The Decepticons landed on grassy ground once they exited the tunnel. \u201cHere we are! The Central Layer!\u201d called Mole Dive. Everyone then saw a manor house for a Transformer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd, according to what I downloaded from Metroplex,\u201d recalled Shockwave, \u201cthat\u2019s where One of Twelve, the Convener, is living.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Autobots are sure to be right behind,\u201d remarked Megatron. \u201cMole Dive, Shockwave, with me! The rest of you, keep the Autobots at bay!\u201d The three Cons then took off towards the manor house as the Autobots landed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNO! MOLE DIVE! STOP!\u201d called Quickmix. Devastator then got between them, finally making the Autobots realize who he is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrepare for extermination, Autobots!\u201d laughed Devastator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd now that\u2019s FOUR stable Combiners!\u201d grunted Optimus. \u201cWe gotta take care of the big guy! Autobots, ATTACK!\u201d Everyone fired on the Decepticons. The shots glanced off Devastator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFoolish Autobots!\u201d he guffawed as he tore a huge chunk of ground out and hurled it at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is ridiculous!\u201d growled Shadow. \u201cIt\u2019s like Bruticus\u2019 first fight all over again!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny tips?\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s always the joints and lasting for half an hour, but I don\u2019t know how long that Maximus lasts!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, we can, at least, distract the Cons long enough to allow Quickmix to go after Mole Dive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone say my name?\u201d asked Quickmix as he dashed over to Optimus and Shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuickmix, you seem to be the only one who can attempt to stop Mole Dive. You go on ahead. We\u2019ll keep the Cons off your back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou got it!\u201d Quickmix transformed and sped away from the battlefield. It was then Shadow noticed someone jumping onto Quickmix\u2019s side, someone with long, yellow quills!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMARIA, NO!\u201d Shadow charged after them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, Shockwave,\u201d mused Megatron, \u201cMole Dive\u2019s reasons for going after One of Twelve, I can understand, but what\u2019s your stake in this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFinally putting Xitran culture to bed,\u201d replied Shockwave. Megatron\u2019s optics flickered at her answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you want Xitra to come back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too risky. Functionism would come back. I\u2019ve decrypted all aspects of the message on the Omega Keys we\u2019ve studied. One of Twelve left instructions on how to bring Xitra back so we can continue our war on Gigantion, continue our Functionist ways, and make it the center of the universe instead of the Decepticon Empire. Better to let it stay dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Are you telling me that the Decepticons-?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWasted too much time on trying to bring back traitors. I already spoke with Ravage, Frenzy, and Laserbeak. They urged me to take this course of action. Mole Dive also suggested that he break him while I perform the killing blow. After that, we extract the Heart from his corpse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, at least it\u2019s not a TOTAL waste of time,\u201d muttered Megatron. They arrived at the manor\u2019s door. Shockwave typed in several keys until a green light flashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTraps: disabled,\u201d she reported. \u201cWe may now search as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNO!\u201d called Quickmix\u2019s voice as he transformed and tackled Mole Dive. Shadow then leapt into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCHAOS SPEAR!\u201d The attack struck Megatron in the chest. Maria then curled into a ball and charged herself with Chaos Energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCHAOS CANNON!\u201d She then sailed through the air and struck Shockwave in the face! Her cycloptic visor cracked upon impact and revealed her face. Maria was surprised. \u201cWait, that\u2019s not your real face?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, simply something I use to gather all available data,\u201d answered Shockwave as she fired. Quickmix and Mole Dive grappled with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou say you want what\u2019s best for this planet,\u201d snarled Quickmix, \u201cbut it\u2019s not gonna happen! NOT LIKE THIS!\u201d Quickmix then punched Mole Dive through a wall into the next room where a bot with a single eye for a head got up from his chair. He looked to see the combatants standing there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I though you Gigantians DON\u2019T return to other layers of your world,\u201d he remarked. He then saw Shockwave. \u201cAh HA! I thought you, of all bots would survive!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy shuttle and crew,\u201d explained Shockwave, \u201cdidn\u2019t die in Xitra\u2019s explosion, Convener.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo Soundwave and his drones are alive?\u201d asked One of Twelve, the Convener of the Functionist Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve had an encounter with the Allspark. They\u2019re full-fledged Mini-cons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Well, Mini-cons still have a place in the Grand Taxonomy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou, shut up!\u201d snarled Mole Dive. He then turned to Quickmix. Quickmix sighed before speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know I failed you, my son, but I tried to save your mother. And now\u2026I\u2019m trying to save you.\u201d Mole Dive then grabbed One of Twelve with his claw hand and slammed him to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that what you think this is about?! That you let Ma die?! I don\u2019t know what clouds your judgement worse; your guilt or your antiquated sense of morality! \u2026Dad, I forgive you for not saving her, but why, why in Primus\u2019 name-\u201d he then put his foot onto One of Twelve- \u201cis this murderer still alive?!