Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars IX, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

--Metrotitan--

    "I have an idea."

    If it had been from anyone else, Rodimus would have been ecstatic to hear those words. Heck, if it had been from someone like Perceptor, he would have performed a cartwheel right there on the bridge.

    But when he looked over his shoulder to see Brainstorm, all those hopes were dashed.

    "Do you now?" he muttered, resuming sulking in his command chair. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

    "Please, hear me out," Brainstorm said, moving to Rodimus' side. "You remember during my, ahem, time traveling fun, you guys used a time phone to talk back and forth with Perceptor?"

    Rodimus raised an optic. "You know about that?"

    "Yeah, Skids told me about it. Anyway, I was thinking--"

    "If you're thinking about time traveling again, then--"

    "No, no! That's not at all what I'm suggesting!" Brainstorm rubbed his forehead. "Look, just-- I'm suggesting we use it to contact the future."

    Rodimus stared at him as if he'd lost his mind, which was a strong possibility. "The future."

    "Right. See, Dion has buddies back home. If I could hook the phone up to the quantum generators -- which have plenty of juice now since the Carcerians fixed them -- I could try and get a signal out."

    "And what makes you think these 'buddies' of his would come to the rescue?"

    "Well, first of all, because Dion and Cop-Tur are stuck here," Brainstorm said. "And secondly, they want Megatron brought to justice, and they need him alive. So if we tell them--"

    "No," Rodimus said firmly.

    Brainstorm's face fell. "No?"

    "Having the words 'time travel' and 'Megatron' come from you makes me uneasy. We're not going through that again."

    "But--"

    "No 'buts.' That is final."

    Brainstorm huffed. "All right. Fine. We'll just sit here and let these Secret Order guys kill us. Sounds like a--"

    "You are dismissed, Brainstorm."

    Taken aback by the harshness in his captain's voice, the scientist quickly turned heel and strode out of the room. He stormed out into the hall, where Dion was waiting for him.

    "I take it that's a no then?" Dion muttered.

    Brainstorm shook his head in exasperation. "I don't know why I even bother. No one on this ship even trusts me with a screwdriver."

    Dion frowned as he walked alongside the teal Autobot. "So what now?"

    "Duh. We're gonna send that message."

    Dion blinked. "I thought he said no."

    "He did."

    "But we're doing it anyway?"

    Brainstorm put a hand on his shoulder. "You still have a lot to learn about us, Dion."

    "I don't know about this. I don't like disobeying orders. What if we get caught?"

    "Don't worry, I've got everything covered," Brainstorm said. "Just trust me."

    From anyone else, Dion would have been assured by those words.

    But when it was from Brainstorm, he couldn't help but feel agitated.

--Mothership--

   Every time Megatron awoke from stasis, he saw the same image imprinted in his mind: Two robots, both small, almost Mini-Con scale, but unlike any he had seen before. They were not bipedal, giving him the impression of them being mere drones, except... they seemed to have a certain life to them.

    For as long as he could remember, he had had this image but could not connect it to any particular memory. Had they been worker drones as the con facility he was built at? Or was there more to them than he knew?

    Eventually the image faded, as it always did, and Megatron found himself in Hydra's chamber once again. This time, the two of them were alone, with no sign of Optimus or Magnum, or that of Shockwave and Soundblaster.

    Hydra was staring at him, her face devoid of the gaiety she had displayed earlier. Adjusting her harness, she lowered herself to be closer to her former protege.

    "This is not how I wanted this reunion to go," she said softly. "I only want the best for you, Optronix. I want to give you the Cybertron you've longed for."

    Megatron glared at her. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

    "Why, that is entirely up to you," Hydra said, her smile returning. "All of this is yours now."

    "Mine?" Megatron's brow furrowed in confusion. "But... you said you had lost hope in me."

    "I'm giving you a second chance. A chance to prove yourself. To make me proud."

    Megatron felt unconvinced by her words. "And before?" he asked. "What were you planning to do if I never came back?"

    Hydra did not answer immediately, which was all the answer he needed.

    "You have no plan, do you?"

