Beast Wars

Clone Wars

From the distant skies, a spark appeared before the waiting Maximals. About an hour ago, Optimus and Rhinox had received a transmission from Cheetor, telling them that they were indeed coming back.

With them right now were Tigatron and Airazor who had come out of seclusion to greet the returnees. Both Maximals had also missed their wayward Maximals and were eager to await their homecoming.

Rhinox put down his binoculars and looked at Optimus.

"They're here," he said.

"Good timing too," Optimus nodded.

Within moments, the ship landed. Slowly, the door opened up as Cheetor and Rattrap leaped down.

"Hey guys," Cheetor waved.

"Cheetor, your Transmetal Two form," Optimus gasped.

"Yeah, I sorta got it back while on Cybertron," Cheetor admitted sheepishly. "It's permanent now."

"So how ya guys been?" asked Rattrap.

"We've been alright," Rhinox replied. "Couple of brushes with Predacons here and there but we're still functional."

"You have to tell us what happened!" Airazor exclaimed while Tigatron nodded next to her.

"Yeah, we'll be sure 'ta tell you all about it!" Rattrap told them. "As soon as I get my energon juice stacked away in 'da kitchen!"

"Umm… Rattrap," Rhinox began.

"Something 'da matter, big guy?" asked Rattrap.

"We kind of drank it already," Rhinox confessed.

"Oh," Rattrap's shoulders sagged.

"Sorry," Rhinox told him. "We didn't think you'd be coming back for it."

"And speaking of which, why did you choose to come back?" asked Optimus. "I thought you'd be happy on Cybertron."

"Well, we were," confessed Cheetor. "But the Oracle warned us that you guys were in danger."

"The Oracle?" Optimus was taken aback.

"Long story," Rattrap waved a hand in the air. "Listen, we'll tell ya all about what happened as soon as I head inside and get some snacks."

"Yeah," agreed Cheetor. "I could use some refreshments."

"Hey Depth Charge!" Rattrap called out. "You doin' okay?"

Depth Charge had his back turned to them, looking up into the sky. He was brooding again, rather characteristically. It didn't take a Cybertronian physicist to figure out something was on his mind.

"I never thought it would come to this one day," Depth Charge spoke. "Ever since I came online I was a weapon for the Maximal Elders to use and manipulate. Then X destroyed everything I came to know and changed my life permanently. And now he's gone. I don't know if there's anything left for me."

The other Maximals stayed silent out of respect until Rattrap broke the silence.

"Yeesh," Rattrap groaned. "I only asked how you were doing… not for 'yer life's story."

"Heh," Depth Charge chuckled. "You're as loud-mouthed as ever."

"You take that back, gill-face!" Rattrap threatened as Rhinox restrained him.

"Call me if you need anything," Depth Charge said to Optimus before transforming to flight mode and taking off.

"Did he just offer to help out?" Optimus looked puzzled.

"A lot's happened since our time on Cybertron," Cheetor explained. "Come on, we'll tell you all about it inside.


All four Pali Mystics strained themselves as they dug their heels into the ground. For several cycles they had been at work. At the center of the lab was a spark strung against a table. It was housed in a small spark chamber, having been used to keep the spark stable.

Maintaining their staffs, the Mystics continued pumping mystic energy into the spark but to no avail. Scorponok, Dynamo, and Dr. Drake were there, watching and waiting.

"It is no good," Ifrit finally stopped.

"What?" demanded Scorponok.

"We cannot revive this spark," Ifrit replied in a rushed, disgusted voice. "It is still dormant and nothing we can do will help it."

"Why?" asked Scorponok. "Are we missing something?"

"Please explain," Dynamo, in a calmer voice, asked.

"Our powers do not coincide with Cybertronian spirituality," explained Tengu. "In order to revive this dormant spark, another spark will be needed."

"One which contains the mystical essence of the Allspark or the Matrix itself," finished Golem.

"But how do we get such a spark?" asked Scorponok. "I don't think any of us have any connection to the Matrix, not even any of the Maximals."

"Then we cannot complete your master's resurrection," Frost put down his staff. "It is that simple."

Before Scorponok could say anything more, his cyber-bee came flying down and buzzed excitedly. Scorponok turned on its button to see images of Cheetor, Depth Charge, and Rattrap getting off their ship and greeting Optimus and the others.

"It appears that we have a reunion," commented Dynamo.

"Good thing too," Scorponok smiled. "Get your troops ready. We'll give 'em the homecoming bash of the century!"

"Yes," Dynamo agreed. "It is time."

