Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VI, Chapter Six

SIX: SHARPENED TEETH

--The past--

    "Didn't go so well, huh?"

    Orion said nothing as he walked past Outback and towards his station. Outback watched as he proceeded to bring up all of the tabs he had on Hefter and delete them one by one.

    "I mean, hey, at least you get to keep your job," Outback said, rubbing the back of his neck. "If you weren't in Zeta Prime's good graces, you'd probably be... sorry, that's not helping, is it?"

    Orion's silence persisted. Outback started to shift uncomfortably as Pax deleted his last file on Hefter.

    "Hey, if you want, I could try and continue the investigation for you. I know a bot from Yuss who could stick his nose around in a few places."

    "There's no need for that," Orion said as he turned away from his screen. "I already know it was you."

    Outback staggered back, his mouth hanging open in shock. "W-what?"

    "I didn't want to believe it at first, but on my way back to Iacon, it all started to make sense. The fact that you were his guard, the fact that the footage was so hard to get... honestly, it couldn't have been anyone else but you."

    Outback stared at him, his expression blank. "Okay," he murmured. "Okay, you've got me. What are you going to do about it?"

    "Nothing," Orion said. "Checkpoint clearly knows about it and hasn't done anything. So why should I bother?"

    With that, he headed back for the door. Outback simply stared at him in silence, mouth still hanging open. Stopping in the middle of the doorway, Orion looked back at Outback with a sad look on his face.

    "I don't know what your reasons were for killing Hefter. Maybe you didn't even have a reason beyond him being a Decepticon. Whatever it is, I only hope that your actions are not reflective of the Autobots as a whole, because otherwise... what even separates us from them?"

    He did not wait for Outback to respond. Within minutes, he was driving away from Iacon Station, not once looking back.

--Now--

    "Come on, Prime. Defend yourself! This is pathetic."

    Sixknight threw a punch at Optimus' face, causing the Autobot leader to stagger back. He then delivered a kick to his abdomen, which Prime also failed to dodge.

    "This is sad," Sixknight muttered. "Surely you must be some sort of impostor. This is not the Optimus Prime I've heard so many stories of."

    "I don't want to fight you, Sixknight," Optimus grunted.

    "But I want you to! I want the challenge! It's been over a century since I last faced a worthy opponent."

    "I refuse to lay hands on a fellow Autobot. It's not right."

    "You're right, it's not," Sixknight said. "Neither is living in a city filled with dead people, yet that's what I've been doing for the last seven months."

    "Last seven--" Optimus heaved as Sixknight punched him in his midsection. "Is that... how long it's been... since the massacre?"

    "Give or take, yeah," Sixknight said, reeling for another punch. "Granted, I haven't been outside in ages, so it might as well be seven years."

    He threw his fist at Optimus' face. This time, the Autobot leader blocked it with his arm. Sixknight stepped back in surprise before slowly smiling.

    "Tell me your story," Optimus demanded.

    "Fight me and I'll tell you anything."

    Seeing he had little choice, Optimus nodded and readied himself in a fighting stance. "Very well."

    With a full-on grin, Sixknight charged towards him. "Ever heard of the Six Clan?"

    "No?"

    "Good." Transforming into a four-legged creature, he lunged at the Prime, tackling him to the ground. "At least some things haven't changed."

    "You're a Six Changer?" Optimus asked as he wrestled with the beast. "Those are extremely rare."

    "I'll say. When I joined, there had only been six others. Funny, isn't it?"

    "When did you join?"

    "Oh, who wants to know?"

    Optimus thrust his leg out and kicked Sixknight off of him. "I do."

    "Oh, fine." The beast folded up into an armored car. "Cycle 8819. Though I wasn't fully initiated until 9788 when I finally unlocked my sixth mode."

    "It took you nearly a millennia to find all your modes?"

    "There was a war going on. Give me a break." Sixknight began to accelerate towards the Prime. "Anyway, it wasn't long after that I joined the Circle of Light."

    "I see." Optimus ducked to the side to avoid the advancing car. Performing a u-turn, it quickly turned into a drill tank. "So how did you survive the Terrorcons?"

    "I didn't."

    Caught off guard, Optimus was barely able to miss the spinning drill sent in his direction.

    "What?" he exclaimed. "You mean you--"

    "Died? Yeah, it was great." Converting into a jet, the Six Changer began to circle over Optimus. "Don't know how I was brought back, but I've taken it as a sign from Primus."

    "A sign of what?"

    "That I have a duty here. That I am to protect Crystal City from any who desire to bring it harm."

    "Do you know that Crystal City is a Titan as well?"

    "Of course." Sixknight transformed and landed before the Autobot leader. "It's common knowledge within the Circle."

    "Is it?" Optimus replied. "I never knew."

    Sixknight smirked. "Well, at the time, Dai Atlas didn't want anyone to know. Could you imagine if the Decepticons -- or even Zeta Prime, for that matter -- got word of it? Needless to say, the Circle of Light wouldn't have lasted long."

    "Indeed," Optimus said. "So, what would you say if I told you that your Titan summoned me here?"

    "I'd say you were trying to make a funny."

    "What if I could prove it?"

    Sixknight raised an optic. "Can you? All right, then. Prove it."

    Taking a step back, Optimus called out, "Titan! I am Optimus Prime! Heed my call!"

    Silence. Sixknight waited a moment to see if anything would happen. When nothing did, he snorted.

    "What the heck, I'm in a good mood. I'll let you try again before I--"

    "Invaders," a disembodied voice boomed out, startling all those present.

    "Invaders?" Optimus repeated as Sixknight gawked. "You mean the ones in the sky?"

    Sixknight frowned at him. "What ones in the sky? Scrap, I really need to get out more..."

    "They have found us," the Titan went on. "Must leave. Must escape."

    "Can you do that?" Optimus asked. "Are you capable of travel?"

    "Yes, Prime." The city began to rumble. "I suggest you get to safety."

    Around them, the city began to transform. Without further hesitation, the three bots hurried to find shelter.

    "Sorry I ever doubted you," Sixknight said to Optimus as they ran.

    "Does that mean I'm in your good graces now?"

    The Six Changer smirked. "Ask me again after we're out of this mess."

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VI, Chapter Five

FIVE: TO GO TO HEAVEN

--The past--

    "Strange. Thought he'd last longer than that."

    "Yeah," Needlenose said, looking down at the beaten Orion. "Guess the mouthplate is just for show."

    Orion groaned as he struggled to get up only to be pressed back down by Horri-Bull's foot. Needlenose then get down to his knees and lifted Orion's chin up, forcing him to meet his optics.

    "You know, you're not the only one with a brother on the other side," the Decepticon said. "My own brother is still with your Autobots. In fact, he's the reason I even joined the Decepticons in the first place. If he hadn't kicked me out, I'd have never met Horri-Bull here."

    "What's... your point?" Orion grunted out.

    "What I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't let your family define who you are," Needlenose said. "My brother tried to use me to fulfill his own dreams, to hell with my own. I was nothing more than his lackey. Now though? I have absolutely nothing to do with him. I've even eschewed our House's name."