    "Of course we have a plan!" Hydra snapped. "It's just... it's changed over the years."

    "Explain," Megatron demanded.

    Hydra shifted in hesitation. "Well, when I first formed the Secret Order, the goal was, of course, to achieve peace and unity for all Cybertronians. And... that still is the goal. At least... I think it is."

    "You think?"

    She let out a tired sigh. "I'm not the same person I was a millennia ago, Optronix. All of this has changed me. The people I've come to work with have changed me. I'm... I'm not even sure if I'm still in control. Lately, I've been leaving most operations to Shockwave and Delta Magnus and even Tarantulas. My body has broken down to the point that I need this apparatus to keep me alive. I allowed those Heralds to use my facilities for their own ends. I've... I've been nothing but a pawn."

    "And do you still think it's worth it?" Megatron asked.

    Hydra blinked at him. "What?"

    "This. Is it still worth it for you to press on, even after all of the setbacks you've suffered? You've lost all of your main bases, your operations have been undermined... why even bother anymore at this point?"

    Hydra stared at him in bemusement. "Are you suggesting that I give up?"

    "I already have, and it took me a thousand years to do so. You've been at this for nearly as long. Maybe it's time for you to do the same."

    Hydra was silent as she seemed to mull over his words. Raising up on her harness, she turned her attention to the screens that surrounded her. On one, Megatron could see what appeared to be Optimus being held in some sort of cell, barred by energy beams. Suddenly, the beams vanished; at the same time, a door opened just off to Megatron's left.

    "Go," Hydra whispered. "Do what you have to. It's yours now."

    Megatron frowned. "I don't want--"

    "I did all of this for you, Optronix. You're not happy with it. You have every right to get rid of it."

    Megatron sighed as he got to his feet. "I can't promise I'll come back for you."

    "I don't expect you to," Hydra murmured. "Now hurry. I can't promise the others won't try to stop you."

    Taking the hint, Megatron went for the door, not so much as stopping to look back.

The Transformers, Issue 78: Final Conflict, Chapter Five

RETURN TO EARTH, PART 2

    (On Cybertron, Rodimus and Thunder Clash's groups return to Iacon)

    Wheeljack: Ah, you guys are back... and with friends.

    Bumblebee: And bad news....

    Thunder Clash: Nova Prime's returned. He sent Thunderwing after us, while he left with Monstructor.

    Perceptor: MONSTRUCTOR?!

    Wheeljack: 'Bout time you woke up....

    Perceptor: Monstructor is the first known gestalt. [we know this already] Jhiaxus started working on him prior to leaving Cybertron.

    Rodimus Prime: Strange that Nova Prime didn't take the gestalt with him when he first left... [maybe 'cos he wasn't finished yet...?]

    Wheeljack: Uh, guys? (Outside, a beam of energy is shooting up into the sky, just like every 21st century action/superhero movie blockbuster ever) Can we please stop the talking...? [and go straight to the screaming]

    (Nearby, with the Decepticons)

    Shockwave: Fistfight, is the Alpha Space Bridge operational?

    Fistfight: Yup. [guess the blue beam of energy isn't enough for ol' Shockers]

    Shockwave: Well, Megastorm, might as well hop onto the bridge.

    Megastorm: I hope this works, Shockwave. I don't forgive errors easily.

    Shockwave: Don't worry, my lord... I won't fail you.

    (We cut to a flashback to the Escape of the Nemesis arc, where we see the Nemesis not exploding as we thought but rather being shunted into subspace and entering stasis lock instead....)

    (Back in the present, Megastorm and the Decepticons begin arriving on Earth. Fistfight is watching them go when Crankcase and the Dreads walk up)

    Fistfight: Yeah, yeah. Go on without me. I don't care... Hey! Crankcase! You look different!

    Crankcase: Shut up, twerp.

    Fistfight: *sigh*

    (Back in Iacon)

    Bumblebee: So just what exactly are we gonna do?

    Rodimus Prime: Wheeljack?

    Wheeljack: Well, if I could find the space bridge's computer, I can try to re-calibrate--

    Rodimus Prime: In basic Cybertronian....

