"The coordinates indicate that the second of these four Iacon Relics lies at the very bottom of this world." Megatron said. "I will hourney ti the ends of this or any world to serve your will, Lord Megatron." Dreadwing said.
"Then return with my prize, Dreadwing, and prove you are more worthy of being me Second in Command than those who have preceded you." Megatron said.
Over at the remains of the Harbinger, Starscream gathered the equipment he needed to install his new T-Cog so that he may transform again. "Inner stat, cross clamp, laser scapel, durabyllium drill, and one slightly damaged but operational T-Cog, courtesy of my traitorous clone. Everything I require to make myself whole." He said and walked towards the medical berth and layed down as he held the drill.
"A simple, painless procedure." He activated the drill. "Nothing to it, really, provided one possesses the nerve." He hesitently lowered the drill towards his chassis, and he braced himself as the tip made contact with his Decepticon symbol. Then the monitor started beeping, stopping him. "Four detachments of Decepticons Ground-Bridging to four different continents at the exact same time? Ah. Procedure postponed." Starscream said.
"Be on your guard, Autobots." Optimus said as Bulkhead, Cyclonus, Jetfire, and Chromia ran into the Ground-Bridge. "Rafael, lock onto the remaining coordinates. I will embark for the Antarctic." Optimus said.
Raf typed something into the computer, and the coordinates were set for the frozen continental wasteland of Antarctica.
"As for you, old friend, I would prefer that you have company on your mission." Optimus said. "No one is left to join me, Optimus. Even if Agent Fowler were alert," Ratchet said. Agent Fowler mumbled unintelligible words and passed out again. "He's human." Ratchet finished.
"I was considering the only remaining Autobot alternative on this planet." Optimus said. "Wha? But, you can't be serious!" Ratchet sputtered. "Wheeljack is insubordinate, a ruffian! Besides, he's Bulkhead's partner."
"Your expertise is scientific, but Wheeljack is a highly capable warrior. You would be wise to welcome the temporary alliance." Optimus said.
"Ah, a remote control for the Ground-Bridge. I love Decepticon scientists." Starscream said as he pressed a button and a Ground-Bridge portal opened.
He drove into Antarctica on a hovercraft. "I despise this planet! If it isn't a scorching desert, it is a frigid wasteland!" Starscream groaned the second the sub-freezing temperatures hit his metal skin.
"Now, where are you, my Decepticon brethren?" He questioned as he observed the icy area. Two jets flew above him. Vehicons. The Vehicons turned around and fired at Starscream. The Seeker turned around and retreated.
The Vehicons kept firing, causing the icy spikes that jutted from the snowy ground to fall down. Starscream yelped as more Decepticons appeared and fired. "Faster, you pathetic excuse for transportation!" Starscream yelled at the hovercraft.
Starscream ended up crashing the hovercraft and skidded across the snowy and icy ground as Vehicons transformed and aimed their cannons at him. "Decepticons! Do you not realize you have just shot down your ship's commander?!" Starscream yelled with lies, then the ground shook behind him.
Starscream yelped as he turned around. "You command no one, deserter!" Dreadwing said. "Skyquake?! But your -" Starscream started, easily mistaking Dreadwing for Skyquake. "You mistake me for my brother, who is one with the Allspark, as you are, no doubt, aware, former Commander Starscream." Dreadwing growled.
Starscream nervously chuckled. "Were it up to me, I would end this here and now." Dreadwing sneered as he attached Cyber-cuffs onto Starscream's servos. "But it is my duty as first lieutenant to Megatron to render all traitors to my Lord and Master for due punishment." Dreadwing said.
"FIRST LIEUTENANT?! THAT'S MY POST!" Starscream bellowed. Vehicon guns charged up. "Was my post." Starscream corrected.
Dreadwing and the Vehicons marched across the snowy tundra of Antarctica with Starscream in the center. "Commander Dreadwing, this must be a very important mission if Megatron has dispatched his Second in Command. Scouting for Energon, or something else altogether?" Starscream asked.
"That is none of your concern." Dreadwing said. "If I knew what you were looking for, perhaps I could help." Starscream offered with a cunning smile.
"We have arrived at the coordinates." Dreadwing said. The relic, it has been taken." He gasped when he saw a hole in an ice cliff bottom. "Relic? What sort of relic?" Starscream asked. "Search the area!" Dreadwing commanded. Optimus observed on one of the icy cliffs.
"Commander Dreadwing, we have discovered vehicle tracks." A Vehicon reported. "The Autobots!" Dreadwing snarled. "Perhaps. Though I've never known them to plant flags at the site of their victories." Starscream said. Dreadwing grabbed him. "Do not try me, traitor! I will leave your lifeless husk in this frozen wasteland!" He growled.
