Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers, The Owl House or their characters
In the Autobot base, Team Prime had just finished telling the Hexside Squad everything that's been happening lately from their discovery of the Omega Keys to Starscream stealing them all.
"I know that I'm not the first flesh-covered being to visit Cybertron, but I can still be the first Witch to visit Cybertron." Gus commented while resting on Wheeljack's shoulder.
"Not before any of us get to Cybertron before you, Gus." Willow replied, sitting on Bulkhead's shoulder.
"Why didn't any of you tell us about the Omega Keys from the start?" Luz questioned, feeling a little hurt about her and the others being left out of the search for the keys.
"Yeah, we could've been a big help to you all." Amity added with her arms crossed.
"You probably didn't notice, but things have been kind of intense around here lately." Arcee admitted.
"We just didn't really have the time to tell you kids." Cliffjumper told the Hexside Squad.
"So, all of you could really be going home soon?" Vee asked softly.
"It's possible." Jazz answered.
"That's good for all of you. You're gonna get to go home, but not us." Hunter muttered, looking down solemnly.
"Hey, we don't need to worry about that." Gus reassured. "I'm sure we'll be able to find a way to make our own portal to Cybertron. We could be like otherworldly neighbours."
"Well…that might be possible." Wheeljack admitted, rubbing the back of his head.
"Of course we can make it work. We've done the impossible before, remember?" Willow reminded. "There has to be a way other than using a Space Bridge."
"Besides, you're not gonna go home before helping us find a way back to the Boiling Isles, right?" Skara questioned.
"Well, maybe." Bumblebee replied awkwardly.
"Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here?" Ratchet asked, getting everyone back to the more important matter. "Not only do we lack any actual method of reaching Cybertron, but Starscream now controls the sole means of our planet's restoration."
"As far as we know." Optimus said.
"But since he's no longer working with the Mercenaries, he'll obviously need a different source of help to get to Cybertron." Luz commented.
"You think Starscream's rejoined the Cons?" Smokescreen asked.
"He might have used the Omega Keys to buy back Megatron's favour." Arcee theorised.
"In short, he's trying to bribe his old Decepti-buddies into letting him back." Jazz quipped as Ratchet let out a scoff.
"Without first trying to sell the keys to the highest bidder, that wouldn't surprise me if he had the nerve to contact us and…" Ratchet started to say before hearing a beep noise coming from the main console, turning around to see it was receiving a message.
"Okay, that's weird." Bulkhead admitted.
"We should always be carful of what we wish for." Amity said.
"Is it Starscream?" Cliffjumper asked as Ratchet saw that it was a much different messenger this time.
"No, it is Dreadwing. And he wants to meet." Ratchet told everyone.
(Linebreak)
At the same foggy mountain Team Prime trekked through before, a Ground Bridge opened up and Team Prime drove straight out of it before letting the Hexside Squad quickly jump out of them. The Autobots transformed and brought out their blasters while the Hexside Squad readied their respective magic abilities, with Vee standing by in case she has to drain out some Energon.
"Drop your weapon!" Bulkhead ordered.
"Don't do anything stupid!" Gus stated.
"Hands where we can see them!" Smokescreen called out.
"Show yourself, Dreadwing!" Vee added.
All of them began to hear nearby footsteps and they turned ahead to see Dreadwing emerging out of the fog.
"I am not here to fight, but to give you this." Dreadwing said, gesturing to a familiar Prime relic on the ground in front of him.
"Is that…" Willow began to ask.
"The Forge of Solus Prime." Cliffjumper identified.
"Could be rigged to blow." Wheeljack muttered suspiciously.
"I don't see any bombs on it." Amity replied while taking a close look at the Forge, causing Optimus to deactivate his battle mask
"Dreadwing, what do you ask in return?" Optimus asked.
"Only that you use it wisely." Dreadwing answered.
"And? The Omega Keys?" Arcee questioned.
"Where are they?" Luz asked with a raised eyebrow.
"In Megatron's possession. Under heaviest guard." Dreadwing replied.
"Scream did make a deal with the Cons." Bulkhead whispered before all of them powered down their weapons/abilities.
"So you're really handing this hammer over to us?" Jazz asked Dreadwing, finding it quite hard to believe.
