Disclaimer: You ever had a song in your heads that was so good that you could never, ever get out of your head no matter how hard you tried? I have, and most of them nowadays are from Japan. Yes, I listen to J-Pop. I also have this no chapter for the story, so do enjoy.

I do not own the rights to Transformers.


Chapter XVIII

The Alchemor was now flying over the surface of Cybertron. Optimus Prime and Primal looked out through the main window at the planet when Metal Hawk suddenly said, "Primal, I'm getting two separate surges of energy in different locations."

"Can you pinpoint them?" Primal asked.

"Already did. The first one coincides with the last known trajectory of the Terminus, near Hydrax Plateau. The second is several kilometers from Iacon." Metal Hawk replied.

"Hydrax Plateau? Isn't that the central island of the Sea of Rust?" Sideswipe asked.

"It is, Sideswipe. That's where Sentinel Prime led what was to be his final battle prior to his exile from Cybertron, and was supposedly the final resting place of Fortress Maximus." Optimus Prime explained.

"The Sea of Rust? The name alone doesn't quite make me feel a sense of overwhelming confidence." Windblade said.

"You are aware that you can, right Windblade?" Breakaway said in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

"That's not the point, Breakaway. Optimus Prime claims that this Hydrax Plateau is an island in the middle of an area full of rust and whatever other horrors might be down there." Windblade claimed, unable to calm her nerves.

"I wouldn't worry about that too much, Windblade. The Sea of Rust would've been dried over countless eons and is most likely barren at this point... kind of like the rest of the planet." Cerebros stated.

"Still doesn't make me feel better." Windblade said.

Primal approached Optimus Prime and said to him, "Why do I get the feeling that Sentinel Prime hid Fortress Maximus in the middle of the Sea of Rust for a reason?"

Optimus Prime gave Primal a stern look, and he soon explained to the crew, "As I was merely the young Orion Pax at the time, I cannot accurately disclose the full details. From what I learned; it was Fortress Maximus himself who made the request to Sentinel Prime that he remain hidden within the location of the Sea of Rust."

"Why?" Airazor asked.

"Yeah. You made it sound like he was a big deal back then." Bulkhead stated.

Drift then deduced, "It's because Fortress Maximus didn't want to be involved anymore."

"I don't follow, Drift." Roulette said.

"For all his insurmountable might and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, at his Spark, Fortress Maximus was a pacifist. War went against every ideal he ever believed and he fought only when absolutely necessary." Optimus Prime explained.

"Fighting Unicron wasn't considered necessary? This Fortress Maximus was nothing but a coward." Blitzwing spat.

"You speak of cowardice, but it was the Decepticons that fled while the Autobots remained to defend Cybertron from Unicron." Dinobot snapped.

"Yeah, and where were you when Lockdown killed your buddies?" Blitzwing snapped, compelling Dinobot to growl in anger and draw his sword.

Then Optimus Prime stepped in between the two before they could come to blows. "That's enough. Save what energy you have until after we make planetfall."

"Did you forget that I'm not an Autobot, Optimus?" Blitzwing wondered.

Optimus Prime addressed Blitzwing and told him, "You are one now, Blitzwing. And, I expect you follow my orders.

Dinobot and Blitzwing could only exchange glares at each other until cooler head prevailed and Optimus Prime stepped away. It still didn't stop Blitzwing from offering a decidedly obscene hand gesture, to Dinobot growled. He stepped forward but this time, it was the Wreckers getting in between them. Primal had caught the entire thing from the corner of his optics and trusted that the Wreckers could keep the two away from each other. Optimus Prime eventually joined him on the bridge and they too were joined Spike and Zarak.

"How you manage to keep this many personalities in check is beyond me." Primal said to Optimus.

Optimus actually managed a light chuckle and replied, "It is far more difficult than you might think."

"If I may, Optimus Prime," Zarak said, getting the Autobot leader's attention. "The second energy signal must be Skorponok. If can get back onboard, I may be able to wrest control of it away from Unicron."

"This is Unicron we're talking about, Zarak. He's not going to let you simply waltz in and take your ship back." Spike said.

"I wasn't planning to ask. Unicron destroyed my home and killed my family, Spike. You should know better than anyone that I can't let that pass." Zarak replied with pain in his voice.

Spike found himself relieving the image of Carly's lifeless body in his arms, and even Zarak was responsible, he wasn't to blame. "You're right, Zarak. I do know."

