachers not knowing about where he went, I can't say." Kitty replied.
"You think it's serious?" the Son of the Hero of Harlem asked Lily Bo-Peep.
"I don't know," Lily replied before seeing Rowan pass by with Marylyn, Raven and Dexter. "Guys!" she called out. "You know what this—?"
"Can't talk," Marylyn cut off. "Headmaster Burton needs us."
Raven looked out the window, seeing her new Autobot team arrive.
"Even the Dinobots are all here," Raven mused as she saw the Dinobots come out from the forest with Thunderhowl and Sandstorm. "This is serious."
"Let's hope it's not all that bad." Rowan said before seeing the rest of the Knights of Iacon, as well as the known allies with the Autobots, arrive from the other side of the hallway. All the groups made their way into the auditorium just as the rest of the staff and students arrived.
Soon, everyone was gathered. As the students were talking to each other in their seats, the Autobots loomed by the stage. In front of them, all lined up, were the Knights of Iacon, as well as Ashlynn, Hunter, Lizzie, Miko, Atem, Ali, Duchess, Ginger and Marylyn. As soon as Edmund Burton stepped to the podium, everyone went quiet.
"Hello, Ever After High," Edmund Burton spoke up. "I am pleased to finally announce my return. As you know, I have been absent for a few weeks following our visit from Snow White," he said. "And I have asked that any gossip discussing my absence be discarded," he said sternly, getting a few students such as Sparrow and Kitty to rub the back of their necks awkwardly. "I have been absent because I was attempting to negotiate with the frontline Autobot and Decepticon leaders, for amnesty and sanctuary of our school." He announced, surprising everyone.
"That attack at Thronecoming must've been serious…"
"No way we'd join those 'Cons." Holly said to Daring.
"Is there good news to any of this?"
Edmund Burton cleared his throat again, getting the students to look at him.
"Autobot General Ultra Magnus and Decepticon General Thrust have agreed to meet with me. I was aided by Optimus Prime and his team, and to ensure coverage was provided, I asked Blondie Lockes to come with me to record. The details of the meeting will be shown by her on her blog immediately after this," Edmund Burton said, gesturing to Blondie, who stepped up with a solemn look on her face. "You will see my attempt to negotiate there… but the story is short."
Blondie silently dialed onto her MirrorPad, not making a sound. After selecting a recording, she displayed it on the projector for everyone to see.
On the screen was a recording, showing Edmund at a large table with Ultra Magnus and a Decepticon with jet parts and a cone-like head, his main color green. This was Thrust.
"As you know, Ever After High is a school, a place for learning," Edmund Burton said to Ultra Magnus and Thrust. "And for too long, it has been used as a battleground. I ask that this happen no more in your war."
"You did not ask to be a part of this conflict," Ultra Magnus said. "I respect that."
"But we all know that Megatron was being hidden there," Thrust spoke up. "I can't say I agree with the former headmaster about his reasons for hiding him there, but in addition to having the AllSpark there, I would say you are already in this conflict."
"The school is peaceful, we have a scarce amount of fighters," Edmund continued to reason. "It is only coincidence that the Knights of Iacon chosen were from there. The students acted against the Decepticons out of self-defense."
"I am sorry, Edmund, but I have to agree with General Thrust," Ultra Magnus said, surprising the Knights of Iacon and several members of the audience. "We must take recent actions into account, and both Autobot and Decepticon activity is strong there."
"I do not wish to make a school part of our war too," Thrust admitted. "But the continued actions and resistance give me no choice for our decision."
Edmund nodded. "What do you want then, Generals?" he asked.
"You know anything about this?" Briar whispered to Rowan.
"First time." Rowan replied as Apple looked on with a stern look on her face.
"I attempted to persuade the two leaders that despite our school having been a battleground, we wish to remain neutral in the millennia-long war," Edmund Burton continued as the recording paused. "Unfortunately, I have failed, and consequently… this school is now a part of the war."
Immediately, there was a commotion among everyone, students and teachers alike.
"We can't side with Decepticons!"
"This is Grimm's fault!"
"That is not all," Edmund said, silencing everyone. "I did manage to come to an agreement," he said. "As of this day, to ensure the safety of you all, curfews will be set, and no one will be allowed to venture outside of Bookend without an Autobot escort," he said before Optimus Prime stepped forward. "For an additional safety measure, Optimus Prime will explain."
"Thank you," Optimus Prime said as everyone looked to him. "I did not wish for this school to become a part of the war. It is an innocent place, with bright futures for all of you, whether or not you decide to follow the destiny set for you," he went on. "And I and the other Primes can assure you that we will ensure your safety," he started out. "Before our war reached Earth, we had defensive measures known as Energon Towers, to create a grid that can keep out Decepticon forces," he went on. "Said towers will be delivered here, where they will create a grid around Ever After High and Bookend, to ensure you all are safe from Decepticon harm. They will be arriving in three days, with help from our science division to help set them up."
"Consequently, as a result of our involvement in the war, I must make the following additional announcements with a heavy heart," Edmund Burton went on. "Until our defensive measures have been set, annual school events have been postponed indefinitely. That includes the Bookball tournament and the Spring Fairest," he said, causing a slight uproar from everyone. "This is only temporary until we find a safe way for you all. Until then, these are the new rules."
After the assembly, everyone was walking out. All of the Knights of Iacon joined together before Daring, Sparrow, Faybelle and Kitty approached them.
"Are you really gonna let this slide?" Kitty asked. "There's no way Headmaster Burton can set these restrictions for us!"
"It's to keep you all safe!" Apple snapped, surprising everyone, even Rowan and the Knights. "Everything changed for us the moment we stepped into this school. We have to be safe."
