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Battle Beasts
Death Comes To Us All
Part
V
White Leo gaped in disbelief. He'd thought for certain that Badshark was going to rejoin his leader. He was wrong. Gruesome looked down at the three spikes now jutting through his chest as fresh blood frothed from his mouth and his lungs filled with blood. He looked behind him as best he could.
"B-badshark..." he gurgled, blood flowing freely from his mouth. Badshark said nothing. White Leo noted where Gruesome had been stabbed. The center spike of Badshark's trident must have severed his spine, the left and right prongs piercing his heart and lungs. There was no way he could survive such an injury. Gruesome shuddered violently, choking on his own blood, trying to gasp his final breaths. "You dare...betray me...?" he uttered.
"Yes." Badshark wrenched his trident free. "I dare."
Gruesome staggered and fell forward, landing face down in front of White Leo. Their eyes met and in them White Leo saw hatred the liked of which he'd never seen. Gruesome tried to pick himself up, inching towards White Leo. "Death..." he spat, in a voice not his own, "...is only...the...beginning..."
Three wheezing gasps escaped Gruesome's body, then silence. He shuddered as he slumped to the ground, his blood staining the sand he'd drug himself across. And with that, Gruesome Gator, the grand leader of the Decepticon Beasts, died.
White Leo got to his feet slowly, never taking his eyes from Badshark. Badshark stood before him, looking down at Gruesome. He whispered " I never thought it would come down to this..." he looked up at White Leo, and for the first time since the war began, White Leo saw no malice in his eyes. The beast looked calm, sorrowful even. White Leo allowed his gaze to fall upon Gruesome. "You killed him." Badshark said nothing. "Am I next?" Badshark looked away.
"No. White Leo, we need to talk-"
Before he could finish Spark Shark, Grim Reefer, and Flysailor plowed into him.White Leo moved to help, but was attacked by Hustlebear and Condorassin from behind. Spark Shark pummeled Badshark while his comrades held him. The lazerbeast's rage built with each strike, and Badshark felt himself slipping in and out of consciousness. Spark Shark reared back and kicked Badshark above the temple, cutting him to the bone and drawing a fresh stream of blood. "Whale fodder!" He screamed, slugging Badshark so hard Grim Reefer and Flysailor were almost thrown back as well. 'We'll kill you! Kill you ALL!"
Badshark growled and forced himself to stand his full height, lifting the two lazers holding him as well. 'I think not!" With a quick motion he slammed Grim Reefer and Flysailor together and flung them aside. Spark Shark leapt at Badshark and tackled him. Fending the maddened lazer off, Badshark called to the others, who'd surrounded the area. "Destron Beasts! Now!"
The Lazerbeasts found themselves surrounded by 23 Beasts, each armed and ready for battle. Condorassin caught sight of the army right before White Leo slammed him to the ground. "Crap! We're screwed!"
Hustlebear looked around and found his ally's words to be true. 'Crap! You're right!"
Dinogator ran past the two, carrying Gruesome's body. "Nevermind them! Lazerbeasts, Fall back, FALL BACK!" The Destron beasts attacked, overwhelming the Lazers. Condorassin was joined by Blue Eagle and Rainbow Sam, but even together they had little success fending the beasts off. Hustlebear however, had thrown himself into the fray, taking down one beast after another. He'd beaten Red Octo, Drillfrog, and Black Turtle before taking notice of Jaguar. "He looks like fun..." he grinned and began to make his way towards the feline, but was headed off by Dinogator. He held Gruesome in his arms, the wounds in the reptile's chest were still bleeding profusely.
"Hustlebear! We need a distraction. Buy us some time!"
Hustlebear smiled "No problem, check this."
A green glow enveloped Hustlebear's body and merged within his sphere. his eyes turned green with power "WOOOODZ!"
