Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia III, Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

--152 years ago (Cycle 9664)--

    "Arrived we have, boss."

    "Thank you, Weirdwolf, although I could have already deduced that." The captain of the Semper Tyrannis leaned forward in his seat, intently studying the ocean-covered world. "How many life-signs, Snapdragon?"

    The white and purple Horrorcon looked down at his screen. "Uh, a lot."

    "Give me a number."

    "I dunno, a million? A billion? There are so many dots on this thing."

    "Forget it," the captain said. "It should be sufficient enough."

    Standing next to the captain, a large green and white Decepticon cleared his vocal processor. "Forgive me, commander, but I must question your reasons as to coming to this world."

    "Look at it, Sixshot." The captain waved a large purple claw at the viewport. "It's a world ripe for conquest, with countless resources and untapped potential."

    "Yes, but... why this world? It's so far out in the Neutral Territories... I don't think even the Galactic Council has it classified."

    Scorponok was silent for a moment, not meeting the Six Changer's gaze. He then leaned back in his seat and said, "Private radio. Now."

    Sixshot was surprised by the command, and some of the others looked at them in confusion. However, they were all too fearful of Scorponok to question him, and Sixshot complied with the order.

    "What is it about this world that you can't have the others overhear?" he asked.

    "Because I don't want them tattling to Megatron," Scorponok replied. "I can't afford him quashing this opportunity."

    "Yet you can tell me?"

    Scorponok flashed him a dangerous smile. "I trust you, Sixshot. We've been through so much together, haven't we?"

    Sixshot had difficulty in thinking of any majorly specific events he had participated in with Scorponok, but decided to brush the issue aside. "Indeed. So what is it?"

    "Over four hundred years ago, Shockwave launched thirteen capsules into space, each one carrying a specialized variant of energon. One of them just so happened to have landed on this world."

    "I see." Sixshot hesitated for a moment before saying, "Does Shockwave know that you know this?"

    "No," Scorponok said quietly. "Nor does he know what I've discovered for myself about the planet."

    "And that would be...?"

    "That we are not the first Transformers to come here."

    Sixshot raised an optic ridge. "You mean...?"

    "Our own kind are down there, Sixshot," Scorponok said with a grin. "They've been lost for countless centuries. But now... now it is time to bring them home."

--Now--

    Day had long since broke by the time Stakeout and his human passengers reached the city of Santa Cruz. Verity could hear her stomach growling as they drove into the neighborhood of Miko's host parents; she hadn't eaten a thing since yesterday afternoon.

    "Your mom won't be upset about you bringing a bunch of friends over, will she?" Raf asked Miko.

    Miko shook her head. "Nah. I've brought friends over before. As long as we don't bother her or make too much noise, she won't give a crap."

    "Will she be upset about you coming home in a police car?" Jack asked.

    Miko frowned. "Well... as long as she doesn't see us. I mean, she pretty much spends all day in the garage, tinkering on cars with Def Leppard at full blast."

    "Why are humans so interested in felines that have been deprived of auditory senses?" Stakeout asked over his radio.

    Miko shrugged. "Beats me."

    The Autobot police car eventually reached Miko's foster home, which was located at the end of its street without any other houses surrounding it. Several old, beat-up automobiles were parked alongside the driveway, with a path wide enough for a small car leading up to the garage door. As Stakeout rolled to a stop, Verity moved to open her door, only for it to not budge, the lock still in place.

    "Come on, Four-oh, I'm starving," she said under her breath.

    "Something isn't right here," Stakeout murmured. "I'm picking up a Cybertronian signature; a very nearby one."

    "Aw, geez, it's not more of those bad robots, is it?" Raf asked.

    "It's coming from the garage." The police car opened its doors and the five humans quickly scrambled out as it began converting to its robot form.

    "Yeah, this sure isn't gonna make the neighborhood watch go crazy," Miko muttered.

    "All of you, stand back," Stakeout ordered, drawing his gun. "This could get--"

    Without warning, the garage door flung open as a yellow Volkswagen Beetle came speeding out, driving straight into Stakeout. Verity and the others all ran for cover as the Autobot went flying across the street, landing roughly on the pavement.

    "That's... that's not your mom's car, is it?" Sari asked.

    Before Miko could answer, the Volkswagen did something even more expected: it started to transform.

    As all five humans stared at the car as it reconfigured itself, a middle-aged woman emerged from the garage, wearing a shocked expression on her face.

    "Miko?" she exclaimed. "What are you doing home?"

    "Hi, Charlie," Miko said. "Why is your car a giant robot?"

    "And I have an even better question," Verity said, pointing at the fully-transformed robot. "Why is your giant robot Bumblebee?"

    Jack looked at her in surprise. "How do you know its name?"

    "Long story."

    Stakeout groaned as he got back to his feet. "Bumblebee? I thought you were on Cybertron. What are you doing here on Earth?"

    The small yellow bot gave him a confused look. "Do I know you?"

    "Probably not. I don't believe we've ever met." Stakeout saluted him. "Deputy Stakeout, junior enforcer of the Tyrest Accord. I'm an Autobot like you, see?" He pointed to a red badge on his chest, which matched the one also adorning Bumblebee's armor plating.

    "Huh," Bumblebee muttered. "And here I thought all of you had died."

    "Died? Why would you think that?"

    "Excuse me," Charlie said, stepping up to the two robots. "Do you think we could take this inside? I feel like someone's going to be calling 911 any minute now."

    "Huh? Oh, sure." Stakeout quickly transformed to his alt mode. The bot who called himself Bumblebee followed suit. "I do hope you both have answers, my friend. Because right now, I'm confused as hell."

    Verity let out an exasperated sigh. "Join the club...."

THE POWERS THAT BE

Part 3: Double Vision

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

--Cybertron--

    Alarms blared throughout Trypticon Prison, bathing the entire facility in red. Autotroopers and Vehicons rushed to and fro, moving from corridor to corridor. Warpath shouldered past them as he made his way to the command center, where Security Chief Checkpoint was stationed.

    "How are we looking, Warpath?" the veteran Autobot asked as the red tank stepped in.

    "Bam! We've got two of 'em already," Warpath replied. "Venom and Barrage, I think their names are. Howlback says she and Garboil are onto the flying one. Wham!"

    "Yeah, I see 'em." Checkpoint nodded to a screen which showed Ransack at the mercy of a blue feline Decepticon. "And what about the fourth one? Chop Chop or whatever he's called?"

    "Still no sign of him. Zoom! We've got bots searchin' high and low for him."

    "Well, there's only so many places he could've gotten to," Checkpoint muttered. "We'll find him, one way or another."

