Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers, The Owl House or their characters
As it was currently raining heavily with thunder in the clouds, the Nemesis was seen hovering over a medium-sized mountain edge as Megatron and Starscream flew down to it in their vehicle forms. When they both transformed and landed on the ground, Megatron began to walk towards a nearby cave entrance and Starscream gasped in shock when he recognised it.
"Another abounded mine?" Starscream asked, remembering what happened the last time he and Megatron went into one before.
"Come, Starscream." Megatron said, walking straight into the mine.
Starscream looked around worriedly for a bit before he followed his leader inside. The two of them soon arrived in an open area of the cave as Starscream began to suspect why he was brought here with Megatron.
"My liege, who could have foreseen that my alternative super soldier experiment would encounter…technical difficulties?" Starscream said with a nervous laugh, causing Megatron to halt.
"Resulting in the near loss of the Insecticon hive and over half our remaining troops!" Megatron reminded angrily in Starscream's face, causing him to drop to his knees.
"Forgive me, master! My intentions were true!" Starscream pleaded, bowing down for mercy. "Please, please reconsider my termination!"
Megatron only rolled his eyes and groaned annoyingly as he then walked away, causing Starscream to look ahead and see a laboratory set-up with large containers holding yellow liquid within.
"Oh, Shockwave's offsite laboratory." Starscream said in realisation. "Most impressive."
Inside the large containers were Protoform bodies of Predacon clones, having been created from all the collected Predacon bones. Megatron and Starscream walked into the laboratory set-up as Shatter and Dropkick then approached them.
"Welcome, Lord Megatron and Starscream." Shatter greeted.
"We're glad you could make it all the way here." Dropkick said. "Shockwave's been doing a great job with making our new army."
"Just as I hoped he would." Megatron replied.
As if on cue, Shockwave approached the group from his research terminal.
"The Predacon clones have almost fully evolved and will be combat ready within three cycles." Shockwave informed.
"Well done, Shockwave." Megatron said before activating his com-link. "Knock Out! I'm waiting."
(Linebreak)
"On my way, Lord Megatron!" Knock Out replied as he was standing on the Nemesis lift along with some boxes containing Synthetic Energon.
The lift began to take him down to the surface where Shockwave's laboratory was, not knowing the Predacon was watching him from above.
(Linebreak)
The lift soon arrived at the lab and Knock Out walked out of it with a box of Synth-En.
"Synthetic Energon. Troops will be delivering my remaining supply to you." Knock Out told Shockwave.
"I will determine its value after Lord Megatron's Predacon army is ready for deployment." Shockwave replied.
"We heard about that little Terrorcon problem you had on the Nemesis. I'm glad the the three of us weren't there to go through it." Dropkick commented, chucking humorously.
"Don't bring that up." Starscream muttered in annoyance.
But then, the Decepticons started hearing some thunderous footsteps and they turned to see the Predacon emerging from the cave's darkness, screeching loudly at them.
"Well, this is an unexpected greeting." Shatter admitted.
"Unruly beast!" Starscream scowled, approaching the Predacon with a metal pipe in his hand. "You dare to roam freely without permission?!"
The air commander then bashed the Predacon on the face with the pipe and the Cybertronian dragon roared angrily in response, causing Starscream to back off and drop down in fear. The Predacon then trekked up to Starscream with a threatening look in its eyes and Starscream yelled fearfully as he prepared for a ferocious attack…only for the Predacon to suddenly transform into a ginormous robot form. He was the same size as Grimlock with his same brown and bright-orange colours, with his face coloured white and his wings folded into his back. He also had very sharp claws on his fingers and his small Predacon symbol was perched onto the tip of his front torso. Megatron, Knock Out, Shatter and Dropkick looked on in astonishment at the sight of the Predacon transforming in front of them.
"What?!" Starscream asked shockingly.
"Strike me again and I will bury that rod in your Spark." The Predacon surprisingly said to Starscream with an intimidating glare.
"I…I did not realise that the beast was capable of transformation." Starscream admitted while nervously shifting away.
"Nor did I." Megatron added, turning to Shockwave.
"I am no beast!" The Predacon declared before he walked right past Starscream and stopped in front of one of the Predacon containers, staring at it.
"Hey, we're just as surprised as the rest of you that the Pred's got a robot mode." Dropkick told the others.
"The ability to transform is a fundamental part of Cybertronian biology. We simply possess no evidence that the Predacon species ever reached that evolutionary stage since they became extinct in the Great Cataclysm." Shockwave explained.
"And now, we know." Starscream said with a groan.
"It's such a surprise to see prehistoric Cybertronian life form evolve in such a way." Shatter commented, a bit fascinated.
"So, the rumours are true. I will no longer be alone." The Predacon said, keeping his eyes on the Predacon Protoform.
"And I see you've been keeping secrets." Megatron replied as he approached Cybertronian dragon in robot-form.
"It was not my intention to deceive you, Lord Megatron. I only recently became aware of my abilities." The Predacon told him as he began having flashbacks. "All I remember of my beginning is hunting…and battle…and the wounding of my pride. Thus, I began to burn with questions. Who am I? Where did I come from? The Nemesis' databanks provided historical facts, but still I possessed no memory of my own past. That was when I heard about the appearance of these 'Dinobots' and watched them on your recorded footage. They were very much similar to me, but had their own characteristics and abilities to change form as well, which was truly an inspirational site to me. So I began to reconsider my place in the present and wondered 'could I be like the others'? And now, I know."