"Why?" Optimus asked.
"A shadow of disgrace has been cast upon the Decepticons. It is a cause I no longer wish to be part of." Dreadwing said while lowering his head.
This caused Hunter to stare at Dreadwing in sympathy, knowing what it's like to learn that the great ideals you fought for was all just a deception created by someone of pure evil.
"Then I appeal to you again, join us and help end this conflict once and for all." Optimus offered.
"Betraying my kind is not the same as accepting yours." Dreadwing replied as he turned around and began to walk away.
"Dreadwing, wait." Hunter said, rushing up to the Seeker captain and leaving his friends surprised.
"Hunter, what're you-" Skara started to say as she tried to follow him, only for Luz to grab her by the shoulder to show they should let him do what he needs to do.
Dreadwing stopped in his tracks and looked back at Hunter, who stood behind him with a solemn expression.
"What do you wish to speak, Witch?" Dreadwing asked.
"I…understand what you're going through right now. But, whatever you're gonna do right now won't make things good for you." Hunter told him.
"How could you know what I have experienced?" Dreadwing questioned with a frown.
"Because I used to be just like you. Someone who was a fierce fighter and wanted nothing more than to earn respect from the person you worked for." Hunter replied. "Back in my world, I used to spend my whole life believing I was doing something good or someone good. But it was all a lie. And I've been trying to move on from it ever since me and my friends got stuck in the Human Realm. It hasn't been easy."
"Hunter…" Bumblebee whispered with a sad expression.
"Even if our stories are the same, I still cannot join your team." Dreadwing proclaimed. "I must do what needs to be done."
"You don't have to do that or join us." Hunter replied. "You can just do what I did back in my world after I learned the truth about what my so-called emperor was actually doing."
"What is that?" Dreadwing questioned, a little bit interested.
"You can just leave the Decepticons and figure things out on your own. Whatever you're planning to do now isn't going to be good for you." Hunter said. "The best thing you can do right now is find a new path to take in life and make better choices. Trust me on that."
Dreadwing remained silent as he took in all the words Hunter said to him, while the rest of Team Prime watched in anxiousness to see what would happen next. After what seemed like a long amount of seconds, Dreadwing made up his mind and looked down at Hunter.
"Very well, young one. If I am to find a better purpose on my own on this planet, then that is what I shall do." Dreadwing announced. "When the time comes, I will re-emerge to end the desecrator who has brought shame to all Decepticons."
"That's good enough for me." Hunter said with a small smile. "Take care of yourself, Dreadwing."
"I shall." Dreadwing replied before he jumped off the edge of the mountain and transformed, flying away to parts unknown.
"That was some good talking you did, Hunter." Luz complemented as she and the others approached the blonde Witch boy.
"Yeah. I didn't think you had it in you." Gus admitted.
"I guess it all just came into my head and I spoke it." Hunter said in embarrassment.
"And it would seem your words of encouragement have helped set Dreadwing on a better path." Optimus replied kindly.
"Any of you think we'll see him again?" Jazz asked.
"Only time will tell." Amity answered as they all looked at the Forge of Solus Prime.
(Linebreak)
Later on, the Autobots returned to the base while the Hexside Squad decided to go home and wait for their chance to help out in the restoration of Cybertron. Optimus held the Forge with both hands as it slightly glowed and span from his Prime touch.
"It's no Star Saber, but I bet it can shatter Megatron's blade and put some dents into that ugly mug of his." Smokescreen commented.
"It's not that kind of hammer." Arcee replied.
"With the Decepticons in possession of all four Omega Keys, a more appropriate use of the Forge would be to use it to replicate our own." Ratchet proclaimed.
"Even with such power, their reconstruction would require a level of expertise I do not possess." Optimus replied.
"Our only option is getting the Keys back from Megatron before he reaches Cybertron." Cliffjumper said.
"I guess we better hope Megatron doesn't destroy the keys to prevent anyone from ever going home." Arcee admitted.
"Megatron may be evil, but I believe he will use the keys for their intended purpose." Optimus said knowingly, placing the top of the hammer on the ground.
