"Talking"
"Radio talk"
"Sentinel/Computer"
"thinking, weapons names, and flashbacks"
Disclaimer: I do not own either Beast wars or RWBY
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Chapter 40
New order
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Vacuo, Darksyde
Roman walked down the halls of the Darksyde glad to finally be free of the infirmary. He knew his health was important, but a person would go crazy in there.
"Hey Roman!" Yelled a White Fang member causing Roman to look at the source. He then saw a small group of five members.
"Hey." Greeted Roman as he walked over to them.
"So how does it feel to be free?" One member asked him in a joking manner.
"Same old, same old. At least I'm free from that food." Said Roman confusing a member.
"What do you mean by that?" Asked the member confused.
"Either we have some bad food here, or we stole some from a hospital." Answered Roman making the members laugh at the joke.
"So, do you know what's going to happen next Roman?" One member asked as a lot has happened recently.
"Truth be told, no one's sure right now. But I do now this we need to clean up around here." Said Roman. The members nodded their heads at the last part.
"We understand. When will that happen?" Asked a member
"Probably in an hour or two." Said Roman in a serious tone.
"I see. We'd better get ready then and tell the others." Said one member as the others agreed.
"Good." Said Roman as they went their separate ways.
Roman looked around as he walked. At first glance everything was normal. But to his trained eyes he could see it. People were whispering to each other, and even though they all wore masks they were looking about.
Everyone knew it was happening today. But even with all their preparations and such, Roman was worried. This was Megatron they were dealing with. A being that always tried to carry an ace up his sleeve.
But Roman knew they might not get another chance like this again.
Soon he reached the command room as all the Predacons were there along with Adam, and some White fang members running the systems.
"Ah Roman how good of you to join us." Said Megatron as he sat in his command chair.
"It's good to be able to stretch my legs again." Replied Roman as he joined them.
"We we're just talking about rebuilding." Said Megatron as he brought up a map of the area.
"We shouldn't just rebuild but look to the future." Said Adam as Roman heard the code word.
"Quite right." Agreed Megatron unaware that Roman pressed a button in his pocket.
"So, lets begin now." Said Adam as he drew his gun and pointed it at Megatron. And it wasn't just him every Faunus in the room did the same thing along with Roman.
"What in tarnation?" Said Quickstrike in shock as he wasn't sure what was happening.
"What's happening?" Asked Waspinator confused.
"Isn't it obvious? This is a coup." Said Tarantulas not worried at all.
"Do not worry my queen I shall protect you!" Declared Inferno as he brough out his guns.
"There's no need for that Inferno. Nnoo." Said Megatron as he turned to Adam.
"I can assume you disable the screech?" Asked Megatron calmly.
"One of the first things, we did." Admitted Adam. As he continued. "And we disabled most of the commands on your chair as well."
"I see." Said Megatron as he pushed some buttons only for nothing to happen.
"And I can assume the rest of the White Fang are in various positions to strike?" Asked Megatron as that's what he would do.
"Correct again." Said Adam as he was calm on the outside, but on the inside he was worried. Megatron was too calm about all this.
"I must admit I knew this was coming. But I had no idea of your numbers, or when you would strike. Very nicely done." Praised Megatron as he only had few options right now. He was so proud of them.
"Royalty you can not be serious?" Asked Inferno shocked by this.
"Oh but I am." Said Megatron as he they did a wonderful job with this coup.
"But tell me have you covered all the necessary systems?" Asked Megatron as serval people in the room got worried hearing that.
"What are you talking about Megatron!" Demanded Adam as he was worried now.
"Tell me, what do you think is the biggest difference between you and me?" Asked Megatron smugly.
"If you're thinking about poisoning us or something like that, you'll fail. We took care of the ventilation systems." Said Roman as that was an obvious one.
"A good answer Roman, but not the only one." Said Megatron with a grin as he pressed a button on his chair.
Everyone looked around worried what could happen, but after a few minutes nothing happened.
"Um, was that supposed to do something?" Asked Quickstrike voicing everyone's question.
"To us no, to them yes." Answered Megatron as the organics in the room then felt it.
"Is it getting colder in here?" Asked Roman worried.
"It is." Agreed a member.
"You see we can handle the cold way better then you. So it turned the heat down to -5 to start with." Said Megatron as he brought his fingers together.
"Your right Megatron, we can't handle the cold like you. But can you hold us off until we freeze?" Asked Adam as everyone could feel the pressure in the air.