"Yet you are unique, miracle of science. Cloned by Shockwave from Cyber Nucleic Acid, recovered from the remains of your mighty ancestors." Megatron proclaimed as he looked at the Predacon Protoform, causing the Predacon to do the same in silence.
(Linebreak)
At the Unit E facility, Ratchet was seen working with the Synthetic Energon formula on a terminal as Ultra Magnus approached him.
"Doctor, what is the current status of your Synthetic Energon experiments?" Ultra Magnus questioned.
"Doing the best I can, Commander, given the lack of functional equipment at my disposal." Ratchet answered.
"You do realise that an alternative energy source may he essential to our survival?" Ultra Magnus reminded firmly, causing Ratchet to groan irritatingly.
"Believe me, Ultra Magnus, no one is more acutely aware of the stakes than I am." Ratchet assured with a frown.
Ultra Magnus stared silently at the Autobot medic before he let out a soft mutter.
"Of course." Ultra Magnus said, walking away.
The Autobot Commander noticed the Hexside Squad were at the hangout platform working with their magic abilities and began approaching them.
"Okay, how about this?" Willow asked as she made a potted plant she brought grow taller and take a humanoid form.
"That's probably one of your best tricks yet, Willow." Amity complemented.
"I'll admit, it's not that bad." Boscha admitted while looking to her side, much to the others' surprise.
"Did Boscha give a compliment to Willow?" Gus asked in disbelief.
"She's either been hypnotised or hit on the head too hard." Skara replied.
"Actually, I think it's something else." Luz replied, smiling a bit.
"Younglings, why are you currently using your magic for no important reason?" Ultra Magnus questioned as he stood over the Hexside Squad.
"We're just practicing. We've still got to get better with our magic, Magnus." Amity replied.
"In that case, I would suggest that you train in an area that contains less valuable equipment." Ultra Magnus replied sternly.
"Sure, we'll keep it in mind." Hunter said as Ultra Magnus walked away.
"What's his problem? He should be treating us like friends, not some soldiers in an army." Skara said in annoyance.
"Yeah, I don't see Bulk or the others treating us like that." Willow added.
"Magnus is just a major control freak, that's what." Boscha scoffed.
"You could probably relate." Amity muttered to herself.
Luz noticed Vee was currently ignoring the conversation and stared into the distance with a thoughtful expression.
"Hey, Vee?" Luz asked, earning her adoptive sister's attention. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Luz. I'm just thinking about that Predacon clone Megatron created." Vee admitted. "Along with all the other Predacons he's trying to make."
"How come?" Lux questioned curiously.
"I know what it's like to be born from a species that's meant to be extinct just to be used for really bad purpose." Vee explained in sympathy, recalling her past as an experiment in Belos' castle. "I had a choice to have a better life, but the Predacons should be allowed to make that choice as well."
"You've already seen how violent and beastly that first Predacon is, Vee." Luz reminded. "I doubt there's a chance any of them will have the same personalities of good will as you and all the other Basilisks Belos brought back."
"You don't know that." Vee said, sounding almost defensive as Luz was silent from hearing this.
On the other side of the base, Ultra Magnus approached Bumblebee, Arcee, Bulkhead, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack, Jazz, Smokescreen, Ironhide and Jetfire as they were all working at a large Cybertronian computer.
"Beast Hunters, may I ask why you are not currently scouting grid 305 for Predacon bones?" Ultra Magnus questioned.
"Because we just returned from surveying grids 301 to 304?" Arcee answered, a bit bothered.
"And we finished up with scouting different areas for possible Energon sightings." Cliffjumper added with his arms crossed.
"Ahem. To log our field reports, per your protocol, Commander Magnus. Sir." Bulkhead explained respectfully.
Ultra Magnus nodded in response before he started hearing nearby grunting noises, along with everyone else as they turned to see Grimlock lifting up a huge pile of metal material with his bare hands while the other Dinobots watched nearby.
"Come on, Grim! You're doing an awesome job!" Swoop encouraged.
"Just keep at it, boss!" Slug added.
With one final shout, Grimlock crushed the metal pile with his hands while still holding it up and then slammed it onto the floor.
"That was barely a tough exercise." Grimlock proclaimed.
"Still, you've got your unmatched strength back in shape." Snarl assured.
"May I ask what you think you're doing, Dinobots?" Ultra Magnus demanded as he approached them.
"Grimlock just needed some exercise, sir." Sludge answered.
"It's better than just sitting in this small human building without having to tear apart some Decepticons." Grimlock said to himself.
"In the future, I would advise all of you to do less of it inside here where the natives are in." Ultra Magnus told him firmly. "As a team leader, Grimlock, you must learn to restrain yourself and your teammates."
"Restraints just make you weak, along with those stupid protocols you're so attached to." Grimlock scoffed rudely.
"Would you care to repeat that, soldier?" Ultra Magnus asked with a glare, causing Grimlock to glare right back at him.
"I'm not your soldier, Magnus. The only one in charge of me is me." Grimlock said, snarling a bit.
Everyone began to notice the tension growing between Ultra Magnus and Grimlock and they all gained worried expressions.
"Grim, take it easy." Wheeljack instructed.
"Don't do something bad, boss." Slug added.