*  *  *

    The Chop Shop component winced in pain. Outside, it could hear its sister unit getting accosted by a pair of Autobot guards. It had no time to mourn its loss however; it had a job to do, and it would not stop until the job was done and the money was in the bank.

    Squeezing its way through a narrow gap in the wall, the bug unit began climbing through a maze of pistons and wires until it finally emerged on the other side. There, slumped against the wall in a dark secluded chamber, was a deactivated purple Genericon.

    Chop Shop had no idea who he was or what Ratbat wanted with him, but the Insecticon didn't care. Not wasting any time, Chop Shop skittered over to the robot and climbed up to its head.

    Opening up a panel beneath its pincers, the tiny Insecticon extracted a small device and plugged it into the back of the robot's head. As data began to download from the robot's processor, Chop Shop thought he noticed its visor briefly flash red... but that must've been his imagination, right? Ratbat had said the robot was supposed to be dead....

    Suddenly, a loud groaning sound came from all around the chamber. Before Chop Shop could react, a purple hand seized him and threw him across the room. As the bug collided into the room, the purple robot got up to its feet, joints creaking from years of disuse.

    "No," it rasped, its voice crackling with static. "I still function."

    All around Chop Shop, the facility began to rumble. Walls began to shift and close in. The floor began to open up, leaving the Insecticon teetering on the edge of falling into the depths of Trypticon.

    "Before I end you," the robot said to him, "allow me to ask this: Where is Megatron?"

    Chop Shop blinked. "Uh... I'm pretty sure he's dead."

    "I don't believe you."

    With that, the rest of the floor vanished and Chop Shop plummeted into the abyss....

--Fort Max--

    "You know, Skullcruncher, I never did like you."

    A flash of fear crossed the Decepticon's gold face as he was sent flying by a blast from Spacewarp's gun. He collided into the Autobot Kup, saving Crankcase from the predicament he had been in.

    "I had it handled!" the Triggercon snapped.

    "Shut up," Spacewarp muttered. "So far, I've been doing all the hard work. You guys are the worst fighters I've ever seen."

    "I dunno, Spinister seems to be holding up," Crankcase said.

    Spacewarp turned around to see the helicopter Decepticon in question wrestling with Misfire on the floor. To her surprise, he ended up tearing some sort of block off of the back of Misfire's head... which then converted into a tiny robot of sorts.

    "Wait a second...." She rushed back to where Skullcruncher and Kup lay, ignoring Crankcase's questioning, and grabbed onto the former's head. Sure enough, part of it came free and she now had a swearing Cyberdroid in her grasp.

    "Headmasters!" she exclaimed. "I thought they were just a myth."

    "Would be news to me."

    Spacewarp and Crankcase both turned to see an orange Cyberdroid emerge from behind a pierce of wreckage; a result from the Scavengers' explosive entrance. When the Decepticons raised their guns at him, Infinitus held up his hands.

    "Don't shoot! I'm not with them. My friend and I were trying to get away from them when you showed up."

    Crankcase narrowed his visor. "Say, I recognize you. Weren't you that bot who thought he was Sentinel Prime?"

    "We can catch up later," Spacewarp said. "Can you help us free these guys from your pals?"

    "Actually..." Infinitus suddenly vanished from view only to reappear seconds later with his arms crossed. "I already have."

    The two Scavengers exchanged looks only to then realize that, all around them, Autobots and Decepticons alike had been liberated from their Titan Masters, with Krok joining a recuperating Misfire.

    "How the hell...." Crankcase started.

    "I just learned I can slow down time," Infinitus said. "I saw what your friend did over there and thought, 'Hey, there's a thing I can do.'"

    "Okay, two things," Crankcase said. "One: Spinister is not my friend. Two: Can you say cop-out? I was just getting warmed up!"

    Infinitus shrugged. "Can't blame me for helping you."

    "Uh, yeah, I can. 'Cos you just did."

    "Forget it," Spacewarp said. "We've got bigger things to deal with."

    As she said that, the sound of engines heralded the arrival of two trucks and a tank, followed closely by two large fliers. As the five vehicles transformed, the Decepticons pointed their weapons at them only for Rodimus Prime to raise his hands.

    "Relax! We're not under any mind-control." He gestured to Vector Prime, who held up four bound Titan Masters. He then nodded to the ones Infinitus had just dealt with. "I see you guys already have things in the bag."

    "Rodimus?" said Cerebros, helping a recovering Brainstorm to his feet. "What's going on here?"

    "I've been asking myself the same thing," Rodimus said. "Though I imagine our little friend Apex here may have the answers."

    "You haven't won," the Titan Master growled. "We may have lost Fortress Maximus, but there is still one other Titan under out control. There will be no stopping the coming devastation."

    "Cute. You can tell us all about it later. Right now--"

    "Uh, Rodimus?" Nightbeat said, raising a hand.

    The Prime sighed. "There's something behind us, isn't there?"

    Sure enough, as Rodimus, Vector and Orion Pax turned around, hovering over them was a large red and white ship with a distinctive blue variant of the Autobot insignia.

    "The Xantium?" Broadside exclaimed. "What's it doing here?"

    "My guess is it's the rescue party," Rodimus said. "Better late than never, I suppose."

--Cybertron--

    "Checkpoint? It's Ironhide. Do you copy? Repeat: Checkpoint, do you copy?"

    Checkpoint groaned as he shifted in the crater he had landed in. Raising a hand to his comm, he said, "Yeah, I copy."

    "What the blazes just happened? We had Trypticon Prison on our screens but now its gone, like it just got up and flew away."

    "Uh, yeah." Checkpoint rubbed his head, staring at the sky. "Pretty much. Everyone got ejected out of it, including the prisoners."

    "Any casualties?"

    "Uh..." Checkpoint winced as he noticed Warpath picking up the mangled torso of an Autotrooper. "Quite a few, I'm afraid."

    "We'll send a rescue squad to your position," Ironhide said. "You can give us the full details later."

    "Great," Checkpoint muttered. "I can hardly wait."

*  *  *

    Earth. Megatron was on Earth.

    Full-Tilt wasn't sure how he knew this, but it was the only thing running through his mind -- and from his mind into Trypticon's. Now it was all that drove the Titan as it traversed the cosmos towards the organic world.

    Full-Tilt could hardly wait to finally take his revenge on the cause behind his downfall. Megatron would fall... and Trannis would rise again.

TO BE CONTINUED

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

--Cybertron--

    "This is way out of our pay."

    "Don't be a pansy," Ransack growled to Barrage. All four Insecticons were crouched on a cliff-edge that oversaw Trypticon Prison. Appropriated from the namesake Titan, it had been reestablished in Kaon a year ago to once again hold rogue Decepticons. If there was one thing Autobots were good at, it was being unoriginal.