    Wheeljack: We could hijack a ride.

    Sideswipe: Let's rock.

    (In time, the Autobots start mobilizing)

    Jazz: C'mon, 'bots! Let's move it! Come on, Optimus!

    Optimus Minor: But what about my team?

    Rodimus Prime: We don't have time. We have to stop the 'Cons.

    Optimus Minor: Wait! They're coming! [what was the point of that then?]

    Rodimus Prime: Good. Let's roll out!

    (They get to the space bridge, where Decepticons are standing guard)

    Darkwing: Dreadwind! Look!

    Dreadwind: Autobots! You first.

    Darkwing: No, you.

    Dreadwind: No, you.

    Darkwing: No, you. [aw they're such a cute couple]

    (The Autobots roll over them and hop into the space bridge)

    Jazz: See ya'!

    Fistfight: Hey! Not cool!

    (Within Unicron, Sideways is beating the snot out of Cliffjumper)

    Sideways: This is more fun than I thought! Prepare to meet your demise!

    Starscream: Not so fast.

    Sideways: Starscream? What are you doing here?

    Starscream: You promised me power, Noisemaze. Not this. (He blasts Sideways)

    Sideways: I see you wish to end our alliance. Very well... I'll make it quick.

    (On Earth, the Autobots arrive)

    Rodimus Prime: All right, Autobots... we must stop whatever the Decepticons are up to.

    Bumblebee: How?

    Rodimus Prime: We'll have to scan different alt modes and change colors so we can sneak by any Decepticons. After that, we'll find a base here on Earth. There we'll think of a plan to end this. Autobots, transform and roll out!

    (On Animatron, Leo Prime and his Maximals confront Nemesis Prime and the Predacons... and that's the last we see of this plot for the rest of the arc. I was planning a Beast Wars sub-series to finish it off, but it never came to be. Maybe some day...)

    (Back on Earth)

    Megastorm: What exactly is your plan, Shockwave?

    Shockwave: Quite simple, Lord Megastorm. Once united, the space bridges will be able to bring Cybertron into Earth's atmosphere. Once that's done, we'll raid Earth and enslave the humans. [totally not ripped off from Dark of the Moon, no siree]

    Megastorm: Interesting plan, Shockwave. Where do we start?

    Shockwave: We find Rodimus Prime. He is the key!

    (Meanwhile)

    Bumblebee: Cool place here.

    Wheeljack: Enjoy it while you can, Bumblebee. Rodimus says we'll be changing bases every few days.

    Rodimus Prime: It is for the best, Wheeljack. Optimus, I wish to speak with you. Follow me. (They transform and drive around) I remember when Optimus Prime adopted you when you were a protoform, shortly before my... disappearance. I knew then you were destined to be a Prime.

    Optimus Minor: But I was too reckless...

    Rodimus Prime: I know. Prowl told me Omega Prime took over. But since then... I'm sure you'll be a great leader one day, Optimus Minor. I'm sure of it.

    (Meanwhile again)

    Soundwave: (over comm) Dreads, this is Soundwave. Megastorm wants you to find Rodimus Prime. Bring him alive. Kill all who stand in your way.

    Crankcase: Understood, Soundwave. It will be done.

    To be continued

FEATURED CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Armorfist, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Fastfix, Heavypunch, Jazz, Mirage, Optimus Minor, Perceptor, Rodimus Prime, Sideswipe, Thunderclash, Turborun, Wheeeljack

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

    Decepticons: Cyclonus, Fistfight, Crankcase, Crowbar, Darkwing, Dreadwind, Hatchet, Megastorm, Nemesis, Scourge, Shockwave, Soundwave

    Predacons: Brimstone, Nemesis Prime, Undermine

    Others: Sideways, Starscream

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars IX, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

--Necroworld--

    Minimus followed Delta Magnus through the Necrobot's fortress, wary of where he was being taken. He started to wonder what had befallen Censere himself, but seeing as the Secret Order had all but made themselves comfortable already, things were not looking good for the ancient mech.