"Must I not remind you that you and your team agreed to join this unit as its newest members, there for submitting yourself to mine, Elita and Optimus' commands." Ultra Magnus proclaimed.
"The only commands I take are the ones I agree to, which aren't a lot from you or Prime." Grimlock retorted.
"Oh Titan, this is gonna be bad." Amity whispered worriedly.
Grimlock and Ultra Magnus kept glaring dangerously at each other with the Dinobot leader clenching his fists in anger. But before a fight could begin, everyone hears some approaching footsteps and they turned to see Seaspray walking into the facility as he had green liquid on himself.
"You want to snap at someone, do it to him." Grimlock said before he walked away.
"Soldier, I don't recall giving you permission to leave the base." Ultra Magnus told Seaspray.
"That's because you didn't, sir." Seaspray replied, cleaning himself.
"Why are your hands smeared with coolant?" Ultra Magnus asked as he noticed the green liquid.
"I…upgraded your ship's engines a bit. You'll now get a ten percent increase in vectored thrust." Seaspray admitted, leaving Ultra Magnus a bit surprised.
"Even Seaspray did a nice thing to someone he doesn't usually like." Hunter muttered.
Just then, everyone heard some engine noises from outside and they saw Optimus landing in front of the entrance as his jetpack folded up before Elita drove next to him and transformed, as well. The Autobots, Hexside Squad and Dinobots became glad to see them both and started rushing towards them.
"Optimus! Elita!" Luz called.
"Good to see you two!" Smokescreen remarked happily.
"You've been out a while!" Jazz chuckled.
"Hey there, boss Bots!" Swoop greeted.
"About dang time!" Ironhide added.
"Welcome back!" Ratchet said kindly.
"We've kinda missed you both!" Willow admitted.
"Good to have you back, Optimus and Commander." Arcee said.
Even Grimlock started approaching Optimus and Elita with the others while shoulder-shoving Ultra Magnus when he passed him.
"So, Optimus, what do you and the great Elita One have to report?" Grimlock questioned.
"Did you two see Decepticons doing suspicious jobs anywhere?" Luz asked curiously.
"I'm afraid not. Our recon mission resulted in no new findings." Elita replied.
"Decepticon activity is at a low. I fear that Megatron may have collected the specimens he requires to…" Optimus began to say before noticing how Ultra Magnus was all alone with everyone favouring him and Elita. "Clone his army."
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile on the Nemesis, Megatron and the Predacon were walking side-by-side through the corridors as the Vehicons and Insecticons were very surprised by the Predacon's new form and revealed intellect. Starscream, Soundwave, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Knock Out, Breakdown, Wildrider, Shockwave, Shatter, Dropkick, Sharpshot and Kickback were following them from behind.
"It is with deepest gratitude for my creation that I pledge undying obedience to you, my one true master." The Predacon said to Megatron in a humble tone. "But with more of my species soon to strive among us, I beg your permission to in turn lead them…as Predaking."
"Did he really just name himself?" Sharpshot asked quietly.
"He did. Did. Did." Kickback replied.
"Your vision…is boundless." Megatron admitted to the newly-named Predaking.
After leaving Predaking on his own, Megatron and his top Decepticons were inside one of the storage rooms and discussing an important issue.
"So, what are we doing here again?" Breakdown asked, a little bit confused.
"Because we've got a brand new problem on our hands." Wildrider replied. "Isn't that right, Lord Megatron?"
"Correct. Our former beast may fully believe himself to be a loyal servant today. But trust me, the moment our royal highness realises that his army possesses greater might than what currently remains of the Decepticons…" Megatron started explaining.
"Evolution will give way to revolution." Starscream finished.
"We'll all just become footnotes to those beasts and they'll slaughter us all the moment they realise we're weaker." Thundercracker added in concern.
"I am left with no choice…but to eradicate the Predacon clones before they are provided the opportunity to eradicate us." Megatron announced.
"So after all of that hard work…we're just gonna terminate everything?" Skywarp asked, surprised by his leader's decision.
"Lord Megatron, you're not saying you intend to pull the plug on Shockwave's beloved Project Predacon?" Knock Out questioned with a sly smile.
"I'm not exactly sure he'd like that." Sharpshot admitted as he turned to Shockwave.
"Your conclusion is most logical, my liege." Shockwave said, agreeing with his leader's point of view.
"This whole thing is about us or them, and I choose us." Dropkick proclaimed.
"Agreed. There isn't really another way to avoid becoming the next Cybertronian beings to go extinct." Shatter said in agreement.
"But, what happens if that fire-breathing brute discovers our treachery?" Knock Out asked.
"The moment he learns that we wanted his brethren killed, he'll burn us all. All. All." Kickback commented worriedly.
"Ahem. Why assume that we will be the ones to perform the deed?" Starscream questioned as he leaned against some Energon boxes. "After all, if the 'Predaking' were to discover that, say the Autobots and their Witch pets, were responsible for wiping out his comrades, our resident beast might in turn destroy our hated enemies for us. Or…they him."
Megatron smirked evilly in response, liking this idea of Starscream's.
(Linebreak)
Back at Unit E, most of Team Prime was checking the main computer for any signs of Decepticon activity while Grimlock stayed back to have some alone time, leaning against the wall. Luz decided to approach the Dinobot leader on her own.
"You're gonna have to make up to Ultra Magnus about nearly starting a fight with him." Luz said.
