Iota Temple-Home of Ancients

[Laser]

The orange lights lit up the area, and the Gamekeeper's voice rang out like a bell...

"Congratulations, Lord Rexacon, and friends. You have proceeded to the next round...which is more than I can say for other key members. I have called off the brutes and sentinels. You won't see them...for a while. I honestly believe you deserve a moments of rest...........OK! That's enough rest for now. Beat the second round, and I might just DOUBLE that time. Maybe."

"I thought it might be fun to have a game with puzzles? I do, in fact, want to stall the game a little bit before our guests of honor arrive...if they ever make it through the storm. How about a simple game of matching? A matching of words? I have an idea! Let's match 20,000 ANCIENT PRE HISTORIC symbols and synonyms that change every time you get the match wrong! Hahah! Now that's fun."

A massive touch screen appeared in front of the Decepticons, the water falling off of it from all sides. 20,000 spaces appeared, flashing lightly as they displayed themselves for less than a nanosecond. The floor began to shake and the water drained, revealing 5 platforms together that the Decepticons were actually standing on.

"I think we should make the game more interesting." said the Gamekeeper. "Get a match wrong, and I will take away one of the platforms. Eventually, there will be no more space for you to stand....and don't even think about flying--"

The roof displayed a vacuum with spinning blades. "If I catch anyone cheating I'll suck him or her right up. Let's have some decency, shall we? And oh, one more thing. If you find you have no space to stand...if you sacrifice one of your own to gain back a platform, you will indeed gain a platform back! Just push them off! Sounds fair, right? Good! Good luck then! By the way, you have limited time before the Corrosia...you know."

The walls sealed around them and the voice found Shadow and Echoblade...

"Well isn't this cute, a rogue couple? A terrible idea for a first date, young man. And you've already got busaaay!" He laughed, referring to the baby scorpion. "Don't think I'm going to let you two just walk about and do as you please. This is my house, you know. However, I do like the idea of a dynamic duo! And both of you such amazing fighters....masters, shall I be so bold to say? How about we make a deal? If you two reach the cube first, you may both leave with your lives, leaving behind the others to perish, including your leader....but Echoblade, do you realize this is a wanted man? Imagine how fast you would travel the ranks if you were to bring him to Rexacon, not to mention such an action would save you.

"Oh! I hope I haven't tainted the random trust that has so bonded this marvelous team. However, I'd like to point out that whatever choice you make....you should think about it."

Two halls opened up, revealing pathways, but they were sealed for now, as well as the rest of the room. "You will take one of the paths ahead as soon as the Decepticons finish playing their little game. No fair in letting you two go ahead. I won't worry about messing with you until then because you probably have to worry about each other. Just hope they win."

The voice traveled to Echoblade and Echoblade only.

"The path on the right leads to the rest of the Decepticons. If taken down this path, your companion wouldn't stand a chance against you and the others...however it might be hard getting him to go down that road if he didn't want too. I suppose it would also be difficult in making him yield to you, as he might be a better fighter...

"...but isn't that what you want? A challenge...?"

[Bivile]

Onewing had fled fast enough to catch a view of the others. Once he felt he was close enough, he landed and started to walk. His pace became significantly slower once he began to use his legs, as one of them was injured to he needed to keep his weight off it. Soon enough though, he was caught up. He only tilted his head up to observe the room for a moment, before his damaged eye sparked. Hissing slightly, he brought his hand over the optic.

As apparently the next challenge was announced, he remained in still, being in a deal of pain. But the dull Seeker was listening; and he wasn't exactly liking what he heard. His function was to get opponents to look at him and shoot at him. There was really not much need for a good memory or higher thought in that. Removing his hand from his optic, he craned his neck slightly to look down at the platform. Onewing brought his head up to look at the screen for a short while. There was no way in hell he was smart enough to handle the challenge; he scarcely understood the rules. Coming to terms with his expendability, he snarled quietly. What would he do? He hated his function.

Onewing was hesitating.

[Rexacon]

Rexacon was annoyed at this gamekeeper, the way he is controlling the game. Oh he couldn't wait to shut him up. What shocked him was the fact that the autobots were coming. How did they get the information about this place? Right now, his mind should totally be focused on getting the heck out of this room. Looking at Roll, she had already begun on the puzzles.

"Roll, do you know how to do this?"

Roll faintly ignored Rexacon for a bit as she was doing the puzzle. What was this? She had to study ancient cybertronian language at training camp. She hated the subject, but at least it was useful as of right now. Looking at the symbols she proceeded to send Onewing, Bunker, Compile and Rexacon the data on what she gotten. These symbols should be a cake walk as long as both of them follow her instructions.

