Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia XIV, Chapter Thirteen

 CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Time was a precious thing. As its self-appointed guardian, Vector Prime understood this more than anything in the universe.

From the day he had come off the assembly line, Vector knew he had been made for a specific purpose. Giving him the designation V-1, the Quintessons had high hopes for him; he was their first successful attempt at creating a Cybertronian with powers that manipulated a fundamental element of the universe, in his case time. It was their hope that they would be able to use him — and any future creations like him — to conquer their enemies and eventually dominate the universe.

Their plans quickly fell apart when V-1 joined the rebellion that would eventually drive the Quintessons off of Cybertron. He had vowed to himself that he would never allow his powers to be used for evil and it was a vow he kept throughout the Age of the Primes. Even during the war between the Thirteen, he ignored the pleas of his allies to use his powers to vanquish Liege Maximo, Megatronus, or any of the other Primes.

But his moral code was not the only thing that kept him from using his powers to solve problems easily. It was also the fact that he knew it would one day kill him.

It was after the War of the Primes that he had come to this realization, when using his powers to rewind time for a simple task left him severely drained; moreso than usual. This discovery led to him swearing to never use his time-manipulating powers to such an extent ever again unless a situation called for it.

The present situation, he decided, definitely called for it.

As he saw Iaconus’ sword come down, ready to stab the ground with all of its power, Vector knew that there would be no way for all of them to survive what was about to happen. Although Alchemist Prime had told Iaconus to trigger his space bridge as soon as possible, Vector knew enough to know that there would simply be no time for even that. Planet X’s destruction was going to be instantaneous and not even the fastest being alive would be able to escape it.

Perhaps Alchemist realized this as well, and deemed the sacrifice of over a hundred bots to be a worthy price to pay. That was perhaps Vector’s comrade’s greatest flaw: he care about the future and process of events that would lead to it more than the people involved. In Alchemist’s mind, the universe was a playing board and everyone — including himself — were mere pieces to be moved.

But Vector did not see things in such a way. The old Vector — the Vector who secluded himself in a pocket dimension for several thousand years — probably would have. But the experiences he had had since coming out of reclusion, including those shared with Star Saber and the crew of the Lost Light, had led him to realize just how precious life and its people were. There had been many things that he had missed out on, and sometimes he wished he could have turned back time to live through them himself.

Alas, things were as they were. He had lived a long life, and while he had not been able to do all of the things he wished he could have done, he had done enough to say that he was proud of the life he had lived. He would not have exchanged it for anything in the universe.

Those who were about to die had not lived anywhere near as long as he had and while they had already experienced more than he had, their stories were not yet finished. They still had plenty more to see and do in life. Vector did not need Alchemist’s lenses to see that.

The orb in the center of his chest started to glow, perhaps for the last time. The world around him slowed to a halt. He strained as he raised his sword one last time and, with all of his energy, sliced open a dimension portal wide enough for Rodimus, Star Saber, and their 100+ Autobots.

The tip of Iaconus’ sword was mere inches from the ground. There would not be any time to save himself or Alchemist. A price he was willing to pay.

He lowered his sword and allowed time to proceed as normal. The Autobots fell through the portal just as Iaconus’ blade struck the ground.

In his last moments, Vector Prime smiled as he welcomed the next life that awaited him with open arms.

*  *  *

“Prime? Can you hear me? Come on, wake up.”

Rodimus Prime’s optical sensors flared back online and he sat up in a jolt. A hand pressed onto his chestplate and gently pushed him back down onto the medical slab.

“Easy there,” said the female medibot standing over him. “Give your systems a moment to catch up.”

“Remedy?” Rodimus said in surprise. “What are you doing here? Where… where am I?”

“Aboard the Steelhaven,” Remedy replied.

“The Steelhaven? But… but we were aboard Iaconus and… and Planet X was—”

“Destroyed.” His sentence was finished by Windblade, stepping into the medbay. “We all saw it happen just as we exited hyperspace.”

Rodimus stared at the red-and-black Camien in confusion. “You were there?”

Windblade nodded. “As soon as Toxitron got the distress call from Convoy, Dai Atlas and I gathered everyone we could and followed the coordinates provided. We saw the planet blow up just as we came out of lightspeed and feared the worst.”

“What happened then? Are the others safe?”

“Yes, everyone is accounted for. I’m not sure what happened, but we found you and Star Saber’s crew floating around in the oil reservoir.”

Rodimus sat up again at this, ignoring Remedy’s protests. “Where’s the Titan?”

Windblade frowned. “What Titan? There was nothing left after—”

“Where’s Vector Prime, then? Is he here?”

Windblade shook her head. “I’m sorry, Rodimus, but he wasn’t with the others when we found them.”

Rodimus’ face fell upon hearing this, a cold sense of dread falling over him. “And Maccadam…?”

“No.” She walked over to him and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You should probably rest, Prime. We’re already on our way back to Cybertron and there’s a lot you need to be filled in on.”

Rodimus said nothing as he slowly laid back down, staring up at the ceiling. Windblade continued to watch him for a moment before quietly taking her leave, leaving Remedy to busy about the medbay. He barely even noticed her as Convoy’s words rang incessantly in his head.

Sometimes, sacrifices must be made.

*  *  *

“Glad to see you made it out as well, lad.”

Wheelie looked up to see Kup hobbling into the ward he and Gnaw were staying in. Behind the older Autobot, Wheelie could see medics tending to the other bots that had ended up on the Steelhaven upon Vector Prime’s sacrifice. 

“Gotta admit,” Kup went on as he leaned against the doorframe, “I was worried that you’d be passed over, since you weren’t from Star Saber’s crew. I was just lucky ‘cos I was fightin’ alongside everyone.”

“Sometimes, fate smiles on those who are less fortunate,” Wheelie solemnly replied.

Kup slowly nodded, eying the smaller bot carefully. “So, when are you gonna be willin’ to tell me your story, lad?”

Wheelie looked away from him, idly petting Gnaw on his head. “My tale is one with many layers,” he said quietly. “Layers that even I have not yet peeled away to understand the full picture.”

“Kid, I know you like talking in riddles, but it’s going to grate on some bots,” Kup said. “I personally don’t mind, but I know some people who—”

“They are not my concern,” Wheelie said curtly. “Those who are not able to understand my plight are not worthy of such insight.”

Kup sighed. “Right. Okay. Well, whenever you’re ready to open up, I’ll be around. Trust me, I love me some stories and it’s about time I heard one that wasn’t my own.”

He went silent and Wheelie could tell that the older mech was waiting for him to say something. He looked up at the Autobot veteran, beleaguered optics meeting experienced ones.

After a pressing moment of silence, all Wheelie could muster was: “Thank you.”

Kup lifted his chin in acknowledgment. “Any time, lad. Any time.”

*  *  *

“So, you got the message.”

“Indeed.” Toxitron inclined his head as he stared at Convoy in the latter’s ward. “You seem surprised.”

“I always thought it was a long shot,” the blue-and-black bot replied. “I didn’t who from the Convoy Corps was still around and would even answer the call. Of course I knew you were still around, but… I didn’t think you’d heed the call.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Toxitron grunted. “Out of sheer spite for my past, I was just gonna ignore it. But that small but annoyingly loud shred of honor that’s still stuck in my system won out and… well, here we are.”

Convoy nodded in silence. While he wanted to say more to Toxitron — about the other’s past and history with the Convoy Corps — he was too busy processing Vector Prime’s sacrifice to form any coherent thoughts. Instead, he allowed his attention to shift over to the other ex-corpsman in the ward with him: Leo Prime.

The ex-Maximal-ex-Mayhem leader was quick to meet his gaze and let out a sigh. “I know I shouldn’t be here,” he muttered.

