The Transforminator Chronicles

The Mini-Con Massacres were generally considered to be a dark stain on Sentinel Prime's career, and perhaps even the start of the Golden Age's downward spiral.

When the Mini-Cons were first introduced into Cybertronian society- which was halfway into Nominus Prime's reign- they were regarded as little more than slaves and deemed a disposable class by the Functionist Council. This discrimination continued into the First Great War, during which they were used as weapons by either side.

After the war's end, Sentinel Prime decided to liberate the Mini-Cons and established a sector of villages for them to live in harmony. Most non-Mini-Cons were either fine with this act or simply indifferent. However, there were quite a few who were not pleased with this and vocally opposed it. For the longest time though, no action was taken by them.

Until nearly five hundred years ago, that is.

It started when one of the Cybertronians -- an individual known only as the Scientist -- visited the Mini-Con villages and asked them to take part in an experiment of his. The Mini-Con leader, who had been named Modus Prime by the villagers, refused, knowing that the Scientist was up to no good.

And thus began the apocalypse.

Beta Maxx had only been a mere protoform back then, but he could vividly recall the carnage that had occurred. He had managed to hide from most of it, but the aftermath scene was ultimately unbearable. There was nothing- and indeed, no one- left. As far as he knew, Beta Maxx was one of the last Mini-Cons.

As he now walked through the ruins and streets of decay that was once Village B13, he wondered if the so-called "Scientist" was still out there, or if the Autobots had apprehended him. But would it really matter? he asked himself. After all, nothing could bring back his brothers and sisters.

The hint of nearby movement suddenly broke him from his musings. He directed his attention to a toppled-over statue of Micronus Prime- the believed progenitor of the Mini-Cons. Behind it, he could make out the tip of a silver head, and it was clearly moving.

"Hello?" Beta Maxx called out gently. "Is anyone there?"

"Shh," a feminine voice hissed back. "They'll hear you!"

"Who?" he asked, carefully approaching the stranger's position. "There's no one here but you and me."

"He's near. He's returned to finish his job... and to find it."

"Find what? And who are-?"

Before he could finish, the female silver-colored Mini-Con emerged from her hiding place and grabbed Beta Maxx by the arm. Ignoring his protests, she pulled him into a small, dark cove and then covered his mouth to silence him.

Before he could muse over how awkward all of this was, heavy footsteps shook the earth. His fearful eyes shot towards the large, masculine Cybertronian that was now moving through the desolated village, his cream-white armor gleaming in the moonlight.

It was the Scientist.

* * *

Thunderwing, one of the highest-ranking generals in the Decepticon Army, balefully surveyed the decayed landscape before him. It had not changed much in the five hundred years since his merciless attack, but he was not here to reminisce.

"The tracker," he said to Crankcase, one of the two Decepticons accompanying him.

A blue and black Decepticon snorted as he handed Thunderwing the radio device. "I still think this is a waste of time. What good will this tiny triangle do for us?"

"If only you knew, Crankcase," Thunderwing said quietly, thought his tone was inflicted with menace. "Then you wouldn't be asking such stupid questions."

"Feel free to clue me in then," Crankcase muttered.

"The triangle is our compass to the Matrix of Leadership," Thunderwing said. "Once it is in our hands, it will lead us to it."

"Are we that sure that the one Zeta Prime has is a fake?" asked the black and purple Storm Cloud.

"If we weren't, we would not be here."

Suddenly, the tracking device let out a high-pitched sound. Looking down at it, Thunderwing saw that his quarry was very, very near. A twisted grin crossed his golden face.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," he called out. "Come out before I raze the place."

"You've already done that!" a small voice cried out in response.

Thunderwing raised a metal brow. "What was that? I couldn't quite hear you."

"Then this should be loud and clear."

The general turned in time to see a large red Autobot standing before him just as the latter fired his arm cannons. While the blast did send Thunderwing sprawling back, it inflicted little damage on him, serving only to infuriate him.

"Storm Cloud!" he snarled. "I thought you said our signatures were cloaked!"

"I did, and they were!" Storm Cloud snapped. "I guess we just came to the wrong place at the wrong time!"

"That certainly is an understatement," said a red and blue Autobot that came up behind the other, along with three other bots. "Now, please state your business before Ironhide here lets loose again."

Thunderwing chuckled. "Well, if it isn't Orion Pax. I'm surprised the Autobots took you back in so willingly after that Scourge debacle."

Orion Pax narrowed his eyes. "Answer the question."

The general let out a cackle. "We're just looking for a simple triangle with a glowing blue thing in the center. You wouldn't be interested."

Orion crossed his arms. "Do you really expect me to fall for that?"

Thunderwing tapped his chin before grinning. 'Not really."

