Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars IX, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

--The Lost Light--

    "Rodimus, you need to stay put."

    "I can't stay put!" Rodimus protested, thrashing against Ratchet's hold. "Prime needs me!"

    "You're not going anywhere; not when your legs look like they've been munched on by a Dinobot." Ratchet grimaced as he resumed working on his captain's damaged legs. "Besides, do you even have a plan?"

    "Who needs plans? Not when--"

    "Rodimus!" Ratchet grabbed the younger bot by the shoulders, looking him straight in the optics. "Listen to me: you won't do Prime any good by rushing in to save him in this state, especially without a plan. The last thing he would want is you risking everything for his sake."

    "But--"

    "Look, I hate it as much as you do, but we have to be rational about this, for better or for worse."

    Rodimus sighed, realizing the sagacity in the medic's words. Reluctantly, he lied back down and allowed the doctor to continue repairing him.

    "That combiner," he murmured. "Is it still...?"

    "After it blasted you and Red Alert, it went back to the Titan, taking Prime and Megatron with it. Last I checked, the Titan is still moving towards Necroworld, albeit slowly."

    Rodimus craned his head slightly. "Red Alert... where is he?"

    Ratchet said nothing at first; when he finally did, he refused to meet his captain's eye. "A lot of bots were caught in the blast. First Aid, Velocity and I are doing what we can."

    Rodimus could tell there was something Ratchet wasn't telling him. but decided to change the subject. "What about Ultra Magnus and his team? Have you heard back from them?"

    "All communications are down," Ratchet replied. "My guess is the Secret Order is blocking all signals. They've also put and Metrotitan in some sort of destabilization field, meaning we can't move either ship."

    "Wonderful," Rodimus muttered. "No Magnus, no Metrotitan... what do we have?"

    Again, Ratchet was silent. Rodimus figured that was for the best; he doubt he would have liked the answer if he heard it.

--Necroworld--

   In the span of little over a month, Minimus Ambus had found himself out of his armor rather then in more often than he'd like.

    His entire motivation behind accepting Tyrest's offer had been to get out of the shadow of his overachieving brother, having grown sick of others reminding him of their physical similarity. He had tried enlisting into combat service in the hopes of making a name for himself, but Hydrus Four had quickly dashed those dreams.

    For the next ten years, Minimus was forced to work in maintenance, usually as a pub tender. No matter where he was stationed, whether it was on Cybertron or an Orbital Command Hub, Minimus was recognized only as the brother of the great Dominus Ambus. If it weren't for his obsession with keeping a clean, perfect image, Minimus would have ditched the "mustache" that distinguished him as an Ambus years ago.

    Then, one day, as Minimus was closing down for the night, a certain Chief Justice had walked in....

    Becoming the immortal lawman that was Ultra Magnus had been a dream come true for Minimus. At last he could be someone -- someone that mattered, someone that had nothing to do with Dominus Ambus. Of course, Minimus hadn't realized at the time that by doing this, he was simply trading one shadow for another....

    And now that everyone knew who he really was, he couldn't help but feel like less the bot he had been made up to be. No longer was he the immortal Ultra Magnus. Just some bot wearing his face.

    At the very least, Minimus could take solace in the fact that he was alone in the room he was being held. At the same time, he worried as to what had befallen Skids and the others... as well as whatever the deal in regards to Cyclonus was.

    In front of him, a door slid open to reveal a large blue and red bot. So much for that alone bit. Looking very much like a recolor of Ultra Magnus, it did not take long for Minimus to identify the bot.

    "Delta Magnus."

    "Ultra Magnus." A mirthless smirk tugged at Delta's face. "Oh, sorry, I mean Minimus Ambus. Bit of a slip of the tongue there."

    Minimus glared at him. "Forgive me for saying this, as I'm not in the best of moods right now, but yours is the very last face I wanted to see right now."

    "Hm? Oh, this?" Delta gestured at his face, his smile widening. "My apologies. I should've known that would touch a nerve. Here, let me fix that."

    Before Minimus' wide optics, Delta Magnus' armor hissed and split open, folding out to reveal a small, red-plated female bot underneath. She strutted out of the armor, grinning wickedly at a shocked Minimus.

    "There we go," she said. "This should put you at ease."

    Minimus stared slack-jawed at the red and black bot, not at all believing what he was seeing. "You're... you're female." It was a ridiculous thing to point out, especially for him. But then, this entire day had been nothing but ridiculous.

    "I'm glad you noticed," she replied. "I didn't want my frame to be too obvious when I rebuilt it, but just enough for people to notice. Of course, with the armor, it's all moot anyway."

    "I... I don't understand. Are you Delta Magnus?"

    "Well, not right now, I'm not," she said slyly. "Right now, you can call me Powerdrive."

    Minimus continued to look confused, looking between her and the armor.

    Powerdrive laughed at this. "Oh, come on now. Surely it's not that hard for you to figure out. My story is the same as yours."

    "Chief Justice Tyrest selected you to pose as Delta Magnus?" Minimus asked.

    Powerdrive nodded. "I mean, why settle for one immortal lawman when you can have two? Of course, I never got myself in the sort of scenarios you Ultras got into. As far as I know, I am the first and only Delta Magnus of the Tyrest Accord."

    "But... why? What use would Tyrest have for two Magnuses?"

    "Oh, plenty of things, I'm sure. But he only ever assigned me to watch over Garrus-13 and sort out the crooks you turned in. He promised me that I would soon get to be more active, but... that obviously never came to pass."

    "Garrus-13...." Minimus held his chin. "You were the warden."

    "Yes, and I'll forgive you if you don't remember me. We were forced to adjust your memory when you became a bit too privy to our activities for our tastes. Gave us quite a scare."

    "Had no Ultra Magnus before me come close to discovering your operations?" Minimus asked.

    "Some did. But never to the same extent as you." Powerdrive smirked at him. "So congratulations on that. Tyrest chose good on this one."

