Transformers: Robots in Disguise 2
Cybertron- It has been a planet of precious peace and productivity. The planet's native inhabitants, the Autobots are led by Optimus Prime, the ever heroic Autobot who leads his race by example and is regarded as all as the shining example of what any and every Autobot can become.
For centuries, an evil robotic race known as the Predacons tore through the cosmos like a destructive symphony tearing through the serenity of space. But finally, after countless years of fighting and struggle, Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots were finally able to defeat their arch nemesis, Galvatron and his evil forces on a small planet known as Earth.
Following their defeat, Galvatron and his soldiers found themselves arrested and imprisoned inside the giant Autobot known as Fortress Maximus who, in his alternate mode as a giant battle station, left Earth and travelled the galaxy, back to Cybertron where the evil Predacons, and the Predacon platoon known as the Decepticon Commandos were brought to justice, and it was decided they would be incarcerated for their crimes against the universe. Galvatron and his evil warriors found themselves imprisoned on a gigantic asteroid that was turned into a galactic prison for the universe's most evil and dangerous criminals.
And so, the universe returned to a state of peace, but it was not to last. For while the evil Galvatron and his followers' evil symphony was silenced, a new orchestra was preparing a song of their own- a song that was sure to guarantee the end of peace in the universe….
Episode 1- The More Things Change...
Chapter 1
From afar in space, the planet Cybertron resembled a shining pearl that was nestled in a dark silk sheet that was space. Quiet and distant from even the worlds closest to it, Cybertron sat still as the many powerful lights on the planet's surface cast a strong, bright glow. But, as the planet continued to sit quietly in space, if one was able to inspect the planet's surface from afar, they would have noticed a pinprick of light flash on the surface of the planet. After a moment's pause, the pinprick of light was followed by another flash, then another...and another.
But, while the flashes of light may have been pinpricks if viewed from off the planet's surface, then one would have been shocked to know that those same pinpricks of light were in fact large explosions that broke the sound barrier with aggressive sound, as the energy of the explosions sent a wave of intense heat across the planet's surface, forcing the inhabitants of that sector of Cybertron to scatter in a desperate bid to save their own lives. The sounds of destruction from the explosions were frightening; the whizzing sound and sight of laser blasts, both shots that were trained and errant caused heads to turn in terrified vigilance. Those who were only civilians and not trained for warfare would have had a life cycle expectancy of mere minutes, if that.
Fortunately though, the robots in the offhanded battle zone weren't of the civilian kind, and were instead members of the Autobots army. Those members of the Autobots' military, well versed in combat and had hundreds to thousands of years of armed service running through their circuits were once again defending Cybertron -more specifically, Cybertron's capital known as Auto-City- from a dangerous enemy. Looking from a trench that was fenced with a row of scrap metal and wreckage, the Autobot known as X-Brawn looked on to watch a group of Predacons slowly pressing their advantage as they made their way towards the Autobots' position on the other side of the large open courtyard before Auto-City's Capitol, which was known as Iacon. Laser fire from the Predacons continued to stream violently around X-Brawn and the other Autobots in a rainbow of beautiful yet deadly colours, which forced X-Brawn to duck down into the trench for safe cover to weather the laser storm that the Autobots' enemies had presented him. Then, picking his moment, X-Brawn raised himself up out of the top of the trench before he fired his silver laser rifle, which he affectionately called his bronco blaster, from left to right in a rapid fire motion. He watched as one by one, each Predacon that was in his line of sight quickly dropped to the metallic street with explosions emanating from the front of their torsos, but before X-Brawn could admire his well placed shots, he groaned in desperation as another line of fresh Predacons ran and leaped over their fallen comrades as they continued on their way to storm Iacon tower.
"These varmints are tougher than week ol' asteroid steak." X-Brawn muttered before he ducked another Predacon shot.
"I don't get why we're just staying here like sitting ducks," the blue Autobot to X-Brawn's left, Side Burn then spoke. "If we went super mode on these guys, you and I could clear this front line and send the rest of the Preds retreating!"
"We can't do that," X-Brawn answered. "Our energon levels won't sustain our super modes for long. 'Sides, we made a pact we wouldn't. Remember, little brother?"
"That was a dumb pact from the start." Side Burn grumbled.
"Either way, I'm the boss hog of this corral, partner." X-Brawn reminded his Autobot sibling.
"Huh. Then how about leading us forward instead of keeping us sat down?"
Despite the brash tone from Side Burn, X-Brawn couldn't help but reflect on how Side Burn may have been right. Currently, he was the leader of the squad of Autobots who had been charged with defending Iacon and driving the Predacons away, but he had done little to actually complete his mission. When X-Brawn and Side Burn had become separated from other members of his unit, he had led the remaining members of his squad, who had included himself and Side Burn back to near the front of the Iacon tower, to a trench that had been made with some quick thinking and rapid firepower. Since then, the Autobots had simply held their position to keep the Predacons from advancing any further, but as was becoming evident with every passing moment, X-Brawn's plan was slowly failing, for the Predacons were now beginning to advance with every wave that kept replacing the last, inch by precious inch. It was then that X-Brawn realized it was time for his small force to step up their game. Once again lowering himself down into the trench, away from the constant Predacon attack, X-Brawn looked to his right to see three white Autobots who stood towering over himself and Side Burn.
"Boys, this is getting serious." X-Brawn began. "You got enough juice left to bring it together and form Rail Racer?"
"Form Rail Racer?" The white blue and golden Autobot echoed. "Oh, I fear such an exploit would now deplete our remaining energon."
"It's either that, or we become scrap where we stand, Midnight Express." The oldest of the three large Autobots, named Railspike replied upon Midnight Express' well spoken claim. "You've got it, X-Brawn."
"Let's do it, boys!" The final Autobot giant, Rapid Run then agreed. "Form Rail Racer!"
"Bullet fusion mode!"
Together, the trio of giant Autobots lowered their weapons as they prepared to change their form. One at a time, each of the giant robots began a complex transformation, with each one seeming to transform into what looked to be different body parts. The well spoken Autobot, Midnight Express' head retracted into his body as his arms did the same thing. At the same time, the oldest of the three, Railspike began to transform, with his body turning into a large set of shoulders and a head, which slotted onto the torso that Midnight Express had transformed into. Finally, the most laid back of the group, Rapid Run transformed into back armour, which attached itself to the large body. Finally, two large arms appeared on the large set of new shoulders, and the eyes in the new giant head of the Autobots' combined form surged into life with red energy.
"Triple power- Rail Racer!"
With a renewed resolve, the combined Autobots, known in their combined form as Rail Race stood tall out of the trench, towering over all present in the battle zone. Taller than the three separate members of Team Bullet Train, if it was possible to comprehend such a thing, Rail Racer stepped up out of the trench, where he once again towered over his approaching enemies, who quickly stopped in mid run to look at the giant Autobot combiner before them.