That was when the alarms went off. Adam and Megatron keep staring at each other as the former spoke up.
"What's going on?" Asked Adam curious.
The member responsible for radar checked as they quickly paled at what they saw.
"It's the Grimm!" Explained the member in fear.
"How many?" Asked Adam as their numbers should be small right now.
"You have to see this to believe it." Said the member as they brough it up on the main monitor.
Everyone was shocked at what they saw. It had to be hundreds of Grimm of various species coming towards the Darksyde.
"What…?" Was all Roman could say at the sight before him. He was glad he wasn't smoking anything right now as it would have fallen out of his mouth.
"Waspinator doesn't understand?!" Said Waspinator as the Grimm avoided the area.
"This doesn't make sense. Grimm avoid us due to the energon we use." Said Tarantulas as this didn't make sense.
"So what now Adam?" Asked Megatron as even he was shocked by all this.
Adam glared as this was the worst possible timing for them. They had it all planed out. They even planned to get Waspinator and Quickstrike over to their side, they weren't sure about Tarantulas, and they knew that Inferno was a no go. But this much Grimm was unheard of before.
"Majesty they're parting!" Yelled Inferno as everyone saw the Grimm making a pathway.
Everyone watched confused as the pathway continued to grow in length. Then they saw them. Seven people walking towards the Darksyde. They all instantly recognized Cinder and her group.
"Isn't that the woman Blackarachnia reported from the flying island?" Asked Roman as they saw white skinned woman leading them.
"It is." Said Megatron with a frown.
"So it's time." Said Megatron as this wasn't how he wanted to find out who Cinder master was. But he knew he needed to control what he could.
"Gentlemen." Started Megatron as everyone looked at him. "We have two chooses right now. We can either fight each other right now, while the Grimm and whoever that woman is, is at our doorstep. Or we can… Unite… I hate that word. And face her together."
Adam growled as Megatron was right. This was the largest group of Grimm ever seen in the history of Remnant. This wasn't something they could ignore, and they definitely couldn't fight Megatron and the Grimm at the same time. But at the same time, they would never have this opportunity again. So with a heavy heart Adam made his choice and brought out his scroll.
"This is Adam. The coup is over, but Megatron and his forces are still active. I repeat the coup is over, but Megatron and his forces are still active. We are to work together to defeat the Grimm threat outside." Instructed Adam as his grip on his scroll was so tight it looked like it was going to snap.
"A wise choice." Said Megatron as he would feel the same with in Adam's place.
"This isn't over." Growled Adam as they lost so many advantages because of this.
"I would be surprised if it was." Replied Megatron as they looked at the screen.
"So… do we fire?" Asked one member curious.
"Not just yet. But have the guns ready." Instructed Megatron as he looked at the army before him.
"What are you thinking?" Asked Adam curious.
"Why haven't they done anything?" Wondered Megatron.
"A show of force?" Suggested Roman as Megatron nodded.
"Agreed. But what are they waiting for?" Pondered Megatron as he rubbed his chin.
"An invite?" Suggested one member as Megatron to him.
"Why did you say that?" Asked Megatron confused.
"Well Cinder with them. Maybe they wish to talk." Answered the member as Megatron thought about it.
"Contact Cinder." Instructed Megatron as the member had a point.
"Royalty you can't be serious?" Questioned Inferno.
"He has a point Megatron. We know nothing about this being." Agreed Tarantulas as the risks outweigh the gains.
"I agree with both of you. But I'm not sure if we can survive that army out there." Admitted Megatron as they would breach the base easily.
"He's right. Whoever that is wants to talk." Agreed Roman as he seen and used these tactics before.
"She's on." Said a member.
"Hello Megatron." Said Cinder.
"Hello Cinder. I won't lie when you left, I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon." Admitted Megatron.
"Like you said Megatron. Keep your enemies and allies guessing your every move." Retorted Cinder as Megatron knew she was smirking.
"So are you here to fight or talk?" Questioned Megatron.
"To talk Megatron." Answered Cinder.
"And who am I talking to?" Asked Megatron as he looked at the white skinned woman.
"To Salem." Answered Cinder as Megatron looked at the woman.
'So her name is Salem.' Thought Megatron as that was one question answered.
"Very well, come in. But the Grimm stay outside." Said Megatron as he knew this was a huge risk. But his options were limited at the moment.
