\u201cI told you lot to stay at the base!\u201d Optimus snapped at Scattershot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiven Victorion\u2019s chances, I can\u2019t stand idly by!\u201d argued Scattershot. He turned to his brothers. \u201cGuys, you ready?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s do it!\u201d called Afterburner. Scattershot brought out the Enigma of Combination, the five parts glowed in their respective colors, and they all put their fingers to it. Scattershot touched the middle, Afterburner touched the upper right, Strafe touched the upper left, Nosecone touched the lower left, and Lightspeed touched the lower right. A glow enveloped them, and they all changed. Scattershot transformed into vehicle mode, then his fuselage folded upwards. Afterburner transformed, then his front allowed a right hand to flip out before it attached to Scattershot\u2019s lower left as the thumb faced down. Strafe transformed, then his rear ejected a left hand and he attached to Scattershot\u2019s lower right, the thumb facing down. Nosecone transformed, a foot swung out, then he attached himself to the upper left of Scattershot as the toes pointed down. Lightspeed did the same and attached to the upper right. A head then sprouted, adorned with a blue visor over its optics and faced opposite of Scattershot\u2019s topside, then the new gestalt landed on his feet, facing Bruticus. It stood there, still as a statue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Computing actions,\u201d it rumbled. \u201c\u2026Computing actions. \u2026Computing actions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is EXACTLY why they weren\u2019t ready to be deployed yet!\u201d groaned Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s done is done!\u201d replied Victorion. \u201cWe must focus on Bruticus!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTEAR THEM APART!\u201d Eggman shouted to Bruticus. Bruticus only kept Morgane and Eggman out of his targeting systems. Everyone else was fair game. He grabbed Optimus and squeezed, causing Optimus\u2019 systems to overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBruticus\u2019 left leg is right!\u201d growled Bruticus. \u201cMegatron\u2019s greatest mistake was ever allowing you to live, Prime!\u201d The new Autobot Gestalt then swatted Bruticus\u2019 hand, forcing him to release Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCombat.exe\u2026engaged!\u201d snarled the new Combiner. He then walloped Bruticus straight in the chest. Bruticus was winded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cH… How?!\u201d demanded the combined Combaticon form. \u201cHow did you-?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProbability that Optimus would survive Bruticus\u2019 attack with no intervention of any kind: 27.98%. Probability WITH intervention: 89.21%. Probability of Bruticus\u2019 victory: unknown. Intention to let him: none!\u201d Just then, the Enigma glowed and shot chest armor onto the new Combiner. His optics flashed and he grinned. \u201cProbability of success now that I have a Maximus to help filter the thoughts of my individual components: 98.3%!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWha\u2026HOW?! Bruticus didn\u2019t\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour individual components didn\u2019t focus on a single thought so quickly. Mine, on the other servo, already went through a hiccup that helped them realize their single goal! Bruticus, you face your better! You face\u2026COMPUTRON!\u201d The newly named Computron then decked Bruticus in the face and followed it up by driving his left knee, armed with a drill, into Bruticus\u2019 chest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDamage Critical.\u201d warned the Bruticus Maximus. \u201cTime over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWHAT?!\u201d yelped Bruticus. He then fell into his individual components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Huh,\u201d mused Computron. \u201cI guess that\u2019s another weakness us Combiners have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks for the heads-up!\u201d laughed Megatron as he transformed and fired at Computron\u2019s joints from behind the gestalt. Computron collapsed to his knees as Megatron flew by his head, transformed to robot mode, and slammed the Combaticons into the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cM-Megatron!\u201d begged Onslaught. \u201cThe Autobots! Optimus!\u201d He pointed behind Megatron. \u201cRight there! Waiting for you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy greatest mistake?!\u201d growled Megatron. \u201cI HAVE made a few\u2026\u201d he paused as he allowed screams of pain to echo throughout the dunes, their sources originating in the Erazor Djinn, Morgane Le Fay, and Dr. Eggman, \u201c\u2026but there is ONE I do NOT intend to make again!\u201d He then fired streams of purple lighting at the Combaticons, sending them into agony for a good two seconds before ending it and examining the smoking bodies of the Combaticons. He then activated the radio and set it to only Decepticons. \u201cSecurity check! What\u2019s safe?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight now, only Robotropolis,\u201d replied Laserbeak. \u201cThe moon base had a third organic ally, but she left the place and opened us up to Autobot Spies. We\u2019re still closing it, but we can\u2019t exactly go there now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOpen a Ground Bridge to Robotropolis!\u201d ordered Megatron. \u201cGather up those that tried to make slaves of you and have them prepped for punishment. Leave Eggman to me! This has him written all over it and I intend to voice my complaints to him\u2026personally!\u201d The Ground Bridge opened for them, leaving the Autobots and their allies to pant in the sands. \u201cDecepticons, retreat!\u201d The Decepticons gathered their wounded, bar the Erazor Djinn, and fled through the portal. Megatron covered the retreat. \u201cOh, Optimus, we have yet to finish this little quarrel! Though Eggman was crass in declaring our intentions, recall what I said as we were made award of Unicron. With him gone, our alliance served its purpose!\u201d He entered the Ground Bridge and it closed behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Autobots, mission accomplished,\u201d panted Optimus. \u201cGather up the wounded\u2026and the dead.