A/N: A while back a reviewer asked 'how many horror movies I had seen.' The answer is 48 (at least/give or take) and rising. What can I say? I love Horror movies even though Musicals are also my favorite genre. :P

Some of my favorite horror movies are: The Descent, The Omen (70's) The Exorcist, Jaws, Funny Games, The Bad Seed, The Shinning, Trick 'r Treat, The Others, Fright Night, Misery, The Sixth Sense, The Amityville Horror (70's) The Birds and of course the inspiration for this chapter... Psycho. So here's my ode to Hitchcock.

Enjoy! ^^


THE POVEGLIAN VENDETTA

Chapter 11

"For The Last Time We'll Play"


Norman Bates: "We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?"
Marion Crane: "Yes. Sometimes just one time can be enough."

Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh (Psycho)


The serenity of the tundra was broken long ago when man was introduced to it's monetary opportunities. Since then it has long been white man's only reason to venture into the unforgiving territory. Now there was another visitor, whose purpose was the same but more deadly, destructive and speedy.

Metallic feet sank into the swampy, treeless flatland, the only escape from the watery, mosquito infested terrestrial traps were the man-made concrete ground that supported the human facilities, oil drills and equipment.

The Carthart clad oil workers—ranging from the new adults and seasoned ones; white and other ethnicities— watched from their prison as their paycheck was taken from the ground and placed inside the strange transparent cubes, identical to the large one that they were in; trapped just like the thousands of mosquitos that mercilessly continued to bite at them inside the prison.

They shrunk back when the most recognizable of the Decepticons approached their transparent jail box; the news had broadcasted his face so often that he was burned into their knowledge.

The leader, Megatron. The true representation of the Devil himself.

As his form blocked out the sun fear swept through the humans as his shadow darkened their bodies. Even though that simple act was enough to prove to them of just how inferior they were to the alien robot, he still gave the humans a malicious smirk as his crimson red optics looked down upon them with disgust and malice. Being murdered by his hands crossed all of their minds. If not now, definitely later.

The ear splitting roar of an F-15 cut through the air, causing them to wince. They watched as the red, white and blue craft reformatted it's body and dropped from the sky and landed next to the Decepticon Commander.

Even though the workers knew that they were extreme mortal danger by the giants, and even though they were frightened beyond the capacity for rational thought, seeing an aircraft of that size configure it's body into a humanoid robot was still an amazing sight… and probably the last they would ever see.

The F-15 spoke to his Commander in their strange computerized language and glanced over them with a smile of anticipating bloodlust.

Megatron smiled darkly as he relayed an order to him, his stare traveling over them as he walked away to carry on other duties.

The red, white and blue jet robot smirked softly and turned to leave as well, but not before giving the cube a small kick with his thruster heel— causing them to jump. His screechy laugh both angered and scared them as he walked away, reminding them again that they were at their mercy no matter what help came for them.


Megatron surveyed the production with satisfaction. The area was rich in energy and it was showing in the growing number of energon cubes being loaded into Astrotrain and Blast Off, yet he still felt as if something was missing.

Megatron's satisfaction wouldn't be complete until the Autobots arrived. A dark look crossed Megatron's face as he smiled. His revenge would not only raiding the human's oil, but also to see the look on Prime's face when he mass-executed the humans right in front of him. He promised Prime he would pay, and pay he would.

((Attention Megatron.)) Soundwave's called over the channel.

((What is it Soundwave?))

((Reported Autobot siting. Estimated time of arrival: 5.5 breems))

((Good... )) Megatron smiled. ((Order the others to finishing loading Astrotrain and Blast Off and have them return back to headquarters. Order the Coneheads to provide them cover and call everyone else regroup... we must be near the humans when Prime arrives.))

((As you command.)) Soundwave cut the communication.

Megatron glanced back at the fleshling hostages and grinned, his optics flashing as he approached.


The question that had been plaguing Optimus Prime's processor had finally been answered much to his discomfort; he finally saw what Megatron had been cooking up in his processor and how he was going to return the favor to him. The only question that Prime couldn't answer was exactly what favor Megatron was returning.

Optimus knew that none of his soldiers would have disobeyed his orders and ventured into the Nemesis alone, and after a meeting he confirmed that none of them had. Megatron was mistaken, but as he stopped in his tracks, his soldiers behind him, he saw that Megatron clearly did not think he was.

The humans looked to Optimus and the Autobots as Megatron's fusion cannon covered them in a purplish light—preparing to exterminate the humans in front of the Autobots.

"Ah Optimus Prime, I'm pleased that you could finally join us!" Megatron sarcastically greeted with an evil smile. "You're just in time to watch me decrease the insect population!"

"Let them go Megatron!" Optimus Prime ordered, his rifle raised at the silver mech. "They have nothing to do with our conflict."