    "Come on." Ransack nudged Barrage in the shoulder. "This is nothing for us. We've pulled in Titans before, haven't we?"

    "Yeah, when they were dead and not staffed with dozens of guards!" Barrage snapped. "There's no way we can do this with just the four of us."

    Chop Shop chuckled. "Then what say we double that number?"

    Barrage gave him an odd look just as Chop Shop split himself into five, smaller replicas of himself.

    "The hell?" Ransack exclaimed. "Since when could you do that?"

    "Since Gigatron modified him to," said Venom. "Lockdown had him 'fused' when he joined 'cos he didn't trust Chop Shop to not over-swarm him and take command. I helped him get separated after the Thunderwing business."

    Barrage grunted. "Still, I doubt it'll be enough to help us take Trypticon."

    "Barrage, I've been breaking into Autobot outposts since before you were born!" chirped one of the mini-Chop Shops.

    "We're all the same age, doofus," Ransack muttered.

    Ignoring him, the five Chop Shops began making its way down the cliffside and towards Trypticon Prison. The other three Insecticons all exchanged glances before following them.

--Fort Max--

    "So much for being 'friendly,'" Infinitus muttered as he and Cerebros stood before the over-two dozen bots that had teleported into the control center, all with weapons drawn.

    Cerebros looked between the assorted Autobots and Decepticons, his gaze eventually falling on a teal Autobot with whom he was most familiar. "Brainstorm? What's going on here? What's with all the hostility?"

    Brainstorm's expression was blank as he stared at Cerebros. "What is your name?"

    Cerebros blinked. "My name? Come on, Brainstorm. You know me. I'm Cerebros, remember?"

    "Incorrect," Brainstorm replied. "You are Kord."

    "What? No. What are you--"

    "Wait." Infinitus raised a hand. "How do you know that name?"

    "There is no time for this," said Astrotrain, in a voice that was not his own. "We must proceed with Apex's plan."

    Infinitus blinked at the Decepticon. "Darkmoon? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

    The one resembling Astrotrain glanced down at him. "Brother, would you care to enlighten Kord here of his purpose?"

    Cerebros turned to Infinitus. "Do you know what's going on? Why are they calling me Kord?"

    Infinitus did not answer him. Instead, he threw up his hands and cast a field of energy over the assorted bots, freezing them in place. He then turned to Cerebros with a frantic look on his face. "We have to go. Now."

    "Go where?" Cerebros asked. "I can't activate the space bridge without--"

    "The Lost Light's outside. We can take that and go down to Earth."

    "What about Fortress Maximus?"

    Infinitus shook his head. "There's nothing we can do for him right now. Come on; let's go before the effects wear off."

    Seeing no other options, Cerebros followed the Titan Master out of the control room.

--The Lost Light--

    Rodimus Prime slowly raised his hands as Apex trained his gun on him. "Optimus," he said quietly, "I don't know if you can hear me, but you have to fight off Apex's control."

    The large red bot scoffed. "Don't even bother. I'm not directly wired to him like the others are to their hosts. I'm simply carrying him around in this suit of armor."

    Rodimus nodded. "Right. Giving it the ol' Magnus try, eh? Clever move. Where did you even get the armor?"

    "I know you're stalling, Prime," Apex said. "Whatever you're planning, it's not going to work. There's nothing you can do."

    Rodimus grinned. "See, that's where you're wrong."

    Without warning, he transformed into his truck mode and rammed himself into Apex, knocking him down before he could fire his gun. Rodimus then returned to robot mode and ripped the weapon out of Apex's hands before grabbing onto the red bot's chest.

    "Let's see, if it works like Magnus' did--"

    Apex roared as he kicked Rodimus off of him, sending the Prime crashing into a wall. As Apex got back to his feet, Vector Prime came barreling towards him, Rhisling raised high. The Titan Master moved to retrieve his gun but was not fast enough to avoid the swinging blade. The deadly slash separated Apex from his Transtector and the Titan Master went flying across the hall.

    As the ancient Prime started moving towards his defeated opponent, Rodimus recovered in time to notice Broadside and Hardhead stirring where Doomshot had downed them. Quickly scrambling to his feet, Rodimus rushed over to Hardhead and grabbed onto the back of his head, pulling off the Titan Master attached to him.

    "Agh!" Hardhead cried out, his visor flashing. "What the--? Where the hell am I?"

    "Just stay down, Hardhead," Rodimus said, tossing the Titan Master over to where Firedrive still laid. "Just let me get Broadside and then we can--"

    He was abruptly cut off when he was grabbed from behind by a pair of large gray arms. Rodimus thrashed in Broadside's grip as the Triple Changer pulled him off of Hardhead and raised him above his head.

    "Oh no, you don't!" Hardhead got up and charged head-first into the larger Autobot. Both Broadside and Rodimus went down, with the latter quickly recovering to grab onto the former's head and freeing him of his Titan Master's control.

    "There." Rodimus hurled Blunderbuss over to join Furos and Firedrive. "That's those two taken care of."

    "And Apex makes three." Vector Prime walked over with the apprehended Apex. "Now then, to deal with the others."

    "Your efforts are futile," Apex growled. "Even if you've managed to defeat me, the others will be commandeering the Titan and there will be no stopping--"

    Outside the Lost Light, an explosion lit up in the distance. All turned to see smoke billowing out from Fortress Maximus' central tower.

    "Was that part of your plan?" Rodimus asked, unable to resist a smirk.

    Apex blinked in surprise. "It... it shouldn't be that difficult."

    "I do believe we have company," Vector Prime noted, nodding to the Alchemor which was now flying over to the tower, numerous Decepticons and Mini-Cons spilling out of it. "Perhaps we should lend our aid as well."

    "Yeah," Rodimus said. "I think that's a great idea."

    "I have no idea what's going on," Hardhead muttered.

    "That makes two of us."

    Everyone turned to see Apex's Transtector suit opening up to reveal a smaller red and blue robot underneath. As the Autobot pulled himself out, Rodimus grinned at him.

    "Opti-- uh, I mean, Orion! Glad to have you with us! Again!"

    Orion Pax stared at him with a weary look. "We really need to stop meeting like this."

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

    Infinitus blinked as he realized he was still alive.

    Just seconds ago, he and Fortress Maximus had been on a collision course for Luna 1. They had crashed into the moon, tearing through it... only to end up here, over the organic world known as Earth. Why were they back here? How did they end up all the way here from Cybertron?

    As Infinitus asked himself all this, he heard something transform and fall. Turning around, he saw Cerebros -- no longer in the form of Fort Max's head -- picking himself up from the floor, rubbing his own head.

    "Ugh. What...?" He looked around the room in confusion. "What happened? Where are we?"