“I don’t know about that,” Convoy admitted. “Vector Prime clearly separated you from the rest of your former followers for a reason. It probably helped that you were tearing apart Sharkticons along with everyone else; it marked you as an ally.”

Leo Prime shrugged. “It’s going to be difficult for me to fit in, though. The Maximals, the Autobots… I don’t think any of them are going to be ready to accept me after everything I’ve done.”

“Maybe not. But maybe you can do something that will make them accept you.”

“Like what?”

Convoy shook his head. “I can’t answer that. Only you can.”

Leo Prime rolled his optics. “It’s not going to be easy.”

Convoy chuckled dryly. “Who said it would be?”

The Fool’s Fortune

“How are we holding up?”

“Just barely,” muttered Bug Bite. “The navigation systems are still scrambled from the explosion.”

“So long as we’re alive, I can live with that.” Doubledealer smiled to himself as he leaned back in his seat. When the Titans had shown up back on Planet X, he had decided that the pay simply wasn’t enough for them to stick around and he brought the Mercenaries back to their ship via an orbital jump. Just as they departed from the planet, it had exploded into smithereens and sent them careening through the system. Had it not been for Bug Bite’s piloting skills, they probably would have been caught up in the blast.

“Once everything’s back up in tiptop shape, I want you to set a course for Elpasos,” Doubledealer went on. “There’s a bounty hunter there I’ve been meaning to meet up with.”

“It’s not that Death's Head guy, is it?” asked Exhaust. “I’ve heard stories about him and they don’t make him sound like a pleasant being to be around with.”

“Exhaust, you should know by now that I don’t give a crap about what you think. Just shut up and prepare the jump. Preferably in that order.”

Exhaust grumbled to himself as he and the rest of the crew got to work. Folding his hands behind his head, Doubledealer smirked as he stared out the viewscreen, eagerly anticipating whatever future opportunities awaited him.

Fortress Maximus

Sovereign was shocked to find that he was still alive.

He picked himself up from the floor of the command center. Everything had been shut off by the looks of it; by who or what, he had no idea. There also was not any sign of the other Titan Masters. Had they all left while leaving him behind? Given how things had gone under his direction, he would not have been too surprised….

He carefully walked over to the controls, hoping to bring them back online and find out where he and the Titan had ended up. As his hands hovered over the control board however, he felt a large shadow fall over him, filling his spark with dread.

The voice that filled his audio receptors made Sovereign wish he had never awoken in the first place.

“Hello, my old friend.”

Before Sovereign could move, a clawed hand grabbed him by the head and hoisted him up in the air, turning him around to face his subduer. Clad in black and orange armor with giant wings hanging from his back, Onyx Prime was no less imposing as he was the last time Sovereign had spoken with him face-to-face.

“It would appear I got here just in time,” the ancient Prime growled. “Your friends have already fled; leaving you behind, it would seem.”

Sovereign did not bother to struggle. He knew it was already over. “Where are we?” he asked, his voice quiet.

“You are back on Earth,” Onyx Prime replied. “I summoned Fortress Maximus back here so that he would be present for what is to come.”

“You still have control over him?”

Onyx chuckled. “Of course I do. You seem surprised.”

Sovereign decided to change the subject. “What about Scorponok? Where is he?”

“I have no idea who you’re talking about. As far as I know, it’s just you and me.”

Sovereign sighed in resignation. “Are you going to kill me then?”

Onyx Prime offered a sad smile, though Sovereign knew it wasn’t anywhere close to being genuine. “You know the price of failure… and betrayal.”

“I have no regrets.”

“Good. I would be far more disappointed if you did.”

The Prime’s other claw glowed with energy and Sovereign closed his eyes, silently praying that someone would one day finish what he had started.

“No more Primes,” he whispered before everything went dark forever.

*  *  *

“I must admit that I had not been expecting that.”

Primus blinked as he realized that the whole world had vanished around him, leaving him, Liege Maximo and Lord Imperious standing in an empty white void.

“Wh-where are we?” he asked. “What just happened?”

“Iaconus always one of the stronger Titans,” said Liege Maximo, disregarding Primus’ questions. “Even Vigilem feared him. To be honest, I never would have expected Alchemist to have the guts to bring him back even for this.”

“Truly your fellow Prime is not to be trifled with.” Lord Imperious turned to face a confused Primus, his arms clasped behind his back. “You should be grateful that I have decided to spare you. I could have easily left you behind to be vaporized.”

“Tell me what happened, Imperious!” Primus demanded. “Stop leaving me in the dark!”

“The Autobots have used their newly found Titan friend to destroy Planet X,” Lord Imperious replied.

Primus blinked in surprise. “Really? Just… just like that? It’s all gone?”

“Indeed. However, if you are hoping that Unicron was destroyed in the process as well, then I’m afraid you are only setting yourself up for disappointment.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that this is far from over,” Lord Imperious replied. “While unexpected, this setback is one that I was nonetheless prepared for. The Alignment will proceed as planned. We’re just going to need to find an alternative body for our Chaos Bringer.”

A shadow of dread fell over Primus’ face. “An alternative….?”

Despite his lack of a mouth, Primus could tell Lord Imperious was smirking at him. “I did tell you that the planet Earth would have a critical role in things to come, did I not?”

Primus’ optic went wide in horrid realization as the Destructon leader chuckled.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

TO BE CONTINUED

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia XIV, Chapter Twelve

 CHAPTER TWELVE

Planet X

The chaos had ended just as quickly as it had begun.

Crusadercons and Monstercons alike watched as, one-by-one, their only methods of escape were snatched from them before their very eyes. It had started with the Lost Light, its explosion lighting up the battlefield and knocking some of its combatants back with the resulting wind. The Decepticon insignia-shaped Symbol Ships had followed shortly after, blowing up one after the other.

While the Autobots and Decepticons stared in horror, Tyrannicon allowed himself a satisfied smirk. He had no idea who was responsible behind this event, but he had confidence that it was all according to his masters’ plans. Now, there truly was no escape for these prisoners.

He turned to face Star Saber, leader of the Crusadercons, who was still frozen in shock at having witnessed the Lost Light’s destruction. “I do believe your surrender is due, wouldn’t you agree?”

Star Saber stared at him, his optics wide in a mix of shock and fury. “You idiot! Those ships were our only hope of survival! Now that thing is going to kill us all!”

Tyrannicon sneered at him. “Don’t pretend that you understand the depths of my masters’ plans. Nothing is ever as it seems.”

Star Saber narrowed his optics as he returned his attention to the Beast, which had just finished destroying the last of the Cybertron models. Now it turned to face Planet X, violet orbs of energy glowing like eyes from within the dark and smoky giant. It slowly moved its hands towards the planet, though not in a move to destroy it. Instead, its fingers seemed to wrap around each hemisphere carefully; gently almost.

“The Alignment has begun,” Tyrannicon said proudly. “Unicron shall be reborn!”

“Unicron?! Oh, hell no,” said Wing Saber. “We have to stop this thing, brother. We can’t let this happen!”

“Nothing can stop the Alignment,” Tyrannicon went on. “Cybertron shall fall to its dark twin, as it was always meant to—”

The rest of the Sharkticon leader’s speech was drowned out by the thunderous arrival of a titanic figure. Materializing out of thin air, the Titan landed on the ground and created a violent quake that rippled throughout the battlefield. The Sharkticons and Allicons reacted in terror and started to scurry away, ignoring Tyrannicon’s attempts to rally them. Even Liege Maximo’s Cybertronians were retreating, confused by this disruption to what they had thought to have been a straightforward operation.

It was a lot for Star Saber to process, and before he was even given a chance to, a portal opened beneath his feet and he fell in, followed shortly by his fellow Autobots.

*  *  *

“Oh, dear.” Maccadam stroked his chin as he stared at the large array of viewscreens placed throughout Iaconus’ command center, displaying Unicron’s assault on Planet X. “I hope I am not too late.”