Looking back towards his enemies, Rail Racer's electronic eyes glowed red with energy once more behind his large, green visor. Then, opening his right fist so that his palm was exposed, the giant Autobot pulled his arm back, only to thrust it out towards his left. He crouched down as his hand cut through the air, so that it was at the Predacons level, and unable to move out of the way in time, they fell victim to Rail Racer's heavy swipe as the Autobot struck them down with very little effort. But, like before, as the previous line of Predacons fell to the ground in a heap, another wave of Predacons rushed towards Rail Racer; these ones hungrier strike down their enemies, and these ones uncaring that a giant stood in between them accomplishing their goal.
As if they shared one mind, the Predacons each took a gigantic leap into air with such power that they caused the dust and debris around their feet to fly from the ground as they jumped. Once up in the air and at Rail Racer's chest level, the Predacons immediately fired their weapons at the Bullet Train's combined form, who quickly raised his arms before his chest in an x formation so that he could shield himself from the Predacons' furious attack. The Predacons dropped to the ground, feet first one by one as they saw that Rail Racer's white forearms were now a charred black. Smoke wisped up from the Autobot's fresh wounds as Rail Racer lowered his arms with a look of anger on his face before he immediately acted in retaliation by clasping his large hands together. Then, as if holding a heavy axe or sword in his hands, Rail Racer raised his arms over his head only to slam his hands down towards the ground, with the unfortunate Predacon who had landed right before Rail Racer being crush under the full fury of Rail Racer's strike while another two Predacons fell in a heap to the ground from the shockwave caused by Rail Racer flattening the Predacon right before him while his fists collided with the ground.
"Cover 'im!" X-Brawn called to Side Burn, as he looked to see the surviving Predacons regrouping.
"You got it." Side Burn answered.
Rising up from the trenches once more, X-Brawn held his bronco blaster aloft once again, where he aimed it at the first Predacon that came into his sights. Then, as that very Predacon landed in his crosshairs, X-Brawn fired a succession of three orbs of laser fire from his weapon, which quickly shot through the air and collided with their target. Each orb of golden laser energy exploded as they collided with the Predacon's chest and metallic abdomen, which immediately sent the enemy crashing back first to the ground as it exploded in a shower of sparks and metal shards. The unexpected attack had ceased the proceedings between Rail Racer and the remaining Predacons as all eyes turned to look towards X-Brawn and Side Burn who now charged from their position in the trench.
"X-Brawn, transform!"
"Side Burn, transform!"
On those words, the two Autobot brothers transformed to their vehicle modes following a series of mechanical clicks and whirs from the contortions of their bodies. Fully transformed as a silver Mercedes 4x4 and blue Dodge Viper respectively, the two Autobots raced towards the battle, where with no trepidation, X-Brawn led the charge by plowing straight into the first Predacon in his path. As X-Brawn mowed him down, another Predacon was taken by surprise by Side Burn who applied his brakes and turned as he skidded into a tailspin, with the rear of his car form clipping the Predacon's legs so that he too crashed to the ground. The screeching of tyres and roars of powerful engines exerting each rev echoed through the sky as, one by one, each Predacon was sent to the ground in a heap, and as the last Predacon fell from the combined effort of Side Burn and X-Brawn, the two Autobots quickly transformed to their robot modes as they now stood beside their giant friend.
"Your actions weren't necessary," Rail Racer began. "But they were appreciated."
"Anytime." Side Burn replied as he performed the peace sign with his fingers.
A jovial air now hung around the gathered Autobots as their enemies lay prone, or dead around them. However, they found that the jovial nature of their surroundings would not last as the surviving Predacons began to move. But, before the Autobots could notice and act to stop them, the remaining Predacons leaped to their feet in unison, only to retreat back some distance away from the Autobots. Then, in a terrifying final step, the remaining Predacons quickly transformed where they melded together to form a gigantic Predacon combiner- larger than even the mighty Rail Racer himself. Stunned, the Autobots watched with a sense of helplessness as the giant stomped towards them, with every step causing the very ground around them and beneath them to rumble as the giant cast a large shadow over X-Brawn, Side Burn and Rail Racer, who prepared to act in retaliation.
"Oh, scrap..." X-Brawn bluntly announced.
"Look out!" Rail Racer cried.
Within a fraction of a second, both X-Brawn and Side Burn found themselves stunned as they were thrown backwards off their feet, falling to the ground many feet behind Rail Racer, who had swiftly shoved the pair to the rear. Looking up from his prone position, X-Brawn saw that the Autobot had selflessly shoved his friends back, out of harms way as the giant Predacon who lurched forwards to make an attack- a simple, straight punch; but, it was all the giant needed to do. However, Rail Racer continued to show his quick thinking and swift reflexes by raising his own hands up into the air, where he caught the giant's fist in his cupped palms. Watching on, X-Brawn and Side Burn observed in stupefied amazement to see that even the mighty Rail Racer struggled to keep the Predacon at bay. With his feet dug hard into the ground, he attempted to keep the Predacon from breaking through his grip and finishing his attempted punch that would probably render Rail Racer unconscious, but with every second that passed, even Rail Racer knew that he grew that much weaker against the giant's tenacity and strength.
"He's gonna need a hand." X-Brawn said to Side Burn.
"Right." Side Burn echoed. "Then let's switch to super mode."
"No." X-Brawn replied. "That ain't happenin'; we agreed."
"Are you nuts?" Side Burn snapped. "Look at that thing!"
"We made a pact, so we honour it." X-Brawn explained. "'sides, we can't rely on our super modes like a crutch all the time. We gotta learn to deal without 'em."
Despite not wanting to settle for using their super form, X-Brawn felt that the pair would have no choice soon as Rail Racer began to show signs that he was about to falter against the giant. Their super modes, given to them by errant stream of radiation that came from the Autobot Matrix- a power bestowed to the Autobot leader by Cybertron's All Spark- allowed not only Side Burn and X-Brawn, but Prowl too, to manipulate the radiation inside them to give them amazing strength and speed, while also causing their armour to change colour as a by product. Unfortunately, because of the unstable nature of the radiation, the Autobot brothers were unable to retain the power for very long, and once the cycle passed, the three would always find themselves too weak to even move. Because of this, X-Brawn, as the oldest of the three, took the liberty of making the decision that they could only use their super modes when the situation was at its bleakest. Prowl agreed to X-Brawn's decision, but Side Burn was not keen to the pact, missing the point that they couldn't tap into the power like a never ending supply. Someday, the power may leave them forever. But, facing a giant, that threatened to run right over their own giant combiner, Rail Racer, X-Brawn wondered what else they could do before resorting to such a desperate measure.
A situation quickly presented itself before X-Brawn was able to decide what to do. Watching on, X-Brawn looked to see a streak of green and pink rush towards the giant Predacon. Once near the Predacon, the colourful streak began to rush quickly around the giant Predacon's ankles, and following a few laps, the Predacon found that its legs had come together, bound by what X-Brawn noticed as a thick, steel cable. With the cable tied tightly around the giant's ankles, the colourful streak raced away from the two grappling giants, where it skidded to a halt and transformed from a pink, white and green indy car, into an Autobot warrior.
"Okay, Tow-Line," the Autobot, known as Skid-Z called. "Wagons roll!"