"Thank you. Oh just know that Salem hates when someone looks down on her. I suggest moving some tables together in the mess hall." Warned Cinder as she hung up.
"She still has an ego." Said Roman off handily.
"Yes but did warn us about this Salem." Said Megatron as he turned to Adam.
"Adam contact the mess hall to put some tables together to make a conference table, including chairs. Once done everyone meet us there. Roman, Tarantulas both of you are with me to meet our guests." Instructed Megatron as he got up.
"Royalty why not me?" Asked Inferno as he wanted to by Megatron's side.
"First impressions as important." Was all Megatron said as everyone went about their tasks.
Megatron's group soon reached the main access point as they saw their guests.
"I am Megatron leader of the Predacons." Introduced Megatron as he looked at the group of seven before him.
He saw this Salem, Cinder and her team, and three other men with them.
"Hello Megatron. I am Salem. You already know Cinder and her group." Said Salem as she gestured to Cinder's group.
"We know each other. As I'm sure she has told you about us." Stated Megatron as Salem grinned.
"And you be right Megatron. Though your appearance is not what I was told." Salem told him as she glared at Cinder with the last part.
"Yes this new look has just happened. Something Cinder would have known about if she stayed with us just a little longer." Megatron told her as he shot Cinder a smug look.
"I see." Was all Salem said.
"And these three are?" Asked Megatron looking at the three men.
"Ah yes along me to introduce them. This here is Hazel Rainart." Said Salem as she gestured to a tall muscular man. He was even larger and broader than some of the bots. He has short dark brown hair and a small bread that cover his chin and hazel eyes. He wore a two-tone olive-green coat over a black shirt underneath it. His pants were black with a pouch on each leg. He wore brown boots with white fronts. But what caught Megatron optics was some scaring on his arms.
"Hello there." Greeted Hazel as he eyed them. Megatron saw this and applauded him for keeping his guard up like that.
"Next is Arthur Watts." Continued Salem as gestured to a tall, but not as Hazel, slim build man. He has slightly tanned skin with short black hair with the base having grey. He also has a think mustache and eyebrows and green eyes. He was wearing a grey overcoat with yellow linings with a yellow dress shirt with a red vest and a black necktie underneath. He wore pants that matched his overcoat in color and red fingerless gloves.
"So you're the machines I've heard about." Said Arthur as he looked at them. "I'm not impressed."
"So says the dead man." Said Tarantulas making Megatron look at him confused.
"What do you mean Tarantulas?" Megatron asked him curious.
"Arthur Watts should be dead." Answered Tarantulas looking unimpressed.
"You shouldn't believe every military report you read." Was all Arthur said smugly.
"Then I guess your death after you were turned down from a major project is false as well." Said Tarantulas knowingly.
"Why you." Growled Arthur as Hazel held him back.
"Don't and you allowed him to hit you like that." Said Hazel with a stern look on his face. One that Salem matched.
"Fine." Was all Arthur said as he glared at the spider, who didn't care.
"Forgive Arthur, he's much better than that." Said Salem.
"Oh, I know how working with such egos can go." Admitted Megatron as Arthur looked offended. Though no one cared.
"And finally, this is Tyrian Callow." Said Salem as she gestured to her last man. This man was a scorpion Faunus, as he had a tail sticking out behind him. He was a pale man with gold eyes with long dark hair in a ponytail shaped like a scorpion tail. He wore a white sleeveless jacket reveal his bare chest that was covered in scars. He wore white pants as well. On his jacket he wore two dark grey leather suspenders. His arms were covered with cream-colored bandages and elbow-length fingerless glows. He also had on dark down leather boots. On his ears he had on a silver ring shaped earrings. And finally on his wrists was a set of dual wrist blades that resembled scorpion pincers, called The Queen's servants.
"Wait you don't mean the Tyrian Callow?" Asked Roman in fear as he stepped back. Something Megatron has never seen Roman do before.
"Yes." Answered Salem with a grin making Roman go pale.
"Roman who is this man?" Asked Megatron curious.
"Tyrian Callow is probably the most dangerous, degraded man to ever live. It took both Atlas and Mistral to capture him. The transport ship carrying him was then attack by Grimm and his body was never found." Answered Roman as Tyrian was one man everyone in the underground in Mistral avoided like the plague. Even those who hired him only did so as a last resort.
