Author's Note: Wow, I can't believe I didn't update this fic for FOUR months! I remember back when I was writing Armageddon it only took about four days at most to write a chapter… Sad to say, I haven't written like that ever since. So please! I need your help to finish this story! Ya don't have to review (Although I'd love it ;) ), ya can just IM me and ask questions about it. It'll motivate me to write more.

And hey, since I start college on this upcoming Tuesday, and am taking extreme English in it, perhaps that'll get me writing more! I'm rambling now, so I'll shut up and let you do what you came here to do.

Chapter 4: Sparkless

Earth's Orbit, Unicron

Thrust walked through the halls of Unicron. Six months ago, he had delivered the Requium Blaster to Unicron, and officially left the Decepticons. He tried several times to acquire the other two weapons since then, the Skyboom Shield and the Star Saber, but had failed each time. Recently, Unicron hadn't given him any orders, and that irritated Thrust, simply because it left him with nothing to do.

Now, Unicron had finally given him an assignment. He was to go to the lower levels, and report to Alpha-Quintesson. The Chaos Bringer had told him that the Quintesson had found a use for his abilities; for some reason, the other Heralds gave the ex-Decepticon a smug look or an evil grin. Especially Predacon. He uttered something about envying Alpha-Quintesson's luck.

The other Heralds didn't take a liking to Thrust. Or Starscream and Tidal Wave for that matter, but they seemed to pick on Thrust the most. He'd show them. Once he acquired the other two weapons, they'll show him the respect he deserves.

The blue and brown mech came up to massive, twin doors, imposing as if they held a king's throne room behind them. Thrust suddenly started to feel nervous. He knocked on the door three times, and patiently awaited their opening. A moment passed, before a loud click was heard, and the doors folded on their hinges into the room, granting the mech access inside.

"He- hello?" He asked quietly. Maybe Alpha-Quintesson wasn't here, and he could leave. Indistinct talking from the far end of the room caught his attention. Thrust tip-toed into the room, and almost gasped at the sight. There was a single, narrow path that lead to an alter at the center of the room. Below the pathway was an endless amount of tentacles filling the room below the narrow trail, all moving around as if they had a mind of their own. At the alter itself stood two figures.

One was large and silver, its body strongly resembling a mechanical snake with arms. It had a pair of large, sharp jaws surrounding its actual, skull-like face. It had a cord stretching from its back, all the way up into the darkness that covered the ceiling. Many small tentacles stretched out from the bottom of its serpent-like body; at the end of each limb was a strange and unique weapon, different from the last.

The second figure was smaller than the serpent, but still large. Its body was sharp and angular, with black and orange being the dominant colors of its frame. Silver, gold, and copper were scattered along its body, and it had a big, narrow shield attached to its left forearm. Two blocky, sharp horns resided on the top of its head. But the strangest thing of this figure was… It had no face. No optics, no mouth, not even a nose. The whole area where the face should be was nothing more than a slight glow of orange.

"Things are coming along nicely." The black and orange mech said.

Thrust gasped quietly to himself. 'That thing sounds just like Sideways!'

"Yesss, they are." Alpha-Quintesson's Death face replied. It rotated to the face of Judgment. "Scorponok is doing just as well as we had hoped."

"Scorponok?" The faceless mech asked. "You gave the Prototype a name?"

"Yes." Judgment replied. "Giving it a name is another step, granted a minor one, towards its completion."

The black and orange mech chuckled slightly. "Though it does lack one thing it will most definitely need before it is finished."

Judgment's face then switched to Wisdom. "Yes! A spark! Scorponok needs a spark before he can be completed!"

"Yes. That artificial Spark you created won't last more than a week. You'll need a real one if Scorponok will taste true life."

Wisdom became Judgment once again. "We created that artificial Spark for the sole purpous of the field test. Don't worry, he will have a real spark before we turn him over to Master Unicron."

"Good." The orange and black mech folded his arms, and turned sideways. "What of Starscream and Tidal Wave?" He asked. "Surely you've sent them to do something that fits in with your plan."

"I have." Judgment then switched back to Wisdom. "Those two are off collecting Energon to help revive our… guest." The Quintesson then looked over to the disassembled form of Megatron behind him.

"How can they? They don't have the abilities to harvest raw Energon without getting fragged."

"Which is why I created Scorponok. He may still be a prototype, but he is still able to do what most others' can't – harvest raw Energon."

"Interesting. I assume, then, that Scorponok will assist Tidal Wave and Starscream in gathering Energon?"