"Why should I, human? He just wants to turn me into his mindless soldier, just like everyone else." Grimlock replied with a scoff.
"He only wants you to start working with us all better. We need to be more cooperative with each other if we wanna stop the Cons for good." Luz told him.
"I already told you, I choose to take orders when I agree with them." Grimlock reminded. "We had a deal about it."
"I haven't forgotten, but you really need to put all that stuff in the past behind you, Grimlock. You did it already when you chose to spare Sharpshot and Kickback, now you need to start being more cooperative with Optimus, Magnus and the others." Luz explained compassionately. "Can you try doing that?"
"I'll…try. No promises." Grimlock said with his arms crossed, looking away a bit.
"That's good enough for me." Luz replied with a soft smile, walking back to her friends and leaving Grimlock alone with his thoughts.
Near the entrance of Unit E, Ultra Magnus was silently staring out at some soldiers who were doing run drill exercises.
"Ultra Magnus." Optimus said as he approached the Autobot commander. "Something has been troubling you."
"I fear that my command style may be having a negative effect on unit morale." Ultra Magnus admitted. "Especially Grimlock."
"Your service is most welcome, old friend." Optimus assured, placing a hand on the commander's shoulder. "But this is not the Elite Guard."
"Things have changed since the war for Cybertron." Ultra Magnus said softly.
"And we must adapt to that change." Optimus replied, looking towards everyone else at the computer. "The members of Team Prime are not cogs in a machine. They have grown into something greater than an army. They have become…"
Before Optimus could finish, a beeping noise started to come from the computer and everyone saw what it was.
"Optimus, our scanners have detected exposed Energon." Ratchet informed.
"There appears to be a large number of it and it's originating from a Decepticon mine." Elita told her love interest.
"With our reserves at a critical low, we cannot afford not to investigate." Optimus proclaimed as he activated his battle mask.
"In that case, we're all going." Luz said confidently as Stringbean floated next to her and transformed into her staff form.
"That's fine with me." Grimlock admitted.
(Linebreak)
At the cave from earlier, some Vehicons were currently transporting some carts of Energon outside with three Insecticons alongside them.
"Decepticons!" Optimus' voice called as the Cons looked up to see him, the Wreckers and the Dinobots standing at the top of the huge hill. "Step away from the Energon and surrender!"
In response, the Vehicons began firing their at their enemies above and Grimlock blocked many of the shots with his Energon shield before Ultra Magnus, the Wreckers and the Dinobots started sliding down the cliff. Slug, Snarl and Sludge fired their respective blasters at the Vehicons while Swoop transformed into his Pterodactyl form and attacked the Insecticons that flew at them. Wheeljack tossed his two swords at one of the Vehicons and both of them stabbed him straight into the ground before he slammed right down onto another one and used his electric whip to pull in another, which Ultra Magnus slammed down on with the Forge of Solus Prime. Sludge transformed and squashed three Vehicons at once with his Apatosaurus feet before Bulkhead, Seaspray, Slug and Snarl landed next to him. The remaining Vehicons fired their blasters at their enemies, but a few of them were taken out by blaster fire and Fire balls from behind and they saw the rest of Team Prime and the Hexside Squad rushing towards them.
"Eat this, Cons!" Luz yelled before she fired a purple beam from her staff, taking out a few Vehicons.
Bumblebee blocked some blaster shots with his shield as Jazz and Ironhide provided cover fire for him and Gus distracted a few enemies with his many illusions. Amity summoned three large Abominations that attacked the Vehicons and tore many of them to pieces, while Willow dragged a few more into the ground with her large vines and Skara shot some down with some energy arrows from her mini harp. Arcee fired her laser weapon and it easily cut through some of the Vehicons while tackled down another one and punched him right in the face. Swoop got bashed back by one of the Insecticons and all three of them charged at him, but then they got shot down by some missiles and Swoop saw that they came from Jetfire, who flew over the Pterodactyl Dinobot. Hunter quickly avoided the incoming blaster fire with his flash ability and Vee easily drained their Energon, making their lifeless bodies fall down before Luz tossed some Ice Glyphs that froze some others in place. Smokescreen activated his Phase Shifter and tackled a Vehicon through a boulder, trapping him within it. Elita struck down two more Vehicons with her blade as one more tried to shot her from behind, only for Boscha to launch a flaming Grudgby ball through it's chest. Optimus started descending down and shot a Vehicon below him, landing straight down on it. When Grimlock started to descend down, he transformed in midair and let out a huge roar before melting down two Vehicons with his fire breath and grabbing the last one with his jaws, chewing him up and slamming him onto the ground. With all of their enemies destroyed, Team Prime, the Hexside Squad and the Dinobots regrouped with each other and approached the Energon karts.
"Check out all of that sweet fuel." Cliffjumper commented.
"They've got to have more from where it came from." Amity said, gesturing to the cave entrance.
"Stealth Team, Hexside Squad, transport our cargo back to base." Optimus instructed. "Wreckers, Dinobots, reconnoiter the mine."
"As long as I get to find some Decepticons to destroy, that's fine." Grimlock replied.
"I've already wanted to roll with the Wreckers and Dinobots!" Smokescreen said enthusiastically, only to straighten himself after seeing Optimus, Ultra Magnus and Grimlock's firm looks. "Uh, sir."
"Gus and I will come along, too." Willow offered. "If that's okay with you all, of course."