Hundreds of vines erupted from the ground, lashing themselves to any beast in the area. Three inch thorns and burs sprouted from the demonic plants, impaling the flesh of whoever they latched onto. The Beasts' attention diverted, Dinogator escaped through a path created by Hustlebear. He was followed by Puzzlecolor and Spark Shark, the others not far behind. Jaguar made his way through the vines, Hustlebear in his sights. A thorned vine raced towards him, but he raised a hand, elemental flickering. 'Fire!" Instantly, the vine was ablaze, ashy remains crumbling to the ground. "This the best you can do?!" he called, setting thirty more vines on fire.
"C'mere," Hustlebear beckoned, turning one of his fingers into a metal claw. 'I'll show you the best I can do!" Around him the fire was spreading, but he remained. Jaguar got closer, about twenty feet separated them. Jaguar continued to set the vines ablaze. "I hope you're not as pathetic as your distraction."
"You sonuva-" Hustlebear began to move forward but Battle Fennec ran past him, grabbing his arm. 'C'mon sweetie, we gotta go! You can flatten him some other time!" he resisted her a moment, then joined her, bringing up the rear as the lazerbeasts retreated into the woods.
"Get back here!" Jaguar followed, shooting a flurry of fireballs after them before being halted by White Leo.
"Don't worry about them, we've got a more...immediate problem." He nodded towards Badshark, who was being helped to his feet by Killer Fish and Crowmax, a hand covering the wound on his temple. He stood, and behind him stood the formerly Destron beasts. Violet Horn joined White Leo's side, as well as the the other Beasts who originally gathered on the beach.. The two factions faced each other, a minute of silence passing between them.
**********
Badshark wasn't good at speaking in front of others, but attempted to do so now.
He addressed White Leo. "You must have a lot of questions..."
"No," Jaguar growled, "But I've got a lot of statements for you." White Leo raised a hand to keep Jaguar from telling Badshark what those statements were.
White Leo answered. "You betrayed your own leader and killed him. Why?"
"He's not our leader, not anymore."
"Yeah," Jaguar quipped, "No kidding."
Badshark continued. "We went into hiding after the last battle. Gruesome was... incensed, he was losing his mind. He kept talking about still winning, fighting until there was no one left on either side. He had a noble fighting spirit, but what would it cost us? He didn't care if we destroyed the planet, as long as we won..." he gestured towards White Leo and the others. "It would have cost us those we once called friend, brother even. I left, and the others left with me."
White Leo listened to his words carefully.
"And what is it you want now?"
Scout Mouse wormed her way to the front beside Badshark. "We were hoping that maybe you and the rest of the Beasts could find it in your hearts to forgive us? Please? Mr.. White Leo.. sir...?" She looked up at White Leo hopefully, eyes pleading. Badshark put a hand on her shoulder and gently pulled her back. "We ask for re- entry into your ranks. I killed Gruesome Gator to save your life. I hoped it would have won your trust."
Jaguar stepped forward and got in Badshark's face. "Y'know what that shows? It shows that you don't have a second thought about turning on your leader!" White Leo pulled Jaguar back and told him to stay there, then addressed Badshark.
"I am indebted to you for for what you did, however, you betrayed your fellow Beasts to join that maniac. Who's to say you won't do it again?"
Scout Mouse pulled away from Badshark "I know how..." she approached Jaguar and grabbed his hand. Jaguar jerked his hand away and growled at her. "Don't touch me, Destron."
Crowmax tried to run to her but Badshark restrained him with a hand. Scout Mouse looked up at Jaguar, obviously terrified of him but refused to move. "S-sorry..." she managed, and slowly pulled out her weapon, praying none of the Beasts would attack her as she did so. Everyone watched as she opened her left hand and with trembling fingers, made a deep cut across her palm. As blood leaked from the cut and dripped to the ground, she inhaled deeply and shut her eyes trying not to faint. Jaguar tilted his head and watched her, notably impressed with whatever it was she was going to do.
"This is my blood." she whispered, reaching for his hand again. "I offer it to you."