    Along the way, Minimus caught sight of Autobots he recognized; bots he had served with during the war. It crushed him to think that they would be part of this organization, after seeing the things they had done and the bots they worked with. What could have possibly pushed them to this length?

    Eventually, Delta Magnus brought him to a door marked by the number "1/001". Producing a key, she inserted it into the lock and slid it open. Beyond it, Minimus was greeted to the sight of several stasis pods, numbering at least fifty.

    Minimus' brow furrowed in confusion before looking up at Delta Magnus. "What am I looking at?"

    Delta said nothing as she stepped into the chamber, motioning Minimus to follow her. Reluctantly, he did so and followed her to one of the stasis pods. As they got closer to it, Minimus realized someone was laying within it.

    "Is that...?" Minimus tilted his head. "Roller?"

    "Why, yes," Delta Magnus said, grinning. "Yes, it is."

    "But... he died during the Battle of Chaar a thousand years ago!"

    "Presumed dead," Delta corrected him. "Yet here he is. How can that be?"

    Minimus glanced at her. "I feel that you're going to tell me."

    Her grin widening, Delta reached behind her back and held up an object he found very familiar.

    Minimus' optics went wide as he gazed upon the briefcase. "Where did you get that?" he asked, his voice quiet.

    "It just so happened to be laying around here when we discovered the pods," Delta Magnus explained. "It didn't take us long to figure out what it was and how it worked."

    Minimus felt the energon drain from his face. "How?"

    "Lift-Ticket opened it and ended up getting flung into the past. He came straight back and told us all about it, allowing us to piece everything together." She gestured to the stasis pod containing Roller. "The Necrobot went back in time and saved Roller from death. And Syphon. And Wavelength. And everyone else who was on his list of the Disappeared."

    Delta's optics twinkled as she grinned twistedly at Minimus. "I know your brother is on the list. Do you want to see if he's here as well?"

    "You've seen the list?"

    "Spin-Out pointed it out to me. He had spotted my -- ahem, the original Delta Magnus' name on it. I haven't come across him yet -- there are so many -- but he could very well be here, along with Dominus Ambus."

    She held out her hand to him.

    "So what do you say? Care to take a look around?"

    Minimus stared at the proffered hand, unsure whether or not this was some sort of trick. Even if his brother was here, what then? Would Delta allow him to open his pod? Would Dominus side with him or the Secret Order?

    Before he could answer any of these questions, Delta Magnus' comm beeped. Grunting in exasperation, she took the call.

    "This had better be important, Burn Out. I'm in the middle of--"

    "Sir, the Alchemor has just landed outside."

    Delta Magnus blinked. "The Alchemor? But I thought Quickswitch--"

    "It's carrying seven Decepticons. Obsidian is with them."

    "As their prisoner?"

    "No. He's leading them."

    Delta fell silent at this and almost seemed to forget Minimus was even there. After a moment, she released a heavy sigh. "Hold your fire. I'll deal with them."

    With that, she strode out of the room, dragging Minimus with her. After closing and locking the door, she transformed and drove away, leaving behind a very puzzled Minimus.

*  *  *

    "Oh. My. God."

    Misfire stared up at the life-size replication of himself as he circled the statue's base. He came to a stop and slowly rubbed his hand on the plaque that bore his full name: Misfire of Pretendia [?]

    "They even remembered my Autopedia home town," the magenta Decepticon murmured. "Whoever put this up really pays attention."

    "It has a question mark next to it though," Fulcrum pointed out, standing beside his fellow Scavenger. "I'm pretty sure whoever made it knows that's not a real--"

    "Even so!" Misfire said. "The fact that they would go to this length, for me...."

    "Don't get too caught up in your ego-stroking," called out Crankcase, standing underneath a statue of some Autobot. "You're hardly the only one to receive such an honor on this dirtball."

    "Just let me have this!" Misfire snapped, throwing his arms around the plinth. "Krok's already stolen my girl! I need something to sustain me!"

    "She was never... he didn't... they're not--" Crankcase groaned as he ran a hand down his face. "Now I remember why I ditched you losers in the first place."

