CHAPTER FIVE
--Cybertron--
"Is this truly any way to restrain a prisoner? By chaining him to a simple stake?"
The two Sweeps guarding Starscream paid him no heed, standing motionlessly and impassive as always, staring out into space.
The Seeker bristled from the silence. Being chained up was one thing, but being deprived of the satisfaction from annoying his guards was aggravating.
"You know, if I still had my null-rays, I could zap myself free from these chains and--"
"End up on the receiving end of my blades."
Walking up to the Sweeps and their prisoner was a lanky mech in black and orange. To the guards, he said, "You two are dismissed. I'll watch over him."
The pair left without a word. Looking up at the newcomer, Starscream said, "And just who are you and why have you decided to pay me a visit?"
"My name is Sideways," the mech said as he brandished two blades. "And I'm here to torture you."
Starscream grinned. "Ah, I knew there was something about you I liked. But I don't think you want to do that."
Sideways scraped his swords together. "And why not?"
"I could still be of use to you! I still have secrets of the Decepticons that you can use!"
"Which is exactly why I'm here; to get those secrets out of you."
Starscream's optics dilated ever so slightly but he kept a calm composure. "Now, now, there's no need for that. If you want me to let you in on a few secrets, then you need only ask!"
"Really?" Sideways did not sound the least bit convinced. "Please enlighten me on a few before I decide on what to do with you."
Starscream's mind raced. "Er... the Warriors Elite! You've heard of them, haven't you?"
"Yes, and I have no interest in them. Try again."
"Ah... the Conclave! Some of its members are still unaccounted for! I can help you find them!"
"Not interested. Last try."
The Seeker bit his lower lip. Improvisation was not his best skill. Just as Sideways readied his blades, Starscream blurted out, "Dark Energon!"
This gave the Herald pause. "What was that?"
"Dark Energon. I know some resources hidden here on Cybertron."
"I thought Thunderwing had used it all up."
Starscream grinned wickedly. "Not all."
Sideways seemed to consider this for a moment. Then, without warning, he brought his blades down to severe the Seeker's chains.
"Just this one chance," the Herald said darkly. "Take me to this Dark Energon; if you're bluffing, you're dead. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
--Gigantion--
The Autobots walked in single file through a dark pathway, with Lockdown leading them in the front and most of his cronies watching them closely from behind. As such, it was hard for anyone to make secret conversation without it being overheard.
Eventually, the Autobots and their captors stepped out of the pathway and into the light, having reached their destination. No one could believe what said destination was.
"Metroplex?!" Bumblebee exclaimed.
The gleaming white building was unmistakable as the disguised form of the Titan that had aided the Autobots in the First Battle of Iacon over nine hundred years ago. After defeating Trypticon, the titan vanished without a trace and had not been seen since.
"You're acquainted with a Titan?" Lockdown said with a sneer as he led his captives up the main entrance ramp. "If only we all had such luck."
"I never thought I would see two Titans in the course of my life," Perceptor murmured.
"I get the feeling that we're gonna get more surprises as the day goes on," Brainstorm said.
Sure enough, as the Autobots were led into the main entrance room, Bulkhead caught a glimpse of a large, blue and red figure standing in a shadowed corner.
"Ultra Magnus?!" the big green Autobot exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
The Autobot commander did not respond. Between his darkened optics and lack of movement, Optimus wondered if he was even alive.
"Okay, I really want to leave now," Bumblebee said. "I think I liked it better on Earth."
"You're not going anywhere on my watch," Lockdown growled. "Unless you wish to live in a scrapheap for the rest of your--"
"Lockdown, that is no way to treat our guests," a booming voice sounded from an adjacent room. "You and your accomplices are dismissed; I shall handle them personally."
Optimus frowned beneath his mouthplate. "I know that voice...."
Just as Lockdown and his cronies started to leave, a tall and imposing figure stepped into the room, armored in green and gold with regal wings hanging off his back and a pole in hand. A decorative clasp held a dark green cloak in place.
Optimus narrowed his optics. "Chief Justice Tyrest."
A small smile crossed the mech's red-plated face. "Optimus Prime. It is good to see you alive. I had feared the worse when word spread of your disappearance."
"Tyrest, I hope you have answers to the hundred questions I have."
Tyrest chuckled. "Rest assured, Prime, all shall be clear in time." He spun his cloak as he turned around. "Come; I have prepared a feat fit for a Prime for you all."
"He must have known we were coming," Windblade said quietly to Optimus. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"As do I," Optimus replied as he and the others followed the Chief Justice.
--The Lost Light--
"Nineteen eighty-four. Nineteen eighty-four. Nineteen eighty--"
"Shut up!" Skids bellowed as he unleashed his entire arsenal on the giant bots. "I don't know what your beef is with me, but I'm gonna make you wish the Primal Forge never created the metal you're made out of!"
"Nineteen eighty-four."
Skids sighed. "Well, at least I don't have to suffer corny one-liners from you guys."
He continued firing and pounding away, tearing the bots to shreds. From what he could tell, they were by no means ordinary Cybertronians, lacking sparks and even brain modules. They were of lesser intelligence than Vehicons.
After taking out one of the gold giants, he snatched its large blade and swung it in a wide arc, cutting down two more. He then discarded the blade and fired his gun repeated into a fourth one, blowing its head clean off.
He repeated these type of tricks, among others, until soon, there were none left to use them on. The giants parts littered the oil reservoir, some of them floating in the oil itself. Battered and leaking all over, Skids was nonetheless satisfied with himself.
Had he turned around in time, he would have seen the large red and blue figure materializing behind him. Even so, it would have been too late, for the warrior's blade would have gone through his midsection just as quickly and he would have still been gone in the flash of light.
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