Transformers War for Cybertron: An Old War

by bigvic150

In this prequel to A New Adventure, we explore how Starscream, Silverbolt, and a big majority of the canon Aerialbots and Seekers came to be Autobots along with exploring the story of the War, with lots of additional Autobots and Decepticons, including combiners and briefly Mercenaries before their final fate. That's all I have to say. (ON TEMPORARY HIATUS)

1. Declaration Of War

Transformers War for Cybertron: An Old War.

Chapter 1: Declaration Of War.

(Author's notes: Ladies and gentlemen, this is quite literally a prequel of my current Transformers Prime story, A New Adventure. This iteration of the Transformers: War for Cybertron video game explores how Optimus Prime managed to recruit Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, the Aerialbots, and the rest of the Energon Seekers that would become Decepticon Seekers and Autobot Aerialbots respectively, in addition to Autobot and Decepticon Pretenders, Predators, Multi-Changers, etc. as long as they have the ability to fly in vehicle mode. But of course, the ones that have flying animal modes will have those flying animal modes replaced with Cybertronian jet modes and Cybertronian helicopter modes, in addition to having their weapon, ground animal and ground vehicle modes removed for now since they haven't become Multi-Changers and/or Pretenders just yet. At the same time, this story explores how Megatron was able to recruit his own army of Energon Seekers if Starscream and his comrades were already convinced to join the Autobots. And I know most of you hate spoilers, but I'm gonna let all of you in on a little secret: in the Fortressimus Prime saga's prologue taking place in the Cybertron video games, there was a LOT more Fliers, Seekers, and pretty much every other form of generic soldier than initially due to Primus' planet mode of Cybertron being at least three hundred feet taller than initially in this story's timeline, in addition to the planet Cybertron's cities being bigger in terms of more buildings and so forth. And because of this, as a result of more and more of Primus' weapons being converted into even more of Cybertron's cities in this story's timeline, there is also a lot more Transformers to join the Autobot and Decepticon armies than other versions of the original timeline. SO therefore, there'll be a lot more OCs to accompany the main cast eventually.

Also, just so you know, just because there's similarities between this story and a few others doesn't mean I'm trying to copy or plagiarize anyone else's takes on alternate universe-style fanfictions of the Transformers War for Cybertron video game and/or the Transformers Exodus and Exiles novels. This prequel to my currently in progress Transformers Prime story is an original made by me.

For now, please enjoy chapter 1: Declaration of War.)

(Cybertron, High Council Chambers, the day Megatron declares war on Optimus Prime, third person POV...)

The High Council consisting of Magnetburst, the leader of the Autobot High Council, Contrail, Vaportrail, Drivetrain, Jumptrain, Halogen, Bromine, Ratbat, Catbat, Sigil, Sealstamp, Watchbot Theta Prime, Ariel, Arielle, Soundwave, Radiowave, Insighter, Wrestle, Upheave, Glow Signal, Sheers, Masterstroke, Alpha Trion, Levitacus, Avalon, Traachon, Xaaron, and Tomaandi, met in their chamber in the shape of a glamorized spark, with excited arms running in three directions away from a center area where the Council stood atop a rather curved assortment of podiums. Each member of the High Council was carrying a gavel hammer, and each of them could explain to the chairman that they would like to speak up.

The High Council Chambers were in several mezzanines rising vertically away from a watching area on the ground floor. But there wasn't any blank areas to be seen as bots from all around Iacon and a lot from beyond the city had arrived to witness the outcome of this meeting in the chambers.

As far as Dark Rook, one of the advisors to the Council can see, among the people in the crowds are his friends and relatives, Chromia, Mayella, Chronofall, Jazz, Ariel, Arcee, Groundbreak, Seagear, Worldflyer, Brown Caracara, Flarestreak, Orange Peregrine, Red Magpie, Bright Harrier, Jet Corbeau, Screech Harrier, Carrion Jackdaw, Rail Harrier, Flint Cloud, Dragcap, Skybust, Galaxyflash, Duskclaw, Stellarflyer, Surevoid, Nightdive, Hangbite, Swiftside, Dirtlift, Haillift, Speedshift, Hydrauspot, Skypunch, Bulkguard, and all of the septillions of Orion Pax's supporters and Dark Rook's supporters.

And along with them were Barricade and a few of Megatron's followers. And there was two different types of Megatron's followers: willing followers who joined him by choice, and those who were persuaded by force and threats.

And in particular, because Shockwave had not yet bombed Vos and because Dark Rook secretly warned Starscream, one of the Decepticon-leaning Neutrals, about Megatron's plans to coerce Starscream and his followers to join the Decepticons, the Sky Commander was making sure to have Trypticon Orbital Station tightly secured against any hostile takeover attempts by Megatron.

Somewhere in the audience was also 120 Autobots clones of the originals, sixty of them being Seekers and the other sixty being Triple Changers, each of the Triple Changers able to transform into cars, trucks, tanks, motorcycles, buses, other kinds of ground vehicles operated by engines, and various kinds of flying vehicles operated by rockets and jet propulsions, or even rotors and afterburners, even both for gyrodynes.

