To lazy to do disclaimer.you know what it is!
Sorry for the lack of updates, been busy with the end of the school year and what not, plus had to think up the ideas and get inspiration and so forth. Hope you all enjoy!
**************************************************************************** **********
Thrust rolled the handle of the Star Sabre in his hand, deep in thought. He sat on the throne in the Decepticon base, not because he wanted to, because he was expected to. It had barely been a solar cycle since Megatron had presumably been destroyed. Thrust's expectation of the Decepticons was to have a massive battle for leadership, but in a shocking twist, it was a unanimous vote for him to become leader. Demolisher and Starscream had actually been the first to declare the mantle of leadership to be passed onto him, the Star Sabre acting as a sort of symbol of leadership now to the Decepticons. Thrust yelled out loud, and tossed the Sabre into the air. The Mini-cons broke into their component parts as Thrust kicked a piece of scrap out of his way. It had been a great while since Thrust had felt this frustrated. He didn't want to lead! He was an advisor, he couldn't take the responsibility of all these Decepticon's lives! He always had the safety cushion of being merely an advisor to fall back on if something drastic happened. Not only that, but the Decepticons were now at the largest disadvantage due to Sideways' treachery, Megatron's demise, and the appearance of Unicron and his army. His troops now numbered five, while the Autobots number was eight, and Unicron had come with a contingent of now nine, not including Mini-cons on each side. Thrust's thoughts began to drift now. Sideways. What in the name of Primus is he? He had seemed like any other soldier, with the exception of being hopelessly treacherous. Now, it is discovered that he is a Headmaster style Transformer, a design that has not been utilized in centuries, but he is also built of nanites or something of the sort. The way he reformed after Megatron tore him to pieces, that vision haunted Thrust, ingrained into his optics, every time he shut them, he saw that wretched scene. He silently vowed he would find someway to destroy that traitor for what he had done.
Thrust shifted his gaze to the three kneeling forms in front of him. The Mini-cons. Their purpose in life is to link to Cybertronians, boosting their power and weapons by tenfold. Some Mini-cons could transform into weapons, granting the one who wielded them great power. There appeared to be three classes. The first was the power class. It's alternate mode was usually a speedy land or air mode that could be used to quickly link with it's partner and grant the increased speed and power. Second was the weapon type. The alternate mode for a weapon type usually was a military vehicle or a triple changer that could shift into a gun or melee weapon. The third was the combiner type, which created a weapon of mass destruction and power. But something didn't make sense. If Mini-cons were the source of power that could allow you to rule the universe, then why hadn't the Decepticons beaten the Autobots? The Autobot's obviously didn't use the Mini-cons to their fullest potential, caring more about not letting them come to harm then to use them to their advantage. But the Decepticons used the Mini-cons every chance they had gotten. They had used all the types effectively, and usually used all at once, so what was going wrong!? Thrust shouted out again as the Air Defense Team kept kneeling, not even flinching. Thrust sat back down and continued brooding as he idly rubbed his cone shaped head.
**************************************************************************** **********
Blurr ducked as he dodged fire from the NeoConstructicons. It seemed Unicron needed some raw energy, and all his forces were making a run. Blurr nodded to Hot Shot before leaping up and strafing, firing in the NeoConstructicon's general direction. Scrapper and Hook scattered and returned fire as Long Haul kept loading into Mixmaster's back. Hot Shot leapt up and fired with his back cannon, Jolt already powerlinked.
"Hey constructifreaks, eat hot laser!" Hot Shot yelled out as he let loose a massive blast, knocking straight into Long Haul, who transformed to robot mode involuntarily before landing in a heap.
"Dreadwind, Smokejumper, we need backup!" Scrapper yelled into his comm.
"Little busy now shorty!" Dreadwind replied quickly. Explosions cut off the curses that Scrapper shouted over the comm from the insult. Jetfire was chasing down both of them, and it was getting on Dreadwind's nerves. Jetfire whooped loudly as he shot Smokejumper in the aft end, making the much smaller bot wail.
"Help me out Dreadwind!!!!" The smaller jet yelled as he began to plummet. Dreadwind dove down and linked with his earth-bound partner as his gattling gun flipped forward. He turned about in mid air and began letting bullets fly in Jetfire's direction. Jetfire cried out before transforming and dropping, letting loose a few plasma rounds before actually directing his flight path again. Dreadwind was hit in the wing and landed hard in his tank mode, Smokejumper transforming and sliding off his back woozily.
"My achin head..." Smokejumper said as he pulled out his gun and fired at Scavenger. The shot's grazed the behemoth bot as he ran up to him and began to pummel him senseless. Smokejumper gurgled as Scavenger grabbed his throat by one hand and tossed him aside absentmindedly before transforming and running down the now recovering Long Haul. Hot Shot was offline due to Scrapper and Hook double teaming him, and Blurr was trying to chase down Mixmaster, who was trying to escape with what cargo he had. Smokescreen picked off Scrapper with his cannon before being picked off himself by Hook's pulse rifle. Scourge flew in and tackled Blurr as Dreadwind grappled with Jetfire. Scavenger continued to pummel Long Haul and Smokejumper as Prowl appeared, leading Mixmaster to the warp gate. With a quick photon burst from his wings, Prowl lead the Unicron faction retreat as the stragglers tried to distract the Autobots and gather their fallen comrades at the same time. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime was struggling to keep Despair from the Mini-con panel that was discovered there.
"I won't let you have it!" Prime shouted as he fired a salvo from his wrists.
"You only wish to bend it to your will, to have it aid you in your endeavors." Despair said in it's ghostly monotone. "I wish to free it, and let it see between the propaganda."
"Lies, you only wish to power up your master with it!" Prime shouted back. "We're trying to free them!"
"Believe what you wish." Despair said deadpan as it let loose multiple energy balls. Prime dodged them and let loose a few blasts of his own, his hands clasped and wrist cannons smoking. Despair swung aside before realizing his comrades were retreating, and switched to stealth bomber mode and sped off as well. Prime stared for a second before grabbing the panel, and laying it out to activate it. A light shot up and a rather burly light green Mini-con stood before Prime, a solid blue visor staring up at him.
"Howdy!" The Mini-con said energetically. "Name's Dunerunner, who're you?"
"Welcome Dunerunner, I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots." Prime said warmly before kneeling and extending his hand to Dunerunner. Dunerunner took Prime's larger hand with both his and began shaking it wildly. Prime sent Dunerunner to Blurr and Hot Shot as he saw Scavenger approaching, leading a familiar purple and yellow lithe Transformer. Scavenger spoke quickly before Prime realized who it was.
"He said he only wishes to talk." Scavenger said as he moved aside and Prime fully recognized who stood before him. The bot could only chuckle as Prime yelled out.
"Sideways!"
**************************************************************************** **********
"It has to be in the Mini-cons! That's where our victory lies!" Thrust shouted out loud, speaking to no one, the throne room was empty save the three Air Defense Mini-cons. "You, Jetstorm, come here."
Jetstorm came forward after Thrust pointed to him. Thrust had him turn around and exposed his circuitry to him. Thrust hesitated for a second, then took out the emotion controller, leaving in the loyalty chip for precautions. Jetstorm's optics flickered for a moment before shining more brightly than they had in awhile. He put a hand to his head and shook out the cobwebs.
"What.where am I?" Jetstorm muttered, feeling like he had been run over.
"You are in the Decepticon base, under my command." Thrust replied to the Mini-con. Jetstorm instinctively whirred around and brought his small wrist lasers to bear on Thrust. "Oh please, you couldn't if you wanted to, now can we be civil and talk this out or shall I make you a mindless drone again?"
