"You know, I might not be the first human on Cybertron, but I can still be the first human exchange student." Miko said. "Why didn't you tell us about the Omega Keys before?" Jack asked. "You probably haven't noticed, but things have been kind of intense around here lately." Arcee said.
"So, you guys could really be going home soon, huh?" Raf asked. "Don't worry, Raf. You'll come visit. Once we get our place set up, he can bunk with us. Right, Bulk?" Miko asked. "Uh, Miko." Bulkhead started. "You are taking me with you, right?" Miko asked.
"Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here? Not only do we lack any actual method of reaching Cybertron, but Starscream now controls the sole means of our planet's restoration." Ratchet said. "As far as we know." Optimus said.
"You think Starscream's rejoined the 'Cons?" Smokescreen asked. "He could've used the Omega Keys to buy back Megatron's favor." Chromia said. "Without first trying to sell them to the highest bidder? It wouldn't surprise me if he had the nerve to contact us. And -" Ratchet was interrupted by beeping by the monitor. "Okay, that's weird." Bulkhead said.
"Is it Starscream?" Cyclonus asked. "No, it is Dreadwing, and he wants to meet." Ratchet said. The Autobots drove through a Ground-Bridge and transformed with their weapons at the ready. "Drop your weapons!" Jetfire said. "Hands where we can see them!" Smokescreen commanded.
Dreadwing stepped out of the fog. "I am not here to fight, but to give you this." He motioned to the Forge of Solus Prime in front of him. "The Forge of Solus Prime." Cyclonus said. "Could be rigged to blow." Bulkhead said. "Dreadwing, what do you ask in return?" Optimus asked. "Only that you use it wisely." Dreadwing said.
"And the Omega Keys?" Arcee asked. "In Megatron's possession, under heaviest guard." Dreadwing said. "Scream did make a deal with the 'Cons." Bulkhead said. "Why?" Optimus asked. "A shadow of disgrace has been cast upon the Decepticons. It is a cause I no longer wish to be part of." Dreadwing said.
"Then I appeal to you again, join us, and help end this conflict once and for all." Optimus offered. "Betraying my kind is not the same as accepting yours." Dreadwing said. He jumped off a cliff, transformed, and left.
Optimus held the Forge. "It's no Star Saber, but I bet it can shatter Megatron's blade and put some dents into that ugly mug of his." Smokescreen said. "It's not that kind of hammer." Arcee said. "With the Decepticons in possession of all 6 Omega Keys, a more appropriate use of the Forge would be to use it to replicate our own." Ratchet said.
"Even with such power, their reconstruction would require a level of expertise I do not possess." Optimus said. "I guess we better hope Megatron doesn't destroy the Keys to prevent anyone from ever going home." Chromia said.
"Megatron may be evil, but I believe he will use the Keys for their intended purpose." Optimus said. "Well, I say we let him keep them and do the work for us." Bulkhead suggested. Everyone stared at him. "Well, I mean, what difference does it make who restores Cybertron?" Bulkhead asked.
"If Megatron revives Cybertron, he will no doubt use it to his political advantage." Optimus said. Bulkhead sputtered. "You lost me." He said. "In all likelihood, the leader of the Decepticons will portray himself as our planet's savior and brand all Autobots as war criminals." Optimus said. "The grand deception continues." Arcee said.
"Megatron's so-called achievement could influence Cybertron for eons to come. Poisoning the Sparks and minds of its returning citizens. Hardly the ideal way to begin a new age." Ratchet said. "But there is hope. For while Megatron may have the Keys, he has yet to discover the existence of the Omega Lock itself." Optimus said.
"Omega Lock?" Jetfire asked. "Wait, now you lost me." Arcee said. "That which the six relics were designed to activate. We must locate the device before Megatron does and secure it until we can recover the Keys." Optimus said.
"There are no more Iacon entries to decode. This Lock could be anywhere on Earth." Ratchet said. "Actually, it is on Cybertron." Optimus said.
"What?" Everybody asked. "How do you know?" Ratchet asked. "Alpha Trion revealed its location to me during the message conveyed by the Star Saber." Optimus said as he walked towards the Ground-Bridge. "And you didn't think to tell us?" Ratchet asked. "Alpha Trion did not wish it so." Optimus said.
"With the Forge of Solus Prime, we now possess the means of reaching Cybertron. I must work quickly as our tactical advantage over Megatron will not last long." He said as he climbed down.
Dreadwing marched down the halls. "Dreadwing, I have been searching for you." Megatron stopped him. "I am at your service, Lord Megatron." Dreadwing said. "I recognize that Starscream's return to our ranks may be difficult for you, given the loss of your twin under his command. But your cooperation is essential. We Decepticons will be best equipped to rule a restored Cybertron only if we are united." Megatron said.
"Understood. And if it pleases you, Master, I intend to reach out to our comrade personally." Dreadwing said.
"Rise and shine." Starscream woke up. "Your T-Cog transplant was a success. Yes, I am just that good." Knockout praised himself. "Finally. I can't wait to take flight and soar above the clouds." Starscream said.