    He let go of Orion's chin and struck him across the face, knocking his mouthplate loose.

    "So don't think for a nanoklik that you can be a fearless hero just like your brother was, because let's face it, Pax: You're nothing. You will never amount to be anything more than a glorified cop. Zeta Prime's poster bot. Another cog in the--"

    "We have to go!" Ferak came running into the room, a panicked look on his face. "Forget about Pax! Let's just go!"

    "What about our reward?" Needlenose asked. "What, did Soundwave give you the cold shoulder?"

    "Our call got intercepted somehow! The Autobots will be here any minute!" Ferak started to run for the door but stopped when he noticed Orion's trailer, which contained Hefter's body. His expression slowly became a pensive one.

    "Unless... unless we stuffed him in there. Horri-Bull could haul him."

    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Ferak?" a voice called out, one which Orion recognized. "It's me, Jetfire. Sorry I'm--"

    Ferak swung the door open and pulled Jetfire in. "What kept you?! You were supposed to be here hours ago!"

    "Sorry," Jetfire said meekly, briefly glancing at a shocked Orion. "Ratchet kept--"

    "Oh, forget it, I don't have time for your blasted excuses." Ferak pointed at Orion. "Get him out of here and take him to the Tyrest Spaceport. I'll be there shortly."

    "Uh, us too, right?" Needlenose asked, exchanging a glance with Horri-Bull. "You're not going to just leave us for the Autobots, right?"

    "Autobots?" Jetfire raised an optic. "Did you say Autobots?"

    "There's no time to explain!" Ferak hissed. "Just take Pax and--"

    "Oh!" Jetfire pointed a thumb to the door. "You mean those Autobots?"

    Ferak blanched. "Those... Autobots?"

    Smirking, Jetfire opened the door, revealing a team of seven Autobots standing outside, led by a white and black bot.

    "Ferak of Tetrahex," Prowl called out. "You are under arrest."

    Realizing there was no use in resisting, the three Decepticons held their hands up. Jetfire moved over to the battered Orion and helped him up.

    "I hope you're grateful for this," Jetfire muttered to him. "I've just marked myself for death by doing this."

    Orion said nothing, Needlenose's words still ringing in his mind....

--Now--

    "You want to say something or should I?"

    "Who says we have to say anything?"

    "I just thought... since...."

    "Be patient. Let him do his thing."

    Doublecross and Twinferno watched as Optimus Prime paced back and forth in the same place. He had been doing this for nearly five hours; dawn was already beginning to break.

    Optimus made an exasperated sound. "It's should be right here. It's supposed to be right here."

    "What should be right here?" Twinferno asked, earning him a glare from Doublecross.

    "I don't know," Optimus answered truthfully. "I just know something should be here. The voice called me to this exact spot."

    "Uh... the voice?" Both heads glanced at each other. "What voice?"

    "You wouldn't have heard it. I know how that may sound, but... it's just a Prime thing."

    "Oh, we hear you," Twinferno said. "Don't worry. It's cool. We're all friends here."

    Optimus sighed as he resumed pacing. He realized he wasn't getting anywhere by doing this... but what else could he do? There was nothing here -- at least not as far as he could see.

    Optimus stopped at that thought. He looked down at the ground, standing in the exact spot the voice had summoned him to. After a moment, he straightened up, composed himself, and lifted his head to the sky.

    "Titan!" he bellowed. "Your Prime demands your presence!"

    Nothing happened. Doublecross snorted.

    "I think he's lost it."

    Suddenly, the ground began to shake. Optimus spun to the dragon and reached out to them.

    "Grab my hand!" he ordered.

    The dragon only had a second to do so before the both of them were teleported away. Around them, the barren land was instantly replaced by the appearance of a ruined city, encased in cavernous walls.

    Worn down buildings that had been torn asunder loomed over them, but that was not what drew Optimus' attention immediately. No, what his optics first fell on were the thousands of corpses that littered the city.

    Seeing this called to mind an event he had been made aware of during the Unicron crisis: the extermination of the Circle of Light at the hands of Galvatron's Terrorcon hordes. Of the hundreds of thousands of bots that had comprised the Circle of Light, only five had survived.

    Since then, Dai Atlas had started to rebuild his order, but seeing so many dead still shook Optimus to his core, stirring feelings of guilt within him. Many times had he tried to make peace with Dai Atlas upon becoming Prime, to no avail. Even after Unicron's defeat, Atlas had wanted nothing to do with him or the Autobots.

    As he continued to look upon the despairing sight, Twinferno tapped him on the shoulder.

    "Prime?"

    "Not now, Twinferno," Optimus murmured. "I need a moment."

    "Yeah, I understand, but, ah, I don't think this guy's gonna allow you one."

    Confused, Optimus turned around to see a tall bot standing behind him and the dragon. Colored in blue and white, the bot carried a pair of guns in his hands and bore an impassive expression on his face.

    Inclining his head towards the two visitors, the mysterious bot said, "Hello, Optimus Prime."

    Optimus frowned. "Do I know you?"

    "Probably not. I don't expect you to know every Autobot that's been under your command. My name is Sixknight."

    "Well then, it's an honor to meet you, Sixknight."

    "The honor's all mine," Sixknight said. "It's not every day one gets to fight a Prime."

    Optimus stepped back. "Oh, come on...."

    Flashing a grin, Sixknight raised his guns and charged towards Optimus.

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VI, Chapter Four

FOUR: NO ONE ELSE BUT ME

--The past--

    The drive to Durax had been a short one, as the polity bordered that of Ultirex. Weaving through streets of Empties and prophets, Orion eventually reached a worn-down shack marked by the sign FerakTech, although the lights of some of the letters had gone out, spelling out "AkTec" instead.

    Detaching from the trailer that contained Hefter's body, Orion transformed and knocked on the door to the shop. After a minute or two, it slowly creaked open, revealing a red-faced white mech with gray wings.

    "Yes?" he said.

    "Are you Ferak?" Orion asked. "Ratchet told me you were friends with Wheeljack and suggested I come to you."

    "Ratchet, eh?" Ferak looked him up and down. "And you would be...?"

    "Orion Pax, Iacon Security Force. But my business here is off the record."

    "Oh, right. Optronix's brother. I've heard of you." Ferak tilted his head. "What can I do for you?"

    "May I come inside? I have something to show you."

    Nodding, Ferak stepped aside and Orion pulled the trailer inside. As Ferak closed the door behind him, Orion looked up to see he wasn't the only bot in the shop. Two others stood in front him, looking too intimidating to be mere customers.

    Orion frowned. "Uh, did I come at a bad time?"

    "Not at all," Ferak said from behind him. "In fact, the fun's just about to start."

    Without warning, something struck Orion in the back of the head and he fell to the floor, disorienting him. As the room spun around him, he felt himself be hoisted up in the air by a large blue hand.

    "This is for Hefter, murderer," a gruff voice growled into his audio.

    "What? I didn't--" Orion cried out as he was thrown against the wall, knocking over a shelf with tools in the process.

    "Horri-Bull!" Ferak cried out. "Watch it! Those are precious items!"

    "So?" the brutish mech replied. "It was worth it."

