07.July.06

Beast Wars Symmetries:

The Brotherhood

By: Everblue

"By the sacred Order of the Vok, we drink together in solitude."

In the relatively confined temple, several dim candles adorned the room while rugs were laid out on the floor. Characterized by a dank smell, the chambers seemed almost ancient and hollow. Several hooded acolytes stood kneeling on the floor while drinking from their cups.

Festooned in the very back was a large skull-like statue with two candles burning fervently in its eyes.

As the rest of the acolytes bowed, the priest finally stood up.

"Through the millennia, we, your followers, have withstood persecution from boundless heretics for long enough! As your children, we demand retribution! We demand to see blood flowing through the rivers as you cleanse this Earth of the wretched defilement that is humanity!"

The candles seemed to hum even more wildly this time. Seeing the sign, the high priest continued.

"For thousands of years, we have tried to be guardians of Gaia," he said humbly. "We have tried to spread your teachings and we have tried to be caretakers to the best of our abilities."

In the room where no windows were present, a cold wind swept throughout the chambers. The priest went on unabashedly.

"Unfortunately, many of our own race and our own creed have turned their backs against you," he bowed. "Countless generations have passed and yet, they still squabble amongst themselves for power and their own personal gain. They have forgotten that it is they who should serve the Earth."

As he got up again, he held his hand towards his chest. "We, however, know better. The time will come when you will return, my fathers. Chaos will rain from the skies and when all is cleared, this planet will be cleansed of its plague."

Almost as if on cue, the giant skull shook violently while its tremors could be felt by all in the room.

---------------------------------------------------------

"This is the place, huh?" Optimus Primal stroked his chin.

"Absolutely," replied Jack. "I hear this place is haunted!"

Cheetor and Airazor were there with them. Situated in the distance was a large gothic mansion known to many locals at the Arkenstein Mansion which had been abandoned for nearly a decade.

"What do you suppose this place is, Big Bot?" Cheetor asked.

"I’m not sure," Optimus responded silently. "From my scanners, I’m picking up a strange energy trace from it, unlike any I’ve ever seen before."

"Is it raw energon?" Airazor inquired.

"Doubtful," said Optimus. "The source within that place is even more potent than energon."

"Cool!" Jack cried. "Does that mean we’re gonna go inside?"

"No, Jack," Optimus told him firmly. "It could be dangerous in there."

"It’s getting kinda late," Airazor reminded them. "We should get back to base soon."

"Agreed," Optimus confirmed. "Airazor, you escort Jack home. Cheetor and I will be waiting back at base."

---------------------------------------------------------

"Look at this!" Blackarachnia exclaimed. "Just imagine what’s in this shack!"

"I’d imagine some nice candles and a king-sized bed," Tarantulas snickered suggestively.

"No, Tarantulas," she sighed. "Look at the scanner right here!"

The two of them were in beast mode, outside in the very yard of the Arkenstein house with Blackarachnia holding a small scanner in one of her eight legs.

"Let me take a look at this!" Tarantulas finally sauntered up. "What is it that’s so important you won’t allow me to—"

Blackarachnia chuckled inwardly as Tarantulas gasped.

"By the Inferno!" he exclaimed.

"Told you so, legs," she smiled.

"This house contains an unknown mineral even more durable and long-lasting than energon itself!" Tarantulas cried. "How can this be?"

"That’s what we’re gonna find out tonight!" Blackarachnia replied. "After we’re done reporting in to Megatron, we’ll go."

"You mean when you are done reporting to Megatron," Tarantulas sneered. "I am a free agent. I come and go as I please."

"Don’t rub it in, ground crawler," she retorted snappily.

---------------------------------------------------------

"Rattrap, come with me tonight."

"What for, Optimus?" Rattrap protested. "I got plans! It’s a movie night for me!"

"We’re going to investigate a strange new power source," Optimus told him. "It’s coming from an abandoned house in the countryside."

"So let the place rust," Rattrap yawned. "I got better things to do!"

"You know, I could use your investigative skills…"

"Since I am, after all, the finest private eye you’re gonna find on all of Cybertron!" Rattrap finished proudly.

