In with the Old

Planet Aio.
It was the dead of night as the large Cybertronian jet & its crew arrived at the planet. Edward was in the midst of a quick cat nap as Lust looked outside at the moonlit forest below. Looking up, she notices not just one, but two moons in the night sky. One being much larger than the other & glowing a slight reddish color as the the other near it gave a bluish light. It was strange, like something out of a science fiction novel.

The large jet lands in a small clearing that was surrounded by the thick overgrowth of shrubs & trees. Grabbing hold of Blaster while still in his tape deck form, jumps to the ground. Lust stirs Edward from his slumber by giving him a few gentle nudges. "Wake up, sleepy head... We've arrived." Ed rubs his eyes as he stands to his feet only to groggily lose his balance & falling out of the cockpit.

Lust missed grabbing his coat by only a hair before she heard a loud "thump" followed by the alchemist's quick scream of pain. She jumps out & lands to his side. "Are you alright?" She concerning asked. Edward slowly props himself up as he looks up to the jet. "You oversized jackass, why didn't you beam me out or something? Like you usually do."

"Well fleshling, you never asked & it's not my fault that you're clumsy." The giant replied cruelly. Ed was about to protest, until the monster's one comment. Lust jumps down as Rewind helps Ed to his feet. "Thunderwing, we're going to go on ahead. We'll notify you if need your help." The Autobot stated, noting that there was no reply.

The group walked through the dense forest, following Rewind's chosen path as he casually continued to carry Blaster, who was still in his tape deck form. "I can't help but ask, why did you tell our 'bodyguard'-for lack of better words-to stay behind?" Lust asked as she helped clearing some of the underbrush with her extended nails.

"Because of his reply to Edward's rant. I think your compatriot inside may very well be in the early stages of an internal battle." Rewind answered, causing Lust to retract her nails & turned to face him. "What do you mean exactly?"

"When you hold two personalities in one body, you are going to suffer conflict. All I will say is this, pray to whatever higher being you believe in, that he doesn't turn on us."

About two miles away, the large jet known as Thunderwing, changes to his robot form as he growled ta the trees before him. A young man with short black hair wearing casual clothes & a brown trench coat steps out. The giant tilts his head in curiosity as a old wooded coffin is suddenly tossed out from the shadows & crashing to the giant's feet.

Two Cybertronians walk out behind the man, both black in color, one with multiple cannons & the other with two long swords that hung from his left. The man places his hands one the ground, a large alchemic seal appears under the giant's feet, taking the shape of what is used to seal a homunculus.

As Ed & the rest of the group reach a small clearing, Lust suddenly turns back to the path they just traveled, feeling something familiar. It was the same as what happened at the mansion with Greed & when he was sealed. "Hey, are you alright?" Ed asked as he looked at her concernedly. "I don't know... It's probably nothing."

Rewind on the other hand, had his doubts & pressed the eject button on the front of the tape deck, allowing a yellow cassette to fly out before transforming into what can only be described as a large, saber tooth lion with twin mounted cannons on its shoulders. It turned its head to face the group behind it, seeing both Ed & Lust take a nervous step back out of intimidation as it growled lightly. "Steeljaw, there might be trouble down the path we just came from. Please investigate, then report back." Rewind asked. The lion nodded & quickly ran down the path.

The rests on his knees & hands a small puddle of reddish-pink liquid continues to fade into the ground. The inner homunculi was shocked in a way, to be paralyzed with a more real body. (If you want to call Thunderwing's body, normal.) The Cybertronian with the dual blades off his side, approaches as he unsheathes one of his swords. "Any last words?"

"Not really. I hold no regrets... And I'll see you in Hell."

"Perhaps." With his final comment, he pierces the giant's forehead. The light from his eyes & mouth vanish. He leans to his left & crashes to the ground. Lucifer removes his sword from the giant's head as the multi-cannoned jet, Amon, walks behind behind his brother jet. "Well, that was easy enough. Easier than Optimus Prime."

"True. In fact, this was almost too easy. We should not take any chances."

"I personally wouldn't worry. He was never a threat to father."

"Indeed... But, nonetheless, no chances should be taken... Not when father is so close to finishing the unbinding."