"Apple, you're sounding a little aggressive there," Poppy said cautiously. "You need to back down."
"We need to step up and fight the Decepticons, to make sure we still have futures worth fighting for… futures of our choosing," Apple said as Raven only watched in silence. "The moment we care too much about our destinies is the moment we already lose."
"She's right," Miko said as she approached. "I don't like being in another war as much as the next person, but we have to be able to still keep safe. After all, some of our parents know what war is like."
"Yeah, they do," Hunter said as he looked to his phone, waiting for a text response from Ashlynn. "Still nothing."
"She went to train with Prowl already?" Briar asked, surprised.
"We talked about it after the last mission," Hunter said. "She said she wants to find a way to better help the team, and training under Prowl seemed the best way," he explained. "She told me that she wouldn't be able to contact me as often, but I thought she would have found some free time. Guess I was wrong."
"She'll be back before you know it," Marylyn said. "And maybe if the Energon Towers get here, we can have our festivities again."
"Assuming there are no interruptions."
Everyone turned to see Arcee and Rodimus Prime approaching. However, Arcee looked different. She was still blue, but now had slight pink hues, the sides of her head modified, and with a blaster over her right arm, a band of some sort over her left, and two swords at her sides.
"Arcee?" Dexter asked, adjusting his glasses. "I know we didn't get much time to talk after you got back, but… you look amazing!"
"I went through Ratchet's new reformatting chamber," Arcee said. "Wanted something to increase my speed, agility and reflexes. I put in the specific requirements, and this is how I turned out," she grinned. "Don't worry, I'm still a motorcycle."
"I like it, I like it very much," Dexter smiled before seeing who appeared to be Bumblebee, also sporting a new look. "Is that you, Bumblebee?" he asked.
Everyone turned to see Bumblebee. He now had a new look that consisted of a clawed blaster over his right arm and a shield over his left. On his back were two weapons, his signature sword and now a war hammer. His shade of yellow had also changed to something much more vibrant over his original colors.
"You like it?" Bumblebee asked. "I went through the reformatting chamber as well. Decided it was time for an upgrade when we got back."
"That is spectacular!" Ali exclaimed. "Who else got a new upgrade?"
"That can wait," Optimus Prime said as he walked over. "Right now, it is best that you be ready to follow the new procedures set forth. I do not wish to have my forces act as a police force, but we must ensure your safety comes first… even your destinies and your stories."
"Understood," Rowan said before looking to the rest of the Knights. "Let's divide up patrols," he suggested. "Raven, you take Book End, and see to it that we don't have any Decepticons sneaking around. Apple, be on standby in case she needs help."
"Right." Apple nodded.
"Dexter, patrol the balconies. Make sure we don't get any sky attacks," Rowan went on. "Poppy and Melody, keep an eye out around the AllSpark. Alternate shifts, and make sure whoever leaves patrols the front of the school. And I want Cerise at the Enchanted Forest. Miko and Marylyn can take the back entrance. Any Knights that are left can act as guides to anyone wanting to go outside of Book End. We need to make sure they're all safe."
"Got it," Raven said before transforming into her armored form, letting her limo mode appear outside of the school. "Let's get going, Apple."
"On it." Apple replied before she and Raven got into the limo. As soon as Raven was at the wheel, they drove off, with the rest of the Knights and their allies heading to their assigned locations.
"Rowan," Optimus Prime said just as Rowan was about to leave. "In this time of war, I believe I know a way for you and the Knights to up your ante."
"What do you mean?" Rowan asked.
"Meet with me and Ratchet at the base when you can, with as many Knights as you can bring," Optimus Prime ordered as Bulkhead walked over with Wheeljack. "We will teach you from there, and spread it to the others when they too are available."
"We got something for you too, Briar," Bulkhead said. "Gonna make you official in the ranks of the Wreckers."
"Sweet," Briar said. "What have you got?"
Rowan was heading towards the courtyard for his patrol until he saw Miko and Marylyn at the front, talking with each other.
"Didn't I say for you to guard the back entrance?" Rowan asked.
"We just… wanted to…"
"I want to know if you're available for a date," Marylyn said, causing Miko to glare at her. "Before she could ask."
"What?!" Miko snapped. "You were just about to blast me to next week for even thinking of asking him out!"
"Bloody 'ell!" Marylyn spat, causing Rowan to storm on up. "I should—!"
"Enough!" Rowan separated the two from each others' faces. "I know how both of you feel for me! I saw it way back at True Hearts' Day!"
"Rowan?" Miko asked.
"Is this what you're gonna be like? Fighting over me all the time?" Rowan asked. "I've seen it happen before, way before we met the Autobots. Girls fawn over a guy like Daring, and when they fight over him, it ends with another fight. It's a harem. It causes problems, especially in a war."
"What… what are you saying?" Marylyn asked.
"We're in a war right now, a time where the Decepticons can attack at any moment," Rowan clarified. "Until we find a safe time, or at least until we're safer from the Decepticon attacks with the Energon Towers, I'm not in the mood for any relationships. Not if you keep fighting over each other!"
Miko and Marylyn dared not to argue, for they could feel their hearts sinking.
"I can't be in a relationship with others who will kill each other for me," Rowan went on. "I'm doing this for the safety of us all. Not just for you two, or Briar, or Melody, Cerise, Poppy… I know everyone who has a crush on me by now," he said as the Knights and their allies were actually listening in on the conversation from their respective places. "We need to stay focused. Nothing can get in the way… I can't have fighting among us." He said before walking away.
