Chapter 39: A Grand Master Plan

Knock Out and Breakdown were both fuming as they traveled back to Earth with Leland Bishop in tow. They couldn't believe that the Quintessons had managed to bring the former M.E.C.H leader back to life, and they were both angry at the thought of working alongside him.

"I can't believe they brought that scum-sucking human back to life," Breakdown growled, his fists clenched in anger.

Knock Out nodded in agreement. "He was nothing but trouble when he was alive. Who knows what kind of chaos he'll cause now?"

Despite their anger, Orion Eclipse and Bumblebee were determined to take Bishop back to Earth and turn him over to Agent Fowler. They knew that he had to pay for his crimes, no matter what.

As they traveled back to Earth, the Autobots welcomed Cliffjumper back to the team, relieved to have one of their own back in their ranks. Meanwhile, Arcee and Knock Out decided to break up, knowing that their relationship was causing tension between Breakdown and the rest of the Autobots.

Starscream, meanwhile, mourned the loss of his beloved Skywarp. He couldn't bear the thought of living without his partner, and he vowed to find a way to bring him back.

Doomsayer, on the other hand, had other plans. He communicated with Unicron about when is the right time to raid the Autobot base to finally get his Anti-Spark. The Chaos Bringer instructed Doomsayer to bring the Anti-Spark to the Earth's core, where he could be resurrected once he and his New Decepticons rescue Unicron's spark from being imprisoned at the Autobots' base.

As the Autobots, Neutrals, and Ex-Decepticons worked through their own personal issues, Megatron and Elita-One made a truce, realizing that they had both lost loved ones during the war. They had a civilized conversation about their experiences, and both had a change of heart after enduring so many years of conflict.

Finally, Breakdown made a truce with Bulkhead, deciding to become a Neutral and leave the war behind. And as Orion Eclipse and Altair Comet talked about their future together, the Autobots and Decepticons prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. Orion Eclipse approached his father Megatron with a curious expression on his face. "Father, can you tell me about my mother? What was she like?"

Megatron paused for a moment, his optics flickering with memories. "Your mother was Firestar. She was a kind and compassionate soul, always putting the needs of others before her own."

"How did you two meet?" Orion asked.

"I was a gladiator in the Pits of Kaon, and she worked as a nurse there. We didn't fall in love until we met again years later, but once we did, we became inseparable," Megatron explained.

Orion nodded, taking in the information. "Did she ever stop loving you, even after you turned evil and started the Great War?"

Megatron's expression darkened. "No, she never stopped loving me. Even when I was consumed by my desire for power, she remained loyal and true to me."

Suddenly, Orion's expression turned serious. "Father, we now know that it was Doomsayer who caused Mother's demise and framed the Autobots for it. We need to avenge her death."

Megatron's optics blazed with anger. "You're right, my son. We will find Doomsayer and make him pay for what he's done. But we must be careful. He and his army of minions will stop at nothing to get their hands on Unicron's Anti-Spark."

Orion nodded in agreement. "We'll have to come up with a plan to find him and kill him before he can make his next move."

Megatron placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Together, we will avenge your mother's death and protect our people from those who seek to harm us."

Orion Eclipse and Megatron sat in their command center, deep in discussion about their next move. "Father, we need to do something to convince the Decepticons to turn away from Doomsayer and Starscream. They need to know that you're back and that we're still alive and well after being gone for so long," Orion said.

Megatron nodded. "You're right, my son. We need to let our people know that their true leader is still here, and that we're ready to lead them towards a better future."

Orion's optics brightened with an idea. "What if I made a speech? I could address the Decepticons and convince them to choose me as their new and rightful leader. I could get them to team up with the Autobots and put aside our rivalry and differences to defeat our common enemy, Doomsayer, his New Decepticons, the brainwashed Predacons, and Insecticons."

Megatron smiled with pride. "That's an excellent idea, Orion. I always wanted to raise you to become my successor one day, to lead the Decepticons towards peace and equality. With your leadership, we can finally achieve that goal."

Orion stood up, energized with purpose. "Then let's do it. We'll gather the Decepticons and make our speech. We'll show them that we're still here, and we're ready to lead them to victory."

Megatron stood up, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "I have faith in you, Orion. You'll make a great leader, and together, we'll defeat our enemies and bring peace to our people." Altair Comet stood in front of her mother, Elita-One, feeling nervous and unsure of how to start the conversation. "Mom, I need to tell you where I've been all this time," she began.

Elita-One looked at her daughter with concern. "What happened, Altair? Where have you been?"

Altair took a deep breath before explaining. "After we split up to escape from Megatron's assassins, I ended up on the planet Paradron. The royal family there took me in and pitied me for being the long-lost daughter of Optimus Prime, who was forced to evacuate from Cybertron and flee from Megatron's assassins. I was separated from you, and I thought I'd never see you again."