With its legs restrained, the giant Predacon took its attention away from Rail Racer, allowing the Autobot combiner a reprieve, which he took as he stepped back towards the two Autobot brothers. Looking on, the group watched as Skid-Z quickly rushed away from the scene, past a powerful looking green and orange tow truck that revved its mighty diesel engine at that moment. Plumes of black exhaust fumes spewed from the truck's smokestacks as the truck struggled to move forwards as its cable and hook were the very thing that had tied the Predacon's legs together, who was now snarling from the situation.
"Nrg...He ain't no little man!" The tow truck, known to his Autobot cohorts as Tow Line grunted.
"Come on, Tow Line!" Side Burn cried as he pumped the air with his fist. "You can take down that fat 'con!"
Side Burn's encouragement seemed to send a surge of power rushing through the tow truck's engine. Reflecting on Side Burn's comment, the powerful, if slightly dim witted Tow Line seemingly realized that if Side Burn said he could do it, then he actually could! He revved his engine once more, which roared through the skies of Auto-City with the very sound resembling that of a mighty lion. Then, second by second, and inch by inch, Tow Line found his tyres actually moving forward as he found that he began to overpower the combined Predacon and actually begin to pull at his legs. Slowly but surely, the Autobot team looked on to see the Predacon giant leaning further and further forwards, until suddenly, Rail Racer, X-Brawn and Side Burn were perplexed as the giant's shadow once again loomed over them while the giant continued to slowly lean forwards until it was horizontal to the ground- which it was dropping straight towards!
"Take cover!" Rail Racer warned.
In fear for their lives, the three Autobots quickly rushed away from the building they had fought hard to defend for the sake of ensuring they weren't crushed under the titanic Predacon's weight. The giant Predacon could do nothing as it watched the ground rapidly approaching it's face; instead, it simply let out an angered cry of humiliation at being made to fall by an insignificant little Autobot. Its body hit the ground, causing the metallic terrain that comprised the planet to rumble violently, immediately throwing X-Brawn, Side Burn and Skid-Z all off their feet, with even Rail Racer falling from the tremors that followed from the giant's fall. The force of the fall, combined with his weakened state caused Rail Racer to separate back into his separated Bullet Train components, Midnight Express, Railspike and Rapid Run, who lay prone on the ground, silent and motionless, much like the other Autobots in the vicinity.
A stillness hung in the air as X-Brawn began to recover. As the first to initially sit up, albeit with a groan, the silver Autobot began to look around, which was at first a difficult task, due to the thick veil of dust that had been thrown up into the air due to the giant Predacon's fall. Faced with that problem, X-Brawn activated a thermal scanned inside his robotic eyes, allowing his sight to cut through the dust so that he could see if any of the Autobots were still functional following the incident. His head turned from left to right as he slowly scanned his surroundings. Team Bullet Train were scattered a few feet apart from each other, while Skid-Z had found himself hunched over the broken foundations of a structure that had been destroyed earlier in the battle. Tow Line, still in his vehicle form, was lying on his side, and finally, X-Brawn's gaze rested on Side Burn, who lay flat on his front beside him.
"Side Burn!" X-Brawn stated in shocked.
Kneeling down, X-Brawn softly took his youngest brother in his hands before carefully turning him over, so he could see the extent of his injuries. Luckily, X-Brawn thought, his damaged seemed to be superficial, as some moderate dents to his upper body had taken place. But, X-Brawn thought, the moderate would be considerable to the young Autobot, who when awoken, would be horrified to see the special targeting lens that hung over his right eye was shattered, while they were also some dents in his face.
"Mm...X-Brawn..." Side Burn weakly muttered, before his robotic eyes shone with life. "Did we win?"
"It sure looks that way, lil' brother." X-Brawn chuckled with relief.
X-Brawn continued to hold his weak and weary brother cradled in his arms while the sounds of movement began to occur. X-Brawn took his attention away from Side Burn to look around and see the other Autobots begin to stir, before they slowly and painfully rose to their feet. Rapid Run first, who helped the older Railspike to his feet. Then, Skid-Z painfully picked himself up off the broken foundations he found himself on, only to then help Tow Line back upright as he transformed to his robot mode, with his gear crunching painfully in such a way that X-Brawn visibly winced at the sound. Finally, with a loud groan, Midnight Express stood, only to lean against Railspike, who took the strain of his partner's weight.
"Oh dear," Midnight Express sighed. "That was a tough one."
"Not too tough, I hope." A voice suddenly echoed. "That wasn't actually on a hard setting, you know."
Following the voice, the Autobots heard a sound, similar to that of a power turbine that was slowly begin to churn to a stop. The sound of depleting power continued for a few moments, then the Autobots looked around to see that their surroundings were beginning to slowly fade away. The broken buildings, the trenches and wrecks that had surrounded them faded away into nothingness, leaving the prestine surroundings of Auto-City behind. There were no trenches, no wrecks, no destroyed buildings, and perhaps best of all, there were no Predacons, or a Predacon giant as they too had also all faded away. Standing not too far off to the right of the trench where the Autobots had fought were another pair of Autobots. One was painted black, with orange flames painted on his black chest, while the other was a bright yellow Autobot in contrast. He too had a special paint job on his chest plate, but his artwork was of a red eagle.
"So tell us, Hot Shot," Rapid Run began, referring to the black Autobot. "How'd we do?"
"The computer's processing your score." Hot Shot announced, looking to a small computer, which sat on four, slender, silver legs. "Hm...According to this, your group's score is about 75%. Not bad."
"Aw, nuts and bolts." X-Brawn muttered as he stood with Side Burn. "What was the last team's score?"
"92%." The yellow and red Autobot, REV revealed. "That was a team of Mirage, Iron Hide, WARS, Prowl and Optimus Prime."
"Huh. Three of your Spychangers." Rapid Run said. "Sounds to me like you took it easy on 'em."
"You know we wouldn't do that." Hot Shot replied. "Optimus Prime wouldn't allow such a thing."
"Now, now." Railspike began. "We just have to work at it. We'll do better next time, lads."
"If that's the best you've got, you'd better prey to the Allspark that Cybertron never comes under attack!"
The harsh comment, that came from a gruff, bordering on venomous voice caused the gathered Autobots to turn and look in surprise to see a new figure had arrived. Looking tall and powerful, the blue and white Transformer stood taller than most, save for Team Bullet Train, who had a few feet on him. Silver wings sprouted out from either side of his broad back, while he stood on thick blue legs, that comprised most of the height of his body. Yellow eyes narrowed, burning a hole of disdain right through the combined group of Autobots who looked back, seeing that the golden Autobot insignia in the center of the robot's forehead shone from the bright Auto-City lights.
"Ultra Magnus, you're back." said Railspike.
"Sure looks that way." Ultra Magnus answered dismissively. "It also looks like things haven't changed much. Since the end of the war, you gear heads are still playing with your simulators. Heh, can't even get a flawless score on it, either."
"Sorry we can't all be big, bad hombres like you." X-Brawn grunted. "What're you doin' back, anyhow? I thought you were leavin' and never comin' back."
"I have my reasons." Ultra Magnus spat. "One of them is to see your glorious leader." He continued, finishing his sentence with sarcasm. "Where is he?"