"Uh....well you put it that way." Jetstorm lowered his arms and peered up at the larger robot. "So, why am I able to have clear thought? You're a Decepticon, yet you are letting me think, what's the catch?"
"My aren't we stereotyping a bit. I have brought your thought back, because I've been thinking, and I need to ask a Mini-con this question, no one else can answer." Thrust said thoughtfully as he kneeled next to the Air Defense commander, who jumped involuntarily. "What makes a Mini-con special?"
"What? That's what you want to ask me?" Jetstorm almost chuckled at the sound of the question until he saw Thrust's optics, full of curiosity and sincerity, something he rarely saw in a Decepticon. "What makes us special, don't you already know, I'd assume you would after seeing you all fight to your death's over us."
"At first I thought it was your ability to link and boost a Transformer's power, or combine into weapons, but after battling and seeing nothing come out of it, I feel as if I have been lead astray, there must be something else." Thrust responded, causing Jetstorm to blink in surprise.
"Never heard something that deep from a 'Con before." Jetstorm said as he thought for a moment. "Why should I help you anyway, you'll just make me mindless again and use me, I see no reason to help you."
"Maybe I started this conversation wrong..what do you desire, what do you believe in, do you support any causes?" Thrust questioned.
"What do I believe in? What do I believe, what do I desire!? FREEDOM!" Jetstorm shouted at Thrust, who was taken aback, but not surprised.
"So you would rather be turned over to the Autobots?" Thrust said.
"Hell no! They're just as bad as you all, except they sugar coat it with bull slag! I want to be away from all of you, treated as an equal, not as a weapon!" Jetstorm went on, throwing his arms in the air.
"Well if Mini-cons are as powerful as they are thought to be, then, why do you not rise up, I'm sure you could pull together the numbers to do so." Thrust retorted, still probing the Mini-con for reactions.
"Pfft, because some of us side with the Decepticons, buying into their crap about giving us power and fortune after the war, or the Autobots slag about wanting to 'free' us, and that they treat us as equals. To many of us are too stupid to realize you all are filthy slag-suckers!" Jetstorm spat, crossing his arms. "I hate you all."
"As you know, I could never could let you go, you are to big of a strategic advantage, sentient or not, but, if you help me prove a theory I have, I will grant you equality in my army with all our other troops." Thrust said, staring into Jetstorm's optics.
"Let me speak with my team..disable their emotion bonds." Jetstorm demanded, somewhat hesitantly.
"Very well, come here Runway, Sonar." Thrust beckoned as the two approached him and he took out their locks. The two's optics flickered before coming back to reality.
"Huh? Jetstorm, Runway? What's going on?" Sonar asked. Runway shrugged as Jetstorm turned back to Thrust.
"What are the conditions of your offer?" Jetstorm asked.
"I will disable all of your locks except the failsafe, which will destroy you if you try to betray us, other than that you will have complete free will and actions, and you will be respected." Thrust said.
"What guarantee do we have that you will respect us?" Jetstorm said.
"I already respect you, or I wouldn't be giving you this decision, and as for the rest of the Decepticons, if you pull off my test, they will be to afraid to do anything but." Thrust said. If he had a mouth he would smirk.
"And the rest of the Mini-cons under your command?" Sonar asked.
"They shall also be given this option, and if they accept the terms they shall be freed of their bonds." The Tactician replied as the Air Defense team huddled. After a cycle, they broke and faced Thrust.
"We'll do it, just for the fact that we hate you all, Autobots included, and we'd prefer to do property damage as equals over mindlessness." Jetstorm replied as Thrust chuckled and lead them outside, before going to find the rest of the Decepticons and Mini-cons.
**************************************************************************** **********
"What is this?" Prime said, palming the blue Mini-con panel in his hand before looking up at Sideways.
"It's part of the Requiem Blaster, it's, shall I say, a peace offering." Sideways said, leaning against a tree, arms crossed.
"A peace offering, why?" Prime asked, confused.
"Simple, I'm joining you guys." Sideways said bluntly as Crosswise jumped off his head and Rook jumped up onto it, causing the Decepticon symbol to flash red, and be replaced by an Autobot one.
"What!" Prime said, astonished. "I thought you were a Decepticon."
"I was playing double agent, getting all the info I need, now its time to reveal myself." Sideways said, "Besides, I found out what Unicron is after here on earth."
"You did? What is he after?"
"You ever hear of the Zodiac Mini-cons?"
"The what!?"
"Twelve Mini-cons, Unicron requires them to transform, they are scattered in ruins across the world, named after the twelve Zodiac symbols."
"Why would someone as powerful as Unicron require Mini-cons to transform?"
"I don't know that far into it, all I know is that if he gets them, you guys are goners." Sideways chuckled. "And I might just know how to get to them too, but if you don't want my help, I'm sure the Decepticons wouldn't mind this little bit of info."
"No, alright, you may join, but be warned, guards will watch you constantly, you'll have to understand that we can't trust you completely." Prime said, rejoining the rest of the Autobots.
"You're letting him join!" Hot Shot cried out, trying to get up and lunge, but couldn't due to his injuries.
"He has valuable information for us, and any extra manpower is welcome." Prime said sternly. Hot Shot tried to protest, but Blurr punched Hot Shot in the back of the head, knocking him out. Prime gave Blurr an incriminating glare as Sideways chuckled.
"He was getting on my nerves, damned hothead." Blurr said with a shrug.
"Are we going to go back to base and work on what information we have or not?" Scavenger said, looking incredibly bored.
"Yeah, lets go already, the dreary landscape is getting to me." Jetfire complained as Prime gave the signal to warp back.
"I hope this isn't a mistake." Optimus said as the white glow encompassed his body, and the warped him.
**************************************************************************** **********
Inside of Unicron, Dead End is sitting in a dark, vacant room, awaiting his master's command. The only thing that lights the room is the faint purple glow of three Mini-con panels.
"Dead End, install the specifications for each Mini-con now." The omnipresent voice boomed as the Mini-con flitted from panel to control pad, downloading the required information. "Once again Sideways has served me well..arise my servants!"
On Unicron's command, the panels glowed brightly with life as the three Mini-cons emerged from the light. These Mini-cons looked exactly like the Air Defense team, yet colored differently. The one modeled after Jetstorm was mainly white, with gold optics, purple trim and chest, and black legs. Runway's lookalike was white with gold trim and optics, and black legs, arms, and head. Sonar's doppelganger was nearly all black, sporting a gold chest and optics, and much purple trim, his upper legs and the handle for the sabre was white. They all kneeled and waited.
"Excellent...go now, Maelstrom, Slipstream, and Sensor, go and destroy the Decepticons!" Unicron commanded and laughed as the three switched into sleek jets and headed for the moon.
"Are you sure they can handle this sire?" Dead End queried.
"Very sure, my humble servant." Unicron answered.
**************************************************************************** **********
Cyclonus peered around. His optics shifted to and fro, analyzing his opponents. He was a veteran of this situation, and was prepared to win at any cost, despite the amount of foes that wanted to take him down. His fingers twitched anxiously as he peered into each bot's optics, his train of thought broken by a sudden shout.
"Are you going to play or what?" Thundercracker said, tossing an energon chip at his head.
"Alright, fine, fine!" Cyclonus cried out, waving his hand in the air. "I fold!"
"I just got some serious déjà vu." Crumplezone muttered.
"Same here." Bonecrusher spat as he tossed down his cards. "I'm out."