    Away from the three Scavengers, Krok stood at the Alchemor's entrance along with Obsidian and Flamewar. The former was on his comm, trying to hail his consort Strika, while the other two stared at the fortress up ahead, surrounded by ships.

    "If they've spotted us, they're not in a hurry to greet us," Krok muttered. "I'm not sure if that's a good sign or bad."

    "They had to have noticed us," Flamewar growled. "Our ship isn't exactly what you'd call inconspicuous."

    Krok looked over to Obsidian, who was still on his comm. The general's face was unreadable, as ever, but Krok couldn't help but notice a hint of worry in his red optics.

    "Is she not answering?" Krok asked.

    Obsidian said nothing, gazing off into the distance; not necessarily at the fortress, but in its direction. Hearing a quiet scoff, Krok looked back over to Flamewar, who had a mild look of disgust on her face.

    "Don't waste your time with him," she jeered. "We have more important matters at hand."

    Krok wasn't surprised by Flamewar's callous attitude. During the First Great War, she and Obsidian had been on opposing sides. The Decepticons had suffered many a defeat thanks to the double-act of Autobot generals Obsidian and Strika.

    Flamewar had not been the only Decepticon to not accept the pair's change of allegiance, but she had kept quiet unlike most due to her loyalty and faith in Megatron's judgment. But now that Megatron wasn't around....

    "I understand your feelings towards them," Krok said to her. "But Strika is the only reason we haven't been obliterated yet. They wouldn't dare harm Obsidian and suffer her wrath."

    Flamewar seemed to consider this. "Perhaps...." She shifted her gaze in the direction of the fortress and sported a large blue and red truck driving towards them. "...or perhaps not."

    "Delta Magnus?" Obsidian murmured, almost in awe.

    Krok recognized the name, even though he was not old enough to have met the bot. To his understanding, Delta Magnus had been a leading Autobot general, as with Obsidian and Strika, and served as one of Sentinel Prime's closest allies.

    But Delta Magnus was said to have died over a millennia ago. How could he be here now?

    As the truck crossed the distance between it and the Decepticons, it started to change shape, adopting the form of a large mech, with a frame similar to that of Ultra Magnus. Standing to full height, Delta Magnus glared down at the three Decepticons.

    "Obsidian," he said quietly. "You're late."

    "All thanks to Quickswitch," the general retorted. "Where's Strika?"

    "I see you've found company," Delta went on, glancing at Krok and Flamewar. "I wondered how long it would be before your sympathy got the better of you. Decepticon or not, prisoners should remain imprisoned."

    "Magnus." Obsidian's voice turned cold. "Where. Is. Strika?"

    Delta returned his attention to Obsidian and smiled mirthlessly. "Thank you for proving my point."

    Krok didn't have enough time to react. Before he could process the gun Delta was now pointing at Obsidian, a blast of energy fired from the Alchemor's open ramp and struck Delta in the chest. All four turned to see a winged orange mech standing on the edge of the ship's entrance.

    "Hello, Delta Magnus," Sentinel Major said, gun in hand. "Miss me?"

The Transformers, Issue 77: Final Conflict, Chapter Four

RETURN TO EARTH, PART 1

   (We open on Cybertron, where Thunderwing is beating the snot out of Kup)

    Nova Prime: My, Kup... you're not as impressive as you used to be.

    Kup: What... what's the meaning of all this?

    Nova Prime: I'm still on my plan to remold the universe, but in order to do so... I'll need Unicron's help.

    Kup: Unicron?!

    Thunder Clash: So you know what's going on?

    Nova Prime: Partly, but I'm still not going to tell you. Thunderwing, kill them all.

    (Thunderwing starts to cackled madly before getting shot in the shoulder. Reinforcements have arrived!)

    Kup: Ironfist?!

    Ironfist: Not just me... (Flak and Crosscut are here to! Good, they're my favorites!) [No, not really]

    Nova Prime: Thunderwing, get rid of them. [I mean, that's what he was gonna do anyway]

    (Meanwhile, with Rodimus and his group)

    Bumblebee: So, Jolt, how'd you end up here?