Jaguar immediately recognized the words. She was initiating the Blood Rite, a forbidden child's game. A Beast offers his or her own blood to another in exchange for their trust. If accepted, the recipient can either take the other's blood on their hand, or offer their blood as well, linking the two as blood siblings.
Jaguar ran the side of his spearhead across his right palm, drawing blood as well.
"I accept."
He opened his palm towards Scout Mouse. "I offer my blood to you."
Scout Mouse placed her palm flat against Jaguar's, feeling the passage of the life fluid between them. "I accept."
Badshark watched them a moment and took his left hand, running it down the center blade of his trident. The blood came and he extended his palm towards White Leo.
"This is my blood. I offer it to you." White Leo slid his hand over the blade of his sword and raised his hand. "I accept." His palm met Badshark's, allowing their blood to mix. He repeated the words to Badshark, who accepted.
Violet Horn looked on cross armed. "Surely you're not serious White Leo. How can you accept them back after what they have done?"
White Leo shook his head. "Violet Horn, they've offered us their blood, we can ask no greater sacrifice."
Violet Horn looked at White Leo, incredulous. "But, they, who at one time would see you dead?"
"If we can't forgive our enemies, how can we forgive ourselves for our own sins? Remember, there was a time when you were just as eager to kill them."
Violet Horn sighed and saw that Brown Gyro had approached him and offered his blood. Violet Horn hesitated a moment, then slit his palm with his weapon's blade. He repeated the former Destron's words and their hands clasped together as they accepted in unison.
White Leo and Badshark pulled their hands from one another. Jaguar pulled his from Scout Mouse's and caught her as she fainted. "Never liked the sight of blood, did you?"
White Leo addressed Badshark and the rest of the ex-Destron Beasts with a smile.
"On this day the unison amongst the Beasts is complete. It is with great honor that I say to all of you, welcome back."
**********
King Buster hung suspended from a spire jutting from the Lazerbeast Tower. He'd been too weak to to even attempt freeing himself. He tested the bonds that held him fast and winced. Blood tricked down from his wrists and King Buster sneered as his frustration mounted. It was bad enough to have been beaten to a bloody pulp by that... Beast, but this humiliation... He'd spent over 12 hours trying to summon the courage to think of revenge, but even now the thought refused to surface. Angered and disgusted by his newfound cowardice, King Buster bowed his head and began praying for death.
"There's nothing for me anymore. They follow him now, and I'm too much of a coward to seek revenge. Take me now from this place, I'm better off dead-"
Sounds of the other Lazerbeasts returning halted his plea. They hurried through the entrance, not a word passing between them and King Buster immediately sensed something was wrong. Dinogator stepped out from behind the masses, bloodied, bruised, and in his arms was the limp form of their new leader, Gruesome Gator. Dinogator paused and looked up at King Buster, trying to come to a decision. After a moment, he turned to Blue Eagle.
"Get him down from there."
********
King Buster listened intently as Dinogator recounted the details of their battle with White Leo and the Beasts, their domination of the fight, Gruesome's final battle with White Leo, and eventually, Gruesome's death at the hands of the rogue shark beast. Dinogator told the story with with very little emotion, it was obvious to King Buster that he'd never been involved in something like this. It was new to him as well, though he tried his best to maintain some semblance of order. Gruesome had been sent to the Medi lab, a small construct hidden just beyond the village, under the care of Brain Mouse. The others had been told to standby for further instructions.
He and Dinogator sat alone in the surveillance room of the Lazerbeast Fortress, King Buster glanced at the spread of monitors that lined the walls. The village was completely still, each Lazerbeast was either recieving medical attention or were just too plain embarrassed to show their faces. King Buster let out a gruff sigh, slightly disappointed but relieved at the same time. Gruesome Gator was no more, but even now he felt somewhat subservient to the dead tyrant. No one had devastated him in battle like that, he was truly a unique beast. Still trying to formulate a plan of action, King Buster noticed one screen showed Hustlebear storming his way out of the medi lab. He walked alone through the village, almost like he was lost. To say he looked irate would be a gross understatement.