\u201d He turned to Arthur\u2019s lifeless body and picked him up. \u201c\u2026Teletraan, we need a Bridge back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGot it, sir,\u201d answered Teletraan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone returned to the base. King Arthur\u2019s Knights and Guinevere gathered around his body and knelt. Guinevere sobbed over him as Excalibur unsheathed itself and bounced on its tip. \u201cRest in peace, my friend,\u201d it sighed. Everyone let Guinevere and the knights cry. Once they left the body, Cliffjumper turned to Shahra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the Erazor Djinn said about bound genies\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Master, but it applies to all genies,\u201d sighed Shahra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, he can\u2019t come back. Thanks anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArthur sacrificed his life to save your world, Shahra,\u201d muttered Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA world I can\u2019t go back to, and neither can the Erazor Djinn.\u201d Shahra was about to retreat into her ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShahra, would you grant me one last wish?\u201d asked Cliffjumper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026What is thy wish, Master?\u201d Cliffjumper took a deep breath and then spoke his wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShahra, Genie of the Ring, I wish for you to be the master of your own fate and the sole master of your vessel!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?!\u201d yelped the young Genie. The ring then vanished from Cliffjumper\u2019s finger and fixed itself onto Shahra\u2019s. The genie was in disbelief. \u201cBu\u2026but, why\u2026? I mean\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard it from Optimus numerous times,\u201d answered Cliffjumper. \u201cFreedom is the right of all sentient beings. A RIGHT, not a privilege. I never felt easy at having a slave at my fingertips, so I did what anyone would do, I freed that slave from its bondage, whatever it was. Shahra, you\u2019re your own master now and-\u201d Shahra then grew to Cliffjumper\u2019s size and hugged him. Optimus could see her eyes closed as she cried happy tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Thank you,\u201d she mumbled. \u201cThank you!\u201d Cliffjumper reciprocated the hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, you magnificent woman.\u201d Optimus smiled, then activated base-comms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAutobots, we\u2019ve won a victory against the Decepticons, set back Morgane\u2019s plans, and kept the stories safe, but we lost a friend. King Arthur gave his life to save everyone. He helped a genie woman from another region learn about freedom and taught us all that seeking eternity isn\u2019t all it\u2019s cracked up to be. We grieve for Arthur but will continue fighting in his name. \u2018Til all are one.\u201d After that, he turned to Computron as he disassembled into his individual selves. Scattershot was about to explain his actions, but Optimus held a hand up to cut him off. \u201cYou lot disobeyed a direct order,\u201d he growled. \u201cI told you that you were too emotionally unstable for active duty, and you threw yourselves into the fray without my consent. \u2026But, in doing so, you gave Victorion the time she needed to recover, you minimized casualties to their absolute lowest, and you gave us an edge over how many stable Combiners we have on the Autobot side. With all that in mind, I can\u2019t punish you but so hard. You will be denied field missions for a week. After that, you will be fully recognized as Autobots with the rank of Lieutenant. Does your team have a name yet?\u201d Scattershot looked at his team for ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was thinking\u2026we\u2019d call ourselves\u2026the Technobots,\u201d mumbled Strafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You know, I like that!\u201d cheered Lightspeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSame here! We\u2019re born from Tails\u2019 tech, weren\u2019t we?\u201d asked Afterburner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd it gives our allies the idea,\u201d mused Nosecone, \u201cthat we are rightly good with technology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I WAS considering something else,\u2019 remarked Scattershot, \u201cbut \u2018Technobots\u2019 sounds better. Sir, we\u2019re calling ourselves the Technobots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSplendid,\u201d replied Optimus. \u201cAnd, Scattershot, am I right in assuming you\u2019re the team leader?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve already had the discussion, and yes, you\u2019re correct to assume so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerfect. We\u2019ll have you undergo the Rite of the Autobrand after Arthur is buried.\u201d Nosecone then snapped his fingers as if he remembered something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOptimus, before all that, you need to see Ratchet and talk to him and Chromia as soon as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI better talk to them now,\u201d mused Optimus, \u201cget it out of the way. Excuse me.\u201d He headed off to the repair bay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cI told you lot to stay at the base!\u201d Optimus snapped at Scattershot. \u201cGiven Victorion\u2019s chances, I can\u2019t stand idly by!\u201d argued Scattershot. He turned to his brothers. \u201cGuys, you ready?!\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s do it!\u201d called Afterburner. Scattershot brought out the Enigma of Combination, the five parts glowed in their respective colors, and they all put […]<\/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":[98,667],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-4260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-17-living-stories","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4260","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=4260"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4261,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4260\/revisions\/4261"}],"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=4260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}