"If you're referring to Optimus Prime, then he is where you would expect to find him- in Iacon tower." Midnight Express answered.
"You're right, he's as predictable as always." Ultra Magnus replied.
Saying nothing more, Ultra Magnus began to walk. As each of his footsteps sent a hard echo through the air, the Autobots watched as the large Autobot casually walked past them with the same look of disdain on his face. They watched, only until they saw him making his way for the entrance to the large Iacon tower.
"Hold up, partner." X-Brawn called out. "Where ya goin'?"
The question caused Ultra Magnus to stop as he reached the glass and golden metal metal. He rose his head, but didn't bother to turn his head back around to look at X-Brawn, as in his mind, that would have been too polite- and Ultra Magnus wasn't in the right frame of mind to remember his manners. Instead, he simply glared at the figure of X-Brawn that he could see in the reflection of the glass in the door.
"I told you, I'm here to see Optimus."
"Optimus Prime isn't to be disturbed." Tow Line announced in his low toned voice.
"Is that so?" Ultra Magnus asked.
If the Autobots expected Ultra Magnus forget about his own reasons and respect what he had just been told, then they were shocked to see that Ultra Magnus said nothing more, but instead walked through the door, which opened and closed behind him automatically. Appalled, the group of Autobots watched Ultra Magnus walked through the entrance hall of the tower, still hearing his clanking footsteps against the metallic floor, until he turned a corner in the corridor, disappearing from sight.
"Why that insufferable, insubordinate..." REV began. "We should teach him what do not disturb means!"
"Forget it." Hot Shot muttered. "Just let him go."
"Yeah." X-Brawn agreed. "Y'know what Magnus is like. If it came down to it, the only way we could stop him is with force. Right now, I'm too tuckered out for that, and besides, Side Burn needs some time in a repair chamber."
"I wonder what he came back for." Skid-Z asked. "Like you said, X-Brawn, he said he was never coming back."
"Who knows." Railspike shrugged. "The only Autobot who knows is Ultra Magnus himself, but I've got a feeling his return doesn't actually mean anything good."
As the Autobots began to leave and only wonder at what Ultra Magnus' reasons for storming past them were, the Autobot renegade intended to broadcast his reasons soon enough. Keeping his head bowed towards the floor with an angry look adorning his face, Ultra Magnus stomped through the corridors of Iacon, causing any Autobot who came before him to quickly step out of his way, so as not to face his wrath. Ultra Magnus was always one to wear his metaphorical heart on his sleeve; if he was in a bad mood, it was easily identifiable by the look on his face, and usually by his walk also. Many Autobots had learned in the past that if Ultra Magnus was in a less than pleasant frame of mind that they should simply move out of his way and let him continue on with no questions asked. Today, Ultra Magnus was in a particularly surly mood, and as he stepped in to the the elevator that would take him to the top floor of the Iacon tower, he punched the button on the elevator angrily as the elevator then began its ascent. With a grunt, Ultra Magnus rested his back against the wall of the elevator behind him as he glared at the small led screen above the door of the elevator. Iacon tower had 100 floors, but it took only seconds to find himself within 10 floors of reaching his destination, until finally, with a pinging sound, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. This allowed Ultra Magnus to continue on his journey, which he did by angrily stomping out of the elevator, and through the only door that stood before him. With only mere feet standing between the elevator and the door, Ultra Magnus quickly walked through it before his eyes then widened at the scene before him.
The room Ultra Magnus stood in was a large, oval shaped room. Built with golden metal walls, the walls were lined with different holographic portraits of former Autobot leaders who had served through the centuries. The floor was lined with a white floor, that led to a large desk, which had a large computer and computer monitor on it, along with countless data pads that were neatly piled in two trays aside of one another. However, it wasn't these things that caused Ultra Magnus eyes to twitch. Instead, it was the figure, who was as large and looked as powerful as he did, sitting behind the desk that had caused his reaction. Sitting behind the endless pile of work on his desk was the red and blue Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, whose reaction upon seeing Ultra Magnus was much like Magnus' own as Prime's eyes widened upon seeing Ultra Magnus standing in the center of his office.
"Ultra Magnus!" Optimus Prime exclaimed. "Welcome back. I didn't expect to see you."
"I figured." Ultra Magnus replied. "I didn't bother to send you an e-mail or anything, not that I would have."
"Well, all that matters is you're here now." Optimus Prime replied. "Come, sit." He continued, motioning to the chair opposite his desk. "Tell me where your sabbatical took you."
"Can the brotherly love and reunion, Prime." Ultra Magnus announced. "I'm not here for any of that, instead I'm here to call you out."
"Call me out?" Optimus Prime asked. "Magnus, I don't understand..."
"I haven't been off Cybertron taking a vacation to another star system, you know." Ultra Magnus began, now standing over Optimus Prime's desk.
"I've been scouring the cosmos, for Predacons and Decepticons. Do you know how long it takes a single Autobot to travel the ends of the universe in a 'con hunt? I'll tell you- it takes too long!"
If Optimus Prime wished to interject and stop Ultra Magnus in his tirade, he found it fruitless as Ultra Magnus, now with a metaphorical head of steam, as well as a mind full of anger continued.
"I figured that after our last chat, you would have gotten the hint, Prime, and sent at least some search parties out into space to look around. But I checked the mission and data logs on the Autobot server on my ship everyday, hoping that you'd give the word to start looking for the enemy. But no. Instead, what do you do? You declare the war over! Is your motherboard loose in there?"
"I gave such a decree because the war is over." Optimus Prime replied calmly, in a stark contrast to Ultra Magnus' rampage. "Galvatron, as well as his inner circle were captured and sent to the prison asteroid. You know that."
"Oh, so that makes it okay, huh?" Ultra Magnus hissed. "We can put down our weapons, hold hands and dance around Cybertron, just because Galvatron's behind laser bars? Wake up and smell the motor oil, Prime! Just because Galvatron's been put down doesn't mean that the other Predacons have simply given up! Out of the nine Predacons and Decepticon Commandos locked up, there are thousands more out there, somewhere in the stars. They'll never stop until Cybertron, and the very universe belongs to them."
"Listen to yourself, brother," Optimus Prime began. "You're reacting to something that we have no proof of. I'll admit, there are plenty of Predacons, and their Decepticon cousins left out there, but since their leader fell to our justice, they have taken to the deepest parts of space since even they know the war is over. Galvatron was on Earth for energy to power his war efforts, and when that failed, it meant that the Tri-Predacus war machine had no more life left in it. As far as I, and others in the upper tier of the Autobot ranks are concerned, the war is very much over."
Optimus Prime's small speech caused Ultra Magnus' eyes to narrow. He clenched his fists tight; so tight, that it caused his hands to shake as anger bubbled through his circuits. For a moment, he felt like all of time stood still, simply because of the sheer anger he felt at the hopelessness of trying to get his brother to understand his view. But, he couldn't take trying to prove his point with words any longer, as he settled on a physical reaction. Quickly, Ultra Magnus grabbed the nearest object on Prime's desk- the computer monitor, and with little effort, he snatched it up into the air, ripping the two cables out from it, which caused the screen to become engulfed in darkness. Then, as quickly as he snatched the monitor up into air, Ultra Magnus threw the monitor across the room, where it collided with the wall and shattered into a thousand pieces of glass and plastic on the floor. Still, with much fury flowing through him, Ultra Magnus slammed his right fist into Optimus Prime's desk and glared at his brother angrily.