"Oh but they do!" Megatron called back, his face falling into the most frightening of malevolent glares. "Now these humans will pay for your spy..."

Megatron's fusion cannon powered up and the humans tensed with horror; waiting to see if life really did flash before your eyes.

A shot was fired and Megatron was thrown backwards, his fusion cannon, intending to massacre all the humans, only managed to eliminate the unlucky group of oil workers in the upper-right corner of cube; creating a bloody door for the other humans to escape out of.

Megatron landed on his back, his massive form shaking the ground. Megatron glared at Optimus, his rifle smoking softly. Both leaders were enraged and they did the only thing that made sense...

"Decepticons— RIP THEM APART!"

"Autobots— ATTACK!"

Without the slightest hesitation on either sides, the titans clashed; using both their guns and fists as weapons.

"Jazz, Ratchet, Bumblebee! Get the oil workers out of here!" ordered Optimus Prime before he found himself in hand-to-hand combat with Megatron.

Optimus swung a powerful right hook, hitting Megatron square in the jaw and causing the silver mech to stumble back towards the faded green facilities. Megatron swung his arm back and brought it forward, managing to hit Optimus Prime in the abdomen.

Optimus leaned forward and hit Megatron across the face, knocking him backwards.

Megatron turned on his heels to regain balance and fired his fusion cannon. Prime ducked and fired his own weapon, both missing. Megatron fired again and missed his target... but his shot still hit with a disastrous result.

The Cons and Bots turned to see the oil drill suddenly become unstable. The large machinery thundered as the natural geographic pressure of the well was finally able to release it's power and sent tremors through the ground; continuing to shake with more and more violence. The mechanical volcano finally exploded, showering black lava on the swampy flatland and it's visiting residents and natives.

Vanity on both sides took precedence momentarily over the battle.

"My paint job!" exclaimed Sunstreaker, his face twisting in rage as oil covered him. He threw a punch, taking his rage on the closest thing next to him—Swindle. Both sides seemed to follow suit and gladly went back to fighting.

The oil raining down didn't stop Megatron, while Optimus was distracted he placed a sound backhand against Optimus's face. Optimus crashed to the slippery asphalt hard. He regained himself and stood to re-engage Megatron, his blue feet slipping slightly. Optimus charged forward and tackled Megatron around the midsection, sending him to the ground. Optimus placed a square fist into Megatron's face, making the ex-gladiator groan slightly.

Megatron snarled and brought his foot up and planted it into Optimus's chassis, making the glass windows of his alt mode crack.

Megatron's attention was drawn away as he watched the red Lambo Twin crash Skywarp into one of the still-water lakes that dotted the scenary, a result of his infamous Jet-Judo technique. He noticed with disdain that his other troops were losing. The Autobots would win the battle, but oddly enough, in a strange sort of way, Megatron still managed to accomplish his goal.

Megatron turned back to Optimus who was also taking the time to look at the destroyed tundra with despair.

"You could have avoided this Prime... if you just admitted that you sent your spy into my base. The deaths of those humans are on your hands." Megatron seethed, a glint of brief satisfaction in his optics.

Optimus looked to his black oil-soaked enemy. "I told you before Megatron, I did not authorize any infiltration of your base! Your processor is deluded."

Megatron narrowed his optics in rage. "You still dare to lie to my face!" Megatron raised his fusion cannon and fired. Optimus ducked out of the way, Megatron's shot hitting one of the ponds and causing the water to geyser behind Optimus.

Megatron turned on his anti-gravity and called to the Decepticons to retreat.

With nothing further to gain, they left the Autobots behind to clean up their mess and confusion still eating away at their sparks.


Though they returned with energon cubes, morale was still as low as they left.

The doors of the elevator opened, revealing a batch of disgruntled, angry and oil-stained Decepticons with new Autobot-inflicted dents covering their body. Megatron was the first to leave the elevator, followed by Soundwave, Thundercracker, and the Combaticons minus Blast Off.

The lights began to flicker above their helms. Once, twice and then ceased.

Megatron stopped and so did his troops who sensed their leader's foul temper. Megatron turned to his Communications Officer with a displeased look. "Soundwave, I thought you said these lights were no longer a problem!"

Scavenger and Long Haul appeared from around the corner, giving their leader befuddled looks as they approached; trying to identify what exactly he was covered in...

Megatron's attention fixed on the two Constructicons, an obsidian finger pointed up at the lights as his optics narrowed at them: "When I order something fixed I want it fixed!"

The Constructicons stiffened slightly, unprepared for their leader's sudden harsh words. They followed Megatron's finger and looked up at the lights, finally understanding.

"But sir... we did fix the lights," Long Haul replied.

"Apparently you did not!" roared the silver mech. "Thoroughly repair these malfunctions or I'll thoroughly blast you both until you are nothing but molecules!"

