On the Moon, inside the dark and foreboding Decepticon base, Megatron stood imposingly over Thrust, his optics burning with impatience. Thrust, always calculating, maintained his composure, though he knew Megatron's patience was running thin. They had failed to secure the Requiem Blaster so far, and Megatron was not one to tolerate failure.
"We need that weapon, Thrust," Megatron growled. His deep voice echoed through the chamber. "The Autobots are getting closer to uniting their forces with the Mini-Cons. We cannot allow that."
Thrust nodded, carefully choosing his words. "I understand, Lord Megatron. But I have a plan that will ensure our victory this time. We will use the Star Saber as bait, luring the Autobots into the open. Starscream is eager for battle, and he will be the key to drawing them out."
Megatron narrowed his optics, not fully convinced. "You're suggesting I give up the Star Saber for your plan? You'd better not waste it."
Thrust smirked slightly, confident in his strategy. "Trust me, Lord Megatron. Once the Autobots are drawn out, they'll be distracted. We can then infiltrate their base and seize the Requiem Blaster without resistance."
Megatron was silent for a moment, considering the proposal. Finally, he stepped forward, towering over Thrust. "Very well. But if you fail, the consequences will be severe."
Thrust bowed slightly, accepting the challenge. "I won't disappoint you."
On Earth, the Autobots had taken cover deep within a dense jungle after receiving an anonymous tip that the Decepticons were in the area. The thick foliage provided decent cover, but the Autobots remained on high alert. Optimus Prime and Jetfire stood at the edge of the group, scanning the area.
Inside the Autobot base, Smokescreen and Red Alert had been left behind to protect the Space Team Mini-Cons in case the Decepticons made an attack. Smokescreen, ever the friendly bot, tried to engage the Mini-Cons in conversation.
"Hey, don't be so quiet," Smokescreen said with a chuckle. "We're all friends here."
But the Mini-Cons remained distant, unsure of their role in this war and seemingly reluctant to fully engage with the Autobots. Smokescreen couldn't help but notice the tension between the humans as well.
In the control room, the kids—Rad, Carlos, Billy, Fred, and Alexis—were having a serious discussion about the ethics of using the Mini-Cons in battle.
"I just don't like it," Alexis said, crossing her arms. "The Mini-Cons didn't ask to be part of this war, and now we're using them as weapons."
Carlos, always more pragmatic, shook his head. "But if the Decepticons get to them first, they'll be used as weapons anyway. We're just trying to protect them."
Rad, however, remained uncertain. "I don't know… I feel like we're no better than the Decepticons if we're forcing them to fight."
Back in the jungle, Optimus, Jetfire, and the other Autobots were having a similar conversation. Blurr and Hot Shot were eager for action, but Optimus remained cautious.
"We're here to protect the Mini-Cons, not exploit them," Optimus reminded the group. "We must remember that."
Jetfire, standing beside Optimus, nodded. His mind, however, drifted to Cassie. He had been careful to keep her out of the line of fire, but he couldn't help but worry about her. She wasn't the type who wanted attention, and he knew she'd hate being drawn into this conflict more than she already was.
Before their conversation could continue, Laserbeak detected movement nearby. Starscream was approaching, his wings cutting through the jungle air, and he was armed with the Star Saber. His voice rang out, echoing through the jungle as he tried to draw out the Autobots.
"Autobots! Come out and face me!" Starscream roared, his voice filled with frustration and rage. He swung the Star Saber, cutting through the dense trees, leaving destruction in his wake. The jungle began to burn, the smell of scorched foliage filling the air.
Optimus exchanged a look with Jetfire. "It's time."
The two combined into their powerful Optimus Jetfire form and launched into the air, ready to confront Starscream head-on. As they flew above the jungle, the destruction below was evident. Megatron, watching from a distance with his Decepticons, grinned wickedly. He was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"We've got them now," Megatron murmured to Tidal Wave and the Sea Mini-Con Team, who were positioned nearby. "Wait for my signal."
