Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers, The Owl House or their characters
The beginning of the scene showed us the far reaches of space before it then swiftly moved to the robotic planet known as Cybertron, which has recently been fully restored.
"We have endured bitter hardships and countless battles. But at long last, our home planet has been restored." A familiar wise voice said.
The scene then zoomed into Cybertron and it stopped in the middle of one of its great cities, where standing on the metallic pavement was Optimus Prime and his Autobot team consisting of Bumblebee, Arcee, Bulkhead, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack, Jazz, Seaspray, Smokescreen, Ultra Magnus, Elita One, Ironhide, Jetfire, Dreadwing, Grimlock, Swoop, Slug, Snarl and Sludge.
"We would not be standing on Cybertronian soil were it not for the valiant efforts of both those assembled here and our absent comrades." Optimus told his followers, holding the Star Saber in his hand. "Ratchet, who remains on Earth to safeguard our young friends, and many more of our comrades, who made ultimate sacrifices. But on this day, at the dawn of a new era, we gather to bestow a special honour."
All of the Cybertronian's then turned their attention to Bumblebee, who humbly stood tall.
"One earned by Bumblebee, through his bravery and devotion to the cause of peace. Long before he rid this universe of the scourge of the Decepticon war mother." Optimus said, looking at a very large statue in the distance that resembled his recently destroyed nemesis, Megatron.
(Linebreak)
The scene zoomed all the way towards Earth and into the planet's oceans, which was where Megatron's lifeless body was currently laying at the bottom of. However, a familiar evil voice could be heard within the body.
"Megatron. Megatron." The voice called. "Megatron!"
Within his barely functioning consciousness, Megatron opened his eyes and he recognised the voice of the very old being who was speaking to him.
"Unicron?" Megatron asked.
As it turns out, the Chaos Bringer himself was standing right in front of Megatron and towering over him in his gigantic form.
"I do not understand. Why am I not one with the Allspark?" Megatron questioned. "Do I yet live?"
"You do not. Yet you cannot join the Allspark because my lifeblood once flowed through your veins." Unicron explained.
"Dark Energon." Megatron realised.
"It binds you to my Anti-Spark." Unicron said.
"Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership to imprison you within the Earth's core." Megatron recalled. "So how is it that you speak to me now?"
"The foolish Prime rendered only my material form dormant. But my energy form aroused from slumber when I sensed the awakening of an ancient rival across the cosmos." Unicron answered.
"Primus. So it would seem that Optimus succeeded in restoring Cybertron, after my demise." Megatron admitted.
"I now wish to finish what I began eons ago, and for that my Anti-Spark requires a vessel." Unicron said, referring to Megatron's deactivated body.
"So, I will live again?" Megatron asked hopefully.
"Only to serve me. Your husk will simply be an instrument of my will." Unicron replied darkly before his evil purple eyes glowed brightly.
In the ocean, Megatron's body began emit he purple light of Dark Energon and he slowly rose up while grunting painfully. A bunch of Cybertronian spikes then grew on Megatron's body and his hands shifted to even larger ones before the fallen Decepticon leader let out a cry of agony, his purple yes shooting wide open. Before long, Megatron/Unicron flew out of the ocean in an even larger air Cybertronian vehicle form and he took to the stars, headed straight for Cybertron.
(Linebreak)
Back on Cybertron, Bumblebee was seen kneeling in front of Optimus and the others watched as he was undergoing a big promotion by Optimus.
"In the company of your fellow Autobots, in the presence of our creator, Primus, the living core of our planet, and by the authority vested in me by the Matrix of Leadership. Bumblebee…" Optimus said before he lifted the Star Saber and tapped it on Bumblebee's shoulders. "Arise, a warrior."
When Bumblebee stood up, his team approached him to shower him with praise for becoming a warrior.
"Nice one, Bee." Arcee said kindly.
"You earned it." Cliffjumper commented.
"Warrior, big time!" Bulkhead remarked in proudness.
"Way to go, Bee." Smokescreen added.
"Not bad for someone who used to be a total hotshot." Grimlock said, chuckling a bit.
"You're super special now, Mr slayer of bucket-head." Jazz quipped.
"Let's get this party started!" Wheeljack stated as he held up a detonator and pressed it, causing everyone to turn to the giant statue of Megatron.
A bunch of explosives blew up every part of the statue including Megatron's face and this caused the Wreckers to do a chest-bump in celebration, while the Dinobots handed out high-fives to each other.
"So long forever, Mega-jerk!" Swoop called out. "Nobody's gonna miss ya!"
"Too true." Slug chuckled as Smokescreen gave Bumblebee a slap on the back.
"Welcome to the club, Bee." Smokescreen said, smiling kindly. "Warrior today, who knows? Prime tomorrow?"
"You'd be an absolute living legend if that'd happen." Jazz commented.
"But first, you're gonna need to be promoted to Magnus rank." Ironhide said.
"Slow down, guys. I'm not sure I'd wish a Prime's responsibility on anyone." Bumblebee replied.
"I am sorry to interrupt your celebration." Optimus said, earning everyone's attention.
"Here it comes." Arcee said knowingly.
"Primes never party." Bulkhead added.
"Typical." Grimlock scoffed.
"But I must take my leave of you." Optimus informed.
"Prime, may I ask why?" Dreadwing asked.