"Dr. Drake," Scorponok ordered. "You go prepare the new body."

"Yes, of course," Drake bowed.


In the course of events, Depth Charge's ship was not the only Cybertronian cruiser that returned to earth. From the skies, a second ship came into the atmosphere, camouflaged from any earthborne military sensors.

"So this is earth?" asked Serpentine. "It's quite small."

"It has been my humble abode for quite a while," Tarantulas explained to her. "If I can make this dustball home, so can you."

"Speaking of which, when are you going to transfer your spark into the body of Protoform X?" asked Serpentine.

"Actually, now that you mention it," Tarantulas got up and put the ship on auto-pilot. "I may as well get it done now."

The rogue Predacon walked over towards the pod as Serpentine opened up the hatch to reveal Rampage's dormant body.

Before Tarantulas could open up his spark chamber, he and Serpentine were both knocked down by a rapidly pulsating red spark which appeared from out of the halls. Red electricity crackled around the spark as it sank into the body, slowly but surely assimilating itself into the core frame of Protoform X.

The next thing Tarantulas and Serpentine heard was a maniacal laughter. From the protoform, arose the menacing figure of Rampage.

"I'm back!" Rampage growled. "And better than ever!"

"Oh no," Serpentine took a step back.

Inwardly, Tarantulas cursed. He had missed the chance to gain a larger, more powerful body for himself and to add it all up, he had an insane killer with him in his very own ship right now. But he was not without his own tricks however.

"So, which of you wishes to provide nourishment for me first?" asked Rampage.

"I'm so sorry to cut this short," Tarantulas sneered. "But I'm afraid we'll have to do this some other time."

With that, Tarantulas pulled down on a lever to the side of the ship, opening up the hatch beneath Rampage's feet, sending both the behemoth and the stasis pod plummeting into the deep ocean sea beneath them.

"That about wraps things up," Tarantulas headed to the main controls to take an incoming transmission.

"Hey Tarantulas!" Scorponok greeted.

"Scorponok," Tarantulas acknowledged. "How are things?"

"Things are looking up," Scorponok replied. "How was Cybertron?"

"It could've been better," Tarantulas admitted.

"Say, think you could come back to base?" asked Scorponok. "Something big's going to go down and you'll wanna be there to see it!"


"Hooyah!" Cheetor leaped across the air, from canyon to canyon.

He had been cooped up in Depth Charge's ship for long enough and needed a good exercise. With him were Rhinox, Optimus, and Rattrap who were all amazed by his speed and energy.

In a spectacular display of acrobatics, Cheetor leaped fifteen feet into the air, somersaulted five times and landed neatly before the Maximal spectators.

Both Optimus and Rhinox couldn't help but clap. Rattrap, however, was less impressed.

"Showboat," the small Maximal joked.

"Hey," Cheetor ribbed. "You wish you could do the same! After all, who wouldn't want to have this physique?"

"Sure kid," Rattrap said teasingly. "We all wanna have pointy fangs and claws like you, don't we?"

"Incoming Maximal," Rhinox pointed towards the air.

"Greetings Cheetor!" Silverbolt flew down. "I heard you, Rattrap, and Depth Charge had returned."

"Hey bird-dog!" Rattrap exclaimed. "Good 'ta see you again!"

"The feeling is mutual," Silverbolt agreed. "I must ask. How was your sojourn on Cybertron?"

"We relaxed, knocked a few heads, and had a good time," Rattrap replied. "How's earth been? You been doing good 'yerself?"

"Why yes," Silverbolt exclaimed. "In fact, I have discovered a new purpose to life now."

"Oh, and that would be?" Rattrap's curiosity was piqued.

Before Silverbolt could say anything, a bright paralysis beam from up high came down and enveloped Cheetor, sending a jolt of pain through his body and shutting down some of his bodily functions.

"Aaaagh!" Cheetor cried before falling down.

"Cheetor!" cried Optimus.

The four remaining Maximals looked up towards one of the pillars around the canyon. At the top were two mysterious warriors, one of which was Dinobot with his drill-bit sword and the other, Dynamo.

"You!" Rhinox shouted. "We've encountered you before!"

"Yes, and you are Dinobot!" added Silverbolt.

"Correction," a voice from behind the Maximals rang out. "We are Dinobot."

The Maximals turned around and gasped. At their rear them were three 'bots who looked almost identical to Dinobot himself. One was holding a chain whip, the other a metal staff, and the final one a pair of sai's.

"What?" Optimus cried. "How can this be?"