Long Haul and Scavenger mumbled their 'yes-sirs' and set to work as Megatron passed. Soundwave passed by both mechs and felt their glares at the back of his helm; anger directed at him. He could also feel the Combaticons anger upon him, as if they were blaming Megatron's foul-temper and the dark atmosphere in the base on him. Though he could also sense that there was one in the hall that didn't have the same mutual feelings as the other angered mechs…

Thundercracker approached from the group, guided by an emotion he couldn't recognize. He wasn't sure if it was comradeship or pity, neither felt right when it was toward the blue, emotionless Communications Officer. However, ever since the event in the Common Room and Ravage had told them it was a ghost, the other Cons had used Soundwave as their scapegoat for why everything in the base had escalated as it did. If Soundwave had known all this time, why did he fail to tell Megatron— even now after the attack on all of them?

"Soundwave," called Thundercracker, pacing himself into a small jog to catch up.

Thundercracker rounded the corner and caught up with Soundwave, who was waiting for the Seeker; his head turned over his shoulder. Thundercracker hesitated, unsure how to begin. Soundwave was always the hardest one to talk to.

"Is it true?" Thundercracker questioned, "That there is a... ghost in here?"

Soundwave turned to face the blue Seeker, signaling his willingness to have a conversation, "Affirmative."

Thundercracker's optics widened minutely before shrinking into a pondering stare. Thundercracker looked Soundwave in the visor and said: "Then you should tell Megatron. It's only going to get worse if you don't."

Thundercracker waited for a response. He always hated the way Soundwave covered his face, it was nearly impossible to tell what exactly he was thinking and the only thing it succeded in was making the one talking to him awkward.

Tell Megatron... it's will only get worse...

The Seeker did have a point.

Perhaps now was the time; if the entity wanted to reveal himself to Megatron he would have done so. Soundwave had thought it would have been more than pleased to reveal itself to the Decepticon Commander as a demonstration of it's power, but now he was beginning to see what the entity was truly doing.

It was choosing not to show itself to Megatron.

Megatron would never allow Soundwave to waste his time on something he didn't believe in, and therefore allowing the ghost to create more havoc to destroy them. The ghost would never leave unless Megatron was informed of it. He could also sense a change in his leader, Megatron wasn't as upset until he arrived at the base. It seemed the atmosphere was starting to effect him as well, but even that wouldn't be enough to persuade him. Soundwave would have to take a different tactic...

He was going to have to force the ghost to show itself to Megatron. A plan had already started it's process of forming as he turned to leave.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Thundercracker asked, pulling the navy blue mech from his thoughts. "I have seen things too and I can back up your claim."

"Negative," Soundwave answered.

Before Thundercracker could get in another word, he watched as Soundwave was about to turn the corner until he stopped. "What is it?" questioned Thundercracker. His optics scanning the hall.

He didn't answer, his attention on the presence he faintly felt. It felt similar to the entity but it didn't have the same malicious aura. He turned over his shoulder plates but found nothing.

After a moment the presence left and so did Soundwave. He continued to walk, trying to decipher wither it was the dark entity haunting the Nemesis or just his imagination.

Thundercracker also departed, all the while still searching for whatever had made the Communications Officer stop in his tracks.


Thundercracker soon joined the others in the Cleaning Room. As he entered he noticed how quiet they appeared to be as they waited for their turn through the only functional 'Deep Cleaner' (the others strangely inoperable). Thundercracker joined Skywarp at the back of the line. As Skywarp looked back to greet his fellow Seeker, he noticed the look on his face was an expression of deep concentration. "Whatcha thinkin' about?" questioned the teleporter.

Thundercracker looked up, pulled from his thoughts. "Nothing just"— Thundercracker sighed irritably, shaking his head— "I don't know Warp. I felt more comfortable outside the base. It feels like we are being watched all the time."

Thundercracker studied Skywarp's reaction, expecting him to laugh or shrug.

He didn't. As Skywarp looked at him, the corner of his mouth tugging slightly, Thundercracker could tell that Skywarp felt the same way.

Thrust, who was in front of the two Seekers, turned to look over his shoulder plates, but found himself unable to blast a cutting remark at them. Despite his slight rejection to the paranormal explanation, he couldn't help but feel the same way.

In fact most of the Decepticons felt the same way. Ever since they returned to the base they felt less than content. They couldn't recall a time when they were less than enthusiastic about returning to their headquarters. Now that they had a taste of freedom away from the anxiety of ghost's attention on them, it was simply dreadful being in the base... not knowing what was going to happen next.

Starscream entered the Cleaning Room with a clear distasteful disposition. Also covered in oil that stained his form and ruining his always perfect and glorious paintjob. He marched over to the far left side of the room, passing by the large water pool in the center, the regular shower stalls and cut to the front of the Deep Cleaner line and shoved Swindle out of the way.