"Well, I say we let him keep them and do all the work for us." Bulkhead suggested, making everyone look at him in disbelief.
"Please tell us you're kidding, Bulk." Wheeljack muttered while shaking his head.
"Uh…no?" Bulkhead answered awkwardly. "Well I mean, what difference does it make who restores Cybertron?"
"If Megatron revives Cybertron, he will no doubt use it to his political advantage." Optimus told the Autobots.
"Eh…I don't get what you're sayin', Prime." Jazz said in confusion.
"In all likelihood, the leader of the Decepticons will portray himself as our planet's saviour and brand all Autobots as war criminals." Optimus explained.
"The grand deception continues." Arcee muttered.
"Megatron's so-called achievement could influence Cybertron for for eons to come, poisoning the Sparks and minds of it's returning citizens." Ratchet said with a concerned look. "Hardly the ideal way to begin a new age."
"But there is hope." Optimus reassured. "For while Megatron may have the keys, he has yet to discover the existence of the Omega Lock itself."
"Omega Lock?" Wheeljack repeated.
"Wait, now you lost me." Arcee said confusingly.
"That which the four relics were designed to activate. We must locate the device before Megatron does and secure it until we can recover the keys." Optimus explained.
"There are no more Iacon entries to decode." Ratchet reminded. "This lock could be anywhere on Earth."
"Or it could be somewhere at the Boiling Isles." Jazz guessed, earning some questionable looks from the others. "It was just a suggestion."
"Actually…it is on Cybertron." Optimus confessed.
"What?" The Autobots asked in surprise.
"How do you know?" Ratchet questioned.
"Alpha Trion revealed it's location to me during the message convey by the Star Saber." Optimus answered, lifting the Forge onto his shoulder and turning away.
"And you didn't think to tell us?" Ratchet asked, a little hurt.
"Alpha Trion did not wish it so." Optimus replied as he approached the Ground Bridge with the Forge. "With the Forge of Solus Prime, we now possess the means of reaching Cybertron. I must work quickly, as our tactical advantage over Megatron will not last long."
"Let's hope he's too busy with other things, right now." Wheeljack said hopefully.
(Linebreak)
In space in the Nemesis, Thundercracker and Skywarp were seen walking together through the ship's corridors.
"Thundercracker, Skywarp. I have been searching for you both." Megatron said from behind, causing both Seekers to turn around and face him.
"What do you need from his, Lord Megatron?" Thundercracker asked.
"I have not seen Dreadwing on the ship for quite a long time." Megatron admitted. "Do either of you know of his whereabouts?"
"Not really, master. We haven't seen him since you and Starscream had that talk in the Cortical Psychic Patch." Skywarp replied while scratching his head.
"Our best guess is that he flew away from the Nemesis itself." Thundercracker guessed.
"I see. That is an outcome we should have expected. I recognise that Starscream's return to our ranks may be difficult for him, given the loss of Skyquake under his command." Megatron said. "But cooperation between all of us is essential. We Decepticons will be best equipped to rule a restored Cybertron only if we are united."
"We never said we hated Starscream rejoining the Decepticons, my lord. We're willing to put up with him one last time." Skywarp assured.
"Having either Starscream or Dreadwing as our commanding officers is okay with us." Thundercracker added.
"I am pleased to hear that. In fact, the two of you should see how Starscream's T-Cog operation is doing." Megatron told them.
"I'm sure Knock Out's doing a fine job and not accidentally making Energon leak out of Starscream's guts." Skywarp snickered jokingly.
(Linebreak)
In the medical room, Starscream was laying on a table with his eyes closed and Knock Out was standing beside him.
"Rise and shine." Knock Out said, causing Starscream to open his eyes. "Your T-Cog transplant was a success. Yes, I am just that good."
"Ah, finally. I can't wait to take flight and sore above the clouds." Starscream remarked in happiness.
"You're not gonna get that chance immediately, Scream." Thundercracker replied as he and Skywarp walked into the room. "We're already in space and heading towards the Ground Bridge."
"Lord Megatron isn't wanting to give the Autobots a chance to sneak on the Nemesis and steal the keys." Skywarp said.
"Well, space is well out of reach for their Ground Bridge, so we should be safe for the time being." Knock Out said assuringly.