"Yeah, which one of you's is 'da real Dinobot?" demanded Rattrap.

"Warriors!" shouted Dynamo. "Battle formations!"

The Dinobot who stood next to Dynamo reacted to the command and leaping off the pillar and landing in front of the Maximals. The other three Dinobots duplicates quickly surrounded their quarry as well.

"That one has to be the real Dinobot!" Optimus pointed his mace towards the Dinobot with the sword.

"Tread carefully my friends," Silverbolt warned them. "I have encountered these four before and they are warriors of the highest caliber."

"Hoo boy," Rattrap groaned. "Will the real Dinobot please stand up?"

"Attack!" Dinobot pointed his sword at the Maximals.

At once the four began their ferocious assault. Optimus raised his mace again and again to block the attacks of the fearsome sword-wielding Dinobot as Rhinox thrust his arm into the air as the Dinobot with the chain whip wrapped his weapon around the Maximal scientist's arm.

Silverbolt leaped overhead as the Dinobot General with the sai's came down stabbing. As he landed on solid ground, however, the Dinobot with the metal staff vaulted himself into the air using his staff and kicked Silverbolt from behind, knocking the fuzor down.

Rattrap flipped his gun and fired several shots. The staff-wielding Dinobot spun his weapon rapidly in a circular motion, blocking all the shots. In return, the Dinobot with the sai's fired a beam of light from his eyes which made contact with Rattrap's chest and sent the smaller Maximal flying into the canyon wall.

"Rattrap, no!" Rhinox cried.

Having gained the upper hand in the tug of war, Rhinox swung his Dinobot opponent by the chain and threw him into the other two Dinobot clones, sending them all tumbling into the floor.

As all three Dinobots got up, they noticed Rattrap, Rhinox, and Silverbolt standing over them.

With cunning smiles on each of their faces, they went back into action without warning. One of the Dinobots swung his staff, knocking the gun out of Rattrap's hand while the other used his sai's to stab down at Silverbolt who raised a feather sword in time to block it. The third and final Dinobot ducked underneath one of Rhinox's punches and struck back, plowing his own fist into Rhinox's stomach.

In the meantime, Optimus was having his hands full with his Dinobot opponent. Dinobot veered left and directed a roundhouse kick which Optimus blocked with an elbow. Optimus had to duck again as Dinobot swiped at his face with open claws.

As the battle raged below, Dynamo looked down at the four Dinobot warriors and beamed with pride.


"What in the Pit is this?" demanded Inferno.

Around him were strange robots who all shared the same design patterns and beast mode. The only thing that differed were their weapons.

"So, this is the Queen you seem so fond of?" the Dinobot clone holding up his stasis pod asked.

"Yes, and you will put her down at once!" declared Inferno, raising up his gun.

"I will," the Dinobot clone smiled nastily. "But only if you get through us first."

Inferno looked all around him. He was surrounded by at least twenty of these Dinobot warriors. The odds didn't look good, but he was never the type who liked to bet in favor of the odds.

"Then you will all suffer in the name of the Colony!" Inferno declared.

The ten Dinobot clones flexed their weapons eagerly and awaited Inferno's next move.

With an immense battle cry, Inferno attacked.


If there was anything Jack would've loved to have done, it would have been to invite the Maximals over to the high school graduation ceremony of himself and Luna. After four years they were finally going to end their phase of high school and move on to a higher learning. The football field was their current graduation spot, just as it had been for many former alumni before them.

A pity though, that their friends couldn't come. But then again, how do you exactly get a bunch of extraterrestrial robots to show up at your commencement suite without starting a stampede?

"In conclusion," the principal ended his speech. "Now that high school has ended, it is time for you to make your ways into a new life where the whole world awaits!"

"Hey Jack," Luna pointed into the distance. "Is that what I think it is?"

Jack strained his eyes a bit before he could make out the shapes in the distance.

"Oh no," he muttered.

"Greetings boys and girls!" a blue condor swooped down and sent the audience panicking. "We're here today for two very special birthday kids."

As people ran around everywhere, a bear, a dragonfly, an ankylosaur, and a dilophosaur walked calmly through the panicking crowds until they reached the podium where the Principal was. In an instant, they transformed simultaneously. The dragonfly into a purple 'bot with helicopter wings mounted on his arms. The bear into a large femme-bot whose face was covered with armored plating. And the condor into a sleek, jet-like frame with wrist-mounted machine guns.

"Who are you?" demanded the Principal.

"Obsidian!" announced the dragonfly.

"Strika!" the bear growled, pounding both hands together.