Wisdom laughed. "He will, once he is completed."

"Excellent. But I do hope you know, that you had better make some backup Harvesters. Just in case Scorponok doesn't complete the field test." The faceless mech looked over to one of the holographic screens. Alpha-Quintesson looked over to it as well.

The serpent grunted as he witnessed Scorponok battle Six Shot and Shockblast. "I'm sure he can defeat those two as easily as he did with the Autobots."

"I wouldn't be so sure…" The mech chuckled. "I suggest you make more prototypes. But in the meantime, I'd best leave you alone. Thrust is about to arrive."

Alpha-Quintesson's Wisdom face rotated to his Death face, and chuckled. "Yesss." He replied. "Thrussst'sss asssigment isss an important one. Go now, Noissse Maze. I will await hisss arrival."

The mech known as Noise Maze nodded. But before he faded from sight, he cast a slight glance towards the door. Towards Thrust.

At Thrust.

The ex-Decepticon tensed as Noise Maze disappeared from sight, and Alpha-Quintesson looked in his direction.

"Ah, Thrussst. Welcome." He greeted.

Thrust did what he could to shake off his nervousness. "Alpha-Quintesson." He started. "What am I here for?"

"Ssstraight to busssinesss? Very well." Death cooed. "You know of the Prototype Energon harvessster I have been working on?"

"Yes." Thrust replied. "I heard you sent it out on a field test today."

"That I did." Death said. "But Ssscorponok, the prototype, isss lacking one esssential component. A ssspark."

"So… You want me to go out and find one? What type are you looking for?" Thrust's nervousness began to rise up again.

"Ooooh, no no no. I've already found the ssspark I need." Death grinned darkly at Thrust, and the Decepticon almost immediately realized what Alpha-Quintesson was talking about. He immediately turned around, and ran for the exit, only to have the doors slam shut in his face. Thrust trembled as the Quintesson chuckled.

"It'sss yoursss."

Unknown TownUnited States

Scorponok screamed out as he charged furiously at Shockblast and Six Shot, and swung a massive claw at the two. The yellow and black mech leaped up into the air, while his purple and silver twin ducked down to the ground. Pushing himself up into the air after the attack cleared, Shockblast threw his foot at the side of Scorponok's skull; a loud crack was heard, and the arachnid's head snapped to the side. Shockblast chuckled, but cried out as Scorponok immediately grabbed him around his waist with one, massive claw, and slammed him onto the ground.

The scorpion pulled back his other claw as Shockblast struggled to get free. It was at this point in time that Six Shot was landing from his jump back, cannon charged up. Red energy sizzled and crackled at the tip as it split open into three sections, and unleashed a torrent of crimson and white energy. Scorponok looked up, and immediately threw his arms up in defense, criss-crossed in front of his face; the blast forcefully pushed him back off of Shockblast.

Scorponok continued to resist the blast, despite being pushed backwards. His feet dug into the ground, and that slowed him down somewhat. He growled as his visor lowered over his scarlet optics, and his arms tensed. He screamed out, as he threw his arms forward, and Six Shot's blast was redirected into the sky above.

Shockblast panted as he climbed to his feet. "So this big lug has bite to backup his bark. No problem."

"Yeah, this guy only took out all of the Autobot forces on Earth." Six Shot replied dryly. He looked around at the surrounding area – the Autobots were weakly crawling, or dragging their wounded, to cover. They'd be dealt with soon enough, but first-

"OOF!" Six Shot coughed out loudly as he was rammed by Scorponok's shoulder, then effortlessly lifted up off of the ground, and tossed over the giant's shoulders. The Decepticon had only a few seconds to react, as he rolled out of the way of Scorponok's tail, which promptly slammed onto the ground where Six Shot laid only a few milliseconds ago.

"Hey bug eyes!" Shockblast screamed out. The said mech whirled around, only to find his opponent in the air, in flight mode, and with energy brimming inside of his cannon. He fired his cannon… After Scorponok kicked it away. The blast traveled past Scorponok, and struck the ground. A large explosion followed, and the battlefield was showered in debris.

Behind what little cover they had, the Autobots tended to the wounded.

"This is insane!" Overload commented to Optimus; only he and Prime were the functional Autobots on the field, Jetfire and Hot Shot were in stasis lock, and quickly fading. "I may not have any memory, but I know THAT thing isn't Autobot or Decepticon!"

"I've never seen it before." Optimus commented. "But we have to worry about that later, Hot Shot and Jetfire are dying!"

