Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers, The Owl House or their characters
Within the cave where Project Predacon was blown up, Megatron, Starscream and Shockwave were standing within the mass of twisted cyber-matter.
"Simply put, this combination of elements could allow us to cyber-form entire worlds." Shockwave said.
"Ugh. Why do I feel a Shockwave plan coming on?" Starscream asked himself in annoyance.
But suddenly, Shockwave grabbed Starscream by his arm and pulled him forward as the air commander was shocked to feel a great amount of anger coming from Shockwave.
"Do not think for a moment, Starscream, that it had gone unnoticed that you left me at the mercy of the Autobots!" Shockwave stated in Starscream's face.
"Master, are you going to allow one lieutenant to harm another?" Starscream asked fearfully, only for Megatron to give no response. "Master?!"
"I'm thinking." Megatron said simply.
Shockwave then angrily tossed Starscream to the other side and held him by the back of his head, which was in front of a sharp cyber-matter piece.
"I am tempted to force you to share my perception of things." Shockwave scowled, pushing Starscream's face closer towards the spike as he stuttered in nervousness.
"No! I only did what I thought was best for the mission, but I do feel compelled to add that it was my very error in judgment that made this happy accident possible!" Starscream stated sincerely. "If I recollect, you were seeking to purge your laboratory of sensitive materials before the Autobots and their pets arrived, were you not?"
"Your argument…is logical." Shockwave said before he released Starscream.
"Exemplary teamwork. Now tell me, Shockwave, why does this cyber-matter resemble chaos?" Megatron asked.
"The basic elements are apparently unstable. I will turn my attention to correcting that." Shockwave assured.
"Ah nevertheless, should use we use this cyber-matter to restore Cybertron or cyber-form Earth, we would require a launch mechanism, would we not?" Megatron questioned, earning a nod from the one-eyed scientist. "Then we will focus all our remaining resources upon the successful reconstruction of the Omega Lock."
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile at Unit E, Team Prime, the Hexside Squad and the Dinobots watched Ratchet performing a tough surgical job on Ultra Magnus to replace his destroyed hand. On the other hand, Vee was currently looking away with a sour look on her face, still thinking about how Willow had said she and her team had destroyed the Predacon Protoforms. Soon, Ratchet was finished and shifted his blowtorch away before turning to everyone else.
"How is he, Ratchet?" Elita asked.
"I've done everything I can, considering the limitations of my equipment and less than ideal spare parts." Ratchet admitted as he moved aside, revealing that Ultra Magnus now had a three-fingered hook for his new hand made from random metal. "It remains uncertain if Ultra Magnus' new appendage will be fit for battle. Though it should prove functional, after the requisite amount of therapy."
"That is all we can hope for, old friend." Optimus replied reassuringly.
"Having something new being added to your body is tough. We'd know." Grimlock said, referring to himself and his team.
"You all doing okay?" Arcee asked Wheeljack, Seaspray, Slug and Snarl.
"Okay as we'll ever be." Slug answered.
"We're still two-fisted." Wheeljack admitted.
"Magnus still is, too." Jetfire said.
"Do you think he'll really be okay with that thing for a hand?" Gus asked.
"With enough time, it'll all be good for him." Cliffjumper replied.
"Wait and see. The claw's gonna become his signature." Smokescreen said with a positive tone, approaching Bumblebee. "You know, like the way you own that voice box Ratchet slapped in your throat."
"Oh boy." Ironhide muttered as he overheard what the Autobot rookie said, with Bumblebee turning to him with an agitated look.
"What're you saying? That I sound like a broken-down human television?" Bumblebee questioned rhetorically.
"I mean, you know, everyone understands you just fine!" Smokescreen replied in awkwardness. "Why would you even consider getting it fixed now, am I right?"
"Oh really?! If you think I sound better than what I used to back on Cybertron, you should've told me that from the start!" Bumblebee yelled, angrily walking away.
"Way to go, kid. Ya made him a sour-Bot." Swoop said with his arms crossed, causing Smokescreen to frown in shame.
"So, what exactly did he say?" Willow asked.
"Bee's still very attached to his original voice." Hunter answered. "He just gets upset whenever someone brings it up."
"Some things are just hard to let go." Skara admitted.
"Hey, look at the bright shiny side. Commander Magnus, Willow and their team single-handedly put the kibosh on Project Predacon." Bulkhead reminded, smiling at his Witch friend.
"Yeah, those things went back to being extinct like they were supposed to." Boscha proclaimed, smiling proudly.