Crumplezone, Drill-bit, Black-out, and Buzz-saw nodded in agreement and dropped their cards. Knock-out and Demolisher revealed sub-par hands, while Thundercracker revealed a straight.
"Beat that!" Thundercracker announced as he slapped his cards down. Starscream grumbled and tossed his cards aside. Swindle chuckled then put down his hand as everyone gaped.
"Royal flush, suckers." The Mini-con commented smugly. Thundercracker scanned the area as he heard a chuckle from under the table. Swindle started scooping up credits as everyone complained audibly, except Thundercracker. He had his wing sword's handle come out and in one fluid motion activated the sword in blue light and sliced the table in two, cards, causing Decepticons, Mini-cons, and credits to scatter about. Thundercracker thrust his hand into the rubble to pull Zapmaster out of it, still clinging multiple fake cards. Swindle backed away as the other bot's glared at him.
"Well..look at the time, I'll have to be going now." He said nervously before turning around right into Starscream.
"Well Swindle, living up to your name I see." Starscream said as he glared, picking up the Mini-con and shaking the credits away from him. "You do know some of us are trying to have an honest game?"
"Sorry boss, but ya know, I got five kids to feed and all that." Swindle said before being knocked out by Starscream.
"Well there goes another perfectly good table." Cyclonus sighed as he picked up the cards. "Did you have to be so destructive Thundercracker?"
"Eh, I thought it would scare these two into not doing something like that again." The blue seeker shrugged before tossing the hysteric Zapmaster aside. "Seemed to work on him, I think Swindle is to much like 'Screamer to change though."
"Funny..so anyone got any word on Thrust's master plan?" Starscream asked.
"Nope, he's been brooding ever since Megatron's destruction." Demolisher said solemnly.
"Pfft, figures, so we sit in the dark like usual." Starscream scoffed, "Well gentlemen, I have news for you, this sucks."
"Hah! That, being news? Thanks for the flash 'Screamer, but we knew that a long time ago." Cyclonus chuckled. "If we don't do some sorta raid soon, we're gonna be in the hole for supplies."
"Not to mention our own Mini-cons are robbing us blind." Thundercracker said, smirking as he shook Zapmaster some more, credits and energon falling out of his subspace pockets. Thundercracker dropped Zapmaster and absentmindedly popped an energon chip into his mouth before taking a seat around the ruins of the table. Demolisher joined him as Starscream and Cyclonus started to leave.
"Where are you guys going?" Demolisher asked.
"To talk to Thrust, fix up the Mini-cons or something while we're gone." Starscream said bluntly as Cyclonus chuckled. Demolisher looked around at the mess of Mini-cons surrounding the table and sighed loudly.
"I'm not a maintenance bot!" He complained as Thundercracker kept smirking and propped up Bonecrusher, punching his head as the Mini-con's optic flickered on.
"Uhh..what happened?" Bonecrusher asked.
"Oh, just a little cheating on Swindle and Zapmaster's part, we stopped em good though." Thundercracker chuckled as he went to activate Knock-out.
"Slaggin hustler!" Bonecrusher spat as he shot Swindle's prone form once, making a few credits fall out of him. Bonecrusher walked over and pilfered the credits before kicking him again. "That'll teach ya."
**************************************************************************** **********
"Starscream, Cyclonus!" Thrust called down the hall. The two ran up to him, causing the Air Defense team to back off.
"Thrust, we're tired of sitting around, we've either got to go on a raid and cause some property damage, or Cyclonus is going to hurt something." Starscream stated as Cyclonus nodded feverishly.
"Hmmm..Cyclonus, you and Starscream can take part in my little experiment then, get Demolisher, Thundercracker, and the Mini-cons." Thrust said sternly.
"Why do we need the Mini-cons?" Cyclonus asked.
"Because we're going to show you we aren't tools, we're your equals!" Jetstorm cried as Cyclonus and Starscream took a step back.
"What is the meaning of this?" Starscream asked as Thrust laughed.
"I've made a deal that will end this war for good!" Thrust said as he walked outside the base with the Air Defense team. "Come out here with everyone and we'll see if you can hold your own, eh?"
Thrust left as Cyclonus and Starscream stared.
"He's not serious is he?" Cyclonus said.
"I don't know.." Starscream trailed off, trying to realize what had just happened.
**************************************************************************** **********
All the kids gasped at the sight of Sideways, who shrugged and walked off. Optimus made a gesture for Blurr to follow him, and came up to the kids.
"Why is he here!" Carlos yelled.
"Yeah he's a Decepti-thingy!" Fred protested.
"Decepticon, doofus." Billy corrected.
"Calm down all of you, you're being childish!" Optimus cried out as Jetfire accidentally snickered at the comment.
"But Optimus, he betrayed us!" Rad said.
"He just provided us with vital information that we need, if we want to prevent a catastrophe!" Prime argued. "I believe we can trust him, and don't worry, he will be watched."
"Fine..but I'll be watching him too." Alexis said as all the kids grumbled and stalked off.
"So Optimus, how are we going to get all these 'Zodiac' Mini-cons before Unicron?" Jetfire inquired.
"Well with any luck, the Decepticons will get back into the Mini-con race as well, and Sideways should be able to help, we just have to make sure that Unicron doesn't get any."
"He better help us, or I'm going to let him have it!" Smokescreen said as he came into the room, Liftor in tow.
"Say Liftor, you haven't heard of these Mini-cons have you?" Jetfire asked the Mini-con on Smokescreen's shoulder.
"Actually, I've heard of them, but they were only fables, children's stories if you will." The Mini-con replied.
"Well at least there's some truth to his argument then." Optimus stated, and then motioned for the rest of the men to get back to work.
**************************************************************************** **********
The "Spectre's Harbor" was quite the bustling port. It harbored quite a few unruly types, and also was one of the largest shuttle bays on Cybertron. A black and purple angular bot strode through the crowd, fiddling with a data disk in his hand. The bot had the appearance of a flier, and bore quite the resemblance to Starscream, or Thundercracker. He had a purple crest coming off his head however, and a few other minor differences. He checked the data pad and looked up.
"This must be the right place. I must be insane to be chasing Thundy to Earth, but I can't believe he didn't want me to come with him!" The bot fumed. "To think, he's going to have all the fun slaggin Autobots.
"Excuse me! Did I hear you were going to Earth?" Said a voice behind the purple and black bot. He spun around to see who was behind him. The bot had a large gash going across his chest, effectively crossing out a large, red Autobot symbol on his chest. The angular bot calmed down when he saw Decepticon symbols gracing his forearms and below the Autobot one. He was mostly black, with tan and white joint and limb colors, and teal detailing.
"What's it to you?" The angular bot asked.
"I'm Wheeljack, and I'm planning on going to Earth to help lord Megatron.and attend some.personal.business." Wheeljack said slowly.
"The name's Skywarp, and I'm off to pay my little family a visit, who are under Megatron's command." The purple and black bot answered. "If you're up on helping me steal a shuttle, I'd be glad to let you be my riding buddy."
"Excellent." Wheeljack smirked before disappearing. Skywarp gasped and looked around, just to see the nearest shuttle doors open, revealing a smiling and waving Wheeljack. Skywarp chuckled and climbed aboard.
"Next stop, Earth." Wheeljack said as he sat down in one of the pilot seats.
"You'll have to teach me that trick." Skywarp laughed as he hot-wired the shuttle and sat next to Wheeljack. The alarms blared in the "Spectre's Harbor" as the unauthorized shuttle flew out of the bay, sending many other ships off course.