"You never change, do you?" Ultra Magnus roared. "There's still much to be done out there, but just because the immediate threat is out of the way, you'll just pretend there's nothing to worry about. You'd sooner sit in your little office and file reports, than actively do your duty to the Autobots you're responsible for! You'd rather sit there and let the threat come to you, so it can take you unawares! You're not fit to be the Autobot leader; I don't know what the Allspark was thinking when it chose you over me! If I were the leader, this war wouldn't be considered over until the last 'con was a smoking pile of nuts and bolts underneath my feet!
Once again, Optimus Prime prepared to speak, but he was immediately cut off by Ultra Magnus, who continued his tirade.
"Well, you know what, Prime, if you're not going to do your job, I'm going to do it for you- again. I'm going back out there, and I'm going to find out what they're up to and I'm going to stop it- with or without your help. I returned because I figured maybe you'd want to get in on the ground floor and work together to make sure the threat to the universe was wiped out, but I guess I was wrong. You won't see me again until the rest of the 'con menace has been destroyed. When that's done, I'll be back to take the mantle of leadership from you, because I'll have proven my worth."
"That's where you're wrong!" Optimus Prime snapped as Ultra Magnus prepared to leave. "Steps have been taken to ensure a repeat of what happened on Earth never happens again! The prison asteroid is regularly policed by us to make sure that Galvatron never escapes, or that anyone tries to break him out of prison. We are not sitting idle and doing nothing, Ultra Magnus, you need to recognize that."
"Ahahaha, if that helps you sleep at night, Prime, then fine." Ultra Magnus laughed. "Just stay here, push your papers and pretend everything is okay. But sooner or later, you'll realize -much to your horror- that I was right."
With that, Ultra Magnus turned, then he quickly walked out of Optimus Prime's office, so that he couldn't give his brother a chance to stop him to reason with him. As Optimus Prime watched the door to his office close behind Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime simply slumped in his chair for a moment, then he allowed himself a long sigh. The confrontation with Ultra Magnus had made him weary, much like the last time the two had come to blows, over the same subject, in fact. The pair had co-operated for about two earth years in governing a new era of peace on Cybertron, following Galvatron's defeat. But, after those two years, talks had begun by Ultra Magnus as to what to do about the security of the rest of the universe. Soon, those talks to heated debates, and those debates then escalated into full arguments, with the breaking point being when Ultra Magnus had left the first time. He had been gone for a further eight Earth years, and his sudden return gave Optimus Prime hope that he was there to reconcile. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
Optimus Prime considered running after his brother to try and make him see reason, but he quickly dismissed such a thought. If there was any chance he could make Ultra Magnus see reason, he would have been able to do it during their volatile few minutes spent together in Prime's office. Instead, Optimus Prime simply sighed again, then he stood from his seat. He turned on his heel and strode over the far rear wall, where he looked out of the window, to the ground far below. Thanks to his robotic eyes, he zoomed his telescopic sight to the ground, where he saw Ultra Magnus angrily stomp out from Iacon. He watched Ultra Magnus transform into his vehicle mode of an armoured car carrier, then Ultra Magnus sped off into the distance, leaving Optimus Prime to wonder how many years it would be until Ultra Magnus returned.
Chapter 2
In Earth years, this day marked the ten year anniversary of Galvatron and his Earth based Predacon forces finally being defeated by the Autobots. While ten years was a long time for an Earthling, to those from Cybertron, ten Earth years was nothing but a drop in the ocean to their long life span. However, one race of Cybertronian beings found the last ten Earth years to be a long and depressing time.
The word of Galvatron's defeat on Earth had reached Cybertron long before Fortress Maximus had arrived on the Transformers' home planet, sending a wave of dread surging through the Predacon forces that Galvatron had left behind. Believing the news to be nothing more than rumour and wishful thinking, the Predacons carried on their war against the Autobots as they continually waged war across the planet which they desperately attempted to take over. But on the fateful day Fortress Maximus touched down on the metallic surface of Cybertron and revealed their great leader bound in magnetic cuffs, the order was given for the Predacons to retreat and withdraw into the darkness of space.
One Predacon in particular remembered that day well, and the very familiar events of that day flashed through his computerised brain as he flew through space. In his form as a large, metallic black Tiger with large purple wings, the Predacon banked sharply, dropping through space where it entered the atmosphere of a large rocky moon, with the ground getting closer and closer to it as it dropped towards the ground.
"Razorclaw, terrorize!"
With those words from the Tiger's mouth, its body immediately began to contort and shift. Gears hissed and cogs whirred as its form completely changed from a metallic winged Tiger, to that of a large, imposing robotic warrior known as a Predacon, and now in his robotic form, Razorclaw dropped to the ground of the moon feet first, allowing his metallic, clawed feet to skid and shred through the rocky surface of the moon. For a moment, there was silence, allowing Razorclaw to once again reflect on his previous thoughts, which he often did. His red visor, which served as his eyes, surged with energy of anger- he had never gotten over the way the order was given to all Predacons to simply retreat and disappear, as he was a Predacon who enjoyed a fight to the bitter end. If he walked away, it would be because he had bludgeoned his opponent to scrap iron, meaning that the fight was over. He despised leaving the battlefield on the order of retreat, but as any good soldier, Razorclaw accepted his orders and did what his superior ordered.
A sudden sound and movement caused Razorclaw to take his attention from the rocky ground beneath his feet, and over towards a large pile boulders, which ran along the terrain west of him like a large wall. With a growl emitting from his mouth, his beast form's wings, which were now mounted on his shoulders, leaned forwards, aiming a pair of missiles, which were among the many metallic feathers of his wings towards the wall. It was highly possible whatever made the sound and movement was an enemy- perhaps an Autobot spy who had tracked him across the cosmos. Or perhaps it was even a strange creature native to the moon that he had arrived upon. Whatever it was, Razorclaw kept his missiles trained on the wall…That is, until the sight that met his gaze caused him to lower his weapons. Appearing from behind the cover of the wall, Razorclaw looked on to see a familiar creature.
While the sight was familiar and friendly to Razorclaw, anyone who was not familiar with the creature would have screamed in fright, as it stood at least at six feet tall with the form of a perverse amalgamation of Preying Mantis and Lizard- its body was that of a large yellow Mantis, with the familiar bug eyes, mandibles and claws of a Mantis, but its skin was Reptilian, with a reptilian tail which hung from the end of its strange form, which currently stood, looking towards Razorclaw, whose visor once again surged with red energy.
"It's been a long time, Razorclaw…" The strange Mantis announced to the robot before it.
"Too long, Repugnus. I see these last ten years haven't caused you to become a rusting hulk of metal, like they have with many of our Predacon brothers and sisters." Razorclaw summarised.
