The Energon Pub

Uluru – In the Shadow of Ayers Rock

“How the slag do I get myself into these scrapes?! I’m a salesman, not a stretcher!” Swindle cursed to himself as even his jeep altmode struggled under the weight of the considerably larger Blast-Off. Carrying his team mate to safety was all well and good, but he had a business to run.

>>>Hey, Swindle, it's Psychout. Not sure if you remember me...<<<

Who? Oh, him. He had a hazy recollection of the cassette; half decent negotiator, one of Shockwave drones with ideas way above his function... but his offer caught his interest. Uranium was highly illegal, which meant it was also highly valuable... He didn't get an opportunity to reply though as the weight of Blast-Off and the impending golem hoard left his hands, or wheels, somewhat occupied.

He swerved around the battlefield to try and find a safe spot to dump Blast-Off without being blamed for leaving him, but his attention was caught by a fleeing yellow streak and Bumblebee sprinted past him, and the again as Kup, Arcee and eventually Ironhide ran in the opposite direction. Under normal circumstances, that would have been the very last direction he'd have headed in, but he saw their destination and figured following the crowd was the best option, especially when he spotted Psychout flitting about like an insect.

>>>Psychout my old friend!!<<< he lied with the silver tongue of the stockbroker >>>Have I just the thing for you!! I’m headed your way with the goods now, this is your lucky day!! ...need anything else?<<<

Uluru – Medical Outpost FUBAR

Psychout was glad that Kup, at least, was seeing sense, and he turned back and indicated towards a pile of multicoloured bodies where the altercation with Bumblebee took place. "Good, you're obviously the smart one then. We need anyone still functioning up on that platform" he indicated towards Landgrab. "Your mech is over there, you can’t miss him, bright green and blue sports car, with any luck he might even still be alive..."

And as he accepted Kup's offer of aid, Swindles response finally came though. Excellent. Just as they stop being threat to us... he sighed and radioed back >>>You took your time! These had better be good...<<<

>>>I’m wounded you even ask!!<<< came the chirpy reply, and a cloud of dust signaled the arms-dealers arrival as he skidded up to Mal Practice and slammed on his breaks, chuckling as the still-unconscious form of Blast-Off slid off his roof and thumped onto the ground at the medics feet (who countered with a tirade of expletives having been disturbed, yet again.) Transforming into his robot form, Swindle offered Psychout a pair of rifles by the barrel, one still with some energon stains on the stock, the other with a large dent in the handle. “Two brand new flamebird killing firesticks for my favourite customer, and it all comes with the usual Swindle ‘Guarantee’! Now, let’s see those bullets, it was 200 apiece, right?”

“Two hundred!? The state those are in you’ll be lucky to get ten. I offered you 50 per weapon, but like this? 75 for both.”

“Alright, alright, one careful owner each. 200 the pair, literally a steal.” Swindle held up the one on his left hand; “Gas gun, nitrous oxide payload, freezes anything it hits” and held up the other hand “Hard water riot canon. Illegal on Phobos 6, but will douse these fiery eagles wetter than a Seacon’s boltsack.

Psychout couldn't help but chuckle at Swindles undentable determination. “I’ll give you 50 for the water cannon, and 30 for the dented glass gas gun. I;d be surprised if it works at all in that condition, and they’re not exactly a threat right now...” and he held up a dark green cartridge with a yellow biohazard symbol on it, pulling it just out of Swindle’s reach before he could snatch it away.

“C'mon! You’re going to ruin my reputation here!” the Combaticon retorted, but the he nodded reluctantly in acceptance. “Now hurry up and take ‘em, I've got to get back to the big guy up top before he misses me. I've got a nice concussion cannon that should shake that big bubble of his right up.

Keeping the offered shells just out of Swindles reach, the small Cassetticon called to his team, “Darkfire! Feedback!, change of plan. Take these off Swindle and see if you can help up top thinning out the elementals around Devastator. He’s the best chance they have of smashing that shield. Just be sure to radio in the second that thing goes down!"

Ironhide needed both hands to force his jaw up to close his mouth. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Here they were, not only in the middle of a life-or-death battle against a demigod, but in a tense situation between the 'Cons and 'Bots, yet these 2 were haggling over discarded and damaged artillery. Unbelievable.

Uluru – Medical Outpost FUBAR

"Darkfire! Feedback!, change of plan. Take these off Swindle and see if you can help up top thinning out the elementals around Devastator. He’s the best chance they have of smashing that shield. Just be sure to radio in the second that thing goes down!"

Feedback's shoulders relaxed a little bit in relief as he heard his commander's voice yell to he and Darkfire. Finally... now he could stop playing the conversational host with the ancient Autobot duo. He took the few steps back over.

He stopped at Swindle and looked over the guns the weapons dealer was holding. "Oh! Is that what I think it is?" He said snatching the gas gun from him. "Always wanted one of these.."

Feedback looked over his shoulder to the 'Bots one last time
"Don't think it hasn't been an absolute joy, boys." He said sarcastically to Kup and Ironhide.

Then he stowed the gun, took a hesitant look back at his commander, transformed into his jet mode and took off leaving a ground shaking BOOM to mark his departure as he ignited his engines.

>>>"Psychout, sir, we need to have a brief discussion about that face your holding when I get back."<<< He radioed back. >>>"It would be best if you don't dispose of it."<<< There was just a touch of threatening in his voice on the last part. Hardly noticeable, but there.