    Years ago, a compliment like that would have warmed Minimus' spark. Now, after what the Chief Justice had become during the Unicron crisis, it simply made him shudder.

    Recomposing himself, he asked, "So why are you here? I doubt to catch up on the good old times."

    "Oh, no, that was actually a plus." Powerdrive chuckled. "But you're right, I do have a different reason."

    Stepping back into her armor, she closed it around her, once more becoming Delta Magnus. "Follow me," she said. "I have something to show you."

*  *  *

    Outside the Necrobot's fortress, high up in the sky, a large ship descended from the clouds, making its way to join the other ships parked outside the fortress.

    Ever since it was first commissioned two thousand years ago, the Alchemor had been used by the Autobots to carter rogue Decepticons. Now, it had fallen under the command of seven Decepticons who, through sheer dumb luck, had managed to survive long enough to reach this point.

    The irony was so thick, one could cut it with a Star Saber.

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars IX, Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

--Cybertron, long ago--

    "We've already had this conversation, Orion."

    Orion Pax's shoulders sagged as he sighed. Optronix kept his back to him, not taking his optics off the datapad he was holding.

    "I know, brother," Orion said quietly. "I know. I just... I wasn't sure if you had heard anything."

    "Even if I had, I wouldn't be able to tell you," Optronix replied. "You're not at liberty to know Elite Guard information."

    Orion frowned. "But I'm your brother."

    "That doesn't change anything."

    Orion watched on in silence as Optronix moved away from him, carrying on with his duties as if Orion wasn't even there. This wasn't anything unusual to the younger Autobot; ever since the loss of his friend Dion two years prior, Optronix had become more aloof, more distant. Him ignoring Orion whenever he visited was more or less normal, and most times, Orion didn't mind.

    But this time was different.

    Not wanting to end things there, Orion asked, "Haven't you had contact with Hydra since she--"

    "No, Orion," Optronix said sharply. "I haven't heard from her in two years. No Cybertronian ever hears from their caretaker after maturing, unless they just so happen to end up in the same line of work. You know this already."

    "I know. I do. But--"

    "Orion." Optronix turned to face him for the first time, his face cold and stern. "You're never going to see Magnum again. Your time with him is over--finished. Move on."

    "I just... I just don't see why one can't maintain a friendly relationship with their caretaker even after they've fully developed."

    "Because that would suggest a dependency on that caretaker," Optronix said. "We're expected to fend for ourselves. Anyone who can't is seen as useless in the eyes of the Functionists."

    Orion arched an optic ridge. "I though you didn't--"

    "Orion," Optronix interjected before sighing. "Don't you have records to organize?"

    Orion was about to say no, until he picked up on the underlying dismissal in his brother's question. Bowing his head, he said, "Uh, yeah actually. I probably should... yeah. I'll catch you later then."

    Transforming to his truck mode, Orion drove out of the room. Had he stayed a minute longer, he would have seen Magnum, sporting a fresh Elite Guard insignia, enter the room....

--The Mothership, now--

    Optimus Prime stared at the bizarre robotic female that hung over him and Megatron on a versatile apparatus. Her chassis bore no resemblance to how he remembered her. Her red and black color scheme had become a dull gray all around, her wings replaced by whatever it was she was hooked up to, and her helmet was simply gone, exposing her internal cranium.

    But her voice... Optimus would recognize that voice anywhere.

    "Hydra?" he said tentatively, earning him a glance from Megatron.

    A warm smile crossed the hovering femme's face. "Hello, Orion. It's been too long. I've been a bad caretaker."

    "No." Megatron's voice was deadly quiet. He did not once meet Hydra's yellow optics. "It can't be."

    Hydra's smile turned sad as she shifted her gaze to the former Decepticon leader. "I know I have failed you, Optronix. I do hope you can forgive me."

    Megatron did not answer, his mind appearing to be elsewhere. Looking back at Hydra, Optimus said, "So you're the one who's been behind this Secret Order business?"

    Hydra continued to smile but her posture noticeably tensed. "I'm sorry?"

    "Don't feign ignorance. Shockwave's presence is enough to tell me that that's what's going on here."

    Dropping the gleeful façade, Hydra glanced at Shockwave, who stood to the back of the room. "Leave us."

    Without a word or sign of acknowledgment, the monoeyed Decepticon left the room, leaving the two leaders alone with Hydra. Once he was gone, Hydra lowered herself to be closer to her children.

    "Before we continue," she said, her voice lowered to a whisper, "no reunion is complete without both caretakers."

    Optimus became rigid at this. "Both caretakers...?"

    "It was fortunate that we made a detour to Eukaris," Hydra went on. "Otherwise, he would not be here now. Magnum, dear, would you please come in?"

    Somewhere a door opened and a shackled bot was pushed in. Optimus did not recognize the mech as his former caretaker, what with the large chunks of kibble that indicated a beast form, as well as having less blue and more white than he remembered Magnum having.

    "I admit, his appearance has changed drastically since you last saw him," Hydra spoke from above. "He's also changed his name a good number of times. What is it now, dear? Ultra Mammoth?"

    Optimus stared at the other bot. "Magnum? Is... is this true?"

    "Well, I'm definitely not calling myself Ultra Mammoth," the red and white bot muttered. "But... yes. Although my appearance has changed, I am indeed the caretaker you once knew."

    "Where have you been?" Optimus asked. "The Elite Guard's records on you ended after your mission to Alyon in Cycle 8304."

    "Oh, he's been in service for much longer than that," Hydra said. "Just under a different name."

    "Ultra Magnus," Megatron said, earning a surprised look from Optimus. "He is -- was -- the original Ultra Magnus."

    "What?" Optimus looked incredulously at Magnum. "But Ultra Magnus was said to have served since the First Great War!"

    "He did," Magnum said. "Ultra Magnus was my alter ego, created to serve as a mascot, a figure for others to follow. After the war, I retired the persona and left the Elite Guard. But after you were forged, Sentinel Prime asked me to return. He never explained why. After Alyon, I found myself donning the Magnus Armor once again; I just didn't feel comfortable as being just 'Magnum.'"