"Hustlebear's by himself..." King Buster noted.
Dinogator nodded.
"Where's Battle Fennec? He doesn't go anywhere without her."
Dinogator seemed to cringe at the question. King Buster asked again, knowing he wouldn't like the answer.
"Where is she Dinogator?"
"When we retreated, some of the Beasts kept firing at us. We though we had gotten away safely but some of the beasts followed and kept firing. By the time we were halfway back, Hustlebear noticed Battle Fennec wasn't with us anymore. But we couldn't wait, if they'd gotten Battle Fennec, they may have killed her. We couldn't risk losing anyone else so I ordered the rest to keep moving."
King Buster's eyes narrowed "You left her?"
"I had no choice! Right now our priority is Gruesome Gator's recovery. Once he's healed we'll get Battle Fennec back, if it's not too late."
King Buster abruptly stood, glaring at Dinogator. "You sacrificed one of our best scouters and saboteurs, and you've cost us a major advantage in this war. And for what? A lunatic that went off and got himself killed!"
Dinogator stood as well, his boldness surprised King Buster. Dinogator had never stood up to him before. "He wants the Beasts dead as much as we do! But he went and did something about it, not like you, making us hide in these woods like we're the criminals! Now the Beasts know we're a force to be reckoned with, and when Gruesome recovers-"
"What makes you so sure he's going to recover?!"
Dinogator was silent at that. King Buster stormed from the room, not sure who to be more angry with, Dinogator for making such accusations, or truth his words had. As he left the Fortress he wondered, had he degraded them Lazerbeasts by forcing them to stay out of sight, secluded here in this small section of Roars, when the Battle Beasts roamed free throughout the planet? He shook his head to clear the thoughts and headed towards the medi lab, but they persisted. Perhaps the Lazerbeasts were sick of waiting. Not a one of them opposed Gruesome's usurped leadership, and not a one helped King Buster after he lost the fight, rather, they seemed all too eager to comply with Gruesome's orders to string him up on the Fortress. King Buster rubbed a large bruise over his eye and winced. Maybe Dinogator was right, maybe they wanted a new leader. As the last thought went through King Buster's mind, he was seized by an heavy pounding in his head. He grasped his head in in his hands, going down to one knee and feeling as though he was going to be sick. With a low growl he tried to focus but to no avail. a moment later, it was gone. King Buster shakily got to his feet and looked around. No one appeared to be around. "It's the stress..." he told himself, and continued.
**********
"NECRON!!!!!!" a voice raged in the darkness. "NECRON!!!!!!!!" He could see nothing. He felt nothing. All was darkness. "You wretched creature!!! You LIED! You said you'd give me an army, you said you'd give me victory over the Beasts. Now I'm DEAD!!! I know I'm Dead! I saw the prongs of Badshark's trident sticking out through my blasted HEART!!! I felt my lungs fill with my own BLOOD!!! NECRON, YOU LIED TO ME YOU SON OF A -"
"I did not lie to you Gruesome."
He saw nothing in the blackness. "Then why am I HERE?!!!!!"
"You're transformation is complete, for you have forgone the flesh. You have entered a higher plane of existence now, and no longer are you bound to the restrictions of your physical world. Your body, mind, and soul are now one, to come and go as you please, a manifestation, if you will. Do you not appreciate what I have done for you?"
The voice rang in Gruesome's ears as it always had, but this time....
"Yes.."
They made sense.
Gruesome smiled with this new understanding.
"Yes!"
**********
Brain Mouse was rushing from one injured Lazerbeast to another when King Buster arrived. He waited for the mouse to finish his diagnostics and then pulled him aside.
"What's our situation?" For a moment King Buster swore he saw disdain flash in Brain Mouse's eyes, but dismissed the notion.