    "Look, I hate him as much as you, but that's not a good reason to wreck my shop! Besides, we need him alive."

    "Alive?" the other bot asked. "Why?"

    "Because he's Orion Pax, Needlenose!" Ferak said. "Megatron's Autobot brother! Imagine the reward we would get for turning him in! We would become more than just petty thugs!"

    "Like, what, non-petty things?" Needlenose asked. "I don't know, pal, I just don't think Megs wants anything to do with his baby brother anymore."

    "Baby... brother?" Orion winced as he got back to his feet, rubbing his head. "Is that... all I am to you?"

    "Uh, yeah?" Needlenose shrugged. "I mean, what else separates you from any other Autobot? Red and blue color scheme? Nothing special. Delusions of heroism? Please, that's every Autobot ever."

    Orion smirked. "Oh, yeah? Well, let me show you that this 'baby brother--'" He deployed his battle mask over his face. "--Is about to become your worst nightmare."

    Needlenose cocked his head. "How cute. He's even got the same mouthplate."

    "Yeah, you guys deal with him," Ferak said, stepping away. "I'll give Soundwave a call. Try not to break my stuff."

    As the engineer slipped away, the other two Decepticons charged towards a battle-ready Orion....

--Now--

    Night had fallen on the nameless planet and the stars were out.

    Doublecross and Twinferno were fast asleep, their shared body curled up. But Optimus could not find the will to do the same. He didn't know what was out here, if anything at all, and decided it was his duty to keep watch.

    As he sat there, he looked down at his body and marveled at its black and teal colors. How had he ended up back in his Nemesis Prime form? Had he not successfully push back the separate personality a year ago now? How had it managed to resurface?

    "You had your fun. Now it's my turn."

    Startled, Optimus looked up to see an exact replica of himself sitting before him, purple optics glowing rather than blue.

    "You did your part in defeating Unicron," Nemesis Prime said. "Your time is over. Mine has finally arrived."

    "Why, though?" Optimus asked. "What do you hope to accomplish? The Decepticons are finished--"

    "The Decepticons?" Nemesis laughed. "Who said anything about them? I'm my own bot now, Optimus; no longer Megatron's pet project."

    "No," Optimus said firmly. "I won't allow it. This is my body."

    "Is it?" Nemesis looked him up and down. "No offense, but black doesn't really suit you."

    Growling, Optimus got to his feet, a move which Nemesis mirrored. He grabbed the dark copy's shoulders and Nemesis his.

    "How did you resurface?" Optimus asked, shaking Nemesis. "I thought I had pushed you out!"

    "You can never be rid of me, Optimus," Nemesis cackled. "I am further ingrained in your consciousness. I am you and you are me. Two halves of one whole. Two sides of a coin--"

    "Okay, I get it!" Optimus snapped. "But how did you get control of my body again? How did I even end up here? What is going on?"

    At this, Nemesis stopped laughing, his expression turning serious. Surprised by this, Optimus let go of Nemesis and stepped back.

    "I don't know how you -- we -- got here," the dark Prime said quietly. "First thing I remember is awakening in the arena, fighting that... thing."

    "Do you remember any details?" Optimus asked. "Was there an announcer of any sort who said where you were fighting or why?"

    Nemesis shook his head. "None of the sort. I just remember fighting."

    Optimus sighed. "Then you're as clueless as I."

    "What did you expect? We're the same bot." Nemesis fell silent for a moment, his gaze moving towards the horizon. "You know... I'm beginning to realize that coming out of dormancy isn't as cracked up as I thought it would be."

    "Oh?"

    "I mean, we're out in the middle of nowhere on some dirtball planet. What's even the point? There's nothing here to fight or to conquer. It sucks."

    "So, what? Are you going to return to the recesses of my subconscious again?"

    "Of course not." Nemesis sighed. "But... I suppose I should let you remain in control... for now. You always seem to know what to do better than I."

    "I wish that was always so," Optimus murmured. "Because right now, I'm at a loss on where to go from here."

    "Are you sure? Because...." Nemesis paused before slowly nodding in realization. "Oh, right. I'm distracting you. Give me a second."

    Before Optimus knew it, Nemesis had vanished from view... just as a booming voice assaulted his senses.

    PRIME.

    Optimus cried out as he fell to his knees, clutching his head. Doublecross and Twinferno both awakened from their slumber and looked at him in alarm.

    "He has his colors back!" Twinferno exclaimed.

    "Optimus?" Doublecross moved over to the Prime. "Are you all right?"

    "West," Optimus muttered. "We must go west."

    "Why?" Twinferno asked. "What's west?"

    "There's a Titan here, on this planet," Optimus replied. "And it's calling to me."

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VI, Chapter Three

THREE: TASTE THE CLOUDS

--The past--

    Not long after his visit with Zeta Prime, Orion Pax had received a call from Outback. As it happened, Fastback had just returned from an off-world mission, which he had been on for the past few months -- long before Hefter's death. This, naturally, ruled him out.

    But who else could it have been? Orion did not know of any other bots with Outback's body type in the Security Force. Unless it had been Outback, which Orion did not wish to believe, it could not have been anyone else.

    If only CCTV had color. Then this would be over in a nanoklik.

    Of course, Orion had been lucky enough to view the CCTV at all. Checkpoint had become very picky on who had access to the footage after a rogue officer had modified it to cover up a murder two years ago. Spin-Out had been nice enough to nab the footage for him, but only pieces of it. None of it showed the crime actually being committed.

    As such, this left Orion with only one option. It was a risky move to make, but a necessary one....

    "This is strictly off the record, correct?"

    "Correct," Orion said, watching as Ratchet studied Hefter's corpse. "I've always deduced that he was killed via gun. I just need to know what kind."

    Ratchet sighed. "Pax, I'm a doctor, not a mechaforensics expert. A gun wound's a gun wound to me. I couldn't tell you the difference between a Photon Burst Rifle and an X-9 Scrapmaker."

    "Then do you know anyone who can? Maybe someone here at Ultirex?"

    "Well, if you had come here earlier, I could have sent you over to Wheeljack, but he just left for Iacon, funnily enough." Ratchet thought for a moment. "There's also another bot -- he doesn't work here, but he's friends with Wheeljack -- who knows guns. His name escapes me at the moment."

    He turned over to a white and red winged bot working nearby. "Hey, Jetfire! Who's that bot with the lab in Durax? Is it Ferox or Furok?"

    "Huh?" The flier turned around, briefly glancing at Orion as he stuttered his response. "Uh, it's Ferak, isn't it?"

    "Ferak, that's right. Thank you." Ratchet turned back to Orion. "So yeah, go down to Durax and look for a place called Ferak Tech. I'm sure he can help you out. He used to work in mechaforensics."

    "Good. I wouldn't dream of bringing this to IMD's attention; not with Flatfoot still working there." Orion looked over to Jetfire, who had since resumed working. "Can't say it's everyday I meet a flying scientist."

   "Yeah, he's been suffering flak from the Funcionists for years," Ratchet said. "If it weren't for my position as chief medical officer, I wouldn't have been able to get him a job here at Ultirex."