"No indeed," the Mantis replied, before it cried, "Repugnus, terrorize!"
Before Razorclaw's electric eyes, he watched as the creature he knew as Repugnus began to change, much in the same way he had earlier. Cogs and gears hissed and whirred until in place of the strange Mantis creature was Repugnus in his robotic form. Now both as robots, the pair began to walk across the rocky terrain side by side. Like the pair had said when they first saw each other, it had been countless years since they had seen each other last. In fact, as the pair remembered, their last encounter with each other was just after the Predacons were ordered to retreat from a skirmish on Cybertron, and when they returned to the Predacons' mother ship, their current leader gave them the order to withdraw and separate into the endless void of space, so that the Autobots would be unable to capture all of them. The bid had worked, as the Autobots finally ceased their pursuit of their enemies, figuring that they were scattered too far and wide across the galaxy, and as they were all thinly spread across space, they could do little harm. But while the Predacons were left in peace and without fear of being apprehended at the furthest corners of the galaxy by the Autobots, man of the Predacons, like Razorclaw, were still angry over the fact they seemed to just give up.
After much walking in silence, Repugnus decided to speak and try to break the invisible barrier that seemingly was between he and his old comrade.
"So…" Repugnus began, "any idea why we've been summoned here?"
"No." Razorclaw replied simply. "But it had better be a good reason for me to expend as much energon as I have to cross space. It had better be an announcement that we shall return to arms, otherwise I shall slash his cowardly head from his lazy shoulders!"
"Heh, you still burned over the fact Megabolt made us give up?" Repugnus asked, chuckling over Razorclaw's bitter tone. "Well, can't say I blame ya. In fact, a lot of our old buddies have felt the same way for a long time. A change needs to happen, and happen now, if we're going to survive."
"The day cannot come soon enough in my eyes." Razorclaw muttered.
After much walking, Razorclaw and Repugnus began to view something protruding from the horizon. As they strode closer and closer, the shadow on the horizon began to reveal itself as a large building, which grew more and more in size with every step they took to approach it. Not only that, but their robotic ears could hear the inaudible sounds of collective chatter and conversation. Finally, as the two Predacons were now before the fortress, they could see that not only had they been summoned to this moon, but indeed, Predacons from every corner of the galaxy had been summoned there as well. Looking around, Razorclaw could see many Predacons that he hadn't seen since he was brought online, countless centuries ago. Others had been posted to a completely different part of the universe, neither he, nor Repugnus knew who they were, but then, their eyes fell upon a small group of Predacons they knew all too well.
Standing over in the crowd, Razorclaw and Repugnus could see three Predacons, all in their robotic forms. The smallest of the tree had green legs and forearms. Much of his torso and upper arms were black, with clawed hands and feet at the end of his green limbs. His face was green, and sitting on his green face was a maroon coloured helmet with a Mohawk like design which was atop it. Standing beside him was a Predacon with a feminine design, although stood a few feet taller than the previous Predacon. Mostly orange and black, this Predacon was distinctive by the fact the back of her helmet resembled long, black hair. Her frame was much curvier, but a pair of frightening orange claws, which protruded from her centre fingers and ran so long that the claws stopped by her knees, betrayed this alluring trait.
Standing behind them, and dwarfing them in size was a brute of a Predacon. As tall as he was wide, the thick Predacon was coloured as black as night, with only a few patches of light brown paint adorning his shins and forearms. A pair of large tusks protruded from his shoulders, thanks to his beast mode, but the most striking feature on this titanic Predacon was his face, which was a dark face that resembled that of Optimus Prime's. Fortunately for the Predacons, he only resembled the noble Autobot leader in appearance- his demeanour was that of a Predacon through and through.
"Nemesis Prime!" Razorclaw called through the crowd, causing the largest of the Predacons he recognised to turn and look towards him.
"Well, I'll be damned." The large Predacon, known as Nemesis Prime announced, "Razorclaw, AND Repugnus! This truly is an evil reunion!"
Immediately, Razorclaw and Repugnus rushed through the crowds of evil robots and joined their three allies. All five of these Predacons had served as an infantry, under the command of Nemesis Prime. Originally, the behemoth had been known only as Nemesis, but after a skirmish between he and Optimus Prime that saw the Autobot leader placed in the repair bays of Cybertron for months, Nemesis had his face remoulded in a mocking symbol of victory and took the name Nemesis Prime.
"All together again!" The shortest of the three, who was named Reptilion replied after pumping fists with Repugnus. "I thought the day would never come."
"It is good to see you all again." Repugnus announced. "Especially you, Blackarachnia. Still as beautiful as I recall, and hopefully as deadly! Heh, heh."
"So much so that I could kill you now, my repulsive Repugnus." Blackarachnia replied to Repugnus with a wink, before she greeted Razorclaw.
"So tell me," Razorclaw said next, "why are we all here? I see so many Predacons, and even Decepticons that I have never seen before."
"I do not know." Nemesis Prime replied to his old comrade. "Nobody knows. We all just received the same radio message you must have, that all Predacons and Decepticons were to convene at Megabolt's fortress."
"It had better be important." Blackarachnia sneered as she looked among the crowd. "Having to be around all these oil headed Decepticons…It's degrading!"
The five Predacons looked amongst the crowd, and did indeed see many Decepticons standing amongst other Predacons, and all were relatively unhappy and uncomfortable with it. While both factions served the Tri-Predacus council, what form a Tri-Predacus protoform took determined what faction it would be classed as. If a Protoform scanned the form of a creature, and could therefore transform into a creature, no matter how alien, it would become a Predacon. However, if the Protoform scanned a vehicle, or piece of mechanical equipment, it could transform into that mechanical product and therefore became a Decepticon. Both factions usually had a competitive animosity towards the other, and many times Razorclaw secretly wondered if it was that inside feud between the factions that could have helped lead to the downfall of the Predacons and the Decepticons.
"Well, I'm tired of waiting!" A Decepticon, who was known as Blastcharge suddenly roared amongst the crowd. "Come out, Megabolt! If you don't, my chest mounted missiles shall rip through this door of yours and we'll beat an explanation out of ya!"
"Typical Decepticon…" Reptilion muttered. "Full of firepower, but has no real circuitry upstairs to speak of."
"Look!" Razorclaw suddenly cried before he pointed up to a balcony of the fortress. "Something's happening."
The crowd of countless Predacons and Decepticons looked on at the movements coming from the balcony. A door had opened, leading to the balcony, and a pair of guards marched from out of the fortress and stood at either corner of the small balcony. The evil Transformers stood on the ground below, anticipating the arrival of their host, that was sure to follow, and following a series of ominous sounding footsteps, a large green and silver Decepticon strode out of the fortress. Silver metallic claws protruded from his back, as a regal red cape fluttered from his back, fastened on to his broad green shoulders.
"My Predacons, and Decepticons," the Decepticon, known as Megabolt began in a smooth voice. "Welcome to the Tri-Predacus headquarters. Although I will admit, your collective presence confuses me, yeess."
"What are you talking about?" A Decepticon cried out from the confused masses. "You summoned us!"