"They never asked to go extinct." Vee muttered bitterly, causing her friends to turn to her. "They could've gone back to being a living species like mine, but some people and Bots didn't like that idea just because they're considered mindless killers."
"Vee, we never said that." Luz assured.
"Yeah, kid, Megatron was gonna use all of them for dominating Earth and ripping us apart." Jazz reminded. "We didn't have any other choice."
"We've always got a choice! The one I would've made would be to let all of them be free and not take orders from Megatron!" Vee retorted. "I wouldn't have wanted to blow them up while they were still waking up!"
"Vee, you really need to calm-" Amity began to say.
"How can I stay calm when I think about creatures that couldn't get a second chance because you all decided to kill them?!" Vee questioned outrageously. "My kind was brought back to life and I was given a chance to live with all of you! But I guess you couldn't bother to do it with another species!"
The Basilisk girl then ran down the platform to somewhere else in anger, while everyone else watched her in sorrow.
"Well, looks like she hates us now." Swoop said.
"Should we try talking to her?" Willow asked hopefully.
"It's better to give the kid some alone time." Ironhide replied.
"And while we may have been able to destroy the Predacon Protoforms in Shockwave's laboratory, one beast we know of remains." Optimus reminded. "The one who has demonstrated the ability to transform."
"I guess he's living proof the Predacon's really were more than just killing machines." Luz admitted.
(Linebreak)
Back on the Nemesis, Megatron was having a discussion with Predaking on the main deck.
"Predaking, we will soon plot our strike against the Autobots and their Witch pets, to punish them for the massacre of your kind." Megatron announced.
"While I fully intend to exact my revenge, Project Predacon was merely a squadron, not an army." Predaking replied.
"I see." Megatron said in a slightly careless tone.
"My liege, if you truly aspire to restore our home world, then I have every faith that you will resurrect the entirety of the Predacon race from the remains which lie there, so that I may lead them against any and all of our shared enemies." Predaking stated as he had a vision of himself leading a Predacon army.
Megatron gained a displeased look after hearing of this, knowing he would have to take care of the Predacon remains on Cybertron in the future. Later on, Megatron met with Shockwave in his lab alongside Starscream, Shatter, Dropkick, Sharpshot and Kickback.
"We managed to salvage through most of the Omega Lock's wreckage, but it was really banged up when we went to it." Dropkick admitted as they all looked at a holographic display of the Omega Lock. "It's gonna take a miracle to rebuild this thing."
"We don't need miracles when we have alternative options." Shatter replied.
"Shatter makes a logical point. I would urge the selective use of Earth technology, retro-fitting its operating systems will be more efficient than rebuilding from scratch." Shockwave explained.
"Let's hope those stupid humans' can be useful to us just this once." Sharpshot muttered with a scoff.
"Then do provide Starscream with your wish list." Megatron said as he gestured to the air commander. "Since Shockwave must turn his attention to the stabilisation of our cyber-matter, you will be in charge of acquisitions."
"I'll let everyone else know of our mission, right now. Now. Now." Kickback proclaimed, giggling a little bit.
Megatron and the others then walked away as Starscream gained a very unhappy expression, not liking the fact he was being sent on a thievery duty.
(Linebreak)
"Prime!" Agent Fowler called as he rushed up to everyone in Unit E, earning their attention. "We have trouble brewing! The Cons staged a smash-and-grab at the Los Alamos nuclear plant late last night and made off with twenty tones of control rods."
"What are the Decepticons looking to build?" Optimus asked suspiciously.
"I don't know, Optimus, but they're obviously working on something just as bad as Project Predacon." Luz replied.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Shockwave was working on the development of the cyber-matter with Megatron overseeing it.
"Lord Megatron, I have determined that the Synthetic Energon formula provided by Knock Out is the source of the instability, simply because it is incomplete." Shockwave informed.
"Then make haste and complete it. We will not only require enough cyber-matter to rebuild one planet, but to remake two more." Megatron proclaimed. "As soon as we are finished cyber-forming Earth, the Boiling Isles shall be our next target."
The Decepticon leader started to walk away, but Shockwave had something to say.
"Master, excuse my impudence, but what is the logic behind ruling three worlds?" Shockwave asked.
"It has taken me quite some time to fully comprehend that Earth, the Boiling Isles and Cybertron have always been linked, three species intertwined with each other's fates." Megatron explained. "It's as if our very great creators had planned for us to meet each other in a long-lasting conflict on any one of our home worlds. And that to rule only one would be to never truly rule either."