At his signal, a pair of cannons flipped out from Crankcase's back and fired at the five Autobots, who instantly scattered. One of them, a small yellow bot, rolled forward and fired two bolts from his stingers. One struck Crankcase square in the chest, knocking him down while the other bounced off of Thunderwing's shoulder. The general merely snorted and raised his large cannon. It fired and sent the Autobot flying off his feet.

"Keep them busy, will you?" he said to Storm Cloud. "I have other matters to attend to."

Storm Cloud glared at him but said nothing, instead pulling Crankcase up to his feet and charging into battle.

With the Autobots distracted for now, Thunderwing turned his attention to a small cove near the fallen statue of Micronus Prime, from which he had heard the small voice from earlier. Grinning wickedly, he strode towards the cove, aimed his cannon, and fired. When the smoke finally cleared, his face contorted into anger.

The cove was empty.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VI, Chapter Two

EDITED 12/8/2018 Tweaked Full-Tilt's origins/natures

CHAPTER TWO

"The rescue mission, as it turned out to be, was a success," Orion Pax said to Ultra Magnus as the two strode down Fortress Maximus' busy corridors. "Alpha Trion said that the 'Cons didn't get what they wanted from him... whatever it was."

"Alpha Trion wouldn't say what the 'Cons wanted?" Ultra Magnus asked.

Orion shook his head. "But he did mention someone else the Decepticons might want to capture for the same reasons they did Alpha Trion."

"Who?"

"Beta Maxx, Alpha Trion's Mini-Con companion."

"Wouldn't he be in Alpha Trion's security?"

"Normally, yes," Orion replied. "But he's recently sent Beta Maxx on a sabbatical to visit the ruins of ancient cities, specifically Mini-Con ones that fell during the Mini-Con Massacres."

"Does Alpha Trion know of Beta Maxx's current location?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"I'm afraid not," Orion said. "Though most of the former Mini-Con villages are located between Ibex and Kalis."

"Then that will be the first place to look," Ultra Magnus said. "Take your unit to the villages and find Beta Maxx before the Decepticons do."

"And if we're too late?" Orion asked.

Ultra Magnus frowned. "Then we hope for the best and prepare for the worst."

* * *

It was ready.

Standing on a platform in space with his three primary lieutenants- Shockwave, Starscream, and Soundwave- Megatron could not help but grin wickedly as he observed the finished product of ten years-worth of construction: Trypticon.

Named after the mythological creature spawned from Mortilus, Trypticon had originally been a prison-fortress that Trannis had established in Kaon on Cybertron. After the First Great War, the Autobots had repurposed it to imprison rogue Decepticons, and it was then stolen by Trannis himself to serve as the skeleton for this new "weapon."

It was fitting, then- in an ironic way- for Trypticon to be powered by Trannis' spark.

"I have reconfigured the soldier Full-Tilt to transfer Trannis' spark energy into Trypticon," Shockwave informed Megatron, gesturing to a purple-colored bot attached to the beast's chest. "It was not feasible to simply place his small spark in a much larger body."

"No matter," Megatron snarled. "Just give me the spark container."

Soundwave complied with his orders and handed him the cylinder which contained Trannis' pulsing spark. Opening a panel on Full-Tilt, Megatron inserted the container into the drone before closing it. For a moment, everything was still and silent, until Trypticon's optics suddenly came to life and his gruff voice filled the four Decepticons' audio receptors.

"Trypticon... acknowledges the will... of Lord Megatron."

Megatron grinned. "Music to my ears."

* * *

Helpless was the only word that could describe Perceptor at his current situation.

Trapped in the head of the Titan who called himself Prometheus with four others, all he could do was watch through Prometheus' optics as he and his fleet of Titans slowly approached Cybertron.

"Remember when I said this quest was on the Top Ten?" said the short Autobot Swerve. "Well, it's just dropped all the way to the bottom. Actually, it's not even on the list anymore. Heck, was this even a quest in the first-"

"Swerve, shut up," snapped Jolt. "Your excessive talking is making all of this worse than it already is."

"Wow," Swerve said. "Is that even possible?"

The chamber shook slightly as Prometheus spoke. "Each and every one of you have two seconds to deactivate your voiceboxes before I tear you out of my head."

"Say, there's an idea!" said Jolt's sister Livewire. "If you did that, then you'd crush your own brain module and Cybertron wouldn't have anything to worry about!"

Prometheus did not respond. At first, Perceptor thought that the Titan had simply decided to ignore the five Autobots in his head. Then, quite suddenly, the Titan and his fleet stopped. Confused by this sudden cessation of movement, Perceptor looked out the lenses of Prometheus' optics. Cybertron was still little more than a speck, and he could see nothing else that could bring the Titans to a halt.