"We will?" Gus questioned before Willow gave him a firm frown. "I mean, of course we will."
"If you two are going, then I'm gonna make sure I'm not left out." Boscha told them with her arms crossed.
"It's gonna be an interesting day, alright." Snarl muttered.
"Make sure that all of you remain safe. We don't know what we'll truly find here." Elita warned.
"We'll be alright, Ma'am." Sludge assured.
(Linebreak)
The Wreckers, Dinobots, Willow, Gus and Boscha were later seen walking through the mine and searching for any signs of Decepticons or Energon.
"It's quiet in here. Too quiet." Slug said suspiciously.
"No Energon signals." Bulkhead informed while holding a scanner.
"And no additional security." Wheeljack added.
"Something's not right here." Seaspray admitted.
"Why do I have the weird feeling that we've just walked into a trap?" Gus asked, a little bit nervous.
"Because we probably did." Swoop replied.
The team soon came up to an intersection that led right and left.
"We should find something on one of these paths." Grimlock said.
"Pair off." Ultra Magnus ordered.
The team then split up to search both paths at once. Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Seaspray, Slug, Snarl, Willow and Boscha went right and Bulkhead, Smokescreen, Grimlock, Swoop, Sludge and Gus went left. Ultra Magnus' team rushed ahead once they reached an open area with their respective weapons out and got behind the edge of a stone wall. When they looked ahead from their cover, the team saw Shockwave's Predacon lab ahead and they all walked up to it, looking at all the Predacon Protoforms in silence.
"Well, this is one whole lot of ugly." Wheeljack commented.
"You can say that again." Boscha agreed.
"I'm counting at least twenty four of these things." Slug said.
"Megatron's cloning operations seems further along than we anticipated." Ultra Magnus admitted seriously.
"Uh, guys? We're not alone." Willow told the others, pointing ahead.
Boscha and the Bots looked at where she pointed and saw Shockwave working at his lab's pain terminal before the one-eyed scientist quickly noticed them, firing his cannon at them. Ultra Magnus' team took cover behind the Predacon containers and started shooting at Shockwave, who got behind the terminal.
"Starscream, the Autobots and their Witch companions have arrived!" Shockwave stated on his com-link. "You did not inform me that your plan was already in motion."
(Linebreak)
From the Nemesis, Starscream heard Shockwave's call on the main deck with Knock Out, Thundercracker and Skywarp.
"Only so the whole affair would appear less…staged." Starscream said casually.
"I have yet to purge my lab of sensitive materials." Shockwave replied.
"Then do not let me keep you, Shockwave. Over and out." Starscream told him before ending the call.
"You scrapped him on purpose, didn't you?" Knock Out asked knowingly, earning a smug smirk from Starscream.
"Shockwave isn't gonna be happy if he survives." Thundercracker muttered as Skywarp nodded in agreement.
(Linebreak)
Shockwave kept firing at Ultra Magnus' team, who avoided his shots and returned fire with Willow launching some deadly plant thorns and Boscha tossed explosive potions.
"Soundwave, I require an immediate Ground Bridge." Shockwave informed the communication Decepticon.
After firing more shots at his enemies to make them take cover, Shockwave pressed on his terminal and a bunch of electricity coursed from the huge Cybertronian structure above him to all of the Predacon containers.
"Uh, what's one-eye doing?" Boscha asked nervously.
"He's starting to wake up the Preds." Snarl answered.
Ultra Magnus noticed this as well before he saw Shockwave running up a stone edge to where a Ground Bridge appeared, shooting a powerful blast at the Autobot Commander as he was then able to run into the Ground Bridge, which closed up. Ultra Magnus saw Shockwave had escaped, but he and the others quickly noticed the containers were beginning to leak out their yellow liquid on the ground and they all backed away, knowing the Predacons were about to awaken.
"Looks like this was a trap." Grimlock muttered, gripping his sword tightly.
(Linebreak)
Megatron and Predaking were currently walking side-by-side through the Nemesis, until Starscream ran out of the main deck and approached them.
"Lord Megatron, it seems Project Predacon has fallen into Autobot hands!" Starscream stated.
"How is this possible?" Predaking asked in disbelief.
"Starscream, scramble your Seeker armada." Megatron ordered.
"At once, my liege." Starscream replied before he started rushing away.
"No!" Predaking called, making Starscream stop. "If my brethren are imperilled, I will confront the enemy."
(Linebreak)
The Predacon containers were still releasing their yellow liquid as Ultra Magnus and his team got their weapons out to be ready for the Predacons. Snarl made sure to place Willow and Boscha on his shoulders.
"I say we take these things out, now." Snarl declared, shifting both his hands into blasters.
"That's not exactly a perfect idea, Snarl." Willow replied.
"She's right. A few shots and scratches aren't gonna put a dent in these tough beasts." Seaspray added.
The group then noticed the Predacons starting to come online as one of them smashed on the glass, making it crack a bit. Wheeljack soon noticed a pile of boxes containing Synthetic Energon and got an idea, bringing out one of his grenades.
"Permission to deploy a grenade in a confined space, sir?" Wheeljack asked.
"It is our best chance to destroy all of these monsters, Magnus." Slug said in agreement.
"All seven of us are all that stands between these monsters and the natives of this planet, then by all means. Blow these beasts back to the Rust Age!" Ultra Magnus ordered.