"W-well, Puzzlecolor has a concussion, and Grim Reefer and Flysailor have dislocated shoulder joints. Th-the rest have sustained minimal damage, a few bumps and bruises, no worse for wear. H-hustlebear's suffered severe muscle trauma, they told me the idiot picked up and tossed Greysharp of all Beasts! B-but he won't let me examine him, I tried and he took a swipe at me, almost took my head off! Th-that's what I get for trying to do my job..."
"He's upset. Dinogator told me they left Battle Fennec behind."
Brain Mouse stroked his chin. "Y-yes, that would explain it, he's always been agitated when they're apart, no wonder he's like this now."
"What about Gruesome?"
Brain Mouse pointed to a door marked "TERMINAL"
"H-he's in there. Wh-when they got back, I could have sworn he was dead. H-he wasn't moving, and he'd lost a lot of blood. B-but -" he motioned for King Buster to follow "-look at this..." With his mechanical claw Brain Mouse opened the door and went inside. Gruesome Gator lay on their largest table, most of his armor had been removed. Wires and I.V's covered his body while computers monitored his condition. King Buster looked at the seamless patchwork Brain Mouse had done on Gruesome's wounds and wondered if the mouse had indeed been able to preserve Gruesome. But one thing troubled him.
"There's no heartbeat."
"R-right." Brain Mouse agreed. "Th-there's no heartbeat, but look at this." He pointed to a computer that was monitoring Gruesome's brain wave activity.
"A-according to the computer monitoring his heartbeat, Gruesome's dead, but this one says he's asleep."
King Buster studied the blinking screen displaying Gruesome's brain wave activity. "What...?"
"D-dreaming would be more appropriate. H-he's entered REM."
"How's that possible, his heart's not beating!"
"I-i've read that some creatures are able to stop their hearts for short periods of time, but Gruesome's heart and lungs were destroyed by the weapon used on him. H-he's not breathing or pumping blood."
"That doesn't make any sense.." King Buster tried to comprehend what was going on when the pain struck him again. Trying not to falter in front of Brain Mouse, he instructed him to leave.
"B-but why?"
"Don't question me, just go!" Reluctantly he left, closing the door behind him.
King Buster almost screamed as the pain mounted. This time he fell to the ground, curling up into a fetal position as his brain pulsated and tried to handle the agonizing sensation. Soon his body felt the pain as well, like a hot knife stabbing him repeatedly. He swore his heart was exploding, reforming only explode again. He felt his lungs filling with blood, he couldn't breathe and wanted to scream, but his muscles refused to allow him the satisfaction . Deep within the pit of blackness behind his eyelids he saw the fires of the inferno rising to meet him, and in the heart of the fire, was Gruesome Gator.
"I have returned." He spoke "Let the planets tremble."
In a flash of white, the pain left King Buster once again. He found himself still on the floor, and picked himself up. What had he seen? What was going on? The screen monitoring Gruesome's brain activity was going nuts, smoke had begun to rise from it. The heart monitor sprang to life with readings as well, erratic, jerky swipes that flatlined and then jumped again. King Buster backed away from the table.
"Brain Mouse..." he whispered, unaware that he was speaking too low for anyone to hear.
The computers began to short out one by one, a sputtering shower of sparks came from each as they overloaded.
"Brain Mouse!" King Buster tried again, a little louder this time.
The computers sizzled and burst into flames, blue lines of electrical energy raced up and down the flames, one defying the nature of the other. And then Gruesome Gator sat up. King Buster backed up against the door, his eyes wide.
"BRAIN MOUSE!!!"
Gruesome slowly turned and looked at King Buster, who had pressed himself against the door as far as he could, and tilted his head slightly. A smile came to his lips, scaring King Buster even more, and as he did so, he began to dissipate into the air. First his feet, and slowly his legs began to vanish. King Buster watched but couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was as if Gruesome's very being was being blown away, like dust in the wind. Soon his waist and lower torso were gone, vanishing into the air like a cloud of mist.
