Transformers Prime: Evolution

14. Finding the Lock

The darkness of space was broken only by the flickering lights of the Nemesis, its shadow looming over the planet below. Inside the massive Decepticon warship, the atmosphere was tense. The metallic corridors echoed with the hum of machinery, but no one spoke. They all knew what was coming.

ShadowDread trudged through the ship, his armor cracked and dented from his confrontation with Optimus Prime. His once-imposing figure now seemed burdened, and his steps were heavy, each footfall a reminder of his failure. Decepticons glanced at him from the shadows, whispers following his path like a ghost. His reputation, once unshakable, now stood on uncertain ground.

As the doors to the command center slid open, the room fell silent. Megatron stood at the far end, a towering figure, seated upon his throne of iron and steel, his optics glowing red with cold intensity. The room was filled with Decepticons, but none dared speak. All eyes were on ShadowDread as he approached, his head held high despite the weight on his shoulders.

Megatron's gaze never wavered. His expression was unreadable, but there was an air of expectation in the room, a sense that something important was about to unfold. The silence stretched, oppressive and thick, until finally, Megatron spoke.

"You faced a Prime," Megatron began, his voice a low growl that reverberated through the chamber. "And yet, you still stand. Most would call that progress."

ShadowDread's optics flickered for a moment. Progress? The word echoed in his mind, fueling the frustration that churned within him. His fists clenched at his sides, his servos whining under the strain. Progress wasn't enough. He had failed. The battle replayed in his mind—the clash of blades, the weight of Optimus's strikes, the feeling of being overpowered by the Autobot leader. It gnawed at him.

"Progress?" ShadowDread repeated, his voice low, filled with barely restrained anger. "It feels like defeat... the Prime is stronger than I anticipated."

Megatron rose from his throne, his massive frame casting a long shadow over the room. He approached ShadowDread slowly, each step deliberate. The tension in the air thickened. The other Decepticons watched in silence, their optics wide, waiting for Megatron's judgment.

"You underestimate what it means to survive a battle with Optimus Prime," Megatron said, his tone cold but patient. "Many have fallen to his blade. And yet, here you stand. We do not measure victory in a single fight, ShadowDread. The war is long, and patience—" Megatron's optics glinted, "—is a weapon."

ShadowDread's anger simmered beneath the surface. He had always prided himself on his efficiency, on being the ultimate hunter. But this... this felt different. The failure stung more deeply than any wound, but he knew better than to show weakness before Megatron. His loyalty to the Decepticon leader was unwavering, and yet, the frustration lingered.

"I am not accustomed to failure," ShadowDread muttered through clenched teeth, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Megatron stepped closer, his towering form now directly in front of ShadowDread. He looked down at his warrior with a mixture of disappointment and expectation.

"Defeating a Prime is no simple task," Megatron said, his voice calm yet laced with authority. "But you survived. Continue your training. Refine your skills. The time will come when you'll strike him down..." Megatron paused, his optics narrowing slightly. "Or you'll die trying. Either way, you serve your purpose."

ShadowDread's optics met Megatron's, the weight of those words settling over him like a heavy shroud. There was no room for self-pity, no room for doubt. He was a Decepticon. His only purpose was to hunt, to destroy. He would not let this failure define him. He would become stronger, faster, more lethal. Next time, he would not be outmatched.