    Jolt: Well, I was with Pyro's group, as usual, when, y'know, this whole event started. Pyro was trying to save Windbreaker and Rapido but I found it was hopeless... Unicron was coming.

    Bumblebee: Unicron?

    Jazz: That ain't good.

    Jolt: No, it's not. Pyro and I ran for it... but we didn't what to do. And then this creature showed up. (In a flashback, the creature is shown to be Razorclaw) Pyro went to fight it, and told me to run. The fight didn't last long... and Pyro was killed. That's how I ended up by myself, being chased by Decepticons.

    Bumblebee: The only question now is what do we do?

    Mirage: Rodimus?

    Rodimus Prime: We're heading back to Iacon. Now!

    (Within Unicron, Cliffjumper, Beachcomber and other Autobots are being held captive)

    Sideways: Hello, Autobots. You have all been abducted for a reason.

    Generic Autobot: And that is?

    Sideways: You'll all be infused with this: Dark Angolmois. You'll all be made into Unicron's undying slaves. For example...

    (He infuses the substance into the generic, turning them into a Terrorcon)

    Terrorcon: Kill... kill....

    Sideways: No, my friend. There'll be time to kill later.

    Beachcomber: Cliffjumper, what do we do?!

    Sideways: It seems our friend here doesn't know when to keep quiet. (He produces another Dark Angolmois orb thing) Time to teach him a lesson, don't you think?

    (Cliffjumper breaks free from his restraints and lunges at Sideways, shoving the Dark Angolmois into his face. However, this only serves to upgrade Sideways into a larger, spikier body)

    Sideways: You fool! You've only prolonged your deaths!

    (Back on Cybertron, in Kaon)

    Soundwave: Lord Megastorm, Laserbeak has picked up a Decepticon signature here in Kaon.

    Megastorm: And do you know who it is?

    Soundwave: Shockwave.

    (And like the devil, Shockers shows up)

    Shockwave: Hello, Megastorm. I'm quite interested to see how your plan works out....

    (Back with the Elite Guard, Thunderwing is blasting the Autobots to bits)

    Ironfist: This is bad.

    Thunder Clash: You think?

    Kup: Y'know, this reminds me of-- (He gets cut off by an Autobot being blasted away) Autobots, retreat!

    (The Autobots transform and flee, while Thunderwing chases after them)

    Nova Prime: Monstructor, while our friends are busy... why don't we finish our plan?

    (Meanwhile, on Animatron)

    Cheetor: Uh, guys... you should come see this.

    Leo Prime: This is bad.

    Rattrap: Very.

    (We see Nemesis Prime standing before a horde of Predacons)

    Nemesis Prime: Predacons! Today, we shall hunt down those rebel Maximals and rule this world! And I swear, soon, the only Prime you shall answer to... will be me!

    Cheetor: What do we do, Leo?

    Leo Prime: Let them find us. [what a sound plan /s]

    (Back on Cybertron)

    Bumblebee: Rodimus, why do we need to get back to Iacon?

    Rodimus Prime: I'll explain later. Just go! (They then run into the Elite Guard) Thunder Clash?

    Thunder Clash: Rodimus Prime? But--

    Kup: Less talkin', more fleein'!

    Blurr: (talking really fast) Zombie Decepticon just won't leave us alone no he won't!

    (Thunderwing transforms and lands, looking really ticked)

    Blurr: Uh oh.

    Kup: Run for it, lad!

    Thunderwing: (starts shooting away) There's no point in fleeing, Autobots! You'll all die eventually!

    (Suddenly, the Aerialbots show up and shoot Thunderwing's eye out!)

    Silverbolt: Miss us? [...no?]

    Kup: About time you showed up!

    Air Raid: We just love being late, right, Slingshot?

    Slingshot: Shut up, Air Raid. [boy i sure missed these guys no i didn't]

    Thunderwing: I will kill you, Autobots! All of you!

    (Then Silverbolt shoots his head off and kills him)

    Rodimus Prime: Well... he's taken care of. [very perceptive]

    (Back in Kaon)

    Megastorm: So what do you want?