"That's true, but we still haven't heard anything about Dreadwing. It's like he just took off and left without even saying goodbye." Thundercracker commented with a frown.
"It's obvious that he doesn't appreciate how things have changed and has taken off to simply clear his mind. Still, we mustn't detour from our mission." Starscream replied casually, standing up from his table. "Restoring Cybertron is our top priority."
"For once, Starscream is correct." Megatron's voice said, making his followers turn to see him entering the medical room. "With all four Omega Keys now in our possession, we must figure out what to do with them if we are to bring Cybertron back to life."
"We all know that, master. But Dreadwing might end up coming back if we just-" Thundercracker began to say in protest.
"We don't know if Dreadwing is ever coming back. It could be days, and that is something we don't have." Megatron proclaimed. "We must restore Cybertron with or without him, and that is final. I want all of you to inspect the Omega Keys and figure out how they are specifically able to restore Cybertron, at once."
"Very well, my liege." Knock Out replied timidly as Megatron then walked away.
"We'll get Breakdown and Wildrider to help us, too." Skywarp said.
(Linebreak)
In the Autobot base, Optimus was still using the Forge of Solus Prime to upgrade the Ground Bridge while Ratchet was working alone at one of the terminals. The other Autobots were having a private discussion among themselves.
"Is it my imagination or has Optimus been acting differently since that message from Alpha Trion?" Arcee questioned.
"I've noticed it, too." Bumblebee replied.
"The words we're looking for are secretive and mysterious." Cliffjumper quipped.
"Yeah, he has been keeping things from us." Bulkhead admitted.
"Even Ratchet's out of the loop." Wheeljack muttered.
"Well give me one good reason Optimus couldn't trust his own teammates. Why he couldn't have told us about the Omega Lock?" Bulkhead demanded with a frown.
"Because if he had, Megatron would've pulled it out of my head with his patch." Smokescreen answered reasonably, approaching the group.
"Smokes has a point." Jazz agreed.
"Like it matters. The Cons are holding all the keys anyway." Bulkhead said miserably.
(Linebreak)
Back on the Nemesis, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Knock Out, Breakdown and Wildrider were busy studying the Omega Keys to figure out how they can be used to restore Cybertron. Knock Out inspected them with a scanner device.
"Tick tock, Knock Out. Tick tock! Megatron's expecting results and since one of our trusted warriors has most likely deserted us, I would say that we cannot afford to disappoint our master." Starscream said urgently.
"We? Unless nagging counts, I haven't seen you any of the others lift a finger." Knock Out retorted.
"What do you want us to do?" Wildrider asked rhetorically. "We don't know scrap about these keys."
"Wildrider's right. The ancient Cybertronians' tech is too advanced for us to understand." Thundercracker admitted. "But still, Lord Megatron is desperate to know how they function."
"Besides, I was the one who brought him the keys. Do I really need to prove myself further by deciphering on how they operate, too?" Starscream questioned.
"You're the only one with science knowledge, Knocks, so you're better at this than any of us." Breakdown said.
"Well, perhaps if my research hadn't been sidelined by someone's cosmetic surgery, I might be further along right now!" Knock Out argued.
"Now you're just spitting our complaints." Skywarp groaned annoyingly, grabbing a key Knock Out was holding and swiping it away. "Let me take a look at this stupid thing."
The purple Seeker started pulling on the key to see if it would transform into something more useful, but that didn't work and he began pounding it onto the table.
"Oh gee, why didn't I think of that?!" Knock Out asked in sarcasm.
"Looks like I've been right about you the whole time. You aren't the smartest Seeker in the armada." Thundercracker mocked before he let out a humours laugh.
"Oh, is that right?! Well, why don't you try doing something!" Skywarp stated angrily, slashing the key against Thundercracker's chest.
"We're about to have a big brawl." Wildrider whispered to the others with a snicker.
"They are absolutely childish sometimes." Starscream mumbled under his breath.
"So, that's how it is?!" Thundercracker asked while glaring at Skywarp, picking up another key from the table.
Thundercracker and Skywarp clashed their keys against each other, but this made them both merge together and glow in a blue light. The Decepticons were surprised at first, but then they got an idea.