**************************************************************************** **********
Thrust smiled as the Decepticons and Mini-cons gathered. The Air Defense team stood at one end of a large canyon in the Moon, Thrust sitting atop a cliff in the side, at the middle of the canyon. Demolisher, who had released the Mini-con's emotional bonds, stood at one side of them, Thundercracker at the other. The Mini-cons murmured quietly among themselves as Starscream and Cyclonus landed at the other side of the arena.
"So you're telling me that we are to fight these Mini-cons?" Starscream asked.
"That is the general idea." Thrust said, "You may begin whenever you are ready."
"HAH! Let's trash em 'Screamer!" Cyclonus cried out as he switched to helicopter mode, flying straight at the Air Defense team. Jetstorm gave a hand signal, causing Sonar and Runway to shift to vehicle mode and strafe Cyclonus. Cyclonus wasn't taking much damage, but it was becoming a nuisance. He shifted to robot mode in mid-air and started swatting at the Mini-cons. Starscream flew in to give support fire as Jetstorm flew in, flipping to robot mode and landing on Cyclonus's back, using his wrist mounted blasters to sodder Cyclonus's helicopter blade in place. He let out a scream as he realized what was happening, and plummeted to the ground.
"Well played, but that will be your last, Transform!" Starscream yelled, flipping into robot mode and drawing his wing sword, the blade glowing with red energy.
"We're not out of tricks yet, Runway, Sonar, combine!" Jetstorm yelled as Starscream watched in horror as the Star Sabre assembled and floated before him. The Sabre slashed out at him, the sound of his parrying making loud clanging noises as they danced about in mid-air, their audience captivated by Starscream's impressive sword-handling and the fact that the Star Sabre functioned without a user. Starscream struggled to keep his cool, trading blows with the user-less sword. ~What am I supposed to strike at!?~ Starscream thought as he barely dodged the Sabre. ~I'm not used to fighting a floating sword!~
"It's over!" A combined voice of the three Mini-cons announced as they split as Starscream thrust his sword at them, all flying behind Starscream and reforming, the Star Sabre then slashing out his back, disabling flight.
"NNNOOOO!!!" Starscream yelled as he plummeted, refusing to give up, he fired a desperate salvo from his chest, hitting the handle of the Sabre, making Sonar yell out and the Sabre deform, Runway and Jetstorm holding their injured comrade in mid-air.
"Enough!" Thrust yelled from the top of the canyon. "The Air Defense team have proven my theory. Mini-cons are not just weapons, they are individuals, capable as much as any of us to wage efficient war. Therefore all Mini-cons under Decepticon command are to be treated as equals, is that understood!"
"'Bout slaggin time someone got some sense around here." Bonecrusher said, smirking.
"Well if there are no arguments, we shall go back to base to be repai..ARGH!" Thrust screamed as a purple light sheared his arm off, making him fall to the bottom of the canyon. All bots in the area looked up to see a purple version of the Star Sabre floating before them. It quickly disassembled into three bot's that looked disturbingly familiar.
"By Primus!" Runway gasped as Jetstorm finished patching up Sonar and looked up himself.
"What the!?" Jetstorm cried out as he saw a alternately colored version of himself land, flanked by doubles of Sonar and Runway. The first Mini- con stepped forward to address the assembled bots.
"I, Maelstrom, have been ordered by master Unicron to destroy the Decepticons and any who would sympathize with them." Maelstrom said icily.
"Thrust!" Demolisher cried out as he saw the cone-headed Decepticon fall. Thundercracker made the motion for Zapmaster to link up, swinging forward his Electro-cannons.
"These guys are looking to be slagged." Thundercracker said as Demolisher nodded and brought his arms into attack position. The many Mini-cons about them brought weapons to bear on the newcomers as Swindle sped to where Starscream was helping up Cyclonus.
"What a time to be grounded." Starscream muttered as Swindle leapt up onto his back, bringing his null rays to bear.
"Oh forget it, lets toast them!" Cyclonus cried out as he fired his wrist blasters at the Mini-cons.
"Slipstream, take out our antagonists, Sensor, bombard the canyon emplacement." Maelstrom ordered as his comrades flew after their targets. Maelstrom himself switched to jet mode and strafed where Thrust was lying. He rolled out of the way and fired with his remaining arm. Maelstrom easily dodged and landed before the crippled tactician. He brought his wrist lasers to bear of Thrust before the air before him distorted. Thrust vanished and was replaced by Inferno, who tackled him and began to pummel him. Slipstream had managed to take out Cyclonus but was taking fire from the Air Defense team and Starscream. Sensor had fled from Demolisher, Thundercracker, and the Mini-cons combined fire, but had managed to knock out Demolisher and some of the Mini-cons as well.
"Enough!" Maelstrom cried as he, Slipstream, and Sensor flew in a circle in the middle of the arena. "Now combine!"
Thundercracker switched to jet mode and flew at the combining team, but plummeted to the ground screaming as the Star Sabre clone tore through his wing. Starscream yelled out and drew his own sword.
"Come fight me, 'Dark' Sabre, if you dare!" The cocky seeker yelled before motioning for them to fight with him. The Dark Sabre complied as it flew straight at him, becoming embedded into the ground as he dodged. Starscream swung at the sword, but only scratched the ground as it came out and cleaved his own sword in two. Starscream's hand trembled as he stared at the hilt of his sword. His gaze had just barely shifted to the oncoming Dark Sabre, before a blaze of blue light blocked it.
"Use us Starscream!" The Star Sabre said to him as he grabbed the hilt after a second of staring incredulously at the sword. The two traded blows back and forth, Starscream feeling oddly relaxed as he and the Star Sabre worked as one, almost sharing minds. Starscream also noticed he was tiring, and couldn't keep up this pace. At this moment of realization, the Dark Sabre struck home, severing Starscream's arm and sending the Air Defense team tumbling, reverting to their bot modes. Starscream yelled out and fell, watching the purple Sabre float in front of him before turning to drive itself into him. He shut off his optics, waiting for the finishing blow. He heard and explosion, but didn't care as he waited.
Waited.
"Huh?" Starscream said as he opened his eyes, seeing the Air Defense doppelgangers sprawled out, and a large white and purple tank speeding towards him. "M-m-megatron?"
"TRANSFORM!" The tank bellowed, arms spouting out of the front treads as the bottom ones lowered and twisted, forming feet, a faceplate sliding aside to reveal a face, and a small form shifting and landing next to the much larger bot's feet. "I see you're laying around as always Starscream."
The dazed seeker stared at him for a moment as Thrust uncloaked next to him, freely leaking mech fluid from his severed limb.
"Megatron! I knew you...would survive..." Thrust groveled as he sunk to his knees, becoming dizzy from the loss of fluids. "I knew..you'd help...us..I...knew..."
The tyrant shifted his gaze to the Dark Sabre team as his optic's narrowed. "Go tell Unicron that Galvatron is the supreme ruler of the universe! Clench, Powerlink!"
"Galvatron?" Starscream asked weakly as he saw Galvatron and an oddly colored Leader-1 link up and blast the team away, Maelstrom quickly transforming and grabbing his comrades. Galvatron walked up to Starscream as the seeker started to black out.
"Oh I'm back Starscream, and better than ever." The tyrant chuckled as Starscream lost consciousness.
**************************************************************************** **********
Hurray, finally a new chapter! Yeah, this was kinda an all Decepticon chapter, the Autobots will get some more air time next time, and I'll get the rest of the bots that are in the show now in here somehow, heh, but I hope you all enjoyed my Galvatron birth ( Please Read and Review, and if you feel like talking to me, e-mail me at waspinator45@hotmail.com. Thanks!