A portal opened behind him and a good hundred or so Autobots (and a few Decepticons) fell in, landing unceremoniously on the floor and piling on top of one another. Maccadam didn’t pay much attention to this until a regal-looking bot in white and maroon armor appeared beside him, a grave look on his cerulean face.

“Ah, Vector!” Maccadam beamed at his fellow Prime. “It has been much too long, hasn’t it?”

“Alchemist,” Vector Prime quietly replied. “I must say that I am… surprised to see you here.”

“I’m surprised by how quickly you invited yourself in,” the Alchemist Prime cheerfully replied. “Your reflexes are as sharp as ever. And you’ve even brought guests as well!”

“There’s no time for this,” said Convoy, joining the two Primes along with Rodimus. “We need to destroy Unicron, or at least find someway to put him back into the Dead Universe.”

“Oh, I am afraid there is no chance of that happening,” Maccadam gravelly replied. “My Lenses have already given me a glimpse of what is to come.”

Vector Prime narrowed his optics. “You know that I’ve never fully trusted the insight those things give you.”

Maccadam smiled as he readjusted his spectacles. “I’ve never claimed them to be infallible. Then again, they have yet to let me down.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” said Rodimus. “So, what’s the plan then? What are your ‘lenses’ telling you to do?”

“That we must destroy Planet X,” Maccadam replied.

“I’m all for that,” piped up Whirl, raising a claw.

Rodimus Prime frowned. “But there are still all those Decepticons down there. If we destroy the planet, won’t they die in the process?”

Convoy looked at him. “Why do you care what happens to them? They’re Decepticons.”

“I know, and I don’t care for them,” Rodimus said hastily. “I just… I just don’t feel comfortable with killing them like that.”

“You know what is at stake, don’t you? Sometimes, sacrifices must be made—”

“Don’t give me that scrap about sacrifices!” Rodimus snapped. “What gives us any right to dictate who gets to be sacrificed and who doesn’t? If those were Autobots down there, would you still be wanting to sacrifice them?”

Convoy did not have an immediate response to that. Not waiting for one, Rodimus turned to look at Vector.

“Can you create a dimension portal to send them somewhere?”

Vector raised an optic ridge. “And where would you like me to send them to?”

“I don’t know, just… somewhere where they can’t cause too much trouble. We can always track them down and round them up later.”

Vector Prime considered this for a moment before drawing his sword. “I can’t guarantee this will work, but I will try.”

Rodimus nodded curtly. “Thank you.”

Convoy rolled his optics. “Better make it quick, ‘cause I don’t think Unicron is going to wait around for us to do good deeds.”

Using a visual of the Decepticons down below on Iaconus’ viewscreens as a reference point, Vector Prime created a dimension gate remotely from his sword. While the ancient Prime worked, Rodimus looked at one of the other viewscreens and saw that another Titan had materialized on Planet X, not far from their location.

“I see that you didn’t come alone,” he remarked to Maccadam. “That’s Fortress Maximus, isn’t it?”

Maccadam glanced at the viewscreen. “Ah,” he said, sounding slightly upset. “I was afraid he would find his way to us.”

Rodimus gave him a confused look. “Uh, isn’t that a good thing?”

Maccadam didn’t answer him as Fortress Maximus deployed his weapons and fired upon Iaconus.

*  *  *

“Oh god oh god oh god this was a mistake.”

Wipe-Out moved frantically across the abandoned battlefield as all around him Decepticons fell through portals and Sharkticons scurried in a mad frenzy. He had hoped to make it to one of the Symbol Ships in the midst of all the confusion, but then someone thought it would be a good idea to blow up every single one. Then the Titan showed up and all hell had broken loose.

He drove blindly through the sea of Cybertronians and Sharkticons, desperately hoping to find some alternative means of escape. He was momentarily interrupted from his search when another Titan teleported in front of him and landed, creating a shockwave that sent him flying through the air.

He crashed into something large and hard before falling onto the ground. He transformed into his robot mode and looked up to see a large green and purple figure looming over him.

“S-Scorponok!” he exclaimed. “I, uh, I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”

Scorponok did not appear to be paying attention to him, instead staring at the gray and blue Titan that had just arrived. Without a word, he started to walk towards it, nearly stepping on Wipe-Out had the smaller bot not gotten out of the way.

“Whoa, hey!” Wipe-Out scrambled to his feet and ran after him. “You can’t just leave me here!”

“I can and I will,” Scorponok rumbled, never slowing in his stride.

“But-but we both serve the Grand Architect, don’t we? W-we need to… stick together….”

It did not take long for Wipe-Out to realize how weak his argument was. This was further solidified when Scorponok kept on walking, making his way towards the Titan’s leg. Wipe-Out did not even try to stop or follow him; he knew that it would only end poorly for him.

Things ended poorly for him anyway as a centaur-like being galloped past him and drove a spear straight through his chest, piercing his spark chamber. Wipe-Out’s body spasmed before going limp and the Destructon Psychokhan promptly tossed his body aside. A few stray Sharkticons would eventually come by and devour the hapless Decepticon’s remains while the rest of the universe moved on without him.  

Fortress Maximus

“Um… Sovereign?”

“I see it, Convex,” Sovereign said quietly, his eyes locked on the viewscreens. “Keep your focus on Iaconus.”

“But… but that’s Unicron!” said the Titan Master Blunderbuss. “Surely that’s a greater threat than even Iaconus.”

Sovereign shuttered his optics, clenching his fists. “Just fire on Iaconus. We all know that he is just as much a threat as that… thing.”

“Perhaps we’ve been hasty in our judgment,” suggested Infinitus, standing beside Sovereign. “After all, I’m sure Alchemist Prime has brought Iaconus here for a reason.”

Sovereign glared at him. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? You know how I feel about Primes.”

“I do. But Alchemist has never been like the other Primes of old, like Onyx or Megatronus. He has never been one to crave power or savor destruction… he simply wanted whatever was best for Cybertron.”

“And yet here he is with a Titan who is known only for destruction….”

“Well, maybe some things need to be destroyed.” Infinitus gestured at one of the screens, which displayed Unicron’s shadowy form closing in on Planet X. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Sovereign cursed under his breath. The only thing he hated more than people questioning his beliefs and motives was the realization that they were right. It always made him question himself on top of feeling like a fool. And, in this moment, he was feeling extremely foolish.

“Fine,” he muttered. “Convex, Blunderbuss, redirect all firepower to Unicron… or whatever that thing is. Twin Cast, see if you can establish communications with Iaconus’ crew.”

While the three Titan Masters got to work, a fourth one turned around from their station. “Sir, there’s been a breach in the lower sectors,” said Teslor.

“A breach?” Sovereign asked. “What do you mean?”

“Someone’s punched a hole in our foot.”

“Give me a visual.”

Teslor did so and the results he presented caused Sovereign’s energon to run cold. On a screen which showed one of the corridors down in Fortress Maximus’ lower levels, a monstrous machine in purple and green was tearing its way through a wave of Cog units, ripping them limb from limb as their firepower bounced off of its armor plating.

“Scorponok….” Sovereign spoke the name in a whisper, like it was a forbidden curse. As far as he was concerned, it might as well have been. “What… what is he doing here?”

“Does it matter?” asked Ginrai, already drawing a gun to load it. “Someone needs to go down and stop him. Those Weaponizers won’t hold him off for long.”

“Take as many bots with you as you can,” Sovereign said, his voice still quiet and shaky. “Don’t… don’t let him anywhere near here.”

“We will do what we can, Sovereign,” Infinitus told him reassuringly. “Have faith in us.”

Sovereign did have faith in them. More faith than he had ever had in something before.

He simply did not think it would be enough.