"BRAIN MOUSE!!!!!!!"
As Gruesome's head and neck dissipated, he began to laugh, a haunting sound that echoed through the room. Finally King Buster saw only the red of Gruesome's eyes, and they too evaporated along with the rest of him, but his insane cackling remained.
"By the Beast... " King Buster whispered, and felt a searing sensation in his head. He collapsed immediately and heard Gruesome's voice ring in his mind.
"Call the others." he said.
"How.. what... are you?" King Buster clutched his head, it felt like it would crack open at any moment.
"Call the others." Gruesome repeated. A blaring shot of pain went through King Buster as soon as the words were uttered. Then there was nothing.
Brain Mouse had been pounding on the door and pushed his way in after Gruesome had given King Buster his orders.
"Wh-what happened in here?!" he looked at the table Gruesome had been placed on, the body was gone. "Wh-where's Gruesome?!"
King Buster dismissed the questions. "Call everyone here."
"Wh-what?"
King Buster slumped against the wall and slid to the floor, holding his head. "Just do it, now!"
Brain Mouse stared at King Buster a moment. "A-are you alright?"
"No. Just get the others, everyone."
**********
That night the Lazerbeasts gathered outside the medi lab, curious as to why Brain Mouse insisted on them being there. They had started a small campfire, as it didn't look as though they'd be getting much sleep anytime soon. Dinogator was particularly interested, since he was the only one to which Brain Mouse had mentioned the strange incident with King Buster. Hustlebear sat with Killer Hound, she'd promised him they'd look for Battle Fennec the following day. He started at the fire as she massaged his shoulders.
"That idiot King Buster's probably going to make us attack the Beasts again."
Groundwolf heard him and came over. "Don't think so. I bet he runs his mouth about how stupid we were to follow Gruesome."
"He better not." Hustlebear shifted his fingers into claws, " I've had it with his crap."
From the lab came King Buster, he looked terrible, like he hadn't slept for days. His skin was pale, his eyes were dark. He looked at the assembled Lazerbeasts and was silent, trying to think of what to say. He said simply
"Gruesome Gator has returned." As expected, the Lazerbeasts were silent. King Buster winced, as if he had a sudden migraine, and stated
"Our leader, Gruesome Gator has returned."
The Lazerbeasts were still silent, in shock. King Buster moved to the side of the Medi lab door and it opened. From inside stepped Gruesome Gator. His wounds were gone, his armor adorned him once more. Brain Mouse's mouth dropped. He'd been in the lab with King Buster. Gruesome wasn't there. How was it he was here before them now? Gruesome stood before them, obviously enjoying their stunned reaction. He wore a thin smile on his lips, and addressed the lot of them.
"Gruesome Gator is no more." as he spoke, his flesh began to dissipate into the air. In the light from the fire, the Lazerbeasts could see another form beneath the vanishing flesh. Clear, but highlighted by the orange light of the fire was Gruesome's same form, but not the same, it was... ghostly. The last bit of skin vanished into the air, and Gruesome stood before them, a new creature.
"I am now the Ghost Aligatron."
The Lazerbeasts stood at attention, every one of them highlighted in the demonic glow of the campfire. They didn't fully understand what was going on, but they didn't care. Gruesome Gator had returned to them, and proven that not even death would keep them from their destiny, the domination of Planet Beast. In unison they shouted
"All hail Aligatron, leader of the Lazerbeasts!"
Aligatron looked out amongst his new legion of loyal soldiers as they pledged their allegiance to him. This time things would be different, this time there was no stopping him. The Lazerbeasts had proven themselves in battle, and now was the beginning of what would become a new era, the era of Aligatron domination. With a demon's joy, the Ghost Aligatron laughed into the night. He had returned. Let the planet tremble.
The beginning....
