Inverted Insignia Chap. 20 Megalostag Cybertronus

Inverted Insignia
Megalostag Cybertronus

As weeks went on, Starscream became less afraid of the arena challenges and enjoyed them more. He learned to study each of his arena opponents and decided to shake things up a little with his strategy. Each of his foes appeared to fight with what seemed to be their favourite weapons. Something they selected through either a trophy or bought with points they earned through victory. Starscream also learned that kills gained more victory points. He chose to take the opponents weapons, but rather than trade them in for more points, he would keep them aside. Ground Zero and Deathrow had to grumble at the youthful flier for  his weapons armoury was taking up an entire cell. It also inconvenienced them on available weapons to sell through points with other combatants.

The purpose about his hoard, was not so much to starve his opponents of choices, although that was an unexpected benefit, but to allow him to change weapons frequently enough that his foes never really knew what he would bring to the table. It never occurred to them to change up their weapons to disable Starscream from picking a tool that would accomplish the task of ending the fight quickly. If the warrior brought a heavy mace and chain, the youth would pick a sturdy shield and light sword, allowing him to dance around the opponent.  

They could guarantee that the young flier would have his dagger in an accessible location, and they also knew he had his null rays at the ready. Starscream always made his rifles appear unreliable. However from time to time if the combat became frighteningly dangerous, he would use them to immobilise his foe. It was clear people came to be entertained and if he used the rifles too soon, they would get bored quickly.

For his 23th combat, the arena's opening anniversary bash, they decided to give him a new battle. Unlike previous combats where he fought other cadets or low grade warriors or criminals, he was set to fight a ferocious Cybertronian beast. Starscream checked the pairing list and found him set to fight Megalostag Cybertronus. He was fairly certain someone wanted him dead.

There were not many mega fauna left on Cybertron, some were kept in zoos, while others were found as ancient relics in museums of Iacon such as the ancient and ferocious Predacon, the Predaking Dragon. The Predaking was rumoured to be part of the genome base for the original genetically engineered Seekers, it gave them their keen sight and hunting instincts. But today's quarry was not an ancient cloned relic – although there were suggestions of such research being done, but a rare beast commonly known as an Iron Hoof Stag. It came from more mountainous regions of the planet where huge forests of gold and copper leaf trees were found. It was the king of the region and was only hunted due to its prize antlers and the fact that it was extremely dangerous.

Starscream had read about them, and seen them in the wilds only twice, he remembered a massive stag, standing near a doe, which was grazing the petals off delicate daises as her fawns frolicked in the razor grass. The massive Stag had seen him, and lowered his head, shielding the doe and the fawns from the Seeker with his massive wall of antler. Starscream had left them in peace.

Iron Hoof Deer, as they were known collectively were enormous beasts, towering over the average Seeker by about half his height more. The males had massive antlers that grew out from its head, it was wide and flat with eight points ending in sharp tips. The points of the antler crown were shiny, growing longer as the beast aged. The main structure of the antlers were covered in a patina of oxidisation. The head and neck of the beast were wide and strong in order to support the weight of the antlers, which had a span wider than that of Starscream's own wings.

Iron Hoof Stags had very few natural enemies. The razor backed, steel clawed lions might take out a doe, or isolate a fawn, but if a stag was nearby, even the deadly lion would take a miss. The only creatures insane enough to hunt the Stag were wealthy Cybertronians doing it for sport, and sometimes they chose to donate the live animal to gladiatorial pits and watch others fight the beast. Most often the stag won, crushing his opponent under its sharp steel hooves, or goring the opponent to death by grinding him into the ground with his antlers.

The young flier quickly understood that the enormous plate antlers might give the creature a level of slowness in movement, they were not aerodynamic and would cause a lot of drag, but with lethal spikes growing in almost all directions, it being somewhat slower might not be a problem for it.  He understood that close range weapons would likely be unusable. Distance weapons such as his null rays might be possible, but people would want to see a fight. If the beast lowered his head or turned it, the creature could easily use the bulk of his armoured crown to deflect weapons fire, or stop bullets. As it was his opponent already bore the marks of arena battles, some of the points in the plated antler had gouge marks from axes that failed to find the mark. The tines had stains on them which was likely the result of mech fluids spilled as it won its previous fights.  