Wheeljack nodded and activated his grenade before he tossed it towards the Synthetic Energon boxes, making it roll right in front of them. Boscha brought out two potions and opened their lids to make them emit sizzling steam.
"There's always room for a few more." Boscha said with a confident smile before she tossed the potions next to Wheeljack's grenade.
"Alright, let's book it!" Seaspray stated urgently.
Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Seaspray, Slug and Snarl quickly transformed into their alternate modes with Willow and Boscha riding inside the swordsman Wrecker. The Autobots began driving/charging their way out of the lab with their Witch companions and they soon got to the exit before the grenade and explosive potions went off, making the Synthetic Energon boxes exploding in a ginormous explosion that trailed up to the Cybertronian structure above. Ultra Magnus' team was almost on the other side of the exit, but then a Ground Bridge appeared in front of them and the five Autobots transformed as Wheeljack softly settled Willow and Boscha on the ground. The team looked into the Ground Bridge to see Predaking emerging out of it, while the explosion back in the lab grew even bigger and consumed the Predacon Protoforms.
"Who's the new big guy with the spiky head?" Slug questioned, glaring at Predaking.
"The very same who has previously allowed you to live, but will not today." Predaking answered before Ultra Magnus noticed his Predacon symbol.
"He's the Predacon!" Ultra Magnus realised shockingly.
"What?! You didn't say they could transform!" Willow exclaimed.
Before she could get a reply, the group heard a loud bang behind them and saw the explosion from the laboratory coming their way.
"Move!" Snarl yelled before they all avoided the explosion.
(Linebreak)
Outside the mine, Team Prime and the Hexside Squad were transporting the Energon through a Ground Bridge back to Unit E, leaving Optimus, Luz and Vee behind them. Grimlock, Bulkhead, Smokescreen, Swoop, Sludge and Gus then arrived out of the mine, only to then hear and feel the explosion from deep inside.
"Woah! What was that?" Smokescreen asked in surprise.
"Kinda sounded like a big bang to me." Swoop replied.
"Willow, Jackie and the others are still back in there." Gus reminded, worried for his friends.
Optimus and Luz looked at each other in concern and knew that something bad was going to happen.
"What's going on in there?" Vee asked, walking up to the others.
"You should go back, Vee." Luz replied. "We'll handle this."
"Okay." Vee said with a sigh, walking into the Ground Bridge.
"Grimlock, we will need you to accompany us." Optimus told the Dinobot leader.
"Gladly." Grimlock replied.
(Linebreak)
Back inside the mine, Predaking saw that the area Shockwave's lab used to be in was now completed destroyed in a fiery inferno, along with his fellow Predacon.
"What have you done to my brethren?" Predaking demanded, turning to Ultra Magnus' team and stomping towards them in pure rage. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
With an angry yell, Predaking started charging straight towards Ultra Magnus' team with the intent to utterly destroy.
"Girls, move!" Seaspray shouted as he grabbed Willow and Boscha and tossed them behind a boulder.
Predaking powered right through his enemies' blaster fire and jumped up to bring his claws down on them, causing the five Autobots to narrowly avoided the attack. Ultra Magnus and Snarl kept firing their blasters at Predaking, who easily swatted them both away like flies and instantly charged towards Slug and Seaspray before the aquatic Wrecker quickly fired a torpedo at the Predacon. Unfortunately, Predaking easily slashed the torpedo away and he grabbed Seaspray by the head before dragging him through the ground and tossing him into a stone pillar, while Slug tried to tackle him from behind and the Predacon slashed him away with his claws. Wheeljack shot his blaster at Predaking when he headed towards him before the Predacon viciously grabbed him and tossed him against the cave wall, causing the swordsman Wrecker to groan a bit as he managed to quickly get back up.
"Well then, let's dance!" Wheeljack stated, activating his battle mask.
Predaking once again leaped down to Wheeljack for a claw strike and Wheeljack avoided it before skilfully leaping around Predaking's attacks and then jumping straight up to the ceiling, thrusting himself back down and landing a powerful blow on Predaking that made him fall back onto the ground while Wheeljack landed behind him. The swordsman Wrecker charged at Predaking and hit him with an uppercut before kicking him back into the wall, landing back down and bringing out his two swords. Wheeljack ran at Predaking to swipe his swords at him, but the Predacon avoided him and punched him into the wall twice before relentlessly smashing him onto the ground. Suddenly, Slug rammed straight into Predaking in his Triceratops form and smashed straight through three boulders before tossing him against the ground. As Predaking got back up, Snarl bashed him with his Stegosaurus tail from behind and then Slug used his front feet to slam the Predacon onto the ground before repeatedly stabbing him with his horns. But then, Predaking grabbing Slug by his face and tossed him into Snarl before both Dinobots collided with a stone pillar, falling onto the ground with painful groans. Predaking prepared to attack again, but Ultra Magnus suddenly smashed him back with the Forge and ran straight after him for another hammer attack, only for Predaking to swat him away and start climbing up a pillar for another attack. Ultra Magnus quickly grabbed the Forge and swung it at Predaking when he descended down for the attack, rushing up to the Predacon and then slamming him away with the Forge again. Predaking held himself onto the wall and jumped towards Ultra Magnus for an attack, but the Autobot commander avoided him and swung the Forge in his face before hooking him by the back of his head and slamming him onto a nearby pillar. Ultra Magnus swung down the Forge again and Predaking managed to avoid it this time before the Predacon smashed Ultra Magnus against the pillar and tossed him away into another one. When Ultra Magnus tried getting back up, Predaking immediately smashed him in the head with the Forge and the Autobot Commander fell on his hands and knees. Predaking prepared to bring the Forge down onto Ultra Magnus, only for two torpedos to blast him away and crash against a boulder as Seaspray rushed up to the Predacon with his sickles in hand. When he was close, Seaspray leaped over Predaking's incoming claw attack and landed behind him before landing multiple sickle slashes on the Predacon, making him back up a bit as Seaspray charged in for another attack. Willow and Boscha were watching the entire thing from behind their boulder.