(Linebreak)
Back at Unit E, Team Prime, the Hexside Squad and Dinobots were taking some time to relax from missions as Luz was currently looking at Vee in concern as her adoptive sister was still sulking at the corner.
"I know you're worried about her, Luz." Amity said as she and Stringbean were doing their best to comfort her,
"It's just that…maybe Vee was right. Maybe the Predacons could've had a chance to being a living species again if we managed to convince them to not join Megatron." Luz explained sadly. "Sometimes, doing the right thing ends up being a bad thing."
"There wasn't enough time and you weren't there to make another decision." Amity reminded. "Just give Vee some time to recover. She'll come around."
"I hope you're right, Mi Amor." Luz sighed.
Just then, everyone started to hear an incoming call from Agent Fowler.
"Prime! It's Cons again, in progress this time." Fowler informed.
"We'll need to intercept them before they have a chance to call a Ground Bridge back to their warship." Elita proclaimed.
"Coordinates received, Agent Fowler." Ratchet informed before he activated the Ground Bridge.
"Luz, Grimlock, you and your teams remain here in case we require all of you in dire moments." Optimus ordered.
"Sure thing, Optimus." Luz replied with a nod.
"Fine. But we want to be part of the next battle." Grimlock grumbled.
"Let's roll!" Ultra Magnus stated as he started to approach the Ground Bridge.
"Yip, yip! Your ability to roll remains predicated upon further exploration of your new dexterity." Ratchet told him, stepping in front of the Autobot commander.
Ultra Magnus looked at his claw hand and struggled to move it a bit.
"I'm afraid that Ratchet's authority supersedes my own in medical matters." Optimus admitted, causing Ultra Magnus to sigh.
"Understood." He said in defeat.
Team Prime started to make their way towards the Ground Bridge, while Seaspray quietly stared at Ultra Magnus with a sympathetic expression.
(Linebreak)
At a workshop in the middle of a badlands, four Vehicons were carrying out a large metal box with two Insecticons, Breakdown and Wildrider covering them.
"Pick up the pace, boys. Those dumb Autobots could show up before we know it." Wildrider instructed.
Suddenly, the Decepticons saw a Ground Bridge appear on their distant right side and Optimus, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack, Jazz, Smokescreen, Elita, Ironhide and Jetfire emerged from it in their vehicle forms.
"You spoke too soon, pal." Breakdown muttered with a glare.
"Shoot them all!" Wildrider ordered.
The two Insecticons transformed and started flying at the Autobots while firing their horn lasers, causing them to steer around and avoid the laser shots. Jetfire got at the front and he shot down the Insecticons with four missiles as he and the rest of his team kept heading towards their main target. However, Soundwave was shown to be flying in the distance behind Team Prime and he used his technical skills to open up a Ground Bridge for his comrades, allowing the two Vehicons carrying the box to walk into it. Breakdown, Wildrider and the two remaining Vehicons fired their respective blasters at the Autobots as Optimus used his side mirror to see Soundwave releasing Laserbeak to attack them. However, Jetfire got in front of Laserbeak and this caused the Mini-Con drone to focus entirely on him, shooting at the aerial Autobot in midair.
"That's right, you little tool! Let's play follow the leader!" Jetfire called.
Optimus transformed and used his jetpack to fly into the air in pursuit of Jetfire and Laserbeak. Jetfire managed to sore right over Laserbeak from behind and transformed while using his feet thrusters to keep himself in the air, delivering a round kick to Laserbeak that sent him flying towards Optimus and the Autobot leader punched him away into the distance. Soundwave flew straight at Optimus and Jetfire, who got ready to fight on. The other Autobots kept avoiding the blaster fire from the Cons below as they kept moving into the Ground Bridge.
"Slow them down, Breaks!" Wildrider told his teammate.
"With pleasure!" Breakdown replied before bringing out his sledgehammer, raising it hammer. "It's hammer time!"
The muscular Decepticon slammed his hammer onto the ground and released a powerful shockwave that made the Autobots swerve out of control once it made contact. Seeing their enemies temporarily disoriented, Breakdown and Wildrider quickly ran into the Ground Bridge and it closed up as the Autobots hit their breaks after passing it. Soundwave saw that his fellow Decepticons escaped and started to fly away, but Optimus brought out his mini-gun while still in the air and fired it at the communication Decepticon. After avoiding a few rapid shots, Soundwave was shockingly hit by the mini-gun and he descended down in flames before crashing into some electric cables from some electrical towers and landed on the floor. The rest of the Autobots transformed to look on in shock at the fact Optimus managed to shoot down one of the most dangerous calculating Cons.