    Optimus glanced at Megatron. "And you knew about this?"

    "I was the one who approached him on Sentinel's behalf," Megatron said. "And before you ask, Sentinel never gave me his reasoning either."

    "I never did like him," Hydra mused aloud. "Which brings us back to this."

    "How long?" Optimus asked, looking up at her. "How long have you been plotting behind both of our backs?"

    Hydra tapped her fingers together. "Well, that depends. How far back do you want me to go?"

    "Enough stalling!" Megatron bellowed. "Just give us the answers we desire!"

    Hydra gave him an admonishing look. "That's no way to speak to your mother, Optronix."

    Megatron seethed with rage as he struggled against hid bonds. Hoping to get things back on track, Optimus said, "All right then: When was the Secret Order officially established, in its current form?"

    "Cycle 8831, a year after Simanzi," Hydra replied. "It was that event that erased any hope I had for you or Megatron. Before, I had thought maybe -- just maybe -- one of you would have been able to lead Cybertron into a new Golden Age. But Simanzi proved me wrong. So, with the help of like-mined individuals, I established the Secret Order in the hopes of putting both factions on the right track."

    "Like-minded individuals?" Optimus asked.

    "Shockwave, foremost of all. Then Delta Magnus, Quickswitch, Magnificus...."

    "And you?" Optimus looked to Magnum. "Were you a part of this?"

    Magnum shook his head. "I was gone by this point, after Tyrest whisked me away. Hydra did attempt to contact me several times...."

    "Yes, and you never returned my calls," Hydra said icily. "Very rude."

    Optimus glanced between the two caretakers. "Are the two of you... still together?"

    Magnum sighed. "Well, we never undid our Conjunx Ritus, so technically...."

    "I gave you every chance to come back and you turned down each and every one of them," Hydra sniped back. "Don't you dare paint me as the one who wanted to end things."

    "I wasn't--"

    "Silence." Hydra raised a finger. "We seem to have a problem."

    "You don't say," Megatron remarked.

    "No. I mean here, on the ship. We have company." Hydra was silent for a moment before slowly smiling. "Optronix... your sister is here."

THE GREATER GOOD

Part 2: Puzzle the Wise

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VIII, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Rodimus couldn't remember anything that had happened in the past ten minutes. The last thing he remembered seeing was Bruicus firing Shockwave's gun form. The blast had sent him flying into space, well outside the reach of Metrotitan's gravitational generators, as well as scramble his systems.

    When he finally recovered, he saw Optimus and Megatron were faring no better. Prime laid off to the side, beaten and motionless, while a battered Megatron threw his fists at Bruticus' legs, to no avail.

    Shifting his gaze to he left, he saw several Autobots pouring out of the Lost Light, firing at the gestalt. Bruticus barely flinched at this and, swatting Megatron aside, he turned towards them and took aim with Shockwave.

    "No!" Transforming to his car mode, Rodimus kicked on his turbo boosters and used them to propel himself towards Metrotitan. After a few boosts, he fell within the Titan's pull and descended towards the combiner.

    Noticing him, Bruticus deployed a set of spinning rotor blades from his left arm (courtesy of Vortex) and held them up, ready to slice up Rodimus as soon as he came within reach.

    "No you don't!" Out of the blue, a blast of energy fired at Bruticus, knocking the combiner back. The force of the blow caused him to drop Shockwave just as Rodimus landed.

    As Sixknight transformed from his gun mode, Red Alert rushed to apprehend Shockwave before he could recover.

    "Show's over, one-eye," the security director snarled. "You've caused enough trouble."

    Rising to his feet, Shockwave regarded the advancing Autobot with an unfazed optic. "Have I?"

    Red Alert stopped, glaring down at the purple Decepticon. "You've caused us enough grief."

    "Define enough."

    Before Rodimus could stop him, Red Alert drew his gun and shot Shockwave in the face, point blank. As the Decepticon crumpled lifelessly to the floor, Rodimus stormed up to the security chief.

    "What the hell was that for?!"

    Red Alert scowled. "He deserved it."

    "We could've used him! He could've told us more about the Secret Order!" Rodimus exclaimed. "And even if he wouldn't, you can't just go killing bots like that, 'Con or not."

    "I'm sick of this," Red Alert snarled. "I'm sick of you and the leeway you give these 'Cons. First you let Megatron and his ilk on board, now you wanted me to have spared Shockwave? After all the atrocities he had caused?"

   Rodimus opened his mouth to protest only to see Bruticus was getting back on his feet. "This conversation can wait."

    "I've waited long enough!" Red Alert jabbed a finger into Rodimus' chest. "You are unfit to be our captain! As far as I'm concerned, you're just as dangerous as--"

    "Get down!" Rodimus grabbed Red Alert by the shoulders but it was too late. Bruticus lowered his shoulder cannons at the two and fired them, sending the two Autobots flying....

*  *  *

   Thanks to the clearance codes of the late Magnificus, Rampage's ship docked in the Secret Order's Titan with little trouble. Outside, two Vehicons approached the vessel, guns deployed. Rampage wasn't sure if this was standard procedure or if they were suspicious of this unexpected arrival. Either way, he would deal with them in his usual manner.

    As he rose from his seat, Ariel suddenly stood and grabbed him by the arm. "Brother, where are we?" she asked.

    "Home," Rampage said, shrugging off her hand.

    "Home?" Ariel tilted her head quizzically. "What do you mean by home?"

   Rampage said nothing as he strode over to the ship's ramp, pressing a panel to lower it. As the two Vehicons came into view, the Decepticons reacted to Rampage's appearance in alarm and pointed their guns at him.

    "Freeze!" one of them blurted out even as Rampage lunged at the trooper and nailed him to the floor. The other Vehicon stood frozen in place as he watched his partner get torn to pieces. Before he could even think to attack, Rampage set his optics on him next and proceeded to deliver him the same fate.

