What should have been the Autobots' final end was rudely and explosively interrupted.
Dislodged from Soundwave's grip by the force of the explosion, Megatron hurtled through the air, spinning uncontrollably. With years of combat experience and instinct kicking in, he quickly transformed into robot form, bracing for what he assumed would be a bone-jarring impact.
But the hard landing never came.
Instead, Megatron found himself resting on a strange surface. As his systems recalibrated and he opened his optics to survey his surroundings, what he saw ignited an immediate rage.
He was standing on what appeared to be an elaborate diorama, complete with artificial terrain, buildings, and even miniature vehicles. It was unsettlingly well-crafted. His first thought was that it must have been some sort of Autobot trick—a feeble attempt to imprison him.
But then he looked up and saw the enormity of the room surrounding him. Everything was wrong. The diorama wasn't small—he was.
"Soundwave, report!" Megatron barked, his deep voice carrying the unmistakable growl of suppressed fury.
Soundwave, seated at a nearby "building," responded coolly as he rose to his feet. "Observation: Scale discrepancy. Conclusion: Significant reduction in size."
Starscream's laughter echoed from the other side of the diorama. "Oh, this is rich! The mighty Megatron, reduced to a toy! Perhaps I should take over now. You're clearly not suited to lead in this... adorable state."
Megatron's optics narrowed, his fusion cannon charging with a warning hum. "You'd do well to silence yourself, Starscream, before I forget our current predicament and make you the first casualty of my wrath!"
Several other Decepticons stirred around the diorama. Thundercracker and Skywarp exchanged uneasy glances, clearly as confused as their leader.
The surroundings seemed absurd: massive walls painted in a neutral color, furniture that dwarfed them, and artificial lighting far too bright for Cybertronian comfort.
"Where are we?" Megatron muttered. "Soundwave, deploy Laserbeak. I want reconnaissance immediately."
Soundwave nodded, his chest compartment sliding open as Laserbeak emerged, the bird-like cassette transforming midair. The loyal scout flew upward, its wings catching the artificial light.
"You know," Starscream sneered, "you don't seem to have the slightest idea of what's going on, Megatron."
Megatron turned slowly, his expression a storm of quiet fury. "If you wish to test my patience, Starscream, continue speaking. Or perhaps you'd like to scout the area yourself?"
Starscream hesitated, his bravado faltering. "N-no, I think I'll leave that to Soundwave's minions."
As if on cue, Laserbeak returned, perching on Soundwave's shoulder.
Soundwave processed the data Laserbeak had gathered, his monotone voice delivering the report. "Environment: Artificial. Location: Unknown. Probability: Organic dwelling."
Megatron growled. The thought of being at the mercy of organics was an insult he could hardly bear.
Laserbeak's recordings revealed even more: strange metallic structures, countless pieces of equipment that resembled human tools and artifacts, and... massive displays filled with dozens of other figures.
Megatron's optics narrowed. "Magnify image."
Soundwave replayed and enhanced the footage, and Megatron's rage boiled anew. Scattered across the displays were figures—Cybertronian forms, immobile, Autobots and Decepticons alike, frozen in battle poses.
"Is this some sort of prison?" Thundercracker asked nervously.
Megatron clenched his fists. He didn't know who or what was responsible for this indignity, but they would pay dearly for daring to treat him like a mere plaything.
And then, the ground beneath them began to quake. "Skywarp! Take Soundwave and find the source of that disturbance."
"At once, Lord Megatron!" Skywarp transformed before opening his cockpit to allow Soundwave to ride inside. A quick teleport and they were in a darkened hallway. "Skywarp. Land," Soundwave ordered. He did so at the far end of the hallway as Soundwave began scanning the area. "Lifeform approaching." The source of the quakes was getting closer. Lights in the hallway lit up as Skywarp panicked and teleported away, leaving Soundwave alone to face this unknown threat.
"Situation undesirable. Reinforcements required. Ravage. Eject!" The small black feline emerged and took off toward its latest target.

The battle raged on in my bedroom, and I could hardly make sense of anything anymore. My heart hammered in my chest as I pressed against the wall, my mind screaming for a way out, for a solution, for some way to wake up from this nightmare. The tiny Autobots and Decepticons were locked in combat right in front of me, their laser fire sizzling through the air, the clash of metal on metal echoing around the room.
Bumblebee darted back and forth, his quick movements allowing him to evade the Decepticons' shots. He managed to hit Ravage once again, but the panther-like creature was relentless, swiping at the Autobot with its sharp claws. It was clear this fight wasn't going in anyone's favor.
"Optimus! What do I do?" I finally shouted, the panic surging back. My voice was hoarse, the words forced out like a scream.
Optimus Prime, standing tall and unflinching in the midst of the chaos, turned toward me. His calm gaze met mine, and for a split second, the overwhelming terror subsided. This wasn't a dream, I realized. The Autobots were real. This battle was real. They needed me.
"You must stay calm," Optimus said, his voice steady and firm. "We have the strength to fight them off, but your safety is our priority."
I swallowed hard, trying to focus. What could I possibly do to help? The Autobots were fighting valiantly, but the Decepticons were overwhelming in number and firepower. I looked around the room for anything that might give us an advantage.
That's when I noticed the shelf across the room, lined with old model airplanes, books, and... a box of leftover fireworks from last Fourth of July. The box sat innocently on the shelf, but something clicked in my mind. Fireworks... I thought. Maybe, just maybe, I could use them as a distraction.
"Optimus!" I shouted again, louder this time, trying to get his attention. "I have an idea! I can create a diversion."
Optimus' optics flickered with recognition. "Do it quickly," he ordered.
I rushed to the shelf, heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea if this would even work, but there was no time to second-guess myself. I grabbed the box and, with trembling hands, began to gather the sparklers and rockets. The Decepticons were focused on the Autobots, giving me just enough time.
I turned back to the bed and looked at Bumblebee, who was still dodging Ravage's deadly swipes. "Bumblebee! Get ready!" I shouted, hoping the little Autobot could hear me over the sound of the firefight.
With one hand, I fumbled to light a sparkler, then tossed it near the Decepticons. The sparkler flared to life, catching the attention of Ravage, who paused, distracted by the sudden burst of light.
I followed it up by quickly setting off a small rocket, which soared through the air and exploded in a bright, stunning flash. The sudden explosion disoriented the Decepticons for a crucial moment.
With the Decepticons momentarily disoriented, Bumblebee took advantage of the opening. He darted forward, launching a precise shot at Ravage, sending the panther-like Decepticon careening backward. At the same time, Optimus Prime charged into the fray, his rifle firing with pinpoint accuracy at Soundwave, forcing him to retreat.
"Autobots, rally!" Optimus bellowed, rallying his troops. "We will drive them out."
Starscream, who had been hovering in the corner, fired another shot, but this time it was not directed at the Autobots—it was aimed directly at the ceiling fan above us.
Optimus Prime was already on the move. In a fluid motion, he leapt to the side as the fan crashed to the ground where he had just been.
The Decepticons were losing ground, unprepared for an opponent that rivaled the largest Titans.
With a disgusted growl, Megatron sounded a retreat—they had driven the Decepticons away!
"You are safe now," Optimus Prime said, his voice filled with both assurance and determination.
I nodded, still shaking but feeling a strange sense of calm. Whatever this was—whatever had brought us here—I had the Autobots by my side.
And for now, that was all I needed.

[Characters:

megatron

starscream

soundwave

laserbeak

ravage

skywarp

thundercracker

bonecrusher