    "My thoughts exactly," Infinitus commented. "How are you feeling?"

    "Fine," Cerebros muttered. "Bit dizzy, but fine."

    "The Quintessons aren't controlling you anymore?"

    "I don't think so. I hope not." Cerebros looked over to the Titan's monitors, seeing the blue-green world they had arrived at. He then shifted his gaze to an adjacent monitor and saw a large white ship docking alongside them. "We have visitors."

    "Friendly, I hope," Infinitus said.

    "I think so. It looks like Rodimus' ship... thought I don't see how it could have caught up with us so quickly."

    Infinitus shrugged. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."

*  *  *

    "The transmat pad is ready," said Brainstorm in a monotone voice that didn't at all sound like the egotistical scientist.

    "Excellent," Apex said, rising from his seat. "It would be a long drive otherwise." He turned to two Autobots standing nearby: Hardhead and Broadside. "Stay here and guard the two Primes. We'll summon you and Firedrive once everything is done."

    With that, the bot controlling Optimus Prime's body strode out of the room, following shortly by everyone else. Soon, all that remained on the bridge were Rodimus, Vector Prime, and the two guards.

    Once the door had hissed shut, Rodimus let out a sigh. "This is not how I thought my tenure as Prime would turn out."

    "I have never known a single Prime who has ever enjoyed a sufficient period of relaxation," Vector replied.

    "Yeah, well, from what I heard, Nominus had it pretty easy. It sucked for everyone else, but at least he was happy."

    "Yes, but he was not a true adherent, merely a pretender like Septimus Prime," Vector said. "He never carried the Matrix like you or Optimus or Nova Prime had."

    "What about you?" Rodimus asked. "Have you ever carried it?"

    "Not physically, but it was unanimously agreed that it belonged to all member of the Thirteen." A gloom fell over Vector's face. "That is, before we fell apart...."

    Rodimus spared a glance at the two guards, who didn't seem to be paying the Primes much attention, before whispering to Vector. "Do you know what's going on? You called Optimus 'Apex' earlier...."

    Vector sighed. "They are called Titan Masters. They've taken control of you and your friends' bodies by replacing your heads."

    Rodimus' eyes widened. "What?! You mean like Headmasters? So my head's actually a tiny robot?"

    "Yes."

    "But... how? How would they have been able to do that without anyone noticing?"

    "Several Titan Masters carry special powers," Vector said. "My guess is one of them used their powers to 'paralyze' or block your sensors while the other replaced your head."

    "So does that mean my real head is laying around somewhere?" Rodimus made a face, perturbed by his own suggestion. "Because I remember that's how Brainstorm pulled his Headmaster stunt...."

    "Titan Masters aren't quite as... messy. It's more of an... integration. They are Cyberdroids by nature, meaning they can easily interface with larger bodies with few ill side-effects."

    "That sounds... so wrong when you say it like that," Rodimus muttered. "What about Apex himself? Is he their leader?"

    "It would appear so," Vector murmured. "During the Bronze Age, he was loyal to the Arisen and was leader of a triumvirate which included himself, Diac, and Ginrai."

    "Wait, what?" Rodimus stared at Vector in surprise. "Ginrai is a Titan Master? As in, all this time?"

    Vector nodded. "Much like Infinitus -- or Sentinel Prime, as you know him -- he upgraded into a larger body and hid himself among your ranks. He and I had a brief reunion on the Lost Light, but we never knew each other that well during the Bronze Age. Delta Magnus would have, but he had already departed by then."

    Rodimus' mind was still reeling from everything he was hearing. He wondered if there were more than just Ginrai and Infinitus who had been hiding in plain sight. Then he remembered another Headmaster-like robot he and his crew had become acquainted with over a year ago....

    "What about Doomshot?"

    Vector glanced at him. "What about him?"

    "Is he here? I remember Brainstorm had been trying to help him get his memories back. He is a Titan Master, isn't he?"

    Before the ancient Prime could answer, the door to the bridge opened again and a silver and red bot appeared. Hardhead and Broadside both turned around to face him.

    "Doomshot," Broadside said. "I thought you were with Apex and the others."

    "Someone had to stay behind and operate the transmat pad," the Megatron-lookalike said with a shrug.

    "Then shouldn't you be back there waiting to receive them?" asked Hardhead. "Because we don't need any help here."

    "Actually, Furos, I think you do." Without warning, Doomshot threw his fist into Hardhead's face, knocking the green Autobot to the ground. Broadside moved to tackle him but was downed with a single shot from an arm cannon.

    "Well," Vector said with a smirk. "Speak of the devil."

    "Dude," Rodimus exclaimed as Doomshot began undoing his and Vector's restraints. "I have, like, a billion questions right now."

    "They'll have to wait," Doomshot said. "We have to stop Apex before it's too late."

    "Right," Rodimus said as he punched Doomshot in the midsection.

    As Doomshot keeled over, Vector Prime lunged forward and tackled Rodimus from behind. Grabbing the younger Prime's head, Vector pulled with all his might and tore off a block of metal attached to the back of the head. The block transformed into a tiny robot and began squirming in his grasp.

    "Firedrive, if you value your life, you shall cease resisting and do as I say!" Vector barked.

    "Burn in the Pit, you relic!" the Titan Master screeched at him. "Your time is over! All Primes must fall in order for the new age to succeed!"

    "Yeah, yeah, we've heard it all before," Rodimus grunted, getting back up. "Now how about cooperating with us for a change and tell us what Apex is up to."

    "Rodimus, there's no time!" Doomshot exclaimed. "Apex will have already made it to the control center! Once he gets access to the Titan, he'll--"

    "He'll what?"

    All three bots turned to see a large red and blue bot standing in the doorway, his gun trained on Doomshot specifically.

    "Apex!" Doomshot exclaimed. "I thought you were at the control center! How did you get back here?"

    "Did you really think I wouldn't have a backup teleporter?" Apex said snidely. "Besides, there was a reason I put you in charge of seeing us off; I knew you would pull off a stunt like this. I just wanted to see if you would actually do it."

    "Apex, you can't do this. You... you would be endangering your entire race."

    "I know, Doomshot. That's the whole point."

    With that, Apex fired his gun and Doomshot's head -- or rather, his entire Titan Master body -- exploded in a million pieces. As the headless Transtector fell to the deck, Rodimus and Vector stared on in horror while Apex fixed his weapon on them.

    "Now then... who's next?"

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

--Earth--

    Verity felt herself emerge from sleep but did not dare open her eyes. She prayed to all of the deities in the world -- even the ones she didn't believe in -- that the past several hours had just been a prolonged nightmare and she was still on an intercity bus headed for nowhere.

    But then she finally opened her eyes... and found herself in a police car along with Raf and his three friends.