Marylyn and Miko looked to each other sadly. Around the school, anyone who had a crush on Rowan were feeling the same way, but had to focus back on their tasks at hand.
Meanwhile, Bloodhunt was watching over Book End, keeping an eye on everyone going in and out, from there to Ever After High and back.
"Bloodhunt to Megatron," Bloodhunt said through his Comms. "It seems that there are new security measures in place. I will ask for complete radio silence in case the Autobots pick up on our communications."
"Understood," Megatron said as he was entering Shockwave's lab. "I expect to see how you fare against Ravenicus Prime when the time comes." He said before ending the transmission.
"Lord Megatron, I believe your reformatting was incomplete," Shockwave said as Megatron was connected to some cables. "You need only an armor upgrade and a stronger Fusion Cannon. Then your upgrade will surely be complete."
"Proceed, then," Megatron ordered before turning to Starscream and Flip Side. "I am not to be bothered until this procedure is complete."
"Of course, Lord Megatron." Starscream bowed before he and Flip Side walked out.
"What do you suppose a Reformatting Chip could do for me?" Flip Side asked once she and Starscream were out of the room.
"Without damaging yourself, I am unsure," Starscream replied. "But while I despise those humans, you are fine the way you are."
"You got a Spark of gold, Starscream," Flip Side chuckled before seeing some dark mist appear. "What's that?"
Starscream looked ahead, as did several Vehicons, Soundwave and Motormaster.
From the dark clouds came a portal of some sort. Everyone took aim before three individuals in black coats, their faces hooded, walked out.
"Intruders!" Starscream yelled. "Sound the alarm and prepare to—"
"No need," the cloaked leader said, stepping forward. "I assume you have some empty cells?"
"What's it to you?" Flip Side asked, aiming a blaster.
"We wish to speak to Megatron," another cloaked figure said in a female voice. "Where is he?"
"Unable to deal with human scum." Motormaster scowled.
"Well, aren't we racist today?" the third figure asked, sounding somewhat like Raven, only with sadism in her voice.
"Ravenicus?" a Vehicon asked.
"Allow us to see ourselves to your cell." The leader said, opening a portal. This time, all three of them fell through it.
"Soundwave, I want a visual of the ship!" Starscream ordered before his face turned into a screen. It showed every area of the ship being monitored, save for Shockwave's lab. One of the screens showed the detention block, where the three figures appeared in.
"Keep an eye on them," Flip Side ordered. "Until Lord Megatron is done with his procedure, we make sure those three don't go anywhere," she said. "A single step outside, and we will make sure you are punished."
The Vehicons nodded and made their way to the detention block.
"Did one of them really sound like Ravenicus to you?" Starscream asked.
"Never heard her sound so… sadistic," Flip Side said. "And from what LaserBeak showed to us, she was at Ever After High this whole time since returning from battling with Megatron."
"So who would we be looking at?" Starscream asked.
"Well, we're here," one of the cloaked figures said in the cell block, sitting on a bench while taking out a mirror to admire herself in. Her voice had a hint of impatience to it. "How do you plan to gain this Dark Energon from them if we abide to their rules?"
"Patience, Mira," the leader said. "When we show Megatron what we have to offer… he will be unable to refuse."
"I'm more interested in this Ravenicus that they mentioned," the other cloaked female said. "Another Raven Queen for me to dominate."
"In due time, Vernax," the leader said, removing his hood to reveal a face with dark skin, gold eyes and silver hair, around the age of twenty. "All good things come to those who wait."
Back at Ever After High, Darling was walking through the halls. As she noticed some of the allies of the Autobots and the Knights standing guard, she came across Ali and smiled, walking up to her.
"You doing okay?" Darling asked.
"To be honest, I've been better," Ali replied. She saw Dexter outside and turned back. "I take it you didn't tell Dexter yet, or Daring either?"
"Well, I tried to tell Daring… but he was so busy admiring himself in the mirror that I don't even think he was listening to me," Darling said. "As for Dexter, I didn't think it would be the best time after that announcement."
"Well, ever since we bonded at True Hearts' Day, and later on at Thronecoming, you know how I've started to feel about you," Ali said. "I told my parents about you when Rowan took me and Atem to the 1001 Deserts, and even Atem himself could see through it. When will your own family learn about us?"
"When the time is right," Darling promised, taking Ali's hand. "Just try not to let it go too much to your head while you're on the job."
"I promise," Ali said, leaning in close to Darling. "But right now… can we at least share one little bit?"
Darling blushed. "You know how I respond to that." She giggled.
Ali giggled as well before the two leaned in and kissed each other on the lips. Afterwards, they released and Darling walked away, just as Dexter, who was finishing up his patrol, turned around.
"What was Darling doing?" Dexter asked.
"Just saying hello," Ali smiled. "She's a nice person."
"Yeah, she is…" Dexter said before seeing the faint blush on Ali's face. "What's got you excited then?" he asked curiously.
"Oh, what?" Ali asked, trying to cover her face. "Um, just thinking about my parents and how proud they are of what we're doing."
"Well, I'm headed to the little knights' room," Dexter said. "Take over for me until I get back?"
"Sure thing!" Ali said immediately, going to take Dexter's place as he went to go refresh himself. As soon as he was gone, she let out a sigh of relief, right as he popped back in.
"Oh, and if you're going to do this with my sister, promise me you will look after her well," Dexter called, causing Ali to blush nervously. "After all, you two make a great couple."
Ali smiled. "She's a wonderful girl." She sighed.
"Then I expect to hear how you two got together when I get back." Dexter winked before walking away.
When Dexter was gone, Ali pumped her fist and cheered before taking over on patrol.
In the forest out back, Cerise was with Carmine and some of the pack, as well as Thunderhowl.
