Chapter 122: The Giant Mechanical Dragon
"Roooar!"
It was a roar of pure rage.
Summoned by the Fallen, a colossal creature materialized before their eyes a carnivorous dinosaur with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth, claws like sickles, and feral eyes… though one was blind.
Before becoming this mechanical predator, its scientific name had belonged to an ancient reptile species the mighty Giganotosaurus.
A being capable of rivaling even the Tyrannosaurus Rex in its prime.
The moment it appeared, the metal giant roared and charged straight at the insect-like demon. Startled, the metallic bug raised his laser pistol once more, firing wildly as he was forced to retreat.
"Fool! Move aside! How dare you be so insolent before your master, the Fallen? Do you wish to lose your other eye as well?!"
Ah so it was true.
That blind right eye of the one-eyed dinosaur had been the handiwork of this very mechanical ant. The insect had literally crippled a supersoldier!
"Ingrate! Go reflect on your actions!"
Unable to contain his fury any longer, the Fallen kicked the boasting insect squarely with his cannoned leg. The impact launched the bug into the air like a missile.
Even when it tried to fire its thrusters in the opposite direction, the force was overwhelming it was sent hurtling over two kilometers away before finally crashing, unable to stand.
"Grrr Raaah!"
Seeing his massive master avenge him, the giant dinosaur lowered his head, gazing at the battered mechanical ant with a mix of admiration and awe then turned his wary eyes toward the Fallen.
"Don't look at me like that," the Fallen said with a cold smirk. "Here, in the domain of the Fallen, there's no such rule as 'first come, first served.'
I have a perfect Spark for you. Would you be willing to accept it?"
It was clear the Fallen was fascinated by this enormous creature. Like a child with a new toy he couldn't put down.
He had promised that even if future Predacon warriors became stronger than the current leader, the insect known as Diablo, the title would still remain his.
But now, it was obvious this towering beast was about to replace him.
"Rooooar!"
Though the giant didn't fully understand his master's words, he bellowed with excitement. He knew that once he devoured the energy seed the Fallen held, he would complete his transformation.
"Hahaha! Splendid! I never imagined I'd find such admirable predators among you. This is far better than racking my mind for new subordinates!"
Amused and satisfied, the Fallen released the glowing seed the one that had once belonged to the three-headed tiger. It floated into the dinosaur's grasp.
"Roar, Shadow! Transform!"
As soon as the giant absorbed the Spark, every scale on his mechanical body twisted and spun violently. In a matter of seconds, a towering Decepticon warrior stood before the Fallen.
The dragon's head previously blind had become his right hand, the most striking feature of this mighty Transformer.
Perhaps due to nerve damage from the ant's earlier attack, even after completing his transformation, Shadow's right eye remained empty.
A truly one-eyed Decepticon.
"Not bad! Excellent, in fact! Your transformation is flawless. It's a shame you can't regain that eye but it gives you a ferocious edge!"
Indeed, in any faction, a one-eyed dragon was a rare and fearsome sight. His massive frame and singular red eye made him an unforgettable presence on the battlefield.
"Thank you, Master, for granting me this power. But… there's someone I need to settle a score with. Please allow me the chance!"
Ah, so Shadow was a vengeful Decepticon as well. Respect for elders was clearly not one of his strengths. That insect had taken advantage of his inability to transform, blasting out his eye with a laser cannon.
Now, Shadow believed that only by tearing the bug's head off could he release his rage.
"Heh. Training with a comrade is fine but don't kill him too fast. We need every capable worker.
If you do end up killing that fool, though, all his duties will fall to you.
If you can handle them, I won't stop you. Do as you wish."
That was the Fallen's philosophy.
The dragon before him had the power to destroy the ant in an instant, but also the potential to command a large Predacon army. It was a fair trade.
"Understood, my lord. I'll follow your orders. I'll give that veteran a proper battle one I'm sure will please you!"
Despite his wild nature, the newly empowered dragon knew how to show respect to his master. A warrior of his strength belonged at the front lines not babysitting primitive beasts like some mechanical shepherd.
Understanding that, Shadow leapt into the air and landed beside the battered demon. The insect had barely gotten to its feet before a massive claw slammed down, pinning his head into the mud.
"Wh–Who are you?! Let go of me! Do you know who I am?! I'm your superior! You can't treat me like this!"
Clearly, the mechanical ant still didn't get it.
To the Fallen, he was nothing but a useless pawn a bad joke kept alive only for convenience. Were it not for his talent in menial tasks, the Fallen might have ripped out his Spark long ago and gifted it to a more deserving Predacon.
"Hahaha! Superior?
You seemed mighty proud when you shot me with your cannon why hide now like a turtle?
Oh wait, that's right! Ants are burrowers by nature, aren't they?"
(End of Chapter)