A fiery portal opens next to them as they walk through & disappear from the scene. Their conversation did not go unheard as Steeljaw reveals himself & looks over what can be described as a "murder scene." He sees that the giant had gone into complete shutdown, the tattoo on his back had now vanished. He wonders over to where Amon & Lucifer once stood. Smelling the ground, he could detect the unnatural composition of their armor as he pondered over their conversation.

"It's the same scent from Garrus-9. What are they?" He asked. He quickly makes his way back to the rest of the group to report his findings, but unbeknownst to him, he too was being watched by unknowing eyes. A small round silver ball with a camera protruding from an opening in its face watched the Autobot's retreat down the path & began to follow.

At the end of the path, Edward & Lust sat next to each other on a mossy fallen log as Blaster, now in his robot form, stands guard. Ed couldn't help but wonder why she would change her attire. Not that he would disapprove, far from it. The tight clothing really showed off her figure & shamelessly. He would try to make occasional glances & take in her beauty.

In some ways, she looked like a hitman or hitwoman, whichever. Another thing he noticed, was the fact that she was still wearing the necklace he gave her. He was happy that she appreciated it, but a nagging feeling came to him as he wondered if anyone ever really showed her any kindness. It saddened him to think he may very well be one of the few—if there were any others—that showed her any kindness. "I could be the only one... That's just sad."

He paused his thoughts for the moment & stood to his feet along with Lust as Steeljaw appeared from the darkened foliage. "Hey, cool cat. What's the word?" Blaster asked in his loud & static tone. "Unfortunately, I wish I had something positive to report, but I'm afraid, our giant compatriot has been struck down. And those that are responsible, are the same ones—that I believe—to be the culprits behind Optimus Prime's death."

"Just out of curiosity, how do you know for sure that these are the same guys?" Ed asked. Steeljaw slowly strode up to him & looked into his gold eyes. Ed tried his best to hide his intimidation, but it was a rather tall order. "Simple... Whatever my eyes cannot see..." He turns his attention to Lust, who was in much more control, but even within her, there was still just a hint of some intimidation. "My nose always knows."

Lust gave her casual seductive smirk, still keeping her emotions in check. "Oh really, do tell."

"Later." He replied as he turned to his guardian, Blaster. "I suggest that we contact Garrus-9 & have the Wreckers or another unit to rendezvous with us here & notify Ultra Magnus of our findings." The conversation was short lived when Steeljaw sensed that they were being watched. With one swift motion, he turns & begins to open fire from his shoulder mounted guns on the small orb that followed him to the others. The orb falls to the ground in a broken heap, grabbing Lust's admiration at his awareness & reaction time.

"And without question, we're still not alone." He added as smoke billowed from the barrels. Rewind looked over to his guardian who knew full well of his request. "I got the signal guys... Twenty-four clicks Northeast of here." Lust noticed the bemused expression on Edwards face when the "clicks" & "twenty-four" were added together & new it was a military term. "Oh great, this is going to be a long hike. I can already see it." Ed muttered.

Planet Charr.
Jetfire is thrown to the ground be the rounded mechanoid from earlier while his arms & hands are bound by chains & metal straps.

"Jetfire, my old friend. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

The familiar dark & booming voice sent a proverbial chill through his core as he pushed himself into a kneeling position & looked up to the taller ancient Cybertronian, flames roaring off his upper back.

"What's the matter, don't you recognize me? After all, you imprisoned me within the Well of all Sparks."

Jetfire remained silent to the Fallen's comments, knowing he doesn't want to trap himself anymore than he currently is. A fiery portal opens behind the Fallen & the two jets, Lucifer & Amon step through & onto the rocky surface. The portal closes behind them, telling Jetfire that their arrival could only mean new worries. "Father, our mission is complete." Lucifer said pridefully.

"Mission?" Jetfire questioned.

"Yes, just a little something to give both the Autobots & Decepticons something else to worry about. But, now it's time to finish what I started."

"Finish? You mean..."

"Yes, the Unbinding... Asmodeus, Beelzebub, Amon, retrieve Blitzwing. Leviathan, Belphegor, you will search for Grimlock. Mammon, Lucifer, bring Hot Spot, while I, entertain our guest."

With that, three fiery portals open & allow the respected parties to disappear from the scene. Jetfire looks up to the Fallen, the scowl across his face tells his disgust. "You won't get away with this, you can't."

"I can & I will... The time draws near & soon, all shall be one... In eternal torment."

Decepticon base, Dublith.