Suddenly, the red glow of Prometheus' brain module went out, plunging the chamber into darkness. When it re-illuminated, it was with an emerald glow. And it was not Prometheus' voice that spoke this time.

It was Azimuth's.

"This... was not what I had in mind," said the late Autobot astronomer. "I did not realize that this would only bring chaos, rather than order."

"Okay, what the heck," Swerve said. "I thought Prometheus killed you, but you aren't dead. Now you're in Prometheus' brain. Again: what the heck?"

"What's going on, Azimuth?" Perceptor asked.

"My spark did more than just revitalized Prometheus," Azimuth said. "It is now inhabiting his body. I don't have long before he takes over again, but you must bear with me."

"What are you talking about?" asked Glyph.

"I'm going to tear my brain out."

Suddenly, a large, scarlet hand tore into Prometheus' head and seized the brain module, which was fluctuating between green and red. No doubt Azimuth and Prometheus were vying for control of the body. The former got in long enough to speak to Perceptor and the others.

"Find Dai Atlas. Only he knows... where it is."

And then, the Titan's arm pulled, tearing out the brain module and sending Perceptor and the others out into space.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VI, Prologue and Chapter One

PROLOGUE

In the early days of the First Golden Age, Cybertron was protected by the mighty Omega Sentinels, said to be some of the first Cybertronians to follow the Firstforged. However, by the time of the Galactus Crusades, the then-current Prime saw them as an obstacle to the expansion of his empire. In the end, only one remained: Omega Supreme.

Were it not for Omega Supreme's guidance, the rebellion against Galactus Prime would have failed and Cybertron would be forever ruled by tyranny. Since the founding of the Autobot Commonwealth, Omega Supreme had served as an advisor to the Prime, from Nova to Nominus to Guardian. When the first Great War broke out, the Omega Sentinel did not wish to take part in the combat and secluded himself on a remote satellite in the Muta-Gaath Nebula. Nonetheless, Sentinel Prime would approach the ancient guardian for advice and it would always benefit the Autobots in the war.

Now, it was Zeta's turn.

The Autobot Supreme Commander, having adopted a silver and gold color scheme to replace the previous blue, stood before the seated giant. Omega Supreme watched him with ever-observant optics, his golden face impassive as always.

After a long moment of silence, Zeta Prime finally spoke. "It would seem that the Decepticons have us at a disadvantage. Every day, I hear something about the Warriors Elite, or a driller attack, or an energon raid. The bodycount increases each day and there are less hot spots appearing on Cybertron or any of its moons."

"Such are the horrors of war," Omega Supreme said in his deep, bass voice.

Zeta scowled at him. "Indeed. But I can no longer tolerate it. We lack the time, patience, and resources to catch up with the Decepticons in terms of arms. I know of only one thing to use against them."

Omega Supreme narrowed his eyes. "Me."

"Exactly. The spies I've sent out report that the Decepticons are planning on unleashing something big. You are the only one who can protect us from such a threat."

"I was never made to be a warrior," Omega Supreme said sternly. "A guardian, a watchful protector, yes. A warrior, never."

Zeta's scowl deepened. "So you'd rather sit here and watch Cybertron burn then try to save it?"

   "I have had this conversation before with Sentinel Prime. He came to me during the previous war and urged me to fight. Like you, he accused me of being a coward. But he soon realized that it was not weaponry they needed, but knowledge and wisdom."

   "This is a different war," Zeta Prime snapped. "The Decepticons have had thousands of years to plan and prepare while we were willfully ignorant. Times have changed."

   "Indeed they have," Omega Supreme said quietly. "But not for the better."

   The Autobot leader glared at him. "If you will not fight, then so be it. I must ask you one last thing, though."

   "Speak."

   "The Matrix of Leadership. Can it indeed light our darkest hour?"

   Omega Supreme stared at Zeta, his eyes briefly flickering towards his chest, in which the ancient relic was held. Finally, he said, "When something ceases to be observed, how can we be sure it continues to exist?"

   Zeta Prime sneered. "Forget I asked."

   With that, the Prime turned on his heel and strode out of Omega Supreme's chamber, ignoring the guardian's steel gaze.

DAWN OF THE AUTOBOTS
Part 3: When Heroes Prevail

CHAPTER ONE

"Tell me what we've got, Mirage."

The blue and white Autobot materialized before Orion Pax with a grim expression on his face. The five Autobots huddled together in their makeshift shelter eagerly awaited his report.

"I counted at least a dozen Seekers, led by that viper Slipstream. Several turrets and Vehicons are surrounding the fort, and at least two Guardian droids are protecting the entrance."

"Well, that's just lovely," Bumblebee muttered. "Had no idea prototype weapons were worth so much protection."