"We're not just gonna sit here and do nothing, right?" Boscha questioned the Plant Witch girl, who put on a determined glare.
"No, we're not." Willow answered before she rushed ahead, causing Boscha to follow her.
Seaspray swung his sickles at Predaking again, only for the Predacon to catch them both and punch the aquatic Wrecker in the stomach, making him gasp painfully and drop down. Predaking was about to finish Seaspray with his claws, until a bunch of vines sprouted from underneath him and wrapped around his arms and legs to keep him restrained. Predaking saw the vines were summoned by Willow as her eyes were glowing green and Boscha ran forward with another explosive potion in her hand, tossing it at Predaking and making the potion explode in his face as it blinded him for a bit.
"Wheeljack, now!" Willow called out to the swordsman Wrecker, who nodded towards her.
Bringing out his electric whip, Wheeljack used it to grab the nearby Forge of Solus Prime and swung it around before hitting Predaking with it. Predaking jumped down from a pillar and charged straight at his recovered enemies before Wheeljack and Seaspray fired their swords and sickles at him, causing the Predacon to block all four weapons with his arms. Willow summoned two giant vines from the ground and they were grabbed by Slug and Snarl, who used the vines to throw off Predaking by his neck and he crashed back onto the ground. The five Autobots and two Witch girls looked to each other and nodded determinedly.
"Let's take this living fossil down." Slug said, pounding his fist into his palm.
The team charged once again at Predaking, who ripped Wheeljack and Seaspray's weapons from his arms and charged back at them. Ultra Magnus threw Wheeljack into the air with the Forge and the swordsman Wrecker lassoed Predaking by the throat with his electric whip before the Predacon easily tore it off. Willow created two large vine visits around her hands and shot then at Predaking, landing two direct hits on his face as Boscha assisted her with some powerful fire balls. Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Seaspray, Slug, Snarl, Willow and Boscha kept on hitting Predaking left and right without giving him a chance to retaliate before Wheeljack began shooting him with his blasters and Slug delivered a shoulder-bash to the Predacon. Wheeljack jumped onto a broken pillar and he started shooting up at a much larger pillar that hung over Predaking, causing the others to notice what he was up to.
"Let's bring down the house on him!" Seaspray announced, shooting some more torpedos at the pillar.
Ultra Magnus, Slug and Snarl did the same thing with their blasters while Willow and Boscha made sure to get very far, knowing the impact from the pillar was gonna be big. The shots soon made the giant pillar collapse down onto Predaking before he could do anything and the Autobots placed away their weapons.
"I guess some thing's are meant to stay extinct." Boscha remarked, smiling victoriously.
"Just not the Earth creatures that humans call Dinosaurs." Snarl replied.
However, the team saw that the giant pillar was beginning to move and Predaking was revealed to have survived it falling on him, lifting the pillar with all his strength and swinging it at his foes. Ultra Magnus' team ended up getting bashed away with Willow and Boscha landing onto a pile of small rocks and Wheeljack, Seaspray, Slug and Snarl crashing against a larger boulder. When the four Autobots tried to get up, Predaking suddenly rammed the giant pillar into them and they were consumed by a large cloud of dust that the rubble made. Ultra Magnus slowly got up and saw that his allies were down and too weak to get up. The Autobot Commander saw Predaking leap into the air and crawled towards the Forge in an attempt to grab it, only for Predaking to land on his right hand and make him shout painfully. With one powerful stomp, Predaking completely flattened Ultra Magnus' hand and he cried out in agony before the Predacon moved his foot away to revel Ultra Magnus' hand was nothing but flat robotic pieces, causing the Autobot Commander to roll on his back and hold his destroyed hand. Predaking started to walk towards the Forge and picked it up, while Ultra Magnus turned to his defeated team.
"And here, I was…just starting to respect you a little bit." Boscha admitted to Willow, smiling a little bit.
"Well…that's definitely something that hasn't happened." Willow replied as she also smiled.
"She's not wrong. I was starting to tolerate you for a sec, sir." Seaspray told Ultra Magnus.
"I'll be honest, you Dinobots are…just as good as Wreckers." Wheeljack complemented weakly.
"Too bad Grimlock and the others aren't here to hear that." Slug muttered.
"Let's just hope that the others…can keep fighting without us." Snarl said, groaning in the middle of his sentence.
"It's been an honour serving beside you, soldiers. Young ones." Ultra Magnus expressed softly.
"Same here, Mr Magnus." Willow replied, accepting this could be the end.
Predaking stood over Ultra Magnus and snapped the Forge in half with all his strength making golden dust scatter on the floor and the broken Prime relic was tossed onto the floor.
"Prepare to perish." Predaking said, bringing his claws up to kill Ultra Magnus.
