Starscream strode through the abandoned ruins of Kaon. It had been nearly fourteen solar cycles since Onslaught was revived and he was growing impatient. Shockwave and the military commander always seemed to have something to discuss, leaving Starscream bored out of his processor.
He was hoping that the Decepticon beacon Shockwave set up would've yielded more troops, or at least company that wasn't a mad scientist or a military tactician who'd slept through half the war.
It would seem that today Starscream's prayers would be answered.
His audio receptors suddenly picked up the approaching rumble of a jet engine. No. Three jet engines. Starscream looked up at the nearing craft with a smile. It would seem that today was his lucky day.
Above, the sound of several transformation cogs whirring could be heard before two figures dropped down in front of Starscream. The two Cybertronians were almost identical to each other, were it not for one wearing blue and silver armour, and the other purple and black. They were built similarly to Starscream but not as thin as the air commander. Starscream recognised these two, their red eyes gleamed back at him. The blue one was known as Thundercracker, the other was Skywarp.
Starscream grinned. "Greetings, my brethren! I-" He suddenly leapt back with a squeal as another form landed in front of him with a crash. This new Decepticon was huge, easily the size of Megatron and was probably just as strong. He donned a beige and purple colour scheme, with wings jutting from his body as well as a tank barrel on his back. The giant Decepticon stared back at Starscream through a red visor.
"B-B-Blitzwing!" Starscream stammered as the huge con towered over him. "This is most unexpected. It is...er...good to see you again." His voice was notably higher than usual, mostly out of fear for what Blitzwing might do next. Even Thundercracker and Skywarp took a step back from the titan.
"Starscream." Blitzwing said with a sick smile that made the other's spark tremble in fear of what may be going on in the Decepticon's head. "Don't tell me you were the one who set up the recall beacon?" A trace of humour could be heard in the titan's voice, as if he was thinking of all the ways he could beat the miserable little Seeker into a pathetic smear on the ground.
Starscream regained his composure when he was once again reminded that he was not in charge. "No. That would be Shockwave."
Blitzwing scoffed, a smirk now etched onto his faceplate. "Then show us, commander." The giant mocked before following an irritated but tamed Starscream to Shockwave's base.
When Starscream entered Shockwave's lab, the scientist and Onslaught were deep in conversation. The Seeker rolled his optics before clearing his throat, causing them to stop and look at him.
"I believe you invited these three?" Starscream directed at Shockwave, while gesturing towards the door.
Blitzwing, Thundercracker and Skywarp emerged from the opening, taking in the now pristine laboratory. Blitzwing looked at Shockwave, who met his gaze without fear. "I hear you are in charge now?" The large Decepticon asked the one-eyed scientist.
"Affirmative." Was the reply, without any hint of emotion.
Blitzwing stood still for a second, thinking before he shrugged. "Sure. As long as get to kill something."
"Do not be concerned Blitzwing. There will be plenty of that to come." Shockwave was the only one who did not seem uneasy around the terrifying con. After all, logic dictated that Blitzwing would not be a threat, so long as he was appropriately entertained. He then turned his attention to the remainder of the new arrivals. "Thundercracker and Skywarp, are you fit to accompany Starscream and Onslaught to Nova Cronum?"
"The ruins of Crystal City..." Starscream mused before realising that he did not consent to this mission. "Wait! Why?" He asked.
"Because I have managed to triangulate the location of one of Onslaught's teammates." Shockwave stated.
"Why do I have to go?"
"Unless you would rather stay with me and Blitzwing?" The giant con gave Starscream an evil grin from across the room.
"No! I'm fine! Could do with the exercise anyway!" He quickly squeaked.
"Good."
Shockwave activated the newly installed groundbridge, locked in for Crystal City. It was primitive and of limited range, but it was enough until Shockwave could acquire more sophisticated equipment. Onslaught walked up to the swirling green vortex. "Let's go!" He directed the three Seekers towards the portal. "Follow my lead, and try not to die."
With varying levels of enthusiasm, the four Decepticons walked on through.
They arrived shortly afterwards among the ruins of Crystal City thanks to the miracle of science, and began to take in their surroundings. As far as the eye could see, a jungle of destroyed and collapsed buildings stretched out before them. Corrosion flecked the landscape with an orange hue, adding a splash of colour to the dull grey of the city. Crystal City may have once seemed an appropriate title, but now that name had since been lost to the ravages of war and time.
Starscream took in the scenery. "Ah. The place doesn't look too different from when we destroyed it."
Thundercracker seemed inawed by the place. "Wasn't this once the scientific hub of Cybertron? Where Shockwave made the first combiner?"