    Ariel looked on in horror as she watched her brother's slaughter. She had been made well aware of his violent tendancies by Skids and Rung, and had even witnessed them first hand on the Floating Fortress. But back then, she had been under threat and he was trying to protect her. Here... he was simply killing for the fun of it.

    "Brother," she said softly. She knew her pleads wouldn't do any good  -- both Vehicons were already as good as dead -- but she needed him to stop, to listen to her.

    "Brother," she said again, louder this time.

    Rampage immediately stopped in his spree but did not move from the Vehicon. He turned his head towards her. "What?"

    "Please stop."

    He blinked at her, a look of genuine puzzlement on his face. "Stop what?"

    "This." She gestured at the Vehicons, both torn to shreds. "Stop hurting people."

    His optics flashed. "They were going to hurt us."

    "You don't know that! You just... you just attacked them without... without...."

    Rampage lifted himself off his victim. "Sister, the people here are not good people. They want to hurt us."

    "But..." Ariel frowned. "But you said this was home."

    "Yes. Home." Rampage gestured widely with his arms. "We came from here. Well, not here specifically. But those responsible for our creation are here."

    Ariel's optics widened. "They are?"

    "Yes. But first, we must -- I must kill those who stand in our way. Because they don't want us here. They don't want us to find our creators."

    "Why?"

    Rampage did not answer her. Instead, he turned towards a large door up ahead. It slid open to reveal another group of Vehicons, a lot more larger in terms of number. Ahead of them was a green and brown Decepticon flier, who stopped upon seeing Rampage.

    "Oh, frag me."

    "Indeed." Mandibles clicking, Rampage charged towards the Decepticons, ignoring the Vehicons as they fired upon him.

    Ariel knew what was going to happen. She couldn't allow it. She knew what she had to do.

    Closing her optics, she opened her mouth and screamed.

*  *  *

    For the first time in over a thousand years, Mother was proud of what she had made.

    It had taken several centuries of research and experimentation, but they had finally succeeded in creating a combiner -- two, in fact. Apparently the program the Heralds had installed into Cyclonus had proven most successful. Once the interlopers had been dealt with, then they could finally proceed with operations.

    As she stared at the screen that showed Bruticus' progress, Mother was alerted to a presence in her chamber. Shifting in her apparatus, she looked down to see a purple bot standing below her.

    "Shockwave," she said. "I thought you were with Bruticus."

    "The Autobots performed an... unexpected action," Shockwave coolly replied.

    "Yes, I saw that. Fortunately, Bruticus seems to be handling himself well." She narrowed her optical sensors. "Were you at least able to retrieve them?"

    Nodding, Shockwave stepped aside to reveal Optimus Prime and Megatron, bound together by stasis cuffs. Mother's face lit up as she stared upon them for the first time in centuries.

    "They've grown up so much."

    Optimus weakly lifted his head up at her. "Who... are you?"

    "Come now, Orion." Hydra grinned. "Surely you'd recognize your own mother."

TO BE CONTINUED

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VIII, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

    The mysterious Titan had indeed noticed its counterpart, as it came to dock alongside Metrotitan. Rodimus, Optimus Prime, and Megatron stood by and watched as a hatch opened in the other Titan and a group of five bots emerged. As they approached, Optimus frowned as he adjusted his optical sensors.

    "I recognize these bots," he murmured.

    Megatron grimaced. "It's the Combaticons."

    "Great," Rodimus grunted. "More Decepticons. Just what we needed."

    As the Decepticon quintet got closer, their leader -- a tall mech in blue-gray and olivedrab armor -- noticeably halted upon seeing Megatron and Optimus Prime, standing side by side. The other Comabticons drew their weapons but Onslaught held them off from firing.

    "Lord Megatron," he began, glancing between the two life-long enemies. "I... see you are in good health."

    "Indeed." Megatron eyed his former general. "Were you not informed of my return?"

    "Oh no, we were all made aware," Onslaught said. "I was simply not expecting to find you here, on a Titan, alongside Optimus Prime."

    Megatron smirked. "Neither was I expecting to see the five of you here, with a Titan of your own. For such a mythical lost race, they certainly are easy to find these days."

    "Indeed," Onslaught echoed, still looking wary. "You're probably wondering why we're here."

    "Oh, I think I can piece it together. You're with the Secret Order, aren't you?"

    All five Combaticons tensed. "How did you know?" their leader asked.

    "My friend Soundblaster was most helpful in that regard," Megatron explained. "He showed me recordings of a meeting with my clone, which you were present for. He also provided me with quite a few details about your little organization."

    Rodimus glanced at him. "You never told me about any of that."

    Megatron waved him off. "So tell me, Onslaught," he snarled, glaring at the Combaticon. "Just how long has this been going on? How long have you all been plotting behind my back?"

    For a while, none of the Combaticons spoke. When someone did break the silence, it was not Onslaught or any of his bots that did so, nor was it Megatron or either of his two Autobot companions.

    It was a small purple robot that emerged from behind Onslaught's right shoulder, its single yellow optics glowing from a featureless face.

    Megatron, Optimus and Rodimus all moved with a start. "Shockwave?"

    The Decepticon scientist did nothing to acknowledge his former leader. Instead, he spoke to address the five Combaticons. 

    "It is time to put a millennia's worth of progress to the test. Combaticons...."

    Swindle and Brawl moved ahead of the group while Vortex and Blast Off took to either side of Onslaught, who remained standing in place.

    "...combine."

    The two fliers converted to their alt modes and attached vertically to Onslaught's shoulders. As his body shifted and reformed itself, Onslaught was lifted up and pulled towards Swindle and Brawl, who had both assumed composed forms. Onslaught was lowered onto them, the bottoms of his feet fusing with pegs that had extended from their torsos. As everything locked into place, a silver chestplate folded out from what had been Onslaught's back as a new, larger head lowered itself into place.

    As Megatron and the two Autobots backed away from the newly formed giant, Shockwave converted into a gun and fell into the combiner's right hand. Straightening itself up, the gestalt loomed over its three soon-to-be targets.

