26.Aug.06

BEAST WARS REKINDLED

By: Spectre the Hechidnat

 

Chapter Three: Alliances



A massive Hedgehog, twice the height of any being present, emerged from the pod. He was the image of Shadow the Hedgehog, except that he was larger and wore no clothing of any kind. He gazed around, staring disinterestedly at the fearful scientists. Then, with a voice that rang with insane bloodlust, he shouted.

"Deathstreak, Terrorize!"

His head split down the middle, each half sliding out to his shoulders and clamping down to form armor that had spikes running backward. His legs became metallic, and his feet altered to become identical to Shadow's shoes. The fur on his hips retracted, revealing two metal compartments built in. His chest fur retracted, revealing a powerfully built chest similar to that of a human bodybuilder, only made of metal. Finally, a robotic head emerged from his torso and slide into place. It had a black face, with the rest of the head a blood red color. His eyes were an angry violet, and he had no nose. In its place, he had a large mouth with fang like teeth.

Roaring, Deathstreak opened his hip compartments and pulled out two pistols, similar in appearance to the one Shadow used. However, these weapons had a machine gun firing rate and seemingly unlimited ammo as the insane Transformer let loose on the lab.

Fortunately, Dimitri had been prepared. A large red force field shaped like a pillar descended from the ceiling, trapping Deathstreak. The insane Predacon soon realized that he was trapped. Lowering his guns, he glared at his captors.

Moritori was the first to recover. "He's certainly...excitable."

Dimitri smiled faintly at his grandson's observation. "Let's see if his logic circuits have warmed up yet." Activating a communication device, he sent a transmission into Deathstreak's built in comlink. "Attention, Deathstreak, allow me to welcome you to the Dark Legion. My name is Dimitri, and I am the Legion’s Grand Master.”

"Put down this force field and face me, rodent!"

Dimitri chuckled. "Oh, I would, but for fear of my life. You see, I know that a Predacon warrior is an unstoppable force when angered. I also know that it would benefit us both greatly to talk."

Deathstreak switched to Beast Mode and raised an eyebrow. "What about?"

Dimitri smiled, knowing that he had things in hand. "The goals that my kind and yours share, Deathstreak: domination. Conquest. Destruction of our enemies. The Dark Legion and the Predacons are very alike, and I believe that we should have an alliance."

Deathstreak thought, then queried, "What's in this for me?"

"Power. Infamy. The satisfaction of destroying those who oppose our goals. I'll even share the planet with you, if you so desire."

Deathstreak smiled. "Destruction is always a good thing. You know, Dimitri, I don't know you too well yet. But I like your style. Where do I sign?"

"Just a moment. I want you to do something for me first."

"Why?"

"Think of it as a way of sealing our alliance and paying off your debt. You see, you owe me for giving you new life and a Beast Mode, and for the destruction you've caused to my laboratory. But if you do this for me, then I'll consider us even."

"What's the job?" Dimitri told him. Deathstreak's smile was terrifying. "Sweet, I'm in."

Lowering the force field, Dimitri walked up to his new ally, and they shook hands. Dimitri then turned to Kommisar. "Give our new friend whatever he needs, and then have a transport take him to the approximate coordinates of Knothole City."


Sonic the Hedgehog stretched and yawned. Things had been quiet in Knothole lately. Eggman hadn't made a peep, the Dark Legion hadn't made any appearances, and everyone else was nowhere to be found. Sonic was bored, wanting some action.

Thoughts of the Dark Legion made him thank about Knuckles. He wished that the Echidna could come and visit, for the Guardian always managed to keep Sonic wide awake. If it wasn't arguing, it was sparring, and if it wasn't sparring, it was talking about past adventures.

"What're you thinking about, blue-boy?"

Sonic smiled as he turned to face Sally Acorn. The two were childhood friends, and in recent years their relationship had taken a romantic turn.

"Nothin' much to think about, Sal. I was just wondering when Rad Red and the Chaotix were gonna drop by for a visit. It's gettin' boring around her without them."

Sally sighed in agreement. She two wanted to see the group again. Knuckles was her best male friend next to Sonic, the two having met when they were children. She was also friends with Julie-Su, both of them having gone through hard times, the similar experiences bringing them together. As for the other Chaotix, they were okay, though Vector was obnoxious.