Skywarp facepalmed. "You're such a nerd, Thundercracker."
Onslaught remembered the experiments. He and his team could've been the first, but unforeseen complications meant that they were usurped by those accursed Constructicons. Onslaught's fist tightened. "Yes Thundercracker. This is the place." A hint of wistfulness was in his voice. This time the Combaticons will be the Decepticon's ultimate weapon, they deserved that much.
Starscream waved a hand in dismissal. "Yes yes very interesting. Now how do you plan on locating your comrade? He could be anywhere here!"
"If Shockwave is correct, then I should be able to find him through the mental link we share as a result of our combination. I should know when we are in close proximity." Onslaught closed his optics and concentrated. Starscream rolled his own optics from behind him.
Onslaught felt a gentle tugging sensation in the back of his processor, as if he was being drawn to his team-mate's subconscious mind. They were close. After a few moments Onslaught reopened his optics, now sure of where they were heading with absolute certainty.
"Well?" Starscream asked.
Onslaught directed them to a nearby building. "This way."
The structure he led them to was huge and dome-shaped, its giant doors rusted shut. Thundercracker wiped a layer of rust from a plaque next to the doors and read it out. "The Institute for Higher Programming. Say, isn't this where Shockwave used to work? Before the war and everything?" He got no answer as Onslaught was too busy trying to break the door down, but to no avail. He slammed his fist against it in frustration, but it didn't budge.
"Have you tried knocking?" Starscream asked sarcastically.
"No. I don't think there'll be anyone at home." Skywarp mused.
"He was talking about the door, not your head." Thundercracker retorted.
Onslaught growled. "Shut up and get out of the way!" He pushed past the other Decepticons and began walking away from the building.
"Don't tell me you're sulking?!" Starscream grinned after the big con.
After he was a good distance away Onslaught turned back and transformed into a Cybertronian armoured vehicle. He revved his engines before accelerating towards the building with alarming speed. The other Decepticons saw him racing towards them and leaped out of the way in a panicked frenzy. Just as he reached the doorway Onslaught transformed, driving his fist into the metal. The speed granted by his alternate mode allowed the Decepticon to successfully demolish the door, sending it flying into the building with a crash.
Starscream picked himself up off the ground, dusting the rust flecks from his body. "Are you trying to kill us?!" He screamed at Onslaught who simply looked back at him blankly.
"I thought you wanted me to knock?" He mocked, causing Starscream to grumble to himself along with his brethren before they all followed Onslaught inside.
The room was massive, faded imagery and furniture lined the curved walls as a testament to its thousands of years in disuse. "We could've just flown in." Thundercracker remarked, pointing to the shattered glass dome ceiling.
"But where's the fun in that?" Onslaught replied. The others could swear he was smiling behind that faceplate of his.
The four of them stopped on the cusp of a large crater, no doubt leading down to the once secure lower levels of the institute. "Follow Me." He ordered the Seekers before leaping into the hundred foot drop and landing with a loud thud. The others transformed and flew after him.
After being joined with the trio, Onslaught activated the headlights on his chassis and finally found what he was looking for. Sprawled out further down the darkened corridor was another Combaticon. Onslaught quickly raced to the unconscious bot's side, checking him over for any signs of severe damage. The Decepticon was of similar size and build to Thundercracker and Skywarp. He had a pair of wings jutting out from his back and rocket thrusters on his shoulders and calves. Like Onslaught, his mouth was also covered by a protective faceplate.
"Blast Off." Onslaught muttered with a trace of happiness in his voice. Wasting no time, he retrieved the syringe that Shockwave had given him from his storage unit. The small instrument glowed the faint blue of energon which was emptied as Onslaught drove the needle into his compatriot's chest. The body shuddered, the presence of a fresh energon source bringing his systems out of hibernation. Purple eyes shone in the dark as the Combaticon awoke with a roar.
Starscream tutted. "Are they all going to wake-up like that?"
Onslaught rested a hand on his comrade's shoulder, causing him to look up at his leader. "O-Onslaught? Where are we? How did we get here?" He looked at the three Seekers and became even more confused. "Is that-"
"Yes Blast Off, I'll explain once we get out of here." Onslaught assured him. "Can you transform?"
"Yeah. I think so." Onslaught helped him to his feet. "Its good to be back, with you at least." He looked suspiciously at the trio beyond him.
Onslaught smiled behind his faceplate. "I'm glad to have some like-minded company."
Author's Notes: The Decepticons are beginning to rebuild! I wasn't originally going to have a rivalry between the combiner teams but then thought that it could serve for some interesting tension later on. Everyone's fear of Blitzwing will also be covered later in the story. Until next time! ;)