Disclaimer: Transformers and all related characters are property of Hasbro, not me.

Mixed Feelings

Questionable Decisions

Cyclonus looked out over the crowd that had slowly assembled. He frowned in distaste at how slowly and sloppily they had convened here, though it was understandable. Galvatron had called them all too many times to Trypticon's entrance, usually as a precursor to a random punishment. Either that, or Galvatron would announce his latest scheme to destroy the Autobots.

Of course, the Decepticons had begun to lose their faith in anything their leader said, so their reception to these announcements was lukewarm at best. And, of course, this would do nothing to improve the mood of Galvatron, who would punish a Decepticon at random for their lack of faith in their leader. And he would end up expending so much energy carrying out the punishment that he lost all interest in whatever plan he had concocted in the first place.

This time, though, Cyclonus knew it would be different. He knew that Galvatron would be able to rally the troops to his cause. Because, for the first time in a long while, Cyclonus actually began to feel as though his cause was worthwhile. And that was just from one brief exchange with Galvatron. In a speech, Galvatron should have an entire army behind him easily. He looked over at his leader, who was stood with one hand on his hip, though there was no sign of impatience in his features. He walked over to Cyclonus.

"Cyclonus; whatever happens, do not try to assist me."

Cyclonus looked at his leader, alarm and puzzlement contorting his face. "Mighty Galvatron?"

"Do you understand?"

Cyclonus paused, and then slowly nodded. "Yes, mighty Galvatron."

Galvatron silently nodded and walked back to his previous position in front of the crowd. They slowly began to quiet down as they saw that Galvatron was ready to speak.

"Fellow Decepticons. I stand before you to tell you that I am not the same Decepticon you once knew. I am a changed mech. Although I cannot explain how, I can only tell you that I will no longer lead you to defeat after defeat against the Autobots. Regardless of Optimus Prime's return, we will reclaim our previous greatness."

Cyclonus had expected a sceptical reaction from the Decepticons, but the silence that followed was much worse than anything Cyclonus could have imagined. A voice spoke through the crowd.

"I highly doubt that."

Several Decepticons parted to reveal the leader of the Combaticons, Onslaught. His tone was that of a mech that had given up on his cause; one who didn't care if Galvatron became enraged and crushed him. Cyclonus was half expecting his leader to do just that, but instead, Galvatron merely tilted his head slightly.

"Is that right, Onslaught?"

Onslaught puffed out his chestplate. "Yes. Ever since you took command, we have faced crushing defeat after crushing defeat. That would be bad enough, but we were losing to an enemy that was led by an Autobot, that, by all rights, was a child. You couldn't even come close to defeating Rodimus Prime, and now that Optimus Prime has returned… I highly doubt that you could even provide a worthy distraction for him."

There was a deafening pause as the Decepticons cleared away from Onslaught, expecting Galvatron to suddenly launch at him in a rage. The silence continued as they looked from Onslaught to Galvatron, and back to Onslaught. Some of them stole glances at Cyclonus, obviously wondering if he was going to do anything. Under normal circumstances, Cyclonus would most likely have intervened by now, but Galvatron's order rang in his memory circuits.

Then, Galvatron did something most unexpected; he laughed. But not his usual out of control laughter. This laughter sounded familiar, and the other Decepticons recognised it. It was the cold, calculating laugh of Megatron.

"Indeed, Onslaught… indeed."

Galvatron walked toward his detractor, and Onslaught admirably stood his ground, not moving an inch.

"Your comrade in arms carries a point, Decepticons. I have led you to defeat after defeat. I have not led you as a good leader should. And that raises the question, Onslaught: could you do better?"

Onslaught paused, unsure of how to respond to the calm Galvatron that stood before him. "Yes. I could."

Galvatron threw his arms up in the air. "Very well then! In that case, I wish to issue you with a challenge, Onslaught. I will hand over leadership of the Decepticons to you for one plan," he said, holding up his finger. Cyclonus was about to object, but Galvatron continued before he could say anything.

"One plan that will bring about the complete and total annihilation of the Autobots. You may command this army, including myself, as if it were your own. If your plan succeeds… I will step down as leader and leave, never to be seen or heard from again. However… if your plan fails…"

Galvatron stepped forward so that he was towering over Onslaught, and he looked him in the optics, their noses almost touching.

"…you will never… challenge me… again," he said, his voice lowered to a threatening whisper.

He stepped back and clasped his hands behind his back. He turned and headed back into Trypticon. "You'd better hurry, Onslaught; our energon supplies are running low."

Cyclonus felt as though his jaw would fall clanging to the floor. As Galvatron walked by, Cyclonus had to remind himself to follow and question this decision. Cyclonus did not like Onslaught; it was a fact that he made no effort to hide. It was only because of Bruticus' value to the Decepticons that Cyclonus tolerated him. He didn't want to think about what would happen should his plan succeed, and he became leader.

"Mighty Galvatron… are you sure that that action was wise?"

"Would I have done it if I didn't think so, Cyclonus?" Galvatron asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"Of course not, mighty Galvatron, but-"

Galvatron stopped and turned to look at him. He put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Do not be so concerned, Cyclonus. Onslaught cannot succeed."

He turned and headed into a nearby elevator, pushing the button that led to the floor where his chambers were located. Cyclonus stood in silence next to Galvatron as they ascended up the tower. The doors opened, and Cyclonus found his voice again as Galvatron started to walk away from him.

"But, mighty Galvatron… Onslaught is an excellent tactician. How can you be so certain that he will fail?"