"You know," Optimus said thoughtfully. "It’s a pretty big house after all. I’m pretty sure there are some booby traps inside…"

"Yup, and there ain’t anyone else who knows traps better than Rattrap," the smaller Maximal ended. "Sorry, Optimus, but I still don’t wanna do it."

Optimus sighed. "Looks like I’ll have to bring Cheetor along then."

"Excuse me?" Rattrap blinked.

"Cheetor’s always had an eye for adventure, unlike some people. I’m sure he’ll be more enthusiastic about tagging along."

The Maximal commander paused before turning around to leave. "I’ll go get him now."

As Optimus strolled down the corridors, he could hear footsteps behind him. Finally, there was Rattrap behind him.

"Oh no, Optimus," he growled. "That kid ain’t stealing my thunder!"

Optimus smiled. Works every time!

---------------------------------------------------------

"So this is the living room, huh?" Blackarachnia commented. "Place looks comfortable around here."

She and Tarantulas were now inside the mansion. Getting inside had not been a difficult expenditure. Around them were furniture and other assorted objects, most of which were covered with cobwebs and dust.

An eerie creaking sound that would have frightened most people was heard down the corridors. Tarantulas and Blackarachnia, however, were not most people.

"Hmph, and the humans consider the place haunted," Tarantulas scoffed. "On this primitive planet, fear of the supernatural grips them more strongly than I could have imagined."

"What’s wrong, Tarantulas?" Blackarachnia smiled sarcastically. "You sound a little worried. Afraid to step into the dark?"

Tarantulas ignored her. "Better stick to beast mode, widow. We don’t know if the elements beneath this house will affect us the same way as raw energon."

"What’s with the attitude, legs? A few hours ago, you were trying to hit on me."

"This is serious, witch!" Tarantulas hissed loudly. "If the tales are true, then…"

"What tales?" she asked.

"Long ago, my creator told me tales of the Vukrashnah," he explained. "Even my master mentioned their name with some small inkling of fear. It is told that they will mean the beginning of the end!"

"Sounds like an old folk tale to me," Blackarachnia shrugged and then blinked in sudden surprise. "Wait, who exactly is your master anyways? I thought you weren’t the type to play second fiddle to anyone."

"That’s not for you to know," Tarantulas quickly replied. "Let’s go!"

As soon as Tarantulas scurried off on all eight, Blackarachnia glared after him a little while longer.

"You know something, Tarantulas," she muttered before following him.

---------------------------------------------------------

"Yeesh, nice place," Rattrap remarked as he and Optimus entered into the house through the second floor window.

Optimus dusted the cobwebs off his chest as Rattrap looked around. So far, there was nothing outside of the double beds and the Victorian-era desk that adorned the room neatly.

"Make sure to stay in beast mode," Optimus cautioned. "We don’t know if the energy source beneath us is unstable or not."

"Oh yeah, Optimus," Rattrap said. "Number one rule of horror movie survival guidelines… never split up!"

Optimus rolled his eyes. "This isn’t a horror movie, Rattrap."

"Hey, I ain’t ruling out the chances of it becoming one!" Rattrap declared firmly.

"You’re really paranoid, you know that, Rattrap?"

"So long as it helps me live to a ripe old age," Rattrap replied.

Walking towards the door on all four legs, Rattrap opened the door… and screamed.

---------------------------------------------------------

"An underground tunnel, huh?" Blackarachnia murmured. "This just gets more and more interesting."

Now, she and Tarantulas were in the basement with their scanners on full power. After a cursory survey, the two of them had discovered a secret underground tunnel leading even further into the Earth.

"Ladies first," Tarantulas gestured.

"Now you’re polite again?" she snorted as she entered into the descending staircase first.

"That’s correct," Tarantulas smiled. Should anything go awry, I can always use her as a sacrificial lamb!

As they crawled down the stairs, the torches being held on the walls ignited and flared on as they passed.

"Do not be distracted," Tarantulas ordered. "Concentrate on the task at hand!"

"Right," Blackarachnia replied sardonically. "Concentrate on your prattling as we go along…"

"Do not back talk me, witch!" Tarantulas growled. "I don’t want this excavation mired by your incompetence!"

"Cool it already, Tarantulas!" she groaned. "We don’t even know what’s down there so stop being so tense."

Tarantulas gathered himself calmly before replying. "I suppose you are correct. We should, however, remain on our guard."

