End of the Road

By Kingdom of Deke

Summary: Post Generation 2 comic. During the Second Golden Age of Cybertron peace at last reigns between Autobot and Decepticon. But the return of a long lost comrade could spell the end not only for the Transformers but for life as we know it…

Distribution: If you want to use this story on another website, contact me at kingdomofdeke@yahoo.com and we'll what can be done.

Chapter 1: Deal with the Devil

From deep within the Decepticon flagship Conquest the Liege Maximo allowed himself a small smile as he viewed the tactical data from his latest campaign. The planet of Midgar was now fully under Decepticon control, with almost non-exsistant troop losses and the securing of a massive supply of energon, enough to provide for the energy needs of his troops for decades to come.

"My liege?"

Maximo turned from the viewscreen to gaze at one of his personal guard. "What is it?"

"The Transformer who requested an audience with you is ready."

The merest hint of disgust crossed the Liege's face as he remembered his appointment. It had been three days ago that a lone shuttle had contacted the Conquest requesting an audience with the Liege. It had come as a surprise to all onboard that the shuttle's pilot was not only a Generation 1 Transformer, but an Autobot as well. Taking the shuttle onboard the pilot was subjected to the most thorough search imaginable. When he was found to be unarmed, Maximo shocked his crew by granting the Autobot's request for an audience. The fact that he had the gall to actually seek out the most powerful of all the Generation 2 Decepticons and demand to see him impressed the Liege. At any rate, if the Autobot had nothing of value to offer or say, they could simply eliminate him with no hassle whatsoever.

Sitting on his throne, Maximo signaled the guardsman to let the Autobot in. The green and silver bot nodded and left the room, returning with a large Transformer, his armor a gleaming gold and black, his body strong and tough with a pair of black thin blades of metal formed into an X on his back. Maximo noticed that he wore no sigil anywhere on his body. Once he reached the throne's steps the Autobot bowed, smiling.

"My liege", the Autobot said, placing his fist against his chest plate in a Decepticon salute. "I am most honored that you have chosen to –"

"More matter, with less art", the Liege rumbled. He despised false platitudes.

The Autobot's smile never wavered.

"Of course, forgive me. I come to offer you a trade."

This amused the Liege.

"A trade, you say? And what could you offer me that I want?"

"The sparks of the Generation 1 Transformers, to do with as you wish."

This caused the Liege to pause, albeit briefly. "And in return?"

"In return", the Autobot said, finally getting to his feet, " you allow me to join your great army."

"You wish to join us? Are you not an Autobot?"

The Autobot's face darkened briefly before he won control of his emotions. "I was, once. I no longer wish to remain a part of that faction."

The Liege considered this for a moment. "How do you plan to carry out your end of the bargain?"

At this the Autobot's smile widened as he replied, "The Unicron Grimoire."

The Liege sat stunned for a moment at what the Autobot mentioned.

"Is a myth", the Liege said, as if he were finishing the Autobot's sentence.

"Is real", the Autobot countered. "I have a contact on Cybertron who was a member of the Cult of Unicron some years back. He showed my holo-images of the book they had used as their Bible." The next words the Autobot spoke were just loud enough to barely hear. "He knows where it lays."

Almost stunned the Liege sat back on his throne and processed this information. Just as the Matrix was the repository of Primus's power, so too was the Unicron Grimoire the source of Unicron's power. It was said that, upon the Chaos-Bringer's death the Grimoire would absorb his full power and store it within the book's pages. The power of a Dark God, the prize for any who could decipher the book's key…or so the legend went.

The Liege was not one for believing in myths and legends. But then, that was what he had believed Primus and Unicron to be. The Unicron War of 1991 had shattered that illusion…

"If you know where it is, why do you request our help?"

"The tunnels which lead to the book's resting place are heavily monitored", the Autobot explained. "I need either a significant distraction or a powerful strike force if I am to traverse the tunnels safely. Besides," At this point the Autobot's tone took on a vaguely hypnotic tone, "the power of the Grimoire can only be utilized by one whose spark is old enough and powerful enough to absorb it…one such as yourself, my Liege…"

Maximo thought about this. The power of a god, his to command…there would be no limit to how far the Decepticon cause could be furthered!

"I will grant your request Autobot. Be warned, however, that if you play me false…"

"That is the furthest thing from my mind, my Liege", the Autobot saluted and bowed again. "I shall return to Cybertron and make ready your arrival. Once all has been prepared I shall contact you."

Maximo watched the Autobot leave and allowed a rare smile to once again cross his face. The destruction of the ancient and obsolete Generation 1Transformers and the means to dominate the entire Universe…this endeavor could well prove to be the most profitable in galactic history.

*****

Outside the throne room, the Autobot allowed himself a smile of his own. The part of his plan he thought would be the most difficult in fact proved to be the easiest. That power hungry fool would be the instrument with which he could –

"Yeeeruuuuughhh…", the Autobot hissed as yet another unwanted memory hit him with enough force to force him into a crouching position.

"I'm back…and I'm NOT happy!"

"Honestly, Prime…don't you have a muzzle for him?"

"How well we know each other…"

"Damn you Megatron", the Autobot hissed as the memories faded. The chip which blocked the mind link was nigh on foolproof, but it still couldn't block out the memories, especially ones as recent as these.

"Oh well", the Autobot sighed as he got to his feet and made his way to the shuttle bay, "it won't be a problem for much longer."

And with that he chuckled.

To be continued…