    "Bruticus," the combiner rumbled, "is online."

*  *  *

    "So this is where the legendary Necrobot has been hiding all these years," Delta Magnus mused aloud as he looked around the golden interior of the late Censere's fortress. "Must say, I wasn't expecting it to look so... modern."

    All around him, his bots were going about setting up operations. One of them -- a black and red Autobot he knew as Burn Out -- had discovered a system of video cameras installed into the main computer, all connected to small cam units scattered around the planet. Had the Necrobot been that paranoid of visitors? Regardless, it was certainly a useful feature.

    "Sir!" Burn Out called to him. "I've found something."

    Delta Magnus smirked to himself as he walked over to her. Case in point. "What is it?" he asked.

    "Looks like we're not alone." Burn Out pointed to the screen, which showed nine or so Autobots situated just outside the fortress' premises. Among them was his "brother" Ultra Magnus, as well as the former Herald of Unicron Cyclonus. Delta was well aware of the part Cyclonus had played in undermining their efforts at Nimbus.

    Burn Out looked up at him as he continued to stare at the screen. "Shall I dispatch a team to deal with them?"

    "Yes, do that," Delta said, almost absent-mindedly. "Before you do... are they in range to receive any frequencies?"

    Burn Out blinked before checking. "Um, yes, they are. But I don't know why--"

    "Never mind. Just go out and deal with them, will you?"

    Nodding, Burn Out departed with haste. Taking her spot at the computer, Delta Magnus spared a moment to figure out the controls (they were awfully varied for a computer) and soon found what he was looking for. With a grin of self-satisfaction, he sent out the signal.

*  *  *

    "So much for stealth!" Trailbreaker cried out, throwing up his forcefield as assorted Autobots and Decepticons fired upon Ultra Magnus' team from the Necrobot's fortress.

    "Skids, Getaway, provide cover fire!" Magnus ordered. "Smokescreen, Hound, see if you can create a diversion. Cyclonus, Whirl, provide air support."

    Whirl moved to transform only to stop when he noticed Cyclonus was staggering. "You all right, horn-head?" the ex-Wrecker asked.

    Cyclonus simply groaned as he stepped away from the others. Magnus frowned as he looked at the former Herald. 

    "Is everything all right, Cyclonus?"

    "No," he muttered. "It most certainly isn't."

    "Sunstreaker, get him back to the--"

    "No!" Cyclonus roared as the yellow Autobot approached him. "Get away from me!"

    "Come on, pal," Sunstreaker said, laying a hand on Cyclonus' arm. "Let's get you--"

    What happened next was a blur to the naked optic. An unseen force pulled Sunstreaker closer to Cyclonus; the Autobot screamed as his body fused to the ex-Herald's arm. Next to go was Smokescreen, who was also pulled in attached to Cyclonus' other arm. The resulting monstrosity lumbered ahead and jumped onto Hound, then Trailbreaker. The latter's forcefield faded away as the giant adjusted its shape. Cyclonus' head was replaced by one far more akin to his former leader.

    "Oh," the gestalt croaked, as if speaking for the first time in millennia. "It feels good to be back."

    Ultra Magnus recognized the voice. It was one he had hoped to never hear again. "Galvatron?" he murmured.

    The combiner rumbled softly. "Hmm. That name doesn't really suit this new form as is. I require something that sounds more powerful. Something like... Galvatronus."

    "That doesn't sound powerful, that just sounds stupid," Whirl remarked.

    Galvatronus smirked. "Perhaps you're right. Shall we put it to the test?"

    With that, the gestalt raised its left arm -- the arm that had once been Sunstreaker -- and brought it down upon the Autobots.

The Transformers, Issue 76: Final Conflict, Chapter Three

HUNT OF THE DECEPTICONS

    (On Cybertron, Rodimus Prime and the Autobots are driving around)

    Bumblebee: So, Rodimus, what do we do once we find more Autobots?

    Rodimus Prime: Once we find enough, we'll regroup at the base. I have a plan in mind.

    (Ah, but little do they know that Laserbeak is spying on them! Ooo-oooh)

    (Meanwhile, on Chaar)

    Soundwave: Upgrades: Complete.

    Megastorm: Well, Soundwave... this certainly is an improvement. In fact, I believe we're ready to return to Cybertron! Decepticons, transform... and attack!

    (Back on Cybertron, Brawl is chasing after Jolt)

    Brawl: Come back here, Auto-brat!

    Jolt: Who're you callin' a brat?! You just asked for a shockin'!

    Brawl: Bring it, kid! (He then proceeds to beat the snot out of Jolt)

    (At this moment, Bumblebee and the others show up)

    Bumblebee: What the-? Rodimus! Come see this! [Sure, wait for him to come over while your friend gets beat up. No one likes Jolt]

    Jazz: Hey, Brawl!

    Brawl: Eh?

    Jazz: Calm down! [...that's, like, the lamest one-liner ever]

    Brawl: Rargh! (He gets stomped on by Rodimus) Hey! I'm gonna pound ya' all into scrapme-! (Bumblebee shoots him in the back) I... I surrender... 

    Rodimus Prime: (grabs Brawl by the neck) Listen, Brawl... and listen closely. You're gonna tell us where your Decepticon camp is.

    Brawl: What makes you think *ack* there's a camp?

    Rodimus Prime: Where did you come from then? [well, you see, Roddy, the stork delivers the baby and...]

    Brawl: All right, I'll show you. Follow me. ["After you stop strangling me, of course"]

    (Meanwhile, on Animatron, the Maximals are walkin' around)

    Cheetor: So, what exactly do we do, Prime?

    Leo Prime: I don't know, Cheetor. My team and I were stranded here ever since the war. We tried contacting Cybertron, but couldn't get a signal.

    Primal Major: And since our ship's damaged...

    Leo Prime: We're stuck here. Forever.

    (While the Maximals mope, Brimstone flies up to Nemesis Prime)

    Brimstone: I see no sign of Flamus Prime or Gigatron.

