38- Triangulation.
Inside the Nemesis, Galvatron was checking the places marked by the relics' location.
"The coordinates indicate that the second of these four Iacon relics lies at the very bottom of this world." Galvatron observed.
"I will journey to the ends of this or any world to serve your will, lord Galvatron."
"Then return with my prize, Dreadwing. And prove you are more worthy of being my second-in-command than those who have preceded you."
Meanwhile, inside the Harbinger's lab, Starscream was getting ready for some kind of procedure, since he put a list of medical instruments on a table.
"Inner stat, cross clam, laser scalpel, durabyllium drill and one slightly damaged but operational T-Cog. Courtesy of my traitorous clone. Everything I require to make myself whole." Starscream counted as he grabbed the drill and sat on an operating chair. "A simple painless procedure." He said as he activated the item. "Nothing to it, really. Provided one processes the nerve."
Starscream started to approach the drill to his own chest, despite of his nervousness because he closed his eyes. But before it touched him, the terminal's alarm sounded.
He went to check it out. "Four detachments of Decepticons ground bridging to four different regions at the exact same time? Hum. Procedure postponed." He smirked.
At the same time, at the Autobot base, both Warpath and Wheeljack headed to the ground bridge, locked to other of the relics' locations.
"Be on your guard, you two." Elita advised as the Autobot tank and the Wrecker disappeared into the portal.
"Clemont, lock onto the remaining coordinates. Elita, Hot Rod and I will embark for the South Pole." Optimus instructed, and while Clemont locked the ground bridge for their destination, he turned to Ratchet. "As for you, old friend, I would prefer that you have company on your mission."
"No one is left to join me, Optimus. Even if Ranger Lunick were alert."
"Uhhh, who's the other boogey?" He mumbled before went out again, making the children and pokémon laugh. Even Minun, who was next to him.
"And he's human. The children may be a greater support here."
"Optimus was considering the only remaining Autobot alternative on this planet." Elita specified.
Ratchet immediately put a disbelief face. "But…you…you can't be serious. Seaspray acts very similar to Wheeljack when he joined us at the beginning, as an insubordinate, a ruffian! He would be better in Wheeljack's company. Are you sure you need Hot Rod with you?"
"What's the matter, doctor? Are you really going to miss me that much? I'm sure you can handle one tough Bot for one day." Hot Rod joked.
"Your expertise is scientific, but Seaspray is a highly capable warrior. You would be wise to welcome the temporary alliance." Optimus insisted.
Meanwhile, Starscream discovered his own way to travel fast to anywhere on Earth. He used a small device which they found on the ship and opened a ground bridge portal.
"Ah, a remote control for the ground bridge. I love Decepticon scientists." Starscream said as he prepared to get into the portal. But before departing, he took a last look to some pods which seemed to contain something hatching inside, with the same rock he carried inserted in the machine. "Hatch well, my future underlings. I will return after my quest, fortunately with something useful."
Starscream reached to the destination: the ground bridge opened in middle of an area, with an entire pokémon herd composed of Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein, Seel, Dewgong and a few Avalugg around.
"Out of my way, you pathetic beings!" Starscream insulted as he made his way through riding on some kind of cybertronian recon hover bike, scaring some of them.
Once there was no more pokémon around, Starscream took a look to his surroundings.
He shivered. "I despise this planet: if it isn't a scorching desert or a humid forest, it is a frigid wasteland. Now, where are you, my Decepticon brethren?"
Then two Decepticon jets soared over his head. They turned around and started firing at him, making him turn his bike around, evading them. He even dodged ice rubble falling at him, but other three fighters started to fire in front of him. He had no other choice but to zig zag.
"Faster, you pathetic excuse for transportation!"
At the end, they ended hitting the hover bike, making Starscream fall to the ground. The Decepticon air soldiers transformed and landed, aiming their guns at him.
"Decepticons, do you not realize you have just shot down your ship's commander?!" Starscream asked mad.
The leader of the squadron changed and landed next to him, surprising him. "You command no one, deserter."
"Skyquake?! But…you are…"
"You mistake me for my brother, who is one with the Allspark. As you are no doubt aware, former commander Starscream." Dreadwing revealed, making Starscream nervous. "Were it up to me, I would end this here, and now." He said before putting cuffs on Starscream's hands. "But it is my duty as first lieutenant of Galvatron to render all traitors to my lord and master, for due punishment."
"First lieutenant?! That's my post!" Starscream yelled in anger, making the other Cons to aim him with their weapons, forcing him to calm down. "Ah, was my post."