A motor got their attention. Optimus was driving towards them in truck mode. "You two, guard the prisoner." Dreadwing ordered as he tossed Starscream down.
Optimus transformed. Vehicons stood next to Dreadwing. "Optimus Prime, I will request only once that you surrender the relic." Dreadwing said. "I was going to request the same of you, Dreadwing." Optimus said. "Then I would say that we are on equal footing, were it not tbat there are 5 of us and only one of you." Dreadwing said.
"6, if you'd relieve me of these ridiculous manacles!" Starscream said.
Optimus and Dreadwing stared at each other. Starscream looked at each of them. Dreadwing slightly shifted his pede. He and Optimus kept staring each other down. Starscream kept looking at each of them, wondering who would draw first.
Dreadwing grabbed his cannon, and he and the Vehicons fired.
Optimus drew his own cannons and fired. Two Vehicons chased him, but he shot them in their Spark-Chambers, destroying them instantly. Dreadwing kept firing, but Optimus dodged the shots and fired back, hitting Dreadwing in his shoulder.
Dreadwing fired three grenades from his cannon at the Prime. Optimus jumoed over the explosives and they blew up behind hik as Prime changed his cannon for his wrist blade. Dreadwing put his gun on his back and grabbed his sword. Their blades clashed and Optimus kicked Dreadwing away.
Dreadwing started twirling his blade and roared as he charged at Optimus again. They clashed their swords, and Dreadwing pushed against Optimus. But Optimus managed to push him down. However, Dreadwing punched him away. They were near a cliffside.
Dreadwing put his sword on his back and ran at Optimus as he sheethed his blade and ran at Dreadwing. Dreadwing tackled Optimus right off the cliffside and onto the frozen ground below, where they kept fighting until Dreadwing brought Optimus down. Optimus transformed his servo into a cannon and fired at Dreadwing but hit the icy cliff.
"Your aim is poor." Dreadwing taunted. "That is a matter of perspective." Optimus said. The cliff began to collapse. The Cybertronians ran away, but Dreadwing was caught in the ensuing avalanche. "NO!" He screamed.
The Vehicons escorted Starscream down a slope. "A stalemate would leave us where?" Starscream asked. They noticed a huge dust clpud covered the area. "Commander Dreadwing!" A Vehicon shouted. Out of the dust cloud came Optimus. The Vehicons charged their guns and fired.
Optimus fired back. Starscream grabbed a Vehicon and sent his shots wild and turned him around as the other Vehicon noticed and fired, killing the first Vehicon and Optimus killed the second.
"What a team we make! I am so glad that you prevailed, Optimus Prime! That wretch Dreadwing was going to terminate me. Now, if you could just remove my bonds, I can lead you straight to the relic." Starscream said. Optimus charged his gun. "You will lead me there regardless." He said. "Hmph. You're welcome." Starscream said sarcastically.
The Seeker led the Prime through Antarctica as a blizzard started. "Be reasonable, Prime! This cold will freeze both our actuators." Starscream said. "The current temperatures are not extreme enough to affect our biology. You'll be fine." Optimus said. "Fine but miserable. And I cannot believe that you take our alliances for granted. After all I have done for the Autobots helping to restore your memory, saving Arcee's life." Starscream said.
"While you have at times proved beneficial for us, it has been only to further your own interests." Optimus said. "Well, we can't all be as selfless as you, now, can we?" Starscream asked.
He and Optimus walked up a slope and near a cliffside. "Aha! As I suspected, humans, we will find the relic here. So, let us reclaim what is rightfully ours." Starscream said.
"We can not simply enter a human facility to search for Cybertronian relics." Optimus stopped him. "Not even if they stole it?" Starscream asked. "Nor can I expose innocent humans to a dangerous Decepticon. Rafael, has Agent Fowler regained consciousness?" Optimus asked.
"I'm here, Prime. What's your situation?" Agent Fowler asked. "I require access to a research facility at my current coordinates." Optimus said. "Let me make a call." Agent Fowler said.
Back at the battleground, Dreadwing burst iut if the snow and ice cannon in hand. He walked past two dead Vehicons and held his sword tightly. He noticed tracks, then transformed and flew to find Optimus and Starscream.
"Are we really going to wate out here in the freezing cold, completely at the mercy of human bureaucracy?" Starscream asked. They heard engines and a few helicopters depart from the facility. "Base is clear, Prime. Try not to wreck the joint." Agent Fowler said.
"Many thanks, Agent Fowler." Optimus said and pished Starscream forward. Prime opened up a warehouse and found the relic trapped in a block of ice. "The relic remained sealed in the ice." Optimus observed.