These Autobot clones were known to each other as the clones of Shadesmasher, Darksnapper, Gloombreaker, Duskcracker, Umbrafragmenter, Dimsplitter, Grayrender, Hazesplinter, Screenbuster, Veilshiver, Nightgrazer, Twilightpiercer, Blackcutter, Brownshatter, Cloudsmasher, Lightcracker, Brightsnapper, Glowfragmenter, Glarefracturer, Flamesplinter, Shimmersplitter, Flashtearer, Shinebuster, Firedivider, Sparklerupturer, Blazerender, Gleammender, Whitepiercer, Silvercutter, Moongrazer, Sunspacer, Starhole, Blizzardshatter, Cyclonesmasher, Downpourbreaker, Galecracker, Gustsnapper, Hurricanefracturer, Squallfragmenter, Tempesttearer, Tornadoburst, Twistersplitter, Blastsplinter, Blowrender, Precipsever, Barragerupture, Bombdivider, Burstbuster, Hailshiver, Blitzmender, Blusterpiecer, Bustlecutter, Clamorgrazer, Ripcrasher, Roardasher, Stalkbeater, Tearpounder, Assaillasher, Besetbatter, Chargeslitter, Droprifter, Howlchink, Calmhole, Lidspacer, Firmamentgap, Welkinsplitter, Empyreancrusher, Azuresmasher, Vaultsever, Earthsnapper, Airshatter, Atmospheredamager, Breathbuster, Breezetrasher, Draftparter, Heavenfixer, Ozoneconnecter, Puffmender, Waftfastener, Whiffbolter, Zephyrbreaker, Landfade, Dryjumper, Floorrunner, Soilskipper, Loamslip, Clayjammer, Siltbasher, Sodbeater, Clodbreaker, Turfclobber, Terraincrippler, Dirtlasher, Gravelshatter, Mudsmasher, Dustthrasher, Sandwrecker, Mirebanger, Muckbat, Dreckclub, Beachhammer, Creamhitter, Tanknocker, Rivermasher, Seapounder, Waterpuncher, Lakerammer, Brimslapper, Necrobust, Heatdreamer, Swiftwheels, Soundrider, Roadwire, Motorcoder, Cometeater, Tidesmasher, Starride, Deathgaze, Thundervoice, and Cometwing, brought to existence by a cloning experiment in the far future to help the Autobots in the past without the detriment of their shared foreknowledge of the future, especially because forty-five out of sixty of the Seekers and thirty out of the sixty Triple Changers used to be humans from another universe where the Transformers were fictional, just like Dark Rook and his allies.

Shadesmasher took calming ex-vents to calm her techno-nerves, knowing that what was about to happen should and must happen if the future their real counterparts come from is to remain unchanged, based on what they were debriefed about before they wound up in the past thanks to their creators and thanks to Primus and Vector Prime themselves. And Shadesmasher also did everything she could to make sure that when the time is right, she and the rest of her fellow clones would be able to provide the Autobots in the fledgling army additional firepower and air support, albeit without retaining any intel on the future their real counterparts might've possessed, just like how Dark Rook possessed the intel of the future through "unknown means" that were hidden from the rest of Cybertron's populations before he had his memory core of said intel wiped clean/locked away so thoroughly that only he could access those memories, if he was doing it willingly and if he kept a cool helm about it.

The 30 trines stayed close together on one of the lower mezzanines on the rear left of the podiums that Cometwing picked out with an excellent view of everything happening, and this provided all of them the advantages of making sure to hear everything going on, making sure that they can't easily be seen by any of Megatron's companions, and making sure that they can be able to take Megatron and his forces by surprise with a sniper shot no matter what Orion Pax, soon to be renamed Optimus Prime, has to say about the High Council Chambers being sacred grounds with fighting being prohibited.

Shadesmasher kept her wings in place, making sure that nobody senses or even looks at her being nervous. But her surrogate family can't blame her for being nervous; they were about to witness the greatest and most tragic moment in the history of the Aligned Continuity: the start of the Great War between Autobots and Decepticons.

Halogen then taps his gavel on his podium, signaling to everyone that the meeting was in session.

Halogen then says in his signature booming voice that everyone present could hear, "We are gathered here today to take up a question of the greatest repercussion. It is a question that has brought our race from peace to the brink of war in just a few megacycles. The High Council first notes without hesitations that it has no tolerance for the acts of violence that have happened so far. The ones responsible must pay for them and one of our missions today is to decide who is among them that is responsible attending this meeting today and which one of them must answer for them."

Megatron had a discreet smirk on his faceplate at that, while Orion Pax looked disheartened at the mentioning of what is about to go down.

Halogen discreetly took note of their expressions and filed it for later reference to help in his own discernment of who was responsible for these war crimes.

Halogen continues saying, "Furthermore, the question of the lawfulness of the caste system will be addressed. The Council believes that this system was implemented legally and that Sentinel Zeta Prime has looked over it in a thoroughly proficient manner. If he were here, he would be able to speak for himself and answer any questions you may have about how legal his caste system is, and even though Watchbot Theta Prime is here as Sentinel Zeta Prime's representative, this still brings us to a serious realization. There are those among our people who would prefer using deception, intimidation, fear, violence, murder, terror, and other kinds of unlawful actions rather than discussion, consensus, voting, safe, lawful debating, and compromising."

Halogen allows this to settle for a moment before continuing as he says to the holo-imagers recording him, "Sentinel Zeta Prime, the Council believes you to be online and healthy. We call upon your kidnappers to renounce their ways, release you, and present themselves to the law and order of justice. Regardless of the points of this argument, it must not be brought into question in such criminal acts of this type."

Ratbat then says, "Hear, hear!"

Before Halogen could bang his gavel for order, Bromine does it for him and says, "Ratbat, fellow Councilors, please control yourselves; we would be unable to get the audience to control themselves if we cannot control ourselves either."

After a pause of no noise, Halogen continues, "It is stated that the former gladiator now known to be Megatron is the one responsible for the disappearance and potential kidnapping of Sentinel Zeta Prime. This is undoubtedly a most severe accusation which must be brought into question. It is further stated that the Energon Seekers and their commander Starscream have been recruited into Megatron's unsatisfactory operations."

What Halogen and the High Council didn't know was that, in anticipation of Megatron's presence in the High Council Chambers, Starscream and Dark Rook fed them and the populace of Cybertron false information to lead Megatron astray, though Starscream and Dark Rook anticipated that even Shockwave and Soundwave won't be deceived for long.

Halogen gave a pause as he looks over the audience in the chambers before saying, "Introductions are tiring. Let us commence hearing from the citizens. First, the High Council, under the sanction of enclosure and further justice, commands the Cybertronian of Kaon known as Megatron to present himself."

Megatron takes a step forward and says, "I am here."

Halogen and the Council looks over Megatron before the powerful, seemingly wingless Seeker Councilor known as Contrail asks, "Are you the Kaonian industrial worker and so-called gladiatorial champion who assumed the identity of Megatron?"

Megatron replies, "Yes, I am."

Contrail looks skeptical as he inquires, "By which authority do you claim this moniker?"

Megatron answers, "By my own authority and no other."

This caused mutterings of his audacity before Halogen banged his gavel for silence, and the noise decreased.

After an instant of staring annoyedly at the audience, Contrail questions, "Are you not aware of the fact that names for new Cybertronians are presented at the Well of All Sparks and nowhere else?"

