Disclaimer: I'm jumpin' for joy here. My original review count of 37 for a single story has been surpassed. I must say that I'm very please with how this story has been received. Thank you so much, but we're still not finished yet. Here's the next chapter, and I don't own the rights to Transformers.

And prepare for a surprising twist!

Chapter: XXV

Traveling across the cosmos in a ruggedly built makeshift vessel made of spare parts made Perceptor nervous. Maybe just a little more than Blur. More than once, a seemingly unimportant piece of the Junkion cruiser came loose only for one of the Junkions to reattach it. Or maybe said piece was vita to the operation of the cruiser. In any case, watching the Junkions work their surgical magic impressed Perceptor.

"I'm surprised this ship hasn't fallen apart yet."

"Me too," Outback said. "These Junkions though, they got a knack for surgery."

"I-don't-like-this-I-don't-like-this. We're-flying-into-the-eye-of-the-storm-in-a-messed-up-ship-made-of-scrap-metal. It's-like-I've-been-saying-all-along; we're-all-gonna-die," Blur chattered. Then he saw that his Autobot comrades, including Ultra Magnus and Elita One, were growing very annoyed with his complaining. "I-know-I-know; shut-up-Blur!"

"Is he always like this?" Elita whispered to Ultra Magnus.

Magnus simply said, "Yeah."

Over on board the Quintesson cruiser, it was somewhat more silent. Hotrod and Kup were at the helm piloting the ship while Arcee and Springer were monitoring the video screen. The only ones not doing much were Daniel and Breakaway. Daniel, for his part, simply stood by and watched Arcee and Springer work. Breakaway didn't have much to do or knew how he could be of any use to anyone until they got to Cybertron. He did notice that someone was missing from the crew and turned around. He could see, concealed in the shadows, Tempest huddled up and apparently deep in thought. Breakaway approached her until he stood above her, and then he sat down next to her.

"You okay?" he asked.

Tempest glanced at Breakaway. "You took a chance vouching for me. I've seen the way your friends look at me; they don't trust me. Especially Arcee."

"It takes a while for Acree to warm up others. Just ask Hotrod." Breakaway laughed.

"I heard that!" Hotrod called out from the helm.

"So did I!" Arcee added.

Tempest shook her head and sighed. "I can't say I blame them. I mean, I'm still wearing the Decepticon symbol."

"If we survive this, I'm sure we can get you rebranded." Breakaway with a smile.

Tempest smiled back. "I'd like that."

At the helm, the Autobots all exchanged glances and even chuckled. "Ah, young love." Kup muttered. Then he noticed something on the radar. "I'm picking up a pair of blips here, a few kilometers out and closing."

"Let me get it on screen." Springer said.

The view screen switched to an image of two large but significantly different vessels. One appeared to be a giant gray rocket being propelled on massive boosters, while the other appeared to be a white Earth-based Space Shuttle with a blue module underneath. The Autobots on both cruisers all collectively smiled when they realized that both vessels bore the Autobot insignia. The rocket they all easily recognized as Omega Supreme, but the Space Shuttle was another story.

"How did a Space Shuttle get this deep into space?" Daniel asked.

"That's no Shuttle, Dan-O," Hotrod said and hit a switch. "Skyfire, this is Hotrod. Is that you?"

"It's me alright, Hotrod. New and improved thanks to Wheeljack, Grapple and Hoist."

On the Junkion cruiser, Ultra Magnus called. "Skyfire, this is Ultra Magnus. Good to see you airborne again. What are doing all the way out here?"

"We received a warning from Shockwave, believe it or not. Something about a giant monster planet. We're headed for Cybertron right now, but we figured you could use a hand."

"Destination: Cybertron. Primary objective: eliminate Unicron." Omega Supreme said.

"This is Wheeljack on board Omega Supreme along with Hound, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe and Tracks. We're all with you, and Skyfire is transporting the Protectobots and the Aerialbots."

"We're gonna need all the help we can get." Ultra Magnus said.

"One thing; the name Skyfire really doesn't apply to me anymore. So from this point on, you can refer to me as Sky Lynx."

"Whatever you want, Skyfi- Sky Lynx," Hotrod said. "Now, let's go. We've got a planet to save."