Astrotrain & Blitzwing walk through the halls of their base to the research lab the base suddenly losses power. The emergency lights come on, shining the way to the main power room a few levels below. They enter the room, seeing the cables sliced from the wall & the massive generator was riddled with bullet holes & what looked like bite marks.

"Whoa... What do you think happened? I mean, the intrusion alarms never went off." Blitzwing asked nervously as he readied his rifle. "Now boys, why don't we put petty questions aside." They look around the room to see where the sultry voice emanated from when they suddenly heard the sound to rifle barrels cocking & pressed to the back of their heads. "Drop'em"

They lowered their weapons & dropped them to the floor & slowly turned their heads to meet the other intruder as a third appears from behind the power core, snacking on long cable. "Blitzwing, you'll be coming with us." Amon stated, a malicious smile crosses his lips.

"You are so misguided." A familiar voice said behind him. It was a voice that instilled authority & fear. Amon turned his head to add a face to the voice he heard. The bot behind the voice was the Decepticon leader, Megatron. "Oh, it's just you." Amon stated in an uninterested tone. "First, you dare enter my base & disrupt my operations. Now you are trying to abduct one of my subordinates & you dare disrespect me by thinking I'm not a threat to you."

"You, a threat? You're nothing to us, nor our father." Amon snapped back. "Is that so? Then I should educate you & your 'father' on just who I really am." Megatron said, raising his fusion cannon as Astrotrain & Blitzwing step aside, knowing what was coming. A thunderous "boom" fills the room, followed by the sound of Amon crashing against the wall behind Beelzebub & taking out a control panel.

Beelzebub slurps down the rest of the cable he was eating & made a quick dash towards the Decepticon leader. "I'll eat you!" Megatron's scowl never changed as he displays his stunning strength by smashing his left fist onto the top of Beelzebub's head & driving his face into the reenforced steel floor. Asmodeus charges forward with (much like Lust's) razor sharp fingers extended, only to have the Decepticon leader dodge her attack.

He grabs her left forearm & violently swings her around & throwing her into the wall beside him. She grins mischievously as Megatron clenches his left fist tightly. "You wouldn't hit a lady now, would you?" The only answer she received was his left fist driving her head & the upper portion of her body through the wall. "I can, without any regret... As well as this." He takes aim with his fusion cannon & fires at point blank range, taking her & a portion of the wall down to the floor in a burning heap.

Amon rises to his feet in a furious rage & takes aim at Megatron. He locks all of his weapons & prepared to fire only to be shot in the back by a dual set of laser blasts & falls to his hands & knees. He looks back & sees Skywarp, the barrels of his shoulder mounted cannons still smoking. "Have you forgotten where you are?" He asked.

"Not at all." The cannons on Amon's back quickly rotate before firing at the elusive Decepticon, driving him through the wall. Beelzebub rises up & smiles evilly at Megatron, who's scowl never leaves his face as he looks down at the unknown intruder. "Durable, aren't we?"

Beelzebub's smile widens before he opens his mouth & firing a large beam of green energy into Megatron's chest, sending him flying back into the wall at the end of the hallway adjacent to the generator room. Astrotrain & Blitzwing look on in shock at what just happened to their leader & seeing the fembot that he had pummeled just a moment ago, crawl her way out of the hole in the wall with out a scratch on her.

"Come, Blitzwing, it's time to go." She extends an arm to open a portal when she was suddenly knocked back by a large burst of purple energy & thrown into Amon. "I'm not sure—let alone care—as to who sent you, but you have now overstayed your welcome." Megatron stated as he walked out from the shadows, a burn mark can be clearly seen on his chest yet, he stands as though nothing had happened.

Planet Aio
Edward & Lust race through the forest with himself hunched over while riding on Steeljaw's back with Blaster (in his tape deck form) strapped to his back while Lust was riding the back of Ramhorn. The Autobot, Raindance, flies overhead following the group to the location of the signal. They exit the woods & come upon a large cave entrance.

Edward groans as he dismounts from Steeljaw's back. "That trip actually hurt my ass." He turns to Lust & casually points to the cave. "What is it with these guys & caves & underground bases? This is getting rather old."

"We only do so, so no one figures out that we a present. Sometimes, even hiding in plain sight." Steeljaw replied. Edward removes Blaster from his back & sets him on the ground before he changed back to his robot form. The small jet, Raindance, changes to his cassette mode & returns to Baster's chest. "Okay, so what's the plan?" Ed asked, somewhat annoyed with the situation.