"Though Cybertron is once again able to support life, our planet is currently incapable of generating new lives. Not until I retrieve the wellspring from which all life is born, and ultimately returns. The Allspark." Optimus explained.
"Wait, so you're saying it's not here?" Snarl questioned.
"Not has it been, Snarl. Not for thousands of years." Optimus replied as he had flashbacks of the Allspark's departure from their planet. "As the war for Cybertron reached a tipping point and the Decepticon army appeared to be unstoppable, I opted to safeguard the Allspark from Megatron by covertly sending it to a distant sector of the galaxy. The Matrix of Leadership will enable me to guide us to its present location.
"What're we waiting for? Let's take the Nemesis and bring it back." Bumblebee told his leader.
"These remain dangerous times, Bumblebee. We cannot leave Cybertron unsecured. Not with Starscream, Shockwave, Shatter and Dropkick unaccounted for." Optimus reminded.
"Not to mention our straight Predacon." Ultra Magnus added, referring to Predaking.
"Cybertron's a really big planet, so they could be anywhere." Sludge said.
"Still, they can't hide forever." Wheeljack reassured.
"Ultra Magnus, Elita, Grimlock, the three of you will supervise patrols to find and capture the fugitive Decepticons." Optimus informed.
"Of course, darling." Elita replied with a smile.
"We would be honoured." Ultra Magnus said.
"Those puny Cons will be found before you even get back." Grimlock declared.
"Bulkhead, you will lead the reconstruction effort. Begin by building a landing field to welcome returning refugees." Optimus told the dark-green Wrecker before turning to two other Autobots. "Seaspray, Jetfire, I will require your extensive experiences navigating deep space."
"If it's to help restore Cybertron, we're up for it." Jetfire nodded determinedly.
"When do we leave?" Seaspray asked.
(Linebreak)
In space, Megatron/Unicron was flying through the empty atmosphere of blackness and stars at an insanely fast rate in their new vehicle form as it looked like they were going through a hyperspace tunnel.
"Superluminal space drive. Impressive." Megatron remarked, watching the area in his mind.
"One of many upgrades that I made to your limited corporeal form, and wholly necessary to reach Cybertron." Unicron replied from behind him.
"So, we are to rule together, as one." Megatron assumed.
But suddenly, Unicron shot a pair of lasers from his eyes at Megatron and the Decepticon leader cried out in pain as he collapsed to his knees.
"You will rule nothing! I travel to Cybertron for one reason only, to destroy Primus personally!" Unicron stated sternly.
"But, to destroy Primus…is to destroy Cybertron!" Megatron realised in shock.
"Thus will begin a new age. The age of chaos!" Unicron announced.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Bulkhead was supervising the construction effort of the landing field with some reprogrammed Vehicons. As he checked the progress on a data pad, Bulkhead noticed two Vehicons carrying a thin plate mistakingly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! How're you gonna attach the cladding when the framing structure's incomplete, huh?" Bulkhead questioned rhetorically.
The Vehicons looked at each other for a moment and started to carry the plate the other way, not noticing two more behind them. Bulkhead attempted to stop them, only for the Vehicons to bump into each other and cause a bug mess them made them all fall on their feet as Bulkhead let out a groan of annoyance. He then heard some engine noises and saw Arcee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack and Jazz drive up to him before the four Autobots transformed.
"Having some labour issues, pal?" Wheeljack asked jokingly.
"You'll get it done right eventually." Cliffjumper assured.
"Any news of our fugitives?" Bulkhead asked.
"Just signs of recent scavenging in former Decepticon installations." Arcee replied.
"The Nemesis can't detect their life signals?" Bulkhead questioned.
"Shockwave obviously managed shield or turn them off." Jazz replied. "Magnus is headed to the Sea Of Rust with Smokey and Dreadwing, Elita's checking out the ruins of Polyhex with Ironhide and Grim's ravaging the whole planet with his Dinobot gang."
Bulkhead then turned his attention to the Nemesis, which hovered over the construction site.
"I'll feel better when that gruesome foursome are locked up with the others." Bulkhead said.
"You and me both, Bulk." Cliffjumper agreed.
(Linebreak)
In one of the Nemesis' cells, some banging noises could be heard and it was being made by Thundercracker, Skywarp, Knock Out, Breakdown, Wildrider, Sharpshot, Kickback and the few remaining Vehicons, who all had their hands cuffed. As they kept banging on the walls, a holographic screen of Bumblebee at the main deck then appeared.
"Okay, you got my attention. What do you want?" Bumblebee asked.
"We're prisoners of war, bug-brain! We're supposed to have rights!" Skywarp stated.
"When are we going to have access to an oil bath?!" Knock Out questioned.
"Forget a bath, I just wanna spread my wings!" Thundercracker complained.
"And I need some Energon!" Wildrider added.
"Well, when are any of you gonna tell me where I can find your pals?" Bumblebee asked.
"As if we'd tell you anything!" Sharpshot retorted.
"After what you did to Lord Megatron, you can go to the pits!" Breakdown told the yellow Autobot with an angry glare.
"Once we get out, we'll avenge him! Him! Him!" Kickback cried out.
"You think the war's over? You have no idea how wrong you are." Skywarp scowled.
The main Decepticons then walked away to dismiss Bumblebee, but Knock Out remained where he was.
