Note: Takes place during "Revenge of Bruticus." Nearly all dialogue is taken from the original shooting script for the episode (see my profile for a link) . Scene settings may be somewhat off since I wrote this at work and wasn't able to double check.

Naive Combaticons:

"I am pleased to report that our mission of revenge is proceeding splendidly," Onslaught said as he paced back and forth in front of his Combaticons. For once, they were standing to attention before him rather than slouching like a bunch of half-fueled Empties. Optics glowing with pride in his troops and himself, he continued.

"Using existing space bridge technology, we shall drive the Earth -- with Megatron on it -- into the sun where he will…."

The sound of an explosion in the distance cut off Onslaught's explanation. "Brawl!" he shouted. "What is it?"

"We're under attack!" Brawl yelled, somehow managing to mix sarcasm with anger and surprise.

Onslaught turned to face their attackers: strange alien craft like something out of a holoserial, all tentacles, cubic wings and lashing scythes.

"It's a sneak attack!" Vortex yelled, leaping into the air as he transformed. "I love sneak attacks!"

"Get 'em Vortex!" Swindle transformed as well, driving in circles to avoid being shot by their attackers. "Blast 'em to shreds and I'll pick up the pieces!"

Onslaught didn't bother to transform. Instead, he turned and simply fired upon the enemy. "Wish I had my photon missiles," he said to Blast Off who stood beside him. "But, I needed them for Megatron! This stun gun doesn't even seem to slow them up!"

Blast Off grunted. "I heartily concur," he said, sounding more offended than angry as he prepared to transform. "My ionic blaster should be disrupting their electrical flow but, nothing!"

"Where'd you go?" Brawl roared at one of the ships. "Come back here! Hey! I blasted you! Fall down!" Brawl paused, engines snarling. "Keep firing!"

So they did. Because when it came right down to it, it felt good to be shooting at someone. Even though their opponents weren't Megatron. Even though they seemed to shrug off anything thrown at them. Even though they inexplicably changed from ships to gargoyles, it simply felt good to have a target for their anger in their collective sights.

At least, it did until their ammo started running low.

"We can't stop them!" Onslaught yelled. "Our weapons have run out of power!" He was about to give the order to fall back to the Space Bridge tower when the gargoyles simply vanished like an Empty's hopes.

Brawl and Vortex transformed back to robot mode, lashing out at the air as if expecting an attack from an invisible opponent.

"I don't understand." Blast Off's voice was a near whisper.

"Maybe this'll clear things up." Onslaught turned to see Swindle standing near a holographic projector. The smaller mech's optics were gleaming angrily.

"Gentlemen," Swindle said in a low, too-friendly tone. "We've been had."