The Autobots and their allies had gathered in front of an apparatus that Ironhide\u2019s body rested in. It was still in alt-mode, as, per Cybertronian Funerary custom, it was best to leave the body in its preferred mode after rigor morphis. The Autobots were painted in black and their allies dressed in funeral clothes. Optimus stood at a podium and cleared his vocal components. \u201cFriends,\u201d he began, \u201ctoday we gather to honor the death of Master Sergeant Ironhide Teznark of Iacon. An honored Autobot warrior, a hero that ended the first Cybertronian War after 4 million years of conflict, a father and friend, and an invaluable mentor, Ironhide\u2019s loss will leave a hole in our hearts and Sparks. His Spark was set on keeping the peace and he wouldn\u2019t stop fighting any evil that stood in his way. He could never be replaced. There won\u2019t be another Cybertronian like him. Honestly, I wouldn\u2019t wish for a replacement for him. I don\u2019t want to cheapen him. Ironhide, you will be missed. Rest in peace.\u201d He nodded to Kup, Jazz, and Chromia. They stepped forward, stood with an empty space between Jazz and Chromia, and readied their weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFire!\u201d called Kup. They each fired three shots before holstering their weapons and saluting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen a Spark goes online, there is great joy,\u201d continued Optimus. \u201cWhen one is extinguished, the universe weeps.\u201d The Autobots then each took a phial of Innermost Energon and held it up to the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou flare. You flicker. You fade.\u201d After the chant, the Autobots set their phials down and Chromia stepped up to a control panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll never forget you, Ironhide,\u201d she promised as tears fell from her optics. \u201cRest in peace.\u201d She pressed a button and the apparatus\u2019 prongs glowed. After a few seconds, Ironhide\u2019s body vaporized, as if fading into nothing. \u201cGoodbye\u2026\u201d whimpered Chromia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Decepticons held their own funeral for Rumble. Like the Autobots, they had a machine to vaporize the body. After his body was put back together, Rumble went through rigor morphis. Unlike Ironhide, his body\u2019s preferred mode was the robot mode. \u201cDecepticons,\u201d began Megatron, \u201ctoday we gather to honor the death of Lieutenant Rumble Tesak of Xitra. An accomplished saboteur, a powerful warrior, even when compared to bots of our stature, a bot with an excellent sense of humor, a brother, a friend, and a decorated soldier, Rumble\u2019s loss will be felt for a long time, even past our own lives. As his killers are in our base now,\u201d the gnashing of dental plates echoed in Megatron\u2019s audio receptors, \u201cthe desire for revenge is strong. However, death will only be an escape for Eggman and his Combaticons. We must ensure that they will only give their lives in OUR name. As such, all thoughts of killing them MUST be buried.\u201d The mourners grumbled. \u201cIn light of this, we must continue on and dedicate future victories in Rumble\u2019s name. Rest in peace, Rumble.\u201d He then nodded to Soundwave and Shockwave. They stepped forward and placed their hands on Rumble\u2019s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn light of your bravery,\u201d they proclaimed, \u201cwe hereby declare you toil and misery exempt. Rest well, Rumble of Xitra.\u201d They then stepped back, their Xitran funerary rite completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen a Spark goes online, there is great joy,\u201d continued Megatron. \u201cWhen one is extinguished, the universe weeps.\u201d The Decepticons then each took a phial of Innermost Energon and held it up to the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou flare. You flicker. You fade.\u201d After the chant, the Decepticons set their phials down and Soundwave stepped up to the control panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOperation: Vengeance has begun, Rumble,\u201d he declared. \u201cRest in peace.\u201d He then pressed a button and Rumble\u2019s body was slowly vaporized. As the Decepticons slowly filed off, Megatron noticed Soundwave standing by the machine, looking towards the moon base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSoundwave\u2026\u201d began Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have duties to perform,\u201d interrupted Soundwave as he headed to the base. Megatron then made a call to Galvatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHas this happened in your time zone?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, but this could upend everything,\u201d replied Galvatron. \u201cIn any event, there\u2019s another thing we must keep out of Unicron\u2019s reach soon; SEVEN things, to be precise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Chaos Emeralds? He drains them too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnfortunately, yes. We must retrieve them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnderstood, but, if you recall, we need a Chaos Emerald to make a match on their energy signatures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll find one! I swear it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to hold you to that.\u201d Megatron ended the call and returned to the base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Optimus sat at his desk, finishing his paperwork. He then sighed, running his hands down his face. \u201cHow am I gonna even begin this?