Chapter 4: Rage of the beast.

Underground Complex, Central.
At the same round table with the dome of light beaming down from the ceiling & with the four transparent monitors surround the light. Jetfire & the available Technobots stood at the station, trying to prepare for what the monster might do. Four monitors form the same image of Thunderwing coming through a bright blue & white warp portal. Everyone watches as he emerges, shocked, yet curious. "I can't believe it. It's Thunderwing. He's coming back!" Ed said somewhat nervously. "But... We destroyed the Axis-thing. Jetfire, you said that was what was keeping him going. Right?" Topspin asked.

"Wrong. I said the Axis-Cradle was controlling Thunderwing, Directing his actions. Without it, some kind of homing instinct must have kicked in. Why he didn't go back to Cybertron, I don't know the reason. There's no conscious mind at work here, I'm sure of it, but that won't stop Thunderwing picking up where he left off. At least with us..." Jetfire replied, turning away from his work station with Wrath still sitting on his shoulder.

"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt this meeting of the minds. Now, I know you've fought this thing before, but there is nothing in life that doesn't have a fault. An ''Achilles' Heel'' if you will. No one is invincible." Lust said in a seductive tone, still perched on Prime's shoulder. "Yeah, well... Wait 'til you see Thunderwing in full force. Then you might think different." Springer said with a slight tone of sarcasm. "Hmm, Jetfire?" Prime asked as Jetfire turned back to his monitor. "Well, Bludgeon used something he dubbed Ultra-Energon to re-empower Thunderwing. It's what we detected back on Cybertron. I'm trying to decrypt his files, but it's slow going." He replied.

"Springer?" Prime asked. "The Wreckers stand ready, Prime. But frankly the combined firepower of two whole armies couldn't stop it last time & Thunderwing can make conditions topside very inhospitable! He's got natural protection, we haven't." He replied. "Well, maybe we can even the odds a bit." Ed said, looking at Prime & Springer from Topspin's shoulder. "Where are you gettin' at kid?" Springer asked. "Well, to make the story short. People here on our world, can use alchemy to trans-mutate materials into something else. Whether it'd be making flowers bloom in the snow, making a steel cage out of sand or the image of Jesus in a sandwich. If you'll let me help, maybe I can slow Thunderwing down. At least so you guys can get a few good hits in." Ed added as Prime a hand to his chin.

"You realize you'll be putting yourself in extreme danger." Prime asked. "It's no different from what I've already done so far in my life." Ed replieds, showing his metal arm. "So I see... You honor me with your bravery. Very well, you may join The Wreckers & Prowl's team... Jetfire, keep working on the files. Find me something, anything, we can use against it. We don't quiet know how Thunderwing will react or what exactly he'll do once he reaches Earth. But he has to be stopped, at any cost." Prime said. "Any cost?" Springer asked. "If... all else fails, yes." Prime answered.

"Whoa. Hang on. You're talking about sacrificing the planet itself... Don't you think that might be a bit extreme?" Jetfire said. "I pray, Jetfire... It will not come to that." Prime answered. "Wait a damn minute! You mean, you're going to destroy our world if we can't beat this thing?!" Ed shouted. "Look kid, put it this way. How would the rest of your people want to die, terrified at the hands of Thunderwing or quick & unknowing from an atomic bomb?" Springer asked, but Ed only lowered his head.

"Okay, Wreckers. Lets move out." Springer ordered. "Hey, Topspin. Could you let my brother down, I don't want him joining us." Ed asked. Topspin grabbed Al gently & placed him on the floor. "Brother, what are you doing. You don't have to go alone, I can help." Forget it, Al. Besides, it's safer for you down here. I can transmute objects without needing circles, you can't. Plus, I have to face this thing. It's haunted my nightmares long enough. I feel as though I have to try..." Ed said as Prime turned toward him. "Nightmares, what?" He asked, but Ed only pretended not to pay attention as Springer & his team head topside.