Megatron answers, "Yes, I am aware of that tradition. But I do not recognize it as the only possibility."

Catbat taps his gavel in respect for Halogen and says, "I recommend we do not debate over the legitimacy of the naming protocol that dictates how a citizen of Cybertron chooses to name oneself."

Halogen answers with a look of appreciation for protocol being followed, "Indeed, Catbat. We have more pressing questions to ask."

Contrail then says to Megatron, "Your sworn statement before this High Council is commanded to be truthful and complete, with no detail spared."

Megatron replies, "And so it shall be, although I fear that my complete truthfulness that I have to offer may anger those among the Council who do not wish to hear what I have to say."

Everyone looked at each other before looking back at Halogen as he says, "Very well. We will try to control ourselves. You may speak now, Megatron."

Megatron explains, "In the beginning, I had no name to identify myself with. None of us did so in the first place. We communicated to each other, down in the Energon mines and smelters, by electronic signatures. We designated each other by ranking and serial number. We gave each other nicknames that identified us a bit easier, but not that much. I was D-16, named for the sector of the mines where I organized legal demolition projects. And then, eventually, I saw my first match in Kaon's gladiator pits." Megatron gestures to his fellow industrial workers who came to hear and support him as he continues, "And that was where I learned the horrible truth about life as a member of the lower caste. The bots that none of you ever took a nanosecond to consider how they felt with the way they lived and had to fend for themselves to survive. Each Cybertronian in that balcony has seen more Cybertronians go offline than the total number of the rest of you in this chamber! Our lives are worthless!"

Halogen taps his gavel in reflex because of Megatron's tone, and Megatron resets his vocalizer, taking a vent.

Megatron continues, "That was until we decided that we did have worth. We, the members of the lower caste. The bots who died in subsurface mills and factories to build and manufacture all of the things that you up here take for granted. We learned that we were individuals through facing each other in the gladiator pits in Kaon and Slaughter City. And how did we know this?"

After a moment of silence, Megatron answers before saying, "We knew this because we killed our opponents in the ring in cold Energon, we saw the look of realization in their darkening optics that they were also individuals. And we were so as well. In killing, we learned that even we who are considered disposable to the upper castes are individuals. We came to understand life and we came to understand that we had value. Someone in the audience would cheer when one of us, the more experienced champions, killed our opponents while someone else would scream in anger when one of us died. So, if our lives had some forms of worth, even to others considered just as worthless as we were, then by that reckoning, we had the right to bear names. And that is how the series of events started that has led me to be standing before you all today. My dear friend, Orion Pax, I thank you whole-sparkedly for helping our cause reach this platform, and to the High Council, I express my gratitude for your time and attention."

With that ending, Megatron fell silent as he awaited any questions the High Council may have.

But he didn't have to wait long as Contrail inquires, straight to the point, "In which way are you linked to the terrorist bombings of the Six Lasers Over Cybertron and other locations a few cycles ago?"

Megatron answers, "I had nothing to do with those actions. A problem such as this does raise interesting questions behind the terrorists' motives. And it also raises passions. I myself feel passionately about the legitimacy of these terrorists who claim that they're working for me. The main difference between me and those terrorist bombers is that I channel my passions and my compassion in a direction I believe, with logical reasoning, will be better for all Cybertronians. I disavow any actions that do not ultimately bring forth a new and improved era on Cybertron where Cybertronians are free to choose their own sparkmates, their own professions, their own residences, and so forth."

Orion mentally says, "Clever phrasing, Megatron. But because of what Dark Rook warned me about, I don't believe anything you say without taking it with a grain of salt, as the future humans of the future planet Earth would say."

Orion knew that Mayella and Chronofall would say to the High Council, were they given permission to speak up, that Megatron was lying to their faces so he could seize control of the High Council and turn the caste system into a tyrant's order of things with most freedoms given only to his most skilled followers, and while providing evidence of the whole thing, even if Megatron and/or any of his followers would try to stop them.

Orion ex-vented silently, knowing he would have to wait for the right time.

Contrail rebuffs Megatron as he replies, "Obviously, you are exceptional, especially for one of your caste. Are you not responsible if your oratory excites those unfortunates without your iron will, though? Do you not have the same category of responsibility that this High Council and its members and representatives and advisors have, if your leadership position is to be taken seriously?"

Megatron answers, "What you have to really worry about is what happens if my leadership is not taken seriously."

Drivetrain then says, "It would appear that we have seen that just now."

Megatron stood firm as he replies, "I say again, I had nothing to do with those bombings or the attack on Altihex."

Orion found himself not as surprised as he would've liked in some manner; Megatron had the courage and the audacity to stand before the High Council of Cybertron and ignore the truth: even if he hadn't ordered the bombings, which he did, he still had followers to do it for him.

Drivetrain then says, "You would say it again, and I would not believe you again. Would you have me and the rest of us believe that your co-conspirator, a fellow Energon Miner turned clerk at the Iacon Hall of Records, orchestrated an invasion and a kidnapping using a force of military bots who call themselves Decepticons and chose to claim allegiance to you?"

Megatron questions, "Decepticon? An interesting identification."

Jumptrain says, "You would think so. But you did not coin it, did you?"

Megatron rose to his full height, showing himself to come up to Orion Pax's upper chestplate.

Megatron then says in response, "I would say you should imply neither me nor my friend Orion Pax until you have enough evidence. What other bots might have said doesn't mean anything to me. But if the term Decepticon is to be laid at my pedes, then I accept it whole-sparkedly. Sometimes deception is necessary, when those who should listen to the truth will refuse to listen to the truth, and will only comprehend once they have been deceived and been forced to witness their own lies."

Ratbat remarks, "Well done, Drivetrain. You have provoked him."

In no time, a shouting match between Megatron and and the High Council commenced.

Megatron then thunders over Halogen's gavel, "What the High Council has failed at so far is to understand that it is our right!"

Then, a parting shot then exclaims from a male voice, "Each and every Cybertronian has the right to question the Council's decisions and to demand or request changes when those decisions fall short of the Council's mandate!"

Halogen then questions, "What says the guilds?"

Representative Sigil replies, "Representative of the Guilds Sigil speaking."

The rest of the Council says in unison, "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil." "Speak, Sigil."

