Prologue

Darkmount, Cybertron…

The sun had begun to rise over the towering structure that had once been the leader of the Decepticon's military fortress. Darkmount had never suffered much damage during the planetary conflict but had eventually succumbed to dilapidation and neglect, with its dark, silent corridors and chambers been only recently disturbed by a number of visits from Autobots, Decepticons, and even Predacons.

But underneath the main tower, overhead lights flickered casting a dull glow and soft hum. A main corridor leading down to a vast cavern containing many objects of various shapes and sizes. Though all different, their appearances all seemed to convey a sense that they were for scientific purposes. However this was probably due to the fact that the majority of them were designed and built by the same person.

That person was now in the centre of the room, standing over a device covered by a tarpaulin. He made no attempt to uncover it, as if he was waiting for something or someone. Merely a moment later, his patience was rewarded.

The clicking of heels echoed throughout the room as Starscream walked forward. The seeker's entire frame was covered in scratches and dents, a result from his encounter with the Predacons upstairs a day or so ago. Having narrowly escaped their talons he had remained hidden until his attackers had vacated the premises. Only then had he made his way down here in response to his co-conspirator's message.

Upon hearing the sound of footsteps, the other person spoke. "Where is Lord Megatron?" He asked not turning round.

"Megatron will not be joining us." Starscream replied. "It would seem he has suffered a change of spark, surprisingly by the hands of the chaos-bringer himself."

As usual, Shockwave's tone contained no emotion. "No matter. After all, our leader will have no memory of what is about to occur."

"You only have one shot at this, Shockwave." Starscream sneered. "I don't have to remind you about what happened the last time you tried this."

"Trial and error plays a crucial role in science, Starscream. Furthermore I discovered that the previous attempt was simply the result of improper power utilization." Shockwave explained. "Given past events and after studying the remains of the Omega lock, I am certain that we shall be successful."

Though still doubtful, Starscream nodded and watched as the scientist pulled the tarpaulin to reveal a strange looking machine. It was the size of three Cybertronians, with a headset with electrodes sticking out of it, a control panel and monitor, and giant metal coils that stood out like antennas.

Shockwave turned to his fellow Decepticon and gestured towards the contraption. "Put on the headset." He commanded.

"Will it hurt?" asked Starscream.

"It will kill you." Shockwave replied simply, however it was enough to repel the seeker.

"Do require another explanation of what we are about to undertake and the result thereof?" he asked

"And if it doesn't work?!"

"It will."

He should have been terrified right now, but Starscream maintained his composure. He knew what was about to happen, even if he wouldn't remember afterwards. Walking up to the machine he reached out and grabbed the headset. Lowering it onto his helm he heard clamps click shut and winced as microscopic needles in the electrodes buried themselves into his metal skull.

Shockwave pulled a lever and the machine began to whir.

"Don't you still need to hook it up to the core?" Starscream asked.

"That has already been taken care of." Shockwave said as the sound coming from the machine grew louder.

"Shockwave," Starscream shouted over the noise. "If this doesn't work, you are scrapped!"

Suddenly the monitor switched itself on and began to display a blurry image, slowly growing clearer as Starscream groaned in pain from the electrodes. The machine was now deafening. Shockwave never took his eyes off the monitor as the image of Autobots, Decepticons, and humans in glass pods standing underneath a glowing Omega lock came into focus. If Starscream could see the monitor, he would see that the image now turned video was what he had seen from his position that eventful day.

Shockwave's hand moved to a large switch on the panel. Timing was the key here.

"Ironic, giving what we're about to do." He thought to himself.

Readying his hand and ignoring Starscream's shrieks, he watched as events unfolded…

Cape Town, South Africa…

The groundbridge portal had just appeared, down a service alleyway near the water. No-one else had seen it given that it was now close to midnight and a cold wind had picked up. He had been sitting round the corner on a bench but the glowing green light had caught his attention.

For quite a while Alex did nothing but stare at it. Half of him was screaming at himself to run. Run for all he was worth and not look back. But the other half was holding that half at bay, arguing that there was nowhere to run to.

The last couple of hours had been an emotional rollercoaster. Alex had done the rounds through denial, anger, depression, the lot. And now, he was all of those things.

He looked around. He was alone. Alone in a world that wasn't his, and that he could never have.

He hated the Transformers. He hated the Autobots, the Decepticons, the humans involved. He wished that none of this had ever happened. He had laughed when he thought how people said they'd love to enter their fandoms and become a part of them. From what Alex had seen, that dream came with a few catches.

He looked down at his sword. He had drawn it the moment he had seen the portal, in preparation of something coming through. So far nothing. By now he had worked out that it was intended for him. But he didn't know where it led, what was waiting for him at the other side.

Suddenly and without thinking, Alex began to walk towards it. He raised his sword.

If it was Soundwave, Alex would hurt him.

If it was his death, he wouldn't live to know better anyway.

What did he have to lose?

The waterfront grew still once again as the portal vanished.

Sea of Rust, Cybertron, a few months earlier…

The light coming from above their heads was blinding and the sound of rushing energy deafening. Optimus Prime's eyes were wide at the sight of Megatron and his fellow Decepticons standing around the controls of a machine that would in mere moments annihilate all indigenous life on the planet Earth.

Megatron clenched his fists. "Such raw power." The titan remarked. "What shall I call my new domain? New Kaon? Or perhaps, gilded Earth!"

Optimum turned to look at his young human friends. Jackson Darby was pounding on the pod gals with his fists. "NO!" he shouted in frustration.

"Leave our planet alone!" Miko screamed along with him.

Optimum looked back at Megatron, who simply began to laugh. Which, after being joined in by his comrades, descended into a deep cackle.

A fury began to grow inside of Optimise. In one second he had made his decision. Transforming his hand into a sword he swiped at his captors sending several of them flying. Immediately he began to run towards the Star Sabre. This caught Megatron's attention. Grabbing the handle of the mighty weapon Optimus pulled it out of the ground and advanced towards the tyrant. Megatron responded by wielding his own sword and with a roar of anger, ran straight towards the Prime. Their blades met with a burst of incredible and explosive energy, each repelling the other along with their wielders. As both geared up to take another swing, Optimus appeared to be quicker in his actions, focusing on bringing his weapon down on his enemy's arm.

But somehow, despite the adrenalin now pumping through Optimus's spark and mind…

…Megatron was quicker.

Bringing his weapon upwards before the Prime could strike, the Dark Star Sabres sliced itself through Optimus's right arm, sending it and the Star Sabre crashing to the ground. Optimus groaned and collapsed to his knees, surrounded by his now disconnected limb and the weapon he had forged himself only hours ago. The Autobots and humans could do nothing but watch with horror and dismay, while the Decepticons grinned at the sight before them.

Optimus felt the coldness of Megatron's blade was rested on the back of his neck.

Megatron smiled. "The future is mine, Prime." He remarked.

"All mine."

To be continued…