"What are his crimes?" Asked Megatron as he saw the crazed look in Tyrian's eyes.
"Murder, assault, kidnapping, just to name his favorite ones." Roman told him as Tyrian grinned.
"Your right those are my favorite ones." Said Tyrian with a crazy grin.
"Wonderful." Was all Megatron could say.
"Shall we." Said Megatron as he gestured to the inside of the base.
"Yes." Said Salem as they all entered the Darksyde.
No one said anything as they made there way to the mess hall for their meeting. As they walked both Megatron and Salem looked at the other forces to gauge them. Soon they reached their destination.
"It's not much, as we don't have a conference room. But it should serve for this meeting." Stated Megatron as he gestured to three table pushed together to form a longer table with chairs around it.
"Yes this will do for now." Stated Salem as Megatron caught the 'for now' part.
Soon they sat down with Megatron and Salem at opposite ends with their forces sitting on their right side of them. Megatron then introduced Quickstrike to them since Salem did that for her forces.
"Where are Terrorsuar and Scorponock?" Asked Cinder as she didn't see them.
"Dead. They fell into the lava during the quantum surge." Stated Megatron as that was a blow to his forces.
"I see." Was all Cinder could say. Though she wished she was the one who did in Scorponok for that bomb. Though she then realized something else.
"And Blackarachnia?" Continued Cinder as she didn't see the she spider.
"She… Um…" Started Roman as he didn't now what to say.
"She betrayed us and joined the Maximals." Declared Megatron surprising Cinder and her group.
"She did?" Was all Cinder could say in surprise. Though Blackarachnia did keep to herself a fair bit, so maybe this was always her plan.
"That's what happens when you use lousy programing." Said Watts offhandedly.
"My programming was prefect transforming her into a Predacon. The problem lies elsewhere." Declared Tarantulas as he can already tell he won't like Watts.
"And yet she left. If you want, I can help teach you some better codes." Said Watts smugly.
"Now why should I learn anything from a man who faked his own death?" Questioned Tarantulas as the two glare at each other.
"Nuts and bolts." Snarled Watts.
"Hairless monkey." Retorted Tarantulas.
"Gentlemen please. The purpose of this meeting is to avoid a meaningless fight." Said Salem as Megatron looked at her interested.
"And why should we fight? Afterall we never even knew you existed till now." Asked Megatron curious.
"I prefer the shadows to work in. After all people can't come after you when they don't know you exist." Stated Salem and Megatron agreed with her.
"And what exactly is it you're working on?" Asked Megatron curious.
"A world where today's corruption is gone." Stated Salem confusing the Predacons.
"Huh?" Was what most of them said confused.
"What are you saying?" Asked Roman confused.
"Then let me tell you all a story." Started Salem as she told them her tale.
She told them about how once there were two gods who lived on this world. And how once she was a normal girl trapped by her father, and how she risked everything to send out messages for help. Many came, but all failed until Ozma showed up and freed her. The two fell in love and were ready to live their lives out together.
But then one day Ozma fell terribly ill. There was no cure for what he had and he died. Heartbroken Salem went to the gods to bring him back. But they refused stating it was beneath them. Heartbroken Salem wondered the lands, as she did she learnt more and more that the gods did very little and took more then they gave. Realizing this Salem spread the word of what she found. Many kingdoms investigated things and realized the truth.
Furious they gathered together and confronted the gods. But the gods tired of all this wiped out all of humanity, expect for her. Since they knew she was the cause for it all the cursed her to never die and left the world.
She lost track of how long she was alone on this world until one day Humans reappeared, along with the Faunus. The two groups never got along and fought often. Salem would try to stop them, but when the gods cursed her, they made her look like she is now. And as such no one would trust her.
But she had another way to make them work together. The Grimm. They were made by the gods and left them here and she learnt how to control them. So she had them fake attack everyone to make them unite. It was working until the gods intervened again.
The brought back her love to us against her. They warped his mind to do their bidding. And a fight broke out and she killed them. She was heart broken but then found out they gave him the ability to possess others. And their war began. A war Ozpin was winning due to him using her looks and the Grimm to his advantage.
"And that's my story." Finished Salem as the pred's shared looks.
"That's quite the tale." Stated Megatron as he felt it wasn't all true.
"If what you're saying is true, then why attack with the Grimm randomly?" Asked Megatron as he wanted to know Salem's answer.
"You dare doubt a goddess!?" Yelled Tyrian as he stood up angerly.
