Foreword:

Greetings, readers, to Transformers: Deception. This is a project that I have been working on for two years now, which is now in its third iteration, since I have decided to start over from scratch. I hope to entertain you all with a story for which I have much passion, and I hope to expect feedback from at least some of you. I do have major plans for the series, but I am open to most suggestions (besides original characters, of which I will only include three). I intend this to serve as a basis for a stop-motion project that I have been yearning to undertake for some time now. Anyways, on with the show!

-Wildhead

"We were once a proud and peaceful race. We were once paragons to the whole galaxy. We were once great innovators and diplomats. We were once happy and fulfilled. And then came the war."

-Optimus Prime

Transformers: Deception

Episode One: Prelude to Chaos

The orange-red rays of Solis shone down on the skyline of Iacon. It was a lazy, peaceful day for most, especially for those who worked in one of Iacon's most prominent buildings, the Iacon Library. On one of the many levels of the structure, a small-framed red-and-blue robot was pushing a cart. He stopped and stood in one of the long rays of sunlight being cast through a large nearby window, looking out onto Iacon, with a sigh.

"Never ceases to amaze," he said, wistfully.

He turned back to his duties, strolling up and down the aisles full of datatracks, restocking them as necessary. As he passed a nearby stairwell, a rather large-built silver-and-black robot climbed onto the former's floor, looking rather jovial.

"Orion!" he exclaimed.

The red-and-blue robot turned at the calling of his name to see his old friend and drinking buddy, Megatron.

"Megs!" Orion laughed as they embraced as old friends would.

"So you've been cooped up here all day? Sideswipe and I've been looking for you for hours!" Megatron said as he held Orion at arm's length.

"Come on, you know I have pretty long hours here." Orion shuffled out of Megatron's grasp.

"Yeah, we know, but don't you ever get bored of it all?" Megatron inquired.

Orion looked back towards the long rays of the afternoon sun and replied, "I guess I just like the quiet."

Megatron scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Well, while you're admiring the scenery, Sideswipe and I are gonna hit up Maccadam's. Maybe score a fembot or two, eh?" he added slyly, nudging Orion.

"Have fun," Orion said as he turned back to his cart. "See ya later, Megs."

"See ya, Pax." Megatron turned and walked back downstairs, leaving Orion Pax to his work.

Sentinel Prime was overlooking the skyline of Iacon from his quarters in the Decagon, Cybertron's capital building. He was slightly hunched over, arms behind his back, perturbed by the news he had just heard barely a cycle ago. What could this mean for the future of Cybertron...?

On the opposite side of the room, an elevator chimed, and two of Sentinel's advisors, which looked remarkably alike each other, stepped out.

"You called us, sir?" asked one of them.

"Yes, Springer." Despite Sentinel Prime's old age, he managed to keep his strength, which was apparent in his voice. He turned to face his trusted advisors. "You've heard the news, haven't you?"

Springer nodded solemnly, with a slight frown. "Looks like Tarn's fallen, with Vos soon to follow."

"And what of our efforts to contain this... this rebellion?" Sentinel Prime inquired, with a frail tinge to his voice. "Have the Elite Guard been effective?"

This time, the other advisor, Sandstorm, spoke. "I'm afraid they're only slowing the rebels down. They are only a police force, after all."

Sentinel Prime turned back towards the window, shutting it with the push of a button. "Springer, bring Delta Major up here. Tell him it's urgent."

Both Sandstorm and Springer left on his command, the latter assuring Sentinel Prime that it would be done. The old, frail leader of Cybertron turned back towards the now-closed window.

"This is the end."