"Do you think?" Knock Out asked.
"We know. Bring over those other two keys." Skywarp replied.
Starscream and Knock Out grabbed the two remaining Omega Keys and approached Thundercracker and Skywarp with them.
"Ready…go." Starscream said before they slammed the keys together.
With all Omega Keys now merged, they rotated in the air and released a bright beam that showed a holographic image of Cybertron with a red dot on a certain part.
"Hehehehehe. And that is why Dreadwing is currently MIA." Starscream laughed proudly.
"And we are not." Knock Out added.
"Lucky us." Breakdown said with a smile.
The Decepticons later brought their new evidence to Megatron, who understood what to do with the Omega Keys from seeing the coordinates on Cybertron.
"Of course. Keys are useless without something to unlock." Megatron realised, turning to Soundwave with the other Cons. "Target the Space Bridge for Cybertron."
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Team Prime was beholding their now fully-upgraded Space Bridge that Optimus created from their Ground Bridge with the Forge of Solus Prime.
"Yet another astonishing convergence of magic and science. Courtesy of the ancients." Ratchet said marvellously, looking at the controls.
"And our leader." Smokescreen added.
"It's hard to believe. A few swings of that hammer and BAM!" Bulkhead remarked as they all looked at their new Space Bridge.
"Our Ground Bridge is now a Space Bridge." Arcee said.
"Even if we've got ourselves a way to get to Cybertron, are we really gonna be able to get the Omega Keys from the whole Con army?" Jazz asked, a little unsure. "If they restore Cybertron, the war's pretty much over for us."
"We will if we never lose our hope and determination. The war will never truly be over until we've seen it to the very end." Ratchet replied encouragingly before an alarm went off.
"What's going on?" Wheeljack asked.
"Our sensors are detecting a massive Energon burst occurring outside Earth's atmosphere. A surge of that kind can only mean one thing." Ratchet said. "Activation of another Space Bridge."
"Megatron has discovered that the Omega Lock is on Cybertron." Optimus announced, approaching the group.
"And we've also lost our advantage." Cliffjumper said, frowning in disappointment.
"But with Megatron unaware that we now possess the means of interstellar travel, the element of surprise remains in our favour." Optimus said with a determined look, knowing it was time for the ultimate showdown.
"Should we call Luz and the others for backup?" Bumblebee asked.
"Their help in this mission would be a wise idea, but they are already many miles away from the base in Gravesfield. We cannot afford to waste time." Optimus said as the Autobots felt bad about leaving their friends out again, but knew he was right.
A few seconds later, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack and Jazz walked into the vault lobby and stood in front of each door while Smokescreen stood by to watch.
"We must embark on this mission with every resource at our disposal." Optimus told them.
All of the doors opened up and the six Autobots grabbed each relic that was locked up inside them. Arcee got the Apex Armor, Bulkhead got the Immobilizer, Bumblebee got the Polarity Gauntlet, Cliffjumper got the Energon Harvester, Wheeljack got the Shield Generator and Jazz got the Spark Extractor while Smokescreen made sure to power up his Phase Shifter. With their secret weapons acquired, all the Autobots walked out of the lobby to get ready for their departure to Cybertron.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile at the moon's orbit, the Nemesis flew towards the Decepticons' activated Space Bridge as Megatron stood on the bridge with his followers and a whole army of Vehicons.
"Safe travels, Lord Megatron." Wildrider said, bowing respectfully.
"Starscream, assume command in my absence." Megatron ordered as he walked by his followers, making Starscream feel very glad.
"I would be honoured, master." Starscream said gratefully.
With the Dark Star Saber on his back, Megatron transformed into his Cybertronian jet form and flew into the Ground Bridge with many of his Vehicons doing the same thing.
(Linebreak)
Ratchet activated the Autobot Space Bridge and Team Prime walked towards it, but they started hearing some hammer noises from the other room and turned towards it, realising Optimus was using the Forge again.
"What's he forging now?" Bulkhead asked.
"We're about to find out." Cliffjumper answered.
When the smashing sounds ended, Optimus walked out of the room and was revealed to be holding the Star Saber, now fully repaired from it's destroyed state. The Autobots looked on in awe from seeing Optimus' legendary weapon being restored.
"Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost." Optimus announced before he and the other Autobots transformed, driving straight into the Space Bridge with their respective relics.
(Linebreak)
On Cybertron, Megatron and his army were walking through the ruins of their deceased home with four Vehicons each carrying the Omega Keys. They soon stopped in front of a destroyed bridge.
"According to the landmarks displayed by the keys, the object we seek is located deep within the Sea of Rust." Megatron said, looking out into the metal wasteland ahead.
(Linebreak)
In the Autobot base, Ratchet was patiently pacing back and forth to wait for any communication from the rest of the team. Just then, the main console started receiving a call and Ratchet quickly answered it.
"Optimus?" Ratchet asked, but the voice was that of a certain Hispanic girl's.
"Uh no, Ratchet, it's Luz. Is everything okay at the base? Me and the others have been waiting outside my school for the Bots, but they haven't arrived." Luz admitted from her side.
"That is because the entire team is rather…indisposed at the moment." Ratchet replied, not wanting to put them on edge with the entire story. "I suggest you obtain an alternate method transport. But not your staffs."
"Well, okay. But if the Autobots need a little bit of help with whatever they're doing and we're the only ones available , just let us know, okay?" Luz asked.
"Yes yes, I will. Goodbye now." Ratchet answered simply before he ended the call.
(Linebreak)
Luz could hear that Ratchet had hung up while the others stood or sat near her and their Palismen chased each other across the pavement.
"So, the Bots are away on a mission?" Gus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Did Ratchet say what they're doing specifically?" Willow questioned.
"Not really." Luz answered.
"He did sound preoccupied with something else." Vee admitted.
"First they hide the fact that they're looking for a bunch of keys that can revive their planet, and now they're doing something else without telling us." Skara said in suspicion.
"They've been very secretive with us a lot, lately." Amity added while frowning a bit.
"It's almost like they think we're not able to handle the truth, right, Hunter?" Gus questioned, only to turn around and see his blonde Witch friend staring into the sky with a soft expression. "Hunter? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Hunter replied with a sigh, much to the others' concern.
"Are you thinking about Dreadwing?" Luz asked.
"Of course. I'm just worried if he's ever going to do the right things now that he's not working with the Decepticons anymore." Hunter explained solemnly.
"Hey, you were able to go down the right path by helping Luz and the others kick Belos' slimy butt, so there's probably hope for Dreadwing, too." Skara reassured.
"Skara's right. You just need to have some faith." Willow agreed.
"I…guess you're all right. Having faith isn't such a bad thing." Hunter said, putting on a cheered-up smile.
"Okay then, why don't we all just head home now?" Luz asked as she stood up and walked down the steps, causing her friends and their Palismen to follow.
"I like that idea." Amity told her girlfriend.
(Linebreak)
Back on Cybertron, Megatron and his army walked their way across the Sea of Rust to make it to the Omega Lock with a scanner device in the Decepticon leader's hand. But from the back of the army, Smokescreen slowly phased out from the ground and he shot down many Vehicons, causing the rest to be alerted and bring out their blasters.
"What? What just happened?" Megatron asked, also hearing the blaster shots.
The Vehicons fired their blasters at Smokescreen and he shot down a few more foes before running towards a nearby wall, phasing right through it.
"Smokescreen? But that's impossible." Megatron said in disbelief. "The Autobots do not possess the means to…"
The Decepticon leader trailed off when he looked up to see a large pile of metal being lifted above his army by an orange energy. The metal pile was tossed ontop of a bunch of Vehicons and it was shown to have been lifted by Bumblebee with the Polarity Gauntlet, who ran down the metal structure he was standing on.
"Crush them!" Megatron ordered.