Iaconus

Throughout the command center, Iaconus’ angered rumble could be heard and felt by all. Maccadam acted frantically to calm the Titan as it slowly moved to face the attacking Fortress Maximus.

“Calm yourself, my friend! Fortress Maximus is not the enemy! You must focus on the Chaos Bringer!”

Iaconus growled in protest but eventually came to a halt. To Maccadam’s relief, Fortress Maximus ceased his attack as well; no doubt the other Titan had finally taken notice of Unicron’s shadowy form looming over them.

“Good,” Maccadam said calmly. “Perhaps now we can—”

Suddenly, the command center shook again, although this time it was not because Iaconus was moving. Turning to the viewscreens, Maccadam saw the visual of three monstrous beings attacking the Titan from down below, striking with clubs, swords, and guns. Despite their small size, their weapons were packing quite a punch and clearly doing damage to Iaconus’ armor plating.

“It’s the Destructons,” muttered Star Saber. “Clearly we must be doing something right if we’ve already managed to upset them this much.”

Rodimus Prime glanced at Maccadam. “Are you able to take care of these guys?”

“Possibly,” Maccadam replied. “As I understand it, these Destructons are stronger than the average Cybertronian… not to mention more cunning as well.”

“Well, I’ve just finished sending the Decepticons on their way,” Vector Prime said, lowering his sword. “Whatever you plan to do, Alchemist, now is the time to do it.”

At Maccadam’s behest, Iaconus started to move once more and drew a massive sword of his own from behind his back. Down below, the Destructons continued to throw their attacks at him, with Bruton dealing the most damage with his spiked club.

“Iaconus,” Maccadam spoke to the Titan, “once you have delivered the blow, teleport as quickly as you can back to Cybertron. This isn’t going to be pretty.”

Iaconus rumbled in acknowledgment and his sword began to glow with blue energy. The nearby Fortress Maximus remained stationary, causing some of the Autobots to ponder why the other Titan was not moving or doing anything to help Iaconus.

A light started to blink on one of the monitors and the Crusadercon comm officer Signal Flare pointed it out. “Someone’s trying to call us.”

Maccadam shook his head. “There is no time. Iaconus will be ready to strike at any minute.”

In the sky above, the shadowy form of Unicron was drawing closer towards Planet X, his cloudy body practically blanketing the northern hemisphere.

“Should we do something about Fort Max?” asked Rodimus.

“His fate is in none of our hands,” Maccadam grimly replied. “Only our own.”

Iaconus drove his sword into the ground and the entire world went white.

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia XIV, Chapter Eleven

 CHAPTER ELEVEN

Planet X, Flame’s lab

Flame was in the dark — in more ways than one.

The lights in his lab had went out around the same time as the God Gun’s activation, which he had felt when the entire planet shook violently. When the shaking stopped, he tried to switch the lights back on but could not get them to do more than flicker for a few seconds. Annoyed, he had tried to leave, only to find that the door was locked and refused to accept any of his clearance codes. He then tried calling one of Liege Maximo’s “Second Generations” that staffed the facility, but static was all he got.

That was when he heard the thunder.

He had no idea what the sound could have been, but it sounded like a planet being torn to pieces. He could only assume that it was one of the five replica Cybertrons that orbited Planet X… and only one thing came to mind that could have pulled off such a stunt.

Cursing to himself, Flame carefully made his way back over to his operational table, using his high beams to navigate through the darkness. Laying on the table was someone whom he had been instructed to operate on for “future purposes.” Flame had no idea what those future purposes were or how long it would be before they became necessary. However, he couldn’t help but feel that the present took precedence over any hypothetical futures that the Grand Architect had in mind.

Even so, he knew he was going to regret this.

Within seconds of reactivating his subject, Flame instantly regretted his decision as a large purple claw found its way around his neck and hoisted him up in the air.

“WHERE AM I?” Scorponok bellowed.

“Y—you’re on… Planet X,” Flame managed to croak out, wincing as the claw tightened its grip on his neck. “Was… instructed to… rebuild you.”

“Rebuild me?” Scorponok snarled as he sat up, still holding the ex-Autobot scientist in his grasp. “For what purpose? I am no test animal.”

“Wasn’t… told. Just… following orders.” Realizing that the Decepticon’s grip still wasn’t lessening, Flame blurted out, “The Beast!”

Scorponok’s expression briefly turned into one of confusion. “The what?”

“The Beast. It’s… it’s here. It’s destroying… the God Gun.”

At this, Scorponok finally released Flame and the scientist dropped to the floor, landing on his knees. As Flame massaged his dented neck, Scorponok rose fully from the operational table and walked towards the door.

“I suppose the Grand Architect is not as ‘grand’ as he claims to be,” he muttered. “He has already failed what he had set out to do.”

Flame watched as Scorponok threw a fist into the door and punched it out of the wall. As he started to stride out, Flame scrambled to his feet and started to run after him.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“To find a way out,” Scorponok growled. “Where else?”

“The Symbol Ships should still be outside,” Flame said, falling in step behind the large Decepticon. “I have the clearance codes for Tyrest’s ship.”

“Give them to me.”

Flame blinked. “Um, pardon?”

Scorponok turned around and grabbed Flame roughly by the shoulder, pulling him closer. “Give. Me. The codes.”

To scared to speak, Flame silently transmitted the clearance codes from his processor into Scorponok’s. Once he was done, Scorponok released him though he continued to loom over the ex-Autobot.

“Thank you, Flame,” Scorponok said, eerily calm. “You were rather useful for an Autobot.”

Flame did not pick up on the use of the past tense until Scorponok started to raise his arm. “No!” he cried, optics dilating. “I… I can still be of use to you! I know things that the Grand Architect hasn’t told you!”

It was a lie; one that Scorponok clearly was not buying.

“I no longer have an interest in the ‘Grand’ Architect and his schemes,” he growled. “Only my own.”

Just as the arm was about to come down, Flame transformed into his tank mode and fired into Scorponok’s legs. His shots barely made a dent in the Decepticon’s armor plating and Scorponok’s claw descended undeterred, smashing Flame into the floor. The ex-Autobot moved his treads in an attempt to escape but they simply screeched in protest. 

The last thing he saw through his visual receptors was Scorponok raising his arm once more, a wicked grin spread across his face.

The claw came down and Flame saw no more.

*  *  *

“Get to the ships! They’re our only chance!”

What had once been a standoff had spiraled into chaos. Autobots, Decepticons, Star Seekers, and others were fighting their way through each other in an attempt to reach their respective ships. The Symbol Ships that had been utilized by the Grand Architect’s forces, as well as the Lost Light, laid straight ahead. However, Tyrannicon’s forces were not keen on letting them go anywhere.

“There is no escape for you!” Tyrannicon cried as his sword sliced through a Monstercon that had entered his path. “The Quintessons have called for your deaths, and die you all shall!”

Star Saber grimaced as he clashed with a pair of identical Cybertronians, his sword interlocking with their tridents. As he wrestled to free his blade, Star Saber heard a gun fire over his shoulder and hit one of the trident-wielders in the head, blowing it to smithereens. As their weapon clattered to the ground, Skids jumped in and grabbed the trident, impaling the other Cybertronian’s face with it.

“Thanks,” Star Saber said, silently acknowledging the fact that there were plenty more of those where that came from.

“Don’t mention it,” Skids replied, shooting down a white jet-former that had been flying towards him. “However, I don’t see how we’re gonna reach the Lost Light in time. These guys keep piling in and that… shadow monster doesn’t appear to be taking his time.”

Star Saber looked up to see that the shadow monster in question had already destroyed two more of the replica Cybertrons, leaving just two remaining in addition to the planet they were on. The path to the ships was also no clearer than it had been when this battle had started.

“Wonderful,” he muttered. “We’re just going to need to double our efforts and hope for the best.”