Galvatron jetted long and far from Cybertron on his approached to Unicron. The Matrix rested in the cockpit of his space craft mode as he flew closer to the Chaos Bringer's hull. Once he was near enough, Galvatron assumed proto form, the Matrix flung from his cockpit into his hand. He gazed at the jewel inside the gold casing, unimpressed or perhaps more uncaring. Many of his troops grew to believe Galvatron was edging that much closer to madness to challenge Unicron. Ambition often bred boldness, but also recklessness. Galvatron didn't care. He was sick of serving Unicron and now was the time for change. There would be only one conqueror of the universe. Galvatron would be that conqueror. He gazed up at the hull of the monster planet as far as the optic could see. He had a clear view of the giant pincers and the maw. A smile of malice crept onto Galvatron's face as he hoisted the Matrix high.

"I know you can hear me, Unicron. And I know you can see this," Galvatron shouted and held the Matrix above his head. "The Matrix of Leadership; I now hold in my grasp the very thing that you most fear," Galvatron paused to let that sink in. "You must've though me a complete and utter fool when you sent your drifter puppet Sideways to watch me. But I am no fool. Now, as hold the Matrix, I too hold your fate in my hand. From this point on, you will do my bidding, or taste my wrath," Galvatron waited for a response but got nothing from Unicron. "Answer me, Unicron."

Still there was nothing, and Galvatron was about ready to snap. But then came a tremor that grew steadily more violent. Galvatron looked around but saw nothing that was the cause of the tremor. Then the realization sunk in; it was Unicron. Before Galvatron could process it, the portion of the hull on which he stood lifted up at an angle. Galvatron was sent into a tumble before narrowly catching an iron protrusion and pulling himself into solid ground. He then beheld the most awe inspiring and terrifying sight imaginable; Unicron was transforming right before his optics. The spherical hull shifted away from view and two impossibly huge arms emerged. Then two gargantuan legs formed and the ring the once surrounded the hull became like giant wings. Galvatron couldn't quite tell but he was almost certain that he standing atop the chest of Unicron. He felt the entire structure shifting into an upright position. Galvatron looked over the side of the ledge he was standing and could see straight down the torso. Then he saw Cybertron up ahead. Galvatron turned back around then and there, just in time to see the horned head and face of Unicron. Two gigantic green optics appeared on which Galvatron could see his reflection, and then a monstrous mouth opened followed but made no sound. Then Unicron glared down directly at Galvatron, his face alone billions of time larger that the tiny Decepticon leader. For the first time, Unicron spoke to Galvatron, face to face.

"You underestimate me, Galvatron. For a time, I've consider sparing you wretched little planet Cybertron, even knowing that it once was Primus himself. My old foe, reduced to a barren wasteland," Unicron then began to move slowly toward Cybertron, extending his massive hands. "Now, you shall witness its dismemberment."

"No!" Galvatron shouted, to no heed at all from Unicron.

In his lab on Kaon, Shockwave and every Decepticon present, including Cyclonus and Scourge, could the giant form of Unicron closing. "Unicron has betrayed us." Cyclonus said.

"Oh really, you think?" Blitzwing snapped

Shockwave slammed his fist onto a switch on the console. "All Decepticons, this is Shockwave; we are under attack. Combiner teams and available Seekers, scramble, scramble, scramble."

"How're we gonna fight that thing?" Barricade shouted from the Nemesis.

"Just do it, Barricade." Shockwave shouted back.

The first came from Unicron, as he drove his single giant hand directly into the surface of Cybertron. Skyscrapers left behind from the Great War were reduced to splinters in nanoseconds, along with any Cybertronians who were unfortunate in the way. In the chaos, the Nemesis warship was airborne, flanked by a squadron of Seekers and Sweeps. The attack came fast and furious as countless Seekers and Sweeps took countless shots at Unicron. Dirge, Thrust, Blitzwing, Cyclonus and Scourge were among the flyers as they jetted in every direction. Several other Seekers, many still having retained the Cybertronian alt forms, joined in the battle for Cybertron. Among them the Nemesis, piloted by Soundwave and Barricade, closed and fired every available turret and missile at Unicron, while the Combiner teams, jumped into the fray. They quickly combined; the Constructicons into Devastator, the Stunticons into Menasor and the Combaticons into Bruticus. The gestalts assaulted Unicron's lower torso with blaster shots and heavy handed blows. Seekers and Sweeps performed hit and run tactics and the Nemesis unleashed an onslaught of missile fire. All of this hardly slowed Unicron, who easily swatted the Nemesis out of the sky. The ship, heavily damage already and in flames, plummeted back to the planet's surface. Soundwave and Barricade barely managed to escape in time. Numerous Seekers attempted to attack Unicron's face, only to be latterly swallowed by him. Dirge and Thrust and a pair of Sweeps were among the victims and Cyclonus, Scourge and Blitzwing pulled out to regroup. The Gestalts were fairing little better. From his lab, Shockwave was watching the battle when he noticed that Slipstream had not joined in the fight.