"Don't bother asking me, yellow boy. I told you before, Shockwave had dozens of secrets labs hidden across Cybertron." Knock Out said. "Top secret."
"A shame. Your finish is looking pretty drab." Bumblebee teased, holding up Knock Out's finish buffer.
Seeing his personal item in Bumblebee's hands made Knock Out struggle in his restrains frustratingly.
"I don't know where they are, I swear!" Knock Out proclaimed before he looked back to see the other Decepticons were out of earshot and turned back to Bumblebee with a smile. "But I have an idea where you might try looking."
(Linebreak)
At another part of Cybertron, Ultra Magnus and Smokescreen were driving through the restored shiny ruins with Dreadwing flying over them in search of their fugitives. Smokescreen let out a sigh as he took in his surroundings.
"Someone may want to think about renaming the Sea of Rust, just saying." Smokescreen admitted. "Though I was hoping more of us would be rushing back here to see it. You know, now that it's all bright and shiny."
"Cybertron will populate in time, young one. You must remember, refugees could be returning from many miles in the distant galaxy." Dreadwing replied. "However, I doubt most of them would be so willing to accept me in our restored society."
"Don't worry, Dreadwing. Optimus, Elita and I will be sure to speak on your behalf in order to ease any tensions." Ultra Magnus reassured before he started picking up a pair of signals on his radar. "Movement, two contacts at point 84."
Ultra Magnus, Smokescreen and Dreadwing then transformed and brought out their respective blaster weapons, approach the two signals' location behind a fallen structure.
"Approach with caution." Ultra Magnus instructed.
When the three of them looked into a dark alleyway, they saw two unidentified Cybertronians in the shadows and they were scavenging through a mess of objects before they looked back to notice them.
"My name is Ultra Magnus. Are you Autobots or Decepticons?" Ultra Magnus questioned.
One of the shadowy Cybertronians chuckled sinisterly as they both stepped out to reveal themselves, with one of them having a yellow face with blue and silver colours on his body and the other being mainly white with a pair of dark-red horn structures behind his head. They both had yellow eyes and very familiar symbols, as well.
"Neither." The left Cybertronian said before they both transformed into Predacon forms, a dragon and a griffin while also being smaller then Predaking.
"Predacons!" Dreadwing realised as he and the others powered up their blasters for a fight.
The two new Predacons roared loudly and charged at their enemies, who opened fire on them and the laser shots barely did any damage to the new prehistoric Cybertronians as they leaped forward to attack. The griffin Predacon tackled Smokescreen down and slammed him against the ground with his jaw while the dragon Predacon attacked Ultra Magnus, who jumped back and fired multiple shots in his foe's face before being smacked away by his tail. Dreadwing placed his cannon away and brought out his sword before swiping it at the dragon Predacon and striking it in the face two times, only for the Predacon to grab the sword with his jaws the third time and lead to a power struggle against them both. Ultra Magnus rushed towards them and shot at the dragon Predacon, causing it to unfold its wings and take off into the air before Ultra Magnus quickly grabbed his tail and flew off with him. Dreadwing quickly transformed and flew after them as the dragon Predacon felt Ultra Magnus behind him and fired two fire blasts at him, which the Autobot commander managed to avoid.
"Magnus! Jump off!" Dreadwing called out, flying behind them.
Ultra Magnus quickly jumped off the dragon Predacon and landed ontop of Dreadwing, who fired two missiles at the dragon Predacon and blasted him straight into a Cybertronian building before he crashed onto the ground. Smokescreen fired his blaster at the griffin Predacon, who rammed into him and shook him around in his mouth like a rag doll before throwing him into a building. Smokescreen landed ontop of a pile of scrap and some broken metal landed on him, trapping him down as the griffin Predacon rushed to the bottom of the pile and charged up a fire blast. When Ultra Magnus and Dreadwing landed on the ground, they saw the griffin Predacon fire a stream of fire at Smokescreen and the Autobot Commander prepared to fire his blaster in retaliation, not knowing the dragon Predacon was rising up behind him as Dreadwing noticed.
"Move!" Dreadwing stated before he shoved Ultra Magnus away, causing the dragon Predacon to grab him in his jaws and then smash him onto the ground.
When the griffin Predacon ceased using his fire blast, he saw Smokescreen had completely vanished from his trapped position and the Autobot rookie then phased out of the wall behind.
"Phase beats flame, every time." Smokescreen remarked, showing off his Phase Shifter.
But then, Smokescreen saw the dragon Predacon pick up a several damaged Dreadwing and tossed him into Ultra Magnus before he could fire his weapon, making hem both crash through some scrap metal.
"Scrap!" Smokescreen exclaimed worriedly.
When the griffin Predacon started climbing up to him, Smokescreen phased back through the wall and then appeared out from the bottom in his vehicle form as he drove straight to Ultra Magnus and Dreadwing. The griffin Predacon pursued Smokescreen on all fours.
"Bumblebee, we need an emergency Ground Bridge, stat!" Smokescreen called on his com-link.
Ultra Magnus slightly got up on his hands and saw Dreadwing was laying back on the ground while groaning weakly, having sustained too much damage. The dragon Predacon roared at them both and prepared to kill them with his claw, only for Smokescreen to then transform and use his Phase Shifter's power with his teammates once he made contact with them. The dragon Predacon's claw phased right through his prey and the griffin Predacon ended up crashing into him, making them both collide into a steel wall.