    "Crap," she muttered to herself.

    Sitting next to her, Jack yawned as he rolled his head. "Where are we even going?" he asked.

    "I don't know," Stakeout said over his radio. "We just need to get as far away from the city as possible. I can't take any of you guys home and risk putting your families in danger."

    "Can I at least call my mom and--"

    "No. Too risky. If these guys can block Sector Seven's comms, then who knows where else they're listening."

    "We could go to Santa Cruz," Miko said. "That's where my host parents live."

    "Didn't you say your dad works at an Onyx place there?" Sari asked. "How do we know these guys won't go there next?"

    "If they do, then maybe we can warn them," Jack said. "I mean, we have to tell someone about what happened back there."

    "I like your thinking, kid," Stakeout said. "You just might have a point."

    "Are there... more of you out there?" Miko asked. "More good robots like you?"

    "As far as I know, I'm the only Autobot operative on Earth," the police car replied. "Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm the only one here...."

    "Could you, like, call for help?" Verity asked.

    "Again, too risky. If those 'Cons intercepted it, we'd all be done for."

    Jack frowned. "So we're on our own?"

    "Yes," Stakeout murmured as he drove aimlessly down the country road. "I'm afraid we are."

*  *  *

    Fowler had not realized he had slipped into unconsciousness until he was woken by the sound of running motors. Opening his eyes, he saw the van he was trapped in shifting all around him. Before he knew it he had been thrown onto the ground, still trapped within his seat belt, as the van took on the shape of a barrel-chested robot.

    "Leave it to a General to get things done," the black-plated Decepticon rumbled.

    "Stick it in your command module, Stockade," growled the gray-furred wolf Fowler had seen earlier, which proceeded to take on the form of a bipedal robot. "At least we have what we came for. Both of them."

    Fowler shifted in his confines to glare at the talking machines. "You guys have got some serious balls for messing with Sector Seven. I've got friends in high places that'll be on your butts in no time."

    Carnivac smirked at him as he took the two Onyx devices from Stockade and Stampy respectively. "That's cute." He then stepped over Fowler and walked towards a raised stone platform, on which a great white lion rested.

    Great, they've even got their own Scar. Fowler looked around to see if there were any hyenas nearby... and found exactly one staring right at him, tongue dangling from its open mouth.

    He groaned. You've gotta be kidding me.

    "Boss," Carnivac said to the lion. "We've got 'em."

    The lion lifted up its head and regarded the wolf with tired green eyes. "Pardon?"

    "The devices. From Onyx." Carnivac waved them in his hands. "We've got them, just like you asked."

    "Oh." The lion opened its mouth in a big yawn, though Fowler felt it was just for show. "Took you long enough."

    Carnivac fumed but said nothing as the lion rose from its perch. After sparing a moment to stretch, it changed shape, assuming the form of a hulking robot... with a very familiar head design.

    Fowler's eyes bugged out upon seeing the distinctive blue helmet. "Optimus Prime?"

    The lion-bot glanced at him, as if noticing him for the first time. "You've brought a human?"

    "He was in possession of one of the two devices," said Stockade. "We don't have to keep him, if it's too much trouble. I wouldn't mind squishing him."

    "Oh, that won't be necessary," the lion said. "We just might have a use for him. But first...." He held out his hand to Carnivac. "If you will."

    The wolf-bot stepped forward and placed the devices in the proffered hand. The lion-bot then jumped down from his perch and turned to the hyena. "Frostbite, go fetch the others and tell Steel Jaw to get his device ready. Carnivac, prep the Tidal Wave for departure."

    "And the human?" Stockade asked, holding Fowler up by his restraints.

    "Bring him with us. He may come in handy."

    "You know, Optimus, I never had you pegged as a bad egg," Fowler grunted. "Of all you Autobots, I thought you were--"

    "Optimus?" The lion-bot laughed. "As if Optimus Prime would ever have the bearings or the need to pull something like this off. I, on the other hand, know when and how to make use of all my available assets. I know how to make the best of every opportunity. And I will show the world what it takes to be a true Prime."

    With that, Leo Prime transformed back to his beast mode and marched off. Fowler then felt himself get thrown around as Stockade morphed and pulled him back into his van form, driving after the lion.

*  *  *

    Far above the planet Earth, on a former prison ship-turned-party wagon, Crankcase was swearing up a storm.

    "No good clutch-munching, piston-licking, grease-guzzling--"

    "Crankcase, calm down!" Nickel said from behind, carefully operating on his open-head wound. "Your motor's overheating. It'll melt your brain module if you don't--"

    "Oh, who even gives a frag anymore?" the Triggercon groused. "I swear, this always happens to us. We can't stay together for more than a week without something going wrong or one of us going nuts or--"

    "Focus, Crankcase!" Fulcrum cried as he helped Spinister back on his feet. "We need to take back control of the ship before we crash into that moon. Then we can go after Krok and Misfire."

    Crankcase scowled. "Why? So they can punch our lights out again?"

    Ignoring him, Fulcrum looked around the ship. "Where's Spacewarp?"

    "Here." Spacewarp stormed into the room, her faceplate having been dislodged to reveal a nasty scowl. "I swear, one of these days I'm going to kill Krok and use his corpse as a desk just because."

    "It must be his new Croctobot body that's making him act this way," said Nickel. "I thought that Limelight guy seemed shady...."

    "That doesn't explain Misfire though," Fulcrum said. "I can't think of anything they have in common that would cause them to do this."

    "You mean besides them both being cross-wired numb-skulls?" Spacewarp muttered.

    "If that were it, then Spinister would've gone with them," Crankcase said.

    Spacewarp glanced at him. "Shouldn't you be at the ship's controls?"

    Crankcase waved a dismissive hand. "Eh, the Mini-Cons can handle it."

    "They're not slaves!" Spacewarp growled. "They can't be expected to do all the--"

    "Er, Spacewarp?" A small gray head poked out from the cockpit. "You should come see this."

    The five Decepticons rushed over to the front of the ship, where Foldspace and three other Mini-Cons sat at the controls. Outside the viewport, they could see a giant gray and blue vessel emerging from some kind of rift in space.

    "By Prion's shadow!" Nickel exclaimed. "Is that a Titan?"

    Crankcase groaned. "For spark's sake, I thought we had seen the last of those lugheads."

    "There's another ship heading for it." Fulcrum pointed to a large white craft making its way towards the Titan. "Think that's where Krok and Misfire went off to?"

    Spacewarp sighed in exasperation. "I suppose there's only one way to find out. Let's go after them."