The Vehicons fired all of their blasters at Bumblebee and he transformed to drive away, until Wheeljack jumped onto the metal structure and blocked all of the blaster shots with a huge energy shield from the Shield Generator. On the other side of the area, Bulkhead aimed the Immobilizer at the Vehicons and fired a ray at them, making some Vehicons get frozen in their place as the dark-green Wrecker jumped down from his position. Cliffjumper showed up from behind a large metal piece and he fired a draining beam from the Energon Harvester, sucking away the Energon of a bunch of Vehicons as they collapsed lifelessly onto the ground. Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper and Wheeljack met up with each other and started firing their blasters at the Vehicons before Arcee jumped down from a different structure and placed the Apex Armor on her chest, coating herself in the indestructible suit and landing near her team. Jazz flew himself into the area with his energy grapple and skidded across the floor once he landed before running alongside his team, while Smokescreen phased out from the ground to join the attack.
"Defend the keys!" Megatron shouted.
A bunch of Vehicons surrounded the ones holding onto the Omega Keys as the Autobots shot down many others that attacked them, with Wheeljack blocking some of their blasted shots with his shield. Once they were close enough for physical combat, Arcee easily bashed apart some Vehicons with the Apex Armor, Bumblebee knocked them down with his superior skills, Bulkhead took some others down with his wrecking ball, Cliffjumper bashed down some more with his fists and blade, Wheeljack sliced down a lot of Vehicons with his swords, Jazz took them down from above with some help from his Energy Grapple, and Smokescreen sneak attacked some others with his phasing ability. Megatron growled in frustration as he brought out his Dark Star Saber and charged at the Autobots with the rest of his army, while the Autobots did the same and were soon joined by Optimus. The Autobot leader slashed down some incoming Vehicons with his Star Saber and Megatron shouted loudly before they locked blades with each other like before in Egypt.
"I bested your little blade once and I shall do it again!" Megatron declared.
Optimus and Megatron swiped their blades against one another as they each kicked each other back in the process. As the Autobots took down a few more Vehicons, Arcee uses her armor's strength to tackle away some Vehicons guarding the keys and Wheeljack shoved a few more back with the Shield Generator. Some other Vehicons attempted to blast them, but Bulkhead froze them with the Immobilizer and Cliffjumper drained their power with the Energon Harvester. This allowed Bumblebee to use the Polarity Gauntlet to pull the Omega Keys out of the hands of the frozen Vehicons that held them and they were grabbed by Arcee, Bulkhead, Cliffjumper and Smokescreen. Megatron saw the Autobots now had the keys, but Optimus pushed him back in their clash and launched a powerful energy wave that sent his old enemy crashing onto a metallic wall. The Autobots began to retreat and transformed into their vehicle modes before driving away, while a few Vehicon flyers pursued them. Megatron recovered and he glared down at his soldiers with the Dark Star Saber still in his hand.
"I will have those keys, or I will have your Sparks!" Megatron yelled in anger.
Just then, Jazz casually walked in the middle of the Vehicon army with the Spark Extractor in his hand.
"I can help out with that last part for ya, bucket-head." Jazz said with a smirk, showing the relic in his possession.
"The Spark Extractor!" Megatron exclaimed.
The Vehicons fired their blasters at Jazz, who swiftly ducked down and planted the Spark Extractor on the ground before transforming and driving away at maximum speed. When the Spark Extractor was activated, it released a large energy pulse that started draining the Sparks of all the Vehicons that were caught in it's radius. Seeing the pulse was getting close, Megatron yelled out and tossed his Dark Star Saber directly at the Spark Extractor, only for an energy grapple to latch onto the relic and pull it away before the dark weapon could stab it. Jazz, who had shot his energy grapple from his trunk, pulled the Spark Extractor into said compartment and closed the door as he joined up with the others.
"Ain't no way I'm letting this sweet relic get wrecked!" Jazz stated enthusiastically.
Megatron landed on the ground and walked forward slowly, pulling out his Dark Star Saber from the ground in the process.
"Starscream, the Autobots have seized the Omega Keys! Send reinforcements, immediately!" Megatron ordered on his com-link.
(Linebreak)
"Actually, Lord Megatron, Soundwave has been briefing me on recent developments." Starscream replied on the main deck as Soundwave, Thundercracker and Skywarp stood beside him. "And we might have a more effective solution."
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile in Gravesfield, the Hexside Squad were still walking their way to the Noceda residence.
"Are we almost there?" Skara asked in boredom.
"Just a few more miles and we can all lay down on the couch like lazy sloths." Luz reassured.