Sorry for the lack of updates, been busy with the end of the school year and what not, plus had to think up the ideas and get inspiration and so forth. Hope you all enjoy!
**************************************************************************** **********
Thrust rolled the handle of the Star Sabre in his hand, deep in thought. He sat on the throne in the Decepticon base, not because he wanted to, because he was expected to. It had barely been a solar cycle since Megatron had presumably been destroyed. Thrust's expectation of the Decepticons was to have a massive battle for leadership, but in a shocking twist, it was a unanimous vote for him to become leader. Demolisher and Starscream had actually been the first to declare the mantle of leadership to be passed onto him, the Star Sabre acting as a sort of symbol of leadership now to the Decepticons. Thrust yelled out loud, and tossed the Sabre into the air. The Mini-cons broke into their component parts as Thrust kicked a piece of scrap out of his way. It had been a great while since Thrust had felt this frustrated. He didn't want to lead! He was an advisor, he couldn't take the responsibility of all these Decepticon's lives! He always had the safety cushion of being merely an advisor to fall back on if something drastic happened. Not only that, but the Decepticons were now at the largest disadvantage due to Sideways' treachery, Megatron's demise, and the appearance of Unicron and his army. His troops now numbered five, while the Autobots number was eight, and Unicron had come with a contingent of now nine, not including Mini-cons on each side. Thrust's thoughts began to drift now. Sideways. What in the name of Primus is he? He had seemed like any other soldier, with the exception of being hopelessly treacherous. Now, it is discovered that he is a Headmaster style Transformer, a design that has not been utilized in centuries, but he is also built of nanites or something of the sort. The way he reformed after Megatron tore him to pieces, that vision haunted Thrust, ingrained into his optics, every time he shut them, he saw that wretched scene. He silently vowed he would find someway to destroy that traitor for what he had done.
Thrust shifted his gaze to the three kneeling forms in front of him. The Mini-cons. Their purpose in life is to link to Cybertronians, boosting their power and weapons by tenfold. Some Mini-cons could transform into weapons, granting the one who wielded them great power. There appeared to be three classes. The first was the power class. It's alternate mode was usually a speedy land or air mode that could be used to quickly link with it's partner and grant the increased speed and power. Second was the weapon type. The alternate mode for a weapon type usually was a military vehicle or a triple changer that could shift into a gun or melee weapon. The third was the combiner type, which created a weapon of mass destruction and power. But something didn't make sense. If Mini-cons were the source of power that could allow you to rule the universe, then why hadn't the Decepticons beaten the Autobots? The Autobot's obviously didn't use the Mini-cons to their fullest potential, caring more about not letting them come to harm then to use them to their advantage. But the Decepticons used the Mini-cons every chance they had gotten. They had used all the types effectively, and usually used all at once, so what was going wrong!? Thrust shouted out again as the Air Defense Team kept kneeling, not even flinching. Thrust sat back down and continued brooding as he idly rubbed his cone shaped head.
**************************************************************************** **********
Blurr ducked as he dodged fire from the NeoConstructicons. It seemed Unicron needed some raw energy, and all his forces were making a run. Blurr nodded to Hot Shot before leaping up and strafing, firing in the NeoConstructicon's general direction. Scrapper and Hook scattered and returned fire as Long Haul kept loading into Mixmaster's back. Hot Shot leapt up and fired with his back cannon, Jolt already powerlinked.
"Hey constructifreaks, eat hot laser!" Hot Shot yelled out as he let loose a massive blast, knocking straight into Long Haul, who transformed to robot mode involuntarily before landing in a heap.
"Dreadwind, Smokejumper, we need backup!" Scrapper yelled into his comm.
"Little busy now shorty!" Dreadwind replied quickly. Explosions cut off the curses that Scrapper shouted over the comm from the insult. Jetfire was chasing down both of them, and it was getting on Dreadwind's nerves. Jetfire whooped loudly as he shot Smokejumper in the aft end, making the much smaller bot wail.
"Help me out Dreadwind!!!!" The smaller jet yelled as he began to plummet. Dreadwind dove down and linked with his earth-bound partner as his gattling gun flipped forward. He turned about in mid air and began letting bullets fly in Jetfire's direction. Jetfire cried out before transforming and dropping, letting loose a few plasma rounds before actually directing his flight path again. Dreadwind was hit in the wing and landed hard in his tank mode, Smokejumper transforming and sliding off his back woozily.
"My achin head..." Smokejumper said as he pulled out his gun and fired at Scavenger. The shot's grazed the behemoth bot as he ran up to him and began to pummel him senseless. Smokejumper gurgled as Scavenger grabbed his throat by one hand and tossed him aside absentmindedly before transforming and running down the now recovering Long Haul. Hot Shot was offline due to Scrapper and Hook double teaming him, and Blurr was trying to chase down Mixmaster, who was trying to escape with what cargo he had. Smokescreen picked off Scrapper with his cannon before being picked off himself by Hook's pulse rifle. Scourge flew in and tackled Blurr as Dreadwind grappled with Jetfire. Scavenger continued to pummel Long Haul and Smokejumper as Prowl appeared, leading Mixmaster to the warp gate. With a quick photon burst from his wings, Prowl lead the Unicron faction retreat as the stragglers tried to distract the Autobots and gather their fallen comrades at the same time. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime was struggling to keep Despair from the Mini-con panel that was discovered there.
"I won't let you have it!" Prime shouted as he fired a salvo from his wrists.
"You only wish to bend it to your will, to have it aid you in your endeavors." Despair said in it's ghostly monotone. "I wish to free it, and let it see between the propaganda."
"Lies, you only wish to power up your master with it!" Prime shouted back. "We're trying to free them!"
"Believe what you wish." Despair said deadpan as it let loose multiple energy balls. Prime dodged them and let loose a few blasts of his own, his hands clasped and wrist cannons smoking. Despair swung aside before realizing his comrades were retreating, and switched to stealth bomber mode and sped off as well. Prime stared for a second before grabbing the panel, and laying it out to activate it. A light shot up and a rather burly light green Mini-con stood before Prime, a solid blue visor staring up at him.
"Howdy!" The Mini-con said energetically. "Name's Dunerunner, who're you?"
"Welcome Dunerunner, I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots." Prime said warmly before kneeling and extending his hand to Dunerunner. Dunerunner took Prime's larger hand with both his and began shaking it wildly. Prime sent Dunerunner to Blurr and Hot Shot as he saw Scavenger approaching, leading a familiar purple and yellow lithe Transformer. Scavenger spoke quickly before Prime realized who it was.
"He said he only wishes to talk." Scavenger said as he moved aside and Prime fully recognized who stood before him. The bot could only chuckle as Prime yelled out.
"Sideways!"
**************************************************************************** **********
"It has to be in the Mini-cons! That's where our victory lies!" Thrust shouted out loud, speaking to no one, the throne room was empty save the three Air Defense Mini-cons. "You, Jetstorm, come here."
Jetstorm came forward after Thrust pointed to him. Thrust had him turn around and exposed his circuitry to him. Thrust hesitated for a second, then took out the emotion controller, leaving in the loyalty chip for precautions. Jetstorm's optics flickered for a moment before shining more brightly than they had in awhile. He put a hand to his head and shook out the cobwebs.
"What.where am I?" Jetstorm muttered, feeling like he had been run over.
"You are in the Decepticon base, under my command." Thrust replied to the Mini-con. Jetstorm instinctively whirred around and brought his small wrist lasers to bear on Thrust. "Oh please, you couldn't if you wanted to, now can we be civil and talk this out or shall I make you a mindless drone again?"