"I don't think we need a distraction to get some time, but what about Hoist?" Overload asked.

Optimus weakly took out a small, yellow projector, small enough to fit in a hand. He set it on the ground, and flipped open a panel. Inside was a keypad, and he punched in the co-ordinates to AutoBase. "I can only hope he got away safely." Prime said. "And when I see him, he and I are gonna have a looong talk." It was then that the projector opened up a small warp gate. "Get Jetfire and Hot Shot in there." He said. "Then we'll go in."

"Right." Overload said. He then helped Optimus carry the two fatally wounded Autobots into the gate.

Earth's Orbit, Unicron

"You can't have my Spark!" Thrust screeched. "It's mine!" He shifted into his brown and blue jet mode, and flew up towards the ceiling. Alpha-Quintesson laughed, as one of the countless tentacles beneath the alter shot up after him. The ex-Decepticon barred to the right, and fired off his standard blasters at the serpent in the middle of the room. Alpha-Quintesson, with his Death Face present, gave off an eerie laugh as he looked up at Thrust with black optics.

"You cannot defeat me, Thrussst." He cooed.

"Hah!" Thrust laughed as he dodged another tentacle. "As long as I stay up here, you can't do anything!" Maybe he was right; staying in the air just might keep him safe and get him out of here alive!

Alpha-Quintesson then used the large cord attaching him to the ceiling to lift up into the air, and pursue Thrust.

"…Slag." The jet swore, now flat-out scared. He cranked his thrusters up to maximum, and dashed around the room at blazing speeds. Death merely grinned, as he raised his hands up into the air, and with that, every cord, tentacle, and limb from the sub-floor raised up ceiling level.

Thrust swore again; it was like flying through the thickest of forests! Unfortunately for him, his speed wasn't on his side, as he was quickly captured with a number of tentacles. The rest retracted back to the ground, as Alpha-Quintesson moved himself over to Thrust, chuckling to himself.

"Ssso, you thought you could essscape me?" He asked. "I'm afraid you're sssadly missstaken." The two slowly started lowering to the ground, but stopped half way there. With a snap of his claws, Alpha-Quintesson's tentacles forced Thrust to painfully transform into robot mode; he was now bound by his wrists, ankles, and waist.

"Do not fear. Your Ssspark isss being usssed for a greater caussse. It will give Ssscorponok true life."

"I said my Spark is mine!" Thrust screamed as he struggled to free himself from his bonds.

Alpha-Quintesson's face switched from Death to Judgment. "It would seem we will have to change your attitude." He grinned as one of the smaller tentacles attached to his tail reached up, and showed off its unique tool. It had two small, mechanical arms on it with needle-like tips, and a constantly flickering spark in between of the two.

"This is a Spark Extractor." Judgment stated. "It pulls your living Spark out of your body, and keeps it in tact for as long as needed. But we'll save this for last." He said, tauntingly holding the tool by Thrust's chest. "We need to get some information, first."

"Information? On what?" Thrust trembled as he asked, as he still fought his restraints. "I told Unicron everything I know when I joined!"

"You told him what he asked. But you didn't tell him everything. That is what I want to know." Alpha-Quintesson grinned; having information on others' is always a good idea.

"What makes you think I'll talk?" Thrust said, suddenly acting tough to cover up his fear. "I was the best tactician the Decepticons had!"

"But you weren't an interrogator. Whereas I can play one very well." Judgment turned to Death. "And it'sss sssomething I enjoy." He raised up another tentacle, which had a small, round buzz saw at the end. "You will tell me what I want to know." He switched the blade on, and moved it over towards Thrust's vulnerable left arm.

"And I want to know everything."

AutoBase, Earth

Optimus stood behind a viewing glass, observing the med-bay within. Red Alert was currently working on Hot Shot's badly damaged torso, with Sideswipe playing as his assistant. This is one of those few times in which Red Alert needed an extra pair of hands to help with repairs. Jetfire was currently in suspended animation until they were ready to attempt to repair him.

"How is he, Red Alert?" Optimus asked over the comlink.

"He's not looking good, Optimus." Red Alert replied. "Hot Shot's torso was completely pierced; it's a miracle he made it to the base alive."

"Yeah… How long do you think it'll take to have him up and running?" Prime asked.

"To be honest…" Red Alert paused his sentence, but not his work. "I don't know if he can be."

"… What?"

"Yes… The Damage is simply too great. Short of completely re-building their frames, there's nothing I can do."

"Can you do that, Red Alert?" Optimus looked over the prone form of Hot Shot as he asked his question.