Primal listened to the exchange before turning to Optimus Prime. "Optimus, there's no denying the fact that we'll have to confront Unicron and Skorponok eventually."

"You are correct, Primal. Seeing as Unicron currently has control of Skorponok, it stands to reason that we're going to need Fortress Maximus and since the captive Maximals are in the same location, our current objective is clear." Optimus Prime said.

"What if Fortress Maximus refuses to fight?" Windblade asked.

"In this situation, he may not have much of a choice." Cerebros replied.

"What about the Allspark?" Breakaway asked as he glanced at the Allspark sitting nearby.

"The Allspark must be taken and reconnected to the core of Cybertron. That is the potentially the only way to restore the planet. Should Unicron obtain the Allspark, he could potentially corrupt it, and then not only would Cybertron remain forever dead, but the entire universe would face ultimate doom." Optimus Prime proclaimed.

"No pressure." Sideswipe murmured.

"A flight-capable Cybertronian cold reach the core fastest." Cerebros stated.

"I'm not doing it." Blitzwing huffed.

"I can do it. I'm pretty much the fastest flyer on this ship." Breakaway voluntarily said.

"No," Primal suddenly said. "I'll take the Allspark to the core."

As soon as he heard the announcement from Primal, Metal Hawk turned in his seat and said, "That in itself sounds absolutely nuts. Do you even know how to reach the core with that Allspark?"

"The only means of reaching the core in by way of the Well of Sparks, which is located near Iacon. Unicron is likely unaware of the Well's location, but I can lead you there, Primal." Optimus Prime said.

"Either way, we'll have to confront Unicron. But I don't want to let my friends down." Primal said.

Metal Hawk grumbled at the what was being considered between the two leaders, and then he said to Primal, "Get it done, boss. I'll make sure that the crew is safe when you get back."

"Metal Hawk?" Primal asked in surprise.

"Don't look at me like that. Get gone before I change my mind."

Primal looked at Optimus Prime, who gave a nod, and then Primal said to Metal Hawk, "Thank you, Metal Hawk." Then he and Optimus Prime started heading for the bridge exit.

Optimus Prime quickly addressed to Drift, "Drift, I'm counting on you and your Wreckers to safeguard the Maximals."

"You can count on us, Optimus Prime." Drift said.

"Hey Primal," Metal Hawk called out to Primal. "Just for the record, I think you're crazy for doing this whole thing with the Allspark."

Primal smiled and replied, "Hey... sometimes, crazy works." Then he was out the door with Optimus Prime.


The Alchemor's rear hatch opened and Optimus Prime and Primal approached the edge. Primal had the Allspark in hand. He couldn't help feel a certain reverence while holding the ancient artifact. It was as if the voices of every long dead Cybertronian were speaking to him. It wasn't until the surface of Cybertron became visible that Primal was snapped back to reality. He looked to Optimus Prime, who gave him a telling nod.

Then the leader of the Autobots leapt from the ramp and jetted away. Primal readied himself for the mission to come, knowing its importance. He too soon leapt from the ramp and jetted away after Optimus Prime. Then the Alchemor closed the hatch before shifting away to the opposite direction. It was time to mount the rescue of the Maximals.


Megatron found himself being forced back by Overlord when the two suddenly locked hands. This Overlord may not have been Optimus Prime, but he managed to match Megatron in pure brute strength. In fact, Overlord seemed to overpower Megatron. That was until Starscream blasted Overlord in the back. Megatron saw his opening to break free of Overlord and push him back.

With the new advantage, Megatron proceeded to pummel Overlord with a series of blows. Any one of those strikes would've crippled a weaker opponent. Overlord was anything but weak. He took the strikes as they came and as they drove him back. Then Overlord retaliated, striking Megatron in the face with one straight punch. Megatron staggered back and quickly fired his fusion cannon. Overlord separated into his two vehicle forms. The jet took to the sky, and Starscream transformed and gave chase.

Megatron fired on the oncoming tank and dodged as it approached. He saw the jet coming with Starscream right behind it and fired a shot, missing both. The distraction allowed the tank to fire a volley that hit Megatron hard and dropped him. The tank moved in for the kill but something was holding it back. Blackarachnia, in her spider form, snagged the tank with a massive net of cyber webbing. At the same time, Shockwave flew in his space craft form and fired a shot at the tank, flipping onto its side.