"Listen, we don't have much time. This should help you on what I gathered so far, don't mess up. Rexacon, I'll take over this part since I excel in it. Onewing, don't worry.....be calm and relax, follow the instructions."

~~~~

The giant scorpion screeched as it attempted to stab Echoblade with its tail. The beast missed as it stabbed the wall, the tail was stuck. Trying to pull it out, Echoblade ram through the creature. Its acid properties took effect as she would heavily be affected. However, the creature was mortally wounded now as it dropped.

Taking the chance, Shadow split his swords as he began firing energy waves to slice off the tail and further damage it. Channeling energy in his swords and body through circuit-su to act as a shield, he forcefully rammed into the creature head. The acid began to take effect, but was minor due to the shield. Any life the beast had was now gone due to Echoblade and Shadow.

"Nice work Echo....."

Shadow looked up as he began to hear the voice talk to them. His odd remark didn't slightly faze him as he looked upon Echoblade. Crossing his arms, he waited to see what she would do. The first choice was the most obvious to him.

[FrostWhisper]

Echoblade had transformed and staggered away from the giant scorpion as soon as she could. Echoblade's armor was severely damaged, and she felt immense pain every time she moved. Echoblade knew that she was lucky to have survived this long at all, but she also knew that she wouldn't survive much longer like this. As she sat down against a wall, she heard Shadow actually say something nice before he was interrupted by the Gamekeeper. Echoblade listened closely to what the Gamekeeper had to say. Echoblade leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes as the Gamekeeper finished talking. Shadow had saved her life three times, but Echoblade's whole reason for coming on this mission was to rise in the ranks of the Decepticons. Echoblade did love a challenge, but she knew that whatever she chose, she was going to take damage for it, so she decided to change things up a bit. "I say we split up," Echoblade said as she looked towards Shadow. We both have a better chance on our own at this point, I'll take the path on the right and you take the other path," Echoblade stood up and tried to hide the pain she was going through, it was important to be strong at this point in time, and if she couldn't feel strong, Echoblade could still act strong. "But while we'r stuck here, we may as well talk," Echoblade said as she picked her swords up off of the floor and sheathed them. "So, what exactly did you do to make the Decepticons want to kill you?"

[Rexacon]

Shadow leaned against the wall as he looked at Echoblade. She was badly damaged, but she did a good job in surviving. Much that she had earned his respect as a warrior. It appears that she didn't want to turn him in nor go with the first choice. Interesting. Taking up on her question he looked at her with a slight smirk.

"Ohnothing, I just escaped from their cells thats all. They just want to recapture me, but I have to do something first."

[FrostWhisper]

Unable to stand any longer, Echoblade limped over to where she had been sitting down before and sat, crossing her legs. Echoblade placed her arm with the baby scorpion on it in her lap, she had made sure that he was well protected before she had attacked the giant scorpion. "Well, I'm sure you'll be able to finish what you're trying to do," Echoblade muttered, barely loud enough to be heard. The battle had really taken it's toll and Echoblade was having a hard time focusing on anything. She looked down at the little baby scorpion in her lap. "I need something to call you little guy, I can't just call you 'it' or 'him'," Echoblade said, then she looked up at Shadow. "Do you have any ideas on what to name him?" She asked Shadow. Echoblade was really out of it, she barely remembered what Shadow had said and she was having a hard time remembering which path she had decided to go down and why she had chosen that path. "Which way am I supposed to go down again?" Echoblade asked herself out loud, hoping that hearing herself say it would help her to remember. "Oh yes, I remember, the path on the right, because that's the way to the Decepticons," Echoblade forgot that anyone else was in the room with her as her mind filled with pain, her whole body hurt, and then the pain overwhelmed her. Echoblade went into stasis.

[Rexacon]

Shadow looked at her as she asked him on what to call the scorpion. Walking towards her, Shadow went down to look at the creature. Its eyes were something cute as it meant no harm.

"A name huh? Well...I don't know what to call that...."

Looking at Echoblade as she began to talk out loud, it seems the pain has consumed her. Going into stasis, it seems that she couldn't handle it. Bad timing, but luckily they got a break since the room is concealed. Hopefully the cons take forever so they can rest up a bit. First thing was to handle Echoblade, she needed some energy.

"......I don't do this for anyone....should be grateful."

Putting his hands together, Shadow began to channel his energy as his hands began to glow. Aiming directly at Echoblade, he began to send some of his energy to her. This will hopefully get her out of stasis because carrying her will be a pain in the ass. The effects of transferring his energy began to take a toll on him as he dropped down on one knee. Using most of it on the battles is hard enough, but doing this was over the top. Shadow stopped the transfusion as he went over to the wall and began to go save up the rest of his energy.