    "Well, the Functionist's power has been waning ever since Zeta came into office. Hopefully things will change."

    Ratchet grunted. "We can only hope."

--Now--

    When Optimus had heard Doublecross' plan, he immediately said no. He knew that for a fact.

    Yet here he was, doing exactly what Doublecross' plan entailed: driving through hordes of frightened organics at full speed, with Doublecross riding atop him, shooting his guns.

    No. This was wrong. He shouldn't be doing this. These were innocent people he was running over.

    He tried to stop and transform but his body refused to comply. He simply kept going, rapidly approaching a wall.

    "Brace yourself!" he heard Doublecross cry. "This is gonna be--"

    Optimus didn't hear the rest of the Monsterbot's sentence as the next thing he knew, they had crashed through the wall... and were flying through the sky.

    Check that: Falling through the sky. From over twenty thousand feet in the air.

    As he plummeted towards certain death, Optimus thought back to how Primes before him had fallen: Galactus Prime was struck down by Nova Major's battle axe, both Nominus and Guardian Prime were assassinated, Zeta Prime was devoured by Trypticon....

    And here he was, about to meet his fate by falling from the sky.

    He supposed it could have been worse, but then, nothing was really coming to mind.

    Suddenly, he felt his descent be slowed as a pair of claws latched onto him. He heard Doublecross -- back in dragon form -- grunt as he tried to keep them both suspended in the air.

    "Sweet... Primus...." Doublecross muttered. "Are you Primes always this heavy?"

    Optimus said nothing as the two gradually made their way towards the ground. It was a rough trip, with Doublecross nearly losing his grip once or twice, but eventually they managed to safely touch down. Letting go of Optimus, the dragon collapsed onto the sandy ground, both heads panting.

    "We did it," the Twinferno head said. "That was amazing."

    "Of course it was," said Doublecross. "It was my idea."

    After recomposing himself, Optimus looked around the barren landscape. There were no buildings or settlements of any kind from what he could see. He spotted a mountain range on the horizon, but beyond that nothing.

    He turned his gaze to the sky. Whatever it was they had fell from, it was now only a dot in the sky -- one of many, in fact. From what he could discern, they had the shape of a spinning top, with round upper halves and narrow bottoms.

    Wherever they were, it was clear most of the planet's population preferred to live in the sky rather than on the surface. Meaning it was unlikely they would find anyone here let alone any means to get off world.

    "Fantastic," he muttered to himself.

    Twinferno lifted his head up, beaming. "It really was, wasn't it? We sure do make a great team, don't--"

    "He was being sarcastic, doofus," Doublecross snapped. "We're stuck here on this dirtball of a planet with no means of getting off it. We're going to spend the rest of our lives here."

    Optimus let out an exasperated sigh as he ensconced himself on the ground. "I'll see if I can radio Cybertron. I doubt it'll get through though."

    "Yeah, don't bother," Doublecross growled. "We're in Galactic Council territory."

    Optimus raised an optic. "The Galactic Council? Are you sure?"

    Both heads nodded. "One could never mistake those giant as frag ships," said Twinferno.

    Optimus wasn't sure he bought this. The Galactic Council hated Cybertronians, yes, and would often capture or kill those who crossed their paths. But pit them against each other in arena battles? The Galactic Council was many things but barbaric was hardly one of them.

    He decided not to raise this doubt though. After all, Doublecross could have very well been correct; it had been many years since contact had last been made with the Council. Things could have greatly changed over the years.

    Shifting his position, Optimus instead said to the dragon, "How did you get captured?"

    Both heads looked at each other. Doublecross shook his head at Twinferno, who glanced uncertainly at Optimus.

    "Oh, you know. We were just minding our own business when--"

    "It's not important," Doublecross interjected. "You wouldn't care."

    "Would I?" Optimus asked. "Why not? It's not like we have anything better to do."

    "That's not true!" Twinferno said. "We can... we can play... Spy-Eye!"

    "Oh, come on," Doublecross growled. "That game's for protoforms."

    Optimus sighed as he lay his head on the ground while the two heads bickered. He was beginning to wish the dragon had simply allowed him to fall....

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VI, Chapter Two

TWO: AMONG THE CHOSEN

--The past--

    "Ah, Orion! I'm glad you could make it. Please, come in."

    Orion tentatively stepped into the office of Zeta Prime. The whole room was in disarray, with datapads littering the floor, statues laying against the wall, holo-murals switched off... it was rather unbecoming of a place resided by someone who called himself Prime.

    "Don't mind the mess," Zeta said, seated at his desk as he studied a set of holograms. "I'm in the middle of renovations."

    Renovations? At a time like this? Keeping his comments to himself, Orion carefully made his way over to Zeta's desk. The silver and gold bot did not once lift his gaze from the holograms.

    Orion cleared his throat. "You, ah, asked to see me, sir?"

    "Yes, I did. I heard you had returned from Chaar recently. How was it?"

    "How... was it?" Orion blinked. "Well, I mean... we were victorious."

    "Yet you seem troubled." Zeta Prime lifted his optics to meet Orion's. "Did you suffer many losses?"

    "No, sir. Except...." Orion hesitated, unsure of how open he should be with the Prime. "I did lose a good friend of mine."

    "Shame. What was his name?"

    "Roller. I used to serve with him in the Security Force."

    "Yes, I am familiar with that name. He was friends with Optronix as well." Zeta glanced at him. "Sorry to open up old wounds."

    "No, no. It's fine. Sir." Orion shifted uncomfortably. Surely the Prime hadn't called him here to talk about Chaar. That had been nearly a month ago. "Was there something you needed from me, sir?"

    "Not from you, no, but of you." Switching off the holograms, Zeta Prime rose from his seat. "I've heard you've returned to the Security Forces."

    "That is correct, sir."

    "But why? Why would you return to something so... mundane?"

    Orion tilted his head. "Pardon?"

    "You come from a prestigious lineage, Orion Pax. Your progenitor Magnum helped Sentinel Prime establish the Elite Guard. The namesake of your city, Tyger Pax, served as one of Guardian Prime's closest confidants. Even Nova Prime himself is said to have once been a Pax."

    Orion raised an optic, picking up the theme in Zeta's words. "It sounds like the Paxes have always been closely connected to the Primes."

    Zeta smiled. "Exactly. Your name has a great heritage to it, Orion. You'd be remiss to not take advantage of it."

    "What would you have me do then? Did you have something in mind?"

    Zeta placed a hand on his shoulders. "Your brother now leads our sworn enemies. A great stain on your house's name. I can help you remove that stain."

    "How?" Orion asked.

    "Become what Megatron has for the Decepticons: a face to rally behind. A name to swear under. A beacon of hope."

    Orion frowned. "You want me to be your poster bot?"

    "Ah, I would not use such... understated terms. But yes, that is what I am suggesting." Zeta Prime flashed him a grin. "Think about it, Orion; with you at my side, we can erase the Decepticon stain and clear your name. You would be a hero, Pax. You would be the greatest Autobot in the world."