"Agreed."

---------------------------------------------------------

"Cheetor!" Optimus exclaimed. "How did you get in here!"

"I saw you and Rattrap heading out at night," Cheetor confessed. "I thought I’d just follow you to see what you were up to!"

"This expedition could be dangerous, Cheetor," Optimus warned him sternly. "We don’t know anything about the energy source below this house."

"Have a little faith in me, Optimus!" Cheetor looked at him. "Haven’t I proven myself to be useful already?"

Optimus looked at Rattrap for advice. Finally, after a few nano-kliks, the rodent-like Maximal nodded.

"Cheetor’s done more than just prove himself useful," Rattrap admitted. "Takin’ him along can only mean more help for us, not to mention more experience for him."

Optimus Primal chewed the cud on the subject briefly before acting in accordance with his diminutive companion.

"Very well," he said in accordance with Rattrap. "Cheetor, you can come along, but be on your guard."

"Will do, Big Bot!" Cheetor saluted with one of his paws.

After the three of them had headed downstairs, Rattrap was the first to observe the living room.

"Someone’s been here," he whispered.

"Who?" Optimus and Cheetor asked at once.

A few more seconds passed with Rattrap sniffing the air before giving them an answer.

"It’s ‘dem spiders, alright."

"And you know this, how?" Cheetor rolled his optics.

"See the dust on ‘da floor?" Rattrap pointed out.

"Yes?" Optimus Primal nodded.

"Normally, a place like ‘dis might be completely covered with the stuff," Rattrap explained. "The ‘clean’ spots on the floor without the dust show that our eight-legged friends were here."

Optimus narrowed his optics. "Let’s go on ahead."

After a thorough search of the house was done using their scanners, the Maximals finally descended into the basement where, as almost expected, they had found their target.

"You’re right about one thing, Rattrap," Optimus told his teammates. "Someone was here recently."

An open door greeted them, one that contained staircases that led to the very caverns of the building. Optimus looked at the tunnels warily before turning back to Rattrap and Cheetor.

"You wanna go first, Cheetor?" Rattrap suggested.

The staircase down the tunnel seemed to go on forever. After one good look, Optimus made his decision.

"Follow me closely," he cautioned. "It looks like these stairs lead down to catacombs."

"Do not go any further," a small voice implored behind them.

At the rear, a short, hooded figure stood there. No part of his body showed, save for the hands that beckoned them to stop. The temperature within the room also seemed to have dropped drastically.

"There is no return beyond this point," he said cryptically.

"Okay, we’re officially spooked here," Rattrap muttered.

"Who are you?" Optimus asked as Cheetor crouched down nervously.

"You are not part of the plan," the figure replied off-handedly. "Leave this place and never return."

Optimus looked back towards Cheetor and Rattrap.

"Whaddya suppose we do now, boss monkey?" Rattrap whispered.

As Optimus and his two companions looked up again, the mysterious figure had vanished.

"We continue," Optimus declared firmly.

---------------------------------------------------------

"Yeesh, this place is like a tomb," Rattrap complained while tearing the cobwebs off his face.

Ten minutes had passed since they descended the staircases. What they found was a large passage that led further down a darkened path. So far, they had seen no sign of life.

Carefully, Cheetor stepped over several skulls littered across the floor. The torches mounted on the wall seemed to burn more brightly as if they were anticipating the Maximals’ arrival.

"According to my scanners, we’re nearing the energy source," Optimus observed. "If we just go a little further…"

Suddenly, the flames to the torches vanished, leaving them in complete darkness.

"Whoa!" Rattrap cried. "Now ain’t a good time for a blackout!"

"Don’t panic!" Optimus urged. "We can get through this! Just hold on to each other so that we don’t lose—"

A shrill cry emanated from Cheetor as the ground beneath him gave way, sending him plummeting into the darkness.

"Slag it!" Rattrap shouted as he transformed to robot mode. "Where are you, Cheetor!"

"Rattrap!" Optimus yelled through the pitch black. "Grab hold of me! We’ll find Cheetor as soon as I get access to my infrared vision."