They reached the doors that led to Galvatron's chambers, and Galvatron stopped as the doors opened automatically upon his approach. He did not turn to face him as he spoke. "Because only I can kill Optimus Prime. And as long as Optimus Prime lives, so do the Autobots."

He entered his chambers, and the doors slid shut behind him. Cyclonus prepared himself to go back in and continue his objections, but he settled for a low growl and clenching his fists. He whirled on his heel, and was shocked by Soundwave, who had silently appeared behind him. He tried not to register his surprise, though he wouldn't be able to tell if Soundwave gloated or not; out of all the Decepticons, Soundwave was easily the most unreadable. And Cyclonus did not like that fact.

"Yes, Soundwave?"

"Report for Galvatron," Soundwave said, holding up a datapad.

"Perhaps you should be giving that to Onslaught instead," Cyclonus muttered in disgust, before walking around him and into the elevator. He needed some combat training to burn off this anger burning inside him like unstable energon.

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Soundwave stood at the doors to Galvatron's chamber, and made sure that Cyclonus was well and truly gone. He didn't need him coming in at an inopportune moment. Soundwave had been silently observing the exchange between Galvatron and Onslaught, attempting to read Galvatron's mind in hopes of finding a renewed piece of Megatron. And he had come up against something most unexpected; he couldn't access his mind. It was as if Galvatron had put up a mental barrier. The only other Decepticon that Soundwave knew of that could do that was Megatron, which further increased his resolve to find out the truth.

He pushed the chime button and almost instantly heard a muffled 'come in' from inside the chambers. He walked forward, and the doors slid open obligingly. Soundwave set the blank datapad down on a nearby table, thankful that Cyclonus had opted not to read it on Galvatron's behalf, as he had done so many times before. Galvatron had his back to him, examining something on his desk.

"I have not changed my mind, Cyclonus," he said, a tired impatience in his voice. He did a double glance over his shoulder, smiling as he recognised Soundwave. He waved him over.

"Soundwave. I thought you were Cyclonus coming back to trouble me."

Soundwave cautiously walked over, admittedly curious as to what had Galvatron so enraptured. As he reached him, he saw him looking at galactic maps. Soundwave's optics widened slightly beneath his visor as he began to wonder what in the name of Primus was going on. Galvatron pointed at several dots on the holographic maps.

"You see? These planets are so close to us, and so rich in energy… I cannot believe we did not take advantage of them earlier. But, that is not important right now. What can I do for you, Soundwave?"

Soundwave paused. "I wish to know if you are Megatron."

Galvatron raised an optic ridge. "And what has prompted this question?"

"You have been acting… out of character since your return from Earth."

Galvatron smiled and looked up wistfully. "I suppose I have… or perhaps I have merely been acting out of character since we came to Charr – have you considered that?"

Soundwave remained silent, and Galvatron continued. "Tell me, Soundwave; how would you have confirmed that I am Megatron?"

"I would have engaged you in a mind probe."

Galvatron nodded. "I see. And why haven't you tried to do this before?"

"I have."

Galvatron raised an optic ridge. "Is that so? And what happened when you tried?"

"I was blocked by… something."

Galvatron smiled with pride. "Excellent… I have regained my ability to repel mind control. I was concerned that it may have been lost because of the plasma damage…" Galvatron shook his head. "In any case… of all Decepticons, Soundwave, I need your support the most. So, if you feel the need, I will allow you to perform your mind probe."

Soundwave cautiously raised his hand forward, gently touching the crown like shape on Galvatron's head. Using his abilities, he reached out, going further and further until… He quickly stepped back, and, if his face had allowed it, he would have grinned.

"Megatron… it is good to see you again."

Galvatron smiled slightly but then shook his head. "No. My name is Galvatron now."

Soundwave cocked his head to the side. "But… why?"

"Because I wish for history to record that it was Galvatron, the 'insane' Decepticon leader, that destroyed the Autobots, not Megatron. Megatron is a name of the past. He couldn't defeat Optimus Prime, whereas I… will annihilate him."

He clenched his fist in front of him as he spoke, and Soundwave could see Megatron's spark shining through.

"Is it wise to allow Onslaught to lead?" Soundwave asked, remembering how much Megatron valued his frank manner.

Galvatron looked at him in slight surprise. "Soundwave, you of all Decepticons should know that I would never have allowed Onslaught to take command if I thought he had the slightest chance of winning. But I must allow him to do this. I have led the Decepticons through fear for too long; I must earn their respect. They must learn that I am best for the Decepticons."

"And if Decepticons die in the process?"

Galvatron's demeanour became serious once again, and he laid a hand on Soundwave's shoulder. "We will just have to ensure that that does not happen."

Their conversation was interrupted by a beeping noise coming from Soundwave's chestplate. He pushed a button on his shoulder and spoke.

"Soundwave."

Onslaught's voice came through Soundwave's speakers.

"Soundwave, I require your assistance. Please report to my quarters immediately."

He looked up at Galvatron, who held a slightly amused look on his face. He nodded.

"I am en route," Soundwave said quickly.

He pushed the button to terminate the transmission, and Galvatron went back to his desk to look at the holographic maps once again. He waved in Soundwave's direction dismissively. "Go, Soundwave. Do not concern yourself; Prime is not so sloppy as to allow Onslaught to defeat him."

Soundwave nodded. "Yes, Galvatron." He turned to leave before pausing. "It is… good to have you back."

Galvatron didn't respond as Soundwave silently left. He wandered around his desk and sat in his chair, leaning back and wondering what Prime was doing at that exact moment… if he had any idea what laughable attack was coming his way.

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(A/N: So? Comments? Negative or Positive, it's all welcome. Review!)