“I think tripling our efforts would get better results,” said Skids. Another flier in olive green lunged at him from behind only to be blasted by an over-the-shoulder shot. “Only slightly, though.”

“Feel free to put that theory to the test,” Star Saber responded as he charged head-first into the awaiting swarm.

*  *  *

“You know… this reminds me of the time—”

“Your stupid stories can wait, Overhaul!” Stormshot shouted as she unloaded her guns on an oncoming swarm of Sharkticons. “Can’t you see we’re all trying not to die?!”

Overhaul frowned at his comrade as pulled his claws out of a green Cybertronian flier. “I can see that,” he said calmly. “But focusing too strongly on one thing can make you lose focus on others.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Stormshot asked, keeping her optics on the Sharkticons.

Overhaul fired a blast of energy from his chest, which shot just over Stormshot’s head. She looked up just as the blast hit a drab-colored helicopter and sent it plummeting to the ground, crashing into the Sharkticons.

“Yup,” Overhaul said, smiling to himself. “Just like the Battle of Iacon.”

Stormshot sighed as she shook her head. “Was there someone like me that you lectured back then?”

“Oh, he wasn’t the one doin’ the lecturin’.”

Both Autobots turned in time to see a teal pickup truck drive towards them, barreling through a pair of Cybertronians that had been standing in its way. Transforming to robot mode, the newcomer drew a rifle and began unloading it on the enemy forces.

“You can thank me for him turnin’ out the way he has,” Kup grunted.

Overhaul let out a hearty laugh. “Ah, long time no see, old-timer! We all thought we had lost you!”

“Keep this up and you won’t have to lose me again.”

“Now that we can agree on,” Overhaul said, preparing another blast from his chest. “Just like the Battle of Delta Pavonis Five, eh?”

“Ya’ mean with the petro-rabbits? Yeah, I can see that. But you shoulda’ been with me on Beta Four; there were all of these Ick-Yaks and….”

Dear lord, Stormshot thought to herself as she drowned out the conversation. Primus made two of them.

*  *  *

“All units mobilize! Don’t make me repeat myself! Move, move, move!”

Hiding in the shadows of the doorway, Wheelie watched from afar as the Lunarians marched out of the facility and onto the massive battlefield outside. They had already forgotten about him and appeared to be more concerned with the giant shadow monster that was destroying planets. He supposed he couldn’t really blame them.

He looked around for any sign of Wipe-Out, but the mini-bot had apparently vanished in all of the confusion. As Wheelie considered whether or not to join in on the fight, or if he would even be of any use, he caught sight of a lone Sharkticon breaking off from Tyrannicon’s forces and running towards him. Wheelie drew his knife, bracing himself for combat—

“Friend Wheelie! It is Gnaw!”

Wheelie allowed himself to relax and smiled as he sheathed his knife. The Sharkticon finished his approach and Wheelie greeted him with a hug. “I am relieved to see you, my friend,” he said, patting the Sharkticon on the head. “I was worried that I would not see you before the end.”

“Gnaw is scared,” the Sharkticon said quietly. “Does not know what is happening.”

“Stay calm,” Wheelie whispered, trying to keep his voice steady as he witnessed the shadow monster attack one of the metal planets in the sky. “We will find a way out of this qualm.”

He could only wish that he believed his own words.

*  *  *

“Follow me, Decepticons! Onward to victory!”

Stockade’s cry fell on deaf audio receptors as the members of Mayhem fought their way through Tyrannicon’s army. Most of the Monstercons were following Steel Jaw’s lead, not that Stockade was surprised. The Star Seekers had already broken off and were trying to clear their own path; their seemingly endless army of Dread Pirates certainly seemed to be giving them an edge.

That only left Stockade with the Chimeracons and remaining Decepticons that made up Leo Prime’s failed movement, and even they seemed to be doing things their own way rather than heed his orders. This frustrated him more than the fight itself; had his prowess as a tactical leader truly fallen that far since his imprisonment? Had he lost his voice as a decorated military officer?

No. He refused to accept such a reality. The Decepticons would not have lasted as long as they had throughout the Great War if it were not for him. He would reclaim his command, or die trying.

“SMOLDER!” Stockade called out to a red axe-wielding Decepticon. “FALL BEHIND ME!”

“What for?” Smolder responded with a sneer as he swung his axe into an Allicon’s head.

“I am your superior,” Stockade growled. “You will do as I command — no questions asked!”

“Get fragged. I’m trying to survive here.”

Stockade rolled his hands into fists. “If you will not obey me, then an example shall be made of you!”

Just as he started to make his way over to the disobedient Decepticon, Stockade spotted a large figure jump from the edge of the Quintesson facility and land in the middle of the battlefield, crushing a handful of Sharkticons in the process. Stockade stopped his tracks and narrowed his eyes at the new arrival.

“Leo Prime.” The general spoke the name with distaste. “Here to revel in your failure, are you?”

The former leader of the Maximals rose to his full height, a large sword drawn in his hand. “I am here to help.”

“Help?” Stockade laughed sharply. “Your ‘help’ has been useless ever since you allowed yourself to be captured by Scorponok back on Earth. Your ‘help’ will do no good here.”

“Who says I was here to help you?”

Stockade scoffed. “What, you think the Autobots will accept your help? After everything you’ve done?”

Leo Prime said nothing, turning his back to the Decepticon general to face the enemy forces.

“What, at a loss for words?” Stockade mocked. “You’re a coward, Leo Prime! Always have been! You don’t even deserve that title!”

“You’re right,” the Maximal murmured. “I don’t.”

Sheathing his sword, he transformed into his alternate mode, taking on the form of a mechanical white lion.

“But maybe after today — if I live — I will.”

With that, he charged into the sea of Sharkticons and Allicons, mowing his way through them with his claws and teeth. Stockade watched him go before returning his attention to (what barely qualified for) his forces. Once again, they were all oblivious to his very presence. It was as if he didn’t even exist in their eyes.

“Fine,” Stockade growled to himself. “Then I will treat all of you the same.”

He turned back around to face Tyrannicon’s forces… only to find Tyrannicon himself standing before him. The Sharkticon leader grinned as he raised and pointed his arm-mounted cannon at Stockade.

If anyone had bore witness to the demise of General Stockade of Tesarus, none of them would come forth when pressed. 

*  *  *

Rodimus Prime stood on the roof of the Quintessons’ prison facility along with Vector Prime and Convoy, watching the chaotic battle that was taking place down below. Rodimus had expected to find Star Saber and the others still in their cells, making this endeavor relatively easy.

This was going to be nowhere near even the loosest definition of “easy.”

“We need to find a way to separate them,” Vector Prime said. “Otherwise, if I open a dimensional portal, a whole swarm of Sharkticons and Allicons are going to land wherever it leads to.”

“How about you open a portal onto the Lost Light?” Rodimus asked, pointing to the ship in question up ahead. “The three of us can probably fly it and pick up Star Saber and his crew.”

“It’s worth a shot,” said Convoy. “Besides, I don’t think we have much time.”

As he said this, the shadowy form of Unicron finished destroying the forth replica Cybertron, leaving only one in its path before it reached Planet X. Without needing further prompting, Vector Prime drew his sword Rhisling and was about to open a dimensional portal when Convoy suddenly grabbed his arm.

“Wait!” he cried, pointing towards the Lost Light.

Rodimus lowered a telescopic visor over his optics to get a closer look at his former ship. Standing on top of it was a large, brutish figure with a spiked club in their hands. The club glowed with energy as the figure held it high over their head.

“NO!” Rodimus’ cry came too little, too late as Bruton brought his club down onto the Lost Light.

The ensuing explosion lit up the battlefield like a rising sun.

*  *  *

“I know it must be maddening.”