Moments later, Dreadwing's squadron and Starscream, as their prisoner, were moving through the wasteland, with Dreadwing ahead, following his scanner.
"Commander Dreadwing, this must be a very important mission if Galvatron has dispatched his second-in-command. Scouting for energon or something else altogether?" Starscream asked interested.
"That is none of your concern." Dreadwing answered as he continued checking his scanner.
"If I knew what are you looking for, perhaps I could help."
One of the Decepticons shoved Starscream so he would not stop. After some seconds…
"We have arrived at the coordinates." Dreadwing announced. He approached to what seemed to be an excavation site and saw a big hole made on the ice wall. "The relic, it has been taken."
"Relic? What sort of relic?" Starscream asked.
"Search the area!" Dreadwing ordered.
While he remained with Starscream, the four other Decepticons scattered around the area. From top of a cliff, Optimus, Elita and Hot Rod observed from the distance.
"The Cons reached first." Hot Rod saw.
"But it seems for some motive they didn't find the relic." Elita noticed.
"Let's figure it out." Optimus declared.
As they were going to…
"Commander Dreadwing, we have discovered vehicle tracks." One of the Cons reported.
"The Autobots." Dreadwing figured out.
"Perhaps. Though I've never known them to plant flags at the site of their victories." Starscream revealed, signaling a few flags near the site.
Dreadwing grabbed him and licked him up. "Do not try me, traitor. I will leave your lifeless husk in this frozen waste."
Suddenly, they heard engine noise coming from behind them. They saw the three Autobots approaching in vehicle mode. Dreadwing dropped Starscream and walked at them.
"You two, guard the prisoner." He ordered to two of the Decepticons.
The Autobots changed to robot form and stood in front of Dreadwing, as the other two Con air soldiers moved to their sides.
"Optimus Prime, I will request only once that you surrender the relic."
"I was going to request the same of you, Dreadwing."
"Then I would say that we are on equal footing. Were it not that there are five of us and only three of you."
"Six. If you relieve me of these ridiculous manacles." Starscream corrected.
"Elita, you and Hot Rod take care of the soldiers. I will handle Dreadwing." Optimus whispered to his sparkmate by com-link.
There was a long pause, like expecting who was going to make a move first. Finally, Dreadwing and his Cons pulled out their weapons first and started firing. The Autobots did the same, and Optimus charged at Dreadwing while Elita and Hot Rod went from different sides. Elita and Hot Rod attracted the Cons' attention while Optimus focused to fire at Dreadwing, while Starscream only watched. Elita disposed of one with a combined shot from both her weapons, while Hot Rod used one of his swords to cut the other Vehicon's guns before shooting him with his weapon at other hand. At the same time, Optimus dodged Dreadwing's shots jumping and rolling aside and finally shot back, hitting Dreadwing's shoulder, which he felt. But that also enraged him, because he reloaded his gun and fired three explosive projectiles at Optimus. Fortunately, he jumped above them before they impacted and jumped at Dreadwing with his sword ready. But before he tried to slice him, Dreadwing picked up his own sword from his back and blocked Prime's attack before pushing him back. They started to clash their melee weapons, until Optimus kicked him backwards. Dreadwing twirled his sword before he launched a battle cry and attacked Optimus again. Optimus blocked him, but Dreadwing pushed him hard until he pushed his sword aside, but Dreadwing took the chance to push him back, almost at the edge of a cliff.
"Optimus, look out!" Hot Rod warned.
But too late: Dreadwing retrieved his sword and charged at Optimus, who did the same. Dreadwing tackled Optimus, and they both fell to the lower ground.
"Optimus!" Elita shouted.
Fortunately, he went back to his feet, the same as Dreadwing, and started punching each other, until Dreadwing punched Optimus so hard that sent him to the ground. Elita and Hot Rod looked from the edge, and Hot decided to jump to Dreadwing's back. He started to punch him on the face from behind, while he tried to shake him off. As this happened, Elita landed next to Optimus, right before Dreadwing finally grabbed Hot Rod and pushed him against the ground with his feet. Elita pulled out her guns immediately, but instead of firing Dreadwing, she hit the wall behind him.
"Your aim is poor." He said pulling out his gun, just when a few pieces of ice started to fall from the wall.
"That is a matter of perspective." Elita revealed.
Dreadwing turned around and saw the entire wall collapsing in front of him.
