Chapter 1: Prologue
Five years have passed since the day Optimus Prime, and his valiant band of warriors, the Autobots, now only defeated their long-standing enemies, The Decepticons, and saw to the final defeat of the malevolent Unicron, The Chaos Bringer - followed by the restoration of their home planet, Cybertron. Optimus Prime gave his very spark in order to ensure new generations of Cybertronians could be born into the new age of peace he, and his comrades had fought endlessly for. Ultra Magnus, chief lieutenant to Optimus, has since become the new leader of the Autobots in his stead. Hundreds of thousands of Cybertronians—both old and new—have returned to Cybertron to live in this new era, free from the terrors of war. As for the Decepticons, they have long since fallen into obscurity with the loss of their true leader. Megatron, the very Leader of all Decepticons, had put himself in self-exile thanks to the wicked machinations of Unicron granting him a new...perspective on things, while the malignant scientist, Shockwave, was still on the loose while remaining completely off the grid. And the air commander, Starscream, once Megatron's first lieutenant, had been captured, and tortured by the vengeful Predacons in the citadel fortress of Darkmount. Much has changed since Optimus had given his spark for the restoration of The Allspark, and became one with the very same Allspark. All seems well for the Autobots, as the peace they had sworn to uphold held, and their promise to their late leader was kept strong, as all had been made won.
But like many things, peace cannot always last - and the Decepticons would see their fury upon the Autobots: under the banner of an evil long banished from his homeworld, who would return to seize the empty throne left by Megatron, and become the leader who would see the empire rise from the ashes of its defeat...and the Autobot scum cleansed in the fires of Chaos, itself.
Five years since the final battle for Cybertron, Starscream had finally managed to escape from Darkmount and the relentless Predacons who now rule it. Of course, he barely made it out alive. But if the war had proven anything, it was that the seeker was far more persistent, and resilient than even Megatron gave him credit for. By now he had heard rumors of the Decepticons regaining their lost might and were rising to power under the sway of an unknown benefactor. Once he had repaired his injuries, Starscream set off to find where his brethren had gone to grow in new strength. When he finally did locate this new regime of the Decepticons, he was unaware that this new militia was one under the command of its own leader, seeking to pick up where the original Decepticon empire began. Both intrigued, and infuriated by the prospects, Starscream made his way to where this "new Decepticon leader" was in order to assess what he may already consider his new competition. As ever, he would find more than he bargained for when he came face-to-face with this new - yet familiar - Decepticon overlord.
"Ahh, Starscream. How nice of you to join us." a dark sinister voice said within the dark confines of the central station of the Decepticons' new lair.
"Who are you?!" Starscream exclaimed, already growing impatient with this bot - whoever he was.
"Oh, Starscream. Don't you recognize me?" the dark figure asked in a condescending, almost mocking tone.
"Show yourself!" Starscream yelled, finally having enough of this game.
He was indulged with the sounds of heavy, yet somehow familiar footfalls. The dark robot concealed by darkness stepped into the light to reveal himself. Starscream's optics widened with shock: for he recognized the dark robot as one of Megatron's former Decepticon generals. One he had banished from Cybertron along with his followers when he had tried to overthrow him during the Great War.
"Doomsayer? Is that you?" Starscream asked.
"Indeed it's me, Starscream." The Decepticon replied with a malicious grin. "Did you think that I would truly be gone for good? That banishment would keep me away forever? Or did the idea of my return never once cross that narrow-minded processor of yours?" He asked.
"It can't be! What are you doing here?!" Starscream demanded.
"I'm glad you asked, old friend." Doomsayer replied. "You see, during my time away, my followers and I just recently heard about Megatron and his exile, which saw to the...apparent end of the Decepticons reign. Of course, there was no way I could ever allow that false idol to destroy all that our kind has accomplished, and could still hope to accomplish. So I took it upon myself to save our dying race and seized the opportunity to claim my rightful place as the TRUE leader of the Decepticons. And now, those who remain faithful to the cause have united under my banner. As such, I have seen their rebirth as something I like to call "The New Decepticons". They are truly superior to their predecessors: for they have been trained to fight more brutally, mercilessly, and with a great sense of chaotic savagery all of the Decepticons had lacked since the early days of the great war. No matter, of course: these new loyal servants of the cause have found the spark of anarchy they had long forgotten was the foundation of our revolution. Now, through my loyal followers and me, they have become the kind of Decepticons they were meant to be but had forgotten under the weakness of the old guard. Under my control, strengthened by the greatness Anarchy can bring, they will be more powerful than ever before."
Doomsayer summoned his followers as well as the New Decepticons. Pretty soon, they have Starscream surrounded, making him feel overwhelmed and outnumbered, which was to be expected of the seeker, who was unsure what to make of this. "Anarchy!? What's the meaning of this?! What madness are you spouting, Doomsayer?!" Starscream demanded in a partially cracked yell, trying to hold his composure even in the face of such...terrible odds. This, however, made Doomsayer laugh with wicked glee for a short time. His harrowing laugh running chills down Starscream's already nervous binary systems. "Madness? Starscream, things have changed since the Autobots defeated Unicron, and rebuilt the fallen nations of Cybertron while you were being tortured mercilessly by that fiery wyrm, Predaking, over at Darkmount. They seek to bring an everlasting era of peace, harmony, and order to our revitalized home. But peace under their rule is not something we Decepticons can rightfully stomach. Thus, all of us have decided that it's time to begin a new era: an era of war, anarchy, and chaos. Megatron found the means of securing our ultimate victory, but his weakness and ambition squandered it. I intend to capitalize on his mistake on Earth and join our forces with the one being in all of creation who can bring forth this glorious new era. It is time for the Decepticons to serve Unicron." Doomsayer said.