Primus groaned as he struggled to pull himself out of the wall he had been thrown into. Lord Imperious continued to stand in front of him, his attention divided between the Grand Architect and the visual of Unicron on the viewscreen.

“To devote nearly your whole life trying to accomplish something, only to have it spat back in your face….” The Destructon leader shook his head in pity. “I almost feel sorry for you.”

Primus’ singular optic narrowed as he glared at Lord Imperious. “I’ve always had a suspicion that you and your Destructons were plotting behind my back,” he muttered. “I even told Amalgamous Prime as much.”

“Yes, and look at how much that has helped you!” Lord Imperious spread his arms, gesturing to Unicron and Amalgamous’ broken corpse. “Not one bit!”

“Has everything I’ve done been a result of your manipulations?” Primus went on, doing everything he could to ignore Lord Imperious’ taunts. “The Talisman? The Emberstone?”

“Of course they were. If I did not have a use for such items, why else would I have directed you and your agents to retrieve them?”

“But… you said the Talisman would be used to repel the Beast. If that was never your goal, then what purpose does it have?”

Lord Imperious chuckled. “Think about it for a minute. I would say that it is safe to assume that my intentions are opposite to yours.”

Primus had no response for this. His gaze drifted to the viewscreen just as Unicron’s shadowy form obliterated the last of the five replica Cybertrons, leaving Planet X for last.

“Now what?” he asked, his voice no louder than a whisper.

“Now?” Lord Imperious replied. “Now the Alignment begins.” 

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia XIV, Chapter Ten

 CHAPTER TEN

Planet X

As far as breakouts went, Stockade had had better.

The breakout from Garrus-16 had certainly been one of the better ones. While he had been imprisoned there on his own accord in order to escape Megatron’s wrath, the pleasure he took in killing and torturing the Autobots stationed there after Gigatron had seized control was a sensation he had yet to replicate ever since. Slaughtering his way through hordes of Sharkticons and Allicons was definitely nowhere near holding a candle to that.

He wasn’t sure if any of the other Mayhems and Star Seekers knew where they were headed. While they had already made their way out of Rexian’s arena, they still had yet to find an exit to whatever facility they were in. At this point, he wasn’t sure if there even was an exit; for all he knew, this entire “planet” could have been a space station and the only way out was into the vacuum of space.

As he brought his fist down onto the last Sharkticon of the most recent wave, Stockade looked up to see where they were at. Nondescript Hallway #120 was the only thing he could gather, meaning that they had to keep pressing forward.

“This is goin’ nowhere,” groused Thunderhoof, pulling Allicon remains from his antlers. “There’s gotta be an easier way out of this place.”

“Feel free to put any proposals on the table, dear friend,” Steel Jaw said dryly.

“How ‘bout we start tearing our way through?” suggested Underbite, already chewing on the corner of the wall. “If no one else volunteers, I will.”

“Unfortunately, Underbite, I doubt your ravenousness will get us far,” said Steel Jaw. “I say we keep going. This path has to lead us somewhere.”

“Sure it will,” muttered Fracture. “It’ll lead us straight into another horde of Sharkticons. I say we go with Underbite’s idea.”

“That’ll just bring this whole place down on top of us!” cried Undertow. “We should follow Steel Jaw.”

Stockade glared at them all. “Oh, sure. Don’t ask the Decepticon general who has more tactical experience than any of you combined. That just wouldn’t make any sense.”

Steel Jaw sneered back at him. “Don’t delude yourself, ‘General.’ If you were truly as cunning as you make yourself out to be, you wouldn’t even be in this mess.”

Stockade rolled his hands into fists as he stormed up to Steel Jaw, his visor flashing. “Choose your next words carefully, Monstercon,” he growled. “The last bot who spoke out against me received a fist straight through their chestplate. Unless you would like to join him, I suggest you—”

He was cut off by an enraged yell coming from the bovine Monstercon Terrashock. Stockade and Steel Jaw barely moved away in time as Terrashock charged past them and crashed through the wall, tearing through the metal. Beyond it, Stockade and the others could see a star-lit sky, dominated by five metal planetoids, over a city of glistening silver. And populating that city was well over several thousand Sharkticons, Allicons, and even standard Cybertronians, all gathered outside the facility with their weapons drawn and pointed at the Decepticon escapees.

“Well,” Fracture said quietly, “at least we got what we wanted.”

*  *  *

“This day keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?” commented Roller as he and the other Crusadercons stood before a gathered horde of assorted Cybertronians.

After their unexpected “rescue” by Lord Imperious, Star Saber and his crew of 100+ Crusadercons had been forced to fight their way out of whatever facility the Quintessons had been holding them in, cutting through swathes of Sharkticons and Allicons. After Overhaul had blasted a large enough hole through the wall, freedom seemed to have finally been within grasp.

That feeling had lasted for all about 0.5 seconds.

Star Saber was silent as he surveyed the scene before him. In addition to even more Sharkticon and Allicons, there were a good number of what appeared to be standard Cybertronians, though many of them shared identical designs with one another. Only a select handful stood out to him, seemingly led by a large teal and gray bot with a rocket launcher attached to his shoulder. 

“We can take them on,” Wing Saber whispered to him. “There’s over a hundred of us, aren’t there?”

“Yes, but not all of us are combatants,” Star Saber replied. “For every Whirl, there’s at least one Swerve.”

“I’m not even gonna bother arguing with that,” murmured Swerve, hiding behind Skids.

The crowd shifted as a large figure emerged to stand in front of them. Clad in brown and bright blue armor, the warrior had a finned appearance that echoed that of the Sharkticons while carrying a build that was not unlike that of the Decepticon leader Megatron. In his hand was a large purple sword, which he held aloft to his side as a sinister grin split his blue face.

“I must congratulate you all for making it this far,” said the Sharkticon leader Admiral Tyrannicon. “It is not often that prisoners of the Quintesson Empire leave their trial with their lives. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that you have exited the courtroom only to walk straight onto death row.”

“I fail to see what you gain from killing us as opposed to simply letting us leave,” Star Saber replied. “The person who freed us suggested we’re in no position to stop whatever is happening.”

Tyrannicon shifted at this, his grin turning into a scowl. “Yes, I am aware of your… unlikely rescuer. I must admit that even I am unbeknownst to Lord Imperious’ intentions and reasons for letting you free.”

“So why not just let us go then?” asked Wing Saber. “He’s your boss, isn’t he?”

“The Destructons are master to none of us,” Tyrannicon snarled. “My loyalty is to the Quintessons and them alone. It is their will that you Cybertronians are brought back to heel, and so it shall be!”

The Sharkticon leader raised his blade and his army positioned themselves to attack. In response, Star Saber and the others brandished their weapons and prepared themselves for what was to come.

What came was something none of them were prepared for.

One by one, the stars began to wink out of existence. A massive shadow fell over the planet and the replica Cybertron that surrounded it. Whatever illumination they had been providing was quickly extinguished, plunging the planet into near total darkness with only the glow of the robots’ optical sensors providing any light.

“What the hell is going on?” Tyrannicon snarled.

The answer came in the form of a large dark shape penetrating through one of the replica Cybertrons and obliterating it, leaving behind nothing but large chunks of debris.

Only Brainstorm, the Crusadercons’ self-proclaimed “Genius,” could supply the others with a single word that appropriately described the situation: “Bullocks.”

*  *  *

Rodimus Prime did not want to believe what he was seeing.

The shape was unmistakable. It had been replicated countless times in murals and statues and he, as well as pretty much everyone he knew, had seen it for themselves no more than two years ago. While it was no longer mechanical and instead in the form of a shadowy, almost cloud-like figure, Rodimus would have recognized it anywhere. 

The long, curling horns on its cranium and shoulders, its wing-like cape, even just the sheer size of it… all undeniably visual traits of the Chaos-Bringer Unicron.