Suddenly, Rotor the walrus and Miles "Tails" Prower came running from their shared lab towards Sonic and Sally. The Freedom Fighters' resident "geeks" Rotor and Tails would only come out of their lab this fast for two reasons: something major going on or to eat.

"Hey Sonic, hey Sal!"

"Hi Sonic, hi Aunt Sally!"

The two replied, then Sally spoke. "What's the rush, guys? Lunch isn't for another hour."

"Rotor and I picked up somethin' on the radar comin' towards Knothole!"

"It doesn't match the conformations of any friendlies or unfriendlies we know and it's movin' fast!"

"How fast?" Sonic queried.

"Fast enough to give you a run for your money!"

Sonic was stunned. There were only a few individuals he knew of who could come close to his speed. However, he had not seen any of them recently and Rotor had said that the figure was unfamiliar.

Sally took over. "Where's it headed?"

Rotor pointed and began running in that direction. "From the direction of the Floating Island!"

Sonic groaned. "It had to come on a day when Antoine's guarding that entrance!"

Tails chuckled slightly. "At least Bunnie's with him."

"Probably too busy smoochin' to pay attention to anything comin' in!" Sonic muttered.

Sally shook her head, then began running after Rotor. Sonic ran past her, followed closely by Tails.


Deathstreak moved like a bullet through the forest, dodging trees and smashing anything he didn't feel like avoiding. He grinned, his lust for combat flared up in anticipation. Dimitri's task for him was simple: take out the Freedom Fighters. Dimitri knew that Knuckles' power would be too much for his new ally, and he didn't want Knuckles getting any backup from the blue Hedgehog or the Chosen One.

Deathstreak shrugged, not thinking of any of them as a real threat. He slowed little by little as the hidden entrance to Knothole that faced the direction of the Floating Island came into view. He noticed, with some amusement, that the door was shut and locked. 'Might as well be open with a welcome mat' he thought.


Bunnie and Antoine had, in fact, been too busy "smoochin'" to notice that something was coming. However, the radar built into Bunnie's arm went off, and they quickly reverted to business mode. They shut and barred the entrance, waiting for reinforcements to show up. Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Rotor  had just entered the small clearing behind the entrance when the door was smashed open.

Before anyone could react, a black blur leaped through the doorway at impossible speed and slammed into Antoine, sending him flying. The other Freedom Fighters stood stunned at the appearance of their assailant. He resembled Shadow, but he was twice the height of the black Hedgehog. Also, there was a gleeful madness in his eyes, which Shadow had never possessed, not even during his brief attempt to destroy the world.

For a moment, they all stood there. Then Bunnie, enraged at the attack on her love, shot forward, her metallic hand balled into a fist as she flew at top speed towards Deathstreak. Without any effort, he grabbed her arm, spinning around at high speed before sending her flying. However, he had not actually intended to let her go at that point: the elbow joint of her mechanical arm, unable to take the strain, had snapped. Staring at the metallic lower arm in his hand, Deathstreak snorted in contempt and hurled it at Bunnie with such force and speed that it stabbed through what was left of the arm, pinning her to a tree.

Enraged at what had happened to his friends, Rotor yanked out a tube that expanded into a bazooka. Taking aim, he fired. Deathstreak, seeing it, disappeared, reappearing right in front of Rotor. The walrus stared in disbelief. The creature had teleported! Before he could reflect further, a powerful kick slammed into his considerable girth, knocking him away. Taking the bazooka, Deathstreak broke it in half with his bare hands.

Teleporting, Deathstreak slammed a fist down on Tails' head, knocking the young two tailed fox unconscious. Before Sally could scream, she received a kick to the face, knocking her senseless. Sonic, enraged, leaped at his adversary.

The contest was short. Deathstreak, with his higher speed, easily evaded Sonic's spin dash. He then used his superior strength to send Sonic into a wall, where he slumped to the ground in pain. Finally, Deathstreak transformed, pulling out his pistols and teleporting over to Sonic putting them to his head. As Sonic closed his eyes in anticipation of the end, his foe spoke. "Feel honored, puny rodent, that you are to be slain by Deathstreak, Predacon warrior!"