    Nemesis Prime: Then they're dead. Predacons, it's time to unite. We shall rule this world with an iron fist! And the Maximals SHALL FALL!

    (Back on Cybertron, the Autobots are following Brawl)

    Brawl: The camp is right around here... (They get there) Here it is. It's just comprised of me and the Combaticons.

    Bumblebee: ...which forms that gestalt Bruticus.

    Rodimus Prime: How do we know you're not leading us into a trap?

    Jazz: I'll watch over him. You guys take care of them.

    (The others jump down to confront the Combaticons)

    Rodimus Prime: Surrender, 'Cons!

    Onslaught: And why should we do that? It's over, isn't it? Our world is dead!

    Rodimus Prime: And how should I know you're not attacking stray Autobots?

    Onslaught: And why are you accusing us of that?

    Rodimus Prime: (points to Brawl) Maybe your friend there can answer that.

    Swindle: Brawl?!

    Onslaught: Why you stupid little....

    (The Combaticons then combine to form Bruticus, sans Brawl and is thus missing a leg)

    Bruticus: I'll tear you all apart! Including you, Brawl! (He then starts smashing things)

    Jolt: So how do we defeat this bozo?

    Bumblebee: I have an idea. 

   (He then transforms and drives around, distracting Bruticus, allowing Jolt to fire a crossbow ('cos he has that now I guess) and bring the gestalt down)

    Bumblebee: Got 'im.

    Jazz: Nice going, Jolt! [You're the best ROTF Autobot ever!]

    (Brawl tries to sneak away only for Sideswipe to stop him)

    Sideswipe: Not so fast. You're not going anywhere.

    (Meanwhile, across the universe, Megastorm sends a message to all Decepticons)

    Megastorm: This is Megastorm to all Decepticons. The time has come to strike. No more will we hide and retreat. On this day, the Autobots will fall. You can trust your leader on that. Now... RISE UP!

    (Elsewhere, on Cybertron, Fistfight (still in his GO-4 body) is fetching an energon cube while Shockwave skulks in an alleyway)

    Fistfight: C'mere you little energon cube!

    Shockwave: Fistfight, how can you eat in these conditions? Cybertron is dying. That Megastorm is launching a soon-to-fail strike... Wait... we still have Plan Zeta! [Leave it to Shockwave to always have a deus-evil-machina up his sleeve]

    Fistfight: Plan Zeta?

    Shockwave: You wouldn't understand. [Deus-evil-machinas are for grown ups only!] Come. We shall meet with this Megastorm.

    (Back with the other Autobots in Iacon...)

    Optimus Minor: How're Turborun and the others?

    Wheeljack: All right, I think. But they'll take a while to wake up.

    Prowl: Wheeljack, Skids and Tracks are up.

    Wheeljack: Good, I'll go explain things to them.

    Optimus Minor: Are there any Autobots who don't seem like they'll wake up?

    Prowl: I think we may have lost Downshift... [hope Downshift isn't anyone's favorite 'cos I just killed him off-panel]

    Ratchet: These are dark times, aren't they, Prowl? 

    Prowl: Yes, Ratchet. Yes, they are.

    (Back with Ultra Trion and the Elite Guard)

    Monstructor: Monstructor... awakens.

    Thunder Clash: Well, I'll be.

    Ultra Trion: Monstructor, you are to help us in saving Cybertron. Understood?

    Monstructor: Monstructor... does not take orders... from you. (He whacks Ultra Trion aside) I take orders... from Nova Prime!

    Thunder Clash: But Nova Prime is dead!

    Monstructor: No. Nova Prime lives. I can feel it in my spark!

    Thunder Clash: Well, your spark's obviously wrong!

    ???: Now I wouldn't say that.

    (The Autobots turn around to see Nova Prime and Thunderwing)

    Thunder Clash: Oh, scrap.

    Nova Prime: I wouldn't say that somebody's dead unless you see their torn-up corpse.

    Kup: What do you want, Nova?

    Nova Prime: Not much. Except the big one behind you. And, oh yeah... YOUR HEADS!

    To be continued

FEATURED CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Bumblebee, Jazz, Jolt, Kup, Mirage, Optimus Minor, Prowl, Ratchet, Rodimus Prime, Sideswipe, Thunderclash, Turborun, Ultra Trion, Wheeljack

    Decepticons: Bladespin, Blast Off, Bludgeon, Brawl, Bruticus, Crankcase, Cyclonus, Firestorm, Fistfight, Irontread, Laserbeak, Megastorm, Onslaught, Shockwave, Soundwave, Swindle, Vortex

    Predacons: Brimstone, Nemesis Prime

    Maximals: Cheetor, Leo Prime, Primal Major, Rhinox, Tigatron

    Others: Monstructor, Nova Prime, Thunderwing

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VIII, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

    Mainframe's calculations had been way off the mark.

    While there was a Titan-sized vessel emerging from hyperspace, it had not come alone. An entire fleet of ships accompanied the Titan, flanking it from all sides in an armada-like formation. The larger ship's size must have prevented the Lost Light's sensors from picking up the others.

    Either way, it was hardly a welcoming sight.

    Optimus Prime, Rodimus, Megatron and Ultra Magnus all stood on the bow of Metrotitan as the entourage of ships flew over them, bound for the Necrobot's planet. Only the Titan lingered behind; whether by choice or because of its slower speed, it was difficult to discern.

    Rodimus' brow furrowed as he watched the Titan, which bore a dark blue and red color scheme not unlike Metrotitan's. "You think they've spotted us?"

    "They must have," said Magnus. "We're not exactly hard to miss."

    Rodimus raised a line to the Lost Light. "Blaster, are you picking up any frequencies?"

    "None, captain," came Blaster's response. "They're as quiet as a nanoflea."

    "I wonder what it is they want with the Necrobot," Optimus pondered aloud. "From the sounds of it, he wasn't keeping anything of note."

    "That we know of." Rodimus turned to Magnus. "Take a team down to Necroworld. Find out where they're headed."