--Now--

    Optimus Prime snapped back to reality to find himself being hurled into the air. Below him, the dragon was unleashing fire from both of its mouths, ready to scorch him upon descent.

    Thinking fast, Optimus twisted his body so that he would land behind the dragon. Before the beast could react, he raised the end of his axe and slammed it into the back of its heads, knocking it to the ground.

    "That was good!" the Twinferno head said as the dragon rose back up. "But you're supposed to kill me. Kind of blew your chance here."

    "I don't want to kill you," Optimus said. "I don't even want to fight."

    "Too bad," the Doublecross head growled, turning back around. "The choice is out of your hands."

    "Also, you were looking pretty eager before," said Twinferno. "Up until we threw you in the air."

    "What are you talking about? I never--"

    His sentence went unfinished as he dodged to avoid the advancing dragon. Taking flight on its wings, the beast lunged at the Prime, tackling him to the ground. Optimus' axe fell out of his hand and it was knocked out of his reach.

    "Too easy," Doublecross chuckled. "I don't know why, but you seem to be a weaker fighter when you have blue optics."

    Optimus grunted under the strain of the dragon's weight on top of him. "Blue... optics?"

    "Yeah, he didn't get those until you kicked him." Twinferno glared at his twin. "You always ruin everything."

    "Shut up. No, I don't."

    "Yes, you do."

    "No, I--"

    Taking advantage of the dragon's distraction, Optimus mustered the strength to kick the beast off of him. Scrambling to his feet, he retrieved his axe and struck both of the dragon's faces with its end.

    Staggering back, the beast rubbed either of its noses. "He's getting good again," Twinferno muttered. "Guess he doesn't need the purple eyes."

    "Yup," Doublecross said. "Think one of us should take control?"

    "That would probably be wise. You can have this one."

    "Thanks, bro."

    With that, the dragon began to change shape. Its tail split and unfurled to form feet and legs. Both of its necks stretched out to make arms, its heads becoming hands. As its chestplate slid down, a single white head emerged to take the beast heads' place. From its back, the newly-formed robot pulled out a pair of guns.

    A savage grin twisted on Doublecross' face. "Bet you wish you hadn't come with an axe, don't you?"

    "I don't even know why I have an axe," Optimus said, wishing this nightmare would end.

    "No worries. I'll make this quick."

    Doublecross then raised his guns at Optimus... before spreading his arms and pointing them at the arena's audience.

    "Show's over, meatbags!"

    He let out a cackle as he unloaded his guns. The crowd of organics screamed in terror as they scrambled to avoid their certain deaths.

    "Stop it!" Optimus cried out. "Don't hurt them!"

    "Why not?" Doublecross asked, not letting up. "They're the ones who subjected us to this barbaric fate."

    "It doesn't matter! They don't deserve this! Just find a way to get us out of here!"

    "Isn't that what I'm already doing? I don't know what else you want me to shoot at."

    Optimus frowned behind his mouthplate as he racked his brain. "You can fly, can't you?"

    "Yeah."

    "Blast an opening and fly us out of here."

    Doublecross finally ceased his onslaught and he lowered his arms. "Fly us... both?"

    "Yes. I can ride on top of you."

    "On top of...? Buddy, do I look like a load-bearer? Do you really think I can carry you?"

    "You would only need to take me straight up, through the ceiling. I'll then dismount and get onto the roof and... we'll figure things out from there."

    Doublecross was silent as he mulled over this. He looked around the arena, ignoring the fleeing crowd. He then smiled as he looked back at Optimus.

    "You can turn into a truck, can't you?"

    "Uh, yes?"

    Doublecross grinned. "I have a better idea."

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VI, Chapter One

ONE: MY BLEEDING BACK

--Cybertron, 1,000 years ago --

    "His name was Hefter."

    Standing in front of his monitor, Orion Pax looked over his shoulder at the small red mech standing behind him, arms crossed. "I'm sorry?"

    "Hefter," Tappet repeated, sneering at him. "You keep calling him Lifter. It's Hefter."

    "Oh. My mistake. I apologize." Orion returned his attention to his screen. "Were you friends with Hefter?"

    "Does it matter? The point is that he died, in your custody!" Tappet pointed an accusatory finger to the third bot in the room, a visor-wearing brown mech. "And he killed him!"

    "No I bloody didn't, mate," Outback protested. "How many times do I have to say it?"

    "You were his cell guard!" Tappet yelled. "You were the only one who could have--"

    "Settle down, both of you." Orion turned around to face Tappet. "I assure you that Hefter's death will be investigated."

    "You don't need to investigate! The murderer is standing right in front of you!"

    Orion raised a hand to his comm. "Chromia, Spin-Out, please come and take the citizen away."

    "You're no better than them!" Tappet cried as the two Autobots entered the room. "You are the real oppressors! Trannis was right!"

    The small bot's protests continued to ring out even as he was carried out of the room. Once the door was closed, Orion was left alone with Outback. Turning his head to the brown bot, Orion said, "You didn't kill Hefter, did you?"

    Outback sighed. "Of course I didn't. You know I didn't. But what does it matter anyway? He was a Decepticon."

    "No, he wasn't. He was just an ordinary bot like Tappet. His only crime was spraying pro-Decepticon graffiti."

    "And gun-running," Outback added. "That's kind of a big no-no."

    "Even so, he didn't deserve to die." Orion looked back at his screen, frowning in thought. "Do you have any spark-brothers or sisters?"

    Outback inclined his head. "Why do you ask?"

    "The bot in the footage shared your body-type--"

    "The footage?" Outback said in surprise. "I thought you couldn't get access to that."

    "Not via orthodox means," Orion replied. "As far as I can tell, they share your body-type but without a visor. No indication on the color yet...."

    "Well, the only sibling I have is Fastback," Outback said. "And he has a visor like me."

    "Fastback...." Orion rubbed his chin. "I know a Fallback. Is she...?"

    "Heh, I get that a lot, but no. She's Blastarm's sister. Same colors but different body-type."

    "Either way, it's a possible lead,"Orion said, starting to leave. "See if you can get into contact with your brother, I'll try to find Fallback."

    Outback frowned. "Er, no offense, Pax, but is this really necessary? I mean, I understand that Hefter didn't deserve to die, but are you really gonna try and paint a 'Con in a positive light? Won't that... make you look suspicious?"

    "Perhaps," Orion said. "But we need to prove to people like Tappet that we Autobots are not oppressors; that Hefter's death was an exception, not the rule."

    "I admire your motivation, but let's be real here: This isn't going to change anything. Bots like the Decepticons and Tappet aren't going to stop hating us. You can't unite the world just like that."

    "I can at least try," Orion murmured.

    Outback sniffed. "Come on, Pax, let's face it. You may be a good Autobot, but you sure as hell aren't a Prime...."

--The present--

    "Is he alive?"

    "I dunno. Check his vitals."

    "I am! I'm not hearing a pulse...."

    "You don't hear a pulse, you... oh, forget it. Move aside."

    "Hey! Who's the doctor here?"

    "You're not a doctor. Neither of us are doctors."

    "Then what makes you--"

    "Look, I'll just kick him."