Sigil says, "The Guilds claim the right that is theirs. For thousands to millions of stellar cycles and more, ever since the disappearance of the Thirteen Primes and the extinction of the Predacons, the Guilds of Cybertron have properly escorted the population in their choices of life and working jobs. Without the Guilds, our civilization wouldn't've developed, and there would've been no Space Bridges. Along with the fact that the Hydrax Plateau spaceports, the Moon Bases, Teletraan 1, and Iacon would not have been invented."

Sigil turns to the rest of the Council and inquires, "Can one criminal, one gladiator champion with the murders of Primus knows how many innocent lives on his hands, can this killer be agonized to undercut what Primus himself declared when he created this planet and seeded all Cybertronians on it?"

Everywhere across Cybertron, bots of all types and categories stopped working to listen to the video on the datanet.

Sealstamp listens as his lookalike Sigil says further, "The Guilds have overwatched the prosperity of all Cybertronians and invented a frame plan within which any Cybertronian can find their place in our society. If every criminal causing trouble is given the opportunity to uproot what we have spent vorns of stellar cycles working to run maintenance on, then I fear for the future of our civilization. I fear for Cybertron itself."

A thunder of approval and disapproval swept through the Council chamber but Halogen bangs his gavel for silence.

He then points his gavel at Orion Pax before asking, "Here is another mech come to testify. What say you, Orion Pax, former Energon miner and current clerk of the Hall of Records?"

Orion answers coolly, "First, I say that Sigil makes no allies among the unhappy Cybertronians for he is as pompous as any spark has been in their durations of being online."

Orion was mad that Sigil had made that declaration and knew what the declaration implied.

Orion moves towards the central area to the standing point before the podiums, taking note of several thousand to several octillion expressions of approval, encouragement, pride, hatred, disgust, anger, and so forth.

Orion explains his case while taking note of the 120 Seekers and Triple Changers – unaware that they had left and behind clones to advance the Autobot war effort before they inevitably die of Energon starvation while their real incarnations in the past wind up transported to their native universal stream – looking at him proudly, eagerly, and encouragement, "You claim that the Guilds possess the power to determine the lives of every Cybertronian that has lived or ever will live, but let me ask, is this what the Thirteen would've wanted for our people? Is it any accidental chance that while the Guilds were rising to power and while the castes were being passed into law, Cybertron gradually lost contact with the rest of the colony planets that our relatives of other Cybertronians live? As you enclose each and every Cybertronian of every type and category into a decreasingly small space, with less room to go, see, and do what he or she might desire, you create a living planet where no Transformer knows how to look past anything anymore. No bot knows how to use their imaginations."

Ratbat calls out, "I can imagine a conclusion to this session."

Laughter thundered across the chamber, but Orion was unamused.

Orion then says as the laughter dies down, "Fellow Cybertronians, High Council, hear me. Megatron speaks sternly, but true. He has witnessed the truth of life for many Transformers whose lives are often all too hidden, and if he is enraged, he is enraged out of love and compassion for a philosophical and spark-deep pain at our failure in upholding that ideal. The recent assaults were indeed brutal and merciless. Yet, they were only symptoms. The turmoil spreading throughout the entirety of Cybertron will not stop with just these terrorist bombings because it is the natural expression of pent-up frustrations from an assortment of people who have been kept in check and under control for too long, with their respective individual potential being forever suppressed because of the fake limitations of caste and Guild alike. It is natural for a Transformer and any other being in the universe born with a spark to know that they should be free. And it is natural for Cybertronians, who are born to change from one form to another, able to transform into a likeness of a weapon, a piece of machinery and/or a vehicle, should desire to be able to switch their roles within Cybertronian society in general. If the castes and the Guilds fight the concept of change, they fight against our own nature and the nature of Cybertron itself. The removal of change is not steadiness. Rather, it is anarchy. Only dead things stay unchanged. No Cybertronian is simply the technological sum of his components. From the smallest Mini-Con to the mightiest city Titan, from the most simple data processor to the scientists who teach us the laws of the universe and the various science theories that have yet to be proven true, each of us houses a living spark that allows us to be who we are, not just what we are. The sparks within us awaken us to the possibility and privilege of freedom. It makes us online to the idea that we will be able to choose what we shall become, as each of you did, Councilors. So why shouldn't we as well? One bot's freedom can never be bestowed or revoked by another. That goes against the very nature of the Cybertronian spark and against Cybertron's nature itself. In times gone past, in times of great need and times of great wars, honorable Cybertronians rose to become Primes and escort our people out of the apocalypse. Most recently, Sentinel Zeta Prime, once one of this chamber's noble members of the Elite Guard, united all of us Cybertronians against the threat of the Quintessons. High Councilors fought beside smelters and data clerks and shipyard managers alike to drive off the Quintessons and give our people the power and privilege to choose our own lives and choose our own futures, for good or ill. What did the Quintessons want? They wanted to enslave us, to turn us into their property, to strip us of our rudimentary spark-bestowed right to self-sufficiency, and to guide us away from the love, grace, and wisdom of Primus himself. Have we driven off the Quintessons and their armies of Allicons and Sharkticons only to later enslave ourselves to the castes and the Guilds? And will we destroy this new motivation toward freedom, to sacrifice freedom to make room for absolute order? I say this: no. Order obtained through force is not the truest path to peace. There can be and always will be no way to achieve peace through tyranny. The time has come for all Cybertronians to be united once again, and I say we need a new Prime, with the authority provided by the Matrix of Leadership, to unite us. We do not require a Prime who moves us as if we are parts of a giant machine, who demands that we be drones and slaves as the ultimate price of a form of peace that is only the equivalent of stasis lock. The Guildmasters and Keepers of the Caste do that more than what is normally required, and look at where they have gotten us to today. Cybertron needs a leader of the free, a Prime who recognizes that freedom is the right of all sentient beings, no matter what material they are made of, no matter what types of fuel they process, no matter what paint jobs they possess, no matter where they get their education, and no matter what they do for a living. A Prime that remembers that Cybertronians of every type and category of subgroups are autonomous robots, owned by no one but themselves, masters of their own fates and destinies. I will say it again. Autonomous robots! We will all remember this moment, in this Chamber of the High Council, as the moment where free robots broke free from the welds, fasteners, and chains of oppression that had robbed the beauty of the spark and concealed it from us for millions of stellar cycles. We are all autonomous robots today – Autobots, if we need a name to gather behind and around – and we Autobots declare that a spark once freed will never again stand down to be oppressed by anything considered contradictory against what the Thirteen and Primus wanted for us. You must choose a candidate for a Prime today. Choose wisely, for a Prime may either lead Cybertron to a new golden era in our race's history, or stand idly by and do nothing as the dark passions of anger, resentment, treachery, ruthlessness, cruelty, bigotry, intolerance, hatred, and remorselessness explode into a planetary scale of chaos and warfare that could potentially bring our race to the brink of extinction and render Cybertron uninhabitable for one billion stellar cycles. Members of the High Council, the choice is yours and yours alone. I wish Primus' wisdom upon you to make the correct, logical, smart decision."

