Omega Wars

03.Mar.2007

Chapter 1: Pact of Demons

Rampage, in his tank mode, trundled over the barren landscape that made up a section of Predacon territory on prehistoric Earth. Ever vigilant, Rampage kept an eye out for everything Megatron had told him to, whether it was Energon or stasis pods that had somehow remained intact since the Quantum Surge. But while he searched, the Transmetal felt anger burning in his halved Spark.

He was Protoform X, the most powerful Transformer created since the end of the Great War. But now, he was a slave to a Predacon criminal who thought that taking the name of a legendary conqueror would automatically make him one as well. While offline, Rampage dreamed of ripping the Spark from Megatron's body and feasting upon it, and those of the other Predacons as well. First, though, he would have to recover the half of his own Spark that Megatron had removed, the one thing that kept him bound to the Predacon leader.

As he moved along, his sensors suddenly detected a strange energy reading. Curious, he called out: "Rampage, Terrorize!" Shifting to robot mode, he cautiously approached the source of the signal. When he looked upon it, his mandibles spread wide in shock.

Down below him was a large pit, rather typical for this kind of terrain. However, this pit was unique in one important respect: it contained a pool of dark purple energy. Pure darkness radiated from that mass; Rampage's Spark pulsed in response, feeling a kinship of sorts. Before the mass murderer could contemplate what was going on, the pool suddenly rippled. A face with two huge, crimson eyes and a mouth filled with fangs appeared.

Locking onto Rampage, the eyes stared at him. Moments passed, during which neither spoke. Then the fanged maw opened. "Who dares to enter the domain of Unicron?"

Despite himself, Rampage almost took a step back. Every Transformer, Maximal or Predacon, had heard of Unicron. His attacks on Cybertronian installations were legendary, recorded in the histories of Cybertron for all to see. But what really held the awe of those that believed in him was the role he played in the creation of their race.

Transformer legend stated that, long ago, Unicron had existed in another universe. With awesome power, he had devoured that old universe and then fallen into sleep to await the next one. Awakening in the current universe, he attempted to devour it as well. However, while he had slept, a new force of power had risen, one wholly different from Unicron. Primus, the first Prime and father of the Transformer race, had battled Unicron back and forth across the universe, threatening to shatter it with their conflict. Primus had finally ended the conflict by sealing himself and Unicron inside planetoids. Cybertron had emerged from Primus' shell, while Unicron had molded his into the body with which he had attacked countless planets.

Rampage quickly felt doubt enter his mind. Unicron was supposed to be dead, destroyed by Rodimus Prime through the use of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. Yet this form below him claimed to be that same entity, somehow lost through time and space to arrive on prehistoric Earth. Deciding that the only way he would get answers would be through talking, Rampage replied to the inquiry.

"I am Rampage, immortal Predacon and murderer of hundreds. You and I are somewhat alike, Unicron— if that's who you really are. Tell me, exactly how did you wind up here and now?"

"When the Matrix of Leadership destroyed my body, the energy released tore open a hole in the fabric of space and time. Most of my Spark was drawn in, leaving only a fragment behind in my head. Eventually, I came to rest here on prehistoric Earth, but have been trapped ever since. Worse, I fear that I shall soon be drawn back into the timestream, doomed forever to wander across the eras."

Quietly, Rampage spoke again. "Your pain echoes my own, Chaos Bringer. I am not doomed to wander across the cosmos as you are, but I am no longer my own master. The Predacon leader on this planet, a pretender to the name of Megatron, has split my immortal Spark. No longer can I refuse him, for he tortures me with it. Believe me, I know pain, and nothing has ever been more agonizing than what Megatron does to me with my own Spark."

Suddenly, a tendril of dark energy shot forward, flowing into his chest. Rampage gasped as his memories were analyzed, everything he knew copied and downloaded. Unicron then pulled back, silent as he assessed what he had learned.

"My word, you certainly are an interesting specimen. The darkness of your Spark echoes that within mine. Perhaps the two of us could join forces."

Puzzled, Rampage questioned the Chaos Bringer. "What do you mean?"

"Both of us are only parts of a whole, Rampage. My Spark is as strong as ever, but I have no body to use for my purposes. Your body is without flaw, but your Spark has been divided, and part of it stolen from you. United, the two of us could achieve ultimate victory. Together, you and I can devour all life in the universe."