    Optimus Prime cried out as he shot up, his systems buzzing. Through his focusing vision, he could see a gray winged figure jumping up and down.

    "Hooray, it worked! I told you it would work!"

    "Shut up, it was my idea."

    "What--" Optimus rubbed his head, trying to compose himself. "Where am I?"

    "Scrap. He asked the question. What do we tell him?"

    "I dunno. How well do you think he's gonna take it?"

    Looking up, Optimus saw a large, two-headed dragon standing over him. They were clearly mechanical, possibly even Cybertronian. Both of the heads stared back at him, waiting for him to move or speak again.

    Figuring his first question was going to remain unanswered, he instead asked, "Who are you?"

    "Now that we can answer," one head replied. "We're Doublecross."

    "No!" the other head said. "We're Twinferno! Who'd trust anyone with the name Doublecross?"

    "Right, because Twinferno is such a snuggle-into-bed-with-you name. Give me a break."

    Optimus looked between the two heads in confusion. "Are... you two a singular entity or separate individuals?"

    "Well, we're not merged like Rack'n'Ruin, that's for sure," said the Doublecross head. "In all of my life, I've always had to share my body with this loser."

    "Your body?" the Twinferno head snapped. "You mean our body. What makes it just yours?"

    "Well, clearly I'm the one with the brains."

    "Oh, come off it!" The dragon raised its right hand and slapped the left head. "Just because you know how to wake people up doesn't make you a Grade A genius!"

    Optimus sighed as he rubbed his head. "Look, can you just tell me where I am?"

    "Scrud on cesium salami, he asked the question again," Twinferno murmured. "You want to tell him?"

    "I guess," Doublecross said. "Someone's got to."

    "Yes, someone please," Optimus said, getting to his feet. "I promise I won't get--"

    He paused as he suddenly became aware of a weight in his right hand. Looking down, he saw that he carried an axe.

    He also saw that his red colors had become black for some reason.

    "You're in the game," Doublecross said.

    "The game...?" Optimus asked, only half-listening now.

    "Yeah. See the crowd?"

    Optimus lifted his head and saw indeed that there was a massive crowd of assorted organic species watching over them. He was in an arena. This was a fight. Which meant his opponent was....

    "So sorry about this," Twinferno said as the dragon took on a battle stance. "You're doing great though. Keep us the good work."

    "Don't encourage him," Doublecross said, the inside of his mouth glowing. "He's the enemy."

    "You were the one who kicked him awake."

    "Only because he went down like a wuss."

    "So?"

    "He's a Prime, bro. Primes aren't wusses."

    Both heads then stretched out their necks as they unleashed twin columns of flame straight into Optimus' path....

TO WALK AMONG THE CHOSEN

A Prime Wars Interlude

The Transformers, Issue 75: Final Conflict, Chapter Two

GATHERING FORCES

   (On the planet Chaar, Megastorm speaks to the gathered Decepticons)

    Megastorm: Fellow Decepticons... I have heard about Deathsaurus and Straxus' failures, and we've lost many brothers, but we still hold strong. So starting today, we shall gather every last Decepticon and strike when the Autobots least expect it.

    Octane: Yeah, like that'll work!

    Megastorm: Octane?

    Octane: What?

   (Megastorm blasts his head to smithereens) [Don't worry, he's got a Headmaster toy now!]

    Megastorm: Does anyone else wish to fill in his shoes?

    Decepticons: All hail Megastorm! [and TFTM references, apparently]

    (Back on Cybertron, Razorclaw is beating up the Autobots)

    Razorclaw: I'm sure you thought I was gone... [I forgot you even existed in the first place] But Unicron's power prevented my death.

    Bluestreak: Whatever. You're still ugly! [wow great burn such savage]

    (Razorclaw knocks him out before siccing Reptilion and Frostbite on the others)

    (But enough about that. Meanwhile, on Animatron)

    Undermine: Brimstone, where's Flamus and those Decepticons?

    Brimstone: No idea, Undermine. (And then they find them)

    Sky-Byte: Gigatron disappears/Sky-Byte all alone/Predacons upset.

    Waspinator: Why does Waspinator have to put up with this?

    Undermine: All right, what happened?

    Tarantulas: Our "great" leader just abandoned us! It all has to do with these random abductions!

    Undermine: Well, you can't just sit around here all day!

    Tarantulas: And just what can we do besides that? Your leader is gone. Our leader is gone. And I'm sure Cybertron is in an even worse state than we are!

    (At this moment, a certain evil Prime shows up)

    Nemesis Prime: *ahem* May I fill in....?

    (Back on Cybertron)

    Ratchet: Bloody bots are comin' from nowhere!

    (Frostbite slashes at Trailbreaker's face)

    Frostbite: Prepare to meet your doom, Autobot!

    ???: Not so fast.

    (Suddenly, Frostbite's head is blown of by... RODIMUS PRIME?!) [what a twist!]

    Razorclaw: Heralds, attack!

    (However, Rodimus dispatches the Heralds with ease and Razorclaw and Reptilion teleport away, leaving Frostbite's still-talking-head to be kicked away)

    Bluestreak: No. Way.

    Wheeljack: We... we thought you were dead! We saw that Cybertronian ship explode, and you, Jhiaxus...

    Rodimus Prime: Yes, it seemed like that ship was destroyed. But when I merged the Matrix into the ship, its power was countered by the Liege Maximo, who teleported the ship away. We were sent through time and space... Nova and his friend escaped while Jhiaxus simply vanished. After spending years in the portal, I finally managed to escape. Eventually, I found my way to Cybertron when this event started.

    Sideswipe: So, I take it you don't have any idea what's going on?

    Rodimus Prime: Not a clue.

    Sideswipe: Scrap.

    (Back on Chaar)

    Megastorm: Now, before we lead our final attack, Soundwave has prepared a few upgrades. However, not all of you will be upgraded.

    Astrotrain: Why not all of us?

    Megastorm: Because, Astrotrain, some of you aren't worthy. Take yourself for an example. We don't truly need transport for we don't have anything to be transported.

    Astrotrain: But... what about, you know, other Decepticons?

    Megastorm: Hmm. Not really necessary. [Actually, it kinda is... but he kills Astrotrain anyway]

    Megastorm: And what of you, Banzai-Tron? You failed during Deathsaurus' attack, didn't you? I'm surprised you survived. I don't truly see any use in you, I'm afraid.

    Bludgeon: Stop.

    Megastorm: And why should I, Bludgeon?

    Bludgeon: Despite Banzai-Tron's failure, I think he may have some potential.

    Megastorm: What do you mean?

    Bludgeon: I believe I can train him to be better.

    Megastorm: Hmm... Soundwave?

    (Soundwave hits Banzai-Tron with the New Toy Upgrade Ray)

    Megastorm: He may take a while to recover.

    (Back on Cybertron, the Elite Guard are driving around)

    Thunder Clash: So what's the plan, Trion?

    Ultra Trion: You'll see, Thunder Clash. While I was wandering, after Omega Prime and Avalon vanished, I found this abandoned lab.

    Thunder Clash: What's in it?

    Ultra Trion: See for yourselves. (He opens the door)

    Kup: Well, I'll be a dead turbofox...