Australia - Medical Outpost FUBAR

"Oh don't worry my Autobrand wearing, cygar munching, comrade for the time being," Cloudbreaker injected as he walked over to the seasoned Autobot veteran and threw his arm around his shoulder. "We never -urp-, oh 'scuse me... We never wanted to hurt the little fella. Never." The thief's voice grew more slurred as he tried addressing the now mute point to Kup. "In fact... I feel a lil bad about what we did to him. Here..."

Cloudbreaker then reached into his Subspace storage surprise pack and drew the small power core he swiped from Bumblebee moments ago. The Decepticon thief then brought his free arm around and placed the stolen power source up against Kup's chest plating, leaving him to choose to take it or not.

"Whelp! I have done my part he-eep!-here..." Cloudbreaker stuttered as he patted Kup's back before stumbling away from his side. "I've got people who need saving!" Utilizing the jet thrusters in his boots, Cloudbreaker lifted himself into the air and rocketed off across the battlefield.

Australia - Base of Ayers Rock

As Cloudbreaker soared in the Australian skies, his sensors began to beep and flash as they detected a weak energon source coming from the base of Ayers Rock. The signal was stronger than the faint ones he had been detecting earlier in the battle, but was still weak enough to stand out from the rest of the mechs who were still fighting below.

Upon landing and reverting back to his robot mode, Cloudbreaker's optical sensors widened in surprise to find that the signals he had detected were coming from the Autobot's CMO, Ratchet and defensive specialist, Trailbreaker. He thought he had escaped the Autobot's presence back at the FUBAR outpost, nearly avoiding a scuffle with Kup and company, but now he landed smack dab right in front of another Autobot pair.

The former pirate's mouth laid agape as he stood frozen in place beside the two Autobots. His processor was scrambling to determine how he missed such a vital piece of intelligence. Perhaps his latest snag of high grade was stronger than he originally hoped for and was now beginning to feel the effects of over-energizing. Yeah, let's just go with that.

"Hey..." The thief muttered aloud as he held his palms up to show he meant them no harm, unsure of how he should approach the duo. "I Uh... I picked up a weak energon signal around here and I was sent to h-hic!-help..."

Slowing reaching for his flask, Cloudbreaker held up the container and gave it a gentle shake, displaying he had a little left of his own stash to offer them.

"Eh?"

Australia - Top of Ayers Rock

Devastator grinned in delight at the sight of the Fallen bouncing atop the red rock. The brutish mass of green and violet construction vehicles let a deep chuckle of satisfaction before coming under attack from every flame bird converging on his position. Before he could react, his body was under attack from various streams of flame. His previous outburst of satisfaction was soon replaced with a series of pain-induced grunts and groans. His massive arms attempted to swat away at his newfound avian foes, but found no anvil in doing so. Devastator didn't have the intelligence to calculate how long his toughened exterior could hold under the intense heat, but primal instincts were simple to follow. Fire hot, hot bad, stop fire.

"GRRAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWHHH!!" Devastator roared as he attempted to swat away at the elementals. His massive mitts were swiping away at birds left and right, but they kept coming, reforming and reengaging their original flight courses before turning back to rain more hell fire upon his chassis.

Suddenly, amongst the midst of the fiery chaos he was being thrown into, there was a ringing in the gestlats audio receptors... It sounded like someone was talking to him, or at least trying to. His head pivoted towards the left and right, trying to locate the source of the voice. Unaware of his own communications link with the rest of the Decepticon forces currently active, Devasator listened to see what the voice was trying to say to him as he swatted away more fiery birds.

>>"Devastator, this is your Supreme Commander, Razorclaw! Once you are done playing with rocks, I want you to attack the Fallen more directly. Use all of your fire power and strength! Let nothing get in your way! Is that clearly understood?"<<

Devastator growled as the somewhat familiar voice spoke to him, a flame bird searing its way across his violet breast-plate as he brought his arms out wide.

"Faalllllllennn... Devastator... Crush... CRUSH FALLEN!!!" In an intense moment of strength, the giant constructicon brought his hands together, producing a thunderous clap and sending out a massive gust of energy brought upon kinetic energy. A vast amount his avian foes flew back before being extinguished by wall of wind he sent across the top of the rock formation.

Ignoring the pain from the remaining birds, Devastator lumbered across the rocky structure before he stood twenty or so meters from where the Fallen hovered in mid air. A rage-filled scowl was etched on the Constructicon combiner's faceplate as he lifted a balled fist into the sky.

"CRUSH FALLEN!!!" The monster echoed as he brought his fist down upon the shield. If the shield and the possessed Autobot inside were still affected by gravity, then his blunt attack should send the deity falling down the side of the rock.

And if the Fallen should still be standing at the bottom of the rock, then not only will both Autobots and Decepticons have witnessed the first ever formation of combiner technology achieved outside of Jhiaxus' lab, they would be the first to see one fly.

Astralia- Uluru- In The Air Above Ayers Rock

With only proximity radar on to prevent in air collision, Feedback didn't know how many friendlies (reminding himself that Autobots are falling under that category, at least for the short term) he was coming up on. This was like flying blind as far as he was concerned. It generally made him a bit twitchy and irritable, but he was trying to conserve energy at this point.

The firebirds, not being solid, were not able to be picked up, more twitchy, he had to rely on optics for avoiding them. He was less worried about the golems unless the sprouted wings and took flight, which, who knew what could happen at this point. The sky wasn't terribly crowded with Cybertronians, though. Made less to avoid at least.

And then there was the double edged sword. As much as he preferred not to be flying around with his long distance eyes off, at least he was in the air and not on the ground with all the others.... and the rock golems. Of course... the flight was short because the big rock with the deranged Autobot wasn't far at all. Which was a serious downer to any good mood he might be able to scrape out of this mess. The firebirds where nothing that he could toy with, they lacked any intelligence to play Feedback's usual game of lure the rat into the trap. But Psychout requested he and Darkfire let him know if that shield dropped, so he had to be in visual range of the Fallen... and his blasted birds.

