2.Dec.06
Reconciliation
By: Spectre
the Hechidnat
Chapter 7: Fury of the Fuzor
Quickstrike fidgeted and ranted as he paced Predacon/Vehicon HQ. "Man, this
gig just doesn't cut it! I want to slag some 'bots, but all I do is get my
keister kicked!"
"Forgive the rest of us if your problems amount to nothing as far as we're
concerned," Nemesis Prime rumbled.
"That Maximal punk Silverbolt is my problem! I've been itching to get my
fangs into him from day one, but I always end up fighting someone else! I want
to turn that tin-horn into scrap!"
Listening nearby, Tarantulas cackled as an idea came into his mind. "If you
so wish to fight Silverbolt, Quickstrike, then perhaps we can use this to our
advantage. The Maximal is driven by an insane hatred of Jetstorm; let's play off
that. You can send him a communication, and offer to let him face Jetstorm if he
defeats you. Then we can overwhelm him with superior force!"
Grinning, Quickstrike nodded vehemently. Nemesis Prime rose, walking away.
"I have better things to do with my time than participate in the inane
schemes you arachnids cook up."
Silverbolt came into Axalon Tower's command center for his shift of the night
watch. Airazor, who was on the watch before him, stood and greeted him.
"I'm glad you're here to take over, Silverbolt. I need my beauty sleep, and
I don't want to keep Tigatron waiting."
With a knowing smile, Silverbolt nodded. "Of course, Airazor. Go to your
rest; I will take things from here."
Assuming his station, Silverbolt sighed in frustration. While it was his duty to
stay here, he longed to fly out and confront Jetstorm, that he might put an end
to his dark half once and for all. Responsibility and an obligation to
Blackarachnia and his other comrades prevented him. For a moment he longed for
the days when he had been a solo agent working against Megatron.
Suddenly, his console beeped, signaling an incoming communication. Responding,
Silverbolt found himself looking into the leering face of Quickstrike. Eyes
narrowing, the Maximal growled. "What do you want, snake?"
"Fur and feathers, is that any way for a Maximal to talk? Since you asked,
what I want is to call you out. Back in the Beast Wars, I promised you that you
and I would have it out for real someday. Well, that ‘someday’ is now!"
"I have no interest in fighting you, Predacon. Find someone else to focus
your attention on."
"Oh, did I forget to mention? Beat me, and I'll tell you where to find
Jetstorm."
Eyes wide, Silverbolt thought about that particularly piece of news. "Fine;
where shall we meet?"
Depth Charge came awake when one of the silent alarm systems he had installed in
Axalon Tower went off. Checking the system, he saw that someone had broken into
his locker in the Tower armory. "Slag!"
Racing through the halls, Depth Charge came to the room. Interrogating the
computer, he discovered that the last one to enter had been Silverbolt. Going to
his locker, he saw the telltale claw marks of two huge sets of talons, clearly
implicating the Fuzor. Opening the small chamber, he was surprised to see that
nothing appeared to be missing.
That is, until he noticed the empty box that normally held his Energon dagger.
"By the Pit!"
Landing silently, Silverbolt converted to Robot Mode. He had landed in a run
down section of Cybertropolis, and his scanners indicated that a long corridor
separated him from the enclosed area where Quickstrike had wanted to meet him.
Drawing his feather weapons, he started for the door. He hadn't gone far when
Waspinator emerged from the shadows.
"Give up, Doggy-Bot, or Waspinator will shoot!"
Faster than Waspinator would have though possible, Silverbolt hurled one of his
weapons, knocking Waspinator's gun from his hand. He then leapt forward,
slamming Waspinator against a nearby wall and holding the other weapon to the
Predacon's throat. "If you want to keep your head, insect, then I suggest
you pay attention! Are the rest of your foul comrades situated in the
corridor?"
Waspinator gulped and replied quickly. "All but Prime-Bot, Crab-Bot, and
Jet-Bot. Two-Head is in room at end of corridor."
Growling, Silverbolt realized that he had been tricked. Tossing Waspinator to
the ground, he spoke. "If you know what's good for you, Waspinator, you
will leave before I come back out of that corridor."
Taking the advice of the Maximal, Waspinator converted to Jet Mode and took off
as fast as he was able. Silverbolt stared after him, then turned and walked into
the corridor.
About one fourth of the way down the corridor, Silverbolt ran into his first
obstacle. Obsidian and Strika emerged to confront him, weapons raised and
powered up. The helicopter Vehicon spoke with a threatening tone.
"Surrender, and your suffering will be brief!"
"Do as he says, lupine, or they'll be picking up your parts with an
electromagnet," Strika added.
Unimpressed, Silverbolt launched into action. Showing none of his inherent
chivalry, he slammed into the female Vehicon, knocking her from her feet.
Enraged, Obsidian opened fire with his lasers. To his shock, Silverbolt took the
blasts right in the torso and didn't even twitch. Eyes gone red, Silverbolt flew
at Obsidian. With savage strength, he ripped the helicopter rotors from his
foe's shoulders. Then, with a howl of anger, he stabbed the rotor blades through
Obsidian's torso, pinning him to the wall several feet above the floor.
"Obsidian!" Incensed by the attack on her partner, Strika seized
Silverbolt from behind, bearing the Fuzor to the ground through sheer weight.
Silverbolt responded by kicking out with both powerful legs, hitting Strika in
the torso and sending her flying. He then drew his feather weapons, using them
like swords as he sliced at Strika with the sharp edges.