    Ultra Trion: Autobots...this is MONSTRUCTOR, the first known gestalt on Cybertron. Kup had told me before that Nova Prime began the project years ago.

    Kup: Yeah, but I didn't think he finished it.

    Thunder Clash: And what help will he give us?

    Ultra Trion: Watch and learn, my friend. (He turns on Monstructor. I'm sure that won't bite them in the rear)

    (Back in Iacon)

    Wheeljack: How're you feeling, guys?

    Mirage: All right. What happened though? Last I remember, I just kicked a 'Con's tailpipe.

    Wheeljack: It's hard to explain, but all I can say is... we're in trouble.

    Grimlock: What we do, then?

    Wheeljack: We're splitting up. C'mon, Prime will explain.

    Mirage: RODIMUS?!

    Rodimus Prime: Hi to you too.

    Grimlock: What you doing here?

    Rodimus Prime: Long story. Anyway, here's the plan: I'll be leading Jazz, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and Mirage to find more Autobots. Meanwhile, the rest of you stay here in case more arrive. Autobots... transform and roll out!

    (Back on Chaar)

    Weirdwolf: No, please! Lord Megastorm--

    Megastorm: I'm sorry, Weirdwolf... but we all must die someday. (And boom goes Weirdwolf's head)

    Soundwave: Lord Megastorm, with due respect, we are wasting time here. [Glad someone admitted it] We should install the upgrades now.

    Megastorm: Very well, Soundwave. Begin.

    (Elsewhere, in space)

    Thunderwing: Nova Prime...

    Nova Prime: Ah, Thunderwing. Report.

    Thunderwing: All of the Heralds have gathered. It has begun!

    [yay]

    To be continued

FEATURED CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Bluestreak, Blurr, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jazz, Kup, Mirage, Ratchet, Rodimus Prime, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Thunderclash, Trailbreaker, Ultra Trion, Wheeljack

    Decepticons: Astrotrain, Banzai-Tron, Bludgeon, Breakdown, Dead End, Drag Strip, Cyclonus, Megastorm, Motormaster, Octane, Scourge, Soundwave, Weirdwolf, Wildrider?

    Predacons: Brimstone, Nemesis Prime, Sky-Byte, Tarantulas, Terrorsaur, Undermine, Waspinator

    Heralds of Unicron: Frostbite, Obsidian, Razorclaw, Reptilion, Tankor

    Others: Jhiaxus, Monstructor, Nova Prime, Thunderwing

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars V, Epilogue

EPILOGUE

    "I don't see how this is supposed to--"

    "Quiet!" Brainstorm paused the movie again and pointed to the frozen screen. "Okay, now see, we get a better look at Doctor Brown's contraption. So he's got the cables--"

    "Brainstorm, I've seen this film a thousand times!" Dion said. "Don't get me wrong, it's a great movie, but I don't think--"

    "So when the lightning strikes...."

    "Oh, forget it." Dion sighed as he slumped back down in his seat. Cop-Tur at least seemed to be fully enraptured in Brainstorm's lecture, eating from his bucket of energon goodies.

    He wasn't sure when he and Cop-Tur were going to get back to the future, if at all, but at least the Lost Light was a welcoming enough home in the meantime. Technically he had all the time in the world; for WALL-E, EVE, Tyrone and the others, it might as well have been two minutes.

    Before he knew it, Dion found himself reaching for some energon goodies.

*  *  *

    "I hope you're not waiting for an apology."

    "No, I'm just waiting for your people to fix my ship," Rodimus said, his arms folded as he stood next to Elitus on the balcony of Paradise Tower. "Besides, considering I found my ship and you just lost yours, I consider us even."

    Elitus sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I... we only wanted what was right for our people. We had a mission and you were in the way. We had to do something."

    "Hey, I understand," Rodimus said. "Believe me, I do. I mean, sure I was peeved over the marooning thing when it happened, but... that was Ultra Trion's doing anyway. Say, where is he?"

    "On Eukaris," Elitus murmured. "Magmatron was going to go back for him, but...."

    "Oh. I see. And Sentinel?"

    "He went missing, along with Obsidian and Strika." Elitus leaned forward on the railing, staring at the stars. "I guess the Covenant can be considered finished. It was fun while it lasted."

    "Why did you join the Covenant anyway?" Rodimus asked.

   "I had lost faith in Optimus Prime. With Simanzi, he nearly lost Cybertron to the Decepticons. After the massacres, I left Cybertron and eventually came across Carcer. When I told Magmatron how I felt, he not only made me a member of the Covenant but named me First One, putting me in command of Carcer."

    "Do you think you'd ever come to the Autobots?"

    Elitus shook her head. "Not in a million years."

    "I see," Rodimus muttered. "So now what? Are you and your people staying on Paradron?"

    "Do we have a choice at this point?" Elitus remarked. "Luckily, the Paradronians have accepted us and are even considering naming me leader... if only because Landshark's dead and Sandstorm is in prison."

    "Well, I wish you luck in your ventures," Rodimus said as he began to leave.

    "One last thing, Rodimus," Elitus said.

    He looked over his shoulder at her. "Yeah?"

    "If you ever run into Carcer again, be sure to give him hell."

    Rodimus smiled uneasily. "I'll, uh, do my best."

*  *  *

    "I'll have a... I'm sorry, what's that called?"

    Swerve looked over at what Stormshot was pointing to on the menu. "Oh, that's the Sparkcrusher Special. A mix of high-grade engex and Visco with a pinch of Old Corroder."

    "Great. We'll take two."

    As Swerve got to work, Evac beamed at his friend. "I'm glad to see you being more outgoing."

    "So am I," Stormshot said, smiling back. "I didn't even know we had a bar."

    "Did you make sure to schedule a session with Rung?"

    "Hm? Oh, yeah, I'll get around to that. But right now...." She eagerly grabbed her drink as Swerve slid it across the counter. "I'm saying goodbye to my F.I.M. chip."

    "I'll drink to that." Evac raised his glass to toast with Stormshot but she was already downing her drink in one go. With a shrug, Evac did the same.

*  *  *

    "So much for that plan."

    "Meh. Didn't really think it would work anyway."

    "How did you know Stormshot had a death wish?"

    "I got it out of Evac. I didn't know when she was planning to call them, so I did a rushed job with shutting down the engines."

    "Think they'll ever find out?"

    "Doubt it. I think the Carcer thing's got everyone distracted. Besides, they've already replaced the 'drive, so any prints we left would be gone by now."

    "So what now?"

    "I don't know." Getaway came to a stop before his hab suite. "I need some time to think. But I'll definitely call you once I've come up with something."

    "All right." Atomizer raised a fist. "Bomp?"

    Getaway nudged the other bot's fist with his own. "Bomp."

EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE: CONCLUDED

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars V, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

--1,050 years ago (Cycle 8765)--

    "Come, Magmatron. There is one last thing I must show you."

    The former Beast King followed the First One into the depths of Carcer. They eventually reached an isolated door, which the First One opened with the press of a panel. The door slid open to reveal a cylindral chamber placed at the end of the room, baring a unique green symbol.