As he came in fast on the rock, as he was one to show off (quite a bit, really), he picked up Decepticon signature on his radar... he hadn't flown with this one before, but there was something familiar, not sure what, about it. But as he came into visual range quickly, he recolonized who the signature belonged to.

Starscream.

All his focus went on the sky commander that he didn't notice that he was about to fly through a firebird. "Scrap!" He shouted, mad he wasn't paying proper attention, and transformed... which slowed his forward trajectory, but the thing and he still flew at each other, the bird searing him as he passed through it. Pulling out the glass gas gun he had secured from Swindle, he ended up hitting his thrusters to flip him over mid air to face the bird, he let loose a shot at the creature.

The nitrous oxide collided with the beast, as he righted himself to remain aloft against gravity. A brilliant show of crystalline beauty sprouted as the liquid hit the bird and turned to ice, glinting in the Australian sun.

"Whoa..." Feedback forgot absolutely everything for a moment as the iced bird dropped to the earth's surface. "Wicked cool!" If he could smirk, he would be right now... the smirk of a troublemaker with a brand new tool.

He turned to face the Fallen, which was when he remembered that there was other Cybertronians in the sky with him. Mainly, the one Seeker he had always wanted to impress. "Oh scrap..." He muttered.

After his wretched day (in which he wished he hadn't shown up early for duty and have avoided all this humiliation, pain, and disfigurement) this was not him looking his best to get his first chance to impress the sky commander. In fact, he was so far off 'his game' he couldn't even see the top of said game, where it's usually best to be when you want to impress someone.

"Wait, wait..." He muttered to himself. This might be his only opportunity to be in a position to be noticed by the Decepticons' - "Get lost..." He interrupted his nervous thought process as he caught a firebird heading for him out of the corner of his optic. Without turning, he blasted the dreadful thing (wasn't hard after all).. but get noticed by the Decepticons' number one flyer. His nervousness brought out his tendency to think out loud.
"I might never get another chance for a first impression, here would be less than ideal, though, I mean, I'm missing my face! Everyone seeing the horribly hideous, one stupid optic, 'hey look at me! I got some stupid functionalist fragged at me and they took off my head!', head. Frag I hate this thing. And I'm all dirty and dented up... hardly looking my usual impressive, shiny self. Hate this stupid Earth dirt. Sticks to everything! Scratchy too. I hate that. And then there's this little matter of my forte is not shooting at stupid birds! How can I ever show off how talented I am if I can't even show off the only abilities I have left?"

He shot another firebird in anger.

Ugh! The very Seeker he idolized and he was too embarrassed by his appearance and lack of situation to use his talents in!

Scrap.

Frag.

ScrapppppP!

"Well, no one's going to be impressed by me hovering here picking off straggling firebirds." He muttered. "Especially my current commander... so.."

Devastator was who he need to keep free of firebirds at the moment. So he transformed to hit the afterburners to make getting to the big.. well, he wasn't sure exactly what was the deal about Devastator except that he was made up of Constructicons... faster.
Not a moment later, since he wasn't that far out from Devastator, he did another mid air transformation, needing to whirl around as he did to hit another firebird with his gun that was heading to the big green guy.

Australia – South of Ayers Rock

>>"Motormaster, I have instructed Oil Slick to remove Drag Strip from the battlefield and return him to the Thanatos where he can be permanently sedated. I trust you will allow the chemical expert to do so."<<

>>”And what if the numb skull isn't free of the Fallen's control and over powers Oil Slick? Not that I am in any position to do a slag about it anymore. I left the slagger lying in the ground unconscious in order to assist the big green. Crushed his fraggin' knee for good measure but I don't slaggin' know what to believe anymore. You have seen what the Fallen has been capable of. Who says he cannot instantly regenerate his damned heralds?”<< Motormaster replied back to Razorclaw while pursuing his attempt to rally with Devastator's assault on the Fallen. He had personally made sure that Drag Strip was not going to move very quickly if he was to return to his senses. But having witnessed first hand what the Fallen was capable of, did make the leader of the Stunticons question if Drag Strip or the other “heralds” were really safe enough to be taken back on board of the Thanatos. The ship was their contingency plan after all and it had already been compromised once by the Fallen's attack.

>>"Motormaster, it’s Skywarp. I’ve got orders from Razorclaw to take your man, Drag Strip, here and secure him in the med bay back on the Thanatos. Once the battle is over you can find him there."<<

Before Motormaster heard back from Razorclaw though, Skywarp had already taken action. Surprisingly fast too for the thick headed seeker.

>>”Oh, I sure will. But if the numb skull ends up knocking the Thanatos off the skies, I will include you on my list.”<< Motormaster replied to Skywarp just as he reached the base of the Ayers Rock.

Only little further....

Satisfied that the 'Cons won't push the situation any further, Ironhide turned and stepped up next to Kup.

"Alright, let's get this poor Bot outta here." he said. "Looks like we're gonna be needed up there."

He looked toward Ayers Rock and grimaced. Looks like things were heating up.

Top of Ayers Rock

Starscream couldn't wait any longer. Whether the Combaticons were ready or not, this had to happen. He felt a bit uneasy about making his decision without properly analyzing all the possible outcomes, but now was not the time for prolonged thinking. It was time to act. Starscream had made up his mind, and he just hoped it was the right decision. He dove down, getting The Fallen in his sights. His cluster bombs were primed, and as he was about to unleash them, something caught his attention. No, someone.