    "Without them spotting us?" Magnus asked.

    "I've had Brainstorm fit one of our shuttles with a cloaking shield. It'll last at least one hour; should be enough for you to scout out and land if need be."

    "And you?"

    "I'll stay here to see what this Titan does," Rodimus said. "I'll radio you in case something happens."

    Magnus stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Be careful."

    Rodimus smirked. "Hey, I've got Optimus Prime and Megatron at my side. I'll be fine."

    Magnus nodded again as he turned to leave, giving a quick salute to Prime and a warning look to Megatron. Transforming to his truck mode, the larger Autobot drove back to the Lost Light.

*  *  *

    "Getaway?" Skids stared at the white and blue Autobot as he walked over to the unconscious Que. "How did you know...?"

    "I received the same orders," Getaway said, hoisting Que off the floor. "Que had just briefed me before he called for you."

    "Why would you be involved though? I'm the one who's close to Ariel."

    "Ariel, yes, but not Rampage." Getaway situated Que to be slumped over his desk. "I was tasked to handle Rampage while you took care of Ariel."

    "Oh." Skids frowned as he stared at the motionless inventor. "Why didn't you shoot him when he briefed you then?"

    "I didn't have my nudge gun on me. I had to go get it."

    "What?" Skids looked bewildered at his fellow agent. "But you always carry that thing with you."

    Getaway waved off the inquiry. "Never mind that. When Que wakes up, he'll have forgotten Prowl's order and him ever briefing us."

    "And when Prowl calls back for a progress report or something?"

    "We'll figure that out later. Right now--" Getaway was cut off by a call on his comm, one Skids received as well. Both agents answered to the sound of Ultra Magnus' voice.

    "Hangar bay. Now."

    Exchanging a brief glance, both Skids and Getaway quickly transformed and sped out of the lab, leaving Que behind.

*  *  *

    "Where are we going, brother?"

    Rampage did not answer Ariel as he led her to the hangar bay. He would stop on occasion whenever he saw someone walk towards them, hiding himself and Ariel from view or pretending to be headed somewhere else. Then he would resume their journey.

    He knew that, if anyone realized where he and his sister were heading, they would try to stop them and Rampage would be forced to kill them... and Aril would have been upset by that. He hated making her upset.

    They eventually made their way to the hangar bay, where they found a crowd of nine or so bots boarding one of the shuttles. He saw Skids among them, which piqued his curiosity, but there was no time to worry about that. Taking Ariel by the hand, he led her towards another ship: the one in which he had arrived less than a month ago.

    The protoforms it had once carried had long since been taken to Cybertron by the Autobots and the ship had also been cleaned of any corpses Rampage might have made while taking control of it. Now it was just an ordinary ship. An ordinary ship with a special clearance code from the Secret Order.

    Boarding the ship, Rampage guided Ariel to the passenger's seat while he settled at the controls. He waited until the Lost Lighters' shuttle had departed before starting the ship up.

    "Where are we going, brother?" Ariel asked again, her voice so quiet, so innocent, it pained his spark.

    "Home," he croaked, flipping the last few switches. "Sweet, sweet home."

*  *  *

    For many millennia, the planet of the fabled Necrobot had gone undiscovered. Save for one incident over a hundred years ago, Censere of the High-Ceilinged Manifold had gone largely undisturbed.

    In the span of less than a month, that had all changed.

    From his fortress, Censere watched as several ships surrounded his domain, crushing many of the flowers he had planted the world with. From one of the ships, he could see a large mech in blue and red disembark, making sure strides towards Censere's fortress.

    Closing the door behind him, the Necrobot stood tall as the visitor quickly closed the gap between them, coming to loom over the ancient mech.

    "So," the larger bot said, eyeing Censere with curiosity. "The myths are indeed true. The Necrobot exists."

    "Hello, Delta Magnus," Censere calmly replied.

    Delta Magnus smirked. "You know who I am?"

    "I know who you claim to be. No amount of armor can hide you from me, Powerdrive of Iacon."

    The Autobot's expression darkened as he scowled at Censere. "You are fortunate no one else was around to hear that, old fossil."

    Censere shrugged dismissively. "What brings you here then? I doubt you'd gather this large a party to meet an 'old fossil' such as myself."

    "We wish to establish operations here," Delta Magnus explained. "Its remoteness matched our requirements so that we may proceed in isolation."

    "How did you come across my world in the first place?"

    "A late friend of mine -- Quickswitch -- discovered it some time ago while on a scouting mission. We've been keeping tabs on it ever since."

    Censere nodded. "Ah, yes. Quickswitch of Hexadron. I noticed his spark signature had gone out. I was just about to record his fatality when you showed up."

    Delta Magnus raised an optical ridge. "It's true then that you are able to keep track of every living Transformer?"

    "Believe what you want. I am under no obligation to divulge such information."

   "A shame. Such technology would be very useful for the Secret Order."

    Censere narrowed his optics. "What makes you think I'm going to allow your Order to settle down on my planet?"

    "Oh, I'm sorry," Delta Magnus said. "I seem to have given you the impression that you have a say in the matter."

    The Autobot raised his arm, retracting his hand and replacing it with a gun, and aimed it at Censere's face.

    "You don't."

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars VIII, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

--The Lost Light--

   Megatron had barely rolled away in time as Nemesis Prime brought down the axe, hitting the spot on the bench where the Decepticons' head had once been. Optics flaring, Nemesis reoriented himself as Megatron stumbled towards the door.

    "Running away, are we?" the dark Prime said, storming towards Megatron. "Did you leave your ball bearings behind when you came back?"

    "Optimus, listen to me," Megatron replied, hand over his chest. "You have to fight it. You can't let Nemesis take over--"

    "Then why did you make me?" Nemesis roared, swinging his axe at Megatron. It struck the Decepticon in his midsection and he staggered out of the medbay, backing up against the wall.

    "You created me to lead your Warriors Elite," Nemesis went on, tightening his grip around his axe. "I was to be the face of the Decepticon Army; the enforce of your rule. And this... this how you treeat me?"