"The scorpion...."

Getting up, Shadow began to slowly walk over to the scorpion that was dead. Its properties were not active, thats good as Echoblade didn't need to see it. Sticking his hand in the scorpion, Shadow began to take its energy to refill. The purple markings around his body lit up as Shadow energon infused with the dark substance were raising his levels. He had forgotten that the creatures energy were of similar substance. After being done, Shadow lets go of the creature as he went over to sit down next to Echoblade.

"Could use the rest now..."

Shadow enters standby mode.....

~~

The baby scorpion curled up to Echoblade like a baby. It sees that both Shadow and Echoblade are sleeping. Thinking that its nap time, it sleeps as well.

[FrostWhisper]

Echoblade woke up a little while later, she was still in pain, but it had subsided a little. Echoblade wanted to get up and walk around a little, but the baby scorpion on her lap had fallen asleep and Echoblade didn't want to wake him up. Echoblade looked around a bit and found that Shadow was sitting next to her. Echoblade was about to ask Shadow how long she'd been out, but then she noticed that he was asleep too. Echoblade thought that the Gamekeeper must be incredibly insane and she wondered if she'd ever make it out of Iota alive, she was glad however, for being slowed down because she knew that to have even a small chance of getting out, the small group needed rest. Echoblade smiled as she thought about how strange the three of them probably looked. A rogue bot, a damaged Decepticon, and a small scorpion, not the most likely of teams, but still a team. Echoblade waited for the tunnels to open, but she was afraid of what the other Decepticons would do when they saw the baby scorpion with her.

[concentratedrandom]

Tonic was running down what seemed like a maze, he couldn’t find any sense of direction. Turning a corner though, he saw two sentinels fleeing from the area. Why would they be leaving? It made no sense if they were to kill him. All he knew was they wanted him dead, wanted the Decepticons dead, so they had to go. Taking out his shutdown wall, he threw the pillar of crystals in front of the sentinels and activated it to block their path. As they turned around, Tonic raised his arms to protect his body from any shots fired, but none came. Three sentinels that he had “killed” earlier had appeared and started to attack the other two.

“Perfect. This should make it much easier.”

Seeing how one was being restrained by two of the traitor sentinels, Tonic rushed in there and stuck his claws into its head. Next thing he knew, he was tearing through its body without mercy, and once he stopped, he took a step back and watched as it fell to the ground when the two restraining it let go. For some reason though, he didn’t really care that he had killed it though. Turning his attention to the other sentinel, he grabbed his shutdown wall and started to chase after it seeing it was fleeing again. Stepping on the body of the traitor sentinel that had fallen against it, turned his head to look while still running. How disgusting, that was the body of an enemy. Looking back at the fleeing sentinel, he was sure he wouldn’t catch up to it. Closing his eyes, he wanted to yell cause of his rage.

“ARGGG!!!”

Once he opened his eyes, he saw that the sentinel had stopped. It was at a dead end, and Tonic was sure there wasn’t a wall a click ago. But there it was, an obvious death trap of a wall sticking out from the ground. It didn’t matter though, all he wanted was his enemies’ heads. Ripping apart the sentinel just like he did with the other one, Tonic walked away without any sorrow for this one either. Turning to a random wall, he started to slash and drill away at it, he felt like this is where he should dig. He let out a loud scream while doing this, he just felt so angry for some reason. And whatever he found a on the other side of this wall was going to feel that anger.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Two sentinels were retreating since they were called off. Suddenly, a wall of energy appeared in front of them, purple and full of power. Turning around, there was a strange bot charging
towards them. It was blue with purple lines glowing all over it, its eyes purple as well but empty of all life, and its mouth just hanging open. Its arms swung back and forth like dead weight. Before either sentinel could act, three more appeared as well. But they did not attack the bot but instead the two sentinels. Something was wrong with them, they were corrupted with something. Once the strange bot got there, he shredded one of them at an extreme speed. The other attacked the corrupted sentinel and fled, but was soon chased by the bot. It had enough distance and speed to escape, or it should have, until the bot let out a horrible scream. It was loud and unnatural, and then it stuck its hands into the ground, and suddenly a wall of crystals shot down the hall and in front of the sentinel, creating a wall of dangerous crystals.

Dark energon crystals.