"Enough distractions!" he said to himself. "This has to happen! But..."

Starscream opened a general comm-link, and veered off The Fallen's position yet again. This was becoming tiresome.

"Who are you?" he asked the stranger. "What's your allegiance and what is your purpose here?!"

Maybe it was someone Starscream could use.

Australia- Uluru- Above Ayers Rock

Rodimus Prime wrote:"Who are you?" he asked the stranger. "What's your allegiance and what is your purpose here?!"

'Oh..' Feedback thought as he heard Starscream speak... to him. "Commander Starscream." He finally said over the comm, in a very steady, confident voice. "My apologizes, sir, for interrupting you. I was sent to deal with the firebirds by my immediate command..."

'Oh you're rambling, you little glitch.'

"I'm Feedback, sir, Decepticon." He continued, pulling himself together. If there was one thing he did do, and did well, was communicate, especially under pressure. "My team mate should be arriving up here... eventually... I suppose, however, I was sent to keep the skies clear of the little nuisances these fire birds are, so that Devastator... and yourself, most importantly...wouldn't need to worry about such minor irritants. As you have far more important things to do... like save our race."

'Oh scrap... oh scrap... don't blow it, Feedback, don't... but it's Starscream! Ohcomeon! What are you, a little human girl, keep cool!' Feedback's inner monologue had gotten totally out of control. 'I'm calm... calm... collected, cool.'

"I will be sure to stay out of your way, Commander." He finished, wishing he could flash a confident smile at that moment. But in place of the 'Patented Feedback's Award Winning Smile' he bowed slightly at the air commander.

Top of Ayers Rock

"I see." Starscream answered. "Feedback. I can't say I have heard of you, but by your tone and intelligent response, it seems to be my loss."

Starscream blasted a few fire birds out of the sky as he flew up next to Feedback and transformed.

"So." he said with a slight smirk. "You want to help me. Just so happens, I could use a little back-up. Those moronic Combaticons on the ground had a rare spark of genius, but they are failing to act on it."

Starscream shook his head.

"Idiots." his expression turned dead serious. "Feedback. I believe you have a prime opportunity, if you excuse the pun, to impress me. Are you up for a little hit-and-run?"

Top of Uluru

Thrust wanted to join in on the action but it seemed like Starscream was ignoring him and...well the other bot Starscream was talking to.

"Hey! What about me! I want to help!"

He flew around Starscream and the other bot to try and get noticed.

Starscream snapped his head around as Thrust flew toward him. He relaxed when he recognized the fellow Seeker. Still, 1 could never be too careful.

"Thrust." he said pointedly. "Of course you can help. We were just discussing our options."

He then turned back to Feedback, but he spoke to both of them.

"Tell me, where were you before you ended up here?"

Starscream might have made some mistakes, but he wasn't an idiot. Mere moments ago he was on his own, trying to decide whether to attack or appease The Fallen. Now, he had not 1, but 2 all too eager Decepticons crowding him out of nowhere, just hanging on his every word. It seems just a little too good to be true. And this Feedback? Starscream wasn't aware of this Decepticon, but he had faint recollections that he may have crossed paths with him before. Bottom line was, he had to figure out how best to use these 2 until he figured out whether they were up to something or truly just wanting to help.

Australia-Uluru


If Feedback could 'squee' (he just wasn't programmed for the noise) he totally would have. Starscream was asking for his assistance! He had to calm himself down again so not to come off like a complete idiot, or human teenage girl on posting on Tumblr.

"Commander... it would be my honor to provide you with any assistance you may need." He said as Thrust was coming up to crash the party. 'Oh.. scrap... Thrust.' He thought. But he wasn't going to let the conehead ruin the moment. "I will do everything possible to help, though I'm afraid I'm not much good accuracy when it comes to air to surface combat, but I will do the best I am capable of. I'm just not nearly as skilled as you are."

He was resiting the urge to fire a heat seeker missile at Thrust when Starscream addressed the two of them.


"Tell me, where were you before you ended up here?"

"I was up on the Thanatos." He answered. "I just, not even an hour ago, got orders to report for duty to Psychout..." He waved the glass gas gun in the general direction of FUBAR station. "They needed someone with my particular skills to round out the unit he commands. That's how I ended up here... I reported early, my orders had the incorrect time. I was just... between assignments... for what seems my entire life... before then."

Australia – Ayers Rock

"Brawl, we should-Brawl? Where are you going with that rock? This is insan-!"

>>"No, I am not planning on a full frontal assault!" he said to Onslaught over the radio. "Follow your soldier's lead for a change! Brawl knows exactly what to do! But we only have 1 shot at this, before The Fallen gets wise!"<<

“Huh?! What does it look like I am going to do?!” Brawl snapped back at Onslaught, his anger having taken pointing at the rocks he was still busy collecting. “I've got no slightest idea what Starscream is about but if Devastator can use kinet... oh. Ohhhh.”

Brawl still had no slightest grasp on what Starscream was chattering about but the word 'kinetic' he had been about to utter suddenly reminded him of how much of an idiot he was. Why would he throw rocks at the Fallen when he could load a kinetic penetrator like an APCR shell into his loading chamber instead of explosive shells and just shoot at the shield with his main gun. Yeah, he could settle to throwing rocks once he was through his storage of armor piercing shells. “Scratch that boss! APCRs it is!”