Prime walks over to Al, kneeling down to him. "What did your brother mean by, it was haunting his nightmares?" Al looked up at Prime with Lust still on his shoulder, trying to find the right words to explain without making things sound too personal. "Brother, has been having nightmares about this monster for the past month. Looking back at it now... I guess... Maybe it was all a premonition. Something warning him of the danger coming." Al said staring at the floor. Prime felt bad for both of them, sharing their pain. Knowing the danger his men face & knowing that, no one may get out alive.

Decepticon Warship Thanatos, Earth's orbit.
The ship is large. Many computer stations surround the bridge area with a catwalk circling the room above the work stations. A long line of monitors divided into three parts show Thunderwing's position, weapon status, & telemetry. "Rampage, Lock Starblitz Torpedoes on target & prepare for Orbital Barrage." Razorclaw ordered. "Timeframe, Razorclaw?" Rampage asked. "Give it... One Mega-cycle. Call me sentimental, but reducing a planet rich in resources to a cinder remains a last resort. I'm all for Pan-galactic colonization, but, let's face it, there's no place like home. Plus, whatever God these creatures believe in, I just hope they know some good prayers." Razorclaw said with reluctance.

Rampage turns & presses a spot on a touch screen. "Done. Abort Threshold at fifty-five cycles." He said. "Fine. Bottom line, though, if it comes down to a choice between blitzing a planet & disobeying a direct order from Megatron... The planet is toast." Razorclaw said when he noticed Thunderwing's warp portal opened above the planet. "Ah, here he comes!" He added.

Underground complex, outside.
"Okay, Thunderwing is almost here. So lets have some battle plans ready." Springer said as topspin was lifting Ed to Roadbuster's right shoulder. "Decided to go to the front-line kid?" Jazz asked. "Well, got to try to slow him down somewhere." Ed replied. "You got guts kid. I'll say that about you." Ironhide said. "Heads up, here he comes." Broadside shouted as he pointed to Thunderwing, who was landing about a mile away from the main entrance.

As Thunderwing transforms in midair, black lightning cracks off his body, his shattered memories of the past return to him. His conversation with his fellow scientists, the early stages of his experiments, the day he took fate into his own hands, the two Decepticons he decimated after he tried his experiment upon himself.

"Cybertron is dying... We can only find ways to weather the collapse & do what we can to survive. Either follow my lead... Or die in screaming torment. Thunderwing?! What have you done, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

His mind continues wonder as Roudbuster with Ed on his shoulder, Broadside & Scoop hide behind some boulders & watch the motionless monsters.

"What's he doing?" Scoop asked. "Nothing, Scoop. Just stood there." Roadbuster answered. "Hm. Figure it's what you call the calm before the storm." Broadside said as Thunderwing turned & peered over his shoulder as the memory of his conversation with his former leader, Megatron, comes to him. Trying to explain how his newly discovered process works but Megatron only looks more irritated by the idea of his unholy experiment.

"We encase ourselves in Symbiotic Carapaces, the bodily tissue culled from living subjects. Then, the Neurosphere is spliced to the Neo-cortex of the wearer, and..."

"ENOUGH!" Megatron shouts as he slams his fist down onto the table. "Of all the unnatural, misguided, ill-conceived... Your remit is discontinued, decommissioned, DEFUNCT!"

(Begin soundtrack: Disturbed - Indestructible)

Black lightning cracks violently around Thunderwing's body as reality sets in once again, realizing that his enemies have been watching him. Our heroes turn & begin to run for their very lives. Broudside carrying Scoop like a child's toy & Ed hanging on to Roadbuster for dear life as Thunderwing throws his arms out as a bright blue/white dome of energy explodes around him while his thunderous screams of rage & hatred are heard for miles. The force sends debris in all directions as our heroes continue to run for cover.

"MOVE! That thing's it's own personal Ground Zero! Springer, it's all kicking off down here!" Roadbuster shouted, while Springer, Whirl & Sandstorm fly toward the battle-ready monster as it starts chasing after those running on the ground. "No kidding. And what's more, it's mobile." Springer replied. "Disengage all safety interlocks & lets blow it back to a new pit!" He added.