"Okay, we need to make sure the Decepticons don't try to get us around the back way," Cerise said. "Carmine, you and the pack know the forest like me and Ramona. You're in charge of looking around and making sure that both she doesn't get into any trouble, and seeing if any Decepticons attack. Come back to me immediately if you get into any trouble."
Carmine and the other wolves barked in agreement before running off, with Cerise waving to them.
"While they are patrolling, I would like to teach you a technique that I learned on Cybertron, for dealing with large numbers of enemies." Thunderhowl said.
"What is it?" Cerise asked.
"Your speed is an ally to you," Thunderhowl instructed as he got into a running position. "This is how you can use it. Observe."
Cerise watched as Thunderhowl ran around, eventually going faster until he was running in a circle. After going fast enough, he stopped and held his sword back, letting the excess streak of speed enter his weapon. Cerise then watched with wonder as he shot it forward. He then tossed his shield in the direction of the throw, just as the speed, now a wave of energy, hit the shield, creating a wave that spread around.
"Whoa!" Cerise exclaimed as Thunderhowl went to retrieve his shield. "How'd you do that?"
"When you run fast enough, you create a streak in your wake," Thunderhowl explained. "Use what remains of that streak at the right moment, and you can weaponize it against any enemy. The fastest on Velocitron, Override, has dubbed it as the Sonic Streak."
"So… like this?"
Cerise took off and raced around, copying what Thunderhowl just did. He watched with an impressed look on his face as she created a streak with all the speed she had. Soon, she stopped and absorbed it into one of her swords. Aiming around, she threw it at Thunderhowl's shield, causing it to vibrate as another wave went out.
"You learn quickly." Thunderhowl grinned, making Cerise smile.
At Book End, Ravenicus Prime arrived. She let out Apple before transforming back into her human form, but keeping her limo alt mode on standby.
"There are guns and a periscope inside," Raven said. "Until my shift ends, stay here. Fire unless you see trouble."
"You got it," Apple nodded before walking into the limo, where she got to one of the guns. "I'm not letting anything get you."
"A little excessive and too early, but it works," Raven said before walking away. "You've been very excessive for a while." She muttered to herself before patrolling around.
"Well, what do we have here?" Bloodhunt asked, scoping around with his rifle as he saw Raven. "They weren't lying when they said you were different from the others. This'll be fun."
Inside of the limo, as Apple was keeping watch, she caught Raven in her sights. As she watched, she sighed.
"I let you die before," Apple said as she felt a hidden bangle around her left arm. "That won't happen again… not while I'm now a Knight… I promise."
Elsewhere, Ginger was with the Dinobots, going through a course they had set up. She leapt across from several poles planted into the ground before flipping through some hoops. As soon as she landed, she slid away from some swinging logs before making her way to the end, where she picked up a staff and swung at some incoming scrap acting as projectiles. After a few swings, she spun and swatted the launcher away, now panting heavily.
"You doing well, Ginger," Grimlock said as Ginger walked over to get herself a cup of water. "We just sorry about school getting caught in our war."
"I know you all do the best you can, Grim," Ginger said before taking a towel to wipe away the sweat on her. "I feel like, since the others are doing what they can to prepare for the worse, I should too. I was the one who made sure you were alright when I found you, after all."
"We thankful you do that," Swoop said. "Which is why King Grimlock want you to be ready to fight with Dinobot strength."
"But he said he didn't get a Talisman." Ginger pointed out.
"No Talisman. Riser." Snarl corrected.
"What's a Riser?" Ginger asked.
"This," Scorn tossed a device to Ginger, who caught it. She looked to it to see it was a claw-shaped item, a dinosaur claw, with symbols of each of the dinosaur modes of the Dinobots. "It's called the Dino Riser. We call it the Riser for short," he explained. "See, I made one back on Cybertron, but the problem was we tried it with Minicons. They couldn't quite handle the ways of the Dinobots."
"I'm still gonna need to get used to the fact that you talk normally," Ginger chuckled as she put on the Riser. "What do I do with it?"
"You can select up to three Dinobots to harness power from," Scorn explained. "It gives you a tremendous power boost, and armor too."
"Almost like a Knight of Iacon, but at the same time, not?" Ginger asked.
"You can put it that way." Grimlock replied.
Back at Book End, Raven was still keeping a look out, armed with her Skybreaker. As she was, she was unaware that a reticle was being locked onto her.
"Wait," Apple said, focusing on Raven before spotting the reticle. She looked up and noticed a beam aimed at her. "Look out!" she called out, pulling the trigger.
Raven turned around, having heard Apple, before the blast went off. She gasped as it intercepted a blast about to hit her, causing her to shield herself with her arm.
"Everyone, to safety!" Raven ordered. "Apple, out of the limo!"
Apple nodded and ran out, just as Raven leapt up. Gears shifted on the limo before it became her Cybertronian body, turning into Ravenicus Prime.
"So close!" Bloodhunt snarled as Ravenicus Prime took out a blaster. She aimed it at the source of the blast and fired, causing Bloodhunt to race down before transforming again, aiming his blaster at her.
"What are you?" Ravenicus Prime asked. "An assassin? Mercenary?"
"A Hunter," Bloodhunt said, cradling his blaster as Ravenicus Prime kept her weapon aimed, with Apple readying her own sword. "Call me Bloodhunt."
"Ratchet, get me all information regarding a Decepticon called Bloodhunt," Raven whispered before turning back. "Did Megatron hire you to kill me?"
"I don't kill for anyone. I kill for the hunt," Bloodhunt chuckled. "And you're the prey."