"You okay, Commander?" Smokescreen asked as Ultra Magnus stood up.
"I will be. But we must evacuate Dreadwing, immediately." Ultra Magnus replied.
Smokescreen saw how terribly injured Dreadwing was and nodded in understanding before he and Ultra Magnus started carrying the Ex-Con over his arms.
"Hang tight, Dreads. We're getting you out of here." Smokescreen said.
A Ground Bridge appeared in front of the group and the two Predacons recovered to see their prey retreating into the green vortex, prompting them to immediately charge at them. But Smokescreen and Ultra Magnus managed to get into the Ground Bridge with Dreadwing and it closed up before the Predacons could reach it as they both let out roars of fury into the sky.
(Linebreak)
Later on the Nemesis, Arcee, Smokescreen and Elita were standing at the entrance to the main hanger before a Space Bridge portal appeared in front of them and Ratchet soon walked out of it.
"Thank you for responding to our call, Ratchet." Elita said gratefully, earning a nod from the Autobot medic.
"Where's the patient?" Ratchet asked.
In one of the medical rooms, Dreadwing was laying on a table and still groaning in pain as Ratchet inspected his injuries on a terminal, with the other Autobots standing behind.
"How is he, Ratch?" Swoop asked.
"He is suffering from a multitude of internal injuries, most quite severe." Ratchet answered.
"Do what you can to help Dreadwing, doctor." Ultra Magnus said. "He saved my life earlier, so the least we can do is save his."
"I'll get to work, right away." Ratchet replied with a nod.
"So would anyone care to explain what two more Predacons are doing on Cybertron?" Arcee asked as Smokescreen and Ultra Magnus had already told them everything.
"No slagging idea." Ironhide shrugged.
"I thought Optimus said new life was impossible without the Allspark?" Bulkhead recalled.
"Technically, these things are old life since they were born in Cybertron's earliest century." Snarl corrected.
"I'm no authority, but something tells me cloning old bones doesn't constitute new life." Bumblebee theorised.
"You're saying those Preds are actually clones?" Slug asked.
"Shockwave's been working in that creepy lab of his even before the war started. There's no way he'd stop now." Wheeljack said.
"He and the other Cons are giving Project Predacon a second chance." Cliffjumper admitted.
"You think our original beast knows about them?" Jazz asked.
"I doubt it." Grimlock replied. "If Predaking knew about them, we would've already been with them."
"It doesn't matter where those beasts came from." Smokescreen proclaimed as he clenched his fist. "We've gotta take 'em down."
"That's a bit easier said than done." Swoop admitted.
"If Shockwave's back in buisness, there could be more of them. A lot more." Bumblebee assumed.
"We'd all be tossed into a junkyard if we went up against a Predacon army." Cliffjumper said in concern.
"We need to call Optimus." Bulkhead said.
"Really, Bulk? And interrupt his quest to save the future of our race on Cybertron?" Arcee asked sarcastically.
"I'm afraid we're going to have to deal with these Predacons and the remaining Decepticons without Optimus." Elita told everyone. "Bumblebee, it's best if you take your old team and search any specific parts of Cybertron for clues."
"Sure thing, Elita." Bumblebee replied.
"Just make sure you all come back without any Energon leaking out." Ironhide said.
"Are you actually worried for us, Ironhide?" Wheeljack asked jokingly, causing the red muscular Autobot to turn away with an eye roll.
"What about me and my team?" Grimlock questioned, unpleased with this decision. "We're the best chance we have at beating those Predacons."
"We know, Grimlock. That's why you're all best suited to remain here in case Bumblebee's team is faced with a dire emergency." Elita said.
"The commander's got a point, boss." Slug admitted.
"If you say so." Grimlock sighed in defeat.
(Linebreak)
In a distant part of space, Seaspray was currently flying Ultra Magnus' ship towards a large field of asteroids that was close to a very dangerous part of the galaxy.
"What made you decide to send the Allspark into the middle of Theta Scorpiae?" Seaspray asked, slowing down the ship. "It's one of the most hazardous star systems in the galaxy."
"Precisely to detour Megatron from searching this region for it." Optimus answered as he and Jetfire approached him.
"Do you really think it survived all the gamma bursts and planetoid collisions out here, Optimus?" Jetfire questioned.
"The Allspark itself is comprised of pure energy. In order to contain it and launch it off-planet, Alpha Trion forged a vessel capable of extracting it from the ether." Optimus explained. "It is this indestructible reliquary we seek."
"In this huge asteroid, it could take a while." Jetfire said. "But we won't have much time with all the life-threatening events out here."
"I'll try my best not to get a scratch on Magnus' ship, but I can't make any promises." Seaspray quipped as he readied the engines.
"We cannot risk being stranded if our ship is damaged. It is best that you and Jetfire remain here, Seaspray." Optimus instructed.
"You got it, boss Bot." Seaspray replied.
"If you need help out there, I'll fly straight towards you." Jetfire assured.
Soon, the ship's lower hatch opened up and Optimus jumped down from it before flying into the asteroid field with his jetpack.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Bumblebee, Arcee, Bulkhead, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack, Jazz and Smokescreen were making their way through a wreckage-area of Cybertron that had shifted-apart surfaces. Bumblebee picked up a long bone-like piece and examined it.