"Hey!" Swindle cried as Vortex caught him under his arms and lifted him back up. "I was next, Starscream!"

"And you will be after I am finished!" Starscream returned, his back to the doors of the Deep Cleaner.

"What gives you the right to cut in front of us!" Brawl demanded, raising a fist in the Seeker's direction as he stepped forward; his left foot in his place in the line.

"Only the fact that I am your SUPERIOR officer Combaticon," retorted Starscream, a smirk of authority upon his faceplates.

The other Cons in the line began to grow angry, and as always the voice of reason sounded first to calm the chaos-eager mechs.

"Just get in the back Starscream and wait, stop being an aft," Thundercracker called, his voice as respectful as he could be.

"I do NOT possess the rank that forces me to wait on anyone!"

Starscream's blue hand landed on the panel to the left, opening the doors to the Deep Cleaner and activating the conveyor-belt. Starscream placed his blue thruster feet on the sides, remaining behind to get his last words in.

Whatever they were, the Cons didn't hear them. Instead their attention was on the ghostly apparition visible only because of the steam radiating from the hot water of the spray units. It smirked once and then disappeared within the cloud of steam.

Starscream smiled smugly, finished with the last of speech of why he was predestined for glory unlike the others.

Starscream was only slightly surprised that they remained silent... although he had to say that the fear stricken looks on their face-plates tickled his ego. Starscream smiled widely and then prepared to step on the conveyor-belt—but was halted by his wing-mate.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you Screamer," Skywarp called, a rare look of alarm on his face for his annoying wing-mate.

"Do NOT tell me what to do Skywarp," warned the Supreme Air Commander with narrowed optics. He scanned the crowd with a dangerous but egotistical expression, "Now then... does anyone else have any objections about me going first?"

Silence... and then Swindle finally spoke for them, remembering that he owed payback. "No... ghost—I mean go right ahead Starscream."

Starscream narrowed his optics minutely but ultimately ignored the Combaticon. With nobody daring to add another word, Starscream nodded with satisfaction and dropped his feet to the conveyor belt and allowed it to carry him forward into the Deep Cleaner, the doors shutting behind him.

About now, almost everyone had heard the theory of the ghost and though there was some speculation about how plausible it was, the Cons now couldn't help but wait in anticipation for the cowardly high-pitched scream that would signal Starscream finally becoming aware of the ghost rumor.

"Do you think that was a good idea to let Starscream go in with that thing in there?" Thundercracker questioned.

Swindle and the others turned to Thundercracker, expressions that hinted to an answer of 'not really, but what're you gonna do about it now?'

The Cons remained silent, waiting. They had no doubt that the entity would reveal itself to Starscream; it had to all of them in one way or another after all.

Much to their astonishment—and slight frustration—Starscream emerged from the Deep Cleaner in pristine condition; his form washed and dried. He descended from the conveyor-belt to greet their baffled expressions. Why didn't he attack him?

Starscream suddenly narrowed his optics, displeased and confused with the looks he was receiving from the mechs. "Why are you all staring at me like that? You all look as if I you have seen a ghost."

The group exchanged wary and brief glances with the one next to them. He just had to use that expression...

Starscream, who received no answer, scoffed and headed towards the door. As Starscream closed the doors behind him, the doors of the Deep Cleaner suddenly opened. They stared in frightened bewilderment as the conveyor belt whirred to life and steam rose, waiting for another to pass through...

The Decepticons looked at the Deep Cleaner with no intention of stepping forth. Instead, they all turned and went to the stalls. Willing to settle with a poorer wash replacement than a thorough clean and risk the possibility of being attacked.

Feeling the thing watching them all, they hurried. As soon as they had most of the oil washed off they got the slag out of there.


Megatron watched the evidence Soundwave showed him with very little interest. As Megatron shook his head slightly, his arms crossed over his chest while he stared at the vid screen of his personal quarters, the only thing he felt was disappointment. He turned over his shoulder plates and stared at Soundwave with a frown.

Soundwave... out of all of the delusional and dysfunctional soldiers under his command, it was Soundwave to present to him the most ludicrous explanation of all for what the 'Autobot' intruder was. He could never recall his most logical and loyal solider ever disappointing—and angering him—as much as he did now.

Megatron suddenly slammed a hand down on his keyboard, causing to screen to pause on the image of the black figure in Miscellaneous Hall. After a long pause, giving the angered Decepticon leader time to fume out some of his rage and cool his overheating circuitry, he spoke to his Third-in-Command.

"I must say Soundwave," Megatron began, his vocals low with displeasure. "Your new found sense of humor does NOT make me laugh."

Stern optics locked on Soundwave. "Of all the micro-chipped morons I have under my command," Megatron began, shaking his disapprovingly at Soundwave. "Why did you have to fall to their level as well?"