"So… not a hired help?" Apple asked. "And here, I thought that some of you were like those in our stories."
"Not even close," Bloodhunt said. "For stellar cycles, I had been hunting down Autobot and Decepticon alike, even gaining respect of the higher-ups on both sides. Been trying to find someone worthy of hunting, and after hearing that the legendary Ravenicus Prime had returned, I knew you could be considered worthy of my hunt. It begins now."
"We're not going to be part of your game, and neither is the school!" Ravenicus Prime narrowed her eyes.
"Just make this easy, and they won't even be caught in the crossfire," Bloodhunt said as he readied his blaster again by holding it at his side, which Ravenicus Prime copied. "I look forward to this hunt."
"You really want to try?" Ravenicus Prime asked, keeping her blaster in the same position.
"Let's find out." Bloodhunt smiled.
Apple watched nervously as the two stared each other down. After a while of feeling the tension rising, the two raised their weapons, with Ravenicus Prime preparing to fire, only for Bloodhunt to fire first. Ravenicus Prime groaned as she was sent flying back as Bloodhunt walked forward, keeping his blaster aimed.
"Gonna keep a note," Bloodhunt smirked as Apple ran to check on her friend. "No quick reflexes. Must be slow from all those years of being hidden away."
"Take that back!" Apple snarled and shot out several blasts from her Talisman. All of them were dodged by Bloodhunt, who then fired back at Ravenicus Prime, but Apple raised her Talisman shield to protect them. As soon as it lowered, he started to shoot at her, but she clicked her new bangle, which let out a shield that had the Autobot symbol engraved onto it.
"When did you get that?!" Ravenicus Prime exclaimed in amazement.
"Fight now, questions later!" Apple yelled as Ravenicus Prime got back up. She willed away the Skybreaker and summoned her knight sword. Swinging it to the side, she ran at Bloodhunt.
Bloodhunt watched before letting out a bayonet on his blaster. He raised it up to block several swings from Ravenicus Prime, parrying her attacks away before striking back. As she tried to find an opening, he sent a punch at her, which she dodged by twirling around before going in to try and stab him.
Bloodhunt simply dodged to the side and detached his bayonet, making a small dagger. He slammed it onto Ravenicus Prime, who held up her knight sword, only for him to hammer away at her, eventually shattering the blade.
"Impossible…" Ravenicus Prime said, looking at her broken knight sword.
Bloodhunt punched Ravenicus Prime back before Apple ran in, slashing at him with her swords. He managed to once more parry off the attacks before backhanding her away, sending her into Ravenicus Prime.
"We keep this up, he'll destroy half the village." Apple said.
"Fall back," Ravenicus Prime ordered, opening fire again before transforming into her jet mode. "We lose him in the air."
Apple nodded before scanning an eagle flying above her. She knelt down and rocketed upwards, flying with Ravenicus Prime as Bloodhunt continued to fire.
"You can't escape." Bloodhunt smirked before transforming into a helicopter, flying after them.
"Rowan, this is Ravenicus Prime!" Ravenicus Prime called out as Apple flew alongside her. "We've got trouble! A hunter is after me!"
"What?" Rowan asked as he was patrolling the courtyard. "Where are you now?"
"The skies!"
Rowan looked up, seeing Ravenicus Prime and Apple flying away from Book End. Right behind them was Bloodhunt, readying a cannon under his cockpit.
"Behind you!" Rowan shouted.
Apple turned around and gasped before Bloodhunt opened fire. She and Ravenicus Prime spun out of the way before the latter transformed, using her blaster to fire back.
Bloodhunt dodged easily and fired again, the two engaging in a firefight.
"He's persistent, I'll give him that," Ravenicus Prime mused. "But a jet is faster than a helicopter, so…"
"I'll meet you around the school, over the forest!" Apple nodded before flying around.
Ravenicus Prime transformed back into her jet mode and activated her thrusters, flying faster. However, Bloodhunt raced behind her, slowly losing speed.
"No need to worry," Bloodhunt said as his monitor started to track Ravenicus Prime's movements. "Now, to find a shortcut."
Back at the Nemesis, Megatron emerged from the lab. He looked to his Fusion Cannon, now matching the one that he had in his original form, before cracking his neck. He now had missile launchers on his legs and thighs, as well as turrets on his shoulders.
"This will do nicely," Megatron grinned before Starscream approached him. "What is it?"
"We have some visitors for you," Starscream said. "They are in the holding cells."
"Is there more to them I should know about?" Megatron asked as he and Starscream walked to the detention block.
"They look to be human, and were disguised," Starscream replied. "One of them sounds like a more malicious Ravenicus. All three of them delivered themselves to the cell, through some sort of dark portal."
"We call it a Dark Corridor."
Megatron and Starscream turned to see the silver-haired man in the cell with the two hooded females. They walked forward, and within an instant, they appeared from another portal outside.
"What kinds of humans are you?" Megatron asked.
"My name is Xehanort… a younger version of the Master, at least," the silver-haired man said before the other two lowered their hoods. One of the females had red hair while the other resembled Raven Queen, only with golden eyes. "And my associates."
"What?" Megatron asked, looking to the lookalike of Raven Queen.
"Is this some sort of trick from the Dead Universe?" Starscream asked. "She looks like Ravenicus!"
"So… the Raven Queen of this world does go by the name of Ravenicus, then," the girl smirked. "She'll be fun to break."
"Allow me to introduce my associates," Young Xehanort gestured to the redhead. "This is Mira Shards, the Reflection of Darkness," he said before gesturing to the lookalike of Raven. "And this is Vernax, the Evil's Offspring."
"What are you?" Megatron repeated.