>>"Listen to me!" he said over the comm-link in 1 last desperate effort. "If your physical attack is to be successful, we must get the most out of it! And for that to happen, The Fallen must be totally unprepared!"<<

Transforming into his tank form, Brawl turned his turret to face the Fallen's direction and replied back to Starscream. >>”And how the slag you were planning to do that Starscream?! Anyways, I am ready to rumble!”<<



OOC: Roddy, Freq - Please slow down a bit to allow people chance to reply back. I currently have barely enough time to keep up with reading this thread let alone reply with the speed it is moving.

Top of Uluru

"Tell me, where were you before you ended up here?"

Thrust flew around the other 'con trying to figure out who he was.

"Oh, I don't know, just blasting a few firebirds here and there. Then I found you...and this 'con...who are you?"

The Fallen's Mindscape

It was strange sensation to suddenly have reality wrenched away from you and suddenly find yourself in a hellish cloud of fire and black smoke next to one of your oldest nemeses. The flames brushed his frame but Blaster felt no pain. The Fallen must not have noticed them yet. He had the sneaking feeling that these flames would not be so harmless soon enough.

The crimson comm officer looked over to his counterpart to see that Soundwave seemed similarly fascinated by the display. That meant that this was unusual. Great. Unknown territory.

"He's in here somewhere." Soundwave commented to Blaster as he began running the joint-communication frequencies in a random shuffling cycle, "Try and reach him, I'll hold off the Fallen's presence."

“Alrighty, then. Showtime...” Blaster said trying his best to stifle his trepidation at being in a highly malevolent being's brain with Soundwave as his only protection. He had a job to do. Clearing his vocal processors, Blaster assumed his usual confident, calm, pep-talking persona.

“HOT ROD! I know you're in here, bud! It's Blaster! Try and follow my voice or if you can't do that, just listen, alright?!”

Blaster paused for a moment before continuing, “Look, Roddy, you cannot let hopeless work its way into your lexicon. You're better than that! We're all fighting, trying to get you back, so you gotta fight too! Never stop! Never give up! Never surrender!”

The crimson-colored mech paused to consider what else to say. Then, it suddenly struck him. “Hot Rod...All of us are fighting. Kup, Blurr, Smokey, Springer, Magnus, Arcee...They're all down there, man! C'mon, talk to me, Roddy! Give me a sign that you can hear me!”


Uluru - South of Ayer's Rock

"I have stun grenades, if they might help you." he spoke up after a moment. Let it never be said that he wasn't willing to help others in combat, even if he didn't directly participate.

“I'm not sure what stun grenades will do against these foes, Crosscut...” Skids mumbled before looking up to find that a couple golems had neared enough to be reasonable threats. “This position has been compromised!” Skids said suddenly rising to his feet. The theoretician hopped up out of the trench and unleashed a torrent of rockets on one of the golems, shattering it into several pieces.

Looking up into the sky, he saw a distinct lack of fire birds bearing down on them. They had all converged on the giant Constructicon. Skids frowned as he noted that he could tell this because the sandstorm had subsided. Hopefully Blitzwing would not attempt to confront them again, but the theoretician could not guarantee that.

Skids looked over to Crosscut and nodded to him. “Time to test my hypothesis! Try your stun grenades on the golems!” He swept his gaze across the battlefield to see how others were dealing with them. The golems seemed vulnerable to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. “Does anyone have any incendiary armaments?”

Australia – Outside Shuttle Longevity

“Hey, Blindy, you standing guard or something? I thought I overheard Kup’s vocals out here earlier. Where’d he head off to in such a hurry? Something going down that we should know about?"

Blindside's hands were clenched into tight fists, shaking slightly with rage at having heard the news from Kup that all of the heralds had been taken down. He'd barely noticed the distress signal that briefly blipped, which sent Kup careening away to figure out what had happened undoubtedly. No, that didn't concern him.

“So, the storm’s gone now, huh? I guess that makes things a bit easier. No signs of Darkride I take it?"

“He's been-” The abrupt appearance of Skywarp from nothingness made the tactician flinch. It was too far away to really pick up on sonar, but his long-range radar made up for that. He knew that it was Skywarp only because no one else had the ability to blink in and out of places like that.

“I think I may have something here," Howlstrike said, pausing for a moment as he focused in on two Cybertronian forms standing a short distance from the shuttle. “Yeah, I can see Skywarp and Oil Slick just over there a ways. It looks like they’re both carrying someone or something. I can't be certain, but it looks like they may have beaten us to the punch." A disappointed tracker then glared back over his shoulder at Blindside. “What do you want to do?"

“We can't let Darkride escape,” Blindside growled out softly. The blind tactician stormed off toward the two figures in the distance, to him mostly a blip on radar and a fuzzy image on his sonar. Part of the blue mech's mind nagged at him about the truce, about keeping up appearances. But he couldn't let that monster escape. Darkride would be put down.

One way or another.

The Fallen’s Mindscape

Hot Rod watched from the back of his own processor the Fallen’s reaction to his shield being compromised. The fiery demigod could try to deny it all he wanted. The shield was not as unbreakable as he would have everybody to believe. Like all demons, lies were the Fallen’s speciality. He could never be trusted. He would do and say anything to demoralize a mech to the point of simply giving up. Up until recently, the cavalier had considered doing just that. Hot Rod had allowed this dangerous being to possess his body and by doing so also allowed this monster to kill innocents and threaten the entire Cybertronian race. Hot Rod was a tool, one that the flamed Prime of legend needed in order to succeed in bringing the Chaos Bringer into this realm.

But what more can I do? Hot Rod thought as the Fallen’s attention remained focused on Devastator. He’s still too powerful. It may be too late even with the cracked shield.