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

--Cybertron--

    Elita-One stared at the crowd of assorted bots gathered before her. Most of them had been crew member of the Lost Light -- that hadn't already vanished with the ship itself -- from both Rodimus and Star Saber's crews. Also present were Springer, Roadbuster, and Guzzle -- as their fellow Wrecker Kup had been among the disappeared -- as well as the Vehicon Rotorbolt, whom Elita and the others had encountered on Luna 1.

    "As I'm sure most of you are aware," Elita began, "a number of our friends have gone missing. We're not sure if they're gone on their own accord or if they've been lured away by some mysterious force. But in any case, we must go after them."

    "Eh, sounds like a typical Crusadercon adventure," said Swerve.

    Apelinq gave him a puzzled look. "I'm sorry, did you just say...?"

    "Crusadercons. That's what we call ourselves." Swerve gestured widely to himself, Skids, and the others.

    "And by 'we', he means 'just Swerve,'" Skids said. "It's not an unanimous vote."

    Star Saber cleared his vocal processor. "Anyway... fortunately for us, we know -- or at least, have an idea as to where the Lost Light is headed. Apelinq has his Transfer Interlink, er, interlinked with the ship's navigation computer."

    "It's on a course for Earth," Apelinq said. "Or somewhere in that system, at least."

    "Earth? Again?" Ratchet shook his head. "What is with that planet? Why does everything inevitably lead us back there?"

    "I guess we'll get our answers soon enough," Elita said. "In any case, Springer has agreed to let us use the Xantium for transportation."

    "The Xantium?!" Swerve jumped up and down excitedly. "Does that make us Wreckers?"

    "No," Springer said bluntly.

    Elita sighed as she pinched her nasal ridge. She had not missed any of this at all in the last two years. All the same, she supposed she had better get used to it again....

    "Right then. Unless there are any further questions, let us make haste."

*  *  *

    "Boss?" Venom knocked again on the door to Ratbat's quarters. It had to have been the fifth time in as many minutes. "Everything all right in there?"

    Silence, just as it had been for the past few hours or so. Venom turned to his fellow Insecticons, his wings twitching in concern.

    "You guys think he's okay?"

    "Who cares?" Ransack muttered. "Seriously, we don't need him. He hired us to do a job and we did that job. I don't see why we're even still here."

    "I mean, it did seem like he had something big planned for us," said Barrage. "What with him calling us all 'Ultracons' and everything."

    He let out a grunt as he was pushed aside by Chop Shop. The Insecticon thief knelt in front of the door and began picking the lock. The others exchanged glances as they watched him work. Venom was about to say something when the door finally opened.

    "...Boss?" Venom said tentatively, not recognizing the tall purple bot as the Ultracon leader. He almost didn't even notice the two silver bots of identical design standing behind Ratbat. All three of them lacked any facial features to speak of, merely a visor which covered their horned helmets.

    "Ah, Venom," Ratbat said, turning to face the Insecticons. "I was just about to call you in. Like the new look?"

    "Uh...." Barrage pointed to the two silver bots. "Who are these guys?"

    "Hmm? Oh, them." Ratbat chuckled. "They are our new allies. They will be aiding us in our endeavors."

    "I recognize them," Ransack said. "Weren't they workin' for Boltax on Luna 1?"

    "Indeed, and now they are working with us." Ratbat stepped over to Venom and placed a hand on the Insecticon's shoulder. "Now then, I have a new job for you, if you are willing."

    "Uh, yeah, sure," Venom muttered. "What do ya' need?"

    Ratbat inclined his head. "I understand that you four are particularly skilled at capturing Titans...?"

--The Lost Light--

    Rodimus Prime paced around the bridge of the Lost Light. It did not at all feel right for him to be on the ship while someone else sat in the command chair, especially when that someone was not acting anything like the person he knew them as.

    As it was, there wasn't much he could do. Something was keeping him from taking any action, like a persistent voice in his head, and Optimus himself was not acting open to conversation. He wouldn't even say where it was they were headed.

    Left with nothing to do, Rodimus stopped to look over at the stationery bots that had been assembled here. The choices to him seemed so random. There were former Lost Lighters like Chromedome and Nautica; Decepticons like Soundwave and Astrotrain; and some bots that should have been dead, like Topspin and Twin Twist of all people.

    This along with how Optimus was acting was all Rodimus needed to know that there was some greater scheme at play. And he was going to get to the bottom of it, even if it was the last thing he did.

    "Ah. Finally."

    Upon hearing Optimus speak, Rodimus turned around to face bow-ward. Through the ship's viewport, he could see a very familiar blue and green world.

    "Earth?" Rodimus said. "Why are we here?"

    Ignoring him, Optimus pressed a button on the command chair. "The transmat has been engaged. You are free to come aboard."

    Transmat? Before Rodimus could even begin to process the word, he was suddenly greeted with the materializing sight of two Decepticons: Krok and Misfire of the Scavengers.

    As if Rodimus couldn't take any more surprises, he looked outside to see the Alchemor flying alongside the Lost Light. Rodimus remembered the Scavengers had appropriated the ship for themselves a year ago. "What the hell is going on?"

    Optimus continued to ignore him as he rose from his seat. "Now all we need is the Emissary." He made a motion with his hand. "Bring in the Time Master."

    The door to the bridge opened and Rodimus turned to see an old white and maroon bot be dragged in by Quake and Triggerhappy.

    "Vector Prime?!" Rodimus exclaimed. He had not realized the ancient Prime had been brought on board, as he had not been among the others on the bridge when they had first arrived.

    Vector briefly met his gaze as he was dragged towards Optimus. The former Autobot leader turned to face him and let out a cold chuckle.

    "Time has not been kind to you, has it?"

    Vector glared at him. "What is the meaning of this, Apex? You and the Titan Masters have missing for eons. Why now have you chosen to return?"

    "If only I had the time to explain everything," said the robot whom Rodimus now knew was not actually Optimus. "As it is, we're already running behind schedule. Now then... where is your sword?"

    Vector's expression darkened. "Only I am worthy of Rhisling."

    "I know. That's why we haven't killed you yet." Reaching into Vector's back, Apex drew out the sparkling blue blade of Rhisling and forced it into the Prime's shackled hands. He then turned to Rodimus. "Now, the Matrix."

    Before Rodimus could object, his chestplate opened against his will, revealing the glowing Matrix of Leadership within. Apex then pulled Vector around so that the tip of Rhisling was pointed towards the core of the Matrix.

    "What in Primus' name are you doing?" Vector whispered as the energies of the two artifacts began to merge.

    "You of all people should know that time is an open circle," Apex said. "We're simply closing the gap."

    As the sword and the Matrix finally met, there was a huge burst of energy, which sent both Primes flying across the room. After colliding into a wall, Rodimus quickly got back up in time to see a large shape appear from out of the void of space.