"Watch your step." Bumblebee instructed, walking ahead.
"Who made him leader?" Smokescreen asked.
"Bee did snuff Megatron." Bulkhead reminded.
"I bet he'll be the slayer of the Quintessons, next." Cliffjumper joked. "He's basically the prodigal Autobot."
Bumblebee soon came to a stop and kneeled down to a small puddle of Energon on the ground.
"I'm not leading." Bumblebee said as he wiped some Energon with his finger. "I'm scouting."
"Guess old habits die hard for him." Wheeljack commented.
"Fair enough. But you do realise we're nowhere near wheee we found those Predacons, right?" Smokescreen questioned.
"We're not looking for those Predacons. I followed this Energon trail icy means he was wounded." Bumblebee replied as he stood up. "And I know we aren't the ones who wounded him."
"Wait a sec. Him?" Jazz repeated.
"Woah, you mean we've been tracking…" Bulkhead started to ask before a ginormous shadow loomed over them.
The Autobots looked up in shock to see that standing on a large metal edge and snarling down at them was Predaking in his beast form.
"Predaking?" Bulkhead questioned surprisingly, causing him and the other Bots, minus Bumblebee, to bring it their blasters at Predaking charged up a fire blast in response.
"Hold fire!" Bumblebee ordered before he walked forward and raised up the bone stick in his hand. "Recognise this, Predaking?"
Predaking ceased charging his fire blast and examined the bone stick in silence.
"You served aboard the Nemesis. Surely, you're familiar with this little treasure from Megatron's vault. The Immobilizer." Bumblebee explained, much to his team's confusion as they looked at each other. "It causes instant stasis lock, though the victim remains fully conscious. A living death."
In case his little white lie wouldn't work, Bumblebee kneeled respectfully to Predaking and lowered the bone stick on the ground.
"But we didn't come here to fight, your highness." Bumblebee said in a humble tone.
"It's a good thing we didn't bring Grim, then." Wheeljack whispered.
Predaking soon stood down and he transformed back to his robot form.
"Then why have you violated my refuge, Autobot?" Predaking questioned with a glare.
The Autobots then cautiously retracted their weapons.
"We need answers." Bumblebee said. "Do you know of any other Predacons currently on Cybertron?"
"Indeed, legions of them. Behold, my subjects." Predaking replied as he gestured to a large field of Predacon skeletons behind him. "A countless multitude, rendered extinct ages ago by the Great Cataclysm. Unearthed by the shifting plates during our planet's restoration."
"Yeah, well me, Ultra Magnus and Dreadwing just about got scrapped by two living Predacons." Smokescreen told him. "Know anything about them, your highness?"
"Two? Where?" Predaking asked surprisingly, feeling a bit of rejoice about knowing there were other living Predacons among him.
"Don't know. They could be anywhere on Cybertron." Cliffjumper replied.
"We came to ask your help in finding them." Bumblebee said.
"For revenge?" Predaking asked accusingly.
"No! Optimus Prime would deem it a tragedy to stain Cybertron's fresh soil with any newly spilled Energon." Bumblebee replied, very sincere about his words. "So help us prove what Megatron was never willing to, that more than one race can peacefully coexist on our planet."
"I've got a friend on Earth who wanted to give you Preds a chance of living a nice life." Jazz added. "We can still make her wish come true if we put aside all of our drama."
"You assume that because I turned against Megatron, I can forgive the Autobots and their organic pets their roles in the destruction of my brethren on Earth? Leave me be, and dare not trespass here again." Predaking told the Autobots sternly.
Knowing they couldn't convince the Predacon king otherwise, the Autobots had no other choice but to walk away as Bumblebee tossed back the bone stick. Predaking soon gained a thoughtful expression as he remembered his encounter with Vee on the Nemesis and how the Basilisk girl had compared herself and her own kind to his species.
(Linebreak)
As the sky in Cybertron went dark, three familiar aerial vehicles flew through a ruined city of the planet and they soon transformed on the ground to reveal themselves as Starscream, Shatter and Dropkick. Starscream was carrying a large Predacon bone while Shatter and Dropkick carried boxes of Energon as they walked forward and soon arrived at a hidden laboratory. Shockwave was working at a terminal in it and in the center were two glass containers with a pair of Predacons in them.
"We're back, Shockwave. And we managed to salvage a few things." Dropkick announced as he and Shatter placed their Energon boxes with a pile, while Starscream placed the Predacon bone he had on some crates.
"I trust you haven't strained yourself tinkering while the rest of us were toiling in the field like some common drones." Starscream said with an annoyed look. "I mean, we seem to supply new bones and resources faster than you grow new clones."
"Starscream, given our lack of infrastructure and frequent need to relocate in order to avoid detection, it is not logical to expect greater productivity at this point in time." Shockwave explained.
"What about the two Predacons you're currently working with?" Shatter asked.
"They are just about complete." Shockwave answered before he pressed a large button on the terminal.
When the four Decepticons turned to the glass containers, they expelled all of their yellow liquid and opened up to release the two Predacons inside. The first one appeared to be a female that was mainly Cyan-blue with red wings, fin features on the sides of her head, two long teeth on the bottom sides of her jaw and a very large grappling claw on the end of her tail. The second was male that was also coloured Cyan-blue and he also resembled a dragon with long silver horns, large wings with small turbines on them and a spiked tail. The two new Predacons slowly got on their feet and walked about a bit, still a bit shaky from just waking up.
