#darktober2022

[lunarfeat21]

Darktober 10: Owl

-------------------------------

Prey items are scarce during the brutal winter,

silently glided with such speed & agility for a snowy owl like him and Optimus. His beloved, dear Optimus, back in the kingdom brooding a single egg in the royal nursery.

Despite his mate and Emperor being stuck with maternal duties, Ratchet couldn't help but wonder how Emperor Optimus overcompensated and won a piece of stolen land from the Decepticons.

A flutter of feathers announced their presence, Ratchet heard them thanks to his cloak that transformed him to a snowy owl harpy.

Using his sharp hearing, he can pin-point the source of the sound, which is located in a barred field with little skeletons of bushes. Everything seems fine, minus the strange tracks of some creature leading near a bush, and to his delight, he finally find food. A white ptarmigan walking while it was unaware of the silent aerial predator spreading his talons.

The loud snap of bones shattered the stilled cold air, a devastating blow to the neck and head. There laid the ptarmigan, stuffed and blood dyed the snow.

"Poor thing," Ratchet mused at the dead grouse before examining the corpse "if Necaridere weren't such a thing, we wouldn't have to slaughter you inferior beings for not finding an owner. But alas, you wild Cloaks do have another worthy purpose: to feed my mate and our would-be future heir."

With cold smile, he bit down the food. As he did so, the ptarmigan sprang to life as it wriggled to fight for its life. Most would be surprised and let their assumed dead prey go, Ratchet isn't so.

In fact, he enjoyed the feeling of living prey in his mouth as the ptarmigan's blood soaked his chin and dripped to his chest feathers. He would lavishly spend his time tormenting the creature, however, he had to put them aside as he should return to feed Optimus.

He smiled maliciously as the bird looked weaker and grew weaker until it stopped. His chin stained in blood, he leaped into the air and now headed back to the kingdom with food.

[rbelexpectations]

[lunarfeat21]

Darktober 20: Bite

---------------------------------

They lost another one, they lost another teammate. Losing them to Patient No.001 [Strongarm] & other Infectors after a capturing mission of Patient No.001 for samples (in hopes of a vaccine for the mysterious virus that infected bots with concerning side effects such as body mutations, increased strength, aggressiveness, and spewing acid when provoked or annoyed).

Bumblebee mainly blamed himself for Slipstream's demise, he was in arm's length as he was about to grab the minicon with his back turned, where Patient No.003 [Grimlock] & Patient No.006 [Optimus] attacked while Patient No.002 [Sideswipe] slowly advanced towards the helpless Slipstream (as Slipstream watched in horror of Bumblebee’s attack). 

Patient No.002 pounced on Slipstream as he and the other Infectors made a retreat towards the forest, not before biting Slipstream as their newest recruit (later labeled Patient No.008) in their hivemind with Patient No.000.

That thought stung Bumblebee, it already hit him hard when they couldn’t find Patient No.000 or their identity, then for Strongarm becoming Patient No.001, then Sideswipe, Grimlock, Optimus, and now Slipstream to follow suit. 

It doesn’t help that he had to team up with Steeljaw and his pack as they too lost Clampdown [Patient No.004], Thunderhoof [Patient No.005], & Fracture [Patient No.005].

Drift & Jetstorm reassured Bumblebee that it wasn’t his fault, accompanied by Fixit, Denny, Windblade, and Russell to give their condolences. Someday, when their luck changes, a vaccine will be born.

[lunarfeat21]

Darktober 14: Alternate

-------------------------------------

This creature of unknown origin, this thing, this imposter, mimicked the appearance of Communications officer of the Decepticons.

It roamed around the Nemensis for 4 weeks after the real Soundwave mysteriously died, and it feed on any lone Decepticon if they strayed from the group. Thankfully it only feeds at night.

If provoked, it revealed it's hideous face with two, whitish beady eyes and showing its needlelike smiling teeth, while two (assumed) tentacles are out with one head each.

It is advised to never encounter the creature alone, always stay in a group, never leave your sleeping quarters at night, and always be-

ĐⓔαĐ 𝕓𝕐 Μㄖℝℕ𝒾ℕᎶ Μ𝕐 ⓛㄖ𝓋ⓔⓛ𝒾ⓔ丂, ᎶㄖㄖĐ ℕ𝒾Ꮆｈ𝐭 丂ώⓔⓔ𝐭 ㄖℕⓔ丂~!

[lunarfeat21]

Darktober 31: Poisoned treat (tw: cyanide poisoning)

--------------------------------------------------

The Autobot-aligned human trio could watch as the vile leader of M.E.C.H coughed immensely after puking up, on his knees beside the crinkled candy wrapper that he ate hours earlier. They collectively assumed that who or whatever trapped them in a pitch black room with a single, bright red light along with three large cubes.

This is what Raf, Jack, & Miko gathered in silence as Silas continued coughing, desperately gulping for air and skin changed to a cherry red shade:

They're not really alone as initially thought. How they get here is rather strange. The last memory they recall, they're in their respective guardians' alt mode as they headed back to base after a long school. 

The next thing when all three awoke groaning with terrible headaches, in an extremely dark room with the red light source as illumination. While their eyes adjust to the darkness, there is nothing in sight except for the three cubes, and surprisingly, an unconscious Silas (much to their disdain).

Of course they accused him when he woke up, only they realized that Silas was telling the truth as the four witnessed a bucket of food descending. 

It had no rope to lower it to their comfort, and it was a slow one, moving similarly to a cartoon that the law of physics is nonexistent. It goes on for roughly three weeks (Raf estimated the hours to pass from going crazy), the floating bucket gives three meals a day and it occasionally gives a bit of a candy. 

It should be no biggie, it's just a special treat. However, the kids' thoughts lingered about the candy. From the soft wrapping paper of its bronze color, the dark heart-shaped branded, the solid texture of the rock candy, the fruity flavor, and its yellow color.

It felt like the more they savored the candy longer than Silas, the more they could hear 'them'. 'They' told them about the ones they loved, their fears, and their grudge against Silas. 

'They' offered their services in mere whispers when Silas was asleep, voices tickled the children as the quiet giggles from the trio laid their eyes on the dying Silas, panting heavily while he could hear his heart beat increase its rhythm. 

They should feel awful for their heinous action. The three shouldn't give the cyanide laced candy to Silas for the kind punishment of death. 

It no longer matters to them anymore, as their Invisible Friends promised them to return home.

[lunarfeat21]

Darktober 27: Tea Party

---------------------------------------

You are invitied to a tea party that is hosted none other than Laserbeak, and this is no ordinary tea party. This is a d̶̡̲̗̼̮̤̤̳̲͖͓͍͔͓̓̎̽́̽̏̐͂̆͆͘͘͘ë̸͓̮͉͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝��͍̖͎̩̞͈ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ dress up party, perfect for the spooky season.

Don't be late now, Laserbeak doesn't like guest being late...

[rbelexpectations]

[rbelexpectations]

[rbelexpectations]

[rbelexpectations]

[rbelexpectations]

[rbelexpectations]

[lunarfeat21]

I promised myself last year that I won’t do another Darktober challenge after nearly suffered from art block, and that was it.

However, I say screw it and do another one suffer with me