CONVERGING PATHS II
Cybertron was embroiled in chaos.Across all of the city-states, Decepticons were marching in the streets, chanting Megatron’s name. Already they were filling Trion Square and surrounding the Monument of Primes that served as its centerpiece, disfiguring it as they tried to bring it down.
It was not a sight Windblade had expected to see upon her return to Iacon, even after the alert she had received from Cerebros. Flying over the riots as they rampaged through the plaza, she made her towards Fortress Maximus which, while looking worse for wear, was no longer under the assault of any combiners. She could see Cerebros waiting for her outside and she transformed to land in front of him.
“I won’t bother asking for the good news,” she said. “Just tell me how bad things are.”
“Deathsaurus and the rest of Liokaiser’s components have gotten out,” Cerebros said grimly. “Most of the other prisoners have as well, including Killmaster though I haven’t seen where he’s gotten to. All that’s left in there is Overlord’s headless corpse.”
“Did you see where Deathsaurus and the others have gotten to?”
“Last I saw, they were headed towards Nova Point. No idea if they’re still there, though.”
Windblade grimaced. “We should mobilize our security — at least, those that are Autobots — and stop them there.”
“I’ve already alerted all available units,” Cerebros replied. “They should be on their way.”
“Good. In the meantime….” Windblade looked in the direction of the High Council Pavilions, her optic narrowing. “There’s something I need to get to the bottom to.”
* * *
Dai Atlas stormed down the hallways of the High Council Pavilion, flanked on either side by a squad of Autotroopers. While everyone else was preoccupied with the chaos outside, he was more focused on something he considered to be an internal issue. After having been informed by a panicked Knock Out of Megatron’s sudden “resurgence,” Dai Atlas immediately summoned all of the security detail he could before heading out to confront the first name he had on his list of suspects.
After all, it wouldn’t have been the first time that Shockwave had been part of a plot that involved Megatron’s apparent resurrection. Even after he had helped them in the final fight against Thunderwing, Shockwave had been the subject of suspicion to everyone on the Council of Worlds. Even Starscream was considered more trustworthy, and that already wasn’t saying much. With everything that had come to light regarding his Regenesis ores, on top of Rodimus Prime’s disappearance, Shockwave was quickly losing what little goodwill he had with his fellow councilors.
Turning the corner, Dai Atlas spotted Shockwave’s office at the end of the hall. He quickened his pace, forcing the Autotroopers to keep up with him. His hand involuntarily fell on the hilt of his Great Sword as he reached the door and sharply rapped his fist against it.
“Shockwave! Open up!”
The door slid open without protest, allowing Dai Atlas entry into the office. Shockwave stood with his back turned to his visitors, staring out the window at the chaotic streets of Iacon below.
“Dai Atlas,” Shockwave said calmly, as if they were discussing the weather. “How may I be of service?”
“Don’t play games with me, Shockwave,” Dai Atlas growled, marching into the room. “I know you’ve heard the message. Every Decepticon has heard it.”
“And?” Shockwave turned to face his fellow councilor, his yellow optic glowing against his featureless face. “Do you expect me to do something about it? Or perhaps you suspect me of having a hand in what is unfolding as we speak.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time you had convoluted machinations that upset Cybertronian society,” Dai Atlas retorted.
“You would have a point… if I had any culpability in this.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I would prefer it that you do, if only to dispel this notion of yours that I have countless multi-layered schemes that I sift through when one fails,” Shockwave replied. “Believe it or not, old friend, I am as much of a non-player in these events as you are.”
Dai Atlas continued to glare at the Decepticon. “So the fact that some mysterious third party is stealing your Regenesis ores at the same time as the Decepticons are being rallied by the apparent return of Megatron is just some sort of coincidence?”
“Oh, I very much doubt it is a coincidence. I am sure whoever is responsible for the use of my energon ores is equally responsible for what is happening outside. But I assure you that I carry no responsibility.”
Dai Atlas didn’t buy any of that for a single second. Keeping his gaze locked on Shockwave as he reached for his Great Sword, he said, “Where is Starscream?”
“I spotted him among the crowds down below,” Shockwave answered. “I’m surprised you didn’t confront him first.”
“Starscream isn’t anywhere near as dangerous as you are,” Dai Atlas said. “So, are you going to join the riots or will you remain with us?”
“An excellent question,” Shockwave said, glancing back out the window. “I am still assessing the matter at hand before I make a decision.”
“How about I make the decision for you and lock you up in a cell before you can cause any trouble?”
Shockwave shook his head. “Dai Atlas, my old friend… you always were the most noble of us. Even during the Golden Age, you were one of the few who stood against the corruption that had plagued our system. Out of everyone on Sentinel Prime’s Council, you were the one I respected the most.”