"Jetstorm!" the condor-like robot crossed both arms in a bow.

"Tankorr!"

"Thrust!"

At this point, Jack and Luna could only stand there gaping. What were Transformers doing at their graduation commencement?

Thrust leaped off the podium and walked towards Jack and Luna.

"We're here for those two," Thrust pointed at the siblings. "Jack and Luna, right?"

The twins were too dumb-folded to speak. Their friends, however, would not let them be taken so easily. Steve and Raj both leaped onto Thrust from behind and grabbed on to him to try to prevent him from taking Luna or Jack.

"Stay away from them!" Steve cried.

"Yeah!" Raj pounded at Thrust's armored plating. "Nobody takes our friends!"

"Amateurs," Thrust sighed and threw them both onto the grass.

"What do you want?" demanded Luna.

"The boss sent us for you two," Thrust explained. "Don't know why he wants a pair of kids out of the way, but orders are orders."


Truth be told, the other Maximals on the planet were doing no better. Tigatron and Airazor stood back to back, panting, as they watched themselves being surrounded by twenty Dinobot clones who stared at them menacingly.

"Where did all these 'bots come from?" Airazor huffed. "There's no end to these guys!"

"It would appear the Predacons sent them," remarked Tigatron who raised his rifle. "But we shall prove not to be easy prey!"

"I got your back, big guy!" Airazor smiled despite her exhaustion.

"Agreed my dear," Tigatron growled. "Now, let us show these reptiles what we are made of!"


"This plan of yours worked successfully," Tarantulas turned to Scorponok after viewing the monitor screen. "Lead an all-out assault on the Maximals and their allies."

"Thanks," Scorponok scratched his head. "Though you bringing back Obsidian, Strika, and Jetstorm was also smart. Reprogramming them into thinking they were Predacons was a stroke of genius."

"Yes, having some of the greatest military minds of Cybertron on our side can really help turn the tides, can't it?" Tarantulas said gleefully.

"And with the power of the Darkspark," Serpentine allowed the power from her spark to flow all around her in the room, "we shall crush the Maximals and this pitiful planet!"

Scorponok stared at her in fascination.

"Did you just say the Darkspark?" Scorponok stared at her.

"Yes, and its cosmic properties flow through my spark and mine alone!" Serpentine declared proudly.

"I see," Scorponok began to recall what the Pali Mystics had told him earlier.

Tarantulas could tell there was something going on in the mind of Scorponok. Events like this usually occurred when the scorpion furrowed his eye ridges and put his claw next to his chin. It was a common thing for Scorponok to do whenever he was deep in thought… as deep as could be for a 'bot like Scorponok.

"Tarantulas," Scorponok beckoned the Predacon rogue over to a nearby hall. "Could I have a word with you in private?"

"Yes, what is it?" asked Tarantulas, putting up an innocent façade.


Slowly but surely, the tide of battle was changing. The Dinobot clone with the chain whip lashed out and grabbed Rattrap by the wrist with his weapon. With a powerful tug, he sent Rattrap soaring towards him as he raised his arm, allowing Maximal's head to crash into it. Immediately, Rattrap fell down, out cold from the blow.

In the meantime, Silverbolt leaped up and kicked his opponent in the chest. The sai-wielding Dinobot crashed against a pillar and fell down.

"Stay down, reptilian filth!" warned Silverbolt.

Seeing the predicament his comrade was in, the chain-wielding Dinobot clone lashed Silverbolt against the back, forcing him on his knees. Then he blasted a huge rock on top of the pillar, sending it crashing down.

"Agh!" Silverbolt cried.

Silverbolt's opponent rolled away just in time but Silverbolt was not so lucky. The large rock came down and smashed Silverbolt into the ground, sending the hapless Maximal into stasis lock as well.

The two Dinobot clones looked at each other in acknowledgement before turning their attention to Rhinox.

Rhinox punched at the staff-wielding Dinobot but the Predacon was able to deflect several blows with his staff and slam the side of his weapon into Rhinox's head both times, causing the green Maximal to see stars. By the time Rhinox had opened his eyes, all three Dinobots stood before him, their eyes glowing with a malevolent emerald hue.

The three of them blasted Rhinox simultaneously, sending him crashing into the mountain wall with a thud. They stopped finally after a few seconds of maintaining the blast. By then, Rhinox collapsed onto the ground, instantly falling into stasis lock.

Even then, the three Dinobots would not be deterred from the fourth and final opponent, Optimus Primal himself.

