Author's Note: Some of the stuff in this story is borrowed from Robert A. Jung's "Legacy."

The Transformers

Episode 101: Thefts and Secrets--Part 1

Megatron walked through the room on Charr as the Constructicons and some other Decepticons worked on some bodies for new warriors. He and Soundwave approached Scorponok, which was in city mode. Megatron asked, "Whatever happened to Lord Zarak and this Scorponok character?"

"Zarak eventually expired," answered Soundwave. "He was, in essence, Scorponok's personality. Once he died, we eliminated the Nebulons from our ranks completely. We can operate Scorponok manually, but without a head, he can't transform to robot form."

"So, we have a powerful super robot, but no personality for him to function properly," mused Megatron. "We must somehow correct this problem."

A voice then said, "He's here." The voice belonged to Sixshot.

Megatron turned to the six-changer to see Blitzwing with him. Blitzwing gasped and asked, "Megatron? But. . . I thought you were. . ."

"It's alright, Blitzwing," said Megatron. "Galvatron is no more. I am back. I know all about how Galvatron exiled you from the Decepticon ranks. I am offering you a chance to rejoin."

Blitzwing stuttered and asked, "Y-you really mean it? You're not angry that I had to help the Autobots in order to save Cybertron and stop the Quintessons?"

Megatron chuckled and said, "No, I'm not angry. If I had been in your place, I'd have done the same thing. Sometimes, circumstances force one to team with his enemies. As long as you serve with complete loyalty, you are perfectly welcome in my army."

Blitzwing now knew that Megatron was telling the truth. He smiled and said, "Hail Megatron!"

Megatron smiled and said, "Welcome back to the Decepticons."

As Blitzwing saluted and went to greet some of his old buddies, Megatron turned to Soundwave and said, "Tell me more about these Quintessons. You say they are supposedly the creators of Cybertron?"

Soundwave nodded and said, "That is what they claim. But from what I have been able to ascertain of them, they are nothing but weak cowards, better suited for scheming than fighting."

Megatron nodded, taking in the information. He had suspected as much. What he couldn't understand though was why Galvatron had let them remain a nuisance all this time. It didn't matter. This just further drove down his already low opinion of his successor and predecessor. He was pulled out of his reverie when Scrapper said, "Megatron, we've finished almost 20 bodies, but we're almost out of materials."

"Don't worry, Scrapper," said Megatron. "I have an idea on how to get more. Soundwave, see if you can locate where the Quintessons are now."

"As you command, Megatron."

Back on Cybertron, Optimus Prime asked, "Are you sure?"

"Affirmative," said Perceptor with a nod. "The head of Unicron is gone. We believe that is what Spike and Carly saw last night."

"Do you think the Decepticons are behind this?" asked Spike.

"We have no proof of that, Spike," answered Optimus. "Nevertheless, we must still consider that a possibility." He then hit a button on a console and said, "Sky Lynx, I want you to prepare for takeoff. We're going to Charr."

Sky Lynx landed on the far side of Charr so he and his passengers wouldn't be detected. "This is about as close as we an get to the Decepticons' main base without being discovered," said Hot Rod.

Optimus nodded. "Blaster," he ordered, "dispatch Steeljaw. We can safely discover what the Decepticons are up to from here."

"Gotcha, Optimus," said the Autobot communications officer. He walked to the hatch and Sky Lynx opened it. Blaster pressed a button on his chest and said, "Steeljaw, transform. Find the Decepticons and give us some recon!"

A tape flew out of Blaster's chest and transformed into a small lion. Steeljaw roared and ran off.

As Steeljaw surveyed the area, he sent radio signals back to Blaster, who received them in radio mode. He transformed back to robot mode and said, "That's weird. Steeljaw says they're not here."

"Then you've wasted my precious time?" asked Sky Lynx angrily and irritably.

"I don't like this," said Hot Rod. "It was only a few days ago that the Decepticons attacked Cybertron. And now, they're gone, just like that?"

"Me Grimlock say Decepticons run away," said the Dinobot leader. "Me say Decepticons gone forever!"

"I wish I could believe that, Grimlock," said Optimus Prime with a sigh.