Moaning in pain, Strika had no defense as Silverbolt hurled his exploding
weapons at her. Exploding, the projectiles sent the giant female Transformer
hurtling to hit the wall. Stunned, Strika was oblivious as Silverbolt, despite
taking considerable damage, walked deeper into the corridor.
Perched the back of Primal Prime in his Jet Mode, Blackarachnia worried over her
absent love. After being informed by Depth Charge of Silverbolt's theft, it had
been simple work for her to find out about Quickstrike's communication. Now all
the Maximals were flying towards the coordinates provided by the Predacon.
"Man, 'Bolt's flipped his lid!" Rattrap said.
Airazor looked up at her passenger disapprovingly. "Have some respect for
the guy, Rattrap. He's been through worse than any of us!"
"That statement is open for debate," Dinobot muttered from on top of
Depth Charge.
"Whatever's going on, we have to help Silverbolt!" Cheetor said.
"Cheetor is right; our comrade needs assistance in this troubled
time," Tigatron added.
"Jets on full, Maximals!" Primal Prime cried, accelerating.
Rolling to avoid missiles, Silverbolt glared at his attacker. Halfway through
the corridor, he had come upon none other than Scavenger, who was currently
deploying various methods of firepower against his Fuzor opponent. "You
will burn before the wrath of the colony, Maximal!"
Eyes still red with fury, the chivalrous Cybertronian flew at his antagonist.
Slamming into the Transmetal, Silverbolt attacked with his clawed feet, slicing
at the ant Transformer. Despite the power of his armor, Scavenger was unable to
hold off the onslaught. Too badly damaged to remain active, he fell unconscious.
Silverbolt was breathing heavily, his body having taken dangerous damage in his
confrontations. While he knew he should return to Axalon Tower, the thought of
finishing his business with Quickstrike drove him onward.
He had gotten another fourth of the way down the corridor when a dart loaded
with cybervenom buried itself in his torso. Tarantulas emerged from the
darkness, cackling. "How do you like my new and improved cybervenom?"
Silverbolt responded by unfolding his wings and opening fire on Tarantulas.
Flying back, the Predacon opened fire with the machine guns in his shoulders.
Walking forward through the barrage, Silverbolt grabbed Tarantulas and slammed
him to the floor. Drawing one of his feather weapons, he stabbed it through
Tarantulas' belly, pinning him to the floor.
"I'll be back for you later, spider!" His task finished, Silverbolt
pressed forward, eager to finish the job he had started. Neglecting the fact
that his body was horribly damaged and that his system was now flooded with
cybervenom, he made his way towards Quickstrike.
Landing in front of the corridor Silverbolt had entered, the Maximals watched in
shock as Rampage, Jetstorm, Nemesis Prime, and Waspinator emerged. Each carried
one of their battle-damaged comrades, the only Predacon/Vehicon missing being
Quickstrike. Seeing them, Jetstorm spoke. "You guys might want to stop your
crazy friend before he gets himself blown up; check out what he did to our
pals."
"Much as I would like to stay, old playmate, these scrap heaps need our
attention," Rampage said.
Silverbolt exited the other end of the corridor to find Quickstrike waiting for
him. The green and gold Predacon held his snake-head hand ready, eager to open
fire. "Well, tin-horn, it's time to finish this up once and for all."
"Prepare to occupy your own personal junkyard!" Silverbolt roared.
Quickstrike opened fire, sending a green blast of cybervenom flying to strike
Silverbolt. Shaking it off, Silverbolt drew his feather weapons, racing forward
to attack. Quickstrike fired again, reward by the sight of Silverbolt
staggering. However, his anticipation faded as Silverbolt hurled both feather
weapons.
Caught in an explosion, Quickstrike went flying backwards. Lifting his weapon,
he fired a stream of venom at Silverbolt. The beam poured into the Maximal Fuzor,
continuous until Silverbolt's taloned foot came down on the arm. Quickstrike
yelled in pain as the limb was ripped from his body. He struck out with his
other arm, landing a hard blow with his eight-fingered fist. Silverbolt
responded by ripping that arm off as well.
Vibrating with fear, Quickstrike whimpered as his legs went the way of his arms.
Silverbolt stared down at him, his golden optics turned completely red.
"Give my regards to the Inferno!"
Just then, the Maximals rushed in. Blackarachnia, seeing Silverbolt draw the
Energon dagger, cried out. "Silverbolt, no!"
Not even paying attention, Silverbolt drove his stolen weapon through
Quickstrike's Spark. He then walked away slowly, not even flinching when
Quickstrike exploded, instantly killed.
Primal Prime stepped forward, his face stern. "Silverbolt, you have no
right to kill defenseless enemies!"
"Out of my way, Primal. Jetstorm is around here somewhere, and I intend to
find and exterminate him."
"Silverbolt, look at yourself! You can't do anything in your
condition!"
As Silverbolt continued to walk away, Cheetor rushed up to him. "Sorry pal,
but this is for your own good!"
Cheetor decked Silverbolt, knocking him to the ground. When he stayed
motionless, Rattrap ran up and scanned him. "Spots, you really blew it!
'Bolt is in stasis lock!"
Tigatron was shocked. "That blow shouldn't have been enough to do
that!"
Dinobot knelt down next to Rattrap, and cursed as he saw the readings.
"He's damaged to near death, and he's taken enough cybervenom to lay an
army low!"
Picking up Silverbolt and cradling him, Blackarachnia ran for the exit. "We
need to get him back to Axalon Tower!"
To be continued...