"Starscream." Dreadwing was at the door. "I regret to inform you that you will not live to spread your wings ever again." He said as he grabbed his cannon. The barrel glowed. Dreadwing yelled as he fired. The shot hit the wall behind Starscream. He ran off the medical berth as Knockout ran to the exit. "Knockout, help me!" Starscream begged. Knockout ran off.
Dreadwing dropped his gun and grabbed his sword. Starscream grabbed a drill. "Dreadwing, what has gotten into you?" He asked. Dreadwing sliced the drill in half. "No, wait, this is about Skyquake, isn't it? I thought we had put that behind us!" Starscream exclaimed. "So had I!" Dreadwing hissed and swung his sword, but Starscream dodged.
"Casualties are an unfortunate consequence of war! But I assure you, your twin met his end with great honor!" Starscream said. "Which you disgraced by raising him from the dead!" Dreadwing screeched. "Oh, you know about that. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING I CAN DO! Some form of reparation I can offer to alleviate your anguish!" Starscream shouted.
"YOUR SPARK WILL SUFFICE!" Dreadwing readied the killing blow. "Dreadwing! Stand down!" Megatron ordered at the entrance. "This desecrator must pay for his actions!" Dreadwing yelled. "You call this loyalty, Master?!" Starscream exclaimed.
"I said stand down! That is an order!" Megatron ordered. "One which I cannot follow." Dreadwing said and raised his sword. Starscream yelled in terror, but then a gun fired. Dreadwing groaned, and Starscream saw a hole blasted through his Spark-Chamber.
Dreadwing dropped dead, revealing Megatron holding his cannon. "I'm okay. I'm okay!" Starscream laughed nervously. "Lord Megatron, you have my eternal thanks!" He said. "Do not ever make me regret which one of you I spared." Megatron warned.
"Is it my imagination, or has Optimus been acting differently since that message from Alpha Trion?" Arcee asked. Bee buzzed. "Yeah, he has been keeping things from us." Jetfire said. "Even Ratchet's out of the loop." Chromia said. "Well, give me one good reason Optimus couldn't trust his own teammates. Why he couldn't have told us about the Omega Lock." Bulkhead said.
"Because if he had, Megatron would have pulled it out of my head with his patch." Smokescreen said. "Like it matters. The 'Cons are holding all the Keys anyway." Bulkhead said.
Knockout was scanning all six Omega Keys. "Tick-tock, Knockout. Tick-tock. Megatron's expecting results, and given what we just witnessed, I would say that we cannot afford to disappoint our master." Starscream pushed.
"We? Unless nagging counts, I haven't seen you lift a finger." Knockout said. "I am the one who brought him the keys. Do I really need to prove myself further by deciphering how they operate, too?" Starscream asked.
"Well, perhaps if my research hadn't been sidelined by someone's cosmetic surgery, I might be further along right now." Knockout said. "Oh, just give it here!" Starscream said and snatched the Omega Key from Knockout. He tried to crack it open, then bashed it on the table. "Oh, gee, why didn't I think of that?" Knockout asked sarcastically.
Starscream growled, and hit his torso with the Omega Key, leaving a long scratch. Knockout gasped and grabbed another key. They swung the keys, but both relics attached to each other. "Do you think?" Knockout asked. "Grab two others." Starscream said. He and Knockout grabbed two more and clashed them with the first keys. They grabbed the last set. "Ready? Go." Starscream said. All 6 Omega Keys combined and created a holographic projection of Cybertron.
"And that is why Dreadwing is pushing up lug nuts," Starscream started. "And we are not." Knockout finished. They presented their present to Megatron. "Of course! Keys are useless without something to unlock. Target the Space-Bridge for Cybertron." He commanded.
"Yet another astonishing convergence of magic and science. Courtesy of the ancients." Ratchet said. "And our leader." Smokescreen added. "It's hard to believe a few swings of that hammer and, bam!" Bulkhead said. "Our Ground-Bridge is now a Space-Bridge." Chromia said.
The systems alerted them. "Our sensors are detecting a massive Energon burst occurring outside Earth's atmosphere. A surge of that kind could only kean ine thing. Activation of another Space-Bridge." Ratchet said. "Megatron has discovered that the Omega Lock is on Cybertron." Optimus said.
"It appears we have lost our advantage." Ratchet said. "But with Megatron unaware that we now possess the means of interstellar travel, the element of surprise remains in our favor." Optimus said.
"We must embark on this mission with every resource at our disposal." He said as the Autobots marched into the vault room. Bulkhead took the Immobilizer. Bee grabbed the Polarity Gauntlet. Arcee held the Apex Armor. And Smokesceeen took the Spark Extractor.
The Nemesis approached the Space-Bridge behind the Moon. "Starscream, assume command in my absence." Megatron said. "I would be honored, Master." Starscream said, surprised. Megatron and multiple Vehicons transformed and flew for their portal.
"What's he forging now?" Bulkhead asked as they walked towards the portal, and pounding could be heard. Optimus emerged with a reforged Star Saber. "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost." He said as he planted the Star Saber on his back. They all transformed into their land and air vehicles and entered the portal.