The Quintessons' current home planet was in ruins. Lying all around were several dead officers, judges, magistrates, and Sharkticons. To say this was an easy victory would be an understatement. As seemingly endless building supplies were loaded into Scorponok and Trypticon, Megatron smiled. A decisive victory was just what his army needed to boost their morale. He knew that a victory over the Autobots would be more encouraging, but at the same time, he also knew that there was absolutely no way he could conquer Cybertron with the meager numbers he had.

The Quintessons were just as weak as Soundwave had predicted. The pathetic Sharkticons didn't stand a chance, especially against the combined might of Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Predaking, and Abominus. Trypticon made the fight that much easier. Even Scorponok, despite having to be operated manually, did a lot of damage.

As Megatron watched the supplies being loaded, Scourge approached him. "Megatron, sir?"

His back turned to the leader of the Sweeps, Megatron responded, "What is it, Scourge?"

"If you don't mind me asking, why did we annihilate the Quintessons? We could have used them to program the new warriors we're building."

"I have my reasons," said Megatron. "Don't worry, all will be revealed in due time. Now, go and help load the supplies."

Scourge didn't like doing the work such as what the others were doing. However, fearing for his life, he said, "Yes, sir."

In Shockwave's old control center on Cybertron, five robots were working on the computers. They were working in peace when the door was blown open. Megatron ran in and fired his fusion cannon twice, hitting and killing two of the robots. Soundwave and Cyclonus were hot on his heels, firing their own weapons and killing the other three robots who had been working. Satisfied that the workers were dead, Megatron said, "Cyclonus, guard the entrance. Soundwave, see if what we're looking for is still here."

"Tracing. Tracing," said Soundwave as he searched. He touched a panel on a wall, revealing a small secret door. A cable came out of his index finger and he plugged it into a keypad on the electronically locked door. It opened and Soundwave pulled out a familiar gold device. "I found it." He handed the device to Megatron.

Megatron smiled evilly as he took it. He said, "Excellent. The Autobots never suspected it existed. The key to our victory."

Cyclonus looked at his new leader and asked in disbelief, "THAT'S the key to our victory?"

"But of course," said Megatron with a smile. "Now, let's go." The three Decepticons ran out of the old control center and flew off.

Optimus Prime was in his personal quarters working with two datapads. He was quietly working when the message console sounded. He turned his chair around and answered, "What is it, Carly?"

"There's been a break-in at Shockwave's old control center! Something was taken but we have no idea what it is. Three Decepticons were spotted flying in the distance."

"What's Galvatron's current flight path?" asked Optimus.

"It's not Galvatron, Prime," said Carly. "The Decepticons are being lead by Megatron!"

Prime's eyes widened in shock as he leaped out of his chair. "WHAT? Megatron? But how?"

"We don't know," admitted Carly. "Their current flight path is A13 Mark 6. Ultra Magnus has already assembled a team to intercept them."

Optimus so lost in his shock that he barely heard Carly's last sentence. He immediately knew where Megatron was headed. "How many Autobots are on standby?"

"Just Hot Rod, Kup, and Brainstorm."

"Have them meet me out front. And hurry!"

"Where are you going, Prime?"

Optimus stood there for a moment before answering, "To Vector Sigma." He immediately broke contact and dashed out of his quarters.

Megatron, Soundwave, and Cyclonus were flying towards their destination in their robot modes. Cyclonus asked, "Megatron, if you don't mind my asking, what is that?"

Megatron looked at the device in his right hand, looked at Cyclonus, and smiled. "This is the Key to Vector Sigma."

Cyclonus' jaw dropped. "But I thought it was destroyed!"

"It was," said the Decepticon leader in agreement. "But I had Shockwave create a duplicate, should it ever be needed. Only Shockwave, Soundwave, and myself knew about it. We should consider ourselves lucky that the Autobots never discovered it after we were driven away from Cybertron."

Soundwave then interrupted the conversation. "Approaching destination. Autobots interceding."

Megatron looked down to see Ultra Magnus, Blaster, Arcee, and Springer waiting for them. Megatron smiled and said, "Cyclonus, greet them."

Cyclonus transformed to his jet mode and began speeding towards the four Autobots, firing away with everything he had. All the four heroes could do was dive and hope they didn't get hit. As Megatron and Soundwave landed, Cyclonus transformed back to robot mode and did the same. Megatron smiled and said, "Hello, Autobots, surprised to see me again?"

