TRANSFORMERS : MEGATRON'S REVENGE

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Death's Head – I do not own The Transformers, nor Death's Head. Takara Industries/Hasbro/Marvel US/Marvel UK/Sunbow Entertainment/Saban Entertainment, all own parts of The Transformers. Marvel UK owns Death's Head. Seraphim is my own creation. She transforms into a F-4 Phantom. Raiden and Valkyrie are my creation's as well. Vehicle forms? No idea. There's not much of them at the moment, only enough to get ahead, if you know what I mean. (Sorry about the bad joke people.) Alpha Destroyer and Citadel Supreme are mine as well. Alpha Destroyer is a Decepticon equivalent of the Autobot Omega Supreme and Citadel Supreme is a Decepticon version of Fortress Maximus. Also, please, please, PLEASE read all of my first Transformers story : Transformers : Book 1 : Death's Head. A lot of information is in that story, which is carried over into this one.

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On Earth :

Hot Rod sighed to himself as he walked into the Ark. Ever since Autobot City and Metroplex had been built, the Ark had been turned into a museum of sorts and Hot Rod found it to be a relaxing place to be, when he needed time to be alone and think. Hot Rod walked the corridors of the Autobots first home on Earth, allowing his CPU to wander. The vast emptiness of the Ark, Hot Rod found comforting. He walked onto what had been the bridge of the ancient starship, ancient lights sputtered into being, bathing the room in light. He stood next to the chair Optimus Prime had once sat in, over four millenia ago, when he had pressed the button which had sent the Ark crashing onto this beautiful planet.

He was so engrossed in memories, that he didn't sense the figure behind him.

"I'd thought I'd find you here Hot Rod."

Hot Rod turned and faced Optimus Prime.

"Optimus...."

Optimus walked towards the console, and let his hand trace the contours of the metal.

"A long time ago....I made a decision, a decision which brought our war here." The elder Autobot looked at Hot Rod "There have been times, when I've cursed myself for that brash course of action. If I hadn't of pressed that one button, the Decepticons would've run rampant over the universe. From here, we gained more, than what we had on Cybertron."

Hot Rod shook his head, Bluestreak's words still weighing heavily on him.

" Look at the damage we've caused since arriving here on Earth! All the humans who've perished in our war. Wherever we Transformers go, our war seems to follow, and wherever WE go, Human lives suffer! WE can be reactivated, THEY can't!"

"Perhaps Bluestreak was right. Perhaps we've caused more damage than the Decepticons to this planet."

Optimus nodded.

"True Hot Rod, and I think back on all the Autobots who have died in this war, this futile war."

Hot Rod touched Optimus on the shoulder.

"They did their jobs. They didn't do it, because you forced them into it, they did it because they believed in the cause, they believed in you Optimus. You start to question yourself now, and it will show. We need a strong leader, one who can carry his own convictions, and if something goes wrong, is prepared to make restitution, but still fight for what we believe in."

Optimus nodded, back turned to Hot Rod, as he removed the Prime Matrix from his chest. He faced Hot Rod.

"Which is why, Rodimus Prime has to return. I'm too old Hot Rod, too old to see young comrades fall. I'm getting to the point where I'm deferring to Ultra Magnus more and more, placing him in a leadership role. A role he does well, but he does not want." Optimus held the Matrix to Hot Rod "You've matured a lot since you first became Rodimus Prime. Now, the time is right, for you to be Rodimus Prime, permanently."

Hot Rod looked at the Matrix, then at Optimus.

"Optimus....I..."

Optimus placed the Matrix in Hot Rod's hand.

"My time is over, it has been for quite some time. Now, it's your time, Arise Rodimus Prime."

The change to Hot Rod was almost instantaneously, when the Matrix came into contact with his hand, he changed into his adult form. Rodimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, had returned.

Optimus looked at the young leader, a smile in his optics.

"Now, lead the Autobots well Rodimus."

Rodimus Prime looked at Optimus.

"And what of you? What will you do now?"

Optimus walked over and sat in his old command chair, and leaned back.

"As the humans do when they reach a certain age. Retire."

Rodimus chuckled and leaned against the console.

"You? And how long would it last? Really?"

Optimus sighed.

"I've released Hi-Q. He has the right to live a life, free of war. Ratchet and Brainstorm have already re-built my old body, so when I return to Autobot City, my consciousness will be transferred back into that body. Then, who knows. I'm just so very tired...."

Rodimus looked at Optimus, sympathy on his face.

"Well, whatever you decide to do Optimus, you have my full support. However, I would like to be able to get in touch with you, when I need some sage like advice."

"Sage like advice, Rodimus?"

"My way of saying how much I respect one who has lived a full life."

Optimus gave a short chuckle.

"Humph, sounds to me as if your calling me old."

Rodimus chuckled.

"Whatever it may, to me, you will always be the greatest leader the Autobots have ever had."

Optimus nodded in gratitude.

"Thank you. You had better get back to Autobot City. Knowing Ultra Magnus, he's probably screaming for help, and having a nervous breakdown."

Rodimus stood up and walked towards the exit off the Ark's bridge. He stopped and looked back at Optimus.

"Optimus..."

"Yes?"

"Thanks for everything. I really mean it."

"Lead our troops well."

Rodimus nodded, then left the bridge. As soon as he left, the lights dimmed and switched off. The only illumination left came from the optics of Optimus Prime, who sat in the darkness, remembering times long gone, friends now dead, still alive.

"It's time, for me to rest."

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Death's Head – The burden of leadership is heavy. I wrote this chapter, because I wanted to bring Rodimus Prime back, but also having the legendary Optimus Prime retire, leaves me with a whole new avenue to pursue. In short, I had this planned, yes? But don't worry, Optimus Prime won't be killed off. Hey, I can't kill off my favourite Autobot, now can I? Also, the next chapter, will have the motives for Death's Head, in why he is aiding the Autobots. R&R please.