Orion knew that he spoke wisely, and that was because the chamber was rendered silent by his words.

Even those who considered him to be their enemy were compelled to think carefully about what he had to say.

The instant he knew this overcame him in the nanoseconds following his previous sentence.

Orion raises both arms with clenched fists and he booms, "For Cybertron! Autobots!"

Orion's followers, including the Obliteration Trines, and the rest of the crowd except for Megatron and his followers, the secret Decepticons, called out in unison, "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!" "AUTOBOTS!"

The newly christened Autobots then settled down.

Halogen then says, "There is much more to this scenario than whether you, Orion Pax, and you, Megatron, will decide to call your followers Autobots or Decepticons. Your actions as of now so far have set this planet, our home, onto the collision course of a planetary civil war. Megatron, it does not matter about whether you told your Decepticon followers to capture Sentinel Zeta Prime or not. What matters is that your Decepticons kidnapped Sentinel Zeta Prime and you have done absolutely nothing about it to fix the problem. And Orion Pax, it matters not whether you and Megatron have disagreements or varying opinions over methods or philosophy of how to run Cybertron's government for the people of our planet, because your actions have contributed equally as much to the current problem than his actions have."

Orion replies humbly, "Yes, Councilor Halogen."

Halogen appeared to be satisfied at seeing Orion act with humble feelings rather than pride.

But Halogen then says, "But the question of freedom has vegetated in dormancy for far too long. We, this High Council of Cybertron, must accept our share of the blame for this. I, High Councilor Halogen, stand before you, the citizens of Cybertron, and I express my remorse for my own failure and inability to see and acknowledge the built-up frustration and anger occurred by the continuation of the caste system."

Ratbat and Contrail say in response before Ratbat continues saying, "Councilor." "Councilor. Truly, you do not wish to uproot the caste system that has been serving us well so far and serving to be stable."

Halogen replies, "What you fail to understand and realize, Ratbat, is that the uprooting of the caste system has already commenced before today. It started with the bombings at the Six Lasers and the Sonic Canyons along with the other locations where innocent Cybertronian citizens have been murdered by the servos of extremist militants. And it also occurred at the Altihex Casino, where our leader, our indifferent, discontented, unprejudiced leader, disappeared, apparently without a fight taking place."

This drew a thunder of disapproval, but Halogen remained steadfast as he calls out above the other Councilors who disapproved, "It is time now to see what is in front of us all! We have been willingly blind for way too long."

Orion Pax and Megatron stood side by side, listening to what the Councilors have to say.

They glanced at each other, and Orion could see anger in Megatron's faceplate.

Orion knew what this meant: based on what Dark Rook said, Megatron was not happy with Orion about to be chosen as the next Prime, and the moment Halogen tells Megatron a couple of times to respect Orion, soon to be named Optimus Prime, Megatron will inevitably bring out his Fusion Cannon and blow up Halogen and his podium.

Orion knew Dark Rook had a plan, but he wouldn't say what it was.

But Orion also knew from the look on Megatron's face, that he still viewed Orion as an ally, both of them fighting for the same thing.

Whatever the High Council would say, the movement would progressively continue, but in what way would it be determined by who the civilians would follow was the question.

And the Council had just said they had already won the debate.

Halogen then continues, "Without the proper leadership, our civilization would most assuredly crumble. This High Council, with its twenty-seven competing voices, may deliberate and confer, but at the end, a single individual must make the final choice. Sentinel Zeta Prime may have been able to do it, but as he is abducted and his current status is an unknown factor at this time, we will have to do individual initiatives."

Megatron then asks, "What are you getting at, High Councilor? If these are times of great severity of danger, they do not permit extensive speeches, according to a clause in the Covenant of Primus that I was given permission to read. Let us please hear what you have to say, shortly and directly."

Halogen stared in silent fury, even though he knows Megatron is not easily afraid of anyone.

Halogen then says, "Then allow me to explain things in as brief of details as I can."

Megatron is about to speak again, but Orion places his left servo on Megatron's right shoulder and says, "Let's hear what they have to say first."

Megatron tenses before relaxing and nodding.

Ratbat says, "There have been numerous attempts to find the Matrix of Leadership. We suspect that elements of these Decepticons are responsible for these attempts."

Catbat points out, "But there is simply not enough evidence on even the private sectors of the holonet to be certain."

Contrail adds, "What seems to be just as likely is that any assortment of malcontents claiming the name of Decepticon can be linked to these searches for the Matrix. But the question remains, how are we able to know the truth about Megatron's claims, or the claims of Orion Pax for that matter? How are we able to know what they are planning?"

Halogen points out in response, "Orion Pax explicitly disavowed being affiliated with the name Decepticon."

Soundwave then asks, "Then who is mobilizing spies to dig through old ruins and sneak past security details in Crystal City?"

Orion mentally snarls, "Thanks to Dark Rook and Alpha Trion, you won't be pulling the metal shavings over me, Soundwave."

Halogen stood a tad off to the side of his podium to allow everyone to see him in full while he says, "The Matrix of Leadership, more so than any remnants of the Primes from the Age of the Primes, defines Cybertronian society by imprinting upon the leader of the Cybertronian race, both immutably and irreversibly. But the Matrix of Leadership does not bestow itself to whoever manages to find it on a whim. Rather, on the contrary, it has the ability to discover those who have the innate qualities that are necessary to claim it, the innate qualities that some say are inherent from Primus himself."

Ratbat adds, "And yet, even as of now, none of the searchers thus far have managed to find it. This means that the Matrix has not yet permitted itself to be found."

