EDIT: Apparently, the "less than" and "more than" symbols don't show up once the chapter's posted to the site.

For clarity, some power level comparisons:

'Normal' Walpurgis (less than) SS3 Goku (less than) Super-Walpurgis (equal to) 9-Tailed Fox (less than) Gogeta (equal to) 1st-Form 10 Tails (equal to) 1st-Incernation Kriemhild Gretchen (less than) Complete 10-Tails (equal to) 4th & Onward Incarnations Kriemhild Gretchen

PLEASE SEE CHAPTER ONE FOR MOST DISCLAIMERS

PLEASE READ & REVIEW, AND TEND TO THE TROPE & CHARACTER PAGES

-CHAPTER START-

Groundside Warehouse Base

Next Day – 10:30 AM

Everyone had already recovered from yesterday's battle; fortunately, there had been no serious injuries. A few people were still a bit full from the multitude of snacks available at last night's victory party, but nobody complained. Homura was still a little bit out of sorts; sure, she was beyond elated that her long journey was finally over, but after letting all her emotions loose yesterday in the wake of the victory, she was still automatically trying to rein them in again… and being left upset and worried that she was near-completely failing to do so. She'd been suppressing her feelings and worries and pains for so long, she'd almost forgotten what it was like to let them have free rein again, and it scared her. Fate, Naruto, and Madoka & her family were doing what they could to help Homura, telling her that it was okay for her to let her emotions be unrestrained, that it was safe for her to do so, that doing so wouldn't weaken her, and that her friends and loved ones still cared for her even if she could no longer act the way they were 'used to' her acting. They also figured that once Homura was done releasing what remained of what was stored up (which could take several days), it would be easier for her to "get a hold of herself" whenever she needed to in future fights. She was still spending almost all her time being fawned over and snuggled by Madoka, Junko, or Mami.

At the moment, Miyako was seated on a rather large and surprisingly comfy couch with Madoka, Sayaka, Kyōko, and Kyōsuke. She had arrived practically right before Walpurgis' attack, so she hadn't had too much time to get to know her fellow Puellae. Now they were trying to rectify that. She reminded them (thanks to their memories of previous timelines) of Homura's original personality, though with a teensy bit better self-image balanced out by slightly worse social anxiety. She got along quite well with Madoka, the pink-haired girl working to bring her out of her shell just as she once had with Homura. She also appeared quite taken with Kyōsuke, blushing a little whenever he smiled at her. Aqua had volunteered to help her broaden her range of Ice-type spells, with Evangeline claiming she'd pitch in once Miyako was 'a bit stronger'.

Elsewhere, another little conversation was starting between Twilight Sparkle, Zaeed Massani, Chisame Hasegawa, "Joker" Moreau, and Jacob Taylor.

"So…" Twilight said. "Hypothetical stuff – members of Team Shepard, and Elements of Harmony… Generosity?"

"…I've gotta say Tali" Joker replied. "The Quarians are all about putting the group ahead of the individual, giving things they have but don't need to people who need but don't have."

"I was thinking Samara" Zaeed said. "Shining example of a Justicar, giving aid to those less fortunate an' all that jazz. She's always preachin' that kinda stuff."

"Joy?" Twilight asked.

"I'd say Kasumi" Chisame replied. "The Normandy's resident ray of sunshine, always trying to lighten the mood."

"Well, what about me?" Joker said. "I'm the team jokester."

"Yeah, but you don't always know when to stop" Jacob said.

"Neither does Pinkie" Twilight replied.

"Oh. Yeah, true enough…"

"Loyalty?"

Joker, Zaeed, Chisame, and Jacob looked to each other, and then back to Twilight, and all replied simultaneously: "Garrus."

"No contest" Zaeed added. "The Turian is Shepard's all-but-official Number Two – follow 'im to hell & back without so much as a word of complaint. They're like brothers."

"Kindness?"

"I think Thane fits that best" Chisame said. "Sure, he's an assassin, but when it comes down to it he's maybe got the biggest heart on the team – always looking out for the little people, and all that…"

-SCENE BREAK-

Abandoned Area Just Outside The City

Same Time

Optimus, Ironhide, and Bumblebee arrived at the designated meeting point, transforming once they confirmed there were no local humans around. Less than a minute later, Starscream appeared from a thicket of tall trees.

"What's this about, Starscream?" Optimus asked. "Why did you help us?"

Starscream looked pensive, as if trying to decide whether or not he should say anything. Finally, he decided. "I'm sick of being Megatron's sycophantic lackey. …When I joined the Decepticons, it was because it looked like Sentinel Prime and his Autobots had lost sight of what was truly important: Cybertron. I joined Megatron because it looked like he hadn't forgotten that. But… as time went on, he lost sight as well, and from all appearances you did as well, Optimus. Both of you, fighting each other just for the sake of fighting, having forgotten the most important thing: our homeworld!"

"I never forgot Cybertron's plight," Optimus replied, sounding a little cross, "and I never truly gave up on finding a way to save it."