"I knew you were of questionable honor, Starscream, but aiding the Autobots, that is a capital offense." Dreadwing said from the entrance and held his cannon. "What?! But I-I left tracks for you on purpose so you could rescue me from my captor." Starscream lied.
"Dreadwing, I can not allow you to leave here with this relic." Optimus said. "I know that, Prime. But I do not intend to give you a choice." Dreadwing said and fired. Optimus growled and tackled Dreadwing outside, knocking the cannon away. While they were fighting, Starscream approached the relic.
"Given all the fuss, this relic must be truly special." Starscream bashed at the icy shell with his Cyber-cuffs.
Dreadwing held Optimus, and he shoved him off. Dreadwing pressed a detonator, and Optimus noticed a bomb on his chassis. He plucked it off and threw it, and it exploded in midair.
Starscream finally made a hole in the ice. "Armor, of Decepticon origin," He said and held the relic. He attached it to his chassis, and it formed into a huge suit of armor around him, breaming the Cyber-cuffs.
Optimus lay on the ground as Dreadwing raised his sword, but then Starscream jumped out of the warehouse and landed in front of it.
"The Apex Armor." Optimus groaned. "A perfect fit." Starscream said.
"You dare to claim that which rightfully belongs to Lord Megatron?" Dreadwing asked as Optimus got up. "And what do you intend to do about it, commander?" Starscream snickered. Dreadwing roared as he slashed his sword at Starscream, but the Apex Armor wasn't even scratched. Starscream laughed as he punched Dreadwing away.
"Not so big and strong now, are you? I haven't had this much fun since I punched that hole in Cliffjumper!" Starscream yelled. He grabbed a snow truck. "Allow me to reunite you with your beloved twin!" He growled. Optimus collided with him from behind, and Dreadwing dodged the falling truck.
"And you, Optimus Prime, I will beat the living Spark out of you just so I never again have to endure your pontificating!" Starscream threw Optimus into a bunch of crates. Dreadwing shot him and swung his sword at Starscream's helm, which didn't do anything. Starscream threw him next to Optimus.
"Dreadwing, our battle remains unfinished, but if we do not unite against our common foe." Optimus started. "Starscream will destroy us both." Dreadwing finished.
Starscream snickered as he walked towards them. "I will draw his attention." Dreadwing gave Optimus a bomb. Dreadwing transformed and fired at Starscream, but the Seeker jumped up and slapped Dreadwing out of the air. "Might beats flight!" He said.
Optimus attacked him from behind, but Starscream threw him off. Dreadwing smiled. "You shall be the one to join with the Allspark." Dreadwing pressed a detonator, and the bomb on Starscream's back blinked and beeped. Starscream yelped and looked around for the bomb, but it exploded.
Just when Optimus and Dreadwing thought they destroyed Starscream, he emerged from the smoke laughing. "That tickled! Fools! Not only am I intelligent, I am invincible!" He yelled. "Yet you cannot fly." Optimus roasted him. "Nobody's perfect." Starscream said and approached him.
Dreadwing looked at a bomb in his servo. "Now, tell me of the other three relics. Are they as powerful as my shiny new armor?" Starscream asked and hit Optimus. "They were hidden away precisely to keep them from the hands of those like you." Optimus said and started punching Starscream.
"He is far too powerful, Prime! Fall back!" Dreadwing yelled. "Cowards!" Starscream said as Optimus transformed and joined Dreadwing. "You will not escape my might!" Starscream declared, but noticed something was off. "Wait. You two are up to something." He said.
Dreadwing held his detonator and pressed it. Multiple bombs around Starscream activated. Optimus and Dreadwing ran back as the bombs exploded. Starscream yelled as he fell into the abyss below.
Dreadwing grabbed his sword. "Now that our alliance has served its purpose." He said. "Starscream is gone, and the Apex Armor with him. Is there really a need to renew battle when the goal has been lost?" Optimus asked and unsheethed his wrist blade. "We have other unfinished matters." Dreadwing responded coldly.
"I bore Skyquake no malice, and I regret the role I played in his demise. So, I will appeal to you as I once did your twin. Turn your back on the Decepticon cause and help me end this war, for his sake and for all who have fallen." Optimus offered.
Dreadwing waved his sword and mounted it to his back. "You saved my life today. I will terminate you the next time we meet." Dreadwing transformed and left Antarctica. "So be it, Dreadwing." Optimus said.
Dreadwing flew next to the Southern Lights. Meanwhile, in the freezing sea beneath Antarctica, the Southern Ocean, Starscream was unharmed. He stomped around, the pressure of the water slowly him down. The Seeker growled in fury.