"Wow!" Smokescreen exclaimed.
"He really did it." Elita said, impressed.
"I totally did not see that coming." Cliffjumper admitted.
The dust settled away to reveal Soundwave laying on the ground with the electric cables shocking him badly. Soundwave attempted to get up, but he weakly collapsed back down as the electricity faded away and Team Prime surrounded their fallen foe. Laserbeak flew over his defeated master and the Autobots before making a strategic retreat.
"He ain't getting up. That's a good thing." Jazz commented.
"How's about we put him out of his misery?" Ironhide asked with an eager grin, charging up one of his cannons.
"Negative, Ironhide." Optimus replied before contacting Unit E. "Ratchet, reopen the Ground Bridge, but have Grimlock and his team ensure that the children are kept at a safe distance. For we will be returning with a Decepticon prisoner."
(Linebreak)
After they returned to base, the Autobots, Hexside Squad and Dinobots all stood in front of Soundwave as the communication Decepticon was strapped to a Cybertronian table.
"I say we just destroy Soundwave, right now." Grimlock proclaimed. "All of us know what he's capable of."
"That isn't an option right now, Grimlock. We need Soundwave to know what Megatron's new plan is." Elita replied.
"Won't he be able to just radio the Nemesis for help?" Sludge questioned.
"Because we had the foresight to shield our new base, our captive will be unable to transmit his coordinates to the Nemesis." Ratchet explained.
"Not will they, in turn, be able to pinpoint his location." Optimus added.
"Guess that means we have plenty of time to make silent-but-deadly here tell us everything he knows about what Megs is doing." Seaspray said, punching his fist into his palm.
"And if he doesn't want to, we'll just make him." Slug added.
"The big communicator of the Decepticons has got to have a lot of info we could use." Hunter told his friends.
"But, Soundwave never says anything." Skara replied. "Does he?"
"I don't think he's even got a face." Gus admitted.
"He does look more like a living human television than a Cybertronian." Boscha said.
"Too true." Luz agreed.
(Linebreak)
"We've been reading the entire planet for Soundwave's position, but we've had no luck." Thundercracker informed Megatron as he and the others were discussing the problem of Soundwave being the Autobots' prisoner.
"With Laserbeak unable to triangulate Soundwave's current location, are you not concerned about what our comrade might spill?" Starscream asked.
"He could accidentally reveal our little Omega Lock operation to them." Sharpshot admitted.
"Of one thing I'm certain. Soundwave knows when to impart information…and when to withhold it." Megatron said, unconcerned.
"Let's just hope those Witches don't come up with a way to magically see into his head." Dropkick said.
(Linebreak)
At Unit E, the Autobots and Hexside Squad were currently interrogating Soundwave for info.
"Why is Megatron stealing human technology? What is he attempting to build?" Optimus asked.
"W-W-Why is Megatron STEALING HUMAN te-te-te-technology?~ W-W-What IS HE ATTEMPTING TO BUILD to-to build?~"Soundwave said through a repeated radio voice in a hyper musical way.
"Wow. That's very new." Amity said in surprise.
"Optimus Prime the remix." Jazz quipped.
Soundwave then displayed a smiling emoji face on his screen, much to Optimus' slight irritation.
"Oh, he did not just do that." Ironhide scowled.
"Looks like Soundy thinks he's a funny Con." Swoop said with a glare before Bulkhead brought out his wrecking ball.
"Oh yeah? Why don't I wipe that smile right off his face?" Bulkhead questioned rhetorically.
"Or better yet, I'll just look into his memories and see what Megatron's up to." Gus suggested, holding up his magic amplifier.
"We still need to be carefully about how we do this." Luz reminded in a reasonable way.
"Soundwave, we have treated you fairly. For the sake of the natives of this planet and many more, tell us what Megatron is attempting to build, before we are forced to rely upon less civil methods of interrogation." Optimus warned firmly.
"It's your choice, Soundwave. Tell us what your master is up to and ensure the survival of this planet, or suffer the consequences of your loyalty to him." Elita told the communication Decepticon.
In response, Soundwave emitted a very powerful sonic noise that echoed throughout the entire base and caused Team Prime, the Hexside Squad and Dinobots to cover their ears in pain. Soundwave soon ceased and everyone got to uncover their hearing.