"NOOOOO!" Dreadwing shouted, chance that Hot Rod took to kick him in the face, sending him backwards and allowing him to escape with the other Autobots from the incoming avalanche that buried the Decepticon.
Starscream and the other two Cons descended by a path down.
"A stalemate would leave us where?" Starscream asked as they saw nothing between the smoke caused by the avalanche.
"Commander Dreadwing!" One of the Decepticons called.
They saw some figures walking out of the mist, but they were the Autobots. The Decepticons fired at them, making them advance at them firing as well. Starscream took the chance and grabbed the arm of the Con next to him. The other saw it and fired at him, but Starscream put the other as shield, neutralizing him. The other was eliminated by the Autobots' shots.
After dropping the Con's body, Starscream walked at them. "What a team we make! I am so glad that you and your Autobots prevailed, Optimus Prime. That wretch Dreadwing was going to terminate me. Now, if you could just remove my bonds, I can lead you straight to the relic."
But the Autobots' answer was different: they aimed their weapons at him.
"Don't you think you can fool us that easily, Screamy." Hot Rod warned.
"You will lead us there regardless." Optimus corrected.
"Hmp, you're welcome." Starscream groaned.
Now Starscream was following the trail, with the Autobots behind him with weapons active.
"Be reasonable, Prime. This cold will freeze our actuators." Starscream complained.
"The current temperatures are not extreme enough to affect our biology. You will be fine." Elita pointed out.
"Fine, but miserable."
"By the way, it seems it's true what Warpath told us: you have returned to be the Screamy we used to fight during the war." Hot Rod noticed. "Why did you decided to return back to your previous self instead of keep being your improved self?"
"Not your concern, and don't call me that! And I cannot believe that you take our alliances for granted. After all I have done for the Autobots: helping to restore Optimus's memory, saving Arcee's life."
"You only shared that info with us because you had no one to fix you. Besides, you only helped Arcee because you wanted to get payback from Airachnid in that moment. If she wasn't there first, you may have tried to extinguish her spark. Like when you ordered your troops to do with me when you returned."
"Hot Rod has a point: while you have at times proved beneficial to us, it has been only to further your own interest." Optimus clarified.
"Well, we can't all be as selfless as you now, can we?" Starscream finished before they continued their way.
After a while walking, they reached to an open area, where they could see at the distance some kind of building.
"Aha, as I suspected: humans. We will find the relic here. So, let us reclaim what is rightfully ours." Starscream spotted as he was about to continue, but Hot Rod stopped him.
"Are you crazy? Do you think we can do like "Hey, hello there, we are looking for an ancient alien relic that you found not far from here, can you please return it to us?""
"Hot Rod is right. We cannot simply enter a human facility to search for cybertronian relics." Elita supported.
"Not even if they stole it?" Starscream asked.
"Nor can we expose innocent humans to a dangerous Decepticon." Optimus added before he opened his com-link. "Clemont, has Ranger Lunick regained consciousness?"
"I'm here, Prime." Lunick answered from base. "What's your situation?"
"We require access to a research facility at our current coordinates."
"Let me make a call."
Meanwhile, at the site created by the avalanche, Dreadwing made a hole with his big gun and went out of the hole. He recovered his sword and retrieved it with his gun. He saw the footprints of the Autobots, and changed to vehicle form to follow the trail at full speed. Meanwhile, the Autobots and Starscream were waiting, the last one walking from one side to another.
"Are we really going to wait out here in the freezing cold completely at the mercy of human bureaucracy?" Starscream asked impatiently.
"If you are bored, we can play to bury you in the snow. It's similar to how humans use to play at the beach, but instead of burying someone in the snow, they do it in the sand." Hot Rod suggested with a smirk.
"No thanks. I'm fine here."
Right in that moment, they saw a small group of helicopters took flight and left the base.
"Base's clear, Prime. Try not to wreck the place."
"Many thanks, Ranger Lunick." Optimus thanked through com-link as they continued their way to the outpost, taking Starscream with him.
Moments later, inside the base, Hot Rod and Elita opened the door of the main hangar as the others followed him. They saw a big piece of ice with something stuck inside.
"It must be this one." Elita pointed.
"The relic remains sealed in the ice." Optimus contemplated.
"I knew you have questionable honor, Starscream." Dreadwing suddenly said, appearing on the entrance with his gun. "But aiding the Autobots, that is a capital offense."
"What?! But I…I left tracks for you, on purpose. So you could rescue me from my captors." Starscream invented.
"Thanks for the vote of camaraderie, Screamy." Hot Rod said sarcastically.