Springer, Whirl & Sandstorm start to unload missiles & plasma rounds at the monster, forcing it to take notice as Topspin hovers in & begins to open fire at Thunderwing's left leg. "When they ask me, Topspin, Why'd you go one-on-one with Thunderwing? I'll say, because it was there." Topspin said humorously before dodging Thunderwing's left hand as it furiously slammed into the ground.

Ed hopped off of Roadbuster's shoulder & onto the ground next to him. He looks down in curiosity, but Ed knew this may be one of few opportunities. He claps his hands together & places them on the ground. Blue lightning surrounds Thunderwing's left arm as giant hands grab his forearm & shoulder. Suddenly, a giant fist comes out of the ground & punches Thunderwing dead center in his face, causing his left arm to break free. "Not bad kid, not bad at all!" Roadbuster said proudly as Ed wiped the sweat off his brow & grinned.

Twin Twist rushes from behind & tries to dig his twin drill bits into the back of Thunderwing's left leg. "That was a good shot Edward. I however, like to make a point, but a touch more directly." Twin Twist said. "Twin Twist, no, damn-it! What bit of hit & run didn't you understand?" Springer shouted. "Wh--" Twin Twist was interrupted as Thunderwing turns & kicks him like a football. He spins end-over-end before landing on his back. Unable to transform fast enough, he cries out in pain as Thunderwing steps on him with his right foot, driving him into the ground.

"Roadbuster, Broadside, get his attention!" Springer shouted. Ed claps his hands & attempts to hold Thunderwing again. Making many stone hands to grab Thunderwing's arms, but the monster only fights out of them. Ed continues to try as Roadbuster, Broadside & Scoop open fire, throwing everything they had at the monster. "Ain't this fun kid?" Roadbuster asked. "Ask me when it's all over." Ed said with a slight tone of humor. "Stick with us kid, there's never a dull moment when you're a Wrecker." Broadside said.

Thunderwing began to tire of their efforts & clapped his hands together, sending a force of energy, knocking our heroes back. Scoop tumbles end-over-end, chuckling somewhat at the event while Roadbuster catches Ed in his free hand. "Somehow... I don't think he's applauding our efforts!" Roadbuster shouted. "You don't say?" Ed added sarcastically.

Meanwhile, Prowl & his team try a "sneak attack" approach from Thunderwing's left while he's distracted with the Wreckers & allow time for Ratchet & Ironhide to get Twin Twist to safety. Ratchet & Ironhide quickly lift Twin Twist & begin to run for cover & for the entrance to the complex. Thunderwing balls both of his fists together, lifts them high above his head, then bringing them down to the ground. Shattering it like glass around him for almost half a mile wide & sends a fault like wave to Prawl & the others. Causing some to fall over & others to fly for a short distance.

(End soundtrack)

Decepticon Warship Thanatos
Those inside watch the battle rage on from many different angles. Some in shock, not believing what they see. "They're giving it their all." Rampage said. "Mm. For all the good it's doing them. Still... They are warriors worthy of our respect & perhaps, our help. Time to Orbital Barrage?" Razorclaw asked. "Thirty-eight cycles." Rampage replied. "Very well. Divebomb, organize two assault teams. Do what you can in the time available. But once we reach the main firing sequence threshold, leave them all to burn." Razorclaw ordered. Divebomb got out of his chair & looked around the room. "This'll be fun, time to get a second shot in." He said proudly.

Underground Complex
Optimus Prime paces the floor as he the others hear the chatter over the comm. Al, Lust & Wrath stand in front of the monitors next to Jetfire's work station. Literally stunned at the power, rage, madness & unrelenting march of destruction made by Thunderwing. Explosions can be heard outside & the vibrations can be felt inside, causing the screens to flicker lightly. The look of worry can be seen on their faces & in Al's eyes. Wrath makes a loud gulp, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Are we gonna die?" Wrath asked. Lust looked at him, unsure on how to answer the question. "I don't know Wrath, I honestly don't know." She said, folding her arms under her chest.