"These two sure look like they're capable of destroying some Bots." Dropkick commented.
"Are they at least intelligent?" Starscream questioned.
Just then, the two new Predacons transformed as the female one had a bat-like head, the large claw on her right hand, four fingered feet and the red wings on her back and the male Predacon had his wings folded onto his back, four fingered clawed hands and his silver horns sprouting from his shoulders.
"Where…are we?" The female Predacon asked slowly.
"This place is…unfamiliar." The male Predacon said.
"There's your answer." Shatter told Starscream before turning to the new Predacons. "You two have nothing to be worried about. You're with the ones who gave you life."
"You are our creators?" The female Predacon asked.
"Yes. Your names are Ripclaw and Backbite." Shockwave answered. "You are both Predacons that were created from the remains of your deceased ancestors and you have both been born with a great purpose to aid us."
"Aid you with what, exactly?" The male Predacon, Backbite, asked curiously.
"Destroying our enemies, the Autobots." Dropkick replied.
"If you do that, then we shall be able to create more of your kind and build a new race of Predacons then will ensue complete control over Cybertron for us." Starscream explained with a prideful smile. "How does that sound?"
"Gaining a second chance for our Predacon brethren to live upon would be very great." The female Predacon, Ripclaw, admitted with an intrigued look. "If these Autobots are a threat, then we'll help you eliminate them."
"A new age for all Predacons will turn from a fantasy to a reality." Backbite announced. "Ripclaw and I shall make sure of it, our Decepticons allies."
"That's good to hear. We'll brief you both on your first assignment soon." Shatter said.
"Understood. I'm curious to know how our planet's changed." Ripclaw replied as she and Backbite looked around.
"Looks like we've got their loyalty." Dropkick said in satisfaction, leaning against a wall.
"While their trust in us and belief their species will dominate Cybertron again is successful, Ripclaw and Backbite have yet to be one hundred percent combat prepared for when they face against Optimus Prime and the rest of his followers." Shockwave said. "With enough time, they will be functioning at a logical rate."
"At least both of them and your other two clone lack the arrogance of your last effort." Starscream replied, holding an electric staff. "The one who named himself Predaking."
"Who's Predaking?" Backbite asked after overhearing the air commander.
"Let's just say that he's your predecessor and doesn't share our goal." Dropkick replied casually.
Just then, the six Cybertronians heard loud footsteps and they saw the other two Predacons entering the lab while accidentally knocking down some boxes.
"Be carful, you clumsy brutes!" Starscream called.
"So, these two are also Predacons like us?" Ripclaw questioned as she and Backbite approached the other Predacons.
"Indeed. We would like you to be acquainted with your new comrades, SkyLynx and Darksteel." Shockwave introduced.
"Nice to meet you both. Our names are Backbite and Ripclaw." Backbite said as he placed a clawed hand on SkyLynx's shoulder.
"It's always good to see more of us being created here." SkyLynx replied with a smile.
"Indeed. Working together to ensure a bright future for all Predacons will be most wonderful." Ripclaw proclaimed.
"Enough with the introductions. Where have you two been?" Starscream questioned SkyLynx and Darksteel.
"Gutting Autobots." SkyLynx answered as Darksteel let out a devious laugh.
"What?!" Starscream, Shatter and Dropkick asked in disbelief.
"You were ordered to avoid all contact with the enemy!" Starscream shouted angrily before zapping SkyLynx and Darksteel with the electric staff, causing them to shout painfully and drop to their knees.
"What are you doing?!" Backbite demanded with an outraged expression. "Cease this act, now!"
"You can't harm our brothers like they're some common pets!" Ripclaw stated in fury.
"We're only making sure they both understand the consequences of their foolishness." Shatter replied with a firm frown.
"I don't hear you laughing now, Darksteel!" Starscream mocked.
"We weren't followed!" SkyLynx argued as Ripclaw and Backbite helped him and Darksteel stand up.
"Fools! Now that they know of your existence, we have lost the element of surprise!" Starscream scolded.
"They're obviously going to be preparing to battle you all the second time, now!" Dropkick added.
"Hehehehehe. The Autobots are weak." Darksteel chuckled, unconcerned.
"Are they really that easy to defeat?" Ripclaw asked.
"Of course. They fled like cowards." SkyLynx replied. "We have no need to fear them."
"Perhaps, SkyLynx, but we must not underestimate them either. Their treacherous scout was able to fell the mighty Megatron, rest his Spark." Starscream said solemnly.
"Not to mention they're still keeping our comrades as prisoners on our own warship." Shatter reminded. "For once, they have us outnumbered."
"As such, it is paramount that we harvest the CNA necessary to clone more of you. Many more of you." Shockwave proclaimed.
"So that we may build an army of beasts great enough to eradicate the Autobots and conquer Cybertron. In Lord Megatron's memory and name." Starscream finished.
(Linebreak)
With the main Autobot team, they were driving down a Cybertronian street towards a very familiar fortress that was a few meters in front of them.
"Well, there it is." Wheeljack said.
"What makes you think we'll find Shockwave's cloning lab here?" Arcee asked Bumblebee.