A muffled cry was heard from Rattrap. At this point, Optimus charged blindly into the darkness in hopes of finding his friend. Unfortunately, by the time he had entered in the access codes for his night vision, it was too late. A searing flare of green light blinded him instantly as he lost consciousness.

---------------------------------------------------------

"Ouch," Cheetor muttered. "That was one nasty fall."

After crawling back to all four, he realized that he was lying next to a well.

"What’s this?" he wondered out loud.

"It is access to the underground springs," a voice next to him replied.

"Whoa, you’re that guy we saw earlier," Cheetor gasped.

"Something like that..."

The figure finally removed the mood. To Cheetor’s surprise, it was only a young brunette girl about 14 years old.

"You’re just a kid!"

"Not when I’m next in line to be the High Priestess of the V—" she snapped but quickly caught herself. "Um, what I meant is that I’ve never seen a talking cheetah before."

"The name’s Cheetor actually. Who are you, anyways?"

"I’m Selena," she said. "I live around here."

Cheetor eyed her warily. Though he was a relative newcomer to Earth, he had lived amongst humanity long enough to know that young teenage girls normally did not go out on their own at night without some sort of chaperone. With her, Cheetor knew that there was more to this than met the naked eye.

"Listen, Selena," Cheetor looked towards her. "I’m lost right now, along with a few of my friends. Think you could help me find them and then lead us out of here?"

"Okay."

"Lead the way," Cheetor encouraged with a cautious smile.

---------------------------------------------------------

By the time he was awake, Rattrap became uncomfortably that he was pinned to the wall with the energy webs woven by spiders. Within only a few feet, the sound of an argument could be heard.

"Shall we feast now or later?" Tarantulas asked.

"You’re the one who wanted to get down here in a rush," Blackarachnia shrugged. "We could just take his body back with us after we get the power source."

"A rather convenient suggestion," Tarantulas agreed. "Shall I drain him first or shall you?"

By the time he had heard that unsavory suggestion, Rattrap was already fast at work with a small blade in his hands, cutting through the webbing as his captors conversed.

"I will," Blackarachnia snorted. "Once I’m done with him, maybe I’ll eat you too."

Tarantulas chuckled lightly at the suggestion. He was well aware that black widow spiders ate their mates.

"Eat this, ya eight-legged freak!"

As Tarantulas and Blackarachnia turned around, Rattrap freed his arm completely. With his pistol, Rattrap shot Blackarachnia in the chest, blasting her head over feet onto the floor.

As an arid smoke rose from Blackarachnia’s fallen body, Tarantulas aimed his gun at Rattrap watchfully in a standstill. Rattrap’s pistol was firmly concentrated on Tarantulas as well.

"Careful, rodent," the Predacon scientist warned. "Your body is still entangled within my webbing. You have no chance of escaping!"

"We’ll see about that," Rattrap replied as he sliced through the energon webbing completely with his switchblade and quickly rolled out of the way as one of Tarantulas’ missiles completely destroyed the wall that he was previously pinned against.

Before Tarantulas could get off a second shot, Rattrap slammed into him and knocked his weapon away. Tarantulas grabbed the small Maximal by the throat but Rattrap responded with a rapid kick to the Predacon’s knee, dislocating it completely.

Tarantulas howled in pain but Rattrap silenced him quickly and efficiently with a point-blank blast to the forehead. Now, smoke arose from both the scorched bodies of Tarantulas and Blackarachnia.

"I hate spiders," Rattrap muttered as he stepped over them and ran off.

---------------------------------------------------------

"I see you’re awake now, beast."

"Who are you?" Optimus groaned.

"I see the blast has fried your circuitry."

"What blast?" Optimus demanded.

As he raised his arm, Optimus became keenly aware that he was shackled quite closely against the wall. His memories flooding back to him, Optimus soon realized that something did indeed knock him unconscious. Uncertainly, he wondered whether or not the hooded figures before him could accomplish something like that against a highly advanced and powerful robot from another planet.

"Who are you?" he asked again.

The leader of the group stepped forth and removed his hood to reveal that of an elderly man in his 60s.

"I am Ecclesiastes," the old man explained. "We stand before you right now as the Order of the Vok. I stand before you now as the Prophet of the Vok."

"The Vok?" Optimus stared blankly.

"Yes," Ecclesiastes replied. "For centuries, we have awaited their return. In due time, we will receive their grace and mercy."