The image of Ed pops up on the screens with Broadside & Topspin behind him firing away as Ed tries his alchemy once more to slow down Thunderwing's flailing rampage, but with little affect. "Brother." Al said softly. Lust puts a hand on his shoulder to show sympathy while thinking back to what Ed said earlier.

Ratchet & Ironhide enter the room with the battered Twin Twist. Prowl & Bumblebee, the only two still able to hold their own, help Sunstreaker & Jazz & sat them next to Twin Twist. "Twin Twist, can you hear me?" Ratchet asked, but only heard moaning & groaning as Wheeljack walked over to help. "What happened to him?" Wrath asked while walking over to the group of battered Autobots. "Thunderwing, stepped on him. He's in bad shape too." Ratchet answered. Comm. channels clear as few words from Springer are heard over the loudspeakers. "...Can't hold it! It just keeps coming... Pointblank... Go... GO! Before--" Communications break as another thunderous explosion is heard.

Prime walks over to Jetfire & hears the computer's voice. "Further tactical resources currently unavailable." It said. "It's happening again. Whatever we do, whatever we throw at it, it isn't enough." Prime stated. "Prime... I may have something." Jetfire said calmly. "You decrypted the files?" "No. Gave up on that & with the Technobots' help, focused on analyzing the power source itself... This so-called Ultra-Energon contains radically unstable elemental matter. The more Thunderwing draws upon it's fissionable core, the greater the obverse catalytic reaction." Jetfire stated as Al & Lust looked at each other before looking back at Jetfire. "Huh?" they asked.

"Indeed... In plain language please." Prime asked. "Right. Of course. The source is feeding upon itself. It's really only suitable for short, intense hits. The greater the effort, the faster it's consumed. Therefore... We need to engage! Big Time!" "With what, Jetfire. With what?!" Prime asked.

"Prime, in the back of the complex, there's storage area. We found about a couple dozen Centurion Drones inside." Bumblebee noted. Prime looked at Jetfire, looking for an opinion. "It's possible, that might be enough." Jetfire stated. "Optimus Prime to Ark-27, beam up Twin-Twist, Sunstreaker, Jazz & Ratchet. They need C.R. time. Have Dogfight meet us down here."

(Begin soundtrack, Motley Crue - Saints of Los Angeles)

Topside
Black lightning cracks around Thunderwing's body & into the air. Whirl, Springer & Sandstorm's engines begin to fail, causing them to lose altitude. "It's charging the atmosphere! Personal Integrity Shields at nine percent..." Springer said. "Mine are down! Massive internal build-up of Cosmic Radiation!" Whirl shouted. "Likewise! Weapons are off-line!" Sandstorm added.

"Springer, pull back to a safe distance! We'll--" Roadbuster was saying before being interrupted by Broadside "Microwave burst!" Ed sees the cracks on the Earth's surface, surround the area. He sniffs the air & realizes they're all in a bad spot as Thunderwing charges a ball of blue energy in his right hand, pointed at the team. "Oh, SHIT!" Ed shouted as he turned to run. "Run kid, this area's riddled with sub-surface gas pockets! They'll--" The thunderous explosion cuts Broadside off as he & Topspin are consumed in the blast. Ed was thrown almost two hundred yards from the blast. He tumbled end-over-end, his right arm was shattered five inches down from the shoulder, his clothes had been burned, blood ran down the left side of his head & cheek. He saw Thunderwing grab Springer in midair before passing out. "Slag! This is going from bad to worse!"

Thunderwing throws Springer five hundred yards before crashing to the ground & begins to slowly walk over to him as Springer transforms back to robot mode. Thunderwing stops short of Springer as the monster feels large explosions hitting his back from Divebomb & his aerial assault team & from the ground, Headstrong & Tantrum lead a small ground force. A total of ten Decepticons now join the fight. "Tell you what Wreckers, why don't you let us take over? Truth be told, I've been itching for another crack at the Big Bad." Divebomb said as he & his squad hit Thunderwing with everything they had, while the ground team did the same. "So, like savin' your sorry butts, is kind of coincidental!" Tantrum said. "Decepticons, let's hear the call..." Headstrong said before everyone shouted, "NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE!" everyone said as black lightning cracks off Thunderwing once again.