\u201d One of Twelve then realized Shockwave wasn\u2019t making a move to save his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Did you not see the message?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI did,\u201d answered Shockwave. \u201cI simply deemed it better that all remnants of Functionism die. It is only logical for long-term evolution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWHAT?! HOW DARE-!\u201d His angry proclamation was interrupted as Mole Dive put a little more weight on his foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll be as quiet as possible,\u201d he threatened, \u201cor I\u2019ll have Shockwave put one in your lap first!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike I give a rip about reproduction anymore!\u201d hissed One of Twelve. Mole Dive returned his attention to Quickmix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIgnoring what he\u2019s done in the past,\u201d he growled, \u201cblindly, STUPIDLY disregarding the entire graveyards he\u2019s filled, the millions who\u2019ve suffered both on AND off his planet, the friends he\u2019s crippled! \u2026You know, I thought\u2026I thought members of your family would be the last people you\u2019d ever let him hurt! If it had been you that he\u2019d beat to scrap, if he had taken you from her, I know Ma would have joined me as I do nothing but scour the universe for this pathetic pile of evil, death-worshipping garbage\u2026AND SEND HIM OFF TO THE PIT!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You don\u2019t understand,\u201d replied Quickmix. \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ve ever understood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat? What, your moral code just won\u2019t allow for that?! It\u2019s too hard to cross that line?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNO! PRIMUS ALMIGHTY, NO! \u2026It\u2019d be too damned easy. All I\u2019ve ever wanted to do was kill him. A day doesn\u2019t go by when I don\u2019t think about subjecting him to every horrendous torture he and his fellow Councilors dealt out to others and then\u2026end him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome moral paragon of virtue you are!\u201d scoffed One of Twelve. Quickmix went on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut if I do that, if I allow myself to go down into that place\u2026I\u2019ll never come back.\u201d Mole Dive was silent for a few seconds, then he spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy? I\u2019m not talking about killing Shockwave or Soundwave or Blaster or other innocent Xitrans like them\u2026I\u2019m talking about him! Just him! And doing it because\u2026because he took Ma away from you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I can\u2019t, I won\u2019t. I already promised your mother I won\u2019t seek revenge. It was part of her will. \u2026I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Well, you won\u2019t have a choice!\u201d Mole Dive pressed down hard, causing One of Twelve to scream as his spinal strut snapped. Mole Dive then tossed the Xitran Councilor to Shockwave. She wrapped her left arm around his neck and leveled her gun arm at his head. \u201cTHIS is what it\u2019s all been about!\u201d declared Mole Dive. \u201cThis, you, me, her, and HIM! Now is the time you decide! If you won\u2019t kill the psychotic piece of filth, or let me do it, then SHE will!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMole Dive\u2019s right,\u201d confirmed Shockwave. \u201cIf you want to stop me, you\u2019re going to have to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI won\u2019t take another-!\u201d protested Quickmix. Shockwave still continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to reduce his head to non-functional scrap at this range. If you want this to stop, you\u2019re going to have to shoot me right between the optics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShockwave, my child, wait!\u201d begged One of Twelve. \u201cYou were alt-mode exempt, weren\u2019t you?! We took it away when you protested the use of the Master Blaster, right?! Well, if you let me live, you can be alt-mode exempt again! I\u2019ll even make you the new Eight of Twelve! Yes! You can be the new Disseminator! Let me live and I\u2019ll give you anything you want!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Anything I want?\u201d Shockwave then, for once, decided it was logical to get angry. She threw One of Twelve into a wall. \u201cI WANT THE GRAND TAXONOMY TO STAY DEAD!\u201d She then tore wires out of his chest unit. \u201cI WANT TO CONDUCT MY LIFE ACCORDING TO MY<\/em> DESIGN!\u201d She then sliced his arm off. \u201cI WANT MY PEOPLE TO ENJOY THEIR REMAINING LIVES IN FREEDOM!\u201d She then punched his head repeatedly, her blows punctuating her sentences. \u201cAND I WANT YOU! OUT! OF! MY! LIFE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHEART ACCESS: TOTAL!\u201d shouted One of Twelve. A green, pointed jewel on his chest then glowed and enveloped him in a gold aura. The resulting energy shockwave knocked his tormentor and the rest of the group off their feet. He then raised his one arm and commanded the aura to envelop his severed one. It then flew back to the shoulder and all of his wounds then vanished. \u201cChild!\u201d he snarled. \u201cSpoiled with power, blind to reality, WITH NO VISION FOR THE FUTURE!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Decepticons landed on grassy ground once they exited the tunnel. \u201cHere we are! The Central Layer!\u201d called Mole Dive. Everyone then saw a manor house for a Transformer. \u201cAnd, according to what I downloaded from Metroplex,\u201d recalled Shockwave, \u201cthat\u2019s where One of Twelve, the Convener, is living.\u201d \u201cThe Autobots are sure to be right […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4295,"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":[98,682],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-4913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-21-size-matters","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4913","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=4913"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4914,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4913\/revisions\/4914"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}