    Shockwave: I'm here to propose an alliance. Obviously, I can not make it on my own.

    Megastorm: And what use would you serve me?

    Shockwave: I believe this may interest you.... I've prepared a series of space bridges to be placed on Earth... and I'll need help getting them there.

    To be continued

FEATURED CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Air Raid, Beachcomber, Blurr, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Crosscut, Flak, Ironfist, Jazz, Jolt, Kup, Mirage, Pyro, Rodimus Prime, Silverbolt, Slingshot, Thunderclash, Windbreaker

    Maximals: Cheetor, Leo Prime, Primal Major, Rattrap

    Decepticons: Laserbeak, Megastorm, Shockwave, Soundwave

    Predacons: Brimstone, Nemesis Prime, Sky-Byte, Undermine, Waspinator

    Others: Nova Prime, Razorclaw, Sideways, Thunderwing, Unicron

Transformers Regenerated: Prime Wars IX, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

--Mothership--

    "Sister?" Optimus Prime voiced the incredulity both he and Megatron were feeling. "What are you talking about?"

    "I use that term loosely, of course," Hydra replied, her voice so sweet it was sickening. "But if it weren't for Optronx, she would have never been created."

    "What?" Megatron exclaimed. "What are you going on about?"

    Hydra ignored him, diverting her attention to one of the many screens that surrounded her. Megatron couldn't quite make out what was happening, but he could swear he recognized the gray and teal bot.

    "My, her powers have developed," Hydra murmured, sounding awestruck. "If only Quickswitch were here to see this. He said she would never gain control...."

    With his former caretaker's optics focused elsewhere, Megatron took the opportunity to access his personal comm, contacting the one person he could.

    "Soundblaster."

    "I live to serve, Lord Megatron."

    "I'm transmitting you my position. Open a portal and--"

    His call was cut short when Hydra suddenly appeared before him, her face a twisted rictus of anger.

    "Do not think for a nanoklik," she snarled, "that I can't--"

    At that moment, a green portal materialized in the center of the room. Nothing emerged from it, leading Hydra to grin wickedly.

    "Too easy." Sending out a silent command through her harness, a nearby hatch opened and a group of Vehicons marched out. Hydra wordlessly directed them to the portal and the troopers went through, closing the portal behind them.

    "Honestly, Optronix," Hydra said condescendingly. "What did you think you were going to do? You can't even move with those stasis cuffs."

    Megatron said nothing as he simply stared into Hydra's optics. Suddenly, another portal opened, this time underneath him and Prime, and the two leaders fell through, falling out of their screaming Mother's reach.

*  *  *

    "Ariel!"

    She could not hear Rampage over the screams; her screams. As more Vehicons poured into the hangar bay, guns at the ready, she readied another sonic blast.

    "No!" Rampage scrambled to his feet but there was no time. Ariel unleashed the sound wave, sending him and the Vehicons back, tearing the walls and floor to shreds.

    Nearby, the Decepticon known as Fractyl clung on for his dear life, gripping the landing gear of one of the shuttles in the hangar. He tried desperately to call for backup but to no avail. The screams were blocking all frequencies.

    When the latest blast finally died out, he tried again to get out a signal. "Onslaught! For the love of Primus, get down here!"

    No response. Hearing footsteps, he looked over to see more Vehicons come marching in. Ariel saw them as well and, despite being clearly fatigued, opened her mouth once more.

    Oh, please, no. Fractyl braced himself for what he thought was to come... but was not prepared for what happened next.

    Appearing in the ceiling was a green portal and from it fell about ten Vehicons, landing directly on Ariel before she could let out her scream. Before Fractyl could allow himself to feel relieved, he saw Rampage get to his feet and make his way over to Ariel. Alarmed, Fractyl frantically looked around for something to use against the monster....

    A sound made him look back to see Rampage crumpled on the floor, immobile. Standing over him, single eye glowing without remorse, was Shockwave.

    Shifting his monoeyed gaze to Fractyl, the cyclopian Decepticon said, "What are you waiting for? Get these two to Mother before they recover."