"Now I know how others feel when I use my sonic whistle." Skara muttered.
"Scrap this! Soundwave is no ordinary Cybertronian, inside or out!" Ratchet stated aggressively. "So I would strongly suggest opening him up so we can have a first-hand look at the information recorded on his drives!"
"Or better yet, we just tear off his head and plug it into the computer!" Grimlock declared. "He's better off being scrapped, anyway!"
"We have a less-killing way of getting info out of Soundwave." Willow admitted, hoping to ease things up.
"Yeah, we can send two of us into his mind with this special kind of spell and we can just walk around in his memories until we find the right one." Luz explained.
"You know what? That sounds like a good option." Smokescreen commented.
Fearing this memory-searching spell would lead to Megatron's plan being exposed, Soundwave started to rapidly display numerous codes on his screen face.
"Uh oh." Arcee said worriedly.
"Wait, what's Soundwave doing now?" Vee questioned.
"Alright, he's downloading data!" Bulkhead remarked.
"No. Soundwave is erasing data." Ratchet corrected in shock.
"He is?!" Amity asked astonishingly.
"Someone stop him before he can-" Jetfire began to say.
But it was too late. Soundwave finished deleting every piece of data he had in his robotic mind and then did something no one ever expected him to do.
"Soundwave, superior. Autobots and Witches, inferior." Soundwave said.
Everyone in the base was left absolutely stunned in silence by what they had just heard. Soundwave actually spoke with his own voice. The communication Decepticon's screen then went black and he fell limply against the table.
"Did he just shut himself off?" Boscha asked with wide eyes.
"Forget that. What about the fact he said something?" Swoop questioned.
Ratchet scanned Soundwave's life signal with his arm scanning device and saw the results.
"His vital signs remain functional. It seems he has simply severed all communications by crashing his own drives." Ratchet explained grimly.
"Perfect. Now we've got a sleeping Con living with us." Slug muttered annoyingly.
"So much for getting new info." Luz said, sighing in disappointment.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile on the Nemesis, Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, Sharpshot and Kickback were still working on the reconstruction effort of the Omega Lock in the lab.
"Lord Megatron, I have located the one item upon this world which possesses enough raw tonnage to power the reconstructed Omega Lock." Shockwave informed. "A particle collider's synchrotron."
"Where can we find one?" Sharpshot asked.
"From a human research facility located in the South Arctic below this planet." Shockwave answered.
"Excellent, Shockwave." Megatron said.
"In that case, the three of us should go grab this synchrotron along with Shatter and Dropkick. It should be a lot of fun. Fun. Fun." Kickback giggled mischievously.
"I find no logic in this mission being fun. However, the successful completion of the Synthetic Energon formula is proving to be far more difficult than anticipated." Shockwave admitted as he walked to the next terminal.
Starscream smirked to himself when he heard this, but a very menacing snarl from Sharpshot instantly made him back off in nervousness.
"That's right. Remember your place, Scream." Sharpshot told him as he walked away, while Starscream glared from behind.
"Knock Out first procured this…unfinished shamble from the Autobot medic, did he not?" Megatron asked.
"That is my understanding." Shockwave replied.
"Then the most efficient means to an end may very well be to recruit that medic." Megatron proclaimed.
"Attempting to abduct the one Autobots who rarely leaves their base. A base we have yet to locate may prove to be challenging." Starscream reminded.
"Not for us Insecticons. We'll follow the scent of any Autobot or Witch and track them down. Down. Down." Kickback said.
"You forget that we currently have an agent within the Autobot base." Megatron said, referring to Soundwave.
"Laserbeak could reconnect with Soundwave and upload his directive to him." Shockwave suggested.
"Which would still require knowing the location of their base." Starscream replied.
"And right now, all of those Autobots and fleshlings are at it, so we can't trace any of them there." Sharpshot said.
"It is my understanding that Soundwave kept surveillance of more than just the human girl and her Witch companions." Shockwave said.
(Linebreak)
On the roadway in the middle of the badlands, Agent Fowler was driving his car all the way down the smooth road.
"Prime, these recent Con heists have General Bryce breathing down my neck." Fowler informed in complaint. "So I've gotta get back to the barbecue today for another grilling."
"Understood, Agent Fowler." Optimus replied. "And rest assured, should our prisoner return online, we will resume our interrogation."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll get back to base as soon as possible." Fowler said before he ended the call.