"How dare you doubt the royalty!?" Yelled Inferno as he stood up.
Roman looked over to Adam as he held up three fingers and started a countdown. When he reached zero the two jumped at each other, but due to Inferno's metal body he was able to push Tyrian back. The two fell onto the floor as they fought.
"You still haven't answered my question Salem." Megatron said calmly as he didn't look at the fight.
"I can't control all Grimm." Admitted Salem as everyone on the sides of the table had to duck to avoid being hit by a flying table.
"Then why make so many Grimm that you can't control them?" Questioned Megatron as it felt contradictory to what she just told them.
"The problem lies with the Grimm pools. Since I didn't create them, I have no idea how to turn them off. Just where they can be and their size." Answered Salem as a chair went flying over her head.
"Wait you can do all that, but you can't turn them off?" Questioned Roman as things weren't making sense to him.
"And if you can move these pools around why not keep them all in one place. Protect the world from the Grimm you can't control?" Asked Adam as he was glaring under his mask.
"I did that once, and let's just say the end results were disastrous." Said Salem making the Pred's curious.
Megatron was about to say something else when a chair nearly hit him.
"Excuse me for a second." Said Megatron as he turned to the fight.
"Inferno stand down!" Ordered Megatron as Inferno stopped fighting.
Everyone then saw Inferno with Tyrian in headlock as he was punching his head. All the while Tyrian was trying to bite Inferno's arm.
"Let him go and sit down." Ordered Megatron as he had enough on his plate already.
"At once my royalty." Said Inferno as he purposely shoved Tyrian down and retook his seat.
Tyrian glared as he got up as he was ready to activate his weapons.
"Tyrian." Was all Salem said as Tyrian got up and sat down.
"Loyalty like theirs is so hard to find these days." Said Megatron as he saw Inferno and Tyrian similar in a few ways.
"That is true." Agreed Salem.
"Now going back on track. Salem you've told us quite the story. And the part about you being able to control the Grimm seems to be true. But the part about you never being able to die seems far fetched to me." Said Megatron as what she said seems too far fetched.
"Don't you machines live forever as long as you have the parts to replace?" Questioned Watts as this caused the bot to glare at him.
"Watts did you not just watch the fight between Tyrian and Inferno? They're more then the drones used in Atlas." Said Hazel as the last thing they needed was to underestimate them.
"Right." Was all Watts said in a sarcastic tone not believing him.
"Megatron shoot me." Said Salem shocking everyone.
"What?" Was Megatron could say in shock.
"I find a demonstration helps people believe my story." Said Salem but then out of nowhere she was shot in the head as her body fell backwards.
Everyone looked over at Megatron as his shoulder cannons were still smoking from the shot.
"Nice shot boss." Praised Quickstrike.
"But what about them?" Asked Waspinator as he pointed to Salem forces, who were oddly calm.
But then they heard Salem's body moving as she got up. And even more shocking was she was no worse for wear.
"That's… that's impossible." Said Tarantulas as he saw her get shot right between the eyes.
"On that we agree." Said Watts as to this day he couldn't figure out how that worked.
"So you have the army, the power, and who knows what else. So why come to us?" Asked Megatron curious.
"The Maximals." Answered Salem.
"What about them?" Wondered Megatron.
"They are like you and all we know about you is what Cinder and her group has told us." Said Salem as se gestured to Cinder's group.
"Am afraid I still don't follow you." Admitted Megatron as she had more then enough forces to deal with them.
"They have been making waves and have joined up with Ozpin. We must even the field as it were." Salem told them as Megatron was understanding things better.
"We are not sure if Ozpin is with them, as only students we've seen on the battlefield is not enough reason to attack a school." Lied Megatron as they now knew that Ozpin was about of the Maximals from the last battle where three teachers were seen fighting with the Maximals.
"But Ironwood knows. And only Ozpin could keep him from launching an all-out attack on you." Stated Salem as no one could refute that claim.
"Then what do you want us to do?" Asked Megatron.
"I can't go to the Maximals and tell them the truth as they are most likely already hearing and believing Ozpin's lies. And like I said earlier this world can't continue the way it is. Isn't that right Adam." Said Salem as she looked at Adam at the end.
"You're right about the world needing to change. But how do we know you're the one to do it?" Asked Adam as his instincts were telling to run.
"And you think Ozpin the one who can?" Asked Hazel with venom in tone.