    Magmatron's mouth fell open in shock. "Is that...?"

    The First One nodded, the joints in his neck creaking. "We Carcerians value truth above all else, but deception is sometimes necessary in order to protect others."

    "You mean no one else knows about this?"

    "Only those born from Carcer's hot spots. It is our birth-right to know the truth and our duty to hide it from others." The First One raised a rusted finger at Magmatron. "When I am gone, you will be First One and it will be your duty to make sure he doesn't get out."

    "Why me?" Magmatron asked. "You've only just met me."

    "Perhaps. But I know you've had experience in leading a colony. In fact, you've ruled longer than I have. I trust you will be sufficient."

    "I suppose." Magmatron stared at the chamber for a moment before looking back down at the First One. "You know, you have yet to give me your name; only your title. Before you go... can I at least know your name?"

    The First One smiled as he closed the door. "These days, I don't have much use for my name. All of my friends are long gone. But if you must know... my name is Rook."

--Present--

    Magmatron ran with all the speed his beast mode would grand him. Elitus and Sandstorm called after him, but he had no time to answer them. Time was running short.

    Upon reaching his destination, he converted to his robot mode and stormed up to the brain module, pushing past Wingblade and Ironhead.

    "Carcer!" he bellowed. "Stand down!"

    "No," the Titan boomed. "Not Carcer. Never again Carcer. I am Vigilem."

    "You lost that right to your name long ago after you betrayed your brothers! You will know your place!"

    Vigilem laughed, a sound which caused those who heard it pain from its volume. "You are not my master. I answer only to one."

    "Your master isn't here," Magmatron growled. "He has received the same punishment as you. You will answer to me."

    "If you could see how pathetic you looked. I am a Titan, Magmatron. We were the gods of Cybertron. To me, you are nothing more than a speck of dust."

    "Magmatron!" Elitus came running into the room, with Sandstorm close behind. "Payback just told me -- there's been a breach in sector G-2!"

    Magmatron's optics widened as he turned back to the brain module. "No...."

    "Oh, yes," Vigilem said. "You've been so preoccupied with me that you've forgotten what's been my cargo for over nine thousand years."

    Turning on his heel, Magmatron said to Elitus, "Dispatch all security to sector G-2!"

    "I'm sorry, Magmatron, but I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

    Suddenly, Elitus, Sandstorm, Wingblade, and Ironhead all vanished before his eyes. Magmatron spun back to the brain module, teeth clenched in rage.

    "What have you done to them?!"

    "Nothing," Vigilem said. "I've simply removed them from the playing field, along with everyone else on board. They're down on Paradron, where they will be out of the way."

    "Then why am I still here?"

    "My master has something special planned for you. A reward for playing into his hands."

    Feeling a hand fall on his shoulder, Magmatron turned around to see the face of his nightmares. A hideous, glowing red maw twisted into a horrifying grin as crimson eyes bore into his.

    "Come, Magmatron," the Liege Maximo said. "There is one last thing I must show you."

*  *  *

    From the safety of the Peaceful Tyranny, Tarn watched as the Titan lifted up towards the sky and blasted off into the night, quickly becoming just another star in the backdrop of the universe.

    The others showed little interest in this event, save for one. Nickel's optics had been wide with awe from the moment they had arrived and seemed to be stuck in a perpetual state of wonder.

    Tarn could understand why. Nickel hailed from the colony Micron; unlike most colonies, Micron revered their Titan more than they did their Prime, as Prion was one of the only Titans to maintain a relationship with his so-called "children". In a way, Nickel viewed Titans the same way Tarn once had Megatron.

    Once.

    After today, however -- in fact, for the past seven months -- he was no longer sure what he believed in. The Megatron he knew was gone, in more ways than one. From the day he had been told, to his face, that the old ways were being renounced, that things were changing, his faith had been on tenterhooks ever since.

    Now that Megatron was dead -- at his own hands, no less -- it felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He now felt free to pursue his own dreamds for the Decepticons; to make it the empire he wanted it to be.

    "Tarn?"

    Broken out of his reverie, Tarn turned to look down at Kaon. The crimson Decepticon was grinning at him.

    "I've located Stormshot. She's down below, less than thirty megamiles away. Shall we--"

    "No, Kaon," Tarn quietly replied. "It's time for us to leave."

    Kaon blinked. "But... the List...."

    "The List can wait, my friend," Tarn said, plotting a course in the Peaceful Tyranny's navigation system. "We have an empire to build."

*  *  *

    Stormshot watched as the D.J.D.'s ship flew off into the night. She released the breath she had been holding in, the tension draining from her body.

    A hand fell on her shoulder. "You all right?" Skyfall asked.

    "Yeah," she murmured. "It's just... I've had a long day."

    "Yeah. Same here." Skyfall looked around the crowd of stranded Carcerians. "Don't suppose you've seen... those two anywhere, have you?"

    "No, I haven't." Stormshot turned towards the black mech, rubbing her arm. "Skyfall, I want to thank you."

    "What for?"

    "You've... I know you haven't really done anything, but... seeing you again, for whatever reason, has made me comfortable with who I am."

    "An Autobot?"

    "That, too. But I'm speaking mentally; more than just faction. The kind of person I am."

    Skyfall chuckled. "Believe me, I've been having similar struggles. But I'm glad I could help either way." He then tilted his head. "How did you end up here anyway?"

    Stormshot looked away. "It's a long story...."

    "I've got time."

    She smiled. "Well... it kind of goes all the way back two hundred years ago, on a little planet called Hydrus Four...."

--211 years ago (Cycle 9604)--

    "Hey, Stormshot!"

    Stormshot looked up to see a familiar red bot running up to her. She allowed herself a small smile as the Autobot skidded to a halt, panting.

    "Hey, Skyfall," Stormshot said. "What brings you here?"

    "I heard you've completed your Act of Affiliation," Skyfall said. "Congratulations! It took me nearly a year to pass my exams, but you did it in under two months!"

    Stormshot shrugged. "What can I say? We M.T.O.s are fast learners."

    "Heh, I guess so. Did Ultra Magnus give you any trouble?"

    "Actually, it was Optimus Prime who performed the ritual."

    "Aw, what? You are so lucky." He then looked over at the plaque Stormshot had been standing in front of. The words 'Sidestep of Hexima' were embolden on it.

    "What, uh, what are you looking at?" Skyfall asked.

    "I killed this bot," Stormshot murmured. "He was my only kill on Hydrus Four."

    "Oh." Skyfall rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, things like that are gonna crop up once you get Autobranded. Luckily, you'll have it easy than most ex-Cons in our ranks."

    "Are there others?" Stormshot asked. "Like who?"

    "Like, I dunno. I think Jetfire is one. He joined early on in the war. He's the only one I know though."

    An awkward silence passed between the two bots. After a while, Skyfall cleared his vocal processor.

    "Anyway, I have to go. I'm being transferred back to Kimia. I, uh, I hope to see you again soon. Good luck on your Autobranding, and congratulations again."

    "Thanks," Stormshot murmured, returning her gaze to the plaque. "See you around."