    "Impossible," he whispered, falling to his knees.

    Apex chuckled. "Oh, very much so."

    He then beckoned with his hand, sending the Lost Light straight for the awaiting form of Fortress Maximus.

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

--Earth--

    "God, I'm getting too old for this crap."

    William Fowler let out a heavy sigh as he tossed a folder onto his desk before dropping himself into his office chair. Across from him sat the five young adults that Stakeout had brought to him, while the Autobot himself stood in the corner.

    Setting his gaze on Verity, Fowler said, "Miss Carlo. It's sure been a while. Still up to no good, I see."

    Verity scowled at him. "Forgive me for trying to survive in the world."

    "We offered to help you get your life on track," Fowler said sternly. "We would have been willing to get you a place to live, a job--"

    "Right, because living under permanent government watch would have just been the dream."

    Fowler frowned in disapproval, and was about to retort when Raf raised his hand.

    "Um, sir, I hate to interrupt, but my mom is probably very worried about me right now, so would it be all right if--"

    "Agent Gonzales has already been alerted and is on her way here," Fowler said. "Just relax and be patient."

    "Well, my mom's sure to be panicking," said Jack. "How much longer is this going to take?"

    Fowler blew out his breath as he ran a hand through his hair. Turning back to Verity, he said, "Where did you steal the Onyx device?"

    "Some shop in Tranquility Mall," Verity muttered. "Powell Emporiums or something."

    Sari stiffened at this, her eyes growing wide. "Powell? As in Porter C. Powell?"

    Verity shrugged. "Guess so. Why?"

    "He's chairman of the board at my dad's company. What's he doing selling Onyx products?"

    "People in corporations can be shady, kid." Fowler then turned to Miko, holding up the black phone that the Decepticon had been after. "And you, miss? You say your dad works for Onyx?"

    "He's my host 'dad,' but yeah," Miko said. "The place he works at is somewhere by the bay. Santa Cruz, I think."

    Fowler nodded to himself as he looked over the device. "We'll send our agents over there to investigate. In the meantime--"

    He was cut off when the lights in the room suddenly shut off. Swearing to himself, Fowler fumbled in the dark for his desk's built-in pager.

    "Hello? Agent Fowler to Base, do you copy?" No response came. Fowler slammed his fist on the desk before digging out his cell phone. While the screen turned on and unlocked as normal, he was unable to get a hold of anyone else on site, let alone outside the base.

    "Okay," he said after taking a moment to compose himself. "This isn't good."

    "I'm picking up energon readings," Stakeout muttered. "They're coming from--"

    He cried out in alarm as the floor suddenly erupted from beneath him. Verity and the others scrambled out of the way as a massive worm-like robot emerged from the ground, holding Stakeout in his claws.

    "Ha-ha-ha! Tremble organics!" the Decepticon cackled. "You are at the mercy of Ped now!"

    "Oh my god," Miko said under her breath. "Why does he sound like Mandark?"

    The Decepticon shifted his gaze to her and bore his razor-sharp maw. "The device, meatbag! Hand it over!"

    Fowler lunged across his desk and grabbed the Onyx device. Just as Ped noticed this action, the agent drew a taser and fired it at the Decepticon. The resulting electrical shock stunned Ped long enough for Stakeout to free himself from the worm's grasp. Dropping to his feet, Stakeout deployed his gun and was about to fire an inhibitor claw when Ped unexpectedly burrowed himself back into the ground and crawled away.

    Before anyone could process what had just happened, the lights came back on and a voice crackled through Fowler's pager.

    "-owler? This is Agent Powers. Do you copy?"

    "Copy, Powers," Fowler responded. "We have a situation."

    "Yeah, no need to tell me twice. The base is crawling with these... these... animal robot things."

    "Order an evacuation!" Fowler barked. "I'm calling in a Code Omega. Just hold them off long enough so I can call in N.E.S.T."

    "All right," Powers said. "Although I'm not sure how long we can... oh god, is that a rabbit? Why is it-- oh, Lord, please no--!"

    Static roared from the pager before going dead. Fowler felt perspiration drip into his brow as he turned to Stakeout and the five kids.

    "Get them out of here," he breathed. "Get them as far away from here as you can. That's an order."

    Without question, Stakeout scooped up the five humans into his arms and ran out of the office. Once he had heard the Autobot transform and drive away, Fowler retrieved the Onyx device and strode out of the room.

*  *  *

    Carnivac growled to himself as he stepped over the bloodied form of his latest victim. Looking around the premises of the Sector Seven base, he saw his fellow Chimeracons were still preoccupied with their own savage amusement, toying with the humans as the slowly killed them one by one.

    The wolf shook his head. They were wasting time; they were here for the device, not to play around. Rearing up on his hind legs, he let out a howl which immediately caught the others' attention.

    "We need to focus ourselves," he said to the attentive beasts. "Ped should be back with the device any minute now. Then we'll need to make our getaway."

    As if on cue, a giant worm-bot emerged from the ground. Carnivac turned to face Ped... and saw that the Monstercon was empty-handed. The wolf bared his fangs as he snarled.

    "Where's the device? I thought you had it!"

    Before Ped could say anything, a voice called out from behind. "I've got your device right here, Balto."

    The Chimeracons all turned to see a human step out of the base, holding a black smartphone in his hands. Carnivac saw Stampy ready to pounce at the fleshling but stayed him with an assertive growl.

    "You critters sure do seem to want this thing badly," said Agent Fowler. "I wonder what would happen if I gave it you."

    "Hand it over, human," Carnivac growled, "and we may spare your life."

    Fowler smirked. "That's cute. But no thanks."

    He then put two fingers into his mouth and whistled. Screeching out of nowhere came a black SUV, accelerating straight towards the agent. As the Chimeracons scrambled to avoid getting hit, Fowler grabbed onto the door when it reached him and threw himself into the vehicle. The SUV then peeled out of the base, crashing through the gate and speeding away.

    As Carnivac watched it go, he heard Stampy approach him. "Uh... why aren't we chasin' him, boss?" the rabbit asked.

    Carnivac smiled. "Because he's going exactly where we want him to."

*  *  *

    Fowler knew something was wrong the moment he got into the vehicle.

    For one, there was no driver. He thought Agent Holmes had been the one driving but the tinted windshield has obscured the fact that the driver's seat was empty. The second thing, of course, was that his seatbelt was wrapped around him like a constrictor snake, preventing him from moving or speaking as the SUV drove itself down the winding road.

    "Just sit tight, human," the vehicle said to him over its radio. "We've got a long day ahead of us."

    Fowler exhaled in resignation as he stared at the dark road. I really am getting too old for this crap.

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

--Cybertron--

    "What do you mean the quest is a bust?!"