"Uh....well you put it that way." Jetstorm lowered his arms and peered up at the larger robot. "So, why am I able to have clear thought? You're a Decepticon, yet you are letting me think, what's the catch?"
"My aren't we stereotyping a bit. I have brought your thought back, because I've been thinking, and I need to ask a Mini-con this question, no one else can answer." Thrust said thoughtfully as he kneeled next to the Air Defense commander, who jumped involuntarily. "What makes a Mini-con special?"
"What? That's what you want to ask me?" Jetstorm almost chuckled at the sound of the question until he saw Thrust's optics, full of curiosity and sincerity, something he rarely saw in a Decepticon. "What makes us special, don't you already know, I'd assume you would after seeing you all fight to your death's over us."
"At first I thought it was your ability to link and boost a Transformer's power, or combine into weapons, but after battling and seeing nothing come out of it, I feel as if I have been lead astray, there must be something else." Thrust responded, causing Jetstorm to blink in surprise.
"Never heard something that deep from a 'Con before." Jetstorm said as he thought for a moment. "Why should I help you anyway, you'll just make me mindless again and use me, I see no reason to help you."
"Maybe I started this conversation wrong..what do you desire, what do you believe in, do you support any causes?" Thrust questioned.
"What do I believe in? What do I believe, what do I desire!? FREEDOM!" Jetstorm shouted at Thrust, who was taken aback, but not surprised.
"So you would rather be turned over to the Autobots?" Thrust said.
"Hell no! They're just as bad as you all, except they sugar coat it with bull slag! I want to be away from all of you, treated as an equal, not as a weapon!" Jetstorm went on, throwing his arms in the air.
"Well if Mini-cons are as powerful as they are thought to be, then, why do you not rise up, I'm sure you could pull together the numbers to do so." Thrust retorted, still probing the Mini-con for reactions.
"Pfft, because some of us side with the Decepticons, buying into their crap about giving us power and fortune after the war, or the Autobots slag about wanting to 'free' us, and that they treat us as equals. To many of us are too stupid to realize you all are filthy slag-suckers!" Jetstorm spat, crossing his arms. "I hate you all."
"As you know, I could never could let you go, you are to big of a strategic advantage, sentient or not, but, if you help me prove a theory I have, I will grant you equality in my army with all our other troops." Thrust said, staring into Jetstorm's optics.
"Let me speak with my team..disable their emotion bonds." Jetstorm demanded, somewhat hesitantly.
"Very well, come here Runway, Sonar." Thrust beckoned as the two approached him and he took out their locks. The two's optics flickered before coming back to reality.
"Huh? Jetstorm, Runway? What's going on?" Sonar asked. Runway shrugged as Jetstorm turned back to Thrust.
"What are the conditions of your offer?" Jetstorm asked.
"I will disable all of your locks except the failsafe, which will destroy you if you try to betray us, other than that you will have complete free will and actions, and you will be respected." Thrust said.
"What guarantee do we have that you will respect us?" Jetstorm said.
"I already respect you, or I wouldn't be giving you this decision, and as for the rest of the Decepticons, if you pull off my test, they will be to afraid to do anything but." Thrust said. If he had a mouth he would smirk.
"And the rest of the Mini-cons under your command?" Sonar asked.
"They shall also be given this option, and if they accept the terms they shall be freed of their bonds." The Tactician replied as the Air Defense team huddled. After a cycle, they broke and faced Thrust.
"We'll do it, just for the fact that we hate you all, Autobots included, and we'd prefer to do property damage as equals over mindlessness." Jetstorm replied as Thrust chuckled and lead them outside, before going to find the rest of the Decepticons and Mini-cons.
**************************************************************************** **********
"What is this?" Prime said, palming the blue Mini-con panel in his hand before looking up at Sideways.
"It's part of the Requiem Blaster, it's, shall I say, a peace offering." Sideways said, leaning against a tree, arms crossed.
"A peace offering, why?" Prime asked, confused.
"Simple, I'm joining you guys." Sideways said bluntly as Crosswise jumped off his head and Rook jumped up onto it, causing the Decepticon symbol to flash red, and be replaced by an Autobot one.
"What!" Prime said, astonished. "I thought you were a Decepticon."
"I was playing double agent, getting all the info I need, now its time to reveal myself." Sideways said, "Besides, I found out what Unicron is after here on earth."
"You did? What is he after?"
"You ever hear of the Zodiac Mini-cons?"
"The what!?"
"Twelve Mini-cons, Unicron requires them to transform, they are scattered in ruins across the world, named after the twelve Zodiac symbols."
"Why would someone as powerful as Unicron require Mini-cons to transform?"
"I don't know that far into it, all I know is that if he gets them, you guys are goners." Sideways chuckled. "And I might just know how to get to them too, but if you don't want my help, I'm sure the Decepticons wouldn't mind this little bit of info."
"No, alright, you may join, but be warned, guards will watch you constantly, you'll have to understand that we can't trust you completely." Prime said, rejoining the rest of the Autobots.
"You're letting him join!" Hot Shot cried out, trying to get up and lunge, but couldn't due to his injuries.
"He has valuable information for us, and any extra manpower is welcome." Prime said sternly. Hot Shot tried to protest, but Blurr punched Hot Shot in the back of the head, knocking him out. Prime gave Blurr an incriminating glare as Sideways chuckled.
"He was getting on my nerves, damned hothead." Blurr said with a shrug.
"Are we going to go back to base and work on what information we have or not?" Scavenger said, looking incredibly bored.
"Yeah, lets go already, the dreary landscape is getting to me." Jetfire complained as Prime gave the signal to warp back.
"I hope this isn't a mistake." Optimus said as the white glow encompassed his body, and the warped him.
**************************************************************************** **********
Inside of Unicron, Dead End is sitting in a dark, vacant room, awaiting his master's command. The only thing that lights the room is the faint purple glow of three Mini-con panels.
"Dead End, install the specifications for each Mini-con now." The omnipresent voice boomed as the Mini-con flitted from panel to control pad, downloading the required information. "Once again Sideways has served me well..arise my servants!"
On Unicron's command, the panels glowed brightly with life as the three Mini-cons emerged from the light. These Mini-cons looked exactly like the Air Defense team, yet colored differently. The one modeled after Jetstorm was mainly white, with gold optics, purple trim and chest, and black legs. Runway's lookalike was white with gold trim and optics, and black legs, arms, and head. Sonar's doppelganger was nearly all black, sporting a gold chest and optics, and much purple trim, his upper legs and the handle for the sabre was white. They all kneeled and waited.
"Excellent...go now, Maelstrom, Slipstream, and Sensor, go and destroy the Decepticons!" Unicron commanded and laughed as the three switched into sleek jets and headed for the moon.
"Are you sure they can handle this sire?" Dead End queried.
"Very sure, my humble servant." Unicron answered.
**************************************************************************** **********
Cyclonus peered around. His optics shifted to and fro, analyzing his opponents. He was a veteran of this situation, and was prepared to win at any cost, despite the amount of foes that wanted to take him down. His fingers twitched anxiously as he peered into each bot's optics, his train of thought broken by a sudden shout.
"Are you going to play or what?" Thundercracker said, tossing an energon chip at his head.
"Alright, fine, fine!" Cyclonus cried out, waving his hand in the air. "I fold!"
"I just got some serious déjà vu." Crumplezone muttered.
"Same here." Bonecrusher spat as he tossed down his cards. "I'm out."