Elita-One's expression softened as she listened to her daughter's story. "Go on, Altair. What happened next?"

"King Atlas, the ruler of Paradron, taught me how to become a leader and how to fight for my people. He even trained me on how to fight and defend myself. I lived a life of luxury with him before he stepped down and his daughter, Princess Arcadia, became the new queen of Paradron," Altair continued.

Elita-One's eyes widened with surprise. "I had no idea, Altair. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"It's okay, Mom. I had to leave Paradron when I discovered that my father was alive and fighting the war against Megatron and his army of Decepticons on Earth with his Autobots. It took forever for me to get to Earth, and I was hunted down by Overload and Barricade before they were defeated and arrested," Altair explained.

Elita-One hugged her daughter tightly. "I'm so proud of you, Altair. You've shown courage and independence, just like your father before you. You'll make a great Autobot leader someday."

Altair smiled, feeling grateful for her mother's support. "Thank you, Mom. I'm just glad to be reunited with you."

Nightbird sat alone in the corner of Autobot City's training facility, feeling lonely despite the bustling activity around her. She had become accustomed to her new surroundings, but something was missing. Her last training session with Megatron had been a blast, but she longed for a friend to hang out with.

Just as she was beginning to feel dejected, Nightbird caught the eye of a handsome ex-Decepticon/Neutral named Hawksight. The two were awestruck by each other's presence, and it was love at first sight. Hawksight approached Nightbird, introducing himself as he extended a hand.

"Hi, I'm Hawksight. I couldn't help but notice you sitting here all by yourself. Care to join me for a drink at the new oil house/bar?"

Nightbird smiled, feeling a spark of excitement at the prospect of making a new friend. "I'm Nightbird, and that sounds great. Lead the way."

As the two walked together, Nightbird couldn't help but feel a connection with Hawksight that she hadn't felt with anyone else before. They chatted and laughed as they made their way to the bar, and Nightbird knew that this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Meanwhile, Cliffjumper found himself in a bit of an awkward situation as he friend-zoned Arcee. She had been hoping for something more, but Cliffjumper just wasn't feeling it. As he tried to let her down gently, his attention was drawn elsewhere as he spotted Mirage in the crowd.

It had been a long time since Cliffjumper had seen Mirage, and at first, he didn't even recognize her. But as they talked, Cliffjumper learned that Mirage was now living as a transgender woman and using she/her pronouns. At first, Cliffjumper was a bit taken aback, but he quickly realized that he was okay with it and that Mirage was still the same person he had always known and cared for.

The two rekindled their friendship, and as they talked and caught up, Cliffjumper couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside his friend. As for Dreadwing, he and Skyquake were happy to be reunited once again before Dreadwing would later reunite with his long-lost daughter figure, Lickety Split. It was a rare moment of peace for the Autobots and their ex-Decepticon and Neutral friends, but they all knew that it was only a matter of time before Doomsayer and his New Decepticon armada would strike again. As they enjoyed their peaceful time, they also made plans and preparations for the coming battle.

In the midst of their preparations, Starscream surprised everyone by apologizing to Doomsayer for his past disloyalty. Instead of terminating the disloyal Seeker, Doomsayer decided to make Starscream the new leader of the New Decepticons.

"Starscream, you were once one of us, and I believe that you have the potential to lead us to victory over our enemies. Do you accept this role?" Starscream was overjoyed at the prospect of being in charge once again. "Yes, Lord Doomsayer. I accept this role and I will lead the New Decepticons to victory!"

But Starscream couldn't help but be concerned when Doomsayer revealed his ultimate plan. "Lord Doomsayer, what do you plan to do now that you no longer wish to be our leader?"

Doomsayer explained that he was going to a place where he would be transformed into a much more powerful New Decepticon and be reborn as Galvatron in a matter of hours. "I will continue to serve Unicron, and when the Second Great War is over, Unicron will create a new galaxy and new planets for his servants to inhabit."

Starscream was skeptical, knowing that Unicron would only bring destruction and chaos to the universe. "But Master, Unicron will destroy everything and everyone in the universe when we do rescue him and revive him!"

Doomsayer assured him and his followers that their victory was assured. "Do not worry, Starscream. Unicron will create a new galaxy and new planets for us to inhabit. Our victory is assured!"

As Doomsayer transformed into his jet mode and left, followed by the brainwashed Predacons and Insecticons, the rest of the New Decepticons bowing down before Starscream and some of them even chanted "All hail Starscream!" He laughed maniacally, reveling in his newfound power.

"I will lead the New Decepticons to victory, and nothing will stand in our way!"