Dai Atlas scowled. “Flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere, ‘old friend.’ Come quietly now before I am forced to drag you to your cell myself.”
“If you had arrived a few minutes earlier, I probably would. However, I have since completed my assessment.”
With that, Shockwave converted into his alternate mode, taking on the shape of a large space gun. Before Dai Atlas had the chance to react, the Decepticon councilor released a blast of energy that consumed the entire room.
After all, it wouldn’t have been the first time that Shockwave had been part of a plot that involved Megatron’s apparent resurrection. Even after he had helped them in the final fight against Thunderwing, Shockwave had been the subject of suspicion to everyone on the Council of Worlds. Even Starscream was considered more trustworthy, and that already wasn’t saying much. With everything that had come to light regarding his Regenesis ores, on top of Rodimus Prime’s disappearance, Shockwave was quickly losing what little goodwill he had with his fellow councilors.
Turning the corner, Dai Atlas spotted Shockwave’s office at the end of the hall. He quickened his pace, forcing the Autotroopers to keep up with him. His hand involuntarily fell on the hilt of his Great Sword as he reached the door and sharply rapped his fist against it.
“Shockwave! Open up!”
The door slid open without protest, allowing Dai Atlas entry into the office. Shockwave stood with his back turned to his visitors, staring out the window at the chaotic streets of Iacon below.
“Dai Atlas,” Shockwave said calmly, as if they were discussing the weather. “How may I be of service?”
“Don’t play games with me, Shockwave,” Dai Atlas growled, marching into the room. “I know you’ve heard the message. Every Decepticon has heard it.”
“And?” Shockwave turned to face his fellow councilor, his yellow optic glowing against his featureless face. “Do you expect me to do something about it? Or perhaps you suspect me of having a hand in what is unfolding as we speak.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time you had convoluted machinations that upset Cybertronian society,” Dai Atlas retorted.
“You would have a point… if I had any culpability in this.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I would prefer it that you do, if only to dispel this notion of yours that I have countless multi-layered schemes that I sift through when one fails,” Shockwave replied. “Believe it or not, old friend, I am as much of a non-player in these events as you are.”
Dai Atlas continued to glare at the Decepticon. “So the fact that some mysterious third party is stealing your Regenesis ores at the same time as the Decepticons are being rallied by the apparent return of Megatron is just some sort of coincidence?”
“Oh, I very much doubt it is a coincidence. I am sure whoever is responsible for the use of my energon ores is equally responsible for what is happening outside. But I assure you that I carry no responsibility.”
Dai Atlas didn’t buy any of that for a single second. Keeping his gaze locked on Shockwave as he reached for his Great Sword, he said, “Where is Starscream?”
“I spotted him among the crowds down below,” Shockwave answered. “I’m surprised you didn’t confront him first.”
“Starscream isn’t anywhere near as dangerous as you are,” Dai Atlas said. “So, are you going to join the riots or will you remain with us?”
“An excellent question,” Shockwave said, glancing back out the window. “I am still assessing the matter at hand before I make a decision.”
“How about I make the decision for you and lock you up in a cell before you can cause any trouble?”
Shockwave shook his head. “Dai Atlas, my old friend… you always were the most noble of us. Even during the Golden Age, you were one of the few who stood against the corruption that had plagued our system. Out of everyone on Sentinel Prime’s Council, you were the one I respected the most.”
Dai Atlas scowled. “Flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere, ‘old friend.’ Come quietly now before I am forced to drag you to your cell myself.”
“If you had arrived a few minutes earlier, I probably would. However, I have since completed my assessment.”
With that, Shockwave converted into his alternate mode, taking on the shape of a large space gun. Before Dai Atlas had the chance to react, the Decepticon councilor released a blast of energy that consumed the entire room.
* * *
Windblade saw the explosion as soon as she had taken off in her jet mode. Seconds later, a purple starship shot out of the Pavilion tower, flying past Windblade. She immediately performed an about-face and took off in pursuit of the flier, whose identity took no more than a few seconds for her to deduce.
“Shockwave!” she shouted as she fired her guns at him. “Stand down!”
Shockwave showed no signs of having heard her nor, if he had, any desire to heed her. Before she could get any closer to him, an energy bolt struck her in the wing and she was sent falling out of the sky. As she plummeted towards the ground, she transformed into her robot mode and used her foot thrusters to propel herself towards a nearby edifice, grabbing onto a ledge to stop her fall. Just as she was about to bring herself up, a shadow fell over her as a clawed servo clamped over her hand.