About a mile away, two enormous doors open & an elevator comes to the surface with three rows of Centurion Drones stand ready as Prime stands in front of the group with both of his rifles extra cannons on his back. Dogfight was also in the process of finishing with the last drone. "Dogfight, are we set?" "Almost, sir... Nearly... Ready!" "Centurion Units... MOVE IN!"

The Centurions, large, bulky, cycloptic, mindless robots. Tank treads run on their forearms & thighs, crab claw like clamps for hands, "Battlestar Galactica" like heads & a single cannon on the left side of their backs. They march towards Thunderwing while Prime takes a different route. "Good thing those drones don't know what they're walking into." Prime thought.

Topspin desperately tries to find Edward, he calls out his name, but with no answer. He looks around again & finally finds him. Badly hurt & unconscious. He gently picks him up starts to run for the entrance when he notices three figures standing on a small hilltop. He realizes it was Al, Lust & Wrath & ran to them carrying Ed in his hands. "Wow, you look like hell." Wrath said as Topspin kneels down, showing Ed to them. "Not as bad as him." "Brother!" Al shouted as he & the others ran to him. Al carefully picked Ed up in his arms as Lust put a hand to is neck. "Is he?" Al asked. "He's alive, but he needs medical attention, badly." Lust replied as Ironhide disguised as a red van, pulls behind them & transforms.

"Ironhide, the kid is hurt bad. Can you take him to a human medical facility?" Topspin asked. "Yeah, I can do that... Hey, look!" Ironhide said as he pointed to the Centurion Drones that began to attack Thunderwing. Down below, Jetfire monitors their progress. "Jetfire?" Prime asked over the comm. channel. "I'm reading a massive spike in Internal Catalytic Flux. The reprogrammed Centurions, en masse, are hurting it. Question is, is it enough?" Jetfire answered.

Thunderwing charges a ball of power in his right hand & violently slams it to the ground. Sending a shock wave all around, knocking many Centurions down. While they where down, the rocket engines on his back swing forward, becoming twin cannons & fires two enormous beams of bright green energy at the fallen Centurions. The attack took a heavy toll on Thunderwing's power supply, making him weary & having to put up an arm in self-defence as both Autobot & Decepticon teams took full advantage.

"It's... definitely reeling! Hit it again! Again! Ag--wait! What's it doing?" Jetfire asked over the comm. system & stopped as Thunderwing's wings began to fold around his upper body, the cockpit from his jet mode dropped down from his upper back down over his head, his engines open at the half length point, becoming enormous four clawed arms. Below his knees, his legs opened upward & outward. Creating a wider foot hold. "It's got... some kind of secondary Ultra Mode!" Jetfire added. Thunderwing, is now larger then he was before. Dwarfing his enemies even more then when the battle first started.

The battle raged on, Topspin, Ironhide, Al holding Ed, Lust & Wrath look on in total disbelief as Thunderwing slammed an arm to the ground, sending another shock wave. Knocking the few remaining Centurions away along with some Autobots & Decepticons. Thunderwing starts to make his way towards Topspin & the others as Prime walks up from behind. "How is the boy?" He asked as everyone turned in surprisement. "My brother's not good." Al said worriedly "But, he gave it his all." Topspin added. At that moment, Ed's eyes fluttered open & looked around at his surroundings. "What happened, what I miss?" Ed asked softly. "Brother?" "Thunderwing had a growth spurt. More the I can say for you..." Wrath said as Ed turned his head with a look of hate on his face. "If I could move, I'd kick your ass for that." Wrath laughed to himself until Thunderwing's roaring broke through. "Step aside." Prime ordered. "What do you plan on doing, Sir?" Topspin asked. "I'm putting an end to this right now." Prime answered. "That's crazy, he'll tear you to pieces!" Ironhide shouted. "Just have some faith, Ironhide." Prime said as he stood about three hundred feet in front of the group.

