Beast Wars: Friendship is Magic

Megatron crossed his arms as his newly conscripted throng of teen dragons stood by, awaiting any potential orders from their new pack leader.  Under his watchful optic, the dragons had been reduced to sniveling minions who would beg for their lives if given one good, unpleasant glare.  He didn’t need to worry about insubordination with the, now putrefying, corpses of Clump and Vex serving as a constant reminder of the fate they would receive, should they even show the faintest sign of resistance.  Though he viewed them as weak and pathetic replacements for his crew, they would have to suffice for the time being.

The one thing that had been on Megatron’s mind after usurping the dragons, however, was the Energon his internal computer had mentioned earlier.  It pointed out that the Energon levels were apparently so high, he couldn’t remain in robot mode for more than a few moments at a time.  Despite the setback it provided, Megatron found the vast level of potential Energon to be too good to pass up.

“With an Energon supply of such a magnitude as this, the Predacons would be unstoppable in our conquest… and I will be at the spearhead of it all!  Yesss!”  Megatron’s mind ran wild at the visions of glory; statues being raised in his honor, the Predacons rallying to him from all corners of Cybertron, the Maximals finally being brought to their knees.  Such dreams brought him great comfort in this time.  Only things he needed now were his crew, his ship--which was hopefully still airworthy--and the tools necessary to mine the Energon saturating this world.  He would have it all--every last drop.  With his goal dead-set, he turned to his mob, the entire party stiffening beneath his icy gaze.

“Take to the skies,” He sternly commanded.  “Search for more pods like mine.  We are going to gather my crew and bring them back here.  Tell them that their leader, Megatron, had sent you.  Just know that if you attempt to flee, you will be branded as a deserter and I will personally hunt you down to administer proper judgment; which is death.”

Garble spoke up, “Where exactly are we supposed to begin?”

“How about the surrounding area first,” Megatron replied. “Use something called common sense, you blind fool.  Any further useless questions?  If not, then get out of my sight and don’t come back without at least one Predacon with you.  Come back empty handed and, well,” He chuckled darkly. “Let’s just say, this cave could use a repaint.  Yesss.”

The dragons shared uneasy looks with one another before sharing a collective gulp.  With that threat in their minds, they flew out of the cave and scattered in all directions.

Within the Everfree Forest’s swamp, a cragadile’s head breached the surface of the creek, its eyes glaring at the pod that rested by the shore of the river.  It uttered a hiss as it slowly swam closer, beginning to submerge itself beneath the water, its jaws slowly opening, preparing for the bite that would drag its prey down to its demise.  For a few seconds, it lay dormant, waiting for what it deemed to be the right time to strike.

However, a robotic voice chimed from the pod.

“Organic lifeform detected.  Beginning scanning process.” A rod popped from the top of the construct and a purple, transparent sheet fanned out, grazing over its environment in a three hundred-sixty-degree motion.  The film smoothly swung over the cragadile, inflicting no harm on the massive creature.  The voice spoke once more as the rod slowly pulled itself back into the hatch of the pod. “Scanning process complete.  Awakening pod.”

A loud hiss from the capsule was enough for the cragadile to assume that whatever this thing was, is a threat.  With a mighty and thunderous roar, the reptile lunged from the water, clasping its jaws around the pod.  It heaved the capsule back underneath the swamp’s surface with it and the water grew still within a few seconds.

The peace didn’t last long, however, as bubbles erupted from the water and then began to stir as the massive frame of a bulky Predacon stood at full height, the cragadile desperately squirming in its grasp.  Its large hands slowly squeezed downward on the back of the creature’s neck, slowly contorting its head into a vicious angle.  The glowing yellow visor of the Predacon narrowed, his grip only growing tighter and tighter until...

*CRACK!*

The cragadile’s body fell limp and its jaw sagged open with its tongue draping from its mouth.  With a grunt, the Predacon hurled the carcass from his body and the corpse stayed afloat above the swamp’s surface.  The massive Predacon slowly craned his neck, a loud crack stemming from it as he got a quick stretch in.  He had needed that exercise after such a long slumber.  It was great just to feel something shatter in his hands again.

The Predacon was a dark green color with its shoulders being coated in jagged rocks, almost like spikes.  Its hand had three massive claws, forming the shapes of hands that could tear through any kind of metal with ease.  What made him truly stand out, however, was the massive mouth armed with serrated teeth.  The fangs glistened brightly with crimson as he bared them at his own reflection in the water.

“Looking good,” he grinned while flexing his burly arm. “I’ve still got it… and I’ve got some lovely new chompers.  It’s almost like I’ve got jaws of steel…” the Predacon rubbed his chin as he thought about that last phrase. “Jaws of steel…” a lightbulb went off in his head. “Ah!  I’ve got just the name for myself--Steeljaws.  How fitting, considering my new weapon!  Heheh.  Let’s see how those Maximals like me now; if they’re still alive, that is!  Alright, enough self-gratification.  Time to figure out where I am and search for Megatron.”

Steeljaws tapped the side of his head.

“Computer, get a scan on this area.  Where am I?”

“No data available.  Planet unknown.” came the voice from within his processor.  Steeljaws let out an irritated grunt, and scratched his chin.

“An unknown planet and I’m separated from the others.  No matter, I can easily try the comms.” Steeljaws activated the communications channel, but got a huge blast of static.  He let out a yell from the sudden breakthrough of noise and quickly switched it off. “What the slag was that?!  Computer, diagnostics!”

“Energon field intensity is interfering with communications.  Massive abundance of Energon may also cause long-lasting damage to robot mode.  Beast form is recommended when robot mode shorts out from prolonged exposure.”

“An alternate form, eh?  Well, I’ve got that covered.” Steeljaws stated as he looked over himself.  “Only thing is what I’m supposed to do now if I can’t contact the others?”

“Hey!  Hey, you!” a voice cried out from above Steeljaws.  The Predacon turned his head in the general direction of the voice and spotted a red dragon hovering over him with a few others close by.  Steeljaws’s visor narrowed.

“State your business.  If this is some kind of ambush, it’s a pretty poor one.  You won’t exactly fare any better than this reptile here.” the Predacon jutted his thumb to the corpse beside him.

“Are you a Predacon?” Garble asked.  Steeljaws’s visor perked up a bit.  How did they know what his kind was?  He carried on and answered.

“Yes, I am.  What’s it to you?”

“You hear of a guy named Megatron?”

Steeljaws’s visor narrowed.  These creatures knew of his leader?  But how?  They’ve never been to this planet before and in all of Steeljaws’s time with his leader, they’d never seen lifeforms like these before.  Whatever the reason, if they knew Megatron, he wanted to find out where her was, and as soon as possible.

“Yes, he’s my leader.  I am his loyal servant, Steeljaws.” he replied.

“Then follow us.  We know where your leader is and we’ll take you to him.”

The dragons began to fly off.  With the determination to serve his master overtaking him, Steeljaws followed close behind.