Sonic's eyes snapped open as a whistling sound came through the air. With it came a quartet of missiles, slamming into Deathstreak. Before either could react, Knucklehead, in robot mode, smashed through the wall, barely missing Sonic, and slammed into his Predacon nemesis.

Deathstreak found himself matched. He was faster, but Knucklehead was still fast enough to dodge his attacks. Plus, the Maximal had greater strength. Deathstreak tried to bring his pistols to bear, but his opponent was too fast and was in too close for Deathstreak to get a decent hit.

The appearance of the Chaotix through the hole in the wall provoked Deathstreak into retreat. Teleporting, he switched to Beast Mode and ran out to where his transport was waiting.

Knucklehead watched him go, then switched to Beast Mode. Sonic, already shocked by the ease with which he and his friends had been defeated, fainted at the sight of an enormous Knuckles. Knucklehead looked around in concern. "We need to get them medical attention."

Knuckles carefully lifted Sonic, not wanting to aggravate any injuries he might have. Julie-Su did likewise with Sally, while Ray picked up Tails. Charmy helped Antoine while Mighty supported Bunnie, whilst Vector carried an unconscious Rotor.

Knucklehead turned to his friends. "I think it best that I remain out of sight until we can get them back in proper order."

The others nodded, and Knucklehead disappeared into the forest.


Deathstreak entered Dimitri's control center in a fit of rage. Grabbing the command chair, he spun it until it faced him. Dimitri stared unperturbed at the angry Predacon. "Yes?"

"Why didn't you tell me that there was another Transformer?" Deathstreak growled.

Dimitri shrugged. "I did not assume that those who took it from my...inept troops to be able to activate it, let alone get it to work with them. But now that we know this to not be the case, we must tip the scales in our favor."

"How?"

Dimitri smiled. "If two protoforms survived, then others must have as well."


Sonic woke up in a hospital bed. Looking around, he saw Antoine, Bunnie, Tails, Rotor, and Sally in similar beds. They were all unconscious, but their monitors showed that everything was normal.

Suddenly a voice spoke out. "Good, you're awake."

Sonic turned to see Knuckles and the Chaotix flood into the room. Their appearance brought back what had happened to Sonic, and his eyes widened. "Did that evil robot get away? What about the other one? Why does he look like Knuckles?"

Knuckles raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Easy, Sonic. The robot who attacked you is named Deathstreak, and yes, he got away. The other guy's name is Knucklehead, and you'll find out why he looks like me when we take you and the others to meet him."

"Meet whom?" Sally enquired, sitting up.

It wasn't long before all the Freedom Fighters were conscious. None of them had suffered any major injuries, though Bunnie would have to get her arm repaired. They were all given a short briefing, then got the doctor to release them.

Walking out to the damaged entrance, they went out into the forest. Sonic looked around. "So where is this guy?"

"I've been waiting for someone to ask." said a voice by his ear.

Sonic jumped in astonishment, blushing as the others laughed. He turned around to find himself facing Knucklehead. The large Echidna smiled warmly, and the Freedom Fighters could sense that he was friendly. Introductions were made, and Knucklehead told his story.

"So, how can we help y'all?" Bunnie enquired.

"Knucklehead wants to go home to Cybertron, but he has no way to get there. We figure that if we use his pod, which we brought in our ship, we can create a transmitter to contact his friends."

"But why did you come to us? Why not go to ze Echidnas?" Antoine asked.

Knuckles' expression darkened. "First, the people of Echidnaopolis would want to lock it away in some vault. Second, the Brotherhood would want to dissect it, and Knucklehead too. Third, no way I can take it to the Dark Legion, and fourth, I'll stick my head in a Roboticizer before I take it to Albion!"

"So how can we help?" Tails asked.

"I've got a plan: first, we use the pod to send the message in the right language and to get the right frequency. We can use Vector's walkman as a broadcaster, and Nicole can feed a message into the pod that we wanna send."

"Sounds feasible." Rotor said.

"Then let's do it!" Knucklehead said.

To be continued...


Click here for part four