Megatron and his army marched around Cybertron. Six Vehicons carried one Omega Key. "According to the landmarks displayed by the keys, the object we seek is located deep within the Sea of Rust." Megatron said.
Ratchet paced around the area when the monitor beeped. "Optimus?" He asked. "No, Ratchet. It's Jack. Is something wrong, because school's been out for almost an hour and no one showed to pick us up. Elsa and Anna are here for a field trip, and they said that someone would pick them up with us." Jack said.
"High, Rachy!" Anna said. "That is because the entire team is rather... indisposed at the moment. I suggest you obtain an alternate method of transport." Ratchet said. "What's he saying?" Miko asked. "The 'Bots are busy." Jack said. "Then tell Ratchet to come get us. It's not like he has anything else to do." Miko said. Ratchet heard her.
"Just go home! I will be in touch later." He said. "Hello? He hung up." Jack said. "Why?" Elsa asked. "What crawled up his tailpipe and died?" Miko asked. "Did Ratchet tell you what's going on?" Raf asked. "No. They seem to be keeping us in the dark a lot lately." Jack said.
Megatron followed the tracker as the Decepticons pushed through a rust storm. Smokescreen emerged from the ground behind the army and shot them. The others aimed their cannons. "What just happened?" Megatron asked. Smokescreen ran and phased into rubble. "Smokescreen? But that's impossible. The Autobots do not possess the means to -" Megatron started.
A giant pile of rubble was dropped on the army by Bumblebee. "Crush them!" Megatron ordered. The Vehicons fired as Bee transformed and drove down a ramp. Above and behind the army, Bulkhead held the Immobilizer and fired. A group of Vehicon was frozen. Bulkhead jumped down, and he and Bee fired at them as Cyclonus, Jetfire, and Chromia joined them.
Arcee fired from above, jumped down, and equipped the Apex Armor. The Autobots charged at the Vehicons as Smokescreen phased out of the ground. "Defend the keys!" Megatron ordered.
Each Autobot tore down Megatron's forces. Arcee bashed two together and crushed another. Bee jumped and shot them. Smokescreen phased through the ground and emerged on the other side and shot the Vehicons.
Megatron grabbed the Dark Star Saber and ran at the Autobots with shooting Vehicons. Optimus joined the Autobots, grabbed the Star Saber, and sliced Vehicons apart. Megatron yelled as their Sabers clashed, filling the area with the power of Primus and Unicron. "I bested your little blade once, and I shall do it again!" Megatron growled. They kept slashing, but Optimus kicked him away. Megatron roared and ran at him.
Cyclonus and Jetfire transformed and fired rockets at the Vehicons as Bulkhead used the Immobilizer to freeze the others, and Bee used the Polarity Gauntlet to take all 6 Omega Keys from them. Smokescreen and Arcee grabbed two while Bee and Bulkhead grabbed the last two.
Optimus kicked Megatron away, then swung the Star Saber, and the umbra wave blew Megatron to a structure above them. The Autobots transformed and retreated as a few Vehicons flew after them. Megatron stood up and approached the edge. "I will have those keys, or I will have your Sparks!" He yelled.
Smokescreen emerged from a rusted slab. "I can help with the last part." He said and held the Spark Extractor. "The Spark Extractor!" Megatron realized. Smokescreen kicked a Vehicon into two others as he phased through the ground, and the Spark Extractor went off.
The energy field eradicated most of Megatron's forces before the warlord threw the Dark Star Saber at it and destroyed the Spark Extractor. He landed on a snow pile and retrieved his evil blade. "Starscream, the Autobots have seized the Omega Keys. Send reinforcements immediately!" Megatron ordered.
"Actually, Lord Megatron, Soundwave has been briefing me on recent developments, and we may have a more effective solution." Starscream said.
The Autobots transformed. "Our head start won't last long." Arcee said. "This is where Alpha Trion said we'd find it, right?" Smokescreen asked. "These are the coordinates." Bulkhead said. They found a dirty pedestal. "Doesn't look like much." Bulkhead said. Optimus brushed some dust off. "Ratchet, we have located the Omega Lock." He said.
"At last." Ratchet sighed. "According to Alpha Trion, the Omega Lock is a conduit to the very Allspark itself." Optimus said. "Optimus, an honor like this shouldn't belong to me." Smokescreen said and offered his Omega Keys. They all started glowing, as did the pedestal. The floor started changing as four structures emerged and formed. The center of the giant machine filled with Cyber-Matter. The Omega Lock was active.
Optimus saw Megatron flying towards them. They all grabbed their weapons as the tyrannical overlord transformed. "Autobots, I would suggest that you put a halt to your task and hand over those keys." He said. "And why would we do that?" Smokescreen asked.
A portal behind Megatron opened, and Starscream, Soundwave, and Knockout came through. Starscream held Jack and Elsa inside containers, while Soundwave had Raf and Anna. Knockout had Miko. "So that I may hand over the humans." Megatron said. "And if we refuse?" Optimus asked.
"Then I will have no choice but to open the pods, exposing your pets to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere, and then we can all watch them instantly perish together." Megatron said.