“Enjoying the view, Camien?” rumbled Deathsaurus, looming over her in his dragon form.
“Deathsaurus.” Windblade glared at the Decepticon warlord. “What is the meaning of this? What are you and the Decepticons up to?”
“We are simply obeying the command of our great leader,” Deathsaurus replied. “I take it you haven’t heard the news?”
“What news?”
“Megatron has returned. The Decepticon Empire shall rise once more.”
“What are you talking about?” Windblade exclaimed. “Megatron is dead!”
Deathsaurus chuckled. “You would like to think so, wouldn’t you? But our glorious leader has cheated death once before. Is is truly any surprise at this point?”
He then hoisted Windblade up and tossed her unceremoniously onto the ledge. A pair of Decepticons immediately came over to subdue her, holding her up by the arms.
Pacing as he observed the view of Iacon, Deathsaurus said, “Are you aware of the history behind Nova Point, Camien?” Before Windblade could answer, the warlord went on: “I wouldn’t think so. You are far too young.
“It was here at Nova Point, in Cycle 5814, that Trannis first gathered the Decepticons and gave us our name. The name had been used by the Autobots as a means to ridicule our movement, but we chose to embrace it. We made it our own.
“Up until that point, I hadn’t thought much of Trannis. I had been around much longer than he and had seen such uprisings before. I admired his drive but I figured he was simply another naive upstart who would be erased from the peoples’ minds just like all the others. But when he delivered that speech, standing where I now do… I was moved in a way I hadn’t been in centuries. In that single moment, I saw him as a stronger leader than any of the Primes who had succeeded Nova.”
Windblade scowled. “Is there a point to this history lesson or are you just biding time?”
Deathsaurus smiled at her, though she derived no cordiality from it. “Why do you think the two are mutually exclusive?”
At that moment, a large shape began to materialize in Iacon’s sky. A titanic shadow fell over the city as the massive gray, purple, and teal vessel hovered over Nova Point. As it began to lower its ramps to allow entry, Windblade quickly realized with an increasing sense of dread that the ship was in fact the Titan Trypticon, which Iacon had lost mere weeks ago.
“Yes, I was biding time,” Deathsaurus said, while the Decepticons began to board Trypticon. “And the point to my little ‘history lesson’ is that the Decepticons are more than just an idea; more than just a movement. When Trannis stood here on that fateful day, he didn’t just vitalize us and move us into action… he made us immortal.”
Spreading his wings, Deathsaurus took off and flew up into Trypticon’s awaiting hangar bay. The two Decepticons holding Windblade threw her to the ground before joining him, followed shortly by Shockwave and an assortment of other Decepticons. Windblade could do nothing but watching as the monstrous Titan closed up before leaving as quickly as he had appeared, taking an empire reborn with him.
* * *
Leo Prime wasn’t sure how long he had been standing in the void.
The plain he stood upon was white and glowing while everything else around him was pitch black. The field seemed to stretch onto infinity in all directions, though he didn’t bother moving from his spot. He highly doubt he would find anything of value.
Whoever his captor was, it felt as if they were taking their own sweet time. He wasn’t even sure if they were going to return at all. For all he knew, he could be trapped here for all eternity.
Fortunately, he was relieved of such worries (for now, at least) when his mysterious captor materialized in front of him once more, still carrying his special “wand” or whatever that thing was.
“Finally,” Leo Prime said, looking up into Killmaster’s baleful optics. “I was beginning to worry you had forgotten about me.”
Killmaster narrowed his optics at the former Maximal, the razors in his mouth grinding together. “What year is it?”
Leo Prime blinked, taken aback by the question. “Pardon?”
“You heard me. Answer the question.”
“Uh, Cycle 9816.”
A low rumble uttered from Killmaster’s vocal processor. “Five hundred years. Is that how long I’ve been gone? No wonder nothing makes sense.”
“You’re telling me?” Leo Prime muttered.
“I’ve heard his voice,” Killmaster went on. “Megatron. What’s happened to him?”
“Last I heard, he was dead. Of course, he was dead before that and still came back, so... Primus knows what he is now.”
Killmaster was silent for a moment as he processed this new information. He then said, “I suppose the best way for me to understand what is going on is to follow his orders. Only then can I decide on how to proceed.”
“And what about me?” asked Leo Prime.
Killmaster gave him a look. “What about you?”
“Are you just going to leave me here? Why did you put me in this... place to begin with?”
“Well, I needed someone who understood the present better than I. As for your first question... until I have need for you again, you can consider this your new permanent place of residence.”
Before Leo Prime could protest, Killmaster activated his wand and teleported away, leaving the former Maximal leader to himself once more.
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