Shadow parasite

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Tarantulas you bastard, what've you done this time?!

"Shadow parasites" are lifeforms native to the K'tord Nebula. They have no physical substance, but instead seem to exist as psychic energy. They feed on other creatures' (latent) aggression, enhancing it until the host dies from the injuries their behaviour will bring them.

It's a sad reflection, don't you think, that of the many races that must have passed through this nebula, it seems none could do so without triggering these creatures.{{#if:|{{{quote2}}}}}{{#if:Optimus Prime"Primal Fear!"|Optimus Prime{{#if:"Primal Fear!"|, "Primal Fear!"|}}|}}

Fiction

Marvel Generation 2 comic

The K'tord Nebula was known to be a dangerous place because of the tales of the many ships that had entered and never returned. Despite and because of this, the Autobots aboard the Darkstar flew into the area in hopes of discouraging their pursuers. The plan didn't work though, instead becoming a catalyst for the shadow parasites' attack. Both crews were infected, mercilessly bringing their status as a warrior race to the surface. Only Hound was spared this fate due to being knocked out early in the fight by a stray pulse beam.

The fight was taken to a barren planet nearby, where Jhiaxus's and Optimus Prime's match eventually separated them from the rest. Away from the intenser violence, Optimus came to his senses and realized he and the others were being manipulated. Taking a risk, he approached Jhiaxus not with more gunfire, but with rationality, causing the Cybertronian too to regain his self-control. At that, the shadow parasites revealed themselves by leaving their now-unsuitable hosts' bodies. Optimus theorized over the nature of the black energy and prevented Jhiaxus from attempting to kill it then and there so that he would not accidentally infect himself once more.

Not much later, the faction leaders were successful in curing their troops as well and a truce was called that granted the Autobots safe leave from the nebula. On the bridge of his ship, Jhiaxus mused over what the experience on the planet had taught him, while ordering that the infestation be bombed from orbit, so the planet could be colonized safely. Primal Fear!