Then Hot Rod heard a voice. This time it was not that of the fiery demigod, but of someone he knew all too well. Blaster?! The cavalier exclaimed, unable to believe that it was really him. Blaster, I hear you! Where are you?! Hot Rod followed the voice, making his way through the flame-engulfed mindscape of the Fallen. Like his mutated physical body, Hot Rod’s own mind had been twisted and turned into an inferno, a labyrinth of fire where even the cavalier, himself, could become lost.

Blaster! I hear you! Hot Rod shouted out, making his way through the flames, all the while listening to the Autobot communications specialist as he told the cavalier to never give up and never surrender. Hot Rod nodded, a smile forming on his internal visage. That smile faded, however, with the mention of those who were down there in the desert, fighting for their very lives. Arcee! No! It was no secret that Hot Rod had a certain affection for the pink femmebot. She meant a great deal to him, more than most. Their relationship was a complicated one to be sure, but his feelings for her were not.

NO! I must do something to stop all this! I must! Hot Rod yelled as Blaster finally came into view. The flames had parted and the red Autobot was directly ahead, and so was Soundwave. The sight of the Decepticon’s very own communications expert initially took Hot Rod by surprise, but then it dawned on him that the monotone mech had likely been the one to help Blaster get in here. They had been only a few cycles ago bitter enemies and now Blaster and Soundwave were working together for the greater good. Who knew?

As Hot Rod approached Blaster, he reached out with his hand to touch his friend, or at least the mental avatar of his comrade. Blaster... A thick wall of flames then erupted right in front of Hot Rod, once again separating him from his brethren.

And what is this?! The Fallen bellowed, his flame-ladened mental avatar appearing overhead. He had sensed that someone had once again infiltrated his mind. The firebirds outside would handle the green gestalt for the time being while he took care of internal matters. Ah, Soundwave, you have returned and brought company I see. How nice! You must know that your efforts are useless. Hot Rod is mine and he always will be!

I am NOT yours, Fallen! You will not keep me down any longer! I will overcome you and save my friends! I will save...

Arcee? The Fallen’s words echoed all around Hot Rod who appeared surprised even though he shouldn’t have been. Yes, well you won’t be able to save any of them, especially her! In fact, I think I’ll save Arcee’s death for last. How does that sound?

NO!!!

YES!!!! I will make her suffer more than any of them and as a result you will suffer, as well! You will see her body arc and twist around in excruciating ways that no one could ever dream of. You will see her in so much pain you will actually feel what is happening to her.

NO! Please!!!

Oh, come now, Hot Rod. I haven’t even started yet. But I WILL! And when I do, I will slowly take Arcee apart one tiny piece at a time and she will be alive when I do it. A foot, then a knee, then a hand and an arm. I will rip her head from her body and make her watch as I desecrate her torso. I will make her eat her own spark, and I will make sure she feels every little astrosecond of it!!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!!!

NO FALLEN! Hot Rod screamed as rage filled his mind, the fires that surrounded him turning a strange bluish color. You will NOT hurt her! You will NOT hurt anyone anymore!!!!

With those words spoken, Hot Rod rushed forward directly at the Fallen’s mental avatar. The expression of the fiery being’s visage was one of surprise as the cavalier collided with him, placing his hands around the demigod’s throat. I’M IN CONTROL. NOT YOU! I AM, DAMN YOU!!!

The mental avatars of Hot Rod and the Fallen struggled, tumbling end over end through the mutated mindscape the demigod had created. Soon a brilliant white light enveloped them both and then....

((OOC: More to come.))

Australia - Top of Ayers Rock

....Hot Rod awoke, an enormous shadow looming overhead.

“Wait, what just happened? Where am !?” The cavalier questioned, looking down at himself and seeing a deformed frame that was once his own body now engulfed in fire. In his right hand was the powerful staff of the Fallen and around him was the not-so-impenetrable shield. Beneath him was the top of the rock formation as he hovered over it, and above him was....Devastator. “Oh, crap!”

Apparently, the Constructicon gestalt had overcome the Fallen’s firebirds and moved in for another attack on the demigod’s shield. Unfortunately for Hot Rod he had finally managed to break through at just the wrong moment. “Damn!” The cavalier shouted as he propelled himself forward through the air in order to try and avoid a direct hit by Devastator’s huge balled fist. Thankfully, he did manage to dodge the fist, but not the black forearm of the otherwise green combiner. “Slaggit!!” Hot Rod shouted as the shield was struck hard from above, sending him tumbling down to the summit, not far from the edge.

Hitting the top of Ayers Rock, Hot Rod bounced around inside the shield as a new crack formed, this one bigger than the last. With the integrity of the shield already weakened, each new attack would do more and more damage to it. Picking himself up off the summit, Hot Rod stood to his full height, leaning on the staff for support. “The staff!” Hot Rod exclaimed, taking it in both hands and holding it out in front of him. “This is what you use, Fallen! This is your conduit to help you direct your power! Without it you will not be able to conjure up anything else!”

NO!!! This cannot be!! Stop!!!

The Fallen's dark spark was still inside him, still leeching off of his own light spark, trying to regain control of the cavalier’s mutated body. Hot Rod could feel the fiery demigod just beneath the surface, climbing further and further up. The Autobot had won an important battle but it would not last. He had little time before he lost control again and the Fallen was once more in control.

“Yes, Fallen, I have your precious staff and I’m going to destroy it!!” Hot Rod stated with confidence. The cavalier tried to bend the staff, but was met with resistance. However, said resistance was not from the staff, but from the Fallen, himself.

You cannot win, child! You WILL NOT win!

“Oh, but I CAN, Fallen,” Hot Rod muttered as he struggled to keep control of his extremities. “And I WILL!!!”