"No. But look at your group. You have a scientist who faked his death, a mass murder, and a girl whose desire for power got her captured. Tell me would you trust a group like that?" Questioned Adam as he looked at Hazel.
"I wouldn't." Admitted Hazel without a second thought, as he then added. "But as much as I hate to say this, to change the world people will die. But you know this already don't you."
"I do." Said Adam as something about Hazel felt off from the rest of them.
"And do you believe the Maximals will help us in this cause?" Asked Salem as she already knew the answer to that question.
"They won't." Admitted Megatron as Optimus Primal would never allow his Maximals to change anything on Remnant if they could prevent it.
"But I highly doubt what you want and what we want are even remotely similar." Stated Megatron as he wants to rule this world and was willing to allow Faunus to have more rights than humans.
"On that I agree. But there is one thing that our enemies have that we do not." Started Salem as she looked Megatron right in the optics.
"Unity." Finished Salem as Megatron could not refute that.
"Then answer me this then Salem. How would us working together work?" Questioned Megatron as he could see the friction between their forces already.
"We operate separately. This way we can keep the Maximals and Ozpin's group guessing and make it so they won't know we're helping each other." Suggested Salem.
"I see the logic in your suggestion Salem. But how are we to stay connected?" Asked Megatron as communication lines can be hacked.
"I give you two options Megatron. The first is I can leave one of my seeker Grimms with you. This Grimm will allow us to talk without worrying about being listened in on." Started Salem as she could see that they felt uncomfortable with that idea.
"The second one is I leave one of my own here to act as an intermediary." Finished Salem as that caught Megatron's interest.
"And who would you leave?" Asked Megatron as he eyed Cinder.
"Cinder. She already knows all of you and knows what to expect." Answered Salem as this caught most of the Predacons by surprise.
After all the person they put a bomb around their neck, forced her to do degrading tasks, and other such things. She was able to escape and now she wants to come back.
"Tell me Cinder, why do you want to come back? Is it your choice or hers?" Asked Megatron as he eyed Cinder.
"It was my choice Megatron." Answered Cinder as she looked Megatron in the optics.
"Why?" Asked Megatron as this choice intrigued him.
"This is a new age Megatron. And as such we must adjust and change. And if that means working with you once more I will with you." Answered Cinder as Megatron just eyed her.
He said nothing for what felt like forever, until he finally spoke.
"Very well Cinder. But thing won't be the same as before." Said Megatron making Cinder curios.
"What do you mean?" Asked Cinder as everyone on Salem's side were curious too.
"You shall have more responsibilities. The same as Adam and Roman." Answered Megatron shocking everyone.
"The same as us?" Said Adam and Roman at the same time in shock.
"Her? Leading others then those two?" Questioned Watts in disbelief, as Emerald and Mercury glared at him.
"She will and can." Stated Megatron calmly as he continued. "I've seen her possibility, and I am helping her reach her true potential."
"What?" Was all Watts could say as he failed to see what Megatron saw.
"Adam what do you say? After all she killed one of your men." Asked Megatron as he looked at Adam as it would be his forces who will have the biggest problem with this.
Adam sat there as he went over everything in his head.
"The man she killed was unliked by everyone. And even had complaints against him. But if we just allow her to come back like nothing happened it will send the wrong message to the troops." Adam told Megatron who nodded.
"Agreed. Then what do you suggest then?" Asked Megatron curious.
"A punishment fitting her crime." Said Adam and Megatron agreed.
"Do you have a problem with this?" Asked Megatron as he looked at Salem.
"None whatsoever." Said Salem as Megatron nodded.
"Then what do you suggest?" Asked Megatron looking at Adam.
"Since we can't just keep her in a cell, she'll have to work. She will do laundry duty and work in the mess hall for at least a month. As well as maintain the weapons that go on a mission for as long as well." Suggested Adam as he thought about it.
"Oh and have her inventory the hold too. They haven't been done in a while." Added Roman as Adam nodded.
"Very well." Agreed Megatron as he turned to Cinder.
"That is your punishment Cinder. For 30 day you will do laundry, work in the mess hall, and maintain the weapons. If you go out on mission that will not count as your punishment. And you must inventory the holds. Do you understand?" Said Megatron as he looked at Cinder who nodded.
"I understand." Said Cinder as this surprised Salem's followers as she didn't complain at all.