Crumplezone, Drill-bit, Black-out, and Buzz-saw nodded in agreement and dropped their cards. Knock-out and Demolisher revealed sub-par hands, while Thundercracker revealed a straight.
"Beat that!" Thundercracker announced as he slapped his cards down. Starscream grumbled and tossed his cards aside. Swindle chuckled then put down his hand as everyone gaped.
"Royal flush, suckers." The Mini-con commented smugly. Thundercracker scanned the area as he heard a chuckle from under the table. Swindle started scooping up credits as everyone complained audibly, except Thundercracker. He had his wing sword's handle come out and in one fluid motion activated the sword in blue light and sliced the table in two, cards, causing Decepticons, Mini-cons, and credits to scatter about. Thundercracker thrust his hand into the rubble to pull Zapmaster out of it, still clinging multiple fake cards. Swindle backed away as the other bot's glared at him.
"Well..look at the time, I'll have to be going now." He said nervously before turning around right into Starscream.
"Well Swindle, living up to your name I see." Starscream said as he glared, picking up the Mini-con and shaking the credits away from him. "You do know some of us are trying to have an honest game?"
"Sorry boss, but ya know, I got five kids to feed and all that." Swindle said before being knocked out by Starscream.
"Well there goes another perfectly good table." Cyclonus sighed as he picked up the cards. "Did you have to be so destructive Thundercracker?"
"Eh, I thought it would scare these two into not doing something like that again." The blue seeker shrugged before tossing the hysteric Zapmaster aside. "Seemed to work on him, I think Swindle is to much like 'Screamer to change though."
"Funny..so anyone got any word on Thrust's master plan?" Starscream asked.
"Nope, he's been brooding ever since Megatron's destruction." Demolisher said solemnly.
"Pfft, figures, so we sit in the dark like usual." Starscream scoffed, "Well gentlemen, I have news for you, this sucks."
"Hah! That, being news? Thanks for the flash 'Screamer, but we knew that a long time ago." Cyclonus chuckled. "If we don't do some sorta raid soon, we're gonna be in the hole for supplies."
"Not to mention our own Mini-cons are robbing us blind." Thundercracker said, smirking as he shook Zapmaster some more, credits and energon falling out of his subspace pockets. Thundercracker dropped Zapmaster and absentmindedly popped an energon chip into his mouth before taking a seat around the ruins of the table. Demolisher joined him as Starscream and Cyclonus started to leave.
"Where are you guys going?" Demolisher asked.
"To talk to Thrust, fix up the Mini-cons or something while we're gone." Starscream said bluntly as Cyclonus chuckled. Demolisher looked around at the mess of Mini-cons surrounding the table and sighed loudly.
"I'm not a maintenance bot!" He complained as Thundercracker kept smirking and propped up Bonecrusher, punching his head as the Mini-con's optic flickered on.
"Uhh..what happened?" Bonecrusher asked.
"Oh, just a little cheating on Swindle and Zapmaster's part, we stopped em good though." Thundercracker chuckled as he went to activate Knock-out.
"Slaggin hustler!" Bonecrusher spat as he shot Swindle's prone form once, making a few credits fall out of him. Bonecrusher walked over and pilfered the credits before kicking him again. "That'll teach ya."
**************************************************************************** **********
"Starscream, Cyclonus!" Thrust called down the hall. The two ran up to him, causing the Air Defense team to back off.
"Thrust, we're tired of sitting around, we've either got to go on a raid and cause some property damage, or Cyclonus is going to hurt something." Starscream stated as Cyclonus nodded feverishly.
"Hmmm..Cyclonus, you and Starscream can take part in my little experiment then, get Demolisher, Thundercracker, and the Mini-cons." Thrust said sternly.
"Why do we need the Mini-cons?" Cyclonus asked.
"Because we're going to show you we aren't tools, we're your equals!" Jetstorm cried as Cyclonus and Starscream took a step back.
"What is the meaning of this?" Starscream asked as Thrust laughed.
"I've made a deal that will end this war for good!" Thrust said as he walked outside the base with the Air Defense team. "Come out here with everyone and we'll see if you can hold your own, eh?"
Thrust left as Cyclonus and Starscream stared.
"He's not serious is he?" Cyclonus said.
"I don't know.." Starscream trailed off, trying to realize what had just happened.
**************************************************************************** **********
All the kids gasped at the sight of Sideways, who shrugged and walked off. Optimus made a gesture for Blurr to follow him, and came up to the kids.
"Why is he here!" Carlos yelled.
"Yeah he's a Decepti-thingy!" Fred protested.
"Decepticon, doofus." Billy corrected.
"Calm down all of you, you're being childish!" Optimus cried out as Jetfire accidentally snickered at the comment.
"But Optimus, he betrayed us!" Rad said.
"He just provided us with vital information that we need, if we want to prevent a catastrophe!" Prime argued. "I believe we can trust him, and don't worry, he will be watched."
"Fine..but I'll be watching him too." Alexis said as all the kids grumbled and stalked off.
"So Optimus, how are we going to get all these 'Zodiac' Mini-cons before Unicron?" Jetfire inquired.
"Well with any luck, the Decepticons will get back into the Mini-con race as well, and Sideways should be able to help, we just have to make sure that Unicron doesn't get any."
"He better help us, or I'm going to let him have it!" Smokescreen said as he came into the room, Liftor in tow.
"Say Liftor, you haven't heard of these Mini-cons have you?" Jetfire asked the Mini-con on Smokescreen's shoulder.
"Actually, I've heard of them, but they were only fables, children's stories if you will." The Mini-con replied.
"Well at least there's some truth to his argument then." Optimus stated, and then motioned for the rest of the men to get back to work.
**************************************************************************** **********
The "Spectre's Harbor" was quite the bustling port. It harbored quite a few unruly types, and also was one of the largest shuttle bays on Cybertron. A black and purple angular bot strode through the crowd, fiddling with a data disk in his hand. The bot had the appearance of a flier, and bore quite the resemblance to Starscream, or Thundercracker. He had a purple crest coming off his head however, and a few other minor differences. He checked the data pad and looked up.
"This must be the right place. I must be insane to be chasing Thundy to Earth, but I can't believe he didn't want me to come with him!" The bot fumed. "To think, he's going to have all the fun slaggin Autobots.
"Excuse me! Did I hear you were going to Earth?" Said a voice behind the purple and black bot. He spun around to see who was behind him. The bot had a large gash going across his chest, effectively crossing out a large, red Autobot symbol on his chest. The angular bot calmed down when he saw Decepticon symbols gracing his forearms and below the Autobot one. He was mostly black, with tan and white joint and limb colors, and teal detailing.
"What's it to you?" The angular bot asked.
"I'm Wheeljack, and I'm planning on going to Earth to help lord Megatron.and attend some.personal.business." Wheeljack said slowly.
"The name's Skywarp, and I'm off to pay my little family a visit, who are under Megatron's command." The purple and black bot answered. "If you're up on helping me steal a shuttle, I'd be glad to let you be my riding buddy."
"Excellent." Wheeljack smirked before disappearing. Skywarp gasped and looked around, just to see the nearest shuttle doors open, revealing a smiling and waving Wheeljack. Skywarp chuckled and climbed aboard.
"Next stop, Earth." Wheeljack said as he sat down in one of the pilot seats.
"You'll have to teach me that trick." Skywarp laughed as he hot-wired the shuttle and sat next to Wheeljack. The alarms blared in the "Spectre's Harbor" as the unauthorized shuttle flew out of the bay, sending many other ships off course.