Grinning, Rampage let out his trademark insane laugh. That done, he leapt into the pool of energy. Purple light exploded as Protoform X and the Chaos Bringer met.

Megatron was shocked as Rampage's Spark box suddenly began crackling with black electricity. Sensing that touching it would not be wise, he backed away. Turning to his computer, he punched in several commands. "Computer, analyze the energy affecting Rampage's Spark!"

"Analysis inconclusive. Energy does not match any known signatures."

"How is that possible?" Megatron asked. No answer returned, for the computer had none.

Secreted in his lair, Tarantulas felt a sudden surge in his Spark. Gasping, he let the tide of ecstasy wash through him. Only once had he felt such power, such joy; in the presence of his master and creator.

"Unicron!"

Levitating upwards from the now empty pit, the new being looked down at his body appraisingly. Design-wise, it was still Rampage's Transmetal form. However, the color scheme had been altered, becoming black and purple with orange spots in several areas.

Rampage and Unicron's minds and personalities had melded together with their Sparks, creating a new, more powerful being. Feeling the power provided by the joining, the Predacon smiled. "I am now the ultimate power on this planet. But if I am to succeed in my plans, I will need help."

Calling upon his immense energies, the fused creature sped across the desert landscape. Soon enough, the lava-filled region surrounding the Predacon base came into view. Reaching into the molten rock with his powers, the Transformer searched for what he hoped would be there. Satisfaction shone in his eyes as he felt two Sparks, imprisoned in the lava but kept safe by Transmetallized bodies. Probing them both, he decided that only one of the two would be useful. Disintegrating the body of the one he had deemed unworthy, he fed power into the other, healing and energizing its frame. Completely in control, he called it to him.

Exploding from the lava below came the form of the Predacon Terrorsaur. However, his body was now covered in sleek armor, having been Transmetallized by the Quantum Surge. Meeting the gaze of his rescuer for a moment, the once rebellious Transformer knelt. "I am your loyal servant, master."

"As am I!" Tarantulas' voice caused the giant being to turn, looking directly at the Transmetal spider. "I pledge my services to you, mighty Unicron!"

He fell silent as the cold green eyes looked at him. "I remember you...you're one of the four infiltrators I created to bring about the fall of Cybertron. Welcome back to my side, but take note of this. My name is no longer Unicron; nor is it Rampage. I am both of them, an amalgam, and yet I am neither one. A new life means a new name, and I have the perfect one in mind. From now on, you shall address me as Shokaract. The title fits me, I think; it means 'Point Omega'. Point Omega; the end of all, and I am that end."

No one was more surprised than Megatron when Shokaract burst in, walking up to him with a look of superiority in his eyes. "I believe you have something of mine, Megatron."

Calmly, Megatron replied. "A new paint job will not protect you from my tender mercies, Rampage. Do you forget so quickly that I am your master? Perhaps you need a reminder." Picking up the Spark box, which was now clean of the energies that had surrounded it, Megatron squeezed. Energon spikes drove themselves into the immortal Spark, prompting a surge of energy through Shokaract's body. To Megatron's shock, the giant laughed.

"You will find that I am beyond such tortures now, fool. Shokaract is far mightier than Rampage ever was." Gesturing, Shokaract reached out with telekinesis, stunning Megatron by yanking the Spark box from his hand and pulling it to him. Opening it, he extended a tendril of dark energy from his Spark to envelop the freed fragment, drawing it inside him. Giving a sigh, he dropped the empty box to the ground. "Now I am truly whole!"

Megatron was ready to leap up and open fire, eager to teach the Predacon his place. The problem was, he couldn't. He was bound to his command chair by energy he couldn't see. All he could move was his head, and he soon found that he was helpless. Whatever force held him also bound Inferno, Quickstrike, Blackarachnia, and Waspinator. As if that weren't enough, Tarantulas and the impossibly alive Terrosaur each had weapons trained on the four Predacons who had sworn loyalty to him.

Gazing up at his captor, Megatron realized that only one option remained to him. "I...surrender."

Terrosaur laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day. Megatron giving up and begging for mercy!"

Cackling, Tarantulas agreed. "Moments like this are what we will treasure for the rest of our existence."

Both went silent as Shokaract spoke. "That existence will be short for anyone here who disobeys me. From this moment on, I am your ruler, and I will brook no rebellion. Should you scheme against me, you shall suffer the fate I intend for our enemies. Now then, prepare yourselves for battle; we have a date to keep at the Maximal base."

To be continued...