“Impossible,” Rodimus found himself saying under his breath. “Unicron was destroyed.”

“Indeed he was,” replied Lord Imperious. “His body, in any case. The rest of him lived on in the Dead Universe, which the Grand Architect here has kindly opened a portal to.”

“No.” Primus was shaking his head, appearing to be as horrified as Rodimus was feeling. “The God Gun was supposed to repel the Beast, not to free it!”

“And yet, here we are.” Lord Imperious inclined his head to the Grand Architect. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

As the Destructon leader let the question hang in the air, the shadowy form of Unicron lunged out of its portal and threw a fist into one of the replica Cybertrons that made up the God Gun, obliterating it instantly. Startled out of his stupor, Primus ran over to the main terminal and moved his hands desperately over the control panel.

“Maybe I can push him back in! There should be enough of the ores to—”

“I don’t think so,” Lord Imperious calmly interjected. “Even if there was enough, it would only make him stronger. The Regenesis ores were specifically chosen for this very operation. Trying to use them to undo it would be… ill-advised.”

Primus rolled his hands into fists as he whirled to face Lord Imperious. “You used me,” he growled. “All this time, you’ve been manipulating me into bringing this… this monster back into existence!”

“Well done,” Lord Imperious said dryly. “It’s only taken you nine thousand years to realize this.”

“You will pay for this!” Primus raised his hands at the Destructon, glowing with energy. “Gods are not meant to be trifled with—”

“Oh, please.” Lord Imperious waved a hand and Primus went flying into a wall, the impact strong enough to create a deep imprint in it. “It was amusing at first, but now you’re just acting pathetic.”

As Primus writhed in pain, Rodimus Prime struggled against the energy rings that binded him. He glanced over at Liege Maximo and Amalgamous Prime, both of whom were silently watching events unfold with unreadable expressions.

“Were you in on this to?” he called out to them. “Was this what you wanted? Or did Lord Whatshisface here deceive you, too?”

Liege Maximo met Rodimus’ gaze but said nothing. Amalgamous Prime’s optics were shifting between Lord Imperious and the defeated Primus, his face displaying a concert of different emotions. Uncertainty shifted to grim acceptance before converting into irritation and then—

“This isn’t right,” he muttered.

Lord Imperious tilted his head towards the Shifter Prime. “Come again?”

“My loyalty has been to Adaptus and him alone,” Amalgamous went on. “From the day I was forged from Luna One’s hot spot, I have been dedicated to helping him fulfill his plan, the endgame of which was to repel the Beast. Not… not this.”

“And?” Lord Imperious replied, sounding impassive. “Do you honestly expect me to care?”

“No,” Amalgamous said darkly. “But I do expect you to care about this.”

He raised an arm and pressed a button near his wrist. Suddenly, the energy rings that had been binding Rodimus and Convoy vanished, freeing their limbs. The ancient Prime then reached behind his back and drew a shimmering blue blade, which he handed to Vector Prime.

“We Primes may have had our differences, but that will not stop us from standing up against those who align themselves with the Chaos Bringer.” Amalgamous brought out his scythe and raised it in a defensive position. “Your first mistake was tricking our god. Your second was thinking we would stand by and do nothing.”

Lord Imperious stared at the Primes, continuing to look unfazed. “You think I am aligned with Unicron?”

Amalgamous gestured to the viewscreen. “Is that not proof enough in of itself?”

“I am aligned with no one.” Lord Imperious’ eyes flashed with anger as he spread his wings, splitting his two arms into sets of three. “I am Lord Imperious Delirious.”

His face started to shift, panels moving and sliding away from each other. Amalgamous let out a cry as he charged towards the Destructon, scythe raised high. Lord Imperious’ face splayed open and the Prime immediately screamed as he was faced with the hideous visage that laid beneath. Several eyes of various colors blinked rapidly within Lord Imperious’ maw, surrounded by razor-sharp teeth. Rodimus, Convoy, and Vector instinctively looked away while Amalgamous fell to his knees, unable to move any further.

“Make it stop!” he cried, clutching his head. “MAKE IT STOP!”

“With pleasure.” Liege Maximo stepped forward and, before any of the other Primes could stop him, brought a large fist down upon Amalgamous. The Shifter Prime’s body made a sickening crunch as it collapsed in on itself, Maximo’s fist grinding all of his internal components into dust. When he was done, all that was left of Amalgamous was a hunk of broken metal that could barely qualify as a corpse.

Lord Imperious’ face closed up again, though he kept his wings and bladed arms spread. His gaze fell on Rodimus and the others, a malicious gleam in his eyes.

“Would anyone else attempt to fill in his shoes?”

Before Rodimus could even think of what to do next, Vector swung his sword and a portal suddenly opened beneath Rodimus and Convoy’s feet. The two of them fell through the portal and Vector Prime dived in after them, closing the dimension gate before either Liege Maximo and Lord Imperious could take pursuit.

“We don’t have much time,” Vector said as the three Primes floated in the endless void. “We have to return to Cybertron and warn them before it is too late.”

“I don’t see much good anyone will be able to do without the Matrix,” Rodimus replied. “Primus still has it.”

Vector shook his head. “The Matrix alone won’t be enough to repel that… thing.”

“It’s already defeated Unicron once—”

“Yes, when Unicron had a solid body. With the form he is in now, I am not so sure.”

Rodimus frowned. “Well, before we go anywhere, we need to rescue the other prisoners. A good two hundred of them are Autobots who served under me when I was captain of the Lost Light.”

“I’ve already broadcast a signal to any remaining members of the Convoy Corps,” said Convoy. “I know at least one bot who should have received it….”

“Let’s hope it does some good then,” Vector Prime said grimly. “As it stands, we’re going to need all of the help we can get….” 

Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia XIV, Chapter Nine

 CHAPTER NINE

Cybertron, Maccadam’s Old Oil House

“We’re closed for the night! Everybody out! Out!”

Maccadam disregarded the confused and angry noises coming from the remaining patrons as he quickly made his way to the room behind the bar. He had enough faith in Ebrius and the rest of the crew that they would get everyone out in a safe and efficient manner.

Slamming the door shut behind him, Maccadam hurried down the corridor that led him deep beneath the Oil House, down paths that no one but him had been down in the thousands of years the Oil House had been here. They eventually led him to a chamber that he never thought he would be forced to return to for as long as he lived.

Thousands of years ago, during the short-lived peace in the Age of the Primes, Iaconus had been one of the Titans that reawakened following the Treaty of Crystal City. Many of the Primes were familiar with the legends that surrounded Iaconus, particularly his status as a “Warrior Titan.” This naturally made him a subject of interest for the barbaric Megatronus, who quickly attempted to claim Iaconus for his tribe. The other Primes opposed this, seeing an alliance between the two as a dangerous combination, and instead suggested that Maccadam — Alchemist Prime as he was known then — be the one to ally with the Titan, in the hopes that his peaceful nature would be an appropriate balance for the ancient warrior.

Megatronus, of course, had objected to this but was overruled by the others. Even Liege Maximo had backed the proposition, for reasons that remained unclear to this day.

Once it was decided, Alchemist had extended his offer of an alliance to Iaconus and, much to the other Primes’ relief, the Titan had accepted. Even Alchemist was surprised with how smoothly they got along from that point onward.

Then, Antilla happened.

Around 250 years after their alliance had been formed, Prima had proposed that the Primes extend their reach beyond Cybertron and begin an interstellar colonization mission. Among the first worlds that they made contact with was a world in the Antillian system, not far from Cybertron. Onyx Prime and Megatronus had been sent to spearhead the colonization effort, flanked by the Omega Sentinels and the Titans Nemesis and Iaconus. The latter had come at the behest of Megatronus, which Alchemist Prime only agreed to if he was brought along.