Tidal Wave unleashed a barrage of fire into the jungle, hoping to draw out more Autobots. As explosions rocked the forest, the tension mounted.
Back at the Autobot base, the kids and Red Alert were growing increasingly concerned. The equipment was malfunctioning, the scanners were down, and nothing seemed to be working properly.
"Something's not right," Red Alert muttered, his optics scanning the control panels.
It wasn't long before they realized what was happening—Sideways had infiltrated the base. Using his abilities, he had managed to bypass their security systems, allowing the Decepticons to gain the upper hand. Telepathically, Sideways sent images of the Requiem Blaster to Thrust, though the tactician dismissed them as mere hallucinations in the chaos of battle.
"We need to warn the others," Rad said urgently, looking at Red Alert.
But before they could act, the base was under siege. The Decepticons had invaded, bypassing the once-secure systems. Smokescreen and Red Alert moved to defend the Mini-Cons, but they were outnumbered.
In the sky above the jungle, the battle between Optimus Jetfire and Starscream raged on. Lightning flashed across the sky, and rain began to pour down, soaking the forest below. The sudden downpour added another layer of difficulty to the already intense battle.
"Starscream, you don't have to do this," Optimus tried to reason with him, his voice calm yet firm. "You don't have to follow Megatron."
But Starscream, fueled by rage and ambition, refused to listen. "I make my own choices!" he screamed, swinging the Star Saber wildly. But the rain had weakened the blade's energy, and his attacks became less effective.
Starscream called out for help from his fellow Decepticons, but when he looked around, he realized something terrifying—he was alone. The other Decepticons had abandoned him. He was left to face the Autobots on his own.
Before the six Autobots could converge on him, Laserbeak flew in, relaying an urgent message to the team: the Decepticons had invaded the base. Without hesitation, Optimus gave the order to teleport back.
"We need to protect the Mini-Cons," Optimus said, his tone serious. The team vanished, leaving Starscream alone in the pouring rain, his frustration boiling over.
The Autobots arrived back at the base, only to find it in shambles. The once-secure facility had been trashed, and the kids were hiding, terrified. With the help of Sideways, the Decepticons had managed to bypass the security systems and tear through the base. In one of the main corridors, Smokescreen was doing his best to protect the Mini-Cons.
But it wasn't enough.
Megatron stormed into the room, blasting through the walls with ease. He tore past Smokescreen, grabbing the three Mini-Cons and combining them into the Requiem Blaster. The powerful weapon glowed ominously in his hands, and a sinister smile spread across his face.
"Finally," Megatron hissed. "The Requiem Blaster is mine."
Smokescreen, though battered and bruised, refused to give up. He charged at Megatron, determined to stop him. But Megatron, wielding the blaster, fired a devastating shot directly at Smokescreen.
The torrent of energy ripped through Smokescreen's body, sending him crashing through one of the base's walls. His scream echoed through the base, stunning both the Autobots and the humans. The sheer force of the blast had left a massive hole in Smokescreen's torso, and yet, despite the damage, Smokescreen rose again, his body shaking from the effort.
The air around him rippled with the heat of the blast, but Smokescreen's determination didn't falter. He took another step toward Megatron, his optics burning with resolve.
The sight of Smokescreen, standing despite his injuries, was enough to make the Decepticons pause. Even Megatron seemed momentarily unnerved by the Autobot's resilience.
But it was too late. Megatron, along with the other Decepticons, retreated, the Requiem Blaster in their possession.
As the Autobots gathered around their fallen comrade, Optimus knelt beside Smokescreen, cradling him in his arms. The others stood in silence, their optics filled with sorrow.
"I'm sorry… Optimus," Smokescreen whispered, his voice weak. "I… tried…"
Optimus's voice was filled with pain. "You did more than anyone could have asked for, old friend."
With a final, labored breath, Smokescreen's optics dimmed, and his body went still.
The Autobots saluted their fallen comrade, the weight of their loss heavy on their shoulders. Optimus screamed in sadness, his voice echoing through the devastated base.