"I don't know how you came back, but we're sending you back to the scrap heap!" said Springer.

"Charge!" ordered Magnus. The four Autobots ran towards the three Decepticons, firing away. Megatron, Soundwave, and Cyclonus were able to get behind a building.

"Soundwave," Megatron ordered, "radio our assault force! Cyclonus, attack them from the air!"

As Soundwave sent his radio signal, Cyclonus nodded and leapt into the air. He transformed back to jet mode and started firing again. "Scatter!" called Magnus. The four Autobots split up, trying to find cover. Springer transformed to helicopter mode and tried to counter Cyclonus' aerial attack, firing away. Ultra Magnus and Blaster sought cover, firing towards where Megatron and Soundwave were hiding.

Megatron and Soundwave watched as Ultra Magnus and Blaster leapt into a trench. The two Decepticons then stuck their heads out of their hiding places and began firing. Magnus and Blaster did their best to fight back.

Back in the air, Cyclonus was able to avoid Springer's fire and hit the Autobot triple-changer with a missle. Springer cried out in pain as he went down, a crash inevitable.

"Springer!" Arcee cried out in horror as she watched him fall. She frowned and started firing on Cyclonus, actually managing to hit him!

Cyclonus cried out in pain and yelled, "You pink weakling! You'll pay for that!" As he fell, he transformed back to robot mode and fired at the pink female.

"Not close enough!" yelled Arcee as she gracefully dodged the shots. She then transformed to sports car mode and began charging him. Cyclonus' gunfire was no good, as he was run down.

Soundwave saw Cyclonus get run over. He pushed a button on his shoulder and said, "Ravage, eject!" A tape flew out of his chest cavity and transformed into a panther. Ravage roared and ran towards Arcee. The pink female Autobot transformed back to robot mode and turned just in time to be tackled.

Seeing their comrade in trouble, Ultra Magnus said, "Blaster, help her! I'll cover you!" He then fired his shoulder rockets towards the building Megatron and Soundwave were hiding behind. They were buried but both Magnus and Blaster knew that wouldn't stop them for long.

Using his opportunity wisely, Blaster said, "Ramhorn, help the lady in distress, and do to Ravage a hard press!" He pressed a button on his chest and a tape flew out, transforming into a rhino. Ramhorn charged toward Ravage and knocked him off of Arcee. The two cassette creatures then began tussling with each other.

Ultra Magnus saw the rubble that buried Megatron and Soundwave begin to move. He transformed to truck mode and began driving towards the rubble. Megatron and Soundwave burst out from the rubble at the same time. But before either one of them could do anything, they were temporarily blinded by Magnus' headlights and run over. He then turned around and got ready to charge again. As he got up, Megatron said, "You'll pay dearly for that!" He then fired his fusion cannon at the charging Autobot. Magnus swerved, trying to dodge the shot, but the shot hit the ground, causing him to overturn onto his side. Blaster, Arcee, and the now-recovered Springer then began charging and firing, forcing Megatron and Soundwave to take to the air. Magnus recovered, transformed back to robot mode, and joined in.

"Come on!" yelled Springer. "We can stop them!"

"Guess again, greenie!" yelled a familiar voice. The four Autobots looked up to the sky and were surprised to see Skywarp heading towards them! They were so shocked, they were barely able to dive out of the way of his and Thundercracker's gunfire. As the Autobots sought cover again, Megatron and Soundwave landed near the path that lead to Vector Sigma, Cyclonus joining them. Astrotrain landed nearby in shuttle mode. His hatch opened and the Predacons stepped out, along with Blitzwing, Sixshot, Triggerhappy, Slugslinger, and Misfire. Astrotrain then transformed to robot mode.

"Astrotrain, what kept you?" asked Megatron angrily.

"Sorry, Megatron," said Astrotrain. "We had a run-in with the Aerialbots."

"We'll discuss that later. Predacons, with me! The rest of you keep the Autobots at bay. We're going down!"

As Megatron, Cyclonus, and the Predacons ran down the path toward the Vector Sigma Chamber, Soundwave called, "Ravage!" Ravage was running towards his master, his fight with Ramhorn apparently over. He leaped into the air, transformed back to tape mode, and reinserted himself into Soundwave's chest compartment. Soundwave then ran off to join his leader and teammates while the others fought the Autobots.

To Be Continued