"Why are you still here, Slipstream," he asked. "Get in the fight." Shockwave turned back to watching the battle and suddenly jolted violently in the back. He went down to the floor with a gaping hole where he was shot. He looked up, his vision becoming like static but could see Slipstream standing over him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Shockwave."

Shockwave recognized that the voice. "Starscream! How? You're offline."

"I'm not," Slipstream, or rather Starscream aimed the Null ray and fired, blowing Shockwave's head off. "But you are."

Just then, Barricade arrived back from the battle and saw Shockwave dead and Slipstream standing over him. "What happened to Shockwave?"

Slipstream didn't answer and nimbly leapt atop the port frame. With a final turn, she said to Barricade, "Farewell, Barricade." She then transformed and jetted away.

Like Shockwave, Barricade knew the voice. "Starscream?"

Barricade wouldn't have the chance to contemplate what he'd just witnessed. He could see the giant hand of Unicron barring down on the tower. Seconds later, the tower, along with Barricade, was crushed. Unicron began to ascend atop the planet Cybertron even as Seekers and Sweeps jetted around him. Even though he could easily swat them out of the sky, for Unicron was strong, the Decepticons were many. Galvatron watched as his minions were still clearly fairing poorly against Unicron, and he saw one only alternative; attack. Galvatron assumed cannon mode and fired at Unicron, striking his jaw. It got the titan's attention and Galvatron assumed space craft form. Unicron made a grab for the tiny craft and missed. Galvatron continued to fire at Unicron in a relentless volley as Unicron tried to crush him between his palms. Again, Galvatron avoided, return his original position and again assume cannon mode. This time, Unicron went to grab Galvatron between his fingers as Galvatron assumed proto form. Unicron caught him and hoisted him up to his optics.

"You cannot hope to defeat me, Galvatron," Unicron said to the tiny Decepticon. "Cybertron will be destroyed, and you along with it."

Galvatron tried and failed to pry himself loose of Unicron's grip. "Never," As Galvatron argued, Slipstream arrived, assumed proto form and hovered in front of Unicron and Galvatron. "Slipstream, help me."

But Slipstream simply crossed her arms and, in raspy tone said, "I didn't hear a please, Galvatron."

Galvatron narrowed his optics when he heard the raspy voice. "Starscream! That's impossible."

"Oh, I beg to differ, Galvatron," Starscream said with twisted glee. "Did you honestly think I didn't have a contingency plan in place? You see, Slipstream was created with a program that would allow me to take control of her in the event of my untimely demise. I must say that it worked out well."

"And you've been hiding within Slipstream all this time?" Galvatron concluded.

"Got it in one," Starscream confirmed with added glee. "I took control of my creation the moment you crushed my head, and there I hid, waiting for my chance at revenge. My only complaint is that I didn't anticipate your little rebirth by Unicron," Starscream uncrossed his, Slipstream's arm and aimed the Null Ray at Galvatron. "Doesn't matter now; with you finally out of my way, I can take my place as the rightful leader of the Decepticons and ruler of Cybertron."

Galvatron could feel Unicron hoisting him higher and saw the titan open his mouth. "For all you genius, Starscream, you're still an idiot. There won't be a Cybertron left to rule."

"Oh well. I can always rebuild Cybertron, in my image," Starscream ranted. "Too bad you be around to see it. Enjoy your time in oblivion, Galvatron."

Just as Unicron let him go, Galvatron lunged and Starscream by his foot. "If I go down, I'm taking you with me."

Galvatron then dropped into Unicron's mouth, taking Starscream down with him. They disappeared into the darkness. Unicron would've been quite satisfied had more Seekers and Sweeps, with Cyclonus and Scourge leading the charge, not interrupted. Devastator, Bruticus and Menasor joined the fight and continued to combat the Chaos Bringer, who was now standing a pot Cybertron itself. Unicron used a combined attack optics bolts, acid breathe and his bare hands to ward off the assault from nearly every Decepticon that still functions. As this went on, a group of vessels approached from the distance; The Autobots. The Quintesson cruiser was at the head of the pack, flanked by Omega Supreme on the left and the newly rechristened Sky Lynx at the right and the Junkion cruiser bringing up the rear. Inside the Quintesson cruiser, the Autobots were in awe.

"Whoa. Is anyone else seeing this?" Sideswipe asked for inside Omega Supreme.

"I'm seeing it, Sideswipe," Springer said from the Quintesson cruiser. "But I don't believe it."

"I think we're gonna need bigger guns." said Sunstreaker.

"Tempest, did you know this was gonna happen?" Breakaway asked the femme 'con.