"I'll believe that if I see it. But Megatron… he's lost sight even more than you have; it's as if he cares more about hurting the humans than saving our planet! Sure, he hasn't really taken any actions against the humans in quite a while, but that's probably just because he's busy cooking up some big scheme. I can't stand what he's become, but I don't have the strength to dethrone him."

"So why not leave?" Ironhide asked.

"Because there are other Decepticons like me who aren't too far gone. If I leave, they'll be at the mercy of others who want to take over but do not share my standards. I stay to minimize my brethren's casualties as best I can. …I don't care about this whole stupid war any longer. I just want to keep our species from warring itself into extinction, and maybe find a way to heal our homeworld. I at first wanted to get rid of both of you and assume control of both factions, put a stop to all the fighting, but I now realize that, adept as I am at leading troops in battle and coordinating wartime strategies, I lack the charisma and political savvy necessary to truly lead our people; the fighting would not cease for long. …I don't know why I saved you. Some tiny spark of idealistic hope for a peaceful end that hasn't been snuffed out yet, perhaps."

"Starscream…" Optimus said. "Don't be so quick to give up hope for peace. I want this war ended as much as you do."

"Then why haven't you done so already, oh 'great' Prime?"

"I've tried…" the Autobot leader said sadly. "More times than you know… If you truly care about our people, then help me save them. Work with me and help us find a way to either dispose of Megatron or convince him to sue for peace."

"What?" Starscream and Ironhide exclaimed simultaneously.

"Optimus, you can't trust him!" Ironhide said. "He's a Decepticon!"

"That sort of thinking is what got us into this mess, Ironhide" Optimus replied. "Besides, look at Jetfire. He was a Decepticon, but his conscience and morals led him to switch sides."

Ironhide couldn't think of a counter-argument, so he just grunted and nodded his head, stepping back again.

"Your subordinate is wise not to trust me straight away" Starscream said. "But how can I trust you, Prime? I've yet to see evidence that you are able to 'practice what you preach', as the humans say. …At this point, a peaceful resolution to the conflict appears impossible."

"In case you haven't noticed, our new friends from across the realms have made careers out of accomplishing the impossible. Starscream, I swear on my honor as a Prime that I will do everything in my power to stop the war. We all will. But we'll need your help. Please…" he extended a hand.

Starscream was silent for a while… and then he reached out.

"I'm putting a lot of trust in you, Optimus. If you betray that trust, you'll regret it… as will I."

"Don't worry. Together, with the help of the Dimensional Defense Force, we'll end this war. You'll probably have to maintain cover, pretend to still be loyal to Megatron, once you return to our Earth, to gather information on what Megatron and his fellows are planning, but for now… Welcome to the Autobots, Starscream."

-SCENE BREAK-

Back At Base

Two Hours Later

Many of the group were out back in the old warehouse's walled-off parking lot, which had been set up with shades and the like to make an extension of the base. Col. Holland walked onto the scene, several saluting him as he passed. He called for attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "we've received intelligence that suggests something's getting ready to happen on the Autobots' Earth."

Several people, including Chisame, Marie, Mami, and Bumblebee, paid close attention.

"There's been a few oddly-timed deaths, all involving current or former members of that Earth's space program. In addition, we've acquired some footage which reveals that Megatron has a new heavy-hitter."

He brought up his Omnitool, projecting a large holoscreen showing somewhat grainy footage taken from a security camera. The last instant of footage showed a massive figure step into view and blast the camera. The footage was reversed, paused, and cleaned up, revealing a Decepticon with horn-like fins on his head, a single large red eye, and a massive cannon for a right arm.

"Shockwave has surfaced."

A few people gasped; Bumblebee 'said' a voice clip of The Heavy from Team Fortress 2 saying "Oh, this is bad!"

"Damn it…" Chisame said. "If this incarnation of Shockwave is anything like the others, he's one of the strongest and most dangerous Decepticons of them all."

"He is" Ironhide replied gravely. "Shockwave is one of the Cons' most accomplished – and most ruthless – shock-troops. He's a killing machine; the only things he feels are bloodlust and rage. It's said that even Megatron can only partially control him."

"We'd better head over there next to head Megs off at the pass" Marie said. "Whatever the Deceps are planning, it can't be good for anyone."

"One other thing" Holland said. "Commander Shepard?"

"Yes, sir?"

"An ONI operative working in your Realm recently sent us information that Dr. T'Soni could use to track down the Shadow Broker. We recommend you bring it to her as soon as possible."

"I'll make that a priority."

-SCENE BREAK-

Most of the on-world personnel would be staying here for a few days to make sure things settled down. The Autobots headed back to their Earth to make ready for whatever was coming. And the Normandy II, carrying a handful of non-crewmember volunteers, jumped out, returning to its home realm, and bound for Illium.

-CHAPTER END-

Next Time: Bonus Chapter – Lair of the Shadow Broker