    Fractyl blanched. "And if they do?"

    "Then you will be suitably punished for your tardiness."

    At that, Fractyl wasted no time in mobilizing the remaining Vehicons and recovering the two nuisances.

*  *  *

   "This isn't the Lost Light."

    Groaning as he flexed his arms, their fall having shattered their bonds, Optimus Prime looked around the room he and Megatron had fallen into. While he hadn't been on the ship long enough to know what was on it, he very much doubted Rodimus would have a cylindrical chamber containing a protoform in it.

    "She really is obsessed with children," he heard Megatron murmured, standing in front of another cylinder with a protoform as well. "How did she even acquire these? I thought the hot spots went cold eons ago."

    "They must have been produced from this Titan's own hot spot," Optimus suggested.

    Megatron glanced at him. "Are you suggesting this is one of the Thirteen's Titans?"

    Before Optimus could reply, a monotone voice interrupted them both.

    "My apologies for the unexpected change of location, Lord Megatron. I had decided to make an unplanned detour."

    Both leaders turned to see Soundblaster standing in the corner of the room, his red visor glowing from the shadows. Megatron narrowed his eyes as he scowled at the black-armored Decepticon.

    "What's going on, Soundblaster? What are you doing here?"

    "Returning to my roots." Soundblaster gestured at the protoforms as he stepped out from the darkness. "Reuniting with my brothers and sisters."

    Optimus exchanged a look with Megatron. "Are you saying you and the other clones originated from here?" the Autobot leader asked.

    Soundblaster chuckled, an unnatural sound that startled the two brothers. "Clones? An apt term, perhaps, but an inaccurate one. That implies they're an exact replica of an existing Cybertronian."

    "What are they then, if not that?"

    "They are as natural-born Cybertronian as you and I," Soundblaster replied. "Not born from this Titan, but rather from Cybertron's hot spot a millennia ago, preserved here and kept safe from the horrors of our war."

    "Yet she's used them to create her 'clones' and further her agenda." Megatron's face twisted in disgust.

    "I never said they were cared for properly," Soundblaster said. "And keep in mind, the clone project only extended so far. The objective was to recreate Megatron and potentially Optimus Prime. Only a small fraction of Mother's protoforms were used."

    Megatron frowned at him. "Then explain yourself. Why would Hydra need a 'clone' of Soundwave?"

    Soundblaster chuckled again. "I am not a clone. I am Soundwave."

    Both leaders reacted in shock. Megatron's jaw fell agape. "Impossible. You perished with Unicron!"

    "As did you. Yet here you are."

    "But you've been here well before I emerged from the portal! How can you be alive?!"

    "You can thank Shockwave. He saw me as too much of a valuable asset to ever risk losing; to that end, he created a copy of my processor -- including all of my memories up until Cycle 9701, shortly before my departure on the Nemesis. He then had Magnificus install this copy into one of the 'clone' bodies."

    "And... how did you learn all of this?" Optimus asked.

    Soundblaster did not speak. Instead, a voice familiar to all of them did. "Like he said, you can thank me for that."

    Megatron's face contorted in rage as Shockwave -- in the same small body as before -- appeared from behind Soundblaster. Before Optimus could stop him, the Decepticon leader lunged forward and seized the cyclopian bot with both hands.

    "I've had enough of your games!" Megatron roared, pulling with all his might and tearing Shockwave in half.

    Optimus was about to remark on his brother's act of brutality when they heard Shockwave speak again.

    "As I was saying...."

    Megatron stared flabbergasted at the two halves of Shockwave in his hands. "How...?"

    "Honestly, it's you, Megatron, that should be thanked," Shockwave went on, emerging from behind Soundblaster in the same exact body. "When you transferred my spark into Shockblast all those centuries ago, it gave me an idea."

    Optics flashing with rage, Megatron was about to attack this second Shockwave when both he and Prime were hit by an unseen force, causing their systems to seize up.

    "Take comfort in the fact that, once again, you are responsible for your own downfall."

    Megatron was about to scream in rage when darkness took over him...

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