"Dreadwing, we cannot allow you to leave here with this relic."
"I know that, Prime. But I do not intend to give you a choice." Dreadwing answered, aiming his gun at them.
Relying on thinking quick, Hot Rod threw a huge snowball at Dreadwing, blinding him enough so Optimus and Elita could tackle him and pin him against the ground, and making him to drop his weapon. As the Autobot leaders faced him, Hot Rod went to secure Dreadwing's big gun. Seeing that everyone was busy fighting, Starscream took the chance to take a close look to the relic.
"Giving all the fuss, this relic must be truly special." Starscream realized as he started to hit the ice with his cuffs, trying to break it and free the relic.
After kicking Elita hard enough to send her flying backwards, Dreadwing grabbed Optimus from behind, until he was hit by some big shots on the back. It was Hot Rod, who hardly managed to grab Dreadwing's gun and used it against him. Despite that, Dreadwing pressed his detonator, which activated a bomb that Optimus had planted on his chest. Fortunately, Hot Rod noticed it, so he threw the gun at Dreadwing to distract him before running at Optimus, grabbed the bomb and threw it aside as far as he could before it exploded. Meanwhile, Starscream finished liberating the relic.
"Armor. Of Decepticon origin." He identified placing it on his chest.
The relic activated, expanding itself through Starscream's body, and releasing his hands from the cuffs. Meanwhile, Dreadwing approached Optimus, who was lying on the ground, with his sword ready to execute him.
"Ah, ah, ah." Hot Rod called with warning tone as he aimed his guns at him, the same as Elita, who returned already.
"We got you outnumbered, Dreadwing. You are in no position to do such a thing." Elita started.
"Hold on. What about Screamy?"
In that moment, Starscream, now inside the armor, jumped out of the building, passing through the ceiling, and landed in front of everyone. The armor even made him look bigger than everyone.
"Don't tell me that he's inside that armor." Hot Rod said in disbelief.
"He is. And that's not an ordinary armor." Elita added.
"The Apex Armor." Optimus recognized.
"A perfect fit." Starscream noticed.
Dreadwing pointed his sword at Starscream. "You dare to claim that which rightfully belongs to lord Galvatron?!"
Starscream chuckled. "And what do you intend to do about it, commander?"
Dreadwing charged and tried to strike him with his sword, when he did, it did nothing, not even a scratch. Starscream laughed and whacked Dreadwing so hard, sending him flying.
"Not so big and strong now, are you? I haven't had this much fun for a long time!" Starscream exclaimed as he grabbed a bulldozer, with intention to crush Dreadwing with it. "Allow me to reunite you with your beloved twin."
But surprisingly the female Autobot leader shoved him from behind, making him drop the vehicle, which was going to fall upon Dreadwing, but he recovered his sword and rolled out of the way. Elita was about to strike again, but Starscream grabbed her by the neck and raised her.
"I have to admit it, Elita One, of all the female Autobots I have met, you are the most tenacious. So, do you want us to continue where we left off, when I was possibly about to snuff Arcee's spark?" Starscream threatened.
Fortunately, Hot Rod tackled him from behind, making him release her. Hot Rod started to punch him repeatedly on the head. At the end, he ended exhausted, but Starscream didn't look hurt.
"Have you finished?" Starscream mocked, right before he gave him a huge punch that sent him flying against the hangar. "You were right when you talked about my soldiers being the ones who almost finished with you the first time, but now I'm going to do what I shall have done in case I had known who was below me." He said before grabbing two containers with intention of crushing Hot Rod with them. "Facing you personally."
But Optimus came to his rescue, pushing Starscream against the wall. Optimus tried to punch him, but Starscream blocked him and grabbed his arm, starting to crush it.
"And you, Optimus Prime, I will beat the living spark out of you, just so I never again have to endure your pontificating." Starscream said throwing him against a pile of containers.
Hot Rod saw Dreadwing's gun near to him, but he knew it was too heavy for him to use it. So instead, he grabbed it and…
"Hey big guy! Catch!"
Dreadwing looked at Hot Rod before he saw him launching the gun at him as Hot Rod and Elita started to fire at the armored Seeker. He caught it and started firing at Starscream too, but only made him fall back a few steps as he jumped and tried to hit him with his sword again. But it failed, and Starscream grabbed him and threw him next to Optimus. Elita and Hot Rod reunited with them.
"This isn't working. It seems no matter what we try, we can't make him a single scratch." Hot Rod complained.