Soundwave straightened his posture slightly, inside feeling the smallest twinge of embarrassment—but only a small one.

At least Megatron was aware of the theory now which was Soundwave's main objective for visiting his leader's quarters; and he accomplished that. He never expected Megatron to believe him— not yet anyway. Still, it never hurt to regain some dignity.

"Many other report similar sittings around the Nemesis," Soundwave explained. "Astrotrain, Reflector and Blitzwing have taken photographic evidence of the same intruder captured on the security cameras."

Megatron tilted his head in an extremely annoyed manner, his optics narrowing in resent that Soundwave was still trying to convince him.

"Others also claim sitting of the ghost during the 'break-in' last cycle-"

"ENOUGH!"

Soundwave ceased, sensing the last of his commander's patience vanishing. Soundwave watched as Megatron tried to regain control of his anger, his black fists closing and opening as if eagerly wanting to strangle something as the most cross of looks grew on his face.

He threw a black hand through the air, "Get out!" Megatron ordered.

Soundwave turned to comply, heading towards the door and exited.

Although he was bit discouraged by Megatron's total rejection and his angered reaction, Soundwave knew his lader's emotions too well to really be upset. He knew it was ill-wise to present such a explanation to Megatron when he was clearly not in the mood, but Soundwave felt a little relaxed now that he had finally shown him, even though he was far from solving the problem.

It felt good to get one step out of the way, even though there were still many more to go. One of them was trying to find a way to have the ghost present itself to Megatron and for that he needed Frenzy...

His creation rounded the corner and approached him. "I have located Frenzy," Ravage informed Soundwave, his telepathic words solemn.

Soundwave followed; trying to figure out what to say to get step two out accomplished.


While Astrotrain was being treated for damage to his wings, Blast Off was left behind in the Energon Storage Room to organize and count the new inventory. He didn't mind, solitude was his most trusted and visited friend.

Though as he counted the cubes, he felt as if there was another friend in the room with him.

His steps were silent and measured as he approached the circuit breaker box, his audios acute for any repetition of the sounds he had been hearing earlier but ceased when he entered the hall of energon cubes.

Blast Off didn't really believe the rumor that had been spreading throughout the base; he just couldn't see how a ghost could have gotten aboard the Nemesis and why. It seemed rather absurd and illogical. However there was a side of him that leaned towards the impossible reason, especially being present during that fiasco with Vortex being pulled down the hall. It was the only reason he approached with hesitance.

He reached the large opening to find something he didn't expect but gave him relaxation to see it was a 'friendly' face.

Frenzy sat on an energon cube, staring at the wall of cubes in front of him.

"What are you doing in here Frenzy?" questioned the Combaticon. "You are not possibly thinking about helping yourself to any energon are you?"

Frenzy kept his back to Blast Off, refusing to give him an answer. "I am talking to you Frenzy. You best leave before I report you."

Frenzy still gave no answer. Before Blast Off could demand Frenzy's attention again, the sound of footsteps sounded behind Blast Off, making him whirl around and draw his weapon. He aimed it at nothing.

"You best leave Blast Off," called a voice behind him. Blast Off turned to see Frenzy finally looking at him, his red visor dull more than usual. "Before he makes ya leave. He doesn't like anyone in here."

Blast Off tilted his head to the side in confusion. "He? Who's 'he'?"

Before he knew it Blast Off was thrown on his back, his weapon falling uselessly from his hand as a pressure clamped down on his leg. Slowly, but frighteningly, it dragged him out of the Energon Storage Room, all the while Blast Off reached out and tried to grab on to anything. His hands slipped across the surface of the energon cubes and screeched across the floor as he clawed at it. The doors to the room opened and he was dumped out like garbage. In no need of a hint or any other clue of 'he' was, Blast Off retreated away from the room and went to the elevator.

Frenzy froze, dizziness smothering him.

Soundwave was coming.

An ornery smile grew on Frenzy's face...


The elevator doors opened and Soundwave and Ravage greeted the Combaticon on the other side. Blast Off pushed passed Soundwave and activated the elevator, allowing Soundwave and his cassette to deal with one of their own.

Ravage and Soundwave pushed Blast Off's behavior aside and headed towards their reason for coming down to the storage levels.

"I found Frenzy in the Energon Storage Room before you all got back," Ravage communicated to Soundwave. "He won't acknowledge me. The entire time I was with him he just stared at the energon cubes. Rumble also informed me before you left to the oil field that Frenzy made a death threat against him as well."

Soundwave said nothing as they continued to the Energon Storage Room, the atmosphere growing heavier as they approached. The mood of the room promised hostility; the same feeling of entering enemy territory.

Light footsteps alerted them of someone coming. Soundwave and Ravage halted and waited.

