Chapter 6: The Tides Turned

Unknown to Moonstriker and Predaking, Bulkhead, Optimus and Arcee were invading the Nemesis. A bunch of vehicons attacked them but each one was defeated. The alarms blared and Megatron commanded all his troops, Starscream and Predaking to attack the Autobots while Shockwave guided Moonstriker away.

"DIE AUTOBOTS!" Predaking ran at Optimus.

While the Autobots tried to fight off Predaking and Starscream. Moonstriker and Shockwave eventually passed by, the Autobots caught a glimpse of Moonstriker as they headed towards the main control room.

"Moonstriker?" Arcee said before getting knocked into a wall.

"Bumblebee, go after Moonstriker!" Optimus ordered.

Bumbebee transformed and raced down the hallway. Shockwave noticed Bumblebee chasing them and fired at him. Bumblebee dodged each blast and was catching up fast.

"BUMBLEBEE GO AWAY!" Moonstriker snarled.

But as they reached the main control room, Soundwave activated the groundbridge for Shockwave's lab on Cybertron. Bumblebee grabbed Moonstriker's arm while Shockwave tugged on the other. Megatron didn't have time for games and he blasted at Bumblebee who was knocked back giving Shockwave time to shove Moonstriker through the groundbridge. Bumblebee gasped realizing he was alone with Megatron and Soundwave and raced away. Moonstriker and Shockwave arrived on their home planet right in front of Shockwave's lab. Moonstriker was horrified at what had become of his home. It was in complete ruins.

"Shockwave...our home...it's...it's destroyed." Moonstriker began to tear up.

"Blame the Autobots, but while we are trying to revive Cybertron. We first must get completely rid of Project Predacon."

"Why?"

"It's possible these beasts could turn on us. And we cannot let that happen. Predaking may have to be destroyed as well."

"But...we just became friends!"

"Decepticons don't have time for friends!"

"Not even family?"

Shockwave paused at this. He was Moonstriker's adopted father.

"Not many families." Shockwave sighed.

As they walked in, Moonstriker began to remember everything. He saw his old room, the lab tables and other machinery. Shockwave had fully rebuilt the lab.

"Man, it feels great to be back here. I'm guessing you got more stuff to work on?"

"Well, some...but then...you have to stay here until it's safe!"

Moonstriker's smile flashed into a frown and his wings drooped. He let out a little whine as his optics grew.

"You're leaving me again...like before...?" Moonstriker said.

"It's Megatron's orders. You need to be safe. Lord Megatron needs you alive in order to become an advantage in this war." Shockwave tried to explain.

"IS THAT ALL I AM TO YOU ALL? SOME ADVANTAGE FOR THIS FRAGGING WAR? I HAVE A SPARK SHOCKWAVE! I'M NOT A WEAPON TO BE USED AS A FINAL RESORT. I HAVE FEELINGS, SOMETHING YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANYMORE!"

"I DIDN'T WANT TO FOLLOW THE ORDER BUT I SERVE LORD MEGATRON!"

"MEGATRON CAN LIVE IN THE DEPTHS OF THE PIT FOR ALL I CARE! I WILL NOT BE USED FOR HIS PERSONAL GAIN!"

"MOONSTRIKER!"

Before Shockwave could finish protesting, Moonstriker punches Shockwave into a wall making his indent on it. Moonstriker stormed over and grabbed Shockwave's neck. Shockwave held onto Moonstriker's arm.

"MOONSTRIKER PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS! I'M SORRY!" Shockwave yelled as best as he could.

Shockwave had never been on the recieving end of Moonstriker's wrath. The Monster Mech stared daggers into the scientist's optic. His fangs and claws extended, his optics glowing a very dark red, his growl like a Predacon. Shockwave braced for impact when Moonstriker brought up his other clawed servo and balled it into a fist.

"MOONSTRIKER NO! I'M SORRY! I REALLY AM!" Shockwave yelled starting to sound like Starscream. "You wouldn't kill your dad would you?"

Moonstriker just stared at Shockwave as many tense seconds went by. Shockwave thought he should keep trying.

"I never wanted to abandon you. You were the last of your species and I wanted to make sure that you were not harmed during the war. You were all I really had at the time. Anything as close as a dear friend...I love you and I always will. Even if you do decide to offline me right now." Shockwave explained.

Moonstriker's optics brightened and he whined again. He carefully released his grip on Shockwave and backed off.