Orion looked confused at Ratbat seconding Halogen's explanation about the Matrix of Leadership, and he knew Megatron felt the same way, especially because they knew Ratbat was corrupt.

Halogen then presses on as he says, "This governing body, the High Council of Cybertron, has realized that the events occurring inside of our cities are getting further out of control. One part of this above all else is due to the lack of true leadership. But, as we have explained, the Matrix will not reveal itself to just anybot."

Contrail then steps forward, places a servo on Halogen's shoulder plate, and says, "There is a way forward. We have consulted with the Archivist of the Hall of Records, and he has revealed to us a few things we did not know about until now."

Megatron growls impatiently in a manner that only Orion could hear, "Get on with it."

Halogen explains, "The Matrix of Leadership is on Cybertron itself, but it has not been seen or heard anywhere in those billions of stellar cycles. According to the Hall of Records' lead Archivist Alpha Trion, it may be found in these troubling dire times, and if it is found, the Prime will lead all Cybertronians to a new age on the other side."

Halogen levels his gavel at Orion and Megatron.

Megatron whispers, "(Softly) Yes."

But his hopes are dashed when Halogen states, "Orion Pax, we place upon you the quest for the Matrix of Leadership."

Silence fell, and the chamber stood still.

Orion then asks, "I beg your pardon?"

The High Councilors set their gavels down in unison and saluted Orion.

Halogen replies over even the astonished and outraged outbursts in the chamber, "The Matrix of Leadership is yours to find, because, from this moment going forward into the future, you are now Optimus Prime. Unite Cybertron and all of its people. Usher in the new era of peace you have spoken of so articulately."

There was a pause before appalled shouts from the Guildmasters, robust cheering from Orion Pax's fellow data clerks, fellow sympathizers for his cause, and other kinds of newly christened Autobots, and a snowslide of spite from Megatron's Decepticons filled the chamber.

Orion was stunned, but after remembering Dark Rook's words, he smiled humbly.

Halogen gavels for order and motions the newly christened Optimus Prime forward.

Halogen articulates, "In these times of great desire, Cybertron turns to those in whom the spark of greatness befitting a hero and a truly kindred soul faithfully burns. Optimus Prime, you must see us through these doomsday times."

Optimus Prime steps forward, approaching the witness podium.

Optimus pauses as he reaches the podium, painfully aware of the scrutinizing looks he was under.

Optimus says after a moment, "But, I am not worthy of this."

Megatron mutters from Optimus' right side before saying loudly and before saying, "A fine display of humility. A fine display of humility! My friend Orion Pax came here saying that he wanted to play peacemaker, and that he did not want isolated acts of violence to escalate into a civil war! He asked me to come under the banner of friendship and trust. He brought all of us here flying the false flag of reconciliation! When what he really pursued was power!"

Booming reactions greeted Megatron's last exclamation consisting of Megatron's supporters giving him their support and Optimus Prime's followers giving their indignation.

Optimus turns around and raises both of his arms for silence, not expecting it to work, and he says in a tone as sincere as he could muster, "I did not want this. I still do not want it. If I had my preference, another would stand as Prime today and I would remain a data clerk. But I believe in Cybertron. I believe the history that I read as a clerk. I believe the stories in the archives that say that when Cybertron requires someone, someone even unworthy will be found. And that someone will end up lighting Cybertron's darkest hour. I do not know if I am that someone. But I do wholeheartedly respect the High Council, and I respect our traditions, and if they say that I am the Prime to lead Cybertron into its new golden era... I will try my hardest to fulfill the job expected of me and make the changes needed for us to all have freedom."

Optimus lowers his arms and looks around the chamber before looking back at Megatron, dipping his head slightly due to Megatron being shorter than he was.

Optimus inquires, "Brother, you believe me, don't you?"

Megatron says, "Optimus Prime."

Megatron drops his gaze as he replies, "It doesn't matter whether or not I believe you now, brother. I believed you before. We started this journey together, and we will finish it together. If the High Council views you as the next Prime, that is their privilege."

Optimus knew what was coming next, especially because of Dark Rook's intel, so he braced himself.

Megatron exclaims in a mocking tone before asking his followers in the gallery, "Optimus Prime! Does it not have the nice ring of leadership? Of heroism? Does Cybertron not call out in its hour of need and find... an Energon miner turned data clerk?!"

Optimus starts to say, "Brother – "

But Megatron booms back, "Brother no more!"

Megatron turns to the High Council and thunders, "This is the last in a long line of injustices that provoked us to take up arms. We do not yield to your castes and Guilds or to your militia so you elect a new absolutist as a new Prime. A new leader to keep you safely behind podiums and keep Cybertron protected one hundred percent for the Guildmasters and caste overseers to rule over the lower castes down in the pits!"

Megatron points into the balconies full of his Decepticons and asks, "Will you stay in the pits?!"

Megatron's followers replied in unison, "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!"

The Autobots literally couldn't believe what was happening: Megatron was literally declaring war on all who followed Optimus Prime.

Megatron asks his followers again, "Will you fall in line behind Optimus Prime? This creature of the High Council who would keep you in the pits?"

Megatron's Decepticons replied again, "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!" "NO!"

Megatron remarks to Optimus, "Do you see now, brother? They do not want your control. They want to be free."

Optimus replies sternly, "I do not want to control them. There is a difference between controlling them and leading them. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. That is my firmly held belief."

Megatron roars, "Lies!"

Optimus roars back before saying, "No! I do not want to lead, but I will if I must. And if you would break away from all of the laws and traditions of Cybertron that have been established for millions of years, even the ones that don't need to be changed in any way, then I must lead. I would rather work with you, Megatron, and change what we both know is required to be changed. This is not the way to do things."

Megatron replies coldly before declaring as he unknowingly busts his own earlier lies, "You do not tell me what is the way. I found the way when you were still a sponger filtering data. What you know, you learned from me, and what you will know, you will learn from me. The High Council calls you a Prime? I defy them! I lead the Decepticons of Cybertron, and I fight for the freedom of Cybertron and all Cybertronians!"

Halogen roars as he rebuffs Megatron, "You will yield! This is not your bully pulpit, Megatron. You will not deform this chamber with your attitudinizing!"