"Unicron!? The Chaos Bringer, himself?" Starscream exclaimed in absolute shock before he actually sneered at the Decepticon leader. "Clearly you've accumulated true space madness over the stellar cycles since you and your followers departed from Cybertron eons ago." He said.
"I can assure you, Starscream, that I am quite sane. My followers and I are on a mission to free our lord and master, Unicron, and help him destroy Primus once, and for all." Doomsayer replied. "You see, it was actually thanks to him that I returned. For it is Unicron himself who has spoken to me from beyond the void of space, and chose me - he chose me, and me alone to be his ultimate champion, and to carry out his will in return for a place at his side for all time. Do you understand, seeker? I was destined to be the Herald of Unicron! And as his herald, it is my duty to see him returned to his former glory, and that all who oppose him meet their rightful end!"
Starscream scoffed as he said in disgust. "I knew it all along! Megatron shouldn't have banished you: he should've destroyed you!" Doomsayer and his followers only found Starscream's outburst amusing. It was then that Crossfire, Skywarp, Scourge, Reflector, and Astrocharge aimed their weapons at Starscream before their master ordered them to hold their fire. "It's not too late to join us, Starscream. Those who are loyal stand to earn more than Megatron EVER gave even his most faithful. We can give you a new, most formidable body, with a host of powers to command: and perhaps you can help us destroy the Autobots." Doomsayer proposed.
"And why should I even consider joining you and your troops, Doomsayer?!" Starscream demanded to know. "I was Megatron's second in command before the end: if anyone has the right to be the leader of the Decepticons, it is me! Not some outcast with delusions of grandeur forming a mad cult of Unicron-worshipping fools who can't even realize they are being duped! So why should I trust anything you say, much less join your insane militia, Doomsayer?!"
"Because I, myself, have obtained skills beyond what I was once capable of before my banishment. A certain ability to sense the nature of others: including their innermost desires. And I can sense a thirst for vengeance within you. All your life you have known only humiliation, crushing defeat and endless betrayal brought on by so many." Doomsayer grinned as his eyes began to glow. "But we? We can help you gain your revenge on the Autobots, and even your former master, Megatron. However," He said with a hint of disappointment. "He ensured that no one could find him so easily. Though we do indeed search for him, we have yet to discover his hiding place." Doomsayer told Starscream. "But perhaps, with your help, we can finally seek him out and make him pay for his greatest betrayal of all: abandoning his own cause, and disbanding the empire he had built so long ago. He deserves retribution for the wrongs he has committed - and you may have the chance to see him receive it, Starscream. How does that sound?" Starscream considered Doomsayer's offer to join him for a few seconds, which went on to a few cycles. He was not truly fond of Doomsayer for taking away any chance of rebuilding the Decepticon Empire as he saw fit after Megatron went into exile. If it weren't for those miserable beasts, this new Decepticon regime would belong to him. There's also the fact that the Seeker is not a complete fool. Starscream thereby assumed that it may be a trick of some sort...though the prospect of gaining a modification or upgrade, sounded appealing to the Seeker if it was true. So he would play along for now, in order to see how honest this offer was, beginning with him deactivating his weaponry. "Doomsayer, if I agree to join you and your 'New Decepticons'...then what do I receive in return?" Starscream asked almost cautiously, making Doomsayer's grin widen.
"Revenge, and a chance to gain ultimate power, Starscream. Two things I remember you covet more than anything else in existence." The dark warrior stretched forth his hand to the seeker, and said, "If you're willing to submit to us, we can make it worth your while." Doomsayer suddenly dropped his smile, and a glaring display of his razor-filled maw came forth. "But if I catch wind of you making any moves to take over my command, I will extinguish your spark - personally," he warned. "You have been given the only warning I intend to give. Don't mistake me for Megatron, Starscream: I don't simply waste time beating the scrap out of a subordinate, to reinforce their loyalty. I follow the ancient code "extinction to ALL traitors", as you will learn the day you ever cross me. Do we have an understanding, Starscream?" Starscream hesitated at first, yet he realized that he had no other choice but to join Doomsayer: he had come too far to be destroyed now and at the hands of someone who was proving more dangerous by the minute just by his mere presence. With no alternative but would most benefit him, and keep his spark intact, he surrendered himself to Doomsayer and the New Decepticons. Though Starscream was unsure, he had to take the chance that if he agreed to join Doomsayer, not only will he be given a modification, but Doomsayer will let him live if he stays in line. Taking a knee before the New Decepticons, Starscream made the only logical choice he could make.
"I bow and submit to your rule...Lord Doomsayer." Starscream said to his new master.
Doomsayer smiled evilly at Starscream, and said, "Then to the lab with you to receive the first of many rewards! Hahahaaah!". Hours later, Starscream had been given a complete reformatting procedure which made him more powerful than ever before. He then made an official pledge to serve as a Commander for Lord Doomsayer and swore on his spark to remain loyal, or else he would be punished severely. Doomsayer promised Starscream that he would gain his revenge on Megatron once they have crushed the Autobots and free Unicron from wherever he may hold. Once they do this, they will aid their master in completing his wicked mission of destroying Primus, once and for all.