"Yeah, wasn't Darkmount Megatron's military HQ?" Smokescreen recalled.
"If the Intel I received from Knock Out is accurate…" Bumblebee said before they all transformed and stood right in front of Darkmount. "We'll find a map of Shockwave's entire lab network in the citadel's databank."
"Let's hope so. I just wanna take a break from dealing with Cons and do something normal for once." Jazz admitted.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, Seaspray and Jetfire were currently relaxing in Ultra Magnus' ship as they waited for Optimus to find the Allspark, until the alarm suddenly went off.
"What's going on?" Jetfire asked in surprise.
Seaspray looked at the ship's radar and saw something very hazardous appearing on it, slowly moving to their position.
"That's not good." Seaspray said.
Optimus was seen flying through the asteroid field and still searching for the Allspark before he soon spotted a large metallic object that was shaped like a space probe and inside it was a bright blue glow. It was very far away from his position, too.
"Optimus, there's a plasma storm heading our way!" Jetfire stated on the com-link as Optimus could see a large purple storm cloud slowly moving towards him.
"You've gotta fall back! That Allspark container might be indestructible, but you're not!" Seaspray told the Autobot leader, only for him to fly straight at the Allspark.
"I am too close to fall back!" Optimus proclaimed, determined to finish his mission for the sake of Cybertron.
(Linebreak)
At Darkmount, Smokescreen was currently seen sitting on Megatron's throne.
"Lord Smokescreen, emperor of destruction." Smokescreen said in a deep voice, playing around on the throne.
"How can you sit there?" Bulkhead questioned as he and Wheeljack watched, cringing a bit. "That's some bad mojo."
"And you might catch Megatron's viruses on it." Wheeljack added.
On the other side of the throne room, Bumblebee, Arcee, Cliffjumper and Jazz were looking at a holographic screen of the databank and found where Shockwave's secret lab was located.
"What do you know? Knock Out actually shot straight for once." Bumblebee admitted.
"Still can't believe you got him of all Cons to talk." Cliffjumper replied.
"What'd you have to do? Buff his finish?" Arcee asked Bumblebee with a smile.
"Close." Bumblebee replied. "Let's download the data and get out of here."
However, Jazz seemed to notice something in the far distance flying their way and it was slowly getting larger from behind the Cybertronian moon.
"Hey, something's flying straight at us." Jazz said as he pointed at the flying object, causing his team to notice it, too,
"Predaking?" Arcee guessed.
"Moving too fast." Bumblebee answered.
"Starscream?" Bulkhead asked.
"Too big." Cliffjumper replied.
Bumblebee zoomed in on the flying object with his eyes and gained a very surprised look as it became more clear the closer it got. When it was finally at the front edge of Darkmount, the flying object transformed into a robot form and landed on the platform as the Autobots were very astonished to see that it was Megatron with a whole new look. He was now as big as Predaking, his eyes were purple, golden and purple spikes were growing out of his shoulders and helmet and his Decepticon symbol was replaced by a purple star-like symbol. Smokescreen stepped away from the throne as 'Megatron' stared down at the Autobots.
"Minions of the Prime, prepare to be obliterated!" 'Megatron' stated with an intimidating glare, stepping forward.
"Megatron?" Bumblebee asked in astonishment.
"It ain't supposed to be possible." Wheeljack muttered.
"You skewered bucket-head with a giant saber and managed to miss his Spark?!" Smokescreen questioned in disbelief.
"How are you still alive?!" Arcee demanded.
"And where'd you score the upgrade?!" Bulkhead questioned.
"Megatron cannot answer you at this moment. Though I can inform you, with utmost authority, that he owes his new lease on life to me! Unicron!" The Chaos Bringer announced, much to the Autobots' shock and horror. "And I will not be so easy to deliver into oblivion."
Unicron gathered some Dark Energon in his palms and formed a pair of demonic energy cannons, which he shot at the Autobots and they avoided the large explosion they left. Th Autobots quickly recovered and fired their blasters at Unicron, who was unfazed by the attacks and fired his energy cannons back at them as the Autobots quickly retreated behind Megatron's throne for cover. Just then, Bumblebee jumped on Unicron's shoulders and leaped off while firing his blasters at the Chaos Bringer, managing to make him stumble back a bit.
(Linebreak)
"Bothersome pest!" Unicron said with a scowl as he witnessed everything from the possessed body's kind.
"That pest is the very one who robbed me of my Spark." Megatron replied, feeling mad from that memory of Bumblebee ending his life. "And now I possess the power to return the favour."
"You possess nothing! It is I who possess all that you were and ever will be!" Unicron proclaimed, making Megatron feel a little timid.
(Linebreak)
Unicron fired his energy cannons again as Bumblebee joined his teammates behind the throne and took cover from the Dark Energon explosions.
"If we stay here, we'll all be headed for the Well of All Sparks!" Cliffjumper stated.
"We need to retreat!" Arcee added.
"The only way out is down!" Smokescreen said.
"And to get down, we've gotta go around the chaos chump!" Jazz proclaimed.
"We can't call for a Ground Bridge until we put some space between Unicron and us!" Bulkhead admitted.
"Behold my infinite might!" Unicron shouted as he made his cannons dissolve and he formed a giant Dark Energon spear in his hand, throwing it into the throne.
The Autobots started hearing a beeping noise coming from the spear, indicating it was about to explode.
