Okay. I've had this idea for a while, and I've been working on writing it out ... for a while now. Finally decided to submit it in parts as I finish working on it. I'm not sure if it's working as well on "paper" as in my head ... feel free to let me know what you all think.

Takara, Hasbro, and their liscencies own all Transformers characters; song credits will be listed at the end; as always, my TF stuff is influenced by cartoon (and tech spec) and some comic elements; the challenge part of this chapter was particularly influenced, I guess, by the first season episode "Heavy Metal War".

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It was a quiet day at Autobot Headquarters … until the enormous explosion outside.

"Great Alpha Trion's Ghost!" exclaimed the Autobots' noble leader, Optimus Prime. "What was that?"

"Leakin' lubricants!" Ironhide exclaimed.

"No … I'm fairly certain that's not it," Optimus replied.

"We'll find out what it is, chief!" Cliffjumper said. "Come on, Windcharger!"

"I'm way ahead of you!" the red sports car called as he drove outside.

"Hey!" Cliffjumper yelled. "Come back! I didn't get to do my countdown! Aah!"

"Don't call me 'chief'!" Prime called after them.

After a few moments, Windcharger could be heard calling, "Uh, Prime …you'd better get out here."

"Yeah," Cliffjumper added. "In five, four …."

"Enough with the counting!" Gears exclaimed exasperatedly.

Optimus Prime and his warriors came out to find … Megatron. The mighty lord of the Decepticons was holding Windcharger and Cliffjumper upside down by their legs, waiting patiently.

"Greetings, Optimus Prime!" he exclaimed. "Welcome to defeat!"

"What?" Prime asked.

"Ah think he's talkin' to yer feet," Ironhide told Optimus.

"No …" Megatron groaned, briefly putting his hand to his face in disgust. "I refer to my upcoming inevitable triumph!"

"Well, if it's a fight you've come for …" Bluestreak began.

"No, actually; not yet. I came to issue a challenge!" Megatron declared.

"Oh?" Optimus asked. "Why fly all the way here, then? That isn't very energy efficient.Why didn't you try calling first?"

"I did!" Megatron declared with exasperation. "Your line was busy!"

"Affirmative," Soundwave, standing behind a rock above his mighty leader, intoned.

"What?" Optimus Prime asked with surprise. "Who was tying up our phone lines?" he quiried, looking around.

"Well …" Gears grumbled, "I was on the computer, for a little while…"

"What?" Prime asked.

"Yeah, me and Huffer."

"Whut could you two been a doin'?" Ironhide asked.

"A chat room," Huffer admitted.

"Well, I'll be a beige shock absorber …" Ironhide began.

"Complainersdotcomplaintsdotgrumble," Gears said.

"Oh," Ironhide and several other Autobots said.

"Autobots!" Megatron exclaimed. "We are getting a little off-track here. Allow me to ask a more relevant question …why do you still have dial up?"

"Other service is too expensive," Optimus Prime replied.

"What?" Megatron asked. "Steal it!"

"Never!" Optimus excalimed aghastedly. "Was that your challenge, Megatron?"

"No, foolish Optimus Prime," Megatron sneered. "I wish to challenge you … to a battle of the bands, for the allegence of the puny flesh creatures!"

"Band?" Optimus Prime seemed confused. "We don't have a band."

"Then that will be part of the challenge," Megatron replied. "Or, would you prefer that we engage in a gigantic, explosive battle over the humans, with the inevitable resultant massive destruction?"

"No," Prime replied.

"We can do it, Prime!" Jazz whispered to his leader.

"Yeah! Rock out!" Blaster seconded.

"I dunno," Ironhide and Prowl both said.

"Hmm …" Prime considered. "Hmm …. Very well, Megatron; we will accept your musical challenge."

"Excellent! Then we will defeat you in one week!"

"Defeat? But the battle has not yet begun."

"But it will begin, Optimus Prime! And then, I shall triumph! Huuhuuhahahaha!" Megatron exclaimed as he flew away.

"Well, he's confident, ain't he?" Cliffjumper remarked, rubbing his sore head.

"Yeah! It ain't over yet, rustbucket!" Ironhide exclaimed.

"Ain't that the truth!" Jazz seconded.

"'Ain't' ain't no … isn't a word!" Prowl exclaimed distressedly.

"Fear not, Prowl," Optimus Prime said. "If we must musically combat the Decepticons for the sake of the humans, we shall … assemble a swinging band with … neato tunes which shall win over the mamas and daddios!"

Jazz and Ironhide exchanged worried glances.