"Wait that's it?" Asked Watts in disbelief.
"What are you complaining about partner?" Asked Quickstrike confused.
"You call that a punishment?" Questioned Watts as that wasn't a punishment that was chores.
"A punishment is to make a person suffer. And for that a punishment must be tailored to a person." Stated Megatron.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Hazel confused a bit worried.
"Cinder hates those tasks for some reason. And to force them on her will, will either piss her off or show her not to do this again." Stated Megatron as none of Salem's forces said anything.
"Now then Salem is there anything else you wish to discuss?" Asked Megatron as he felt they're meeting was coming to a close.
"There is one thing I would like you to explain." Said Salem making everyone curious.
"And that is?" Asked Megatron curious to what she wanted to know.
"What is the Matrix of leadership?" Asked Salem as Megatron though he saw a worried look on Salem's face for a second.
"And what do you want to know?" Asked Megatron curious to what she already knew.
"Cinder stated that it's some sort of knowledge gather. But even she admitted to not knowing much about it." Answered Salem as Megatron nodded.
"She is right, but wrong at the same time." Started Megatron confusing Salem's forces.
"What do you mean by that Megatron?" Asked Salem confused.
"The Matrix is a scared relic of the Autobots. Whoever holds the Matrix allows their wisdom to be copied into it. Then the next person who wields it gains the previous holder's wisdom along with their own." Explained Megatron as Salem nodded.
"I see." Said Salem as she was the full dangers of the Matrix.
"So what, it's just a glorified database then?" Asked Watts unimpressed.
"Yes, but the truth is no knows the full power of the Matrix." Said Megatron.
"What do you mean by that Megatron?" Asked Salem a little worried.
"What I mean is the Matrix holds power that no one truly understands. In our world history there was a dangerous transformer called Unicron. Unicron was said to be larger than most planets and would eat them for energy. Then one day he attacked Cybertron. It was said the power of the Matrix killed Unicorn all by itself." Finished Megatron as he told them his story.
"If the Matrix is so powerful, why some explorers have it?" Asked Mercury confused.
"And why give it to a little girl?" Added Hazel as he started to hate the Maximals even more for doing that.
"I don't believe they ever had it to begin with." Said Megatron surprising them.
"How can that be then?" Asked Salem confused.
"I have no real evidence, but throughout the war I've noticed odd things about her." Stated Megatron deep in thought.
"Such as?" Asked Salem as she need more information.
"Her leadership skills and tactics growing exponentially. Able to rally people to her. And most of all that weird power of hers." Listed of Megatron as that last one caught Salem's attention.
"Weird power?" Asked Salem as she wondered if the Matrix affected the power she knew that Ruby already had.
"It's hard to explain. She creates this flash of light that's actually an attack." Explained Megatron as they still didn't understand it.
"A deadly flash of light?" Questioned Watts as he raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Watts it's real. I've seen it myself. How it nearly killed two Predacon's. And if you're not careful it will kill us." Warned Cinder of all people.
Hearing Cinder warning about an attack was enough for Hazel and even Tyrian to listen to her. But Watts was another story.
"And you believe this Matrix is the source of this power and not her Semblance?" Questioned Watts not believing it.
"Knowledge is power Dr. Watts." Warned Salem as he of all people should know that.
"And it's not her semblance. Her semblance is some sort of speed based one. We even captured her to find out. But in the end the Maximals got her out before we could run any through tests." Explained Tarantulas as he wished to learn more about what her power.
"I see." Was all Watts said as he didn't believe Tarantulas.
"Megatron you're forgetting the weirdest part." Said Roman.
"And that is?" Asked Megatron as he didn't think he did.
"How she went from a kid to a teenager overnight." Answered Roman.
"Aw yes that. I forgot about that." Admitted Megatron.
"Wait this Matrix turned her from a kid into a teenager?" Asked Hazel confused.
"This is just a theory, but the Matrix's power could be so great that it transformed her body into a more stable version to contain it's power." Said Tarantulas as he wasn't sure himself.
"That quite the theory." Said Salem as her concern about the Matrix was growing. If what Megatron said about it was true, then it could one day be a bigger danger then Ozpin and his group.
"Is there anything else you wish to know about Salem?" Asked Megatron curious.
"Not at this moment. Is there something you wish to ask me?" Asked Salem curious.
Megatron sat there as he did have many questions. But the real question was would she answer them truthfully.