"I can… But re-building takes up a lot of time."

"Do it." Optimus stated with no hesitation. "… Please. I don't want to lose any more troops to this war."

This time, Red Alert looked up from his work, to Optimus in the viewing room. He smiled slightly. "I'll do everything I can."

"Thank you." Optimus smiled back, though no visible facial expressions were seen beyond his faceplate.

"How are they?" A voice from behind Optimus asked. Prime's optics narrowed slightly.

"They're fine, Hoist." He replied. "But I'm glad you're here. I have some questions for you."

"About?" Hoist folded his arms over his chest.

Optimus turned to face his soldier. "Why did you ignore our S.O.S?"

Hoist covered up his sudden negative emotions, mostly anger and nervousness. "You called for an S.O.S?"

Optimus' calm expression suddenly turned dark. "Don't act like you don't know." He snapped. "There were no jamming stations, nothing to disrupt the call, and you were within range. So why did you ignore it?"

"I was engaging the Decepticons! That's why you sent me off!" Hoist defended.

"If you engaged those two Decepticons, then you would have called for backup."

"Are you implying that I can't handle two Decepticons?" Hoist asked, offended.

"I'm not. But regardless, you should have responded. Because of your lack of presence, two of our best soldiers are dying."

"Like I would've been able to help against that scorpion-thing." The white and orange Autobot replied. "I would've just been on my death bed with Hot Shot and Jetfire."

"That's not the way to think!" Optimus replied.

"Get real, Prime!" Hoist snapped, shoving Optimus in the shoulder slightly. "This is real life! That pep-talk crap won't work with those of us who see how things really are!"

"…" Optimus paused. "What do you mean?"

"Things are changing, Optimus." Hoist narrowed his optics. "You'd best prepare." And without waiting for his commander to respond, the Autobot promptly turned around and stalked off, leaving Optimus Prime to contemplate what was just said to him.

Unknown TownUnited States

Scorponok raised his claws above his head, and roared out as he slammed them down onto the ground. The resulting small-scale shockwave sent Six Shot and Shockblast stumbling backwards a few steps, and the twins swore.

"Doesn't this guy know how to chill?" Shockblast spat.

"I don't think so." Six Shot looked to his silver and purple twin. "But then, don't we?"

"Too true, heh." He concurred.

"KILL!"

"Heads up!"

Scorponok looked over the littered battlefield, and grinned at what he found. Reaching over for a flattened car, he crushed it into the shape of a ball. Grinning, the massive mech threw it at the twins.

Shockblast quickly threw up his cannon, and fired off a shot at the projectile; all that hit the ground was blackened ash. "Ok, now things are starting to get fun!" He proclaimed.

The scorpion growled lowly, as light blue Energon started draining from the corners of his lips. He opened up his claws, and faced his palms towards the twin Decepticons. A small panel opened up, and he fired off twin missiles. Six Shot and Shockblast both darted off in opposite directions, and when the missiles struck their prior places, the entire battlefield was rocked, and the entire place was covered in ash and falling debris.

Mirroring each others moves, the Decepticons dashed towards their lumbering opponent, and attacked. Shockblast threw several punched at Scorponok's face, all of which made contact. The Prototype's head moved slightly with each punch, but he made no sounds, other than either growling or laughing. He took a swing at Shockblast, but the Decepticon quickly ducked in mid-air.

"You're up!" Shockblast declared to his brother.

Scorponok whirled around, only to find Six Shot's arm cannon fully charged, at point-blank range.

"Bye bye." Six Shot said.

Scorponok didn't even appear scared. Following up his eternally-angered expression at Six Shot was his grabbing the Decepticon's cannon by the tip, and slamming him into his twin brother behind Scorponok. The two cried out, and the yellow and black mech discharged his blast. However, Scorponok didn't release Six Shot; he proceeded to raise his arm back over his head, and slam the mech in his grasp into the ground behind. Six Shot didn't even have time to register the first strike as a second one was dealt, this time beside Shockblast again. The repetitive slamming occurred a number of times following, before Scorponok tossed him aside.

"Ooowww…" Six Shot groaned.

"Alright." Shockblast said as he climbed to his feet. "We need to get at this freak where he can't get us."

"I think I know what you're getting at." Six Shot winced as his body struggled to obey his mental command of getting up.

"Then let's get moving!" With that, Shockblast leapt up into the air, and shifted into his flight mode, with Six Shot following suit. The two shot up into the air, and began circling around Scorponok in a similar fashion to vultures.