With that said, Hot Rod brought the staff down in one swift motion while at the same time bringing his right knee joint up to meet it. The two collided and the Fallen’s staff snapped in half, a powerful shockwave emanating from the center of impact, sending the mutated cavalier flying backwards until he was right at the edge of the summit.

NOOOOOO!!!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, CHILD!?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! AAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

A much larger inferno erupted from Hot Rod’s possessed body as the Fallen violently pushed the cavalier back into the recesses of his mind. Getting to his feet, the Fallen was once again in complete control. The rage in his optics was just as intense as the renewed flames that coursed over the mutated armor plating that covered the demigod’s vessel. You destroyed my staff, child, but you have NOT destroyed me! The Fallen shouted internally as he walked back over to where his scepter lay broken. I am not powerless without my staff. It was just a tool. I will still prevail!!

I may not have destroyed you, Fallen, but I have destroyed something other than just your staff.

Oh, and what might that be, child? Enlighten me.

Your shield...

What?!

...without your staff to maintain it...

No!

...your shield is now gone!

Australia - Top of Ayers Rock

Razorclaw remained steadfast on the summit of Ayers Rock, watching as Devastator made his attack on the Fallen and his impenetrable shield. Once the dust had settled from the initial strike, it had become apparent that the shield had, in fact, cracked. It was only a tiny breach, but a breach none the less. Energy weapons had done no damage to the supernatural barrier, but physical attacks were something else entirely.

The Fallen’s response was one of anger and perhaps even a little bit of shock. Still, he regained his composure after having been thrown for a literal loop and directed his fiery avian monsters to converge on and attack the Constructicon combiner. The Predacon lord quickly opened a channel to all of his troops:

>>”Decepticons, hear me! Reframe from using energy-based weapons on the Fallen’s shield. It appears that only physical assaults have any affect and even then it requires the might of our new gestalt to even crack it. Focus your efforts on keeping those firebirds away from Devastator. He is our best option now to break through that shield!”<<

Cutting his comm line, Razorclaw aimed his one remaining concussion cannon into the sky and fired, providing whatever support that he could to the green giant. Unfortunately, the firebirds he did hit only reformed astroseconds later, but it was better than nothing. After all, if the avian beasts were too busy reforming they would have less time to attack Devastator.

The combiner had his own method to protect himself, clapping his massive hands together and sending out a wall of wind that blew out many of the firebirds. Perhaps this huge gestalt wasn’t as dumb as he looked and sounded. Still, having six minds mashed together like that had to be a heavy burden on the joint processor. Which one of the Constructicons actually made the decisions or was it all of them? Did they take turns or were their minds in unison? These were all questions that would have to be answered, but not before the Fallen was defeated.

It was then that Razorclaw received a rather indignant message back from Motormaster. All of the other responses to his last set of orders had been replied to in the regular, respectful manner. Of course, Motormaster was a brute and thus his replies would never be cordial. Still, he seemed to disagree with the lion-former’s decision to secure Drag Strip and Darkride on board the Thanatos. If it had been anyone else to dare question his authority, Razorclaw would’ve responded in a very harsh way. As it were, Motormaster had pledged his loyalty and that of his Stunticons to the Predacon lord. Without that loyalty, Razorclaw may not have successfully won the throne. Thus it was important to keep the Stunticon Commander's support as there were still others vying for leadership.

>>”I understand your concerns, Motormaster. However, I think that if the Fallen was capable of reviving his heralds he would’ve done so already. He clearly can’t or no longer needs their assistance. Either way, I want them off the battlefield and as far away from the Fallen’s influence as possible.”<<

Cutting his comm line again, Razorclaw returned his attention to Devastator, who had just initiated another powerful attack against the Fallen. The fiery demigod seemed unprepared and was knocked hard to the summit as the stunned mech within the shield bounced from one side to the other. The possessed cavalier then picked himself up and appeared to be talking to and fighting with himself. The Predacon lord moved closer, keeping an optic to the skies for any remaining firebirds. Then the unexpected happened. The Fallen, or whomever was now in control, broke the demigod’s staff over his knee joint. A shockwave raced outward across the top of the mountain, knocking Razorclaw backwards but he maintained his footing.

The lion-former kept his optics locked on the Fallen’s position as more flames erupted from the mutated cavalier. If Hot Rod had briefly been in control a moment ago, it seemed clear that he wasn't any longer. Still, something was different now. Something had changed. Focusing his sensors on the demigod, Razorclaw quickly ascertained what that change was.

“The shield....it’s down!” Razorclaw shouted, turning his attention towards the Autobot leader, who was not too far away from the Predacon’s position. “Magnus!! The shield is down! Now’s our chance to end this!”

Wasting no more time, the lion-former immediately opened another comm line to all Decepticons within range:

>>”This is Razorclaw! The Fallen’s staff has been destroyed and my sensors indicate that his shield is down. I repeat, that fragger’s SHIELD IS DOWN! Resume usage of all energy weapons. FIRE AT WILL!!! DESTROY THE FALLEN!!”<<

Not waiting for his comm line to close, Razorclaw took aim with his concussion cannon and opened fire at the exposed Fallen, hoping that the demigod’s armored plating wasn’t as tough as his shield had been. The Predacon lord knew that Ultra Magnus and the Autobots would not like this, but the entire Cybertronian race was at stake here. One Autobot’s life was not more important then all of them. Hot Rod had to be destroyed for all their sakes. There was no other way. Magnus would just have to learn to accept that fact.

Top of Uluru

Thrust stared blankly at the 'con with Starscream waiting for an answer of who he was until suddenly he received a transmission...