"That's brilliant to hear." Gus said with a soft sigh.
But suddenly, a Ground Bridge appeared right in front of the Hexside Squad and they all brought out their staffs for self-defence.
"Is it the Bots?" Willow asked cautiously.
"It's hard to tell." Hunter admitted.
"Ratchet hasn't given a call, yet." Amity said, frowning in suspicion.
"Does that mean…" Vee started to say.
Before any of them could react, Breakdown and Wildrider suddenly drove out of the Ground Bridge in their vehicle forms and they drifted to the sides, opening their doors and scooping up the Hexside Squad into their seats as they yelled out in shock. Breakdown captured Luz, Willow, Hunter and Vee while Wildrider caught Amity, Gus and Skara. The Hexside Squad tried to use their staffs' magic to escape, but Breakdown and Wildrider restrained them by wrapping their seatbelts around them.
"Hey! What do you Cons think you're doing?!" Luz demanded with a glare.
"Let us go or else!" Amity yelled.
"Shut up and stay seated, pipsqueaks." Breakdown retorted firmly.
"We need all of you insects for something important. And it involves your Autobot friends." Wildrider said.
"What?! Where are they, right now?!" Skara questioned frantically.
The two Decepticons didn't reply and they drove straight into the Ground Bridge with their prisoners before it closed up, without anyone seeing the entire scene.
(Linebreak)
On Cybertron in the Sea of Rust, Team Prime continued driving through the area before they eventually transformed and looked around the spot they believed were the precise coordinates.
"Looks like we got far away from them." Cliffjumper said, noticing the Decepticons weren't behind.
"Our head start won't last long." Arcee replied.
"This is where Alpha Trion said we'd find it, right?" Smokescreen asked.
"These are the coordinates." Bulkhead answered.
"And the lock we're looking for might be that." Wheeljack added, pointing at a strange metal object in front of them.
"Sure doesn't look really special." Jazz admitted.
Optimus wiped off some dust from the object and saw an ancient Cybertronian symbol on it.
(Linebreak)
"Ratchet, we have located the Omega Lock." Optimus said on the base's communicator, making the Autobot medic sigh in relief.
"At last." Ratchet said with a smile.
(Linebreak)
"Okay, so how do we get this thing to work?" Wheeljack asked.
"According to Alpha Trion, the Omega Lock is a conduit to the very Allspark itself." Optimus answered.
"Optimus, an honour like this shouldn't belong to me." Smokescreen said, preparing to give his key to his leader.
However, all four Omega Keys began to glow and so did the Omega Lock before the entire area around the Autobots started transforming by itself. Four giant pillars rose from the metallic ground and they shifted themselves to combine with each other, creating a large ring with raw Energon in the center of it. However, the Autobots didn't get the chance to activate the Omega Lock as they heard a familiar jet noise and saw Megatron flying towards them. The Decepticon leader transformed and landed in front of the Autobots, who got each of their Cybertronian relics ready for use.
"Autobots, I would suggest that you put a halt to your task and hand over those keys." Megatron told them.
"And why the slag would we do that?" Cliffjumper questioned.
Just then, a Ground Bridge opened up behind Megatron and walking out of it was Starscream, Soundwave, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Knock Out, Breakdown and Wildrider. To make things worse, Starscream, Soundwave and Knock Out were each carrying a large Cybertronian glass container that held the Hexside Squad imprisoned separately. Starscream had Luz and Amity, Soundwave had Hunter, Vee and Skara, and Knock Out had Willow and Gus.
"So that I may hand over the human girl and her Witch friends." Megatron said, gesturing to his prisoners.
The Autobots could only look on in shock and horror as their young friends had worried expressions, while Optimus remained calm in this very critical situation.
"And if we refuse?" Optimus asked with his eyes narrowed.
"Then I will have no choice but to open the pods, exposing your pets to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere." Megatron replied, walking up to Optimus until their faces were inches away from each other. "And then, we call all watch them instantly perish, together."
As the Decepticons, minus Soundwave, all smirked sinisterly at their respective captives, the Autobots were left with an extremely tough decision to make that would very much mean the end for them, their Hexside Squad friends of every single one of them together.
Next up is the Season 2 finale
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