"These are 'Cons we're dealing with, 'Bee," grunted the grizzled soldier Ironhide. "They'd place just as many Vehicons and droids if it was just a bucket of energon."

"So what's the plan?" asked Sideswipe.

Orion Pax scratched his chin. "I'll tell Elita and her unit to drop the payload on them. Once the 'Cons are distracted, Bumblebee and Mirage will sneak into the fort while you and Ironhide cover them. Ratchet and I will help Elita's team.

"Once you get whatever they have, Jetfire will blast an opening for us and we'll be home free."

"A bit too optimistic there on that part," Ironhide grunted as he readied his arm cannons. "But who am I to decline a chance to beat up some Decepticons?"

* * *

"Any day now, Arcee."

"I don't work well under pressure, sis," Arcee snapped as she balanced her sniper rifle on its stand. "Besides, I doubt those Vehicons will be leaving anytime soon."

"Quiet," hissed Jetfire, surveying the Decepticon fort's defenses from behind their cover. "They might hear us."

"Buddy, your wings are poking out," said the rookie Hot Shot. "Vehicons might not be very observant, but-"

"All right, fine," the Autobot flier muttered as he folded down his wings.

Elita-One frowned at the unruly nature her team was displaying. Normally, of course, Arcee and Jetfire were more calm, but Hot Shot's juvenile nature often got them all revved up.

"Okay," Arcee finally said. "I've got 'em in my sights."

Elita nodded. "Fire."

Arcee pulled the trigger of her rifle, which seared through the head of a Vehicon, neutralizing the Decepticon trooper. The other Vehicons turned in alarm, spotting Arcee, and instantly raised their blasters. As enemy fire hailed upon them, Elita smirked.

"Let's roll."

* * *

Guns blazing. Seekers diving from above. Chaos all around. A typical day on Cybertron in this time and age.

Sideswipe couldn't help but smile as he plunged his right arm-blade into the chest of a Vehicon trooper while firing his blaster at another. He could barely here Ironhide's scolding remarks on his recklessness and gung-ho attitude, but he paid them no heed.

In short time, he, Ironhide, Bumblebee, and Mirage were in the Decepticon fort and fighting their way through Vehicons, Genericons, Seekers....

"You know," Sideswipe said over the sounds of battle, "I've always wondered: where does Megatron get all of his cannon fodder?"

"I don't know, the streets of Kaon?" Ironhide growled. "Just watch where you're swinging that blade before you chop your own head off."

Sideswipe grinned as he swiftly dispatched a Genericon with said blade. "Whatever you say, pops."

"I think I've found the main chamber," Bumblebee called, pointing to a small door blocked by several heavy-type Vehicons.

"What makes you think it's where they're hiding the prototype weapons?" asked Mirage.

Bumblebee shrugged. "Call it a hunch."

While Ironhide and Sideswipe handled the bulk of the Decepticon forces, Bumblebee and Mirage charged towards the door. The Vehicon brutes readied their shoulder cannons and were prepared to fire until both Autobots vanished before their eyes. While the dim-witted troopers tried to comprehend what had just happened, they suddenly jerked as Mirage's rifle hit them both in the back. As they fell to the ground, the pair of spies deactivated their cloaking devices.

"Wow," Bumblebee said. "Kudos to Wheeljack for making those cloaking patches, eh?"

Mirage shrugged. "I guess. I mean, I can do it naturally."

The yellow Autobot's eyes widened. "Really? How?"

Before Mirage could answer, Ironhide and Sideswipe came up to them, a field of deactivated Decepticons behind them.

Mirage smirked at the pair. "Glad to see you're through. Mind opening this door for us?"

Ironhide nonchalantly raised his arm cannons and blasted not just the door, but the entire wall open. Once the smoke had cleared, the four Autobots got a clear view of the prototype weapons the Decepticons were guarding... only to find none of the sort.

Suspended over the floor by energy binds was an old mech in purple and red armor, his age indicated by the beard-like formation on his face, a symbol of sorts adopted by aging mechs to signify their wisdom. It took only a few seconds for the Autobots to realize who it was.

"Alpha Trion!" Ironhide exclaimed as he rushed to the sage's aide, undoing the energy binds. "How long have you been here?"

"Oh, long enough," Alpha Trion said weakly. "I do resent whoever made their underground passage between here and my humble abode."

"Do you know why they captured you?" Sideswipe asked as he helped the old Autobot down.

Alpha Trion's optics clouded for a moment before he sighed. "They wished to interrogate me."

"About what?" asked Bumblebee.

"It matters not," the historian said hastily. "I did not tell them what they wanted to hear."

"Are there any other bots who they might capture to get their answers?" Mirage asked.

Alpha Trion frowned. "Only one."