But suddenly, Grimlock punched Predaking in the face out of nowhere and the Predacon crashed through two pillars before being buried in rocks. Optimus, Luz and Swoop then showed up and the Autobot leader fired his mini gun at the surrounding area of Predaking, causing a bunch more large rocks to fall onto the Predacon.
"We need to get them out of here, now!" Luz stated urgently, carrying Willow and Boscha onto her Witch staff.
"So, that's the Predacon I've been hearing about." Grimlock said to himself while staring at the rubble, eager to battle Predaking when he emerges.
"Grimlock we must retreat!" Optimus called, carrying Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack and Seaspray in his arms.
"Come on, Grim!" Swoop stated.
Grimlock looked back to where Predaking was buried and he was so desperate to have a great battle with him, but knew that Slug and Snarl needed medical attention.
"Fine. Next time." Grimlock said reluctantly, picking up Slug and Snarl as Swoop grabbed him with his talons and held him in the air like a living jetpack.
Predaking suddenly bursted out of the rock rubble and saw Optimus, Luz and Grimlock escaping to the exit.
"What?! NOOOOOOOOO!" Predaking yelled at the top of his metal lungs, pursing his enemies.
Optimus, Luz and the others soon made it out of the mine and flew into the air, while Predaking also got out and transformed into his dragon form before flying straight after them.
"Ratchet, we need a Ground Bridge!" Luz shouted on her phone, seeing Predaking was getting close.
A Ground Bridge immediately appeared in front of the group and Predaking unleashed a fire blast at them, only for his foes to escape into the Ground Bridge and it closed up before the fire could make contact. Predaking then came to a halt and he unleashed a roar of absolute rage, vowing to get revenge for his destroyed Predacon brethren.
(Linebreak)
At Unit E, Ultra Magnus was laying on a medical table and Ratchet was using his tools to treat his destroyed hand while Optimus and Elita stood by. Ultra Magnus soon woke up and he looked at where his right hand used to be, sighing sadly.
"You'll be okay, Magnus." Elita assured, placing a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Ratchet will take good care of you." Optimus said.
Ultra Magnus noticed that Grimlock was standing next to him, crossing his arms and looking away a bit in silence.
"Sorry about your hand." Grimlock said softly. "Loosing something important about yourself isn't easy."
The rest of Team Prime, the Dinobots and the Hexside Squad were standing nearby as Wheeljack, Seaspray, Slug, Snarl, Willow and Boscha were still recovering.
"You fellas feeling alright?" Jazz asked.
"We will be." Wheeljack replied.
"Magnus battled like a real Wrecker, today." Seaspray said, gaining a newfound respect for the Autobot Commander.
"I've never had these kinds of injuries in Grudgby before." Boscha said while clenching her left shoulder. "It kinda feels good."
"You'll get used to it." Skara replied.
"Hey, what's with Vee?" Amity asked silently, gesturing to the Basilisk girl as she was currently sitting in the corner by herself.
"I don't know. She started acting like that ever since we told her what happened with the Predacons." Willow replied.
"Wish I knew what's bothering her." Gus admitted.
"I might know." Luz said, remembering the conversation she had with Vee earlier and knowing she's pretty upset at the moment.
"Optimus, when we spoke earlier…what could be greater than an army?" Ultra Magnus asked, still laying back.
"A human concept. One I have learned since coming to Earth." Optimus answered, turning to the other Autobots. "Family."
Team Prime and the Dinobots approached their leaders as they hoped the best for Ultra Magnus, while the Hexside Squad still stared at the sulking Vee in concern.
(Linebreak)
On the Nemesis, Megatron and his Decepticons were addressing Predaking on the recent event.
"Do not despair, my Predaking." Megatron said to his loyal Predacon, who growled furiously. "For I vow to you that the Autobots and Witches will pay dearly for the outrage against your kind."
Starscream and the other Cons simply smirked at each other, knowing that Predaking doesn't know it was all their idea to have the Predacons destroyed.
"Looks one of your plans actually worked, Scream." Dropkick admitted.
"There's a first time for everything, I guess." Sharpshot said.
"Shockwave, report!" Megatron ordered on his com-link.
"It is true, my liege. Project Predacon had been rendered null and void." Shockwave replied. "At least, I have been unable to recover any beast forms. However, there is something you must behold for yourself."
"What could be in that wrecked mine that's worth looking at?" Wildrider questioned.
"That's for Lord Megatron to find out." Shatter replied.
(Linebreak)
Later on, a Ground Bridge appeared in the mine and Megatron and Starscream emerged from it. What they saw in front of them suddenly made Starscream gasp in surprise.
"What is this?" Starscream asked.
It was shown that Megatron and Starscream were staring at a large pile of advanced-looking Cybertronian metal with spikes growing out of it. Shockwave then approached them both.
"Pure Cybertronian cyber-matter. Not unlike that which once existed upon our primeval home world." Shockwave explained.
"Or that which engendered my citadel here on Earth." Megatron realised. "The result of the explosion?"
"Indeed, yet the Cyber Nucleic Acid alone alone cannot account for these…cyberforms. All possible logic points to the presence of one unexpected variable." Shockwave said before he gesturing to a piece of cyber-matter that had familiar green liquid on it. "Synthetic Energon."
Megatron silently began to process this new information, thinking he might have just found a new way to help him win the war.
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