Frenzy approached them from the hall of energon cubes, stalking towards them with an uncharacteristic swagger. He walked disturbingly content, a smile darkening his features and destroying any trace of what was left of the cassette they knew.

This wasn't Frenzy.

This was the entity.

His dull red visor turned to Soundwave and he flashed him a catty smile and spoke to them in a sing-songy voice:"There was once a telepath from space/ Who always covered his face/ When all turned to him/ Asking to save them/ He revealed he was no ace..."

Ravage growled menacingly at the offensive limerick directed at Soundwave; nobody called his master a coward.

'Frenzy' fixed on Ravage, a humored smile on his faceplates. "You always react in such temperamental fashion, kitty. I am going to love breaking your bravado."

"Why not truly reveal yourself now and see if I don't break yours first?" Ravage growled malignantly.

"In due time kitty in due time…"

"You will not be present in the base long enough," shot Soundwave.

The dark visor fixed itself back to Soundwave, amused beyond all comparison. "I so humbly agree. It will not take long for me to sweep through all of you."

"Yet you still continue to linger here," replied Soundwave.

The entity puppeteered Frenzy to flash Soundwave a bedeviled smile. "I take pleasure in the sight of watching all of you tremble in my presence."

"Correction: Some," said Soundwave. "You still refuse to show yourself to the one that matters most."

The dark visor studied Soundwave, a grin enlarging as he discovered what he was talking about. "You refer to your leader? You would be satisfied if I revealed myself to him, wouldn't you? That way you can begin your feeble attempts to get rid of me?"

Frenzy laughed manically, the faintest trace of the entity's baritone voice overlapping his creation's own. "If you truly loved your little child you would have acted despite the authoritarian dangers he possess. You are a coward Soundwave and his inevitable death will be on your blue hands..."

"Assumption of cowardice: hypocritical," Soundwave returned smoothly back.

The grin disappeared instantly; replacing it was with a poisonous scowl. "Oh? Do relate."

"Attacking beings that have no knowledge of your kind, choosing to possess a victim weaker emotionally and physically, terrorizing the Decepticons only when you are under the cover of darkness. All the characteristics of cowardice."

Frenzy's head suddenly dipped low, his visor set dangerously on the blue mech as if ready to kill. His fists clench, his lip components trembling with anger as the entity made the cubed walls shake slightly.

Soundwave secretly smiled under his face-mask. So... the ghost did have a weakness. Pride.

The entity/Frenzy smiled ill-temperedly and replied in a menacing whisper, using his own deep and intimidating voice. "After I kill your children, I am coming for you."

"Threat: All talk... no shock."

"I am nothing but shock!" he roared. An energon cube flew from the wall and came inches from Soundwave's helm, but even then he refused to react to the entity.

Frenzy bared his dental plates at Soundwave. "You think you can rid your base of me?"— He titled his head up in a challenging manner—"Then try! I DARE you telepath!"

Frenzy's optics went offline and he collapsed forward to the floor like a rag doll— unconscious. Ravage took a half-step forward but stopped, wary it might be a trick. Soundwave kneeled down without hesitance and picked up Frenzy; the sensitive sensors in his fingers unable to detect the entity's energy. It had left his cassette— for now.

Ravage walked with Soundwave out of the Energon Storage Room, an uncomfortable feeling in his spark. Ravage turned to Soundwave, in need of clarification.

"Do you think it was wise to provoke it?"

"Risk has risen, but it is the only way we could precede." Soundwave honestly replied.

Ravage had known of Megatron's denial before they had arrived at the Energon Storage Room, and how Soundwave could not progress in aiding Frenzy until he was given permission to devout his time to only to getting rid of the ghost. As Ravage replayed what just happened, he began to understand Soundwave's intention was for provoking it.

"You wanted to anger it so it would attack Megatron," Ravage understood, although he wasn't sure he agreed to this tactic. "Do you think it was a good idea to send it after Megatron?"

"Megatron can handle any physical attack," Soundwave answered. "Expected reaction from Megatron: excite his fear."


Megatron wasn't surprised to find the Cleaning Room deserted; after all he had been stalled by Soundwave. Megatron still felt anger towards his most trusted of soldiers. Whatever possessed Soundwave to offer an explanation so insulting to his intelligence was beyond understanding. With narrowed optics he tried his best to brush it away and proceeded to the Deep Cleaning unit.

Even in the Cleaning Room his fusion cannon remained attached to him, but it did need to come off in the Deep Cleaner. He detached the cannon from his arm and placed it on a nearby polishing table, willing to leave it behind as he ordered the doors to the room to be locked (nobody could override his voice command). Walking over to the ramp that led to the conveyor belt he activated the panel and the Deep Cleaner whirred to life. After a moment of starting it's systems he stepped on to the belt and let it pull him forward in to the machine.