To this day, Maccadam wished he had rejected the request.

Contact with the native Antillans did not go as plan and the “colonization” quickly turned into an invasion. The Omega Sentinels laid waste to the planet and Iaconus, for whom conflict was second nature, was quick to join them. Despite his best efforts, Alchemist Prime was unable to stop the Titan’s onslaught and the conflict was only brought to an end when the Antillans activated a weapon that would wipe out all life on the planet, forcing the Cybertronians to flee.

Upon returning to Cybertron, the other Primes were informed of what had happened and the decision was made to put Iaconus into permanent stasis. Naturally, the Titan was resistant to this idea and it took the force of all thirteen Primes, the Omega Sentinels, and even some of the other Titans to put him down for good. Iaconus was subsequently buried beneath Cybertron in the site that would one day become the city of Iacon, unwittingly named for the fabled Titan.

Only the Primes and anyone else involved knew of the Titan’s true fate, while the rest of Cybertron — including Titan Masters such as Sovereign — was informed that Iaconus had been among those killed during the Battle of Antilla. For the next several thousands of years, Alchemist Prime — now Maccadam — had harbored this secret of his and dared not share it with a single spark; not even with those he considered his trusted confidants, such as Ebrius.

That, of course, was all about to change.

Maccadam spared a moment to calm his cooling fans as he stood in Iaconus’ command center. He wasn’t surprised that he was still questioning himself whether or not this was the right course of action. Deep down, however, he knew that he had no other choice. The Lenses had showed him what was happening, and what was going to happen if he did not act now.

Before there could be another second of hesitation, Maccadam accessed the main computer and woke the sleeping giant.

*  *  *

The ground thundered as Fortress Maximus rose into his robot mode. Down below, Autobots were scurrying around his feet as they called for him to stand down. He paid no heed to their pleas as he instead set his sights on the point of his consternation.

Vividly did he recall the time when he and his fellow Titans had been forced to put down their brother Iaconus during the Age of the Primes. It had pained him to have been put in such a situation, but he knew deep down that Iaconus was a threat to the peace that the Titans and the Primes had fought to maintain… even if the Primes themselves would eventually undo that peace themselves.

The fact that Iaconus was even still alive was a secret that Fortress Maximus had been forced to keep for thousands of years, even from the Titan Masters that he held in his trust. He had not taken into account that someone like Sovereign would have eventually discovered the truth; perhaps it was his own fault for not hiding it better.

Of course, none of it mattered now. Only the present did.

As Fortress Maximus began to step in the direction of Maccadam’s Old Oil House, he could already see that the building was starting to shift… albeit not to transform. At least, not yet. He recognized a space bridge activation when he saw one and knew exactly what Iaconus was about to do. It was simply a question of where he was going.

Fortunately, Fortress Maximus had a way of finding out exactly that.

As Iaconus entered the last stage of teleportation, Fortress Maximus began tracing the energy traces and made his internal calculations before activating his own space bridge. Autobot fliers circled around him in an attempt to stop him, as if that was going to do any good.

Within the span of a few seconds, both Titans were gone.

*  *  *

“Can I just say… that I’m really sick of Titans?”

No one responded to Punch’s remark, though he was pretty certain they were sharing in his frustration with the present situation. Windblade in particular was staring in the spot that Fortress Maximus once was before he had transformed and teleported away, along with Maccadam’s Old Oil House. Rising from that spot was Dai Atlas, rubbing his head as he was helped to his feet by a pair of Autobots.

“Do you know what just happened?” Windblade asked her fellow councilor as he started to walk towards her and the audience that had gathered around the scene.

“I… don’t remember,” Dai Atlas muttered. “Last thing I can recall is Cerebros showing me the Prowl clone and then… nothing.”

“He must’ve been shadow-played,” Punch said. “Are there any mnemosurgeons on record?”

“Only one that comes to mind is Stylor, one of the Titan Masters.” Windblade glanced at Punch, noticing his expression shadowing. “You don’t think they’re behind this, do you?”

“I do, actually. When we visited Maccadam’s, their leader — Sovereign, is it? — barged in and threw a fit over someone named ‘Iaconus.’ We never did find out what that was all about.”

“Iaconus?” Windblade repeated the name, a quizzical look crossing her features. “That name sounds familiar….”

“I’m guessing he’s another Titan,” Punch went on, nodding in the direction of where Maccadam’s had just been. “A Titan that everyone’s favorite bartender has been hiding for Primus knows how long.”

“And we have no way of knowing where they went,” Windblade muttered. “Fantastic.”

“I take it we don’t have any other Titans on reserve?”

Windblade shook her head. “Metroplex is with the Earthforce, and we now have no way of reaching him.”

“I’m sure we can send a message to Optimus Prime and tell him what has happened,” said Dai Atlas. “There’s no need to give up on hope just yet.”

“Maybe not,” Punch said. “But what are we supposed to do now? Just twiddle our servos?”

Dai Atlas glanced at him. “If you have any suggestions, then I’m open to hearing them.”

“Fine, here’s one.” Punch stepped up to Dai Atlas until they were mere inches apart, unperturbed by the fact that the councilor was much taller than him. “How about we get off our afts and actually do something about this instead of crying to Prime.”

“Punch,” Windblade started to say in a warning tone.

Punch held up a hand to her. “Don’t start with me, Camien. I know your type, as well as Dai Atlas’; you’d rather sit around in your council chambers and do your political maneuvering while you leave bots like me to risk our necks going deep behind enemy lines and getting our afts handed to us.”

“It’s not like that at all,” Windblade retorted. “Both Dai Atlas and I are just as capable as combatants as we are leaders. Both of us were there for the battles against Unicron and Thunderwing.”

“That’s great and all, but I’m not seeing those bots,” Punch said. “I’m just seeing two politicians who would much rather react than act. This is the third time in as many years that Cybertron has been threatened by some mysterious force. First it was Unicron. Then Thunderwing. Now its this Grand Architect. God knows what next cycle will bring.”

“We are doing everything we can to address the current situation,” Dai Atlas protested. “We’ve already sent Star Saber and his crew to investigate the Grand Architect—”

“Yeah, and where are they? Where’s Rodimus Prime? You know, our leader?”

Dai Atlas scowled. “Just now I was trying to get Rodimus back before all of this happened! Fortress Maximus was our only lead and now he’s gone!”

“Then find another one! Maybe Metroplex can help out; he’s a Titan isn’t he?”

“METROPLEX IS DEAD!” Dai Atlas bellowed, startling Punch enough for him to take a step back. “He’s just a flying husk of a corpse now, use to ferry Prime’s Autobots! It’s a disgrace to the legacy of Primus!”

“Enough, both of you,” Windblade said, trying to step in between the two. “I know we’re all frustrated over this, but arguing and screaming isn’t going to solve anything. We need to take a moment to collect ourselves.”

“We don’t have a moment,” Punch snapped. “Rodimus and Star Saber and everyone else could already be dead, for all we know. All because of our own inaction.”

“They’re not dead.”

All three bots turned to look at Toxitron, standing nearby. The sickly colored “clone” of Optimus had been silent the whole time, to the point where Punch had even forgotten he was there.

“And how do you know that?” Punch asked.

“I’m getting a distress call,” Toxitron replied, uncharacteristically quiet and composed. “From Magna Convoy.”

“Who?” both Punch and Windblade asked, while Dai Atlas wore a knowing look. 

“Do you know where he is?” the councilor asked.

“On Planet X, in the Benzene Cluster. I have the coordinates.”

“Then let us not waste any time.”

Punch looked back up at Dai Atlas, his expression a mix of anger and confusion. “Oh, so you’ve been keeping secrets as well?”

Dai Atlas smirked. “Not secrets. Just information that hasn’t been relevant in eleven hundred years.”