The behemoth looked up at the two, growling. "TRANSFORM!" He screamed out. Scorponok changed into his scorpion mode, and what followed surprised the twin Decepticons. His claws folded backwards, and the treads carrying the mech flipped upwards, becoming small wings and engines. His tail straightened and lowered over his beast mode's head, which promptly split open. The beast gave out a savage roar as his transformation to flight mode was completed, and he shot up into the air after Six Shot and Shockblast.

"…" Six Shot groaned.

"The fraggin' slagger can fly, too! Jeez!" Shockblast and his brother positioned into evasive maneuvers as Scorponok shot upwards at them.

Earth's Orbit, Unicron

Thrust screamed out loudly. The small, spinning blade Alpha-Quintesson was pressing against his arm slowly cut through the limb.

"Ssspeak!" Alpha-Q's skull-like face – otherwise known as Death – hissed.

"N-nnnoooOOO!" Thrust immediately regretted his protest when the buzz saw fully cut through, and severed his left arm. The limb fell lifelessly to the ground, and the blue and brown mech trembled.

"I sssaid ssspeak." Death said. "Tell me the accesss codesss to the Decepticon bassse."

"Why do you want to know them?" Thrust forced out; it took every ounce of willpower he had not to scream out any further.

"Massster Unicron hasss plansss for the Decepticonsss. Now tell me! Or shall I further your pain?"

"No! No!" Thrust continued to struggle against Alpha-Quintesson's hold, regardless of how feeble and pathetic it was. "I'll… I'll talk." He caved.

"Good, good." Death grinned.

"F-... Five six, point nine G eight. That'll get you inside the Decepticon base." Thrust panted. "Now please! Let me go!"

"I never sssaid I'd free you." Death grinned, as he raised one of the many tentacles from his tail; specifically, the one with the Spark Extractor. "I will now take what I need."

"No!" Thrust once again began struggling, as valiant as he was when first captured. "It's my Spark! You can't have it!" He repeated.

"You have no choice." Was the final thing said to Thrust.

Alpha-Quintesson slowly moved the Spark Extractor over the ex-Decepticon's chest, and it's two small limbs clutched into his armor. He winced, and suddenly screamed out as he suddenly felt an incredible force pulling within himself. He shut his optics tight, and tensed as the tugging only grew in strength. An eternal second passed, and Thrust gave into his urges, letting loose a pain and fear-filled scream.

Alpha-Quintesson grinned, as the soft blue spark slowly came from his 'teammate's' chest, pulsating wildly. Thrust shook violently, and his optics flared brightly, and when the extraction was complete, his optics went black, and his body went limp.

"Your purpose has been served." Death said to the lifeless frame. The mandibles holding it up slowly descended back into the infinite amount of tentacles below his alter. "And yours will be soon." The serpent said to the throbbing Spark in the Extractor. He gave off a soft chuckle.

Unknown, Unknown

A small space shuttle silently flew through the emptiness of space. Inside of the personal craft resided a husky Autobot, sitting at the controls.

"How long until destination is reached?" He asked.

"Ten point three mega cycles." The monotone computer voice replied.

"Good. Auto-pilot on." He said. The computer beeped once, and he released the controls, and rested his hands behind his head.

"It's been so long…" He said to himself, allowing himself to venture into his own thoughts. "I'll bring you back, old friend." A form slowly took place in his thoughts. He was tan and red, with gun barrels for fingers. Two missiles on each shoulder pointed upwards, and his legs were made of tank treads. He had a Decepticon insignia on his left chest plate, and his right optic was twice the size of his left.

"I'll bring you back, Demolishor."

Unknown, Unknown…

I close my optics, and reopen them... I see myself, fulfilling my destiny… I approach the center of the chamber, and towards the most potent source of power in this, or any, universe… Unicron's core…I have been waiting for this since the day of my birth…

I hold out my hands, fully ready to take his power. It will be mine, and I will then truly be all-powerful… I place my palms firmly against the surface of Unicron's core, and it's power immediately begins to flow into my body…

The power is almost unbearable, I am not sure if my body can withstand… It starts going through a metamorphosis, and I can feel everything change. My power, my body… my mind. Bones tear through my shoulders, as my torso grows less blocky, and more sleek. Dear Primus… This is incredible…


The Autobots and Decepticons arrive. I merely laugh at their mortality, and their feeble attempts to stop destiny. I now hold all that was, is, and will be Unicron within my very frame. I turn to face them, a dark grin stretched across my face…