The jet fired on Shockwave, but Starscream fires on it and blasted it from behind. The jet came down next to the tank and both vehicles were down, and the Decepticons regrouped near them. The vehicles transformed and merged back into Overlord as if nothing happened.

"What is this bot made of?" Starscream wondered out loud.

"He is clearly comprised of the same construction as you or I, Starscream." Shockwave replied.

"That was rhetorical, Shockwave."

"That's enough. I want this false bot destroyed now," Megatron said before turning to a gleefully smiling Arkeville. "Then, we're dealing with you, Arkeville."

"You're most welcome to try, but I've been waiting a long time for this moment. Overlord, dispose of them." Arkeville ordered.

But then out of the blue, Overlord replied, "No."

A surprised and confused Arkeville said, "What?"

Overlord appeared to start convulsing where he stood, his joints seemingly twitching like they were malfunctioning. The Decepticons prepared for anything from their foe, but they weren't expecting what ended up happening. Without warning or reason behind it, Overlord opened a compartment and ejected Giga and Mega from inside his frame. The two Humanoids fell onto each other in between Overlord and the Decepticons, the latter looking completely dumbfounded. Arkeville wasn't that much different from them, but he was inwardly enraged at what just happened. At the same time, Megatron appeared absolutely disgusted.

An equally disgusted Starscream sneered, "Humans?"

"Pretenders." Shockwave clarified.

"They are disgusting all the same," Megatron coldly snarled before glaring at Arkeville. "Arkeville, you created these filthy beings to control this near lifeless construct?"

Arkeville looked shellshocked, alternating between looking at Megatron, Overlord and Giga and Mega. "Why are you sitting there, you idiots? Get back into Overlord, now."

Giga was the first to get up and helped to get Mega to her feet. "Are you okay, Mega?"

"I'm fine, but what about..." Mega was asking before they heard the heavy footsteps of Overlord approaching... on his own.

"Giga, Mega..." Overlord said to the two Pretenders before he deployed a massive rifle. "I have no further use for you."

Then Overlord readied his rifle and prepared to fire on the two, only for a net of cyber webbing to snag them. Blackarachnia pulled on the net and dragged Giga and Mega to safety, keeping them close to her rather than anywhere near the Decepticons. Overlord's attention was instantly drawn to Blackarachnia, while the Decepticons surprisingly stood in the way of the hulking robot. Overlord started to make a move for the group, only to then stop in his tracks. Predaking appeared behind the Decepticons, and it seemed like they were surrounded. But then Predaking pushed through the Decepticons and walked directly for Overlord. The giant combiner loomed Overlord, and Overlord seemed to actually produce a smirk.

"Well, you're a big one, aren't you?" Overlord said aloud.

"Overlord," Arkeville shouted, drawing Overlord's attention. "What are you doing? I am your master and your creator. I demand that you listen to me. I..."

Without warning, Overlord grabbed hold of Arkeville and pulled him from his hover chair, bringing him up to meet face to face. "My master? No. I no longer serve you or anyone else. I am Overlord and I am my own master now."

Then Overlord proceeded to squeeze Arkeville, causing the mad scientist to scream in agony. "Megatron. Starscream. Help me, please."

"You brought this on yourself, Arkeville," Megatron coldly replied before turning toward Giga and Mega. "And, as for you..."

The fire created by Starscream earlier burst higher into the sky, and the Decepticons regrouped. Overlord saw the flames as well and threw Arkeville down, leaving him in a mess. All parties concerned heard the heavy stomping from within the fire, and then a familiar shadow emerged. There was no mistaking the visage of Unicron as he stepped through the flames, stoic and utterly expressionless. Overlord cocked his head to the side. Unicron continued his forward movement, not even registering the possibility that Predaking might have broken free of his control. He didn't care either way as his hands started glowing the same sickly green that matched his optics. Before Predaking could make a move, Overlord beat him to it and confronted Unicron.

"You are not Cybertronian. You are an atrocity." Unicron claimed of the giant robot standing before him.

Overlord merely huffed before driving his fist right into the face of Unicron. The blow actually forced the Chaos Bringer back a few steps, and then Overlord pressed his attack. He quickly closed the short distance and started pummeling Unicron. Every blow Overlord landed actually sent Unicron back a step, which surprised even Megatron who expect no one other than Optimus Prime to stand against Unicron. Arkeville was equally as astonished as he watched his creation, now seemingly sentient without Giga and Mega, beating Unicron almost into submission. Eventually, Overlord dropped Unicron down to a knee and continued to beat him down. Overlord halted his assault and stood over Unicron as though he singlehandedly felled the Chaos Bringer.