The body of the creature was colossal, and were supported by four huge pillar-like legs. Each leg ending in shiny razor sharp iron-steel hooves; which sparked each time the creature stepped on metallic surfaces.

As the handlers led the immense creature out, they had to restrain it by four tethers on stiff poles. Followed by one with an energon prod.  Each of the poles had a pair of heavily built handlers who struggled to contain the massive animal. It stomped its hooves kicking up sparks and dirt. It stared balefully at Starscream was deep amber coloured optics which burned with hatred at the mechanoid before him then snorted out small jets of flame from its nostrils. As it did, the young flier's fuel pump hammered harder, and the cool feeling of electro adrenaline flooded his systems.

His options in weapons for fighting the beast were limited. Nothing he could choose was remotely a good choice, Starscream had chosen a light sword and a shield. He did not wish to be weighed down by heavier weapons, speed and agility were Seeker advantage -  although that was more in the air than tied to the ground. He was entirely unsure of his ability to survive this combat it was bleak and his handlers did not instil confidence in him. He realised when he had seen the marks on the beast that it was a gladiatorial champion. Starscream's only true weapon against the creature would have been null rays, but he was forbidden to use them and they were forcibly removed. His handlers told him that if he left them behind, he would gain greater victory points should he win. He groaned, the words used were “if he won”.

The announcer stood up and smiled to everyone and the crowed cheered him on. Starscream's wings prickled every time the commentator spoke. He wanted to murder him more each time. “Welcome Cybertronians for to tonight's Arena Anniversary we have a combat feast laid out for you, where we pair our fighters with the wildest creatures to walk our world. Tonight we start off with the fantastic pairing of the unusually lucky Seeker, Silver Snake Starscream to combat the deadly Iron Hoof Stag. Place your bets!”

The beast reared up disturbed by the cheering from the stands, his handlers lost hold of the poles and tethers. The beast shook its head and the offending restraints were kicked off and the animal charged toward Starscream, head lowered snorting jets of flame, as his hooves kicked up a mixture of sparks and dust. The other handlers dropped their poles and ran for cover in the gated passage. The gong was struck, to announce the fight start, but it was too late the beast chose to start the fight, giving Starscream no time to get his thoughts in order and make a strategy. He had to think on his feet.  

Starscream was briefly awestruck at how the light glinted off the antler points, and how the hooves sounded like the rumble of thunder, it was truly beautiful. He realised the creature was about to attack the only person on the field and that was him.  Diving to the dirt, Starscream dodged the antlers as they swept over him. Due to its speed and the weight, the animal had to run well past him before turning around.  Starscream was back on his feet contemplating the animals action. His pulse rang loudly in his audios and he found himself holding his breath as he tightened his fingers on the sword. He realised his best weapon might be a high powered rifle fired from the back row of the stadium. No all he had was a shield and sword. Back row was where he wanted to be that very moment.

Turning to face the creature, he beat his sword against the edge of the shield, drumming, partly to rile himself up and taunt the stag. The animal was enraged that the little mechanoid before him had survived, it pawed the ground then let out an ear splitting bellow of fury that silenced the crowed then lowered its massive head and rack of metallic antlers then charged. For a creature that was so incredibly top heavy, it had speed, more speed than Starscream had previously anticipated much like a high speed freight train. Its turning time was slow, much like a ship in water. The young flier noticed that the creature was not swift enough to change direction quickly, whereas he was able to swing his mobile to throw his weight around. He also came to realise the beast's antlers were not directed backward, most likely so it did not injure itself if it leaned his head back. The only 'safe place' on the field, he decided was on the back of the creature. And then it was still questionably unsafe, however, it was possibly out of danger from the main tines of the antlers.  It depended on if the creature could tip its head back and hook him off.