"I'll admit, I expected something," Tempest solemnly said. "But I didn't expect this."

"Kup, does this remind you of anything?" Hotrod asked.

Kup was silent, awestruck even and finally said, "Nope. I've never seen anything like this before."

As the Autobots watched Unicron's assault on their home planet, Daniel suddenly became distressed. "Where're the Moon Bases? Where're my parents?"

Hotrod looked at Daniel and with a newfound resolve, he said, "That's what we're gonna find out."

"For Cybertron. Let the battle be joined." said Omega Supreme.

With that, the Autobots pushed forward into the battle for their home. From inside his blue transport module, Sky Lynx released the Aerialbots and Protectobots. After this, Sky Lynx assumed his new proto form; an enormous prehistoric bird. The front portion separated from the body, revealing an elongated crimson neck and the shuttle nose became like a dragon head. The tail end also separated to become like an actually tail. The gold wheels of the transport module became clawed limbs and the proto form released a deafening shriek.

"Alright Unicron, behold the glory that is Sky Lynx."

With that, Sky Lynx went directly on the attack, catching Unicron off guard. The Protectobots merged into Defensor and the Aerialbots became Superion, joining their Decepticon counterparts in the battle. Omega Supreme released the Autobots from within his structure before assuming proto form. He quickly took up the lead among the other gestalt. There was a brief glance between Omega and Devastator, their trouble history still fresh in their minds. Then they went to war against Unicron. These reinforcements provided Unicron with a bigger fight than he expected, yet he continued to fight them off with optics bursts and heavy swat. As all of this took place, the Junkion and Quintesson cruisers were closing in, releasing the six Dinobots along the way. Unicron continued to swat at the multiple target when he saw the cruisers coming. He unleashed a sickening stream of acid breath that struck the Junkion cruiser head on. The cruiser was rocked and pounded, portions of the hull melted away; and it still kept coming. Inside, the Junkions were already making rapid repairs.

"Advanced die cast construction. Resists fire, rain and acidic corrosion for up to 5 to 10 years," Wreck-Gar, himself busy with repair as Perceptor and Ultra Magnus watched, chattered on. "Satisfaction guaranteed."

In union, the other Junkions declared, "Or you money back!"

Perceptor looked at Magnus and said, "Alright. I'm actually impressed."

The Quintesson cruiser fired at Unicron, who fired back with an optic burst. The first volley missed, but the second struck the port side. Another burst came, this time severing the stern section. The impact through the crew to the floor. Hotrod tried to right the cruiser, even as he was starting to lose attitude control. Arcee and Springer tried to help him but they fair little better. Breakaway checked the readout, which confirmed the loss of the cruiser's stern.

"We lost something."

Hotrod checked the readout himself and declared, "At least we're still flying half a ship."

"Now what?" Arcee asked.

Hotrod looked out the view port at Unicron, who was still busy with the random targets. The ship went into uncontrollable spin; directly toward Unicron. Then an idea cropped into Hotrod's head and even he didn't like it. He didn't even know if it would work, but he was going to try it. He plotted a collision course straight at Unicron as the ship continued to spiral out of control. On the Junkion cruiser, Ultra Magnus and Elita One noticed the Quintesson cruiser's course.

"Hotrod, what're you doing?"

"Our friends are inside that monster," Hotrod responded from the cripple vessel. "Time to get them back."

"That's suicide! Don't…" Ultra Magnus was suddenly cut off by Elita One.

"I think Hotrod knows what he's doing, Magnus." she said.

"How? What makes you so sure?"

Elita gazed at the screen. "Because Optimus would do the same thing. Let's just give him some cover."

The Junkion cruiser fired on Unicron with it hull mounted turrets, quickly gaining the titans attention. Sky Lynx and Omega Supreme joined in the rapid fire assault. This was to be the distraction Hotrod was hoping for as he pilot the ship towards Unicron. Unicron swatted at the distractions and turned right in time to see the Quintesson cruiser coming straight his face. But he was already too late to prevent what happened next.

Author's note: This is where I stop for now. I will pick up the final battle in the next chapter.

Surprise, surprise; Starscream is back in a big twist, as he is now within the body of Slipstream. Plus, Skyfire has been reborn as Sky Lynx.

Shockwave's death was not clearly depicted in the movie, but according to early scripts, his lab was crushed by Unicron in the initial attack. The scene here has been modified to depict Slipstream (Starscream) killing Shockwave before Unicron smashes the lab, along with Barricade. Wrong place, wrong time. Barricade.

If you like those little twists, you'll love what happens in the next chapter. See ya, bye.