"I know an explosive when I hear one!" Wheeljack stated worriedly.
"Let's roll." Bumblebee ordered before they all jumped over the throne and transformed.
The Autobots managed to drive below Unicron and they went over the platform's edge as the Dark Energon javelin exploded behind them. Bumblebee quickly transformed and fired his blasters at a nearby structure, creating a big hole in it as the yellow Autobot transformed again and he and his team dived right into the hole. Unicron roared in anger at seeing his foes flee from him and he transformed into his large Cybertronian Jet form, flying after them.
(Linebreak)
Back at the asteroid field, Optimus continued flying straight towards the Allspark as the plasma storm was getting closer. Seaspray and Jetfire noticed how much closer the storm was as the ship they were in shook like crazy.
"Come on, Prime. We're running out of time, here." Seaspray muttered desperately.
"If he doesn't get back here soon, I'm flying out there and bringing him back." Jetfire declared, holding onto the passenger seat.
Optimus continued flying at the Allspark and the plasma storm disintegrated dozens of asteroids as it threatened to also destroy Optimus if he didn't evacuate.
(Linebreak)
Bumblebee and his team were driving their way down a hall to escape from Unicron before they drove through an open door and Arcee saw something dangerous up ahead.
"Whoa! Stop!" Arcee exclaimed, causing the team to quickly transform and stop in front of the edge of a small platform.
The Autobots looked over the edge to see that there was a pit of boiling lava at the bottom.
"A smelting pit?!" Bulkhead asked in shock.
"Cybertron's been dormant for thousands of years, but that's still burning?!" Arcee questioned outrageously.
"This slagging universe just has it out for us, sometimes!" Jazz complained.
"Ratchet, Ultra Magnus, Elita, we need a Ground Bridge!" Bumblebee called on his com-link.
But then, a Dark Energon explosion ignited behind them and caused most of the Autobots to fall over the edge, only for Bulkhead to quickly grab the edge and grab Cliffjumper as the others managed to create a dangling chain of them holding onto each other. Bumblebee was the only one left on the platform and Unicron flew by while laughing sinisterly at the Autobots dangling over their doom.
(Linebreak)
Seaspray began to start up the ship's engines as the alarms went off like crazy.
"Optimus, if we don't leave this area, we're all gonna be turned to smouldering atoms!" Seaspray stated, only to get no response. "Optimus!"
"Come on, he has to make it!" Jetfire proclaimed in desperateness, just about ready to fly out and save his leader.
Fortunately, Optimus then appeared to be flying straight towards the ship with the Allspark container in his hands, much to the other two Autobots' relief.
"And that's why he's the best Prime in the world." Seaspray said with a smile.
Optimus landed on the ship's lowered hatch and it brought him inside before a large asteroid crashed into the ship's left engine. This shook the inside a bit as Seaspray and Jetfire saw their leader arrive.
"That was a bit too close, Optimus." Jetfire admitted. "Next time, you definitely need backup with you."
"Duly noted, Jetfire." Optimus replied. "Seaspray, set a course for Cybertron."
"Hold onto something. I'm putting this rig into high gear." Seaspray said before he flew the ship away from the plasma storm.
Once they were out of the storm's reach, Seaspray took a quick look at the Allspark container behind.
"So, that's the ancient object that's basically the source of Cybertron's life?" Seaspray asked. "It's kinda smaller than I thought."
"Size isn't everything. Once we get back home, it'll be able to power everything and life will go back to the way it was ages ago." Jetfire replied.
(Linebreak)
Bulkhead struggled to pull up his teammates back onto the platform in order to keep them from falling into the smelting pit.
"Hold tight!" Bulkhead grunted.
"That's the only thing we're doing, Bulk!" Wheeljack replied.
Bumblebee was about to help, but then Unicron transformed and landed on the platform before he created a pair of Dark Energon scythes on his hands. Unicron swiped his Dark Energon scythes at Bumblebee and the yellow Autobot avoided them all before shooting the Chaos Bringer rapidly with his blasters, which had no effect as they both kept attacking each other with little damage delivered. But when Unicron stabbed one of his scythes into the platform, it caused a massive crack that caused the surface beneath Bulkhead to crumble apart.
"Oh scrap!" Cliffjumper exclaimed before he and the other Autobots began falling to the smelting pit, screaming out loud.
"No!" Bumblebee called out in horror, rushing to the platform's edge.
But before his team could fall into the molten lava, a Ground Bridge appeared above it and the six Autobots fell right into it for safety on the Nemesis, much to Bumblebee's relief.
"Servant of Prime, you will now join your brethren!" Unicron announced, ready to terminate Bumblebee.
"You got that right!" Bumblebee replied before he then jumped over the table edge.
Unicron rushed towards the edge and saw Bumblebee diving into the Ground Bridge before it closed up, making the Chaos Bringer shout out in anger as his Dark Energon scythe disappeared.
"I am weak!" Unicron stated.
(Linebreak)
"But our merciless attack drove the Autobots into submission. They fled for their Sparks." Megatron proclaimed, showing off more of his pride.
"A victory over unworthy opponents, especially one that did not result in their demise, is far from an achievement. Clearly, our improved state is not enough to accomplish the deed for which I have come. For that, I shall require a much greater instrument of destruction." Unicron replied with a firm scowl.
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