"We are Nobodies, and we represent a powerful group… Organization XIII," Young Xehanort explained. "We come to you for something you possess; a substance which we could use to tip the war we are in to our favor."
"Tell me, Xehanort, what do your organization hope to give us in return?" Megatron asked. "I hold an army of Decepticons, and do not need to rely on human assistance."
"Watch your tongue!" Mira Shards snapped, about to step forward when Starscream aimed the Crimson Tyrant at her.
"Know who you are addressing!" Starscream ordered just as the Vehicons and Flip Side aimed their own weapons.
"You have an evil Melody too, I saw," Vernax said. "No Lemyxod, but definitely evil-looking."
"Stand down," Megatron ordered. "I will ask again, Xehanort… what can you offer?"
"An army for you to control, to increase your forces, all through your Dark Energon," Young Xehanort said before dark creatures appeared from the shadows, causing the troops to take aim. "I present to you the Heartless."
Megatron raised an eyebrow before harnessing what little was left of the Dark Energon inside of him. Aiming his arm out, the Heartless followed his arm's movement before he clenched his fist, getting some of them to vanish.
"And they will obey my every command?" Megatron asked.
"Like dogs," Young Xehanort nodded. "As an extra for your share of Dark Energon…" he held his hand up, summoning from the shadows several Heartless that took on the shape of decaying Cybertronians, all with red eyes.
"Sparkless?!" Flip Side yelled before aiming her blaster at Young Xehanort. "Give me the word, Lord Megatron!" she called. "I will end the source of this desecration to our race here and now!"
"Hold!" Megatron ordered, surprising Starscream and Flip Side. "It would seem something else is commanding these… Heartless," he noticed as the Heartless and the Sparkless started to look around, as if trying to find something they could not see. "Someone familiar is on their way."
"I will leave that for you, since it sounds like a personal matter," Young Xehanort said. "But with this, do we have an agreement? Dark Energon in return for these forces?"
Megatron turned to Young Xehanort, who nearly budged as he aimed his gladiator sword at the silver-haired man.
"You will stay on this ship until I can be sure you can be trusted," Megatron declared. "There are those who would oppose you."
"Not from here," Vernax said. "I suggest you have some of your troops patrol this Ever After High, and find those who look like the students here. They are sure to be the ones who will get in our way… and yours too."
In a Dojo away from the school, Ashlynn Ella was walking around. She looked to her surroundings as something stalked her in the shadows. She continued to look around, trying to find out where the assailant was hiding.
Soon, several shurikens were thrown her way, but she turned around in time with some glass swords in her hands, slicing them apart. As she twirled over the last one, something knocked her back, causing the dodged shuriken to miss her by only a few meters.
"You were too slow again," Ashlynn turned to see Prowl walking out from the shadows. "You need to be able to see all the attacks coming. Not just from in front of you, but all around."
"I'm trying," Ashlynn said, getting up. "I thought I had it that time. I was looking through the reflections on the glass. I cleaned them so well that I could see myself. I didn't think I could be caught off—"
"You have potential, Ashlynn," Prowl said, reaching for her swords, carefully shattering them before pulling her combat shoes off, leaving her barefoot. "But you must develop the first to learn the second."
"My shoes!" Ashlynn gasped. "Without them, I'm nothing!"
"And nothing… is where we shall begin," Prowl said. "Besides, there are times you have to get your feet dirty to get a clean cut." He said before walking away.
Ashlynn panted as she got up. She looked to the shurikens that missed her before turning to the one that almost hit her, looking into its reflection. She narrowed her eyes before going to the center of the Dojo. Getting into a ready position, she started to perform Tai Chi, breathing deeply as she did so.
At Ever After High, Ravenicus Prime continued to fly around the school. She looked behind her, seeing that Bloodhunt was nowhere in sight.
"Apple, I think I lost him," Ravenicus Prime said. "But get a Ground Bridge ready, we need to lose…"
All of a sudden, Bloodhunt appeared from above, firing on Ravenicus Prime. She gasped and transformed, summoning a shield. As she held her defense, she crashed to the ground, where Bloodhunt landed. He aimed his blaster around, only for Ravenicus Prime to not be there when the dust cleared.
"You can't hide forever," Bloodhunt said, unaware, or so one thought, that Ravenicus Prime had returned back to Raven Queen, hiding behind some trees. "I did my research on you before taking the hunt. I know you're a techno-organic. Your unique signature can't escape my sensors."
"That's it?" Raven asked, surprised. She tapped her Talisman a few times before running into the forest, panting heavily.
At the front of the school, Apple remained in midair, her weapon drawn for an attack. However, Ravenicus Prime did not arrive.
"She said she was almost here," Apple said to herself as Rowan flew up. "You see Ravenicus?"
"I lost her when she circled the south side," Rowan shook his head. "Maybe she got—"
Before Rowan could continue, everyone's Talismans went off. They looked to it, and their eyes widened once they heard what came through.
"You can't hide forever. I did my research on you before taking the hunt. I know you're a techno-organic. Your unique signature can't escape my sensors."
"It was a 1-9-8-7 tap," Rowan realized. "She can't make contact with us."
"Or she'll continue to be hunted," Apple finished up. "I should have stayed with her, made sure that Bloodhunt didn't take her."
"We'll end his hunt," Rowan reassured before a Ground Bridge appeared. "We need to tell Optimus and Ratchet about this, and then we can find out how to take him down."
"Let's hurry." Apple said before she flew into the Ground Bridge first, followed by Rowan.
"Raven's in trouble," Briar said as she was with Wheeljack and Bulkhead. "If you have something to help me, I need it now."