"That isn't the case, nooo." Megabolt replied, drawing out his final word. "I have no reason to summon you. My last orders were for all Predacons and Decepticons to spread out across the galaxy, following Megatron-…I mean, Galvatron's arrest. As the last living member of the Tri-Predacus Council, my word is absolute, and my order still stands, yeeesss."
"Greedy piece of slag probably destroyed all the others…" Reptilion muttered to Repugnus, who snorted with amusement.
"Councillor Megabolt, if you didn't summon us here, and nor did our great leader, Galvatron," Nemesis Prime called out, "I ask all here, who did?"
"Yeah!" Blastcharge roared again from his position in the crowd. "Come on! I'll bet it was one of you dirty Predacons just trying to waste our time as some kind of joke!"
"Stuff it up your exhaust port!" Blackarachnia cried over the crowds defensively. "Why would we lower ourselves by associating with you?"
"Girly, I'll crush you for such a slur!" Blastcharge roared. "I'd rather stand with an Autobot! At least they transform into vehicles, unlike you dumb animal lovers!"
Megabolt looked on to see Blastcharge attempt to barge through a group of Predacons who stood near him, but the Predacons defiantly shoved him back. This raised the ire of other Decepticons, who now began to bicker and shove the Predacons, and within seconds the crowd's ire had turned from Megabolt towards each other. Megabolt couldn't help but grin.
"Idiots." Megabolt whispered to the guard on his left. "Ahhh well, if they destroy each other, so be it. It means I won't have to continue to deliver my precious energon across the galaxy just to keep them alive…"
Megabolt continued to happily watch the Decepticons and Predacons below him shove and argue with one another. However, after an errant punch, causing a Predacon to fall to the ground, the situation began to turn violent. The Transformers began to punch and kick each other, and the situation threatened to turn even worse when the short-tempered Decepticons began to withdraw their weapons, causing the Predacons to do the same.
"Ahh, and so it ends." Megabolt smirked to his guards as he turned on his heel to return to the comfort of his fortress. "Still, never mind. It's not like I wished to pick this war back up, anyway. We shall live off the endless stockpile of energon I have, and the Autobots will never find us."
Megabolt had just crossed through the door of his fortress, when he suddenly stopped. He noticed that the shouting and anger of the Predacons and Decepticons had ceased, and turned into quiet mutters of confusion. Another noise was in its place, this one the loud, unmistakeable hum of rocket engines. With a start, Megabolt turned and rushed back to the edge of the balcony to see that a large purple space ship hovered up in the sky, above the Predacons, Decepticons and Megabolt's fortress.
"Who is that?" Megabolt roared anxiously.
"I do not know, m'lord." The one guard answered.
"Then find out!" Megabolt cried. "In fact, no, don't bother..."
Looking down towards the confused masses below him, Megabolt cried out to all of his Predacons and Decepticons.
"My warriors! It is the Autobots! They have come for us! Shoot down that vessel! I command it!"
"Well heck," Blastcharge's voice suddenly echoed through the crowd. "If it means I get to blast something, why not? Chest charge missiles, fire!"
Looking up at the space ship, Blastcharge then arched his back, causing his chest, to be bared towards the sky. Protruding from his chest, were three large, blue missiles, which were armed and ready to fire the second Blastcharge wished to send them hurling from his chest, which doubled as his missile silo. After a moment of considering his aim, Blastcharge fired one of the three missiles from his chest. The missile shot out of his chest, flew swiftly through the sky and collided with the mysterious space ship…but the missile dealt it no damage. Confused, Blastcharge fired his next missile, and swiftly followed it up with his last of three missiles, which cut through the sky, and both collided with the undercarriage of the ship, but like the previous missile, his remaining two didn't even give the ship a scratch.
"Shoot it down!" Megabolt roared once again to his audience, his calm temperament now one of panic, thanks to the mysterious visitors.
"There's no point, the ship obviously has a strong force field protecting it…" Reptilion muttered to his old comrades.
"Well, I was never one to question my superior's orders," Nemesis Prime said to Reptilion. "Big Cannon!"
With that, Nemesis Prime lifted a large, dual barrelled laser cannon in the air, which was dubbed the big cannon. Holding the heavy looking cannon's barrels in his left palm, Nemesis Prime held the big cannon aloft, until it was trained on the mysterious ship. From there, the Predacon squeezed the trigger, and a pair of bright purple bolts of energy thundered from the cannon, which such force that it pushed the large Predacon back across the ground, with a blast that echoed over the valley. Megabolt looked on, seeing that Nemesis Prime's own attack roused the other Predacons, and eventually the Decepticons to all raise their weapons and fire on the ship. For countless minutes, Megabolt desperately watched as their firepower was concentrated on the ship and explosions rained, multi coloured lasers flew into the sky and battered the ship, until each of their weapons was depleted of energy. Then, Megabolt gasped in surprise.
"It can't be, nooo…"
The ship began to drop from the sky. Unfortunately for Megabolt, the ship wasn't descending from the sky due to the damage- instead, still under its own power, it slowly began to land on the surface of the moon, without a single scratch from the combined barrage. The crowds of Predacons and Decepticons parted as the ship finally touched down on large, silver legs in the place where they had converged, and after a hiss of hydraulics, the ship's rockets powered down, and a silence then hung in the air. The ship stayed silent and motionless before everyone for countless moments.
"Crazy." Repugnus whispered before he looked to Nemesis Prime. "What do we do, chief?"
"Nothing," Nemesis Prime replied. "Not unless the Councillor orders us to."
"Why are we taking orders from him?" Blackarachnia snorted.
"Because without Galvatron, HE is our leader." Nemesis Prime snapped. "Besides, at least then, the blame of our aggression falls on his head, and not ours."
A sudden sound stopped the group's conversation. All Predacons and Decepticons looked on to the large undercarriage of the ship open and reveal itself as a large ramp, which, when it finally touched down on the moon's rocky surface, revealed the interior of the dimly lit ship. Footsteps could be heard from inside the ship, and the Transformers all took notice when they saw a large, blue Transformer standing at the top of the ramp. Blue from the tips of the claws on his feet, to the top of his head, the Transformer looked to the others on the ground before he thrust his right arm-which looked to have a dragon's head on the end of it- in the air before he spoke.
"Greetings, my fellow Predacons and Decepticons!" The blue Transformer cried as a pair of black robots appeared behind him, flanking him.
"Who the slag is that?" The loud mouthed Blastcharge asked above the crowd, which caused a grin to tug at the blue Transformer's lips.
"My name is Cryotek," he replied. "I am Predacon, and it was I who summoned you all here!"
"Very interesting I'm sure, yeesss." The voice of Megabolt cried to the ship. "But still- how dare you drag every Predacon and Decepticon in the known universe to my doorstep? State your business!"
"I shall gladly do just that, Councillor." Cryotek said to Megabolt, following a mocking bow. "My comrades, I have called you all here today as this is a momentous occasion. A change is here! For too long have we, the rightful rulers of this universe hid in the shadows, trying to live out our lives ensuring that we do not cross a single Autobot. It is a life of dishonour, unbefitting of our warrior race. Today is the day that we once again rise up, and we shall do so, under my rule."