    "Duty calls, I guess," Nightbeat replied as he sat at the counter of Maccadam's Old Oil House. "Omega Supreme's gone missing and the Destructons are on the loose. I guess there are just more important things at stake than some mystical quest."

    Swerve was shaking his head, setting down the oil can he had been cleaning. "No. No, no, no. This just doesn't track. You can't just call it quits after you've been at it for a year. Think about all of the progress you've made!"

    Nightbeat smirked at him. "Progress?"

    Swerve frowned. "You... you have been making progress, right? I mean, you've had a whole year...."

    "Swerve, at this point it shouldn't even come as a surprise. It really has to make you wonder if there's even anything out there to find."

    "Come on, man, don't say that," Swerve said dejectedly. "We've been at this for so long! We can't just give up now!"

    "Hey, you're the one who decided to stay behind and run a bar with Blurr." Nightbeat looked around the Oil House. "Speaking of which, where is he?"

    "He called in sick. Said he had a processor-ache." Swerve fell silent and stared into space for a moment, before looking back up at Nightbeat. "Where's the Lost Light now?"

    "In the docking bay, and no, you can't fly it for yourself."

    "Why not?"

    "I remember Elita specifically made it Swerve-proof as soon as she took command. Besides, I'm sure Star Saber still has the access codes."

    Swerve scowled. "Well, I wasn't thinking of taking it anyway. I was just asking."

    "Uh-huh." Nightbeat finished his can of engex before rising from his seat. "Well, thanks for letting me catch up with--"

    Without warning, the detective suddenly staggered in his stance before falling to the floor. Swerve and several patrons reacted in alarm while a white and blue bot rushed over to him.

    "I'm a medic!" she said as she crouched down next to Nightbeat, applying a stabilizing field over him. "Are you all right? Tell me what's wrong."

    "Stop," Nightbeat murmured, rubbing his head. "Stop talking."

    "Let her do her job, Nightbeat," Swerve said. "What's wrong with you?"

    "Stop! I -- it won't stop talking!" Nightbeat screamed as he pushed the medic off of him before transforming and speeding out of the bar.

    "We have to go after him!" Swerve vaulted over the counter and transformed to his truck mode. "Come on!"

    He didn't even wait for the others as he drove after his friend.

*  *  *

    "Boss! What's wrong?"

    Soundwave couldn't even hear Frenzy over his own screams. Ravage and the others were surrounded around him, with Laserbeak pecking him in concern. Nearby, Blaster was also on his knees, clutching his head in pain while Karmen called out his name in despair.

    "This ain't normal," muttered Rumble. "You think trying to call Ratbat did something to him?"

    "That doesn't explain him though," said Frenzy, nodding to Blaster. "Maybe someone's tryin' to hack into our--"

    The Recordicon let out a startled yelp as Soundwave suddenly jumped to his feet, pushing him and the others aside. Blaster did the same and soon both bots were running out of the station. Ravage immediately pounced after them, only to be knocked aside by Ramhorn as the rhinoceros charged after the other two.

    "Yeah," Rumble said. "This definitely ain't normal."

*  *  *

    "I've lost her! I could have sworn she went down this way."

    Chromia sped through the streets of Iacon, her sirens blaring. Elita-One flew above her, while Rodimus Prime and Ironhide struggled to keep up. 

    As they neared the Iacon Spaceport, Elita swooped in and said, "I see her! She's at the Lost Light."

    "My ship?" Rodimus revved his engine. "What's Windblade doing there?"

    "Er, technically, Prime, it's Star Saber's ship now," Ironhide said. "Still, she doesn't have the access codes, does she?"

    "As far as I know, only Saber and Ginrai do," Elita said. "In fact... I'm pretty sure that's him next to--"

    Rodimus' engine roared as the Prime drove at full speed, nearly hitting Chromia as he passed her. Elita and Ironhide called after him but he paid them no heed as he raced into the docking bay. Elita flew ahead of the other two and got to the spaceport before them. She transformed and landed in front of the Lost Light, where Windblade, Ginrai, and several other assorted bots were gathered.

    "What are you guys doing here? What's gotten into all of you?" She paused as she realized Rodimus was casually walking over to join them. "Prime?" she murmured. "What are you doing?"

    Rodimus said nothing to her. Instead, he accessed the Lost Light's control panel and opened up the ship. As one, the gathered group of bots began boarding the ship: first Windblade and Ginrai, then Blitzwing and Kup, Soundwave and Blaster, Nightbeat and Brainstorm, Chromedome and Blurr... Elita saw little to no rhyme or reason as to why these particular bots had come here, save for some of them having served on the Lost Light in the past.

    Soon, only Rodimus was left, and all Elita could do was watch as the Prime silently stepped onto the ship and close the ramp behind him. She didn't even notice Chromia and Ironhide join her as the ship started up and began to lift up from the ground.

    "Where are they going?" Chromia asked.

    "I don't know," Elita whispered. The ship's engines flashed to life and the Lost Light shot for the stars, vanishing into the night.

*  *  *

    Rodimus blinked as he shook his head. Looking around, he found himself standing on the bridge of the Lost Light. With him were over a dozen Autobots and Decepticons -- some he recognized, some he didn't -- that looked just as confused as he was.

    "What in the Pit is going on?" asked Kup, rubbing his head. "Where are we?"

    "Ah, good. I do enjoy having a captive audience."

    Everyone on the bridge turned at the sound of the voice, and immediately gasped in shock. Standing in the doorway, bearing a large and hulking form that he was not generally known for yet strikingly familiar all the same... was Optimus Prime.

    As the former Autobot leader stepped onto the bridge, Rodimus said, "Optimus? But... I thought you died!"

    Optimus chuckled, though he didn't quite sound like himself. "I apologize for giving you all a scare. It was not my intention. But I am here now, so now we can begin."

    "Begin what?" growled the Decepticon Quake. "What are you planning, Autobot?"

    "In due time, my friends. For now, just rest."

    As he said this, everyone on the bridge save for the two Primes dropped dead to the floor. As Rodimus stared aghast at the sight, Optimus stepped over to him and grabbed him by the shoulder.

    "Do you still have the Matrix?" the former Prime growled.

    Rodimus could only nod, staring at his predecessor in shock.

    "Good." Optimus released him. "We're going to need it."

    "Optimus," Rodimus murmured. "What is going on? Why are you acting like this?"

    Optimus chuckled again, though it did nothing to put him at ease. "I've been enlighten over the past year, my friend. Ever since you ascended, I've come to a realization; an epiphany I should have made a long time ago."

    Rodimus frowned. "And what would that be?"

    "That the time has come for the New Age to begin properly. And for that to happen... the legacy of the Primes must be destroyed. No matter the cost."