"Just who are you exactly?"

"A curious specimen, are you not?" Ecclesiastes smiled, revealing several missing teeth. "We are a secret order that has been around since the dawning of humanity."

"Must be a long time," said Optimus dryly.

"For eons, we have been charged with the task of guiding humanity into the light as caretakers of this planet," Ecclesiastes continued. "Unfortunately, because of their petty nature, humanity has forsaken its planet in pursuit of its own greed."

This was an argument that Optimus found hard to disagree with. Despite his faith in sentient life, there were times that Optimus realized humans weren’t exactly a model species.

"Since the rise of the world’s major religions, the Order has diminished by much," Ecclesiastes sighed. "We are no more than a mere rumor now."

"Just how many of you are there?" Optimus inquired.

"That is unimportant," Ecclesiastes explained. "What’s important is that because you and your kind have arrived on this planet, a wild card has been thrown into our plans."

"What do you mean?"

"I refer to the Great Purging, of course," Ecclesiastes replied. "Though many others would refer to it as Doomsday or Armageddon, we prefer to think of it in less adverse terms."

Optimus rolled his optics. "I’ve heard that one before."

"The Vok, creators of this world and masters of numerous civilizations across the galaxy, are coming," Ecclesiastes warned. "They are furious at the destruction that humanity has brought about."

"Just who are the Vok, anyways?"

"They are our masters," Ecclesiastes replied cryptically. "Once they are here, you shall understand."

"And what will happen once they arrive?"

A spark of joy could be seen in Ecclesiates’ eyes. "The mountains will tremble and the seas will run red with the blood of sinners."

"Mind talking to me with less parables?" Optimus asked dryly.

"Very well," Ecclesiastes waved. "The Vok shall destroy civilization, itself, while sparing those who have served them. Under their new rule, we shall rebuild Earth and transform it into the paradise it was always meant to be!"

"I hope you realize what you’re advocating is global genocide," Optimus warned. "What you and these Vok want could cost countless lives."

"It is a price that we are willing to pay," Ecclesiastes looked deeply into Optimus Primal‘s optics. "However, you are an anomaly in this world. I’ve sensed throughout our conversation that you are not an unenlightened fellow. What I offer you now is the chance to leave this planet along with any others of your kind. You are not to blame for humanity’s sins and I suspect the Vok will not concern themselves with you should you and your kind leave."

"That’s not exactly something I can do right away," Optimus answered directly. "Things are rather complicated now."

"Oh?"

"Besides, if what you say is true, I can’t let you or these Vok commit wholesale murder."

"I had a feeling you’d say that," Ecclesiastes glared at Optimus. "What is it that would make you defend an irredeemable race that would hunt you and your kind down mercilessly if you were ever revealed to them?"

"It’s simple," Optimus replied candidly. "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings, even the ones that are less than perfect. It’s one of my Prime Directives. Besides, you happen to be a human too, in case you‘ve forgotten."

"I see," Ecclesiastes sighed. "Very well, you’ve made your decision. It‘s a shame you shall not live to see the coming of the Vok."

"Oh yeah?" Optimus grinned. "Just try me."

As Ecclesiastes’ eyes widened, Optimus tore off the shackles that bound him. By now, most of the acolytes backed away slowly from him. Ecclesiastes merely closed his eyes and chanted as Optimus towered over him.

Optimus crossed his arms. "Is this what you do every time you don’t win a convert?"

"Hardly."

Before Optimus knew it, a white hot searing heat consumed him. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before. He clutched his head and fell down to his knees in agony. The burning sensation had found its way from his optics to nearly every mechanical joint in his body. Fire seemed to erupt from him as his eyes glowed green. Searing flames circled Ecclesiastes on the ground as his robes danced wildly.

"This," he laughed, "is only a taste of the true power of the Vok."

Very soon, the flames disappeared as Optimus kneeled before the floor motionlessly.

"Grandpa!"

"Selena, dear child!" Ecclesiastes smiled. "You’re just in time to witness another blasphemer that’s stepped into the light!"

"I brought his companion as you instructed," Selena gestured towards Cheetor.

"Optimus!" Cheetor cried as he transformed to robot mode and aimed his gun at Ecclesiastes. "What have you done with him!"