He heard the doors shut behind him before he was doused in orange cleaning fluid. The black stains on his silver form, dry from flying and too much time passing, already began to drip down to the floor. As the fluid hissed from the hoses on each side of him, he narrowed his optics.

He turned his head to the side softly. Over the hissing he thought he heard something. Ignoring it, he turned back and continued letting the machine washing him.

The lights flickered briefly before they shut off... the Deep Cleaner powering down completely. He sighed in annoyance and used voice command to get the machine to resume.

Nothing.

"I said reactivate!" called Megatron, louder than before.

Nothing.

With a clenched hand he turned around and marched for the door on the dead conveyor belt. He lifted his hand to activate the emergency open but they refused to comply.

In no mood for games, he lifted his foot and kicked the door down. They flew down the ramp and landed in a dented mess on the floor. He stepped out and quickly scanned the Cleaning Room, as if searching for an explanation to why he his wash was interrupted. When he could find none, he proceeded to the shower stalls.

He stepped into the purple room, empty stalls waiting for him to use. He choose the first one on his right and resumed cleaning.

Water ran down his form and into the cracks of his armor. Without the aid of the machine to do the work, Megatron used his black fingers to mix the water and cleaning fluid from the Deep Cleaner and rid himself of the black mess on his chassis and arms. He felt pleased to finally be rid of the black smear but not even something as recharging and pleasant as a wash could settle the Decepticon.

Oddly he felt uncomfortable and alert, as if he was back on the battle-field.

Megatron's head snapped up and he turned sharply over his shoulder plates at what he though was the sound of a voice whispering into his audio receptors. The water still beating down upon him, he looked to find no one in the stalls but himself. After a moment of searching and finding nobody, he turned back to what he was doing.

He bent over slightly to remove the oil from his legs.

A swift kick to his back pushed him forward. He braced his hands in front of him and caught the wall, preventing him from falling.

With a growl he turned to find the other mech in the stall with him.

Nothing.

Not even bothering with turning off the shower he stepped out of the stall to search, walking into the opening. He still found nothing. Not a single sign of disturbance in the room. Watery footprints were left behind as he moved forward continuing his search. He called out, using the name that always came to mind when he suspected something wrong.

"Starscream!"

Silence.

"Have you no better things to do than disturb me when I am in the Cleaning Room?" he questioned, his tone disgusted.

A metallic bang sounded behind him and he turned to see his fusion cannon rolling back and forth on the ground— pushed from the table he laid it on. With a slight pause at first he walked forward and picked up his fusion cannon. He lifted it up, about to place it on his arm when something caught his optic.

Three short white lines, perfectly parallel to each other, scratched the surface of his barrel. Megatron narrowed his optics in confusion and anger. Relying on a hunch, he trailed three of his fingers over the lines... they matched perfectly.

Did someone scratch MY fusion cannon? How dare they!

Megatron's fusion cannon attached to his arm and he whirled around to face the other occupant in the room with him.

"Show yourself! I know you are in here!"

Wish granted.

Megatron turned his head to the left and aimed his fusion cannon at the figure lingering behind the Deep Cleaner; a dark foot the only thing visible.

"So the Prime's Autobot spy finally reveals himself?" questioned Megatron with a malicious scowl. "You have captured my attention now come out Autobot!"

There was a silence, and then the mech's feet moved and he stepped out from behind the Deep Cleaner. Megatron's optics widened and then narrowed in rage at the familiar face.

"Prime! How did you get into my base?" Megatron roared with aversion.

There was no doubt in Megatron's processor that it was Optimus Prime, but after countless millennia of fighting he clearly noticed something definitely wrong with his enemy.

First the way he stood, he was slouching; his shoulders were dipped forward and his back was hunched. The second was that Megatron noticed that Prime was unarmed. Lastly... there was something in the Autobot's dim blue optics that unnerved Megatron. They were lifeless but remarkably vehemence.

"Why in the universe are you staring at me like that?" Megatron questioned, feeling annoyed by his uncharacteristic behavior.

Optimus Prime said and did nothing, which was slightly more disturbing.

A sound echoed by the pool and he turned to it.

The surface of the water splashed as if someone was playing with it; patting it just enough to break the water tension. He watched with confused fascination as it continued on every inch of the water's surface. He continued watching it, the sound of the patting water starting to annoy and anger him—what was causing it to do that?

A laugh echoed to his side and he turned back to Prime... his optics widened at the fearful sight he saw.

Optimus Prime was barely recognizable and Megatron couldn't wrap his processor of how he did it. His color had changed from red and blue to black and purple. His crimson optics took on a more sinister nature as they brightened at the Decepticon leader.

Optimus Prime laughed again, throwing his head back and releasing the most disturbing laugh Megatron had ever heard from come from him.