"Who's out there?" An elder voice called out from the shadows of the inner depths of the caves. "I told you before, I'm not interested in a subscription!" This elder mechanoid's attitude took everyone back by surpriseas he walked out. His armor had some light cracks in its structure of burgundy, gray & deep blue. Edward looks up into Lust's eyes as she turned her's to his. "What's grandpa complaining about?" He asked.

"Who are you? Are you Jehovah's Witnesses?"

"Jehovah what?" Ed added. Ramhorn & Steeljaw glance at each other, a small sense of pity shows in their eyes. "Time has not been kind to him." Steeljaw stated. "Wait, you know him?" Lust questioned. Steeljaw looks to her & nods slightly as the elder Autobot approaches Blaster & taps the handle of his cane into the center of his chest. "I don't remember you... Are you some punk trying to steal my things again?"

"Hey, calm down, paps. I ain't lookin' for trouble..." He replied nervously. Edward's tolerance to the situation was declining rapidly & reaching it's breaking point. "Hey, grandpa. I hate to interrupt your Alzheimer induced session of Q & A, but we came here looking for help. And, maybe a way to get off this rock now." He spatted.

"A way off? Why don't you call your large friend to pick you up, Short one?" He retorted.

Ed narrowed his eyes as flames erupted around him. Lust wraps her arms around his waist from behind to hold him back as he begins his loud & blasphemous rant, scaring the many species of birds from their slumber.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A BEAN SO SMALL, HE CAN BE CRUSHED BY A DUST-MITE'S FOOTSTEP?"

The elder 'bot bends down to acknowledge Edward's complaint. "That's not what I said, so stop putting words in my mouth & sounding stupid!" Both he & Lust turn away after smelling what could only be the elder's breath. "Damn, grandpa... You can strip furniture with that breath." Lust covered her mouth, doing her best not to loose her meal from earlier. "Oh my God, I can actually taste it."

Blaster presses down the eject button on his abdomen, allowing a black cassette to fly out before it transformed to it's robotic state. The elder Cybertronian turns his attention to Rewind, seeing the awestricken Autobot standing before him. "Please, Alpha Trion, we need you. We need your help..."

"Such as?"

"We need your knowledge about the Matrix... Events are unfolding right before us & this may be-"

"Our darkest hour... This I will say, is only the 'prelude' to it, but that's another story, for another time."

"Well, time is of the essence & we have very little of it as of now." Lust stated calmly as she folded her arms. "And we need a way off this planet." She quickly added.

"Why don't you ask your large friend that you traveled here with?"

"Sorry, but he's still kinda dead at the moment." Edward added.

"Really? Then why did I see him leave a few moments before you arrived here?"

"WHAT?" They all said in unison.

ZATA 7, Beta System.
The monstrous Thunderwing enters the plant's atmosphere, disrupting the peaceful, tri-moon night scene with the rumbling sound of his twin nuclear turbine engines. The nearby Decepticons cringe in terror at the familiar sound. The same sound that prelude the events on Nebulos. The small Decepticon group take cover in the heavily wooded forest readying their respected weapons just before their incoming enemy changes to his robot form & lands on the grassy terrain.

The giant monster slowly scans the area, knowing that he is not alone. To his left, he turns & slams his right fist into the ground, breaking the surface like glass & sending a fissure that strikes the hidden Decepticons, throwing them off to the sides. "Stand down cretins, or end up as future scrap under my feet."

The fact that the monster of Cybertron, just spoke out to them with a booming & commanding voice that is every bit as threatening as his power. Pounce & his spark brother, Wingspan, step out. Following close behind, was Windsweeper, Slugslinger, Spinister & the Duocons, Flywheels & Battletrap.

Thunderwing kneels down & before his former Decepticon allies. They continue to grip their weapons tightly as they prepare for the worst. "Now that I have your attention, I'd like to say that thanks to some interesting events that have unfolded over the past short while, dare I say, that it is good to be back to my old self. Or at least, mentally speaking, that is... But as of now, I require your services."

The Decepticon glace at each other, fearing that they know that they have two options, fight & die or, agree with his request & live to tell about it. "Um... Wh-What is it that you need?" Windsweeper asked nervously, seeing the monster bear a sinister grin at his question. "I'm glad you asked."