Megatron led the team deeper into the caverns, the runes pulsing in purple light. \u201cSweet Chaos, this is creepy!\u201d muttered Tails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou ain\u2019t kidding,\u201d agreed Grimlock. \u201cMy beast mode\u2019s screaming at me to run and hide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou too, huh?\u201d asked Slag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou COULD ask for a Ground Bridge back to the surface,\u201d chuckled Megatron. He then drew in a breath and knelt down, clutching his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMegatron?!\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnicron grows ever stronger!\u201d answered Megatron. He got up and picked up the pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do we know Unicron\u2019s not using him to lead us all into a trap?!\u201d hissed Arcee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t,\u201d replied Optimus. The group continued on. They couldn\u2019t afford any more delays. As they trudged on, Sludge stumbled. Swoop caught him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d assured Sludge. \u201cJust woozy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the Dark Energon around here,\u201d reported Swoop to everyone. \u201cIt\u2019s starting to affect him. Put your arm around mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m fine!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo arguments! Just do it!\u201d Sludge grumbled as he complied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHealth and safety gone mad!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou really looking for another black mark on your record?\u201d asked Grimlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cN-no, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen shut up and go along with what Swoop says! He\u2019s our medic here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou, Swoop?\u201d asked Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was a Rank 7 Medic before I became a Dyno-bot,\u201d explained Swoop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat rank are you now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRank 5.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNice!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan we please get on with it?!\u201d snarled Megatron as the team approached two tunnels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhich way?\u201d asked Optimus. Megatron shot the roof of the right-hand tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis way,\u201d he finally answered. As the team went down the only open tunnel, Bumblebee stopped. He then moved to the closed one. Megatron noticed this. \u201cHey! Bug! I said this way!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI heard you, Mr. Corpse!\u201d retorted Bumblebee. \u201cI thought I heard something here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing there, Bumblebee,\u201d remarked Knuckles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBehind the rocks, I mean. Like metal against stone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo we really have time to\u2026?\u201d Megatron\u2019s question was interrupted by the rocks being blown away by an explosion. Everyone was showered in rocks and the remains of the explosives used to clear them away. \u201cWhat in\u2026?!\u201d coughed Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI *cough* TOLD you there was something there!\u201d snarled Bumblebee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForward!\u201d called a voice from the once-blocked tunnel. \u201cForward! Up and at \u2018em!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that Misfire?!\u201d called Thundercracker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s he doing here?!\u201d yelped Windblade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, look! The Metarex and Metal Sonic didn\u2019t search for survivors! Marvelous!\u201d snarled Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s two more with him!\u201d reported Grimlock. Misfire was with Spinister and Fulcrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, Fulcrum? Can you see anything?\u201d asked Misfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see something! Autobots!\u201d replied Fulcrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHappy trees fart from the moon!\u201d cheered Spinister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForward and hold them!\u201d ordered Misfire. \u201cHold them tight!\u201d Bumblebee was the nearest bot to the tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBUMBLEBEE!\u201d shouted Optimus. \u201cBUMBLEBEE, GET OUT OF HERE!\u201d Bumblebee transformed and took off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to go, Optimus!\u201d called Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut the others!\u201d The Dyno-bots, Thundercracker, and all the organics were furthest from the chosen tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not helpless, Optimus! We have to go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOptimus, you\u2019re needed more than us!\u201d urged Grimlock. \u201cWe\u2019ll cover you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGuys!\u201d wailed Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re only thinking about your safety, Prime!\u201d argued Thundercracker. Optimus looked torn, then dashed down the tunnel with Megatron and the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere, Fulcrum, Spinister! Running!\u201d shouted Misfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see the runt!\u201d replied Fulcrum as he fired in Bumblebee\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe ants\u2019 march will fall into frosting!\u201d cheered Spinister as he shot at Optimus and Megatron\u2019s group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToo late! You missed!\u201d remarked Thundercracker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Autobots were fast, that\u2019s all,\u201d replied Fulcrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, after him, Fulcrum! After the midget!\u201d ordered Misfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, Sir, Misfire, Sir!\u201d Fulcrum then charged off after Bumblebee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t catch him!\u201d taunted Grimlock. \u201cHe\u2019s the fastest scout we\u2019ve got!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou chase after the others! Go!