"Scan the two of us." Wheeljack said.
Briar nodded and scanned both Bulkhead and Wheeljack at the same time. She looked to her Talisman to see what she had gotten. Unlike before, instead of the vehicle modes and abilities, she received an armor scan.
"What's this?" Briar asked.
"Wrecker Armor," Bulkhead replied. "We tried it with Minicon recruits back on Cybertron, and they were able to briefly get the strength of the Wreckers for a limited time."
"It becomes more powerful when the group of Wreckers grows," Wheeljack went on as Briar continued to admire her scan. "But you'll have to do with us two for now. Ravenicus Prime needs you."
"Thanks," Briar smiled before tracing the code that was sent. "Gotta go." She said, activating a car scan and skating off to the location she had pinned.
At the Autobot Base, Optimus Prime and Ratchet watched as Rowan helped Apple recover from her fight.
"That guy was fast and strong," Apple said after gorging down a whole bottle of water. "Who is this Bloodhunt anyways?"
"A dangerous hunter from Cybertron, aligned with no one," Ratchet explained. "He would hunt both Autobots and Decepticons, paid mostly by the latter. He only cared about collecting money and trophies from his hunts. He never gives up on any of his prey."
"Which means he will continue trying to trace Raven until he gets killed." Rowan deduced.
"Or if he kills Raven," Apple realized. "There's gotta be something that we can use to stop him, anything."
"Optimus, you said you had something for us," Rowan pointed out. "What is it?"
Optimus Prime stepped forward. "A level that you can reach to match the powers of a Prime, nearly at their full power." He explained.
"Which is what?" Rowan asked.
"The original Knights of Cybertron accessed it, enhancements known as Prime Armor," Ratchet explained. "Capable of taking on the abilities of the other Primes. However, when they vanished, and when the original Primes were no more, there was no way to recreate the process. Not without other Primes to replicate from."
"We have three," Apple pointed out. "You, Optimus. And Rodimus and Raven too."
"There is one more, one who is leading the fight on another part of the planet," Optimus Prime said. "But if you can use the three present Primes here at Ever After High, it might be enough to throw Bloodhunt off."
"And give you humans an advantage over the Decepticons in the war," Ratchet went on. "Simply focus directly on the Prime you envision, and their power will be shared with you, but it must be through a tremendous amount of willpower and focus."
"That sounds like a risk." Rowan winced as Apple started to think back to Thronecoming, when the Talisman rejected her at first, and when she was forced to run from Megatron… the moment Raven sacrificed herself for her.
"Input the coordinates Raven sent us," Apple ordered. "I'm heading there, with this new Prime Armor… now."
Ratchet gaped as Apple glared at him. Instantly, he plugged the coordinates in as Optimus Prime stepped out of the way. Once the Ground Bridge was powered up, she ran into it and spiraled forward, flying through with her eagle scan.
"Why is she so… gung-ho?" Rowan wondered.
"Pain," Optimus Prime explained, causing Rowan to look at him. "But we cannot help her overcome it… not now."
"Then when?"
"When she opens her heart to Ravenicus herself." Optimus Prime finished up.
Back in the forest, Raven continued to run. She eventually came across a clearing and stopped, resting on a rock. She panted before taking out a bottle of water and drinking from it. However, the bottle was shot, and Bloodhunt appeared, causing her to gasp. She activated her Talisman and transformed into Ravenicus Prime again, aiming the Skybreaker.
"This is where it ends, Ravenicus," Bloodhunt said. "It was indeed a fine hunt… but I always get my prey."
All of a sudden, the Ground Bridge opened. Ravenicus Prime gasped before Bloodhunt turned around, where Apple rammed into him head-first, sending him flying back into a tree.
"Apple?" Ravenicus Prime asked before hearing a groan from Bloodhunt.
Bloodhunt felt his mouth, and noticed some Energon bleeding out. He turned back to Apple, glaring at him with her sword aimed.
"Alright, then," Bloodhunt said. "You first… then Ravenicus."
"You die," Apple proclaimed. "Ravenicus dies… never."
"Apple…" Raven said with awe.
Apple took a deep breath and pressed her Talisman, causing a hologram of Ravenicus Prime to show up.
"Prime Armor!" Apple called out, causing purple flames to surround her. Ravenicus Prime and Bloodhunt watched as the hologram of Ravenicus Prime flew over her, eventually transforming into robot mode in front of her. "Ravenicus Prime!"
Bloodhunt's optics widened as Apple charged. She flew into the air, letting the wings of Ravenicus Prime attach to her back. She spun back around and let the nosecone of her jet fly to her left arm, forming a cannon. As soon as it was attached, she gained thrusters on her heels before making a three-point landing. As soon as she looked up, the helmet of Ravenicus Prime appeared over her head, followed by the Skybreaker falling into her hand, completing her Prime Armor.
"Whoa…" Ravenicus Prime said in amazement.
"The signature… it's… doubled?" Bloodhunt asked.
Apple aimed the Skybreaker forward as she advanced on Bloodhunt. He growled and took out his knife again, slashing down at her. However, she locked with the blade, not even budging from her spot. Bloodhunt tried to press the blade down, but Apple glared at him, causing his optics to widen before she shot him away with her cannon. As he flew back, she flew into the air at him, summoning her own sword into her left hand.
Bloodhunt watched as he fended off, only to be put onto the defensive as Apple attacked as quick as lightning, all without even making so much as a grunt. He continued to fend off against her until he shot at her head. However, she caught the blast with her main sword before sending it back at him, damaging half of his face.