As the special agent kept driving, Laserbeak was shown to be following him from the air.
(Linebreak)
On the Nemesis' main deck, Megatron was waiting for his beastly soldier to arrive and Predaking soon showed up from the main entrance.
"You summoned me, Lord Megatron?" Predaking asked.
"I require your services. Since we anticipate an Autobot presence at our next event." Megatron told him.
"I welcome any opportunity to face the Prime or Dinobot leader again, warrior to warrior." Predaking said arrogantly, which got on Megatron's nerves.
"You pride yourself on your evolution, yet you have learned nothing! I may have lost my surveillance chief today!" Megatron stated sternly. "The Autobots and their Witch pets have expanded their forces, while ours continue to dwindle!"
"Then I shall simply battle twice as fiercely!" Predaking declared.
"As a beast!" Megatron replied.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Fowler was driving his way back to the base and made another communication.
"I'm on my way to the base, but I just got word. The Cons busted into the Solaris Partical collider project at the South Pole." Fowler informed.
(Linebreak)
"We'll go there immediately, Agent Fowler." Luz replied as she and the others heard everything.
"Autobots." Optimus called.
"Me and my team are coming as well, Prime." Grimlock said, clenching his hand firmly.
"That can be arranged, Grimlock." Elita replied.
Ultra Magnus stepped forward and moved his claw hand a bit, now being able to control it better.
"Yip, yip." Ratchet said, attempting to stop him.
"Doc, the commander's ready for action." Seaspray told him, which was a surprise.
"Looks like Sprays is finally coming around with Magnus." Wheeljack admitted, earning a nod from Bulkhead as Ratchet sighed in defeat.
"Fine, fine." He grumbled while walking away.
"We'd like to join the mission as well." Amity said, gesturing to herself and the Hexside Squad.
"The more, the merrier." Cliffjumper replied.
"Bulkhead, Jazz, Smokescreen, Jetfire, remain here with Ratchet to guard our prisoner." Optimus ordered while referring to Soundwave.
"Swoop, Slug, you two are with me." Grimlock said. "Snarl, Sludge, stay here to look after the quiet Con."
"Whatever you say, Grim." Snarl replied.
"I just hope the cold doesn't freeze off my wings." Swoop admitted.
"Gus, you should stay here as well. Mostly for Vee." Luz said as she still felt concerned for her adoptive sister.
"Sure, Luz." Gus said with a nod.
"You sure you wouldn't rather stay here, Boscha?" Willow asked the Triclops Witch.
"There's no fun in that." Boscha admitted,
"Everyone else, transform and roll out!" Optimus ordered.
When Ratchet activated the Ground Bridge, Optimus, Arcee, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack, Seaspray, Ultra Magnus, Elita, Ironhide, Grimlock, Swoop and Slug all transformed and Luz and her friends got onto their respective Autobot partners before they all went through the Ground Bridge. This left everyone else alone in Unit E as they turned to Soundwave.
"And that leaves us with a sleeping Decepticon, who's also super dangerous and almost never says anything." Jazz quipped.
"Can't we throw a tarp over him?" Bulkhead asked. "He's creeping me out."
"Yeah. It's like he's watching, no matter where you go." Smokescreen said, moving around a bit.
"How can you tell when he's not even got eyes?" Sludge questioned rhetorically.
"Would you stop focusing on what Soundwave can or cannot see and help me figure out what he did not tell? Like why Megatron would be interested in something believed to generate enough power to create a black hole." Ratchet told everyone.
"It's all a mystery, Ratch." Gus replied.
(Linebreak)
Outside, Agent Fowler parked his car in front of Unit E and exited the vehicle before heading into the base, not noticing Laserbeak soaring above and waiting for the right moment to strike.
(Linebreak)
Vee was seen sitting by herself on the hangout platform's couch, still spotting a very sour expression on her face. Just then, she heard footsteps and saw Jazz standing near the platform.
"Hey there, kiddo." Jazz greeted softly.
"If you want to take me out for a ride tonight, Jazz, the answer's no." Vee said with a frown, turning away.
"That's cool. I just wanted to say…sorry." Jazz told her in a sincere way, much to Vee's slight surprise. "You're right. We should've tried convincing all those Preds not to tag along with the Cons since they're smarter than we thought. We shouldn't have blown them all to the Well of All Sparks. We should've listened to you, Vee. I get that now."
Jazz then walked away to meet up with the others as Vee stayed where she was in silence before she began feeling a little bit guilty about how she snapped at her friends earlier.