(End Soundtrack)

Thanatos
Razorclaw walks over to Rampage, who was sitting in front of some monitors, watching the violence below. "Rampage, time to barrage?" "We're almost at the firing sequence threshold. If we want to abort, it has to be soon." "Sound the withdrawal. Once both squads are aboard, pull us back to minimum safe distance & raise shields."

Earth
Prime raises his rifles at the monster, ready for his own "last stand". "Thunderwing... This ends... NOW!" With that, Prime fires every weapon he has in one concentrated burst, dead center of Thunderwing's chest. The blast was violent enough to knock the monster back a step. "Understand... We are all culpable here, all participants in the tragedy that is Cybertron." He fires again as Thunderwing hears his words & approaches closer. "By the time we looked up from our bitter entrenchments, it was too late. Cybertron was locked in its death throes. The damage had been done. True, you saw it coming, but your response was misguided at best, inflammatory at worst."

"Thirty Nano-kliks to threshold."

Prime fires again as damage begins to show in Thunderwing's armor, but still pushes himself forward. "In trying to save yourself, you tapped technologies neither tried nor tested & so began a descent into madness that almost wiped out our entire race!" He fires again, but still, the monster does not yield. "Cybertron, or at least, what's left of it, remains a testament to our shout-sightedness, a reminder that in war... there are no real winners." Prime fires again as Thunderwing's arms are almost on top of him. The explosions continued to be loud & violent. "At long last, I can confront my own demons, acknowledge once & for all my fallibility, my accountability & let the healing begin." Prime fires again at point blank.

"Ten Nano-kliks to threshold."

"This time there will be no retreat, no half-measure. I will end the threat you pose to the entire universe." Prime fires again. "Or die trying!" Thunderwing takes another step toward Prime, but begins to stumble, his arms dangle at his sides. Thunderwing falls to his knees as Prime drops his rifles & ejects the guns from his back. His engines power down & the sound of hydraulics depressurizing can be heard.

"Rampage, abort firing sequence!" He quickly complied, pressing a point on the touch screen. "001" lit-up in red on the screen.

All the Autobots that were present during the battle, gathered around, staring at the battered & bullet hole riddled Thunderwing. Lightspeed & Dogfight stand on top of Thunderwing, collecting data while Al helped Ed through Ironhide's double rear doors. Wrath got in the passenger seat. "Well?" Prime asked as Lust was about to step into the driver side but waited to hear the results. "No sign of the most basic molecular activity. It's over." Lightspeed answered." "Is it? Who knows what damage Thunderwing did wherever Bludgeon sent him? And the there's this Ultra-Engeron... Where did that come from? I want answers, Jetfire, sooner rather than later. Because, as bad as this has been, I fear there's the potential here for things to get much, much worse!" Prime said as everyone started to stare at him, wondering if he was right, that this was only the beginning.

"Al?" "Yes, brother." "Can we go to the hospital now, I think I'm blacking out again." Al climbs into the back of the van as Lust gets in the driver's seat. Ironhide drives off, heading for Central. All looks out of one of the rear windows & sees the back of Thunderwing. He noticed a green flash of light coming from the base of Thunderwing's lower back within all the dust surrounding the area. He decided not to think about it, thinking it was his imagination. Now, his brother is all that mattered.

Underground City, Central
Envy walks to the far back of the large ball room & removes the face cover to a brick in the wall, revealing a keypad. He looks around cautiously before pressing any of the buttons. A door opens after he entered a combination in & walks through. He walks into a large room. To his right, two large & green, egg-like pods with many hoses connecting to them sit in a corner. "How's the project coming?" Envy asked. "Nicely... You are sure your fat comrade will not be missed?" Bludgeon asked walking over to Envy from his computer station. "I highly doubt it. He's replaceable." Envy replied. "Very well. I learned much from him. It turns out, your kind's bloodline holds a missing key element in Thunderwing's research. And now, I can complete what he started so long ago."

"I'll be happy to help, as long as we stick to the agreement."

"Trust me, my young friend. Soon, you & I will become so much more. Invincible, unstoppable & we will have to wits to wield this power."