That was what the bot held, what empowered it, and what corrupted the other sentinels. Dark Energon. And that’s what allowed it to shred the sentinel into pieces before it could react. The strange bot walked away, but then started to attempt to break through a wall. As it did so, it constantly let out screams much louder than the first one, and each one echoed until disturbed by the next. The strange bot seemed to have no thought at all, only a sense to kill and destroy. And it wanted to do so to whatever was on the other side of that wall.

[Compile]

Compile had been quiet the entire time, listening and watching the others. He was good at watching, one of his specialties, as far as he was concerned. He was a Tape, one of Soundwave's creations and he was programmed to be very observant. However, his observation got sidetracked when the shuttle exploded, and than all hell arrived and was unleashed. "What the slag?" he said before the fight started. Blinking at this, he looks at the... the beasts, creatures, whatever the slag they were and thought. "Roll, lets scan them to find out what they are," he said to her as one came towards him. Looking left and right, he was in trouble, especially after Rex got slammed into a wall to his right, when he went traveling between himself and the beast. Even the beast looked at this before looking at Compile. "What you looking at me for?" he asked the beast as Rex was slammed into another wall.

The scene to Compile was one he liked, chaos and the more the merrier. "I need to really increase my..." he started before the beast roared and lunged at him. Running towards the beast, Compile did the next best thing, since he was the smallest Con here at only 8 feet tall. He dove under the beast's legs and rolled, placing a bomb on the creature's lower legs. As he rolled, he looked at the creature and flipped up to standing. "First we crack the shell, than we crack the nuts inside," he said as his arms transformed into piledrivers and began to thumps on the floor. Now, this was going to be interesting, as the vibrations caused massive earthquake like issues to happen. They were all in a set of tunnels, old tunnels most likely, and here, the vibrations would be magnified, due to the shape and size of the hallways. So, depending on what the hallways were made of, the vibrations would be magnified from anywhere 10 percent to 100 percent, and the vibrations he makes is equal to what Rumble and Frenzy can do.

Than, he gets a message from Roll and blinks at her as he mutters, "Ah man, I never get to have any fun," he states as he flies over to her and his arms transform from pile drivers to regular arms. Looking at the text, Compile blinked. "I ua.. do not know ancient Cybertronian. But I can try to help ya out," he mentions to Roll as he keeps an eye on her and a eye on the creatures. "Anyone know what the slag those things are?" he asks.
----------------------------------------------------

Saber looked at the creatures as he roared and jumped onto the one closest to him. As he did this, another came at him, and he swiped and jumped off the creature as the other missed him and hit the beast. This probably made the beast mad, and hopefully would attack the one who had struck him. That left at least 2 more beasts he would have to fight. Saber began to move, but than stopped as something in his head clicked, and the cat transformed into a robot. No words came from him, but a roar, just like the cat was released, and it was a different roar. Next, the blade Saber had was in his hands and he was attacking the beasts with them, as he jumped and moved with a lot of speed.

The smaller of the two was his first target, and he was an expert at the blade. He moved it and fought with it as if he had been using one his entire life. The walls near him was getting sliced up, and it was glowing as Energon was feeding it, making it stronger. Once Saber had the creature injured, he grabbed the heat rod, his tail in his alternative mode, and used it to finish the beast off. Turning, to the others, he roared and began to attack them with both sword and heat rod.

The sword would go after one, and that was after the heat rod had did damaged to the beasts legs and tripped it up. One of the beasts even tried to bite him, but Saber had grabbed the thing and yanked on it, causing the beast to roar and saber to roar back, before hitting the beast with the hilt of his sword. Knocking the beast, saber kicked it, and than ran his fist, with the energon powered caws into the creatures chest, hitting its spark.

Saber than grabbed his heat rod that he had dropped and began to attack the other beast. inside Saber's mind, Drach was finely starting to get into control of the body. It seemed, that every time he killed one of the beast, the feral mind was content and was becoming easier to control. Soon, very soon, he would have control and not be a prisoner in the feral beasts mind. The beast was trained in hunting and attacking, but Drach was trained in the art of using weapons. So the pair would need to work together to survive.

After the remaining two were killed/destroyed/deactivated, Saber roared, the beast announcing that he had won and that this was his domain. Next, Saber transformed and began to stalk the one who entered. Still, Saber was on guard and ready, watching and looking in all directions,