"I’ve only stripped him of that worrisome free will of his," Ecclesiastes replied calmly. "Just observe."

Finally, Optimus Primal stood up. While he had sustained no damages, there was something about him this time that did not bode well with Cheetor. The glowing green eyes were a start.

"Big Bot," Cheetor looked at his leader cautiously. "Is that… you?"

Without warning, Optimus lunged.

---------------------------------------------------------

By the time he was at the main gate, Rattrap was panting. He had spared no time in stumbling his way through the dark, barely lit, corridors. By now, he was pretty sure he had found the location of possibly both Optimus and Cheetor.

Where the spiders were, he didn’t know. Now, he regretted not blasting their bodies to pieces. There was still a chance that they’d recover and come after him. At this moment, he guessed that his night vision was probably not as good as either of theirs. If they caught up with him now…

"This must be ‘da place," he muttered as he stared at door.

A few minutes ago, he had followed several loud sounds that led to this place. What exactly happened was anyone’s guess but Rattrap knew almost for certain that they involved either Optimus or Cheetor.

"Here goes nothin’," he muttered as he creaked open the door and peeked inside.

Optimus held an unconscious Cheetor up by the back of his neck.

Rattrap recoiled. Whoa! Wasn’t expectin’ that!

Finally, he decided to act. First things first, he kicked down the door.

"Alright, ya buncha hoods!" he yelled. "This is a stick up!"

Immediately, the acolytes backed away from him. The only figures who remained unresponsive to him were a young girl and an old man.

"Selena, leave me to these heretics."

"But grandpa!" the girl protested. Her protests were in vain, however, as the old man gestured for two acolytes to take her far away. In a few seconds, they had vanished through the back doors.

"Greetings, diminutive one," the old man smiled. "I am Ecclesiastes."

"Stuff it!" Rattrap growled. "What’ve you done wit’ Optimus?"

"It’s not what I’ve done with him. It’s what he’s about to do to you!"

Without any hesitation, Optimus Primal threw Cheetor aside and attacked Rattrap furiously.

Rattrap quickly dodged a swing that instantly took off a large portion of the wall behind him. He braced himself as Optimus threw another punched and slid out from under Optimus’ legs.

"What’s gotten into you, Optimus!" Rattrap yelled out as his leader turned to face him.

"He cannot hear you," Ecclesiastes laughed as both his and Optimus Primal‘s eyes hummed with a blinding light. "He is a servant of the Vok now!"

Rattrap took out his gun and aimed it at Ecclesiastes. "Change him back, now!"

A large blade came crashing down and sliced apart Rattrap’s pistol with one powerful stroke. Optimus now faced Rattrap with his sword gleaming.

"Don’t do ‘dis, Optimus," Rattrap pleaded.

The mind wiped Optimus, unfortunately, did not hear him. Rattrap had to duck as Optimus nearly took his head off with another swing. Just barely, he back flipped out of the way as Optimus slashed at him again. Rattrap grabbed a large crate and threw it, only for Optimus to slice it apart.

Grabbing as many inanimate objects as he could, Rattrap threw each and every one of them at Optimus Primal. Each and every time, however, they failed to slow the Maximal commander down. Finally, Optimus took careful aim and threw his sword at Rattrap who dodged just in time as it penetrated the wall where his head used to be.

Now, Optimus slammed his shoulder into the smaller Maximal, knocking Rattrap down thanks to his greater size and strength. As Rattrap got up, Optimus smashed him half-way across the room with one punch. Rattrap panted heavily but Optimus grabbed him by the arm and lifted him up. Rattrap used his free hand to punch Optimus across the face several times but to no avail. He cried out as Optimus applied more pressure to his arm.

"The pain will go away as soon as you tell me how many more of you there are on Earth," Ecclesiastes called out cheerfully.

Rattrap braced himself and swung with both his feet, catching Optimus Primal viciously across the chin, swinging himself over and out of the brainwashed Maximal’s reach. As soon as Rattrap flipped over and landed neatly on his feet, he saw Optimus crash to the floor.

Staggeringly, Optimus Primal got up again. If he had experienced any pain at all, even in his brainwashed state, he certainly did not show it. Though his face was dented from the force of the kick, he attacked yet again. Rattrap grabbed him by the arm and twisted it behind his back.