Primal weaved through two slashes by the sword-wielding Dinobot and smashed open the Predacon's sword with one powerful blow. In fear at having lost his weapon, this particular Dinobot took a step back. Optimus took advantage of his momentary distraction to lay two powerful blows into his enemy, knocking the sword-less Dinobot down.

"Surrender!" Optimus told this Dinobot.

"Hah hah hah!" Dinobot began laughing.

If Optimus had wondered for one second what his opponent had found so funny, he found out without delay. The three other Dinobot clones jumped Optimus all at once, assailing him with a flurry of blows consisting of punches, kicks, and weapons. By the time it was over, the Maximal leader fell down unconscious from the sneak attack.

"Shall we dispose of them, master?" one of the Dinobots looked up towards Dynamo.

"Not yet," Dynamo replied. "For we are soon to have some company."

At about this time, Cheetor had recovered from the paralysis blast. He shook his head wearily and got up, glaring at all five assailants.

"I don't know who you are," Cheetor growled. "But you're gonna pay for attacking my pals."

The next thing that happened consisted of a spinning power disc from the sky which struck the ground beneath all four Dinobot duplicates, sending them flying in different directions. A large Transmetal manta flew down from the sky and transformed to robot mode.

"Good to see you here Depth Charge," Cheetor smiled.

"Pleasure's mine," nodded Depth Charge. "Looks like you guys found a good fight. Maybe Earth won't be so boring after all."

"What do you say we take care of these losers," Cheetor gestured towards the four Dinobots. "Then we can shake down Mr. Mysterious up there for answers."

Depth Charge looked up at Dynamo and narrowed his optics.

"Sounds good to me," he agreed.

The leader of the four Dinobots, though now sword-less, began the attack by charging at Depth Charge. Before the other three could move, Cheetor leaped down in the middle of the other three and struck them all down with a circular sweep kick.

Though he was without a weapon, the Dinobot leader punched at Depth Charge who caught the punch before it could hit him.

Depth Charge said nothing and threw Dinobot down onto the rocky terrain. Dinobot charged again but so did Depth Charge, catching this particular Dinobot across the face with a roundhouse kick which sent the upper front of the Predacon's body crashing right into the canyon wall.

Just as Depth Charge turned around, a burning sensation to his chest seared throughout his entire body. By the time he realized what had happened, he realized Dynamo had shot a blast right through his chest. He looked down to see a small burning hole drilled right through his upper body.

"You…" Depth Charge hissed.

"Your presence will not be required," Dynamo informed him.

The wound was not mortal, as it did not pierce his spark. But it was serious nonetheless. Depth Charge fell down, falling into stasis lock just as the other Maximals had.

As that happened, Cheetor caught two of the Dinobots by the hand and flipped them both on their backs. From behind him, the staff-wielder came up behind him with his weapon pointed at the Maximal's back. Cheetor heard him, however, and spun around, kicking his assailant while his weapon flew into the air. That Dinobot crashed against a rock and Cheetor rammed right into him, driving an open fist into this Dinobot's solar plexus to take him out.

Next, the sai-wielding Dinobot threw both sai's at Cheetor who barrel-flipped into the air and caught both weapons. He leaped up and slashed both weapons against that Dinobot's chest in a criss-crossing manner to defeat out that enemy. After a brief sputter of disbelief, the sai-wielding Dinobot fell.

Finally, the chain whip wielder was the only Dinobot left. The Predacon snarled viciously and threw his whip while Cheetor raised an arm up right in time. The whip wrapped around Cheetor's arm as Dinobot tugged. Immediately Cheetor used his greater strength to yank this Dinobot forward and hammer him into a coma with one punch.

"That's all of them," Cheetor looked at the fallen bodies.

"Yes, and now you face me," Dynamo stepped forth, a few feet away from Cheetor.

Cheetor looked at his fallen comrades, now with Depth Charge among them. For now they were alive, all having gone into stasis lock. But Dynamo still needed to be dealt with.

"Two questions," Cheetor snarled at Dynamo. "Who the slag are you? And what do you want?"

"All will be answered in due time," Dynamo told him. "As for now, show me what you are capable of, young one."

"Young one, huh?" Cheetor cracked his knuckles. "After I'm done, I'll be calling you the crippled one."

Dynamo merely extended both hands, revealing two outstretched hands with razor-sharp claws on both of them. His finger held a claw which was noticeably a bit longer than the others. He waited patiently for Cheetor to make the first move, which was obliged by the young Maximal.