"I'm sorry Shockwave."

"No, I'm the only that needs to be sorry. I promise you, this I swear on the spark of Primus, I will come back for you...once Project Predacon is erased and the Autobots are no more." Shockwave said.

"You better!" Moonstriker warned before going to his old room.

And so, Moonstriker decided to stay on Cybertron until everything was over. The Autobots eventually escaped the warship but they were upset over losing Moonstriker completely. But they never saw him again until after the very end where Predaking was blased off the Nemesis by Megatron but he clung to the sides. Soon, it came to final battle in space. Jack and Miko, in apex armor, had already sent Soundwave to the Shadowzone and had taken control of the ship. The Autobots and Decepticons were fighting at the Omega Lock's energy field. Just like he promised, Shockwave went back for Moonstriker so he could witness the destruction of the Autobots. But just as they get there, Bumblebee is already falling lifelessly into the energy field. Horror strikes Moonstriker like getting hit by a train.

"No!" Moonstriker cried as Bumblebee's body disappeared in the pool.

Moonstriker began to feel rage, his optics searched for who made the killing blows. His optics locked onto to Megatron who was beside Optimus grinning at his kill. Heat and fire built up all around Moonstriker and he let out a primal growl. Shockwave backed away as Moonstriker's wings rose and his fangs and claws extended. Everyone's attention was focused on Moonstriker except Megatron who was laughing. Moonstriker may have been angry many times in the past...but this time...he was feeling nothing but blind rage and hatred.

"MEGATRON!" Moonstriker roared before charging the tyrant.

Megatron is taken by surprise as Moonstriker viciously attacks him. Megatron is punched, kicked, bitten and clawed all over his body before Moonstriker grabbed his neck. During the attack, Optimus is knocked away and clings to the edge of the energy field.

"Moonstriker! You're a Decepticon! HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME!" Megatron snarled trying to break lose from the Monster Mech's grip and he drops the dark Star Saber in the process.

"I AM NOT A DECEPTICON! I NEVER WANTED TO BE! AND YOU WILL NEVER TELL ME WHAT TO DO AGAIN!" Moonstriker snarled ready to kill Megatron.

"MOONSTRIKER GET BACK!" Came a voice.

Moonstriker turned and jumped out of the way when the Star Saber is suddenly plunged into Megatron's chest and he slowly dies. Moonstriker and everyone else is surprised to see Bumblebee alive and well.

"You took my voice, you will never rob anyone of anything, ever again!" Bumblebee snarled to Megatron.

"LORD MEGATRON! NO!" Starscream yelled.

With that, Megatron slid off the end of the Star Saber and fell down to Earth catching on fire.

"I WILL AVENGE YOU MASTER!" Starscream yelled but was pulled back by Shockwave.

"STARSCREAM DO NOT BE A FOOL!"

"CURSE YOU AND YOUR LOGIC!"

Shockwave ordered the drones to take Starscream away. Bumblebee and the other Autobots looked at Moonstriker who was picking Optimus back up. It was over...the war was over...he saw the beginning...and he saw the end. He smiled as Bumblebee walked over to him.

"Moonstriker? You okay?" Bumblebee asked.

Moonstriker stirred from his thought and remembered Bee had his voice back.

"Bumblebee your voice!"

"My voice what are yo-MY VOICE!" Bee gasped.

As the Autobots came over, Bee hugged Ratchet.

"Ratchet, I have my pipes back!"

"Yes, yes we noticed!" Ratchet chuckled.

Optimus smiled at Moonstriker.

"Moonstriker, you did well. I understand if this was hard for you to deal with." Optimus said.

"No, I'm okay. In fact, I feel better. With Megatron gone, I feel like I can finally have peace. Please Optimus, I wasn't trying to deceive the Autobots. I just wanted to spend some time with Shockwave...where is he?"

"I'm right here!" Shockwave came up.

"Shockwave don't be mad."

"I'm not mad...you did what you felt was right...and your feelings...are logical!" Shockwave nodded. "Megatron probably would've caused separated us at some point anyway."

Upon realizing he was still surrounded by Autobots...he backed away.

"Come son, let us head back to Cybertron!" Shockwave said.

"Okay...dad." Moonstriker smiled. "Race ya!"

"Oh you're on!"

Shockwave and Moonstriker raced down the hallways leaving the Autobots surprised.

"Is it me or did Moonstriker want to escape us so quickly?" Smokescreen said.

To be continued...