Before Megatron could fire to end this game, and possibly regain some sanity, his fusion cannon was painfully ripped from his arm and he was tossed by an unseen force towards the pool. His back hit the side painfully. Recovering quickly he rose to his feet...

Only to be flipped over on his chassis, his reflection lingering above the water's surface as his hands braced the edges. He prepared to push himself up, and attack the one that had pushed him when his optics caught sight of something.

Megatron had to reboot his optics to make sure he was truly seeing what was in front of him.

In front of him was a mech. He was tall—about as tall as a Seeker though his green and blue structure indicated he was an Autobot. He had blue optics and a pale face, shadowed underneath his black and square helm but the most alarming thing about him was not that half of his form was blown away, revealing sparking circuits and scorched and damaged metal, but that he could see right through the mech...

A powerful hand gripped the back of his helm and pushed down. Megatron's face hit the water and he struggled against the hand pushing him down as if trying to drown him. The hand moved to grip the back of his neck and Megatron used the split second to his advantage.

He braced his hands to the sides and with all of his might and pushed up. His head lifted out of the water and he planted his feet against the floor, pushing off and stumbling backwards and into the table he fusion cannon once lay on.

He hit the ground and soon recovered, just in time to see 'Optimus Prime' laugh at him and say. "Look at your face... just as pathetic and horrified as the soldiers in your joke of an army."

"What!" Megatron cried, his optics slanting in anger. How dare he talk to him like that!

"You should have listened to your telepath," he replied, his red optics brightening.

Megatron rose to his feet, ready to fight as Prime approached him. Megatron threw a fist at him. The only thing he felt was a cold spot of air as his fist traveled through the mech. The purple Optimus laughed at him.

After Prime finished Megatron asked. "What are you?"

Optimus Prime didn't reply and walked forward. The Decepticon tyrant tensed, expecting the mech to attack him; instead all he felt was a cold pressure coarse throughout his circuitry and his body and enter out through his back.

Megatron's optics widened. Did the mech just pass through him? Like a...

He turned to find himself alone in the Cleaning Room and then a voice whispered into his audio receptor, a different graveled voice...

"Now do you believe in ghosts mighty Megatron?"

Megatron snarled and swiped at the air, attempting to hit the one taunting him. His hand grazed nothing but the air.

He whirled around the room, his battle computer fully alert and ready for anything. But after several long moments nothing happened.

Megatron stood in the Cleaning Room for a good breem before he moved to retrieve his fusion cannon. As he moved to leave the Cleaning Room, he could feel someone staring at him, inches away from him and looking at him with humored animosity.

He walked out of the Cleaning Room as the doors slid open for him, his processor racing. He felt optics at his back and he turned to look over his shoulder...

The doors were open despite him ordering them closed and passing by the entrance a dark Transformer sized figure appeared, looked at him with yellow eyes and then retreated to the other side... the doors closing shortly afterwards.

Megatron stopped in his tracks, awestruck...

It was the same dark figure from Soundwave's evidence. An horrifying and illogical epiphany raced through Megatron's processor.

Had Soundwave been telling the truth?

There was only one way to find out...


Every Decepticon, even Motormaster who had been liberated from the brig for the meeting, gathered in the Control Room, waiting for Megatron to arrive. Chit-chat drifted over the room; the Decepticons trying to figure out the reason for Megatron's sudden and urgent meeting.

None of them could figure it out.

Rumble stood by Soundwave and Ravage's side, scratching his chin nervously. There was one Decepticon besides Megatron that wasn't accounted for...

Frenzy.

Soundwave decided to leave the mech to recharge. Rumble wasn't too fond of the idea but he couldn't argue with his creator. He just hoped his twin was okay.

Megatron soon entered the Control Room, a clearly displeased look upon his faceplates. The Cons immediately shut up when he entered.

"Decepticons," began Megatron as he paced the room, his arms crossed over his chest. Soundwave couldn't help but notice the three scratches on Megatron's fusion cannon. "I just had an interesting encounter with our... intruder. Anyone else care to share their own?"

Megatron's narrowed optics scanned them all, a sinking feeling invading all of their sparks as their leader looked at them. Glances drifted to Soundwave and the Communications Officer replied with the smallest of nods. He didn't need to say anything; they knew that he must have told Megatron.

They all looked at each other, wondering which one would be the first to tell their own ghost story...


A/N: I borrowed a line from the cartoon... ("All talk, no shock." from the episode Auto-Bop; spoken by Soundwave) So... I don't own it. :(

Also I know that I made the oil drill exploding a little over the top, but you know in the G1 universe anything can happen. Just like Megatron thinks that building a Giant Purple Griffin of Doom was a good idea. :P

Hoped you all liked Megatron's encounter with 'Shattered Glass' Prime. It was a good opportunity for it and I couldn't resist. ^^

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and see ya next time! :)