As the beast thundered toward, the flier waited for the last moment to take a few steps aside. The Iron Hoof overshot him and started its slow turn around. As he did Starscream leapt into the air, aiming for the back. The crowed took a sharp intake of air as the youth landed on the stag. It was the first time Starscream could take in the details of the creature he had seen from afar in his early youth. Instead of smooth metal plates the creature had a fine covering of fur-like projections that were bronze coloured on the surface and silvery closer to the body. The antler, which Starscream had a close and personal view of, was not perfectly smooth but covered in small patterns much like the Damascus of well made folded steel swords.

It was fully metallic, not trans-organic like some Cybertronian creatures in the very distant past were, but all the same, its surface was difficult to grab onto. The young flier wrapped his arms around the thick neck and clamped his legs around the beasts barrel.  His fuel pump hammered faster than he could remember. He was both exhilarated and terrified. He had never been so close to such a creature before. How he was on its back, it was a matter of deciding how to kill it. He leaned forward with his chest pressed against the back and neck of the monstrosity. The action in mounting caused him to lose grip on his sword and it fell to the ground, where the beast, now confused and even more enraged by the strange weight on its back, reared up and slammed his forelegs down breaking the sword into bits. Starscream could barely utter a word as his focus was entirely on remaining mounted. The creature reared again, lashing at the air with his front legs and hooves and at the same time tipping his head back and swinging in an effort to remove the smaller mechanoid off its back. Once its fore legs hit the ground, It then broke into a run.

The crowed in the stands stood up and leaned forward gripped by the tension of the battle. The flier was now disarmed and only had a shield, or had a shield as the youth tossed it aside, deeming it pointless to have. He needed both hands to grip the writhing beast's neck. The creature galloped across the arena, bucking, stopping, rearing and kicking. It bellowed out several times and even went as far as charging a wall, stopping with its fore legs suddenly that caused inertia to swing its rear into the air slamming its back against the arena walls. Starscream released his hold and leapt to the top of the battle field wall, and leapt back down onto its back as the creature landed again.

Starscream knew had he remained, he would have been crushed into a pulp. As he landed he found himself slipping clinging to the side of the rampaging enraged beast. He could easily see the sharp hooves as they kicked up dirt. He did not wish to slide any further because the animal would surely crush him to death. He pulled himself up into the correct position then reached for the only weapon he had left, his dagger. It was tiny, nearly useless against such a beast. A trinium spear head would have been better if on a long shaft. He could have driven it into the creatures massive fuel pump. He had chosen a sword, which would have done the job, but he dropped it and that lay in a dozen pieces somewhere on the field. As he removed it from its scabbard, he nearly dropped the dagger when the beast leapt high into the air and crashed into the ground. It slipped from his hand and he grabbed it anyway, in spite of training that said to never grab a falling blade. He sliced his fingers on the well maintained blade. He winced and jammed the weapon between his teeth as he grasped the creature harder, and pulled himself along the neck precariously close to the plates of antler.

The stag flared his nostrils catching the scent of spilled energon it realised its unwanted rider was injured then bucked harder. Clinging tighter, the young flier waited out the next series of bucks and then the blade form his mouth. He raised his arm and then leaned in diving the dagger into the animal's throat as hard as he could, holding tightly to the handle he drew the blade out then struck again and again.  Would he find anything to damage there? No, apparently not. The beast screamed shrilly and reared again. The young flier was dislodged and found himself on the ground near the dangerous feet. He scrambled out the way.

Was there nothing that could stop the beast?  All he had to his advantage was a dagger and things were looking grim. The wounds  he inflicted only served to antagonise the stag further. He understood fully that is he did not end the stag shortly, he would be the one being removed from the field. There was no mercy or spare of life tonight. He did not always take his foe's life, only when it was apparent there would be no other option, or when he had enough of his tormenting. The Iron Hoof had finished its turn and charged at the flier. Starscream stood his ground, and held his blade out digging his feet in and swinging his wings back. He locked his optics with the optics of the animal that was running straight for him. There was only one location he felt he could possibly kill the with his tiny dagger and that was by attacking the eye.  Unfortunately this meant dealing with the business end of the beast, the proximity to optic, meant the beast had uncanny precision with his antlers. It would an equally uncanny and precise attack on Starscream's part.