"We cannot allow Starscream to win. He has proven that unlike us, he has none loyalty."
"You're right, dear. Dreadwing, our battle remains unfinished. But if we do not unite against our common foe…" Optimus started.
"Starscream will destroy us all." Dreadwing finished.
"If we are going to team up, we're gonna need a plan." Hot Rod pointed.
"I have one." Dreadwing said as he handed some of his bombs to Elita and Optimus, one for each one. "The young one and I will draw his attention."
Dreadwing changed to his air alt mode, allowed Hot Rod to jump above him and flew at Starscream. Dreadwing fired his vehicle mode's weapons as Hot Rod his own guns, but that didn't affect him: he walked toward them, jumped and hit Dreadwing hard that sent him back to the ground, forcing Hot Rod to land at top of the hangar.
"Might beats flight." Starscream said proud.
Hot Rod continued firing at Starscream, only to distract him so Optimus and Elita jumped onto his back before Starscream pushed them back. But Dreadwing smirked, seeing that they managed to put the bombs on his back.
"You shall be the one to join with the Allspark." Dreadwing announced, pressing the detonator.
That activated the bombs, alarming Starscream, who could do anything until they exploded. The explosion let a huge amount of fire and smoke, but when it started to clear they saw in horror that Starscream just before, and laughing.
"What?! All that firepower and he's still untouched?!" Hot Rod exclaimed in disbelief.
"That tickled!" He said laughing more. "Fools! Not only I am intelligent, I am INVINCEABLE!"
"Yet you cannot fly!" Elita shouted.
"Nobody's perfect." Starscream answered before walking at Optimus.
"If that armor is supposed to be indestructible, how are we going to beat Starscream?" Hot Rod asked hopeless.
"We cannot eliminate him, but we can banish him." Dreadwing suggested.
"How?" Elita asked.
"There's supposed to be an entire ocean below all this ice, right?" Dreadwing recalled.
Understanding what he had planned, Elita nodded him. Back with Optimus…
"Now, tell me of the other three relics. Are they as powerful as my shiny new armor?" Starscream asked as he whacked him a little, but enough to made him walk backwards.
"They were hidden away precisely to keep them from the hands of those like you." Optimus answered before pushing Starscream's hand aside and trying to punch Starscream as hard as he could.
"Optimus, don't push yourself! It's useless!" Elita called.
"He is far too powerful, Prime! Fall back!" Dreadwing added.
Optimus changed to vehicle form and went with the others.
"Cowards. You will not escape my might! Wait, you four are up to something." Starscream deduced.
"You're right, Screamy. But as always, too late." Hot Rod said as he returned in vehicle form before returning to robot form.
The whole act was a distraction so Hot Rod could place bombs all around Starscream, who only saw them when Dreadwing pressed his detonator. The group ran as the bombs exploded, but not Starscream, who screamed as he fell to a deep hole, until he was gone. The Autobots took a look to the hole.
"Uff, at least that worked." Hot Rod sighed in relief.
But then, Dreadwing pulled out his sword and prepared for combat. "Now that our alliance has served its purpose..."
"Starscream is gone, and the Apex Armor with him." Optimus pointed as he pulled out his sword. "Is there really a need to renew battle when the goal has been lost?"
"We have other unfinished matters." Dreadwing responded coldly.
"What he's talking about?" Hot Rod asked.
"He's referring to Skyquake." Elita deduced before she talked to him. "I know what are you passing through, Dreadwing. One of my finest soldiers passed through the same, but the path you're entering will not make you any good. It will only guide you to an endless spiral of pain, sadness and regrets."
"Are you sure that will affect me?"
"I bore Skyquake no malice, and I regret the role I played in his demise." Optimus started as he retrieved his sword. "So I will appeal to you as I once did your twin: turn your back on the Decepticon cause and help us end this war, for his sake and for all who have fallen."
Dreadwing twirled his sword until he retrieved it back on his back.
"You saved my life today, all of you." He said as he walked next to Optimus. "I will terminate you, the next time we meet, Prime."
Dreadwing changed to vehicle form and headed to space.
"So be it, Dreadwing."
"I think he has listened you, Optimus." Elita said, taking his hand.
"Well, at least we prevented the Cons getting their hands of that mighty armor. And we have sent Screamy to the deeps of the ocean. I hope we will not see him in a long time." Hot Rod expressed.
"Let us hope that time is as long as possible." Optimus agreed.
But they were not aware that below them, at the deeps of the frozen ocean, Starscream walked in the bottom, still wearing the Apex Armor.