\u201d he mumbled. He then heard the door chime. \u201cCome.\u201d Sonic came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou wanted to see me?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI did,\u201d confirmed Optimus. Sonic jumped onto the desk as Optimus searched for the right words. \u201cSonic, I\u2026I\u2026\u201d Sonic arched an eye ridge. Optimus then took in a breath before starting again. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for not involving you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026In what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn everything! I\u2026I thought that the Autobots alone could handle the Decepticons! They have Mobius in their sights, and I thought we would be the only defense you guys needed and that was arrogant of me to even think that! You\u2019ve been the hero of Mobius longer than the Autobots and I should have been asking you for help since they have Eggman and you got caught in the crossfire\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStop.\u201d Optimus stopped and stared at the Blue Blur. \u201cI didn\u2019t ask to help you guys on any missions either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026What say we promise to involve each other more often?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSounds like a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back on the moon, Megatron strode towards Sick Bay. \u201cDoctor,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, Lord Megatron!\u201d greeted Knock Out. \u201cHow are we today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPhysically, fine. It\u2019s a little nagging problem I need to address. Is your organic patient ready for visitors?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, he and I were just discussing your potential to visit him. Wish to make it a reality?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you would permit me to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWard 3. He\u2019s gonna flip when he sees you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, Doctor.\u201d Megatron then strode to Ward 3 and found Eggman lying on a berth for a man his size. \u201cAnd how are we today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStay back!\u201d yelped Eggman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAw, and miss out on a little\u2026tete a tete?\u201d Megatron sat down on an empty berth. \u201cDoctor, walk me through your logic here. What possessed you to betray me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOU betrayed ME, genius! I was your landlord! You turned me into your housekeeper!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I suppose I missed the thing where you were charging rent. Doctor Eggman, you wouldn\u2019t know how to command an empire if it bit you in your rather generous buttocks!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have made many advances\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll of them upended by Sonic! Your obsession with him has made you a laughingstock and has reduced our effectiveness by a half! So, allow me to offer the most expedient way out of this mess! Your Combaticons will undergo the Rite of the Deceptibrand and they will work for the Decepticon Empire, not you! You, meanwhile, will continue monitoring Mobius for the Chaos Emeralds as we require them again!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat scheme did you cook up that needs them?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat no longer concerns you!\u201d Silence then infiltrated the room. \u201c\u2026Now, I need you healed, so\u2026\u201d Megatron\u2019s sentence was interrupted by weapons-fire outside the ward. \u201cWhat is going on out there?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCombaticon Berths: located,\u201d droned Soundwave\u2019s voice. Megatron ran outside to see Soundwave leveling his weapons at the inactive Combaticons, putting his handheld gun to Brawl\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSOUNDWAVE!\u201d roared Megatron. \u201cSTAND DOWN!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNegative,\u201d replied Soundwave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026What did you just say?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCombaticons: too dangerous to live. Rite of the Deceptibrand: unnecessary. Termination: required.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI said stand down! That is an order!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNegative. Operation: Vengeance must be completed. Interference will not be tolerated, especially from an Autobot like you.\u201d Megatron roared in rage and grabbed Soundwave by the shoulder, throwing him across Sick Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCall me an Autobot again, and we\u2019ll see how irreplaceable you are!\u201d Soundwave then charged at Megatron and slammed his fist into his face. Megatron shook the pain off and saw Soundwave standing over him. He then thrust his hand out and fired lightning, shocking Soundwave and putting him into stasis-lock. Megatron then picked himself up. \u201c\u2026Doctor, you have another patient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt once, Lord Megatron.\u201d Knock Out then pulled Soundwave up onto a berth and got to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aleena arrived at Sira\u2019s mansion and buzzed the intercom. \u201cHow may I help you?\u201d called Natalie\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI need to speak with your wife, Natalie,\u201d explained Aleena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome right to the door, Your Majesty.