**************************************************************************** **********
Thrust smiled as the Decepticons and Mini-cons gathered. The Air Defense team stood at one end of a large canyon in the Moon, Thrust sitting atop a cliff in the side, at the middle of the canyon. Demolisher, who had released the Mini-con's emotional bonds, stood at one side of them, Thundercracker at the other. The Mini-cons murmured quietly among themselves as Starscream and Cyclonus landed at the other side of the arena.
"So you're telling me that we are to fight these Mini-cons?" Starscream asked.
"That is the general idea." Thrust said, "You may begin whenever you are ready."
"HAH! Let's trash em 'Screamer!" Cyclonus cried out as he switched to helicopter mode, flying straight at the Air Defense team. Jetstorm gave a hand signal, causing Sonar and Runway to shift to vehicle mode and strafe Cyclonus. Cyclonus wasn't taking much damage, but it was becoming a nuisance. He shifted to robot mode in mid-air and started swatting at the Mini-cons. Starscream flew in to give support fire as Jetstorm flew in, flipping to robot mode and landing on Cyclonus's back, using his wrist mounted blasters to sodder Cyclonus's helicopter blade in place. He let out a scream as he realized what was happening, and plummeted to the ground.
"Well played, but that will be your last, Transform!" Starscream yelled, flipping into robot mode and drawing his wing sword, the blade glowing with red energy.
"We're not out of tricks yet, Runway, Sonar, combine!" Jetstorm yelled as Starscream watched in horror as the Star Sabre assembled and floated before him. The Sabre slashed out at him, the sound of his parrying making loud clanging noises as they danced about in mid-air, their audience captivated by Starscream's impressive sword-handling and the fact that the Star Sabre functioned without a user. Starscream struggled to keep his cool, trading blows with the user-less sword. ~What am I supposed to strike at!?~ Starscream thought as he barely dodged the Sabre. ~I'm not used to fighting a floating sword!~
"It's over!" A combined voice of the three Mini-cons announced as they split as Starscream thrust his sword at them, all flying behind Starscream and reforming, the Star Sabre then slashing out his back, disabling flight.
"NNNOOOO!!!" Starscream yelled as he plummeted, refusing to give up, he fired a desperate salvo from his chest, hitting the handle of the Sabre, making Sonar yell out and the Sabre deform, Runway and Jetstorm holding their injured comrade in mid-air.
"Enough!" Thrust yelled from the top of the canyon. "The Air Defense team have proven my theory. Mini-cons are not just weapons, they are individuals, capable as much as any of us to wage efficient war. Therefore all Mini-cons under Decepticon command are to be treated as equals, is that understood!"
"'Bout slaggin time someone got some sense around here." Bonecrusher said, smirking.
"Well if there are no arguments, we shall go back to base to be repai..ARGH!" Thrust screamed as a purple light sheared his arm off, making him fall to the bottom of the canyon. All bots in the area looked up to see a purple version of the Star Sabre floating before them. It quickly disassembled into three bot's that looked disturbingly familiar.
"By Primus!" Runway gasped as Jetstorm finished patching up Sonar and looked up himself.
"What the!?" Jetstorm cried out as he saw a alternately colored version of himself land, flanked by doubles of Sonar and Runway. The first Mini- con stepped forward to address the assembled bots.
"I, Maelstrom, have been ordered by master Unicron to destroy the Decepticons and any who would sympathize with them." Maelstrom said icily.
"Thrust!" Demolisher cried out as he saw the cone-headed Decepticon fall. Thundercracker made the motion for Zapmaster to link up, swinging forward his Electro-cannons.
"These guys are looking to be slagged." Thundercracker said as Demolisher nodded and brought his arms into attack position. The many Mini-cons about them brought weapons to bear on the newcomers as Swindle sped to where Starscream was helping up Cyclonus.
"What a time to be grounded." Starscream muttered as Swindle leapt up onto his back, bringing his null rays to bear.
"Oh forget it, lets toast them!" Cyclonus cried out as he fired his wrist blasters at the Mini-cons.
"Slipstream, take out our antagonists, Sensor, bombard the canyon emplacement." Maelstrom ordered as his comrades flew after their targets. Maelstrom himself switched to jet mode and strafed where Thrust was lying. He rolled out of the way and fired with his remaining arm. Maelstrom easily dodged and landed before the crippled tactician. He brought his wrist lasers to bear of Thrust before the air before him distorted. Thrust vanished and was replaced by Inferno, who tackled him and began to pummel him. Slipstream had managed to take out Cyclonus but was taking fire from the Air Defense team and Starscream. Sensor had fled from Demolisher, Thundercracker, and the Mini-cons combined fire, but had managed to knock out Demolisher and some of the Mini-cons as well.
"Enough!" Maelstrom cried as he, Slipstream, and Sensor flew in a circle in the middle of the arena. "Now combine!"
Thundercracker switched to jet mode and flew at the combining team, but plummeted to the ground screaming as the Star Sabre clone tore through his wing. Starscream yelled out and drew his own sword.
"Come fight me, 'Dark' Sabre, if you dare!" The cocky seeker yelled before motioning for them to fight with him. The Dark Sabre complied as it flew straight at him, becoming embedded into the ground as he dodged. Starscream swung at the sword, but only scratched the ground as it came out and cleaved his own sword in two. Starscream's hand trembled as he stared at the hilt of his sword. His gaze had just barely shifted to the oncoming Dark Sabre, before a blaze of blue light blocked it.
"Use us Starscream!" The Star Sabre said to him as he grabbed the hilt after a second of staring incredulously at the sword. The two traded blows back and forth, Starscream feeling oddly relaxed as he and the Star Sabre worked as one, almost sharing minds. Starscream also noticed he was tiring, and couldn't keep up this pace. At this moment of realization, the Dark Sabre struck home, severing Starscream's arm and sending the Air Defense team tumbling, reverting to their bot modes. Starscream yelled out and fell, watching the purple Sabre float in front of him before turning to drive itself into him. He shut off his optics, waiting for the finishing blow. He heard and explosion, but didn't care as he waited.
Waited.
"Huh?" Starscream said as he opened his eyes, seeing the Air Defense doppelgangers sprawled out, and a large white and purple tank speeding towards him. "M-m-megatron?"
"TRANSFORM!" The tank bellowed, arms spouting out of the front treads as the bottom ones lowered and twisted, forming feet, a faceplate sliding aside to reveal a face, and a small form shifting and landing next to the much larger bot's feet. "I see you're laying around as always Starscream."
The dazed seeker stared at him for a moment as Thrust uncloaked next to him, freely leaking mech fluid from his severed limb.
"Megatron! I knew you...would survive..." Thrust groveled as he sunk to his knees, becoming dizzy from the loss of fluids. "I knew..you'd help...us..I...knew..."
The tyrant shifted his gaze to the Dark Sabre team as his optic's narrowed. "Go tell Unicron that Galvatron is the supreme ruler of the universe! Clench, Powerlink!"
"Galvatron?" Starscream asked weakly as he saw Galvatron and an oddly colored Leader-1 link up and blast the team away, Maelstrom quickly transforming and grabbing his comrades. Galvatron walked up to Starscream as the seeker started to black out.
"Oh I'm back Starscream, and better than ever." The tyrant chuckled as Starscream lost consciousness.
**************************************************************************** **********
Hurray, finally a new chapter! Yeah, this was kinda an all Decepticon chapter, the Autobots will get some more air time next time, and I'll get the rest of the bots that are in the show now in here somehow, heh, but I hope you all enjoyed my Galvatron birth ( Please Read and Review, and if you feel like talking to me, e-mail me at waspinator45@hotmail.com. Thanks!