"Not at the moment. You have given us a lot to think about." Said Megatron as that was the truth.
"Then I think this meeting is over. But before that I must know, are we allies or not?" Asked Salem.
"I wouldn't call ourselves allies Salem. But I see no reason to be hostile with you right now." Answered Megatron.
"I will accept that." Said Salem as she stood up as did Megatron.
The two then walked over to each other and shook hands.
"I'll leave Cinder in your care then." Said Salem.
"The next time you see her you might not recognize her." Said Megatron with a grin making Cinder a little nervous.
Soon Salem and her forces left the Darksyde as the horde of Grimm left with them.
Seeing they were gone Megatron called for Adam and Roman to his quarters for a private meeting.
"Well, this has been a day." Said Roman as he sat down.
"You can say that again." Agreed Adam as he wanted a strong drink right now.
"Agreed." Also agreed Megatron but they had to get done to business.
"I know you two tried to pull coup on me. And I should kill you for that. But we have a new threat to deal with." Started Megatron.
"Salem." Said Adam as he's never seen anything like her before.
"Yeah, and worse yet I can't tell what's she lying about. And I consider that one of my strengths." Said Roman as he felt ashamed that he couldn't.
"I am willing to forget about what happened earlier as we need to be united to deal with her." Stated Megatron as she was more dangerous then all the Maximals put together.
"But how do we deal with her? You shot her right in the head. And she got right up like nothing happened!" Asked Roman as he's seen a lot and never saw anything like that before.
"He has a point and that's after we get through all those Grimm." Agreed Adam not buying the part where she could only control so many of them.
"You are both right. But every being has a weakness. We just need to find hers." Stated Megatron as that was easier said then done.
"And we're really just letting Cinder back in her?" Asked Adam as he put on a face during the meeting.
"We will. She or one of her followers my slip up and give up some information. Or we may turn her against Salem." Megatron told them though they looked unconvinced.
"Think we can get the Maximals to take care of her?" Wondered Roman.
"Maybe but let's not be hasty here. If we have the two fight it should be when we're ready, not before hand." Said Megatron as they agreed with them.
"Gentlemen I know we were ready to kill each other, just a few hours ago. But we must unite to deal with this new threat." Said Megatron as the two looked at each other in agreement.
"We're with you. But we must win." Said Adam as Roman agreed with him.
"Then let's get started." Said Megatron as he wondered what uses Cinder will be to him.
Meanwhile with Cinder and her group they were flying in a ship as they gathered their belonging as they headed for the Darksyde.
"Tell me again, why we're going back to the place we escaped from?" Asked Mercury annoyed.
"He does have a point Cinder." Admitted Emerald as this confused her.
"Tell me Mercury which groups hold the most power on Remnant right now?" Asked Cinder as she flew the ship.
"Groups with power? I guess the Transformers, Salem, and Ozpin." Answered Mercury not understanding why that was important.
"That is correct Mercury. And tell me who do you think will rule this world in the end?" Asked Cinder again.
Mercury and Emerald both thought about it, before Mercury answered.
"I guess either Salem or Megatron." Said Mercury not realizing what he just said.
"Your right Mercury. And as such that's why we're heading back to the Darksyde." Cinder told him.
"Huh?" Said Mercury confused making Cinder sigh.
"Mercury the Maximals and Ozpin don't have what it takes to finish the fight. But Megatron and Salem do. And do you really think those two will coexist with each other?" Stated Cinder as Mercury was now seeing it.
"So we're putting ourselves in a position to stay on the winning side when that happens." Said Mercury as it made sense now.
"That's right." Said Cinder as it was the best play right now.
"Cinder, what if we're found out?" Asked Emerald worried.
"We won't be, if we just act normal." Said Cinder as she doubted Salem would find them out. It was Megatron she was more worried about.
But like she said if they acted normal, they should be fine. After all the world and the Beast Wars were entering a new page. And she would be on top of everything when everything in done and over with.
And done. Both sides have now heard about Remnant's secret war. Though both sides have heard different versions of the story. And while the Maximals and Ozpin will stand together, the Predacons and Salem are fighting separately.
And poor Adam and Roman they're plan to take over was stopped by Salem. And worse yet for Salem her actions have united the White Fang and Predacons against her.
And Cinder is trying to play both sides to stand on top. Will it work? Who knows how that will work? Will Salem or Megatron catch wind of her plans?
Until next time.