Cheetor leaped at Dynamo, missing him narrowly with a punch. He did, however, smash open a large rock which Dynamo had stood behind. Again and again Cheetor punched at Dynamo who ducked and weaved through the blows with a blinding speed.

The Maximal cheetah took a step back to consider his next strategy. Dynamo was fast, as fast as a Transmetal Two perhaps. But Cheetor would not be deterred. He spun around and directed a spinning wheel kick at Dynamo's head which Dynamo blocked with one hand. The mysterious warrior held Cheetor's heel with one hand and threw him overhead. Cheetor flipped through the air and landed on both feet.

"Not bad, I'll give you that," Cheetor said almost contemptuously. Up until now, he had never met anyone whose speed rivaled his own.

"What are you waiting for?" Dynamo beckoned with both arms open.

Now more frustrated, Cheetor threw a punch which was caught by Dynamo. Dynamo quickly caught a second punch, crossing Cheetor's arms together. Struggling momentarily, Cheetor broke free and leaped down, planting both hands onto the ground while his lower body elevated upwards, spinning his body around and sending one kick after another into Dynamo. Dynamo raised both arms, allowing them to absorb both the blows.

After that, Cheetor got back on his feet and drove his fist into Dynamo's crossed arms, the impact pushing Dynamo back.

Cheetor was not the only one who was impressed. Dynamo grunted, realizing that Cheetor was no mere cub.

Suddenly, the front claws on Dynamo's hands extended, forming two scythe-like blades.

"Whoa," Cheetor took a step back.

Dynamo leaped into the air, his cape and heavy clothing billowing in the wind. He came down just as Cheetor narrowly avoided him, slicing open the boulder that Cheetor stood next to.

The mysterious warrior slashed at Cheetor three consecutive times as the young Maximal flipped away from those attacks. Without warning, an elongated tail arose from Dynamo's backside, with three jagged claws on the very tip. The tail spun around and cut Cheetor across the side of the face, drawing a loud yelp from the cheetah.

"Oh yeah?" Cheetor snarled. "Two can play at that!"

Cheetor used his own blade-like tail to slash at Dynamo but Dynamo grabbed it with both hands and swung Cheetor around two times before throwing him into the ground. Angrily Cheetor got up but Dynamo struck him in the chin with an uppercut, sending him flying back.

"This is not going well," Cheetor groaned.


"Impressive," Serpentine looked at the giant marvel of robotics and engineering.

"Yes, our human assistant Dr. Drake helped to design this body," Scorponok told her.

In front of them was an enormous dragon-like body, draped in white sheets. The only part of it which was open was the spark chamber, with a gray spark inside, humming dimly.

"All we need you to do is to power it with the Darkspark," Tarantulas informed her.

"Very well," Serpentine agreed. "This should not be too difficult. Stand back, both of you."

Scorponok and Tarantulas did as they were told while Serpentine raised both arms and fired a concentrated barrage of energy into the spark, adding the Darkspark's lifeforce to it. Within mere kliks, however, Serpentine realized something was not right. This spark, whatever it was, was draining her of her life force… her spark.

"No!" Serpentine cried. "What is this?"

"You are providing nourishment for the master!" Ifrit and the other Mystics looked down upon her, blasting her simultaneously with their staffs.

"Nooooo!" screamed Serpentine, who felt her body and her spark being torn apart atom by atom.

Slowly, the spark within the body began to change color, returning to its normal blue tint. It glowed and crackled with electricity as a deep rumble emerged from the body.

"You betrayed me!" shrieked Serpentine, turning her head towards Tarantulas despite the excruciating pain.

"What can I say?" Tarantulas shrugged. "You should have known how deadly a spider's venom would be."

"Nyaaaaaah!" howled Serpentine as her spark was torn apart from the sheer power. Every last bit of the Darkspark's energy, in addition to her own lifeforce and the added power of the Pali Mystics formed together into a radiant ball of orange energy and entered into the spark within the massive body, bringing it to life at long last.

It was at this point that Serpentine's body collapsed, immediately turning to small shards of metal sand as it hit the floor. Her spark, now exhausted and drained beyond belief, dissipated into the air like a puff of smoke.

The white drapes from the massive creature fell as he came back to life.

"I… I live once more," he purred. "Yes… Yeeeesss!"


By now Cheetor was panting hard and drawing back from the battle. It seemed as if Dynamo was merely toying with him.

"What's the matter?" asked Dynamo. "Tired already?"

"Yeah right!" Cheetor launched himself towards Dynamo for another swift attack.

