Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga X, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

    "Slag it, slag it, slag it," Brainstorm cursed to himself. "Of all the times for Kup to take pretty much everyone on a suicide mission, he had to pick now when we're in the middle of an important operation!"

    "Stay focused, Brainstorm," one of his fellow scientists said. "Eighty-one percent complete."

    "I mean, this would be the perfect opportunity! Could you imagine? Fortress Maximus versus the Fallen. I would pay fifty Shanix to see that."

    "Uh-huh. Ninety-two percent complete."

    "Man... life stinks sometimes."

    "Tell me about it. One hundred percent complete."

    The scientists in the lab all stepped back as the large container Cerebros had been placed in slowly opened. Where once had been a small, gray-colored Autobot was now a burly mech bristling with weaponry.

    Brainstorm grinned with glee underneath his mouthplate. "Never before have I been so proud."

*  *  *

    Two Decepticons wailed as the Fallen sent them flying with his telekinesis. The ancient being then unleashed a jet of flame, scorching a trio of Autobots and turning them to dust.

    "This is child's play," the Fallen muttered. "You can throw anything at me- an army, an Omega Guardian, a Titan- and I will still come on top of your cold corpses as the victor."

    "Yeah, sure," Kup muttered as he fired his rifle. "Just another line from the Book for Megalomaniac Wannabe Overlords."

    "Have you got a copy?" Wing Saber wisecracked as he charged towards the Fallen with his dual blades. With a mere gesture from the ancient robot, he was instantly hoisted up into the air and thrown into a group of Seekers.

    "Imbeciles," the Fallen growled. "How can you not see that your defeat is inevitable? You cannot possibly stop me, so why bother fighting?"

    "We're not gonna stop," Kup said as he aimed his gun directly at the Fallen's head. "So why bother arguing?"

    Before he could pill the trigger, an invisible force suddenly twisted the gun's barrel, causing it to explode in Kup's face. As the veteran Autobot recoiled, the Fallen fired his arm and sent him sprawling back.

    "I am finished with this," the Fallen murmured, his hands now crackling with energy. "I offered you a choice and you have made the fateful decision. Prepare for the consequences."

    However, just as he was about to unleash his full power, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble slightly. As the quakes grew stronger, the Fallen froze and lowered his arms, looking down at the ground.

    "Primus...?" was all he said before a blast of energy consumed him.

*  *  *

    Freedom! Tailgate's spark filled with elation as light shone through the opening he had made for himself. Hearing voices from outside, he called out for help and soon enough, two mechs were helping him out of the pit.

    "I can't thank you enough!' he said to his rescuers. "I haven't missed the launch, have I? Has the Ark taken off yet?"

    "The Ark?" said a brown bot. "I'm afraid you've missed that, pal. How did you end up there, anyway?"

    "It's a long story. I-" Tailgate suddenly stopped as his optics drifted towards a smoking husk. Realizing that it was a body, he cried out, "By the Primal Pantheon! Did I do that?!"

    Distraught, he fell out of the mech's arms, clutching his head. "Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy- I killed him! By the Underbase, I killed him!"

    With that, he collapsed and passed out once again.

*  *  *

    Just like that, it was over.

    Having returned to the surface from the underground chamber, Ultra Magnus watched as the Autobots rescued from the chamber, as well as the strange one responsible for the Fallen's apparent demise, were loaded onto an armored transport, while a team of medics examined the Fallen's lifeless husk.

    As Kup walked up to him, Magnus said, "You disobeyed my orders."

    The veteran grunted. "And?"

    "...Thank you."

    The older Autobot smirked. "Don't mention it. When you're a stickler for rules and orders, you need to have someone who's the opposite, close by your side."

    Magnus returned the smirk. "If that were the case, I'd have picked someone like Springer."

    Kup chuckled as he placed a cy-gar in his mouth. After a moment, he then said, "I saw Grimlock among those rescued from the chamber, but not the other Dynobots or Sky Lynx. Any ideas where they are?"

    "If I had, I wouldn't still be standing here. Right now, my primary concern is on how long our peace with the Decepticons will continue to last."

    "I didn't know it was peace in the first place," Kup murmured as he glanced at Shockwave, who was busy conversing with his fellow Decepticons. "Just keep your guns handing and your trigger finger itching."

    At that moment, Shockwave himself began to approach the two Autobots and Ultra Magnus turned to face him, keeping his hand close to his blaster. For a while, the two of them were silent, until the one-eyed Decepticon finally spoke.

    "Consider our conflict over, Ultra Magnus."

    Magnus blinked, taken aback. "What?"

    Shockwave gestured at the few hundred Autobots and Decepticons that were present. "This is all we have. If one faction or the other wins, what then? There is nothing left of Cybertron for the Decepticons to rule, or for you to protect. To continue waging such a useless conflict would be illogical."

    Magnus nodded. "I'm glad we can agree on that. So where does this leave either of us?"

    "I shall take my forces back to New Kaon and reside there. You are free to attempt reconstruction here, however futile it may be, but do not expect further help from us."

    Magnus smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."

    "One last thing," Shockwave said, lowering his voice. "If Megatron ever returns... I cannot guarantee that our peace will continue to last."

    "And I can guarantee you that we'll be ready for that."

    Nodding curtly, the mono-eyed Decepticon turned and led his comrades away. Ultra Magnus watched them until they vanished beyond the horizon....