The Transformers

The Instrument of Revenge

Epilogue

It was the year 2005…

The epic war was over and Unicron was destroyed. Rodimus Prime had finished his first speech as Autobot Commander and turned and walked off of the balcony and into the high tower behind him. As he moved through the former Decepticon headquarters he thought of the many tasks and duties that awaited him, but there was one important thing he had to complete first. He needed to take count of the many dead Autobots who had sacrificed their lives to win the final battles of the war. He could see Preceptor waiting for him up ahead, and in his hands was a data pad that without a doubt carried the names of those heroes.

To his side, he could see another Autobot repairing a damaged control station. With their recent return to their home world there were many repairs to be conducted. The Decepticons had caused much damage during their reign over the planet, but it was the recent attack by the planet-eating monster known as Unicron that had caused the most severe destruction. Autobots across the entire globe of Cybertron were repairing the planet, but Rodimus Prime signaled out this particular Autobot and moved to him.

"Skyfire, could I speak with you?"

The giant Autobot turned from the control station to face the new Autobot Commander. "Yes, Hot… I mean Rodimus Prime. Is there something I can do for you?"

Rodimus Prime was motioning for the two to step aside so no one could hear. Preceptor, who was still waiting, turned away and left as Rodimus looked up to Skyfire.

"We've been informed that Galvatron destroyed Starscream… I know that the two of you have gone your own ways, but I also know that you were once close friends… I just thought I should tell you..."

Skyfire crossed his arms and stood tall. "I am saddened by the news, but there is something else…"

"Something else? What do you mean Skyfire?" A puzzled expression crossed Rodimus Prime's face.

"Millions of years ago, when we were still close friends, Starscream was obsessed with immortality. He began conducting experiments that would preserve his laser core, in the case of his body's destruction…"

"Did he succeed?" asked Rodimus who now crossed his own arms.

"I don't know… His tests and experiments were progressing well beyond his expectations, but as the story goes, I was lost on Earth for the next four million years…"

"I see…" Rodimus reached high and tapped Skyfire on the shoulder. "Well, until I see his ghost I'm going to assume he's dead, and so should you…"

"Of course Rodimus…"

"Now, I've got to go and deal with more death… Thank you for the information Skyfire…" Rodimus Prime turned away to look for Perceptor, but Starscream was still on his mind. Was it possible he was still alive, even after reports indicated his body was completely destroyed by Galvatron? Was it even plausible that his laser core could survive? Rodimus could see Perceptor up ahead talking with Ultra Magnus and he knew those questions would have to be answered another day.

Chapter One - Realizations

Six years later…

The war between the Autobots and Decepticons was over and the Autobots had been victorious. With their victory the Autobots ushered in a new age of peace throughout the near areas of the galaxy, and with reborn leader Optimus Prime in command, the future looked even more promising. The evil Decepticons, down but not beaten, had retreated to the far reaches of the galaxy and unbeknownst to the Autobots had already begun to rebuild their devastated army. There was however another faction that was about to emerge on the scene and both the Autobots and the Decepticons, along with the rest of the galaxy, were about to face a threat unlike anything they had ever faced before.

Beyond Pluto was a solar system Transformer astronomers had named the Parses System. Three of the system's worlds were once inhabited by a technologically advanced species that had developed marvels that rivaled even the accomplishments of the Transformer race. Now they were gone. Like the Transformers, the once great race was ravaged by an internal war that eventually cost them their very existence. Now, these planets had new occupants and they had come for the rich power that once propelled the inhabitants of the Perses System to greatness.

On the largest of the once inhabited worlds, a group of Transformers stacked piles of energon; the life needed fuel that powered their systems. These Transformers were some forty-five feet fall, graced with claw-like hands and their metal bodies were midnight black. Their attention was drawn to the sky when they heard the approach of an airborne vehicle.

A Transformer jet sped along the now barren surface of the planet. Where once massive buildings and technological wonders existed, now all that remained was rubble and debris. He maneuvered around all of it until finally approaching his destination. Before him rested his massive two mile long battle cruiser and like bees feeding their queen, his Transformer army loaded the craft with as much energon as they could drain from the rich planet. He transformed to robot mode and landed upon the red colored ground. The Perses sun glared off of the tips of his gray wings, but the glare within his deep red eyes was even greater for it conveyed the arrogant belief that total victory would soon be his. The former second in command of the Decepticons, the Transformer known as Starscream raised his hands into the air so all could see him.

"Prepare for departure Destructicons, for within the next few days we are heading for the planet Symcon where I have learned Galvatron and the Decepticons have been hiding… It is time for them to pay! It is time for my revenge!" The Destructicon commander clenched his blue fists. Finally, he told himself, victory would be his, and everything he had endured would not been in vain. Galvatron would pay. All of the Decepticons would pay, and Starscream would be the one to make them do it.

Since his creation Starscream always believed he was destined to lead. When he finally joined the ranks of the Decepticons millions of years ago he truly believed that one day the mantle of leadership would be his. There was however one major problem. That problem was Megatron. It was through Megatron's ruthless aggression and superior intellect that the Decepticons conquered their home world of Cybertron. Megatron was built and programmed to lead besides the fact that no one even came close to matching his power and strength. No one was worthy enough to challenge him for the title. This did not mean that Starscream did not try.

He took every opportunity he could to challenge Megatron, and when there were signs that Megatron may in fact fall, Starscream was the first to step up and proclaim himself the new Decepticon leader. For some reason Megatron tolerated him. Even though he knew Starscream would stab him in the back at any second if given the chance, Megatron knew that he still had value and worth. There was however a last straw.

After a climatic battle with the Autobots, the Decepticons had retreated into space and headed for Cybertron. Among the critically injured were the Insecticons, Starscream's airborne partners Thundercracker and Skywarp, and even Megatron himself. It was then that Starscream cast them into space without hesitation. Believing this would surely be the last time Starscream would see Megatron, he proclaimed himself the new leader of the Decepticon Empire. As Starscream would soon learn, this would be a fatal error.

The planet-eating monster known as Unicron rebuilt and transformed Megatron into a new Decepticon known as Galvatron with power and strength that could not be measured. Unicron then took the remains of the other fallen Decepticons and created Galvatron's loyal troops Cyclonus, Scourge and his warriors the Sweeps. Galvatron and the newly created Decepticons then set course for Cybertron where they interrupted the coronation of Starscream. Galvatron transformed into his super-cannon mode and the problem that Starscream had always been was removed forever. At least that was what Galvatron believed.

Starscream's body was no more. Galvatron made certain to that, but his mutant spark had unexpectedly survived. After making a pact of his own with Unicron, Starscream was given a new body and was once again unleashed upon the galaxy. Now it was time for Galvatron to pay. Now it was time to finally unleash his fury.