Dynamo side-stepped a punch by Cheetor and slashed him across the side with a sickle-like claw, drawing a cry of pain from the Maximal. Cheetor, in retaliation, stretched out his own claws and slashed at Dynamo several times. Dynamo finally caught one of them and struck Cheetor in the face with an open palm, sending the cheetah tumbling back.

"Rooowwwr!" Cheetor roared, leaping up at Dynamo.

The robed warrior caught Cheetor by the arm and judo-tossed him into the air. Fortunately for Cheetor, he used the momentum to flip around, bounce off a rock, and dive into Dynamo with a punch across the face which sent Dynamo stumbling.

At this moment, the Predacon death mask on Dynamo's face cracked. Finally, it split in two and fell to the ground in pieces.

"You dare do this to me?" Dynamo snarled furiously.

"Come on," taunted Cheetor. "Let's see that ugly mug of yours now."

Now Dynamo was through toying with Cheetor, he drove his fist into Cheetor's stomach, knocking the breath out of the Maximal. Before Cheetor could even get the chance to fight back, Dynamo struck his neck with an open hand and repeatedly sent a barrage of brutal strikes into the Maximal's chest and face. His final attack consisted of a vicious punch which knocked Cheetor right into a column of rocks.

Groggily, Cheetor stood up uneasily.

"I'm not done yet!" Cheetor growled.

"On the contrary," Dynamo stood up to reveal his face, which was still concealed by the shadows underneath his hood.

It was a brutish amalgamation of fangs and metal. To the right side of his face was a red eye while the other side consisted of a large optical visor of sorts. Cheetor could not make out all the details but it was not a pretty sight to say the least.

Dynamo swung his tail and struck Cheetor aside. Through his large optic, he fired a concentrated paralysis beam which froze Cheetor where he lay on the floor.

"This will all be over soon," Dynamo promised Cheetor, raising a gleaming claw in the air as he stood over the Maximal's body.

"Scorponok to Dynamo," his inter-com opened up. "Report back to base immediately. Stop whatever you're doing and come back."

"Why?" demanded Dynamo.

"The master has been resurrected!" Scorponok replied.

"Hmm," Dynamo stared down at the fallen Cheetor. "Very well."

Without another word, Dynamo left.


"Scorponok to all units!" Scorponok's voice broke through to Obsidian and Strika. "Return to base immediately?"

"But we haven't finished these brats yet!" Strika protested. Thrust held the two by the scruff of their t-shirts.

"Forget them!" Scorponok ordered. "We have more important things! Like our master's revival."

"Why didn't you tell us before?" Obsidian lowered his gun. "All units, report back to base!"

As mysteriously as they had appeared, the five Transformers disappeared into the woods behind the school, leaving behind two very scared young adults.

"Worst. Graduation. Ever!" Jack collapsed on his behind.

"Tell me about it," Luna breathed a sigh of relief.


"What is causing them to leave?" Tigatron got up, panting.

"Whatever it is, it's probably big," commented Airazor.

The two of them had endured a ferocious attack by these Dinobot warriors and just as it seemed the Dinobots were about to finish them off for good, they had lowered their weapons and run off into the thickets. Something was not right.

"This can't be a good sign of things to come," Tigatron noted seriously.

Both Maximals clasped each other's hands, unsure of what the future would bring.


"Go ahead!" urged Inferno. "Finish it!"

After a grueling fight, Inferno had finally been overpowered by these Dinobot clones. He was being held down by two at the moment and one of them stood in front of him with a sword, ready to strike down.

Before they could run Inferno's spark through, they stopped. The leader of the Dinobot pack motioned for his troops. Immediately, they dropped Inferno and transformed to beast mode, bounding away from the confused Transformer.


"You guys okay?" asked Cheetor.

"We're alright now," Rhinox helped Silverbolt to stand up.

"What were those guys after?" asked Rattrap. "They didn't just give us a butt kicking for nothing."

Indeed Rattrap was correct. They were all wounded and heavily damaged from the assault by the Dinobot warriors and Dynamo. Even Cheetor himself was not unscathed.

"It appears that they were sent here to test us," Optimus noted.

"But 'fer what?" asked Rattrap.

"I dunno," Depth Charge finally stepped into the conversation. "But I can tell you right now… the Oracle was correct to tell us to come back to Earth. Something big is going down and it's not going to blow over anytime soon."

"I agree," Silverbolt looked at Optimus. "A matter of this urgency must require our utmost attention."

"Duly noted," Optimus nodded. "Cheetor, who was that mysterious stranger?"