\u201d Misfire told Spinister. Spinister charged off after Optimus and Megatron\u2019s team. \u201cWell, now, what have we here?\u201d chuckled Misfire. \u201cThundercracker with Autobots? And\u2026EW! ORGANICS?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Combaticons were still combined and swinging and roaring once Galvatron, Rodimus, Silver, Knock-out, Shockwave, and Team Dark arrived. They all met with Eggman as he cowered behind a rock. \u201cOkay, first: WHAT!\u201d shouted Shadow. \u201cSecond: THE HELL?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou encountered the Enigma of Combination?\u201d asked Shockwave. Eggman pointed a terrified finger to the artefact. Shockwave picked up the Enigma and examined it. \u201cFascinating. This could help me fix up my mistakes with the Constructicons\u2019 combined form of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019m all for the advancement of science and all,\u201d interrupted Galvatron, \u201cbut we\u2019ve got an out-of-control Combiner here! Shockwave, please tell me your research into Combiner tech yielded a weakness!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, yes. Combiners may be tough, but they\u2019re weakest at their Combiner Ports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCombiner ports?\u201d asked Rodimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCertain Combiners have plugs in them that allow them to unite with the main robot acting as the torso. Attack the ports, the whole Combiner falls apart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know where they are!\u201d called Eggman as he activated a hologram of the Combiner. He pointed out the shoulders and knees.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcellent,\u201d declared Rodimus. \u201cGuys, we\u2019ve got our targets! Aim for the joints!\u201d Everyone fired, but the Combiner was moving faster than expected. It swung its arms wildly, scattering everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, new plan!\u201d called Silver. \u201cWe need\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA distraction!\u201d called Galvatron as he transformed and flew around the Combiner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was gonna say more soldiers!\u201d shouted Silver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna go with that option,\u201d said Shadow as he brought out a communicator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo chance of that!\u201d called Eggman. \u201cThere\u2019s a jamming field around the island!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?! Why?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I needed a private place to relax, of course!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, where\u2019s the field generator?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Under the island.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cREALLY?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never thought I\u2019d have a giant rampaging on it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUGLY!\u201d called Galvatron to the Combiner. \u201cLOOK UP HERE! IT\u2019S GALVATRON!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Tron?!\u201d asked the Combiner. \u201cTron\u2026MMMmmh! …Gaahh! …Mga! …Mega\u2026Megatron! \u2026Megatron!!! \u2026MEGATROOOOON!!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd now he\u2019s doing a Broly impression!\u201d groaned Galvatron. The Combiner then targeted Galvatron, swinging its fists and throwing trees at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHATE! KILL! COMMAND! DESTROY! RAAAGH!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInteresting,\u201d mused Shockwave. \u201cThe Combiner is capable of uniting its collective thoughts on one being. A fascinating subject for study.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s killing us, and you want to write an essay?!\u201d protested Rodimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEr, guys!\u201d called Silver. \u201cThe Enigma\u2019s doing something!\u201d Its central sphere was glowing white, specifically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWHAT THING DOING?!\u201d demanded the Combiner. The Enigma then fired a stream of light at the Combiner, bathing it in light and making it scream. The light then died down and the Combiner now had a double-headed axe in its hand while it stood still. It looked around, then at the axe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShould\u2026should we be concerned?\u201d asked Rouge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBoys?\u201d asked Eggman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I am all five of the Combaticons,\u201d replied the Combiner, \u201cyet my own being.\u201d IT then folded the axe\u2019s handle upwards and attached it to its chest. \u201cThere we go, you just rest right there, my Bruticus Maximus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaximus?\u201d asked Shockwave. \u201cYou mean the Enigma gave you a Maximus?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd allowed me to sort through my individual minds, thus making me more mentally-stable. You know, I think I need a name here. Since most Combiners are named after their Maximus, I think I\u2019ll call myself\u2026Bruticus! Doctor\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, my son?\u201d asked Eggman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think this is a perfect opportunity to show off what I can do\u2026especially to those who enslaved us!\u201d Eggman grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMake me proud, my boy!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Megatron led the team deeper into the caverns, the runes pulsing in purple light. \u201cSweet Chaos, this is creepy!\u201d muttered Tails. \u201cYou ain\u2019t kidding,\u201d agreed Grimlock. \u201cMy beast mode\u2019s screaming at me to run and hide.\u201d \u201cYou too, huh?\u201d asked Slag. \u201cYou COULD ask for a Ground Bridge back to the surface,\u201d chuckled Megatron. He […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3936,"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":[98,662],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-3999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-14-instruments-of-destruction","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3999","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=3999"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4000,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3999\/revisions\/4000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}