    "I only created you because I knew Orion would never join me willingly," Megatron replied. "It was the only way to bring him to my side."

    Nemesis stopped, his optics boring into Megatron's. "Why Orion then? Would such an effort not be better used on a strong Autobot, like Ultra Magnus or Thunderclash?"

    "Perhaps. But here's the thing."

    Without warning, Megatron sprung forward and tackled Nemesis to the floor, pinning him there. The dark Prime's axe fell out of his hand and Megatron kicked it out of reach.

    "Neither of them are my brother."

    "Your brother is gone!" Nemesis Prime growled, struggling against his assailant. "You cannot get rid of me without killing him as well!"

    "I can, actually." Lifting a hand, Megatron extended a small needle from his finger. "You're a virus, Nemesis. And like a virus...."

    He plugged the needle into Prime's neck, eliciting a cry of protest.

    "...You can be transferred."

    Nemesis' screams slowly died out as his programming was uploaded into Megaton's processor. The Decepticon's red optics briefly flashed purple while the Prime's black colors returned to red and blue. Once Optimus Prime had been fully restored, Megatron retracted the needle back into his hand and helped his brother back to his feet.

    "Better?" the former Decepticon leader asked.

    Optimus groaned as he rubbed his neck. "Ugh. What... happened...?" He stopped when he noticed Megatron standing in front of him. "You."

    "Me. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

    Before Oprimus could answer, Ratchet approached the brothers, having recovered from Nemesis' assault. "What did you do?" the medic asked Megatron. "To Nemesis. Where is he?"

    "Right here." Megatron tapped his temple. "I've transferred him from Optimus' processor into mine."

    Both Ratchet and Optimus tensed at this. "Will he...?" the latter began.

    Megatron shook his head. "I created him. I know how to keep him at bay."

    "And you can't purge him from your systems?" Ratchet asked.

    "Not without killing myself in the process."

    "I see." Ratchet looked between the two brothers, feeling the awkward tension. From around the corner came Rodimus and Ultra Magnus, along with a security detail led by Red Alert.

    "Nobody move!" Magnus ordered, raising his gun.

    Optimus held up his hands. "Relax, old friend. I'm all right. Megatron's--"

    "You." Magnus pointed to the ex-despot. "Show Prime what you're carrying."

    Optimus arched an optical ridge as he turned to his brother. "Show me what?"

    Megatron sighed but said nothing as he opened his chestplate. There, within the crevice that would have held his spark chamber, was a glowing crystal sphere held withing a twin-handled container.

    The Matrix of Leadership.

    Optimus' optics went wide. "How...?"

    "I don't know how," Megatron said quietly. "It's been with me since I reawakened. All I know is that it's the one thing keeping me alive."

    "You mean...?"

    "If I remove it, I will die."

    Everyone was silent as they all stared at the Matrix, looking from it to Optimus. As they all waited for the Prime to speak, Rodimus suddenly received a call from the bridge.

    "What's up, Mainframe?" he asked, putting the pilot on speaker for everyone else to hear.

    "We're detecting another vessel emerging from hyperspace," Mainframe replied. "A very large one."

    "Like, Titan sized?"

    "Pretty much, yeah."

    Rodimus grimaced. "I'll be there right away." Ending the call, he returned his attention to Optimus and Megatron. "This Matrix business can wait. We've got bigger things to worry about."

    "Agreed," Megatron said, closing up his chestplate. "This can wait."

    Optimus continue to eye his brother for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Let's go."

*  *  *

    "Sorry I'm late," Skids said as he stepped into Que's lab. "I was visiting Ariel and Rampage."

    "I see," Que said, not looking up from the weapon he was tinkering with. "You've grown close to those two, have you?"

    "Well, to Ariel, yeah." Skids rubbed the back of his head. "Rampage is a different story... I mean, he's okay when he's not acting bloodthirsty... but he's kind of always acting bloodthirsty."

    "Uh-huh. Close the door, will you?"

    Skids did so before turning back to the inventor. "What's up, Que?"

    The blue Autobot sighed as he set down his tools and steepled his fingers. "I've received orders from Prowl. You're not going to like them."

    Skids grimaced. "Since when have I ever liked them. What is it?"

    "Prowl has increased his efforts in investigating the Secret Order," Que began to explain. "He is aware that Quickswitch is involved with the Secret Order and that he was once Ariel's commanding officer."

    Skids slowly nodded. He had learned all of this from Rung and Ariel herself. "Yes, and...?"

    "Prowl suspects she is tied to the Secret Order. As such, he has ordered that we dig into her memories to uncover what we can."

    "You mean... mnemosurgery?"

    "If we can get Chromedome to help us, then yes. If not, I have a device that can--"

    "No." Skids shook his head. "I refuse."

    Que blinked at him. "What?"

    "You can't do something like that to a bot like her," Skids said. "You've seen her. She's the most innocent bot you'd ever meet. To use her like that is just... it's...."

    "It's not like we'd be using shadowplay on her," Que said. "We'd only be searching her memories."

    "Trust me, Que, I've experienced mnemosurgery firsthand. It's not a fun experience."

    Que stared at the agent, his long-time partner. "You've been a field agent for over two hundred years," he murmured. "Not once have I ever heard you refuse to obey an order."

    "There's a first time for everything," Skids replied, crossing his arms.

    Que's hand drifted down, disappearing under his table. "Please... at least reconsider...."

    Skids noticed what the inventor was doing and he frowned. "Really, Que? After everything we've been through?"

    "You know the price for disobedience," Que murmured. "It's something all agents understand and agree to when they join. Don't tell me you expected a different outcome."

    "The war's over, Que. Things have changed. Surely even Prowl realizes that."

    "The war may be over, but the mission is not." Que's hand found the deactivation button. He began to apply pressure. "This is your last chance."

    Skids said nothing, remaining rooted in place. Behind him, the door opened and a bullet shot past his head. It hit Que square in the face and the inventor fell to the floor....