"I dunno," Cheetor bristled at the thought of Dynamo. "But he was quick, just like a Transmetal Two. And packed just as much punch."

"So… whadda we do now?" inquired Rattrap.

"We wait and see," Optimus told his troops in a forthright manner.


The new Predacon lair had been fashioned to fit a much larger Predacon force and serve as their new base of operations. Scorponok had invested a lot of time and energy into building this which served as a testament to their renewed vigor and purpose.

A large foot stomped forth as the massive dragon stood out to meet everyone. He was a red monstrosity with occasional shades of purple in his armor. His skeletal wings stretched out, straddling a massive wingspan.

Hundreds of Dinobot clones stood there as well, bowing before him. Obsidian, Strika, Thrust, Tankorr, Jetstorm, Scorponok, Tarantulas, Terrorsaur, and Waspinator were there for the welcoming ceremony as well.

"It would appear that we have entered into a new phase of the Beast Wars," Megatron told them in a deep intonation.

"Of course, sire," Obsidian bowed his head along with the others.

"You can count on us to support you through thick and thin!" Scorponok added.

"Yes, I would expect nothing less," Megatron said amusedly.

To test out his new body, Megatron transformed to robot mode. He towered far above the others in his new body, noting the dragon cannon on his left hand.

He stepped forward, unknowingly placing his foot on top of the metal sand heap that was formerly Serpentine.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Uhh… sorry boss!" Scorponok apologized profusely. "I forgot to thoroughly clean this place for your arrival!"

Tarantulas chuckled as Scorponok rushed over to Megatron and began cleaning the sand away from his foot.

"Now," Megatron looked at his minions. "Which of you was the one who orchestrated my revival."

"I managed to help," confessed Scorponok, loathe to admit the truth but still unable take all the credit for himself. "But the one you should be thanking is Dynamo."

"On the contrary," Dynamo appeared at the entrance with his entourage of four Dinobot warriors. "Dynamo was not even my real name."

Megatron smiled. "So it was you who brought me back."

"Indeed," replied the robed stranger.

"Tell me, who are you?" asked Megatron curiously.

"Who am I?" Dynamo stood up.

With much gusto he used one clawed hand to grip his robes and throw them off with one singular motion. Before them all stood a large, erect Transmetal Two warrior, with sharp protruding fangs and claws. His helmet and face resembled that of the other Dinobot clones but only fiercer. There was no doubt that this was the true, original Dinobot.

"I am your humble servant now and forever," Dinobot bowed before Megatron respectfully.

"He was the real Dinobot the whole time?" Thrust whispered to Tarantulas, who only shrugged.

"I knew it! I knew it!" Terrorsaur told Waspinator. "You owe me ten energon cubes!"

Tankorr elbowed Terrorsaur to shut him up. "Pipe down, beakface!"

"This is brilliant!" Megatron stated. "To think that my contingency plan worked even after my supposed demise. A stroke of brilliance on my part, no doubt. But I must also give credit to you Dinobot, my ever-faithful servant!"

Dinobot ignored Scorponok's jealous gaze and kept his head lowered, not daring to raise it unless Megatron commanded it of him.

"There is much work to be done, all of you!" Megatron informed all of his soldiers. "The time is ripe for Predacon dominance! A new era of the Beast Wars has begun! One which will sow the seeds of the future no doubt!"

Then Megatron gazed down at Dinobot, noting his obedience and discipline.

"And I would also have you by my side!" he grinned. "Rise my powerful Transmetal Two servant… rise and stand proudly my faithful warrior… Dinobot!"

Obediently, Dinobot stood and gazed proudly at his master. A new era had indeed begun; an era in which he would serve both honor and master with unflinching resolve. That time was now.

A/N: Yes, Dynamo was indeed Dinobot the entire time. As I've responded to some people before through PM, Dinobot will be included in my series and he would have a new origin and a new take on his character. This is it. Also, I decided to add Obsidian, Strika, and Jetstorm into the story with beast modes. Some people may not agree and I can respect those opinions. But my story isn't Beast Machines. It's a fan-written relaunch of BEAST WARS. And wow, how long has it been since I started this story? Three years? This entire series is basically a work in progress. Back when I started this series in 2006, I was still relatively new to fanfiction and I guess it shows in some of the early chapters. As for now? I'd like to think I've improved a lot but that's basically up to you to decide.

And alas, poor Shokaract. It turns out in the grand scheme of things he was only kind of a single story arc villain for my story. But I hope he played his role well and entertained people. Megatron's now back at the top of the pecking order and it'll be interesting to see how things turn out from here.