"You claim I am not Cybertronian, that I am an atrocity. You are wrong. I am Overlord and none can stand against my might." Overlord claimed before he deployed his rifle.

Then without warning, Unicron lunged forward and swatted the rifle from Overlord's hand before closing the distance. They were face to face, neither showing fear for the other to notice. Unicron replied, "BURN!"

Before anyone knew what had happened, a massive burst of green energy erupted from Unicron's hand and engulfed Overlord. The Decepticons, Predaking, Blackarachnia and the two Pretenders and Arkeville all had to shield their faces as Overlord was suddenly consumed by the fiery explosion. No one could see that as the explosion intensified, Overlord was being rapidly disintegrated bit by bit. He let on a scream of protest and rage, but it was drowned out by the sheer noise of the blast that engulfed. In due time, the blast subsided and Unicron was all that remained. Overlord, on the hand, was gone, completely vaporized into nothing more that dust. Arkeville was left staring in absolute horror as Unicron righted himself and confronted the Decepticons.

"Declare any title you wish, be it a king, a tyrant or an overlord. It means nothing, for none can truly against a god." Unicron claimed.

"Then you won't mind if I challenge that notion once more, Unicron." Megatron said as he cocked his fusion cannon. Then he fired a shot that seemed to engulf Unicron like Overlord before him.

The ensuing explosion sent debris flying in all direction, and then Unicron stepped the veil of fire like nothing happened, noticing that Predaking was now standing with the Decepticons. "You too, Predaking would dare stand against your master?"

"PREDAKING NEEDS NO MASTER, LEAST OF ALL, YOU." Predaking declared, garnering a sly grin from Blackarachnia.

"So be it," Unicron said and prepared to attack again only to stop and suddenly look off into the distance. "What is this? A familiar resonance, pure energy not unlike Primus."

"Now what's he babbling about?" Starscream wondered.

Megatron produced a telling smile. "He's here."

Unicron also determined what Megatron knew. "The last Prime returns, and he has brought the Allspark with him."

"Suddenly, you're worried. Does the great Chaos Bringer find himself experiencing fear?" Megatron said in a mocking tone.

Unicron glared back at Megatron and his companions and said out loud, "Skorponok, dispose of these annoyances."

Before the Decepticons could react, Unicron transformed to his twisted alternate form and raced off. Megatron was still ever intent on battling the Chaos Bringer, but Skorponok stood in his way in its giant scorpion form. But then something started to occur, and Skorponok started to shift and change. Megatron stood his ground against the titan as it was changing form, and Starscream and Shockwave joined. Predaking joined them as well, but not before he rushed Blackarachnia and Giga and Mega to safety. Arkeville meanwhile was trying to get away, but his legs were crippled from being nearly crushed by Overlord prior to the latte's sudden destruction by Unicron. None of that seemed to matter as Skorponok was in the middle of its transformation. It just wasn't into his previous form.

Skorponok shifted upright as it formed two enormous legs. The pincers remained as they were but now the arms were part of a much larger upper torso. Gun implements lined the broad shoulders and then a head emerged from within the torso. A menacing face appeared soon after. The Decepticons were suddenly looking straight up at a towering robot… no, a true titan. Then Skorponok looked down at the Decepticons with a nearly expressionless glare.

"I AM… SKORPONOK!"

Predaking let out a defiant roar while Starscream said to Megatron, "I'm just going to assume you have a plan to deal with this thing, Megatron."

"As a matter of fact, I do, Starscream," Megatron said before launching into the air. "Decepticons: ATTACK."


Author's Note: That's all I wrote? Yeah, I don't know how that works, but that's puts an end to this chapter. It seems that Fort Max's exact location has been revealed and the Autobots mount a rescue mission, while Optimus Prime and Primal set out to restore Cybertron. Meanwhile, Arkeville's plan has fallen apart and Unicron has indeed obliterated Overlord (sorry darkmachines) and then... there's Skorponok going full titan. Hurry Fortress Maximus. Cybertron needs you. Let me know what ya'll think and I'll be back soon. Peace out!