"Black holes? So, Megatron's looking to swallow up the known universe." Smokescreen suggested.
"And everything in it." Bulkhead added.
"But that doesn't make any sense. Megatron's goal is to conquer, not destroy." Jetfire said confusingly.
"Maybe he's just tired of loosing to us and wants to kill us all by whatever means?" Snarl guessed.
"No, no! He would merely want to harness the power of something capable of swallowing worlds, in order to…create one." Ratchet said, slowly coming to a realisation. "Oh my."
"What is it, Ratchet?" Gus asked.
"We must contact the others, immediately." Ratchet replied urgently.
(Linebreak)
In the South Pole, Optimus, Luz and the rest of their team were trekking their way through a rough blizzard as the Hexside Squad made sure to pack some winter cloths to survive the cold atmosphere.
"Man, it's a lot colder here than I thought." Skara admitted, shivering a bit.
"We'll be warmer when we get to that station." Hunter replied.
"Stay focused on the task, kids." Ironhide reminded.
The team soon stopped in front of the station as it was shown to have a blasted hole in it, until Optimus started to receive a call from Ratchet.
"Optimus, I know this hardly seems the time, but it may aid you in your task." Ratchet said.
Optimus motioned for everyone to halt and deactivated his battle mask.
"Go ahead." Optimus replied.
"I believe that Megatron may be attempting to rebuild the Omega Lock." Ratchet informed. "Do we let him?"
"No. For you know as well as I that Megatron will use a reconstructed lock to cyber-form Cybertron, Earth and the Boiling Isles. And that is one abuse of power that we cannot allow." Optimus reminded, causing Ratchet to sigh in defeat.
"Understood." Ratchet said as he then hung up.
"Let's just hope we aren't too late to stop the Cons from leaving with what they want." Luz told her team, looking into the hole.
"We'll be lucky if they're still there, Luz." Arcee replied.
"Then let's move in." Grimlock said.
The team started to make their way towards the station's hole, but then a familiar beastly figure flew in front of the moon's position and headed straight for them with loud flapping noise. Predaking unleashed a loud roar and this earned the team's attention, making them turn around to see the incoming Predacon.
"Oh scrap." Cliffjumper muttered
"Just the kind of luck we need." Slug added.
Predaking then started to charge up a fire blast while still flying at his enemies and then fired it straight at then.
"Everyone, get down!" Elita called before they all ducked and avoided the fire blast.
Optimus shot his blaster at Predaking, who avoided all of the shots and flew over the Autobot leader as the rest of the team quickly recovered.
"Why don't we try grounding that prehistoric jerk?" Willow suggested, glaring at Predaking.
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Ironhide replied as everyone prepared to use their respective weapons or powers, only for Optimus to signal them to stop.
"The Decepticons must not be allowed to secure their target!" Optimus told them before he began walking away. "I will engage the Predacon."
"Wouldn't Grimlock be a better option?" Wheeljack asked, gesturing to the Dinobot leader.
"He's right! I should be the one battling the Predacon!" Grimlock stated eagerly.
"No, Grimlock. You must go with everyone to stop the Decepticons." Optimus replied.
"Just promise you'll be okay, Optimus." Elita said in concern, earning a nod from her love-interest.
"You heard your leader. Forge ahead!" Ultra Magnus ordered before he and the rest made their way to the station, with Luz and Grimlock being the only ones to stay back.
"Be safe, Optimus." Luz said as she followed the rest of the team. "Come on, Grimlock!"
"Fine." Grimlock sighed reluctantly, going after the Hispanic girl.
Optimus kept his attention focused on Predaking, who was coming back around for another attack before the Autobot leader activated his battle mask and brought out his mini-gun, firing it towards the Predacon. Predaking flew around the rapid shots and fired another fire blast at Optimus, who flew up with his jetpack to avoid it and fired Predaking down to the icy ground. Predaking immediately recovered with a ferocious roar and pursued Optimus into the air as the Autobot leader kept firing his mini-gun and flew back downwards to avoid another fire blast. Optimus then tackled Predaking with all his might and fired multiple shots from his mini-gun that made the Predacon crash into an ice wall and then onto the ground, where chunks of large ice fell ontop of him as Optimus kept firing both of blaster weapons. After he let out a roar of pure rage, Predaking flew right towards Optimus and rammed straight into him before crashing him against a warehouse and repeatedly slashing him with his claws. Optimus held back Predaking's jaws with his strength, until the Predacon started to ignite a fire blast and Optimus made him misfire around the air before he shot him in the face and broke free. Optimus repeatedly fired both his blaster and mini-gun at Predaking, who suddenly slammed his tail against the Autobot leader and he groaned painfully before descending all the way back down to the surface.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile in the facility, the rest of the Autobot/Witch team were making their way through the dark tunnels to where the partical collider was located.