\u201d The gate opened and Aleena went down the drive and approached the door. Natalie opened it and led her to a large room with a couch near a fireplace and a chair on the other side. Sira was lazily sprawled on the couch. Natalie then cleared her throat. \u201cPresenting her Majesty, Queen Aleena of Mobius!\u201d Sira then sat bolt upright and looked towards the two women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesty!\u201d she yelped. \u201cI had no idea you were visiting!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid this isn\u2019t a social call,\u201d replied Aleena. \u201cI need to speak to you about the entity within our planet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Natalie, be a dear and hold all my calls until my meeting with Her Majesty is done.\u201d Natalie bowed and left the room. Sira offered Aleena a seat on the couch while she took the chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Comfy,\u201d mused Aleena as she sat down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI amassed quite a fortune during my long life,\u201d replied Sira. \u201cWhat questions do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe creature in the core, Amy said that Sonic fought it before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe did, and he knew it as Dark Gaia. However, our robotic visitors are calling it \u2018Unicron\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s another thing, unicorn?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I think they flip the placement of the \u2018r\u2019 and \u2018o\u2019 so \u2018r\u2019 is before \u2018o\u2019 instead of after.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave you gotten any stories about this \u2018Unicron\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, yes. About a week ago, Ironhide (rest his Spark) told me a legend about this beast, although, back then, he called it the Chaos Bringer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny chance you could tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right.\u201d Sira then pointed to the fire. \u201cOstende fabulam.\u201d The fire then snaked out of the fireplace and began making images in the air. \u201cIn the beginning, there was Primus, and there was Unicron. One, a being of light and creation,\u201d the fire created an image of a man in smooth armor and a haggard, yet kind clean-shaven face, \u201cthe other, a being of darkness and destruction.\u201d Another figure then appeared, this one wearing jagged armor and wings, his face sporting a long beard from under his horned helmet. The two figures spotted each other, drew swords and shields, and attacked. \u201cFor eons, Primus and Unicron battled, the balance of power shifting between them more times than could be counted. It was then that Primus had had enough. He made thirteen orbs of light from his own Spark and gave them forms from his own armor.\u201d Primus\u2019 image then flexed, and thirteen more figures joined him. \u201cTogether, Primus and his creations separated Unicron\u2019s Anti-spark from his physical form and cast him out.\u201d The images then pointed their weapons at Unicron\u2019s, and he faded away. \u201cThese thirteen warriors became the very foundation of a race or sentient robots that could change their form. While they created civilizations, Primus shifted into his own rest-mode and became the planet for his creations\u2019 work. Thus, the thirteen warriors, on Primus\u2019 body, founded Cybertron and her people. The thirteen warriors were then named the first Primes, the legacy of which survives in Optimus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold on, where does Dark Gaia fit into this? How is Unicron the same as Dark Gaia?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Gaia Manuscripts talked about this.\u201d The fire then showed an angry light circling a gentler light. \u201cBefore the world formed, there was a destroyer. The destroyer met a goddess and hated her upon first contact. Their battle was such a tremendous one, the universe couldn\u2019t bear any more scars. Thus, it formed a spherical prison of rock. Life soon formed and made the prison into the world we know today. However, every thousand years, the destroyer would try to escape its prison, but the goddess\u2019 herald would always put the destroyer to sleep with the power of the Seven Lights of the Earth.\u201d The fire then formed an image of seven jewels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Chaos Emeralds,\u201d realized Aleena. \u201cDo you think\u2026\u201d Natalie then burst into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesty! Sira!\u201d she panted. \u201cThe Autobots are asking for our help! They found that the Decepticons are looking for the Chaos Emeralds!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Autobots and their allies had gathered in front of an apparatus that Ironhide\u2019s body rested in. It was still in alt-mode, as, per Cybertronian Funerary custom, it was best to leave the body in its preferred mode after rigor morphis. The Autobots were painted in black and their allies dressed in funeral clothes. Optimus […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,628],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-3170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-12-seven-lights-of-the-earth","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3170"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3171,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3170\/revisions\/3171"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}