As the animal charged head on, Starscream took a deep breath, perhaps his last, and launched himself forward. He executed a neat flip flinging his body into the air and onto the antler, grabbing one of the tines with his free hand, and hooking his feet into the others. His weight unbalanced the beast, and Starscream drove his blade into the head. The dagger found its mark in in the eye, sinking deep into the brain unit. The beast let out a dying scream and fell to the ground. Starscream attempted to leap free as it fell, however the larger of the massive points hooked the Seeker's foot tripping him to the dirt. The animal tossed his head one last time, his uninjured optic blazing with burning hatred set itself on Starscream and it dropped its head the huge antlers punctured the youth's wing and pinned him helplessly to the ground. Within a few moments the other optic went dark, the creature was satisfied he at least damaged his foe and then it died.

Unable top move from the great weight, the animal's handlers ran out to heft the dead weight of the head off the flier and drag him out. Starscream gritted his teeth against the pain, then isolate the centre. The damage was done, he was bleeding, but there was no fear of harm. He could risk isolating the entire wing pain hub. With his wing shut down, it drooped a bit awkwardly. He walked up to the stag and pulled the dagger from the eye socket and held it up.

The crowd cheered and called out his pit name. Even the announcer was lost for words. He simply stated “That was... unbelievable.”

The pit medic waited at the entrance to the passage and the beast handlers aided the youthful flier inside.

“You are one crazy son of a slarg, Starscream,” Deathrow commented. “I bet against you, but Primus, I am glad to have lost for that show.”

Ground Zero smiled “I didn't, payout was good, you earned great points this round...Pity about the Iron Hoof, we had a difficult time finding one.”

The youth sat down as one of the  medics, with one of the academy medics worked in repairing the damaged wing surfaces. They argued back and forth about the merits of removing the wing and replacing or repairing it. In the end, they decided it could be saved and worked quickly to repair it. As they did Darkstar, along with Skywarp and Thundercracker shoved themselves inside the repair area and shook their heads.

“We're surprised you survived,” Skywarp stated.

Starscream snorted. “I suppose you bet against me,”

“Pit, yeah! Size difference alone that animal out weighed you by about 9 times. I lost Three thousand credits,” Skywarp stared at Starscream. “You owe me! I lost three thousand because you lived!”

“My apologies, I did not realise my survival was such an inconvenience.” Snorting in disgust, “Skywarp, my sparkless friend, the only thing I owe you is simply not to murder you while you sleep... keep pushing it and you might wake up next to Primus or most likely Unicron.”

Darkstar cleared his throat. “I was sitting near some elders and they said when the pit was done, 'That Starscream, He's the pride of the Cybertron War Academy.' I think you won some sparks, Cadet.” the older flier rumbled.

The youth smiled slightly. “Great, I at least know there will be people attending my funeral.”

“Dark thoughts, Starscream,”  Thundercracker commented.  “Graduation is barely six months away... you'll make it.”

“Right, the average life expectancy of a good fighter here, is twenty battles.” Starscream remarked.

“You won twenty three,” Thundercracker added implying his was better than average.

“I lost two fights, it was only because of some sort of respect they let me live. The longest surviving cadet was thirty four fights and he died the eve before of his graduation. You are expecting me to survive minimum forty fights, possibly fifty. And they just threw a fragging Megalostag Cybertronus at me,”

Blinking in confusion “I thought they called that an Iron Hoof...”

“That is the common name... never mind.... Yes, it was an Iron Hoof, Skywarp.” Starscream heaved himself to his feet and with medics following, stepped out of the repair by. “I'm going, I need something to eat.”

He picked up his rifles from his armoury and then turned to Ground Zero, shaking his fist. “If you ever try to make me fight without defences, I will slag you where you stand.” the youth threatened.

The young flier returned to his barracks where he could find his platform and rest. His whole body ached from hanging on to the beast. His hand was sore from his blade, and his wings painfully throbbed now the hub was reactivated. His adrenaline rush was crashing down and he was starting to move from elation to irritation. His head ached significantly and his tanks rumbled in objection of having used all its energy in one fight.