"I hope Optimus is doing okay with that Predaking." Amity admitted.
"He's gonna be fine, kid. He's Optimus Prime, after all." Swoop assured.
"Yeah. He's come back from near death, after all." Luz said while illuminating their way with some Light Glyphs.
"You still feeling upset you didn't get to fight that Predacon, Grimlock?" Skara asked, noticing the sour look on the Dinobot leader's face.
"Obviously. I've been waiting days to finally have a worthy opponent." Grimlock replied. "That Predacon was the perfect option."
"We cannot always get what we want, Grimlock. We must focus on the here and now." Elita said reasonably.
When the team reached a right turn and began to take it, a Vehicon suddenly fired a blaster shot and Wheeljack quickly deflected it with his swords. The rest of the Vehicons fired at the team and this caused the Autobots to return fired while Luz, Amity, Skara and Boscha fired their own projectiles and they took cover.
"Someone knew we were coming!" Seaspray stated.
"Ya think?" Arcee asked.
"Some things are just never easy." Cliffjumper commented.
"Don't give up! We can fight through this!" Luz encouraged.
"That's if we can." Boscha corrected.
Seeing that everyone was currently distracted with the Vehicons, Grimlock decided to turn back and run down the way he came in, hoping to get outside and face his greatest opponent.
(Linebreak)
Within the main room holding the partical collider, some Vehicons were busy laser-sawing the synchroniser out with Shockwave, Shatter, Dropkick, Sharpshot and Kickback overseeing it.
"Hurry up, you grunts!" Sharpshot ordered before they all heard blaster noises and turned to the entrance.
"Sounds like they're here." Dropkick scowled, bringing out his blaster.
"Well, we shall be prepared for them." Shatter replied as Kickback let out a sadistic laugh.
(Linebreak)
Back at Unit E, the others tried to cheer up Ratchet.
"Ratchet, it may not be with the Forge or the Omega Lock, but we're gonna find a way to get out planet repaired." Smokescreen reassured.
"You've just got to hold onto hope." Jetfire said.
Agent Fowler soon stepped out of his office with a file in hand, but then Laserbeak suddenly bursted through the window and everyone was shocked to see him.
"Oh no." Ratchet said worriedly as Laserbeak fired his laser and caused everyone to duck.
Laserbeak then shot the restraints that were holding Soundwave and destroyed them before Smokescreen fired his blaster, managing to shoot a piece off the Mini-Con. Laserbeak was still functioning and tackled into his foes before he folded onto Soundwave's torso as the communication Decepticon received his new directive.
"Get him! Quick!" Jazz called.
Bulkhead attempted to hit Soundwave with his wrecking ball, but he easily deflected it and Smokescreen leaped up for a kick attack while shouting loudly. Soundwave unleashed one of his tentacles and pinned Smokescreen against a table before he electrocuted him. When Bulkhead attempted another attack, Soundwave latched his second tentacle on the dark-green Wrecker and zapped him as well before both Autobots collapsed. Jazz attempted to attack Soundwave from behind, but the communication Decepticon used his tentacle to smash him against the ceiling and he came falling back down unconsciously before Soundwave then shot Jetfire away with a sonic blast from his left arm. Snarl and Sludge were about to attack at once, but Soundwave grabbed them both with his tentacles and slammed them into each other in midair before they fell back down with painful groans. Fowler and Gus were just about to attack Soundwave with a fire extinguisher and Illusion spell respectively, only for Soundwave to effortlessly smack them away with his tentacles. Soundwave started to approach Ratchet, until Vee got between them.
"If you want Ratchet, you go through me!" Vee stated determinedly as she prepared to start draining his Energon.
But then, Soundwave fired a powerful wave of sound onto Vee that made her cry out in pain and she soon collapsed onto the floor unconsciously, returning to her Basilisk form in the process as Soundwave grabbed her with his right tentacle to use as a hostage. Soundwave once again walked to Ratchet as he free tentacle emitted electricity and he kept Vee in his other one, while the Autobot medic looked on in shock and horror before everything then went black.
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