CHAPTER EIGHT
The six Autobots and their Velocitronian companions entered Double Clutch's abode to find a light blue-gray mech awaiting them. Unlike other Velocitronians, Double Clutch did not have a sleek, fast build and instead appeared bulky and slow. A cracked blue visor regarded Optimus coldly as he stepped forward.
"That's far enough, Prime," the former Velocitronian leader said. "I want this meeting to be short-lived."
Optimus Prime came to a stop and crossed his arms. "What do you know about the AllSpark?"
Double Clutch said nothing and instead held up a glowing blue shard.
"What... is that?" Bumblebee asked.
"The AllSpark," Double Clutch said. "Or at least, a part of it, from what I've been told."
"A part of it?" Arcee echoed. "How did it get broken?"
Double Clutch shrugged. "Got me there. It's been passed along to Velocitronian leaders for as long as anyone can remember."
"Until you ended the trend and kept it for yourself," Optimus said.
Double Clutch sighed. "I had my reasons. Mainly I didn't want to make Nitro into a victim."
"What do you mean?" Hot Rod asked.
The Velocitronian paused briefly before speaking quietly. "What do you know about the Star Seekers?"
"I've heard of them," Optimus muttered. "They're a group of Transformers hailing from one of the colony worlds, pirating across the galaxy."
"Yes, and they also hate Cybertronians for what the Great Wars have done to Cybertron and other worlds," Double Clutch said. "Anyway, they're after the AllSpark's shards so that they can destroy them."
"Destroy them?" Optimus said, alarmed. "What for?"
"Because without the AllSpark, Cybertron would not have been born. And without Cybertron, there would be no Cybertronians."
"That's... kind of a stretch," Arcee said. "Destroying the AllSpark won't make every single Cybertronian in existence drop dead."
Double Clutch nodded in agreement. "I don't know it all for a fact, but I don't want to risk not believing it." He then handed it to Optimus. "Thus, I am entrusting it to look."
A wry look of skepticism showed through Optimus' optics. "Putting the Star Seekers on my tail rather than yours, are you?"
Double Clutch smirked in kind. "Just ensuring that the fate of Cybertron is in good hands."
* * *
Minimus Ambus scowled at the one-eyed Decepticon looming over him. Despite being heavily damaged from the crash, Shockwave managed to look somewhat menacing.
"You're giving out an order to surrender? Just because you've lost your flagship?"
Shockwave's gaze was unwavering. "Not surrender, no. I am simply recalling our forces back to New Kaon."
"A retreat, then. My second question still stands."
"It has nothing to do with your Autobots' resistance. Rather, it's the sheer power this 'Fallen' person displays."
"I'm sure the fire thing is merely theatrical-"
"Perhaps," Shockwave interjected. "But I have no doubt that it was he who crashed the Victory."
Ambus' metal brows furrowed. "I had assumed that was the Dynobots' doing."
Shockwave shook his head. "No. There is a third part at work, one with power beyond either of our comprehension. One who is working against both factions."
"Don't tell me that you, of all people, are proposing an alliance, Shockwave."
"No. Not yet. At least not until it is necessary and logical. And even then, only when Megatron is out of the picture."
Ambus regarded him skeptically. "You say that as if it'll be certain."
"It will be," Shockwave said. "He will be departing from New Kaon soon to pursue Optimus Prime and his Ark. Once he is gone, perhaps then we can negotiate a temporary truce."
Ambus sighed. "Your logic is certainly impressive, Shockwave... to the point where even I think it is sound."
He was almost sure that if Shockwave had a face, it would have smirked. "If I was still capable of such emotions, I would be amused by that statement."
He then turned and converted into his ship mode, flying off into the nighttime sky. Not long after, a red and gold jet bearing the Autobot insignia appeared, converting into the Aerialbot known as Fireflight. The Autobot flier's optics dilated in shock upon seeing Ambus.
"Ultra... Magnus? I... what happened to you?"
A grim expression crossed Ambus' face. "I suppose I have a lot to explain."
* * *
Two down. So many to go.
The Fallen stood on a cliff that oversaw the ruins of Iacon, watching the Autobots gather their wounded and dead, and account for the missing. All of the Decepticons, save for the ones the Wreckers had captured under Virtue's Forum, had all retreated from the battle. He no longer had a useful diversion.
Not that it would make much difference.
Setting his sights on the ruined Hall of Records, the Fallen used his teleportation abilities to transport himself to the entrance. He then raised his arm cannon and blasted out an opening. Down the main hall, stationed at a monitor, was the Autobot historian and archivist Alpha Trion, accompanied by the Mini-Con Beta Maxx.
The former turned around in shock, his optics widening upon seeing the intruder. "Primus preserve us...."
"You only wish," the Fallen muttered as he readied his arm cannon again.
At Alpha Trion's beckoning, Beta Maxx transformed into jet mode and attached himself to the sage's arm, forming a small, double-barreled gun. Alpha Trion then fired it the same time as the Fallen fired his own, creating a large explosion between them.
As it cleared, the Fallen saw Alpha Trion charged towards him with an ancient blade in hand. The ancient Prime responded in kind by bringing out a spiked mace and bashing it into Trion's face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"I honestly don't have the time nor the patience to battle you, Alpha Trion," the Fallen muttered as he approached the ancient Autobot. "We have places to be, old friend."
Alpha Trion looked up at him weakly. "Do I... know you?"
The Fallen chuckled. "You will soon remember."
And in a flash of light, all three mechs were gone.
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