>>”This is Razorclaw! The Fallen’s staff has been destroyed and my sensors indicate that his shield is down. I repeat, that fragger’s SHIELD IS DOWN! Resume usage of all energy weapons. FIRE AT WILL!!! DESTROY THE FALLEN!!"<<

Thrust turned his head over to the shield but it wasn't there. A smile emerged on Thrust's faceplate.

"They've finally done it, they've finally brought down that slagging shield!" He thought.

"Well no time to chat, hopefully you two got the transmission as well, LETS BRING DOWN THE FALLEN!"

Thrust raised his arm and punched the air, he then transformed and jetted down to the Fallen, he swooped over it and then fired a couple of missiles.

Australia – FUBAR

Arcee sighed to herself as the situation seemed to resolve itself. With the arrival of Ironhide, she had felt more confident, but with the subsequent arrival of Shockwave...well. That was less reassuring. But! It didn't look like it was going to escalate anymore. Arcee was happy enough to leave it at that and get the slag away from these 'Cons.

"Alright, let's get this poor Bot outta here." Ironhide said. "Looks like we're gonna be needed up there."

Arcee followed Ironhide's gaze to Ayer's Rock where Hot Rod, possessed by the Fallen, loomed over them. The pink warrior frowned as her faceplate knitted into an expression of worry. Sure, things were...a bit complicated between her and Roddy, but...she did care about him.

The pink warrior began moving to collect the injured Autobot when she noted a movement from Shockwave, whom she had been carefully keeping her in gaze at all times. His attention, which only a moment ago had been fixated on their two groups, was now riveted on the rock formation. She felt a sudden knot in her spark.

"Now," Shockwave said, before his thrusters launched him into the air and he engaged his transformation sequence once again and lined up the best shot he possible could from this range and angle.

Arcee's blue optics widened in horror as the purple scientist fired on the rock. That could only mean...

“Hot Rod...!” Hastily, Arcee dove toward the rock, transforming in midair. An astrosecond later her tires hit sand, and she was off. Bound for the rock and Hot Rod. Primus help any golem that stood in her way now.


"Darkfire! Feedback!, change of plan. Take these off Swindle and see if you can help up top thinning out the elementals around Devastator. He’s the best chance they have of smashing that shield. Just be sure to radio in the second that thing goes down!"

Darkfire stood up and sighed as she sauntered over to Swindle to appraise his wares. Or ware. As it was, Feedback had already nicked the glass gas cannon. Which left her with...a water gun. Fabulous. She picked up the fire suppressant and feigned excitement.

“Whee...a water gun...thanks midget...”

With that, the black stealth fighter transformed and rocketed off after the enthusiastic Feedback. It didn't take her long to reach the skies above Ayer's Rock.

Fire Birds in the Sky with Diamonds

Darkfire almost immediately ran afoul of a flock of fire birds circling around for another pass at Devastator. She leveled the water cannon at them and doused them with highly pressurized water, carving a swathe through their ranks. She'd lost visual of Feedback for a moment, but soon spotted him fraternizing with...with...Oh Primus, no. Not him...

Darkfire flew over to Feedback and Starscream who were joined by Thurst before she could arrive. She did, however, manage to arrive in time to hear Starscream's question of Feedback and Thrust.

"Tell me, where were you before you ended up here?"

Feedback's response almost made Darkfire gag. What kind of answer was that? Pretty wistful. Feedback had always been a quirky one though he'd never struck her as the romantic type. Thrust's answer was a touch more evasive. But then. It was Thrust. Most of the coneheads had an agenda. Speaking of them, she had forgotten how much she hated both them and Starscream.

“Hey, Feedback, we should probably get back to our assignment,” Darkfire said, jerking her thumb at the fird birds. She cast Starscream a sidelong glance. She supposed she ought to introduce herself or acknowledge him in some way...but. Wait. Darkfire's head swivled back around to stare at Feedback incredulously. “Didn't you have a face like a breem ago?”

“Oh, and I guess, greetings Sky-” Darkfire was saying, turning her head to Starscream before a transmission from Razorclaw cut her off.

>>”This is Razorclaw! The Fallen’s staff has been destroyed and my sensors indicate that his shield is down. I repeat, that fragger’s SHIELD IS DOWN! Resume usage of all energy weapons. FIRE AT WILL!!! DESTROY THE FALLEN!!"<<

Immediately, Darkfire drew out her particle beam rifle and openned a comm line to Psychout.

>>”The shield is down, boss, if you didn't get the message.”<<

With that, Darkfire opened fire on the Fallen.

Australia – Ayers Rock

Okay. Brawl had no idea what was happening. Out of sudden the Fallen became as if he was distracted by something. Only moments later the fiery demigod shattered his own staff, breaking the shield and causing a shock wave that even shook Brawl a little despite of his tank form being steadily planted to the ground on its treads. All he had to do to counter the effect was to adjust his aim a little and...

Fire.

“DIE!”

The armor piercing anti-tank shell - followed by Brawl's roar - rocketed out of Brawl's gun barrel towards the Fallen before Razorclaw even gave his order to attack. The Combaticon warrior did not need the leader of the Predacons nor Starscream to tell him when to strike when the opportunity was given, not when the battle had been already going on for.... hours? He did not know, nor did he care. This was it, the first real chance to actually hurt the Fallen, or perhaps even to deliver a killing blow. This was a chance to become a legend himself.

Another shell began to be loaded into position within his firing chamber. Only now, others had joined the attack. There was Razorclaw himself, there were missiles coming down from the sky and... Shockwave. A massive blast from Shockwave in his gun form overloaded Brawl's sensory output for a moment. What had happened?

Was the Fallen still standing?