Bloodhunt roared before trying to use his blaster to shoot at Apple again. She roared back, more fiercely, and slashed away each of his blasts before getting close enough to sever his right fingers. As soon as she flew back up to his eye level, he attempted to punch her, but she sliced his fist off entirely before flying back, both of her blades glowing.
"Your hunt ends here!" Apple yelled, sending forth dozens of sonic slashes.
All Bloodhunt could do was watch as the blasts made impact on him, creating an explosion of dust. When Apple landed, the Prime Armor faded away, just as Ravenicus Prime reverted back to Raven Queen.
"That was amazing!" Raven cheered.
"Is he gone?" Apple asked before hugging Raven. "I won't lose you again, I swear."
Raven gasped before returning the hug. "Thank you." She said.
Soon, the dust cleared, and Bloodhunt was left with half his face blown off and his arm severed. Seeing his weapons destroyed, he transformed into a rally fighter and drove off.
"He got away, didn't he?" Apple asked, still hugging Raven.
"Yep." Raven nodded.
"That's good." Apple smiled.
"Raven! I'm here!" Briar called as Apple and Raven let go of each other to turn to her. "I'm ready to…" she trailed upon seeing the wreckage. "Late. I should've known."
"Next time, Briar," Apple chuckled. "Next time."
Later, the next day, Apple was approaching Raven, who had some gauze over her head.
"Your favorite," Apple said, handing Raven a drink. "Just the way you want it."
"You don't have to wait on me hand and foot, you know." Raven chuckled.
"Maybe," Apple said. "But… I want to be better."
"Better than scaring off a hunter?" Raven joked.
"I'm serious," Apple replied. She looked Raven in the eyes. "You kept fighting for us before I became a Knight, when I was helpless," she said. "I want to do the same for you."
"But not alone," Rowan said as Apple and Raven turned to see him approaching. "We're all going through a lot, but trust me, we can get through it if we work together."
Briar watched from a distance after Miko and Marylyn were finished talking with her.
"I hope the same can be for us." Briar said to herself, knowing what Rowan wanted for himself and for the Knights.
"From now on, we take this on together," Rowan said as Raven and Apple smiled at him. "Till all are one. Right?"
Raven and Apple smiled, holding their fists out to his.
"Till all are one." Raven agreed.
"To light the darkest hour." Apple chimed in.
All three chuckled before hearing a loud boom. They looked around before seeing a portal in the sky open up, revealing a large ship that was burning.
(Play Back To The Earth by Starset; Start at 2:14)
"What in the—?" Rowan asked.
Everyone looked up as the ship crashed down. A lot of the Knights in their respective assigned areas prepared to activate their shields, but it flew over them.
"Look!" Apple pointed to the side, revealing words engraved onto it. "Tempest?"
"That thing is huge!" Raven exclaimed. "And I think there could be a crew aboard!"
"Optimus, did you get this?" Ratchet asked back at the Autobot Base.
"Yes," Optimus Prime said before contacting Rowan. "Rowan, what is happening?"
"I… I don't know," Rowan replied as he continued to see the ship crash, now leaving a trail of smoke. "It just came out of nowhere!"
"Unknown vessel, do you copy?" Ratchet hailed, only to get some garbled screams. "Please respond! Are there passengers aboard?"
"What's Ratchet saying?" Rodimus Prime asked as he approached Rowan, Apple and Raven.
"From what we're hearing, it sounds as if there are people on the ship," Raven replied. "He can't get a proper hold of them."
"Brace for impact!"
"Systems failing!"
"Come in!" Ratchet tried to hail again, only for the line to go dead. "Rowan, we lost contact. Do you see where the ship crashed?"
"Somewhere in the forest," Rowan replied. "We'll head over to check it out."
"Keep some of the 'Bots on standby," Raven ordered as she let out her limo mode to travel in. "Until we know what we're dealing with, it'll just be me and Rowan!"
From the Nemesis, Young Xehanort, Mira Shards and Vernax watched the crash happen with the other Decepticons.
"It would seem they are here," Mira Shards said. "And with damage too. A perfect chance to get them."
Megatron narrowed his optics before looking to Starscream. "Take the Seekers and check out the site," he ordered. "Come back if you find anything."
Starscream nodded as he let Thundercracker and Skywarp to the deck. They all leapt up and transformed, flying to where the crash had happened.
"And who are these you are worried about?" Shockwave asked while eyeing Vernax suspiciously.
"A group of children from a world similar to this one," Vernax replied. "An annoying group too."
"The Forever After Fighters." Young Xehanort finished up.
(End Song)
"Wherever they are, a certain Nobody in their group is sure to follow." Mira Shards glared.
"Who?" Flip Side asked.
"The wielder of the Keyblade." Vernax replied.
"I cannot say I know of this weapon… or the one who wields it." Megatron said.
Young Xehanort turned to the crash and narrowed his eyes, saying the name who earned the ire of the Organization.
"Roxas Twilight."
At the crash site, several of the crew were knocked unconscious, parts of the Tempest blown away due to the crash. The lights flickered weakly, revealing some of them to be doppelgangers of the students of Ever After High. One of them, however, was blonde with spiky hair, and in his hand, a weapon resembling a key began to show.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Notes: Well, everyone, you enjoy my new chapter? I haven't touched this in a while, so I hope you like what I'm doing here. As for the end, it's for something special I have for later on down the road, so there's a bit of a wait. Stay tuned for a special chapter that will come on that day, as even Cloud4012 is in on it. All will be revealed later on. No sooner, no later. Stay tuned! For more on this story, please review, rate, and as always, Private Message me. After all, I enjoy hearing from you all, so long as it's positive. For now, this is SuperHeroTimeFan signing off. Have a great week, everyone! See you soon!