"I beg your pardon?" Megabolt said with a slight laugh or surprise. "Your rule? Oh my friend, I do believe you are mistaken, yeeesss. With Galvatron incarcerated, I lead the Tri-Predacus forces in his place, as the soul surviving member of the Tri-Predacus Council."
"That was true- once." Cryotek replied. "It is because of you, Councillor that we have become rusting shells of our former selves! It is your fault that all these before you have allowed the shadows of shame to blanket and smother their spirits. Come! Look at yourselves! I mean, are we cowardly robots who shy away…Or are we the proud warrior Predacons and Decepticons? Do we really wish to follow a greedy, selfish 'bot who cowardly slain the other council members in the shadows, or do you wish to fight with a strong warrior, rested and ready to slay Optimus Prime and lead you to gain control of the universe?"
A collective cheer suddenly erupted from the crowd, which caused Megabolt to jerk upright in surprise. He looked on to see that his Predacon and Decepticon warriors were looking to this stranger, and the two Transformers who flanked him with eagerness and admiration. His words were stirring a fire in them. Unfortunately, it would mean Megabolt's reign would be over- unless he dowsed the flames now.
"Careful of what you say, Cryotek." Megabolt spat. "You've gone too far with such bold and false claims."
"No, I have only just begun." Cryotek replied with a rebellious tone. "I know of you, and I have grown tired of watching our brothers and sisters wither and die under your rule. Since Galvatron's defeat, you have led our race up a path that leads to nowhere but oblivion. I am here to guide them back to glory, and I will do it by force if I must."
"You dare challenge me?" Megabolt roared in anger. "Your treachery will not go unpunished. Very well, I shall oblige you, yesss."
The crowds watched on, and Blackarachnia in particular gasped in surprise when she saw Megabolt rip the cape from his shoulders, and leap over the railing of his balcony. Dropping down from the balcony, Megabolt landed gracefully on the rocky ground of the moon, and with a growl, he looked towards Cryotek, who now strode down the ramp of his ship and stood in the gathered crowds, his gaze meeting Megabolt's.
"Your destruction is assured, yesss. Megablaster!"
On his own command, a series of clicks and whirs could be heard as a cannon slid up from Megabolt's upper back and clicked into place on his right shoulder. As soon as it locked into place, the inside of the cannon began to glow with orange energy, and within an instant, a bolt of bright, hot orange laser energy shot from the cannon and collided with Cryotek's right shoulder with enough force that the roguish Predacon dropped to a knee instantly. Megabolt rushed towards Cryotek, who looked up to see Megabolt swing his right foot towards Cryotek in an attempt to kick his opponent in the face, but unfortunately for him, Cryotek's dragonhead opened its jaws and caught his foot. The jaws locked down tight on Megabolt's leg, and the Decepticon let out a cry of pain.
"You can't simply smooth talk your way out of this one, Councillor!" Cryotek cried.
Cryotek then snatched his arm backwards, pulling Megabolt's foot up into the air, where he snatched Megabolt up into the air, and the Decepticon landed on the moon's surface hard on his back. Cryotek stood above Megabolt, and the jaws of the dragonhead opened once more.
"Dragon flame attack!"
Megabolt looked to see Cryotek standing above him- and that was the last thing he saw as a large plume of blue flames rushed from the open mouth of the dragonhead at the end of Cryotek's arm. The flames lashed at Megabolt's face, with the heat immediately melting away at the Councillor's faceplate and his optic sensors. An oil chilling scream filled the air, and Megabolt rolled backwards, escaping the flames, before he weakly stood, and all but Cryotek gasped to see that Megabolt's face was now molten metal, which dripped towards the ground.
"Should we do something?" Repugnus asked, slightly confused by the infighting.
"No." Razorclaw bluntly replied, which caused a shocked Repugnus to look to him. "Why should we? This idiot has done nothing to prove his leadership over us. If he can defeat this Cryotek, then I might be inclined to actually take his word as law seriously."
"Yes." Nemesis Prime concurred. "We should let them finish this scrap without interruption. Whoever wins shall earn the right to lead all of us."
"Is that all you have Councillor?" Cryotek called tauntingly over Megabolt's screams. "Shall we save our precious energon, and you can admit defeat now."
"No! You shall never beat me! Megablaster!"
Another powerful blast of orange energy flew from Megabolt's shoulder mounted cannon, but due to his blinded state from the destruction of his optic sensors, the blasts from his cannon shot anywhere but for Cryotek, including into the crowds of Predacons and Decepticons, and up into space. Cryotek simply laughed before he leaped backwards, ensuring that he would be a safe distance from the wild fire, before he then pulled a large crossbow from his right hip and threw it into the air.
"Hahaha! Chro, attack!"
As the blue crossbow flew through the air, it quickly transformed into a large robotic crow. With a squawk, Chro flew through the air, gracefully dodging the rapid fire blasts coming from Megabolt's shoulder cannon, where it the swooped and Megabolt and ripped the cannon from his shoulder, which caused Megabolt to emit a loud scream from the weapon being ripped from his body. Chro then flew high into the air, swooped back around and dropped the now mangled shoulder cannon before Cryotek's feet.
"Beast mode!"
With that roar from Cryotek, he immediately transformed into his alternate form as a giant blue Dragon. With heavy feet, Cryotek swiftly turned around and as he did, the long, thick tail that snaked from his back whipped around and collided with the back of Megabolt's legs, sweeping him off his feet, where he crashed to the ground back first. Still blinded, Megabolt weakly sat up, groaning as he attempted to try and figure out what to do next. He attempted to call for help, but his head module was melted so much that weak bleeps came from his mouth as opposed to any cries or pleas for assistance. Cryotek now stomped forwards and towered above the Councillor in his large and imposing Dragon form, before he immediately reached down with his long neck and wrapped his jaws around Megabolt's neck. Tightening his jaws, Cryotek clamped his teeth around Megabolt's neck and pulled as hard as he could, and immediately, in one merciless thrust, Cryotek ripped Megabolt's melting head clean from his shoulders.
The Predacons and Decepticons looked on to see that Cryotek stood over Megabolt's now dead form, still in his beast form. After a few moment's silence, Cryotek transformed, immediately shifting back into his robot form, and he now gripped Megabolt's head in his dragonhead on the end of his arm. Looking triumphant, Cryotek looked towards the silent masses as Chro landed and perched on his master's shoulder.
"My friends, Megabolt's reign is over!" Cryotek announced. "Our existence of shame ends here, and under my leadership we can rebuild our broken empire, if you choose to follow me."
"Well, considering you just made molten metal out of that loser, you can count me in!" Blastcharge cried from the crowd with the pump of his fist.
"You," Cryotek said in response to Blastcharge. "You were the one who fired the first shot at my ship. It is nerve like that that we will need! And I notice that Nemesis Prime is among us! The word of your humiliation of Optimus Prime was spread far and wide. Join me, just like the rest of you! Join my crew and I, and we shall take the first step to the destruction of the Autobots and our conquest of the universe!"