"Snap outta it, Optimus!" Rattrap tried to reason. "The old geezer’s got you under some kinda… spell!"

Optimus broke free of his grip and punched Rattrap again, this time knocking him several feet into the air before he landed in front of Ecclesiastes.

Through his glowing, burning eyes, Ecclesiastes could tell that Rattrap did not have the strength to keep up the battle any further.

"Do you surrender?" he gloated. "I suspect your friend can annihilate you with one more blow if you choose to continue this."

"I… can’t," Rattrap coughed as he clasped Ecclesiastes’ robes.

"You wish to kiss my robes now in deference?" Ecclesiastes smiled. "I knew you’d come around sooner or later."

With a sickening crack, Ecclesiastes felt his ribs crack ever so slightly. Soon, he experienced himself being lifted up and thrown against the wall, an act which knocked the air out of him almost completely..

"Just had ‘ta get close enough to ya," Rattrap smiled weakly.

As expected, the green glow in Optimus Primal’s eyes left him as the Maximal leader fell down, slightly unbalanced. Groggily, he opened his optics again. This time, Rattrap did not see the look of an automaton in him anymore.

"Rattrap?" Optimus blinked. "What happened?"

"You spaced out for a while," Rattrap replied as he pulled himself up. "We’ll talk about it later."

Optimus looked towards the left-center of the room to see the unconscious body of Cheetor.

"Cheetor!" Optimus exclaimed. "How did this happen?"

"Eh, I’ll explain that later, too," Rattrap scratched his head nervously, unsure about the best way to explain to his leader that he had beaten his young lieutenant insensible.

"Curse you!" Ecclesiastes coughed. "With his frail human body, I lack the power to defeat you…"

"Whoa!" Rattrap’s optics widened. "I just cracked ‘yer ribcage and threw you against a wall! You shouldn’t even be standin’ up!"

"I am over a century old," he replied through an almost asthmatic cough. "Due to life sustaining potions bestowed upon me by the Vok’s knowledge, I am far stronger, durable, and long lived than any normal human."

Rattrap looked up at Optimus. "Can they really live that long, Boss Monkey?"

"Look," Optimus said as he looked towards the fallen Ecclesiastes. "Why do we have to come to blows over this?"

Rattrap shook his head. "Sheesh, the guy tries to mind wipe you and ya still let ‘im off the hook?"

"We don’t have to anymore," Ecclesiastes agreed. "One final blow and it will be the end!"

Revealing the small detonator he held in his hands, Ecclesiastes pressed down on it while laughing hysterically.

"Oh boy," Rattrap muttered as Optimus, with Cheetor in tow, grabbed him and blasted off at full speed.

---------------------------------------------------------

"Seeing you like that was unreal," Cheetor muttered. "How did he brainwash you?"

"I don’t even remember," Optimus confessed. "I was blinded by this searing light and that was it."

"What I wanna know is who are these kooky weirdoes?" asked Rattrap. "I get the feeling they ain’t exactly normal humans."

In the distance, the mansion itself was already consumed by fire. The skies were now darkened from the massive amounts of smoke the flames had generated. In several more minutes, the house would become nothing but ashes.

"The old man, Ecclesiastes," Optimus said. "He talked about the Vok and how they would arrive on Earth one day to cleanse it."

"Oh, come on, Optimus!" Rattrap interjected. "You honestly don’t believe ‘im, do you? I mean, these Looney Toons could just be another one of them doomsday cults. After all, every civilization has at least a few of ‘em."

"Then how did they brainwash Optimus?" Cheetor asked.

"Cheetor has a point," Optimus replied grimly. "Reprogramming one’s mind usually requires advanced nanotechnology. I’ve been scanning myself for several cycles and I still haven’t found a single trace of any foreign nanites in my system."

"I dunno," Rattrap suggested jokingly. "Maybe they played you like one of ‘dem snake charmers."

Both Optimus and Cheetor glared at him. Rattrap then realized how inappropriate his words had been and kept silent.

In the far distance, the flames from the mansion burned ever so brightly. As the smoke rose further into the night sky, a thin skeletal face formed temporarily through the fumes before vanishing into the darkness once more.