Megatron retorts, "And this is no longer your chamber, Halogen. Must you not defer to Optimus Prime, whom you have appointed as leader of Cybertron? Well, I refuse to acknowledge him as my leader – and I defy you! You have double-crossed the ideals you profess!"

Megatron adds as he faces Optimus, "And you, brother. You have betrayed the values you professed to me from the first day we met. I should've known."

Halogen begins to say, "You will not speak to the Prime that way."

But Halogen doesn't get to finish as Megatron finally lost his patience and his temper, and he pulls out of his subspace compartment, his right arm in mid-arc, the muzzle of his Fusion Cannon before firing a shot at Halogen's podium, but the shot disintegrates upon touching it due to a forcefield.

Everyone was stunned, not just at the appearance of Megatron's Fusion Cannon, but also at the forcefield protecting Halogen and his podium.

Then, the thirteen thousand, six hundred and seventeen members of the Elite Guard appeared from every corner of the chamber, with Chromia's friends taking care of Mayella as she also brings out her advanced weaponry.

The Elite Guard locks up a perimeter around the Council podiums and around the witness area, with six members on either side of Halogen's podium.

Ratbat scampered onto Contrail's shoulder, while Catbat and the rest of the High Council who are affiliated with the Autobots also bring out their weapons.

Megatron's troops also readied their weapons, but the Autobot sympathizers snapped to battle readiness, packed to the brim and armed to the teeth with missiles, cannon barrels, medieval weaponry added to modern firearms, and hand weapons that glowed and hissed with latent amounts of power.

The trines also readied their weapons, and Dark Rook and his friends and relatives also readied their weapons, ready for a fight and ready to kill Megatron, respectively regardless of ancient and modern technicalities, and regardless of the Butterfly Effect chain reaction.

But then, Dark Rook remembered that if he, his friends, his relatives, and the trines took out Megatron now, not only would his Predacons Rising change of heart not happen, but also, Unicron would go on to destroy Earth and Primus, and someone worse than Starscream if he didn't know the truth about the bombing of Vos and joined the Decepticons in the days of the Great War would end up taking Megatron's place, but without any of the possible small lines he wouldn't cross unless he was pushed to his limits.

Optimus commands, "Stop!"

If every bot heard that, it was because Optimus was loud enough to reach everyone, which was the case when everyone stopped to look at him.

Optimus steps between Megatron and the concentrated firepower of the Elite Guard before saying, "You will not open fire on him. Not in the High Council Chambers. If I am Prime, and I command this, you must obey."

After a brief pause, the Elite Guard lowers their weapons.

Megatron remarks with scorn before asking, "Well done, Prime. And what if I ordered my fellow gladiators to open fire on you? Do you believe you would hesitate to fight back because you are a Prime?"

Optimus answers without turning around, "I believe that any Cybertronian must believe in the values and virtues of Cybertron. If I must die because I believe in those values and virtues, so be it."

After a silent stand off, Megatron calls out, "Decepticons, stand down. For now."

As the Decepticons put away their weapons, Optimus turns to face Megatron and says, "I would value your advice and friendship."

Megatron rebuffs him once and for all as he replies, "I would have valued yours as well, before your betrayal. But you have chosen your path."

Megatron takes a step back and gives a signal with his hands to his Decepticons, and Optimus realized that there was a bigger number of Decepticons than just the gladiators and fellow Energon miners.

Megatron remarks, "You see how many of us there are, just here? How many others do you believe await for you in the Badlands, or in the levels of the subsurface? How ready are you to die?"

Optimus replies, "I am ready to do what must be done. No matter how many Decepticons you drag out of the gladiator pits or the Energon mines, we will be ready for you, Megatron."

Megatron replies in equally cold anger, "And no matter how many Autobots you pull out of the libraries and art galleries, my Decepticons will meet you halfway. You may have the backing of the High Council, but we shall see who gets to claim the Matrix of Leadership at the very end."

Megatron transforms to his tank mode, followed by every single Decepticon in the High Council Chambers, and the ones who either have wheels or tracks tore through the back walls of the chamber, leaving the wall collapsed behind them as they left for Kaon, and simultaneously leaving the two lower balconies hanging at an angle.

Decepticons with wings, on the other hand, flew out of the hole left behind, followed shortly afterwards by Megatron himself, and among them were Contrail and Ratbat.

After using his powers to repair the damage done, Dark Rook comes up to Halogen and asks, "Are you alright, sir?"

Halogen answers, "Yes, I am fine. But I am not happy that you were right; Megatron was going to commit this crime and admit he did found the Decepticons to tear down the caste system by force."

Optimus then turned his gaze to the one hundred and twenty fliers still in the platforms.

Very few Seekers had remained, and because of this, they stood out like a sore thumb unit, especially since they looked around for, if Optimus had to guess because of some of them looking paranoid, any remaining Decepticons, only for them to droop in relief when their gazes came up negative.

The Seekers whispered among themselves, their wings moving a bit much, and because Optimus learned wing emoting, they were probably not happy with what had happened, but they looked like they were having trouble deciding if they wanted to kill Megatron when given the chance, or allow him to live.

The tallest one who appears to be the oldest, a mostly purple, black, white, and yellow femme whom he hadn't taken notice of earlier, looked at him, and his optics met a bluish-orange see-through visor that allowed him to see her cornflower blue optics.

Her facial expression didn't convey any messages, but she bowed her helm to him and dipped her wings in respect while giving him an ancient servo over spark salute, followed by her companions.

Optimus didn't know why, but as he returned the gesture, he had the feeling that these Fliers were giving him their support and respect.

The 120 Fliers then move down to where Optimus is, allowing him to see that he was partially wrong about the latter sixty of them; they were Triple Changers. And based on what Optimus was able to see so far, these Triple Changers weren't as pompous, arrogant, hotheaded, or anything else that is the norm for Triple Changers.

Dark Rook and his friends and relatives then come up and Optimus asks the oldest, "May I ask who you are, Seeker?"

Shadesmasher replies, "I am Shadesmasher. These are my biological and surrogate sibling units, Darksnapper, Gloombreaker, Duskcracker, Umbrafragmenter, Dimsplitter, Grayrender, Hazesplinter, Screenbuster, Veilshiver, Nightgrazer, Twilightpiercer, Blackcutter, Brownshatter, Cloudsmasher, Lightcracker, Brightsnapper, Glowfragmenter, Glarefracturer, Flamesplinter, Shimmersplitter, Flashtearer, Shinebuster, Firedivider, Sparklerupturer, Blazerender, Gleammender, Whitepiercer, Silvercutter, Moongrazer, Sunspacer, Starhole, Blizzardshatter, Cyclonesmasher, Downpourbreaker, Galecracker, Gustsnapper, Hurricanefracturer, Squallfragmenter, Tempesttearer, Tornadoburst, Twistersplitter, Blastsplinter, Blowrender, Precipsever, Barragerupture, Bombdivider, Burstbuster, Hailshiver, Blitzmender, Blusterpiecer, Bustlecutter, Clamorgrazer, Ripcrasher, Roardasher, Stalkbeater, Tearpounder, Assaillasher, Besetbatter, Chargeslitter, Droprifter, Howlchink, Calmhole, Lidspacer, Firmamentgap, Welkinsplitter, Empyreancrusher, Azuresmasher, Vaultsever, Earthsnapper, Airshatter, Atmospheredamager, Breathbuster, Breezetrasher, Draftparter, Heavenfixer, Ozoneconnecter, Puffmender, Waftfastener, Whiffbolter, Zephyrbreaker, Landfade, Dryjumper, Floorrunner, Soilskipper, Loamslip, Clayjammer, Siltbasher, Sodbeater, Clodbreaker, Turfclobber, Terraincrippler, Dirtlasher, Gravelshatter, Mudsmasher, Dustthrasher, Sandwrecker, Mirebanger, Muckbat, Dreckclub, Beachhammer, Creamhitter, Tanknocker, Rivermasher, Seapounder, Waterpuncher, Lakerammer, Brimslapper, Necrobust, Heatdreamer, Swiftwheels, Soundrider, Roadwire, Motorcoder, Cometeater, Tidesmasher, Starride, Deathgaze, Thundervoice, and Cometwing. We are the Obliteration Trines."

Darksnapper then says, "And we would be all too happy to offer you our services for the Autobot cause. We are not only superb fliers, we are also individually superb artists, poets, assassins, astronauts, athletes, gladiators, bounty hunters, law-abiding citizens, communications specialists, defense specialists, demolitions specialists, engineers, mechanics, firefighters, gunners, protectors, interceptors, interrogators, journalists, knights, Cyber-Ninjas, other kinds of martial artists, medics, Cityspeakers, mnemosurgeons, bartenders, pilots, privateers, reconnaissance specialists, saboteurs, archaeologists, astronomers, biologists, chemists, geologists, paleontologists, physicists, psychiatrists, psychologists, scouts, sea specialists, undersea specialists, law enforcement officials, snipers, special operations agents, spies, strategists, surveillance specialists, teachers, trackers, and lieutenants. We have much values that can be employed in the name of justice, peace, and freedom."

Gloombreaker adds, "And because of the fact that we have much to offer in terms of our ranks and specialties, we would relish fighting alongside you and your other supporters until the war can be concluded, hopefully without any further bloodshed than necessary."

Optimus smiles slightly as he replies, "Shadesmasher, Darksnapper, Gloombreaker, Duskcracker, Umbrafragmenter, Dimsplitter, Grayrender, Hazesplinter, Screenbuster, Veilshiver, Nightgrazer, Twilightpiercer, Blackcutter, Brownshatter, Cloudsmasher, Lightcracker, Brightsnapper, Glowfragmenter, Glarefracturer, Flamesplinter, Shimmersplitter, Flashtearer, Shinebuster, Firedivider, Sparklerupturer, Blazerender, Gleammender, Whitepiercer, Silvercutter, Moongrazer, Sunspacer, Starhole, Blizzardshatter, Cyclonesmasher, Downpourbreaker, Galecracker, Gustsnapper, Hurricanefracturer, Squallfragmenter, Tempesttearer, Tornadoburst, Twistersplitter, Blastsplinter, Blowrender, Precipsever, Barragerupture, Bombdivider, Burstbuster, Hailshiver, Blitzmender, Blusterpiecer, Bustlecutter, Clamorgrazer, Ripcrasher, Roardasher, Stalkbeater, Tearpounder, Assaillasher, Besetbatter, Chargeslitter, Droprifter, Howlchink, Calmhole, Lidspacer, Firmamentgap, Welkinsplitter, Empyreancrusher, Azuresmasher, Vaultsever, Earthsnapper, Airshatter, Atmospheredamager, Breathbuster, Breezetrasher, Draftparter, Heavenfixer, Ozoneconnecter, Puffmender, Waftfastener, Whiffbolter, Zephyrbreaker, Landfade, Dryjumper, Floorrunner, Soilskipper, Loamslip, Clayjammer, Siltbasher, Sodbeater, Clodbreaker, Turfclobber, Terraincrippler, Dirtlasher, Gravelshatter, Mudsmasher, Dustthrasher, Sandwrecker, Mirebanger, Muckbat, Dreckclub, Beachhammer, Creamhitter, Tanknocker, Rivermasher, Seapounder, Waterpuncher, Lakerammer, Brimslapper, Necrobust, Heatdreamer, Swiftwheels, Soundrider, Roadwire, Motorcoder, Cometeater, Tidesmasher, Starride, Deathgaze, Thundervoice, and Cometwing, welcome to the Autobots."

Dark Rook then says, "And Optimus, I want you to know, Megatron planned to have Shockwave bomb the city of Vos and have the Seekers that live there blame the Autobots for the crime in the hopes that their numbers that are leaning towards the option of joining the Decepticons, including Sky Commander and Winglord Starscream, would be fully convinced to join the Decepticons out of spite. Along with Megatron potentially threatening Starscream with the murders and physical painful agony of his trinemates Skywarp and Thundercracker to further convince Starscream to join the Decepticons."

Optimus replies, "Then I will secure a meeting with Starscream and recruit him and his Seekers."

The End.

(Author's notes: Sorry for putting all of my in-progress stories on temporary hiatus, but let's just say big strokes of inspiration for the stories in question had hit me full force, and I just had to add these inspirations to the stories that I'm writing on fanfiction dot net so far.

Anyway, see you all in the true chapter 2: Recruiting the Aerialbots.)